Posted at 12:17 pm local time
Hello readers, it's been a while (again) but here I am to provide you with another update.
I went to Botswana on Monday (24 Jan) for a night and had a hell of a time. Here are my impressions:
What an interesting excursion. It was nice to have a hotel room all to myself in a new and unfamiliar city. Upon arriving, I settled down into my accommodation after feeling the humid Gaborone heat infiltrate my very being.
After a little relaxation, I went down to explore the hotel and grounds. I found that I would have to take a taxi to town if I wanted to look around, but then discovered that it was raining and there was flooding in a few areas, which resulted in a lot of traffic. Scratch that idea! I went to the casino in the hotel, where the odds were worse than in Vegas. After an hour or so in there, I went back to the pool deck to see if anything had changed weather-wise. The sun had come out, and a few revelers were out basking in its glory. I jumped back upstairs, changed into my boardshorts, and went for a lie down by the pool. I ordered a castle lager, and spread out underneath the Miami-like sun, then went for a swim. The environment was very resort-esque and beautiful.
After my swim, I went back tot my room and found out about the Moscow airport blasts. Terrorists are truly despicable creatures. They really will stop at nothing, I suppose. After watching the scenes of carnage for a half hour or so, I showered in the rather grandiose shower, and got ready for dinner.
Dinner was a nice affair, I had my choice of two venues: Savuti or Mahogany. Savuti had a buffet style dining experience, whereas mahogany offered an a-la-carte style. Considering the fact that I was alone, I decided to just go for the buffet. I did not regret my decision. Curry, Mongolian BBQ, several types of salad, and an extensive dessert selection was available. I tried a little bit of almost everything.
Sleeping that night wasn't too easy-- the air conditioning unit was very loud but impossible to be comfortable without. I did have a few periods of sleep, however.
When I arose in the morning, I showered again and went down to see what the included breakfast buffet had to offer. Omelets, toast, an assortment of fruit, juices, and other goodies greeted me in the brief Botswana morning sun-- before it started raining again. I indulged in an omelet, toast, some cantaloupe, and coffee before preparing to check out and leave.
All in all, it was a fun little jaunt into Botswana, and I had a great time. The flight was very easy at a mere 35 minutes, and they served us biltong! I love biltong, and will miss it very much when I go home. Fortunately my Mom put me on to a nice place in Hollywood that makes their own biltong and I'll be going there at least once every few weeks!
Back to the grind in South Africa now I suppose, let's see what I've been up to the past few weeks, and what I've got in store for the future:
At the Rosebank mall, there is a market every Sunday that I love to go to. There are always very interesting wares on display there, including many trinkets and fine sculptures and such. I will be bringing a few home! Some of the best Indian Samosas I've ever had are sold there, and I usually get a few to munch on while browsing.
I've been jolling (partying) a lot, as usual. I frequent places such as those in Parkhurst, Greenside, and the club "Clapham Gold." I've also gone to sports clubs at the Zoo lake close to where I'm staying, including Zoo Lake Sports Club and the Bowls club at same. The environment is infectious; everyone is excited and there is a hell of an energy. Places are often packed beyond capacity with revelers. Nightlife is so accessible out here, and I can always find a few mates who are up for a last minute jol!
The other night, I was with a friend of mine and two girls when we got pulled over. The cops were driving a citigolf outfitted in full police regalia. They asked my mate and me to get out of the car and searched it for paraphernalia, and found nothing. I was wearing my boardshorts, and they said that the pockets were very full. I have to carry a lot in SA, and I had my iphone and wallet in one pocket, then my SA phone and two sets of keys in the other pocket. The amount of keys one has to carry in SA is absolutely ridiculous! They also went through the girls' purses. After they discovered that we weren't hiding anything, they sent us on our way. A rare case of RSA police actually doing their job and not bribing! Well, from what I hear, anyway.
Tonight I'm going to the Zone at Rosebank to meet up with a group of mates for a birthday. It should be fun! I'm looking forward to it. Tomorrow is Thursday, and Thursday is a big night. I'll most likely be going out to either Clapham or Parkhurst. Greenside will probably feature on Friday or Saturday night.
Speaking of Saturday night, I may go out for Karaoke again at the Colony Arms. I went on Tuesday of last week to the Waverley Soccer Club, and decided to sing for a crowd that my aunt sometimes goes with. Apparently I did really well, because after singing "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry and "Can't Help Falling in Love" in the style of Elvis, I received a standing ovation from many of the patrons. My aunt was shocked and has been telling me (and anyone who'll listen) how shocked she is that I can sing for several days since then. I'm amazed that I was received so well; I think I need voice lessons!
My flight home is booked for February 24th, and I'm starting to look forward to coming home. I miss my family, puppy, friends, car, room, bed, and the ocean! And it'll be nice to use my iphone as a phone again too, lol. See you all soon! Less than a month :)
Alright, I think that's it for now. I couldn't update at home because the internet was out (AGAIN!!!!!!! ARGH!!) but as of this morning it was working again. Hopefully this one will hold out longer than a few weeks, as is custom with the ADSL line in my aunt's house. Strange!
Cheers guys, hope your week is off to a great start!
Adam
