Arrived

I am in Botswana as of a week ago, and let me just say that just now, as my internet sprang to life on my laptop for the very first time, after all the frustrations and teases and false positives and steps here and there and forms to fill out and someone will do this tomorrow and lunch breaks and wrong directions and everything....after this morning when, five or so steps away from internet, we suddenly realized it may not be this week...after all that --- I literally almost cried to see it. What a blessing!

This feeling is amplified by the fact that the other three girls on my program have already been able to chat with their parents on the phone and somewhat relieve the stress of all of the little disappointments and frustrations we've been having. And we have had a FLEET of problems, let me tell you.

1. Graduate student housing? With kitchens? Nope, no kitchens. And no nearby access to food.
2. No internet in the dorms ever.
3. Plugs in our rooms only suddenly blew out.
4. We weren't registered at this University, so we had to do it again and the forms be processed slowlyslowly.
5. We can't eat at the Cafeteria until....not sure what. Sign from the gods.
6. I'll continue this list later.

Anyways, despite this overload of problems I've actually felt quite positive about being here. I love the country already, I feel that happy travel lightness and magic that has been missing for ages. The pace is slow, and that's nice. Every person you talk with, you stop to ask how they are doing, you chat, you don't try to rush anywhere. All very nice. Best of all, I really get along with the three other girls I'm with. Someone is always on the same page, but we are calm and pleasant in general. All working well. Also, our program director Todd and his family (wife Debra, two girls ages 6 and 9).

Time to go - more coherent update to come. Be well!