From Robby we went right at Egidijus parents Taurage (to German Tauroggen). But they were not even home. Instead we were greeted by the same Egidijus godchildren Vilius and Goda. Goda is exactly as I was when I was a little girl. Hopefully she has time easier ... But that does not take up the butter on bread.
The reason that no one was home at Stancikas, was that Vilius's birthday. So we are driving us to Loreta Zigmas. They have 4 boys, 30 cows, and 7 bicycles ... and much work. Especially the mother, who Egidijus sister. Once there, we
were joyfully welcomed and invited to dinner. There was - as it should, after all, not even one among poor people - and plenty to eat ... you guessed it ... even more to drink. And ... Sun took the necessities no end and further from this scenario, I will spare the reader much. Too often you can read this blog, is celebrated in Lithuania.
The special attraction this time - with a trip to Egidijus parents is always awesome anyway - were two four-week-old puppies. My God, I thought my breasts swell and I would like milk .... My maternal instinct was awakened ... I lay there like a proud mom who just gave birth to twins ... but see below now itself ..
I've been a year living overseas and therefore constantly to do with the Internet telephony program Skype, which I will be buried permanently from any types that do I marry her. (Do you think that might want a German citizen, can I not imagine ;-))
In any case, I was also then stop at some point contacted the following. The difference from most other is that he initially thought that I was a guy. So we chatted ne good hour before I told my husband and he asked me point out, because if I was from the other side. Ne - but just a woman. So we skypten so happy the next few months and I have already announced him that I would sometimes visit him soon. And so we met then. We went to Vidukle, where he leads something of a small pension. A Träumchen ... the lake. He picked us up with the car and we went to him. Strange, he is exactly as I had imagined. I tell you, Mario Barth can pack up, or at least sometimes worry go on holiday. Apart from him we found also ne fat cat and a dog. He had presented me the same way, only a head shorter and with so much chest that I forward to fall ... In the pictures, one could almost think we were sisters.
I think next time we go through the same times a week ... But, now see for yourself ps. Robby, thanks for the coffee, we like to come again.
have very terrible I missed it all here. Even strange how you find it so back into old patterns of behavior. Already on the ship I had nothing better to do than to get drunk without restraint with Lithuanian beer Svyturys. We had a pleasant crossing by ferry from Sassnitz to Klaipeda - but boring. Funny because so between the truck cab, which is separated from you at dinner. A source of domesticated and now even ex-truck driver told me why. Supposedly can not behave at the table, the two plates would fill up to the stop and enjoy the still vocal. He says that one can do that to any civilized people. (Do you really Robby?) Ah, Robby, I will come in the next Chapter.
today has it been a week since we buried my friend Marie and her brother Robby. They came seven weeks in the U.S. in a robbery died. What does this have to do with this blog is now sure of one or other of you ask. It's simple: Marie has initiated this blog and wrote the first few lines for him to give me before my departure. And now I've developed over time into a passionate blogger, I only and I owe to her alone.
The diligent reader will have noticed that it was Marie who is lined up bravely and daringly with me this trip to Lithuania in the kids .... What a pleasure it ...
Strangely, our mutual friend Yougha said that she always thought that we are three quirky girlfriends old together. We would have perhaps chosen each other as godmother for our children, along beautiful festivals celebrated and shared sorrow and joy together. It is strange if such a young man from his own circle of friends to me anything you nothing is taken out of life. As it suddenly starts up again, to ponder about life.
Yes, as it was, our Mary? Especially ...! That's true in every respect. Particularly helpful, especially open-minded, particularly exhausting sometimes, more cheerful, more loving and careful, because if they did ...
and all that I do not always know, it knows how to appreciate some time and now that she's gone and never comes back, because I find it like scales from their eyes.
Marie was always such a kind of bold and somehow really afraid of anything or anyone in life. She also was a true cosmopolitan, who has eaten everything and everywhere felt at home.
I can not imagine that they will never come with their cheerful laughter through my door. That makes me sad. Marie would have been good but not that one is always sad now because of her affliction and blows. Instead, she had a way with a light-hearted ease life - with all its ups and downs - to accept and affirm. Maybe I should take you an example of it.
Now I'm back in the right mood to go to the East. Now I will quickly show you some of the best places in Kaunas. That will not happen to four photos, but I start again. So, this white bell tower is part of the Pažaislis Monastery, which I have already described somewhere below even more closely.
