Well, we are all preparing for the big bash tonight in the village. The boys are out buying the food...Joel (one brother) wanted to kill the fatest pig but Meme said "NO!" Then she told me they are eating too much already and are lazy so they can't kill the pig!
The whole family except 2 brothers and myself are sick with a cold...so I took a car load of them to the health clinic from some treatment...it cost them $4 namibian dollars-that is about 30 cents US. I'm fighting the cold, but don't know if I will succumb.
Tomorrow we are headed to Walvis Bay to surprise Maria, a sister, who is turning 26 on Friday. I am looking forward to some cool ocean air and fresh fish! If I don't eat chicken or potatoes again it will be too soon!
Also today I had the pleasure of meeting the first family I will interview. Their son is full of such joy and energy-it really brightened my day to see and play with him! He only wanted to find small rocks on the ground and through them on top of the tin shed to hear the "clink." He would then run around and smile! What fun!
Happy new year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Oshikongo
Yesterday I went to visit Oshikongo..the border town between Namibia and Angola...it was so hectic and crazy that I wanted to run screaming. The chaos was crazy-people, cars, animals, trash, movement, etc. everywhere...and as Namibian we could not shop at the stores..they were only allowing Angolans to purchase things. Anyway, I'm sure it was my "lens" that made it look chaotic-I'm sure it was organized and made sense to others-just not me as an outsider!
Today I am trying to meet with some teachers that will help me connect to families that have children with disabilities. So far, one has cancelled and rescheduled for tomorrow..and the other says to meet here, just gave a me general location in town to meet here and then I asked more specifically where...and she replied (with text message) "just come!" Oh, I love it!
BTW (by the way for you non texters) I'm kinda getting into texting messages...it is nice...
Today I am trying to meet with some teachers that will help me connect to families that have children with disabilities. So far, one has cancelled and rescheduled for tomorrow..and the other says to meet here, just gave a me general location in town to meet here and then I asked more specifically where...and she replied (with text message) "just come!" Oh, I love it!
BTW (by the way for you non texters) I'm kinda getting into texting messages...it is nice...
Monday, December 29, 2008
Jack
As you may be able to tell, I love Jack! He was the dog that followed Doggie (have I ever told out about Doggie?) that came to the house as a puppy in 1999 after Doggie died. I named him Jack and he was essentially my dog. So, the fact that he is still alive is next to a miracle! Last night Meme and I were talking about the new puppy on the homestead and she gave me a light warning that Jack must stay away from the new puppy…I was bit confused a first but then realized she meant that Jack must not give the puppy (has yet to be named) the STD…then she went on talking about how Jack is a problem in the community because he apparently like to have sex and spread his STD…oddly enough, I got a bit defensive!
Happy holidays!
Christmas day was quite a great day here at Oshikondiilongo. I woke up around 6:15 with the sun, went for a walk with my dog Jack and the other dog named Spot. They were playing and swimming in the oshanas (pools of rain water). It is nice to see my dog Jack playing although he is not well (remember he has an STD that has turned into cancer and a dislocated hip!). Then I came home and just helped the girls cook and was with the family.
We had two big meals throughout the day. The first meal consisted of fried chicken, potato salad with hotdogs, baked beans and carrot salad, cooked cabbage, macaroni pasta with ketchup, and sodas!
Then the evening meal came…have you ever been sitting at a holiday dinner and felt a bug crawling in your hair? Well, as I was sitting there, I could feel something large inching through my hair…the room was dark and we had just begun to begin eating, so I was trying to not get worked up…but I couldn’t find it. I continued eating thinking perhaps it was in my mind that something was crawling on my scalp…but I decided to dig again in my hair. Sure enough, there was a large flying beetle that I was able to pull out and toss to the side of the table without anyone knowing the difference! That is the luxury of eating in a room with no light!
We had two big meals throughout the day. The first meal consisted of fried chicken, potato salad with hotdogs, baked beans and carrot salad, cooked cabbage, macaroni pasta with ketchup, and sodas!
