Wow, it has been a while since I've written anything. Seems like I'm always saying that on here or when I write in my journal. I guess I get really caught up in things then just space out for a week, then repeat.
So why have I been so busy? Well, a lot of reasons but mostly ICT (Information and Communications Technology a.k.a. computers) work. At the end of last term I left a little bit early to head to an ICT conference hosted and put on by fellows PCVs (including myself). Now why would I be doing this? I'm not sure if I've mentioned it (I think I have) but for those that don't know, I'm moving to Mariental in December after the school year ends to take over an ICT position. I'll be replacing Debbie, a Group 30 PCV (what up Deb!). Coincidently from CO as well :) I know I'm not going to come anywhere near filling her shoes but I'll try to do what I can.
Anyway, at our conference we talked about ways Peace Corps could bring back ICT PCVs (they recently cut the program in Namibia). This included training to be offered, how to do it, utilizing PCVs strengths the best we can, etc. I think this is partially why they decided to cut the program, there really wasn't any training going on; ICT PCVs just sort of tagged along with the Education volunteers and then did their own thing. We've working on developing some materials to aid with training and help non-ICT PCVs implement ICT into their projects. There's definitely a lot of work ahead of us (Debbie and Me - even though she's back in the States) but if we can match the need, I think a lot of good things will come from it. We've already started typing up manuals for many different computer tasks and I've been collecting ICT resources from all over. Another added bonus is that this ties in perfectly with a lot of my ideas for an extension. Yep I might try and stay here a third year. So the idea is on the table, no definite plans yet but strongly considering applying for a third year and a PCVL position (PCV Leader). So now you know, more on it later as it develops and I can outline something concrete.
In the few days before and after our ICT conference - oh! I didn't even say where it was. We held it in Luderitz. That place is pretty cool but definitely really far out there. It was really nice though because I got to actually hang out with Kevin and Brad while we're here. Luderitz is 1,305 km (about 810 miles) from my site - so I definitely don't see them, ever. Well, especially now because they're both gone haha but that was a long trip to get there. I'm hoping to be able to make a trip or two there once I move to Mariental as that is possible in a day. Leah and Meagan (two 33ers) are there and a 34 just got placed there so plenty of people to visit.
Okay, so back to the days surrounding the conference. I spent them in Mariental. Was a nice stopping point to and from Luderitz. I visited my new work compound, checked out my future office, hung out with a few people in the office - it was a lot of fun. I'm pretty pumped to be working with my counterpart-to-be, Cornelia's pretty cool. We took a couple trips to Libraries, Schools, etc. to fix/setup some Tech /Na labs (computer labs), get me somewhat acquainted with the area, rediscover some old skills, etc. Was somewhat futile since that was a couple months ago and I still won't be moving for over a month, and then won't start my job until a month later. So I've forgotten mostly everything we did but at least it's somewhat shallow in my memory storage and will come back much quicker (I hope). What a fun way to spend a vacation right?!
So after all of this prep-work/training I spent the rest of my vacation being a camp counselor for Camp GLOW - the GLOW stands for Guys and Girls Leading Our World. I was so worried that I'd be incredibly burnt out, tired, and just an angry camp leader the whole time. What happened was quite the opposite, well, sort of. Campers for GLOW are nominated by other PCVs. What is nice from this is that you get an 80 kid camp that consists primarily of good kids (...you hope). For example: the first day when everyone arrived I asked everyone to be quiet so we could start dinner. I lost my train of thought immediately. I was expecting to shout, ask kids to stop talking, etc. for maybe 5-10 minutes - they were silent in 5 seconds. My jaw dropped. Was so awesome! Only way that happens in a classroom is if I'm slamming books on tables and I look like I'm about to flip some and start throwing some chairs (...this may or may not have happend...kidding! For now.)
Granted, I actually didn't get much sleep during the week but it rejuvenated me from working with such amazing kids. This is another big reason I'm really excited to move. I'll hopefully have the chance to be a part of all the camps that PCVs put on in Namibia. This is definitely where I want to try and focus my energy: into the kids that have the potential, motivation, drive, etc. to succeed. Sometimes all they need is some exposure to the possibilities and show them a path to achieve their goals. I'm just not cut from the selfless mold where teachers come from. I don't have the patience or energy to rein in 3 sets of 35 kids 6 hours a day, 5 days a week; then every afternoon dealing with a typhoon of kids in my library for 2-3 hours. Not me, I don't have that much saint blood/energy flowing through me. Maybe just a little good Samaritan blood or something - I mean, I used to always put my spare change and a dollar or so in the Salvation army Christmas buckets. That ringing bell just sucks me in I guess.
Anyway, camps are awesome. I find myself still desiring to be able to work with such kids but not on such a omnipresent basis. That's why I think starting some tutoring/after school program would be awesome for where I live (when I move back). Or joining some existing organization (I feel one of the worst parts of not-for-profit work is you have SO much competition. Everyone's trying to do what he or she wants, help in his or her OWN way, when really it's the same thing and everyone just undermines each other). This is also plays into my extension ideas and some ideas I want to suggest to Peace Corps Namibia. I think it would be nice to focus more on being a resource for teachers in schools. You still get a chance to interact with the kids, help them out, etc. but being a resource for teachers could have a far greater and more lasting impact on the youth and for education in general. What I want to focus on is ICT workshops for teachers, ministries, organizations, etc. There are a lot of resources here but not everyone knows how to really utilize them. Okay, so there's a little preview of what I want to do.
I actually did get a chance to talk to some Peace Corps - Namibia staff members about this (why am I all up in everyone's business now? When did I ever do that?). A few weeks after I got back, well, maybe even 1 or 2, I headed back to Windhoek for our Mid-Service medical exam. There actually wasn't much done. We just listed out all the problems we have had (which records already exist for) - mainly just let them know if anything was bothering us. I didn't have anything going on so it was pretty quick. Dentist visit went well, nothing bad just that I need to floss more (like always). It was actually pretty amusing because apparently Gretchen (one of the PCVs in my group) laughs hysterically at the dentist's office for whatever reason. Definitely kept us entertained. During my last day or so there is when I met with some staff members. Was really nice; I finally was able to sit down and chat with Dan Rooney, our new Programming and Training Director (or has a title something like that). He's way cool and was really helpful with a lot of the topics we discussed - we chatted for 1.5 hours or so. I'm pretty excited to have the chance to work with him, well a chance. I don't think I'll have too many direct projects under/with him but you never know!
Back to school the following week then I think the weekend after was the big event: my half marathon! And by big event I mean something I did not train for ( I probably hadn't ran since December) but decided to do since I said I would. I got there Friday and had the whole day to psyche myself up for the event. The race was set for 7am Saturday morning. We did the whole big pasta meal beforehand, and had our group of runners hanging out the whole time. There was also a fun "morale" group tagging along with us for "support". I was super nervous the day of. The fact didn't really hit me that I was running 21km (~13mi) until we were a bit in to the race. I started out with Lindsay (another PCV of course) and we stuck together for about 9-10k. I was actually pretty impressed with the pace we kept and think my 10k time would've been pretty awesome. But sadly that's when my body started to really complain and I feel very behind. I quickly realized running a half marathon when you don't have a set exercise regimen, one that is sporadic at best, is not a good idea. I realized soon after that I was only half way. Half way! I'm all pumped about how well I'm doing, thinking my body is going to pull out one of its crazy tricks and just slam this race when it dies and I have to repeat exactly what I just did. Ugh. Anyway I finished, my time was about 2 hours 15min. I think my 10k would've been in the 40's because I was definitely dragging my feel and barely moving after that 10k but still didn't have a horrible time (not good, I know, but not horrible). Either way it's a PR!! Score haha! Next year another PR! Going to train and rock that thing! So excited for it!
So after that crazy fun I had to buckle down and try to finish some ICT presentations for the new group. I was so excited that we were approved to give an ICT presentation! The topics were: "ICT and You," "What You Can Expect in Namibia," and "PC Namibia Resource Project." Definitely not the most exciting topics but on the whole I think it went rather well. We were able to give the new group a heads up on how hardware does here (gets destroyed) and plant the seeds for potential ICT projects in their communities. I think I even recruited some of them to the cause so hopefully this will become less of a solo project and more of a group project. There's definitely a lot of potential, now I just have to get my butt in gear and work hard to fulfill it.
So that brings us up to now, more or less. Group 30 PCVs have started to wrap up their service and move on. I'm definitely sad to see them go, I really liked a lot of their group. I've tried to meet up and hang out with a few before they leave, attend going away parties, chat a bit, etc. That's life though, chapters finish, new ones start. Just have to enjoy opportunities while you have the chance.
For what lies ahead, I'm just going to finish up teaching. We only have classes for another month or so then exams start. So I'll be busy closing any open business here and at the same time begin preparing for my work in Mariental starting next year. And in between the two I have vacation! I'm going to try and explore a few parts of Namibia I haven't had a chance to see yet and then maybe try to make my way over to Tanzania/Zanzibar, Malawi, or both (if I have the time and money). Hopefully I'm more punctual/consistent about my updates as well!
!Gaise i re!! !Gaise ha re!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
So pretend it's late July when you read this, I forgot to post this :(
Okay, my apologies again for my long hiatus. I've had a few things going on but have mostly just been pretty apathetic. As I said before I am sure I won't be teaching in any large capacity when I get back to the States, no take-backs, if's, and's or but's. If you see me trying to slap me in the face.
Needless to say it has been a little stressful and difficult these past few weeks excluding the past week - so let's talk about that. Last week we had our mid-service conference just prior to our 50th Anniversary conference. Both were a lot of fun, the latter more so than the former.
During our Mid-service conference we went over a few details and the administrative staff just touched on a few pieces of information they wanted to share with us. We also got the chance to talk with each other about how our sites are doing and any successes or challenges we've had. For the most part PCVs are having challenges with teaching, mostly just the same as myself. The other challenges, well, I'll spare you those details as I'd rather not have this be a vent session with no moral at the end.
As always it was nice to see so many faces again that I haven't seen for months, some up to the 8-9 months since our training. It's funny how our time spent together is - at least for me. As I've said before, the PCVs in the North (with the exception of Edward) are pretty closely clustered compared to me. They bump into each other in their shopping towns, pay weekend visits to each other, etc. Maybe that is why these past 11 months have seemed to fly by. I'm partially measuring them in my time spent with Americans. During this conference and our 50th Anniversary conference we were all trying to figure out the times when we would next see each other - the time inbetween seemed just to be "work" or "the middle stuff". Edward is a big inspiration to me in that regard. I know he has integrated incredibly well into his community, much more so than I have accomplished. He spends most of his time at site, and most of his day working. I feel I spend most of my time trying to last until lunch to where I retreat to the library for the rest of the day. Granted some learners (students) come into the library during study hour but it's pretty minimal - well, the ones I let in that actually study. There's plenty that want to come in and make a mess of things. There are a few more points I would like to mention in this regard but I'll keep the lid on them for the moment.
The 50th Anniversary All Volunteer Conference (AVC for short) was a blast. We had 103 of the 115 PCVs (I think that's our total here) in attendence. There were many PCVs I saw for the first time, sadly I didn't take the initiative to meet many of them but I did get to see a lot of PCVs that I rarely see, if ever. We had a few celebratory sessions such as PSA (public service announcement) videos over the years. Some of them were ridiculous. "If you think the glass is half empty, don't even bother. If you think the glass is half full, you might have a chance at making it." "Do you want to work 16 hours a day for people you've never met? If so, join the Peace Corps." Yeah, motivational my butt. Although there were definitely some that were motivational and made me feel a little bit guilty about my service so far. One thing I did notice is that a lot of them were NOT teachers even though currently 1/3 of all Peace Corps positions are for teachers. Probably smart marketing on their part. Though I will say I think PCVs that are teachers, and enjoy what they do, probably have some of the most rewarding experiences during service from the sheer number of relationships they establish. I have formed some strong bonds with a few of the students and a couple of the staff. Granted I feel mine is a somewhat small fraction, if I worked to have strong relationships with 100% of my learners my service would be something else entirely.
Alas, I sit here during my lunch with my grade 8 class in detention. I forgot/didn't get time to make my lunch so I'm in a particularly sour mood. Definitely pretty funny when they just sit here asking me to beat them in the office instead. Oh the temptations.....kidding. Though there is some definite animosity towards them, and as much of a challenge it can be at times of anger, beating children is not part of my character. Though I am getting less and less concerned for their well-being. Parents, or some sort of guardian, have come up to me asking about why I keep them late, during lunch, etc. Well, so far it's only been two, that I know of, but they've been really short conversations after telling them that the kids aren't doing any homework, making noise (being loud and don't stop talking), disrespectful, etc. "Oh, he/she didn't tell me that." Yeah, I'm sure they didn't. Just like the angry parents we had for kids getting kicked out of our hostel (they were sleeping with each other). Just kids being deliquients, not anything different from the rest of the world.
Okay, there is some definite bitterness here and I'd like to steer away from that. I think I mentioned that we got internet at our school, actually I totally haven't. It was about 1.5 weeks ago and I haven't written in like a month, so yay! Internet! Will be a lot nicer being able to get my nights back for sleep. The USB modem was nice because I can use it anywhere but only using it from Midnight to 6am (we got 2 extra hours but have to pay N$10 for the ENTIRE time....bah, corporations) definitely left me pretty tired. I'm hoping I can try and catch up on some things so I can upload bunches of pictures and maybe even some movies! Should be possible now that we have internet 24/7, and it's not even that slow! We need a few cables and I need to find the ethernet drivers for half of our computers but I'm hoping soon. They've managed to be pretty elusive. If anyone reading this ever donates computers, please send along the drivers with them. I want to install Ubuntu on them which I think would have everything working but I also want to keep Windows on them so they can have something more familiar. Plus I can monitor and hand off Windows easier than Ubuntu, which would take a decent amount of training and it's a lot easier to mess up.
I have downloaded some manuals on the subject though, both Windows and Ubuntu, and plan on trying to make some sort of training presentation. The question is just getting the time to do it. I have a busy couple weeks ahead as it's the end of term again but this time I'll have a week to just work at site with little worries, that is after I submit my grades. At least this time I won't be super stressed and pressed for time. I'm hoping then I can finally catch up with some of the IT work I have to do here. Then it's off to Camp GLOW, which I'm pretty excited for. Maybe I'll feel a little less guilty about my service giving up my vacation for a kids camp. I think it'll be pretty fun. Will be a good break to work with a new group of kids that are really trying hard in school. I'm assuming Liz is pretty thorough and selective during the application process. At least I hope so. Will be refreshing to have some energetic kids that I don't have to pester to do their homework everyday.
Speaking of vacations I need to finally get to planning my next one - December. It should be a long one and I definitely want to take advantage of it which means budget, budget, budget. We will hopefully get our cultural weeks again so I think I'll try and visit the North for a little bit. I also want to collaborate with a couple PCVs on some joint IT-Educational stuff. The previously mentioned thing I'm keeping a lid on may have some affect on my vacation as well (in a positive way) which would mean lots of studying - good studying though, that will be really useful. More skills I want to learn that I can finally scratch off my to-do list. Sadly, my guitar has seen little practice. Maybe I'll do that this week sometime, or next weekend. Would definitely be some solid stress relief and way more constructive than watching Television shows and movies. If you have any recommendations, please feel free to suggest them. I think I have everything figured out and what I want, it's just where I am. So if that changes then I think I'll be good to go! As for now, I'll try and allocate some pictures to post and see if I can get my youtube stuff updated again. So many things to do but hopefully you can finally get a better picture of life here in just a short while!
