RELAX!!!! its only ~9000 miles away!

I guess it's kinda far actually, and because of this (and some other logistical issues) sending mail to Namibia can be a long process. Sometimes taking up to a month to reach its final destination. Considering that I may not have regular internet access however, this may be the best way to communicate with me.

During my two first months in country I will be undergoing intensive pre-service training (PST). My training group will be very busy during this time as well as very mobile: we will all live together for a week or so, spread out and live with individual host families for awhile, see a bit of the country, and reconvene for the last week. While we are traipsing around the country ALL of our belongings will be in-tow. All trainees will share a common mailing address during this time and Peace Corps reps will then bring us mail to our current location (like being at summer camp all over again, kinda).

Because I will not be settled at a permanent post at this time, and I will also be getting bogged down with lots of material and equipment from the Peace Corps, I would appreciate mail containing only your beautiful words...which are lacking in weight and size....but mean the most to me. Once I have been assigned my permanent post and set up (or find) a mail box I can use, I will then post that address.

Address during training:

Allison West

P.O Box 6862

Ausspannplatz

Windhoek, Namibia

~AFRICA~

So, I have decided to post my packing list. While this is not the most exciting post ever, I do think it will be helpful for fellow or future volunteers serving in Northern Namibia. Then again, if I ended up packing all the wrong things...this could be the most worthless list of information ever (I think I did a pretty good job though). Furthermore, I am impressed with myself because I am UNDER the 80 pound limit!!! That is if you don't count my insanely heavy carry-on which has ALL of my electronics and books!

Clothes

4 bras

2 sports bras

1 swim suit

8 pr socks

1 pr thick tights

10 pr underwear

1 light weight cordaroy jacket

1 wind breaker

3 sweaters

1 long sleeve shirt

1 warm zip-up fleece

2 sleep shirts

2 grubby T-shirts

7 short sleeved shirts for work

2 button up blouses

6 ribbed tank tops

3 camisoles

4 calf-length skirts

1 dress

black pant suit for meetings

1 pr jeans

2 pr khakis

1 pr khaki capris

1 pr black pants

2 pr pajama pants (one warm)

1 pr soccer shorts

1 pr warm-up pants

2 sarongs

1 beanie

1 wide-brimmed hat

1 pr gloves

1 scarf

Shoes

1 pr running shoes

1 pr mid-ankle hiking boots (Keen)

black closed toe shoes (for work)

brown closed toe shoes (for work)

Chaco's (Teva-like sandels)

Toiletries

wash cloth

towel

hair bands

head bands

comb

small bottle castille soap

hand sanatizer

sunscreen/ bug repellent

2 deoderant sticks

chapstick

3 razors

2 toothbrushes

1 travel tube of toothpaste

floss

feminine products

medicine (IBuprofen, etc.)

tweezer

nail clippers/file

Electronics, etc.

laptop and case

security cable for laptop

digital camera and case

30GB image saver

2 USB thumb drives

AA & AAA batteries

binoculars

MP3 player

220V converter

Books

2 novels

Bible

Namibian guide book

2007 weekly planner

black business notebook

copy of US Constitution

SW African Bird book

mini dictionary/thesaurus (in one)

2 journals

Life Sci. and Phys. Sci. textbooks on dvd

Everything else...

1 double flat sheet

sleeping bag

harmonica and music book

host gifts (CA calendars, SD hats, stickers, necklaces)

Melitta coffee filter

#2 coffee filters and coffee

coffee travel mug

small first aid kit

sewing kit

some ball point pens

some Sharpies

2 tupperware containers

blank CDs

travel mirror

Leatherman

small pocket knife

whet stone

flintstone

razzor blades

battery alarm clock

compass

can opener

safety pins

4 large rubberbands

head lamp w/ extra bulb

small flashlight

calculator

2 very small photo frames

lots of photos of family & friends

a few zip-ties

corkscrew

scissors/pencil sharpener

1 Nalgene bottle

2 compression bags

accordian document file

small saw

money belt

Peace Corps Handbook, etc.

umbrella

laundry bag

spiral notebook

small day backpack

6 caribeaners (sp?)

10 ziplock bags

scotch/duct/electrical tape

address book and stationary

shortwave radio

Yes...all under 80 pounds. Amazing, yes, I agree.

(of course I have another 50 lbs of books and journals that will just have to be sent to me as needed)

So, on Saturday, October 21st my family threw a big going away party for me. It was so awesome to see my favorite, most special, and loved people all under one roof. The sun was shining bright, it was nice and cool in the shade, and everyone seemed to enjoy the great food, drinks, and conversation. I attempted to breifly express my gratitude to everyone present, but sometimes it is hard for me to express how I feel on the spot. I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. My parents, sister, extended family, and best friends are the most amazing and supportive people I know. I am so close to the people in my life and for them to not only respect my choice of disappearing for two years, but to completely support me, and cheer me on is pretty remarkable. It takes courage to let someone close to you leave...I cannot imagine how I would feel if the tables were turned. My mom reminded me of the plain and simple truth...those staying behind miss the person abroad, more. This is nothing personal, but simply because the person leaving is off to experience all things new; every day will be a new adventure and will be full of excitement. While home will remain more or less the same...minus one. Anyway, I suppose what I am trying to say, is that I feel so fortunate to have such couragous parents, family and friends. I love you all. I will miss everyone more than I even know right now.

