Hey everyone, still alive!
Sorry for the lack of updates. Real Quick: I'm in the town of Tsumeb, in the north - receiving the last of my training. I don't have regular internet access (I'm actually supposed to be in class right now...) so I just wanted to sign on and let everyone know that I'm alive and well. I'm living with a host family (a grandmother and two baby girls.) So far, its going wonderful.
I have to go back to class before they realize I've left, so trust me, I'll have another massive update when I have the ability.
FYI: Please keep commenting. Trust me, I look more forward to them than anything else thus far. They really get you through the day. If you're still keeping up with this jounal thus far, than you know I love you, and look forward to EVENTUALLY having the ability to post pictures.
Happy Chan-uh-na-kah, Merry Christmas, and all that Jazz ~
6 comments:
hey Nick!!
Hope everything is going well. I read your blog religiously, and it's exciting to hear about your adventures and travels. I bet the language training is amazing! Your work is sort of inspiring me to apply to peacecorps --- but first I must finish grad school.
People are congregating in NYC for new years, we'll raise a toast to you :)
I will send mail soon, I promise.
Love,
sarah
My letter is in the development phase right now. Im sorry, im going to have to yell at the Managment and tell them to get working on the Tps reports. Make your men come in on sunday. yeahhhhhhhhhh.
I think its awesome how your living with a host family and mastering the clicking language. What kinds of conversations have you had in the native toung?
Is the dollar usable there? Like if you were to walk on the street and buy things at a store or give it to locals could it be spent? What do you think is the most credible organization which helps families with food, education, healthcare as a result of me sending money? I doubt sending you money direct to the source wouldnt work out, would it?
oh and if i figure out how to burn a copy of shaun of the dead, ill try to send it to you.
Nicarus,
I miss you heaps and heaps. Now that I'm settled, I promise to write you soon. I can give you mail from England and no one else can give you that! I heart you like whoa.
Love,
Laurba
NICK!!!
Of course I religiously read your blog, what else am I supposed to do during the day... work? Ha!
So, you're skipping class, eh? I bet you said you needed to go to the bathroom and you got on the computer instead... very stealthy Nick. :-) It's good to know you're alive.
I agree with Rob, I think it's awesome that you're actually living with a Namibian host family for a few weeks. Has the grandmother cooked some interesting dishes yet? (Yes, I always want to know about food). Also, since Christmas is coming up, I guess my other question is how is Christmas celebrated over there? I mean everything here is so commercial... my housing development seemed to be having a contest to see who could decorate their townhouse with the brightest, most obnoxious decorations... until the Home Owner's Association stepped in anyway. What's a Namibian Christmas like (besides being very very hot)? Yeah, I know you might not be able to answer that until after Dec. 25th, but I'm very curious to find out!
By the way, there is mail on it's way from me... surprise, surprise. The guys at the post office know me on a first name basis now, and when I walk up to the counter they just say "Namibia?" Haha. Sad, right?
Lisa was finally able to copy the last of the 3 DVDs without it being messed up, so I should be sending you RENT and another letter tomorrow!
I hope everything continues to go well! Miss you and love you!
<3 Karen
::tackles him::
I miss you!
Get my letter yet?
I love Phil I love lamp I love Nick!
I've finally discovered your blog and as always, you entertain, man. But then you also educate about what's going on in HIV-ridden Namibia. Gimbel might call it edutainment.
So I was checkin' out the an article running the Travel section of the New York Times titled "The 53 Places to Go in 2008" and holy shit! Look at #38! Namibia, baby! This is what it said:
In the 17 years since Namibia gained independence from South Africa, this desert country on the West African coast carved out an early eco-tourist niche, with government-run campsites like Namutoni (www.nwr.com.na) in the Etosha National Park. Now the country is going eco-deluxe. (Might it have something to do with Brangelina?) Many lodges have just been refurbished with stylish décor and matching rates. And the private sector is following suit; Kempinski Hotels is planning five luxury hotels to open in the next few years.
Namibia beat out San Francisco, London, Las vegas, and New York City. Namibia is a tourist hot spot. And, dude, I want to be a Namibian tourist. Just gotta make it happen. I am ogling the World Cup in South Africa, Summer 2010. Can I can I come to Namibia?
I've been busy with my AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadorship doing stream assessments in NJ and making environmental presentations at elementary schools. I play them a song called "All the Rivers Run" and then teach them about fecal coliform contamination in our waterways. Dude, it's a brutal combo for a 5th grader: rock n' roll and poop. Bottom line is, the kids love me and I love them even more.
How are your sleeping quarters there? When is bedtime? Do Namibians snore loudly? Do they have couches to sit on? Do they have hammocks?
Are you sunburned? Do they have aloe? Sun lotion? Are the bugs bitey? Do they have bug repellent?
As an ambassador, this is the question I should be asking: Do they have a clean water source? Is it nearby? What are some potential land uses that could influence the health of their streams? Do they use wells? If so, is the well far away from their septic system? Do they have septic tanks? Where does the poop go?
I'm gonna send ya mail soon. I love you, man. Be sure to bang some drums while you're over there. Music can heal the world.
Cheers n' big ears,
Andy
PS--I would very much like to go for a drive with FaFa.
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