Needless to say it has been a little stressful and difficult these past few weeks excluding the past week - so let's talk about that. Last week we had our mid-service conference just prior to our 50th Anniversary conference. Both were a lot of fun, the latter more so than the former.
During our Mid-service conference we went over a few details and the administrative staff just touched on a few pieces of information they wanted to share with us. We also got the chance to talk with each other about how our sites are doing and any successes or challenges we've had. For the most part PCVs are having challenges with teaching, mostly just the same as myself. The other challenges, well, I'll spare you those details as I'd rather not have this be a vent session with no moral at the end.
As always it was nice to see so many faces again that I haven't seen for months, some up to the 8-9 months since our training. It's funny how our time spent together is - at least for me. As I've said before, the PCVs in the North (with the exception of Edward) are pretty closely clustered compared to me. They bump into each other in their shopping towns, pay weekend visits to each other, etc. Maybe that is why these past 11 months have seemed to fly by. I'm partially measuring them in my time spent with Americans. During this conference and our 50th Anniversary conference we were all trying to figure out the times when we would next see each other - the time inbetween seemed just to be "work" or "the middle stuff". Edward is a big inspiration to me in that regard. I know he has integrated incredibly well into his community, much more so than I have accomplished. He spends most of his time at site, and most of his day working. I feel I spend most of my time trying to last until lunch to where I retreat to the library for the rest of the day. Granted some learners (students) come into the library during study hour but it's pretty minimal - well, the ones I let in that actually study. There's plenty that want to come in and make a mess of things. There are a few more points I would like to mention in this regard but I'll keep the lid on them for the moment.
The 50th Anniversary All Volunteer Conference (AVC for short) was a blast. We had 103 of the 115 PCVs (I think that's our total here) in attendence. There were many PCVs I saw for the first time, sadly I didn't take the initiative to meet many of them but I did get to see a lot of PCVs that I rarely see, if ever. We had a few celebratory sessions such as PSA (public service announcement) videos over the years. Some of them were ridiculous. "If you think the glass is half empty, don't even bother. If you think the glass is half full, you might have a chance at making it." "Do you want to work 16 hours a day for people you've never met? If so, join the Peace Corps." Yeah, motivational my butt. Although there were definitely some that were motivational and made me feel a little bit guilty about my service so far. One thing I did notice is that a lot of them were NOT teachers even though currently 1/3 of all Peace Corps positions are for teachers. Probably smart marketing on their part. Though I will say I think PCVs that are teachers, and enjoy what they do, probably have some of the most rewarding experiences during service from the sheer number of relationships they establish. I have formed some strong bonds with a few of the students and a couple of the staff. Granted I feel mine is a somewhat small fraction, if I worked to have strong relationships with 100% of my learners my service would be something else entirely.
Alas, I sit here during my lunch with my grade 8 class in detention. I forgot/didn't get time to make my lunch so I'm in a particularly sour mood. Definitely pretty funny when they just sit here asking me to beat them in the office instead. Oh the temptations.....kidding. Though there is some definite animosity towards them, and as much of a challenge it can be at times of anger, beating children is not part of my character. Though I am getting less and less concerned for their well-being. Parents, or some sort of guardian, have come up to me asking about why I keep them late, during lunch, etc. Well, so far it's only been two, that I know of, but they've been really short conversations after telling them that the kids aren't doing any homework, making noise (being loud and don't stop talking), disrespectful, etc. "Oh, he/she didn't tell me that." Yeah, I'm sure they didn't. Just like the angry parents we had for kids getting kicked out of our hostel (they were sleeping with each other). Just kids being deliquients, not anything different from the rest of the world.
Okay, there is some definite bitterness here and I'd like to steer away from that. I think I mentioned that we got internet at our school, actually I totally haven't. It was about 1.5 weeks ago and I haven't written in like a month, so yay! Internet! Will be a lot nicer being able to get my nights back for sleep. The USB modem was nice because I can use it anywhere but only using it from Midnight to 6am (we got 2 extra hours but have to pay N$10 for the ENTIRE time....bah, corporations) definitely left me pretty tired. I'm hoping I can try and catch up on some things so I can upload bunches of pictures and maybe even some movies! Should be possible now that we have internet 24/7, and it's not even that slow! We need a few cables and I need to find the ethernet drivers for half of our computers but I'm hoping soon. They've managed to be pretty elusive. If anyone reading this ever donates computers, please send along the drivers with them. I want to install Ubuntu on them which I think would have everything working but I also want to keep Windows on them so they can have something more familiar. Plus I can monitor and hand off Windows easier than Ubuntu, which would take a decent amount of training and it's a lot easier to mess up.
I have downloaded some manuals on the subject though, both Windows and Ubuntu, and plan on trying to make some sort of training presentation. The question is just getting the time to do it. I have a busy couple weeks ahead as it's the end of term again but this time I'll have a week to just work at site with little worries, that is after I submit my grades. At least this time I won't be super stressed and pressed for time. I'm hoping then I can finally catch up with some of the IT work I have to do here. Then it's off to Camp GLOW, which I'm pretty excited for. Maybe I'll feel a little less guilty about my service giving up my vacation for a kids camp. I think it'll be pretty fun. Will be a good break to work with a new group of kids that are really trying hard in school. I'm assuming Liz is pretty thorough and selective during the application process. At least I hope so. Will be refreshing to have some energetic kids that I don't have to pester to do their homework everyday.
Speaking of vacations I need to finally get to planning my next one - December. It should be a long one and I definitely want to take advantage of it which means budget, budget, budget. We will hopefully get our cultural weeks again so I think I'll try and visit the North for a little bit. I also want to collaborate with a couple PCVs on some joint IT-Educational stuff. The previously mentioned thing I'm keeping a lid on may have some affect on my vacation as well (in a positive way) which would mean lots of studying - good studying though, that will be really useful. More skills I want to learn that I can finally scratch off my to-do list. Sadly, my guitar has seen little practice. Maybe I'll do that this week sometime, or next weekend. Would definitely be some solid stress relief and way more constructive than watching Television shows and movies. If you have any recommendations, please feel free to suggest them. I think I have everything figured out and what I want, it's just where I am. So if that changes then I think I'll be good to go! As for now, I'll try and allocate some pictures to post and see if I can get my youtube stuff updated again. So many things to do but hopefully you can finally get a better picture of life here in just a short while!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Yep, I'm doing pretty poor at this again...
BUT! I have at least a workable excuse. Yes, I have had time to be updating here for which I am sorry I haven't. These past few weeks- change that, months have been pretty busy.
I may have mentioned to some of you about a possible site change to to Mariental in Southern Namibia, it is now a confirmed change. I will be moving sometime after the school year ends, not sure if that's immediately (I hope so) or before it starts up again.
Part of the reason I haven't updated recently is that has been taking a LOT of my time and effort.
I'll skip the venting of how I (and nearly everyone involved) wanted the site change to be sooner but didn't get it (a lot of work was put into trying to make this happen). Instead I'll just briefly mention that this new site comes with a lot of added responsibilities, ongoing and newly developed.
I'll talk about those later but some topics among them are discussing the status of the ICT program here (it's been put on hold, future status unknown and not looking good), trying to possibly start a new committee, training myself for the new site, still maintaining my work at my current site, etc.
But my last 2 months or so went like this (each item roughly a week or so): prep exams, end of term exams, marking (a.k.a. grading) exams, Mariental, Luderitz, Mariental, Windhoek, first week of term 3, mid-service medical (I'm healthy), 3rd week of school...and that brings us to the present, the 4th week of school. Also Group 30 is finishing up their service here so I've been trying to see some of them before they set off.
Speaking of end of service, I might actually be trying to extend mine. Lots of planning has been going into that too among other things.
So yeah, super busy, I'll try get a good long entry or two in this week but thigns don't look like they'll settle down until after my half-marathon next weekend (or full).......that I haven't trained for. Yeah, wish me luck!
Chris Janes, signing off.
I may have mentioned to some of you about a possible site change to to Mariental in Southern Namibia, it is now a confirmed change. I will be moving sometime after the school year ends, not sure if that's immediately (I hope so) or before it starts up again.
Part of the reason I haven't updated recently is that has been taking a LOT of my time and effort.
I'll skip the venting of how I (and nearly everyone involved) wanted the site change to be sooner but didn't get it (a lot of work was put into trying to make this happen). Instead I'll just briefly mention that this new site comes with a lot of added responsibilities, ongoing and newly developed.
I'll talk about those later but some topics among them are discussing the status of the ICT program here (it's been put on hold, future status unknown and not looking good), trying to possibly start a new committee, training myself for the new site, still maintaining my work at my current site, etc.
But my last 2 months or so went like this (each item roughly a week or so): prep exams, end of term exams, marking (a.k.a. grading) exams, Mariental, Luderitz, Mariental, Windhoek, first week of term 3, mid-service medical (I'm healthy), 3rd week of school...and that brings us to the present, the 4th week of school. Also Group 30 is finishing up their service here so I've been trying to see some of them before they set off.
Speaking of end of service, I might actually be trying to extend mine. Lots of planning has been going into that too among other things.
So yeah, super busy, I'll try get a good long entry or two in this week but thigns don't look like they'll settle down until after my half-marathon next weekend (or full).......that I haven't trained for. Yeah, wish me luck!
Chris Janes, signing off.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
अन अपडेट! नोट मच गोइंग ओं...
Alright, finally back into the swing of things. Been having some technical difficulties - seriously. My external died a while ago but I was able to work around that and then some issues with my computer but I think I have what I can fixed. The external hard drive was the fault of some wiring/weather/I'm not sure but hopefully I can claim it for insurance. My technology skills have been somewhat kept up while here - something I wasn't intending for though definitely a nice surprise. I'm even trying to refresh myself on website design and a few other things while learning some new stuff.
So Term 2 is a large part done...ish. Still 2 months to go, okay, that sounds rough when put like that. Alright, enough of the poor attitude. But on a more serious note I am a little tired of teaching. While at times I do enjoy it, I feel on the whole it is not the path meant for me - at least secondary school. I knew I didn't want to ever teach middle school yet here I am. Actually not as bad as I thought though I think the kids here are somewhat terrified of me which helps with behavior control a little, though not much since I told them I would not beat them. I have a feeling they don't fully believe that to which I'm a little grateful because discipline is never really been my strong suit, whether self imposed or imposing on others or even others imposing on myself. Just not my thing.
That being said yes, I do plan on finishing my two years here. It's still an amazing experience and I do love the handful of kids that actually work in class. Fits with my 90-10 rule: I used to think that 10% of humanity made up for the other 90% or something along those lines. Kind of a gloomy outlook on the world for sure (and arrogant, pessimistic, etc.). Though I do find it discouraging that only a couple students are able to get questions correct when the answer, written with work, is left un-erased on the board. Such is teaching I guess. The thing is I do enjoy teaching and helping people understand mathematics, physics, economics, etc. but I'm not too big of a fan of all that other stuff: discipline, behavior, blah blah blah. I know, I know, what of if/when I'm a parent right? I'd like to think that these couple years of teaching has prepared me somewhat for that and I pray that my wife will be much better at that sort of thing. Also, I don't plan on having 40 kids and I don't think my wife would like to go through that sort of pain, literally. Ideally, I/we can raise our kid(s) and instill them with the characteristics we value. The good thing: we're the actual parents.
I have SO much trouble dealing with parents - or a lack there of. How do you teach a kid what you feel is right (let alone legal) when the parents are constantly undermining you every step of the way. How do you instill a drive/need for education when the parents don't care? Granted I know some did not grow up with it and I can see how education is a foreign concept where the benefits are not readily seen or even currently applicable. There lives were fine, so can't their kids be fine without it too? They can but please don't have them sit all day in my class, talking, not taking any notes, playing football or "kung fu" right outside my open classroom door - the classroom they're supposed to be in. If they're a student in my classroom it's their job to learn, don't take notes? Don't do homework? Fine with me - as long as you're acing all the exams or nearly so. When you have a 2/30 for your homework grade and a 0/50 for exam scores - when I ask questions like "Do you like cookies?" - that's pathetic. Yes, that was a question on my final for last term, maybe1/3 missed it.
2 big thank you's are due here. First, obviously, to teachers. If you're a parent and getting on a teachers case, cut them some slack. Unless you'd like to step up and take care of 40 kids in a classroom all day long. Me? I'm already dying by tea break. Haha, yes, we have tea break (9:40-10:10am). If I'm a parent, and a future teacher of my kid can find this: print it out and show me, I will forever shut up if I'm bothering you. Second big thank you, to those students that are actually working hard. It's like I tell the other volunteers (and this is a big reason why I don't intend to be a teacher): I've made the active decision to stop trying and drag kids along. If you don't have motivation, not my place to give it to you. Not my teaching style and I'd say just not me as a person (Myer-Briggs test fooooooo!). Sounds harsh but I'm just not that strong/good/benevolent/whatever of a person to do so. Now I don't completely wash my hands of kids, I spend as much time as they will put in towards work. I tell them every week: no matter what time they come knocking on my door, I will help them. If I'm sleeping, I'll get dressed and sit at the table until they want to stop (yes, I have done this - now I make sure to answer the door with a shirt on). If they care, I care a lot. If they don't then my energy is better spent elsewhere.
Thank God I didn't have all teachers like me as a child, I would've gotten nowhere haha. In my defense though I have received positive feedback from students both here and in the states. I don't think I entirely suck as a teacher I just have pretty poor patience (though actually good in comparison to some judging by the stories I hear) and don't want to deal with the headache that is puberty for the rest of my life. I've found that kids either love my class or hate it, there are few that lay in the middle. Generally the students that care somewhat about school love it, and those that couldn't care less hate it - I'm okay with that.
I'd say my first speculation at teaching at the University level seems pretty accurate. We'll see what happens with that. And speaking of University, funny how time creeps up on you. Kind of disgusting to think about that I will need to start studying again in the near future for the GREs and any other exams I wish to take for Grad School/Job Applications. I've heard some stories and it seems like the testing process is infinitely more fun here in Africa! Hopefully I'll be able to teach myself some of the things I've wanted to learn in the mean time before then. I've made little progress with the guitar, kind of sad but I've hit some snags every now and then in that area. The back-handspring is coming along though! My ankles/feet are near perfect (they start to act up during exercise) so I'm hoping to have it down in the next month or so. After that: back flip. Or maybe the proper way to do a front hand spring. Perhaps some sweet dance moves? Or better yet, [rock] climbing moves. I still want that IronMan before my 30th birthday. Haven't been on my bike in forever here and haven't ran due to my feet (and laziness). It's been way too cold to swim.
Speaking of cold, I've actually caught one. I was spending way too much time in the library during early mornings. It is COLD here in the morning. The desert does not retain heat at all. The sun goes down, whoosh! Temperature just drops. Now I'm actually happy I brought my insanely warm sleeping bag - I've been using it in bed. Made me a little homesick for my old room - well, room setup/clothes/etc. Was nice to be able to throw on some long underwear, have my nice warm comforter. Wow, thinking of a house with climate control seems so...strange. I'm going to be a total idiot when I get back. Any volunteers on teaching me how to use a thermostat again? Or better yet, who wants to be my roommate?! I'll always wingman you when needed and you can use the Peace Corps line as many times as you want when we go out.....
Can't think of too much else. It's been a pretty dull 2 months or so. Well, dull as far as Peace Corps goes; I was sitting on a mattress when a drunk guy peed himself in a ride I got...that was gross - but so was college. Hopefully I'll have much better stuff to talk about next time!
