Borrego Sun - Since 1949

"Elephants!" said Tumelo Seemule, a student at the American University Prep School in Los Angeles, from Francistown, Botswana in response to my question, "What do you miss most from home?" His friend and fellow student, Zaid Imtiaz nodded vigorously. Although the deserts of Botswana and Borrego are similar in character, the Kalahari has a good deal more visible animal life.

Kevin is a junior and has been studying at AUP for two years and is scheduled to graduate in 2017. Oh, Kevin is Tumelo. "My family gave me six or seven names between my first and surnames. I like Kevin, sometimes." he said. Like many cultures children are given names to announce their lineage during introduction. Kevin wants to study pediatrics at Harvard and is taking modern dance lessons at AUP.

Zaid is a sophomore and is interested in studying orthopedics and playing tennis. He is an accomplished tennis player at home and has won a number of tournaments.

Both, however are avid cricket players. It seems that the most prevalent residue of British colonization, after English, is cricket. The young men were quick to point out that this is the 50th anniversary of Botswana independence from England.

Among other favourites in Borrego are the Brecida sculptures, all the flowers and, in L.A., Knott's Berry Farm (not Disney).

Well, I, for one, was pleased to sit down and chat with these energetic and enthusiastic young men and wish them well in their endeavours.