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Showing posts from April, 2017

Windhoek

So we arrived in Windhoek today after the longest travel period of my life. I wanted to jump out of the third plane! But I was able to realize just how immense this continent is. From Ethiopia to Windhoek, I thought it would take like 3 or 4 hours to fly. Nope. It was nearly 7. Beautiful scenery and a lot of huuuuuuge lakes that I thought were the ocean. Those really threw me off directionally because I knew we weren't going over an ocean and yet I couldn't see the end of it. I loved the green valleys and bushes and the bright red, dirt roads. I met up with a few people from my group in Ethiopia and then we all found eachother in Namibia. As we were getting out visas, the ladies checking us in and approving them were so rude! We were roasted over what the heck we would be doing for 2 months just as tourists. Finally she threw the papers back at me and stamped her dang approval. Checked out our hostel for the night, The Cardboard Box (aka Brothel) and it doesn't look too ...

36 Hour Itinerary

Leg one of this escapade: Seattle to D.C. Other legs as follows: DC to Ethiopia. Then to Windhoek. When I checked my bag in at the counter (of the extremely rude United Airlines workers), it weighed 49.5 lbs. Talk about a narrow escape!!! I'm being watched over on this trip and it's only just begun :) I'm not too thrilled to have the next 36 hours consist of cramped airplane seats and stiff airports but I'm freakin going to Africa and going to LIVE THE DREAM so I'll take it. I mean, I would even swim there if I could. Looking forward to what the future holds. Made it to Washington DC and et me say one thing-- Red-eye flights are PAINFUL! Waiting to board Ethiopian Airlines headed for Addis Ababa. So pumped! I'm surprised to see as many white people waiting to go to Namibia as I see. My favorite fellow passenger is an Ethiopian priest/imam adorned in his blue robe, matching hat thing, and carrying a beautiful wooden cross at least 12 inches tall. Here g...

A few weeks to go...Packing!

It might be of some interest to know what exactly I'll need to take to the bush of Namibia. Some of the things are going to be quite surprising, I'm sure! 1)  Sleeping:  Pad, blankets or sleeping bag, pillow (temps near freezing in the early morning). 2)  Folding chair:  not necessary but very nice for the bush. 3) Plastic bowl, plastic cup or water bottle, spoon, fork: essential. 4)  Towel (small), personal toiletries, some people bring baby wipes.  You may clean yourself daily but water is a scarce resource! 5)  Our water in the bush is clean but has a limestone taste: bring Crystal Lite or some flavoring if you are sensitive to taste. 6)  Clothing: Bush = old clothing on the verge of disposal.  Shorts and shirt for daytime, evenings will cool down rapidly.  A sweatshirt for evenings should be fine. Beyond the bush: Dress nicely as Namibians dress well in towns and cities.  If you look grungy you will be t...