Thanks to everyone who has been in touch - letter day is crazily exciting but equally, a text from a friend is immensely exciting. So, I have now been in Namibia three weeks and already my life in England seems such a long time ago.
The night after I last wrote I was woken up at 3.30am by someone trying to break into the flat, I was absolutely petrified - I sleep on the ground floor (all buildings are bungalows). I had no idea what to do - at home I have my escape route planned and a place inside and outside to hide in case of intruders! Here there was no where to hide - I couldn't wake up Chelcie, as that would have meant unlocking my door and going outside. I was even too scared to turn on my torch in case the murderer saw I was awake and decided to come for me first! So until 6.00am I sat bolt upright listening to the banging and the door rattles, metal torch in my hand ready to put my self defense lessons in practice! Funnily in the morning there were no signs of an intruder - not even footprints in the sand?!
I had my first remedial lessons - Monday to Thursday I teach maths to groups of Grade 6 and 7. Ironic that I'm now teaching maths but, after all my extra maths lessons, I am an expert in what makes a good teacher!
Strangely this is one of the things I enjoy doing most - it's really nice to work with some of the learners in smaller groups, which means that not only do I know all their names, but I'm getting to know them properly as well.
We spent a lot of last week making a birthday card for Gilly as it was her 65th birthday on the 14th. The card looked incredible - don't worry I was relegated to colouring in and Chelcie drew it. On the front was a three tier cake and each layer was decorated e.g. one had felt flowers on.
We drew candles and then used glitter pens for the flames and silver ones for the 'piped icing'. On the inside we drew circles for each grade to write all their names in. It took hours and half way through one of the silver pens exploded over one corner of the cake. I'm not joking when I say Chelcie and I nearly cried but we managed to repair the damage by sticking some paper over it and then drawing over it! Luckily Gilly loved it so it was all worth while. We celebrated her birthday with some Springbok shots which were delicious - tasted like mint milkshake with a strong punch. However felt a bit weird sitting with a 65 and 80 year old doing shots!
On Tuesday all the teachers (8) had to do a written English exam to check their standards so we held auditions for our chapel choir. We wanted it to be select so that people would look up to it and we now have 14 members; five from Grade 6 and the rest from Grade 7. We have four boys and ten girls, it was really difficult to only choose fourteen because there are some really talented singers here and they all harmonise naturally and beautifully.
Chelcie and I were feeling adventurous on Tuesday so we made pancakes for supper as we had all the ingredients. We measured everything in ratios as we had no scales and cooking them was a challenge. Our frying pans are metal - no non stick pans here, so we went for the 'scrambled egg' esq. pancake which although looked horrible, covered with lemon and sugar were actually pretty yummy!
Thursday is a very full on day, with three lots of double art and a PT lesson, so we have decided that we need a sugar break. At 11.20 we have a 10 minute break so we now run to the shop and buy a fizzy drink which fuels us for the rest of the morning!
Grade 6 ('The Devil Class') are actually really fun and for us the really difficult class is Grade 4. However 12 of the 14 girls arrived 20 minutes late! In the 10 minute break they had gone back to the hostels and stayed for half an hour! No Vet Coekies for them. It was discovered that they had all brought lots of food back with them which isn't allowed - only a little bit of food is allowed for the first few days. A massive inspection followed of the hostels and all the food was confiscated! No one was allowed Bank on Saturday and therefore had no money to buy sweets with!
Having tired of fitness in PT lessons (also it's now way too hot by about 10 to even think of running!) we though it would be fun to do some Hip Hop aerobics with some classes, as we have a DVD. We managed to entertain them with our limited Hip Hop skills ( I credit my skills to that one painful Sunday morning in Marlborough town hall this year!) however it was more difficult to persuade them to join in! I lost my temper at one class and promised them that this week they will just run laps for the whole 40 minutes without loo or water breaks. This week is a lot hotter and I'm worried they might collapse fro heat exhaustion however I must follow through with my punishment!
On Friday night I met Given who is the cutest little boy ever, however he doesn't speak English yet and my white skin is very scary. We went to the Dining Room at supper time and got some very steely glares from the people who we had punished, who were now getting plain porridge rather that their favourite treat of Vet Coekies. On our way over to watch a DVD, Stanley (the boys housemaster equivalent), decided to educate me on African music. He played me lots of happy music so I think the Valentines dance we organise should be fun.
On Saturday we had our first choir practice and Reiner took us to the museum on the neighbouring farm. 15 of us (2 people forgot plus Chelcie, Nina and I) got into the back of Reiners truck with a cool box, a music book and some sunglasses. Lesson learnt: NEVER EVER travel in the back of a truck wearing a dress! I spent the whole journey clamping my unhelpful dress to my legs, desperately trying not to flash my pants!
This place is truly amazing. It's where Gilly and Reiner used to live and its full of relics - loads of animal skins, some HUMONGOUS bugs in the sink and their shower was a tin with holes in! We all signed our names on one of the doors - everyone who visits is recorded on the doors - it's brilliant.
We began our practice by candle light: we taught them 'Any dream will do' from Joseph. They can really sing! So it was really satisfying, although I'm having to overcome my singing solo phobia. Once we'd finished practising Reiner instigated some African dancing which was brilliant. They used the drums, clapped and whooped. Daddy would have been right at home with his Reeling whoops and I can see him loving the dancing too. They danced throughout the house and it was amazing to watch.
Saturday night I retired to bed - I'd caught the flu that all the children had been suffering. I spent the next few days in bed with a temperature of 68.3C, a hacking cough and a continually runny nose. Need I say I was feeling very sorry for myself?! Also I felt pretty guilty as this meant Chelcie was having to manage by herself - no mean feat.
We had out first Braai last night - I cooked steak, potatoes and butternut squash in foil with a tomato salad. It turned out really well and was delicious although we could have done with some steak knives! Chelcie was sent wood scouting half way through as it burnt pretty quickly. We are being cooked supper on Saturday night by Ivan (my age who is here for a bit staying with his stepmother who is a hostel mother) which should be fun and a treat not to cook! Wow, that makes me sound 40.
Last night we went really wild and went with him to the Hans Seidal Hall to watch television until 9.15! Music videos and my first ever episode of Hannah Montanna which I actually really enjoyed! It was a crazy night.
Feeling better now, however I've started drinking tea! How ironic that I've started liking tea while in Africa. It's actually more of a need than a like - by 9.00 I need some sugar. Yes, sorry Mummy, I have sugar in my tea!! Well the tea gets me through the rest of the morning (apart from Thursdays!)
Thanks again to everyone who is keeping in touch - it really makes a difference (if you haven't feel guilty!). My mobile number is 0817377860. Big shout out to Angharad - first friend who has written - your letter is on its way! If you are interested in knowing even more about where I am buy the book Namibia Calling by Michael Schnuur, it's truly amazing and tells the story of how Otjikondo was started.
Lots of love to everyone - hope you are all well and happy. Don't forget about me!
Lots and lots and lots of love
Ottilie xxxx
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