Free Time

Probably my favorite photo I've taken so far
(keep reading, it'll make sense)

  I realize I haven't written in quite some time, but it's my mom's birthday, so I figured I should at least make mention of that, and point out how great the internet (and Amazon.com) are for helping make it possible to send gifts while thousands of miles away from everyone. So, it's been a fairly busy start to the year, though particularly interesting so far. My computer classes are up and running again, and Grace is getting ready to COS. I'll be starting (this Friday, actually) to give English classes to our local Traditional Authority (which I will talk about in a future post, I'm sure, since I'm guessing many of you are wondering what that even means). I'll also be taking part in some programs to help people in some of the villages nearby register to vote, since Namibia is holding elections later this year. I'm also getting ready to take a trip to the sand dunes of Soussesvlei on the 18th, which is exciting, and should lead to some nice photos and another post here. As summer is coming to an end, the weather is starting to cool off (it rained last night and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees C overnight). Also, being close to South Africa, I'm starting to develop more of a fondness for wines, something I'm sure I'll explore more when my parents come to visit in a few months (thanks for the tuna, football, and contacts). I should also note that an RPCV who served in Benin and happened to have an encounter with my mother also happened to be coming to Namibia, and was the courier of that package, so thanks. Okay, so, as Namibians would say at this point (before proceeding to give a long-winded speech without really saying much of anything important, not too unlike an American politician), all protocol has been observed.

From my trip to the coast. Reminds me of a beer ad
(or an ad for Levi's Jeans)

  So, I've been in country almost a year now (about 1 month and a couple days shy of hitting that milestone), and one thing I've learned from talking to RPCVs and friends serving elsewhere, both in Namibia and in other countries, is that my experience has been different. That's not surprising, since the situations vary so greatly from country-to-country, village-to-town, region-to-region, and era-to-era. However, one thing that's almost a given and universal experience for every single PCV I've talked to, past, present, and probably future: there's a whole lot of down time. Like hours of it per day. Many days you have more down time than productive time. It's just a reality. And unlike in the US, for most PCVs, simply dicking around the internet or watching TV just isn't an option. So, you find ways to fill that time.

  So, what do you do? Well, I'll start with some PCV generalities, before talking about myself specifically. One of the more common time fillers is reading. You have hours to kill, and the volunteer lounge in PC office in my country is full of books. My aunt, and RPCV, has described spending hours in a library at her site, reading everything she could get her hands on, and the invention of e-readers (and online access to libraries even) makes it even easier (at least when the PCV can get online). Obviously, when there is internet available, many of us will take advantage, going on Facebook, checking the news, e-mails, blogging, etc. Many PCVs have computers and external hard drives and spend time watching shows and movies. Many get into writing. Namibia is not on the list of countries with PCV books, yet. Who knows, maybe I'll change that. I have started writing a little (and here we begin the transition into my personal experiences), starting a couple short stories (though those have been set in New Orleans, not Namibia),

Dangers of having a pet, as Grace learned.

and a few essays about my experience (none at a stage worth sharing so far, though one I'm putting time in compares development of a country with the development of soccer in a country and the similarities and trends), as well as some thoughts I have on reforming development aid, which largely draws from my experiences here and in post-Katrina New Orleans. Time (and money) permitting, traveling is also something PCVs try and do. After all, who knows when the next time you'll be in Namibia will be (or anywhere in Africa, or Eastern Europe, or South/Central America, etc.). Some travel more than others, leaving site almost every week or 2, while others, like me, try and limit it to once a month at most (partially to save money). Of course, many PCVs realize there's life after they get back, and take the time to start preparing for that next step. As they get closer to their COS date, many will apply for jobs/grad school. Before this, many take advantage of the quiet down time and limited distractions to study for the GRE, LSAT, or other graduate exams (here's where I put a shout out to my friend Alicia, who is just starting the process of studying for the LSAT in June). I took the LSAT before I got here, but I'm considering looking into some sort of joint JD/masters program, and may take the time to study for the GRE myself (but I plan on waiting until I get back to the States to actually take it). People may even get pets to occupy them (they also serve functional purposes, like keeping out rodents, pests, snakes, and annoying people, providing security, and helping keep the floors clean, though there's always the cost).

One of my host siblings

  Of course, there are ways to use the free time to integrate into your community. Every couple weeks (sometimes even more often), I will visit my host family and spend a couple hours playing with the children (3 little monkeys jumping on the Jay). You also go to bars and have drink, chat with locals, and hang out with co-workers over a beer after work. You may attend a local sporting event, or even play soccer with friends in the town.  Or just go for a walk/jog so people see you. Or, you may just throw a braai (or, if not in southern African, have friends/colleagues over for a meal) or attend a wedding or church.

Latkes, though not in my cookbook, are something
I've taught friends here to make.

So, those are some of the generalities. One great thing about Peace Corps is that it's a great time to start a new hobby. In my case, I got a nice camera before I came here. While I'd done a little bit of photography back in States (even taking a class in high school), Namibia, with it's bright sun and beautiful scenery offered me a chance to really...um...develop some skills as a  photographer. Walking around town with a camera, traveling, just sitting watching my host kids play with their friends, there have been many chances for me to take pictures and work on taking good ones, rather than just simple "point-and-shoot" "Facebook" style pictures. Another thing I've been working on is a cook book, which is currently close to 100 recipes (those are done being tweaked and I've confirmed all the ingredients are usable in my town). I'm also a musician. Those who know me know I've been playing the drums for about a decade now. I brought my drumsticks and a practice pad, but realistically, there is only so much I can do to improve here without regular access to a drum kit. So, over the weekend, I went out and got a guitar, and
am taking the time to try and learn to play. So far, the going is slow, but I have the afternoons free most days, so I'm able to find at least 3 hours a day to practice, and can already see some improvement (not hard when starting from ground 0) over the 3 days. Thanks to my iPad, I even have it in tune. Every couple weeks sometimes more often than that), Grace and I will get together with Konako, a volunteer in our town from Japan, or with some friends of hers, and just cook a nice dinner together, listen to music, enjoy some "hubbly bubbly" (hooka, nothing illegal, I promise to any PC staff or family members reading this)

Showing off a little of my photography in this post.
Many of the photos have appeared in previous posts as well.

  Of course, when all is said and done, there is still a lot of down time that doesn't get filled. Much of it is just spent wrapped in thoughts, lying in bed, or out in the sun, maybe some music playing, just relaxing and getting comfortable with yourself. So, to any future PCVs who may be reading this, my advice to you is simple: find a hobby, go out and socialize, read, travel, explore your country, but most of all, be ready to explore what's inside you, and embrace the alone time, since you may never have this much of it again without the distractions of life in America.

My new guitar and the drum I bought here.
Sticks are jut an artistic presence in this picture