During the party I discussed with many people my fear of not really making a difference; not leaving behind any tangible change; not inspiring those I am working with...basically failing. My Aunt Linda kept saying, "you cannot fail." I nodded my head in agreement, but only today has it really sunk in what she meant by that: My being in Namibia, showing that I care, represents a belief in these people. My future community will know that there are people that want better for them, people that believe in their success, people that value their individual strenghts and talents. I now realize that I really cannot fail...my presence is a success all on it's own. It symbolizes hope and sometimes that is all a person or a people needs.

Sunday was rough. I think after saying so many final goodbyes... it is really starting to hit me that I am leaving...and soon! I had myself a good cry today and I feel completely refreshed...it's weird how sometimes all you need to do is just cry...get it out...and you're good to go.

Pictures posted here are proof of a good time had by all. These are only some of the pictures from my camera...so I will post some other great family pictures really soon!

me and dad

greg, me, and meg

me and mom choppin' veggieslittle squishy babieslife long friendsmore life long friendsroasting some marshmellows....yummy.

Me and nesser-bean

Jason, Mom, Ronn

sweet...

ah-yeah-ya

The family

me, meg, and our beautiful aunts

The WHOLE family

The Minters

The Martins

My awesome cake!

Getting toasty by the fire...

passing time

Greetings family and friends from around the world and around the corner!

Some of you I talk to every day...others I have not spoken with in months. Regardless, you are receiving this email because you are very important to me and I want to share with you what is going on in my life.

Over the past year, while completing my single subject teaching credential at Cal Poly, I have been going through the grueling process of applying to the Peace Corps.

Fast forward to yesterday...I FINALLY received my assignment!

On November 6th (yes, about 5 weeks from now) I will be sitting in the first of a three day orientation somewhere in the states...DC, Chicago, Miami...I don't know yet. At the end of that three days I will be boarding a plane with a group of others...all equally as anxious, excited, and committed as I am to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Once on board, my fellow adventurers and I will be at the will of the pilot as we soar through the sky for hours...and hours....and hours...where will we land?

NAMIBIA!!!!!!

Namibia is a sparsely populated country on the South Atlantic coast of Africa. It was previously known as South West Africa and is about the size of Nevada. It shares borders with Angola to the North, Zambia to the North East, Botswana to the East, and South Africa to the South. The Namib desert (oldest desert in the world) stretches along the whole west coast of the country, while the Kalahari Desert runs along its southeastern border.

Once I arrive, I will begin in-country training until January. During this time I will be living with a host family. I will then be placed somewhere in the northern region of Namibia. I have been assigned to teach upper primary and/or secondary science. That is not all I will be doing however. I will likely do many of the following as well: HIV/AIDS education/awareness, teach English, teach computer "science," tutor co-teachers (Namibian teachers) as they strive to further their education, train co-teachers in more learner-centered approaches to teaching, work with co-teachers and head masters in developing teaching and learning resources, run an after school club or sports team such as a boys and girls club, kick ball, or net ball. The list clearly goes on and on stretching only as far as my creativity, patience, imagination, and perseverance...so only time will tell.

I've been told that my living situation will be one of the following: cinderblock home with family without electricity or running water, flat or house with another volunteer that is teaching or a Namibian teacher, or government housing with one or two volunteers from countries around the world doing who knows what.

I am not sure yet if I will be placed in a very rural area or a more developed town. I have simply been told to be prepared to accept either situation...okidokie.

Okay, so this email seems to keep going and going. Before I forget, I must tell you...I plan on including this email address of yours on a permanent list. This means that you will be ever so lucky to receive occasional updates (when I have internet access). I will also be setting up a blog very soon and I would love to include your email on the list so that you are notified when the blog has been updated.

That said, please be sure to email me back and let me know one of the following:

1. I'm sorry but I don't have the time or the inbox space to receive your crazy Africa stories

2. I don't even know who you are!

3. I would love to get your emails but please email me at this address instead: __________________ (

So, I thought I'd take a picture of my shadow. She's been with me all my life. I feel however, as the world of Namibia envelopes me, I may not recognize her anymore. The Peace Corps experience, whether perfect or perfectly miserable, will change the way I view myself. It will change the way I view the world, and it will change the way I view my new self in the world. I am excited, nervous, confused...confused because while all my reasons for joining are fairly straight forward (help fellow human beings, learn about my strengths and limitations, see more of the world) the main reason I feel that I must go is simply...that I must go. I have a deep sense that this is what I am supposed to do with my life right now. No matter the separation from family and friends, no matter the challenges ahead, this is what works for me right now.