The "Spurgin" is a bar in Kaunas, which already existed in Soviet times and since then have neither the staff has not changed the interior - if we may believe my friend Mindaugas ... The name comes from my knowledge of the Berlin-type chickens , which can be bought there. If I remember rightly called the "gas gauge" not to be confused with "Spuogas" which means that is Pimples. Children in times of Mindaugas is always been with his grandmother Marija. Marija you have indeed been met. She is the woman in the yellow leopard dress, whose birthday we celebrated. In this shop, it smells terrible after all chip fat and there are people who sit there voluntarily in order to enjoy their trace gas at the same spot. I'm glad when I can leave the store under two minutes, because the clothes and hair stink immediately sets (I think it shows on my Gesichtsaudruck).
The next picture was taken at my favorite store. Since you can buy linen ... so beautiful and gorgeous and colorful ...
Then you can still see my father with me, which I I invited my favorite student cafeteria. Yes, I've spent many a blissful hour with Mindaugas, Egidijus, Justina, Virginija Lithuanian and my teacher. As always sat the French, who even after the full academic year in English ordered her coffee. Stuff there ...
Now I drive probably in the next week, finally back to Lithuania. Here are some quick pictures from Kaunas. Funny, somehow I've been concerned that I forget the language. Let's see how it is in my old flat.
For nearly three weeks, I find myself back home now and - admittedly - some difficulties have get used to again. I miss my little un-not to say extraordinary life to be a matter. Everything here is always like that and do just that I was tired, I had but one year the life that I've always wanted. Funny, they glorified the past after all. How many times have I searched desperately for a rent dispute, the dorm number ... Arturas or asked if I can not live with him.
Arturas the way, is pastor and my third favorite, Lithuanian friend. Enchanting I tell you. Just, loyal, patient, and equipped with plenty of self-irony and wit. He always says
Ulijona when I am Pope, then we go to Rome and you will be my housekeeper. You are mixing then the Vatican once alittle bit on ... would not it? "
heat what Arturai!
Arturai is not accepted by some, perhaps, a clerical error, but the vocative of Arturas ... For all non-Latins and language disinterested among us who do not know what a vocative :
The vocative case is the salutation, then, as I approach a man if I do not like something in the nominative case (who or what?) as talking about him. Was that clear? Hmmm? Well, wanted to be a teacher, too eh more.
Oh, I forgot to tell that my father visited me in Lithuania. I especially can repair my mini again, which I wanted him to pick up from Vilnius. But ... read more in the next episode!
Now, I'll still make some quick clean images that are on the roofs of the Kaunas old town emerged.
We see
the cathedral, my - even if hard to believe - under construction, neighborhood, and the Jesuit Church.
We had a very wonderful weekend ... we were in Marcinkonys. This is in the middle of Dzukija
"Jei ne ne ir grybai uogas, dzuku MERGOS Butu nuogas ..."
to German:
If there were no mushrooms and berries, dzukische girls were naked!
And that is true, because in this region collect all (so of course not all) of Lithuanians fungi une berries later in order to then sell on the street.
After I Egis us during our the way there have been times does something, where he started;.) No, she, no he ... So, he certainly had such a bad mood, he would have exposed most like on the road, but what he failed kindly but (thanks Egidijus!)
So apart everyday from our quarrels and my quite severe sunburn once we had a wonderful weekend in this National Park.
Our neighbors have a new dog (Meskis = bear) because the old dog Princas unfortunately died. Also living there Petras 93-year-old mother, who could not often enough to thank me that I am learning their language and visit them. But, enchanting.
We have the little shack into shape, the lake free of algae and the beautiful new garage with used oil (yes, dammit, you got it right) painted. I stopped after five minutes with it. Such a pollution could not and would not I attend any longer.
Now I wanted to write long before I simply upload a few pictures. So, the two are not quite so old, that is Stasele and Petras, our dear neighbors, always preheat the winter when we go into the house once, and provide them with food and drink plenty of home-made brandy with us ...
