Maun- First Impressions

So I have been in Maun, Botswana for almost
three days now and have to admit that I am surprised by how different it is than I expected. When I walked out of the small Maun airport with Daniella (who I was extremely happy to see), I found myself looking at a small paved intersection lined with cafes and shops. There were no people walking around with baskets atop their heads or taxi drivers rushing up to us insisting on driving us somewhere, like in Accra in Ghana. In fact, Daniella actually had to bargain with a taxi driver (ironically after explaining that bargaining wasn't necessary here) to take us to her flat, which was only about a 5 minute drive away. The only reason we didn't walk was because I had luggage to drag around, and the sides of the paved streets are lined with sand rather than concrete. Daniella had to remind me that we were in part of the Kalahari Desert, which explained the dry heat rather than humidity I was accustomed to in Ghana. This was a whole part of Africa I had never experienced, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me.


I don't want to bore you with the details of how I got here, as the 20 hours of flying was spent either trying to sleep or distract myself with inflight movies or books I brought with me. I flew from San Francisco to Atlanta (4 1/2 hours), then from Atlanta to Johannesburg (15 hours) and spent the night in a somewhat cheap hotel nearby that provided a free shuttle service. I then woke up the next morning and returned to the airport for another short flight to Maun. Although I didn't really get to see much of South Africa yet, it was fun listening to people talk as they all seemed to have slightly varying accents.

After Daniella picked me up and took me back to her place to drop off my stuff, we walked to one of her favorite restaurants in town (a small cafe with vegetarian options set under a canopy in a small garden) and enjoyed each others company as well as some nice light food. We then headed to this American-style cafe (where I am currently sitting) to utilize the free wi-fi service for answering emails and so on. After that we stopped at the grocery store and headed back to her place to cook dinner. It was amazing how easily we fell back into our rhythm; like it had only been a week since our last cooking extravaganza rather than 2 1/2 years. It didn't even matter that we were in a completely different atmosphere. That was also when I got to meet Daniella's temporary roommate Amza, who is a youth that she has worked with extensively and to whom she has very generously offered her home. As is tradition here in Botswana, she assigned me the Setswana name Lorato, which means "love."

Yesterday and today Daniella has had to work, so I have spent the time catching up on reading, writing, and exploring. I walked along the Thamalakane River near her flat, which is flocked with grazing cattle and birds, and then into town today for some food and internet. The streets are so quiet and peaceful, and I find that I feel much safer walking around this town than I did in Accra where I was constantly being harassed by someone either wanting to sell me something or drive me somewhere. I can see why Daniella loves it.







Tomorrow is Daniella's last day of work (which she has promised to cut short so we can make afternoon tea and scones, hehe) before we head out on Friday for our first big adventure. A friend of hers has generously offered to host us at a safari lodge (for free!) in Chobe National Park and then take us the next morning on a safari drive followed by a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. I can't even express how excited I am for this. :D :D :D

Africa Itinerary!

Less than two days until I leave for Africa and I can hardly sit still. In fact, this entire week I have been restless and have had trouble focusing on anything other than my trip. I have probably annoyed the hell out of Daniella by constantly asking her last minute questions and my dad who has helped me get in contact with the relatives I will be visiting...but I just can't help it. I'm excited.

Although nothing is set in stone yet, here is the most current itinerary I have planned (subject to change). I'm sure you'll notice that there aren't many details yet, which will have to come after the trip is over, I'm afraid:

Saturday, August 24th
-Depart SFO
-Layover in Atlanta
-Depart Atlanta for Johannesburg

Sunday, August 25th
-Arrive in Johannesburg and spend night in hotel

Monday, August 26th
-Depart Johannesburg for Maun
-Arrive in Maun and see Daniella!

Tuesday, August 27th-Friday, August 30th
-Hang out/explore Maun with Daniella

Friday, August 30th
-Take bus to Chobe National Park
-Stay at a super nice safari lodge that will be available to us free of charge

Saturday, August 31st
-Go on a safari and a sunset river cruise on the Chobe River
-Return to Maun

Sunday, September 1st
-Take long bus ride to Johannesburg

Monday, September 2nd-Wednesday, September 4th
-Visit my relatives in Johannesburg
-Visit Apartheid museum in Johannesburg
-Visit Cradle of Humankind outside the city

Thursday, September 5th-Friday, September 6th
-Hike in the Drakensburg Escarpment

Saturday, September 7th
-Say farewell to Daniella and depart Johannesburg for Cape Town
-Arrive in Cape Town

Saturday, September 7th-Monday, September 9th
-Explore Cape Town and visit relatives

Tuesday, September 10th
-Depart Cape Town for Johannesburg, then depart Johannesburg for Atlanta

Wednesday, September 11th
-Layover in Atlanta
-Depart Atlanta for SFO
-Arrive home

One week until Africa!

So I'm leaving for Africa in a week and almost all I can think about is how excited I am to catch up with my friend Daniella. Of course, I cannot wait to finally step foot in one of the countries I have dreamed about since I was a child with all its exotic scenery, wildlife, and cultural history. The idea of going on a safari and seeing elephants and giraffes and zebras in wild just makes me want to squeal like a 5-year old who just found out he gets to go to Disney World for his birthday (Granted, I would probably still do that now if I was offered a free trip to Disney World). And after studying archaeology for about 3 years, I would never forgive myself for leaving South Africa without visiting the Sterkfontein caves where some of the oldest members of our species have been discovered.

I also should mention that I have distant relatives from my father's side of the family (the original Fittinghoffs--yes, with the "h") living in different parts of South Africa. My dad was actually able to get in contact with one of them who said that his family may be able to show me around. I cannot put into words how amazing it would be to even meet these people I've wondered about most of my life, so I am crossing my fingers that it works out!

On Arthur's Crag in Edinburgh

But let me get back to the real reason I'm even going on this trip-- to see Daniella. Ever since we became friends my freshman year in Florence, she has been one of the most important people in my life. No matter where either of us is in the world, I find myself  wanting so badly to ask her advice when I need to make an important decision. She knows and understand me in a way that no one else does, and appreciates so many of the little things that I do (books, food, traveling, etc.). Plus she has been by my side for many of the crucial changes I've gone through. How could I then pass up the chance to fly off to southern Africa to visit her? She will give me the local perspective that almost every traveler desires, and I will get to catch up on quality time with her that I've been lacking for the past year and a half. It almost seems to perfect to be true.


Every day I get closer to my departure date, the more sure I am about this decision. Of course there are still things that make me anxious-- the thought of sitting on a plane for 15 hours (not including the connecting flights), the thought of getting sick from the food like I did in Ghana, the thought of getting lost in a strange city once I am traveling alone, the thought of not having enough time to do everything I want to do-- but I am finding that for now the excitement for everything else outweighs those thoughts. Although this trip is not as planned out as I would normally like, I am looking forward to the surprises that are in store for me. I know that Daniella will be an amazing host and tour guide while I am with her, and I trust my own ability to find my way once I am alone. After all, I used to take mini trips throughout Italy by myself after only being away from home for a couple months.