Gifts Will Keep On Giving

  Gifts! They're something that many packing lists mention bringing, but many people consider an afterthought when packing. In Peace Corps, one thing that all PCVs have as a common thread in our experiences is the homestay. Whether during training or during your service, one thing Peace Corps likes for their volunteers is for the PCV to live with a local family. It helps with language, it gives the PCV a family/direct connection to the country and community where they're serving, and they can teach the PCV about local culture/traditions/cooking/living techniques. In many cases, these homestays will involve children. As a result, I am making this list a little longer than the last 2. Of course, gifts aren't only something for the host family. Small gifts are a good way to make friends in the community and teach people about where you are from. A good gift will be something the person will enjoy/be able to use AND which will have a meaning beyond just being nice. For the record, this list is the reason I wrote these 3 lists, figuring it would be a good holiday themed post, without doing a cliche "how they celebrate the holidays differently here" or "what I did over my break" posts, though, I assure you, the latter will be coming, once my break actually ends.

Things That I Found Make Good Gifts

• Playing Cards. They're small. They're something you can use on the flight over. Children love them (at least from my experience). You can play games. You can impress the host family with a simple magic trick or 2. And, rather than buying a generic pack, there are novelty packs out there, so you can have something that actually reflects where you come from or an interest you have.
• Balls. Soccer is huge almost everywhere in the world. American football is a nice cultural thing. Both of these can be deflated and fit nicely into a suitcase (the problem with basketballs is that they need a net/hoop, and they tend to be a little heavier). If those are too big, a baseball is as American as it gets. In all likelihood, the ball won't last long. However, children love them. I keep mentioning children because, at least in my experience, they're a key to integrating quickly. They're more likely to be learning English, so they can help as translators. And, if the children trust you, so will the adults. And, like the playing cards, you can get balls with logos of teams you support, so that the gift is more of a reflection of yourself.
• Hats. Again, something that comes in a variety to reflect something of your background, while also being functional. These make good gifts fr both adults and children, but it's good to now about local customs regarding headwear, so you don't offend anyone.
• Pictures. Look around your house/your parents' house/your grandparents' house. You'll see family pictures. Guess what, you're going to be part of the family now. Act like it. A nice photo of yourself, maybe with your parents and/or any siblings you have makes a nice gift, and is a way to teach your new family about the people you left behind. It's also a good way to practice your new language, getting comfortable with describing people (at least "family" terms, and maybe even clothes and colors to point to the people in the photo).
• Food. Preferably something that reflects where you're from. For example, from New Orleans, maybe some creole seasoning, or beignet mix, or hurricane mix, or Tabasco. Or, for Maryland, some Old Bay. Or, if you want something American, but not area specific (or just something you can grab at the airport because you didn't plan ahead), chocolate. Hershey's is quintessential American. Children and adults alike all tend to love chocolate. Just be careful, because melting does happen.
• Flags. Shortly before I came here, I attended President Obama's second inauguration. While I was there, I bought a bunch of American flags, the cheap ones we give to children to play with on the 4th of July. It's something American, so they'll always associate it with you.
• Coins. Okay, so, say you didn't think to get a gift. But, maybe you got a cup of coffee, or some chewing gum, maybe a magazine at the airport. Or, maybe you just never took the change out of your wallet/purse/backpack before you left the States. Well, you're in luck. Because those coins can mae a nice gift. Yes, it's a bit cheap. But people do collect them, and they're certainly something American. But seriously, if you plan on giving coins, make sure you have a complete set at least, and it probably shouldn't be the only thing you bring. This tends to be better for adults or for co-workers, because I gave some to my host children, and immediately found myself being pulled towards the gas station to buy candy with the coins (sadly, the store doesn't take American money).

