Multiple Updates. One Post.

So this is a two-on-one update; one on the Okahandja Hospital visit and one on the field trip to Windhoek.

Today we went to the Hospital to see the HIV/AIDS section.  It was pretty interesting to see how the hospital was laid out and what the people receiving treatments go through.  It was a really small space for such a large need in the community.  In one room the clerk, nurse, and doctor all shared an office and had people filtering through all the time.  The testing room and the counseling room were one room so there couldn’t be a test and a session going on at the same time.  We also got to see the Pharmacy and talk with all the different people involved in the Hospital process.  The amount of work that they do is amazing considering the space and the need.  David (a man in my group) asked what their needs were and the nurse responded with resources.  Working in such a small space is discouraging to everyone involved.  Wait times are longer because space and time are limited.  It was really enlightening to see the Hospital and be able to get a better view of everything that is involved.  Pam (a current PCV helping with our training) said that she recommends getting tested at a public clinic at least once so you will know what it is like for the average person getting tested.  Once I get to site I will definitely take that opportunity.

Last weekend we went on a field trip to Windhoek!  It was really a cool day.  Our first stop was Heroes Acre where the leaders of the fight for independence as well as other Namibians who do amazing things are buried in honor.  It was a beautiful monument and we walked all the way to the top and we got an amazing view of Windhoek from Heroes Acre.  As a custom people who go to the top sing songs so we chose some Namibian songs that we have been learning.  I will post the videos below along with some photos from the day.

Next we went to the mall!  Which is just like a typical American mall with stores and food shops.  It felt like we were transported back to the states with pretty much the same stores but with different names and styles.  I picked up some much needed Q-tips (aka cotton buds) at a store called medicine world which was this HUGE pharmacy/rite aid type of a place. 

Next we went to a few open markets where we ate street meat (which was AMAZING) and refueled with some water and ice cream.  It was really cool to see all the different vendors selling their items, they even had worms but I’m waiting to eat those!

This Saturday is Namibian cultural food day where we will get to eat foods from all the different cultures of Namibia.  My host mother is going to be cooking which is awesome because her food is delicious! (or //Khoaxa in Khoekhoe)

Hereoes Acre

 

 CJ Sleeping and Benna playing pool
 
 

Mike (the Afrikaans trainer) and I----Street meat 

Top Left to Bottom:

Jackson, Johanna, David, Nay, Angelina, Jurgen, Emily, Jay Cherie

Rachel, Remsey, Elaina, Alicia, Kelly, Ephraim, Amy, Sallay, Olivia, Me Crystal, Benna, Bonnie

Denise, Selma, Beauty

(bottom row) Jamie, JJ CJ, tour guide and Mike!

Khoekhoegowab

Hey Everyone!

So I'm officially living with my (AWESOME) host family and have gotten my language assignment! I'm learning Khoekhoegowab which is a native language that uses clicks.  It is challenging but also very interesting to learn.  I seem to be picking it up alright and my host family all speak it as their native tongue.  The language uses 4 different clicks that are translated into symbols before the word you use the click with.

The four clicks are:
/ which makes a tisk sound
// which makes a squirrel chirp kind of sound
! which is...i guess best described as... indescribable..
≠ which is like a sticky type sound like if you eat something sweet and your tongue sticks.

I'll post a video once I know more you ya'll can hear the different clicks (not saying they'll be perfect) but written good morning would be !gai //goas so the symbols indicate which clicks go where.

Host family is great.  I played futbol with the kids yesterday which was a lot of fun.  It's great that they all speak my language because I will have language lessons at training and language lessons at home which all started last night.  They made me feel right at home and told me that I was now a part of their family.  With my family being so far and my new PC family all living apart it is nice to have another new family.

My language group

Where the Lion King was filmed

Today we got to go hiking in Okahandja.  We climbed Pride Rock (you know where Lion King was filmed)  and had a great time.  We had to cut through a families property to get there so the kids decided to become our guides up the mountain.  We were bear crawling up rocks and got thorns in our shoes but we made it!!

p.s. if you haven't guessed the Lion King wasn't actually filmed here....it was animated...

