Those crazy Americans

Usually I blog about things that I find interesting thinking that others will find them interesting, too-- which is very egocentric. One of my blog readers suggested that I blog about things that I do that Batswana think are weird-- or uncouth.

I've come up with a few:

1) Hoarding: There has been some fear that the border-crossings would be impacted because of the current labor strikes. I was discussing this with some co-workers and I told them that I was going to the store to stock up on food and water. They laughed and said that this was 'very American' of me and implied that I was paranoid. Indeed, the food supply has not been interrupted (yet).

2) Talking through my nose: Recently a co-worker asked me to 'say something in American.' When I complied, she said that I sounded nasaly.

3) Drinking too much water: Soon after I arrived from the USA one of my co-workers said something like, "what is it with Americans and water... you guys drink too much of it." He noted that I carried a bottle of water with me wherever I went and I perceived that he thought it was very peculiar, probably hard on the kidneys and completely unnecessary.

4) Rolling in dough: There is a general perception that if you are from the USA you are rich. I am routinely asked by people to give them my shoes, clothes, pens, etc. as if I have an endless supply (this may relate to the [somewhat accurate] hoarding stereotype). Unfortunately, I do not have an endless supply-- but I do plan to leave many of these coveted belongings in Botswana when I leave.

The truth is that I may never know the things that Batswana find 'interesting' about me. I definitely attract a lot of stares and comments/ questions when I am out and about... if only I could read peoples' minds.

Thanks for the blog suggestion!

Trash talk

One of the fun things about living in a country other than the one you've grown up in is that everything is interesting... even garbage. When I first moved to Botswana, I was disgusted by the amount of garbage I saw everywhere. In the USA, I have been known to approach people who I see littering and ask them to properly dispose of what they've thrown on the ground. So, since moving to Botswana, I have had trouble biting my tongue when I routinely see people throwing candy wrappers, banana peels and other rubbish on the ground.



In some areas there is evidence that people try to put garbage in a designated spot. But in others, there is not.



At my house, we do pay for and have garbage service-- theoretically. Sometimes they come and collect our garbage, and sometimes they don't.



Also, there does not appear to be much of a recycling effort here. I used to separate my rubbish, but then I noticed that it was all eventually getting put in the same bin, so I've stopped. (Although I know the newspapers get passed on to someone who uses them for bird bedding).

I need you!

Okay blog readers-- I need you! I am running low on ideas for my blog. I know that when I get back to the USA you will have all kinds of curious questions about my experiences in Botswana and I will wish I had paid more attention to something you are interested in. So, please post your questions and suggestions for me and I'll do my best to blog in response. Thanks, Katie

Welcome back to Africa!

Since my return to Botswana, several inconvenient situations have arisen that, without any commentary from me, have prompted friends to look at me and say, sarcastically, “Welcome back to Africa.” I’m usually not a fan of sarcasm, but in these cases, they gave me a laugh and I think they might make you smile, too.

My co-workers and I found the vehicle we were assigned to drive to Mochudi was dangerously low on fuel. So, we made a bee-line for the petrol station—only to find the petrol station was out of petrol. Thank fully we were able to make it to another petrol station, fuel up and proceed safely to Mochudi.

Welcome back to Africa!

The internet was down on Wednesday leaving me feeling disconnected from the rest of the globe. Thankfully, this off-line time gave me an opportunity to relax and read on a beautiful day and once the internet was up and running again, I discovered I really hadn’t missed anything.

Welcome back to Africa!

Government workers (including boarder authorities) are staging a ‘go slow’ period and are threatening to strike over labor/ pay disputes. This has clogged up the boarders and made everyone a bit uneasy. I don’t know the outcome of this one yet, but previous frustrating circumstances have taught me that everything is going to be okay… I’m just hoping they keep the food trucks from South Africa coming.

Welcome back to Africa!

Footprint?

I am almost ¾ of the way through my time in Botswana and this realization has prompted me to think about what ‘footprint’ I want to leave here when I return home. As a scholar, I know that meaningful research moves slowly and I will not likely be able to claim any enormous breakthroughs in HIV/ AIDS research. However, I have made numerous breakthroughs in my own professional development that will contribute to the work I do from this point forward. Living and working in Botswana, I have developed friendships with people from all over the world; while at the same time, living nearly 10,000 miles away from my friends and family has strengthened existing bonds as well.

Living day to day in Botswana, I have been able to appreciate the challenges and opportunities facing this developing nation. This has radically changed the way I understand my own country, made me thankful for the blessing of being ‘born in the USA’ and given me a deeper perspective from which to view and interact with the world. This experience has taught me that, while I came to serve and to contribute to the good work that is going on here, I have received more than I imagined. So maybe the better question is, 'what footprint will Botswana leave on me?'

By the way, this is a picture of a lion's paw print from our safari over the Christmas/ New Year holidays.

Super Bug Returns

A designer in Seattle caught wind of the up and coming star, Super Bug, and fashioned this costume for him. It completely negates the camouflaging qualities of his natural leaf-like exterior-- but with the super-powers it brings, he doesn't need to blend into the background. He is the star of the show!

Super-Bug

This morning when I walked out my bedroom door, this lovely creature was lounging on the chair outside my room. I could not believe how huge he was-- so I thought I would share him with you. I didn't get a chance to measure him, because there were mosquitoes and I didn't want to stand around for too long. However, I think he was about 2.5" long and pretty thick and wide for someone with an exoskeleton. I considered making him a little red cape with an "S" on it, but, again, the mosquitoes would have made quick work of my ankles and I am trying to avoid malaria.