Give With Caution

• Clothes. T-shirts are a common gift. Problem is whether it will fit the recipient. If not, you can always find someone else. Of course, the other problem is whether people will wear it. In Namibia, they would. In fact, I have people begging for my American clothes, which is thought to be of higher quality. But, in some cases, it may be something that doesn't fit with traditional dress or local trends. So, just be cautious with giving clothes.
• Shot glasses. An easy gift if you want something to reflect where you're from. However, if alcohol is not a thing in your community (even if it is drank elsewhere in the country, in some communities, booze is a no-go, or at least shots), it can be offensive. Granted, if you don't give it, you can use it for yourself. One of the bigger risks with giving shot glasses as gifts is breaking, so plastic ones might be a better choice.
• Anything that has even a remotely political theme. Beware: Not everyone likes the same politics you do. At the inauguration, my mom insisted I get a bunch of Obama things to bring. Truth is, many people in Namibia like Obama (you can even get hats from street vendors with his face on them). But not everyone does. Just make sure that if any of your gifts can in any way be associated with anything political, you know the person you're giving it to.
• Maps. Okay, so, this might not seem like too risky a thing off the bat. And they're not something too bad. But they're ind of hokey and less personal. That doesn't mean they're bad gifts. But, if you're going to give one, at least make it a nice one.

  Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list. For instance, I gave a lot of people Mardi Gras beads. Something that truly reflects who you are, where you come from, what your interests are, etc., are great. This is just meant to be a bit more of a generic gift. While gifts tend to be more of an afterthought in the packing process, they can make a big impression, so put some thought in it.

If Only I'd Brought

  So, yesterday I posted about things I'm glad I'd brought with me. Those were some of the more useful things (given how easily that list could've been expanded, I might've exaggerated a bit when I said "Most Useful Things"). Today, we're looking a little more into hindsight. While it's not quite 20/20 yet (I am still less than a year in), my vision is getting a lot clearer on this one (certainly more so than with how useful things I brought were). Some of these things were things I didn't think to bring, some were things I just didn't have room for, and some were things I brought, but wish I had more of. Like yesterday's list, I could easily expand this to 10 items, but limiting it to 5 forced me really to thin about it a lot more.

Things I Wish I'd Brought

• Soccer cleats. I really wish I'd brought mine. They're just great to have. I play a lot of soccer, and occasionally rugby, and not having cleats really puts me at a disadvantage, and while I can get them here, finding a pair in my size and price range is tough, especially if I want them to be durable. These were the "last thing out" when I packed, and probably my biggest regret.
• Phone. Some people in my group were smart and brought unlocked phones from the US. When they got here, all they needed to do was go to a corner shop and get a SIM card. I was not so smart, so I didn't have a phone for the first few weeks, which made contacting people about meeting places tough. Also, if you want a smart phone, they're super expensive here (I'm fine with my simple phone with internet that can tell me football/soccer/hockey scores and let me check Facebook/Gmail, but if you want a phone that can use Whatsapp or similar programs, get it before you leave the US)
• More memory cards. Okay, maybe I take more pics than most people, but I don't think so. I've already filled the smaller of my two memory cards, and the second is almost half full, and it's been less than a year. Yes, I can go through and delete pictures, but to go through a few thousand pictures is super time consuming. Also, an SD card is almost as versatile as a USB stick for transferring and transporting files, and often can hold more memory in a smaller size.
• US cash. Like the memory card, yes, I brought some. However, my Namibian money is pretty much worthless if  travel outside the country. US dollars are great because you can use them in any country, and exchange rates for cash tend to be lower than using an ATM, where you pay both transaction fees and exchange rates.
• Maps/flags/posters. You're going to be there for 2 years. It's nice to have something to remind you of home. I had a few things from sports teams (Tulane banner, Skins flag, and Nats #Natitude towel), but things like an American flag (or, in my case, New Orleans, which my mom shipped me) you can hang up does give your home that little "home" feel of being a small haven of America. Also, if you have windows, flags and posters over them work as curtains/blinds, on top of their decorative value. Maps are also good, especially large ones, which can be hung up on the walls. I'm interested in learning about Namibia. Namibians are also interested in learning about my culture. A map is a good tool when trying to teach people about where you're from.