So Term 2 is a large part done...ish. Still 2 months to go, okay, that sounds rough when put like that. Alright, enough of the poor attitude. But on a more serious note I am a little tired of teaching. While at times I do enjoy it, I feel on the whole it is not the path meant for me - at least secondary school. I knew I didn't want to ever teach middle school yet here I am. Actually not as bad as I thought though I think the kids here are somewhat terrified of me which helps with behavior control a little, though not much since I told them I would not beat them. I have a feeling they don't fully believe that to which I'm a little grateful because discipline is never really been my strong suit, whether self imposed or imposing on others or even others imposing on myself. Just not my thing.
That being said yes, I do plan on finishing my two years here. It's still an amazing experience and I do love the handful of kids that actually work in class. Fits with my 90-10 rule: I used to think that 10% of humanity made up for the other 90% or something along those lines. Kind of a gloomy outlook on the world for sure (and arrogant, pessimistic, etc.). Though I do find it discouraging that only a couple students are able to get questions correct when the answer, written with work, is left un-erased on the board. Such is teaching I guess. The thing is I do enjoy teaching and helping people understand mathematics, physics, economics, etc. but I'm not too big of a fan of all that other stuff: discipline, behavior, blah blah blah. I know, I know, what of if/when I'm a parent right? I'd like to think that these couple years of teaching has prepared me somewhat for that and I pray that my wife will be much better at that sort of thing. Also, I don't plan on having 40 kids and I don't think my wife would like to go through that sort of pain, literally. Ideally, I/we can raise our kid(s) and instill them with the characteristics we value. The good thing: we're the actual parents.
I have SO much trouble dealing with parents - or a lack there of. How do you teach a kid what you feel is right (let alone legal) when the parents are constantly undermining you every step of the way. How do you instill a drive/need for education when the parents don't care? Granted I know some did not grow up with it and I can see how education is a foreign concept where the benefits are not readily seen or even currently applicable. There lives were fine, so can't their kids be fine without it too? They can but please don't have them sit all day in my class, talking, not taking any notes, playing football or "kung fu" right outside my open classroom door - the classroom they're supposed to be in. If they're a student in my classroom it's their job to learn, don't take notes? Don't do homework? Fine with me - as long as you're acing all the exams or nearly so. When you have a 2/30 for your homework grade and a 0/50 for exam scores - when I ask questions like "Do you like cookies?" - that's pathetic. Yes, that was a question on my final for last term, maybe1/3 missed it.
2 big thank you's are due here. First, obviously, to teachers. If you're a parent and getting on a teachers case, cut them some slack. Unless you'd like to step up and take care of 40 kids in a classroom all day long. Me? I'm already dying by tea break. Haha, yes, we have tea break (9:40-10:10am). If I'm a parent, and a future teacher of my kid can find this: print it out and show me, I will forever shut up if I'm bothering you. Second big thank you, to those students that are actually working hard. It's like I tell the other volunteers (and this is a big reason why I don't intend to be a teacher): I've made the active decision to stop trying and drag kids along. If you don't have motivation, not my place to give it to you. Not my teaching style and I'd say just not me as a person (Myer-Briggs test fooooooo!). Sounds harsh but I'm just not that strong/good/benevolent/whatever of a person to do so. Now I don't completely wash my hands of kids, I spend as much time as they will put in towards work. I tell them every week: no matter what time they come knocking on my door, I will help them. If I'm sleeping, I'll get dressed and sit at the table until they want to stop (yes, I have done this - now I make sure to answer the door with a shirt on). If they care, I care a lot. If they don't then my energy is better spent elsewhere.
Thank God I didn't have all teachers like me as a child, I would've gotten nowhere haha. In my defense though I have received positive feedback from students both here and in the states. I don't think I entirely suck as a teacher I just have pretty poor patience (though actually good in comparison to some judging by the stories I hear) and don't want to deal with the headache that is puberty for the rest of my life. I've found that kids either love my class or hate it, there are few that lay in the middle. Generally the students that care somewhat about school love it, and those that couldn't care less hate it - I'm okay with that.
I'd say my first speculation at teaching at the University level seems pretty accurate. We'll see what happens with that. And speaking of University, funny how time creeps up on you. Kind of disgusting to think about that I will need to start studying again in the near future for the GREs and any other exams I wish to take for Grad School/Job Applications. I've heard some stories and it seems like the testing process is infinitely more fun here in Africa! Hopefully I'll be able to teach myself some of the things I've wanted to learn in the mean time before then. I've made little progress with the guitar, kind of sad but I've hit some snags every now and then in that area. The back-handspring is coming along though! My ankles/feet are near perfect (they start to act up during exercise) so I'm hoping to have it down in the next month or so. After that: back flip. Or maybe the proper way to do a front hand spring. Perhaps some sweet dance moves? Or better yet, [rock] climbing moves. I still want that IronMan before my 30th birthday. Haven't been on my bike in forever here and haven't ran due to my feet (and laziness). It's been way too cold to swim.
Speaking of cold, I've actually caught one. I was spending way too much time in the library during early mornings. It is COLD here in the morning. The desert does not retain heat at all. The sun goes down, whoosh! Temperature just drops. Now I'm actually happy I brought my insanely warm sleeping bag - I've been using it in bed. Made me a little homesick for my old room - well, room setup/clothes/etc. Was nice to be able to throw on some long underwear, have my nice warm comforter. Wow, thinking of a house with climate control seems so...strange. I'm going to be a total idiot when I get back. Any volunteers on teaching me how to use a thermostat again? Or better yet, who wants to be my roommate?! I'll always wingman you when needed and you can use the Peace Corps line as many times as you want when we go out.....
Can't think of too much else. It's been a pretty dull 2 months or so. Well, dull as far as Peace Corps goes; I was sitting on a mattress when a drunk guy peed himself in a ride I got...that was gross - but so was college. Hopefully I'll have much better stuff to talk about next time!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I'm back!
First off, apologies for not updating this at all. I got back from holiday a few days ago and this is the first time I've had free time overlap with any form of communication. Well, this is the first time I sought it out since I had it freely available to me. Hmmm, where to start: vacation or end of term. I think I'll keep it chronological so let's start with the end of the school term.
Well, the end of the term jumped up on me fast. I was ready to do some review and coast into the last few days and give out some exams. Nope, didn't realize that we take the last two week sor so of the term and ALL the kids do is exams. Sort of like finals week. So I had to tie off the topics I was teaching and get those exams and reviews done real quick. Even better, lost two classes and gained another thanks to those teachers I mentioned previously. Was a little weird making an exam for a class I maybe taught for three days. Now I just have grades 6-8 for Mathematics (7+7+5 = 19) and grades 8-10 for BIS (3 mor periods for a total of 22). Slept very little trying to make the exams, give reviews and dabble in my other projects which I'll mention in a bit. I'm not sure who was more nervous and crunching during the exams, the kids or me. Well, nervous was probably me and crunching was DEFINITELY me. I'm pretty sure movie marathons are about just as useful for studying here as they are back in the States. Let's just say their scores horrifically reflected those movie-marathons in intellectual content.
After giving the first two exams early on in the exam weeks, I went to Group 33's Pre Service Training (PST) in Okahandja, the same place as my PST, to distribute the resource material I've been accruing. That was another huge factor to my insanely busy schedule. I was trying to put all the finishing touches I could on it and the fact that my external enclosure got wiped out didn't help the matter. If you're wondering what that means, it's translated: I thought my external hard drive crashed which contained the only copies of much of my work from the past 5-6 years...leading me to think I lost it all but it turned out only some wires got fried. So I borrowed some wires, bought a new external drive and copied everything over. I plan on ordering a new enclosure so things will be doubly backed up now....maybe even triple. That was a scary time.
Anyway, I digress. 33's PST was fun and I definitely enjoyed meeting all the new Nam PCVs. Also stopped by my host family and those of a couple others to say hello. Was good to see everyone again and definitely brought back some memories. Strange to think that was 6-8 months ago! Whoa, long time. Gave out what I had done as far as resources went and hung out for a day with the newbies. After my two days there I headed back to my school. Finished grading all the exams I stil had lying on my desk while trying to finish up grades and preparing the last few exams.
On top of that I was trying to do what I could to prepare for a workshop I was planning on attending that is put on by Peace Corps Namibia: Project Design Management and Male Engagement (2 workshops actually, PDM & ME for short). I wasn't originally planning on attending but since I've started to help out with the SanCACOS Music project here I thought it would be really useful if Jack and I (Jack being the head of it) attended. And it definitely was incredibly helpful. We got a lot of ideas and have been able to point ourselves in a solid direction for what we need to accomplish and how to do it as well. This was also given during the last week of the term so I had to squish in all my other work the week beforehand which was a little rough.
After the workshops, I came back to Tsumeb (my shopping town) since I left a lot of my vacation stuff here. I hung out for a bit then was off on vacation! Destination: Livingstone! On the way I was able to take a slight detour and see part of the Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana. Even got the chance to take a short mokoro trip and see some interesting places. Met these really cool guys from England that were doing a pretty solid tour through Southern Africa and hung out with them for a bit.
Then my arrival in Livingstone. Insane. I crossed over into Zambia from Kasane, a town in Botswana. You actually have to take a ferry across the Chobe river which is where all the fun began. Getting onto the ferry I was picked out as a mark for a hustler, he later gave up on me when he figured out what a poor pick I was. About half way through the ride I see a bunch of guys in mokoros paddling up to the side of the ferry. I was thinking they were going to try and hitch a ride or something and was about to help them out. Then I noticd the frenzy of movement on the ferry as people scurried around every which way to unload alcohol and comforters to the oncoming mokoros. I thought it a little strange that there were stacks and stacks of crates of booze but figured hey, who am I to judge? Livingstone is a big tourist town, probably gets pretty crazy and alcohol tends to usually be involved in those scenarios. Man, it was so insane though. And I believe this happens on every ferry ride. Who knows how much illegal booze is been imported down river into Zambia....oh and comforters (though I suspect they played their own critical role in this exchange). I even some some dude pop out of a hatch on the deck, grab some booze and shut it again. I was just blown away, seemed like some cartoon or movie. As soon as the ferry landed all these people just took off running with the leftovers that didn't make it onto the mokoros, incredibly entertaining to say the least.
Upon arrival, we headed over to the customs people for our visas. I had some issues since mine was soaked during a torrential downpour. Got a little nervous when the guy kept asking where my entrance visa was (as I repeatedly pointed to it) and then kept asking me how I got into the country. Then after officially passing through the gate and meeting up with taxis you get swarmed by people trying to rip you off on taxi fares: 320,000 Kwatcha to Livingstone (don't freak out too much the normal fare is 50,000 Kw). "Get in! Get in!" "This way!" "I'll take you now now!" "Here give me your thigns!" Oh, the first of all the crazy heckling in Zambia, I'm usually nice until they start getting grabby, that's when I start shoving back if you will.
Finally haggled a polite taxi guy down to 40,000 Kw (there was 4 of us so we filled it instantly.....a great resource to have for haggling). Arrived at the Backpackers place where everyone was staying, except me. I dropped off my stuff and rested a moment before setting out to find the other place where I ended up staying for half the time. I love my group but there's only so many people you cna live/tolerate for an extended period of time and I didn't want to deal with that issue. I'd rather just enjoy the people's company when it was there. Plus I really liked being on my own because it forced me to be a little outgoing, introduce myself and talk to people. A lot more intimidating thing than when doing so with a gorup of friends. I met so many people too! I think I'll start traveling on my own or just maybe with one other person a lot more now. It's been really enlightening here in regards to travel, meeting people, etc. the three days I spent there I met up with a few people at certain times for the park visits and stuff but mostly just explored on my own or with another person I met up with. I think one day I visited the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, another day I monkied around the rock climbing wall that the place had. Also got dropped from the top (thanks Steph....) which my feet/ankles are still a little tweaked from.
Pretty much did the same when I moved to the place where everyone was staying. Visited the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, we got a big group to go bungi jumping and all followed it up with a Sunset cruise which had an open bar (...uh oh....haha). Was so cool! I didnt go bungee jumping....instead I went for the Big Air EXPERIENCE!!!! It included Bungee jumping, a zip line and a gorge swing! The zip line was first and a nice little relaxing treat. Next was the bungee jumping which a group of almost 10 of us did....myself in a speedo. Though they kind of killed my thunder when they told me a guy did it nakeda few days prior....oh trust me, I was tempted. The gorge swing was last and totally terrified me. I think because of the way the harness and ropes were set up, just felt so unnatural from all my time climbing. When I stepped off the platform my legs were flailing like crazy. i'm sure if I went in my speedo it would've totally been fine haha.
Then shortly after all the extreme activities we head back to our accomodation to get ready for the cruise. While we were waiting...Adam (a PCV from Montana in our group...Rocky Mountain shout out!) proposed to Jeanine (also in our group....but Cali, though I'm not hating). Yep, PROPOSED! Was so awesome, all the adrenaline was pumping from the bunge jumping then we were all extremely excited when he proposed and the bus pulled up immediately after we all gave our congratulations! Definitely made for a much more enjoyable boat ride...though I'm sure for most of us it wouldn't have made much of a difference if we didn't even cast off.
That's about it for vacation actually. Back in Tsumeb and have so much work to do it's ridiculous. Computer stuff like no other since I have a solid set of time and better access to internet, still much planning needing to be done, cleaning, organizing, etc. so it'll be a packed week for sure.
Yes, I do have pictures of almost all of this which I will definitely post. First thing is first, editing them, and all the stuff I just mentioned. So that's all for now I guess. I'm hoping to finally go and get my feet/ankles looked at in a bit. They hurt but I don't think there's much big damage to them since I landed almost perfectly on my feet (though it was about a 20 feet drop...so....not a little hop, I mean that's 2d10 without any feats!). I'll get working on my stuff, both fun and work and try to do a better job at the updates this term.
Well, the end of the term jumped up on me fast. I was ready to do some review and coast into the last few days and give out some exams. Nope, didn't realize that we take the last two week sor so of the term and ALL the kids do is exams. Sort of like finals week. So I had to tie off the topics I was teaching and get those exams and reviews done real quick. Even better, lost two classes and gained another thanks to those teachers I mentioned previously. Was a little weird making an exam for a class I maybe taught for three days. Now I just have grades 6-8 for Mathematics (7+7+5 = 19) and grades 8-10 for BIS (3 mor periods for a total of 22). Slept very little trying to make the exams, give reviews and dabble in my other projects which I'll mention in a bit. I'm not sure who was more nervous and crunching during the exams, the kids or me. Well, nervous was probably me and crunching was DEFINITELY me. I'm pretty sure movie marathons are about just as useful for studying here as they are back in the States. Let's just say their scores horrifically reflected those movie-marathons in intellectual content.
After giving the first two exams early on in the exam weeks, I went to Group 33's Pre Service Training (PST) in Okahandja, the same place as my PST, to distribute the resource material I've been accruing. That was another huge factor to my insanely busy schedule. I was trying to put all the finishing touches I could on it and the fact that my external enclosure got wiped out didn't help the matter. If you're wondering what that means, it's translated: I thought my external hard drive crashed which contained the only copies of much of my work from the past 5-6 years...leading me to think I lost it all but it turned out only some wires got fried. So I borrowed some wires, bought a new external drive and copied everything over. I plan on ordering a new enclosure so things will be doubly backed up now....maybe even triple. That was a scary time.
