no place like home for the holidays

the hustle and bustle of this time of year is unlike any other. 

"home." before coming back to the states, we had a program in namibia about re-assimilating to home, and the fact that we will actually be "temporarily homeless."

i honestly feel like my time in africa was a dream, that i've been in some sort of unconscious state for the last few months and imagined it all. maybe its because nothing at home has changed, or maybe its because i'm realizing i haven't changed.

i feel very overwhelmed by all the busy-ness that is going on at home, but at the same time, i do not want to be left alone with my thoughts.

it is a struggle.

i do not mind letting the holiday fervor consume me, it is easier for me to pretend like i never saw any of the things that i did. but how awful does that sound? that is exactly what i can't do- i can't keep quiet, i can't sit back and act like nothing happened. i have to make the voices of very real people very far away from me heard. i wish i could articulate my brain.

happy holidays everyone.

quite the flight.

the flight home was a disaster. cape town to jo'burg went relatively smooth, save for getting dropped off by our perhaps 'too eager to get rid of us' professors 3 hours early. i was knitting up a storm for those 2 hours, determined to finish the scarf i was working on before i came home. all of my dreams were quickly shattered in jo'burg when the customs peeps wouldn't let me take my knitting needles on to the plane. cue tears. it was a long day. 

regardless we got on the plane at 7 for our 7:27 flight, we didn't actually take off until 930. 930! and the movie watcher device things weren't even working. some shennanigans went down with the luggage computer system, and all bags had to be done manually. i just hoped the extra time would mean they were making extra sure all of the bags were there.

but it was not so.

21 hours in a stuffy plane, 3 hours late into JFK, already missed my connecting flight to DC, come to find out my luggage has been left to the dregs of south africa. not only mine, but about 30 other people on the flight, including (but not limited to) EVERYONE in my program.

filing for lost luggage and working out a new flight schedule was much of a fiasco. i was not afforded the fun of saying proper goodbyes to all of my beloved friends. :(

9:30am "Hey dad! Its meg. I landed in JFK. Our flights are messed up so I might be home later."

"Are you staying the night in JFK then?"

"What? No. I'll be home before dinner."

"Oh, we weren't planning on going to the airport til tomorrow. Call your mother."

Picture it- Meg chilling in OHare, so excited to see familiar faces, holding her bags and fighting back tears at their absence. Okay who am I kidding, the tears would have been flowing.

9:35 am

"Hi, is June Lee there?"

"Hold please."  

-- Winter Wonderland begins playing on hold line --

-- Megan gets giddy for Christmas --

11:15 "ma'am, we have a direct flight from here to o'hare. are you interested?"

"what time?"

"12."

"shit."

"just run to terminal 2. here's your flimsy fake looking boarding pass."

:: Meg is stereotypical crazy person with bags flailing and not nearly enough coats on for the seemingly arctic tundra that is NYC ::

To top it off, I was randomly selected for a more in depth security search at customs. After removing all removable without being inappropriate clothes on my body, I successfully passed the inspection. I had time to make a quick call to June and grab a starbucks cinnamon dolce latte, a sweet sweet reunion.

2:30 rolls around and Air Force 1 makes headway into the windy city. I was so excited to see the beaches of lake michigan, then realized they were so pretty because it was actually snow and not sand. Snow! BRR!

It was a happy day to see all of the people I love most in my life- Dad, Mom, Danny, Carla. Jenny and Cameron. Even though I was sans luggage, I was surplus happy.

Literally- nothing has changed in Merrillville, Indiana. (save for the panda express off broadway)

cape tizzy

cape town was absolutely gorgeous, with the brightest palette of greens and blues and a mix of faces to match. as much as it was talked up by professor's as another travel seminar, it certainly was just the opposite. on the first day, we "learned a whole bunch" by traveling to the cape of good hope, where its said the waters of the indian ocean and the atlantic meet. i could not believe how blue the water was, it was a shade i had prior only seen in pictures (and this was way better!) i of course could not wait to get my paws in the water. lets just say i have now been pantless in the indian and atlantic. any takers for round 3?

as if the cape adventures weren't enough (new york city 8000 miles and run ins with savvy / hungry baboons) we were able to have our first penguin sightings. they really are quite darling and i am pretty sure i took a more than necessary amount of pictures. i really felt like a tourist.

monday was a museum hopping day, we visited a slave lodge from way into yesteryear and learned alot about district six during apartheid. the slave lodge hit close to home because it is very likely americans in colonial times were trafficking people who lived in the very walls i was standing. i was very frustrated to learn of a neighborhood that peacefully housed people of many different cultures (not including whites of course) that was later taken over by said whites to establish a more separatist living society. hence district 6. nothing has been built on this area since the day they demolished it. it is interesting to compare the apartheid struggle in south africa to namibia's; south africa's not only affected blacks and coloureds (mixed) but also indians and the jewish population.

monday was liberation day/ world aids day - it was a very unique experience being in a country that is so intertwined with aids that it is nearly inescapable. it suddenly became a reality that many of the people i pass on the streets definitely know someone who is afflicted if they are not afflicted themselves. we participated in aids awareness promotion activities like getting tested (i'm negative, whew) and an aids day march.

tuesday was an amazing day - we took a ferry to visit robben island, a place that political enemies were sent during the apartheid days. we had heard men speak of their experiences there back in johannesburg week 1, and to finally see it in person was good closure. we even saw nelson mandela's jail cell. the island was alot bigger than i thought it would be (i was thinking alcatraz or azkaban style) but on the flipside, it was just far enough from the land that you could never survive a swim but close enough to wear you could still see it - normal life going on. it must have been torture! the ferry ride back was nice and jerky and made us all a bit green in the face, but i just love being on the sea. we ate a meal of fish and chips at a standard/ sketchy fish bar just off the shore. it was perfect. and so delicious.

on wednesday we ventured into the settlements and visited a self-help weaving project called "philani." we were able to meet with the women who created such beautiful tapestries and weaveries and they were so delightful, singing as they worked and showing us their toothless grins (its a cultural thing, strange i know). we also ate lunch at a bed and breakfast created by a woman who was formerly impoverished who decided to do something about it. very cool! (and delicious)

because we had had a lack of exposure to GLBT issues in africa we visited an initiative called the "triangle project" on wednesday. it is interesting to note that south africa is the only country in the whole of the continent that legalized same sex marriage. regardless, it is frowned upon culturally and people who identify as GLBT's are oftentimes subject to cruel harassment. later, my friends and i went to the beach. it was salty and sandy and wonderful. i even think i saw a shark :) i could not get enough of the big waves (even though they were nearly freezing!)

thursday was the most academic-focused day. :) and by that, i mean, we went to a winery in the north of cape town to taste test wines and enjoy the beautiful countrysides. i have never tried wine tasting before (probably because i am not a big fan of wine..) but it was really fun. it was neat to see the brewery and the vines and the grapes and the like. i of course felt the need to buy 3 bottles. thanks africa.

on our last school day we went to an aids day awareness function, complete with music and dancers and testimonies and tears and hand holding and red ribbons. we walked through the streets of manenberg awkwardly (per usual) and enjoyed the company of south africans. that night we had our last group dinner at "mama africa" and toasted to a semester of times- not always good but certainly not always bad. a semester of experiences that we will carry with us permanently. and then we did some traditional african dancing with the band (my shimmy-ing was no where near up to par).

the final full day in africa was a free day for students. a few of my friends and i decided to scale the infamous table mountain in the center of cape town. let me tell you - it was TOUGH. 1 hour into it and not even halfway up the mountain i was regretting my decision to not take the cable car up. but alas, God is good, He gave us strength and we eventually made it. and what an incredible feeling that was- complete with an incredible view!

another cape town bonus was the easing into "culture shock" for the states. cape town was very developed and very internationalized; we ate food from a different culture every night! indian, mediterranean, mexican, milk shakes, you name it- we ate it. almost every night we hung out at an irish pub called "dubliners" - it was a blast. free dancing, free live rock music, and oftentimes free drinks. ;)

it really felt like a vacation.

updates on my first week home to come soon. for the record, its good to be back.

windhoeked.

Tomorrow is the day of departure. I can't believe how quickly my time in Windhoek has flown by. I have been here for 3 and half months but, at times, it feels like moments. We'll be spending a week in Cape Town and then its back to the northern hemisphere. It all became a little more real when I realized the next time I talk to my mom it will be in person, in O'hare, in the States. Although I am looking forward to coming home, I am still terribly sad about leaving Namibia and the family I have found here.



Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving by cooking the meal for our staff as an appreciation dinner. The meal was incredible since everyone made their favorite dish from home. It was quite on experience to have 24 cooks in one kitchen! Thanksgiving was also a little bizarre because of how hot it was! Its summer here and the flowers, trees, and bushes are in full bloom. No crappy rain? What? Besides eating my face off for most of the day, I was able to visit my urban homestay family in Katutura one last time. It was wonderful to see them again- and the dogs had puppies!



The day was pretty perfect and reiterated how much I have come to love the people I have spent these past few months with. These people have helped me grow and learn in unfathomable ways. Although all of our experiences have shaped me into the person I am today, it was certainly the different perspectives of all of the passionate and unique individuals in the program that helped me make sense of the "big picture," and encouraged me to rise above the college student stereotypes and do something positive for the world with my life.



Back in August, I came to Namibia not knowing what to expect. Being a Chinese major and certified Chinese culture lover, I knew very little about the history and politics of Africa, let alone in Namibia specifically. I had done a bit of research prior but nothing could have prepared me. Namibia is a truly gorgeous country and it is filled with incredible and lively people. However, it is facing serious challenges.



