Elephants, Crocodiles and Hippos oh my

hey....i haven't had access to a computer for almost 3 weeks..which is why I haven't updated my trip journal. there is only 1 computer in this internet cafe so i will only be able to write for a short while...so that others can use it. the other day, i paid a man $3.00 in a hardware store so that i could use his computer to send karen bass (moc) a short email to let her know that i was alive and kicking. \r

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3 weeks ago, i went to chobe nat'l park. it has 11,700 sk. km and 65, 000 elephants. in order to get to chobe, we had to put our truck on a ferry and go across the chobe river. the river borders 4 countries....namibia, zambia, zimbabwe and botswana. the chobe river flows into the zimbambie river,,,,the one i rafted on.\r

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we took an early morning game drive. had to leave at 6:00 a.m. it was so cold on the truck. kb, you would have frozen to death. out of 65,000 elephants, we saw 0. that's right, none. \r

in fact, we saw very little of wildlife on the 3 hour game cruise. \r

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that afternoon, we took a 3 hour game cruise on a boat down the chobe river. much better. we saw so many elephants drinking at the river as well as hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, etc. unfortuantely, my camera (print film) died that day...but i wasnt' too upset as this camera has traveled around the world to 5 continents and lord knows how many countries. i just went to town and bought another point and shoot.\r

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we also visited a bayei village. the bayeis must present cattle to the brides father . the number of cattle he must present depends on teh intelligence and beauty of the bride to be. so...now you understand why i'm not married. no one can afford all of the cattle they would need ot marry me for my knowledge and natural beauty. hey, quit laughing. before a couple gets married, they live together for 3-5 years wiht the brides parents. once the parents decide the couple is compatible (after living together), they get married. a week long celebration takes place adn then they live near where the groom's parents live. if the couple separates (before or after marriage) and children are involved, the groom's parents get the children (since the goom is the primary breadwinner).the groom's parents then raise the children. the headman, elected by the people of the village, decides who gets what land and he settles all family disputes. the women make money by making and selling baskets while the men farm crops and cattle. the houses are made of mud, straw and wood. \r

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ok...i'm sorry for this short trip journal entry but i need to check my email and let others have a chance at the computer.\r

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before i leave cape town (aug. 8), i will update you on my adventures to:\r

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the kalahari desert and the bushmen\r

my mokoro canoe trip for 3 days in okvango delta\r

my soweto and apartheid experiences in jo'burg \r

kruger national park\r

malaolotja natioanl park in swaizland\r

royal natal park and zulu battlegrounds\r

malelea national park in lesotho\r

addo elephant park in south africa\r

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we are headed toward cape town. my tour ends aug. 6. i can't believe how fast it is flying by now. i'm so not ready to come back home.\r

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keep checking for my updates on my trip journal.\r

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love and miss ya'll\r

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adventure on,\r

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julie\r

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