AFRICA!

(this post was written on August 19, 2010)

I’m in Africa! After a full day of traveling (2.5 hr bus ride, 5 hr wait at airport, 15.5 hr plane ride, 3 hr layover, 2.5 hr plane ride, 1 hr bus ride) we all arrived at our training site. Traveling from the airport, the land reminded me of West Texas, so I didn’t feel so far from home. In fact, so far we have been very sheltered and it feels more like I’m at camp than in Africa! There are 44 trainees in my group (which is group 32) and everyone is very nice and it’s been fun getting to know each person. Most of our group is with education and there are 6 math teachers total. We were given some information about the different sites that are available and were able to say which would be our pick for first, second, etc. It’s nice to feel like I have some say in where I will live for the next two years, but it’s still up to our APCD (Associate Peace Corps Directors). All the staff with the Peace Corps has been extremely nice and helpful. They really make you feel that they are looking out for your best interest and of course our health and safety is their number one priority.

I’ve already taught other trainees Phase 10, and every night we’ve played cards. In fact, the first night in Africa my roommate and I had 15 other people in our small room playing two separate games of Uno. The next day we did ask if we could have the keys to the Common Room so we could have more space. I can really see how your training group becomes your family while you are here.
On site, we have peacocks and dogs and a cat. The cat reminds me of Jezebel because it has long grey hair. I’ll try to upload a picture at some point.
Today everything has seemed to slow down some. We have a TON of information to read, and it can become quite overwhelming. I’m glad to have the weekend to have some down time.

Shots – I’ve had a lot in the past few days. They haven’t been too bad, with only minor skin irritations. We received the Yellow Fever shot in Philadelphia and I still have a red mark on my arm. Then the first night in Namibia we received round one of Rabies and yesterday we got the Meningitis shot. I have a bruise from that one.

Next week we move to our homestay site here in town and will live with that family until October 15 when we move to our permanent site. I’m looking forward to experiencing more of the culture. I think next week we go into the capital Windhoek to open our bank accounts and buy cell phones. I was happy to find out that most sites have cell phone range, and you can have internet access on your cell phone. And it’s cheaper to send emails from your cell phone than to hook up to the internet on your computer. It will be nice to be able to feel more connected to home. It’s crazy, because it really doesn’t feel like I’m so far away.

We have PCVL (Peace Corps Volunteer Leaders) during our training and they are SO helpful. It’s nice to hear from someone that has lived here for 2+ years. One has traveled so much and I hope to be able to feel comfortable to travel around Namibia and other parts of Southern Africa. I have decided I need to invest in a travel backpack. Rolling suitcases are not the easiest to move around with. I’m also looking forward to being able to settle in somewhere. It’s already tiring living out of suitcases, especially since I packed everything a little randomly to meet the weight requirements for our luggage.

Overall, I’m having a really great time so far. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. In the next week I should find out where my site will be and what language I will be learning. I hope to post more soon – but no worries if I’m not able to communicate much in the first few months. Once I’m more settled in, I’m sure I’ll be posting more regularly.