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What can we say about 2020? Did it exist? Barely—but at the same time its presence was heavily felt everywhere. Yes, indeed, what a year…

We kick-started the new year with Julia’s mother and our son and his family in Gaborone. We were also joined by Leyla Assaf-Tengroth, a Swedish friend from the 70ies, and her family. Leyla’s two children (Charbel and Jana) had not been back to Botswana since 1975 when the family left for Sweden. We were 21 persons, oblivious of what the rest of 2020 had in store for us.

We, however, had some time for fun—while following the news on the virus. A safari (slide show), which we had long wished to do, became a reality. Starting with two nights in Nxai Pan, we proceeded to Tsodilo Hills, via Maun, where we were joined by friends from Härnösand (Sweden) Ingmar Virta and Kersti Arvinder. We then cruised our way along the Okavango Delta panhandle into Namibia before heading to Savuti via Chobe and finally back to Gaborone. It was a dream come true, as the weather was perfect for camping and there was plenty of wildlife to see.

We returned to Sweden just in time to escape the Corona or Covid-19 lockdown in Botswana. Thereafter the pandemic took over our lives. When Julia’s mother passed on in early May, we could not travel for the funeral. We were lucky to have our son and other relatives arrange for virtual links that enabled us to be part of her sendoff.

Having lived in the USA for some years, we were captured by media reports on the election developments. What a saga!

Although most of the year was consumed by following news on the pandemic, we took the liberty of “non-lockdown” in Sweden to partake in weekly get-togethers by our retiree group. We played minigolf, boules, and took walks with the group and other friends. We also took walks on our own around Sigtuna, where we live. During autumn, we managed to pick mushrooms and to socially-distance meet our daughter and grandchildren living in Sweden.

As we mourn relatives and friends who passed on from Covid-19 or other causes, we hope that 2021 will bring good tides and that release of vaccines shall be for the wider benefit of all.

STAY SAFE

Per and Julia