Sossusvlei

My vist to the tallest red sand dunes in the world!!

 Sossusvlei located in the Namib Desert is the home to some of the largest red sand dunes in the world and a few weeks ago I got the  opportunity to climb to the top of one of them.  This trip was outstanding, even though we happened to go during one of the hottest weekends in the last 25 years.  One day temperatures reached about 116 degrees... and we were tent camping!!

On our first night we set up camp and quickly ate dinner before setting off to hike a smaller dune to watch the sun set.  Those dunes were beautiful and I had no idea how much more impressive the dunes we would climb the next morning would be.

The next morning we woke up at 4:30am and headed further in to the park where all the large dunes are located.  We first hiked in to Deadvlei (translated Dead Marsh) which is a white clay pan.  We managed to finish this hike and watch the sun rise before it got hot, stopping to take some really fun pictures where the lighting was great!

Next we headed across the road to hike "Big Mama" a dune that is 919 feet above ground, and the second largest dune in the Namib Desert.  Luckily we were able to finish before it got too hot because let me tell you I was a little bit winded from climbing that!

Once we reahed the top of " Big Mama" we sat and enjoyed the amazing view of Sossusvlei which is the famous salt pan that the area is named after.  The salt pan is oval shaped and is covered in a crust of salt and iron rich sand.  The reason the dunes in Sossusvlei are red is because of the high iron content in the sand.

To make our way down the dunes some of us took our shoes off and ran/stumbled down the huge mounds of sand.  It was quite the exhilarating experience and I'm sure glad I didn't fall because I will be finding sand in my hair for the next year as it is! 

Etosha National Park

Some of my highlights of the trip so far have been the game drives we did while in Etosha National Park, Namibia's largest park stretching over 8500 square miles. Our first night in the park we stayed at Dolomite Camp, which consisted of about 20 bungalows on a hill overlooking the Savannah.  It was by far one the of the most beautiful places I have every stayed.  That night we went on a game drive at about 4pm.  It started out slow with some sprinbok, zebras, and guineafowl and we were all getting a little discouraged because we really wanted to see some elephants, which are rare this time of year.  Suddenly we turned a corner and there in front of us was a herd of elephants!  I have never been so humbled by nature in my entire life.  Elephants are so graceful for being so large, but when a mamma elephant got a little anxious about us being so close to her baby I was very aware that these beautiful animals could end us in just seconds. 

The next morning we went on another drive where we got to see more zebras, socialable weavers, and even a wild cheetah! Our guide said that in all his years game drives he has never been so close to a wild cheetah.  That was a very cool experience, I feel so lucky that I got to not only see a whole herd of elephants but a wild cheetah too!

Although we were able to see elephants and a wild cheetah, I still really wanted to see a lion.  On our last night we decided to arrange an extra 6am game drive on the morning we were leaving with hopes of seeing a lion, and you know what? We did!! Not only did we see one lion but we saw two prides,  one of which was coming back from a kill.  So cool!!  

Im Still Alive I promise!

I’m so sorry it’s been so long since I last posted!  We have been incredibly busy, and I have not been able to consistently get internet so blogging has been a little difficult.  So much has happened I don’t know where to start, but I will try and cover all the important stuff!

 Last week we left on a 6day trip where we traveled up North to visit the tent schools in Opuwo, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Otjiwarongo, and visit Namibia’s largest National Park, Etosha.  THEN, we came home and taught for the rest of the week and left again for a weekend trip to Sossusvlei home the worlds largest red sand dunes!!

To help organize all the stuff I have to tell you about I first I’m going to start with the trip up North.  While we were up North we spent the night at various locations where we switched roommates every night, so I got the chance to get to know my team members on a more individual basis which was awesome!

Our first night we traveled a few hours and stayed the night in Otjiwarongo where after dinner we met with Dr. Betsy Fox who works for the Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA).  She took the time to talk to us about her work with the foundation to save the disappearing elephants in Namibia by educating the Himba and Herero people about elephants in Namibia so they do not kill them.  It was so fascinating to learn all about elephants and how they are viewed by native Namibians, especially because we got to see some up close (more to come about that)

The next morning we woke up and drove to the Cheetah Conservation Fund where we took safari vehicles and got to see cheetahs up close and personal! Cheetahs are one of my personal favorites and it was so cool to see them up close, I had no idea how tall and lean they are.  If only I had been able to see one of them run!!!

