I leave Namibia tomorrow. I can not 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 will spend a week in Cape Town before travelling back to the States. While I am looking forward to coming home I am sad about leaving Namibia and the 'family' I have created 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. But the day was pretty perfect and it made me realize how much I have come to love the people I have spent the past months with. We are a truly diverse group of individuals but have somehow managed to forge incredible friendships. I thought clicks would form and that it would be impossible for all 24 people to get along. This group proved me wrong. There were some skirmishes through out the semester but nothing substantial.
We have had so much fun together. You can only imagine the ways we created to entertain ourselves this semester! We played games, sang, told stories, danced, swam, went out, and just enjoyed walking around Windhoek. I will really miss the people I live with!
I came to Namibia not knowing what to expect. I had done a lot of research about the history and politics of the region but nothing could have prepared me. Namibia is a gorgeous country and it is filled with incredible 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 uber 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 act as a watch dog and ensure issues are addressed.
The history of Namibia is violent and turbulent. The people were oppressed for over a century and Namibia is just beginning to recover from Apartheid. Namibia is a fragile democracy with a weak civil society. But 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 convinces. But 10 minutes outside the city center people live in tin shacks and scramble for water. 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. I truly believe Namibia will become one of Africa's greatest success if it can create a solid opposition party and move past its colonial and apartheid history.
Namibia has changed me in ways I can not even begin to describe. I have seen what poverty and despair look like. I have seen children dying of HIV/AIDS. I witnessed democracy in action. I have seen communities striving to do better. 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 every person.
I will write more about my adventures in Cape Town but I can not wait to see everyone when I come home!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Southern Namibia
Hello! Last week we travelled approximately 5 hours south of Windhoek for the weekend. The South is very different from Windhoek and the "North" in terms of population. Situated in the middle of the Namib desert the South is very hot, very dry, and very sparsely populated. It is a very poor region and many people blame the ruling party, SWAPO, for this. SWAPO was formed originally to represent the Ovambo people but changed its focus in the 1960s to include the entire nation. SWAPO is the liberation party and has ruled the country since liberation in 1990. Since the majority of the population is in the North, and are Ovambo, the Nama people in the South believe development projects and resources have only been given to the North and it has caused tension among the regions and tribes.
We went to the South to study tourism and its effect on development. The first night we stayed at a government ran campground at the Hardop Dam which is the largest dam in Namibia. It was nice and included facilities and picnic tables. The following night we travelled to Berseba which is a community ran campground. The term campground is very generous. There were no facilities and no flat, clear areas for our tents. But the campground is situated at the base of a very cool crater. The 'mountain' is a volcano that scientists believe never erupted and the magnum just went back into the earth. There was a very primitive trail that we were able to take over the top of the mountain and into the crater. The hike took approximately 4 hours and was very fun!! I will post pictures on my Picasa site today for you to see.
The greatest part of being in Berseba was meeting the local Aids action group at the high school. This group of students, primarily women, are working very hard to bridge stereo-types and inform the community about HIV/AIDS. We spent the afternoon with them and taught them new ways to teach HIV/AIDS awareness. It was very productive and I learned SO much from them. One of the hardest barriers to HIV/AIDS to break down is gender inequality. Women bear the brunt of HIV/AIDS and it seriously hinders their development. Also, there is a large occurrence of domestic violence and rapes in Namibia. This is attributed to the stark poverty and limited opportunities in the region. I learn so much from talking to students across Namibia. The younger generation is full of hope and very active in ensuring Namibia concurs HIV/AIDS during their lifetime.
The final night was spent at a private lodge. The difference between the previous 2 nights was tremendous. While we still camped the lodge offered all the amenities of a resort in the States. It was a very educational weekend. Namibia is relying a lot on tourism for its future development and prior to coming here I believed tourism was a great place to start. As with everything I have learned about development there are negatives to tourism and tourism is not the 'big' answer. Development is not simple and there is not one path to achieving sustainable development. This program has done an excellent job at forcing us to think critically about issues and ideas and not accepting an easy answer.
This is our last week of classes in Windhoek. We leave Windhoek in 10 days for Cape Town and then I come home on December 8th. I am very anxious to get out of this heat and back to a Colorado winter (Lets just avoid Wisconsin until absolutely necessary...brrr!). My internship at the Electoral Commission of Namibia ended today. I have spent the past 3 months working with the democracy division on voter education and registration. It was not always fun and never easy but I enjoyed it. Interning with a foreign government is very enlightening and, at times, frustrating. I was the odd person out and stood out like a sore thumb. The people worked very hard to make me feel comfortable and to educate me about their democracy. I shortlisted job applicants, compiled and edited their quarterly magazine, created posters, attended voter education meetings, summarized reports, and wrote a contract for a media company. I still am not sure how/why the contract I wrote is being used but I was with them today when the ECN and the media group signed it. Hopefully, looking up contracts online and copying the general idea will be sufficient but its hardly a professional document. I believe I will bring a copy home to have my Dad read. I am sure he will laugh hysterically! But over all, my time at the ECN was remarkable and I truly enjoyed seeing the dedication to free and fair elections.
I am working a lot on finishing my integrative project for next week. I am creating a political party that I believe will have the resources and ideas ideas to lead Namibia into the future. I am enjoying the process but creating a political manifesto is a lot of work!!
I will post again shortly. We are all just trying to see and experience everything before we leave!! I am getting very anxious to get out of this heat! Its insane! Hopefully, Cape Town will be a little bit cooler! They are also rewiring our house right now so we rarely have electricity during the day which means no cold drinks....ahh the joys of living in a developing country! Stay safe and I will see you all in a few weeks!
We went to the South to study tourism and its effect on development. The first night we stayed at a government ran campground at the Hardop Dam which is the largest dam in Namibia. It was nice and included facilities and picnic tables. The following night we travelled to Berseba which is a community ran campground. The term campground is very generous. There were no facilities and no flat, clear areas for our tents. But the campground is situated at the base of a very cool crater. The 'mountain' is a volcano that scientists believe never erupted and the magnum just went back into the earth. There was a very primitive trail that we were able to take over the top of the mountain and into the crater. The hike took approximately 4 hours and was very fun!! I will post pictures on my Picasa site today for you to see.
The greatest part of being in Berseba was meeting the local Aids action group at the high school. This group of students, primarily women, are working very hard to bridge stereo-types and inform the community about HIV/AIDS. We spent the afternoon with them and taught them new ways to teach HIV/AIDS awareness. It was very productive and I learned SO much from them. One of the hardest barriers to HIV/AIDS to break down is gender inequality. Women bear the brunt of HIV/AIDS and it seriously hinders their development. Also, there is a large occurrence of domestic violence and rapes in Namibia. This is attributed to the stark poverty and limited opportunities in the region. I learn so much from talking to students across Namibia. The younger generation is full of hope and very active in ensuring Namibia concurs HIV/AIDS during their lifetime.
The final night was spent at a private lodge. The difference between the previous 2 nights was tremendous. While we still camped the lodge offered all the amenities of a resort in the States. It was a very educational weekend. Namibia is relying a lot on tourism for its future development and prior to coming here I believed tourism was a great place to start. As with everything I have learned about development there are negatives to tourism and tourism is not the 'big' answer. Development is not simple and there is not one path to achieving sustainable development. This program has done an excellent job at forcing us to think critically about issues and ideas and not accepting an easy answer.
This is our last week of classes in Windhoek. We leave Windhoek in 10 days for Cape Town and then I come home on December 8th. I am very anxious to get out of this heat and back to a Colorado winter (Lets just avoid Wisconsin until absolutely necessary...brrr!). My internship at the Electoral Commission of Namibia ended today. I have spent the past 3 months working with the democracy division on voter education and registration. It was not always fun and never easy but I enjoyed it. Interning with a foreign government is very enlightening and, at times, frustrating. I was the odd person out and stood out like a sore thumb. The people worked very hard to make me feel comfortable and to educate me about their democracy. I shortlisted job applicants, compiled and edited their quarterly magazine, created posters, attended voter education meetings, summarized reports, and wrote a contract for a media company. I still am not sure how/why the contract I wrote is being used but I was with them today when the ECN and the media group signed it. Hopefully, looking up contracts online and copying the general idea will be sufficient but its hardly a professional document. I believe I will bring a copy home to have my Dad read. I am sure he will laugh hysterically! But over all, my time at the ECN was remarkable and I truly enjoyed seeing the dedication to free and fair elections.
I am working a lot on finishing my integrative project for next week. I am creating a political party that I believe will have the resources and ideas ideas to lead Namibia into the future. I am enjoying the process but creating a political manifesto is a lot of work!!
I will post again shortly. We are all just trying to see and experience everything before we leave!! I am getting very anxious to get out of this heat! Its insane! Hopefully, Cape Town will be a little bit cooler! They are also rewiring our house right now so we rarely have electricity during the day which means no cold drinks....ahh the joys of living in a developing country! Stay safe and I will see you all in a few weeks!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Namibian Prespective on the USA Elections 2008
From the time we landed in Jo'burg in August we have been asked by almost every person we met what our views are on the Presidential Election. Does Obama really have a chance? Would America elect a black man? Does America care about the world? Why do you think American democracy is the only democracy?
However, these conversations are never typical. The people here are more informed about the issues than many Americans; both domestic and international policies. To the people of Namibia, and in developing nations across the world, what America does directly impacts their life. I had never understood the power of the United States until I came abroad. People here actively follow our economy and politics. Sadly, most people in Namibia fear our government and consider the United States one of the greatest threats to their democracy and growth. This can be attributed to the foreign policy designed and carried out by the Bush administration and the conditionalites imposed by the United States through International Financial Institutions.
Most of you know how disappointed I was to miss this election. I feared that I would miss out on the emotional impact of this historic election. I have also worked with the Obama campaign at Beloit and was disappointed that I would not be able to 'make a difference'. Yet, I feel completely invigorated and grateful to see the 2008 Election through the worlds view.
