Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Walvis Bay, Namibia AFRICA



What an adventure! I had no idea what to expect in Namibia. A lot of SAND!
Now I am not a big fan of the desert so it was a personal challenge to spend much time here. I ended up having a wonderful adventure climbing up sand dunes and sandboarding down! Yes, they strap you in boots and helmet in the desert sun and down you go! Not having a lift up was tough and by the end of the excursion I was exhausted. The photos tell the story, a lot of wind, sand blowing in your ears and eyes but beautiful vistas and changing light made the colors gorgeous.

We enjoyed great meals, sampled chicken hearts in Brazil- this time it was ORYX, very tasty- not gamey, an excursion to the desert to understand how animals survive in this environment, and to the ocean to see dolphins, whales and seals, one which hopped onto the boat looking for fish and nipped my friend in the leg! It drew blood and ripped the jeans he was wearing but he calmly continued on, I on the other hand, never jumped faster each time another seal hopped into the boat!

The Taxi ride to town was an event in itself, small, old cars, going 120 km and passing into oncoming traffic constantly. Before I got into one of them I had to ask how old the driver was, he looked about 14!
It has been wonderful traveling with a group like this- there is always someone to go any place you want or tag along. Initially I wasn’t sure how it would be at port but all seems to be working out nicely.

Namibia is a country of 2 million people, the least populated nation after Mongolia in the world, mainly because of the harsh desert environment. Namibia gained independence from South Africa and formed a country only 18 years ago. Again, most blacks live in townships and whites in the cities but the drug trafficking and crime are less evident than Brazil. Namibia does have a high rate of unemployment, 40%, and people affected by aids, 30%, so we thought it would be dangerous and somewhat like Salvador but in reality, the people, black and white, are exceptionally friendly, helpful and all seemed relatively calm.

Both Brazil and Namibia have demonstrated the immense contrast in quality of life between rich and poor, black and white. We do have it good and not until I stepped outside my comfort zone and went into the townships or favelas did I realize just how fortunate we are to have the choices we do. Many people are unemployed with no options but begging or prostitution. Imagine the limitations and restrictions just to survive, have food and water and a place to sleep. It is so in your face in these last two ports and I imagine South Africa will be similar, oh my and then India….it is humbling to see the contrasts in lifestyles this closely. Am wondering about how we are all connected as human beings but so disconnected in understanding one another, a lot of judgments of what is right and wrong and how everything is related to economics … it is a lot to take in. Learning a lot about listening, accepting and not judging.

South Africa is next, learning about apartheid, segregation and what it is like to live there today from both black and white perspectives. It is all so fascinating.
Planning on taking a flight to Kruger Park for my first safari and a trip down the Cape by car with two new friends!

Hope you are well, keep writing, it makes me very happy!
xox
Margareta

Friday, September 12, 2008

Salvador, Brazil SOUTH AMERICA



Salvador Brazil Blog

Highlights:

Dancing!
My gosh these people are beautiful and can dance! It is a very physical, easy type of dancing and so much fun, you just follow the leader and soon the whole room is dancing with you making up new steps that everyone follows. The beat is great and energy high, everyone smiling and laughing, hugging and enjoying life. Upon arrival to Salvador a group of about 60 of us were welcomed by the University students with typical Brazilian food and dance. Did I mention these people are absolutely drop dead gorgeous? Beautiful faces, smiles and bodies. I could do this every night for sure.

Food!
Brazilian food is full of wonderful flavors. Many tropical fruits in their cocktails and they sure know how to BBQ ! A group of us went to a Brazilian BBQ where they come around with big skewers and shave it onto your plate. The guys were in heaven. The meats are all BBQ’ed with a salty flavorful marinade. I even tried chicken hearts and they were great! They also have a lot of bean dishes and fried many foods in palm oil.

Insights:

Brazilian history is fascinating, a city of contrasts between the rich and poor, 20% live in homes, mostly white people, 80% , mostly Afro-Brazilian, live in the slums.
The Portuguese colonized Brazil and brought over many slaves from Africa in the early 1800’s to work the sugar cane fields. Unfortunately the Afro- Brazilians have been discriminated by the small white population and forced to live in the slum areas or favelas of the larger cities, including Salvador. We visited one area called Salamandaia which is known to be quite dangerous, 43 children murdered in the past 6 years and a lot of drug activity. Passed by a 12 year old with a gun in his pants, I did not see it but a guy in back of me did. None of us felt threatened but the guides were extremely cautious about anyone wandering at all, felt like a heard of sheep and the wolf would pick off the last one!
It was HOT, I made out ok but not my favorite afternoon, at the same time, I would not have wanted to miss it and was glad to be there.
There is a grass roots project called arts conscientious who have inspired the kids to take classes from them in dance, circus acts and boxing skills to keep them off the street. The kids did a great job performing for us and our money went to help them finish building a place to practice their arts.
A big thank you to the ladies who donated pens and pencils- they have found a good home and the children were very happy! There is a photo in the slide show of Alex and Phil who help run the program holding the bag of pencils!

Unfortunately this is a pretty dangerous place for tourists and especially those traveling alone. RESTRICTED is the best way to describe it. I feel I cannot wander off by myself to explore, too dangerous, one wrong side street and the people will come off the streets to warn you to turn around, “not for Americans, too dangerous.”
So far, on the 3rd day we have had 3 muggings of students and money stolen at an ATM from another student. The SAS tours seem to be the best bet now.

At this point I am taking it slow. The excitement of the voyage, all the new people and a big, hot, dangerous city has me a bit tired.
I am enjoying the community on the ship, hanging around mainly with faculty,and loving what they stand for, openness and awareness of other ways of thinking and helping others less fortunate than ourselves. I am also enjoying that there is very little whining about anything, a very adventurous group!

We are now crossing the Atlantic! Not too choppy and no storms predicted on our way to Namibia, Africa!

Thanks for all the great notes, it is fun to stay in touch and hear what is going on with you too.


xox
Margareta

msbancroft@semesteratsea.net