Anyone been to... Gaborone, Botswana?

notfarnow · 12:40 PM

My wife leaves in a week and a half, will be gone for 6 weeks.

I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing, but she's excited so whaddayagonnado.

I can't find much info online, but I know some of you are well-travelled. Anything to recommend, or to avoid? She's being provided accomodations with other volunteers, so I'm not concerned about that, I'm more looking for places to avoid and such.

Any tips and advice is REALLY appreciated

6 weeks is a long time to leave me to my own devices. I'll have to learn how to use that hot thing in the kitchen she puts the food in. I'll also have to visit that big store she keeps telling me about, where they sell food.

Overpaid Slacker · 01:19 PM

I was in Gabs for ten days, about 12 years ago, so most of my on-the-ground intel is probably dated as far as bars/restaurants.

However, it cannot be overstated how wary someone -- especially a woman -- must be in that area. She should not travel alone, especially at night. She should not accept any food/beverage offered out of "kindness" from anybody. Two other Fulbright Scholars in that region around the time I was there were "scopalomined".

She'll have to rely on the volunteers for the specifics of where to go/where not to go in that area. What she should definitely do is seize any opportunity to travel a bit. Get to Swaziland, see parts of South Africa... avoid Zimbabwe (obviously) etc.

Best of luck to her.

JP

EDIT -- you could also PM Willem Fick and LeRoux Strydom, both in RSA, I believe. They might have very good Intel.

masraum · 05-02-2007, 01:50 PM

Sure, great place, I try to get there a coupl-a times a week. Great sandwiches.

Oh, wait, nevermind.

Rad Hatter · 05-03-2007, 12:43 AM

lived there for 6 years ....she'll be fine

87911jon · 87911jon's Garage

Our truck's rear drive shaft decided to discard it's bolts. We were a day's ride out of Gaborone, did a patch job so we could drive it to town. Repair shop/people in town were exceptionally nice. Enjoy.

notfarnow · 05-03-2007, 04:04 AM

See, this is why I love the Pelican BBS, the breadth of knowledge and experience is astounding. I'm sure if I posted this question on the VW diesel or veggie oil BBS, the only reply I'd get is "WTF?"

Quote:

Originally posted by 87911jon
Our truck's rear drive shaft decided to discard it's bolts. We were a day's ride out of Gaborone, did a patch job so we could drive it to town. Repair shop/people in town were exceptionally nice. Enjoy.

She's flying solo on this adventure, and I'm sure she's excited to get a 6 week vacation from the car/truck fiascos that I get into.

Quote:

Originally posted by Rad Hatter
lived there for 6 years ....she'll be fine

Any specific areas she should avoid? She's going out in the field with folks from the organization she's volunteering with, but I'm more concerned about time off and sightseeing.

From what I've read Gabarone is supposed to be a pretty safe place, and my wife has a good head on her shoulders. I'm sure she'll be fine, but I'm going to be nervous while she'd away.