Dancing, Hiking, and Fireworks

It's Saturday night, 6:30pm and I'm exhausted!  I'm laying in bed playing on my computer and I don't have plans to move. 

Last night I went out with a group of people to The Boulevard.  It is a sports bar by day and at night becomes a small upscale club.  It was very westernized.  They had a dj, lights, and smog.  There were a lot of white people there and only a few Batswana.  People were from South Africa, Botswana, Korea, the states, etc.  It was fun and I danced all night, but I probably won't rush back.  I can go dance in a place like that at home.  What I'm really looking forward to here is the traveling and naturey type stuff.  Anyway, after dancing we stopped at Bimbos and I had a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich.  It was a delicious!  We came back to the dorm and got in with no problems. 

I then woke up around 9:30 this morning and prepared to hike Kgale hill.  Yes, this would be the third time I've hiked the hill in a weeks time.  Another group of people wanted to go so I went to show them the way.  Plus, I didn't want to just sit around the dorms all day!  It was a great trip as usual with an excellent view!  After hiking we walked to Game City (a very large mall).  I got some granola and laundry detergent.  I then had pizza for only 20 pula (3 dollars).   It was really good!  Two combi rides later we arrived back at the dorm.  I ran into a group who was headed to a rhino reserve in eastern Botswana.  They were going to catch a bus and arrive in town late at night.  I was very tempted to go but I was so tired and unprepared that I decided not to.  I know the clock is ticking and soon I'll be leaving here so I want to do and see as much as possible, but I want to be rested enough to enjoy a trip since I'm paying for it!

I'm not sure what the game plan is for tomorrow.  I think I will try and conquer laundry and look up places to volunteer at.  I heard Gaborone has an SPCA, so maybe I could volunteer there or with some vet.  I would like to do something with the community and preferably with animals! 

There are currently fireworks going off and music blasting from somewhere that we can see from our dorms.  The football (soccer) stadium is right off campus so I'm wondering if something is going on there.  Whatever it is, there is a party going on and I'm missing it!  (Mom, fireworks are just as "exciting" here as they are at home, he he!)
 

More random facts:

• Driving here is a bit wild.  It's not as structured and people are more aggressive.  Pedestrians do not have the right away for anything.  You need to be very aware when you are walking along a road and especially crossing it.  Cars do not slow down or move over for people.  I don't think people see it as rude, it's just the way it is.  People are just expected to get out of the way of cars.  It does make crossing the roads quite an experience.  It usually goes something like, "It looks clear, RUN!"
• Gaborone is pretty darn "westernized."  With all the malls, you can pretty much find anything here.  It's interesting to see how the traditional ways are merging with the western culture.  I'm sure I'm pretty ignorant to most of it but I'm trying to keep my eyes open!
• I haven't seen a ton of homeless people or people begging for money.  Maybe I just haven't been around the city enough but it seems odd to me.  I've seen so many people begging for money in cities in the states and a few places in Costa Rica I visited. 
• I think I stay slightly dehydrated here.  I try to drink a lot of water but I always seem to be behind.  I carry a water bottle with me everywhere!
• The full moon here is beautiful!  It's a wonderful thought to think  "wow I'm staring at the moon from Africa!"