The World Bank and IMF have declared Namibia a "middle income country" and with that declaration a lot of aid is leaving Namibia. However the GNI, which determines income level, does not take into account that Namibia has the highest income inequality in the world. The rich are monster rich while 40% of the people can not meet their basic needs every month. The poverty and the wealth stagger you equally.



Development is slow and politics has become a dirty word. The ruling party, SWAPO, has complete control over the country. There is no clear or strong opposition party and the people are very concerned about this. However, SWAPO was Namibia's liberator and the people vote based on history and not issues. It is the failure to address issues that will cripple this fragile democracy. Namibia needs a strong opposition party to ensure issues are addressed.



The history of Namibia is violent and holds heavy chains in the ideologies of people today. The people were oppressed for over a century and Namibia is just beginning to recover from Apartheid. Namibia has a weak civil society, with its citizens being severely uneducated about their rights. However, the hope and intelligence is present to ensure its triumph as a nation. The country is only 18 years old and has done well for its self since Independence.



Today, I walked through downtown Windhoek for the last time and, as always, forgot I was in Africa. It is a beautiful city with all the modern conveniences. But, 10 minutes outside the city center people live in tin shacks and scramble for water. As easy as it is for me to accuse this of being a problem solely in Africa, it would be ignorant of me to ignore the realities of similar living styles in my own country.



If I have learned anything this semester it is that nothing is simple. Development and democracy are complex issues that can not be prescribed but have to be experimented with and studied from every angle.



Namibia has changed me in ways I can not even begin to describe. I have seen what poverty and complete destitution looks like. I have seen children suffering and dying from HIV/AIDS. I witnessed democracy in action. I have seen communities striving to do better, with what little they have. I have seen people working tirelessly to protect their democracy and their way of life. I have seen people find hope in the face of despair and to live off of nothing. I have been in awe of the spirit of this nation. The philosophy of ubuntu (I am because you are) resonates in every aspect of daily life. People matter here. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson I have learned: the importance of the individual and relationships you cultivate with them.


A speaker from earlier on this semester told us that "Each time you travel, you leave a little bit of your heart everywhere you go." I am beginning to wonder how many more places I can give my heart to. Maybe I'll just have to come back?

a weema whop a weema whop

my last sunday in windhoek. and so the final week begins!

last week, a friend of one of the students who lives in johannesburg came to visit us for a week. his name was rezaan and he was awesome, very lively and brought alot of fun to the group. it worked nicely with all of our classes coming to an end and not too much homework to finish it off. we did alot of fun tourist-y things :) some went to the local brewery and to dinner in the "central park" of windhoek, zoo park. my favorite of all was paintballing -- i haven't played since camp eons ago and it definitely showed. i sucked. but i did hit rezaan once and brett once, and i did get hit plenty of times including on my mouth which was awesome and not painful at all. :)

we went to a craft market known as "penduka" that works with women who have tuberculosis and gives them a source of work and income. they made really beautiful crafts, lots of tapestries and recycled jewelery. i bought some beads that were made of old windhoek lager bottles. i am excited to make some of my own bracelets and earrings with them.

me and some friends went on an adventure to find this restaurant called "fresh and wild." we kept thinking we were lost on the way there because it was in a part of windhoek we were unfamiliar with and it was quite a hike. it all worked out though :) and lunch was positively deliciousss!!

we also went karaoking on thursday night at a bar called "dylans." i was excited to see some old faces from the night life around windhoek there again- it was like fate, but better! having native namibian friends (even if they're afrikaaner) is definitely a bonus. it makes it even harder to leave though. i went out with these friends on saturday night, we got milkshakes and had a bonfire in klein. their houses are SO BIG. with grass and lots of trophies from past hunting trips (including a wildebeest, which naturally i scoffed at. you killed mufasa you jerks).

friday night we went to a rastafarian party at the college of arts. it was such a unique and cool experience! i've never really hung out with rastas before but i definitely have a better appreciation of their culture now, and i'm hoping to look more into it because their life and love philosophies seem right on cue.

we of course have eaten at the blue olive again and have gone to the farmers market and single quarters in katutura- me and rachel and cameron are trying to do research for our final project, which highlights the idea of "home" and what it means to people in windhoek. its been very interesting and hilarious, i particularly loved moses who said he would hire me to work for his electrition company and randy the security guard at the box.

i think i want to get my hair braided this week.

mom i got my nose pierced i'm sorry.

i finally finished most of my shopping!

6 days til cape town, 15 til chi-town.

you can't just go around asking people why they're white

another fantastic week around these parts. considering i only have a few more precious weeks here in namibia, i have been going out to different places as much as i can in the hopes of squeezing in as much of windhoek as i can.

1. sushi and such (i need to go to japan)
2. wine bar (i'm not sure why i think i'll like wine every time i try it. however, the place was so romantic, with an outdoor terrace looking out over windhoek. low lighting and comfy seating. and the cheese platter = delicious)
3. the blue olive (hummus and organic and free range and fresh and awesome. went there twice in one week. the second time i ate a cookie in the shape of an owl. oh and a slice of cheesecake, one that we initially bought for a friend... but after waiting for the bill and staring at it, we all decided to grab our forks and dive in).
4. joe's beerhouse (rounds 2 and 3. a "tourist must." i like it because i consistently get free drinks. hehehe.)
5. the biomarket/farmers market (i LOVE farmers markets, and this one was no different- save for it was in a very german part of town and pretty much everyone there was white. we bought fresh pesto and spinach and cheese and made pasta for dinner. so lovely.)

thats alot of places in one week if you ask me. i'm trying to think of the rest of my trip as a "vacation" since i have been a miser of sorts this semester when it comes to spending money. i'd say all is well.

i went to the namibian police department in search of a tshirt to buy my dad. i accidentally ended up in the area with the holding cells. awkward.

friday night we had a tshirt tiedying-decorating extravaganza. it was so much fun, the tie-dye turned out really well and everyone made awesome namibia-themed tshirts, tank tops, shorts, pants, underwear, the options were limitless!

in other news, i went to the UN building this week to meet with a woman concerning aids and aids development. i think it would be sweet to work for the un. we also went to USAID and met with an american who has been working overseas for the last 16 years. i really appreciate being exposed to americans overseas, but i also get really frustrated. most of these women are very successful and have enjoyed living and working abroad, something i would love todo, but it seems to be at the expense of having a family. i think i'd rather have a family.

i straight up fell when i was running this week, tripped over some uneven pavement, damnitt. of course it would be at an intersection. don't you worry though, i was a tough girl and am broken-bone free. mel the paramedic took good care of me.

the last week of classes is upon me. sigh. so bittersweet. i am at my last day of my internship and i am seriously joyful. i was practically skipping here. however, as i sat here and completed my project i realized what a good semester i've had at namibia housing action group, and how many cool people i have interacted with. it wasn't so bad afterall.

now i'm cranking out my last papers and brainstorming ideas for my final integrative project. as i'm thinking about all of the fun things i want to do when i get home, i'm beginning to realize how many other things come with the "back to reality," i.e. figuring out plans for next summer and post-college and finding a job in the spring and blahblah ughh i just want to play.

:)

what happened? valpo happened.

this past weekend was spent exploring various campgrounds in southern namibia and studying the different paths and "levels" of development.

friday night we stayed in a state run campground that was perched next to the second largest dam in namibia (its not a myth! there IS water in namibia!). we went exploring with ambitions to swim in the dam but it was pretty impossible to find a way down there - and the water was this awful murky brown color (reminded me of china.. hmmph). however, the trip was not in vain because we discovered these rabbit/rodent like animals that would scurry about every which way. they were pretty cute.

the valpo kids shared a tent, much to everyone else's disgust- hhaha. it actually wasn't so bad, outside of brett farting all night. we played mafia late into the night. the accomodations weren't so bad at all- we actually had campsites and bathroom facilities!

we drove further south on friday to bearsava (for the record, i just typed that word phonetically. i wouldn't google it.) we heard a few speakers concerning sustainable development and ecotourism. we also learned about community run campgrounds and later got to experience it!

southern namibia is home to a unique (and huge) rock formation - it is almost a dormant volcano, but not really- as in there is lava underneath the ground that pushed the land masses up and up. it created this crater in the middle of it that miraculously is covered in vegetation. friday night we stayed at the community run campsite we learned about earlier; it was located next to this mountain. the CRC was a very rustic experience- echos of the rural homestay (thankfully. i never get enough of peeing outside in the wilderness).

friday night my tent was the victim of an AWFUL late night prank. they unhooked all of the latches that kept our tent upheld. so here we are, sleepy eyed grumpy girls fixing our tent in the pitch black of the night, cursing the boys as they're giggling in the bushes. UGH. ugh boots.

saturday we woke up with the sun and hiked up that great beast of a mountain. we saw the valley and the very top! it was beautiful. we were literally surrounded by NOTHING. its strange how small and infinite someone can feel simultaneously.

later in the day we hung out with a local hiv/aids awareness student club. we were to teach them new ways to teach their community about aids. it was strange, mostly because i felt very ill-equipped to teach about aids knowing not nearly enough myself. the students were very receptive and eager to teach us things themselves. it was a lovely afternoon of sharing. the students sang for us and it was so emotional. i wish i could capture that feeling and explain it.

saturday night we stayed in a fancy resort-lodge (as you can see, our accomodations spanned the spectrum). it was a really super nice place, we had a delicious dinner over the fire and an even better conversation during it. recounting old tv shows never gets old, and sharing individual highs and lows is such a great way to grow closer as a group.

saturday night also marked our retaliation. as soon as the boys left to go to the bar, my tentmates and i completed dismantled theres, hid the poles that hold it up in our professor's tent, and kidnapped their sleeping bags and pillows. MWAHAHA.

and so the prank war began.

sunday morning we all lounged by the resort's pool in the hammocks and played in the water- we even choreographed a syncronized swimming show, which may or may not include jason twirling like a ballerina spitting water out of his mouth - i'll leave it up to your imagination :)

back in windhoek. 3 weeks. yikes.

real world: namibia

another week come and gone in this beautiful country. it was a fairly typical week for me- internship on monday and wednesday, class tuesday, thursday, and friday. up by 7 every morning to get a jog in. every meal consisting of pasta, potatoes, and homemade bread. many dirty dishes lying around the house, conversations about loving edward cullen, and competing for high scores on freerice.com. but there was one glorious difference...

