So, the school is now on strike. I don't have much time at the internet cafe, but essentially students were really angry and did some not so good things on campus yesterday. UNC-Greensboro already sent their students home, and we are currently staying at a hotel for the weekend (until Monday) and hoping things will calm down. As of now, all classes are cancelled indefinately, which is until the strike ends. I have some good stories from it (slightly frightening some are) but we are safe and fine now, so no worries. We are staying at the Gaborone Sun Hotel and Casino for the weekend. I will update again soon with further status of when we go back to classes.
Hopefully this all ends soon so we don't have to take more action. Wheaton has been helpful on this end. Hope you all have a good weekend!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Holy Rain!
This morning I woke up to thunderous amounts of rain pouring down so hard that I could barely see the street behind my dorm. This all started around 645 am and with a class at 8 am, I severly contemplated whether or not I should attempt walking to it, since it's a good 15-20 min walk. But, it started to slow down around 730, so I began the trek to Abstract Algebra through ankle deep puddles and more. However, once I got to class, only 7 people showed up (out of about 35-40) and the professor showed up completely soaked, so he said class wasn't worth it today. Really should have stayed in my room longer I suppose.
This week has gone by fairly well. Not much new has happened besides me trying to plan what to do for spring break, and thus what to do on other weekends. Originally I wanted to go to the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, however that is seeming to be longer trip than anticipated and a little costly. Right now I am looking into possibly going to Lesotho for the week. All UB sports go to Lesotho every year (as well as universities in Namibia and South Africa, among others) to compete in tournaments. Other UB students can join by, from what I hear, only paying for transportation, which amounts to about $65 round trip. Lesotho is probably the poorest country in the SADC (South African Development Community, I believe) and thus the most "backwards" of countries. They are sitll very "african" as people would think, with witch doctors and all. It is also the only country in the world whose entire country is 1000m above sea level. It's supposed to be a really gorgeous country. You can take pony rides through the highlands for only about $20 per day. So we will see what options that root.
If anyone has any other cool ideas about places to visit in the immediate area (Botswana, South Africa, etc) let me know! I know Kruger National Park is nearby, as well as Chobe National Park.
Not too much else went on this week, but I will update before the weekend.
This week has gone by fairly well. Not much new has happened besides me trying to plan what to do for spring break, and thus what to do on other weekends. Originally I wanted to go to the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, however that is seeming to be longer trip than anticipated and a little costly. Right now I am looking into possibly going to Lesotho for the week. All UB sports go to Lesotho every year (as well as universities in Namibia and South Africa, among others) to compete in tournaments. Other UB students can join by, from what I hear, only paying for transportation, which amounts to about $65 round trip. Lesotho is probably the poorest country in the SADC (South African Development Community, I believe) and thus the most "backwards" of countries. They are sitll very "african" as people would think, with witch doctors and all. It is also the only country in the world whose entire country is 1000m above sea level. It's supposed to be a really gorgeous country. You can take pony rides through the highlands for only about $20 per day. So we will see what options that root.
If anyone has any other cool ideas about places to visit in the immediate area (Botswana, South Africa, etc) let me know! I know Kruger National Park is nearby, as well as Chobe National Park.
Not too much else went on this week, but I will update before the weekend.
Friday, January 23, 2009
More Info
Hi guys
I posted some pictures and I plan on posting some more later today since I have class fairly soon. Kelly is also doing a blog, and she writes a lot better about what we do at each place than me. Her blog is http://www.kellyinbotswana.blogspot.com/.
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge nicely because of the new camera I have! So be sure to check that out, since it can be hard to see at the size they are posted as.
I posted some pictures and I plan on posting some more later today since I have class fairly soon. Kelly is also doing a blog, and she writes a lot better about what we do at each place than me. Her blog is http://www.kellyinbotswana.blogspot.com/.
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge nicely because of the new camera I have! So be sure to check that out, since it can be hard to see at the size they are posted as.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Botswana
Coming towards the end of a second week of classes, I do not have much new information to share with you all besides my courses I am taking, so I think it may be best if I share some interesting things I have noticed here that differ from the states (besides ones already discussed).
