Shakawe Marathon

I'll add pictures to this post when I go to Gabs sometime and get better interwebs!
5/11/2013 - Done!

So at the end of last month a bunch of PCVs and I went north to Shakawe.  Several PCVs there had organized a half marathon, 5km fun run, and health fair following the runs, all to raise money for a mobile clinic to reach areas without a clinic or health post.

We stayed with the PCVs there- there were 3-4 hosting PCVs, and about 30 of us came.  So, we colonized their floors, guest rooms, and make a little tent city in their yards.  Our country director Tim and his family also came, and he and his wife ran the half marathon.  I jogged/mostly walked the 5km, which wound up being a 10km because the turn-around was in the wrong place.  We also walked to and from the marathon from various houses, so I'm pretty sure I walked more like 13km that day.

 The start of the half marathon.

 The health fair was fun, several people did face painting, I did a little booth on clean water and hand-washing (conveniently located next to an NGO from the delta region that had an awesome booth on conservation and sanitation- yeah making contacts!), and a booth on gender based violence.  There were also organizations doing HIV testing and counseling, blood pressure screenings, and some other health screenings and info booths.

 Face Painting

Gender-based violence booth.

 There was lots of speeches, dancing, and some food- in true Botswana fashion.

The next day was Easter, and about 15 of us went to Tsodilo hills, a world heritage site with hundreds of rock paintings that are thousands of years old.  We were all a little sore from the day before, but I was so happy to be hiking and climbing!  The paintings were really neat and I took tons of pictures.

 Hiking!

 3000+ year old rock paintings

An incredible view after climbing.

The next 3 days I spent hanging out in the delta with a bunch of people. 

  Lots of boatrides,

 we saw crocodiles, 

we may have swam in crocodile and schisto infested waters,

we camped,

hiked, all together drank a ridiculous amount of alcohol, and generally frolicked :)  

I didn't see any hippos, but we heard them at night because they grunt.

Sunset on the delta.

All in all, it was a fantastic first vacation in Bots.  Lots of friends, some animals, hiking, boating, good food, and getting out of my village.  The only downside was lots of traveling time, but we travel cheap that way so I can't complain!

Hopefully will update with pics soon!   Edit 5/11/2013 Now with pictures!