Category: Uncategorized

Thought I’d shard some more visuals of Opuwo from higher up.

It’s true…Mrs. H.S. Ball does have some Chutney and when you combine it with chips…magic.

Check out some new pics of crickets @ http://picasaweb.google.com/jonathan.woodruff/2008426CricketsAndHospital. Enjoy.

A scorpion decided to join us this evening in Penny’s home. The women jumped up on the chairs, James was intrigued and i grabbed a broom and put it out the door…they’re quick little buggers. Never a dull moment…well…some exciting moments, I should say, in Opuwo.

If you’re interested in sending me anything…not that you have to of course…but if you really feel the need. You can send to the following address:

Ministry of Health and Social Services
c/o Jonathan Woodruff
Private Bag 3003 (yes, this is actually the address)
Opuwo
Namibia

I recently broke my docking station for my iPod shuffle so if you can’t think of anything…that’s one thing I might be needing. Maybe some American air…the sweet air of freedom. Or, maybe a self autographed picture of yourself…I can pretend you’re famous and hang you on my wall in my office and show all the people here all the important people I know back home. Sushi would be awesome…I’ll just cut off the bad parts (Dad). I’ll ask for more as I think of it.

Update: Please Allow for 2 months of transit time…What I’m saying is…send soon if you’re going to send.

Grillin and Chillin Namibia style. Well, my first week of work is almost over and things are going smoothly so far. I am without a permanent accommodation…a minor detail.

Tuesday night was our cookout at the Kunene campsite. I was nominated/self appointed as the evening’s grill master, which I was more than happy to do. Had a few Windhoek Lagers to enjoy the cool evening while roasting everything from crazy curled sausage to a pumpkin melon thingy.

Things are slower around here and I’m ok with that. One exception would be the local shabeens (bars) where I can hear their music right now…it’s 6:30pm and I’m about a half mile away…loud and clear. Still it’s a slower pace of life and no real hurry to do anything. Not even any TV to waste away the evening…again, I’m ok with this.

Joined the good doctor for a little Champions League action this evening. One of the most boring games I’ve ever watched…my team Barca just couldn’t get any good shots. Henry breathed some life late in the game, but just wasn’t enough. We’ll have to see how things go next week on Man U’s pitch.

I asked the good Doctor Akpabio where I could purchase a bike. We went three times to the same place where I could get a bike. Turns out these were motorbikes…they’d be sweet, but not too useful when a plain old bicycle will do the trick. Looks like I have my choice at the local supermarket between one bike…that’s it…one choice.

All photos from the Tree Sleeper event this weekend are now uploaded on my website. Just go to jbwoodruff.com and click on pictures to view them. Enjoy.

This donkey must have done something really bad…

I love the sound of a mosquito in my ear at 3am. EEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEeeeee!!!!! Even better…kill 3 of them, go back to bed and…EEEEEEeeeeeEEEEEeeee. I am now the proud owner of a couple new bites on my face and forehead.

With about 30 minutes left to go we started to see some rolling hills in the distance.  Destination Opuwo was not far off.  We started to see an occasional Zimba (pronounced Thimba) woman which is essentially the same as Himba, but they don’t paint their skin.  Being sunday their weren’t too many people out and about.  The hills began to increase in numbers and the surroundings are simply beautiful.  A large mesa is just outside of Opuwo and with the sun going down it really looks awesome. The town itself is sort of situated on the side of small hill with the main street being at the bottom.  One shopping complex exists for all your Opuwo shopping needs.  Much smaller than I thought it would be, but I love it.

We checked into the hospital compound and with the help of Jesse (vol) we were able to get into our temporary housing.  I say ‘we’ because another vol arrived with me.  With my own room I am happy and get all my stuff in one place.  Jesse invited us to dinner so I was more than happy to go eat some food, but then again when am I not happy to eat?  That’s right…earlier in the week when we had some sand with spinach…now I remember.  I met another couple of vols who are married (Jorrit, Frouke and their daughter Silka)  It was an enjoyable evening and glad to know that I have some good people to hang out with while I’m here.

– Air is Clean

– Things are Quiet

I like this place.

Since things are slow here I can’t put out the video as fast as I would like.  Just a little comment from my time in Windhoek.  It’s off to Opuwo tomorrow for me.

I’ve rebounded and live to fight another day.  I will not let a minor set back keep me from adventuring down the culinary path nor keeping me from an occasional drink or two to help it go down.  Tomorrow it’s off to the tree tops for a little camping challenge which should prove to be a great time.  

I learned one little fact about Opuwo today…the fruit and vegetables come in once a week and if you want some you better get them while they’re there.  Cool.

Update: Found out the place is called Tree Sleeper…looks like I’m taking after my dad.

I like to try new foods and willing to force some things down not to be rude, but yesterday took the gross cake. We had some traditional Namibian food from the Tsumeb area (look it up to see where I am) which did me in. We had some mystery sausage (don’t want know), unknown beef with bone, sandy spinach, white beans of bland, mountains of corn stuff and a chalk cake…oh, and one cooked Mopane worm to see if they are any better when cooked…most definitely not.

Long story short, I guess my mantra of trying new things finally jumped up and bit me in the butt and stomach.  Let’s just say I spent the whole night carrying myself to and from the bathroom.  I’m alive today and a weaker man for it.

Today was my last in Windhoek and I decided to forgo doing things that I needed to do and went exploring.  I grabbed my camera and ipod and started walking toward the hills.  The neighborhoods here are very nice and very safe to walk around in.  The only drawback you find is that each house is surrounded by a gate and there are usually 2 angry dogs waiting to get their chance to bark at you.  My exploring led me to a hidden trail that led up a mountain where I was sure to get some excellent views.  I was right.  A quick 30 min hike and I was able to see what I’ve posted here.

I promptly was rained on by the cloud you see to the right of the picture and retreated to my luxury suite.  A quick shower and off to buy the things I really needed to get today…bedding, etc.  In my infinite wisdom and luck everything closed at 1pm while it was now 5pm.  Dinner and a walk back home…we’ll see what I plan for tonight…could be a hang out night.

I know that I mentioned it before, but there really is nothing around Windhoek, but rock, dirt and low growing trees.  I find it magnificent, but it also explains why no one lives there.  It’s as green right now as it’s ever going to get and with no rain for the next 6 months it’s going to get pretty dry.  Most of the land is used for cattle grazing with little land available to be used for farming.  Looking forward to seeing the rest of the country.

Windhoek turns out to be quite a modern city.  Good food, good shopping and all at a decent price….better than Cincinnati I dare say.  Traffic doesn’t exist and feels extremely safe…basically the opposite of Nairobi.  

And what city would be complete without a KFC?  Again, though, McDonald’s is mysteriously absent just like in Kenya where it is not allowed.