Lions....

Work front: the Country Operating Plan was successfully submitted last Friday. A co-worker of mine, Souleyman, had everyone over for celebratory wine and food. He is from Burkina Faso and the food was incredible. His home overlooked some of the Windhoek mountains and it was a great evening. Since the COP has been submitted I am working on some FAQ sheets for a SMS (text messaging) project. CDC has worked out a deal with a local cell phone company to provide an informational SMS line for youth, MSM, and people living with HIV/AIDS. The project was started in May with just youth, but is now being expanded to MSM and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Home front: I saw a guest house and flat this weekend. The flat would be available beginning immediately, and the guest house November 16. While I am somewhat desperate to unpack my luggage and be more settled, I am leaning towards the guest house. It's in a family from England's backyard and very quiet. There is a little outdoor garden area with a Braai (BBQ). So, if I can figure out what to do for the next month, I think I will take the guest house.

Car: no update. Need one!

Safari: on Sunday I went with a co-worker to a game lodge outside of Windhoek called Okapuka. We went on a game drive and also saw them feed the lions. We saw: giraffe, white rhinos, warthogs, hardebeast, oryx, some big crazy antelope thing but I forgot the name, black wildebeast, a crocodile, gazelle, and of course, the lions. The lodge itself is beautiful with a restaurant all under a thatched roof overlooking the green grass and grazing warthogs. The grounds themselves are what you might imagine, white grasses, oddly shaped green trees, both juxtaposed against the blue sky. Stunning.

Now, the lion feeding... We were told by a co-workers daughter, make sure you look through the viewing area on the far left. So, we quickly positioned ourselves in this spot. The viewing area is not all that high, in fact, when thinking about any zoo I've been to, I thought, I'm pretty sure the lions can jump right over this. A somewhat unsettling feeling. There is a metal contraption that the guide attaches some raw meat to. Upon attaching the meat, the male lion suddenly appeared from the bush. I have never been that close to a lion before and he was huge. He started scratching the ground with his paws, what we told as a sign of dominance. I was amazed by the size and strength. He just bit right through the bone and chewed it up like it was nothing. When the male lion finished eating the antelope leg or whatever it was, two female lions appeared. A man sitting next to me picked up a piece of bone that had fallen into the viewing area, and tossed it to one of the female lions. She charged right at us, locking eyes. I jumped back as my heart was quickly beating. I didn't want to be her dinner. At this point the guide tossed them two pieces and meat and they quickly took off running. He explained that if they are not fast enough, the male lion will take it. The lions at this lodge are quite old and healthy, as they don't have any stress from scavenging for food. On our way back to Windhoek we were able to witness a brilliant sunset. My camera did not even come close to doing it justice. I can't wait to see many, many more.

The flu? So, Luke arrived yesterday morning and I have since fallen sick with the flu. At least that's what I think it is. Welcome to Namibia, Luke. They sent me home from work today, lest I get anyone else sick. Hoping to kick it soon.

Now: It's the beginning of the rainy season. I guess there hasn't been any rain since about June or so. The sky is overcast and it's thundering. I haven't seen any yet, but Namibia has some pretty amazing lightning shows... so I've heard. And now back to bed.