RAIN!

and not just light rain. we had actual thunderstorms. in fact, i think i heard the loudest thunder of my life here. (that means God bowled a clutch strike!)

it was a good week overall, save for the many projects i had due. at the beginning of it, i was feeling very ready to come home and bummed about the month left in windhoek (these thoughts were probably influenced by my looming homework). but now i think it is going entirely too fast. help me!@ go away november.

this week had some wonderful highlights. on wednesday evening, most of the cge group volunteered at a charity fashion event for our friend taura, a local namibian who i have previously mentioned in my blog (think - biggest heart ever!) she, along with her sister, is opening an safehouse for OVC's (orphans and vulnerable children) in her hometown in northern Namibia. she is a very creative and crafty lady so she was holding this event to raise money for the cause by selling her handmade clothes, jewelery, bags, and recycled-wear.

many of the cge students were models. i helped with makeup- just like old times at merrillville high. :) others helped sell products, give out tickets, perform on stage, or manage the refreshments. it was definitely a team effort, and it was alot of fun, and hopefully a significant amount of funds were raised!

and then it was HALLOWEEN!! i of course put on my costume starting at 9 am for class. i decided to dress up as princess lolly from my favorite childhood board game, candyland. it wasn't a very good costume - but on the brightside, it was free, and simple. (i definitely drew inspirations from camp games this summer). i was really excited to see all of the cge students get into it and come in costume to our halloween party. we took pictures, danced around to thriller and the monster mash (and soldier boy), went trick or treating in all of our different rooms, bobbed for apples, and ate delicious (truly) pumpkin bread. it was so very much fun! my favorite costume of the night was probably tommy pickles or pregnant britney spears drinking wine. i also liked wolverine and michael phelps!

i never realized how much i loved halloween til i didn't really have it. i miss autumn!

saturday was a perfect day. i woke up early with rachel and we headed into town to visit the local outdoor markets and craft centers. i am trying to pick out gifts for family and friends - there is just so much to choose from! it was a fun and successful shopping trip though. we even bought matching namibia tshirts with animals on them :) i really love the craft center because it is an initiative to empower women of namibia to utilize their own resources for economic means - so with every product you buy, you also get a picture of the woman who made it, and the story behind her. very cool! it is a little more pricey this way, but i love to support the people.

later in the afternoon, about 6 other students from cge and i went to megameno, the orphanage that our intern volunteers at. we spent the afternoon playing soccer, climbing trees, holding hands, and listening to the kids' stories. it was a very fun but sad afternoon. there are over 40 children in this one orphanage, aged from 1-17. they are all in need of some love and attention, and its hard to give that to so many kids when you are one woman running the orphanage. i am definitely going to spend more time there before the semester is over.

saturday night we went out to eat at a local cameroonian restaurant, and ate traditional african meals out of wooden plates and bowls! it was a very cool experience. i had the kous kous - yum! afterwards, rachel and i decided to make sugar cookies from scratch for everyone. earlier in the week, we had discovered in a drawer cookie cutters in the shapes of hearts, stars, elephants, and hippos! so we had a baking extravaganza- complete with our new matching tshirts and the lion king soundtrack.

the cookies turned out fantastic and it was so fun making them. we even took a plate to the local backpacker's hostel we always go to for the guards, bartenders, and our friends who were hanging out there. it was so funny. we're so awkward.

5 weeks left! the final stretch continues. i can hardly believe it. i wish i was at home in the us for this upcoming week - 1. the elections are tomorrow 2. jennifer leigh halbert's 21st birthday is on FRIDAY 3. chi omega is probation free, finally 4. i want to meet my new dog, lilly!

i sincerely hope you all are having a fantastic day. :)

ALIVE!

thoughts on my urban homestay in katatura, a black "suburb" or windhoek.

Of all the things that I have learned about pre-colonial southern Africa and the European colonization of southern Africa, I am mostly impacted by the striking similarities to the United States’ history. The natives of southern Africa and the United States before the German and British colonization found common ground not only in the persecution each was subjected to. The natives of both nations seemed remarkably in tune with nature, and loved the land as a part of them, and not as an object. Each had a sense of community that is hard to come by in times today. It was not until after the British and the Germans came that everything began to change. In southern Africa, the Germans tricked the natives into signing treaties that only confounded their former ideas of their purpose in life – they were backed into smaller corners, forced to give up land, taken advantage of. What amazes me the most is that the Germans thought that it was okay to treat people like this. These people lived through the British subjugation of Native Americans. Did the thought ever cross the minds of the Germans that people should not be treated as second only to scum? That they are humans too?
During my time abroad, I have had multiple “aha” moments, particularly in my homestay, mostly from conversations with my older and younger brothers. Although a part of me would like to believe that race relations are improving in Namibia, I keep running into situations that challenge this belief. For instance, my first night at my homestay, my 10 year old brother Roberto asked me why I was white, and why I wanted to be around blacks. My 26 year old brother explained to me that he dislikes his job as a manager at a downtown sports apparel store because white people do not treat him well when they come shopping. My younger brother then again, after I invited him to come swimming at the center’s pool, asked me if it would be okay for him to be there since he is black.
Although there may be lingering realities to my older brother’s opposition, my little brother is still so young and impressionable. I feel like I did not even understand the idea of “race” at the age, especially as a means for judging others. There is obviously an overlying element of contempt between the peoples here, even though everything is portrayed as hunky dory post independence. Regardless that many of our readings contribute the separation of people today being strictly economic and that race segregation is an idea of the past, I am continually finding it difficult to believe. Walking through Kliptown, a township of Johannesburg plagued with poverty, truly opened my eyes to the realities of life for many blacks, even post apartheid and independence. From my general observations of the attitudes of real people and their perception of the opposite race, and their own race for that matter, it is hard to believe.
My stomach was tied into knots after seeing Alexandria and Standton in South Africa, especially in such close proximity. It is so easy for me to be in disbelief over the wealth gaps, and the fact that the wealthy of Standton do not feel called to help their poorer fellow citizens. But after careful consideration, I realized, I myself am guilty of ignoring my needful brothers and sisters. Who am I to point fingers when I am just as bad? These conflicting notions keep rattling my brain as I am exploring this beautiful country and learning from its children. Does my privilege lend itself to a responsibility to help others? Why was I born a wealthy white American? Should I feel guilty? Is it really my fault? All of these ideas I have been wrestling with, and although I am learning so much from the various speakers, events, and readings, I feel like the most important lesson I am going to learn is about myself.
I love the history of southern Africa because I feel like I am experiencing it as it happens, like it is alive. The countries of South Africa and Namibia are so young, and their futures have so much potential. It is easy for me, as an American, to sit back and say “Do not do it like this, it does not work. Do it this way. This is how we did it, and look at our admirable progress.” But I think the beauty of developing countries such as Namibia and South Africa is their ability to make their own history, to follow their own course, free of the influence of said “developed, proper” countries. I think the biggest healer for a lot of these country’s difficulties with race relations is time. It still stings those who experienced it first hand, and there is still hate cultivated among their children. It will take generations to heal the pain.

fall break 2008: "i'll tell you when you're older"

friday night, me and 8 other hopefuls started our fall break adventure with a 20 hour bus ride to zambia. the bus was late, the men in the parking lot kept harassing us, and the local gas station was out of coke light. we should've known it was going to be a long trip!

we had to get out several times to step on a spongey-square soaked with chemicals or something, it supposedly helps stop the spread of foot and mouth disease, i didn't really know or understand?

we were about 200 km from our final destination, victoria falls, when.............. the bus flippin broke down. we sat in the zambian afternoon heat for 3 hours waiting for a new bus, which turned out to be entirely too small for the 30 some people getting dropped off in livingstone. womp womp.

but we made it!!!!! our hostel was awesome, it had an amazing pool+hot tub combo plus tons of giant, squishy pillows all over the place, perfect for a quick nap or a good read. that night we went out to dinner and i had HUMMUS, it was a lovely reunion, and reminded me of my everyday lunch at good ol' valpo. (it was so good i ended up going back to the same restaurant later in the week!)

sunday morning we woke up early and went white water rafting down the zambezi, the river that the falls fall into. it was INTENSE! the hike down alone was an adventure, climbing over jagged, slippery rocks on a steep incline. our rafts flipped in the rapids various times, and it was so much fun! we got to go swimming in the river, and it was a gorgeous deep jade color. our raft guide asked us to refer to him as babyface, so we decided to call ourselves team babyface usa - we were AWESOME. we had an entire day of rafting, rapids 1-24, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. ;)

monday we did a walking tour of the falls. we were walking on rocks that are normally completely covered in water during rainy season. we got to look over the edge into the gorge - yikes, a long way down! we even got to swim in the water, and jump into the "devil's swimming pool" -- a natural pool right at the edge of the falls. we literally jumped in, 5 feet from the edge, cannonball style. when our guide first did it, i'm pretty sure we all freaked out and thought the next time we were going to see him was when he was going over the falls. we got to hang over the edge of the falls, and it was incredible. i even did it upside down which actually made my heart skip a beat out of fright! it was SO COOL.

