US Embassy, trip to Gabane and some OCD

The University of Botswana hooked me up with a sweet office.  Here it is, along with some other photos from around campus.

Ok, but more important than an office, I got to meet my advisor on Friday.  We talked my inquiry project and he told me about schools here.  In the US, visitors can come into public schools any time.  I remember walking into Fannie Lou the first time, surprised to find Agent Jackson at the desk asking for an ID.  In New York City, school safety agents are strict about requiring an ID from visitors. It is nothing like that here.  There must be connections made with schools in advance and (possibly) research clearance for our projects, even just to visit. 

In the meantime, we will be able to visit some private schools that do not have these restrictions.  Our first visit is tomorrow.  The public affairs officer for the US Embassy is also one of the hashers (social running club).  She’s the one who invited us to our first hash last Sunday.  Her husband is a teacher and we will visit his economics class tomorrow.  Oh, right, how are we getting there? 

In addition to the inquiry project in schools, we can also take up to two classes.  In the Fulbright program guidelines, they say we can audit the classes.  But apparently, auditing isn’t really a thing here, so the university is saying it will likely be easier to actually enroll in the classes.  The exciting part is that we can choose from the entire catalog.  My advisor recommended a course called Mathematics & Society.  He described it as similar to a history of mathematics course, but with a cultural focus about how formal mathematics has developed on the continent.  It is one of the requirements for a bachelor of secondary education.  So for the second course, I am hoping to take something from either the history or mathematics departments.

Here’s what I’ve inquired about from the catalog:

Hist 414 Chiefs, Commoners and the Impact of Colonial Rule in Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland

Hist 416 Land, Labour and Liberation in Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe 

Hist 615 History and Religion in Africa (there may be a pre-req)

Hist 616 Religion and Power in Botswana 

Hist 446 Growth, Policy and Poverty in Africa, Latin America and South and South-East Asia 

Hist 412 20th Century South Africa 

Hist 202 Africa and the era of the Atlantic Slave Trade (C. 1500 - 1800)

Hist 201 African Cultures and Civilizations to C. 1500

Since the course catalog I have is from 2011-2012 (I’m told the listings don’t change) and also doesn’t specify in which semester these courses are offered, it is possible that the above, it is possible that these are not offered this semester.  I do know that these math courses are being offered by the graduate school:

MAT 658 Stochastic Mathematics 

MAT 645 Numerical Analysis 

(Also, Advanced Real Analysis and also Optimization, but I didn’t put those on the list.)

On one hand, yes, I could take math any time.  But I don’t and is not usually an opportunity that simply presents itself.  And there is also possible something interesting about taking it in another country.  Still, I am hoping that one of the history courses works out. 

We had our security briefing with the U.S. Embassy last Thursday.  Amanda, the pubic affairs officer, picked us up and after the officers thoroughly inspected the car and kept our passports, we went into the embassy.  We were supposed to have a meeting with the ambassador, but his schedule kept changing and eventually he couldn’t come into his office at all.  We got a message saying that since we already met him, he would see us again some other time.  Already met him?  Ok, yes, I did know that I already met him, but I could have easily missed it.  He’s also a hasher!  I noticed on our first Sunday that there was a man jogging in jeans.  Thankfully one of the hosts told me who he was.  I also later found out that the hash is supposed to bring everyone together as equals so it would not be appropriate to go shake his hand or address him as Ambassador Miller.  So when we chatted, I figured I’d just ask about the jeans.  He said he really likes the heat.  Hey Pete, this part is for you.  He was asking if any family was coming to visit and then followed it up asking what you do for a living.  Direct quote “I’m just a mailman out on a walk here, but we have many government programs here and can always use as much medical help as we can get.”  I said I’d try to bring you by.  Ok, back to the security briefing.  Three of us Americans were seated behind the desk of a regional security officer.  He begins in a soft, calm, reassuring tone.  I soon understand that we are here for a service that the embassy provides for its citizens in country.  I relax as I realize that we are here to get information, not to be questioned ourselves.  I am not the potential security threat.  Also, hey Mom, there are no guns here.  

Ok, so more about fun social things. 

On Saturday night, we had a big meal at the suite where I got to try pap for the first time.  It is a traditional porridge made from maize meal.  I’d heard it described many times in the first week.  Basically, it’s like whatever side carbohydrate (or maybe even main dish) – rice, potato, pasta – except has more of a grits taste from the corn.  What really stood out was the texture.  It was spongier than anything else I can think of.  The closest I can think of is mochi, except that is sweet and rice.  But the sponginess of the pap makes it good for picking up pieces of the meat.  I loved how the night went down.  We were at the Liquorama buying wine (more on South African reds in another post), and Bongy ran into a friend.  We also went to a butcher to get more of this delicious sausage we had last week.  On the counter was a big piece of something with a bone.  Bongy was ordering $4 of sausage and I was paying attention to how much you get for that.  So much.  Then the butcher brought down a huge hatchet through the middle of that big piece and the whole counter shook.  I thought, “I’m alive!”  So we were back at the dorm cooking the meat and some pork chops, the pap and some veggies when the friend we ran into at the Liquorama knocks on the door.  There were three of them, the other two were in the car, and she got sent in to ask if they could hang out with us.  So we threw on another pot of pap, pulled some chairs out of our room, had a feast and went dancing afterwards.  

Here are the four of us who were hanging out all day. 

After the dancing until 1am, I wasn’t sure we would all make it to the hash on Sunday morning, especially since it was out in Gabane, a small town half an hour or so outside of Gabs.   But somehow we did and I’m so glad.  People say this location is the best because it is way out in the hills, no traffic, good scenery and animals.  But, in fact, this is the perfect thing to do after dancing until 1am. I’ve noticed most of them wear t-shirts from various years of hashing.  On the back, they say “A drinking club with a running problem.” So I looked them up. 

From Wikipedia:

The objectives of the Hash House Harriers as recorded on the club registration card dated 1950:

• To promote physical fitness among our members
• To get rid of weekend hangovers
• To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
• To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel

Here are some photos from Gabane.  Look who's a hasher now!  There's Bongy as we welcomed her (along with the new intern at the embassy) in the center of the circle.  

I'll end with quick note regarding our shopping adventures.  I just can't get over how orderly and well-stocked the shelves are.  So here are some photos of that.  

The photo of the juice above and the peanut butter below are from the campus store.  This is way more peanut butter than what I see in the grocery stores.  College is college.

And, finally, this.