First of all, today I have finally (I think) figured out my courses for the semester. Earlier this week, one of my courses was cancelled, so I began scrambling for a fifth course. My courses are as follows:
First of all, today I have finally (I think) figured out my courses for the semester. Earlier this week, one of my courses was cancelled, so I began scrambling for a fifth course. My courses are as follows:
- Introduction to Setswana (Ee, ke itse Setswana - Yes, I speak Setswana)
- Catastrophe and Survival in 20th Century Europe -- a History class
- History of Mathematics (I haven't attended this course yet...)
- Abstract Algebra II (not much to be said here...)
- Natural Resource Economics (so far, probably one of my most interesting classes, especially in an economy based SO much on natural resources, i.e. diamonds)
As one would expect, Botswana (and Gaborone) is a completely different place than the US. Here are some random cultural notes:
- They drive on the left-hand side of the road. This causes great difficulty not only driving and crossing the road, but also for passing someone while walking. In the US, I am so used to staying towards the right, while the exact opposite happens here, causing for some interesting confrontations. This reversal of motion occurs in escalators as well as many other places.
- As we learned in Setswana the other day, Botswana is traditionally a very patriarchal society, where women must be subordinate completely to the men and do pretty much all the work. Although such practices are evolving, it is in stark contrast to what we are used to. Our professor explained to us how her and her husband have an equal marriage, but if her mother or mother-in-law is at the house, she wouldn't dare make her husband do the dishes. She blatantly said she would be yelled at by her mother for such practices. This patriarchal society has (in her mind) caused the vast amount of HIV/AIDS in the country. Since women are supposed to be submissive and never question men, it is typical for men to not come home at night (or many nights) and it be completely fine, so long as the woman does not ask where he went. This practice brought HIV/AIDS into the home, spreading it quickly, so much so that some figures put Botswana at the second highest rate in the world.
- Tipping here is not mandatory at all. In restaurants, if you tip at all, the waiter(ess) would be more than happy with what you left. When food is delivered to your dorm, it is not expected that you tip at all. If you do feel like tipping, generally tipping is about 10% of the bill, which many times here is the equivalent to 70 cents or less.
- There also seems to be a toilet paper shortage here, especially at UB. Every month, maids drop off a monthly "supply" of toilet paper rolls in your room to use for your bathrooms. But, in any public restrooms (or toilets as they are called here) there is a much better chance of NOT having toilet paper in it than having toilet paper in it. I know at UB its a problem because students steal it, but elsewhere the same practice happens. You really need to be prepared here with everything.
- Any supermarket that you go to here requires that you purchase "plastic" or plastic bags. I actually like this practice, since it makes you think twice about actually needing a plastic bag. You just have to remember to make sure you ask for one if you intend on shopping longer, unless you want to carry all your food and drinks.
- Another oddity is the lack of ability to give change, anywhere. The other day we were at a store and we gave them P30 for something that costs P25, and the clerk said "don't you have P5?" If you pay with a P100 note almost anywhere, it is almost guaranteed they won't have enough change and you will have to either wait for someone else in line to go, or until the cashier can go get more money. These things boggle my mind, especially at large stores similar to Wal-Mart!
Okay, that seems about all for now. I am hoping to have a relaxing weekend and plan for an exciting spring break. We have break the last week of February, and Kelly and I are trying to plan a trip to the north of Botswana to see the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, among other destinations. If you want to learn more about the Okavango, I know one of the Planet Earth episodes features it. I will post again with exactly which episode it was so you can see why it's a must see destination. Hope you all have a good weekend.
Monday, January 19, 2009
PICTURES!
I figured out how to add one picture at a time for now. On the right-hand side of the page you will find it. I hope I can change it daily or so, to give a preview of what it's like here!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Weekend Adventure
As I have talked about before, Saturday and Sunday we went on a cultural excursion of sorts. I will break this post down into sections for all of the stops and sites we saw. I am hoping to load some photos soon to my flickr account (link to follow someday) but loading pictures to the internet isn't so easy here. I may have to send some CDs home and have them shared that way.