monday evening we went on a sunset cruise on the zambezi, and it was beautiful. i had my first hippo sighting!! (seriously happiest moment possibly of my life). hippos have always been my favorite animal, i even wrote a story about them in 8th grade with two of my best friends. we met a lot of really interesting people on the boat, people who decided to take years off of work and just explore and travel the world. I WANT THIS LIFE. we even had our white water rafting guides on the cruise with us, they were like our friends for the week :) i also decided that aussies are seriously the coolest people in the world, and pledged to visit there asap.

tuesday we ventured into BOTSWANA. we had to ride a ferry in, and it was at the cool junction where namibia, zambia, zimbabwe, and botswana met. it reminded me of the 4 corners in the us of a. anywho, in botswana, we went to chobe national game park. we got to do a traditional safari in a range rover, it was definitely way cooler than driving around in our cge combies all day. we saw a TON OF ELEPHANTS, really close too. there were over 30,000 in the park alone! they were splashing in the water and swimming. we even saw a dead one- and it smelled FUNKY. that doesn't even do it justice (mom- it reminded me of the time our garage freezer broke and the turkey in it went bad, and we tried cleaning it out by tying long socks over our faces. HAHA).

we then got to go on a river safari, which totally made the trip worth it. i was literally less than 10 feet from elephants! AND MORE HIPPOS! it was a joyous occasion. the chobe is really beautiful, and actually green, which was a nice change from dry etosha.

wednesday morning we woke up early and traveled to the zimbabwe side of the falls. i really enjoyed the zimbabwean side because you could actually see the falls, where as on the zambia side you can really only hang off of them. :) there were so many rainbows and lots of mist, it almost felt like rain! and it looked like a rainforest, lots of exotic looking plants and flowers. so beautiful!

we caught a bus at noon and made it back to windhoek at 8 am on thursday morning. it was so good to be back in windhoek after such a long 3 weeks. it felt like home. :)

the rest of my fall break has been spent watching sex and the city on dvd, reading book 3 of the twilight saga, facebooking hardXcore, playing freecell, and .... doing homework. :) kind of. :) it rained for the first time yesterday and all of us were playing outside, and then jumped in the pool! it reminded me so much of "lemmings to the sea!" at camp pendalouan (but what doesn't bring me back to those sweet summer days on big blue?) i went and saw a movie for the first time in theaters since i've been here, and of course i wouldn't waste such a momentous occasion on anything but HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3. it was amazing, they had salt&vinegar toppings for the popcorn, and i couldn't be more convinced that zac efron needs to be in my arms.

and now i'm on to the final stretch, only 5 weeks left in namibia and 6 til i set foot in good old o'hare once again. i can definitely not deny my homesickness any longer, i cannot wait to see my family, my new dog, my friends, my wife, my boo, the christopher center, chipotle, el charro, etc. i'm hoping in these next few weeks i can slow down a bit, make the moments last forever, dance in the sweet african rain, embrace the warmth of the sun... and hopefully not get too stressed out over projects and homework. :)

the lion sleeps tonight

week 2 of my 3 week adventure! we ended our homestays early monday morning, and it was a joyous reunion to be back with all the cool kids from the program. we all had pretty hilarious stories to swap about goats and bad food and the like. it was a quick drive to etosha, namibia's infamous game viewing park - its said that the park is as big as the netherlands! on our drive in to our campground alone we saw zebras, elephants, and giraffes! and various other deer-like antelopish things. i was SO excited to see the animals... and took an obnoxious amount of pictures, duh. i find it funny that upon my first zebra sighting i took like 500 pictures just in case we didn't come across anymore... but by the end of the day, the zebras were like squirrels at purdue! everywhere!

we stopped to picnic lunch at a campground built around a watering hole. it was so cool to see all the different animals chillin, coolin down and gettin hydrated. giraffes are hilarious when they drink water, bending over all awkwardly. everytime i saw a giraffe i couldn't help but think of "giraffes can't dance," the best camp story ever (after the giving tree and the skit apache did with all the deaths and the ketchup and the whatnot). (i heart camp pendalouan).

when we actually got to our campground, we were overjoyed to find a swimming pool, clean showers, and lots of free time. honestly, none of us had had a real shower for over a week, so lord knows we welcomed it all with open arms.

the next morning we went on a game drive at sunrise, it was so beautiful - we saw lions! a boy and a girl lion (nala and simba obviously) and they were drinking at a watering hole together. they were really quite sweet looking, and played together and rolled around just like regular cats. i was convinced if i wore my hair down i could approach them as one of their own and make friends, but sadly, my professor's didn't think that was the wisest idea i've ever had.

we had an amazing buffet dinner at the campground with an impressive selection of desserts. it reminded me of the part in jurassic park when the boy and girl get to pig out (but without the velociraptors making a guest appearance).

the next few days in the north were pretty laidback and hot. we went to the border of namibia / angola, which was really cool. crowds of angolans were trying to get into namibia (everything is cheaper here since the angolan economy is kapootz). it was almost like watching minors sneak into a bar; whenever a border post officer would look away, people would literally run in! it was crazy. there were alot of chinese shops on the border (selling goods for way cheap) and i enjoyed having conversations in chinese with some of the shop owners. i miss china!

we met the king of the various african tribes in damara land. i've never met a king before! he wasn't wearing a crown of many jewels or a cape of velvet, so needless to say i was a little disappointed, but it was still cool. we also got to go to a waterpark type resort for an afternoon! the pool tasted like saltwater, but really i was more interested in catching the bunnies hopping around the establishment. although becky's and my's bunny hunt was unsuccessful, it all still made me laugh til tears. bunny bunny! i want one. :)

paz y amore!

call me farmer freakin !jane

it is hard to sum up all of my experiences from the past few weeks into a simple blog entry, but i will try my darndest to do the best i can.

rural homestay top 10:

10. DREAMS. One of the 50 million potential side effects of my anti-malaria medicine Malorone was messed up dreams/nightmares. I pretty much dreamt about the most random events, including people that I have not seen/thought about for years. I usually woke up laughing. Sometimes crying because 1. it was so dark with no electricity and only 1 candle and 2. because I would dream of deaths or the like. Most of the time it was laughing though. I would recount all of my dreams in detail but I tend to not remember them at all, even though I wake up and remember them initially and pledge to not forget them...

9. VALVUCA AND !OTHEMA. My older sisters. They were a riot. They were such trouble makers together and reminded me alot of Jenny and my's shennanigans. I feel like the resident BA's on the farm. !Othema had alot of attitude and was very outspoken, it was usually really funny! Valvuca was a saving grace because before we met I only had a 15 year old boy on the farm who spoke English. She had a good sense of humor and loved reading trashy magazines. She was awesome.

8. the HOSS. After walking to the watering hole with my older sister Valvuca, we stopped at a little shop to get some cold drinks. There was a precious not quite kitten not quite cat sitting on the floor, and I asked the worker if I could hold it. He picked it up by its face and practically threw it at me!!! I was VERY angry by this. Poor cat! Then my sister said we should take it home, so we did! We kept her! I fed her milk, petted her, loved her. I named her the Hoss because the city we were staying in was called "Khorixas" (pronounced corey-hoss). She was so much fun- then the dogs scared her away and she skidaddled when I wasn't around. Sad state of affairs!

7. BRAIDING. I got my hair braided. I looked like a bonafide African woman! (Especially after the donkey cart ride in the high sun, my tan was ridiculous!). Valvuca did it for me, and it took over an hour. Later, Maizy (little sister) changed her hair to match mine. We were quite a pair. I kept my hair like that for 5 days and felt disgusting (my sister said Maizy only changes hers about once a month!)

6. FAT CAKES AND ELEPHANT EARS. Fat cakes are a traditional bread made here in Africa, the best way I can describe it is a condensed elephant ear - very greasy (but delicious) soft bread. Here, instead of being flat like elephant ears, its more of a roll, and the people eat them with EVERYTHING. My Ma was teaching me how to make these fat cakes over the fire, and I decided I needed to introduce them to the glory that is elephant ears (it was very katie keilman of me). I mixed some cinnamon and sugar on a plate and gave them each one, and they loved it! I never saw my Ma smile so big. They continued to make elephant ears for the rest of the time I was there. It was so cool. (It definitely proved a positive of globalization - the exchange of ideas. Even if it was for just a treat.)

5. MAIZY AND ETHAN. My little brother and sister on the farm. They were aged 5 and 7 and were so much fun. We swung from the trees in the yard, threw goat poop in the arm and danced under it, chased the cows and goats. Maizy did not know any English but Ethan knew a little bit, we often practiced writing numbers and letters in the sand. I taught them how to play hot hands and rock, paper, scissors. We had so much fun. I really enjoy the company of children.

4. DONKEY CART RIDE. The only form of transportation that is available in the north for most rural families is a donkey cart. They hitch up 2-3 donkeys, hop in, grab the reins, and go. It makes for a very long trip, I felt so bad for the donkeys because it is so hot out, and the gravel roads cannot be very soft on their feet. We took about a 13 kilometer ride to visit an agricultural school for boys. Thats like 6 miles each way! In the hot afternoon sun. Poor donkeys.

I later got over this pity for the donkeys when they decided to "ee-ah" all night long. I wanted to punch a donkey.

Even so, the donkey cart ride was so cool. I kept thinking along the way, "I wonder what my friends back home are doing," and then I wondered if they ever thought the same about me, and if the thought of me riding in a cart pulled by donkeys ever crossed their minds.

3. FAREWELL PARTY. On the last Sunday of my homestay, the other students from my program who were staying on the same farm and I all got together to prepare a traditional meal over the open fire for all of our families. We all got dressed up for the occasion in authentic handmade Damara/Nama dresses (which made the heat all the more a pleasant experience) including traditional headdresses. We looked very... little house on the prairie. I loved my dress, it was pink with blue and purple flowers on it, and was so thankful because my family decided to give it to me to keep! It is a wonderful souvenir. We cooked chicken and rice and potato salad and all the food was gone before we even got a helping ourselves. It was so much better that way. We even had a church service at our house which was really informal and cool, basically everyone sings and dances in circles and truly enjoys their praise and worship. It was fun!