After the cheetahs, we continued driving north, toward Opuwo where we stayed for two nights.  While we were in Opuwo we visited the Ondao Mobile Schools where we presented them with many of the supplies we had collected back home (thank you so much to everyone who donated!!).  This was an experience that made me appreciate everything I have and all the opportunities presented to me throughout my education as I met children who travel over 12 miles to go to school everyday!  While we visited the schools we got to meet and play with children, exchange songs (their singing was much better than ours) and get to know what its like to be a student in a rural Namibia school. 
 

 Well it's getting late and I didn't even get to talk about Etosha yet, but I have to teach in the morning so I'm going to call it a night.  Hopefully I will have internet on my laptop again tomorrow and be able to post more!

 

Reflecting on my 1st week

After my first week in Namibia there are a lot of different thoughts for me to sort through.  During your first days in a new environment there are first impressions, misconceptions, knowledge gained and new experiences to reflect on.  I think these first few days can really shape the course the trip will take, and I am so excited for where I see the rest of this wonderful opportunity going.

             My first impression of Namibia was somewhat different than what I had anticipated.  Although I had done research and seem pictures it’s hard to really understand what a place you’ve never had any exposure to is going to be like.  I was struck with how kind the people here are and gracious that we are coming to teach for them, when I myself feel honored to be here.  Going to the farm really showed me contrast between different parts of Namibia such as Windhoek and the Tjiramba Farm.  Windhoek is a busy city and the business center of Namibia with malls, banks, and government buildings while the farm is centered around family and living off the land away from the bustle of busy life in Windhoek.

One of the most significant differences I have encountered since I have been here is the concept of time.  In the US we are always extremely busy and rushed with places to go, people to see, and no time to lose.  In Namibia it seems that people are much more patient and waiting is not such a big deal.  It has really stretched me to not become impatient when my plans are changed and I’m forced to be flexible.  Flexibility is a trait I would like to come away with after this trip.  Today while my patience was stretched as I waited (for much longer than I would have thought to be acceptable in the US) I also noticed a similarity between A.I. Steenkamp, and my school back home.  Both school have teachers that love children and believe education and equality are key to ensuring successful and fulfilling lives of our next generation.  I’m so looking forward to working with the teachers here and sharing what I have learned in during my education and experiences teaching, while also growing and stretching through working with teachers and students here in Namibia.

Hello from Windhoek!

These last couple days I got the amazing opportunity to go to a wildlife reserve and traditional Namibian family farm.  The wildlife reserve, Okapuka, is a home to dozens of different types of animals from Namibia's national animal the Oreck, to Springbok, Antelope, Warthogs, and my personal favorite, Giraffes. 

 

 In addition to going to the wildlife reserve and farm we were able to visit the schools in which we will be teaching as well as the after school centers where we will be volunteering.  I will be teaching at A.I. Steenkamp which is a primary school.  Throughout our time here my team and I rotate through volunteering at various after school programs for kids where we will be providing help with homework as well as getting to have some fun!! (More info on this to come)

 This weekend we had the opportunity to visit a family farm and get a taste of what Namibian cultue is really like.  It's still kind of hard for me to explain everything that I was able to experience this weekend but all I can say is I was so touched by the generosity, kindness and sense of family that was present while we were staying at the farm.  During the holiday season everyone in the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma, grandpa, second cousin twice removed) get together and stay at the farm.  When we arrived we were greeted by no less than 15 children who where so excited to see us, and followed by their accommodating parents who wanted to make our experience the best one possible.  It's interesting to think about how my group and I felt so honored to be there, but at the same time they were honored to have us at their farm.  The farm was different than I expected, but in a good way that makes me want to go back and learn more about their culture and the values behind going back to the farm with family during the holiday.

 One of the mornings we had the opportunity to get up at 5:45 and go on a walk, something Edwin and his wife( the owner of the farm) do every morning.  While on our walk we made the trek to Botswana ! We got  to take pictures in no-mans land and I even stuck my fingers through the fence without a passport! While on the farm we got to eat all kinds of traditional food ( mostly meat) and I got to milk a cow..which unfortunately I wasn't very good at. Overall it was a wonderful experience and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with these people I will never forget. 

When we got home from the farm we were all so excited to take a shower that we just couldn't wait so we all jumped in the pool with out clothes on.  Honestly nothing has ever felt so good.