Created on 10/6/2014
On Thursday September 25th, along with 47 others,
I officially swore in as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). The next day I left the comfortable confines
of my host family’s house in Okahandja in route for my new home for the next
two years. I desired a traditional
African lifestyle when I boarded the plane for Namibia but PST in Okahandja
spoiled me and shook my focus for a moment.
Culture shock is real and it took me a few days to come to terms with
where I was and what my life would be like for the next two years. It has been a lot of work to get to where I
am today and in many ways it’s just the beginning. I’m excited to finally settle in, get in a
routine, and begin my service as a PCV.
The village I now call home is located in the Oshana region
of Namibia near Ongwediva. I cannot
disclose the name of my village for safety reasons but you wouldn’t find more
than a sentence on Wikipedia about it anyway.
I may actually write the wiki page on my village if I get
ambitious. I live on a traditional homestead
with my Meme and two of her grandchildren (Meme = Madam/Ms/Mother and is
pronounced may–may). Pictures as said to
be worth a thousand words but I will provide some context when appropriate.
My Homestead… You will notice two small Wambo girls in most
of the pictures. They wouldn’t let me
take a picture without them in it. And
they also had to review every picture I took.
 | |
| Hilen |
Hilen… She is very quick for a 6 year old as you
can tell she has no problems catching chickens.
Hilen is a natural and could teach Rocky a thing or two. (If you don’t
get the reference, I suggest you watch the training scene in Rocky where Micky
has Rocky catch chickens to improve his foot speed)
 |
| Tequila |
Tequila… Yes, her name is Tequila. She is 4 years old and already has an
entrepreneurial prowess. I believe those
flip-flops that she made for herself are cardboard souls with plastic bag
straps. Whatever it takes to protect
your feet from thorns!
 |
| My hut |
My Hut… I have my own hut (circular cement building on
the right side of the picture) within the homestead. The door faces North and I have a window on
each side of the building that allows me to directly see both the sunrise and
sunset! The windows are also useful for
when Hilen and Tequila want to get my attention. They pull themselves up into the windows, one
in each window, and say “Tate Daniel… Tate Daniel” until I give them my
attention (Tate = Sir/Mr/Father and is pronounced ta–tay). They speak no English so communication is
difficult. Closing my windows and
playing possum is usually the only way I can get them to leave me alone when I
have stuff to do. When it comes down to
it, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
 |
| Inside my hut |
Inside My Hut… I’m still in the process of settling in
and I haven’t had time to decorate yet. Tony
and Jen, I hope you are putting my wall hangings to good use because they sure
would spice this place up. On the plus
side, I have a solar powered light in my hut that is a game changer!
 |
| My bucket |
My Bucket… AKA my dishwasher, clothes washer, and
body washer. Arguably my most useful
possession!
 |
| Catching chickens |
Catching Dinner… Exhibit A.
 | |
| Plucking chickens |
Dinner Caught… Even African children play with their
food!
 | |
| My throne |
My Throne… Within the chaos that is goat herding,
you will notice a small white tin building.
Inside you will find my throne and usually a few spiders. Don’t worry; I have already become
desensitized to such things.
 |
| Baby goat herders |
Baby Goat Herders… Business as usual; my nephew, Drake, would
fit right in.
Life as I know it is different. It is much more difficult in many ways but
also more simple in others. I am the
only oshilumbu (white person) in my village so I’m hard to miss. My English is not always understood and my
Oshikwanyama is a work in progress. As I
said, I have a solar light in my hut but no electricity. There is electricity at my school, which
allows me to charge electronics during the day but I can only get internet
access when I go to town on the weekends to buy food. I have a gas powered refrigerator and stove
in my homestead along with two outdoor water taps. The water is drinking quality, which was my
number one wish when joining the Peace Corps (I’m a water snob). The days are hot and getting hotter so being
able to consume clean and cold drinking water is wonderful! Summer is coming, as they say.
I hope everyone is intrigued and ready to visit!