Everyday there is coverage in Namibian press about the election. People discussed it constantly. Thankfully, our program director fixed our TV last week. Its the first time it has worked since we have been in Windhoek!! We were able to watch CNN International and other local programs discussing the election! I was amazed to see that the only news on TV this past week was coverage of the US elections. There is a potential civil war in the Congo and continued disruptions in Zimbabwe but the only thing discussed was our elections. I truly was ignorant about the impact the USA has on the world.
People in Namibia strongly supported Obama. Not only because he is black but because they believe he will listen to the developing nations concerns and needs. Namibians see Obama as a diplomat that they do not need to fear.
Last night our group went to the US Cultural Center downtown. The Cultural Center is an extension office of the US Embassy in Windhoek and we were invited to watch news coverage of the election with fellow Americans. It was very neat to attend this event. The center was covered in red, white, and blue and had an equal number of McCain and Obama signs. Abroad, the Embassies and their employees do not endorse any candidate or party. Instead, they endorse the democratic process. We only stayed for a couple hours but I will never forget the excitement of watching an election abroad. Many Namibians attended too and it was great to hear their views not only on politics but on the electoral system.
Of course, a few of us stayed up ALL night to watch the results come in. At 6am we witnessed, with the world, the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America. We were all inspired and in awe of our country. After spending 3 months in a region that fears American Democracy and struggling to defend our country against critics we finally felt proud and honored to be Americans in Namibia. Most of us cried during the acceptance speech.
It wasn't too long after the results came in that people driving by our house began to honk and cheer. Windhoek is a small city and everyone in our neighboorhood knows Americans live here. As I was walking to my internship this morning with my Obama pin attached to my bag I could not stop smiling. People on the street smiled at me and kept saying, "Obama!". At one point a woman, dressed in traditional Herero clothes, walked past me then came back. She touched my arm and pulled me into a hug. She kissed my check and said, "Thank you. Thank you so very much my Dear". I just stood in the middle of the sidewalk on Independence Avenue and soaked up the significance of electing Obama as the President of the USA. At the Electoral Commission people congratulated me on the success of the elections; they were free and fair. An older gentleman came in just shaking his head. He kept saying, " A black man is the most powerful man in the world. I never thought I would see this day". He spent his life living under apartheid.
Namibians are rejoicing right now. In part because of Obama's ancestry and, in part, because they are optimistic about the future of the world. Our decision to elect Obama has reassured the world about our commitment to democracy, equality, and freedom. The attitude towards America abroad was changed in an instant. People are no longer afraid; they are excited. People view America as an ally again instead of the enemy.
Who knows how long this attitude will last. President Elect Obama is only one man but the dream of his presidency has inspired the world. America effects the lives of people around the world. It is nearly impossible to describe the elation seen by Namibians today. I am inspired by their thoughtful and careful analysis of the issues and their continued commitment to democracy. Witnessing a Presidential election abroad was one of the most exciting and influential events of my trip. I felt a connection to every person today and realized how small the world is. One event can change the course of history. I believe we changed the direction of the world today with a simple election. Its an honor to be an American abroad right now and be allowed the opportunity to discuss why the United States is such an incredible country with exceptional ideals.
However, these conversations are never typical. The people here are more informed about the issues than many Americans; both domestic and international policies. To the people of Namibia, and in developing nations across the world, what America does directly impacts their life. I had never understood the power of the United States until I came abroad. People here actively follow our economy and politics. Sadly, most people in Namibia fear our government and consider the United States one of the greatest threats to their democracy and growth. This can be attributed to the foreign policy designed and carried out by the Bush administration and the conditionalites imposed by the United States through International Financial Institutions.
Most of you know how disappointed I was to miss this election. I feared that I would miss out on the emotional impact of this historic election. I have also worked with the Obama campaign at Beloit and was disappointed that I would not be able to 'make a difference'. Yet, I feel completely invigorated and grateful to see the 2008 Election through the worlds view.
Everyday there is coverage in Namibian press about the election. People discussed it constantly. Thankfully, our program director fixed our TV last week. Its the first time it has worked since we have been in Windhoek!! We were able to watch CNN International and other local programs discussing the election! I was amazed to see that the only news on TV this past week was coverage of the US elections. There is a potential civil war in the Congo and continued disruptions in Zimbabwe but the only thing discussed was our elections. I truly was ignorant about the impact the USA has on the world.
People in Namibia strongly supported Obama. Not only because he is black but because they believe he will listen to the developing nations concerns and needs. Namibians see Obama as a diplomat that they do not need to fear.
Last night our group went to the US Cultural Center downtown. The Cultural Center is an extension office of the US Embassy in Windhoek and we were invited to watch news coverage of the election with fellow Americans. It was very neat to attend this event. The center was covered in red, white, and blue and had an equal number of McCain and Obama signs. Abroad, the Embassies and their employees do not endorse any candidate or party. Instead, they endorse the democratic process. We only stayed for a couple hours but I will never forget the excitement of watching an election abroad. Many Namibians attended too and it was great to hear their views not only on politics but on the electoral system.
Of course, a few of us stayed up ALL night to watch the results come in. At 6am we witnessed, with the world, the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America. We were all inspired and in awe of our country. After spending 3 months in a region that fears American Democracy and struggling to defend our country against critics we finally felt proud and honored to be Americans in Namibia. Most of us cried during the acceptance speech.
It wasn't too long after the results came in that people driving by our house began to honk and cheer. Windhoek is a small city and everyone in our neighboorhood knows Americans live here. As I was walking to my internship this morning with my Obama pin attached to my bag I could not stop smiling. People on the street smiled at me and kept saying, "Obama!". At one point a woman, dressed in traditional Herero clothes, walked past me then came back. She touched my arm and pulled me into a hug. She kissed my check and said, "Thank you. Thank you so very much my Dear". I just stood in the middle of the sidewalk on Independence Avenue and soaked up the significance of electing Obama as the President of the USA. At the Electoral Commission people congratulated me on the success of the elections; they were free and fair. An older gentleman came in just shaking his head. He kept saying, " A black man is the most powerful man in the world. I never thought I would see this day". He spent his life living under apartheid.
Namibians are rejoicing right now. In part because of Obama's ancestry and, in part, because they are optimistic about the future of the world. Our decision to elect Obama has reassured the world about our commitment to democracy, equality, and freedom. The attitude towards America abroad was changed in an instant. People are no longer afraid; they are excited. People view America as an ally again instead of the enemy.
Who knows how long this attitude will last. President Elect Obama is only one man but the dream of his presidency has inspired the world. America effects the lives of people around the world. It is nearly impossible to describe the elation seen by Namibians today. I am inspired by their thoughtful and careful analysis of the issues and their continued commitment to democracy. Witnessing a Presidential election abroad was one of the most exciting and influential events of my trip. I felt a connection to every person today and realized how small the world is. One event can change the course of history. I believe we changed the direction of the world today with a simple election. Its an honor to be an American abroad right now and be allowed the opportunity to discuss why the United States is such an incredible country with exceptional ideals.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The normal routine
I thought I would give you all a brief glimpse of my 'average' week in Namibia. As I was reading through my blog I realized that I have been highlighting all the amazing aspects of my trip and neglecting my daily life!
The worst part about my trip is my inability to sleep past 6am usually I am up and about by 5:45! But its actually OK since this is the only time the house is quite and I am able to get some work done and take a shower before everyone else wakes up. However, I no longer cringe when both showers are being used, someone is using the toilet, and someone is brushing their teeth at one sink and someone is applying makeup at the other. Its all a part of the experience of having 24 people share 2 bathrooms! The only thing that dampers my enthusiasm in the morning is having to make myself a cup of instant coffee...
On Mondays, I spend the entire day at my internship. I have learned SO much at the ECN but I still have not contributed a lot to the organization. I have labeled myself an 'observer' and I have become more comfortable with my role. I also spend the morning at the ECN on Wednesday.
I have normal classes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I am taking a history course, a development course, and a political science course. We meet from 9-1pm once a week. Usually, we have speakers and go on 'field-trips' but sometimes we have to endure a 4 hour lecture! Most of our afternoons are free but on Tuesday I have a 2 hour internship course as well.
I did not think that my courses here would be that intensive. I was mistaken. Last week I gave 2 presentations, wrote a blog entry, and turned in 4 papers! Luckily, it was the most intense week of the semester. I still have to complete my integrative project and a few more papers. For my project, 30% of my grade in every course, I am going to create my own political party that I feel has the best chance of solving the political, economic, and health issues facing Namibia. It should be a very intriguing assignment.
Most afternoons are spent doing homework, hanging out with friends, and taking walks. We have explored almost every nook and cranny of Windhoek. Most often, we walk about 10 minutes to Wernhill Mall and the grocery store. I have also spent a lot of time window shopping. As for the 'nightlife' in Windhoek it is limited. There is a backpackers place right up the street that we go to a lot. Its called 'the Box' and has become our common hang out spot. On the weekends there are 3 clubs that people go to but I have not gone yet.
On Saturday mornings a few of us tend to go a place called 'Mugg and Bean'. Its one of the only places I can get real coffee! Afterwards we walk around, go to a park, or find something new to do. Last night, we went out to dinner than went to a concert. Sundays are my lazy days. I tend to do laundry, organize, and then relax at the pool for the rest of the day.
Life in Windhoek is pretty wonderful. I have loved getting to know this city and feeling like I am a part of it! My daily routine is pretty boring with out all the distractions of home. I have no meetings, television, car, or phone to help pass the time. We play a lot of games, watch movies, and spend time at our computers.
I only have 5 weeks left in Southern Africa before I come home! I am not letting myself think too much of home but there are a few things I can not wait for: a glass of cold skim milk, ice water, my own room, real coffee, Target, tortilla chips, salsa, and my family!!