Then the evening meal came…have you ever been sitting at a holiday dinner and felt a bug crawling in your hair? Well, as I was sitting there, I could feel something large inching through my hair…the room was dark and we had just begun to begin eating, so I was trying to not get worked up…but I couldn’t find it. I continued eating thinking perhaps it was in my mind that something was crawling on my scalp…but I decided to dig again in my hair. Sure enough, there was a large flying beetle that I was able to pull out and toss to the side of the table without anyone knowing the difference! That is the luxury of eating in a room with no light!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Hello all...Johnny (the first born child of the Kondjila family) has a new email account. If you know him-or met him while we were in Peace Corps-drop him an email at johnnykondjila@hotmail.com
Chinatown
Apparently there is a Chinatown in Windhoek now! We went there today to look around and then we ate Chinese food-so surreal!
Tomorrow Johnny (brother) and I are headed back to Oshikondiilongo. Word travels fast and a cousin (not sure if he is really or not!) wants a lift with us...so the three of us will head home. Freddy (other brother that lives in Walvis Bay) will come home for the holiday-I am so excited to see him-I have not seen him yet!
Otherwise all else is well.
happy holidays!
Tomorrow Johnny (brother) and I are headed back to Oshikondiilongo. Word travels fast and a cousin (not sure if he is really or not!) wants a lift with us...so the three of us will head home. Freddy (other brother that lives in Walvis Bay) will come home for the holiday-I am so excited to see him-I have not seen him yet!
Otherwise all else is well.
happy holidays!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Windhoek
Today Kayla left to be back home for the Christmas holiday with her family. It is so unbelievable to me that it is only a few days away...but I've noticed some holiday cheer here. Some people working at the stores have on Santa hats, many stores are playing the traditional Christmas carols (deck the halls, silent night, etc.) and lots of ads in the newspaper for gifts. So, while I tried to escape it, I was unable!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
a stabbing victim...
Last night as we were eating dinner (boiled chicken, porriage, and ojovo-freshly made nut oil) someone calls Johnny's (oldest son) cell phone. then a call to Eveline's (middle daughter's) cell phone...apparently there has been a stabbing at the local cuca shops (little bars) and the stabbing victim would like a ride to the hospital. Well, as Johnny is eating, he says he is very tired and does not want to go...so I just assume (something I just shouldn't do here) that he is not going to take him. About 10 minutes later another call asking again for a ride to the hospital and please hurry because of the bleeding.
So, when I was in junior high school and high school I thought that maybe I wanted to be doctor--but then realized it was a lot of work so I didn't pursue it...but I thought that last night may be my night to be a pseudo doctor. So I grabbed some gauze and tape that I got for a rash on Kayla's foot and ran out the door with Johnny...as Meme trailed us telling me not to touch anything because I didn't have gloves...in my mind, I was going to save a life of a stabbing victim and if I had to use plastic grocery bag to cover my hands so I could tend to his wounds, then I would!
Well, we got there and his forearm had some dried blood on it and he said he was stabbed in the stomach...but he did not show us the wound and I did not see much blood..so I was quite disappointed that I was not able to put my gauze to use! Anyway, we first had to stop at the police station to get a form with a stamp for the hospital-I suggested we just go to the hospital and skip the police b/c if he is really injured we shouldn't take the time, but my suggestion was overruled! Once at the hospital he went into the 'causality' ward and was never seen again. They admitted him for the night.
While we were waiting, I was begging Johnny to let me "liberate" (as Beth Swadener, my mentor, has said in similar situations) a wheelchair for our grandmother b/c she is unable to walk and has taken to crawling but he would not let me-he was scared...but I may go back! It will be returned when she no longer needs it!
Anyway, on the ride home, the cousin that escorted him to the hospital was telling us this stabbing was over candy! The "victim" was so angry he wanted to take a spear and go to the cuca shop for paybacks! Thankfully he didn't!
We got home at about 1:30 am and I was exhausted...image how tired I would have been if I had to really put my medical skills to use...I still hope to use the gauze!
