Where we live

Shanthi and I live in what is a pretty western-looking apartment complex, fairly luxurious by local standards, in a relatively posh neighborhood in Gaborone. We are a few blocks from the American, Indian, and Kenyan ambassadors' houses and the property abuts the Northside Primary School. Our housing complex has a pool and well maintained gardens with some lovely trees, plants and flowers. Some of the trees host weaver birds who build these elaborate nests that often dangle from branches, attached with a cleverly woven grass twine. Apparently the males of the species are tasked with the construction while the females play the role of inspectors. If the nest is not quite up to snuff, the female bird simply cuts it loose, and the male is then forced to try again.