Sunday Funday Pictures!

It's that time of year where the Learners start preparing for their "Culture Competitions" in the Kavango. Learners collaborate traditional dancing, songs, and dramas together into a skit where they will compete with other schools. 

These are a couple of the traditional drums typically played by boy students. 

Since the Culture Competitions are a big deal in the area, and the drums can be heard through out the village, it attracts people to come watch their practices.

Little Miss Mariah here is one of my grade 8 English Learners, and one of our Culture Team's secret weapon. This girl can dance!!

Back to school! Term 2 of school has been back and at it for about 2 weeks. Winter is also upon us so people are layering up.

If you even (slightly) know me, you know I have a serious hot Cheetos addiction! Luckily my friends rock my socks and send me happiness in a box! If you haven't tried hot Cheetos with marshmallow cream, go try it, now! Lol trust me, it's great!

Flashback!!!

One of the local bands here Kolesa and my host sister invited a couple friends and I to their End of Year party last December. And recently sent me some of the photos they took. 

They are a GREAT band, I'm hoping to upload some of their music soon!

(Isn't my host sister so pretty? I'm couldn't ever ask for a better host sister!) 

Sunday Funday Easter pictures

So first off, I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter! If Easter is not something you celebrate then I hope you have a great Sunday, still filled with sweets. Trust me if I could get my hands on a chocolate bunny right now Id be all about that life style ;) 

So last weekend I ventured to Swakopmund. A city right on the west coast of Namibia! This place was not like the Namibia I've come to know at all!!! It almost felt like America, it was actually a bit scary! Well, while on our Independence get away, myself and a couple friends decided to check something off our bucket lists 

SKYDIVING!!!!

All I have to say was it's epic and if you've never done it before, you should!!!

The plane was painted like a giraffe, isn't that awesome!

Meet Anna, isn't she just so awesome and pretty! Group 42 is filled with some fabulous people I must say.

Swakop had a place that served gluten free pizza!!!! I was so happy I nearly cried, a date 3 large pizzas all to myself!

Also, there were gluten free pancakes!!! Yum!!! 

The things I make my friends do. He he he he ;) 

Swakop gave the Kavango sunsets some competition.... I still love the Kavango more though, but maybe I'm a bit bias :-p

I found 1 bag of m&ms at a local shop.... I bought it of coarse, And was a bit sad there was only one. Heck I'll take it, I love me some chocolate!!!!

 

Another rare find and out of this world treat, real coffee that isn't instant!!!

Come a me bro! 

Sometimes I think the rooster on my homestead is challenging me 

Just for humor I saw this and automatically thought this was a not so rare reaction before departure when people asked the infamous "why Peace Corps" or "you're going where to do what? For 27 months! What?!" 

New Series: What Can you do With $1USD in Namibia - KAPANA!!!

Life as a Peace Corps Volunteer has got to be one of the richest experiences of my life, but it is a life definately lived on a budget considering that we are, well volunteers. This doesn't mean we can't splurge once in a while and spend a dollar here or there for a treat. Where a US dollar can (sometimes) get you something off a dollar menu (with out tax) in the States there's also some treats that Namibia has for only $1.00USD!

So as I write this post right now the currency exchange rate is $1.00USD to $15.40NAM

The very first goodie I want to introduce to you is:

 Kapana!!!

Let me start off by saying my name is Jamie, and I am a kapana addict. Wooo glad I got that off my chest. Are we still together? Good I'm glad there's no judgement. Kapan is a style of bried (BBQ) meat made over an open flame. I use to be a vegetarian for a long time so I never foresaw myself loving a piece of meat so much, but this stuff, its good. maybe it the woody smoke taste. Maybe its the seasonings. Or Maybe its the atmosphere of it all but this is definitely a MUST experience should you ever find yourself in Namibia.

In my shopping town of Rundu next to a gas station where many taxis sit and wait for cars to fill up with passengers to drive to distance village lies a strip of "grills" where various people sell bit size pieces of meat for $1NAM each. These Kapana grills are also in other parts of the country but I typically go to the one in my shopping town because of convience. When I'm really hungry, $15 is the meal but there are options with in the corner area. Right across the street is a gas station where you can buy one can of cool drink (Coke, Sprite, water, juice, Stoney's Ginger beer) for about $5.25NAM for a small can.

