Did you know that today is Botswana Day?
This, according to my Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison calendar. It's an amazing, colorful, beautiful item that I treasure each year. "Created, produced, and marketed by volunteers, all proceeds from calendar sales are donated to educational and development projects at home and abroad. " Don't you want one yourself? Some to give as gifts? Go to their website and order now for 2010!
Here is a link to information about the history of Botswana and its independence from the UK in 1966. Here's a link to the Botswana national anthem. Hum along!
Why (you may ask) am I all excited about Botswana?
Well, any of you who have read and loved the wonderful No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith (his website is a delight!) are not the ones asking! These lovely books are a peaceful and gentle look at a proud country where the citizens' concerns are the same as those of us all...love, relationships, fear, jealousy. Mma Precious Ramotswe runs the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, using cleverness, common sense, and (largely!) her listening skills to solve mysteries that come her way.
If you have not read them, you are in for a treat. I have recently gone on a feast of re-reading this series and have a great desire to travel to Botswana! Here is information from the Botswana Tourism Board. Their website home page says:
Welcome to the very best part of Africa. Botswana, a country better known for peace and tranquillity, diamonds and beef, holds a lot of suprises for you. Come and explore the diverse cultures of its people and nature at its best. If there’s a place where one wishes time could stand still, it is the beautiful country you will be viewing on this Web site.
Recently, an exchange consortium to which we belong has opened a site in Botswana! So now my students have the opportunity to do an exchange semester or year at the University of Botswana! Oh, those lucky students!
Do a little bit of reading about Botswana, and dream with me about a visit to Mma Ramotswe and her compatriots. And for heaven's sake...if you haven't read these books...get to your local library!