Useful Things

  I brought a lot with me to Namibia. for the most part, the packing lists from Peace Corps were good. Some of the things were more useful than others. Some things were less useful. Some things were not included, and were therefore left behind, even though they would've been great to have. I'm working on a more comprehensive list, which I will have as a Page, which I hope can be a resource for those considering the Peace Corps. However, here's a short list of the most useful things I brought, things I wish I brought, and things that made/would've made good gifts for people here. I'm going to limit myself to 5 items for each thing. I'll be giving each category it's own post, spaced out over the next couple days, so be sure to check in. Please note, I'm using bullets, rather than numbers, because the orders of my list are not arranged in any order. Also note, these are based on who I am, so another person's list may vary greatly. For this reason, I'm actually asking various friends here for their input on the larger list.

Most Useful Things I Brought

• E-reader/books. So, people who now me know I love to read (I know, I gotta update my reading list, which is a few weeks out of date). In my case, it's my iPad. On it, I am able to take books anywhere and it's far easier to download books than to try and find them here, and there is no way I could've afforded 2 years' worth of books in a suitcase. The backlight is also useful at night, and the iPad's other apps and internet capability has made it useful (especially getting to listen to music while I read). That said, there is something for paper books. People bother you less when you have them, they don't need batteries, and they're easier to share.
• Knife. I brought 2 knives with me. One is my old Leatherman Juice J2. Despite it's age (I had it through most of my years in the Scouts), it's been super useful. I never go anywhere without it. I have the blade (obviously), the scissors, and the bottle opener, which I use regularly. However, the pliers and screw drivers have proven more useful than I imagines. Also, a can-opener that doesn't jam is a great tool, if you have the wrist strength. The other knife I brought was my CRKT Thunderbolt, which I got a few days before I left. It's been used to kill chickens and a warthog, it's a good kitchen knife (though I have others), it's a decent tool for protection (not so much fights, but annoying dogs, which get scared off). When I need a cup, I've even been able to use it to turn plastic bottles into cups, in a pinch. In general, both knives are important to take with me, and I'm glad I brought them (yes, I know those are 2 things, but I'm counting them as 1).
• Hot Sauce/spices that remind you of home. Let's be honest. You're going somewhere new. The food is going to be (and I say this with all due respect for cultures) weird. It's going to take some time to get comfortable with it. A bottle (or a few bottles) of hot sauce (I recommend a variety of Tabascos, like the regular and chipolte, so you have options). Yes, you can make your own, or, in many cases, buy some in country. But, just in case, a little hot sauce goes a long way towards making food a lot easier to get down. Same with spices. Old Bay and creole seasonings (like Tony's) just have a feeling of home. During those first few weeks, that comfort is nice to have.
• Camera. Obviously, you don't need to do what I did and buy a nice Nikon DSLR with accessories before you leave. However, a good camera is great to have to chronicle your experiences. I recommend a digital, since film can be hard to find, and you might not be able to develop it before you get back, during which time, the film could get ruined or lost. Memory cards are easier to get in coutry these days (and see below for more), hold thousands of photos, and can be used to store other files as well. And, if you have the money, my Nikon D3200 and the zoom lens have certainly proven to be great things, as I've been able to get more into photography (phone camera and point-and-shoots just don't have quite the options, once you get the practice).
• Sunglasses. Okay, maybe this is more Africa specific. However, sunglasses have been vital. I was debating what to put in the last spot, since I could easily include 10 or more items here, but since I'm planning on a larger list at a later date, I'll keep it to the 5. I include sunglasses because I was the only male in my group who thought to bring them (and, fortunately for them, multiple pairs). They don't have to be super nice. In fact, I'd recommend cheap ones, since they may break, they'll certainly get scratched, you might lose them, or they can be stolen. Bring lots. I brought about 7 pairs, only 2 of which remain. This is less about fashion and more about being prepared for your environment (if you're going somewhere less sunny, you can substitute in any item that can, in theory, be gotten there, but which you'll want right away).