Anyway, I digress. 33's PST was fun and I definitely enjoyed meeting all the new Nam PCVs. Also stopped by my host family and those of a couple others to say hello. Was good to see everyone again and definitely brought back some memories. Strange to think that was 6-8 months ago! Whoa, long time. Gave out what I had done as far as resources went and hung out for a day with the newbies. After my two days there I headed back to my school. Finished grading all the exams I stil had lying on my desk while trying to finish up grades and preparing the last few exams.
On top of that I was trying to do what I could to prepare for a workshop I was planning on attending that is put on by Peace Corps Namibia: Project Design Management and Male Engagement (2 workshops actually, PDM & ME for short). I wasn't originally planning on attending but since I've started to help out with the SanCACOS Music project here I thought it would be really useful if Jack and I (Jack being the head of it) attended. And it definitely was incredibly helpful. We got a lot of ideas and have been able to point ourselves in a solid direction for what we need to accomplish and how to do it as well. This was also given during the last week of the term so I had to squish in all my other work the week beforehand which was a little rough.
After the workshops, I came back to Tsumeb (my shopping town) since I left a lot of my vacation stuff here. I hung out for a bit then was off on vacation! Destination: Livingstone! On the way I was able to take a slight detour and see part of the Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana. Even got the chance to take a short mokoro trip and see some interesting places. Met these really cool guys from England that were doing a pretty solid tour through Southern Africa and hung out with them for a bit.
Then my arrival in Livingstone. Insane. I crossed over into Zambia from Kasane, a town in Botswana. You actually have to take a ferry across the Chobe river which is where all the fun began. Getting onto the ferry I was picked out as a mark for a hustler, he later gave up on me when he figured out what a poor pick I was. About half way through the ride I see a bunch of guys in mokoros paddling up to the side of the ferry. I was thinking they were going to try and hitch a ride or something and was about to help them out. Then I noticd the frenzy of movement on the ferry as people scurried around every which way to unload alcohol and comforters to the oncoming mokoros. I thought it a little strange that there were stacks and stacks of crates of booze but figured hey, who am I to judge? Livingstone is a big tourist town, probably gets pretty crazy and alcohol tends to usually be involved in those scenarios. Man, it was so insane though. And I believe this happens on every ferry ride. Who knows how much illegal booze is been imported down river into Zambia....oh and comforters (though I suspect they played their own critical role in this exchange). I even some some dude pop out of a hatch on the deck, grab some booze and shut it again. I was just blown away, seemed like some cartoon or movie. As soon as the ferry landed all these people just took off running with the leftovers that didn't make it onto the mokoros, incredibly entertaining to say the least.
Upon arrival, we headed over to the customs people for our visas. I had some issues since mine was soaked during a torrential downpour. Got a little nervous when the guy kept asking where my entrance visa was (as I repeatedly pointed to it) and then kept asking me how I got into the country. Then after officially passing through the gate and meeting up with taxis you get swarmed by people trying to rip you off on taxi fares: 320,000 Kwatcha to Livingstone (don't freak out too much the normal fare is 50,000 Kw). "Get in! Get in!" "This way!" "I'll take you now now!" "Here give me your thigns!" Oh, the first of all the crazy heckling in Zambia, I'm usually nice until they start getting grabby, that's when I start shoving back if you will.
Finally haggled a polite taxi guy down to 40,000 Kw (there was 4 of us so we filled it instantly.....a great resource to have for haggling). Arrived at the Backpackers place where everyone was staying, except me. I dropped off my stuff and rested a moment before setting out to find the other place where I ended up staying for half the time. I love my group but there's only so many people you cna live/tolerate for an extended period of time and I didn't want to deal with that issue. I'd rather just enjoy the people's company when it was there. Plus I really liked being on my own because it forced me to be a little outgoing, introduce myself and talk to people. A lot more intimidating thing than when doing so with a gorup of friends. I met so many people too! I think I'll start traveling on my own or just maybe with one other person a lot more now. It's been really enlightening here in regards to travel, meeting people, etc. the three days I spent there I met up with a few people at certain times for the park visits and stuff but mostly just explored on my own or with another person I met up with. I think one day I visited the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, another day I monkied around the rock climbing wall that the place had. Also got dropped from the top (thanks Steph....) which my feet/ankles are still a little tweaked from.
Pretty much did the same when I moved to the place where everyone was staying. Visited the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, we got a big group to go bungi jumping and all followed it up with a Sunset cruise which had an open bar (...uh oh....haha). Was so cool! I didnt go bungee jumping....instead I went for the Big Air EXPERIENCE!!!! It included Bungee jumping, a zip line and a gorge swing! The zip line was first and a nice little relaxing treat. Next was the bungee jumping which a group of almost 10 of us did....myself in a speedo. Though they kind of killed my thunder when they told me a guy did it nakeda few days prior....oh trust me, I was tempted. The gorge swing was last and totally terrified me. I think because of the way the harness and ropes were set up, just felt so unnatural from all my time climbing. When I stepped off the platform my legs were flailing like crazy. i'm sure if I went in my speedo it would've totally been fine haha.
Then shortly after all the extreme activities we head back to our accomodation to get ready for the cruise. While we were waiting...Adam (a PCV from Montana in our group...Rocky Mountain shout out!) proposed to Jeanine (also in our group....but Cali, though I'm not hating). Yep, PROPOSED! Was so awesome, all the adrenaline was pumping from the bunge jumping then we were all extremely excited when he proposed and the bus pulled up immediately after we all gave our congratulations! Definitely made for a much more enjoyable boat ride...though I'm sure for most of us it wouldn't have made much of a difference if we didn't even cast off.
That's about it for vacation actually. Back in Tsumeb and have so much work to do it's ridiculous. Computer stuff like no other since I have a solid set of time and better access to internet, still much planning needing to be done, cleaning, organizing, etc. so it'll be a packed week for sure.
Yes, I do have pictures of almost all of this which I will definitely post. First thing is first, editing them, and all the stuff I just mentioned. So that's all for now I guess. I'm hoping to finally go and get my feet/ankles looked at in a bit. They hurt but I don't think there's much big damage to them since I landed almost perfectly on my feet (though it was about a 20 feet drop...so....not a little hop, I mean that's 2d10 without any feats!). I'll get working on my stuff, both fun and work and try to do a better job at the updates this term.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Blog Fail
So I know it has been a long time since I've written anything.....and it'll be even longer since I post anything of substance. I'm about to travel on vacation for a couple weeks so HOPEFULLY I will finally sit down and type something up when I return. At the very least I should put up some pictures. I had things I've wanted to write about but have been super busy with school, this resource file/memory stick we have, planning for our music project, etc. Things have calmed down...sort of, so when I return I should be able to take some time to post. Still have my lesson preparation for next term, grants and proposals to write, the websites, to plan...ugh, massive headache just thinking about it.
Friday, March 4, 2011
If you're curious what I've been up to...
Grade 7 and 8 Maths (7 and 5 periods a week), Grade 8 and 9 Physical Science (both 4 periods a week), grades 8-10 BIS (total 3 periods a week). Altogether that's 23 periods a week teaching, not bad at all for a first year PCV in Namibia. Even under our "max" which is 28 peridos the first year (20 the second year) which I'm sure many don't get the luxury of. Feeling pretty guilty though as we're in need of 4 teachers so I kind of want to try and tackle the empty classes. Our kids are running around crazy so it's created a pretty large discipline problem. Here's what's stopping me: trying to clean up our library and then start on getting some subscriptions donated. I think I'll be able to work with the secretary on this one so that'll be nice. And then trying to start my work for the music and arts center one of my colleagues wants to set up. Well not really a colleague, he's even more of a volunteer than I am. Really an amazing guy. He's a retired musician that is friends with my principal. Asked if he coud come down here and teach the arts classes for the school without pay. He's collected donations for instruments, books, all sorts of stuff from all over. I know, pretty ridiculous right? I'm getting shown up all over the place even as a volunteer. For trying to keep some time for myself: I have indulged in the occasional movie but I'm trying to stay clear of that realm. I've been going through shrinking and cleaning up pictures on my external hard drive while doing other housekeeping things on my computer. Speaking of computers I a also in charge of the resource project for the Namibian PCVs (I took this willingly, so I can't complain). Really cool to get a bunch of resources right from the start: books for all sorts of things, lesson plans for classes (well, NOW it has lesson plans....), etc.
Fun right? I've been trying to exercise so I don't totally let myself go. Trying to do a bit of reading, been somewhat successufl in this department. Almost done reading the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Read Dune, and the Ranger's Apprentice series so I've been a little busy in that department. Also have taken out the guitar a couple times. Not as much as I'd like to but enough where it's relatively in tune each time I take it out. Also want to start studying a variety of topics. I really should get back to studying Kwoekwoegowab so I can start dropping some sick rhymes around here...okay, maybe I should just work on getting past introductions first. But soon, soon I'll be throwing together lyrics like the world has never seen. As for the other topics I'd like to study: art, music, other languages, computer stuff, acrobatics, etc.; all things I've had on the back burner...and will probably keep there until I finish my service. Okay, that's a lie. I've finally decided to teach myself a back handspring and I'll be delving into website design for the arts center, the school, and maybe a couple other organizations around here. Also I want to make one for myself, a little online profile/resume/CV/"if-you're-really-that-curious-about-me-or-want-to-brag-to-your-friends-about-me-you-can-just-google-me-and find-it" website. At some point have to get myself back into math and econ before it gets too rusty and then there's the GREs but those all can wait until next year.
Yeah, I'm totally not strung out. Going on dates all the time, partying every third night, haha, if only. But I only jest. It's actually a blast. For example teaching: it always keeps you high strung (or at least it does with me) but the kids always find a way to make you smile and ease the tension...hopefully for at least a short while before they have you wanting to smash your head through a wall again. It's mostly just a continuous cycle of procrastinating things I REALLY should be doing with just things I need to get done...and a little bit of the spice of life thrown in on the side (music, reading....not the recently afore mentioned things). The arts center is also something I'd really like to help out with because 1) I can and feel I'd be a valuable resource 2) it's the arts and I think they're incredibly important 3) I really think the guy is awesome and is doing an amazing thing with it. As I look around the room while I type this, I realize I need to do some maintenance on my room and clean up a bit. But am also surprised at how kept together it is. I guess the daily grind keeps it from getting too out of control. Same goes for myself too. After shaving my head, I've grown a matching beard. If I can, I'll try an upload the schedule I made for myself but am still working on sticking to. It's more of a guideline really....
Okay, I could swear someone is harassing me and throwing stuff at my window. But, I'm not going to jump to conclusions.......and upon further inspection, it's only the-larger-than-a-golf-ball beetles that are flying into my window at mach II. I have some fun encounters with these guys also while biking. Keeps me on my toes; I get to pretend I'm a large battering ram going against a little tiny mouse door or soemthing. I guess saying my helmet is a shield that I headbutt-bash them with would be a better metaphor but you get the war analogy either way. Though that battle is nothing compared to the war I have with mosquitos. You think the Karate Kid was awesome catching a fly with chopsticks? Ha! He has nothing on me. I swated a fly using my sandal basing it's location purely off of sound. I've learned to put myself into a ninja trance state with lightning reflexes and can flick the wings off of those little critters with just a snap of my pinky. Okay, maybe not that awesome but my hands have turned into something like snapdragons. It probably looks like I'm doing flamenco dancing or something because I'll walk around or stand in place spinning and clapping wildly.
Anyway, in the spirit of me running maintenance on myself I'm going to head to bed. It's already 9:30 and that's past my usual bedtime (9 pm....yep). Though even worse because I might get up a bit early to try and use the internet (between 1am and 5 am remember?). I know you were probably thinking, how is he going to design websites when he's barely connected to the internet. I'll manage. Next weekend will be a lot of internet usage I hope. I really want to try and upload some videos (and more pictures) so you can see some action instead of just snap shots. Ahh, then there's Skype/GoogleVoice to try and set up! The list keeps growing and my mind's been at it all night. Well, I guess some days are just meant for brainstorming and others are meant for vigorous work. Today was definitely the former (I feel asleep in the library trying to work on the computers...twice). Okay, I'm off! Night!
Fun right? I've been trying to exercise so I don't totally let myself go. Trying to do a bit of reading, been somewhat successufl in this department. Almost done reading the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Read Dune, and the Ranger's Apprentice series so I've been a little busy in that department. Also have taken out the guitar a couple times. Not as much as I'd like to but enough where it's relatively in tune each time I take it out. Also want to start studying a variety of topics. I really should get back to studying Kwoekwoegowab so I can start dropping some sick rhymes around here...okay, maybe I should just work on getting past introductions first. But soon, soon I'll be throwing together lyrics like the world has never seen. As for the other topics I'd like to study: art, music, other languages, computer stuff, acrobatics, etc.; all things I've had on the back burner...and will probably keep there until I finish my service. Okay, that's a lie. I've finally decided to teach myself a back handspring and I'll be delving into website design for the arts center, the school, and maybe a couple other organizations around here. Also I want to make one for myself, a little online profile/resume/CV/"if-you're-really-that-curious-about-me-or-want-to-brag-to-your-friends-about-me-you-can-just-google-me-and find-it" website. At some point have to get myself back into math and econ before it gets too rusty and then there's the GREs but those all can wait until next year.
Yeah, I'm totally not strung out. Going on dates all the time, partying every third night, haha, if only. But I only jest. It's actually a blast. For example teaching: it always keeps you high strung (or at least it does with me) but the kids always find a way to make you smile and ease the tension...hopefully for at least a short while before they have you wanting to smash your head through a wall again. It's mostly just a continuous cycle of procrastinating things I REALLY should be doing with just things I need to get done...and a little bit of the spice of life thrown in on the side (music, reading....not the recently afore mentioned things). The arts center is also something I'd really like to help out with because 1) I can and feel I'd be a valuable resource 2) it's the arts and I think they're incredibly important 3) I really think the guy is awesome and is doing an amazing thing with it. As I look around the room while I type this, I realize I need to do some maintenance on my room and clean up a bit. But am also surprised at how kept together it is. I guess the daily grind keeps it from getting too out of control. Same goes for myself too. After shaving my head, I've grown a matching beard. If I can, I'll try an upload the schedule I made for myself but am still working on sticking to. It's more of a guideline really....
Okay, I could swear someone is harassing me and throwing stuff at my window. But, I'm not going to jump to conclusions.......and upon further inspection, it's only the-larger-than-a-golf-ball beetles that are flying into my window at mach II. I have some fun encounters with these guys also while biking. Keeps me on my toes; I get to pretend I'm a large battering ram going against a little tiny mouse door or soemthing. I guess saying my helmet is a shield that I headbutt-bash them with would be a better metaphor but you get the war analogy either way. Though that battle is nothing compared to the war I have with mosquitos. You think the Karate Kid was awesome catching a fly with chopsticks? Ha! He has nothing on me. I swated a fly using my sandal basing it's location purely off of sound. I've learned to put myself into a ninja trance state with lightning reflexes and can flick the wings off of those little critters with just a snap of my pinky. Okay, maybe not that awesome but my hands have turned into something like snapdragons. It probably looks like I'm doing flamenco dancing or something because I'll walk around or stand in place spinning and clapping wildly.
