Experiences of a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia (2016-19) and further adventures…
This past weekend afforded me another chance to explore my nearby surroundings, this time along the bed of the Swakop River that separates the high desert in the north from the high plains to the south. I tented at the Goanikontes-Oasis rest camp, explored the river bed and climbed up to the south rim for great views.
Continue reading “Weekend getaway to Goanikontes-Oasis on the Swakop River”
I recently had a chance to reflect on “the bigger picture…”
4 months after saying goodbye to one another at the end of PST in Okahandja, the 31 members of Peace Corps Namibia Group 43 met together in Windhoek last week for our “ReConnect.”
It was on this day, back in April, when I departed SFO for my 2+ years in Namibia. Time is truly racing by!
Group 43 is at our ReConnect retreat this week for more training and to share early experiences. We’re in the hills above Windhoek and clearly, as you can see, there are more than just Peace Corps volunteers here!
After sharing it with my Namibian friends and colleagues, and (once again) discussing our electoral process, I was proud to fax in my absentee ballot today. Voter participation here and in most other new countries is much higher than in the US. We must lead by example, particularly this year!
Continue reading “Exercise your right to vote! Much of the world doesn’t have it…”
Those of you familiar with Arches NP in Utah or Joshua Tree in SoCal will recognize familiar types of geologic formations at Spitzkoppe, which I explored this past weekend. Stunning beauty as the light changed throughout the day, and each feature seemed to take on a new appearance when I barely moved my vantage point. Later, I learned that Stanley Kubrick’s Dawn of Man sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey, was filmed here.
The beginning of Spring means that Summer is not far behind, and our comfortable temperatures won’t continue for long. A week ago, for example, we saw the cold, wet fog reach 65 km inland from the coast and only my sleeping bag kept me warm enough at night. Yesterday, on the other hand, it reached the high-90s!
Just a quick note to my Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Area friends. Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet and Congressman Sam Farr will be holding a special public event to talk about “the opportunities the Peace Corps offers….” on Monday, September 19th at CSUMB in Marina. You can learn more by visiting this Event Information and Registration link. RSVP by September 15th! Continue reading “Hey, Monterey Bay Area folks: meet the PC Director!”
One of my favorite weekend activities is exploring the desert surrounding Arandis. For most recent weeks, this has been on foot–but now that I have a working bike, I’m able to cover much more ground and go further into the bush. Yesterday, while clocking about 30km off-road, I found ancient riverbeds, an endemic Quiver Tree and several herd of wandering Springbok.
Imagine a holiday that combines all the patriotic fervor of your country’s Veterans’ Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day combined, and then consider that it’s the 50th anniversary of the first shots fired in your country’s Revolutionary War. That’s what Namibia experienced last week on Heroes’ Day! Continue reading “Heroes’ Day – 50th Anniversary”
Or anywhere else, for that matter…
Another interesting article on the perceptions we form when looking at historical representations of the world:
I love maps!