Then we were at Gytis in his house somewhere in nowhere ... There are there is nothing, and certainly no running water ... but so wonderful. Because it is so quiet that I certainly my tinnitus had the night really annoyed. In the forest, where we were walking, he and his friends trenches, a steel helmet and some empty cartridge cases found. Since the Germans who fought against the Lithuanians. Strange - and 60 years later we are all friends and walk peacefully through the equally peaceful forest. Absurd idea!
to my departure, we have invented something special: We have our guests invited to the Paris 1920th We have prepared our table quite beautifully and served French food. Then we went to our neighbors Martynas risen to the roof ... in the truest sense of the word. So I am celebrating with all my guests through his living room around with just that on the roof terrace of a little over the roofs of the old town. Unfortunately this was too good not the guests have canceled and so did any activities unfortunately. Despite these unfortunate circumstances, we had a very pleasant evening, and I must commend especially the costumes. Some have been really hard.
the following report, I would like to dedicate my friend, the Lithuanians Edvardas M. ... They objected met last week with me that if you read my blog so, then one could argue that in Lithuania or anything like 50 years ago would, as I replied that, disagree: how 30 years ago!
Well ... I rather think that, according to my reports might get the impression that all Lithuanians are alcoholics!
Well, as it may ... So therefore the Eddi is assured: Lithuania is not in Africa, is not a third world country (maybe second) and you can find here a great experience. When I really think about that Eddie has perhaps not far wrong. I am fascinated by the originality of the find at one point or another in this country quite is. For us it has already been lost. Here also know the 16-year-old, which mushrooms to eat and that you must collect lime to it to cook these sweaty tea for colds! I think that's not backward, but on the contrary more advanced!
So, dear Lithuanians, excuse my one-sided reporting, but I think it's just nostalgia on a wooden beam my little business with me or perhaps more business ... to do.
Today was one of those days ... also: Today I woke up even with a hangover, because yesterday we had Egidijus brother with the Annex to visit and to kill the premium vodka bottle Magnum had. So that the day would not be so bad I start with Egis lifted without breakfast schonmal the first 2 spirits. Today Mindaugas grandmother Marija birthday. We went there with lemon cake and mini Erdbeercrumble and has packed the foresight to the accordion. was best but still my grandma's old friend with a pronounced 'th lateralis and a giant nose, which he always concealed by hand when someone pulled out a camera. This is always true of any songs because of their poor play virtually no recognition had then had to improvise the Mindaugas. That was to compare for example with Ralf Sögel Stenkelfeld the CD's ... if not even better! Had he not been, I would certainly not half as royally amused. Of course there were plenty of booze and turned about all that. Mindaugas brother Darius remark was only too well: if it had not Schnapsgäbe here, then talk to here nothing! So the topic of conversation at the table was accordingly alcoholic. There was talk two hours about whether and who was not drunk now and why not and I would have 3 and you took only 2 spirits and no end ... and the necessities ...
Now we were Nastute in and have their bellies with handpicked žemuoges to German: full Walerdbeeren beaten. Within half an hour we have done with five of my favorite pastor Arturas their entire day's work destroyed! Lecker's it! madness, since yesterday, Egis and I do not argue - he would only be that way forever! Simply magical ... But the magic is back again tomorrow! But why am I so sure?
Buk žmogus, išgerk! Let people who drink from!
Ok, added so the main thing is that grandma has been looking forward ... and that's it ...
Finally - Pagaliau ... My friends, it's so far, and my final exams are behind me and I have the journalism course, completed with 9 out of 10, which fills me with pride powerful ... Then we had a drink first then ... But strictly speaking you need in this flat no reason to drink, you drink just ... This is much better anyway, then you have not flimsy constantly look for any excuses to raise a glass ;-) This weekend I was in Telsiai and Egidijus parents Taurage. Who went together to Klaipeda and left me at home, because the calf had to be supplied. I was only one day a real Lithuanian peasant woman. But somehow think that this always dass ich so eine Stadtgöre bin der mir nichts me zumuten horseback. Aber bin ich nicht! Aber das Kälbchen - zauberhaft! für alle unter euch Litauischsprechenden, hier meine Nachricht an die Ausflügler:
"What a life, I do not want to change you. Versukas is Timis and my new friends, and the strawberries and turkey-karalieniškai feel there is still equal rights. None nepasiilgau but you are still more beautiful. lot of kisses from the village today, not on the mountain. Ulijona ... hahaha .... strawberry pre-existing company "alle anderen , die es nicht verstehen, habe einfach mal halt Pech gehabt ;-)
Ich habe den Lieben ook long day in the sun located in a deck chair, read, held a nap on the sofa, and picked a few strawberries. What a life - but after three hours it was boring ... Yes, Egidijus parents are really moving - just a pity that they speak Zamaitisch, so I miss half of what is spoken. But even these extreme roles here in Lithuania, which are really conservative and I have almost given up now or still something to be able to. I'd rather go home and educate my own husband that is easier to tame than the Lithuanians. The pee standing up here, which is to be taken? The really think that women were born stupid and It remains, of course - that is something illiberal! As the well is only when you live in the East? Under such a black curtain - as a black bird with no rights ... oh, that was just a little ethno-centric statement? No, I love my freedom ... too much ...! Hamburg, I'm coming! Certainly the only way just arrived a fit my hand, and hardly at home, maybe I will return immediately ... let's see how long it holds me!