Anyway, in the spirit of me running maintenance on myself I'm going to head to bed. It's already 9:30 and that's past my usual bedtime (9 pm....yep). Though even worse because I might get up a bit early to try and use the internet (between 1am and 5 am remember?). I know you were probably thinking, how is he going to design websites when he's barely connected to the internet. I'll manage. Next weekend will be a lot of internet usage I hope. I really want to try and upload some videos (and more pictures) so you can see some action instead of just snap shots. Ahh, then there's Skype/GoogleVoice to try and set up! The list keeps growing and my mind's been at it all night. Well, I guess some days are just meant for brainstorming and others are meant for vigorous work. Today was definitely the former (I feel asleep in the library trying to work on the computers...twice). Okay, I'm off! Night!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Out and About (no, not where I used to work...)
Hmmm, looking back recently I've been on some interesting mini-adventures. Caleb, one of the PCVs that moved to Tsumeb recently, was drilling a borehole nearby Tsintsabis and invited me to come along and watch. I totally took him up on it because I've never seen a borehole/well drilled before and thought it would be something cool to see. Well, the directions were pretty good except for one part....the first turn. Actually there was really only one turn in his directions, "take a left at the Mangetti West Wheel and go down the path, you'll run into us." Well Turns out it was the left right AFTER the wheel that says Mangetti west. Yeah, I walked down that path a while, I could actually hear them but was on a path parallel to the one they were off of. So I got to explore the bush a little bit in the hot afternoon sun. Tried looking for some shortcuts that would lead me across to their path but didn't really find any...well, any that I felt like taking. Saw a couple game trails, or what looked like game trails, but wasn't to keen on getting myself lost in the bush that particular day. Maybe some other time in the future though, when I have more than just a cell phone and nearly empty camelbak...or perhaps when I don't feel like my body is melting.
That following weekend I went to Caleb and Rachel's house with Quinn to play some board games. It was freaking awesome! Rachel was away at training for group 33 that is about to come in but the three of us had a jolly good time. We played a couple rounds of Pandemic which is a collaborative board game where your group is a team of medical specialists working together to fight 4 diseases and find a cure. Was pretty cool, we won a couple and lost a couple. The game is pretty crazy, it can be over even before you make it a full round of play! After we played Settlers of Katan; i'veheard of this game but never seen it inaction. What a fun game! Took a bit to get my mind wrapped around the game play since I didn't read the instructions but finally got it and really enjoyed it (Quinn won). So our little Tsumeb family had a blast.
I'm glad Caleb and Rachel moved into town. Love Quinn but it'll be nice to have other company around, for him as well. With all the craziness that is Tsumeb, he's got some company now when he needs it, or at least near by. Plus game nights! So cool! It's little hard with just two people.
On the way up to our first game night I rode my bike into town. Was a lot harder than last time but I did it in 3.5 hours this time. Little better because my pack was lighter and I was somewhat fresh from the week. Problem was heading back. We stayed up pretty late during game night and I tried to use the internet in Tsumeb at night (it's about 10 times as fast than my site, think 2G network versus 3G) so I didn't sleep well/much. Going back it took me about 5 hours though in my defense I got caught in some pretty nasty rains. Kind of reminded me of Colorado though: drizzle, sunny skies, drizzle, dry but crazy dark misleading clouds, bright skies, bright skies with a downpour, drizzle, dark clouds with an even bigger downpour, etc. Each phase of course lasted maybe 10-15 min. Was somewhat entertaining trying to find some shelter among trees during the more intense parts; other times I just had to keep peddling through the mess.
We had our Athletics (Track and Field....but just track for us) meet this past Saturday. I ran during practice once and got beat, not badly but it wasn't really that close. I've now become a slow old man. Ugh. Feeling age at 25. Well, I still have my goal of IronMan before I hit 30. During the big meet we had a teacher relay and would've won except the baton got dropped when I was passing it off. Too bad but we get to try again in September so maybe I'll be in better shape by them. Later that evening we had a school dance! Was pretty fun, not too many learners showed up, around 50-60 (we have 400 ish in our school) but still had a good time. They even had all the teachers that attended do a teacher dance. I was pretty tame during this. Towards the end of the dance a couple drunk guys showed up wanting to dance. Our principal let them in because the alternative was that they'd probably stay outside drinking and who knows what could happen then. Keep your friends close, and enemies closer ne? I was taken aback at first because this would have never happened at any of the schools I have been at. They would've been rejected and cops would've been called at the first sign of trouble. Kind of have to deal with your own issues here. I'm sure we could've called the cops (I know the police chief and he's pretty cool and would've helped) but the infrastructure here doesn't allow for rapid response like back in the States; it's just hard with a new country and places beig so spread out.
So I took some alternative methods to trying to help out with dealing with the issue. After one of them made a large show during a song that I swear wasn't going to end (it was like 8 minutes!?), we luckily had some DJ issues because the guy was outside or something. I walked up and was trying to help the guys put some music on and while doing, trying to get some of the guys out there and dance to take the attention away from the guys-who-can't-let-go-of-high-school. Yeah, we all know the type, they're all over the States too. Took some encouraging but finally after dancing myself a little, then telling them to show me some moves (and suprising them with a few of my own...), we got all the kids back out and the drunks were just doing their own thing in the corner with little attention paid to them. Most of the attention was on the crazy volunteer/teacher from America due to the revaltion that teachers actually have lives and may have once been young and reckless too. Guess we could say old and reckless now because after running and dancing I think I tweaked somethign in my butt because the muscles were a little sore. Man, actually having to pay attention and take somewhat care of your body sucks. I need to actually exercise to stay in a somewhat liveable shape. Ugh, I wasn't made for all this resposible hard work. Ah well, spent the past 20+ years in reckless abandonment so I guess I could use a change of pace for a bit....just a bit. Or try find a way to throw the reckless abandonment into something constructive (crazy training for an IronMan sounds about right....). I think I'll choose the new direction for fear of losing my style because we all know you love it even if you won't say so.
Speaking of style: I shaved my head...and did a bang up good job at it too! First I tried to cut as much as was worth while with some scissors the tried using the disposable razor. Those things suck so I took out the straight edge and went at it. Was a little nervous at first but then did what I usually do and got over it. Taking a straight edge all over your dome is interesting. I cleaned up the last bits with the disposable razor, then the straight edge again because it never fails me (just sometimes leaves a few scars in the process). Hmmm, that's an interesting way to think of life. You never fail to learn through experience but sometimes a few scars are left in the process. So if it still isn't clicking from a book or being told by someone, just get out there and immerse yourself. You might get a little bruised but you'll come out stronger and wiser on the other end. It is sort of like all the accounts of people's experience with Peace Corps service. I didn't read any in which someone said they regretted their decision to join the Peace Corps. I did read someone that said they did not enjoy their service and would not do it again but those that said so still stated they gained valuble insight and would've always regretted not making the decision to take part in service. That's how many things in life are: you may not succeed if you try but you definitely fail if you don't. And then you'll always be wondering what if, but I've already prattled on about that before so that's enough of that. Sometimes we do things not to motivate and inspire others but to do so with ourselves, people just happen to be caught in the wake.
That following weekend I went to Caleb and Rachel's house with Quinn to play some board games. It was freaking awesome! Rachel was away at training for group 33 that is about to come in but the three of us had a jolly good time. We played a couple rounds of Pandemic which is a collaborative board game where your group is a team of medical specialists working together to fight 4 diseases and find a cure. Was pretty cool, we won a couple and lost a couple. The game is pretty crazy, it can be over even before you make it a full round of play! After we played Settlers of Katan; i'veheard of this game but never seen it inaction. What a fun game! Took a bit to get my mind wrapped around the game play since I didn't read the instructions but finally got it and really enjoyed it (Quinn won). So our little Tsumeb family had a blast.
I'm glad Caleb and Rachel moved into town. Love Quinn but it'll be nice to have other company around, for him as well. With all the craziness that is Tsumeb, he's got some company now when he needs it, or at least near by. Plus game nights! So cool! It's little hard with just two people.
On the way up to our first game night I rode my bike into town. Was a lot harder than last time but I did it in 3.5 hours this time. Little better because my pack was lighter and I was somewhat fresh from the week. Problem was heading back. We stayed up pretty late during game night and I tried to use the internet in Tsumeb at night (it's about 10 times as fast than my site, think 2G network versus 3G) so I didn't sleep well/much. Going back it took me about 5 hours though in my defense I got caught in some pretty nasty rains. Kind of reminded me of Colorado though: drizzle, sunny skies, drizzle, dry but crazy dark misleading clouds, bright skies, bright skies with a downpour, drizzle, dark clouds with an even bigger downpour, etc. Each phase of course lasted maybe 10-15 min. Was somewhat entertaining trying to find some shelter among trees during the more intense parts; other times I just had to keep peddling through the mess.
We had our Athletics (Track and Field....but just track for us) meet this past Saturday. I ran during practice once and got beat, not badly but it wasn't really that close. I've now become a slow old man. Ugh. Feeling age at 25. Well, I still have my goal of IronMan before I hit 30. During the big meet we had a teacher relay and would've won except the baton got dropped when I was passing it off. Too bad but we get to try again in September so maybe I'll be in better shape by them. Later that evening we had a school dance! Was pretty fun, not too many learners showed up, around 50-60 (we have 400 ish in our school) but still had a good time. They even had all the teachers that attended do a teacher dance. I was pretty tame during this. Towards the end of the dance a couple drunk guys showed up wanting to dance. Our principal let them in because the alternative was that they'd probably stay outside drinking and who knows what could happen then. Keep your friends close, and enemies closer ne? I was taken aback at first because this would have never happened at any of the schools I have been at. They would've been rejected and cops would've been called at the first sign of trouble. Kind of have to deal with your own issues here. I'm sure we could've called the cops (I know the police chief and he's pretty cool and would've helped) but the infrastructure here doesn't allow for rapid response like back in the States; it's just hard with a new country and places beig so spread out.
So I took some alternative methods to trying to help out with dealing with the issue. After one of them made a large show during a song that I swear wasn't going to end (it was like 8 minutes!?), we luckily had some DJ issues because the guy was outside or something. I walked up and was trying to help the guys put some music on and while doing, trying to get some of the guys out there and dance to take the attention away from the guys-who-can't-let-go-of-high-school. Yeah, we all know the type, they're all over the States too. Took some encouraging but finally after dancing myself a little, then telling them to show me some moves (and suprising them with a few of my own...), we got all the kids back out and the drunks were just doing their own thing in the corner with little attention paid to them. Most of the attention was on the crazy volunteer/teacher from America due to the revaltion that teachers actually have lives and may have once been young and reckless too. Guess we could say old and reckless now because after running and dancing I think I tweaked somethign in my butt because the muscles were a little sore. Man, actually having to pay attention and take somewhat care of your body sucks. I need to actually exercise to stay in a somewhat liveable shape. Ugh, I wasn't made for all this resposible hard work. Ah well, spent the past 20+ years in reckless abandonment so I guess I could use a change of pace for a bit....just a bit. Or try find a way to throw the reckless abandonment into something constructive (crazy training for an IronMan sounds about right....). I think I'll choose the new direction for fear of losing my style because we all know you love it even if you won't say so.
Speaking of style: I shaved my head...and did a bang up good job at it too! First I tried to cut as much as was worth while with some scissors the tried using the disposable razor. Those things suck so I took out the straight edge and went at it. Was a little nervous at first but then did what I usually do and got over it. Taking a straight edge all over your dome is interesting. I cleaned up the last bits with the disposable razor, then the straight edge again because it never fails me (just sometimes leaves a few scars in the process). Hmmm, that's an interesting way to think of life. You never fail to learn through experience but sometimes a few scars are left in the process. So if it still isn't clicking from a book or being told by someone, just get out there and immerse yourself. You might get a little bruised but you'll come out stronger and wiser on the other end. It is sort of like all the accounts of people's experience with Peace Corps service. I didn't read any in which someone said they regretted their decision to join the Peace Corps. I did read someone that said they did not enjoy their service and would not do it again but those that said so still stated they gained valuble insight and would've always regretted not making the decision to take part in service. That's how many things in life are: you may not succeed if you try but you definitely fail if you don't. And then you'll always be wondering what if, but I've already prattled on about that before so that's enough of that. Sometimes we do things not to motivate and inspire others but to do so with ourselves, people just happen to be caught in the wake.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Some more pics...
Oh I just realized, I didn't even talk about Thanksgiving! At least I didn't see it in my previous posts. Thanksgiving was fun. Just a few met up in Tsumeb (my shopping town) on the way to Reconnect. We cooked some pretty solid food that was the first time some people ate something other than porridge...and not the type you're thinking of. It's like really fine cous cous or something. But seriously, pop (porridge), milk and sugar in the morning and then for lunch and dinner pop, soup sauce, meat/fish and veggies (if you're really lucky). That was the diet for a lot of volunteers during phase 2. But we made up for that with our meal, which included plenty of desserts. Anyway here's a picture of the meal we cooked:
Here are some other pictures over the past few months including reconnect, Swakop, being back at home, etc.:
Yep, I biked 65km like this:
Also check Facebook! I uploaded a bunch on there! And I'll probably try to do another mass one in a week or two.
Here are some other pictures over the past few months including reconnect, Swakop, being back at home, etc.:
Yep, I biked 65km like this:
Also check Facebook! I uploaded a bunch on there! And I'll probably try to do another mass one in a week or two.
So sorry it has been so long! I've been all over the place literally and figuratively. After leaving my site I went to another PCV's place in Gobabis. About 8 of us met up there and hung out for a few days. Gobabis is east of the capital and kind of close to Botswana. It was SO hot there, but then again it's kind of hot almost everywhere. Afterwards I went to Okahandja to visit my host family from training. I stayed there a couple days and even cooked a big meal for everyone. It turned out great except that I managed to screw up the pasta. I feel like everytime I cook a big meal with lots of dishes/courses I always forget about the pasta and it gets overcooked. It was really good though, they loved the meatballs. Little sad that I didn't get to see our puppy, she passed away during our phase 2 (the time where we try to integrate into our community and check things out). Vetrenarians are really expensive here so the best they could do is ask for advice and hope for the best.
After Okahandja, I headed to the Coast and spent about a week in Swakopmund (or Swakop as we call it). There was a lot of PCVs in Swakop for the holidays. The large majority of our group was there (like 30+ !) and some PCVs from other groups too. Swakop is an amazing place. There's a movie theater, lots of shops and restaurants, amazing bakeries (a couple I frequented A LOT), overall a very modern and developed place. Much different than where most of us are stationed. We stayed at a campground that was right on the beach, sleeping on the sand (in my tent with a sleeping pad) was actually really nice. We even decorated the place a little with some holiday cheer by throwing up some tinsel and ornaments on the tree in our site. Our site was hilarious by comparison to the other sites:
All the other campers had really nice tents, Mercedes/BMWs, really fancy with most of the comforts from home. Our site had laundry hanging all over the non-powered electric fence, normal small tents and most of our meals consisted of bread and peanut butter or something from a can. Vary entertaining to say the least. We did a Secret Springbok (Secret Santa) that was pretty fun. I got a paddleball set that I'm hoping my learners will get to enjoy too. For New Year's we went to the bar that was adjacent to our campsite as they had a HUGE bonfire behind it. Was really cool to see and actually get to. We didn't want to pay the N$30 to get into the actual bar (because they had been playing the same Euro Techno music for the past 8 nights straight, we called upcoming songs pretty consistently) so we ran around along the beach...during high tide haha! I think all of us got a little wet and a lot of us got soaked. Many people even lost some electronics
After a few more turns visiting other PCVs and some new friends (I got to see Angola from a far!), I am now back at site anxiously and nervously waiting for the school year to start. It officially starts on the 13th for teachers (what a great 25th birthday!) and the 17th is when classes start. I actually got a lot of work done before the holidays so I'm not feeling too crunched but I do want to finalize what I've done, clean up the place and get organized before classes start so I'm ready to power through the term.
