I recently moved out of a huge, river view, air-conditionned mansion with a pool and into a modest, cinderblock home with no view, no hot water, no oven and tons of bugs!
The transition happened because the family I was living with moved to a smaller home and had no room for me. Housing is scarce in Maun and although I looked and looked, I couldn't find a place to call my own. Since no one offered me a couch, I reluctantly moved in with the guy I'm seeing. Reluctant because I'm just not ready to cohabit. I'm a very independent person and I enjoy my space. When I lived with the family, there was a lot of room for us to decompress and stay away from each other if necessary. Now, I do not have that luxury.
Instead, I'm faced with an influx of people who seemingly waltz in and out of my house whether they're invited or not. And eat our food, use our internet and complain when there is no food in the fridge. It drives me insane. My boyfriend and his roommate are from Zimbabwe and apparently this gives everyone an open invitation to our home. Makes sense, right? Not to this Canadian girl!
These boys have a strong sense of community, family and responsibility for others. In our case, our home is open to guests whether they leave at the end of the night or not and doubles as a storage unit for Zimbabweans who leave Botswana even those who may never come back. Seriously, we are storing a microwave-oven, a large metal chest, two computer monitors (not flat screen), two large boxes and a few camping mats for a man who left Botswana last year with no plans to return. But because he MIGHT return, we need to hold this crap for him...but we're not allowed to use any of it. We don't have an oven! I'm ready to rip that microwave oven out of its box and start cooking!
Maybe I'm just in culture shock, but I expect my home to be a safe haven; a place where I can go after a long day at work to relax, read a book, watch TV, do some yoga, etc. in relative peace. I'd also like to invite a few friends over but since I have no idea how many people will be in my house at any given time, I'm skeptical to send out invitations.
I know I've just moved in and it's not really "my" house so I've tried to be accepting but everyone has their limits. I pity the ungrateful, lazy, food stealing "guest" who feels my wrath when I finally blow up. It's coming. Wait for it.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Bring on the Russians
Tonight, Team Canada faces the Russians in a showdown for the gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships. This tournament is by far my favourite part of the New Year. Forget the parties, the champagne, the resolutions and all that jazz, the real wonder of the new year is seeing our young hockey talent take on the world.
Living in Botswana makes it difficult, if not impossible to watch any of this tournament. For some reason (probably the lack of ice), the Batswana would prefer watching Arsenal vs Chelsea or a game of cricket (which by the way, I still don't understand. How can a game last for days????).
Every morning, since Dec. 26, I wake up desperately needing TSN.ca. It used to be pretty easy as my house had internet access, but with the recent move (which I will update everyone about soon) and the office closed for the holidays, I was left texting my father in Canada and begging people who have internet in this town to check the score for me.
What a relief to know we demolished the Americans on Monday. I tossed and turned all night wishing I could watch the game and made sure to get the score as soon as I could. Now I must get ready for tonight. Although the game will start at 1 a.m. my time, I'm sure I'll be awake, stressing about the result. I love this championship. I love it more than the Stanley Cup Finals. But missing out on this year's tournament is the price I must pay for wearing flip flops and a summer dress on New Year's Eve.
Tomorrow morning, when I get to work and load TSN.ca, I fully expect to see our Canadian boys wearing gold!
Go Canada Go!!!!
Living in Botswana makes it difficult, if not impossible to watch any of this tournament. For some reason (probably the lack of ice), the Batswana would prefer watching Arsenal vs Chelsea or a game of cricket (which by the way, I still don't understand. How can a game last for days????).
Every morning, since Dec. 26, I wake up desperately needing TSN.ca. It used to be pretty easy as my house had internet access, but with the recent move (which I will update everyone about soon) and the office closed for the holidays, I was left texting my father in Canada and begging people who have internet in this town to check the score for me.
What a relief to know we demolished the Americans on Monday. I tossed and turned all night wishing I could watch the game and made sure to get the score as soon as I could. Now I must get ready for tonight. Although the game will start at 1 a.m. my time, I'm sure I'll be awake, stressing about the result. I love this championship. I love it more than the Stanley Cup Finals. But missing out on this year's tournament is the price I must pay for wearing flip flops and a summer dress on New Year's Eve.
Tomorrow morning, when I get to work and load TSN.ca, I fully expect to see our Canadian boys wearing gold!
Go Canada Go!!!!
How much is your life worth?
Three hundred and fifty pula. (about 54Canadian dollars)
That's how much the prostitutes who live near my house charge for unprotected sex. It's only 50 pula if you wear a condom. You'd be surprised how many people pay the big bucks for condomless sex, with reasons like "you wouldn't eat a candy with the wrapper on, would you?"
A lot of people prefer the feeling of unprotected sex, but that doesn't mean they partake in it, especially not with people they don't know and those who work in the sex trade. It makes no sense. Especially in Botswana.
The HIV prevalence rate in Botswana is 17.6 percent.
You do the math.
So, how much is your life worth?
Mine is worth a lot more than 350 pula and a hell of a lot more than a night of great sex.
That's how much the prostitutes who live near my house charge for unprotected sex. It's only 50 pula if you wear a condom. You'd be surprised how many people pay the big bucks for condomless sex, with reasons like "you wouldn't eat a candy with the wrapper on, would you?"
A lot of people prefer the feeling of unprotected sex, but that doesn't mean they partake in it, especially not with people they don't know and those who work in the sex trade. It makes no sense. Especially in Botswana.
The HIV prevalence rate in Botswana is 17.6 percent.
You do the math.
So, how much is your life worth?
Mine is worth a lot more than 350 pula and a hell of a lot more than a night of great sex.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)