The worst part about my trip is my inability to sleep past 6am usually I am up and about by 5:45! But its actually OK since this is the only time the house is quite and I am able to get some work done and take a shower before everyone else wakes up. However, I no longer cringe when both showers are being used, someone is using the toilet, and someone is brushing their teeth at one sink and someone is applying makeup at the other. Its all a part of the experience of having 24 people share 2 bathrooms! The only thing that dampers my enthusiasm in the morning is having to make myself a cup of instant coffee...
On Mondays, I spend the entire day at my internship. I have learned SO much at the ECN but I still have not contributed a lot to the organization. I have labeled myself an 'observer' and I have become more comfortable with my role. I also spend the morning at the ECN on Wednesday.
I have normal classes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I am taking a history course, a development course, and a political science course. We meet from 9-1pm once a week. Usually, we have speakers and go on 'field-trips' but sometimes we have to endure a 4 hour lecture! Most of our afternoons are free but on Tuesday I have a 2 hour internship course as well.
I did not think that my courses here would be that intensive. I was mistaken. Last week I gave 2 presentations, wrote a blog entry, and turned in 4 papers! Luckily, it was the most intense week of the semester. I still have to complete my integrative project and a few more papers. For my project, 30% of my grade in every course, I am going to create my own political party that I feel has the best chance of solving the political, economic, and health issues facing Namibia. It should be a very intriguing assignment.
Most afternoons are spent doing homework, hanging out with friends, and taking walks. We have explored almost every nook and cranny of Windhoek. Most often, we walk about 10 minutes to Wernhill Mall and the grocery store. I have also spent a lot of time window shopping. As for the 'nightlife' in Windhoek it is limited. There is a backpackers place right up the street that we go to a lot. Its called 'the Box' and has become our common hang out spot. On the weekends there are 3 clubs that people go to but I have not gone yet.
On Saturday mornings a few of us tend to go a place called 'Mugg and Bean'. Its one of the only places I can get real coffee! Afterwards we walk around, go to a park, or find something new to do. Last night, we went out to dinner than went to a concert. Sundays are my lazy days. I tend to do laundry, organize, and then relax at the pool for the rest of the day.
Life in Windhoek is pretty wonderful. I have loved getting to know this city and feeling like I am a part of it! My daily routine is pretty boring with out all the distractions of home. I have no meetings, television, car, or phone to help pass the time. We play a lot of games, watch movies, and spend time at our computers.
I only have 5 weeks left in Southern Africa before I come home! I am not letting myself think too much of home but there are a few things I can not wait for: a glass of cold skim milk, ice water, my own room, real coffee, Target, tortilla chips, salsa, and my family!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Murphy's Law and the Orange River
Fall Break 2008- Rafting down the Orange River
The name sounds innocent enough, right?!?! Well my simple, relaxing trip down the Orange River turned into an adventure to remember. I believe everything that could go wrong this week did but we still had an incredible time. The problems started before we even go to the river! The rafting company called to tell me my payment was not going through and that I had 24 hours to correct the problem or I was not allowed to go. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of Etosha National Park and the credit card was in Windhoek. Thankfully, one of the staff was able to find the credit card and call me with the information. With 3 hours left before my deadline I called UMKULU and corrected the problem; apparently my 5 looked like a 6. Whew! I could still go!
The night before we left our driver called to tell us he did not have a passport to get into South Africa. With no other option we continued with the plan for him to drive and decided to deal with immigration when we got to the border 8 hours away. On the trip down the starter in the combi gave out and we had to push start the van in true Little Miss Sunshine Style. About an hour from our final destination we had a flat tire. Once we reached the border we started to have real problems. The Namibian officials did not like the way our visa's were stamped in our passports but let us leave Namibia after we explained our study visas.
When we reached South Africa a policeman thought it would be entertaining to harrass the American tourists. He told the men (all 3 of them) to leave the van and produce the permit. He claimed that we needed a permit to drive into South Africa and since we did not have the proper papers that we could not enter South Africa legally. Except, we were technically already in South Africa. People started getting fruturated, askind questions, and trying to reason with the man. He responded to this by telling us that we would have to spend the night in the holding cell until we had the proper authorization to enter South Africa. He continued this game for about 15 minutes directing it at us girls and continuously asking if we were crying yet. Finally, he relented and said he was joking and to go on through to immigration. Afterwards we realized that he was looking for a bribe and was going to continue to threaten us with jail until we offered him money.
Remember how I said that our driver did not have a passport? Well, the only one of us who remembered to bring our drivers liscence was Jason. Unfortunately, he had never driven a standard in his life. So in front of the lovely police officer Jason drove a stick shift for the first time ever. Miracously, he did not stall!!
Once we reached the base camp we met the 4 other people on our trip. One couple, Pascal and Annya, were from Switzerland and were spending 3 weeks in Cape Town cycling. Pascal spent 3 years of his life cycling around the world! He had incredible stories about his travels and was very much free spirit. The other couple was from Cape Town and were 21 and 23. It was very neat to meet people our age and to spend a week getting to know them.
The next morning we started our 5 days on the river. The scenery was pretty spectacular! The river is in the middle the Namib desert. Directly by the river it is green and there is a ton of plant life but 200 yards in either direction and its desert again. Every day we would see something different. We would paddle our 2 person rafts until the 'right time' and then set up camp. We slept outside everynight on only pads. It was an experience! The food our guides made for us was great! I am sure it only tasted so wonderful because of how tired we all were at the end of the day. Did I mention that the Orange River is more like a lake? The water level was very low and there were only a few rapids each day so we paddled hard!
We would end the day around 4 and then spend the rest of the evening hiking and sitting by the campfire. It truly was a blast! On the Monday Jason got really sick with what we believed was heat stroke. After several re-hydration tablets and some rest he felt better the next day. On Wednesday he woke up with a headache but seemed fine. Suddenly, he was shaking, cramping, and running a really high fever. He was unable to walk to a raft by himself. We were 40k, or 2 days, away from the take out point. Phil and Reon, our guides, cleared out 1 raft and put him in it. Then Phil and Brett took off with Jason to the take out point. It was terrifying. Phil was truly scared because he believed Jason's illness was Malaria and that it was "life-threatening".
The rest of us followed at a slower pace but completed the 40K in 6 hours. It was an exhausting day. I had Jessica, Jason's girlfriend of over a year, in my raft the entire day. She felt helpless and spent 6 hour playing the 'what-if' game. We found out that they had transported Jason to the closest hospital which was 3 hours away in South Africa. The Namibian officials at immigration would not let Jason leave the country because of his visa. Instead, they forced him to get ahold of our program director and have a copy of the group visa faxed to him. Apparently our guide, a Namibian, through a fit about this and made matters worse.
Thankfully, the initial blood work has come back negative for Malaria and they are concluding that it was tonsilitis that was worsened by heat stroke. The emergency took us off the river a day earlier than expected so we had 2 days to hang around at base camp before our bus ride home. This time at the border they fixed our visa's so we would not have the same problem again!
It was quite the trip! People fell out of rafts, fell down mountains, we saw baboons, goats, and lizards, we jumped off cliffs, put our life jackets on like diapers and rode down rapids, made new friends, and saw more of a gorgeous country!! The list of 'problems' truly is never ending but it made the trip worthwhile!
I have posted tons and tons of pictures on my picassa site as usual. I post almost every picture online so that if my computer crashes I will still have access to all my memories from this trip! I only have 6 weeks left! I can not believe how quickly this semester has gone by! I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. Have a great Halloween and I will post again soon. I still owe you a post about Walvis Bay and Swakopmound!
The name sounds innocent enough, right?!?! Well my simple, relaxing trip down the Orange River turned into an adventure to remember. I believe everything that could go wrong this week did but we still had an incredible time. The problems started before we even go to the river! The rafting company called to tell me my payment was not going through and that I had 24 hours to correct the problem or I was not allowed to go. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of Etosha National Park and the credit card was in Windhoek. Thankfully, one of the staff was able to find the credit card and call me with the information. With 3 hours left before my deadline I called UMKULU and corrected the problem; apparently my 5 looked like a 6. Whew! I could still go!
The night before we left our driver called to tell us he did not have a passport to get into South Africa. With no other option we continued with the plan for him to drive and decided to deal with immigration when we got to the border 8 hours away. On the trip down the starter in the combi gave out and we had to push start the van in true Little Miss Sunshine Style. About an hour from our final destination we had a flat tire. Once we reached the border we started to have real problems. The Namibian officials did not like the way our visa's were stamped in our passports but let us leave Namibia after we explained our study visas.
When we reached South Africa a policeman thought it would be entertaining to harrass the American tourists. He told the men (all 3 of them) to leave the van and produce the permit. He claimed that we needed a permit to drive into South Africa and since we did not have the proper papers that we could not enter South Africa legally. Except, we were technically already in South Africa. People started getting fruturated, askind questions, and trying to reason with the man. He responded to this by telling us that we would have to spend the night in the holding cell until we had the proper authorization to enter South Africa. He continued this game for about 15 minutes directing it at us girls and continuously asking if we were crying yet. Finally, he relented and said he was joking and to go on through to immigration. Afterwards we realized that he was looking for a bribe and was going to continue to threaten us with jail until we offered him money.
Remember how I said that our driver did not have a passport? Well, the only one of us who remembered to bring our drivers liscence was Jason. Unfortunately, he had never driven a standard in his life. So in front of the lovely police officer Jason drove a stick shift for the first time ever. Miracously, he did not stall!!
Once we reached the base camp we met the 4 other people on our trip. One couple, Pascal and Annya, were from Switzerland and were spending 3 weeks in Cape Town cycling. Pascal spent 3 years of his life cycling around the world! He had incredible stories about his travels and was very much free spirit. The other couple was from Cape Town and were 21 and 23. It was very neat to meet people our age and to spend a week getting to know them.
The next morning we started our 5 days on the river. The scenery was pretty spectacular! The river is in the middle the Namib desert. Directly by the river it is green and there is a ton of plant life but 200 yards in either direction and its desert again. Every day we would see something different. We would paddle our 2 person rafts until the 'right time' and then set up camp. We slept outside everynight on only pads. It was an experience! The food our guides made for us was great! I am sure it only tasted so wonderful because of how tired we all were at the end of the day. Did I mention that the Orange River is more like a lake? The water level was very low and there were only a few rapids each day so we paddled hard!
