sand shenanigans!

Namibia was an adventure for sure... I climbed, played and jumped on sand dunes, ate unpronounceable flavors of ice cream that came in funky colors, had three different run-ins with the Namibian police and swam in the ocean- which was COLD. I got to visit an outdoor market where everyone asked me where I was from (United States) and then asked whether I was from California or New York- obviously New Hampshire isn't that well known worldwide :) Short story: One guy named Eric seemed very pleased that we were all there (this was the first time Semester at Sea has ever visited Namibia) besides the obvious fact that we were probably doubling their economy just from staying there five days. Unlike most of the people at the market he was not pushy about selling me something after I told him that I was just there waiting for a friend to be done shopping. Eric was interested in the U.S. and pleased to hear about the things I had seen and liked in Namibia, and then he told me about the market and how he gets by working there. So that was a cool conversation to have- it was nice that many people in Namibia spoke English, it made things a lot easier :) Lots of exciting things happened while riding taxis around- whether it was getting pulled over for having too many people in the backseat (oops), having people following us to stick their heads in the car to try to convince us to get out and into their cabs, getting pulled over and having the car searched for firearms, listening to a Dolly Parton tape for half an hour or having the police tell our driver that his license was expired... things were never dull! With the sand dunes stretching on forever on one side and the ocean on the other Namibia was a beautiful place to be.

So that's the short version of my time in Namibia! We arrive in South Africa bright and early tomorrow morning so I will have to keep you posted on that as well!!! I always love to hear from you all and I hope that you are enjoying lots of sunshine, laughter and ice cream! May God bless and keep you and give you peace...

-Bethany

fun in Namibia!

hello from Africa!!!

This morning we arrived in Namibia, Africa! My first sights of Namibia included lots and lots of fog, a pier covered with stacks of huge storage containers and a seal swimming behind our ship... :)

Here are some random pieces and pictures of my first day here-

There is a new stamp in my passport, sand in my face, and such a strong wind that we can barely walk upright and Frisbee is definitely out of the question. Roy next to me is walking backwards so the sand in the wind doesn't get in his contacts. I am walking into town with him and my friend Jennie, the rest of the group we usually hang out with are off on tours and stuff. We visit four different grocery stores and one twice; there are lots of interesting things to look at! For 4 Namibian dollars (about 50 cents) I buy funny colored lolly pops in some strange flavor that I can't pronounce. We have to stop walking as a train goes slowly by with two workers hanging off the back...it makes me want to jump on too. *grin* We see "China Shops" on every other corner and they sell things that you might find in a pawn or outlet shop. We eat ice cream and "chips" or French fries at "Wimpys" which seems to be Namibia's version of a Friendly's . Short, fat palm trees line most of the roads and we argue about whether they are date trees or big pineapple trees. They keep blowing in the wind and attacking Jennie but so far we are all still unscathed. We watch the sun set from the ship and it is beautiful, in the distance behind the city we can see the sand dunes... we will go climbing and sand boarding there soon. When I return at night back to my sand free room I find letters from home waiting for me- thank you!!! I feel very loved.

I still can't believe I am in Africa! It is all very insane... I will post more soon and try to get some pictures to you when I can! Sorry this update is somewhat scattered... hope it made you smile anyway :)

Love you all! I think of you often- let me know how you are doing and what crazy antics you have been up to! :)

With many hugs and smiles I remain yours,

-Bethany

here are some pictures from Brazil... :-D

hello from Brazil!!!

Well technically we left Brazil behind us last night... and once again we are surrounded by waves and clouds as far as the eye can see :)

Salvador was filled with everything from a huge elevator that connects the upper and lower cities and women wandering around in traditional Candomble dress who will either try to sell you something, bless you or curse you... There were people sleeping on doorsteps, others selling necklaces, water, coconuts, anything you would want to buy and more. While I was there I got to play with kids at a kindergarten where they are trying to get the children off the streets and I also got to drink pure guarana (which is one of the ingredients in red bull...) I saw huge beautiful churches, took a ferry to explore an island and watched Capoeira dance mock fighting. There was music everywhere. Art covered the streets, whether it was paintings being sold or the graffiti on the walls. It was exciting place to be, though my friends here and I were glad to be able to say that we made it through without getting either sick from eating food bought off the streets or robbed by the people around us...

Today as we leave it all behind it seems like it was all just a dream, but it was a good one... Now we have exactly a week before we arrive in Africa. There is a lot to do before then! I am excited about a bible study that may be starting up tomorrow night- that would be very good. Other than that I will just be hanging out with some girls on my hall and getting some homework done... I've been mostly staying out of trouble- probably the craziest thing I've done (so far) is buzz my hair off for Neptune day. I'm still getting used to it, occasionally my head gets a little cold, but it's really a lot of fun and I like it *grin*

Soooooo that's about it at the moment! What about you? I want to hear all your stories too- so send me an email sometime (brwakeman@semesteratsea.net ) and let me know what you've been up to!!! I would love to hear from you :-D

I hope that you are all finding reasons to smile today... May God be blessing you in everything you do.

With smiles and hugs,

-Bethany

"Give honor to the LORD for the glory of His name,

Worship the LORD for the splendor of His holiness.

The voice of the LORD echoes above the seas,

The God of glory thunders.

The LORD thunders over the mighty sea.

The voice of the LORD is powerful;

The voice of the LORD is full of majesty."

-Psalm 29:2-4