So, when I was in junior high school and high school I thought that maybe I wanted to be doctor--but then realized it was a lot of work so I didn't pursue it...but I thought that last night may be my night to be a pseudo doctor. So I grabbed some gauze and tape that I got for a rash on Kayla's foot and ran out the door with Johnny...as Meme trailed us telling me not to touch anything because I didn't have gloves...in my mind, I was going to save a life of a stabbing victim and if I had to use plastic grocery bag to cover my hands so I could tend to his wounds, then I would!
Well, we got there and his forearm had some dried blood on it and he said he was stabbed in the stomach...but he did not show us the wound and I did not see much blood..so I was quite disappointed that I was not able to put my gauze to use! Anyway, we first had to stop at the police station to get a form with a stamp for the hospital-I suggested we just go to the hospital and skip the police b/c if he is really injured we shouldn't take the time, but my suggestion was overruled! Once at the hospital he went into the 'causality' ward and was never seen again. They admitted him for the night.
While we were waiting, I was begging Johnny to let me "liberate" (as Beth Swadener, my mentor, has said in similar situations) a wheelchair for our grandmother b/c she is unable to walk and has taken to crawling but he would not let me-he was scared...but I may go back! It will be returned when she no longer needs it!
Anyway, on the ride home, the cousin that escorted him to the hospital was telling us this stabbing was over candy! The "victim" was so angry he wanted to take a spear and go to the cuca shop for paybacks! Thankfully he didn't!
We got home at about 1:30 am and I was exhausted...image how tired I would have been if I had to really put my medical skills to use...I still hope to use the gauze!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Permission granted!
On Friday I was granted permission to conduct my research by the regional director of education in the Oshana region! I am so relieved...
Other things...my dog Jack is suffering. I took him to the vet and his hip is dislocated and there is nothing they can do...and he has an STD that turned into cancer...but he is still strong!
It has been raining here quite a bit so the frogs are everywhere...so last night for dinner-nothing but the fattest frog for me! I just ate an leg (at least that is what I think it was). Really, it wasn't bad or anything...not sure I'd make it for myself, but a decent meal nonetheless!
Other things...my dog Jack is suffering. I took him to the vet and his hip is dislocated and there is nothing they can do...and he has an STD that turned into cancer...but he is still strong!
It has been raining here quite a bit so the frogs are everywhere...so last night for dinner-nothing but the fattest frog for me! I just ate an leg (at least that is what I think it was). Really, it wasn't bad or anything...not sure I'd make it for myself, but a decent meal nonetheless!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Jack
The race has been on the past few days to secure permission from the Ministry of Education to conduct my research...it is still in the works...I've met with 3 people so far, none of who can/will grant permission. I am waiting for the director to come from Windhoek (8 hours away) on Thursday or Friday!
My dog Jack is still alive here in Namibia! He was just a puppy when I left and assumed he would not be around when I came back..but he is here. I swear he remembers me and Michele. However, he has an injured back leg that has gotten much worse in the past day. Tomorrow I will take him to the Vet-today is a Namibian holiday and the Vet is closed.
Otherwise, all is well. The weather has been bearable, as it has been raining quite a bit!
My dog Jack is still alive here in Namibia! He was just a puppy when I left and assumed he would not be around when I came back..but he is here. I swear he remembers me and Michele. However, he has an injured back leg that has gotten much worse in the past day. Tomorrow I will take him to the Vet-today is a Namibian holiday and the Vet is closed.
Otherwise, all is well. The weather has been bearable, as it has been raining quite a bit!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
condoms and tacos (not in that order)
As you know, HIV/AIDS is quite widespread here. The governemnt is making a huge effort to curb the spread and provinding free condoms at many places-like as you leave the grocery store, in the post office, etc. However, according to the young adults at my home, there is so much shame around actually taking them...and once they mentioned that to me, I've noticed all the boxes of free condoms are nearly full!
so, every wehre I go I grab a handful and pop them in my bag and told the young adults. So last night we were all in the kitchen and one of the boys (21 years old or so) asked me for condoms and then his older sister said, "me too, me too!" For some reason this excited me to no end and felt as if I was a public service announcment!
