Road Trip to Palapye

Road Trip to Palapye

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how GREEN everything is in America! After a two day exhausting plane trip from Africa, all I want to do is crash and sleep, but when my mom's car joins I-75 headed from Atlanta to Tifton, I can't help but stay awake to stare at the large green pine trees that tower over the interstate.

Growing up, I would have never thought twice about the lush scenery. After 9 years living in a semi-arid desert surrounded by brown dust, I drink it in and allow it to refresh my soul!

Speaking of road trips, I thought you might like to see what a drive in Botswana looks like. These pictures were taken along the roadside during our 3 hour journey from the capital city, Gaborone, to visit Percy's parents in the village of Palapye. (Palapye pronounced Pah -la-pee)

A lot of barren landscape then a random hut or house seemingly in the middle of no where. 

Another random house along the road just to show you our view on the journey

We made our trip at the end of September. In Botswana, that is called "month end". During this time, most people get paid, so huge crowds gather around ATMs all over the country, even in small villages.

EVERY SINGLE village seems to have a bar. Drinking is a huge problem to most Batswana, especially in rural villages where there isn't much else to do for entertainment. 

There is ALWAYS livestock on all roads in Botswana. This road, the A-1, is the largest highway in Botswana running through most of the country's major cities. Yet, frequently when flying 120km/hour down the road we have to slam on the brakes for a goat, donkey, cow, dog, and up north even an elephant. With no street lights, this makes night driving extremely dangerous here.

Along the road, ladies set up tables to sell various food and basic items: oranges/apples, nuts, chewing gum, cigarettes, pieces of candy, etc. 

Look carefully at the sign alerting us this area has many donkey carts.

Moments after seeing the sign, we saw a donkey cart veer off the road into a roadside field.

Here is another donkey cart loaded with grass, which I assume they will use to make traditional brooms. Gathered dry grass is bound and sold along the road as a broom which easily sweeps the dirt in our dusty Botswana yards.