Backpacking the Naukluft 8-Day Trail

I was treated to a very special visit by my son, Tyler, who spent several weeks in Namibia during March and April. A highlight of his visit was backpacking together along the remote, 125km-long Naukluft 8-Day Trail with 9 other American volunteers (from Peace Corps and World Teach). As always in wide open expanses of land, the photos never do justice, but I hope just the same that you enjoy the photos taken by Tyler, PCV Sheridan and me.

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Images of Life in Namibia

This is a long post, but made up only of photos and captions so I hope you find it fun and easy to go through during this busy time of year. You’ll see a bit about the work I’m doing and a lot from life in and around my home and some recent travels.

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Listen to this!

Our KKG language instructor, JJ, agreed to videotape this greeting so that you could hear the unique sounds of his “clicking” Khoikhoi language.

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Images of Life in Namibia

Wash basin on the right and rinse bucket on the left. Best technique, they say, is to rub the fabric on your forearm rather than on another part of the garment.
Laundry day! Hand wash & line dry…  Wash basin on the right and rinse bucket on the left. Best technique, they say, is to rub the fabric on your forearm rather than on another part of the garment. After an hour, my arm was quite sore!
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Breaking News: I’ll be learning to speak Afrikaans!


Our language assignments were announced last night to many cheers of excitement & gulps of nervousness. This morning, we all had to learn some basic greetings in all 6 languages that Group 43 is learning, which gave us a sense of the amazing diversity of this vast land. Detailed instruction (full immersion!) have started and our host families arrive in 30 minutes for first introductions. We move in with them tomorrow so stress levels are at a peak!

What new language will I learn?

Globe_of_languageThe list is down to five possibilities, depending on where I get assigned to work: AfrikaansSiloziOshikwanyamaOtjiherero or Rumanyo.

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