As I said, we were all in the kitchen because all the girls and myself were making tacos for dinner. I found some Old ElPaso taco shells in the capital city last week and brouht them here...and it was a hit! We also made rice and beans! Oh, what a night...and we watched the best of Michael Jackson...
so, every wehre I go I grab a handful and pop them in my bag and told the young adults. So last night we were all in the kitchen and one of the boys (21 years old or so) asked me for condoms and then his older sister said, "me too, me too!" For some reason this excited me to no end and felt as if I was a public service announcment!
As I said, we were all in the kitchen because all the girls and myself were making tacos for dinner. I found some Old ElPaso taco shells in the capital city last week and brouht them here...and it was a hit! We also made rice and beans! Oh, what a night...and we watched the best of Michael Jackson...
Monday, December 8, 2008
from weaves to wigs
I would love to create an anthology of hair styles/pieces here in the northern region of Namibia. Back in 1997-1999, the rage was weaves with intricate designs...now it seems to be wigs...Perhaps because my hair style has not really changed since about 1985, I do not notice the trends, but here, things are a changin'
Kayla and I have been muddling through it here! She is quiet a trooper! She has been shocked by many things, is not quite yet adjusted to the food and not sure she will, but is doing a great job of just "being." Tonight we will make tacos for the family-I will take pics and post them.
I have reunited with all my favorite people. Last night was the final reunion with one of my favorite teacher, Tate Armas! We had a great time talking and I'm enjoying my time here with my Namibian family and friends.
Today I am also making connections with peopole for the research peice-actually the reason I am here! Things are going slow, as expected, but going well!
Kayla and I have been muddling through it here! She is quiet a trooper! She has been shocked by many things, is not quite yet adjusted to the food and not sure she will, but is doing a great job of just "being." Tonight we will make tacos for the family-I will take pics and post them.
I have reunited with all my favorite people. Last night was the final reunion with one of my favorite teacher, Tate Armas! We had a great time talking and I'm enjoying my time here with my Namibian family and friends.
Today I am also making connections with peopole for the research peice-actually the reason I am here! Things are going slow, as expected, but going well!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
back tracking my murder of an innocent...
To fill in all of you of what has been going on here...the Internet access has not been easy.
Pam and Lorrie (Michele's cousin and her girlfriend) met us in Cape Town, South Africa and enjoyed some time with us. We visited Robbin Island, Cape Point, and attempted to hike Table Mountain.
We then headed to Namibia...after a 14 hour drive we arrived in Mariential, Namibia for a night of sleep then headed to Windhoek for a short stop over. Later that day we headed to Etosha to view animals. We saw zebra, giraffe, elephant, springbok, warthogs, rhinos, and other various things. Pam and Lorrie were in heaven!
After a few days there, we drove to Okonjima. We stayed at the most amazing place and saw cheetahs and leopards! This place was truly wonderful! They rehab big cats to return them to the wild and support their operation vis a vis tourism!
On our final morning at Okonjima the race was on to get Pam & Lorrie back to Windhoek to catch their flight home...and we (ok, me) had a slight mishap...I hit a guinea fowl. Now, I've never in my life killed anything with a car-but that damn thing started going in the other direction and then turned on a dime right into the grill of the Toyota Yaris-what could I do? Well, Lorrie (my sometimes attentive co pilot) and I witness this tragedy while Michele and Pam where in the back seat and only heard the thud! One of them asked what that noise was and without hesitation, Lorrie replies that it was a rock. A few seconds later, Michele asks, "are you sure it wasn't a guinea fowl?" We reply with all sincerity that it was rock-all the time a plume of the poor guinea fowl's feathers were nearly blocking my view of the road as they blew up from the front grill! Lorrie and I could barely contain our laughter at the irony of this. If I'd been alone, I would have been a crying mess of a murder!
Throughout the rest of the drive I assumed the corpse of the fowl had fallen off and, since it was raining on and off, I just knew that the rain was cleaning any left over remnants of the encounter off the car...until we pulled into the gas station. I have never seen so many gas station attendants pointing in shear bewilderment...at this point I assumed the fowl had left her mark on the car. However, under no circumstances would I have guessed that damn thing was smashed like a cartoon character to the front of the car like a hood ornament. Thankfully one of the attendants removed the bird from the grill and kindly offered it to us..Michele politely refused the "meat."