Yes, I know I should prefer to write to the sociology of home ... But you already know this from me ;-) Finally I visited the first friends here! Thomas and Rita and ... if they did not lie out of politeness, it has them here liked very much! On Monday I Lithuanian written exam and on Sunday, where I would actually have to learn we were the morning aud the cemetery, from which it is somewhere down there a photo, flowers are selected and planted. Flowers hears chosen to be here so trivial ... no, if one chooses Egidijudis with flowers for the cemetery, this is a serious matter that can not - could be dismissed in an aside - such as with each other. So, I wanted the pink .. you also forgot the name ... well that Google does (which could actually pull the trigger for this surreptitious yes even a few bucks to me) So I wanted the hydrangea in pink and Egis said that does not fit on the grave stone color, and then I wanted the white hydrangea. Finally, he has not said that he does not want the plant to be ... now ... not, where would I hinpflanzen because ... and he was happy to take others with which Rita said, however, that much water would need ... and therefore not so suitable. Uli Yes, tell me, is to take what I do. Egidijus I said before ... now. He has even asked Rita, which hardly dared something already decided against the flowers to say ... so everything planted ... no, not the water directly on the flowers ... Egidijus, how should I know, you're the farmer's son - not me! Walking in narrow eyes ... driven by Pažaislis and Sister Simone was out in the church. But Egis is it anyway ;-) good call at Edmundas and Vince ... wanted to cancel because I had to learn .... NO ... You must come and the guests you bring with like. Well, even then, all together. Nice celebration, eating and singing. All in a hat. As Rita and Thomas could get the right impression, as will be celebrated here so ... Ethnographic a small study, so to speak. Now I wanted to go home ... Egis but not yet ... But after 45 minutes wait I get it without Armzerren home. Then, my joy in the back seat to chat really wonderful .. they apparently wanted all the time ... there would not have been the language barrier ... now found Thus it out in the back seat, they all speak Italian ... molto bene ... but then we had to create one (there were probably 5) take espressos at Arturas. Nice wars ... Last but not least we went to my dentist Zygi, because Thomas did not like something about the situation here. Once there, we do not have an red ausgeklönt us something to my people then I could go home and .... made without anything to have it fall into bed dead tired ... to write my test next week ... and what I conclude: Do you live together with Egis, do all in the same moment ... otherwise it may be too late!
on Thursday, 24 April, Zee and I went to work with my car all the way to their home - Newcastle, situated in the northern province of KwaZulu-Natal. The road was so crazy, next to the mother of all potholes we have almost a collision with an antelope and a cow (!) Have had, a rabbit and a few fat toads flattened down and lost our way also incredible! In the end we are but actually arrived in Madadeni, Newcastle Township, where Zee's family lives. Hi go to the very nice parents and sisters and then sleep.
am After a hearty breakfast next Tomorrow, in which the family spoiled me hard again, we are driven to the family farm to attend a ceremonial slaughter. The giant cow was led inside and uncle, who had the honor, took the knife and stabbed. In the Zulu culture, the slaughter of a cow is associated with some rules: First of course there are only male family members, allowed the slaughter, the women while the operation is not even allowed to stand in the immediate vicinity. Their job is to cheer the mood with the characteristic Zulu hoot. When a boy wants to kill, he must naturally have only reached a certain masculinity, and when he finally kills his first cow, which is considered significant step up in the family hierarchy - but depending on the end of the slaughter. Namely one has to make with the knife a very specific point, so the cow immediately zusammenfaellt dead. This point is missed, freaks out the cow and the family's honor is tarnished. To restore it then you have to actually slaughter a goat (the Zulus medium of communication with the ancestors), the reputation of the incapable harm such an error but still sustainable.
