It has been about a month since I first arrived in Botswana, but wow, this place already feels like home.  There is so much to say about this colorful culture and its vibrant people but I think what is most eye opening is the inviting nature of so many of the people here.  In the short time I've been here I feel like I have already seen so much; so many people are more than happy to take you around to experience the night life, tell you about their village, have you and your friends over for dinner... and everyday is something new.
    Of the places I've been so far, the one that sticks out most is Kgale hill.  It is a giant, green hill with hiking trails and giant rocks to climb.  While hiking you can see baboons, exotic birds, incredible trees, etc.  A few friends and I hiked to the top not too long ago and were able to get a fantastic view of the city of Gaborone, and some of rural Botswana and South Africa.  There were some notable local attractions too, like the Mokolodi reserve where we saw a cheetah, a giraffe, and some other animals.  It's hard to think about how much more of this country there is left to explore!
    None of this comes without its challenges, however.  There have been some student protests so some classes had to be cancelled, and also it is very important to keep your guard up; some people will try to take advantage of you.  In the end though these challenges have been great teachers and really let you appreciate the kindness and hospitality of most of the locals you meet.

Labels: botswana, Gaborone, University of Botswana