From visa issues, to grading over 400 exams, to my parents visit to Africa, to backpacking South Africa, and to return to teaching, A LOT has happened since I past posted on this site.
My adventures with Debbie and Dean cannot be told without describing the few weeks before. Upon arriving in Namibia I was given a 3 month work visa, which I would have to renew on September 1st in order to stay till December. Simple task- go to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Rundu (the town near me) and get a stamp for my second visa, which I was already approved for by the government. I swung open the doors to the Ministry, eager for my next 3 months here. After waiting in line for an hour (my patience level is waning), I go to the counter and explain my situation. In less than a 2 minute span I was screaming and cursing under breath upon hearing that the region I live in can no longer issue visa extensions. My only option; take a 13 hour ride to the capital and wait 2 days for my visa to be approved at the national office. Frustrated, tired, and annoyed I headed home and did the only thing I could…ate 3 packs of Doritos, got my clothes together and headed for the capital. After all the issues, it was worked out and I fortunately got the visa in Windhoek.
My next task, was to return to Divundu and begin grading my learner’s end-of-term exams that were taken while I was away. Currently I teach grade 5 social studies (29 learners), grade 6 social studies (38 learners), grade 7 social studies (25 learners), and grade 8 english (3 classes of 44 each). With about 225 exams to mark, the pile continued to increase as my English classes took 3 exams (reading, writing, and listening). Unfortunately, grading continually got easier as more and more of my learners failed. Usually about 1 or 2 kids from a class actually pass these exams, and this statistic held true for my classes. Very disappointing to see an F on every paper.
At this time, my parents were already en-route for Victoria Falls in Livingstone Zambia, My plan was to start hitch-hiking in the early morning on Friday, August 20. When I woke up on that day, my school was struggling to find enough teachers to proctor the last exam so I offered to stay for 2 hours. Bad Choice. I got to the ‘hitch-hiking’ point at 10 am and I waited there till 3 pm: till a car was willing to pick me up. I arrived in Katima (the last town in Namibia) at 6:30 pm and of course the border closed at 6:00 pm. I took a taxi to a hotel near-by to get a good night sleep and return back to the border post first thing in the morning. At 6 am I crossed the border into Zambia and took a 2 hour bus ride to meet Deb and Dean on African soil. I met the parents at the Zambezi Sun Hotel and surprised them from behind in the hotel lobby. We went to the falls, took a helicopter ride, and the best part: ate an unbelievable dinner.
The next day, we rented an automatic car from a local man and set out for Divundu, Namibia. Our route would take us across the Caprivi Region, an area of Namibia with Angola on one side and Bostwana on the other that is inhabited by few people and occupied by elephants, lions, crocodiles, and other animals. We were fortunate to get an automatic car, but the only way to describe the car we got is: a headache. In order to prevent it from being stolen, the driver aka my dad, had to turn the car on through a sequence of steps, and if not done correctly an ear piercing alarm would go off (the sequence was stepping on the break, pressing a button, locking the doors, turning the keys half way, then on- however it never seemed to work). We had our fingers crossed the whole time, just counting the kilometers to Divundu.
Despite its remote and under-developed area, Divundu is actually home to a few 5 star small lodges due to its proximity to the Okavango River, the Botwana border, Angola Border, and game parks. We stayed at a lodge, 5km from my house that I would never guess existed so close to me- gorgeous. In Divundu, I showed my parents my house, introduced them to some teachers, gave them a tour of the area, went on a boat cruise to view hippos and crocodiles, and took a safari at the local game park, My ultimate goal was to have them meet the learners and have a a mini- party in which they see culturally dancing and singing. Unfortunately, due to a lack of food at the school, the learners were all sent home because the school did not receive a shipment of food for them. Despite this difficult situation, a couple dozen learners came in to see my parents. Such an awesome sight to see Debbie and Dean taking pictures with the people in my village and the kids that I teach. As you can imagine, it was such a great moment.
After 4 days, we traveled back to Victoria Falls, spent the night, and viewed the seventh world wonder from the Zimbabwe side. The next day we took a short plan ride to Cape Town, South Africa, for the last leg of their trip. In Cape Town, we headed to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope to see one of the most southern spots in the world. Throughout the rest of the day we explored the city, witnessing its beauty. With a week of great memories and adventures that we will always remember, they said their goodbyes and returned back to the USA. For the next week I traveled from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg. With one bag on back I met people from all over the world and was able to go on a safari, swim in the ocean with wild dolphins only feet away, drive through Soweto Township (former home of Mandela and largest black township in South Africa), and party with backpackers from all over.
I am currently back in my village, and a week back into teaching. With the support from my parents and revived spirit from my trip, I am extremely excited to return to the daily routine of life here in the village.
Hope everyone is enjoying life back in the US!
Peaece,
Scottttttttt