Well, this case was in any event with us, the cow is going wild rumgeflippt and only at the third spot is the poor animal collapsed. Since Zee's family is relatively modern, but had no "compensation goat" be slaughtered, but his uncle was permitted to listen to yet so some of the other men. Peeling and cutting up I was active here, and held her legs apart with the boys, while the men went about their craft. It is really impressive, carried out with care and skill which the procedure is, knowledge is still passed from father to son. Starting from said Toetungspunkt, about the proper cut lines at the molt, so that one has a perfect piece of cowhide in the end, to the cutting, crushing, chopping and sawing of the gehauteten body. In the end, really just a few bones remain, the rest was recycled to eat. Was a bit funny it already then, rumzukauen on meat, put two hours in advance still in a living body. But it still tasted fantastic!
Actually I wanted to try out a new South African specialty for me, the "Inyama Yangapakathi" - guts. That problem was that the stomach and intestines of the decomposition of the animal were cut, has been evacuated then the entire digestive tract and not looked particularly appetizing. The whole shit was washed by the women from the giblets and shortly after, the "Inyama Yangapakathi" already served - but smell and look I still have clear reminder of cow dung and so I finally declined with thanks.
the rest of the day we have the farm and the Transfer area Maskraal explored were in Madadeni road, traveled by Zee's mother to Newcastle for traditional tailoring to pick up her dress for Saturday, have the paid (especially in comparison with the bourgeois family of the mother) very poor family of Zee's father a visit in another township and Zee are rough sweet daughter pick Philasande down. Some of the countless cousins of Zee later drove around with me in the area and I have a few new places shown. Dinner, there was again on the farm, which is now with piles of FAMILIES had stuffed and outside were any people involved in the cause of the meat from BEITEN now two cows, two sheep, and quite a few chickens (!) For the festivities!
had before the meal we were all into the living room and a long service stop - on isiZulu. I of course did not understand much and the rest of my time in Newcastle / Madadeni has been issued solely on isiZulu, unless you spoke to the uMlungu - "white boy". Just for me but has contributed much to the authenticity of the atmosphere. The following night was long, because with friends we were stupid in a crazy club in town and have so choreographed moves unpacked what was coarse funny! And I was once again the only white people, but that's nothing new anymore ...
the real celebration took place the next day and there were nearly four hundred people there. The occasion was a so-called "Thanksgiving" for the deceased for several years, grandparents from Zee, who were by her commitment to the community far beyond via the same well-known and even still are.
I was there, said that that would be the equivalent of a traditional African family in a "Ancestral Celebration been so giving and communication with the ancestors. In our case it was a Christian celebration to commemorate these two people. The whole area was prepared very carefully, it was held countless speeches on isiZulu and gave good food is also available - expected, pretty much meat and so is my Tiefkuehltruhe just a thick piece of fillet of the slaughtered cow. In addition, it was great that most guests were in traditional dress and I am therefore more like an exotic, foreign world (probably) felt. But they were all still made a great effort I embellish my stay, have constantly asked about my well-being and interlocutor lacked not, according to Zee, we must both now visit some relatives in Johannesburg, as they have invited us and Zee's mother, an African mother as in the book is there, that I sometimes bring my parents when they should come back for South Africa.
The following night clubs in the township was once wet and weird and went into the early morning. And that had an extremely annoying initially, but subsequently enriching consequence
On Sunday I were aiming to get up very early and with my truck driving back to Pretoria, they leave me there and make their way to Botswana. But due to my severe fatigue and Verka esterification, I have decided to leave my car in Madadeni (and make it go back Andile) and take a minibus taxi. At 7 clock in the morning I sit in the minibus then to Johannesburg and get to 13 clock there. Driving to this means of transport over long distances is quite tiring, because you're caught between big men and luggage in a crowded bus stuffy is like hell and without the opportunity to relax a little. It used to it but I had no choice, because for the next eight days was the means of transport of choice. In Johannesburg, I've made friends with a Bangladeshi and him together gecatcht a quick shuttle to Pretoria. There I rushed to my apartment, had taken the stuff from Newcastle and set up the backpack for Botswana am, walked back to the taxi rank and was allowed to learn that the mini bus to Gaborone (capital of Botswana) is already gone and no other travels. Oh great, that's going on so great. But how is spontaneous, I just go the 110 kilometers to Rustenburg, maybe go there still was! And I was lucky - first. Because the driver of the Combis Gaborone has eventually decided, but no longer drive, it's finally night already and enough is his small bus also do not yet. Crap, then just to Zeerust, the other is located 100 kilometers to the border.
