PST Super-Duper Update!!!

So, the only way that I can write this long blog to you all is to type it up a day early on my computer and then just go to the internet café, copy and paste it into a new post. The poor internet café is going nuts because all 30 of us decide to go there at the same time. There’s always a huge line so I don’t want to take too much time from other PCT’s (Peace Corps Trainees).



I have 2 pieces of big news!!! Yesterday I found out the language that I will be learning and the host family that I will be living with. I will try and explain the language first. It’s called Rukwangali and it’s in the Bantu family of languages. It’s very interesting… but our teacher insures us that we will be able to learn enough in 8 weeks. We have to reach an intermediate-mid level and pass an oral test in order to be sworn in. That makes me very nervous since we only do have really 7.5 weeks now. So far… I can only greet someone (formally) in the morning. I would try and write the 2 sentences I know but I will butcher the spelling. Give me one week and I will try again.

 A little about Rukwangali… It is spoken in the Kavango region which is in the very northeast corner of the country. It is VERY hot up there. But we will get probably the most rain in the country. It, unfortunately, has the high Malaria prevalence (obviously due to the rain). I am almost certain that I will be living in the Kavango region (unless the Peace Corps wants to surprise me which is totally possible). My language instructor said that we will probably be placed in a site near Rundu or west of the city. That is the ONLY city in the Kavango region. There are also only 3 roads… one leading North from Windhoek to Rundu, one leading West from Rundu and one leading East from Rundu. Pretty isolated up there. It was described to me as just village after village. Good news is that 1) there are volunteers already placed up there so I will have friends near me and 2) I bet there is a fair chance that I will have power and water. However, it might be a problem getting food from the store because it could be a good distance away. I won’t know and specifics about my site until week 5 when we are finally told where we will be living for 2 years. Just after we are old we spend a week at our site to check it out. Waiting till week 5 will be a challenge. Baby steps!

 My host family seems amazing! I had the opportunity to meet my host mother and little sister yesterday afternoon. There will be 6 people (not including me) in the house I will be living in and it is within walking distance from the training center. I forget my mother’s first name… but she just told me to call her mom or iba (which means mom in some language???). My youngest sister is named Abigail and she is 12. She accompanied her mom today. I also have a 16 year old sister named Memory, a 21 year old brother, and 22 year old cousin who has a 3 year old son. The only person who doesn’t live in the house is the 21 year old brother so it’ll be just us girls! Oh yeah, she’s a single mother. Everyone speaks English in the house which is nice. Unfortunately, no one speaks Rukwangali. They are, however, from the Caprivi strip which is right next to where I will probably be living.



Funny story… I asked my host mother if she spoke Rukwangali and of course she said no. Then I asked her if it was hard to learn and her response was… HA! She laughed! That doesn’t seem like a good sign to me! And it wasn’t a little HA like haha but a deep, from the gut HA. It made me laugh so hard. I asked her to explain and she just shook her head. She is really very nice though. I am her third trainee that she is hosting. I’m glad because she already knows what it’s like to host and American… so that calms a lot of my fears.



There is a big difference in culture between Namibia and America. Women must bend their knees when greeting someone and shaking their hand. Porridge is the staple meal here, also known as maize meal. I haven’t tried it yet but I told my host mother that I would be more than willing to try anything once. I found out that sheep is a very yummy meat. It’s kind of the meat we eat the most. I don’t think I have tried goat yet… but I’m sure I will soon. You never receive something (like a gift) with your left hand, always your right. You can’t hug friends that are guys when you greet them like you do in America. Women aren’t supposed to go to bars. It is a very conservative society. I always have to have my shoulders covered and skirts have to be below my knees. No shorts in public. There is more, but I think you get the idea.



I’m sure I will have more updates for you soon. Look up the Kavango region. It’s beautiful I hear!



My best to all!

 UPDATES: 2/24/10


So we had our first language lesson today and I can say a few sentences!!! They all pretty much mean the same thing so I will only translate it once.

 

A: Ngapi? How are you?


B: Nawa, ove ngapi? Fine, and you?


A: Nawa. Fine.






A: Uzeti wami?


B:Nawa wami, ove ngapi wami?


A: Nawa.






A: Fera?


B: Nca, fera?


A: Nca.






Interesting thing… the letter C does not sound like a C. Instead it is a click with a sound after it. It is the only click in the Rukwangali language (that I know of). Also, the letters J, X, and Q don’t exist in the language either. The only places you will see them are in names.






A few more things I learned to say:






Na kara nepuro – I have a question


Uyungakuliworo – Speak slowly


Mbili – Sorry/Pardon/Excuse me


Kapi nayi zuvhu – I don’t understand






That’s all for now!

CALL ME AT 011-264-81-499-6821

Day 3 of PST...

Namibia is beautiful! I can't describe how wonderful it is here. The people are all so friendly, the food is great... it's hard to beat. I can't write long because there is a line to use the internet but I will give you a few quick updates...

I find out in about an hour what language I will be learning. There are 6 options. We have 8 weeks to get to an intermediate level. AHHH crazy!

The weather here is hot. But it has rained every evening to cool things down.

I have a cell phone but I forgot to bring the number with me. Call my dad he has it and can tell you how to reach me. Remember I am 7 hours ahead of you so please don't call me at 3am here :)

I move into my host family on Friday but I meet them today!!!! Actually tonight. SO I will update you (hopefully later this week) on how that goes and what my family is like.

Right now I have electricity and running water. The water is safe to drink here in Namibia so that's really nice.

I won't know where I am going to live until week 5 here so stay posted!

If you plan to send me letters, my parents also have the address. If you want to send me a package... email me and I will give to some tips to ensure they make it all in one piece to me.

kcwenar@yahoo.com

I miss you all and I am healthy and doing fine! I hope you are all doing well too!!!

The Journey Begins...

After 17 hours on a flight to Johannesburg, I am pooped! I think I slept for 6 hours on the plane!

On Thursday night the 30 of us traveled from Washington D.C. (where staging was held on Wednesday) to Johannesburg, South Africa. We did have a short layover in Dakar, Senegal (maybe an hour or so) but the flying time was 17 hours total. Longest flight EVER!!!! But... we flew South African Airways and there was plenty of space for your bags (Lord knows my bags are huge) and leg room :) We each also got our own personal television! Melatonin is my new best friend for helping me go to sleep while sitting upright and with people on either side of me!

South Africa is beautiful (from what I saw from the plane and from Johannesburg). The weather here is great! Our APCD (Associate Peace Corps Director) told us that it's currenly about 90 degrees F in Namibia. I guess tomorrow I will find out. It was in the low 80's when we got to Johannesburg tonight.

I am 7 hours ahead of you all in the USA right now. Tomorrow, however, I will only be 6 hours ahead of you :) Very covenient for phone calls from home (as soon as I get my number)!!!

Just know that I miss you all and I really appreciate your support while I begin this wonderful journey with the Peace Corps. I will try and update you again as soon as I can when I reach Namibia. Our flight is at 9:50am and is about 2 hours long. When you are waking up tomorrow, I will already be in Namibia! YAY!!

I'm sure we will speak again soon! Also, if you wish to email me, my address is kcwenar@yahoo.com or skype me at kcwenar.