Village Meeting

27th of August 2018

The next day, after a luxurious comfortable sleep all the backdrop noise of the forest, which is really rather loud. Still a little boggled at our accommodation, we followed suit, ate a delicious breakfast of cereals, toast and fruit. 

We then jumped at the opportunity to follow in the Toyota to a village meeting. The owner of the festival had set up a meeting with the locals that would be working the festival, it was here that they decided how much they would be charging for their duties. 

Such as the locals using their personal mokoro boats to taxi the customers from the parking area to the actual festival island. Anything they make is theirs to keep. The local women will be serving local food, whilst also working at the ticket station on the carpark side of the delta. 

Our host discussed this to the 40/50 locals that turned up, whilst my friend and I filmed and photographed. 

I gave my iPhone to a young boy, who I trained in it’s workings, and before too long, the little one was running around photographer of the year style, adapting to the functions of an iPhone freakishly quickly. 

The local lady then sung us a song in their choir which we filmed, and then we took a mokoro back to the farm. 

The Convoy 

On our final day, before our departure to the island, we decided to join Thomas in driving to Maun in order to show the stall owners which route their trucks would drive on set-up day. After a confusing hoo-har where my friend and I were hustled from vechile angrily to another, we set off with a 4 truck strong convoy. One mega large with an open back, containing a large water container, then two large 4x4’s. 

We sat in the Toyota with Thomas and filmed the anarchy that proceeded. Driving in immense skill skidding the sand in the appropriate way enough to propel the car forward enough to not sink. Then watch as these huge trucks did the same. 

We then reached the water, and had such a fun time jigging the vechiles through the water, watching as it title waves either sides, hanging out head and legs over the back whilst we watch the following truck dipping in and out of water. 

When on the isand, the stall owners, each mega friendly introduced themselves to us, and proceeded to mark their territory with tape. The tapped of sections added some life to the site. 

We then did our final mokoro back to the farm for our final supper. 

It was this evening we were told we would be moved onto the festival island 3 days early, as there were VI- VIP guests staying in the farm for the next two days. Having had our share of luxury, we were happy to move on…. 

…Or so we thought..