This gives the options of:

15 pieces of meat

-or-

10 pieces of meat and 1 small drink.


And there you basically have lunch! This typically is my lunch when I come to town, not going to lie. The vendors compete a bit by sometimes having special spices available. I tend to go to the same "Meme" (motherly figure) because when she sees me she greets me with a big smile and says "Hi Tena" while already grabbing crushed chile flakes. I love spicy, the spicier the better. What can I say, I grew up in New Mexico. You basically order water there and they ask you the infamous question: Red or Green? Life is meant to be lived with chile. When my friends and I share kapana I'm not allowed to be in charge of chile flake add-ons or everyones mouth lights on fire.


When you walk up to the strip of Kapana grills they will start saying "Customer Customer, come taste" Feel free to walk to a couple and try the meats they have. 99% of the time its beef, but sometimes its goat. In other parts of the country I hear they also offer dog and donkey. I haven't tried dog, but donkey is good. After you pick the person who fits your fancy just tell them how many pieces you'd like then you can either eat them piping hot off the grill, or get them wrapped in a new paper and continue on your way. Don't forget to add some seasoning though ;) That's the good stuff!

KAPANA!!!

The plate of spice where you dip your meat. This train has salt, "spice" and chile flakes

The other vendors preparing their meat.

This is my go-to Meme. :) She rocks!

Fresh Kapana. The lighter pieces are the fat, which are free (if you like the fat).

The grills are made of old tire rims and metal screening. The fire is made with freshly cut wood. I swear that is part of what creates the flavor. 

Sunday photos 27-Dec-2015

Sunsets in the Kavango are aomething that never get old <3

My beautiful host sister Fannie and I. We attended an end of year celebration for a Namibia band named Kolesa. It was an all white theme.

Like I said, these views never get old. I love when my days end by the river.

These beautiful flowers bloom on some of the trieds not only here in the Kavango, but through out Namibia. 

I had to take a picture of this table, it had a nice New Mexico feel to me. 

Merry Christmas from Namibia 

A woman who was fetching wood and crossing the river while carrying it on her head. People's sense of balance here is amazing. 

Sunday Photos 20-Dec-2015

Hi everyone! I want to start a new tradition of including you in on my photo a day. Every day I take at least one picture to remember service. I will warn you, most are of either people or nature but here is the first set of pics I would like to share withe you. Tune in every Sunday because I plan on making this a Sunday funday picture day!

A few of the kiddos in my village during one of our afternoon hang out sessions. Aren't they precious!

One day a medicine truck came to administer injections (vaccinations) to the community. A few nurses set up chairs under a tree and began giving the injections, first to babies and children, followed by the elders 

This sweet little guy having fun drawing pictures in the sand.

My infamous little host brother Bonze (the one who surprised me with my puppy Hafa) and I playing Mancala. We made it out of an egg cartoon, seeds, and my malaria medication boxes. Gotta get crafty in Namibia. :) 

A few of the awesome volunteers and I during our time in Windhoek 

The tree swing and the hut. A fun picture I was able to capture while in Mayenzere. 

A very special sight to me as this reminds me of someone very dear. RIP auntie 

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

"Where do you picture yourself 5 years from now... 10 years from now?"

Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually knows the answer to that question, or maybe its just me. I definitely doubt I would say "Oh you know I picture myself spending Thanksgiving in the Kavango region doing arts and crafts with grade 2 learners", "Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Peace Corps serving in Namibia", or "Buying an Orange Fanta to share with a random stranger in a small African village". I definitely didn't predict myself saying "I will be living along rivers in Namibia and learning how to speak Rukwangali." or "Sitting in the VIP section of a gospel concert with my sister". None of this could have been foreseen, but you know what, I'm sure glad its happening.

