Travels: Botswana 3- Fire Starter

During the bush walk, the Kalahari bushnan, P.K., I developed a relationship. He helped me set a snare and promised to teach me to make fire. By 5:30 the following morning we were bouncing across the desert in an open Land Cruiser. P.K. Was our tracker and Alex the guide/driver. Nothing escaped P.K.'s notice. We spied a pair of Black Backed jackals trotting through dry grass.

P.K. recognized their action indicated they were following a hunting cheetah or leopard. We began tracking the jackals and, sure enough, leopard.

After a great morning game drive, P.K. And I made a plan. We began scanning for the correct trees and bushes to build my kit. The desert is P.K.'s Home Depot - truly amazing. I would select branches or limbs and P.K. would politely consider my choice and then gently tease showing the correct pieces to choose - I struggled to see the difference. After a mid day nap and lunch, we enjoyed afternoon high tea and returned to the bush.

The bushmen's intelligence is evident in their sense of humor. Always laughing, loving puns and double entendre's. P.K informed me that he had cold beer and wine along for a sundowner but I could not have a drink until the fire was started. Pressure. We had a great drive seeing even more mammals, birds and insects but, as the sun began to set, we pulled into a grove of acacia adjacent to the Tau Pan. Time to try out my new skills - a cold beer rested on my aboriginal skills.