The Journey to the Present

In the words of the ever-so-wise Anthony Bourdain:

“The journey is part of the experience-an expression of the seriousness of ones intent.  One doesn’t take a train to Mecca.”

What do you call a no-sleep, delayed flights, long layovers, and 17 hours of air travel?  PC moving day!!  But no matter the troubles life is always about the journey (thanks for reminding me Anthony), I’m glad to FINALLY be in Africa after all this time (Yes Ryan Jones I’m finally in Africa).  South African Airlines is seriously luxury for economy class: equipped with on-demand movies/TV/music/games, A travel pack (see below for photo) including socks/eye mask/toothpaste/toothbrush), loads of room (comparatively) and free drinks…unlimited free drinks.  The guy next row over drank about 12 little Brandy shooters.

Once we touched down in Namibia safely, got our bags (both my were there!) we boarded a bus to Okahandja where we are currently undergoing training.  It is here that we learn our languages (I find out on Monday) and our placements (fin out in April).  The drive into the town was beautiful and we had an indescribable sunset.  You may notice from my photos that it sure looks a lot like Colorado in some of the photos.  This is kind of nice because it’s like I took some of Colorado with me to Africa.

And while I sure am missing all of you at home I’m truly enjoying myself here and am excited to start this new chapter in the ever-evolving story of my life.

I have Internet access here in Okahandja so I’ll be able to keep ya’ll updated with the language, placement, and the day-to-day life of a trainee in PST (pre-service training)

  

 
 Our first sight of South Africa (top left)
A African Proverb that applies to our group (top right)
Look Familiar?  From the Airport to Windhoek Namibia looks a bit like CO (bottom left)
Already found a use or two for the duct tape we packed Momma! (Bottom right)

Todays Strangers are Tomorrows Family

So here I am about to go to Philadelphia.  I’m heading out to staging which is the very last step before I ship off to Namibia and the first time that I get to meet the people I’ll be serving with (face to face that is… time to see if any of us have been Catfished!).  It’s so nerve-racking that I’m about to leave my friends and family for a two-year stint in Africa but I am thankful that I have my group 37!  Even though we haven’t met yet we’re going to be in this together and have already been getting to know each other.

I remember the last time I felt like this was when I was living in Ireland for a summer and there were just four other girls from CSU coming with me.  We were a family in Ireland; we lived together, traveled together, did everything together.  It’s nice to have that family to rely on especially while you’re in another country not knowing anyone.  It’s a lot like fear bonding where suddenly you’re closer to your group members than anyone else.  I’ll be happy to have 3 months of training together before we all set off on our own paths.

As William Butler Yeats once wrote:

“There are no strangers here; only friends you have not met yet.”

Pictures are to come so no worries people!  I’m excited to show ya’ll my journey and interpretation of Namibia through my photos and writings.

P.S.  I got it all into two bags, a Backpack and a Purse!

Down to the Wire

As I am getting closer and closer to leaving (8 days and counting) I am saying more and more goodbye-for-nows to people who have been a large part of my life.  It seems so surreal that I'll be headed on this journey so far away from all that I know...all I've ever known.  And while it is difficult to leave I know that this odyssey that I have ahead of me will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and an amazing adventure.  I'm so excited to meet my group and explore Namibia and all the country has to offer!

We just had a small get together where the Mandan tribe and other family friends were able to come and bid me adieu.  It's always a good time when we are able to get together and I'll miss all the Mandan Christmas parties and crashing the boys poker nights.  Here's a photo I would love to share and it has my dad and some of the Mandan men.  Men who have all been fathers to me growing up, who gave us Mandan girls moments to cherish and Mandan wives moments of anxiety while we were away for father-daughter weekends!

(Dave, Ron, Me, My Dad, Bob, & Norm)

To quote the 'famous' fishing photo of my dad:

"All my love",
Songbird

The Packing Pendulum

Hey Everyone!  Here is the packing segment of my journey towards becoming fully packed and ready to go.  There has been a lot of give and take (hence the pendulum) in packing for Africa.  Definitely a lot of taking out clothes and adding little things along the way but alas we finally may have it!