What's going on party people.....
So upon writing my last blog, I started to notice a lot of things about Botswana Culture that I had not previously (in the last 3 months) noted and I decided- I'm gonna do my next post on this!
Part of the culture shock was the extremity of it all, it was extremely opposite to the way we interact, react and live back home.
Over the past week, (with the help of my friend Erin) I've made countless mental notes about big differences in day to day encounters with the people and the lifestyle in Bots.
Sleep Patterns
The way our residences are built, each block faces one another in one complex and so sound carries even faster. Local students go to bed late, at least my roommates do- around 1 am. Since the sun rises early here ( 4:55 am everyday to be exact) people are early risers as well. What you wouldn't expect is people waking up at 5 am, and blasting club anthems while cooking their traditional dishes for the days' meals. This coupled with the yelling from the windows across the complex to say Good morning and have casual conversation at 5 am can cause slight irritation at the least.
Interactions with Locals
So you're trying to get to know your roommates except for the fact that they whisper when they speak to you and choose to yell when they're amongst bigger groups in a classroom setting.
Living with 4 other women in my apartment, I am comfortable coming out in a towel after my shower to walk to my room, minus the fact that there are normally a handful of different men each day in the living room chillin' as I awkwardly pass by them. Sometimes you encounter a new friend in class and you think they genuinely want to get to know you until they mention that they want to work for you as your maid in Canada once they come there.... awkward. Time has no value and 10 minutes normally means half an hour... "walking" means " on my way" and "on my way" means " just woke up", walking is always for leisure and never to get somewhere and if the day could have 48 hours in Bots even that would not be enough.
Local Men
This was probably one of the biggest issues I had to deal with upon arriving in Gaborone. I had no idea that I was a hot commodity here.... nor did I want to be! Within landing and walking to the terminal through immigration, 2 men had already approached me and asked if I was married.
This really needs its' own post but I'm going to try and make it concise. Men are very forward here and clear about their intentions, and being single is almost unheard of in University. When a girl gives a guy their number, it means she's interested..... like many international girls, I didn't get the memo. We had to find out the hard way... with stalkerazzi calls at night, random weird texts and confrontation about being a couple from practical strangers.... all things that were difficult and beyond what I had bargained to deal with. It was also difficult when you felt you could have friends that were local guys and then you'd find out that they had feelings for you and then it became a sticky situation. One thing I'm going to be happy to get back to in Canada is no one giving a dam what you look like on the street and trying to holla at 8 am..... I mean seriously!
Dress
One thing I absolutely cannot bash is the incredible swag that Batswana have, both men and women. The students at UB got it going on for days' on end. I did not think that majority of the campus would be this fashion forward and trend setting but they literally have my jaw open every day with the outfits they pull off. Batswana are one of the most beautiful people I have ever encountered,their features are bold and gorgeous and they have this confidence that exudes all around them without coming off as extra or cocky. In comparison to students at Laurier, I can definitely say that UB is ten times more swaggin' and they put effort into their daily attire ( you can tell its ' a labour of love). I'd say they have to work harder because they have class as early as 7 am and about more than half do not live on campus so they got to commute with all that effort they put into their dress. I can't say I have leveled up from my style back at WLU (the classic Hobo look) but some days I do try and I do not hold a candle to these guys- they should all work at Urban Outfitters! What's weird is that short shorts ( athletic/jeans/cotton) are considered trashy. But club tops that reveal cleavage and hooker heals are seen as fashion forward. High waisted shorts that end at the same length as short shorts are seen as classy but tank tops are seen as provocative.
To conclude this little comparison rant , I wanted to say its' amazing how regular things to them are so far from regular and normal to us and our etiquette/lifestyles.
These are only a few of the many things that have popped up in my head in the past 10 days or so.
Just thought I'd share. Also wanted to remind you that I didn't mean to offend any locals or Batswana with this post, I just want to point out how opposites our cultures are.
Alright its time for me to go to bed!!!
Have an unreal rest of the week!!!
best of luck to friends back home writing their final papers and getting in exam mode!
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