Zambia Trip

To continue on with the May holiday adventures after Erindi Game Park my friend and I returned to the Kavango region and stayed in my village for a bit so that I can show her that village life style. I’m glad she got to experience it, but there was one MAJOR perk she got to enjoy which NEVER happens, we had Taco Tuesday!!!  As a birthday gift my family sent my friend Bea with some corn tortillas for me ;) a few friends were over so to kick off my Namixcan BirthMay celebrations we had margaritas and tacos!! It was awesome!!

After a few days in the village a group of fellow volunteers, Bea, and myself decided to jump some boarders and venture off to Zambia, just east of Namibia. This time we were riding in style and used Intercape Bus. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was 3,792,735 times better than Kumbis. Kumbis really do make me nervous. Also, Intercape offered an overnight bus which was a nice option so that we could just sleep for the 11 hour ride and arrive in the morning so the adventures could begin right away. Early in the morning we saw some wild elephants and giraffes on the side of the road. This made me kind of giggle to my friend. Back home the animals I saw the most often were cattle and horses. Now I rarely see horses but giraffes and baboons are pretty regular thing; when I return to the states it’s going to be funny to see horses again.

Back to the fun stuff though, Zambia!! Zambia was awesome. We stayed in a pretty touristy area, Livingston so I didn’t get to see too much of the country by any means, but what I did see, I loved. We were there about 3 and half days and got to do lots of fun stuff. The first day was a bit more relaxed and we basically just walked around Livingston which was a cute town. People seemed friendly and it had a nice safe feel to it. The second day was action packed. We got to go see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls. If you are not familiar with it Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and it is absolutely beautiful!! It costed $20USD and was completely worth it. There are many walking trails on top and on the bottom of the falls. There’s also a bridge about mid level of the falls directly in front of them where you can walk and get soaked. The mist from the falls is so strong it creates a rainforest and garden of rainbows, it was surreal to see. The other exciting point was bungee jumping!! Yes bungee jumping!!!! Ahh it was so scary yet a blast all at once. A bridge a bit down from the falls offers a thing called the Big Air package, this included bungee jumping, the bungee swing (which was similar to bungee jumping with out as much air time and you fall feet first rather than head first), and zip lining. Check out the following blog to see the video of the bungee swing and bungee jumping. Man, that was a rush. I think bungee jumping was even scarier than sky diving!

The next day we purchased a package from the hostel we stayed at (JollyBoys backpackers) which started our day with a 2 hour canoe ride where we got to see a few elephants, followed by elephant interaction where we got to feed and hang out with the elephants. You even get to sit with them and tell them about how pretty they are. Well you don’t have to tell them that but theyre beautiful so I wanted to. After the interaction we went on a small safari drive followed by lunch. After lunch we were able to relax for bit before going on a sunset cruise where dinner was provided. On the boat we met a super sweet pair of parents who were in Zambia because their son just completed his 27 month service with Peace Corps and was now marrying someone he met during service.  Those Peace Corps love stories get me every time!

Over all the trip (though brief) was one of a life time. I had great company and an amazing time. Tons of pictures were taken so I decided to collaborate them all into this fun little video. (Told you I’d make up for the missed Sunday Funday pictures.) So for your Sunday Funday there are tons of pictures between then three blog posts!

Sunday Funday 24-April Kids say the darnest things

So with term one coming to an end, countless amounts of paper have been marked (graded). Sometimes the marking seems never ending, and sometimes it's super funny, or just sweet. Check out some of the fun stuff I came across this semester:

 Question: give the antonym of the word "happy".

Answer: hungry 

 Well, I mean she has a point....

Sex: a human 

What is the nationality of Mrs. Calment?

A human 

Ha ha ha this kid is kinda onto something. 

We watched The  Lion King  as a listening activity with fill in the blank from the scene with adult Simba and Rafiki befor Simba returns to pride rock. 

Rafiki said to Simba "Yes, the past can *hurt*, but the way I see it you can either run from it, or *die* from it. Ahhh see! You learned!"

Hmmmm.... Talk about the past haunting you! 

He he he being a teacher is like being President. I guess this could mean Ms.Tena for President? ;) 

For the start of class everyday we have a warm up. On this day the prompt was "Tell me something that makes you feel good"

The thing that makes me feel good is when ms Tena she teaches like I am eating chicken.

 .... I'm gonna take that as a compliment. Chicken is good. Lol

In a counsling group I was once apart if we did "visual journaling" and it's activity that really stuck to me. It's really relaxing to just throw on some music, clip away and break out the glue. I must admit this is something I really enjoy doing! Sunday morning collaging :) This was what I did this weekend 

These were the other two I made since being here

How to survive the rough weeks of Peace Corps

So as much as Id love to say serving, as a PCV is rainbows and sunshine every day, sometimes this gig is rough! Let’s face it; every day can’t be on fleek. (ß who says PCV’s can’t be hip with the cool words States side) These past couple weeks have been one of a few weeks that had me borderline 3-year-old tantrum, tossing myself on the floor kicking and screaming in need of someone to just hold me, say its okay, and give me a sticker and ice-cream. However, not all hopes are lost, I’ve come to find there’s a few ways to survive riding the rocky waves.

