Bryan in Botswana (Oct 24/02)

hehehehe... Bryan, I love your stories! I can just see you now - halo
shining, angelic face, firmly believing you'll trot on up to heaven when
you kick it...

I'm off to Lokichoggio today, also a human BBQ so I've been told.. it's
the UN base camp for South Sudan (though still in Kenya). I'll be there
for a week after which I'm hoping to get to the coast (Mombasa) for the
skydiving boogie...

I cc'ed this email to a few of my friends for their reading pleasure
since I probably won't be online again till Nov 5 or 6... guys, consider
this your update and no worrying, I'll be fine! My phone will work there
just in case you get too miserable without hearing from me for so long
:) 011-254-733-624381 from Canada so I'm told :)

Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad!! (32 years - they rock, huh?? :)
Happy Birthday Ken! (should I say how many years?? have a good one!! :)

later everyone,
jo

Bryan Hartlin wrote:
>
> Hello, a shorter email this time, I feel like killing some work time...I'll
> tell you all about how I have been changing into a good-hearted and kind
> person. Last Friday I went to the "feeding project" with this bible thumper,
> Nathan. He for some reason thinks I am wholesome and want to help, which is
> somewhat true. So, we go to Old Naledi, which is the poorest part of
> Gaborone. The AIDS rate there is so high, so there are tons of AIDS orphans
> plus just a lot of neglected kids. This was honestly a shanty town, no power
> in the whole place, and thousands of people live here, only a few outdoor
> taps with running water, all the kids are in rags, but everyone seems happy.
> So, we went to this school where the other Mennonites were already cooking,
> I think the funniest part was that they all immediately thought I was a
> Mennonite, if only they knew my lack of morals, ha ha ha. So, it eventually
> comes out that I am not a Mennonite, when I can't tell them what church I'm
> with. They then threw garlic at me and yelled sinner. Just kidding, they
> then were like, "No, Doris (with a Kansas accent - they were all American),
> he's not no Mennonite, he's a Can-a-di-an, and then they were all like
> ooooohhhhh", then all was good. Overall, it was good, and the kids were fun
> to play with and liked me, but it was so hot, 41C, I felt BBQ'd. If I was
> there a bit longer, the kids probably would have started eating my burnt
> flesh, not really.
>
> What else have I been focusing my energy on, since I have no TV (someone
> please tell me about Survivor and Amaz Race!!), that clean-up campaign I
> did, the peace march, oh and I can't forget about the tree planting I am
> doing in November. Just call me Mr. Greenpeace. After saving the starving
> children and helping clean up public spaces so families can play happily and
> safely, I am exhausted, but never to exhausted to volunteer at the local
> animal shelter every day after work(just kidding). I can't wait to help save
> some whales or something when I get home!
>
> I'll have to tell you all about my horrible hair cut experience another
> time..photos may be better.
>
> I finally became a legal immigrant today, after waiting in the sweat shop
> they call immigration for a couple hours. It's so odd here, you have to
> bring your own pen everywhere or they won't give you one and therefore they
> you can't fill out the needed papers.
>
> The website should be online soon..I hope, its been pretty much done for
> over a month. I will send you the address when I have it for your comments.
>
> Talk to you again soon!
>
> B

 

Copyright Johanna Voerman Khisa, 2002-03. Reprinting or reposting without permission is prohibited.