Powercuts, Parties (and Pumps) J1

That is exactly how I would summarize our last week(s). Botswana has been experiencing major power cuts over the last 2 weeks. Nearly everyday the power disappears for a while, this morning it was gone when we left home, last night it dropped out for an hour, and Sunday was a day without power until night time. Same thing happened the Sunday before, with minor interruptions during that week. Apparently, this is a sign of what we can expect for the coming three years (not sure how realistic this is...), until the new power plants have been completed. People are already making jokes that in the near future the only thing you will hear in Gaborone is the noise of many diesel engines, powering the many generators. We have candles all over our house, and luckily have a gas stove, so we can cook at anytime, so I guess it is kind of romantic. If it would be my own house I would be interested to investigate a backup system with solar power and batteries. A dutch friend here sells solar power systems, and the technique sounds very promising. But given the fact that we are living in a rental house, there is really not much point.


We have met so many people since we have moved here, and it is quite amazing what a group of new friends we already have or know. Probably more then after nearly 5 years in Ireland. And we have been invited to so many parties. Last weekend there was a birthday party of a 10 year old, with more adults attending, who all were just hiding outside, away from the kids party, drinking and eating yummy foods. Then we went to a birthday party in the Saturday night, with more eating, drinking and going out. We also attended an Indian food festival in town. Gaborone is full with Indian people, and if you know us, you know that this is one of our favourite foods. Imagine a whole park full with small stalls selling all kinds of Indian food, while playing the most awful Indian disco music. It was great! This weekend we went to a cocktail party, the couple who run the Dutch consulate were married 40 years, and invited a bunch of friends for a spontaneous cocktail party in their backyard, it was really 'gezellig'. Next week we already have invitations for a farewell party and a lunch party. Weekends are pretty packed like this....


To keep ourselves in shape, especially after eating 'Kroketten en Bitterballen' this weekend, we went for a hike up Kgale Hill twice, and we went for a paddle on the Gaborone dam, Billy and Reilly joined us.


On the work side Jill is keeping me busy with our projects and stuff. It is really nice to be able to work together every day. Especially, when fieldwork is required, we can just go together, instead of one having one leave the other behind. In the meantime I am talking to an old business contact from my Ireland time, a pump company from Belgium. They sell pumps to pharmaceutical and wine industries all over the world, but not in South(ern) Africa. They have shown interest in my (or, "our") company representing them in this region. I believe that given the fact that these industries are large in South Africa, combined with the enormous economic growth, there might be some really nice opportunities (and more work at the already-busy office). I working on a proposal for them at the moment, and hope they will employ us (part time) for the start up months as a consultant, while we investigate opportunities and market, and make their product known. After that, when the supply of some equipment will hopefully start, I would be working on a commission basis. I am really excited about this, and it will give us a nice excuse for a few visits to South Africa every year.


I realize that I have done too much writing now, not enough pictures. But a picture of a stainless pump is not that exciting. But we did get this picture from V., from our weekend in Khutse.




J1