Mandela

  So, as everyone knows by now, Nelson Mandela passed away last night. The man was well loved in Namibia, and I was considering putting out something on my thoughts, but the truth is they would all sound cliche and a bit silly. Instead, I am going to use this post to provide links from local news sources and any photos I take of tributes around my town, so you can get an idea of how big this is. I will be updating this periodically over the weekend, so check in for anything that might interest you (he died around midnight here, so many of the news sources have yet to get things together)

http://www.newera.com.na/2013/10/04/get-madiba-charity-concert/ This one is not about his death, but it gives an idea of how beloved the man was, with a charity concert to raise money for him when he was sick.

http://www.nbc.na/news_article.php?id=11679&title=Nelson-Mandela-dies Statement from NBC. I'll see if I can find any tribute they put out later.

http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=6958&page_type=story_detail A wonderful tribute from the Namibian (they also had some great Facebook posts, some of which I will include).

http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=6281&page_type=story_detail An article from a few days ago about opening a center to preserve the legacy of Mandela. While this center is in South Africa, most Namibians include Mandela as part of their legacy and heritage.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Namibian/284922901537221 I highly recommend you read through the postings and comments here. It will really paint the picture for you. Here are a few of their posts:

"BREAKING NEWS

Nelson Mandela has died. 
"This is the moment of our deepest sorrow. Our nation has lost its greatest son." – South African President Jacob Zuma addressing the nation on #Madiba's passing

RIP, tata"

In a country where most people have limited or no access to computers with internet, this received over 260 comments, mostly "RIP" comments or people talking about what his legacy means to them. I also recommend reading the "Recent Posts by Others" segment. The Namlish may drive you crazy, but the sentiments will shine through.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/12/05/the-moral-courage-of-nelson-mandela/ Not local (for me), but a beautifully written piece by Desmond Tutu.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/12/world-leaders-react-passing-mandela-201312522531385658.html Reactions from different world leaders

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201312060117-0023236 "Upon hearing President Zuma's announcement, nearly 90,000 tweets out of South Africa were sent in less than two hours. South Africans online mourned the leader's death by remembering his courageous contributions to justice in the former apartheid-ruled country. Many shared their grief and gratitude on Twitter:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLbOGCcqdR0 A short tribute video from the Republikein (and Afrikaans language newspaper).

http://www.namibiansun.com/news/giant-has-gone-rest-pohamba.60251# Reaction from Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba

http://www.namibiansun.com/news/south-africa-world-celebrates-mandelas-life.60250# Article for The Sun.

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-12-07-sa-mourns-with-dignity-and-dancing South African newspaper Mail & Guardian

I don't have any pictures, since I wasn't carrying a camera at the time, but while out for a walk this morning, there was a train of cars, all with pictures or flags or messages relating to Mandela, driving around and honking horns. Also, a few children blowing those damn vuvuzelas (courtesy of a promo by Tafel lager at Blue Corner). On Sunday, a day of prayer was held in South Africa. I'm not sure if it was an offical day of prayer here, but if it wasn't it was certainly an official one. I even saw people walking into churches wearing South Africa soccer and rugby jerseys.

A few tweets, from the Facebook page of The Namibian (the first one certainly resonates with me):
@Tau_Amour: Mandela suffered in prison longer than I’ve even lived but he changed the world we live in completely. What a man, what a hero.
@GordonThe_Dime: Nothing could prepare us for this loss. He touched the hearts that ached for peace. The world has lost a jewel.
@BonsaiBoiKeith: We bid farewell to another conqueror of Robben Island. Rest now, you have given us more than we can ever give to you, Tata.
@P_Elago: The best description I can give for Nelson Mandela is that he was heaven-sent…
@YazizaCEO: We lost an African phenomenon who, the minute you think of him, your pursuit becomes a reality!! ‪#‎MadibaMagic‬
@JasonCritic: Telling my four-year-old son about Mandela on the way to school. “Was he a super hero?” he asks. I paused a moment, then said “Yes”. 
@Tjaronda: Started in Qunu (village), now worldwide‪#‎InternationalSuperstar‬
@hafenislice: I am sure they will make him president again in the afterlife…
@JBoyega: Leaving such a legacy... Just simply amazing... It can be done.
@BenKatamila: The comrade has left us and now we must cherish the good he gave to the world. RIP Madiba
@Watitlooklike2u: Heroes never die.
@Nda_mono: Make every day a Mandela Day.

