Kari Teaching in Cool Places : Relaxing Weekend

All of us girls enjoyed a relaxing weekend walking and hanging out around downtown Windhoek. We are so comfortable here now, it has really started to feel like home. Even though this weekend was intended to be relaxing and busy preparing for our big week ahead of us, we experienced a number of new cultural experiences.

Being 8 American girls, it has been pretty easy making new friends. It has been fun meeting and making friendships with local Namibians and being part of their culture.

Along with Namibians, we have made several friends who are from South Africa, and are here for work. It became apparent and made us realize just how fresh and new Namibian’s independence is.

There still continues to be an apparent hostility between different races. Being perhaps naive, we often invite all of our new friends to spend time or explore Windhoek together. To us it seemed perfectly normal, but we soon sensed the awkwardness that was our current situation… We made the best of it, but we left having a better understanding of the progression of the newly free country of Namibia. I think sometimes we forget that their independence only happened a mere 20 years ago. Most people we have met ( other than our learners) were not born free, and under South African rule. Making these friendships has been a huge learning experience.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! It is actually a huge holiday for Namibians. Our learners have been talking about it all last week as well as the teachers. We are excited all looking forward to tomorrow ( expect pictures) This week we also have some of our learners competing in the huge athletic competition. We will be at Olympic Stadium Tuesday from 7 to 4 timing races, writing down scores, and cheering our learners on! I already told my learners competing that I would be bringing a sign… I don’t think they will be embarrassed at all. Ha

WORLD CUP ANTHEM FOR DAYS.

Janelle, Jessica, and I listen to this song on repeat while we are getting ready for school. I also listen to it on my runs, and probably 5 or 6 times a day. It has become our trip theme song. Listen to it! Download it! Love it!