Dumela!
Posted by Malaz on August 1st, 2008
I have arrived in Botswana after a long journey. 2 long flights and 15hours at Johannesburg airport. The capital Gaborone, or Gabs as the locals call it, is a very developed place. Filled with internet cafes, shopping malls, restaurants, and grocery stores it is a modern city. Most everyone there is sharply dressed, talking on a cell phone, and in a hurry to get someplace. If I spent all my time here in Gabs I’d think I was in Montreal. You see, Botswana discovered diamonds back in 1967 so it is actually one of the wealthiest countries in Africa. The infrastructure isn’t completely developed all over the country but it’s still pretty good.
My first night was a jetlagger’s nightmare. I had dinner with a few other Canadian volunteers and my local guide, then straight to bed. The next day was spent getting oriented about Botswana’s history, culture, and of course the AIDS epidemic and its disastrous effect. The infection rate here is like 18% overall and 37% for adults, the worst in Africa.
My third and last day in Gabs, I got see some more of the city, the malls, and had a chance to sit-in on an orientation for 80 Botswana students heading to study in Canada. Every year the government there sends students abroad to pursue their entire university degree overseas. Fully paid for and even with monthly living expenses provided, incredible! After sitting in on this, I suddenly realized I had become part of it when the presenter announced there was a Concordia student present here ready to answer questions. I was swarmed with a dozen eager youngsters bombarding me with questions about life in Montreal, studying at Concordia, and ofcourse futball in Canada. After an hour or so of 20/20 questions, I made my escape (c’mon I was happy to answer them!). I made a phone call and was off to have dinner with a stranger. You see, while in my 15 hour marathon stay at Jo’berg airport I made a few friends. Someone overhearing I was going to volunteer in Botswana, immediately invited me for dinner when I arrived there as I didn’t know anyone. I tell you, the people you meet at airports! And that was its for Gabs, I was now heading for a half week trip to Livingstone, Zambia, home of Victoria Falls.