During the trip I had met two girls, Boitumelo and Tsolo, in Gaborone, which had the same problem as me and were a welcome accompaniment so. We arrived after sunset in Zeerust and of course there was nothing more transportmaessig. What do you do? Man hitchhiking! After a short wait we were actually taken from an Indian, with us for a scary ride sold a pace (by the nocturnal bush!) and a donkey just missed in Gaborone. The girls have helped me to change money, brought me to the station and given me an invitation for next weekend.
pleased with the course of the day and in good spirits I went into the overnight train that brought me to Francistown, further north. On the train toilets, there was no toilet paper, I had none of this of course also helped the conductor and demand anything. "Can you buy that maybe in the board? I really need pretty much any. "(I was already on the road for 7 clock in the morning!)" Noe! But that's a great idea, I will do my time to it that is introduced ". He was very happy about his obsession, but that was the subject eaten. Well, you can not have everything ... then have breakfast in Francistown, exchange more money and buy toilet paper and over to Busrank to continue - after Gweta. "Light" of the crowded bus fueled by Botswana and I can collect my first impressions, rural and sparsely populated but very beautiful nature. These countless herds of cattle, donkeys, chickens and other animals, both in the Pampa, and in the "cities". Afternoon, I'm so good after 1500 kilometers, covered with various means of transport, in the small village of Gweta.
It is hot and dusty, and while I lay back with my backpack, the few miles to my Lodge on foot, I was somehow very happy to march all alone by the Botswana bush. Arrived at the "Planet Baobab" the place I felt like an oasis - surrounded by huge bizarre baobab (Affenbrotbaeumen), very stylish and with a great pool, an inviting bar and very nice staff. What more could you want? Society, so quickly made friends with a young American couple who in the Okavango Delta (coming later) and manage a lodge just a short break participated. The inevitable followed and we sat all day at the bar and have Botswana and Namibian beers tested. I must say that it was very inspiring to talk to the two because they been around hard to have worked in various social projects in Africa and Asia and elsewhere were just very relaxed. In the evening we walked to the nearby water hole and have a beautiful sunset seen from gnarled baobab trees. As the sun was already down, even four elephants came to drink!
The next day we made three a tour and are initially for a few hours through the northern Kalahari GEDU that I was quite reminded of this cliché Africa with vast steppes and scattered acacia trees, which can be found most likely still in the East African Serengeti. First we stopped but is estimated at some very impressive baobab trees whose age about 3000 years!
In the dry season, zebras and wildebeest have to open up new water sources, and in return migration to the north. As the dry season begins in April, walking the animals go in this period. So we had the good fortune by chance, just purely down to such a migration and thus was the aforementioned "Serengeti-picture" perfect, because under the said acacia now are huge groups of zebras. And we are talking about thousands, I do not exaggerate! It's really indescribable, by such a huge group of peacefully grazing zebras to drive. And I must say that to me means something much more than a five day photo tour in the Kruger Park, where I get 37 lions and 12 leopards in front of the lens. Because in addition to the quantitative Imposanz it was just the Unplanned nature that has made this event so much.
We went on a very beautiful sunset as always, until we in the Darkness on the edge of the pan Ntwetwe came - that is the largest of the Makgadikgadi Pans. This used to be a huge lake that has dried out 10 000 years ago, and mutated in this way to the largest salt pan complex in the world. Concretely, this means a 16 000 square kilometer area of mirror-like saline soil devoid of life. Except dead ground there is really not relevant. The Living Desert, perhaps, but the Makgadikgadi Pans are definitely dead ..
exactly what was the Temptations, and therefore we are at the edge of the pan Ntwetwe upgraded to quad bikes and several miles into the interior GEDU, where we pitched our camp. Delicious dinner at the campfire and then It already went to bed, the highlight of the already great day. Highlight because we had no tents, but each has taken a mattress and this has pulled far enough away to others. to sleep under such a starry sky is something really special and it is impossible to try to describe adequately. Just to stimulate your imagination a bit: a perfect circle around you, not a single survey, no noise and of course no single source of light. And it is among the stars of the southern hemisphere (which in my experience are by far more numerous and are also lower) and takes no longer all that.
