tulululu

Today was a big day. Not only did we get our language assignment, but we also met the families with whom we’ll be living for the next six weeks.

Language: I will be learning Rukwungandi, a local African dialect, and I’ll be in the northern area of the country, where 60% of Nam’s population lives in something like 15% of the land. The north boasts a much wetter and hotter climate than the south, and the language varies greatly by area.

Host family: I adore my host parents. The father is a train driver, and the mother stays at home with her 8- and 10- year old son and daughter. They live in a neighborhood near my training center and speak Afrikaans. I was kind of hoping to learn Afrikaans just because of its widespread use and similarity to other European languages, so I’m excited about being exposed to it during homestay. Regardless, the parents speak English really well, and I imagine the kids speak it even better. There will also be water and electricity and I only share my bathroom with the children. Sidenote: they have two dogs—one is a small pet dog named Chico and the other is a large guard dog named…. Wait for it… Taliban. I couldn’t make it up.

Well I’m exhausted (and this episode of Grey’s is ending), so I’m out. Goodnight from NAMIBIA, land of the brave!!!