And if that wasn't enough, we drove back through that gas station yesterday on the way to drop Michele at the airport-a good week and a half later-and as we pulled up, the gas station attendant starting telling his buddy the story of the guinea fowl hood ornament and was pointing and laughing at the car...the poor guinea fowl didn't have a chance.
As I said in the previous blog, Michele left for home today. Yesterday I picked up Kayla, a former student of mine, at the airport. She will stay with me for a couple of weeks to see what it is like here.
Tomorrow we are headed back to the northern region (near Ondangwa) for a traditional wedding-a cousin of the family is having the second part of her wedding tomorrow. Then we are going home to the village!
Pam and Lorrie (Michele's cousin and her girlfriend) met us in Cape Town, South Africa and enjoyed some time with us. We visited Robbin Island, Cape Point, and attempted to hike Table Mountain.
We then headed to Namibia...after a 14 hour drive we arrived in Mariential, Namibia for a night of sleep then headed to Windhoek for a short stop over. Later that day we headed to Etosha to view animals. We saw zebra, giraffe, elephant, springbok, warthogs, rhinos, and other various things. Pam and Lorrie were in heaven!
After a few days there, we drove to Okonjima. We stayed at the most amazing place and saw cheetahs and leopards! This place was truly wonderful! They rehab big cats to return them to the wild and support their operation vis a vis tourism!
On our final morning at Okonjima the race was on to get Pam & Lorrie back to Windhoek to catch their flight home...and we (ok, me) had a slight mishap...I hit a guinea fowl. Now, I've never in my life killed anything with a car-but that damn thing started going in the other direction and then turned on a dime right into the grill of the Toyota Yaris-what could I do? Well, Lorrie (my sometimes attentive co pilot) and I witness this tragedy while Michele and Pam where in the back seat and only heard the thud! One of them asked what that noise was and without hesitation, Lorrie replies that it was a rock. A few seconds later, Michele asks, "are you sure it wasn't a guinea fowl?" We reply with all sincerity that it was rock-all the time a plume of the poor guinea fowl's feathers were nearly blocking my view of the road as they blew up from the front grill! Lorrie and I could barely contain our laughter at the irony of this. If I'd been alone, I would have been a crying mess of a murder!
Throughout the rest of the drive I assumed the corpse of the fowl had fallen off and, since it was raining on and off, I just knew that the rain was cleaning any left over remnants of the encounter off the car...until we pulled into the gas station. I have never seen so many gas station attendants pointing in shear bewilderment...at this point I assumed the fowl had left her mark on the car. However, under no circumstances would I have guessed that damn thing was smashed like a cartoon character to the front of the car like a hood ornament. Thankfully one of the attendants removed the bird from the grill and kindly offered it to us..Michele politely refused the "meat."
And if that wasn't enough, we drove back through that gas station yesterday on the way to drop Michele at the airport-a good week and a half later-and as we pulled up, the gas station attendant starting telling his buddy the story of the guinea fowl hood ornament and was pointing and laughing at the car...the poor guinea fowl didn't have a chance.
As I said in the previous blog, Michele left for home today. Yesterday I picked up Kayla, a former student of mine, at the airport. She will stay with me for a couple of weeks to see what it is like here.
Tomorrow we are headed back to the northern region (near Ondangwa) for a traditional wedding-a cousin of the family is having the second part of her wedding tomorrow. Then we are going home to the village!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Michele is headed back to Phoenix
Michele left today for home...Kayla, one of my previous students, came in to stay with me for a few weeks.
Michele and I did so many things in the past few weeks...and the Internet access was scarce! Pam (Michele's cousin) and her girlfriend Lorrie came and traveled with us for awhile! It was awesome!
I'll post more later..but just a short post to let everyone know that we are alive!
Michele and I did so many things in the past few weeks...and the Internet access was scarce! Pam (Michele's cousin) and her girlfriend Lorrie came and traveled with us for awhile! It was awesome!
