Day 6

June 30
Today marks the first day of my homestay. I was thankfully able to sleep in this morning, as homestay arrival was the only thing on today's agenda. After waking up at a beautiful 9:00AM, I had yet another freezing shower. I don't think that I will ever get used to the temperature in the mornings here. Breakfast was very fast, and nerves were highly strung. Some of my friends (mainly Amelia and Shane) had been terrified of this day, and were worrying about it non-stop since arrival in Botswana. I tried my best to assuage their fears, but I could only do so much. I was sad to leave Mokolodi behind, but more excited than anything to meet my homestay family! I'm a little concerned that they won't know any English but at least I can introduce myself to them every day. After parting with the dorms, the lolwapa, and the upclose and personal wildlife (the warthog family under the bridge in particular), we were on our way to the homestay!

Sunset at Mokolodi

The bus ride was about 15 minutes, but it felt like an eternity. When we pulled up into the village, I thought I would explode. All of the mothers were waiting inside the kgotla for us (the town center). When we unloaded ourselves from the bus, we were swarmed by mothers. After only 3 "Dumela, mma"s, I was grabbed by the arm and pulled from the fray. All I heard was "You are mine!" My host mother had found me. Leina la gagwe ke Dineo. Her name is Dineo. Dineo Mosime. I was told that, although I am Brittany in the States, for the duration of my homestay, I will be called Naledi Mosime. My name means star. I love it. It might take me a couple of days to get used to it, but I've already started responding. I was chosen to present a speech to the host families (because of my proficiency in Setswana!), and I was able to say the entire speech in Setswana. My mother was very proud.

Me and my mother

After our short welcome ceremony, each family went their separate ways. I, for one, was thrilled to discover that my host mother knows more English than I had thought. When I arrived at the house, I was able to meet my family, and my family is HUGE! All together, I have a mother, a father, 5 sisters (I think), 2 brothers, 2 nieces, and 3 nephews. I feel terrible, because remembering all of their names is not something that will happen very quickly. The names are long and very different from names that I am used to. They are beautiful names, but hard to remember.

The entrance to my new home

Three sisters came down from Gabs just to meet me. They are only staying for the weekend. It's too bad, because they are a lot of fun. They've been teaching me more Setswana. For the first time in my life, I have a brother! He seems pretty fun. He's 19, and we played cards today after supper. It was a lot of fun. I taught him "James Bond." My other brother isn't in Botswana right now. He's actually in the Czech Republic, studying to become a doctor. (I found it pretty incredible that someone from a little village with dirt roads in Botswana could be studying in medical school in Europe.) When I first arrived, I spent some time with all of my relatives. My host father seems a little intimidating, but I think he's warming up to me. I watched Little Man with Refilwe and Rorisang (a sister and my brother). Refilwe is 18. I finally got her name right after about 30 tries. Before I got her full name, she just let me call her Fifi. I played with the younger kids for a while before running into Amelia at the tuck shop (little store) across the street. So far, I am happy here! It feels strange, being separated from everyone in my group, but I will hopefully see some of them tomorrow in church. Right now, though, I am so tired. What a day!

Rorisang, me, and Refilwe