Another Reason to love NYC

As Matt and I were walking home from a wonderful spring day Mexican lunch at our local favorite, called Bonita, we passed the local South African restaurant,called Madiba. We decided to pop in and see if there were any people from Botswana there to talk to and get as much information as we could from them. The two bar keepers, who are Batswana, were not working, so we left a little discouraged that we would not meet any Batswana before arriving in Africa. Sitting outside the restaurant these to men were talking a funny language and sure enough, after interrupting their lunch, we realized they were from Botswana. They asked us to join them. We were happy to sit down with them and drill them with thousands of questions. They reassured us over and over again about how much we would love their country and the people. Of course, I repeatedly asked about bugs and snakes. They said the snakes are there but you will not see them and we should not worry. They suggested for us to live up north were it is more beautiful. They gave us a fantastic history lesson as to why they did not suffer the same fate as South Africa and Zimbabwe. They told us many hidden gems of the region and many tales of their life in Africa. All of this information and finally meeting a Batswana (a person from Botswana is called a Batswana) left Matt and I utterly giddy with excitement. All this on a simple walk home from a wonderful spring day lunch.

I love NY.

Leaving is a bit overwhelming. We will truly miss our friends, who have become our NY family. Who are we going to have 34 bottles of wine with at Thanksgiving? Who are we going to stay up with late into the night, when we all know we should be in bed? Who is going to accept our inappropriate jokes as well as we all can for each other. You will be greatly missed and thought of often. Have a great two years and we can not wait to hear about all your adventures over the next two years. Can't wait 'till we are all back in NYC together. We love you and NYC!

laura.