Sunday Funday
September 7, 2008 – 6:50 pmI can’t disclose too much information, images or videos, but let’s just say I got to go on a little helicopter ride today. This was awesome. Thank you to the guys who set this up.
Someone Is Going to Die
September 6, 2008 – 6:21 amIt’s 6am and I’ve been awoken by lovely Otjiherero music pervading my room. I’m going to fight someone. If you are unaware of what type of music this is consider yourself blessed and don’t go looking for it.
Dusty, Windy and Hot
September 5, 2008 – 6:00 pmSomeone turned on the dusty, windy and hot and forgot to ask me if this was ok. The past few days we have been without blue skies due to what apparently is pretty much just dust and hot. You’d think the windy would help with this, but I think it is the cause. My plan…leave the windy and turn off the dusty and hot? I think this makes perfect sense. Below is a picture of yesterday’s sunset. The sun disappeared before it dropped below the horizon and no, these are not clouds of moisture…these are clouds of pure evil.
Tons of American Booty in Opuwo
September 3, 2008 – 5:08 pmI just got a package from Shannon and her mom that contained quite a few unexpected treats. The blanket included was all I knew about and pretty cool and will be given to a friend’s baby here, but what really caught me was this.
So much for keeping those pounds off. I’m naturally ok with this as I’m currently snacking on one of the smashed Oreo Cakesters…these are tasty. Maple syrup that isn’t sugar cane syrup with maple flavoring…ok, bad example as it’s just corn syrup with flavoring, but still much better than the stuff they have here…perfect for my homemade pancakes. Skyline…of course. Those almonds are truly a remarkable feat in modern processed foods. Peanut M&Ms…going in my freezer right now. American peanut butter? Awesome. Oyster crackers…now that’s just going the extra mile. Thank you for the treats and i’ll be sure and enjoy them.
What would you want in a care package if you were gone from the U.S. for quite some time?
I Just Saw a Tractor
September 3, 2008 – 2:31 pmThis was no ordinary tractor though. Head over to http://www.tractortractor.org/ and check it out. I think I’m going to try to find this lady after work as I think she might have a story or two to tell…at least I’ll try to get a picture with her or something.
You Know You’re a Tourist When…Part 1: Clothing
September 2, 2008 – 9:23 pm
How do I look?
What is it about vacations that makes people want to wear clothes that make them look completely insane? Psychologically it makes sense, you’re entering a short-term “life” that is unlike your every day and why not take it one step further by wearing, for all intensive purposes, a costume to match that ‘new’ you. I probably love Halloween more than anyone around, but vacation is about relaxing, not dressing up. It’s vacation, wear your favorite t-shirt instead of that floral print. Bust out the old gym shoes you mow the grass with every Saturday. This is who you are and it’s that person that should be on vacation? Bringing yourself means that you have the opportunity to impact that life you ‘escaped’ back home. Maybe you discover something new you want to try, a possible career change or cultures you want to know more about. Vegas is not the only place that can tout, “what happens there, stays there…” I personally hate that saying. Instead, try bringing it back home as it may improve your daily life. Let me get back on track here. Clothes. Clothes, despite what you think, can really change who you are. Power suits aren’t a joke. Yes, that shirt does make you look fat and you know it. Honestly though, it’s still just you and that’s good. Be yourself on your vacations and you just might find you get a lot more out of them.
p.s. I wear t-shirts a lot. Khaki outfits make sense when on safari as they are muted colors that help avoid attracting insects and animals. Banana hammocks are not cool no matter what country you are from. Just some more thoughts.
You Know You’re a Tourist When…
September 1, 2008 – 11:15 pmI’m starting a light-hearted series on the dos’ and don’ts of tourism as I see it. I’m not going to start this evening, but wanted to warm it up just by saying that I’m definitely not an expert on not being a tourist. I spend my time living and working in a country that I’ll soon be leaving and knew so from the beginning. I’ve regretfully not really made the effort to learn the local language and know only a handful of people outside of work. I’m still fascinated by the daily life of people in Opuwo and the sight of a cross-eyed goat still makes me chuckle. I take pictures of the out of ordinary that only a westerner would appreciate and a Namibian ignore. It’s fun though and I’d like to pass on some thoughts and ideas. Hopefully I’ll remind some of you of times when you were in similar situations and enlighten others who have yet to enjoy them. This should be fun.
We Have Tomatoes People!!!
August 31, 2008 – 10:16 pm
I came to the realization some time ago that if I have my plant inside that it’ll never be pollinated and thus no tomatoes. Dad, please put my coffee plant outside…I believe this might be why my plant is 4 years and have nothing thus far. Any way…I’ve been watching the plant closely and it’s been flowering a lot and today I noticed what you see in the picture. Sure, they’re only about the size of a pea, but they’ll be big soon. Any ideas on how to keep the locals from taking the tomatoes once they get bigger?
New Pictures: Opuwo Sunday Bike Ride
August 31, 2008 – 10:10 pm
Click the Photo to Enter the Album: 2008.8.31 - Opuwo Sunday Bike Ride
Headed east of Opuwo and decided to just go off the road. This ended up being an excellent idea. I stumbled upon a Himba village…oops. They were nice though and told me which path to take to get back to Opuwo…this path was great fun. I’m convinced that someone here needs to start offering mountain biking trips.
Sure, it’s 12:15 but it’s a Heineken
August 30, 2008 – 12:22 pm
For all those youngster readers out there, beer should be enjoyed while cold.
Opuwo Breaking News: Telephone Pole Down
August 30, 2008 – 12:19 pmThat’s right folks. At the junction of C41 and C43 there is a telephone pole down for some repairs. Watch out for those big trucks with high clearance requirements as you can expect some delays. Sure…you could always just drive through the market and go around the OK, but what fun would that be? Actually…probably a lot of fun. Goats for sale, second hand Superbowl 89 tshirts (I wish), beer drinking, the Opuwo termite mound. Forget this blog..i’m going to the market today.
Kunene Camping Trip - Day Four
August 30, 2008 – 8:52 amIt’s been so long not sure what happened on day 4.
Day Four
I believe this was the day we woke up in Palmwag and drove back to Opuwo. We headed north on a rough road and made our way through Sesfontein. I listened to a lot of music, we took a lot of detours and we saw a lot of nice landscape.
Lunch was at Fort Sesfontein where they stain their chairs red so when you sit down you get red on you. Really though we had no idea why the chairs appeared to be bleeding. I’m no chair doctor, but this can’t be good. One expensive and no so great lunch later we were back on our way.
Lots of Baobob trees can be seen on this route and is a great place to go looking for them. I personally prefer heading up to Epupa for this, but this is a close second for large and old tree viewing. Anyone know how old these trees can be? I don’t know, but would like to know.
Arrived in Opuwo later that evening and I have to say I was happy to be home after so much traveling. Too many restless nights in a tent can really wear on you.
See…not that exciting of a day, but it’s about time I closed that chapter.
New Pictures: Opuwo On The Hill
August 30, 2008 – 2:10 am
Click the Photo to Enter the Album: 2008.8.30 - Opuwo On The Hill
New Pictures: Walk to Work / My Office
August 26, 2008 – 12:19 pm |
| 2008.8.25 - Walk to Work / My Office |