Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Unknown Country of Namibia
Like many of you, I knew little if anything about Namibia before I found it on my Semester at Sea itinerary. Namibia has only become more popular in recent years because of the birth of Angelina and Brad's daughter here, but if that's all you know it for, research it a little and see what it has to offer. It is truly an amazing country. The people here are the friendliest and kindest people, and all were so happy we chose to dock in Namibia. In Semester at Sea's 97 voyages, this is the first time that the ship has docked in Walvis Bay (pronounced differently by many, but generally Walfish Bay.) Everyone I spoke to said that they know so much about America and are happy that people are coming to their country. They were very proud and everyone was very happy to have us. If I did not mention it, the exchange rate here is about 8 to 1 (7.92 Namibian dollars/South African Rand to one American dollar). That equals very inexpensive for an American. I have had some great meals since I have been here. The prawns were delicious at The Raft the first night here, as was my steak sandwich at a local cafe in Swakopmund (pronounced Swock-o-moond). Last night we went to a restaurant in town and I ordered seafood pizza. It had calamari, prawn, and mussels on it...a good sized pizza for about 8 or 9 American dollars. We found it funny when Brittney ordered her chicken pizza, that it cost the same amount. That is because seafood is very easy to come by here as the coastal waters are filled with both fish and shellfish.
Yesterday Rebecca and I left the ship at about 8am to make our way into town so we could catch a taxi to Swakopmund. We found it very difficult to find one. One driver told us 300 Rand, which is equivalent to 15 times the amount we were told we should pay! We decided to go to one of the banks in town because there are usually taxi drivers waiting there, and happened to find a tour guide van for SAS students doing sky diving with the company. The driver offered to take us for free since he already had 8 students to bring. It ended up working really well because it turned out his company specialized in quadding and he dropped us off there to rent an ATV. After a 1 minute briefing about the vehicles, we followed our tour guide Michael to the dunes. Let me just say, it was the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. You would think it is just mounds of sand, but the way the light hits the various sides and angles is extraordinary. There are various elements that make up the dunes, other than sand of course, and our guide showed us the magnetism of mica. While having this great adventure, all I could think was what an opportunity I had been given and I really felt like one of the luckiest people in the world. America is beautiful in its own right, but traveling around the world, with different culture, strange settings, various languages and native tongues...it is such a gratifying experience. And what makes me so lucky besides just studying abroad? I am visiting a new place every week or two all around the world. I really can’t explain it, but Africa is beautiful.
So anyways, after that we got dropped off at the booking agency for the catamaran cruise. After deciding on one we liked, we inquired about camel riding. Later in the day we called, and they were all booked for the day ? I didn’t get to go camel riding...I was very sad. Next we went to the market because I wanted to get souvenirs. Usually there are about 50 people out selling their things, but that day there were only 4. As we were walking over, they started jumping down and dancing...they were so excited! I bought things from 3 of them, and Rebecca bought something from the one I didn’t. I did great bargaining through the first two, and then I got to the last one. I had put a certain amount of money in my pockets ahead of time so I didn’t have to dig through my stuff, and I was left with 200 Rand (about $25 American). I only had it in 2 100 Rand bills, and they don’t like to give back change. I found 4 things as souvenirs for my family, and started the bargaining. I am generally a very friendly person, and my roommates insist that they all loved me and I flirted with them. I don’t think that’s true, I thought I was just being nice to these people, but who knows...I get good deals. So the last guy’s name was Kevin, and I told him I was looking for a souvenir for my sister and her husband, whose name is Kevin, and he was so excited. He told me it was a connection. Of course he liked me after that, but he still did not want to take my 200 Rand for what I picked out. I told him I was giving the things to my family and he softened a little but he wanted more. He asked me for something from America. Well I went through my bag and had very little in it. Laughing, I offered him a pack of tissues I had. He didn’t want that. I kept digging and I came up with a pen. Just an ordinary pen...not one of those cheap bic ones, but nothing special. He was like let me see that, and kept it...it was really funny. We had been chatting a lot at this point and he said, okay you can have them but bring us something sweet...and then he packed the things up in my bag. When I left I’m sure they didn’t think I was coming back, nor did Rebecca, but I marched straight to the grocery store and got 3 packs of these topper cookies we really love. These cookies are very good, especially custard. I was back to see them about 10 minutes later. They started dancing again and had Rebecca take like 3 pictures of us together on my disposable camera I got for the dunes (so sand didn’t get in my real camera). They were very nice and we all had a good laugh. I had thought about buying things in some of the African stores, but to me if they can afford the store, they can’t be that bad off. These men were so proud of their things and so happy to sell them. To me, not only was I receiving some cool things, but I was helping them as well. It was a good day and when Rebecca and I got back, we enjoyed dinner with Brittney and Tori. Brittney bought this horrendous looking figure we named Zulu to give to her best friend. She knows her friend is going to hate it, but she is going to make her hang it on her wall!