2. GOATS. I love goats now. Who knew they were such entertaining animals? When I got bored with my family, I usually wandered out to where all the goats hung out, and named them (oftentimes after friends and family from back home). I named my favorite goat of all time FUNNY GOAT because well, he was funny. He would run really really fast and then jump into this rusting bathtub that was randomly in our yard. And then just hang out in the bathtub. It cracked me up. My family slaughtered a goat in my "honor" before I arrived (they didn't make me watch since I am a veggie...) Still, the goat hide was lying around in the yard and the saw that they used to hack off its head hung in the kitchen with dried blood on it. Awesome. But its okay, because I also saw a goat being born when I was there!! So really, its the circle of life (cue first of many references to the Lion King). We had a few baby goats on the farm and they were all very precious, I particularly loved Newborn because I got to see her first steps :)

1. LIFE ON THE FARM. I really loved the low key, laid-back ness of it all. Fall asleep after sunset, wake up at sunrise - work only in the morning and then stop because it gets too hot. It literally was SO hot, a heat only a Trock could love. I loved all the sounds of the farm, the moo's and the cock a doodle doo's and the quiet of the twilight bonfire. The ground covered in different animal prints and different animal poops. Bathing in the animals' water troughs and drinking water from a big tin can (with random things floating in it). Only candle light! It all was very surreal and very slow. I enjoyed it so much. I think I could get down on the farm for a long time.



Hope this summed up my last homestay in a not-too-boring way!

under the namibian sun

another fantastic weekend. can it get any better?

friday me and 5 of my friends rode out in our combi (van-ish "allibian!" type vehicle) with our driver joe in search of the world's tallest dunes in the namib desert.

the drive in was absolutely stunning. the sun was low and shining on the mountains in all the right places. we saw lots of wild baboons and they scattered up the mountain like spiders. it was so cool!

we decided to set up camp in a game park (makes sense) but we didn't want to pay for an actual campsite, so the side of the road looked pretty promising. (i like to think all the animals were hanging out in our campsite in the middle of the night). after we pitched the tents and made a bonfire, we were lucky enough to see a beautiful sunset over the mountain ranges, and pledged to wake up for the sunrise in the morning.

...

the alarm went off around 5, i think we mozied out of the tents around 6. we didn't exactly see the sunrise as planned, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

we ventured into sossusvlei park, home of the world's largest sand dunes. after driving the 20 km inbetween mounds and mounds of red sand, we had to park the car because the combi lacks the 4 wheel drive. we walked the last 5 km to the main dunes. it was quite a hike. we finally reached our destination and picked a dune to climb. it took us a good 3-4 hours to get to the top at noon (during the high sun. thanks heat). we had a picnic lunch at the peak and enjoyed the sights from up so high. we were surrounded by nothing but sand! literally, the desert. and it was so big! (which is crazy because the sahara is supposed 30x its size!)

we ran down the dune and it took us a good 5 minutes! (thats how flippin tall it was). we ended our jog down in "dead vlei," which is basically a dried up lake from 10s of thousands of years ago. lots of dead trees are in it and its almost like a ghost town. it is so eerie and cool and surrounded by so many sand dunes. it was an awesome sight! (until we tried to climb the trees and got tons of splinters. cool.)

becky and adela decided to pay teh N$60 to get a ride back in a safari vehicle to our car. just as the rest of us cheapies were about to embark on the long 5km walk back........ an angel came in the form of a friendly polish couple who offered us a ride. YES. the stars were aligning. we rode back and saw lots of animals along the way, included gemsbok, antelope, ostriches, and oryx! it all worked out so well. becky and adela even learned from their driver that we climbed the tallest sand dune in sossusvlei! the world's freakin TALLEST sand dune. sup.

we then drove to sesriem canyon, we put our swimsuits on and were all ready to jump into the water and rinse the sand out of hair (or at least try)... little did we remember that it is DRY SEASON. there was not a drop of water in the canyon. why are we blonde? it actually worked out though because we got to climb down into the canyon and creep around in the caves, have close encounters with baboons, and later snuck into a lodge's pool and swam before they kicked us out.

we camped out on the road again, this time in an area that was unfamiliar to all of us (including our driver). we heard jackal's howling in the night. and of course, after me and emily specifically told joe not to put the rain block on our tent so we could look at the stars through the roof, it rained in the middle of the night.

mind you, it has not rained a lick since we got here.

so funny.

after emily jumped out of the tent, grabbed the rain guard, and put it on, it stopped raining.

go figure.

:) this morning we traveled about another hour to a lodge with BIG CATS. we got to get up close and personal with 5 cheetahs, a leopard, and a caracal. i love cats in a way that is borderline obsessive. and these ones were no different! there were 2 wild cheetahs that we could stand about 5-10 ft from, the leopard was too wild to be in the same area as, and the caracal was chillin in a tree when we stopped by. then we had the chance to play, pet, snuggle 3 tame cheetahs- they licked our hands and sucked our thumbs and nuzzled their cute little heads. it was... AWESOME.

photographs: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001155&l=180a0&id=1166100002

and now a 3 week adventure lies ahead of me. my rural homestay starts on tuesday, which includes a week of no electricity, no toilets, and houses made of dried dung. can't wait to get down on the FARM! :) and week 2 we are traveling to etosha, the infamous game park in the north. hopefully i'll make friends with some giraffes, elephants, and zebras! and then week 3 i am going to victoria falls in zambia/zimbabwe, and to botswana for hopefully hippopotamus sightings.

i'll be back on oct 27. i won't have any access to internet or communication... so talk to you then!

love!

travel bug

i have woken entirely too early. 630 am? i think this is even before i would wake up during my dear old high school days. what has gotten into me!?

this has definitely been a good week thus far, save for the crapload of homework i keep hacking away at. i mean, i guess all my learning can't be "experiential," but come onnn.

sunday evening a boy in our group, jason, had the opportunity to play saxophone at one of the local theaters! it was so cool and jazzy and fun. he had met the band that was playing at a documentary viewing last week, and they offered for him to come and make a special guest appearance when they performed at the warehouse! he learned 6 brand spankin new songs in just two hours of rehearsal - talk about amazing. very lisa simpson of him.

monday i was able to meet with the Windhoek municipality and talk about housing plans. it was really interesting, and she was so hopeful and kind. she was trying to explain to me the government's involvement in the low income housing projects. it kind of frustrated me because the government thinks its okay for 400+ people to share 1 communal water tap and 1 communal toilet, which they don't even install for 2+ years because of the long process to get the plans approved. people here live without these needs turned luxuries for more than 2 years waiting on some signature? i think that is so wrong.

wednesday was just the same. i met with another group of shackers turned house owners and heard their stories. they are so tragic and beautiful at the same time. the settlements are so mind blowing. how can 5 pieces of scrap metal be a home? how can children play in dirt and litter and broken glass with no shoes?

in the afternoon, i was given the amazing opportunity to hang out with orphaned children and take them to the windhoek annual fair. it was all out of pocket, and we limited our spending to 10$ each, but i was willing to spend so much more for this little 7 year old girl. her name was mectilda (took me awhile to figure out how to pronounce that), and i tried to give her a 4 star experience. we looked at the huge livestock, got our faces painted, rode rides, jumped on the moon bounce, played games and won prizes! oh and ate cotton candy in excess. i could not think of a better way to spend the afternoon. i am going to try to volunteer at the orphanage more often (chi omega's- look for an article about this orphanage in the upcoming eulysius magazine!)

last night we attended a poetry slam/spoken word that is held the first wednesday of everymonth at the local cultural arts center. 5 americans from my group performed. danielle is a black woman with a lot of attitude and alot to say - you always want to be on her good side. she had two striking poems, one about the american government's apology for slavery, and the other about the stereotypes of a "ghetto girl." latrease recited her poem about "lyrical tissue," and how she is a phenomenal black woman, and how everything that comes out of her is worth writing down. both of them made it clear that no man is worth ruining their future for. melissa showed us a softer side. john made me laugh, talking about being "lost in katatura." heidi made me homesick for lakes and pine trees and cardinals. everyone did an amazing job, even if the namibians were kind of sore over our ample participation. meh. maybe they just don't speak up enough?

some of the other acts were definitely FLOWS rhymes spits whatever you want to call them, they were awesome... and kind of reminded me of mr. deeds and his greeting cards...

i guess i wish there were easy answers to all of this hate in the world.

go cubs.

world on fire

i decided to post some of my journal entries from class assignments.

i am semi-productive inbetween all of the kayaking with seals and free cell games. :)

Topic: What challenges have you faced through your internship?

