TIA (This is Africa!)

Bit of tension in the air this morning between Elle and I. Combination of late nights spent chasing hyenas taking its toll, and the daytime heat which just saps your energy further. I woke up feeling grumpy this morning, partly frustrated at not achieving the work I had intended to do here and generally just ‘getting out of bed the wrong side’. (Trying to finish writing a book I started about four years ago and making little progress!) Elle has very sore eyes from over-wearing her contact lenses and is also feeling tired. Neither of us has really spoken to each other this morning preferring an uneasy tolerance rather than risking saying anything that might be misconstrued as confrontational. Minor irritations are easily projected when living in close proximity.

Also been a frustrating past few days. No internet for 48 hours, in spite of several calls to the service provider who assured it would be back on in 'haff anowah'. I also had to spend the best part of yesterday morning in Home Affairs in Katima in an attempt to extend my holiday visa by a month. Unless you enjoy pain, this is not a recommended experience anywhere in Africa.

After being shunted from pillar to post by a staff whose general demeanour can at best be described as 'leisurely', I was informed that a committee would have to meet to discuss my application and that I would be informed by telephone of the decision. When I asked when this decision might be, I was told it would be ‘sometime, maybe, next week’ (emphasis on 'maybe'). This despite the fact that my visa runs out this Sunday.

Fortunately, they gave me a piece of paper which states that my status is under review, should I be arrested by zealous immigration officials. I propose to do a Neville Chamberlain impression should this happen, although I have a feeling my 'piece of paper' is probably equally worthless.