Mochudi Village (link for more information)
Our first stop was this larger village of Botswana (population of about 40,000). We went to a museum here about the local culture and life of Mochudi and the Bakgatla people. They have some interesting traditions, especially when it comes to coming-of-age for young men and women, some of which had to be phased out in the early 90s because of legal issues. Most of it is not quite so appropriate to post, but still very interesting to learn that not so long ago such traditions were still in place. Speaking with one of our guides, he told me that some rural villages in South Africa (I believe he said the Zulu) still practice some of these rituals.
The Phuthadikabo Museum was situated on the top of a hill overlooking the village, and I was able to capture some beautiful photos on the village below and the rivers and landscape accompanying it.
Matsieng
Outside of Mochudi are the "footprints" that belong to what legend calls Matsieng. According to legend, Matsieng was a giant and an ancestor of the Tswana people, who currently inhabit Botswana. Supposedly, he led his people from the centre of the earth to inhabit the world. The hole in the rocks where he is said to have emerged from is over 4 metres deep! We actually couldn't see down it because it was full of water from the rains.
Manyana
After leaving Matsieng and taking about a 2 hour bus ride in the heat of the day (about 95 degrees, no AC and vinyl seats) we arrived in another village on the other side of Gaborone called Manyana (like spanish for tomorrow/morning). Here, they have rock paintings from over 2000 years ago, if not more. Typically, people painted on the rocks to show faith and worship their god(s). They were paintings of gazelle, giraffes, 3-legged men, and a few other animals as well. Some were very easy to see, while others had been washed out somewhat by the rain on the rocks. Here, as would happen to occur many other places later, we had a local boy follow us around and hang out with us. The boy was about 3 years old and was intrigued to just follow us walking over the rocks and such. He spoke little or no English (most people in villages speak mainly Setswana, the local language among 34 spoken in Botswana) but we were able to have someone speak to him in Setswana to try and get something from him.
Being here, we also got to see what a village looked and felt like. For one, it is definitely rural. There is not much around connecting the village to anything else. Goats, donkeys, cattle, chickens, and dogs just roam freely through the streets (very dangerous), yards, and any open spaces.
We then drove a short way to the Livingstone tree. This is where the explorer David Livingstone lived for the first few nights when he came to this village, before he moved into the village. Under this tree (it's huge) he held classes on religion, writing, reading, etc. for the local peoples. While looking at the tree, we attracted a group of about 6-7 local village boys ranging in age from 3 to 8 or 9 that wanted to come see what we were all about. (On a side note, It seems wherever we go, we seem to to a spectacle, almost celebrity like. I know that for some people we have spoken too, we are the first white-people they have ever talked too. Last week a group from Wheaton College was here along with two professors, both of whom are African-American. During conversation, a local Batswana (person from Botswana) wouldn't accept or believe them when they told her they were Americans. She figured all Americans were white and there were no such thing as black Americans in her mind. Furthermore, the Wheaton students varied in many different backgrounds. One of the girls is originally from Puerto Rico, and they immediately thought she was Indian, because in Botswana, there is no real concept of a "hispanic" person. Not too many come here or are known here. Plus, there is a large Indian and middle eastern population here, so they immediately place hispanic people into those categories.) So we played with the children in Manyana for awhile before making our way off to the cultural village.
Cultural Village
Upon arrival at the Cultural Village, we were greeted by 4 older women dressed in traditional garb, singing traditional songs. We were then led up to the village, where we would spend the evening. The village had two traditional huts (where the girls would sleep) surrounded by many tents (where the boys would sleep). It was a truly awesome place (minus the large number of insects, spiders, and scorpions) with tons of privacy and a feeling of seclusion from the world. Before eating, they showed us how to prepare traditional foods and flour by grinding the sorghum and all. For dinner, we had pop (a traditional dish that looks like mashed potatoes, but is really crushed maize), beef, chicken, potato salad (!), a garden salad, and of course rice. It was truly delicious to taste some food that was more than just chicken and rice. With dinner, they also served us some traditional beer served in what looked to be hallowed out gourds. It doesn't taste much like beer at all, and has some floaty stuff in it, but it wasn't all that bad. It tastes more like fermented sorghum stuff (which is what it is) than beer at all. After a good nights sleep here, we woke up early and had a delicious breakfast of eggs, beef, a type of donut, and cold baked beans. For some reason, they serve beans chilled here, but they still taste just as good.