Today Rebecca and I woke up early to meet at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club to go on our dolphin and seal cruise. It was SO COLD! I was wearing long sleeves, a sweatshirt, and a fleece, and was still freezing. I found out that apparently you can still get sunburned in weather this cold...I’d like to say lesson learned but we shall see. We met a really nice older German man who was telling us about the history of the country and was the guide for the other catamaran. Our guide was so friendly and asking us all kinds of questions about the ship and about home. Within the first few minutes, the fun already began. I saw so many seals! There were seals everywhere...seal islands! We had seals jump on our boat! I will post the pictures of me with Fluffy and the one with Spotty. Spotty had been in a fight so he was a little banged up. They lived in the ocean but our guides know some of the seals so they jumped right up and we got to pet them and play with them. It was so much fun! And I saw so many dolphins too! I was so excited. I love animals more than anything so I was really in my element. I even saw 2 African penguins too! I also saw huge pelicans...one of them posed in front of a pelican tour boat, accidently of course ? The guides gave us a shot of sherry that was made by them and apparently combats seasickness pretty funny. They also gave us mimosas and sparkling wine. All before noon... The food was delicious! There were shrimp and some kind of fish rings and potato patties...a bunch of things I can’t even remember. And there were raw oysters! Oysters are famous here as there are oyster farms all over the place. I figured I had to try locally grown oysters... The first one I had without anything on it...it was very slimy and tasted like the sea. I did not enjoy it. I didn’t want to have another, but a Belgium man recommended I put lemon juice, pepper, and a drop of tabasco sauce on it. I tried it...and although it was better, I have learned that I do not like raw oysters. I prefer cooked seafood, although I do enjoy sushi in the fish category such as tuna ? It was so much fun today, I really loved it. I wanted to go camel riding when I got back but people were worried that we would get back too late and I couldn’t go alone... I am hoping to go in South Africa.
I am sure I am missing things I did, as always. I need to video camera my day to keep track of everything. It has been such an experience so far. I will be in South Africa in just 2 days! We arrive on Friday in the morning and I will be leaving for my safari this weekend!!! The world is a great gift to us and gives experiences we could only receive by traveling. After visiting only my third country, I am eager to see what else awaits. Alright well leave me questions you might have! Until later, I hope you all are doing well and thanks for reading!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Life in Namibia and Other Things
I haven't written in a little while because not much has really been happening. I will try to catch up. I had my first exam the other day in my Philosophy class and I think I did really well. I was finished with fill in the blank, short answer, and a 4-5 page double spaced essay in 30 minutes. I have been kept busy by the clubs I'm in. With Students of Service, we put on a "So You Think You Can Dance" competition and raised over $500 for charity. It was a lot of fun and the dancers were great. I also went to my first Scriptures at Sea, which is like a Bible study, and really enjoyed it. The Ambassador's Intercultural club has kept me busy too. I met with the three Diplomats yesterday morning! It was amazing. I really really enjoyed it. I am thinking about taking the state exam when I graduate. I was talking to Frank is particular who is from Virginia and I believe graduated undergrad with a major similar to mine. He just came from an assignment in Bolivia and has only been in Namibia a month. He gave me his business card before he left. I am really interested in pursuing the Global Perspectives major, maybe instead of the Marketing one. The Diplomats were so friendly and helpful, it really was a great experience.
