Daily Life

Dearest Friends, Family, and Followers,

It is time again to write a blog of all of the fabulously random things that happen in my life – these events are what make this place so incredibly special and hard to leave. Here we go…in no particular order:

· Today a learner came into the library and whispered something to me that I didn’t understand. Then she started spelling C-O-R-T-E-X. Uh…yeah, I was still confused. Then she said, “it is used to prevent menstruation.” Got it.

· Yesterday, we had the day off for International Teacher’s Day. It was lovely. I walked to the little settlement up the road from me, Omayuunda, to buy some bread and a cool drink. While I was in the shop, a woman in business casual came up next to me in the que. I greeted her, as usual, and she greeted me back. After a minute or two, I heard a deafening “cock-a-doodle-doooo!” To my surprise, this smartly dressed woman had a rooster in her handbag. I think I like that better than the stupid little dogs.

· Today, the wind has been CRAZY! I look super tan because there are literally thousands of grains of sand on my face and body. Makes for some pretty cool little cyclones though.

· I went to town last Saturday to meet up with Bret. I was walking along my road, hoping for a car to stop when a bakkie approached me. Two gentlemen were in the car and said they could give me a lift to Oshikuku. I gladly accepted and hopped in the front, in between them. Right when the one tate shut the door, the music was up and raging. I mean raging. Now, this is pretty typical for Namibia, but what makes this experience noteworthy is the type of music that was playing. It was not local music, or popular American hip hop, or even Celine Dion. It was Michael Bolton. Yes, good ole Michael. The driver had an excellent voice and was clearly feelin’ the lyrics to “I Wanna be Your Sole Provider”. And I have to admit, so was I.

· I went to a learner’s homestead last weekend. I love visiting the homesteads and often wish I lived on one instead of in the teacher housing. Anyway, I had my camera to take a few pics of the beautiful scenery, etc. What ended up happening was a full blown photo shoot, costume changes and all. Even the housekeeper, who had been busy peeling beans, took a moment to put on her best shirt and beads to have her picture taken. Taking pictures here is a little different…people need to SEE every single picture immediately after it has been taken. Sometimes I just say, “Great! It looks just like you,” so we can move on! Needless to say, cameras are a hit here.

· I swept a lizard out of my house for the third time this year.

· There are these incredibly annoying bugs (my mom knows how much they anger me) that kind of look like wasps but apparently don’t sting. Well, they are everywhere. Everywhere. They make little nests like wasps too and they are ALL over my house. Under beds, on the ceiling, on the toilet bowl cleaner (seriously). I am telling you about these annoying creatures not only because I hate them, but because they poop. A lot. I mean, I know everybody poops, but these guys make mouse sized turds. We thought we had a mouse problem until I physically watched a couple of these buggars drop a mean deuce on our kitchen counter. Sweet.

· I ate the best onion ring I have ever eaten in Namibia. I hope to do it again soon.

· I have been quietly buying uniform items for kids who either don’t have them or have used the mess out of them. I gave one girl a shirt, shoes, and socks, and in exchange, her grandmother brought me traditional porridge and owambo chicken. Pretty awesome trade.

· I showed some of my classes the karate kid and now during break time, I look out and see 7 different groups of kids re-enacting the last scene. Wax on, wax off.

This is my life and it is kind of wonderful. I’m sure there are a million more things I could share, but I will stop there for now.

Love you all!

~h