Mokolodi Game Reserve
And then we finally got to Mokolodi Game Reserve. Upon arrival, we were served welcome drinks (champagne and mango juice) and signed a form telling them we know the dangers of wild animals. We then went on a 2-hour game drive through the beautiful reserve. The reserve is actually fenced off (it's over 70 hectares large I believe), but all the animals (except the cheetahs in their own section and the elephants) roam freely wherever they want and are not tame. The park has over 50 species of mammals (including white rhino, giraffes, elephants, leapards, zebra, impala, etc, but no lions) as well as 250 species of birds as well as thousands of species of flora and plants. We were lucky enough to see a good deal of animals including elephants, zebra, impala, kudoo (sp?), a giraffe, wort hogs, horses, baboons, ostriches, and a few others. Unfortunately we didn't get a good look at the cheetahs or the giraffe, and saw no hippos or rhinos, but we plan on going back again either for an early morning drive or late afternoon. We also had a lunch by the lake on the reserve. It was delicious with chicken, steak, sausage, 3 types of salad, garlic bread, and much more. For a welcome drink (as much champagne you want), a 2-hour game drive, and lunch by the lake with drinks (beer, wine, soda, water, liquor, juice, everything), it only costs about P150 per person, which is about US$20 per person. Not a bad price at all. They also have many other cool adventures there like white rhino "stalking" where you go with a guide on foot and actually try to find white rhinos up close, sunset game drives, and going through the game reserve on horseback as well. We also want to go back and pet the cheetahs, which you can do for an added cost, but I think it'd be totally worth it.
After leaving Mokolodi, we went to Lions Park, which is a "waterpark" in Botswana. Luckily, I didn't have huge expectations of it, since it consisted only of a wave pool and two water slides, but it still felt amazing to get in some water and cool off for once, especially after such a long and hot weekend. At night, Kelly, my roommate Adam, and I went to a new favorite restaurant near campus called Primi. It's a mainly Italian influenced place, and the food is absolutely amazing. We went last week as well. But what is remarkable is the prices. My meal, which included 2 beers and a fairly large pizza was only P90, or about 11-12 US dollars. You can't beat that!
Well, I have been trying to load pictures since I have typed, and still haven't loaded in over 2 hours of waiting, so I am thinking it may not happen. I have 3 more classes today so I must be off.
Also, I see the Cardinals and Steelers will be facing off in the Superbowl in 2 weeks. I am definitely rooting for the Cardinals. We are going to try and see if Bull and Bush (a pub in Gaborone usually open til 4 am) will stay open a little later and play the Superbowl for us. It starts usually around 630 pm there, which is like 130 am here, so it may be a late night to watch it, but could well be worth it.
Mochudi Village (link for more information)
Our first stop was this larger village of Botswana (population of about 40,000). We went to a museum here about the local culture and life of Mochudi and the Bakgatla people. They have some interesting traditions, especially when it comes to coming-of-age for young men and women, some of which had to be phased out in the early 90s because of legal issues. Most of it is not quite so appropriate to post, but still very interesting to learn that not so long ago such traditions were still in place. Speaking with one of our guides, he told me that some rural villages in South Africa (I believe he said the Zulu) still practice some of these rituals.
The Phuthadikabo Museum was situated on the top of a hill overlooking the village, and I was able to capture some beautiful photos on the village below and the rivers and landscape accompanying it.
Matsieng
Outside of Mochudi are the "footprints" that belong to what legend calls Matsieng. According to legend, Matsieng was a giant and an ancestor of the Tswana people, who currently inhabit Botswana. Supposedly, he led his people from the centre of the earth to inhabit the world. The hole in the rocks where he is said to have emerged from is over 4 metres deep! We actually couldn't see down it because it was full of water from the rains.
