2 weeks in and starting to adjust...

It's been 2 weeks since I got on the plane in JFK with the rest of group 35 to spend 2 full days traveling to get to the country that will be my home for the next two years. When I say starting to adjust, I place the emphasis on the word "starting," because PST (pre-service training) is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the cultural adjustment part of it goes... I know that even though I'm in Namibia, I'm really just in a little America bubble for 8 weeks with all these other volunteers, and that when I finally get my permanent site in May and I'm on my own, that will be when the real cultural adjustment begins. I'm super excited but also a little nervous, which I feel is to be expected.

For now I live with a host family. I have an 8 year old sister! She's awesome. She's already telling me she's going to miss me when I go... I tell her I just got here! She says she'll come visit me in America and write me letters and things. My host family is amazing... They are all wonderful and so welcoming. They help me with my Otjiherero (the language I'm learning) every day and I feel like I'm already learning a ton. At the 4 week point we have to pass a language test which is basically having to carry a conversation for about a half an hour with a native speaker. After only 4 weeks!! But we're so immersed in it and study it everyday that I feel we are soaking it up like sponges.

Namibia is such a beautiful country, and I say this after seeing such a small sliver of it! I can't wait to get to travel and really see its beauty. I feel very lucky to have been placed here... The country is gorgeous and the people are wonderful and kind and generous. Did you know they eat 5 times a day here? Breakfast, tea time (which really means tea with a sandwich), lunch, another tea time, and dinner. We are constantly eating! Their concept of time generalizations is also totally different. For example, when a Namibian wants to say something is happening now, they say "now now." If they just say something is happening "now", it means in a half hour, in an hour, 2 hours, basically any time but now. And if they say "just now", that's even further in the future (it's definitely not happening anytime soon). I find this hilarious and very much in line with my own natural attitudes toward time (why is everyone in the States in such a rush all the time?). I could definitely get used to Namibia-time...

The fact that I'm learning Otjiherero means I will be working with Herero people when I go to site. If you're interested, look them up on Google. They have an utterly fascinating culture and history. The women wear these traditional gowns that are taken from Victorian styles with big hats in the shape of cattle horns to represent the importance of the cattle to their people (the Hereros are cattle herders historically). They fought back against the Germans in the early 1900s when Namibia was a German colony and so played a role in the long process that was Namibia gaining its independence ultimately.

I know that everything is so exciting and new right now, so my opinion is surely biased, but I'm so excited to be doing this... Joining the Peace Corps was always a dream of mine and the fact that I'm here, living in Namibia, volunteering... It blows my mind a little bit! I always knew I wanted to do this, but even though I'm in it it feels kind of surreal. Every day here is an adventure and I'm taking full advantage of the experience.

This Saturday's traditional cooking and culture day for us and our host families. I'm super excited to see what's up, there are rumors we will get to kill our own chickens (sorry my vegetarian friends, I am a carnivore and must say that for all the times I've eaten chicken that someone else had to kill, I should do it myself at least once). Anyhoo, that's all for now! Stay tuned for updates and stay warm everybody back on the East coast (it's in the 80s during the day here, 50s in the morning).

All my love!
Tashie

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Omaruru, Namibia

On My Way

We've been on the plane for about 6 hours now... 8 to go. All I can say is that yesterday and today having been this crazy, exciting blur! Yesterday we had our staging event, where we all met each other and did a basic overview of the Peace Corps... What's expected of us, what we can expect, etc... I learned some things I didn't know yet.

For example, everyone in our group (Namibia Group 35, meaning the 35th group to go to Namibia) is a Health Volunteer like me. I think that is so cool! Talking with the people of all different ages and backgrounds, I know we will all be able to bring different things to the table.

Also, I learned that all of us get bicycles at our sites to get around! I am so excited for that. From what I hear, we get pretty decent ones, too, as well as helmets.

I learned that everyone will spend the training period living with a host family, and most people will live with host families for the duration of our stay. I think that's awesome because you truly get to experience the culture that way... You live with a real Namibian familya who speaks a real Namibian language and cooks you real Namibian food. Talk about complete cultural immersion!

I found out that many volunteers take in stray dogs or puppies and take care of them during service (they take them to get their shots, of course)... Some even bring their doggies back home with them once their service is up! I've heard that the concept of a pet the way we have it in the states is not present in Namibia, but that many Namibian families keep and care for dogs as protection. Sounds like an interesting cultural point to share with a host family. "Yes, host Mom, back home the dogs are considered family members!" Ha ha can you imagine?!

