Category: General

I now have a regular visitor ever since I began putting my tuna cans out after lunch.  I haven’t come up with a name yet.  I think once I can get within 20 feet I’ll start thinking about it.  Any ideas?

They stink sometimes, can make you cry and tend to go flat too often.  Not sure what I meant by a flat onion, but I’m becoming used to flat tires.  

The day following the overnight at the plateau, Ed, Jeff and myself hightailed it back to where we had just been for some riding.  We were a white guy bicycle gang unlike any that Opwuo had ever seen.  Ed and Jeff were adorned with shiny new helmets.  We were on fire.  I confessed my absent minded morning where I left my only sunglasses at our campsite.  Jeff replied with a ditto.  Great morning.  

We went off the road to begin our fun and within a minute…ppppppsssssssssssss.  Um….Ed….Jeff?  Flat tire.  I began the trek back and was thankfully able to hitch a ride back into town in the back of a pickup.  The rest of day was spent breaking my bike.  The handy man that I am my rear tire is now out of line, my gears don’t change very well and everything seems to be squeaking.

Another tire blew this afternoon so I got to walk it home.  That’s what I get for helping out the local schools with their computers.  Miracle goop I put in the tube actually worked this time though.  I pumped up the tire and it’s holding nicely.

My bike seat fell off on the way home from soccer practice tonight.

I did it myself.  Internet is back online.  Now if I can just remember what happened in the past few days that I wanted to write about.

My online silence is not due to my lack of things to report, rather my DSL has died.  Let’s hope I get this thing fixed within the next month.

A local musician has joined the ranks of those to be sorely mistaken in trusting my talents. I will now be providing him with advice on how to start a business as well as helping him design a website for his business and band. His name is West and he is part of the musical group Bullet. Advice: Always good to be friends with a famous local. Also, I was just kidding about the mistake part in working with me…it’s pure genius!

I’ll have officially been in Namibia for 2 months in a few days. I honestly can’t believe it’s June already. Things here are starting to get colder…related story on that point to come in a future post. Things are also starting to get drier. I’m making plenty of local ‘friends’ that I see out. I’ve learned some basic greetings and goodbyes. Still having a blast. How are you doing?

Thanks to my shiny new DSL line, you can now call me on my Skype account.  The number is (513) 277-0502.  You can even leave me a message if I’m not online or available.  I don’t know how well it works given that I’m in Namibia and talking on my computer, but I figured for $5 a month, unlimited I’d give it a shot.

Mosquitos everywhere beware…you are in my sights.  What’s the over under on this you supposed for the next few months?  Day one I’m at 9 and counting.

This place is strange, but weirdly awesome.  Get this.  Huge porch.  Nice kitchen with a couple of chairs and a table.  Then the bedroom is on the other side of the wall.  Huge bedroom and not sure why.  The wall clearly did not used to be there and is a makeshift wall as it is hollow.  There are two bathrooms…seriously.  Two whole bathrooms with two sinks in each.  Two toilets and a shower in one with a bench.  A urinal, a toilet, shower and bench in the other.  His and hers.  In each, one of the stalls was locked…creepy.  Door number one revealed a brand new, basically untouched toilet.  Door number two yielded a spider and dirt infested mess…good times.

I have high hopes for the place and am busy planning on remodeling efforts that may or may not involve knocking down part of the wall…painting absurd pictures and phrases on the wall…and making a bedroom out of one of the bathrooms.  So one thing I really want….a hammock for the porch.  Perfect for a hammock.  One of those lightweight camping ones.  Perfect.

Pictures and video will be soon to follow as the weekend is sure to be full of experimentation, cleaning and basic Bob Villa.  More to come as the weekend progresses.

So I buy this thing for about 100 USD.  I ride away and notice a significant wobble coming from the rear…the wheel is not balanced   I go back and they say I can have my money back or take it to the local garage and they’ll fix it.  I keep the bike and take it to the garage…30 Namibian for each wheel, both end up being messed up.  I go back to place i bought the bike and ask for a refund….manager says no…I ask if he ever wants me to shop there again…he doesn’t seem to mind.  I up the ante with a sympathy angle…But I’m a volunteer on my way to Opuwo and I can’t afford not to be reimbursed…bingo!  60 namibian back in my pocket.  I better get that money back for a brand new bike.  I have my eye on you Cymot!

Kind of an oxymoron, don’t you think?  If you’re interested, they’ll be in Ojiwarongo on June 9th.

There are clouds in Opuwo (not many though) and rumors of overnight rain…what is the world coming to?

And not sure what to do with your old PC?  You could recycle it, but if it’s working well and it’s not as old as you are, then I suggest you donate it.  See if you can find an organization that is willing to ship computers to developing nations, such as Computer Aid International (computeraid.org). In the U.S. you can try Computers with Causes (http://www.computerswithcauses.org/).

Ah…the UN International Volunteer Day. Sun shining, grass growing, wind blowing, dead rats and piles of poop. The day has a great idea in place. Clean up an area of Nairobi river and plant some trees. Execution and planning and purpose not so great.

No. 1 – Things get started an hour later than originally expected

No. 2 – Use of surgical gloves to pick up trash with sharp objects…not enough gloves

No. 3 – Poop everywhere

No. 4 – Other side of river is an actual garbage dump that goes into Nairobi river

No. 5 – Our side of the river is people’s backyard and is their own personal dump

No. 6 – Plenty of trees already here…why plant more here?

No. 7 – 1 hour of actual trash pick-up followed by a presentation (I skipped) and photo op

No.8 – ‘Snacks provided’ includes water…

I apologize for my cynical view; however, this has been a common outcome of most events. The thought is there, but there is rarely a plan in place to make it worthwhile.

We salvaged the day by spending the morning playing with some of the local kids. Played some football (soccer) and monkey in the middle…I show them my sweet moves. As a result, the kids got numerous cuts on their feet…the game changed to playing some doctor, cleaning up their cuts and fixing them up. Gloves now actually become useful. The kids helped collect some trash and we give them our t-shirts…I don’t need another t-shirt I’ll never wear.

Meetings are often painful and pointless when an agenda is not clear and followed.  That’s all I have to say about that.

If you care to send me anything, please send to the following address:

P.O. Box 13488 – 00800
Nairobi, Kenya

Take care when sending packages. Things of value will most likely be taken at customs. I have heard that DHL is a good service to use.

It’s been 24hrs since I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya.  First impressions…this should be interesting.  We are a group of 12 volunteers from all over the world and we start out with some language training at the Methodist  Guest House in Nairobi.  Many will leave after the week to head off to their respective positions around the country.  Swahili seems like it’s going to be fun to learn with some difficulties.

Food is ok…edible is good.  Water hasn’t upset my stomach…yet…good.  Beds are comfortable…i could sleep anywhere though.  Water in the shower…warm…good.  Weather…awesome…and this is their rainy season. 

I’m new to the blog things so I’ll try and pick a topic to discuss and avoid jumping around, but look forward to sharing my experience with you.