Coming into my internship, I was very excited for the opportunity to meet and talk with real Namibians about the lives they lead here. I pictured myself visiting various settlements and low income housing projects around Windhoek, marching right up to some friendly strangers, and engaging in conversation about what they have overcome in their past, the challenges being faced in the present, and their hopes for the future. I was convinced that it was going to be the most enjoyable assignment of my life.
How silly I was to overlook potential obstacles, particularly concerning communication, (the part of the project I felt I had down pact before coming.) As if the general communication gap is not big enough, I am being exposed to people of impoverished histories, people whose right to attend school as children was not met. Their English skills are lacking if not non-existent, and I must use a translator in conversations.
I have only interviewed one group of people thus far, the Indeleni B Savings Scheme of Okahandja Park, and I have already learned so much about the beauty of interacting with humans face to face- the art of raw communication. In this day and age, I would be lying if I said I would love to chat with you in person, or even call you. Not hiding behind text messages, instant message, and e-mails? That idea sounds almost foreign to me. Everywhere I turn the internet is in my face. Online job applications are becoming even another avenue for the utilization of technology. Self check out at major superstores, online banking. The personal bubble of the average American is growing exponentially. It seems to increasingly be the norm to do things holed up in the privacy of your own home, and I have never really been one to notice or understand the detriments this lack of personal communication can have on a society. Then I come here, a place where community is prioritized and beautiful, where a bubble is practically fictional. Suddenly my individual comfort is confronted; I must break down these walls that our increasingly weighted online world has built.
As if improving my basic conversation skills is not enough, I am trying to do it with a culture where English is not the mother tongue. Recognizing the lack of familiar body language and expressions associated with casual conversation in the United States alone has made me fear for the worst- their dislike of me. I have oftentimes gotten a vibe of irritation from the people in regards to my presence; I pray that it is not because of my skin color, or my good intentions (is there such thing?). These people were forced to live in these awful slums because of white people like me, and their decision to promote their imposed superiority.
How wrong I was. The groups that I spoke to did not even want me to leave when I intended to- in fact, they offered for me to stay and share a cold traditional African drink with them. That is the funny thing about communication. It can be interpreted in infinite ways. These unfamiliar stepping grounds I am experiencing are not enough to make me think I am in over my head, but they are enough for me to accept the challenge, and to peruse forward with my head held high.

i left my heart in swakop

fresh out of the best weekend of my life, literally. i cannot recount on here how many times i simply threw my head back and laughed in overwhelming joy at how wonderful life can be.

after the long haul out there through nothing but desert, seeing the ocean was a fantastic of scenery. it is SO BIG and i could totally see brazil far on the other end. we ate dinner at a fancy pub on the ocean called "the lighthouse" and the food was amazing, capped off with a too chocolatey slice of delicious cake. i couldn't wait to get into that ocean water... so...

yup. we went skinny dipping. at 10 pm at night. hello atlantic, now that we're personal, lets be friends?

i can't believe i actually did that.

thursday was filled with even more adventures. the man in charge of the program here, urbanus dax, a pleasantly plump man who would make a great grandpa, actually has an elementary school named after him on the coast. we visited the school and heard about his work there in the 1990s. urb sure gets around. then we ventured to the world's largest uranium mine! to me, it looked just about the same as the rock quarry on i94, but i guess this was cooler. nuclear war is cool. or something.

we had a tour of swakop, through the black townships and to the ocean :) looks a little different during the day! we saw the hospital where angelina jolie adopted her namibia children. i did some shopping in the cute downtown shops and then we had a picnic on the beach, complete with cheese, crackers, salmon, and cheap wine. the sunset was absolutely phenomenal. we ended the night with a bonfire on the beach.

friday we traveled to walvis bay, the main port of namibia's coast, about 30 km south of swakopmund. we visited the municipality and heard some speakers talk about infrastructure, city planning, and environmental concerns. i really liked the building we were in because everything is themed around the ocean! lots of anchors and the like. we actually got to go to the harbor where all of the international ships come in. it was SO cool! i've never seen such big sea vessels. i felt like i was playing battleship when i looked out in the horizon. b12?

then we tackled dune 7, a popular attraction for silly tourists like myself. it was basically a giant sand dune, part of God's infinite sandbox. it made the dunes of lake michigan look like sand castles. after struggling to get to the top, i could hardly believe my eyes! there was sand everywhere! i really felt like i was starring in a real life version of aladdin, i thought for sure the cave of wonders was going to pop up in any second! we climbed all over the dunes, but my favorite part was the run down. you go so fast and can't help it! then you trip and fall and roll around and think its hilarious.

saturday will live in infamy. we woke up early to be picked up by leon, a native afrikaner namibian who was taken me and 7 of my friends to kayak in the ocean at a seal colony! we drove all the way out to "pelican point," which basically consisted of nothing but sand with water on both sides, it was so deserted. then we saw them - the SEALS. in the hundreds! so many seals! it is actually a safe haven for them because the water is too murky for sharks to see them - they have no natural enemies except death itself. we put on our water clothes and water shoes and pushed off shore. the uss happy feet, with captain megan lee and first mate rachel dahlgren was in action. the seals were everywhere, and so friendly and playful. they would come right up to us and bite on our paddles, look at us in the face and then splash water at us. they would jump and dive over the bow of our kayak and underneath it.

and it only got better!

we kayaked out into the deep waters (when was this a good idea? surrounded by nothing but the ocean in an 8 foot boat.. awesome) and then...... DOLPHINS JUMPED OUT OF THE WATER!!! ahh! dolphins!! freakin dolphins. i cannot explain my excitement at this. they were so beautiful. if we paddled fast enough, the dolphins would come up and swim in our wake, and RACE US! and win, because well, rach and i suck, but still! they were so cute! they would zigzag beneath our boat and then leap out of the water. i could not believe our amazing luck at seeing such graceful and beautiful creatures!

we also saw jellyfish as round as santa's belly. i called them my squishy. they were... awesome. and we saw pelicans! and jackals. i didn't like the jackals much though. they are lonely scavengers.

as if the day couldn't already be so freakin fabulous, i came back to the house and instantly left to ride a camel! it was hilarious. before we hopped on, the lady in charge wrapped our heads with traditional "egyptian" headgear. i looked pretty sweet. the camels were so amusing, very big and smelly. we strolled out into the desert and i felt like a real live vagabond, save for the man walking alongside us holding a leadrope.

that night i ate fish and chips in honor of my newfound love for the coast.

i am so thankful and blessed to have had such a glorious experience.

photographs:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001146&l=40ca3&id=1166100002

we're a group of 24 students ....

we had our first "other americans in namibia" encounter- meet ben and adam, graduates of the university of georgia who now lead a life of travel and documentary making all over southern africa. um hi? they generally come through windhoek for about a week every month so i'm looking forward to seeing them pretty regularly. it is surprisingly refreshing to meet people with similar senses of humor! everywhere else in the world hasn't quite caught on to the beauty of sarcasm.

besides them oftentimes creeping around the house, it has been a fairly uneventful couple of days. friday night we went out to eat at "joe's beerhouse," a *TOURIST MUST.* it was a restaurant set in the outdoors, very cabana-like, with a stream full of koi running through the middle and gravel for a floor. it was absolutely covered in jagermeister bottles, obviously some german owns the place. they even used the bottles as candlestick holders, which brings me to my next point- CLASS. haha. it was actually a pretty cool atmosphere, next time i go i am getting a sampler kabob with crocodile, kudu, oryx, gemsbok, and zebra meat! and then i'll probably vomit, and/or break out in a rash, whatevz.

we went DANCING on friday night- it was long overdue. there is nothing like going out with your friends and leaving your cares at the door. dancing here is alot different then dancing back home- i am convinced that namibians have an extra bone or are missing a bone because their legs and hips shake like no other, all the time! clubs crack me up really, all the lights and lasers and smoke. i think i want my house to have a club room someday (complete with bouncing floors).

saturday we had an "international picnic" with some finnish students and namibian students. it was set up by Taura, who I had heard so much about from Kim Haugen and Bret Hassler- it was nice to finally meet her! I have never met a young woman with such a unique and free spirit who wants nothing more to glorify God in all that she does. Her heart is about the size of Namibia! I am looking forward to spending more time with her this semester.

we had a silly pool day and played marco polo and did chicken fights. everyone came out with ambitions to read and be productive poolside but were suckered in, mwahaha. wasn't even mad. there's that good feeling about just jumping in thats hard to find elsewhere! we also ate ice cream out of the tub and had a bonfire with smores. let it be known, this place has the most wonderful assortment of marshmallows- including banana flavored. its true. it was definitely one of those days that you wished could go on forever.

i got to talk to my dad on the phone and wish him a happy birthday! it was so good to hear from him. he is having an okay time at the academy, and my brother is joining him this week. i guess june and carla have a shopping date in the meantime (i am so jealous!)

the highlight of my weekend was when we went to a place called "the funky lab" and the music video for "the boy is mine" by brandy came on. talk about a quality throw back.

this week should be a peach because we only have class til wednesday then we are traveling to the western coast, in swakopmund and walvis bay. i am excited to put my feet in the atlantic (since i have never!) and kayak with SEALS. fosho.

eat your heart out AFRICA

turns out i am not diseased. i went to the emergency room wednesday afternoon because all the doctors/dermatologists in the area decided to peace out when i needed them most. womp. but the medicenter was fine. the doctor didn't seem to interested in my (in my opinion) HORRIFIC rash and basically explained it was because i started eating meat again after being a vegetarian for so long.

i am not convinced.

so after a shot in the hiney and some prescription medication, i was on my way to hopefully a rashfree day. at least its not bed bugs, right? or some awkward disease that requires quarantining/deportation/etc. lets look at the bright side kids!

i'll let it be known that my new "lets have fun" policy is already off to a fabulous start. wednesday night rachel, cameron, and i spent a few hours trying to plan small trips for our upcoming free weekends. they are sure to include lots of hiking, wildlife hunting(imean seeking), picture taking, and adventures! there may or may not be snuggling with cheetahs involved, i will keep you posted. ;) then we laid out under the stars in the backyard and wished the windhoek city lights weren't so bright themselves. i am still a firm believer that the stars shine brightest at camp pendalouan, but am told when we do our rural homestay in a few weeks that it will be unbelievable.

history class on thursday was pretty amazing, we got to meet with a man who created the OPO, the Ovambo People's Organization, which played a major role in the liberation movement of natives in Namibia. He was an old man, pretty much baller status, and could honestly tell me what he did on (insert any day ages ago), including the temperature, how much money he spent, and what day it was (and do not worry, he often did tell us). I can hardly remember what I did last Wednesday, let alone the Wednesday of 1994.

