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.