Manyana
After leaving Matsieng and taking about a 2 hour bus ride in the heat of the day (about 95 degrees, no AC and vinyl seats) we arrived in another village on the other side of Gaborone called Manyana (like spanish for tomorrow/morning). Here, they have rock paintings from over 2000 years ago, if not more. Typically, people painted on the rocks to show faith and worship their god(s). They were paintings of gazelle, giraffes, 3-legged men, and a few other animals as well. Some were very easy to see, while others had been washed out somewhat by the rain on the rocks. Here, as would happen to occur many other places later, we had a local boy follow us around and hang out with us. The boy was about 3 years old and was intrigued to just follow us walking over the rocks and such. He spoke little or no English (most people in villages speak mainly Setswana, the local language among 34 spoken in Botswana) but we were able to have someone speak to him in Setswana to try and get something from him.
Being here, we also got to see what a village looked and felt like. For one, it is definitely rural. There is not much around connecting the village to anything else. Goats, donkeys, cattle, chickens, and dogs just roam freely through the streets (very dangerous), yards, and any open spaces.
We then drove a short way to the Livingstone tree. This is where the explorer David Livingstone lived for the first few nights when he came to this village, before he moved into the village. Under this tree (it's huge) he held classes on religion, writing, reading, etc. for the local peoples. While looking at the tree, we attracted a group of about 6-7 local village boys ranging in age from 3 to 8 or 9 that wanted to come see what we were all about. (On a side note, It seems wherever we go, we seem to to a spectacle, almost celebrity like. I know that for some people we have spoken too, we are the first white-people they have ever talked too. Last week a group from Wheaton College was here along with two professors, both of whom are African-American. During conversation, a local Batswana (person from Botswana) wouldn't accept or believe them when they told her they were Americans. She figured all Americans were white and there were no such thing as black Americans in her mind. Furthermore, the Wheaton students varied in many different backgrounds. One of the girls is originally from Puerto Rico, and they immediately thought she was Indian, because in Botswana, there is no real concept of a "hispanic" person. Not too many come here or are known here. Plus, there is a large Indian and middle eastern population here, so they immediately place hispanic people into those categories.) So we played with the children in Manyana for awhile before making our way off to the cultural village.
Cultural Village
Upon arrival at the Cultural Village, we were greeted by 4 older women dressed in traditional garb, singing traditional songs. We were then led up to the village, where we would spend the evening. The village had two traditional huts (where the girls would sleep) surrounded by many tents (where the boys would sleep). It was a truly awesome place (minus the large number of insects, spiders, and scorpions) with tons of privacy and a feeling of seclusion from the world. Before eating, they showed us how to prepare traditional foods and flour by grinding the sorghum and all. For dinner, we had pop (a traditional dish that looks like mashed potatoes, but is really crushed maize), beef, chicken, potato salad (!), a garden salad, and of course rice. It was truly delicious to taste some food that was more than just chicken and rice. With dinner, they also served us some traditional beer served in what looked to be hallowed out gourds. It doesn't taste much like beer at all, and has some floaty stuff in it, but it wasn't all that bad. It tastes more like fermented sorghum stuff (which is what it is) than beer at all. After a good nights sleep here, we woke up early and had a delicious breakfast of eggs, beef, a type of donut, and cold baked beans. For some reason, they serve beans chilled here, but they still taste just as good.
