Wait... I came here to take classes?

Hey everyone!   Update time! 

I've been jumping back and forth with classes.  I have been torn between taking classes with good time slots, taking classes that are unique to Africa, and taking biology classes that are beneficial to my major/career.  So far I have considered/added/dropped all of these classes...

• Hist 343- Trade and politics in central Africa
• Epi 442- Conservation Strategies
• Thm 101-Principles of Tourism
• Env 404- Rural development
• Bio 315- Invertebrate zoology
• Env 407- Ecotourism 
• Bns 209- Aids/hiv prevention and control

The classes I'm actually taking... (Hopefully, I guess it isn't confirmed yet)

• All132- Language instruction (Setswana)
• Bio 214- Intro to Mammalian physiology
• Bio 313- Dynamics of Savannah Ecosystems
• Fre 114- Beginners french

Backing up to Wednesday...
I went to three classes Wed. (I'm not taking any of them now).  My professor didn't show up for the 1st class, in my 2nd class the professor came in and said meet Wed and left, and the 3rd class we were given a syllabus.  I guess I should explain that even though classes start Wed, nobody goes to class until the next Monday.  I'm not sure why...  Some say professors don't come because students don't and others say that students don't come because professors don't show up.  Anywho.  I went mainly so that I could find my classes.  It was quite a process.  All the buildings are numbered.  For example, bio is building 235.  I never got a campus map so I would just ask people and follow in the direction they pointed.  I would then ask someone else and continue on my journey.  It wasn't too bad but by the time my third class got out I was ready to go back to my dorm and collect myself.  It's funny being the "freshman" again and having no idea where anything is or what's going on.   On Wed, I tried to go add bns 209 but the professor I needed wasn't there.

Wed afternoon I walked to riverwalk mall with a group of peeps and bought bananas, apples and this cereal called "Veet-Bix Bites Forest Berry."  It is sooo good.  That night a group of us were hanging out in the dorms and the power went out.  We then headed to Kevin's friends house again.  (The super nice house I talked about earlier.) It was fun, but getting a cab back was difficult.  The first three cab loads of people left and I was hoping one would come back.  It didn't.  I was trying to call one.  Finally one came and I loaded up with other peeps and headed back to UB.  When we got to our dorm the gates were locked and we couldn't find a security guard.  It was freezing and super late so I decided I would just slide under the gate.  As a couple of us were doing this the security guards finally came out and saw us.  They were not happy at all.  They said that gates locked at 12 and we should be fined for sliding under the gate.  They went on and on and on.  We all played the "we are exchange students and don't know anything" (which isn't that far off from the truth.)  Finally, they let us go and I crashed in bed.

Thursday,  I didn't go to any of my classes.  I figured after Wed classes there was no point.  I took a group of eight people back to Kgale hill to hike.  It was just as fun as the first time and I saw baboons again!  Plus, this time I actually knew where I was going!  I'm getting this combi thing down! When we got back from Kgale hill I was soo exhausted.  I grabbed a side of beans from the dining hall (so tired of the regular meal that they repeat everyday), ate a banana and crashed.  I slept for a good 12 hours. It was beautiful.

This morning I decided I wanted to switch my whole schedule. My goal was to add two bio classes and a french class and then drop four classes I am currently enrolled in.  I ran by the international office and picked up an add/drop form.  I then headed for the bio building and stood in line to talk to the head director.  He said I was allowed to take bio 214 but not bio 331 because I didn't have the prereq. I begged so he called the professor of the class who said NO.  I then went to talk to the professor to beg some more.  I argued that even though I had not taken ecology I had taken two other wildlife classes.  I ran back to the international office, got my transcript, and then went back to the professor.  He finally allowed me to take the class!  Yay determination.  I had to wait in line again for the head director so that he could sign my form.  After 30 minutes of waiting I was finally done.  Now I need to get my french class signed off on but since I have no idea where to go, I figure I'll go to class Monday and have that professor tell me what to do at that point.

So now, I'm sitting in my room typing this and wondering what to do with the afternoon. I figure I'll try and find a group of people walking to the mall.  I received my food stipend so I need to go by a bank and cash it.  It is 2,800 pula.  With that cash I'm going to pay for the excursion we are doing next weekend which cost 1,000 pula.  (around 135ish dollars.) 

Overall, things are still going well here! Trying to accept that I'm here for classes it a little difficult. :P  I think once I make up my mind on classes, get things signed off on, and actually start attending things will go a bit smoother.  I will never complain about registering for classes at home again!  The online registration system is beautiful! 

Here are a few more random facts.

1. The sand is swept here.  I need to get a picture of it because it is hard to explain.  The sandy places on campus, whether it be a walking path or place where trees are planted, are swept to elimnate the loose sand.  It makes the sand look neater and packs it down.  I'm not sure why it is done.  I'm guessing to keep the area cleaner...  I need to ask someone.
2. They have these things called Fat Cakes.  It is some type of sweet bread, similar to a donut but not as sugary and no topping.  People are in love with them and they can be found everywhere.
3. People are not afraid of touch.  In the US, people keep their personal bubble and you especially keep your distance if you don't know someone.  Here, people will stand super close to you in line so that they are touching you, you will pass by friends who are holding hands, and when people talk to you they often get pretty close.  It doesn't bother me, but it was something I noticed. 
4. My skin is so dry here.  I'm putting on lotion at least twice a day and my skin is still cracked and dry.  My heals are the worse.  They legit have bled.  I don't go anywhere without chapstick.  
5. Students dress so well here and have clothes that are very stylish.  I am very impressed at the effort they must put into their outfits.  I feel like a slacker most of the time because my basics are t-shirts and jeans.

Well that's all for now!

Catch ya later Alligator.