Of course, I would be remiss if I neglected to mention that not everything was positive. I've seen a few articles and comments (mostly from the US, but even some from here) about Mandela being nothing more than a "commie" and a "terrorist" and how honoring him is a disrespect to all the "innocent white people who lost their lives because of him and his terrorist organization/party." There are even people in the US (including a sheriff in South Carolina) who refused to honor him by flying the flag at half-mast. Which is their right. But it clearly shows a lack of understanding of who he was, what he meant, what he represented, and the reality of South African/Namibian history (I include Namibia because, though we were independent by the time he was made president, he still played a major role in the anti-apartheid movement here, which was influential on the independence movement). No, Mandela was not a saint. He did some horrible things, or was at least responsible. So was George Washington. Sadly, there is a cost for freedom and the fight for equality, and it sometimes has to be paid in blood. Is that good? No. Would it be nice if it could be avoided? Yes. But it's also a reality, and these "innocents" were themselves part of the repressive apartheid system. No, they did not deserve to die. Very few (if any people) deserve death, in my opinion, but all things, even death, must be viewed within the context. However, this was a man who, until the last few years of his life, was on the terrorist watch list, and for a reason. http://www.okwonga.com/?p=869

http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=7059&page_type=story_detail An idea of how big the memorial has been.

http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=7084&page_type=story_detail A reminder of how much he had to deal with.

http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=7085&page_type=story_detail An idea of his impact on Namibia, especially the anti-apartheid movement, and the role education plays in any revolution.

SMS sent to The Namibian

"SWAPO and Zanu-PF of Zimbabwe are just the same. I don’t think there is a future for these small parties in Namibia. You can oppose but you will never succeed. Don’t ever play with the big boys. Allow me to say rest in peace father Nelson Mandela."

"NELSON Mandela was a true leader of South Africa and an icon of the world. May his soul rest in peace." 

"NELSON Mandela showed the world the true meaning of forgiveness. Rest in peace Madiba." 

"OH my heart is bleeding. How on earth did he go like that? I did not even have a chance to see him. Oh he is gone and we all will, but not like him we will die of hunger. My black man, my hero, my great grandpa. May your soul rest in peace Nelson Mandela the great." 

"NELSON Mandela. His greatness is undoubtedly incomparable." 

"MADIBA dead. The world at a standstill. Rest In Peace."

"TATA Madiba. A hero, a revolutionary, a fearless and visionary leader who left an immortal mark in history, global relations and international politics."

"MAY the soul of Tata Nelson Madiba Mandela rest in eternal peace. May his memory live on to light the lives of those that have known his extraordinary but yet modest life, as well light the lives of many generations that are yet to come. Thank you God for the life of this extraordinary citizen of the globe."

"THE world momentarily came to a standstill in celebration of a life well lived. Rest in peace Madiba."

"NELSON Mandela might not have died on the said day. Somebody must tell the truth."

"FORMER President Sam Nujoma, take a leaf out of Tata Nelson Mandela’s life and keep out of politics."

"NELSON Mandela. Indeed, what makes him standout above the rest is not his name, but his humanity, social and all-round humility in all spheres of life."

"THE world is poorer without Madiba! Rest in peace Tata." 

"NELSON Mandela was indeed a powerful figure with personality made of quality fine fibre. It is unfortunate that his fellow African leaders have never learnt anything from his exemplary leadership. They are still engulfed by greed and self glorification." 

"MY Madiba has gone, my heart is broken." 