Mokolodi Game Reserve
And then we finally got to Mokolodi Game Reserve. Upon arrival, we were served welcome drinks (champagne and mango juice) and signed a form telling them we know the dangers of wild animals. We then went on a 2-hour game drive through the beautiful reserve. The reserve is actually fenced off (it's over 70 hectares large I believe), but all the animals (except the cheetahs in their own section and the elephants) roam freely wherever they want and are not tame. The park has over 50 species of mammals (including white rhino, giraffes, elephants, leapards, zebra, impala, etc, but no lions) as well as 250 species of birds as well as thousands of species of flora and plants. We were lucky enough to see a good deal of animals including elephants, zebra, impala, kudoo (sp?), a giraffe, wort hogs, horses, baboons, ostriches, and a few others. Unfortunately we didn't get a good look at the cheetahs or the giraffe, and saw no hippos or rhinos, but we plan on going back again either for an early morning drive or late afternoon. We also had a lunch by the lake on the reserve. It was delicious with chicken, steak, sausage, 3 types of salad, garlic bread, and much more. For a welcome drink (as much champagne you want), a 2-hour game drive, and lunch by the lake with drinks (beer, wine, soda, water, liquor, juice, everything), it only costs about P150 per person, which is about US$20 per person. Not a bad price at all. They also have many other cool adventures there like white rhino "stalking" where you go with a guide on foot and actually try to find white rhinos up close, sunset game drives, and going through the game reserve on horseback as well. We also want to go back and pet the cheetahs, which you can do for an added cost, but I think it'd be totally worth it.
After leaving Mokolodi, we went to Lions Park, which is a "waterpark" in Botswana. Luckily, I didn't have huge expectations of it, since it consisted only of a wave pool and two water slides, but it still felt amazing to get in some water and cool off for once, especially after such a long and hot weekend. At night, Kelly, my roommate Adam, and I went to a new favorite restaurant near campus called Primi. It's a mainly Italian influenced place, and the food is absolutely amazing. We went last week as well. But what is remarkable is the prices. My meal, which included 2 beers and a fairly large pizza was only P90, or about 11-12 US dollars. You can't beat that!
Well, I have been trying to load pictures since I have typed, and still haven't loaded in over 2 hours of waiting, so I am thinking it may not happen. I have 3 more classes today so I must be off.
Also, I see the Cardinals and Steelers will be facing off in the Superbowl in 2 weeks. I am definitely rooting for the Cardinals. We are going to try and see if Bull and Bush (a pub in Gaborone usually open til 4 am) will stay open a little later and play the Superbowl for us. It starts usually around 630 pm there, which is like 130 am here, so it may be a late night to watch it, but could well be worth it.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
First Week of Classes
This week was the first official week, although for all practicality, classes truly start next week. So for the two days of the week, I didn't have a professor show up to a class but once, and the majority of students do not show up the first week of classes either. This is a very strange and unique concept. In addition to this, students are protesting the lack of allowances paid to students who take more time than the program allotted. In Botswana, education (as well as health care) is completely free to all citizens from primary education all the way through university. To further encourage students to attend school, students enrolled at UB are given allowances monthly (about P1200, or $150) to use for whatever they please. P1200 is a substantial sum here, since a really nice meal out costs at most P50-60 or so. They get these allowances so long as they take classes of a certain number of credit hours. However, say their program of study is only 4 years, but it takes them 5, they are still supposed to get paid in that 5th year. However, because of the declining economy, due mainly to decreased diamond demand in the US, the government announced they would stop supporting allowances for students who take longer than their program. Such protests could turn into strikes, which has happened at least on 2 occasions in the last 4 years, where the school shuts down for a week or more until a settlement can be reached. This is a very different system of education here for sure. Today the members of student body and the Ministry of Finance/Education are supposed to meet and try and work out a deal to avoid this.
So far, I have not too much to report about the classes other than a few odd things. One is from my Abstract Algebra II course yesterday. The classroom has no chairs OR tables, but merely a handful of stools in it to sit on. Taking notes on your lap sitting in a stool with no back is definitely not the most comfortable of situations, especially when the majority of the class is standing. The professor is hoping to change the room (calling it a "load of rubbish" - he's British) so that we can at least have chairs to sit on for all students in the class. Yesterday, my roommate Adam (he's from North Carolina and goes to UNC-Greensboro) had stones thrown at him for attending class and not protesting. This was also an eye-opening story in the sense that education is taken a lot differently here. College students in the US definitely take for granted having chairs, desks, and comfortable learning environments. And they definitely take for granted the food. The dining halls (or refectories) here are much more basic than anything I have seen on college campuses. The meals are pretty unchanging between lunch and dinner. Every meal so far has been rice, with beef or chicken, some sort of coleslaw/squash/carrots and a cup of juice. A huge departure from the myriad of options available to dining halls at Wheaton. There is no option here, you're just given a tray with food on it. It does do the trick of filling you up with some nourishment, but I am also buying fruits from the supermarket to get some other vitamins, etc.