Oh! I got myself a little birthday present, not really since I was going to get it anyway but I got a bike! Now why would I need a bike when there's nothing outside of the 1km radius from where I live? Because I'm going to bike to my shopping town! That's right! I'll be biking 60-ish km to buy groceries and biking back with them. And before you nay-say it, I've already done it! Sure it took me four hours (.....one way) but I was carrying a pack full of stuff to go visit friends. I still need to get a small crate to put on the back of my bike and I'm hoping to do that soon for the increased carrying capacity and also to take some of the load off my back. I'll probably just end up filling my pack and the crate anyway but at least it'll mean I'm okay with the things I need.
Also everyone check out this site and please help out this place out if you can!: http://www.restafrica.org/
After Okahandja, I headed to the Coast and spent about a week in Swakopmund (or Swakop as we call it). There was a lot of PCVs in Swakop for the holidays. The large majority of our group was there (like 30+ !) and some PCVs from other groups too. Swakop is an amazing place. There's a movie theater, lots of shops and restaurants, amazing bakeries (a couple I frequented A LOT), overall a very modern and developed place. Much different than where most of us are stationed. We stayed at a campground that was right on the beach, sleeping on the sand (in my tent with a sleeping pad) was actually really nice. We even decorated the place a little with some holiday cheer by throwing up some tinsel and ornaments on the tree in our site. Our site was hilarious by comparison to the other sites:
All the other campers had really nice tents, Mercedes/BMWs, really fancy with most of the comforts from home. Our site had laundry hanging all over the non-powered electric fence, normal small tents and most of our meals consisted of bread and peanut butter or something from a can. Vary entertaining to say the least. We did a Secret Springbok (Secret Santa) that was pretty fun. I got a paddleball set that I'm hoping my learners will get to enjoy too. For New Year's we went to the bar that was adjacent to our campsite as they had a HUGE bonfire behind it. Was really cool to see and actually get to. We didn't want to pay the N$30 to get into the actual bar (because they had been playing the same Euro Techno music for the past 8 nights straight, we called upcoming songs pretty consistently) so we ran around along the beach...during high tide haha! I think all of us got a little wet and a lot of us got soaked. Many people even lost some electronics
After a few more turns visiting other PCVs and some new friends (I got to see Angola from a far!), I am now back at site anxiously and nervously waiting for the school year to start. It officially starts on the 13th for teachers (what a great 25th birthday!) and the 17th is when classes start. I actually got a lot of work done before the holidays so I'm not feeling too crunched but I do want to finalize what I've done, clean up the place and get organized before classes start so I'm ready to power through the term.
Oh! I got myself a little birthday present, not really since I was going to get it anyway but I got a bike! Now why would I need a bike when there's nothing outside of the 1km radius from where I live? Because I'm going to bike to my shopping town! That's right! I'll be biking 60-ish km to buy groceries and biking back with them. And before you nay-say it, I've already done it! Sure it took me four hours (.....one way) but I was carrying a pack full of stuff to go visit friends. I still need to get a small crate to put on the back of my bike and I'm hoping to do that soon for the increased carrying capacity and also to take some of the load off my back. I'll probably just end up filling my pack and the crate anyway but at least it'll mean I'm okay with the things I need.
Also everyone check out this site and please help out this place out if you can!: http://www.restafrica.org/
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
My Packing List!
**NB: Okay, editing this again on 29 Feb. Probably won't change much. Have fun packing 35 :)
*Note: If any of you are group 33, check this again in a week or two for a more detailed, complete list. I'll put websites and names for everything at least decent, and double check to make sure I've accounted for everything. I want to get this up just in case any of you are looking around right now. I know I was super frantic and anxious when I was getting ready. And you come in less than a month! Ahh!! I'm so excited!! May try and sneak down to meet all of you! Just kidding PC...I would never do such a thing. Ever. Hopefully I'll get asked to come down since I'm in charge of something you'll be so happy I'm in charge of :)
**If you are curious about anything, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you or find me on Facebook, etc. Just remember, it may take a day or many :)
Okay, I'm going to make an entry detailing my packing list. I know this helped me out a bunch while I was preparing for service so it's only appropriate I do the same in case others are searching for something like I was. I'm going to try and break it down into categories like so:
1) Glad I brought it and probably can't be found here.
2) Brought but could likely get here.
3) Didn't bring and bought here.
4) Extra stuff that I brought along just because.
5) Stuff I wish I didn't bring.
6) Things I wish I brought.
I'll throw in a section header then list items with hyphens. next to the item I'll put the number in brackets (that's what they call parentheses here) and then a website if there is one of where I got it or the company that makes it. Under all that a little description of my thoughts and some vain attempts at humor.
Example:
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Gear:
- ExPed air pillow (probably 2 but also expensive) (http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/0/1F03B6D93DD3ED26C12576BD00811741?opendocument)
So nice to have when you're traveling. Blow it up, lay down and rest. You deserve it.
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Before you buy anything check out the peace corps wiki site. I'm assuming if you came across this you've probably already found it but just in case, here's a direct link to their page of discounts (some sweet schwag on there for sure!) as well as some other sites I used to shop around on:
http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Volunteer_discounts
www.steepandcheap.com (SO awesome!)
www.rei.com (chances are you may get a gift card here, sucks they don't do discounts...definitely a huge selection of stuff to spend it on, if you're a member even better though doubtful you'll get a chance to spend the dividend unless you have it sent to someone...which I will, can always use more climbing chalk lol)
They also have packing lists for all the countries, and plenty of other info you'd love to know about. You get all this stuff and more when you accept your invitation but it's just nice to know things ahead of time in case you come across sales or other bargains. Mostly just ask around at retailers if they do discounts. Chances are if they do discounts for military, teachers, etc. you could probably swing a discount for peace corps as well but just note you may need a copy of your official invitation or something of the sort.
Maybe I'll come back and go through all of this and give a more up-to-date version when I finish service but being here 5 months (omg that long!?) I think I have a decent idea. Enough stalling, here we go!
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Peace Corps guidelines: Limit two checked bags and two carry-ons (one + personal item).
No more than 80lbs total; no one bag weighing more than 50lbs.
Total dimensions (length + width + height) of checked baggage may not exceed 107 inches;
dimensions of the larger piece of checked baggage can't exceed 62 inches;
total carry-on dimensions can't exceed 45 inches.
Perhaps most importantly, you should be able to carry everything you bring, for a good while. I'm not talking a mile....but definitely be able to lug it around an airport, be able to lift all of them somewhat because you never know where you may end up putting them. Unless the policy has changed, PC doesn't give you your own small boy so you'll be doing all your own work (you'll get the joke when you get here).
Honestly the international airlines didn't care too much and PC didn't even check during staging. They just told us it's our responsibilities to make sure we're okay (I hope we're all adults...PST may say otherwise though...). I was checked on weight when flying domestic so mine we're okay for the international check but I know some people didn't even have theirs checked during domestic flights, or pay. It just depends on your luck and charm I guess. Being in a big group saying you're all volunteers flying to [country X] to do [type Y] work probably helps somewhat. Get ready for some layovers! And safe travels wherever you may be heading!
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Checked Bags:
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Ecko Duffel (2) and GoLite (2) (http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx) in laundry bag
I got the Duffel bag from Ross, it's really sweet actually. Has a little compartment in the bottom that I put all my rolled up clothes in and then a main one where I put all of my gear like my tent, sleeping pad, etc. For the GoLite bag I know a lot of you are paranoid about straps getting ripped off and have probably found your own way of dealing with that. What I did was clip everything up and pull all the straps tight, used all my belts to wrap it up, then I put the bag in an "industrial strength" laundry bag from Wal Mart (eek gags, I know, Wal Mart). Between all that and tying up loose ends (sadly only literally) the bag made it safely with no straps getting ripped off.
Carry Ons:
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Dakine backpack (2) and Guitar (2...but expensive and hard to get)
Carried all of the papers PC gave us (a lot!), my netbook and some reading material in my backpack. Also plenty of stuff to keep me busy during the LONG plane ride and lengthy layovers. PACKED my guitar case in every space I could. I used t-shirts to "pad" my guitar and filled the front pocket with lots of rolled up clothes. Even in the spaces on the inside, I didn't waste room; it was kind of funny as my case was actually kind of heavy. I ended up checking it at the gate so it was like 3 checked bags! Score! Super Awesome!
Here's a picture so you can get an idea.
Clothing (assume clothes are a 2 unless otherwise stated, they have a mall here in the capital):
- 4 dress slacks
Bring cotton or something that breathes, I have a pair that don't breath and they are awful to wear. In fact I don't wear them.
- 7 long sleeved button down shirts
They said don't bring white but whatever. I'd say lighter colors as they don't attract the heat as much (to my knowledge at least...).
- 3 polos and 1 button down t-shirt
Awesome because they're like dressing up but still a bunch cooler than a full button down. We have also ordered a couple embroidered ones with group number and names, etc. Something to think about when you arrive in country.
- boxers and boxer briefs
Bring lots, they'll wear out and you always want to make sure you have some clean ones, especially if you're like me and get lazy with washing your clothes. If nothing else, why would you keep a pair for when you get back? You really want to come back to 2 year old underwear??
- 3 shorts and 1 cargo pants
They're nice to wear when you're out and about, Namibia is named after a desert after all...it's hot here, pants just because I wanted a pair.
- They said don't bring jeans, because no one wears them, that's a lie and it's totally cool to bring a pair or two, I hear they're a pain to wash though. I had my mom send me a couple.
- Honestly, I'm in dress slacks 5 days a week during the mornings and in shorts/pj's the afternoons. Weekends, shorts. Even during the day but at night my pj pants for sure in the winter. Summer...well, let's just say as little as possible ;)
- 3-4 t-shirts
Brought some to wear going out, some for running, pj's, etc. Also got personalized group t-shirts. The logo was designed by a guy in our group that is a graphic artist and the shirts are sweet!!!
- 4 pairs of running shorts (2 elastic, 2 drawsting)
Elastic will probably wear out...especially with all the handwashing and sun drying. Great for exercising and wearing around the house.
- Okay, elastic has held up, drawstring has worn out.
- pajama pants
I actually put these on during rainy season! And they are so comfy! I'm so freaking happy it's cold during rainy season but I also have yet to sleep under the sheets. And during the dry season my pores are raining like Vic Falls (some place you should visit while here!).
- I bought a pair of sweat pants here, not hard to find.
- 2 swimming trunks and those booty short speedo trunks and goggles,
There are pools scattered around...sort of...you'll definitely regret it if you don't have at least one pair (or something) to jump in with, plus there's Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Luderitz that are on the coast! A pair is definitely nice. Also, vacation, hello?
- dress shoes
Bring them, you'll wear them on certain occasions when you want to dress up and look respectable (like swearing in as a volunteer). Other than that, you probably won't wear them much. Unless you're a baller like Edward. Hat off to you sir.
- Tevas/Chacos (Is there any substitute?! make it a 1 sir!)
I brought a pair and wish I had three. Great sandals, you get a discount, just bring at least a pair, you'll regret it if you don't. Okay, probably not but I love mine.
- flip flops
Maybe bring a nice pair with you, can get the basic cheaper ones here unless you want to drop the same amount of cash you would back in the states for less of a selection and probably quality...plus in the States you can get those discounts I mentioned from Chacos or Teva!
- 2 pairs of Toms shoes (lol!) (1 though that's just preference)
Hey, they're comfy, and light, and seem to be holding up (a little expensive for what you get but their cause is pretty good so I'm down...secretly hoping to see some kids wearing them here and have a Toms Shoes dance party). Plus they support a good cause and if you get the blank canvas ones like me you can decorate them! (but then probably a lot harder to "dress them up" like I do.)
- yes, I know how horrible they are with development and how much of a hypocrite/poser I am. Whatever, they're comfortable slippers that I can pass off as shoes.
- Hiking shoes
Yeah, if you're wearing these and not your Tevas/Chacos, you're insane, or can at least tolerate heat much better than me which isn't saying much. Waste of space and weight for me, I will probably trade mine away at some point. I'm big on being light and agile so I don't wear shoes anyway (you've picked up on the rock climbing hippy right? I've worn sandals with a suit before....yep, that awesome). Definitely go for a light pair that is ventilated.
- 4-5 ties
Always nice to have, and you'll bust them out on certain occasions, plus they take up like no space, and you can give 1 or 2 to people that forget them and need to dress up (...Matt)
- scarf
I'm a baller like that so I brought one. I've actually worn it with my polo on some chilly mornings, actually was kind of nice and saved me from carrying a jacket/hoodie around all day (...though it became incredibly hot within hours).
- Scarf is SO nice for the winter on cold mornings!
- thin light hoodie, like super thin (as in handwashing has destroyed it...along with the thorns that cover EVERYTHING here)
I wear this thing way too much, did so in the States, and even more here, it's white so keeps my brown skin cool. I wish I had a lifetime supply of these.
- black Hawai'i sarong (1...because it's from Hawai'i.....)
Hanging on my curtain to help reduce sun penetration (insert sexual comment here) but would be a nice decoration regardless, they also have things called Shitenges here which are almost the same thing, just a more durable material (make sure you hem it up when you get one, don't want crazy fraying)
- a few bandannas
Always can be useful, cover your mouth/face when windy (sand), wipe stuff up, I'd bring some, filter for water when you're throwing in iodine tablets....
- 2 black pillow cases
I had like 40 at home...literally, (told you to stop sending them Mom). They can double as cloth bags for whatever.
- belts
Have a couple leather ones. One of them has holes all the way around, definitely nice to have if you lose weight...which you probably will at some point...or gain weight and need to keep your un-buttoned pants on. I also have a webbing belt, one that you just pull tight. Very handy as you're weight may be all over the place.
- hoodie, light fleece jacket (1, because it's CU! Go Buffs!! And the GoLite jacket quality may be hard to find here...plus it's also CU colors muahahaha!)
Both super awesome and great to have, there are times when it's pretty cool and a hoodie is perfect....plus it makes me realize how much I miss wearing them all the time and the snow back in CO.
- compactable rain jacket
It's just smart to bring this going anywhere with a "rainy season"...and I've definitely been caught outside and happy I had one.
- couple beanies
I am lazy when it comes to my hair...and this saves me the trouble....so does braiding your hair, or shaving it.
- few pairs of dress socks
Wear them with my dress shoes (obviously) and my Toms shoes (probably not obvious), classes them up a bit and let's be honest, dress socks are light, soft and all-around really comfortable....what's not to like?
Gear (you can actually get a lot in the capital but it's expensive and most of it is not as high a quality as you can get in the US...though I lived in Boulder so I may be picky):
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- money belt...that I never wear (2)
If you want to look like that awkward tourist go for it, not my style but people find them useful. I just keep all my extra money/passport/etc. in it and put it somewhere safe. If I go traveling I'll take it out and keep it on my person.
- sleeping bag liner (http://www.designsalt.com/index.asp) (2...but expensive)
Freaking awesome, it's like portable bed sheets, I will always have one for the rest of my life
- air pillow (probably 2 but also expensive)
Doubly awesome. So nice to have when you're traveling. Blow it up, lay down and rest. You deserve it.
- Camelbak with 2 pouches (2, also expensive)
Oh yes, very nice. Confuses people so much too when they see one. Also brought a little pipe cleaning thing.