We would end the day around 4 and then spend the rest of the evening hiking and sitting by the campfire. It truly was a blast! On the Monday Jason got really sick with what we believed was heat stroke. After several re-hydration tablets and some rest he felt better the next day. On Wednesday he woke up with a headache but seemed fine. Suddenly, he was shaking, cramping, and running a really high fever. He was unable to walk to a raft by himself. We were 40k, or 2 days, away from the take out point. Phil and Reon, our guides, cleared out 1 raft and put him in it. Then Phil and Brett took off with Jason to the take out point. It was terrifying. Phil was truly scared because he believed Jason's illness was Malaria and that it was "life-threatening".
The rest of us followed at a slower pace but completed the 40K in 6 hours. It was an exhausting day. I had Jessica, Jason's girlfriend of over a year, in my raft the entire day. She felt helpless and spent 6 hour playing the 'what-if' game. We found out that they had transported Jason to the closest hospital which was 3 hours away in South Africa. The Namibian officials at immigration would not let Jason leave the country because of his visa. Instead, they forced him to get ahold of our program director and have a copy of the group visa faxed to him. Apparently our guide, a Namibian, through a fit about this and made matters worse.
Thankfully, the initial blood work has come back negative for Malaria and they are concluding that it was tonsilitis that was worsened by heat stroke. The emergency took us off the river a day earlier than expected so we had 2 days to hang around at base camp before our bus ride home. This time at the border they fixed our visa's so we would not have the same problem again!
It was quite the trip! People fell out of rafts, fell down mountains, we saw baboons, goats, and lizards, we jumped off cliffs, put our life jackets on like diapers and rode down rapids, made new friends, and saw more of a gorgeous country!! The list of 'problems' truly is never ending but it made the trip worthwhile!
I have posted tons and tons of pictures on my picassa site as usual. I post almost every picture online so that if my computer crashes I will still have access to all my memories from this trip! I only have 6 weeks left! I can not believe how quickly this semester has gone by! I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. Have a great Halloween and I will post again soon. I still owe you a post about Walvis Bay and Swakopmound!
Friday, October 17, 2008
A rural experience...
Wow! I can not even begin to explain how incredible the past 2 weeks have been. I spent 6 days on a farm in Khorixas, 2 days at the national park, and 3 days "up north". I was terrified for the rural home stay. I have never gone with out electricity, running water, or access to a toilet in my entire life. However, it was one of the most incredible and uplifting experiences of my life.
After travelling 6 hours North-West of Windhoek we finally arrived at our various farms around 6pm. The trip up was very uncomfortable because of the heat but it was only a glimpse of things to come; I was happy if the temperature dropped to 100* by 10pm so I could sleep! My worries about the home stay dissolved as soon as I met my Ouma. She is 72 years old and is one of the strongest women I have ever met. She lives on the farm by herself and takes care of 6 donkeys, a dozen or goats, and numerous hens and roosters. Her home was the most well kept and the largest on the communal farm; she built it herself. Ouma, meaning Grandmother in German, opened her heart and her home to me immediately. She did not speak any English so her 29 year old Grandson came to the farm for the week to be my translator. He was very kind but I did not form the connection with him that I did with Ouma.
Our first two days we were picked up by my program to go to academic speakers and local leaders. But from Friday on we were able to spend the entire day on the farm. We would wake up early to let the animals out and start the fire. Every meal is cooked over an open fire. As a result, Ouma has a terrible cough and asthma that is chronic. All day long we were busy; collecting wood, collecting water, doing wash, taking care of the animals, or just doing random chores around the farm. She never stooped. Around 3 pm the heat would become so oppressive that we just sat. One day I was sitting in the sun reading and my thermometer read 133.6*F. The heat was insane! I can not believe how dirty I got! It is very dusty and dry...I was gross!
There are so many challenges to living in a rural area but what hit me the most is how far removed these people are to medical care. One day while we were at another house we heard an awful scream from one of the little boys. He had fallen on some barbed wire and had cut/punctured his head. With every heartbeat blood would squirt out of his head. The parents were very shaken and started pouring water over his head to clean it out. One of our girls ran into the house to get the first aid kits we had been provided with. My instinct was to say, "put pressure on it and get in the car; we need to get to the hospital." When Danielle came back with the first aid kit she had to pause and put on gloves before touching him. The HIV/AIDS rate in rural areas is 1:2. We finally were able to get the wound to stop bleeding but it should have been stitched. However, the closest hospital was over 15K aways and no one in this area has a car. They are very isolated and, in an emergency situation, most people will die before ever completing the 2 hour donkey cart ride into Khrosxias. If we had not been there he would not have even received a disinfectant for his cut.
Speaking of donkey cart rides...if you ever have the opportunity to ride one THINK! The donkeys are not trained, the carts are unstable since they sit on only 2 wheels, and the people are not kind to the animals. That said, it was fun to drive the cart when there was only 3 of us on it! However, trying to fit 9 adults and 2 kids on a single donkey cart and going 13Ks to a high school and back is an awful experience. It was the only time I was uncomfortable at my home stay.
On Sunday, we dressed up in traditional clothing and gathered at one house for an informal church service and a farewell party. The Americans were in charge of cooking and it was a challenge to cook for 40 people with 3 pots, no sharp knives, and over an open flame. The food turned out OK since they ate it all.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from this experience is how materialistic I am and how little I truly need to survive. Food in rural areas is seen as necessary for survival; they do not eat food simply because they enjoy it. There is no television, radio, or books on the farm. Most people were not able to complete high school and are illiterate. Ouma lives simply and values every possession she owns. Things are not disposable.
I was also in awe of how welcome I was in her home. I am a white woman. She lived the majority of her life under the apartheid regime. Her husband was tortured and killed for fighting against the South African regime. She was forced to carry a passbook with her every where she went and was treated more poorly than animals but I was welcomed into her home. I can not believe her absolute forgiveness and inability to hate my entire race. She has every right to hate the white race but she does not. This is a trend I have seen all of Southern Africa. The people have forgiven and moved forward after apartheid. The effects of the regime are still seen all over the place but the people themselves are working tirelessly to bridge gaps and complete the reconciliation process.
This was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned more my capabilities to survive in harsh circumstances than ever before. I learned that communication transcends language barriers and how comforting it is to work beside someone quietly. I also learned that if you want your clothes to be cleaner than they ever have been than hand them over to a 72 year old rural African and you wont believe your eyes! After all, when I tried to do my own wash she told me to stop 'playing with my clothes' and let her clean them!
Once we left the farms we drove to Etosha National Park to spend 2 nights at the Hallai campground. This campground is a 2 hour drive from the entrance of the park and along the way we saw Elephants, Lions, Zebras, Springbok, and tons of other animals. The park is larger than the Netherlands and is home to all the African animals you would expect. It was wonderful to see the animals in their natural habitat. When we arrived at the camp ground we all jumped into the pool!! After not showering for a week it was the most wonderful moment of the trip!!
At night we would walk to the watering hole that is a part of the campground. The watering hole is man made and sits just outside the fence of the compound we were staying in. You sit up high and are able to observe all sorts of animals. One night there were 6 lions, 6 rhinos, a herd of elephants, springbok, zebras, and a ton of other animals at the watering hole together. It was a magnificent site. Unfortunately, we were unable to take picture there because the flash at night would scare the animals away. But not to worry, I have TONS of pictures that I'll post tonight on my Picasa web album site. We went on several game drives before we left the park and it was truly the tourists destination. It was the first time I felt like a tourist in Africa. We have been concentrating so much on the academic program that we have not visited any typical tourist destination. You can not get more tourist than going on a safari!
Next we went up North and visited with a King and went clear to the Angolan border. It was great to see the border but, sadly, we were unable to cross over. I did get to see Angolans breaking past guards to get into Namibia and others jumping fences to get in! The Chinese have really taken over the business in the North and to do so have begun to sell goods extremely cheap. Many Angolans come over to Namibia buy goods for personal use and to sell before going home at night.
I am sorry this post is SO long! I feel like I have barley touched the surface of what I have seen and learned but I am sure I'll fill you in better when I come home. I leave tomorrow morning for fall break. I am going rafting down the Orange River for 7 days with a group of students from CGE. It will be the first time we have had more than a single day off since we have come here in August! I can not wait to recharge and see more of this majestic country. In 2 days I will have travelled the entire length of Namibia!
After travelling 6 hours North-West of Windhoek we finally arrived at our various farms around 6pm. The trip up was very uncomfortable because of the heat but it was only a glimpse of things to come; I was happy if the temperature dropped to 100* by 10pm so I could sleep! My worries about the home stay dissolved as soon as I met my Ouma. She is 72 years old and is one of the strongest women I have ever met. She lives on the farm by herself and takes care of 6 donkeys, a dozen or goats, and numerous hens and roosters. Her home was the most well kept and the largest on the communal farm; she built it herself. Ouma, meaning Grandmother in German, opened her heart and her home to me immediately. She did not speak any English so her 29 year old Grandson came to the farm for the week to be my translator. He was very kind but I did not form the connection with him that I did with Ouma.
Our first two days we were picked up by my program to go to academic speakers and local leaders. But from Friday on we were able to spend the entire day on the farm. We would wake up early to let the animals out and start the fire. Every meal is cooked over an open fire. As a result, Ouma has a terrible cough and asthma that is chronic. All day long we were busy; collecting wood, collecting water, doing wash, taking care of the animals, or just doing random chores around the farm. She never stooped. Around 3 pm the heat would become so oppressive that we just sat. One day I was sitting in the sun reading and my thermometer read 133.6*F. The heat was insane! I can not believe how dirty I got! It is very dusty and dry...I was gross!