"NELSON Mandela showed the world that even if we treat each other bad, God is merciful. Rest in peace Madiba."

 http://www.namibiansun.com/government/pohamba-nujoma-join-madiba-mourners.60273 Namibia's founding father and our current president joining the mourners.

http://www.namibiansun.com/international/emotional-farewell-planned-for-mandela.60286 The title says it all. I'm not sure I've seen someone so beloved die since I was in Spain when the pope died (and this probably tops that, too).

http://www.newera.com.na/2013/12/09/mandela-sadly-missed/ Again, just trying to highlight what the man meant to Namibia

December 9, around 8:30pm, The Namibian issued the following press release: 

News Update | National period of mourning for Madiba
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has announced a national three-day period of mourning for former South African President Nelson Mandela.In addition, flags in Namibia will fly at half mast from Friday to Sunday.

http://www.newera.com.na/2013/12/09/world-mourns-revered-icon/


Please, keep in mind, that the main purpose of this article was not to voice my own views on Mandela. Rather, it was meant to give my friends, family, and other readers, at home, and around the world, a snapshot of the reaction here to the death of Madiba. I hope you found it interesting.

Food

  Okay, so, I'm finally getting around to this post. For those of you who have not eaten yet, I'd recommend doing that first, since I'm going to be talking about food, so it's probably best not to read this on an empty stomach (or before grocery shopping). So, this post will be in two parts. First is about my Thanksgiving celebration, followed by what I eat here.

  So, to start, Thanksgiving. A bunch of us decided we wanted to celebrate a "real" American Thanksgiving, so, the weekend before Thanksgiving, we gathered in Otjiwarrango. By the time I arrived, the cooking was underway. Steve, a SEED volunteer who had been in Khorixas but now works for COSDEC in Otjiwarrango, and got permission for us to use the kitchen used for their hospitality trainings. One of the new teaching volunteers was a professional cook before he came here, and his talents put me to shame (and those who've had my cooking no I'm not being overly arrogant when I say that's saying something). A massive pot of mashed potatoes, squash, several kilos of stuffing, cornbread, and 3 turkeys. No, it wasn't my Thanksgivings in New Orleans,but the food was amazing and quite plentiful. Since actual Thanksgiving coincided with Hanukkah this year, I also make some latkes the night before and brought them with me, so we had something to snack on while we cooked. And we did cook. In total, they'd spent about 8 hours cooking the meal, and a number of wine and beer bottles were emptied in the process.

  Once we were done cooking (and following a nasty burn, for which we were thankful for my EMT training), we returned to the home of a teaching PCV, Marsha, who was opening her house to us as part of her last hurrah (as I am writing this, she is boarding her COS flight home). While we were cooking the above mentioned food, she and a couple others were making pies; 2 pumpkin and an apple. Needless to say, the food was plentiful. I probably ate more turkey that night than I eat meat in a normal week. Before eating, we went around the room and shared what we were Thankful for, and then we dug in to one of the best meals I've had in a while.

  After we finished dinner, a bunch of us went to a shabeen to pick up some more drinks, and we brought them back to enjoy while we relaxed and enjoyed pies. By the time we finished, we were all stuffed, a bit intoxicated, and ready to relax. I returned, with a couple others, to Steve's, while the rest stayed at Marsha and enjoyed movies. The next morning, we woke up, returned to Marsha's for leftovers and boardgames, and then went to the Otjiwarrango Spar for coffee (my favorite part of going to Otjiwarrango is real coffee, rather than the powdered crap I'm generally forced to slug down) before returning to Khorixas.

  I really enjoyed having a chance to say "goodbye" to Marsha, who opened her home to me on multiple occasions, and it was awesome getting to meet the new group of PCVs around my area, as well as Brett, the new PCVL in Otjiwarrango for the next year (also, got to say goodbye to Edward, the current PCVL who will COS in late December and who it takes 3 people to replace).

  Okay, so that was Thanksgiving. But, clearly, I don't eat massive plates of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, squash, and pie until I have to loosen my belt on a regular basis. Beyond the fact that it would be impractical, since it would be hard to get the right stuff in my town, it would also be impossible on my Peace Corps budget. So, what do I eat? Well, let me walk you through my meals.