- Nalgene (2)
Get one of these or a nice stainless steel water bottle, not that aluminum crap that has a liner which will go to crap on you and you end up drinking the stuff and get sick (I'm not bitter....I swear), something that can get banged up and you don't have to worry abbot ingesting weird chemicals
- tent (2)
Bring one if you have it, you can get some here but the selection isn't as good as back home, it's great for visiting people (just through up the tent in their homestead) though if you're cramped on space not as big of a deal to bring as I'm sure it would be in other countries.
- sleeping pad (2...I think, maybe 1) (http://cascadedesigns.com/region.aspx?brand=msr)
If you like the comfort and plan on sleeping outside a bunch, also nice when visiting people. A lot of people use yoga mats as well. I have both and it'll probably just depend on the type of camping I'm doing and for how long. Also, how much I want to carry, I've gotten lazy and just slept on the floor with a pillow in the people's sites that have houses.
- hammock (I think a 2 as well, but don't remember seeing any so maybe a 1)
Do it! SO freaking nice. I don't have mine set up at site but used it during training and when traveling. They're great to relax in or even use as something to sleep in so you don't have to lug around a sleeping pad (and tent if you buy one of those nice hammocks). I suggest a portable one as mine isn't exactly that portable and I wish it were more so.
- climbing shoes (1) and running shoes (2)
Running shoes if you run, maybe even two pairs...as for the climbing shoes I just couldn't resist...you know, just in case....
- headlamp (2)
For sure, so nice, it's great for reading, walking around, pretty much anywhere you would want light and not have to carry something.
- hand grip squeeze things (4)
To pretend I like to have strong forearms
- cheap pocket knife (2)
Good to have an all purpose knife you don't care about
- needles and thread (2)
Can get here but if you have them bring them, don't take up much space and you will be mending clothes if you know how, or getting someone to do it for you
- elastic bands (4)
Meh...might be handy later? I think I'll make a bag and they'll be useful for that.
- CPR masks (4)
Had a few, figured why not, could give them out, they're also key chains so helps keep my keys together
- leatherman and nice knife (2...but very expensive) (http://www.leatherman.com/category/multi-tools)
Yes, double yes, triple yes, quad....you get the idea, freaking handy everywhere in the world...that includes here.
- nice and crappy multi tool (2)
Gave one away, probably going to give the other away/trade it for something
- Mag-Lite (the one that's about the size of a fat Sharpie) (2...I think) (http://www.maglite.com/)
Always nice to have a flashlight, never know when electricity goes out...(more like never know when you'll have it...)
- MSR water purifier (1....*maybe* a 2 but I wouldn't chance it if you hike a bit) (http://cascadedesigns.com/region.aspx?brand=msr)
Great for camping/hiking and for when you run out of "good" water....also been using it at my home because the water tastes like rain water (also incredibly rich in limestone I think....as in it'll crystallize if left out for a while)
- hand crank flashlight (1 maybe? but mine broke....so N/A)
Batteries are a pain and expensive...mine broke on the way here but I don't think it was too high quality and I can probably fix it I've just been lazy.
***Also was told that Freeplay Energy doesn't make the Scout radio anymore, I really wanted one :( But there are lots of places that make solar/crank powered short wave/FM/AM radios that also have a flashlight and other things attached.
- sunglasses (2)
I brought a couple pairs that are nice but not expensive from REI (US$20)
- Peace Corps gives you a mosquito net and Med kit, if you bring one you will look like an idiot (they tell you they do so and what's in the med kit before you even come to staging...)
Electronics (most will be a 2, hit up the capital, but VERY limited selection and VERY VERY expensive)
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- netbook (2) with an extra battery (1 as the rating system I have going, not one battery)
GREAT idea, small, light, not obviously a laptop when you carry it around in a bag (less chance of theft...just saying), just awesome and very useful
*Also bring any extra computer things you may need, restart discs, jump drives, software installs, etc.
- external hard drive (2)
Definitely get one before you come here and load it with music and movies (how you obtain them is up to you...) you WILL be happy you did this. Plus it's great to back up your computer with as that thing can crash/get stolen/fry/dust and sand/etc. and you'd be screwed. You'll take lots of pictures if you have a camera or steal all the files if you don't (or do so anyway from the group photographer)
*It's a good idea to download everything you would need if you had to re-install everything from scratch. I say this because internet and especially downloading things here is a huge pain and takes a while. So keep a backup copy of all your installs (or come find me or an IT volunteer, because that's what most people do anyway...well, find an IT volunteer, I'm a little off the beaten path).
- Lumix camera! (2)
Are you going to come and not at least bring some sort of camera??
- 4BG flash drive (I brought) 8 GB flash drive (PC gave us! so awesome!) (2)
Great for swapping stuff between people and easier to carry than your external
- solar scientific calculator & TI-83 (with guides) (2 I think for both)
I teach math...
- iPod nano(probably 2)
iPod nano is nice for running or biking
- ear phones (2)
I have like 4 sets of the "free" iPod ones
- couple cheap electronic watches (2)
Used them for running but I have a cell phone (crazy right?!) so I just use that for time, not bad to have a sporty one though for running and using the stopwatch
- I wish I had a Kindle and/or Samsung Galaxy Player (the PC version of an iTouch)
Toiletries:
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- cologne (I would say 1...but that's just by judging a colleague's cheap cologne)
Let's see how you smell a few months into service...
- 3 toothbrushes (4)
Just in case
- alum block, face lotion, oil, feather straight edge razor, extra razor blades (1)
Yes I shave with a straight edge, though I've been getting lazy and using disposables somewhat here (especially when I don't shave for a long time).
- 2 mini-toothpaste tubes, floss, 2 mini-shampoo bottles (4)
Very nice when traveling but PC gives you floss here.
- nail clippers (toe and finger), tweezers (4)
General hygiene maintenance....
- collar stays (1...?)
Had them (the free extras you get with shirts) figured why not.
- towel (3)
Don't waste space and weight bringing one unless it's a nifty micro-towel(wish I had one of these), really it's just a big piece of cloth that absorbs water and you can generally get that anywhere in the world...
Miscellaneous:
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- journals (2...I have a nice leather bound one)
Nice to have if you use one, if not you might end up using one since you'll have lots of timeon your hands. My friend gave me a moleskin journal and I'm totally enjoying it! I use it for all my Peace Corps stuff, meetings, training, etc. Nice to have it all in one place.
- world map (2)
Great to show people where you come from!!
- origami, hemp braids, and other crafts (2...maybe)
Great way to pass time while in a car/combi/bakkie/lorrie/etc. (unless you like sleeping for 3-12 hours in a car with strangers...)
- The invitation packet and a book or two (1 for the packet, duh, books you can get here but again limited selection)
Same as above for those that don't get car sick, or even while you're standing out there waiting for a ride and the packet has all your papers in it that you'll want/need.
- Okay, maybe 1 or 2 books max. Bring it for staging and the plane rides. You will swap with other people during PST and the PC lounges have a BUNCH of books.
- Lonely Planet Guide (2)
Awesome to have, will definitely get used unless you don't like getting out and seeing things....(and you joined the Peace Corps why?)
- you might be able to snag one from someone who's leaving. Then again, maybe not.
- prayer book and rosary (4...people wear rosaries as necklaces here...)
Better safe than sorry. You never know when you'll find religion.
- 2 pairs of prescription glasses (1)
You're allowed one replacement then you have to get your own
- dice and glass beads (1 because I have more than just 6-sided dice, Lv. 12 Dual-Wielding Ranger what!?)
- Good resources for math.
- calligraphy tips in case with exacto knife (probably a 2)
I was trying to look for these the other day and can't find them :( They would've been nice for letters and making crafts. Also been making stuff for school or crafts and the knife would've been nice to have.
- broken necklaces (....)
Fixed them or made new necklaces out of them when bored.
- frisbee disc and 2 hackey sacks (haven't seen any sacks here...zing! so 1,I think I've seen discs though)
Easily portable fun! Throw it around or get a game of Ultimate going, kick around a sack or play some games. Always fun and even if you can't talk to the kids you can show them what to do! Language a barrier? Better start busting that idea down!
- slackline (1 for sure, haven't seen any webbing anywhere)
Haven't put it up anywhere but I think it'd be a good way to pass some time and hilarious to watch my learners experience one, I doubt they ever will again in their life
- Mesh Bag (probably 2)
I keep my toiletries in here when I travel,nice because it airs itself out and doesn't get gross
- pens and pencils (2 because I'm particular)
I have really only used one pen for the past 5 or so years, sure the occasional I'll grab this and use it, but I've only bought the same pen (Uni-ball Micro what!?)
- stationary, stamps and pictures (2 but I'm particular again, you can only get US stamps in the US...as far as I know.)
I write my letters on it, I like that personal touch you can buy your own here. As for stamps, you can address letters and slap on some US stamps and give them to people that are returning/traveling to the States to just dump in a mailbox. Pictures are great to put up around your room. Plus people like seeing them and it allows you to do some cultural exchange.
Guitar:
- 3 sets of strings and lots of picks
- capo and tuner
- backpack straps, shoulder strap and neck button
Yeah, if you play an instrument, plan on bringing what you'd need until you return to the States. Strings/reeds/etc. can break so bring extra and throw in all the accessories you need or may want.
Host Family Gifts:
- 4 necklaces from Hawai'i, Hawai'i sarong, bought some stuff in country that I thought would be helpful for them (nice kitchen knives, anything you think would help out...you've just lived there for a couple months, there has to be something). You don't know who they are until a couple weeks in so stick to gender neutral things if you're bringing stuff though chances are you'll have a host mom. I don't know if anyone didn't.
*Note: If any of you are group 33, check this again in a week or two for a more detailed, complete list. I'll put websites and names for everything at least decent, and double check to make sure I've accounted for everything. I want to get this up just in case any of you are looking around right now. I know I was super frantic and anxious when I was getting ready. And you come in less than a month! Ahh!! I'm so excited!! May try and sneak down to meet all of you! Just kidding PC...I would never do such a thing. Ever. Hopefully I'll get asked to come down since I'm in charge of something you'll be so happy I'm in charge of :)
**If you are curious about anything, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you or find me on Facebook, etc. Just remember, it may take a day or many :)
Okay, I'm going to make an entry detailing my packing list. I know this helped me out a bunch while I was preparing for service so it's only appropriate I do the same in case others are searching for something like I was. I'm going to try and break it down into categories like so:
1) Glad I brought it and probably can't be found here.
2) Brought but could likely get here.
3) Didn't bring and bought here.
4) Extra stuff that I brought along just because.
5) Stuff I wish I didn't bring.
6) Things I wish I brought.
I'll throw in a section header then list items with hyphens. next to the item I'll put the number in brackets (that's what they call parentheses here) and then a website if there is one of where I got it or the company that makes it. Under all that a little description of my thoughts and some vain attempts at humor.
Example:
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Gear:
- ExPed air pillow (probably 2 but also expensive) (http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/0/1F03B6D93DD3ED26C12576BD00811741?opendocument)
So nice to have when you're traveling. Blow it up, lay down and rest. You deserve it.
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Before you buy anything check out the peace corps wiki site. I'm assuming if you came across this you've probably already found it but just in case, here's a direct link to their page of discounts (some sweet schwag on there for sure!) as well as some other sites I used to shop around on:
http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Volunteer_discounts
www.steepandcheap.com (SO awesome!)
www.rei.com (chances are you may get a gift card here, sucks they don't do discounts...definitely a huge selection of stuff to spend it on, if you're a member even better though doubtful you'll get a chance to spend the dividend unless you have it sent to someone...which I will, can always use more climbing chalk lol)
They also have packing lists for all the countries, and plenty of other info you'd love to know about. You get all this stuff and more when you accept your invitation but it's just nice to know things ahead of time in case you come across sales or other bargains. Mostly just ask around at retailers if they do discounts. Chances are if they do discounts for military, teachers, etc. you could probably swing a discount for peace corps as well but just note you may need a copy of your official invitation or something of the sort.
Maybe I'll come back and go through all of this and give a more up-to-date version when I finish service but being here 5 months (omg that long!?) I think I have a decent idea. Enough stalling, here we go!
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Peace Corps guidelines: Limit two checked bags and two carry-ons (one + personal item).
No more than 80lbs total; no one bag weighing more than 50lbs.
Total dimensions (length + width + height) of checked baggage may not exceed 107 inches;
dimensions of the larger piece of checked baggage can't exceed 62 inches;
total carry-on dimensions can't exceed 45 inches.
Perhaps most importantly, you should be able to carry everything you bring, for a good while. I'm not talking a mile....but definitely be able to lug it around an airport, be able to lift all of them somewhat because you never know where you may end up putting them. Unless the policy has changed, PC doesn't give you your own small boy so you'll be doing all your own work (you'll get the joke when you get here).
Honestly the international airlines didn't care too much and PC didn't even check during staging. They just told us it's our responsibilities to make sure we're okay (I hope we're all adults...PST may say otherwise though...). I was checked on weight when flying domestic so mine we're okay for the international check but I know some people didn't even have theirs checked during domestic flights, or pay. It just depends on your luck and charm I guess. Being in a big group saying you're all volunteers flying to [country X] to do [type Y] work probably helps somewhat. Get ready for some layovers! And safe travels wherever you may be heading!
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Checked Bags:
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Ecko Duffel (2) and GoLite (2) (http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx) in laundry bag
I got the Duffel bag from Ross, it's really sweet actually. Has a little compartment in the bottom that I put all my rolled up clothes in and then a main one where I put all of my gear like my tent, sleeping pad, etc. For the GoLite bag I know a lot of you are paranoid about straps getting ripped off and have probably found your own way of dealing with that. What I did was clip everything up and pull all the straps tight, used all my belts to wrap it up, then I put the bag in an "industrial strength" laundry bag from Wal Mart (eek gags, I know, Wal Mart). Between all that and tying up loose ends (sadly only literally) the bag made it safely with no straps getting ripped off.
Carry Ons:
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Dakine backpack (2) and Guitar (2...but expensive and hard to get)
Carried all of the papers PC gave us (a lot!), my netbook and some reading material in my backpack. Also plenty of stuff to keep me busy during the LONG plane ride and lengthy layovers. PACKED my guitar case in every space I could. I used t-shirts to "pad" my guitar and filled the front pocket with lots of rolled up clothes. Even in the spaces on the inside, I didn't waste room; it was kind of funny as my case was actually kind of heavy. I ended up checking it at the gate so it was like 3 checked bags! Score! Super Awesome!
Here's a picture so you can get an idea.
Clothing (assume clothes are a 2 unless otherwise stated, they have a mall here in the capital):
- 4 dress slacks
Bring cotton or something that breathes, I have a pair that don't breath and they are awful to wear. In fact I don't wear them.
- 7 long sleeved button down shirts
They said don't bring white but whatever. I'd say lighter colors as they don't attract the heat as much (to my knowledge at least...).
- 3 polos and 1 button down t-shirt
Awesome because they're like dressing up but still a bunch cooler than a full button down. We have also ordered a couple embroidered ones with group number and names, etc. Something to think about when you arrive in country.
- boxers and boxer briefs
Bring lots, they'll wear out and you always want to make sure you have some clean ones, especially if you're like me and get lazy with washing your clothes. If nothing else, why would you keep a pair for when you get back? You really want to come back to 2 year old underwear??
- 3 shorts and 1 cargo pants
They're nice to wear when you're out and about, Namibia is named after a desert after all...it's hot here, pants just because I wanted a pair.
- They said don't bring jeans, because no one wears them, that's a lie and it's totally cool to bring a pair or two, I hear they're a pain to wash though. I had my mom send me a couple.