There are so many challenges to living in a rural area but what hit me the most is how far removed these people are to medical care. One day while we were at another house we heard an awful scream from one of the little boys. He had fallen on some barbed wire and had cut/punctured his head. With every heartbeat blood would squirt out of his head. The parents were very shaken and started pouring water over his head to clean it out. One of our girls ran into the house to get the first aid kits we had been provided with. My instinct was to say, "put pressure on it and get in the car; we need to get to the hospital." When Danielle came back with the first aid kit she had to pause and put on gloves before touching him. The HIV/AIDS rate in rural areas is 1:2. We finally were able to get the wound to stop bleeding but it should have been stitched. However, the closest hospital was over 15K aways and no one in this area has a car. They are very isolated and, in an emergency situation, most people will die before ever completing the 2 hour donkey cart ride into Khrosxias. If we had not been there he would not have even received a disinfectant for his cut.
Speaking of donkey cart rides...if you ever have the opportunity to ride one THINK! The donkeys are not trained, the carts are unstable since they sit on only 2 wheels, and the people are not kind to the animals. That said, it was fun to drive the cart when there was only 3 of us on it! However, trying to fit 9 adults and 2 kids on a single donkey cart and going 13Ks to a high school and back is an awful experience. It was the only time I was uncomfortable at my home stay.
On Sunday, we dressed up in traditional clothing and gathered at one house for an informal church service and a farewell party. The Americans were in charge of cooking and it was a challenge to cook for 40 people with 3 pots, no sharp knives, and over an open flame. The food turned out OK since they ate it all.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from this experience is how materialistic I am and how little I truly need to survive. Food in rural areas is seen as necessary for survival; they do not eat food simply because they enjoy it. There is no television, radio, or books on the farm. Most people were not able to complete high school and are illiterate. Ouma lives simply and values every possession she owns. Things are not disposable.
I was also in awe of how welcome I was in her home. I am a white woman. She lived the majority of her life under the apartheid regime. Her husband was tortured and killed for fighting against the South African regime. She was forced to carry a passbook with her every where she went and was treated more poorly than animals but I was welcomed into her home. I can not believe her absolute forgiveness and inability to hate my entire race. She has every right to hate the white race but she does not. This is a trend I have seen all of Southern Africa. The people have forgiven and moved forward after apartheid. The effects of the regime are still seen all over the place but the people themselves are working tirelessly to bridge gaps and complete the reconciliation process.
This was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned more my capabilities to survive in harsh circumstances than ever before. I learned that communication transcends language barriers and how comforting it is to work beside someone quietly. I also learned that if you want your clothes to be cleaner than they ever have been than hand them over to a 72 year old rural African and you wont believe your eyes! After all, when I tried to do my own wash she told me to stop 'playing with my clothes' and let her clean them!
Once we left the farms we drove to Etosha National Park to spend 2 nights at the Hallai campground. This campground is a 2 hour drive from the entrance of the park and along the way we saw Elephants, Lions, Zebras, Springbok, and tons of other animals. The park is larger than the Netherlands and is home to all the African animals you would expect. It was wonderful to see the animals in their natural habitat. When we arrived at the camp ground we all jumped into the pool!! After not showering for a week it was the most wonderful moment of the trip!!
At night we would walk to the watering hole that is a part of the campground. The watering hole is man made and sits just outside the fence of the compound we were staying in. You sit up high and are able to observe all sorts of animals. One night there were 6 lions, 6 rhinos, a herd of elephants, springbok, zebras, and a ton of other animals at the watering hole together. It was a magnificent site. Unfortunately, we were unable to take picture there because the flash at night would scare the animals away. But not to worry, I have TONS of pictures that I'll post tonight on my Picasa web album site. We went on several game drives before we left the park and it was truly the tourists destination. It was the first time I felt like a tourist in Africa. We have been concentrating so much on the academic program that we have not visited any typical tourist destination. You can not get more tourist than going on a safari!
Next we went up North and visited with a King and went clear to the Angolan border. It was great to see the border but, sadly, we were unable to cross over. I did get to see Angolans breaking past guards to get into Namibia and others jumping fences to get in! The Chinese have really taken over the business in the North and to do so have begun to sell goods extremely cheap. Many Angolans come over to Namibia buy goods for personal use and to sell before going home at night.
I am sorry this post is SO long! I feel like I have barley touched the surface of what I have seen and learned but I am sure I'll fill you in better when I come home. I leave tomorrow morning for fall break. I am going rafting down the Orange River for 7 days with a group of students from CGE. It will be the first time we have had more than a single day off since we have come here in August! I can not wait to recharge and see more of this majestic country. In 2 days I will have travelled the entire length of Namibia!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Great Man
On Saturday our family lost an essential member. My Grandpa Bud finally lost his battle against ALS. I am told he died peacefully and was surrounded by love and family members. It has been very difficult to be in Namibia this past week. I wish I could be there to provide support for everyone at home and share stories and memories of a wonderful man. Instead, I am going to share my most poignant memories here.
Grandpa Bud was a truly wonderful man. His greatest joy in life came from meeting and interacting with people. He loved everyone for themselves and conversation with him always came naturally. Thankfully, his passion for people lives on in my sister. Grandpa knew someone wherever you went and he genuinely cared for them.
As kids we were always so excited when we would get a call at 9pm telling us Grandpa and Jody were on their way over. We knew it meant Krispy Kreams and a delayed bed time. The visits were never scheduled and that's what made them so special! It was always wonderful to watch Brian and Grandpa interact with each other. When Brian was going through his shy stage (OK, his entire childhood) Grandpa could always get him to talk and to laugh. I believe its because they shared the same level of humor; Grandpa was a perpetual little boy.
One of the things I loved most about Grandpa was his chuckle when he knew he was being silly and acting like a kid. He truly enjoyed life. I always knew if I could count on Grandpa to believe in me and my dreams. He always supported my decision to study at Beloit and to come to Namibia this fall. Grandpa would tell me to go for it and that he knew I could do anything. He constantly told me how proud of me he was for my determination and independent spirit.
This past March I was lucky enough to spend a week with Grandpa in Tucson during spring training. The entire trip was incredible! We had wonderful conversations and we were able to share memories and my dreams for the future. I was given the opportunity to know my Grandpa as an adult. It will remain one of my most treasured memories.
There are so many more memories I would love to share and stories I would love to hear. We lost an incredible man this week! He loved his family more than anything and kept us entertained with wonderful stories and surrounded by love. I wish I could be there on Friday to celebrate this incredible man with you. My love goes out to all of you and please know I am keeping you in my heart.
I would also like to thank Jody for the incredible love and care she gave to Grandpa. Their love should be an inspiration to us all. I feel honored to have witnessed the love, devotion, and respect they had for each other. It was such a relief to know that Grandpa was receiving the best care in the world. I love you very much!
I will write more this week about seeing the Namib Desert and kayaking with seals and dolphins!! Until then know that I am thinking of everyone at home and sending all my love back to Colorado!
Grandpa Bud was a truly wonderful man. His greatest joy in life came from meeting and interacting with people. He loved everyone for themselves and conversation with him always came naturally. Thankfully, his passion for people lives on in my sister. Grandpa knew someone wherever you went and he genuinely cared for them.
As kids we were always so excited when we would get a call at 9pm telling us Grandpa and Jody were on their way over. We knew it meant Krispy Kreams and a delayed bed time. The visits were never scheduled and that's what made them so special! It was always wonderful to watch Brian and Grandpa interact with each other. When Brian was going through his shy stage (OK, his entire childhood) Grandpa could always get him to talk and to laugh. I believe its because they shared the same level of humor; Grandpa was a perpetual little boy.
One of the things I loved most about Grandpa was his chuckle when he knew he was being silly and acting like a kid. He truly enjoyed life. I always knew if I could count on Grandpa to believe in me and my dreams. He always supported my decision to study at Beloit and to come to Namibia this fall. Grandpa would tell me to go for it and that he knew I could do anything. He constantly told me how proud of me he was for my determination and independent spirit.
This past March I was lucky enough to spend a week with Grandpa in Tucson during spring training. The entire trip was incredible! We had wonderful conversations and we were able to share memories and my dreams for the future. I was given the opportunity to know my Grandpa as an adult. It will remain one of my most treasured memories.
There are so many more memories I would love to share and stories I would love to hear. We lost an incredible man this week! He loved his family more than anything and kept us entertained with wonderful stories and surrounded by love. I wish I could be there on Friday to celebrate this incredible man with you. My love goes out to all of you and please know I am keeping you in my heart.
I would also like to thank Jody for the incredible love and care she gave to Grandpa. Their love should be an inspiration to us all. I feel honored to have witnessed the love, devotion, and respect they had for each other. It was such a relief to know that Grandpa was receiving the best care in the world. I love you very much!
I will write more this week about seeing the Namib Desert and kayaking with seals and dolphins!! Until then know that I am thinking of everyone at home and sending all my love back to Colorado!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sushi and Zebra?!?
Yes, somehow the combination of Sushi and Zebra was perfect! Our group is starting to feel comfortable breaking off into smaller groups on the weekend. On Friday, I went with 2 other girls to the culinary schools sushi restaurant and had a blast. NICE Sushi sits on a rooftop overlooking downtown and has a wonderful view. I had never been to a sushi restaurant before and it was the first time I had real sushi; Whole Foods doesn't count! I ordered the spicy tuna rolls and fell in love. The restaurant is very reasonable too since it is culinary students who prepare your meal. It was very nice to be a group of 3 instead of 24.
After dinner we took a taxi to Joe's Beerhouse to met up with the rest of our group. Joe's is the epitome of tourist stops in Windhoek. Its outdoors and has a very extensive game menu. One of the girls had ordered a Zebra steak but could not finish it so I had a bit out of curiosity! Amazingly, Zebra tastes like the best fillet Mignon I have ever had. It was wonderful but I doubt I would have been able to have more than a bite. Eating Zebra just seems wrong! At Joe's we ran into a bunch of American students from Semester at Seas who were in Windhoek. It was great to talk to them and made me realize how much I know about Windhoek already!
