What's up?

It’s 10pm when Toni’s phone rings. “Ed! What’s up?”
Ed is wondering whether Toni would like to join him for a party. She does. I, on the other hand, have my doubts. I’m tired, and not sure what kind of party to expect. Thirty minutes later, Ed and his friends pick us up, and it’s clear that the guys already have had a drink. I get in the car, where a half empty bottle of whisky awaits me. The guys are driving around with a glass in their hands. Drinking and driving, literally. 

I look at Toni, and she agrees on the fact that I should have remained home. I would have felt a lot safer, but I also would have worried about her. We stop halfway to pick up another friend, and I find Toni sitting on my lap in the back of a small car. By now I am getting a bit used to the situation, and seeing that our driver still seems to be sober is also quite comforting. And would I complain with a beautiful girl on my lap??

The party turns out to be an open air birthdayparty for someone we don’t know. People bring their own drinks, and food is provided by the birthdayboy. One of Toni’s friends asks me if I smoke. “No, I don’t. Sorry for being boring. Get me a f**king glass of that whisky, brother!”
The whisky is good, as is the music. The DJ pumps up the volume, and I wonder when the police will arrive to end this gig. But no, people are very tolerant in Botswana and police is not wanted here. Culture shock!

Toni is working tomorrow, so we leave the party shortly after midnight and are given a ride home by somebody we don’t know. People help each other without asking questions, that’s the way it works.

When I’m in bed, the music from another party two blocks down fills my room.  I don’t even think about calling the cops. I can’t help but smile about what happened tonight. Somebody is making me happy in Francistown. Thank you, Toni!

Surfer's Paradise

Couchsurfing is not only a nice way of travelling on a low budget and breaking the habit of checking in and out of hostels, hotels and lodges. More than that it gives you the opportunity to look into people’s houses, to look into people’s lives.
Toni is an experienced host. She’s seen people pass from all over the world and the references on her profile made me quite sure about the request I sent her.

I was happily accepted and warmly welcomed into her house. The first day is always a bit odd. It’s like two dogs that meet for the first time and start sniffing on each other.
We went out for dinner, chatted time away and as the days pass, we are getting to know each other better.

When I encounter a small problem to find a bus to get to my next destination, I humbly ask her if I can stay another night. “No problem” is the short yet very clear answer. I passed a great time with her, and we had a lot fun, talked and laughed a lot and got to know each other quite well, I think.  Surfing her couch – that in reality is a king size bed – was a great experience.

On the last night of my stay, I pack my bags with a mixed feeling. I’m going to miss this nice person, but I guess it’s time to move on and get to my next destination. We sit outside on her doorstep, enjoying the end of what has been a beautiful evening, while we talk about our plans for the next days. As the conversation goes on, these plans are changing quite rapidly. I’m unpacking again.