I'll post more later..but just a short post to let everyone know that we are alive!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
It's number one!
Another beautiful day here in Cape Town. Yesterday, we spent the day with our new friend Petrus and another new friend Kim. Kim is the daughter of graduate student at ASU. Her mother, Antionette, is from Namibia. So we enjoyed lunch-bunny chow!
Petrus's favorite saying is "it's number one" and we have taken quite a liking to that saying and to him. He is truly an amazing human! He has seen such hardship, tragic losses, and continues to be optimistic and happy...and makes us laugh!
We have decided that South Africa is technologically far more advanced than the US...or perhaps we are not in the technological loop in the states so we don't know what exists. Kim showed us something like a chat room on her cell phone for her friends...we spend 25 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on a stove top in our cottage...we have a little washing machine for our clothes and it washes and drys in the same machine-we washed the clothes 3 times trying to figure out how to turn the machine into the dryer!
Today, Michele is getting a hair cut and then we are headed to Hout Bay to see the ocean. Tomorrow, Michele's cousin and her partner are coming in from California to travel with us! Pam and Lorrie will our travel buddies for the next 10 days as we head to Namibia!
Petrus's favorite saying is "it's number one" and we have taken quite a liking to that saying and to him. He is truly an amazing human! He has seen such hardship, tragic losses, and continues to be optimistic and happy...and makes us laugh!
We have decided that South Africa is technologically far more advanced than the US...or perhaps we are not in the technological loop in the states so we don't know what exists. Kim showed us something like a chat room on her cell phone for her friends...we spend 25 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on a stove top in our cottage...we have a little washing machine for our clothes and it washes and drys in the same machine-we washed the clothes 3 times trying to figure out how to turn the machine into the dryer!
Today, Michele is getting a hair cut and then we are headed to Hout Bay to see the ocean. Tomorrow, Michele's cousin and her partner are coming in from California to travel with us! Pam and Lorrie will our travel buddies for the next 10 days as we head to Namibia!
Monday, November 17, 2008
good morning!
We just got up, went for a walk, and ate breakfast...Everywhere we look are guinea fowl and their babies-like we see squirrels at home-crazy!
It is a beautiful day..about 70 degrees and slightly cloudy. We are headed to meet our new Namibian friend Petrus!
Question: what does a snail eat when it lives on a tile wall?
It is a beautiful day..about 70 degrees and slightly cloudy. We are headed to meet our new Namibian friend Petrus!
Question: what does a snail eat when it lives on a tile wall?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
We're here!
Hello friends:
We have landed on African soil and couldn't be happier! Yesterday we landed in Cape Town and immediately made a wonderful new friend. Petrus Iimbodi helped us to our rental car and gave us a taste of Namibia. He is from Namibia, near Okahow, (ok, I know that is not how to spell it-Tracy Reines-help me meme!). So, we were able to exchange some Oshindonga and familiarities! He also reminded us of the serious nature of driving here..he was in a car accident recently and he was the only survivor-he has scars from burns on his arm and leg and wanted us to remember to drive slowly and safely! As you may have guessed, Michele invited him for dinner..so we will see him tomorrow for dinner. What a wonderful way to come to "home." The other friend we made on our first day was a snail living on our bathroom wall. I am going to try to figure out to post pics and show you all!
Today we are still trying to catch up on sleep and get acclimated. We did get up early (8:00 am-early for me no matter what continent!) and go to get some coffee and look around the area we are staying. We are staying in a beautiful self catering flat in Constantia...so green! As expected, we went to Pic-n-Pay and found wonderful clothes! Who needs to pay more than $10 US for any clothing item? At Pic-n-Pay (mostly grocery store with a touch of Target) I spotted Miley Circu and High School Musical stuff-who knew that has made it here! After struggles with the ATM, we headed down to the Waterfront for some seafood-it was yummy! We looked around and then headed back to our flat for a nap (for Maggie only). Michele and I had a coffee and she opted for the caffeinated and is still running laps around anything that is not moving!
currently, we are sitting here, enjoying a glass of local wine, deciding what to do next...we have chicken curry for dinner and the weather is beautiful!
