"Well, what does a Peace Corps volunteer do?" This is usually the question I get when I reconnect with friends I haven't spoken to in a long time. My response: Our main purpose is to promote peace and friendship between host country nationals and the U.S. (Cue puzzled expression) Haha no but seriously, many people in America still don't have a clear understanding … [Read more...]
Music Monday
Every Monday I will try to showcase a musical artist in Botswana that you should check out. Hence the name "Music Monday"! The first spotlight with be on Sasa Klaas. Currently raved as the "Nicki Minaj" of Botswana, she is one of the few female emcees on the rise. Though she would probably tell you "don't compare me to Nicki" it's hard not to when she is the most popular … [Read more...]
Community Assessment
Yes. This is my life right at this moment. Everything else must be put on hold until this community assessment is done. To be fair I finished it about a month ago but just need to finish typing it up. Along with typing, I need to add graphs, pictures, edit this, fix that, you know make it prefect. Sidenote: I will never forget during Pre-service … [Read more...]
Schedule
With such a big goal of posting everyday, it is almost imperative to have a blogging schedule. To make life easier I also created some themes for everyday of the week. I'll share it tomorrow and start the schedule on Monday January 5th! Today I want to share a few of my favorite pictures. By this time this year in Spain, I had already taken hundreds of photos of my daily … [Read more...]
Botswana
Hello from Botswana! I am posting this here just incase you missed it! A short video montage of my first two months in Botswana as a trainee. From the last night in America, to the airport, staging, and pre-service training, and swearing in, it's all here! Are you interested in seeing other videos of Botswana? If so tell more in the comments or you can also use the contact … [Read more...]
Traditional Dance Botswana
This photo is from back in September. One lazy saturday morning after recuperating from PST sessions and a failed internet date at the local library, another volunteer and I went for a walk around Serowe and stumbled upon this traditional dance festival. Traditional dance in Botswana is so engaging to watch. It seriously gives me goosebumps! We were so happy! I for one was … [Read more...]
Still Standing
As I write this post the calendar says there are less than 11 days til Christmas and I've been a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana for 4 months. Which means I've been at my site and officially a Peace Corps volunteer for 2 full months come tomorrow. There are so many things to update on which includes a mush of reflections and what life is like as a Peace Corps volunteer. But … [Read more...]
Botswana First Impressions
Due-me-la! The formal greeting here in Botswana for "hello". It's been 5 weeks and believe me when I say it has been a whirlwind! First Impressions: 1. The weather is very dry and hot. But it gets cold at night as they are still in the winter season. And by cold I mean New England bone chilling cold. 2. Walking in sand is only fun on the beach. Everyday arriving to … [Read more...]
Life in Africa
I just want to post a quick message to say I am alive and well in Africa. Currently living in Botswana My internet situation is bit tricky at the moment. Peace Corps training doesn't leave much time in the evenings to head to an internet cafe. My option for WI-FI is the local library and it's painfully slow...painfully! Life has been an adjustment thus far. And actually … [Read more...]
Peace Corps Medical Expenses
O….M….G…!!!! I never thought to look up information about the cost of medical expenses from other bloggers until I started this process. I needed clarification and confirmation that this *ish is real! The stuff no one talks about…medical clearance is EXPENSIVE. Even if you have health insurance. Suffice to say I am completing ALL of my exams in Spain with documents that … [Read more...]