I had an awesome day yesterday. Namibia is beautiful! I like it so much more than Brazil already. I went to the Salt Mines yesterday with my art class and it was beautiful. The salt crystallizes into a bright pink. Usually there are flamingos but we were told that they come and go, and that they were everywhere the day before, but had just left ...partly because of the wind. Namibia is the windiest place I have ever been. Luckily I was wearing sunglasses to mostly block the sand from my eyes, but when I came back during the day I had sand caked on my face, in my ears..it was crazy. We found a grocery store too. We were really happy about that because we got to buy some snacks. I got multiple packages of cookies, a Namibian candy bar, and a box of cereal ...it was only 51 Rand!!! That equals out to only about $6.50 here! Everything is so so cheap here. We went out to the most delicious dinner at this place called the Raft which was recommended by one of the local guides for having great seafood. I got prawns and breaded crab claws with a girl named Carrie that I came with. A glass of wine was only one American dollar! The semi-sweet white wine was very good. I spent 100 Rand for that amazing dinner...and that's only about $13 USD! I went with 7 other girls ...my roommates Rebecca and Savannah, the girl we're good friends with across the hall (our fifth roommate) Tori, Marcella (the girl I met the first day here boarding the ship), her roommate Carrie, and two other girls, Tristan and Catherine. It really was such a fun time. Half of Semester at Sea showed up at the Raft because there was a bar there too so it was fun mingling with everyone. There are a lot of Germans in Namibia! If you look up the history of the country you will see why. But we were told everyone loved our business there! After that we went to a club which was again filled with Semester at Sea people. They played all American music! So I can't remember if there's anything else I'm missing, but today we are going to Swakopmund which is supposed to be really beautiful as well. We are hoping to check out the dunes soon. No country is ever how you really picture I don't think. Well at least from what I have experienced so far. The ports we dock in don't even seem like the continents we're on. Africa really is beautiful. A lot of the architecture in Namibia has German influence; everything is very well kept up. We went down a street called Millionaires row, beautiful houses and architecture and right on the water...the houses are all at least a million ...Rand..this equals only about $130,000 USD! I might be moving here :)
Alright that's all for now. I need to shower so we can go see the sights! This continent is amazing and I am so excited to go to South Africa next week. I truly am a lucky girl! Thanks for reading, and leave any questions you might have for me!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Day 16 at Sea
Back to classes again... Mine are pretty interesting so I don't really mind them at all. I was finished at noon. We got dinner on the deck tonight, my first time. I got a pepper and onion pizza. It was good but my stomach has shrunk so I couldn't eat very much. I snuck out the other pieces in my Brittney's cheetos bag! I just had my Ambassador's Intercultural meeting. It was pretty cool cause I got to lead the whole thing. I feel like I'm doing something important and learning about things that can help me with my career. Nothing is really new here. We lost an hour last night, and we lose another tonight. As of tonight we will be 3 hours ahead of EST with another 3 to lose in the next 5 days to Namibia.
I figure I’ll add in some of what I wrote to Matt in an e-mail as well...
I am doing set-up for the So You Think You Can Dance competition that is raising money for charity for the Students of Service club I'm in ..so I'm decorating! Also we were learning about this woman from somewhere near Cambodia who was a victim of an acid attack...it was so sad and I think we are going to contribute money to her to get surgery. An acid attack is done mostly to young women in developing countries, and usually because the man believes she has committed an infidelity of some sort or something else and is trying to punish her for life. He throws acid on her face and it completely disfigures her. One woman in particular is missing a large patch on the top of her head of hair that will never grow back and is blind in both eyes, as well as having severe burns. If 700 students participate that's a lot of money and all goes to good causes. When you see people as poor as even the ones in Brazil, peeing on streets, no shoes on their feet, ripped clothing, you realize you can spare a few dollars. I'm glad to participate in it and I realize I have a lot more resources than many people...even people on the ship. I feel lucky I can go on pretty much any trips I want or buy the souvenirs I want without worrying. MANY THANKS to both of my parents for all of their support, both financially and otherwise... On a side note, my digital camera has a spot on the lens that seems to be inside and it is driving me crazy..I might buy a nice digital like my manual in one of these countries because I need to get good pictures :(
That's it I think. I feel pretty tired but tonight will be busy because I have Scriptures at Sea at 7 and our Yellow Sea social at 9. Have a good night everyone! :)
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