This is not the first time I venture off to a new country on my own, and it probably won't be the last, but this time, man were emotions running wild. The euphoria of becoming a new official Peace Corps Volunteer still has me flying high. I don't even think cloud nine reaches my excitement. A piece of me feeling scared for some reason. Almost like a kid on their first day of school wondering "what if my village doesn't like me?", "should I make my socks match? oh wait you hate wearing socks and haven't worn any in over a month", "shit how do I say this in Rukwangali, how do I say that?", "Did I pack everything?" wow. For me, feeling nervous like this was new. I've really enjoyed the 10 weeks I spent with my co-volunteers, I loved the times I had growing close with the Bunya crew on the beach; I guess you could say it even gave me a sense of security. However, now was time for the show to really begin, and I was venturing off on my own once again.
We departed on Friday 16-October, the day right after swear ins. Naturally, African time took charge. Earlier this week a colleague I am now working with (Fans) came for training in Okahandja required by Peace Corps. We chated a bit over what Kasote would be like, the school, my family, etc. He was traveling up to Kasote in the Kavango with me along with a few other volunteers in the same region. We were all told we will be leaving by 8:00am. I was told to be ready to be picked up from my Okahandja host family's house no later than 6:30am. Come 7:45am the kumbi arrived to get me. Not half bad for Africa time if you ask me. We all gathered at Kukuri Center, different regions loading in their different buses/kumbis, "See you in December" and "Do great"s were exchanged, and shortly, the number of us got smaller and smaller. Come 10:00am still no Kumbi and we were told it would be at least an hour, so naturally the 3 of us Bunya girls still standing went to breakfast. 11:00am, nothing. Finally around noon our kumbi (which sits 13 people) arrives! GREAT.....except theres 12 of us, no trunk on the kumbi, and no trailer. As I said before, there were 3 girls with ALL the luggage we packed for 27 months of our life, plus another volunteer with all his luggage. Not to mention Peace Corps gave us large green trunks, plus our new supervisors and some of the language training staff with their luggage. Houston, we have a problem. Finally an hour later we have a trailer and hit the road.
The drive wasn't half bad until we hit a small village located just under an hr off the main road on a very dusty dirt road with dust that completely filled the kumbi and left luggage so dusty it took me 2 days to dust my bags and some how even get dust in my bags on my stuff, not sure how that happened. Did I mention we also had a covered trailer. That aside the scenery was epic! So much wildlife!!! 3 giraffes one being a cute baby!! Countless warthogs, several goo-dos (not sure thats spelt right), and some really neat birds. And the first official volunteer dropped off. After we slowly drop off one by one I'm the second to last and its 9pm.... Finally we arrived in Kasote!
I could not believe my eyes upon arrival. A gate into my homestead is opened, we pull up and lighting set up with a couple long tables out decorated with flowers a feast awaiting my arrival. I was shocked, such a long day, I was maybe even getting a bit anxious, and this quickly changed my mood. The principal of my new school (Kasote Combined School), the chairman of the school board, my new host family, and many new co-workers with there families were all there to greet me. I was extremely flattered. They prepared a meal fit for a king of traditional foods....and get this, it was ALL GLUTEN FREE. When I first saw the food I thought to myself, damn what if they made all of this and I cant even eat it. They even prepared a whole running chicken just for me. They helped me carry in my extreme load of luggage and we dined.
The following day my new host sister/roommate was excited to show me around Rundu. She even took me to a special site here in the area of a large tree that fell at one time in the past, roots completely taken out of the soil lying flat on the road. Its completely unknown how but the tree is now back in perfect standing condition and the trunk turned green. I love local legends. I then spent all day Sunday unpacking, dusting off my stuff, and of coarse, facetiming my family. Ive grown rather fond of my Sunday facetime dates with my family. And to follow, the real first day of school.
One thing I'm coming to learn, Kasote has a surprise waiting around every corner........
On the first day of school the school began in their regular fashion with the learners lining up in the school yard and sang the Namibia and African National Anthems as the flag was risen. Directly following put the biggest smile on my heart. The cultural team then began beating on tradition drums, singing welcome songs, followed by traditional songs. I was then presented to the school by our principal Mr.Joshua and was greeting by so many smiling faces. I forgot to mention, he even gave me the name naTena upon arrival. They now call me Tena for short. Jamie is a tricky name here lol. After that I got introduced to the staff where they each introduced themselves and I was then taken to every single class to be re-introduced and get a tour of the school. Talk about a warm welcome.
The following day my principal also brought in the Headman of our village and the Chief of Police to help me feel safe and welcomed into the community. I also received a rather flattering introduction to the community when a school board meeting was held with many members and families of the Kasote community. I even got to give a brief introduction of myself, in Rukwangali. I think I did decently as well :). Though Peace Corps does have some requirements of my host community and new school, I really have to just say wow!!! My new principal and community has just gone above and beyond. They have helped my feel 100x more welcome then I could ever expect or wish for. People have been extremely kind. My host family completely welcomed me with open arms. The new school has been wonderful. I must admit I consider myself VERY lucky to recieve this site. I know it's still the beginning and most would even call this the honeymoon stage, but I have a feeling I am really going to enjoy my 2 years in Kasote.
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