On the same level was also the sunrise. After a coffee we went back to the quads, get out of the pan and Ntwetwe zurureck to the lodge. In my absence, had a rat in search of vanilla porridge (a flavored corn powder which you touched with hot water - you eat it primarily to be filled) eaten in my backpack. Because of bland vanilla porridge, what an idiot! So, patch up the backpack, drink a beer to strengthen and move on.
ask again by walking through the bush and every car passing by to stop. Of which there were unfortunately not very many, therefore I was once again a few miles on the road before me someone took. Passing a really (!) Large, flat line driven, and if there is a dead snake I even implied that there are living examples ... Which I am fortunately not encountered, but on the back of a pick-up of the ruling BDP (Botswana Democratic Party) landed. This was was on the way to a congress of the Youth League in Maun and I wanted in the same city, I jammed between the would-be politicians and I am with them a few hours in the north west of the country tumbled. Arrived at camp I have with a young couple from Cape Town and boiled spent a fun evening with the two. The place Maun on the edge of the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. Here the seeps coming from Angola and Namibia, the Okavango River in the Kalahari Halbwueste and transformed in this way, a 15 000 square-kilometer area in a fertile marshland. The animals all the water pretty well and are therefore quite happy to stop by for a drink - that's why the Delta is the main attraction of Botswana.
How well have any other tourist, I explored the Delta in Botswana in a so-called Mokoro, which is a kind of canoe, which is carved from a tree with the euphonious name "sausage tree". As you sit in and (the residents work 99% of Mokoro Driver), a boy from one of the surrounding villages controls the dugout by the many small, reedy channels, and tells you what about flora and fauna.
laid the afternoon against a palmengesaeumten island, which we explored on foot and saw some hippos, giraffes, baboons, antelopes, zebras and elephants. I must say that it's a different feeling, without running the car Safari safe in my back about a "wild" island. A leopard should we not look at least in the eyes, otherwise it jumps you to the head. And then you are probably dead by this valuable information in my course leaders were clarified all the questions and we sat under a Tree and have eaten sandwiches (leopard chilling the way, usually at the top of trees). I enjoyed the Delta anyway, because it is very relaxing rumzufahren in such a Mokoro to listen to the sounds of nature and reflect.
was crazy and that I have in my Lodge in Maun happened to meet two German volunteers, with whom I live in Pretoria and work. In fact the two wanted to be at this time in Malawi, but because of visa difficulties, they have rescheduled at the last minute and over are driven Namibia to Botswana. And there we met by chance. Did someone just said that Africa is big?
Before it went for me back in the south I still wanted to make a sightseeing flight over the delta. Although they are actually quite expensive, but the above-mentioned American couple have offered to me to organize something. As they manage one of these upper-class lodges in the interior of the delta, which are only accessible by air, they know the whole pilot and executive officer of the various airlines and could play their contacts a bit. In the morning I hitchhiked to the airport that is where you already knew my name and was willing to insert myself into one of the flights, but unfortunately this morning were already full of all the aircraft and by the afternoon I could not because of my long way back wait - I finally had to comply with yet another invitation in Gaborone. This system has unfortunately not worked out what I was not particularly frustrated. Even just having the offer to have had a positive feeling:)
came after several hours, waiting in the sun, then finally a bus to Francistown, wanted in all the waiting. And they were quite a few. The following battle was not particularly beautiful, and the dozen people are flown. The white boy has been able to win but at the end of a place and for the first time in Botswana, I had not squeezed in between sweaty people sitting - I was sitting at the front next to an edge of the Bus driver did and talked for the entire front half of the bus about four hours over African policy. The whole thing was triggered by the book I had it ("The state of Africa - A history of 50 years of independence" by Martin Meredith), my most loyal companion on the long overland journeys. Arriving in Francistown I am with some locals went to dinner, which I then also have brought to the night train.
