Things I Recommend Having in Namibia

#1.) A good, discreet backpack 

The one I got is the army green, plasticized canvas Gravis Metro. Lots of volunteers here have high-tech backpacks that look like they're from outer space, and this one is under-the-radar, durable, water-resistant, has a laptop sleeve and a secret compartment for wallet/phone, etc.

#2.) iPad Mini LTE

You can get a micro-SIM card for an iPad and activation for N$35. You can cut down a mico-SIM into a nano-SIM with a simple pair of scissors and a steady hand. To load data, you can use online banking to purchase minutes for the number associated with the iPad SIM, then remove the SIM card from your iPad, place it into your phone, convert the minutes to data, then put the SIM card back in your iPad. N$399 will buy a 2GB data plan, which is good for three months. You can text family members back home with Google Voice, and you can turn it into a wi-fi hotspot and connect your computer to the Internet. You will be hindered by speed (between 0.5 and 3.6 kbps), so Skype, Facetime, etc., is not really feasible, but everything else is. If you get a non-fancy cover for your Mini, then its size will make it relatively discreet to use.  It is recommended to turn off the automatic network connection and set it to MTC, or whichever service you use, permanently. 

#3.) Swiss Army Knife 

I recommend the Victorinox Traveller Lite. Look for one on eBay. You can get it for half the retail price. It is pretty small, but manages to pack in a corkscrew, parcel hook, auger, toothpick, ballpoint pen, tweezers, two blades, an clock with an alarm function, a timer, a flashlight, both types of screwdrivers, a can opener, and scissors. I really can’t emphasize the DAILY use I get out of this thing. The can opener alone has been used who knows how many times, and is still good as new. Bring batteries for the flashlight, because it runs them down quickly and it uses a special kind of watch battery. 

#4.) Cooking skills 

Be able to cook your favorite things. If you are in a village like mine, there are no restaurant options, and basically the only food you eat will be what you cook. Knowing how to make your favorite comfort foods will really brighten up those tough days, and helps you stay satisfied and upbeat throughout the week. 

#5.) Bluetooth speaker 

With a Bluetooth speaker, you can put the speaker in its own corner of your room and play music, movies, whatever, and you can move your device without having to juggle a bunch of cords. 

#6.) A cat (and a musical instrument)

A cat will kill the camel spiders, mice, and various other insects and small mammals that come into your living quarters, and will be good company when you're feeling homesick. I was lucky to find this little kitty about a month after I got to site. From the US, I brought a soprano ukulele. I recommend it as an instrument to bring, because it's small and light, relatively inexpensive, and sort of easy to play. It provides hours of entertainment for me and minutes of entertainment for the occasional other person. I also recommend a book called From Lute to Uke, which has renaissance lute music with adapted tabs for ukulele.

 

#7.) Your favorite deodorant 

Namibia's sun and heat ain't no joke, and things can get really stinky, really fast. "Good" deodorant here will be expensive on your Peace Corps budget, so I recommend bringing a supply with you. If you're like me, and you care about aluminum and alcohol and things like that in your deodorant, I especially recommend it, because I have yet to see a deodorant available here that is alcohol-free. 

#8.) Water boiler

It’s really nice to be able to make tea or coffee in the morning, and it’s much quicker than boiling the water in a pot. You can also boil water to take warm bucket baths. 

#9.) Cast-iron/steel cookware 

Most of what will be available here will be made of aluminum, so I recommend getting a good cast-iron pot and a second larger pot or skillet. I found a small sauce pot with a removeable wooden handle from Mr. Price Sports in the camping section on sale for N$99, and a large pot for N$375, which I use instead of a skillet. I use a steel sauce pot to make rice/spaghetti and other things that require boiling water. 

"The Person I Admire the Most"

On one of my first days at site, I asked to read some of the learners' journals to get an idea of their level of English and what's going on in their heads. A particularly touching entry came from a girl whose assignment was to write about the person she admires the most:

"Of all the people in the world, I admire my grandmother and to me she is my role model. She laughs with peoples and enjoy story. She is wise because she knows how to read and write. She is proud everytime and is polite in words. I admire my granny because she is so smart. When it come cleanness she is number one. I admire my granny very much and she is the only one who support me. I respect my granny because she is respected and too old. She old, but she is a hard worker especially when it is time for ploughing. She is so nice to me and she is patient. I admire my grandmother more than anyone else in the world. She is so special to me. She is kind, smart, and happy all the time. My grandmother is supportive because she support me and my brothers and sister when it comes to school fund and buy for us uniform, even food. She have got no problem when it comes to talk to other people. I love her so much." 

First Day at Site

The first thing I saw after waking up and looking out of my window was one of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen in my life, a lilac-breasted roller.

Birds were chirping, cows were mooing, and chickens were crowing. I took a bucket bath,

and set up housekeeping. Then I went for a walk and saw my school for the first time.

I met around 15 learners, who surprised me with how well they already spoke English. Since it's the weekend, there are no teachers around, but I already feel lucky to call this beautiful place home for the next two years.