Breakfast: I've really never been much of a breakfast eater. On work days, I'll usually just have a cup of coffee or 2, maybe a slice or 2 of toast, maybe a piece of fruit (generally an apple, sometimes an orange).  I often keep a dozen or so hard-boiled eggs in my refrigerator, a decent quick snack and useful for lunches. On weekends, I have a bit more time, and will generally be a bit more substantial with my breakfasts. Occasionally, I'll have an egg or 2, either hard-boiled or in omelet form ( eggs, some cabbage, some onion, maybe some peppers or other vegetables I can afford). Usually, though, I'll either have porridge or Weet-Bix (sort of like oatmeal, which I'll add some cinnamon or a little sugar, maybe milk, to). If I do porridge, I'll essentally treat it like grits, adding a little butter/margarine, maybe some spices, some onion, if I have any meat (biltong or dried sausages called droerwoers), cheese if I have it.

Lunch: Lunch is usually either leftovers from dinner or a peanut butter sandwich (I eat a lot of those). Sometimes I'll make soup, starting with some 3 minute noodles (basically ramen), with some vegetables, maybe meat, maybe some cayenne to it. Once or twice a week I'll eat out for lunch. It's my way of supporting local businesses. I'll either go to the gas station (only true "fast" food in my town) for a burger/sandwich/meatpie with some chips (fries) and a cool drink, the fried chicken place (not as greasy as it is in America, but still pretty bad), or one of the many braai meat (street meat) stands, for a piece or  of meat and some porridge. Generally, my choice depends on stopping at a couple braai stands and seeing what they have that day. Once in a blue moon, I'll go to the !Gowati lodge in my town for a salad or fresh burger, but that takes a while and is a bit pricy, so I do that only once every month or two. Generally, I'll have a cup of tea or coffee with it.

Dinner: Beans and rice. Or some variation. Vary the spices. Usually with some vegetables, maybe meat worked in. Occasionally replace the rice with lentil, porridge, or pasta. Once in a while, I'll braai, in which case I do fresh meat. Once a month, I'll treat myself to a bag of chicken. I'll usually have an egg or two, maybe some toast, with my beans and rice (I like to make a lot, so I can eat it over a few days, just reheating it on my stove). I'll often do something with pumpkin, generally mashing it or making soup, which I can cool before I eat on a hot day. I know a lot of PCVs who eat better dinners, and think I'm crazy for my nightly beans and rice (especially because I'm a good and creative cook), but it's hot, so I can let that simmer while I work, rather than standing over a hot stove. I've made pizza a couple times. I'll sometimes make tortillas for my beans and rice, eat that with some homemade guacamole when avocados are cheaper.

Other: I put hot sauce on pretty much everything. Namibians tend to like their food a lot blander than I do, so I'm lucky that Tabasco is easy to get (though pricy in my town, so I stock up when I go to Otjiwarrango or Windhoek). I'll also use "tomato sauce" (ketchup) or chutney on a lot of things (I especially love the chili chutney by Mrs. Balls, and no, not just for the sophomoric humor of the name). Namibians often use soup packets to spice their foods, and I've gotten in the habit, generally using oxtail soup, tomato soup, or onion soup. Most of the time, if I want to snack, I'll either make some popcorn on my stove or eat some fruit. If I'm really hungry, but not in the mood to cook, I'll do a peanut butter sandwich. I'll occasionally buy potato chips or "biscuits" (in the British sense) called "rusks." I'll make icies with Oros (concentrated juice). Most Namibians do this in plastic sandwich bags, I generally use emptied soda/water/juice/milk bottles. When it's super hot out, I'll go to the gas station or supermarket for an ice cream or popsicle. They really help. Between icies, popscicles, and my fan, I barely miss air conditioning, even on the hottest days. I used to buy a large bottle of soda or juice every week or so to have it with dinner, but I've started making iced tea, since it's a bit more refreshing after work. I drink a lot of coffee. It's powdered, so I need about two to get the effect of one cup back home. Sometimes I'll buy chocolate, but not often, not being much of a dessert person. I keep canned goods and a lot of bread and peanut butter around for when I have no electricity. I drink a couple beers a week, generally going out for a drink after work with my friends or for while I'm watching soccer. Oh, and I would say I drink close to 6 liters of water a day (easily measured, since the bottles I use are generally either 1/2, 1, or 2 liters).

  So, that's my usual diet. If varies at time, but that's the average. And now, it's time to go eat my lunch.