dumela!

Friends!

I am sorry that it took so long for me to communicate to you. I do not have an internet connection unless I walk through the city to an internet cafe. Unfortunately, it is not safe enough for me to walk the few miles to the cafes with my laptop on me. All that being said, my friend Carley (or Curley as the locals pronounce it) has been kind enough to lend me her highly functioning laptop to write this post.

Life in Gabz is incredible. 

I have been here for one week now and I have already had so many fantastic experiences. 

The campus that I am staying on is absolutely gigantic. Classes start tomorrow and I have no clue where any of them meet. But, after talking with the locals a bit, I get the impression that the first few weeks of classes are not really a thing. Professors like their vacations and will extend them. I will not be taken back if I show up to class tomorrow and there is a sign on the door that reads "go home, no class today".

The weather here is so great! I had the pleasure of skyping home to Chicago to hang out with my friend Tracy where she told me alllll about the nasty weather that Chi Town is experiencing right now. While I am here, there will be an average of an 85 degree temperature gap between Gabz and Chi. Hmmm heaven.

The heat is very dry. Botswana is definitely a desert country. All of the other international students are rushing to get their tan on while I am patiently waiting for the inevitable to occur. Sun screen is my friend, not my enemy. Apparently the other day I missed my ankles though, because they are very burnt. It's partially tragic and completely pathetic. 

I just got a job! That's exciting. I was telling Anders the details of it and he said, "Wow, that's such a typical Kayla thing." I'm not exactly sure how to take that, but regardless, I am ready for this new challenge. I am an aerobics instructor... the the blind! Crazy, right? I surely think so. I was asking around about job opportunities and a woman came up to me and asked, "Have you ever done aerobics?" I replied "Maybe a few times..." to which she responded, "Are you good enough to fool the blind?" Yes, yes I am.

Adventures are to be had here!

As many of you may have seen based on the hideous picture that I was tagged in by another international student, the food here sure is neat. I was in the Main Market the other day just wandering around when I stumbled upon a row of "snack food" that the locals were snatching up and munching on as they shopped. I figured I may as well try it, because well hey-- I'm in Africa!

No regrets.. but the tasty snack was baked caterpillars. 

Crunchy on the outside.

Gooey on the inside.

Lots crispy, little of legs.

YUM.

So that happened.

I have met several fabulous international students as well as local students/residents of Gabz. I have a local roommate, which is awesome. I am so glad that I have someone who knows their way around to help me stumble to class tomorrow!

Speaking of classes, I am taking quite a few. 

I am taking four undergraduate courses and one masters course.

I am hopeful that they will go smoothly.

This upcoming weekend I am going outside of the city a few miles to a nature reserve with some of the locals. There we are going to go on a safari of sorts. I phrase it that way because we will not be in cars. We will be on horses! Pray that we do not come upon lions.... 

One other super cool opportunity that has come up is that I may play on UB's softball team! I did not bring any of my gear because I did not know that I would need it, but if I decide to commit to that, I will be able to travel to other African nations in the name of softball! So fun.

God has been pretty cool while I've been here. I mean, I didn't expect otherwise, but it's still important to note. So many great connections have come up. Today I went to church with another international student and we met some fabulous missionaries. They took us out to lunch and asked me if I would be willing to help with a (kind of) summer camp. They also own a school and requested that I put in some time teaching English as a second language.

I have also connected with an organization that works with children who were born with AIDS. I would be sort of a support group leader and just love on these kids. I know that this will be emotionally exhausting, but I have something great to offer to these young ones: a hope that goes beyond this life. 

One more place that would like my assistance is a preschool right outside of Gaborone. They would have me once a week to run the classroom (in Setswana). I have no experience with preschoolers outside of being a Sunday school teacher for a few months, but hey, I have never taught aerobics before either!

Those of you who know me well know that I love to help and often have a difficult time saying no. All of these opportunities that have come about sound amazing. I will be praying and discerning where God wants me to go. i would do all if I could! But this is just week one and I know that several more equally awesome opportunities will arise. 

I am aware that that was a lot of information thrown at you but this past week has been a lot of information thrown at me! I would like to say that it will slow down as I continue to get settled in, but I know that that will simply not be the case. 

Adventure is in Botswana and I am here to soak it all up.

So, I'll be traveling all around the country to see it's wonders as well as traveling to other surrounding countries. I plan to see both Joberg and Cape Town in SA, as well as head over to Namibia and Zambia. Who knows what exactly will happen! Regardless, I know that it will be the time of my life.

So hey, if you see a cheap flight into Gaborone, Francistown or Joberg... take it! I'll be here waiting for you with open arms to welcome you to this beautiful nation. 

I will do my best to update this frequently so that my posts are less word-vomit and are more pleasant tales. For now though, I hope everything is well state-side. It sure is here!