Living On Earth Week of Dec 5th

[Vermilye]

For those who can receive the Living On Earth program on NPR, this week my daughter in Botswana is featured on the "Places Where You Live" segment. It is also available at their website.

[Zardoz]

The article begs the question, "what's the backstory on getting to Botswana?" It's great that your grandchildren get to grow up with such exotic weekend field trips. It's also wonderful for them to get to know that the world is a really big place with diverse cultures. I bet you love going to visit the family, too!

[gabeck]

Wow Jon , that is really a awesome . Love the story - close call for the neighbour ! Our younger daughter is just recently back from being in Zambia and Uganda for a couple of months - she was also lucky enough to see so much wild life - great experience . She to will love to read this .

[Donna D.]

Thanks for sharing Jon. Neat story. Lucky kids to view all that incredible wildlife without going to a zoo!

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

The article begs the question, "what's the backstory on getting to Botswana?" It's great that your grandchildren get to grow up with such exotic weekend field trips. It's also wonderful for them to get to know that the world is a really big place with diverse cultures...

I second these sentiments. Although we have exotic animals, too, in our neck of the woods--we just take them for granted. Think cougars, skunks, some incredible birds and ducks, caribou, bison, elk, etc., etc. Thanks for sharing a great story.

[Vermilye]

As to what & Why - Karin & Brian are nearing the end of a 4 year project in Gabarone, Botswana. Her husband Brian is Deputy Director of the US Government funded Southern Africa Regional Environmental Program (SAREP), working to protect the Okavango River Basin & livelihoods of the local populations. I did see her and the rest of the family this August (they get a month "Home Stay" in the US each year). They are hoping to extend the project for another 2 years.

As to me visiting, I'd love to, but just can't bring myself to take a 17 hour airplane ride. While I love flying, it has become a very unpleasant experience over the last couple of years; that long with my knees hitting my chin just doesn't cut it!

[Sandra L]

Thank you Jon,
What a neat story. What wonderful memories they all will have.