Love to everyone,
maggie and michele
We have landed on African soil and couldn't be happier! Yesterday we landed in Cape Town and immediately made a wonderful new friend. Petrus Iimbodi helped us to our rental car and gave us a taste of Namibia. He is from Namibia, near Okahow, (ok, I know that is not how to spell it-Tracy Reines-help me meme!). So, we were able to exchange some Oshindonga and familiarities! He also reminded us of the serious nature of driving here..he was in a car accident recently and he was the only survivor-he has scars from burns on his arm and leg and wanted us to remember to drive slowly and safely! As you may have guessed, Michele invited him for dinner..so we will see him tomorrow for dinner. What a wonderful way to come to "home." The other friend we made on our first day was a snail living on our bathroom wall. I am going to try to figure out to post pics and show you all!
Today we are still trying to catch up on sleep and get acclimated. We did get up early (8:00 am-early for me no matter what continent!) and go to get some coffee and look around the area we are staying. We are staying in a beautiful self catering flat in Constantia...so green! As expected, we went to Pic-n-Pay and found wonderful clothes! Who needs to pay more than $10 US for any clothing item? At Pic-n-Pay (mostly grocery store with a touch of Target) I spotted Miley Circu and High School Musical stuff-who knew that has made it here! After struggles with the ATM, we headed down to the Waterfront for some seafood-it was yummy! We looked around and then headed back to our flat for a nap (for Maggie only). Michele and I had a coffee and she opted for the caffeinated and is still running laps around anything that is not moving!
currently, we are sitting here, enjoying a glass of local wine, deciding what to do next...we have chicken curry for dinner and the weather is beautiful!
Love to everyone,
maggie and michele
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Hello all...
So, I have recieved a lot of emails from you all, and many complaints that you can't post. So, we figured out how to post on the blog tonight. You must check something like name/url and then enter your name..hope this helps and look forward to hearing from you all. I am going to try to attach some pics from tonight. We shared the evening with our friend John Ng'asike-from Kenya- and Antoinette Wentworth from Namibia...we talked travelling and our pending route through south africa and namibia. Antoinette has been quite a help!
So, I have recieved a lot of emails from you all, and many complaints that you can't post. So, we figured out how to post on the blog tonight. You must check something like name/url and then enter your name..hope this helps and look forward to hearing from you all. I am going to try to attach some pics from tonight. We shared the evening with our friend John Ng'asike-from Kenya- and Antoinette Wentworth from Namibia...we talked travelling and our pending route through south africa and namibia. Antoinette has been quite a help!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
ABD
Hello friends...
I am beginning this blog to keep people informed of my progress, or lack of, and to document the research process.
Michele and I will leave on Friday, Nov. 15 for Cape Town. We will spend about 1 week there and then her cousin Pam and her partner Lorrie will arrive. We plan on travelling from CT to Etosha stopping along the way at Sossiveli, Okonjima, Etosha, and then back to Windhoek.
Michele and I will then head to the village for some time with the family. Michele leave on Dec. 5 to go back to Phoenix. The same day one of my students (that has graduated from high school) will come to visit for 2 weeks. Kayla will stay with me in the village and learn about life in rural Namibia.
I will stay in Namibia until Jan. 17, 2009 and then fly home...with all my research complete-that is my hope!
Stay tuned...I hope to update this site regularly!
I am beginning this blog to keep people informed of my progress, or lack of, and to document the research process.
Michele and I will leave on Friday, Nov. 15 for Cape Town. We will spend about 1 week there and then her cousin Pam and her partner Lorrie will arrive. We plan on travelling from CT to Etosha stopping along the way at Sossiveli, Okonjima, Etosha, and then back to Windhoek.
Michele and I will then head to the village for some time with the family. Michele leave on Dec. 5 to go back to Phoenix. The same day one of my students (that has graduated from high school) will come to visit for 2 weeks. Kayla will stay with me in the village and learn about life in rural Namibia.
I will stay in Namibia until Jan. 17, 2009 and then fly home...with all my research complete-that is my hope!
Stay tuned...I hope to update this site regularly!
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