Although I have internet on my phone, it's not particularly good for updating this blogspot. I'm considering buying a netbook in Windhoek before moving to site so I can upload photos and keep in touch a little better, but I make no promises. Flash summary of Pre-Service Training: Flight was long and exhausting, but very much worth it. Training is intensive but very helpful and the staff and trainees are really, really amazing. I went to the Herero Heroes' Day celebration, moved in with my fantastic host family, ate a lot of meat, got to know a lot of cool people, learned some very basic Oshikwanyama, watched soapies on NBC, got "Mexican" pizza at a hotel (bacon/salami/mince, feta cheese, jalepenos and some other things -- actually really delicious), traveled to Windhoek, and last but not least, visited my permanent site. I think I have the best site of all the trainees in Owamboland if not in Namibia altogether. I have a flush toilet, clean water, electricity, a fridge, TV, incredible host family and community, great school (learners and staff) and I'm very close to Oshikango. I can't wait to move there (mid-October). Unfortunately I'm short on time, but I have a new address:

Lisa Raffetto, PCV

Etomba Comined School

P.O. Box 121

Ohangwena

Namibia

9000

Having a blast over here. I love and miss y'all in America, MUAH!

-Lisa

Last month or so in summary: I'm joining the Peace Corps to be a secondary and upper primary English teacher in Namibia for 2 years. My assignment is to enhance proficiency in students and teachers, improve the curriculum, enhance knowledge of HIV/AIDS and life skills, assist in efforts to reduce the high dropout ratio of females at the secondary level, and do so sustainably. So I spent the last several weeks trying to prepare for departure, and now I'm here in my hotel room on another trainee's computer finally starting this blog I've been talking about to do my best to share the experience.

Our orientation here in Philadelphia (one local called it Filthydelphia) has been extremely helpful and wonderful -- my flight here was great, other Namibia PCVs seem really cool, and the staff has been awesome. We spent a lot of the day talking about logistics, safety and security, anxieties and aspirations, etc etc and now we're making our last minute preparations to embark on this epic rollercoaster journey. We leave in about 5 hours at 2:30am. Taking a bus from Philly to NYC (3 hours), then flying to Johannesburg (16 hours), changing into something more formal, then flying to Windhoek (2 hours), then taking one more bus (about 1 hour). Then I have a job placement interview. I'm SO excited! Not gonna have a lot of internet access so I'll update this when I can. Wish me luck and send me letters/packages!

Lisa Raffetto, PCV

Peace Corps/Namibia

20 Nachtigal Street

Ausspannplatz

Windhoek, Namibia