Fall break plans are coming along nicely, and it looks as if I will be tackling the great, majestic, "Smoke that Thunders," aka Victoria Falls- one of the 7 wonders of the world. I cannot be more excited!

As for home updates, Dad (aka the birthday boy come Saturday!) is still at the academy and is homesick after 2 weeks of being gone! How cute haha. Mom says her new aerobic classes are kicking her butt and that she's already tired of playing "Mrs. DeWitt" at the Buckley Homestead "Sleepy Hollow" plays. :) Grandma is doing okay, and just had her kitchen repainted! I am excited to see it at Christmas. Cameron and I officially ended things(for now) BUT its okay. And Max lost a whisker (does that constitute a wish?).

Note to self: eating ice cream in zoo park is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and time you enjoy wasting is in fact not time wasted.

God's peace!

its official: womp.

6 reasons why I think Africa hates me

1. An entire bottle of maple syrup I brought from home broke and spilled in my luggage and all over my things

2. My grandfather passed away day 2 namibia

3. My keys magically disappeared/ran away/I can't find them

4. I keep getting electricuted when I take a shower or handwash my laundry.

5. I woke up with a DEATH EYE on friday (thank you dry weather).

6. I am currently dealing with BEDBUGS or chicken pox or AIDS?? or another sort of rash that seems to be spreading all over my body.


Thanks life.

On another note --

it is definitely good to be back home. monday night we had a sing along on the balcony and it was so beautiful out. we sang lots of church songs and also christmas songs. and RENT. and we ate obnoxious amounts of rice krispy treats.

i cannot sleep in my bed due to said possible bugs biting me whilst i slumber. last night i slept on the couch but a few girls dragged their beds to the common room to keep me company. we watched greys anatomy on dvd and did homework and facebooked.

i bought a beaded owl figurine at the market that is YELLOW AND RED and i am putting it in chi omega's chapter room when i come back. :)

adela and i had a "lets show each other pictures of all of our ex bf's" date and it was pretty hilarious.

i think i am just going to go to the doctor because i hate not knowing what this rash is and i want to get rid of it ASAP.

hey blackfoot!

"we have black feet!" < --- i love camp pendalouan.

i've realized blogging is a wonderful hobby, and now pledge to update more often, and not only when i am sitting at my internship, being useless. (tehe)

last week i got to eat pizzzza. mmm glorious pizza. however, it did not compare to when i was in china and ate at pizza hut, that was literally the best pizza i've ever had (especially after 3 weeks of fish heads and chicken feet and eels and live shrimp and the like). we also went and saw a live show at the "warehouse" by the rockets from cape town. it was a group of 5 older gentlemen who covered popular (albeit random) songs, including - selena and........ "time of your life" from dirty dancing. let it be known i was singing every word, despite the stares (not really sure if it was because i was the only white person in the venue or because i am awesome?)

the weekend lead to more adventures. my brother lorenzo and i drove around in his "bucky" (a small truck like automobile) and blasted jordin sparks, "no air" on repeat until we learned all the words... i love taking the long way home, windows down, feet on the dashboard. saturday i went shopping in town with my mom and i bought a winter jacket... before you question/hate, realize that everything for cold seasons is on clearance right now, and i will be able to use it come december! :) it is really quite lovely and reminds me rainy foggy london days. oh to be in london again.

we went to the market and bought alot of food for supper. we had a big gathering at the house for wedding planning. my older sister, gloria, is tying the knot in october. i really want to go to the wedding, but its during my 3 week fall break with the center. good grief. i wanted to partake in the wedding planning but having the women speak in english all the while was a tall order. so instead, i played with the kids, and watched madagascar. i really love that littlest lemur.

and before i knew it, it was sunday morning, when i had promised my family i would make a traditional american breakfast. i made pancakes and gave them a gift of maple syrup from the deep river park grist mill back in the 'bart. i don't think they really understood the concept, but thats fine. making pancakes from scratch is not so difficult, and i think next time i will experiment with extra goodies (aka chocolate chips, bananas, and peanutbutter).

we went swimming at the pool at my house and the kids had such a fun time. i hope that they come back later this semester. maybe we can have a picnic!!! although it was a little harder to say goodbye to my family than i thought it would be, i am overall glad to be done with my urban homestay. i do plan on keeping in touch with my family and seeing them a few more times before i leave namibia, but its definitely nice to be back with my friends at the center.

we all went out to celebrate our reunion, and to celebrate paul's 21st birthday!! hey-o. my first 21 year old party :) i got to buy him a drink :) we always go to this bar/hostel up the road called the cardboard box... and even though it is very chill and low key, i like it so much, mostly because we get to meet so many interesting people from all over the world midst their travels. they lead such exciting, nomadic lives, i hope i can do the same someday!

love and hugs to my loyal reader(s), if you are out there?

walalapo meimei u tatei!

I have learned two new languages since I've last posted! One with CLICKS called "damara/nama" and the other is called "Oshivambo." What a busy week we've had! I started my internship last Monday and was honestly disappointed. The organization I am working for is called the "Namibia Housing Action Group" under "Shack Dwellers Federation." As you can maybe deduce from the name, it is a low-income housing / micro credit finance group that helps the impoverished of Namibia to rise from the depths!! They teach the people their own means of daily savings and training so as to start their own private businesses. It is SUCH a cool idea and the people are really benefiting from it. However, I didn't have very much to do on my first day and my supervisor did not really have time to see me. When she did, she informed me of this ginormo project that I am in charge of completing during my time here. It is actually really awesome -- I have to go into the community and meet with people who are now living in homes versus their former shacks and find out about their lives. After collecting all the information I have to make a database of sorts that holds all of their testimonies. As awesome as it is, I am definitely overwhelmed -- there are nearly 300 projects! Over 1/3 of the population of Namibia is considered "extremely poor." I may have the chance to talk to most of the them!

On Tuesday we had a "group retreat" and went to a resort outside of Windhoek. It was in the mountains and very beautiful! They had some game roaming about including monkeys, kudu, horses, and... CATS. YAy! :) The kudu was tame and really quite friendly. It is a type of large deer-ish animal thing. I took lots of pictures :) We did a lot of "group building activities" including... egg on the spoon race! Yes! My team didn't win but it was a valiable effort... We also shared "life stories" with each other, trying to explain our identity in 5-10 minutes. It was really interesting to learn more about the people I am sharing this experience with. Mine of course included when Steven Plucevsky threw a worm on me in Kindergarten and when I beat Dexter Larimore (2006 National Heavyweight champion / OSU football player) in arm wrestling in 3rd grade. Just kidding. Though those seem to be very memorable times in my life.

Juuust kidding... :) I mostly talked about the "bubble" I feel that I lived in before college, and how my eyes have really opened since coming to Valpo. I am now a woman who makes my own opinions, free of the influence of my parents, my friends, and my home church. And I am much happier now. I now realize that my privilege lends me a responsibity to help those who are less fortunate than me, and I am on the road of a humbled servant of God in the world promoting awareness and change.

We started our classes this week, and although they are everyday for four hours, they don't seem to be terribly boring or impossible. I have quite a bit of work on my hands already, and frankly, I just want to hang out in the sun and enjoy my time here, not keep my nose in a book. On the other hand, I love doing well in school, so I am combining the two -- reading by the pool. Ah, the life.

Our second homestays began and I have a pretty B.A. family. They're almost like hippie throwbacks, my brother has dreads and my mom is always wearing tie-dye. Everyone room in their house is a different BRIGHT color, serious hot pink and sunflower yellow. My room is pink :) They are very devout Christians and love to talk about their faith, which is really inspiring! I also have a little brother named Damian who is a hyper little bugger. He is pretty infatuated with me and loves waking me up in the morning by jumping into bed with me... and then poking me til I come alive... Haha. He is a treat. The only downside is they basically won't let me continue my meat-free diet! Bah. On Friday, we had a traditional "braii" (barbeque) and they cooked tons of steak, pork, and sausage... then gave me a heaping plate and watched me eat it. Haha. I really don't mind at all, I knew coming here that being a veggie might pose some problems.. and honestly, the meat here is yummy... and hasn't made me sick... yet. :)

Saturday we went to a 21st birthday party in Rehoboth, a town about 80 km from here. I guess 21 is a big deal here as well because you are "officially" an adult. The party was dolphin themed? And everything was pink and blue... looked like a baby shower to me.

There are many people who live in the house that I am staying in, and it is so much fun! I love playing with the kids, even if they ask me "why I'm not black." Haha. We also have puppies!!!! Who are crazy and fun. And there is a man here who plays guitar and piano.. I am going to go see him play this week. There is also talk of going to a pizza place later and watching pirates of the caribbean 3! Speaking of television, my family watches the most awkward soap opera called "The Woman of My Life." I think its originally in spanish and its dubbed over in English, everyone's names are like "Barnita" and "Pedro." And its super awkward and the acting is ... good... When I meet up with CGE friends at the house, we all talk about what Esperanza did the night before (how could she?!) or how hot Eduardo looked in his button down shirt with the top buttons undone... all the families just love that weird show.

