One: Last year during my trip to Botswana, a local woman did a double take after hearing me speak. "Where are you from?" she asked. "US," I said. "Agh!" She perked with surprise. "You look like Botswana woman. You have Botswana fi-gaah." Two: Arriving in Botswana this year, the customs agent droned her questions: nature of visit, number of days, country of residence, country of birth. Hearing me say "USA" twice, I noticed that she hovered above a thought before deciding to speak it aloud. "You look African." I thanked her and asked what would distinguish an African woman from a black American woman. "Your fee-chaas," she said, using an index finger to make a circular motion around her face. I thanked her again, smiling. Three: Chatting with my hosts as we were leaving a cafe, I overheard two ladies comment as we passed their table about being surprised at my accent (funny. me. from Wisconsin. with a...
Dasha Kelly Hamilton's ramblings, writing and random, wild imaginings.