With almost two weeks of my 35 day African Overland Truck adventure behind me, we were on the road again for 9 hours driving from the capital of Namibia—Windhoek—on our way across the border into Botswana to visit the San Bushmen. Upon arrival to Ghanzi, which is located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, I decided to spend $5 to upgrade from my tent to a Bushman hut. It had electric and a bed with warm blankets! Oh…the things we take for granted!
After getting situated, I made my way to meet the group and to say hello to the indigenous San Bushman. I had brought a wand with bubbles to blow for children along the 8,000 km overland truck journey, and when our translator saw it, he took me by the hand over to the small group with their children and let me start blowing bubbles. No one took a photo of me with the bubbles…but here are some of the people.
At first I thought they had horrible body odor…but later found out that they rub a plant on themselves to ward off mosquitos!
Later, I wanted a photo with them. One of the fun things I do when traveling is pick up men…
I’m not sure he was enjoying it though!
Later that evening, for $10, we were treated to traditional dancing by the fire. There was a funny moment when the translator was giving us some history of a local tradition that is performed by girls when they start menstruating. I thought he said that they have to dance naked in front of the elder men of the tribe and was asking him more questions trying to clarify it. Everyone had a good laugh, but I still didn’t find out what really happens!
We all had a great time with the San Bushmen of Botswana!
That last picture is one of the best things I have ever seen.
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Thank you! I love it too! I love to make people laugh!
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Africa is a wonderfull continent to visit I spent a lot of time there in the past and this brings back many great memories, Thanks for sharing
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I’m glad it brought back memories! Thank you for stopping by!
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Nice story and well complemented by the photos, bet the Bushmen didn’t know what hit them when wonder woman walked into the camp !!
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That’s funny…people used to call me “Wonder Woman”!
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Thanks for liking my post about Africa on http://www.theothersideofthecoconut.com.
This is a good post. Glad to see someone else upgrades!
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Thanks Forrest! I like your no holds barred look at what an overland truck trip is like! ~Sherry~
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It’s posted now. Sorry for the delay. Thanks so much for participating in toemail – we really appreciate it!
http://toemail.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/ghanzi-botswana/
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Thank you for allowing me to participate!!
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What a wonderful journey you were on and the fantastic photos talks for themselves.Many thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for reading!!
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I did give a laugh charging that gentleman, but is weighing his bones, even though you are a very strong woman! I admire you very much.
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Thank you very much!!
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Poor man he looks terrified! Great post good to see you are well again!
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I think he was scared! Thanks!!
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LOL! I don’t know which is funnier, you picking up the bushman or the fact you wear UGS in the bush..:-)))) Great post and glad you are feeling better..:-))
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Thanks Ed! I guess it is a little weird to wear house slippers in the bush. But my feet were drying out and the heels were starting to get cracked!!
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What beautiful story and photos.Thank you so much for generously sharing them with us!
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Thank you for reading and commenting!!
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that’s funny..:-)
Thanks for sharing such cool experiences and adventures.
Vic
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I’m glad I made you smile!
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Great story! And I loved the pictures!
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Thanks Veronica!!
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loved loved this!! I slept in a similar one in Masai Mara, Kenya, falling asleep to the sounds of a Lion somewhere near by ..
The picture of you holding him is hilarious! : ))
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Thanks Elena!!
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No matter how out-of-place and out of comfort zone that is from my own personal space, I’d be thrilled to sleep in to one of those. And I won’t complain about bugs or dirt either!
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I hope not….you’re a guy!!
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The fact that it’s part of the experience and the travel is the factor. Although a bit dangerous, I had once slept inside a car to wait due to traveling overtime, and couldn’t find a hotel to check in to. I just went and find a parking lot and off I copped some Z’s, then continue on traveling the next morning. 😀
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Your journey is so inspiring! And your photos really tell the story!
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Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying it!!
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I did the same tour! I met the women and the baby! Very cool to see it again and relive it and those very fond memories! COOL!
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That is so cool that you did the same tour!!
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Sherry — you are so adorable! I’m glad you’re not sick anymore, and you are SO my kinda woman, traveling with faboo UGGS and all your cute clothes, even while camping. What an adventuress!!!
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Hi Betty – Thanks! You’re pretty cute yourself! They were actually my house slippers (LOL), but I do have some UGGS!
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Hi,
Fantastic photos, and how great that there was an option of the upgrade, I love the little huts, and a real bed as well, not bad for $5. 🙂
I love the way you picked up the guy, well done, and I could only smile about the story of the girls dance. 😀
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Thanks Mags!
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We would love to repost part of this post at toemail if you do not mind? Those are just great images! http://toemail.wordpress.com
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Hello Toemailers – Yes–that would be great! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
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Wow! I hope I’m as fabulous as you are when I’m in my 50’s. So, was the village set up as a tourist spot like Silver Dollar City where the workers dress up in period costume to replicate that era? I was wondering because you said the San don’t live like that anymore.
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Thanks Pam! The San dress differently than in loin cloths, etc. They still live in huts.
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Their life is so different from ours – thank goodness.
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I know Anneli – It really made me appreciate the small things!
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Excellent stuff, all those hours in the gym have seemingly paid off 🙂
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Hi Martyn – I don’t go to the gym – I do jog though and a variety of other sports occasionally like bicycling, yoga, etc. It’s nice to be strong!
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Glad you introduced your blog through liking my blog post – I look forward to following you – fantastic photos, memoir, and experiences for you…how fun
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Thanks so much Kris!! I hope you enjoy!
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Quite the adventure! I remember you picking up a man in a previous post. Traditions should be maintained. What ever that stuff is for the mosquitos seems to do the trick. We could use some in Northern Ontario as well. I was going to comment on how nice their skin looks…perhaps the ointment has some kind of skin conditioning factor we could all use as well. 😉
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Yes Michelle – it is a tradition…I’ve been doing it since 1987 – in Cancun I picked up a pirate!
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Every woman’s dream, picking up a Pirate, thanks to Johnny Depp. 😉
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The young girl with the baby is gorgeous! But it is sad to see these proud natives reduced to tourist attractions 😦
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Actually, they don’t still live like that. They were dressed up especially for us! And they get paid!
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Thank you for visiting Pride In Photos today. I just followed your blog. We are the same age and both of us have a love for adventure, so I had to follow:)
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Thank you very much! Your photos are beautiful!
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I am glad you stopped back by. Thank you for your sweet comment.
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Sherry you must be so much fun to travel with…….the locals will remember you long after you left for home! I’m sure you touched all their hearts….especially the guy you picked up!!!
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Thanks Elisa…I think I’m fun!!
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Ahahahahahha. I cannot believe you picked that guy up!
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Hi Molly – I’ve been picking men up (literally) since 1987 – I picked up my first one in Cancun, Mexico (a pirate)!
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Great and relaxed photos – yes, you must be strong … it’s suppose to be the other way around *smile – he looks a bit scared. Love the photo with the natives – lovely.
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Thanks Viveka!!
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.. oh. you did “picked” him up! 😀
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Yes…I did…ha ha!!
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What a great experience! Wow!! Enjoy this world so different from ours… 😀
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Yes it was!
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Wow Sherry, you are strong to be able to pick up and hold that bushman!
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Thanks Dave…I am strong for a woman!
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