Whirlwinds (of two different types)

Home, sweet home! Forty-eight hours ago, I returned from a six day visit to my future permanent site (near Outapi, in northcentral Namibia). What a whirlwind few days it has been. I’ll just share a few highlights of the trip:














Photo: The outdoor kitchen on the homestead. In the background, you see part of the fence that surrounds the entire compound.

THE TRAVELING ITSELF. When you look on the map of Namibia, you might think, “Hmm. Windhoek to Outapi, not far.” WRONG. Including breaks (one each for petrol, bathroom, munchies and two breaks for vehicle transfers) it took nearly 10 hours to make the journey. And I have a feeling this might be near record time. I will definitely be leaving Namibia with a new definition of a “long” roadtrip (I used to think my house to Chicago was a long trip).

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK. On the way to O-land (side note: there are four provinces in northern Namibia populated predominately by Owambo-speaking people therefore Owamboland), we drove through Etosha National Park. It was my first real safari and it was a-mazing! Words cannot accurately describe how it feels to see a giraffe eating lunch 20 feet away or drive past an elephant chilling just 100 yards from you. Namibia is so blessed to have this kind of amazing wildlife and is doing itself (and the world) such a favor by protecting it!














Photo: Huts on the homestead where mahangu (the staple food) is stored.

MEETING MY FUTURE FAMILY. Although I stayed in Outapi town, I was able to make a trip out to the village, which is about 15 kilometers away (or for you crazy Americans, 9 miles). I will be living on a homestead with an awesomely large and welcoming family, but I’ll have my own bedroom. There are many children living at the house so I’ll have plenty of entertainment and many informal Oshindonga tutors, as well. The most amusing moment of the trip was probably the first thing my meme said to me (through translation) after exchanging the greeting (for more on greetings, see below). It can be paraphrased as follows: We are glad you are here and that you are a girl because you can help pound mahangu (otherwise known as millet) and cook.














Photo: One of the three brick school buildings.

SEEING A DIRT DEVIL. On the ride back from the village, someone mentioned that there was a dirt devil outside so I took a gander out the window…and nearly peed my pants. My next reaction was to attempt to take cover because it looked exactly like a small tornado. You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can’t take the Wisconsin out of the girl.

GOING TO SCHOOL. During my stay, I also spent two days at school. I’m sure most of my future posts will revolve around this topic so I won’t go into too much detail, but...my first impression: the students (or to use Namlish, learners) are well-behaved but very shy. I am definitely looking forward to getting to know my colleagues and learners much better and begin teaching!














Photo: The school's non- permanent classroom.

GREETING. In Namibia, greeting is a very important part of the culture. Even if you have known someone for years and see them on a daily basis, it is expected that you greet them each and every time you see them (at least at the beginning of each day, but as you will see, the more the merrier). In Oshindonga, greeting is very important as well. Because language reflects culture, there is a large variety of questions that can be asked when greeting someone and set procedure (or “rhythm and flow”) for asking them. So, for comic relief, I will translate this (as-long-as-possibly-possible) amalgamation of greeting questions into English:

A: How did you sleep?
B: Good.
A: Really?
B: Yes, good. How did you sleep?
A: Good.
B: Really?
A: Yes.
B: Are you there [as in paying attention]?
A: Yes, I’m there. Are you there?
B: Yes, I’m there.
A: How are your mother and father?
B: They’re fine.
A: How are your siblings?
B: They’re good.
A: How are your neighbors?
B: Good
A: How are your animals?
B: Good
A: Any news?
B: No, no news. Do you have any news?
A: No news.
B: Any problems?
A: No problems. You?
B: No problems.

And, finally, for anyone who is keeping track: IT RAINED! It may have been one of the best moments I've had in the last month: seeing the lightning; hearing the thunder; tasting, feeling, smelling the rain. Nothing says summer better than an awesome (and in this case, I was very much in awe) thunderstorm!