Life here is great! I can not believe I have been gone for over a month already. This week we are going to the coast. We'll leave on Wednesday and go to Walvis Bay and Swakomound. Saturday will be a free day and a group of us are going on a half day kayaking trip to see seals, whales, and dolphins! I am SO excited since I have never seen a whale outside of Sea World! I have also firmed up plans for fall break. I will be going on a 7 day/6 night rafting trip on the Orange River. The river is the boundary between South Africa and Namibia and it takes you through some of the most unspoiled and beautiful spots in Southern Africa; according to the website! I can not wait!!
I will not have access to Internet from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday evening but I will be sure to update my blog when I return from the coast! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and GO BRONCOS
After dinner we took a taxi to Joe's Beerhouse to met up with the rest of our group. Joe's is the epitome of tourist stops in Windhoek. Its outdoors and has a very extensive game menu. One of the girls had ordered a Zebra steak but could not finish it so I had a bit out of curiosity! Amazingly, Zebra tastes like the best fillet Mignon I have ever had. It was wonderful but I doubt I would have been able to have more than a bite. Eating Zebra just seems wrong! At Joe's we ran into a bunch of American students from Semester at Seas who were in Windhoek. It was great to talk to them and made me realize how much I know about Windhoek already!
Life here is great! I can not believe I have been gone for over a month already. This week we are going to the coast. We'll leave on Wednesday and go to Walvis Bay and Swakomound. Saturday will be a free day and a group of us are going on a half day kayaking trip to see seals, whales, and dolphins! I am SO excited since I have never seen a whale outside of Sea World! I have also firmed up plans for fall break. I will be going on a 7 day/6 night rafting trip on the Orange River. The river is the boundary between South Africa and Namibia and it takes you through some of the most unspoiled and beautiful spots in Southern Africa; according to the website! I can not wait!!
I will not have access to Internet from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday evening but I will be sure to update my blog when I return from the coast! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and GO BRONCOS
Saturday, September 13, 2008
An African Wedding and more Pictures!
Good Evening!
Last Saturday night I was given the privilege of being invited to a wedding reception. My host Mom, Tully, took me to her cousins reception at the Vocational Training Academy Hall in Khomsdal. The reception was suppose to start at 5pm but we are in Africa so it started at 7. One of the best parts of the reception was that half of the people were in traditional dress. Each tribe has its own dress and they are all beautiful! When the bride and groom, an American from Chicago, finally made their entrance they were proceeded by the 'elders' waving brooms and chanting their traditional songs. It was remarkable. The food was served buffet style and was typical Oshavambo fair. My favorite was the curried carrots! They were awesome! I can not wait to bring them back to my family.
The rest of the week I was shown how a Namibian family in Windhoek lives. They work very hard and have very little free time. Tully works full time at Standard Bank and Bjorn is a plumber during the day and delivers food at night. His typical work day is from 7am-10pm. I did not get to see him very often. I was able to watch Sports Center and ER on their TV which was great! They have 2 little girls named Inga and Erna. Inga, who is 8, was not pleased to be sharing her house with me but the Erna was thrilled. They also have a 'live in nanny' who just came to Windhoek from the North. I do not believe she is paid anything but is given a place to sleep, bathe, and is provided food. It was interesting to see the interaction between her and Tully. Namibia was just ranked the most unequal society in terms of wealth in the world. Class is a very large barrier that is defined by race, ethnicity, and geographic location.
The cost of food here takes up almost 60% of these families monthly income. A loaf of bread, in real dollar amount, would cost 13.59 in the USA and a 20 pack of diapers would be $76.00. I did not understand the impact the global food crisis is having on the poor until I arrived here.
Today, was on the best days! I came back from my homestay around 7:30 and went for a run before walking downtown to get some real coffee. If I walk far enough I can find freshly brewed coffee everyday! Whew...no more instant coffee! Well not all the time anyways! Then I came back and sat by our pool for hours reading The Economist and Newsweek. It was great to get my news fix for the week. I also was able to talk on the phone to my parents for about 1 hour. It was very refreshing to hear their voices and to realize that I am not as far from home as I thought I was. I can not thank you all enough for sending e-mails, commenting on this blogs, and making it known that you are following my adventure and thinking of me! Its wonderful!
I have uploaded some more pictures to my picasa web album. Here is the link http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinannehubbard/WindoekWeeks123 for the new album. You can also just go to http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinannehubbard at any time to see if I have updated my photos. Dad- just put that link in your favorites and it will be much easier!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Last Saturday night I was given the privilege of being invited to a wedding reception. My host Mom, Tully, took me to her cousins reception at the Vocational Training Academy Hall in Khomsdal. The reception was suppose to start at 5pm but we are in Africa so it started at 7. One of the best parts of the reception was that half of the people were in traditional dress. Each tribe has its own dress and they are all beautiful! When the bride and groom, an American from Chicago, finally made their entrance they were proceeded by the 'elders' waving brooms and chanting their traditional songs. It was remarkable. The food was served buffet style and was typical Oshavambo fair. My favorite was the curried carrots! They were awesome! I can not wait to bring them back to my family.
The rest of the week I was shown how a Namibian family in Windhoek lives. They work very hard and have very little free time. Tully works full time at Standard Bank and Bjorn is a plumber during the day and delivers food at night. His typical work day is from 7am-10pm. I did not get to see him very often. I was able to watch Sports Center and ER on their TV which was great! They have 2 little girls named Inga and Erna. Inga, who is 8, was not pleased to be sharing her house with me but the Erna was thrilled. They also have a 'live in nanny' who just came to Windhoek from the North. I do not believe she is paid anything but is given a place to sleep, bathe, and is provided food. It was interesting to see the interaction between her and Tully. Namibia was just ranked the most unequal society in terms of wealth in the world. Class is a very large barrier that is defined by race, ethnicity, and geographic location.
The cost of food here takes up almost 60% of these families monthly income. A loaf of bread, in real dollar amount, would cost 13.59 in the USA and a 20 pack of diapers would be $76.00. I did not understand the impact the global food crisis is having on the poor until I arrived here.
Today, was on the best days! I came back from my homestay around 7:30 and went for a run before walking downtown to get some real coffee. If I walk far enough I can find freshly brewed coffee everyday! Whew...no more instant coffee! Well not all the time anyways! Then I came back and sat by our pool for hours reading The Economist and Newsweek. It was great to get my news fix for the week. I also was able to talk on the phone to my parents for about 1 hour. It was very refreshing to hear their voices and to realize that I am not as far from home as I thought I was. I can not thank you all enough for sending e-mails, commenting on this blogs, and making it known that you are following my adventure and thinking of me! Its wonderful!
I have uploaded some more pictures to my picasa web album. Here is the link http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinannehubbard/WindoekWeeks123 for the new album. You can also just go to http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinannehubbard at any time to see if I have updated my photos. Dad- just put that link in your favorites and it will be much easier!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Google E-mail
Hi All!!
My school e-mail account is having trouble here and I am going to start using my google e-mail address as my main account. Please send e-mails to kristinannehubbard@gmail.com from this point forward! Thank you!
My school e-mail account is having trouble here and I am going to start using my google e-mail address as my main account. Please send e-mails to kristinannehubbard@gmail.com from this point forward! Thank you!
Generosity
Nearly a week ago I found out my cousin Kent had passed away very unexpectedly. Its been very difficult to not be home to comfort my family and to mourn with other people who loved him. On Thursday, we had started our urban homestays and I was very excited about the wonderful family I was given for 10 days. It has been difficult to be away from all of my new friends while trying to deal with Kents death. Yet, it has given me a lot of time to contemplate and realize how important generosity is. Kent was the most generous person. Not only with material goods but with something infinitely more important; his time.
He never missed a family holiday, celebration, or a random get together. Kent was always willing to help out in anyway he could and gave so much to all of us especially his mother. I have always said that it is my family that gives me the strength and the courage to try new things and to go to new places. It is their support, belief, and undying love for me that makes it okay to leave home since I know it will always be there when I return. Home is more than my house on Hoyt Way; it is that incredible mix of people I call my family. They have all generously helped to raise me and shape me into the woman I am today.
A few days prior to his death Kent commented on this blog. He wrote for himself and Aunt Helene. For the rest of the day I had a 'warm-fuzzy' feeling picturing Kent patiently showing my Great Aunt how to find my blog and leave me a message. I know they read it together and were thinking of me at that moment--that is something I will cherish.
This week while living with a family in a foreign country, working in a foreign government, and attending a strangers wedding I have realized that the most precious gift you can give someone is the generosity of your time. Take the time to call your best friend, your Mom, or someone else important to you. Take the time to grab a cup of coffee with someone and waste an afternoon just sitting there. Take the time to tell people you love them and find little ways to show them. After all, "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time".
I apologize for not giving you an update on my trip this time-- I will by Saturday. It was healing to write this post and to know that you will be reading it and will understand who I am and who my family is!
Stay Safe and enjoy the last days of summer!
He never missed a family holiday, celebration, or a random get together. Kent was always willing to help out in anyway he could and gave so much to all of us especially his mother. I have always said that it is my family that gives me the strength and the courage to try new things and to go to new places. It is their support, belief, and undying love for me that makes it okay to leave home since I know it will always be there when I return. Home is more than my house on Hoyt Way; it is that incredible mix of people I call my family. They have all generously helped to raise me and shape me into the woman I am today.
A few days prior to his death Kent commented on this blog. He wrote for himself and Aunt Helene. For the rest of the day I had a 'warm-fuzzy' feeling picturing Kent patiently showing my Great Aunt how to find my blog and leave me a message. I know they read it together and were thinking of me at that moment--that is something I will cherish.
