Its official

Once again, I've only got a limited time online folks. We swore in today and after two months of training I've done quite a bit of swearing, but today's swearing in was official and of a different (more appropriate kind). The former President of Botswana, Festus Mogai attended and he was incredibly nice. We all got to shake his hand and he gave a speech. We felt pretty important. Botswana is a large country. Its about the size of Texas, but it only has a population of about 1.8 million people, most of whom live in the capital of Gaborone. This being said, the president is pretty hands on and relatively accessible to the people. The president travels the country and goes to the most remote villages to hear people's concerns or just visit. This is the president who requested our presence in country back in 2001.

I know you've all been eagerly waiting on news about my placement. I'll be serving in a village called Pitsane, which is far south, right by the border of South Africa. Its a small village with a population of about 3,000, if even that. Also note that Pitsane is the southern region of Botswana which gets frigid. I visited briefly to see my house (2 bedrooms, kitchen, hot water, front & back yard, electricity--woo hoo!) and in the mornings there was frost on the grass. I'm arguably in the coldest part of Africa but I'm not lacking in amenities, so I'll take it. I'll keep you all posted.