Last week I returned from a two week trip to Windhoek, the capitol of Namibia. In Windhoek we had an all volunteer conference for all 143 volunteers currently serving in Namibia. We also got to join together to celebrate 25 years of Peace Corps Service in Namibia. Namibia gained their Independence in March of 1990 and only 7 days later, before they even had a letter head, they requested service of Peace Corps Volunteers. Fast forward a bit to September of that same year, the first group of volunteers arrived in Namibia ready to serve. I am happy that 25 years later I have the privilege of being apart of the "Namily" and also get to have the experience of serving in Namibia.

The all volunteer conference ended and us newbies of group 42 had to stick around for some additional training. Over all I enjoyed it, I learned some interesting facts, got some info on applying for grants, got to reconnect with some lovely faces and make new friendships. A lot of time was spent debriefing and sharing stories about our sites and experiences. Many volunteers had positive stories, others have had a few speed bumps to over come since spreading our wings and beginning our 2 years of service post completing PST(Pre-Service Training). This time to tell each other really made me realize how thankful I am about this experience. Overall, I feel like my time in Kasote has been great. Yeah some culture shock aside and a few cultural differences have thrown a curve ball or two at me, but I really think I'm beyond lucky to have received my site. This isn't my first rodeo volunteering abroad, I know what its like to live with a just plain mean host family and that was not fun to say the least. The host family I'll be staying with over these next two years is amazing! I would get excited when people would ask "Whats your family/living situation like" and I could respond with telling them how awesome of a host sister I'm living with and the children of the homestead and village I get to hang out with. When it came to language training it was with out hesitation that I could say a teacher from my staff helped me out everyday in trying to battle learning Rukwangali, sometimes two. I enjoyed bragging about how on top of things the principal has been. I couldn't brag enough about how welcoming the community has been over all.

There are both pros and cons to living with a host family in a small village, and in my case the pros definitely out weigh the cons. Being that I've spent a lot of time living alone I had my reservations about living with a family, but now I am very thankful that is the case. On Thanksgiving I was having a bit of a sore spot missing my family. I made a post on Facebook wishing friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving back home and how I was sad about not being there with them. One friend posted a comment say "You may be missing one Thanksgiving, but the impact you are having there will last forever". This really centered me. Maybe I am making an impact on the people I've met here, perhaps not. One thing I do know though is they are impacting me, in several good ways and ya,  that will last forever. I am living my dream, that is infinite impact of its own. And you know what I am hoping I'm impacting people here because it would be selfish of me to be the only one privileged of receiving their grace.

I wouldn't have pictured this be my life even a year ago, and yes there has been some sacrifices that have had to be made, and in my opinion it couldn't be a better way of living. Any one else thinking of just, going for "it" whether that definition of "it" meaning join the Peace Corps (which you should), taking on a challenge, or anything else, do it! Lets face it, no one knows what life will be like 5 years from now, and just in case that zombie apocalypse does hit us, its best that we are living life since now. The scariest thing that can happen is you look back at your life and tell yourself "I should have ________ when I had the chance."

Nom Nom Nom! On the menu Kavango Cuisine

Grubs! Slimmy, yet satisfying :)

Actually I have ate some worms since my Namibian adventure has began, but that is more traditionally an O-land delectable. Personally, I like them dry, but I believe they are suppose to be cooked. I have a thing about textures of food so chewy grubs hasn't been something I enjoyed being in my mouth. 

 So first off a bit of background. As you may have read before I am serving in the Kavango region of Namibia. Namibia its self is split into many, extremely unique regions. As you can see on the map (or may already know) Kavango region is on the top of Namibia near the Kavango River which serves as a border between Namibia and Angola.

Depending on the region's location, its menu of traditional foods shift. The one common love amongst all regions is meat. Any get together with Namibia almost  always involves meat. I don't think I have experienced a single weekend with out walking across, into, or being a part of a Braii (the Namibian word for BBQ). Fast food may be closed, but its guaranteed that you can find some AMAZING "street meat" or "Kapana meat" being braiied on the side of the road or in front of a bar. Let me tell you it is so good that its yummy-ness will never grow old. Its also fun to see the different spices, or seasonings the sellers have out to dip your meat into if thats what you choose. If you haven't had the chance to read my blog "The Wild Game" these two go pretty hand in hand because that one is about the types of game hunted. In that blog I also referenced being unsure on how its possible to hunt (or even butcher) giraffe. Well I must of either a) seen the future coming or b) spoke a few days too soon because not long after that posting giraffe was what was on the table. 