This week while living with a family in a foreign country, working in a foreign government, and attending a strangers wedding I have realized that the most precious gift you can give someone is the generosity of your time. Take the time to call your best friend, your Mom, or someone else important to you. Take the time to grab a cup of coffee with someone and waste an afternoon just sitting there. Take the time to tell people you love them and find little ways to show them. After all, "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time".
I apologize for not giving you an update on my trip this time-- I will by Saturday. It was healing to write this post and to know that you will be reading it and will understand who I am and who my family is!
Stay Safe and enjoy the last days of summer!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Discovering Windhoek
We have been in Windhoek for a week now and I have truly enjoyed the experience of getting to know the city, my housemates, and the staff at CGE. We have some fantastic people working at the house and they make it feel more like a home each day. We are all still adjusting to the idea of living with 23 other people and sharing 2 toilets. Each morning presents a new challenge of fighting for mirror space, sink time, and just moving about the house. Everyone has made an effort to be respectful and quite in the evenings. I have made my bottom bunk into my own personal 'fort'! I hung a sleeping bag from the top bunk and it has allowed me a semblance of privacy as I am sleeping! Needless to say, others have followed suit!
This weekend we had a student forum at the house and 20 students from the University of Namibia came to meet us. It was a great experience to meet people our own age and hopefully I will be seeing them again. A group of us spent most of our time this weekend walking around Windhoek and trying to figure this city out. We have also made several trips to the local Pick-N-Pay to pick up Coke Light and other necessities that the center does not provide.
On Monday I started my internship at the Electoral Commission of Namibia. My supervisor, Hilda, had been out of the office for 3 weeks training voter education officials around the country. Namibia is also having a very significant by election on October 31st. This election is the result of SWAPO firing its regional councillor and leaving the position open. The office is working diligently to register voters, make information available to the public, and to set up the ballots and actual voting locations. The office was insane on Monday with people coming in and out all day long and speaking in indigenous languages. I was told to sit and observe her daily routine but it was overwhelming to not understand what was being said and to occasionally hear my name mentioned. On the walk home I started getting very homesick, frusturated, and felt very isolated as an American abroad. It was the first day I had struggled being so far away. I think it finally sank in that I am half way around the world!!!
My internship is a full day on Monday and a half day on Wednesday. Today was a lot better at the office. I was able to help my supervisor prepare for an hour long radio show about the upcoming election and sit in on a division meeting were I finally began to understand what is going on. I was also put in charge of narrowing an application pool from 75 people down to 15 for my boss to review! I could not believe I was given that responsibility. Hopefully, I made quality selections but, regardless, I have a new admiration for people who hire others on a daily basis.
Tomorrow we start our urban home stay. We will be living with a family for 10 days and I am super nervous about it. Sadly, I did not have the best experience with my previous home stay but I have decided that anything will be better than my time in Soweto. Also, I will have my own room!! It will be great to have some alone time in the evenings! I have also decided to 'become vegetarian' on my home stays and for most of my time here. The meat that is served in Namibia is mostly lamb, goat, and beef. Many families also prepare certain delicacies for their students including sheep stomach and cow intestine soup!! At the house we always have tons of salad, fruit, peanut butter, cereal and veggies to keep us happy, in addition to ,chicken. So eating meat at home is not such a risk!!
We start classes tomorrow and I am anxious to get started on a more normal routine. Orientation is officially over!! Yesterday was our grand finale. We went to a guest house outside of Windhoek and spent the day doing team building activities and we finished with a brai. A brai is a BBQ with TONS of meat and a few salads. One of my reasons for deciding to not eat meat was that last night we were served Kudu, Namibian game, at our brai. Did I forget to mention that the guest house has a pet Kudu that wondered around all day nuzzling us and eating our homework?!?! So the image of eating him stuck vividly in all our minds when we discovered that our meat was, indeed, Kudu!! With that I am off to do some homework for class tomorrow. I hope you are all doing well and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
This weekend we had a student forum at the house and 20 students from the University of Namibia came to meet us. It was a great experience to meet people our own age and hopefully I will be seeing them again. A group of us spent most of our time this weekend walking around Windhoek and trying to figure this city out. We have also made several trips to the local Pick-N-Pay to pick up Coke Light and other necessities that the center does not provide.
On Monday I started my internship at the Electoral Commission of Namibia. My supervisor, Hilda, had been out of the office for 3 weeks training voter education officials around the country. Namibia is also having a very significant by election on October 31st. This election is the result of SWAPO firing its regional councillor and leaving the position open. The office is working diligently to register voters, make information available to the public, and to set up the ballots and actual voting locations. The office was insane on Monday with people coming in and out all day long and speaking in indigenous languages. I was told to sit and observe her daily routine but it was overwhelming to not understand what was being said and to occasionally hear my name mentioned. On the walk home I started getting very homesick, frusturated, and felt very isolated as an American abroad. It was the first day I had struggled being so far away. I think it finally sank in that I am half way around the world!!!
My internship is a full day on Monday and a half day on Wednesday. Today was a lot better at the office. I was able to help my supervisor prepare for an hour long radio show about the upcoming election and sit in on a division meeting were I finally began to understand what is going on. I was also put in charge of narrowing an application pool from 75 people down to 15 for my boss to review! I could not believe I was given that responsibility. Hopefully, I made quality selections but, regardless, I have a new admiration for people who hire others on a daily basis.
Tomorrow we start our urban home stay. We will be living with a family for 10 days and I am super nervous about it. Sadly, I did not have the best experience with my previous home stay but I have decided that anything will be better than my time in Soweto. Also, I will have my own room!! It will be great to have some alone time in the evenings! I have also decided to 'become vegetarian' on my home stays and for most of my time here. The meat that is served in Namibia is mostly lamb, goat, and beef. Many families also prepare certain delicacies for their students including sheep stomach and cow intestine soup!! At the house we always have tons of salad, fruit, peanut butter, cereal and veggies to keep us happy, in addition to ,chicken. So eating meat at home is not such a risk!!
We start classes tomorrow and I am anxious to get started on a more normal routine. Orientation is officially over!! Yesterday was our grand finale. We went to a guest house outside of Windhoek and spent the day doing team building activities and we finished with a brai. A brai is a BBQ with TONS of meat and a few salads. One of my reasons for deciding to not eat meat was that last night we were served Kudu, Namibian game, at our brai. Did I forget to mention that the guest house has a pet Kudu that wondered around all day nuzzling us and eating our homework?!?! So the image of eating him stuck vividly in all our minds when we discovered that our meat was, indeed, Kudu!! With that I am off to do some homework for class tomorrow. I hope you are all doing well and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Link to Photos
Hello!!
I have been having serious issues uploading photos to this blog and to facebook because of how slow the Internet is here. But I have created a web that will hopefully work. The website is http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinannehubbard/JoBurg I hope you will be able view my first week in Jo'Burg and to see the people I am spending the semester with.
My first 2 days in Windhoek have been great! It truly is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer. We went to an open market on Thursday and I ATE A WORM!! Yes, I ate a fried/dried worm that tasted like leaves and had the texture of sandpaper. The entire time it was stuck on my tongue all I could think was, "Holy Cow there is a WORM in my mouth!". Needless to say, it was not one of my better moments. The concept of the open markets in Windhoek is to allow vendors a safe, communal, and central location to sell goods. You are able to find much more traditional foods here along with dressmakers and hairdressers. It is a valuable source of income for rural people and allows more local goods to be sold and produced.
The house is a little crazy! With 24 people there is no place you can go for peace and quite. Most people are being very respectful but, as always, with that many people conflicts are bound to arise. The mornings are CRAZY with 24 people trying to get dressed in 2 bathrooms that include only 2 toilets and 4 showers. Today, I laid out by the little pool and enjoyed the gorgeous views of Windhoek. All our meals are prepared for us by Sarah and Eveline. They make amazing food for us, including, homemade bread that could become addicting.
Tomorrow is the first day we have been able to sleep past 7am and I can not wait to sleep in and have a lazy morning! Our classes will start next Thursday but until then we will continue our orientation to Windhoek and start our internships on Monday. My internship is with the Electoral Commission of Namibia. I will know more about what I will be doing after Monday afternoon but I expect to be helping with voter education and polling official training for an election this fall. It was my dream internship and I can not wait to get started!
I hope you enjoy the pictures!!
I have been having serious issues uploading photos to this blog and to facebook because of how slow the Internet is here. But I have created a web that will hopefully work. The website is http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinannehubbard/JoBurg I hope you will be able view my first week in Jo'Burg and to see the people I am spending the semester with.
My first 2 days in Windhoek have been great! It truly is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer. We went to an open market on Thursday and I ATE A WORM!! Yes, I ate a fried/dried worm that tasted like leaves and had the texture of sandpaper. The entire time it was stuck on my tongue all I could think was, "Holy Cow there is a WORM in my mouth!". Needless to say, it was not one of my better moments. The concept of the open markets in Windhoek is to allow vendors a safe, communal, and central location to sell goods. You are able to find much more traditional foods here along with dressmakers and hairdressers. It is a valuable source of income for rural people and allows more local goods to be sold and produced.
The house is a little crazy! With 24 people there is no place you can go for peace and quite. Most people are being very respectful but, as always, with that many people conflicts are bound to arise. The mornings are CRAZY with 24 people trying to get dressed in 2 bathrooms that include only 2 toilets and 4 showers. Today, I laid out by the little pool and enjoyed the gorgeous views of Windhoek. All our meals are prepared for us by Sarah and Eveline. They make amazing food for us, including, homemade bread that could become addicting.
Tomorrow is the first day we have been able to sleep past 7am and I can not wait to sleep in and have a lazy morning! Our classes will start next Thursday but until then we will continue our orientation to Windhoek and start our internships on Monday. My internship is with the Electoral Commission of Namibia. I will know more about what I will be doing after Monday afternoon but I expect to be helping with voter education and polling official training for an election this fall. It was my dream internship and I can not wait to get started!
I hope you enjoy the pictures!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Finally in Windhoek!