- Honestly, I'm in dress slacks 5 days a week during the mornings and in shorts/pj's the afternoons. Weekends, shorts. Even during the day but at night my pj pants for sure in the winter. Summer...well, let's just say as little as possible ;)
- 3-4 t-shirts
Brought some to wear going out, some for running, pj's, etc. Also got personalized group t-shirts. The logo was designed by a guy in our group that is a graphic artist and the shirts are sweet!!!
- 4 pairs of running shorts (2 elastic, 2 drawsting)
Elastic will probably wear out...especially with all the handwashing and sun drying. Great for exercising and wearing around the house.
- Okay, elastic has held up, drawstring has worn out.
- pajama pants
I actually put these on during rainy season! And they are so comfy! I'm so freaking happy it's cold during rainy season but I also have yet to sleep under the sheets. And during the dry season my pores are raining like Vic Falls (some place you should visit while here!).
- I bought a pair of sweat pants here, not hard to find.
- 2 swimming trunks and those booty short speedo trunks and goggles,
There are pools scattered around...sort of...you'll definitely regret it if you don't have at least one pair (or something) to jump in with, plus there's Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Luderitz that are on the coast! A pair is definitely nice. Also, vacation, hello?
- dress shoes
Bring them, you'll wear them on certain occasions when you want to dress up and look respectable (like swearing in as a volunteer). Other than that, you probably won't wear them much. Unless you're a baller like Edward. Hat off to you sir.
- Tevas/Chacos (Is there any substitute?! make it a 1 sir!)
I brought a pair and wish I had three. Great sandals, you get a discount, just bring at least a pair, you'll regret it if you don't. Okay, probably not but I love mine.
- flip flops
Maybe bring a nice pair with you, can get the basic cheaper ones here unless you want to drop the same amount of cash you would back in the states for less of a selection and probably quality...plus in the States you can get those discounts I mentioned from Chacos or Teva!
- 2 pairs of Toms shoes (lol!) (1 though that's just preference)
Hey, they're comfy, and light, and seem to be holding up (a little expensive for what you get but their cause is pretty good so I'm down...secretly hoping to see some kids wearing them here and have a Toms Shoes dance party). Plus they support a good cause and if you get the blank canvas ones like me you can decorate them! (but then probably a lot harder to "dress them up" like I do.)
- yes, I know how horrible they are with development and how much of a hypocrite/poser I am. Whatever, they're comfortable slippers that I can pass off as shoes.
- Hiking shoes
Yeah, if you're wearing these and not your Tevas/Chacos, you're insane, or can at least tolerate heat much better than me which isn't saying much. Waste of space and weight for me, I will probably trade mine away at some point. I'm big on being light and agile so I don't wear shoes anyway (you've picked up on the rock climbing hippy right? I've worn sandals with a suit before....yep, that awesome). Definitely go for a light pair that is ventilated.
- 4-5 ties
Always nice to have, and you'll bust them out on certain occasions, plus they take up like no space, and you can give 1 or 2 to people that forget them and need to dress up (...Matt)
- scarf
I'm a baller like that so I brought one. I've actually worn it with my polo on some chilly mornings, actually was kind of nice and saved me from carrying a jacket/hoodie around all day (...though it became incredibly hot within hours).
- Scarf is SO nice for the winter on cold mornings!
- thin light hoodie, like super thin (as in handwashing has destroyed it...along with the thorns that cover EVERYTHING here)
I wear this thing way too much, did so in the States, and even more here, it's white so keeps my brown skin cool. I wish I had a lifetime supply of these.
- black Hawai'i sarong (1...because it's from Hawai'i.....)
Hanging on my curtain to help reduce sun penetration (insert sexual comment here) but would be a nice decoration regardless, they also have things called Shitenges here which are almost the same thing, just a more durable material (make sure you hem it up when you get one, don't want crazy fraying)
- a few bandannas
Always can be useful, cover your mouth/face when windy (sand), wipe stuff up, I'd bring some, filter for water when you're throwing in iodine tablets....
- 2 black pillow cases
I had like 40 at home...literally, (told you to stop sending them Mom). They can double as cloth bags for whatever.
- belts
Have a couple leather ones. One of them has holes all the way around, definitely nice to have if you lose weight...which you probably will at some point...or gain weight and need to keep your un-buttoned pants on. I also have a webbing belt, one that you just pull tight. Very handy as you're weight may be all over the place.
- hoodie, light fleece jacket (1, because it's CU! Go Buffs!! And the GoLite jacket quality may be hard to find here...plus it's also CU colors muahahaha!)
Both super awesome and great to have, there are times when it's pretty cool and a hoodie is perfect....plus it makes me realize how much I miss wearing them all the time and the snow back in CO.
- compactable rain jacket
It's just smart to bring this going anywhere with a "rainy season"...and I've definitely been caught outside and happy I had one.
- couple beanies
I am lazy when it comes to my hair...and this saves me the trouble....so does braiding your hair, or shaving it.
- few pairs of dress socks
Wear them with my dress shoes (obviously) and my Toms shoes (probably not obvious), classes them up a bit and let's be honest, dress socks are light, soft and all-around really comfortable....what's not to like?
Gear (you can actually get a lot in the capital but it's expensive and most of it is not as high a quality as you can get in the US...though I lived in Boulder so I may be picky):
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- money belt...that I never wear (2)
If you want to look like that awkward tourist go for it, not my style but people find them useful. I just keep all my extra money/passport/etc. in it and put it somewhere safe. If I go traveling I'll take it out and keep it on my person.
- sleeping bag liner (http://www.designsalt.com/index.asp) (2...but expensive)
Freaking awesome, it's like portable bed sheets, I will always have one for the rest of my life
- air pillow (probably 2 but also expensive)
Doubly awesome. So nice to have when you're traveling. Blow it up, lay down and rest. You deserve it.
- Camelbak with 2 pouches (2, also expensive)
Oh yes, very nice. Confuses people so much too when they see one. Also brought a little pipe cleaning thing.
- Nalgene (2)
Get one of these or a nice stainless steel water bottle, not that aluminum crap that has a liner which will go to crap on you and you end up drinking the stuff and get sick (I'm not bitter....I swear), something that can get banged up and you don't have to worry abbot ingesting weird chemicals
- tent (2)
Bring one if you have it, you can get some here but the selection isn't as good as back home, it's great for visiting people (just through up the tent in their homestead) though if you're cramped on space not as big of a deal to bring as I'm sure it would be in other countries.
- sleeping pad (2...I think, maybe 1) (http://cascadedesigns.com/region.aspx?brand=msr)
If you like the comfort and plan on sleeping outside a bunch, also nice when visiting people. A lot of people use yoga mats as well. I have both and it'll probably just depend on the type of camping I'm doing and for how long. Also, how much I want to carry, I've gotten lazy and just slept on the floor with a pillow in the people's sites that have houses.
- hammock (I think a 2 as well, but don't remember seeing any so maybe a 1)
Do it! SO freaking nice. I don't have mine set up at site but used it during training and when traveling. They're great to relax in or even use as something to sleep in so you don't have to lug around a sleeping pad (and tent if you buy one of those nice hammocks). I suggest a portable one as mine isn't exactly that portable and I wish it were more so.
- climbing shoes (1) and running shoes (2)
Running shoes if you run, maybe even two pairs...as for the climbing shoes I just couldn't resist...you know, just in case....
- headlamp (2)
For sure, so nice, it's great for reading, walking around, pretty much anywhere you would want light and not have to carry something.
- hand grip squeeze things (4)
To pretend I like to have strong forearms
- cheap pocket knife (2)
Good to have an all purpose knife you don't care about
- needles and thread (2)
Can get here but if you have them bring them, don't take up much space and you will be mending clothes if you know how, or getting someone to do it for you
- elastic bands (4)
Meh...might be handy later? I think I'll make a bag and they'll be useful for that.
- CPR masks (4)
Had a few, figured why not, could give them out, they're also key chains so helps keep my keys together
- leatherman and nice knife (2...but very expensive) (http://www.leatherman.com/category/multi-tools)
Yes, double yes, triple yes, quad....you get the idea, freaking handy everywhere in the world...that includes here.
- nice and crappy multi tool (2)
Gave one away, probably going to give the other away/trade it for something
- Mag-Lite (the one that's about the size of a fat Sharpie) (2...I think) (http://www.maglite.com/)
Always nice to have a flashlight, never know when electricity goes out...(more like never know when you'll have it...)
- MSR water purifier (1....*maybe* a 2 but I wouldn't chance it if you hike a bit) (http://cascadedesigns.com/region.aspx?brand=msr)
Great for camping/hiking and for when you run out of "good" water....also been using it at my home because the water tastes like rain water (also incredibly rich in limestone I think....as in it'll crystallize if left out for a while)
- hand crank flashlight (1 maybe? but mine broke....so N/A)
Batteries are a pain and expensive...mine broke on the way here but I don't think it was too high quality and I can probably fix it I've just been lazy.
***Also was told that Freeplay Energy doesn't make the Scout radio anymore, I really wanted one :( But there are lots of places that make solar/crank powered short wave/FM/AM radios that also have a flashlight and other things attached.
- sunglasses (2)
I brought a couple pairs that are nice but not expensive from REI (US$20)
- Peace Corps gives you a mosquito net and Med kit, if you bring one you will look like an idiot (they tell you they do so and what's in the med kit before you even come to staging...)
Electronics (most will be a 2, hit up the capital, but VERY limited selection and VERY VERY expensive)
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- netbook (2) with an extra battery (1 as the rating system I have going, not one battery)
GREAT idea, small, light, not obviously a laptop when you carry it around in a bag (less chance of theft...just saying), just awesome and very useful
*Also bring any extra computer things you may need, restart discs, jump drives, software installs, etc.
- external hard drive (2)
Definitely get one before you come here and load it with music and movies (how you obtain them is up to you...) you WILL be happy you did this. Plus it's great to back up your computer with as that thing can crash/get stolen/fry/dust and sand/etc. and you'd be screwed. You'll take lots of pictures if you have a camera or steal all the files if you don't (or do so anyway from the group photographer)
*It's a good idea to download everything you would need if you had to re-install everything from scratch. I say this because internet and especially downloading things here is a huge pain and takes a while. So keep a backup copy of all your installs (or come find me or an IT volunteer, because that's what most people do anyway...well, find an IT volunteer, I'm a little off the beaten path).
- Lumix camera! (2)
Are you going to come and not at least bring some sort of camera??
- 4BG flash drive (I brought) 8 GB flash drive (PC gave us! so awesome!) (2)
Great for swapping stuff between people and easier to carry than your external
- solar scientific calculator & TI-83 (with guides) (2 I think for both)
I teach math...
- iPod nano(probably 2)
iPod nano is nice for running or biking
- ear phones (2)
I have like 4 sets of the "free" iPod ones
- couple cheap electronic watches (2)
Used them for running but I have a cell phone (crazy right?!) so I just use that for time, not bad to have a sporty one though for running and using the stopwatch
- I wish I had a Kindle and/or Samsung Galaxy Player (the PC version of an iTouch)
Toiletries:
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- cologne (I would say 1...but that's just by judging a colleague's cheap cologne)
Let's see how you smell a few months into service...
- 3 toothbrushes (4)
Just in case
- alum block, face lotion, oil, feather straight edge razor, extra razor blades (1)
Yes I shave with a straight edge, though I've been getting lazy and using disposables somewhat here (especially when I don't shave for a long time).
- 2 mini-toothpaste tubes, floss, 2 mini-shampoo bottles (4)
Very nice when traveling but PC gives you floss here.
- nail clippers (toe and finger), tweezers (4)
General hygiene maintenance....
- collar stays (1...?)
Had them (the free extras you get with shirts) figured why not.
- towel (3)
Don't waste space and weight bringing one unless it's a nifty micro-towel(wish I had one of these), really it's just a big piece of cloth that absorbs water and you can generally get that anywhere in the world...
Miscellaneous:
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- journals (2...I have a nice leather bound one)
Nice to have if you use one, if not you might end up using one since you'll have lots of timeon your hands. My friend gave me a moleskin journal and I'm totally enjoying it! I use it for all my Peace Corps stuff, meetings, training, etc. Nice to have it all in one place.
- world map (2)
Great to show people where you come from!!
- origami, hemp braids, and other crafts (2...maybe)
Great way to pass time while in a car/combi/bakkie/lorrie/etc. (unless you like sleeping for 3-12 hours in a car with strangers...)
- The invitation packet and a book or two (1 for the packet, duh, books you can get here but again limited selection)
Same as above for those that don't get car sick, or even while you're standing out there waiting for a ride and the packet has all your papers in it that you'll want/need.
- Okay, maybe 1 or 2 books max. Bring it for staging and the plane rides. You will swap with other people during PST and the PC lounges have a BUNCH of books.
- Lonely Planet Guide (2)
Awesome to have, will definitely get used unless you don't like getting out and seeing things....(and you joined the Peace Corps why?)
- you might be able to snag one from someone who's leaving. Then again, maybe not.
- prayer book and rosary (4...people wear rosaries as necklaces here...)
Better safe than sorry. You never know when you'll find religion.
- 2 pairs of prescription glasses (1)
You're allowed one replacement then you have to get your own
- dice and glass beads (1 because I have more than just 6-sided dice, Lv. 12 Dual-Wielding Ranger what!?)
- Good resources for math.
- calligraphy tips in case with exacto knife (probably a 2)
I was trying to look for these the other day and can't find them :( They would've been nice for letters and making crafts. Also been making stuff for school or crafts and the knife would've been nice to have.
- broken necklaces (....)
Fixed them or made new necklaces out of them when bored.
- frisbee disc and 2 hackey sacks (haven't seen any sacks here...zing! so 1,I think I've seen discs though)
Easily portable fun! Throw it around or get a game of Ultimate going, kick around a sack or play some games. Always fun and even if you can't talk to the kids you can show them what to do! Language a barrier? Better start busting that idea down!
- slackline (1 for sure, haven't seen any webbing anywhere)
Haven't put it up anywhere but I think it'd be a good way to pass some time and hilarious to watch my learners experience one, I doubt they ever will again in their life
- Mesh Bag (probably 2)
I keep my toiletries in here when I travel,nice because it airs itself out and doesn't get gross
- pens and pencils (2 because I'm particular)
I have really only used one pen for the past 5 or so years, sure the occasional I'll grab this and use it, but I've only bought the same pen (Uni-ball Micro what!?)
- stationary, stamps and pictures (2 but I'm particular again, you can only get US stamps in the US...as far as I know.)
I write my letters on it, I like that personal touch you can buy your own here. As for stamps, you can address letters and slap on some US stamps and give them to people that are returning/traveling to the States to just dump in a mailbox. Pictures are great to put up around your room. Plus people like seeing them and it allows you to do some cultural exchange.
Guitar:
- 3 sets of strings and lots of picks
- capo and tuner
- backpack straps, shoulder strap and neck button
Yeah, if you play an instrument, plan on bringing what you'd need until you return to the States. Strings/reeds/etc. can break so bring extra and throw in all the accessories you need or may want.
Host Family Gifts:
- 4 necklaces from Hawai'i, Hawai'i sarong, bought some stuff in country that I thought would be helpful for them (nice kitchen knives, anything you think would help out...you've just lived there for a couple months, there has to be something). You don't know who they are until a couple weeks in so stick to gender neutral things if you're bringing stuff though chances are you'll have a host mom. I don't know if anyone didn't.
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