In my region we eat a lot of fish. It is with out hesitation that the fresh fish caught in the river and salt fried or boiled that is commonly served is the absolutely best fish I have ever experienced in my life. I enjoy seeing how fish varies even with in the region. When I was living in Bunya for CBT (Community Based Training) my host mom would typically fry fish. I must admit, her friend fish has probably been one of my favorite dishes in Namibia. Now that I am living in Kasote for my 2 years of service I live with a new host family, and they typically boil the large red belly fish, which is also great. Prior to living here I would eat fish if it was what was served, but didn't love it. That has definitely changed now. I love Love LOVE fish both boiled and fried. 

One traditional food for tea time is breaded, fried fish which many love, but due to my celiac I have not tried. Yes, you read that right. I did say for tea time. One of my favorite features of Namibian culture in all regions is "Tea Time". Every day, usually around 10:00am is tea time. Tea Time is meant as a break for the day and tends to last around 30 minutes. In some occasions tea and/or coffee along with a snack such as the fried fish (pictured to the left), bread and butter, or fruit is provided. Other times you are responsible for bringing your own refreshments and snack. Another traditional yummy treat consumed for tea time, or any time of the day for that matter is a goody known as "Fat Cakes".

Unfortunately I have not been able to try these either, but people who have really enjoy them. They are balls of dough with extra butter and sugar mixed in and cooked by being dropped into a pot of boiling oil. In my opinion they seem similar to doughnut holes, but I don't know exactly. Once in a while you can also find them spruced up being drizzled in syrup or rolled in powdered sugar. The name fat cakes couldn't be more fitting. 

Now, for a fun Rukwangali lesson. "Yisima". The one food which is consumed pretty much every single day. Seriously I'm pretty sure "Yisima" is what is served 6 out of 7 days of the week. It can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. "Yisima" is also known as "pap", but in would be better understood as porridge in English. For lunch or dinner the "Yisima" is hard and rolled into a ball which also serves as your utensils. Who needs spoons and forks anyways? When the "Yisima" is served for breakfast it is watered down with milk and extra sugar is added. The breakfast "Yisima" has a similar taste to Cream of Wheat which brings back some childhood memories. <3 What I find most intriguing is how it is typically/ "traditionally" cooked. It is cooked with either maize (corn) or mahangu (millet) flour in a cast iron cauldron on top of three stones and over an a fire. This is known as "ediko" in Rukwangali. 

The "Yisima" is usually accompanied with .... take a wild guess! If you guessed meat then you are right! The other popular pairs for "Yisima" is ekovi (cabbage), mutete (dried spinach, it can also be fresh though), or soap (soup). No matter what your fancy may be it is rather tasty. 

Little fun fact, macaroni is enjoyed here in Namibia just as it is in many parts of the world. In America, I automatically think macaroni is served drowing in yummy, gooey, cheesy wonders! However, in Namibia macaroni is served with mayo and ketchup. I can't say I've experienced that either  though. Darn you gluten for limiting my food options!!! Even with some (very) limited access to gluten free pasta, mayo and ketchup are a bit wild for me. I know, I know, I'll eat grubs, bats, donkey, and doves, but not mayo or ketchup right? I tell you its a texture thing.

Another traditional treat here in "Eguni" also known as a Kavango orange. It has a hard outer shell that needs to be cracked on a rock, or if your a pro with your elbow. Once you have it cracked open it is filled with little seed like fruit that kind of tastes like bananas. Your suck the fruit off the seed and spit out the see pits.

Namibias sure do know how to cook, I think that is one of the many things I really enjoy about living with a host family. Yes feeling like a member of their family is on the top of the list, but right behind it comes the out of this world meals that only a Namibian can create. Trust me, Ive tried mimicking some of the delicious recipes and even though they aren't bad, they are much better made by the hands of the ones who actually know what they are doing. I'm very excited to see what food-ventures will come to be explored in the years to in Namibia. 

*This was also a request made in the "Talk to me" section (located in the right hand tool bar). I would love to hear more ideas on what you would like to know about so let me know!