Staging overall was a really wonderful experience, everyone seems really cool and super excited to be going.

Last night I slept in a comfy American bed for the last time in a loooong time, and today we woke up and checked out at 2:15 am! Got on a bus and left for JFK. We arrived SEVEN HOURS early for our flight... I guess it was just in case but it did seem a little excessive lol!

Right now were on our way to Johannesburg, it's 5:30 pm at home but it's dark here. We're over the Ocean and just barely grazing over the western edge of Africa as we cut down to the southeast, though I can't see anything out the window. According to the trip estimator on the tv screen, we have 7091 km (4405 miles) left until our destination, and we've traveled 5828 km (3622 miles). I'm more than 3000 miles away from home right now!! And more to go...

One thing that was new for me on such a long flight... They give you lots of little necessities... A sleeping mask, a blanket, a pillow, a toothbrush and toothpaste, socks (wait, socks?! Yes, socks), and multiple meals. For lunch we had lamb (I think it was curried) with rice and cooked veggies. It was pretty good! After your meal you get dessert and tea or coffee... I asked for tea and they gave it to me with sugar and lots of cream. It was really neat! Never had anything like this on a domestic flight (do they even feed you meals on those anymore?)

I've been napping for the majority of the trip, and I think I'm going to go back to that state now; the last two nights I only got 3 hours and that just does not cut it for me :-P

Anyway, signing off for now! Stay tuned for updates and feel free to share this blog with anyone who may be interested.

All my love!!!

Tash


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Over the Atlantic Ocean

My Assignment

So I'm really starting to get excited/nervous... These last few weeks in the states have just been flying by! I leave for Namibia a week from Thursday and have been in a frenzy to spend as much time as possible with my friends, family and fiancé. Last Saturday was my surprise going away party... My whole family and all of my friends were there and it was just awesome!!! There were people I hadn't seen in years, people from all areas of my life and it was almost overwhelming. I could really feel the love and support for me from everybody. As I'm getting ready to depart, I'm realizing how truly blessed I am to have so many people rooting for me, wishing me luck and praying for me. I love all you guys and it meant so much having you all there showing me love!

I decided that after giving a little rundown of the place, I should give all you guys a little idea of what I'm going to be doing in Namibia. The truth is, I don't totally know! A lot has yet to be determined during training. I do know a little bit, however...

My program is called CHHAP... That stands for Community Health and HIV/AIDS. My job title is Health Extension Volunteer. I'll be in training from March 16, 2012 to May 11, 2012 and my tentative dates of service are May 12, 2012 to May 11, 2014. I'll be gone a total of 26 months.

Namibia gained their independence in 1990. That same year they asked the Peace Corps to begin sending volunteers. One of Namibia's most devastating epidemics over the years has been HIV/AIDS. Namibia has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world; about 15.3% of the adult population (ages 15 to 49) are HIV positive and 61% of those infected are women, according to the assignment pamphlet the Peace Corps sent me with my invitation. AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in Namibia, crippling the country both in health and economy.

My program, CHHAP, is made of three assignments. There's Community Development, Youth Development, and my assignment, Health Extension. The three assignments take different approaches but work toward the same goal of "working with communities to improve their general health practices and promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention" according to my assignment pamphlet.

The details of my assignment have yet to be decided and can vary greatly. I could be the first volunteer to work with a particular organization or may be continuing the work of another volunteer who has recently left, for example. I could be forming HIV/AIDS awareness clubs in schools, working on community health issues like drug and alcohol prevention, nutrition, or dental hygiene, liaising with national level officials to coordinate and implement health activities, among many other things. The specific job I receive will be determined through my training depending on my skills and interests. However it all works out, I'm super excited to begin my training and service... I know it's going to be a great adventure and learning experience.

Two years is a long time to put my life at home on hold, but I know it will be worth it. I'm hoping to learn a little something about the way the world works from another point of view, learn another culture and language, and hopefully get to help people along the way. One of the Peace Corps slogans is "For dreamers who do," and that sums up my feelings about it. This is a life dream for me, and I'm finally putting it into action. Thanks again to all my loved ones for their unconditional support in all of my endeavors, past and present. I love you all and it means everything to me!

Xoxo
Tash

Location:New York State Bicycle Route 17,Endicott,United States