After a 2+ year respite, I have fired up the blog again in preparation for my journey to Botswana. I'll be there for a month, doing volunteer work at an orphanage as well as doing research. I'll be stationed in the capital city of Gaborone, which lies in the south of the country. Botswana was formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, but earned its independence in 1966, when it -- in what was one of many inspired political reforms -- changed it's name to Botswana. Among its African brethren, Botswana stands out for its strong economy, progressive social policies, and lack of wars. The country relies on tourism and mining, principally, to drive its economic growth. There has also been a strong push for healthcare services, as it has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS on the planet. I fly into Jo'Berg, South Africa on Friday, and will be spending some time before taking the 8-hour bus across the boarder to Gaborone.