Trivia & Tidbits Thursday - Dates, Times, Phone Numbers....

Another interesting tidbit regarding life in Gaborone, Botswana, is how dates and times are written. As in the examples above - the date is written in the format of Day/Month/Year. This is interesting when it comes to reading (translating) expiration dates on food items. For example, the date on my milk carton indicates 02/06/10. In the US, we read that as Feb. 6, 2010 ---- which would mean OOOPS! my milk has expired. But, since we're in Gaborone, breathe a sigh of relief...the expiration is actually June 2, 2010. Takes a little getting used to. This applies to any time you record the date - checks, documents, receipts.....you get the idea.

As for time - anyone with a military background has no problem! Times are typically recorded in 24-hour format. (Note: The time above of 15:00 is 3:00 pm.) I have gotten used to reading this time format. The clock on our microwave displays the current time in 24-hour time. Our eldest child prefers the format be in 24-hour time!

Now when people talk about the time you will hear time on the half-hour stated as 'half-past'. For example, I say "11:30", but here that would be stated as "half-past 11". Same goes for 15-past the hour - which would be "quarter-past".

Lastly, the topic of how phone numbers are written. In the US, we have an area code and a 7-digit phone number, whether for a "land" line or cell phone. Here, "land" lines are 7-digits. We have no area code. Cell numbers are 8-digits. Typically, the numbers are written all jumbled together without a dash, space, or separator of any kind.


This sign is funny to me. Can you guess why? Notice the words "To Let". See how the phone number is written all crammed together.

Here's something interesting...and strange.....
Notice the left-side of the picture - the tall pile of dirt behind the metal boxes. That is a termite mound. Really. It's been there as long as I've been in Gabs - over a year now. I guess it's probably about 6 feet tall. Quite incredible! Termite mounds like this one can be seen all around Gabs. I've never gotten close to one. Don't know if it is an 'active' termite mound. Just imagine how long it took those little bugs to pile up the dirt that high. Talk about diligence and perseverance!