Happiness in a box – I’m pretty sure I can speak for all volunteers when I say getting mail makes your day. Come on when was the last time you wrote some snail mail? Its fun! I love reading what friends and family have to say, and I have fun drawing pictures on the letters responding.  Even if your not a PCV tell me you don’t enjoy a letter from a friend. Care packages!!! Its like Christmas morning to get to your box and see a little slip to pick up your package at the office. I pretty much skip the whole way to the post office. Seriously, I can not say thank you enough to the people who have sent me goodies, especially the ones who have sent supplies for my little monsters, wait I mean….. ummm….. classes of angels. 

Welcome to the twenty first century – Isn't technology great? There’s been a few times I had a day from h-e double hockey sticks! Then I get a notification from a friend or family saying either something encouraging or some quoting funny conversations or recapturing funny memories.  Sometimes I swear people sense it even from the other side of the globe.

Hide! – Its taboo for the culture of my host village to spend time alone, but some times its needed. Yes, integration and being active in your community is good, but sometimes its just, needed to lock yourself in your room with head phones staring at the roof. Sometimes sanity is granted by tucking away behind a back tree with a book. Just go for a walk. This job can be tough at times, sometimes the best de-stressor is a nice walk and breath of air.

I cant believe I’m about to suggest binge eating – I love chocolate and hot Cheetos. I ATTEMPT to save my hot Cheetos for rainy days, but then, well theyre hot Cheetos, especially lime, mmmmmmmmmm *starts dreaming of its loveliness*. Peace Corps has taught me the meaning of love; love is the feeling you get when you put hot lime Cheetos in your mouth. Since my hot Cheetos don’t typically last long I try to always have a chocolate bar or some other treat tucked away. Some times simply surviving the day is reason enough to celebrate and indulge in good as an award for not going [completely] bonkers.

Pack your teddy bear – Seriously! If you have one pack it. I have an elephant, her name is Cassie and she is the best. Also, before I left my friends back home gave me the best going away gift ever! They threw a surprise going away party and made me a scrap book  of collages, pictures, messages, and some extreme randomness, and I LOVE IT! Just flipping threw its pages not only makes me smile every time, its helps ease home sickness spells.

If you need to talk to someone, then talk. - We're not super heros, we're humans and with that comes emotions. You'd be surprise who you find can be the biggest support when you need it. There was literally a time I was so frustrated I cried my eyes out and a learner saw me, shocked to find out Americans cry. I'm usually a very bubbly person so she was under the impression that Americans are just happy. I didn't feel the need to explain all the issues but rather just leave it at, I'm feeling sad right now and sometimes crying helps. The next day she showed up at school with a card for me. 

And when all else fails a nice walk in with your head phones blasted is really nice way to relieve some stress and bring you back to the fact that you are living through an experience. Whether you're in America, Africa, South America, on and island, good days and bad days happen. Sometimes one of the trickiest parts of being a volunteer is learning how do dance through the rain rather than screaming at the next person to cross your path. 

I love Ellie Goulding and this song (Scream it Out) has played on repeat a few times to help me feel better, maybe it can help you too :)

https://youtu.be/RV9EKQG2ixI

Sunday Funday Pictures 28-Feb

This past week 4 other volunteers and myself were chosen to have dinner with the US Ambassador of Namibia, his wife, and a special RPVC (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) who is now serving with the Center of Disease Control. It was an amazing opportunity  and a delicious meal. Thank you so much for the invitation!!

What life has brought me to:

Sunrises kissing the siloquet of my homestead 

        And

Watching the sunset on the Okavango River

In case you guys can't tell, I can't get enough of the skies here 

Basically what a "bus stop" looks like. There's no public bus system, no jumping on the "L" like in Chicago, no subways.... Just the side of a road and a hand to wave to catch someone to pick you up.

My definition of "Free range animals" has completely changed since beginning serice in Namibia. Animals literally are free range here. The whole village is their limit.

Nothing like relaxing under a tree with your friends. 

This week was my sister and grandmas birthday, so since I'm an English and Arts teacher we decided we should all celebrate them by turning our arts project into making a Happy Birthday video. Lol they kept trading papers with each other and changes Amy's name to "Aym" 

Check out the video we made together here! 

http://youtu.be/zRNjXPmoh90

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to get more peaks of the Nam Bam adventures: jamiet06

21-Feb-2016 Sunday Funday pictures

Dance lessons under the eucalyptus trees. In from of my homestead are some big, beautiful eucalyptus trees that not only smell good but give off some nice shade. This past week I went outside to journal, but instead some local kids decided to make it a dance party and [tried] teaching me how to do some cultural dancing. 

This adorable little chameleon was wondering in my yard. As much as I wanted to keep the little guy I figured he would be much happier in the trees next to the pond where there's plenty of Mosquitos for him to eat. He sure was beautiful! 

Side note/fun fact: Many locals are afraid of chameleons. I've been warned not to get near them. I guess this means I love life dangerously lol. 

This week I decided to take a walk down to the river (it's about 5km) from my house. And wow!!! It's so much fuller than the last time I was there, and really made me wonder why I don't spread nearly as much time at the river as I use to. The scenery is just, spectacular!!

I wish pictures could do justice of what I see. This past week we had some really fun morning fog. (This is the area where I left my little chameleon friend)

This little beauty came by "to learn more" even after she spent 6 hours at school (starting at 7am), 1 hour at study (an after school program where Learners study for exams and do homework together) and an hour at athletics (track) practice, under a very hot Namibian sun. Now that is dedication!  

Working till the cows come home

Some fun pictures of some of Learners. They LOVE getting pictures taken!