As I have discussed previously, this weekend we are leaving Gaborone to go to a village about 45 minutes from here for another traditional dinner and festivities and staying overnight in traditional huts. On Sunday, we will be traveling to Mokolodi Game Reserve (see previous posts for a link) for a 2-hour game drive. I am hoping to at least pet the Cheetahs (only tame cheetahs in all of Botswana) as well as explore some of the reserve. I am also hoping that the weekend after, or a little later, to hike Kgale Hill in Gaborone. It's a hill that overlooks much of the city and is filled with its own wildlife as well (mostly Baboons and other birds). I will obviously take tons of pictures, although I am not sure how quickly, if ever, they will be posted. The internet is painfully slow (I read magazines and books while pages load), but I will try to create an account and post as many as possible.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
So far, I have not too much to report about the classes other than a few odd things. One is from my Abstract Algebra II course yesterday. The classroom has no chairs OR tables, but merely a handful of stools in it to sit on. Taking notes on your lap sitting in a stool with no back is definitely not the most comfortable of situations, especially when the majority of the class is standing. The professor is hoping to change the room (calling it a "load of rubbish" - he's British) so that we can at least have chairs to sit on for all students in the class. Yesterday, my roommate Adam (he's from North Carolina and goes to UNC-Greensboro) had stones thrown at him for attending class and not protesting. This was also an eye-opening story in the sense that education is taken a lot differently here. College students in the US definitely take for granted having chairs, desks, and comfortable learning environments. And they definitely take for granted the food. The dining halls (or refectories) here are much more basic than anything I have seen on college campuses. The meals are pretty unchanging between lunch and dinner. Every meal so far has been rice, with beef or chicken, some sort of coleslaw/squash/carrots and a cup of juice. A huge departure from the myriad of options available to dining halls at Wheaton. There is no option here, you're just given a tray with food on it. It does do the trick of filling you up with some nourishment, but I am also buying fruits from the supermarket to get some other vitamins, etc.
As I have discussed previously, this weekend we are leaving Gaborone to go to a village about 45 minutes from here for another traditional dinner and festivities and staying overnight in traditional huts. On Sunday, we will be traveling to Mokolodi Game Reserve (see previous posts for a link) for a 2-hour game drive. I am hoping to at least pet the Cheetahs (only tame cheetahs in all of Botswana) as well as explore some of the reserve. I am also hoping that the weekend after, or a little later, to hike Kgale Hill in Gaborone. It's a hill that overlooks much of the city and is filled with its own wildlife as well (mostly Baboons and other birds). I will obviously take tons of pictures, although I am not sure how quickly, if ever, they will be posted. The internet is painfully slow (I read magazines and books while pages load), but I will try to create an account and post as many as possible.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Friday, January 9, 2009
First Week
So our orientation is now coming to an end and our first week is over. I am still waiting for a student ID card so I can access cafeterias (if they are actually open) and am still waiting to be registered. So far though, the people are very nice and the city is really awesome.
Last night we went on a "cultural" excursion. We visited a local "hut"(wasn't really a hut, very modern) and had a traditional dinner consisting of chicken, maize stuff, goat, goat intestine, bean (i don't know all the names for these foods), rolls, and fried worms, yes WORMS. All of this was cooked over an open flame outside and served with ginger beer (not alcoholic though) with pineapple slices in it. I tried the goat which was very good, but not the goat intestines or the worms. Heard the worms were just like a salty chip, but I strayed away. One thing I noticed upon finally leaving the city is that it is very dark at night here. Not too many lights at all.
Some more about the local area...