We arrived in Windhoek today!! The city is gorgeous! It is situated in a valley and the mountains surrounding it remind me of Santa Fe. The CGE house is great. It is a lot larger than I was lead to believe and the room I am sharing with 5 (yes 5) other women is not too small. I doubt we have enough closet space but we will cope. Tonight is the first night I have been super tired. We have kept a gruelling schedule the past 10 days in order to see everything in Jo'Burg. I enjoyed Jo'Burg but I was happy to leave today. The city is HUGE and has a ton of pollution. While the educational opportunities are limitless in Johannesburg it is not the tourist hub of South Africa.
This past weekend we all completed a home stay with a family in or around Soweto. My family lived just outside Soweto in a semi-suburb. In South Africa you either live in a township, semi-suburb, the city, or a suburb. My family had 2 little boys who were very laid back and quite. The Mom was ill while we were there and we did not do very much at all. Luckily, the family next door was also hosting and Adela and I played over there a lot. We were able to walk to the stadium where the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be held. The whole city is preparing for those 2 weeks. We also attended church with our family. It was different to be the only white person in a crowd of ~3,000. We also ate a lot of pap this weekend. Pap is a very traditional porridge type dish that is served with sauce. It looks a lot like mashed potatoes.
The people on my trip are great! I am having a blast getting to know them and spending an insane amount of time together. Last night, we went out to dinner at Black. It is a very nice restaurant in downtown Jo'Burg and is currently the only place in downtown open for dinner. Since 1994 very few business owners have moved back into downtown for fear of violence. However, that is rapidly changing. The meal was fabulous and it was great to get dressed up!
I will have more regular access to Internet now and I will hopefully figure out how to post pictures soon. I can not thank you all enough for leaving comments and making me feel connected to home. I am having a great time and I can not wait to start my internship next week and get started exploring Windhoek tomorrow!
This past weekend we all completed a home stay with a family in or around Soweto. My family lived just outside Soweto in a semi-suburb. In South Africa you either live in a township, semi-suburb, the city, or a suburb. My family had 2 little boys who were very laid back and quite. The Mom was ill while we were there and we did not do very much at all. Luckily, the family next door was also hosting and Adela and I played over there a lot. We were able to walk to the stadium where the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be held. The whole city is preparing for those 2 weeks. We also attended church with our family. It was different to be the only white person in a crowd of ~3,000. We also ate a lot of pap this weekend. Pap is a very traditional porridge type dish that is served with sauce. It looks a lot like mashed potatoes.
The people on my trip are great! I am having a blast getting to know them and spending an insane amount of time together. Last night, we went out to dinner at Black. It is a very nice restaurant in downtown Jo'Burg and is currently the only place in downtown open for dinner. Since 1994 very few business owners have moved back into downtown for fear of violence. However, that is rapidly changing. The meal was fabulous and it was great to get dressed up!
I will have more regular access to Internet now and I will hopefully figure out how to post pictures soon. I can not thank you all enough for leaving comments and making me feel connected to home. I am having a great time and I can not wait to start my internship next week and get started exploring Windhoek tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Soweto
Good Afternoon!
I am once again writing from an Internet cafe in Jo'Burg! Today is the first nice day we have had and we are relishing the sun. This week has been jam packed with speakers, field trips, and visits to various museums. On Monday we spent the day touring Soweto. Soweto is the largest township in South Africa. It consists of 3-4 million people and is home to a variety of people and classes. We first toured the wealthy part of Soweto. This section was used by the Apartheid government to show the world that blacks were not living poorly during apartheid. However, mere blocks from this area are shacks, hostels, and absolute poverty.
We started our tour of Kliptown ( one of the various neighborhoods that make up Soweto) at the field where the freedom charter was written. This document was written by black activists and demanded equal rights for all South Africans. Many who wrote this document were imprisoned for treason but the ideas of the freedom charter continue to guide the ANC today. The memorial at this field is beautiful and there is a 5 star Holiday Inn surrounding it. However, we were given the opportunity to walk through Kliptown by some residents. The people in Kliptown live in shacks that are built by sheet metal. There is no running water, electricity, or sanitation. Around 50-80 people share one toilet and it is not safe for women to go to the bathroom at night. Approximately, 80% of the population is unemployed. The children's swimming 'pool' is open sewage that spills into the area from a northern white suburb. I can not even begin to describe what I witnessed. I have studied poverty and development theory but until Monday I did not understand what extreme poverty meant. However, the young children represented hope as they swarmed around us and proudly held the hands of the 'loon', or white people.
One child, Teo, became attached to me during our tour. When I told him my name he laughed and just kept shouting it. He played with my hair and sunglasses and truly was awed by my camera. None of the children had ever seen one before and when I sat on the ground to show them pictures of themselves they swarmed me. As we left Kliptown and walked back towards the memorioal ( no more than 100yds away) a few of us needed to use the restrooms. We were given the key by a guard to the tourist bathrooms. These facilities were pristine and very nice. It was very difficult to understand why I deserved the use of this bathroom while not 100 yds away 80 people had to share a single outhouse. It is the stark contrast between wealth and poverty that has really struck me about South Africa so far.
We have also been given the privilege of meeting political acitivists who were imprisioned at Robben Island, the same place as Mandella. It is the living and breathing history of this country that has made the past few days powerful.
My group is wonderful! I truly enjoy the people and I can not wait to experience this semester with them. The food has been average. At breakfast it is not unusual to see fish sticks or hotdogs served!! My only complaint so far is the lack of coffee...they only serve the instant variety! I have yet to see a pixie stick Dave and Ifear I would still not know how to open one since I have no keys with me. Its bizarre to not have a cell phone but I truly appreciate all the responses I recived on my last post.
I hope you are all doing well and I will post pictures soon!
I am once again writing from an Internet cafe in Jo'Burg! Today is the first nice day we have had and we are relishing the sun. This week has been jam packed with speakers, field trips, and visits to various museums. On Monday we spent the day touring Soweto. Soweto is the largest township in South Africa. It consists of 3-4 million people and is home to a variety of people and classes. We first toured the wealthy part of Soweto. This section was used by the Apartheid government to show the world that blacks were not living poorly during apartheid. However, mere blocks from this area are shacks, hostels, and absolute poverty.
We started our tour of Kliptown ( one of the various neighborhoods that make up Soweto) at the field where the freedom charter was written. This document was written by black activists and demanded equal rights for all South Africans. Many who wrote this document were imprisoned for treason but the ideas of the freedom charter continue to guide the ANC today. The memorial at this field is beautiful and there is a 5 star Holiday Inn surrounding it. However, we were given the opportunity to walk through Kliptown by some residents. The people in Kliptown live in shacks that are built by sheet metal. There is no running water, electricity, or sanitation. Around 50-80 people share one toilet and it is not safe for women to go to the bathroom at night. Approximately, 80% of the population is unemployed. The children's swimming 'pool' is open sewage that spills into the area from a northern white suburb. I can not even begin to describe what I witnessed. I have studied poverty and development theory but until Monday I did not understand what extreme poverty meant. However, the young children represented hope as they swarmed around us and proudly held the hands of the 'loon', or white people.
One child, Teo, became attached to me during our tour. When I told him my name he laughed and just kept shouting it. He played with my hair and sunglasses and truly was awed by my camera. None of the children had ever seen one before and when I sat on the ground to show them pictures of themselves they swarmed me. As we left Kliptown and walked back towards the memorioal ( no more than 100yds away) a few of us needed to use the restrooms. We were given the key by a guard to the tourist bathrooms. These facilities were pristine and very nice. It was very difficult to understand why I deserved the use of this bathroom while not 100 yds away 80 people had to share a single outhouse. It is the stark contrast between wealth and poverty that has really struck me about South Africa so far.
We have also been given the privilege of meeting political acitivists who were imprisioned at Robben Island, the same place as Mandella. It is the living and breathing history of this country that has made the past few days powerful.
My group is wonderful! I truly enjoy the people and I can not wait to experience this semester with them. The food has been average. At breakfast it is not unusual to see fish sticks or hotdogs served!! My only complaint so far is the lack of coffee...they only serve the instant variety! I have yet to see a pixie stick Dave and Ifear I would still not know how to open one since I have no keys with me. Its bizarre to not have a cell phone but I truly appreciate all the responses I recived on my last post.
I hope you are all doing well and I will post pictures soon!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Safe and Sound in Jo'Burg
I arrived in Jo'burg late last night. The flight here was uneventful and long but it was much better than I expected! I only have 1 minute left of internet access but I wanted to write to tell you I am safe and enjoying meeting the others in my program. We will spend the next week in Johannessburg studying apartheid and its legacy today. Its quite cold here!!! 40*! The landscape reminds me of the western slope of Colorado. I will write more soon! Have a great day!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
One Month til Africa!
Good Morning!
I leave for Jo'burg in one month! I can not believe that I am actually going to Africa. I am starting to get nervous for the flight but other than that I can hardly wait to get started. I still do not know what my internship will be but I am hoping I will be placed with a government agency. I have started this blog a month in advance to be sure I know how to use it! We all know I struggle with technology!! I will hopefully be leaving updates on my adventure and posting lots of pictures to share with everyone. I will try to update this blog once a week. Please keep in contact with me while I am away. I will have access to the Internet almost the entire time I am abroad and I am looking forward to e-mails or comments that keep me connected to home! Mostly, I am just anxious to get to Namibia and see what the next four months will bring!
I leave for Jo'burg in one month! I can not believe that I am actually going to Africa. I am starting to get nervous for the flight but other than that I can hardly wait to get started. I still do not know what my internship will be but I am hoping I will be placed with a government agency. I have started this blog a month in advance to be sure I know how to use it! We all know I struggle with technology!! I will hopefully be leaving updates on my adventure and posting lots of pictures to share with everyone. I will try to update this blog once a week. Please keep in contact with me while I am away. I will have access to the Internet almost the entire time I am abroad and I am looking forward to e-mails or comments that keep me connected to home! Mostly, I am just anxious to get to Namibia and see what the next four months will bring!
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