Cue the Music...

(Photo: My host mom Juliana, PCV Chris, me, Chris's host mom, my host auntie)

The winds of change are blowing in Namibia…literally, rainy season is approaching. It is getting warmer and there are clouds in the sky nearly every day now. Soon water droplets will fall from the sky in the tiny miracle we call “rain” for the first time in several months. I may actually go dance in the rain when it happens (someone please cue “Africa” by Toto).

First, I should begin with the big news: electricity and water. Last week, NamPower shut off the electricity for half a day because the municipality owes some millions of Nollars (an easy way to distinguish Namibian Dollars from US Dollars). Needless to say, the constituents of the municipality were not too pleased and could be found demonstrating outside the town hall. Something must have been done to smooth things over because the electricity has been working since, but the threat to cut the power continues to loom (and the same situation exists for water).

(Photo: Women in traditional Otjiherero clothing. Yes, those are horns on their heads. Yes, you can see a dozen or so outfits like this walking around town on any given day)

Thankfully, no power was needed for cultural food day, just fire wood. I have to say, it was quite a feat: over 60 people (including PCVs and trainers) cooking for three times that many. The most interesting food item was caterpillars, an Owambo food. They were black and chewy, about the circumference of a finger and half the length. Another highlight (or lowlight) of the day was watching live chickens face their demise. Needless to say, I didn’t eat any chicken that day.

In other news, site announcements were made on Friday (9/17). I will be going to…(drum roll, please)… a village near Outapi. Outapi is a town in northern Namibia, northwest of Ondongwa. According to the paperwork I received, the village population is about 500 and the combined school (grades 1-10) population is about 350. Site visits begin the end of this week and continue over the weekend and into the next week so more info about my village will follow.

(Photo: My mosquito-netted bed)

I received my first piece of mail on Wednesday (9/15). The excitement level was comparable to that of Christmas for a 10 year old – and I am not exaggerating. So…I would like to thank Ms. Noel Meyers for sending me mail and publicly shame the rest of you for not sending anything! Don’t worry, though, you still have over 24 months to make up for it. Be forewarned, however, that mail takes a MINIMUM of two weeks to reach me…and a more realistic estimate is 3-4 weeks.

I’d like to conclude with an American Moment (cue patriotic music here). Please close your eyes and imagine: a ragtag group of Peace Corps volunteers, some still dressed in business causal, playing fastpitch softball against a group of uniformed 8th and 9th grade Namibian boys on a soccer field. It was pretty wonderful and altogether indescribable.

(Photo: my house while I'm staying with a host family for training)

Before you go, scroll down to my first post from Nam (way back in August) because I added some sweet pics from a hike).