PART 2!!
A few days after the departure of my friend Susan, my Uncle
Dennis arrived in Namibia. We had 10 fun-filled days of driving around mostly
the northern part of the country. We started in Okakara where another Peace
Corps Volunteer, Russell lives. I knew Russell and Uncle Dennis would get along
as they are athletic, hard-working, ex-military AND had lived in the Washington
area. They swapped stories and had some
good laughs. It worked out great! Russell joined us for the trip. We hiked
Waterburg Canyon, stayed in Otjiwarongo and visited a crocodile farm and even
ate croc meat! Yes- it DOES taste like chicken! Then we took a game drive at
the Erindi Game Reserve and saw all kinds of wildlife. We enjoyed a nice lunch at
the lodge, overlooking the waterhole. We spent the night in Omaruru at a lovely
guest house. We drove on to Swakopmund and stayed for 2 days. We went to Walvis
Bay and hiked Dune 7 and then lunch along the sea to watch the flamingos.
Russell took us to some eating spots during our stay at the seaside. It was
nice to have great food and REAL coffee in such a pleasant atmosphere.
We left Swakopmund and dropped off Russell along the way to
Windhoek. I had promised a Namibian family in Rehoboth that I would have
visited them when my Uncle came so we drove straight on down and arrived at the
Shabaz family in the afternoon. Uncle Dennis fit right in and we enjoyed a
curry meal with Shaheeda and her family. Namibia is a big country and the
drives are long so it was great to have quality time to talk with my Uncle
during the long journeys. Uncle Dennis had very generously offered to rent a
great 4x4 vehicle and it was perfect driving along many of the gravel roads. I
got to do some driving on the left and once you get into it, it’s not too difficult.
We drove back up to Windhoek for the last 2 days and did some shopping and
eating out at the Cultural Centre. We saw the display of the Gibeon Meteorites
in the Tower Mall. It was fantastic! The weather was good, there were no
hassles and I was again treated like a queen!
I am now back at my site and the second term is in full
swing. Today is Saturday and some students have Saturday classes so I will go
open the library and be available for other learners. There will be many events
this term: more sports competitions (soccer and netball), Mr. and Mrs. Oaseb (a
sort of pageant), a Gala event (farewell party for the Grade 12 learners), a
celebration for the African Child Day June 16 (which is a national holiday but
we must put on a celebration, ie parade, speeches and such) AND a regional
Cultural event which will include our school and the village. Whew! And on top
of all that, we must teach, administer tests and I will continue my reading
program!!
I am doing well…hair is getting long, don’t shower so often
(cause water is too cold and am too lazy to dunk my head in bucket bath), have
a new feline addition, name’s Gigi (kids brought him to my classroom during a
lesson) and I manage to keep in shape with my 15 min stretching in the morning.
Sad to say, am not making much progress with the language and hope to find a
reliable tutor shortly.
Here are some photos from my time with Uncle Dennis…more to
come!
