Onjuva – Day One
Onjuva is roughly 200km, 6 hours, west of opuwo. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere…actually, let’s not be ambiguous, it IS in the middle of nowhere. That’s what makes it pretty special though. I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced so many breathtaking views in one journey. Let’s see how this trip went:
Saturday morning I woke up with a bit of a headache from Sammy’s going away. It was 7:45am and I was ready for a trip. Penny arrived promptly at 8:45 and we were off to pick up her boss and wife. Should have known better in thinking we would leave on time. We leave Opuwo by about 10:30. Due west.
About 2 hours into the drive I start getting hungry and reach for my trusty Sweet Chili Pepper Doritos. I follow this up with 2 PB&Js and a granola bar. The views are starting to hit. Wow. (See Pictures) We spend some time chasing some elephants that we may have never actually seen.
3 hours in there are big rocks in the road. Commonly used as a way to make people stop thereby allowing time for them to be robbed, I happily jump out to move them. We were not robbed…more to come on this later.
4 hours in Ostriches. Man are they big. Even their babies are big. We chase them down the road as Penny worries she has ruined the family as they get split up. I stick my body out the window and get some photos and video and love every second of it.
The drive continues and things just keep getting better. We stumble upon an Oryx, some Springbok, more Ostriches, and Sting’s fields of gold. (See Pictures)
When asking ‘Are We There Yet?’, John, Penny’s boss, points to the far mountain ranges and explains that’s where the Marble Campsite is. It’s pretty far and it’s 5 hours. I have now consumed a Grapetiser, a Fanta, 2 liters of water, a whole giant bag of Doritos, 2 PB&Js, a granola bar, some biscuits (cookies) and some jerky which may or may not have required cooking before consuming. I feel wonderful and my back thanked me for the ride.
When arriving at the campsite, John instructs Penny to ignore the shiny new sign that says ‘This Way to the Marble Campsite’ and tells her to go to the left because it’s ‘the way.’ We encounter numerous road closed signs, some boulders in our way and we’re clearly going the wrong way. We make it to the camp via riverbed only to find that this way is not passible and all of the campsite workers stare. John makes a hasty getaway and Penny is annoyed. John later responds, ‘You were the Driver.’
Dinner is prepared by yours truly with a foil bag full of sweet potato, red pepper, tomatoes and onion. Delicious. Remember my affection for packaged Bumblebee Tuna steaks? Mesquite flavor not so good. A little time by the fire, lots of water and it’s off to bed. More to come…
Did I Mention I’m Also a Teacher?
I have managed to secure a successor. The one problem, he has never touched a computer. Computing 101 as taught by Professor Woodruff. This could be interesting. Tomorrow’s lesson: The Parts of a Computer. Anyone have any lesson plan ideas?
Soccer Season Begins
I’m one of Opuwo’s newest soccer coaches and will be doing so a couple evenings a week. Should be a lot of fun as the rest of my time here goes on.
New Pictures: Onjuva
I’ve just uploaded my pictures from my trip to Onjuva. A brief synopsis will come tomorrow…most likely.
June Already?
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?
Video: My Home in Opuwo
Africa Day
Unbeknownst to me, but knownst to others, Monday, May 26, is Africa Day. You may say, ‘Surely You Jest’ but I say nay. Tis truly a holiday. A little research shows that it commemorates the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)…that’s organisation with an ‘S.’ Don’t say I never taught you anything and don’t say that I only care about days that I’m not working because this one would have passed me by had I not had a late afternoon conversation…say…4:45pm…explaining the finer details of telecommunications. Real nerd moment for me. I still get Monday off though.
You Can Call Me Al
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.
Shower vs. JB
Due to the fact that my new house does not have hot water at the moment…fingers crossed…I had the first of hopefully few cold showers this evening. Welcome to Africa!
It’s On
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.
More Q&A with the Kids
1. is there milk or juice at africa?
Sure is…milk comes in boxes and only needs to be refrigerated after opening. Plenty of juices…many that you can’t regularly get in the U.S. such as mango and guava juices.
2. what’s your favorite movie? mine is horton hears a who
Horton Hears a Who…pretty good and pretty good for you. Because there are so many I have to say that one of my favorites at the moment is The Fifth Element.
3. what is your favorit show that kids like?
What do kids like? I know that I like South Park, but that is not exactly a kids show…more of a big kids show…like me.
4. do you like us?
Sure do…as long as you have been good for Ms. Reid lately.
5. are you going anywhere alse than africa?
I sure hope so, but not in the immediate future. I’ll be back in the U.S. in time for Halloween…one of my favorite holidays.
6. witch one is your favorite: the saints, the giants, the vikings, the 49ers, or the cowboys? (football teams)
Trick Question….The Bengals…Who Dey!!!
7. do you like elmo? (from ryan)
I don’t personally know elmo so I can’t pass judgement…I do like his new dance moves though
8. what is your favorite animal (including miss reid)
If you put it that way, miss reid…otherwise, blue whales.
9. do you like africa or north america better?
Tough question….let me think….i plead the fifth.
10. do you like to ride a horse?
Sure do… a little unnerving, but it’s always a good time.
11. have you seen a turtle in africa yet?
No turtles…just scorpions, giraffes, wild boars, giant crickets, oryx, birds and monitor lizards.
12. do you like the george lopez tv show?
Not sure, but my guess is no.
13. do you like drake and josh? (this is a kids tv show)
Honestly haven’t seen it, but if you guys think it’s good then send me some dvds…no tv here…which is a blessing.
14. have you had a cavity?
Yes, not too many though, brush at least two times a day.
15. when were you born?
February 19th, 1982…mark your calendars.
Opuwo Ministry of Health Workers
I learned something this past weekend when I asked if people were headed home for the day…assuming it meant that they were just going to go to their house here in Opuwo. The response was ‘No’ and that it is too expensive to just go home for a weekend. I was confused, but then realized that most people don’t actually live here in Opuwo. They got a job here at the hospital, are placed in housing at the hospital and have their families and homes elsewhere. Now it makes sense.
Room with a View
No view really, but I do have some rooms. Check them out at http://picasaweb.google.com/jonathan.woodruff/2008518NamibianHome.
JB Gets a Place to Live
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.
Bikes’R’Me
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!
Stunt Riders for Christ
Kind of an oxymoron, don’t you think? If you’re interested, they’ll be in Ojiwarongo on June 9th.
On the Road Again
That was a short stay in Opuwo. What gives? I’m off to Outjo and Khoraixas (sp?) to do some surveying of the hospitals there. I found this out this morning. Here’s to flexibility. One huge perk…I think i’m getting a bike on wednesday 
Don’t Feed Beggars
Or at least, not when you around other Namibians. They understandably get mad because they think these people should be working instead of begging…I tend to agree. I like to cite South Park, Season 11, ‘Night of the Living Homeless’ as an example of what can happen.
Clouds in Opuwo
There are clouds in Opuwo (not many though) and rumors of overnight rain…what is the world coming to?