I started traveling with my internship to speak with people in shantytowns. I have to have a translator come and help me, which is actually really awkward. I have never dealt with translators before. I initially felt very uncomfortable talking to the people, I felt like they all stared at me grumpily during our conversation. But alas, my discomfort was unjustified - before I left, they asked me to stay and share a "traditional african drink" with them... it had corn in it. 'Nough said. :)

My homestay ends on Sunday and I am happy for it to come to a close. Although I enjoy my family, I really love my CGE house and friends more :) I have been able to talk pretty regularly to my good friends from home so that is exciting, even the ones who are abroad! (I want to go to Europe!!!!) Feel free to drop me an email @ megan.lee@valpo.edu because I would love to hear from you :)

some photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001124&l=84655&id=1166100002

its sabona!

day 5 of namibia and i can already say i feel at home : ) we've had quite a few adventures over the past couple of days. on thursday, we went on a tour of the city. we visited a few graveyards, learned about palm trees, and discovered a history as young and alive as south africa's. i tried a fried worm (blech. tasted like the butt of a tree). we also tried fatcakes, which is basically a ball of that delicious greasy elephant ear dough... an all natural energy drink with sorghum in it... and fresh steak! as in, every morning, the market people collect some cows, kill them, and serve them throughout the day. they were butchering the pieces of meat right in the middle of all the market hustle and bustle, and of course there were flies everywhere... but- the meat tasted super good!

i also got a phone call at the house from my parents! it was so good to hear from them. i miss them everyday and wish they could come travel with me!! of course it was very difficult to hear the news about my grandfather... i have kind of been a mess all week over it. but, the people of my group were very caring and understanding, they gave me a card and some flowers... i just wish more than anything i could've been home to be with my family. i wanted to give everyone a hug, and just be there. it is so hard to think about... regardless, i was so pleased to talk to my june and dad, and look forward to our next phone conversation!

friday during the day we went on a "quest" of sorts through katatura -- the poorer township of windhoek. it was really interesting- i saw people kill a chicken! and pluck its feathers! and i then wanted to vom, obvi. haha. it was sad/gross/etc. and the chickens literally do move without their heads attached. what is that about? freaks. we also saw a live music group that had percussion instruments strapped to their ankles, so they would stomp around and make beats. it was awesome. we had a meeting regarding our first day at our internships... yikes- they start monday! i think i am ready. i am a little apprehensive but i am sure it will go well.

friday night nearly everyone in the group went up the street to our "local bar hangout" - the cardboard box. its actually a backpacker's hostel so there are a lot of travelin joe's walking around. it was nice to have some free, fun time with the group instead of the always "academic" learning things. we talked to a few of the people about their travels and their lives sound so exotic and adventurous. hi?

saturday i woke up early and went on a big hike up a mountain! it turned out to be quite the adventure. the mountain looked a lot closer than it actually was when we set out. but we were determined! we were off the "beaten path" to put it nicely- aka no trails whatsoever, we just walked through the brush and dry grasses and thorn bushes. it was so worth it though. we saw no animals, but we did see lots of different animal poops. it was so cool to be in the middle of the african wilderness! and the view from the mountain was phenomenal. as much fun as the hike there was, it was a lot more difficult to get back. we didn't really have a focal point/destination like the mountain on the way there... needless to say, we took the "scenic route," and eventually (after a few failed hitchhiking attempts) took a taxi home. hehe!

we met with students from the university of namibia, and had some awesome conversations about life in namibia and how it differs from life in america. it is amazing to learn their stereotypes of life in america - all glamour and glitter and ritz and famous people, new york and l.a. and all that jazz. yes, that is our country as a whole- i mean what? thats just nonsense... but i guess it is what our media portrays to the rest of the world. we talked alot about religion in africa, the aids / hiv epidemic, homosexuality, student life, etc. it was very interesting!

sunday we shopped around town and had a picnic in the parliament gardens. i saw naked, traditional african people covered from head to toe in red mud, and they tried selling me stuff, but i couldn't focus on their products, i was so weirded out haha. i handwashed my laundry and for some reason kept getting electricuted by the faucet- it was so weird! we have a very busy week ahead of us - starting our internships, classes, even our urban homestay. its a little overwhelming, but i'm sure once we get into the swing of things, it will all be fine and dandy. can't wait for what this week has in store!

to jane

From my journal - 14 August 2008

"It is so different entering nursing homes when you're not going to sing with Sweetwine. I always loved going and talking with all of the residents- but its so different if you can recognize a face. I wish more than anything that Grandpa was doing better. I cannot say that me and my grandpa are the closest of buddies, but I still have so many fond memories of him - like his delicious hash browns and his unconditional love for Grandma (and stray cats). Mom keeps telling me this will be the last time I see him and its hard to imagine him not sitting at the head of the table at holiday meals. When we got to the nursing home, he was doing surprisingly better than anyone had expected. He was sitting up and eating a classy hospital special- salisbury steak... It breaks my heart I won't be here for my dad should he pass away in my absence. Grandma was overwhelmingly positive, telling Grandpa to "eat up so he can get all better." I hope there is truth in her hopes!! I once again realized my mom is the most beauitful and giving person in the entire world- I know Grandpa appreciated all of the back rubs and attention and foot massages.... I think Grandpa remembers me though. Maybe not the 18-21 year old me but I think he sees a little blonde curly haired girl in his memories. He definitely remembers Dad- I will never forget when they made eye contact and both smiled today. I told Grandma I was going to bring her an elephant home from Africa and she said "I hope you mean an elephant ear!" Haha. So cute. It was very hard to say goodbye to both Grandma and Grandpa. Although, I promised Grandpa he would meet Cameron at Christmas - and I mean it."

Rest in peace Grandpa Carl, I love you and know you're with me.

jo burg and the what what

Jambo from Africa! I hope that this blog can be used as a means of keeping in touch with my loved ones and all the people I care about. Feel free to check it out at your convenience. I will try to update regularly on my adventures :)

The flight to Africa was so long! I flew from Chicago to Washington DC to NYC to Daqar then to Johannesburg. I was so excited to arrive I could hardly stand it! Sadly, it was dark when we arrived and the drive to our hostel was fairly uneventful - so hard to see anything. The city lit up at night was beautiful though :) The hostel we stayed at was actually a Catholic nunnery of sorts. It was really pleasant, with a big courtyard with lots of trees. Except- the trees have no leaves!! Because its winter here!! Who would have thought? I have spent the last week in scarves and sweaters... Darn my stereotypes of Africa being a hot tamale... womp.

The majority of our time in Joburg was dedicated to hearing various speakers from different institutions. We heard from the opposing political parties, a council of churches, even the US Embassy! It was really interesting to learn about the history of South Africa, particularly apartheid. It is so unique to hear people tell testimonies of their struggles during the liberation movement of the 1970s, it makes history almost come alive.

We saw some devastating parts of the city. I have never seen poverty to this degree in my life- literally shacks, or shantytowns, or whatever you want to call it. Six to eight people living in small houses made of tin, covered in scraps of garbage to keep the cold out, and gated with barbed wire. It is pretty unreal to see it all, especially when it is less then a kilometer (yes, the metric system) away from the richest township of Joburg, Standton. I cannot say I really dislike Standton though- mainly because when me and my friends ate lunch there last Friday, a man at the bar offered to buy our lunch. Yeah!!! I suddenly regretted not ordering dessert.. haha.

Regardless of the overwhelming poverty, the people are generally happy. Especially the children. They are loving and very friendly. There is a unique sense of character and integrity about the people I have met thus far. However, I would not say that these are a people of much hope. Not for a hope in the short term sense anyway.

I celebrated the big 21 in Joburg!! I was really un-excited to celebrate it with people I hardly knew but I was so wrong. My group is full of amazing individuals and I feel so lucky to be able to share this experience with them! Most are very camp counselor-ish and share alot of my passions for mankind. Anywho, at midnight, they all jumped on my bed and wished me a "Happy Birthday!" And two of my friends bought me my first drink at the theater that night :) Too fun!

Besides listening to lectures from people, we got to do a homestay in Soweto for the weekend. It was an amazing experience! My friend Melissa and I were assigned to stay with this old woman and her two daughters. The old woman, Ma Chanza, was literally - definition batty old lady. But one thing is for sure (you can ask my waistline) the woman knows how to and loves to cook (she even taught me a thing or two... i think i'm ready for top chef). She fed and fed and fed us. She was the neighborhood "social butterfly" so I got to meet alot of really cool people throughout the weekend- house doors here just stay open and friends pop in and out as they please. The sense of community is beautiful!

We had alot of adventures over the weekend homestay. I went clubbing for the first time in Africa- all I can say is- WOW. I already knew I can't dance, but I didn't realize how bad I was. But, I met some really cool locals, and road a motorcycle for the first time! (Sorry Danny!) And I started a bar fight!! Yikes. Some random man wanted to touch my hair and I said no awkwardly and turned around... then I guess another man came up to him and was like "Leave her alone! BAH!" And... then there were bottles breaking... and so on. It was pretty hilarious/scary/we left immediately.

Sunday morning, instead of going to church, we went to a funeral. Talk about a unique experience. It was basically the polar opposite of everything at an American wedding - there was loud singing and dancing. People were stomping their feet and banging their hands on the roof of the bus (yes, bus. the family rents a huge travel bus to cart the people from the house/service to the graveyard). The man had died from AIDs. It was incredibly sad.

On a lighter note, we finally arrived in Namibia today! Even though I truly enjoyed my time in Johannesburg, it is nice to get away from that big grubby city scene. When our plane landed, I literally thought we were getting dropped off in the middle of no where, Africa. Complete wilderness! Save for the WILD BABBOONS I SAW (<-- highlight of day). The city we're staying in, Windhoek, seems quite lovely, and I can't wait to get to know it better. Our house is basically LARGE and Real World-esque. There is even a pool (which I plan to do homework by, often). I live in a small room though with 5 other girls.. yikes. And there alot of rules concerning internet usage... blah. Including not using Skype, which was essentially my main source for contacting friends back home. Grrr!

Tonight a musical culture group welcomed us here with a performance of song and dance. It was very traditional and sounded like the soundtrack of the lion king :) We of course sang and danced along...

I know this blog post is more like a novel but I had so much to fill you in on. :)
AND... I hope this post finds you all in good health and high spirits. :)

I'll upload pictures as soon as I can!

God's peace!