Alright, first things first anyone needs to know about traveling - jet lag is no joke. With Namibia being 9 hours ahead of California/Oregon, my internal clock is a mess. Despite staying up all day yesterday, sleep last night did not come easily. Despite the exhaustion of the time difference and 36+ hours of travel time, I am already enjoying this beautiful country.

On the afternoon of the 22nd I was picked up by Masudi, a young Rwandan driver and now my good friend. He speaks 4 languages from different countries, and countless local languages. As a young child, he and his parents fled the genocide in his country, and he spoke about how it shaped him to work hard, be accepting of other people, and not to judge because you never know someone's story. After spending the night at the Windhoek Garden Hotel where I ate veggie kabobs and "chips" for dinner, had an amazing shower to get the plane/car/airport off of me, Masudi picked us up in the afternoon and took us to his friends Ethiopian restaurant where they were having a small festival. Even though Windhoek is actually larger than I expected, Masudi seems to know everyone! We walked around to the different small stages and little booths serving food or selling goods. The different types of music, from reggae to kwasa kwasa to rock to rap were all incredible, and the people are all incredibly kind. We met Masudi's brother who is an amazing guitar player and has dreams of studying music in America. Masudi pointed out a few times the white people mixing in with the black people, and said it's no big deal here to see that which isn't true of other parts of the continent. The people here are so diverse, and I don't think I've seen a Namibian woman yet who isn't stunningly beautiful.

After enjoying some music, we ate up at the restaurant. I really couldn't tell you what it is I ate, only that I was assured repeatedly it was vegetarian. It was a sort of chickpea/tomato dip served with a thin bread-like food that looked like a crepe but wasn't sweet. It was really tasty! Something I didn't know about Namibian culture is they wash their hands at the table when the waiter brings a dish and pot of water over. It was funny to me because there was no soap involved and no towel or napkins to dry your hands after! They also don't use utensils, but eat with their hands.

It was overall a slightly overwhelming but still fun day, and I wish I could spend more time in Windhoek. When saying goodbye to Masudi I said "I hope I'll see you again" and he said not to hope because he absolutely will see me again! Today I am getting picked up by another driver, Cappy, going to pick up another intern from the airport, and then heading off to CCF! It's finally here!