First Botswana haircut

Well, I must admit, when they said it was going to get hot and stay hot, I thought I was prepared for it.. the cincinnati summers and its humidity could easily defeat the sun and dust of botswana , africa.. Well, I was wrong..

It's hot as a mug yo! But its pretty. I decided with some time i had today to venture to a part of Gabane that i've never been.... I stopped at this hair salon on the main drag right before you enter the "busy" section of the village... It was great.. I went, met Onkabetse who runs the place.. I asked her if she cuts "white man" hair, she said "of course" for the right price.. I took my chances and was pleasantly surprised.. For 2.50$, I got an appropriate hair cut, shave, shampoo and moisturizer... it was the best work over I've had in years..at the best price.. What I found interesting was as soon as I sat down, it was like being back home.. small talk ensued... "Where you from?" What do you do? What? How many kids? etc, etc.. She had a Alicia Keys shirt on, I told her I'd get a CD made for her... She told me to bring more clients for her, I said I'd bring Jacob... He'll be very excited(sarcasm). Anyway, it was a cool place... A bit run down, dirty and not sanitary, but better than all of the makeshift barber shops that litter the streets of Gaborone. I was sold and will go back.Onkabetse, Lydia and her crew were great and know how to enjoy the work day... Tea, talk and sitting on the front porch.. Unfortunately, I didn't request cornrows, but maybe next time... The kids are finished with their first half term of this school year tomorrow.. Jacob just completed a huge report/inquiry on the religion of Islam.. He now is teaching us about the religion.. Kate learned the history of her school and is giving tours tomorrow for the parents.

Maura is hanging in there and drawing everything under the sun. the twins have now learned the word "No".. and their setswana is improving.. they say "Nyaa" "eyyy" "dimpa" "thogo" "dumela rraa" "Mmaa" and "poop". I'm so proud.

One last note... weed wackers do not exist here.. Instead people hire others to do a landscaping job using nothing but a machete(sp?). this guy in the photo is just getting started.. Other photos include the front porch of the salon, my salon chair i sat in for my doo bust trim, Okabetse with a client and Lydia with a client.