First few days in Botswana

6/16/09

We have to write a journal for our study abroad program so I am going to include this in my personal journal as well. Right now I am in Gaborone, Botswana. This is my first time to Africa in my entire life and I must say I have learned more about communication between human beings more here than anywhere else I have ever been. I am shocked that the entire culture is surrounded around communicating. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner together and usually have tea time around 10am which is a short break to relax and talk about whatever is on their mind. I could not imagine tea time happening in America because the first time we would try it about half the population would probably ask for the tea to go so they could keep up with the rat race. It was nice to take fifteen minutes to yourself and not feel rushed to finish the day.

I can honestly admit the thing I was scared about most was being discriminated against and I was shocked yet happy to realize that the people of Botswana are the most kind and carry people I have encountered. Our two guides for the week, Thota and Karabo are wonderful. They want us to get the best experience possible and they want to include everyone in the program, this is the vibe I get from most people from Botswana. They care so much about everyone that their only worries come from the dissatisfaction of others. I hope the people are the same in the city and around the country as they are here at the University of Botswana. Our two professors and Setswana instructor are very supportive and encouraging and make this experience very care free and exciting.

The food is a little better than I expected. I like that they do not use much condiments and that they love eating meat. The only thing I find a bit uncomfortable is not having water to wash down my food. I asked one of the cooks for water but they said it was unavailable. I have had stomach cramps after eating almost all my meals and I think this might be because of overeating, their serving sizes are double what I am used to and I feel like I do not want to insult them by not eating their food. I found the beef very fulfilling but I think the chicken contributes to my stomach aches. Most of the beer here is pretty good although I find the most tasteful beers are made from a mixture of cider.

I am anxious to leave campus and learn more about my surroundings. I think this Friday we are visiting villages around Gaborone and I am eager to learn more about the culture outside of campus territory. I want to experience some of the poverty that surrounds the city and see for my own eyes how much worse they have it than I do. I believe this will make me become more humble and give me the exposure to a new outlook on life.

After our orientation and Setswana lessons Karabo offered to take some of us down to the university soccer fields, volleyball and basketball courts. About twelve of us went and played volleyball then basketball and we had a blast. We enjoyed getting out of the dorm and running around a bit and watching Karabo play a sport that he feels very passionately about. We all agreed that we must go back and do this a couple of times a week.