In contrast to the outward journey I have taken this time the cheapest ticket because I wanted to save a little money. And I'm still young and got used quite a bit. Ha, I thought! After I tired for an hour with a foot bench and - you guessed it - sandwiched between thick moms have tried in vain to get a little sleep, I gave up. So get out of the brightly lit, climb 40 degree hot car and lying on the ground about the men and women with babies in the direction of fresh air. I wanted to sit down at Verbindungsstueck between the cars on the floor and thought I had found my Sombrero, but then there was my old acquaintance, the Klorollenschaffner (see above) and chased me away. Oh, people everywhere on the floor and under the benches, but I can not sit down there? It did not help, but the air cutting into the terror wagon I also would be against money stopped going. For an hour I had my curiosity satisfied about the conditions in the cheapest part of the train, but then which enjoys the Europeans took over in my control. The Klorollenschaffner was the appropriate charge and we went off into a separate compartment with Liegeflaechen, fresh air and light switches. Lovely! 6 clock morning in Gaborone, we arrive, it is still dark and after a week Pruegelhitze it is outrageously cool. Since it was so early still, I could not do anything, and sat next to me, therefore, a market and watched the building process. But after an hour I was already up again, because the wind was much too cold! So Boitumelo (one of the two girls with whom I hitchhiked to Gaborone I can) call and pick up shortly thereafter. What follows is a very wacky day:
She lives with her sister Neo in a house in Gaborone and the two seem financially not to go bad, at least I'm in since I arrived there were none had a single issue (!), I was completely durchgefuettert. We chillten then briefly in the house and throw out the two victims had the awakening of the latest party, then three of us are a bit driven by the capital and had breakfast at length in a cafe. To get an overview of silencing, we climbed on the outside lying Mount kgal the beangstigend many wild baboons her Call home, and despite the bad weather was the prospect of very worthwhile. Dirty and wet, we are back to the house to get changed and warm up and then came again to the first people. Saturday was birthday namely Boitumelos brother and so many people wanted to help you prepare.
Because for me now was not so spectacular, I have cousins with the stats and Thuso a "Tour de Tore Bottle" with very loud house music and made the way most Sehenswerdigkeiten Gaborone taken. As the preparations for the party had finished, we went to the house of the brother's and have reunited with the rest. It was grilled and quite drunk enthusiastically danced to Tswana-pop, a mix of programmed beats and traditional songs of the tribe. At times I could not believe I had done it again delve so deeply into the local life. At some point I was also completed (the "No, I just chillin!" State) and I'm with the girls went back home.
That was then almost, already, the next morning we only had breakfast shortly away and then I put myself back at my favorite place - the center of a mini-bus seat, next to a guy with a giant suitcase, my heavy backpack on my knees and left a thick mom. Botswana bye!
The trip was for me at least a trip to the special meetings and moments. encounters because of the many interesting people, got to know that I, the countless conversations and small talk, which I had with locals, backpackers, zimabwischen immigrants, bus drivers, pedestrians, and many others, the invitations that I get everywhere , and the experience that you might drive off alone, But you during your entire stay constantly find friends, no matter what after the last dump you are. The advantages of traveling alone experience by the way was the best experience I've had in Botswana. moments, as most impressive experiences were very subjective and personal moments that can be very difficult to capture in words, and certainly not with photos. The feeling to walk alone through the bush or the haphazard white boy on the chaotic taxi rank to be, the stars and sun to be observed in the Pan or head to the back of a pickup truck through the country, to listen to the silence of the Delta or the agony of terror cars to wait and indulge. Since is a first-conscious again correctly, how little it actually arrives, waiting to take the "big sights". In my case, were the smallest Details really the most experience. Okay, I begin to philosophize, topic change!
This week I was in the studio. Pardon, a young musician from Zimbabwe, which practices are in the School of Creative Arts, has asked me if we want to do a track together and I wanted to! So the unexpected professional studio and his producer played around a bit in our idea - we are not finished yet, but the first shots have really fun for me and the mixture of African and Contemporary German rap works in my opinion, good. Let's see what there is, because by the producers, I now also have access to the local rap scene. How silly that I now "only" three months have left.
But well, I am beginning to see the return of some positive and look forward to certain banality in Germany! But even better: the end of the month comes "Your favorites favorite girl friend" for three weeks after South Africa and there is rocking the booth. But as always - read more if it is done ...
Greetings, Fabi
PS: Here is an overview map with my large tours and some current pictures without any direct link.
