A New Year!

New Year’s Eve was low key. Sam made us a yummy Thai curry and then I prepared calzones for dinner the next day with PCV Jake from our Group48. He was stopping in Otjiwarongo on his way to Windhoek. We had plans to visit the Cheetah Conservancy Fund (CCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to saving cheetahs around the world, so I wanted something we could quickly prepare when we got home. Sam and Sara headed back to their place just as the sun was setting and I was in bed, reading by 9:30.

I talked to most of my family around 7am on New Year’s Day to wish them Happy New Year since it was midnight EST. Then our plans for the day started disintegrating. The arranged driver was backing out, so we started looking for other drivers. As this was happening, Jake was having trouble getting a ride out of his town. We finally found a driver willing to take us the 45km to the CCF and come back to get us when we were ready, round trip, for a reasonable rate.

We were at the CCF by 11am. They have a nice museum with a film, they have enclosed areas where you can observe cheetahs up close and watch them at feeding time. They also offer a ‘safari’ ride to their larger enclosed area where the cheetahs are somewhat free range. The cheetahs in the closeup area and the ‘safari’ ride area will not be released. These are animals that are too old or have been raised in captivity by humans. They would not survive in the wild. However, what we don’t see are the acres of land, also enclosed, with cheetahs that will be released. These animals are recovering from injuries or caught and delivered to the center for relocation. These animals are not on display for humans because they do not want them accustomed to humans.

By American standards, the visit was not that expensive. However, it was the most money that I have spent in one day on my PCV allowance, especially when our driver said the rate was for one way, not the round trip! I showed him the text where I verified the rate with him and unfortunately, I could see the misunderstanding. I don’t think he was just trying to cheat us. He offered a compromise which was still more than expected, but we took it.

We arranged that we would call when we were ready. We called about 3, thinking it would be 4 before he could pick us up. He was not expecting a call so early and was taking a customer to another town. Long story, short, he picked us up about 5:15. Ah, Africa time.

Jake was having his own troubles but finally got out of town with an estimated arrival time of 8pm. This was too late to have dinner with him, but I sent a calzone to him via Sam and Sara. We all had lunch together
the following day which was great.

Here are some more PCV lessons learned. At least double any travel time whether it’s an hour or a day’s trip, that goes for you or your expected visitor, be very explicit in negotiations even if it seems obvious, time
is different in Africa so just except it.

All for now with all my love