Late to a Botswana is 9 or 10 o'clock at night, so all shops close around 7 local time which is very frustrating to get used too! Also, many restaurants close around 8 or 9, so if you are hungry late night, there is not much. The transportation system here is also very interesting. It consists of mostly taxis/cabs and combis. Combis are like minibuses that fit 15-20 people in them running along specified routes. These are the cheapest at only P2.70 (or the equivalent of like 40 cents or something). Cabs and taxis are not bad either at around P20-25 or about 2-3 US dollars. Meals are fairly inexpensive, which is great since right now we have to buy each one! A full size margarita pizza is P32 (~$4). So far, the food is actually really good at some of the restaurants and the staff lounge at school.
Well, my time is now at 7 minutes at the internet cafe. I am hoping next week I can access internet at school so I don't have to walk here (a little over a mile) every time I want to use the internet for any length of time. Next weekend we go on another cultural excursion to a local village for the day and another traditional dinner on Saturday (sleeping in modern huts) and then going to Mokoladi Game Reserve Sunday to go on a game drive. I am hoping the internet works enough for me to load pictures soon, but I wouldn't hold my breathe. Pictures may not be up until I come home :(.
Hope all is well.
Last night we went on a "cultural" excursion. We visited a local "hut"(wasn't really a hut, very modern) and had a traditional dinner consisting of chicken, maize stuff, goat, goat intestine, bean (i don't know all the names for these foods), rolls, and fried worms, yes WORMS. All of this was cooked over an open flame outside and served with ginger beer (not alcoholic though) with pineapple slices in it. I tried the goat which was very good, but not the goat intestines or the worms. Heard the worms were just like a salty chip, but I strayed away. One thing I noticed upon finally leaving the city is that it is very dark at night here. Not too many lights at all.
Some more about the local area...
Late to a Botswana is 9 or 10 o'clock at night, so all shops close around 7 local time which is very frustrating to get used too! Also, many restaurants close around 8 or 9, so if you are hungry late night, there is not much. The transportation system here is also very interesting. It consists of mostly taxis/cabs and combis. Combis are like minibuses that fit 15-20 people in them running along specified routes. These are the cheapest at only P2.70 (or the equivalent of like 40 cents or something). Cabs and taxis are not bad either at around P20-25 or about 2-3 US dollars. Meals are fairly inexpensive, which is great since right now we have to buy each one! A full size margarita pizza is P32 (~$4). So far, the food is actually really good at some of the restaurants and the staff lounge at school.
Well, my time is now at 7 minutes at the internet cafe. I am hoping next week I can access internet at school so I don't have to walk here (a little over a mile) every time I want to use the internet for any length of time. Next weekend we go on another cultural excursion to a local village for the day and another traditional dinner on Saturday (sleeping in modern huts) and then going to Mokoladi Game Reserve Sunday to go on a game drive. I am hoping the internet works enough for me to load pictures soon, but I wouldn't hold my breathe. Pictures may not be up until I come home :(.
Hope all is well.
Arrived...
After beginning my journey around 2:30 EST in Boston, I finally ended it about 11:30 (pm) GMT +2, or about 7 hours ahead of East coast time. The flight was excellent, especially on South African Airways. Both the food and the wine were good, as well as exceptional service. Luckily, the seat next to Kelly was unoccupied. Across the aisle from me was a couple working as missionaries and they were very nice with their 7-month old daughter. Surprisingly, she was very quiet and well-behaved. Come to find out, she's already been on 12 flights in her short life. However, it seems that my luggage didn't come for the full ride. So hopefully today that issue can be resolved and I can get some clothing, shampoo, etc seeing it is very warm here (easily in the low 90s). I also need to purchase some hangers, etc for the dorm room. I found it very funny how they gave us 3 extra blankets (a fleece, comforter, a 3rd blanket) as well as our sheets. I don't think I'll be needing those blankets. But the nice thing is the laundry will be done for us weekly! As of now, I am only using an internet cafe in Gaborone, so it is quite hard to send emails given I only buy about 30 minutes of usage. However, I am hoping once I gain my bearings I can email more frequently from the University library. Please do send me emails since I do not have everyone's email address with me, and I will try and respond as speedily as possible (jonathan.durkee@gmail.com).
Hopefully my luggage comes today!~Have a good one.
Hopefully my luggage comes today!~Have a good one.
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