the countdown...

And it has begun...the countdown of craziness before I leave on Monday. So, it looks like this: I have an extensive research paper to finish, a huge presentation on Friday that I have yet to prepare for, I need to move out of my apartment and into storage, and then I have to pack...the last part is exciting, the former, not so much. Somehow when life gets crazy like this, things always end up getting done, but when you're sitting in the middle of it it feels a bit overwhelming, doesn't it?

Anyways, this coming Monday is the day of destiny with a plane ride out of Atlanta. It doesn't feel real yet, but I am so excited. 

A little update on where I will be living: I will be in a township outside of Windhoek called Katutura with a Namibian woman who works at the Bicycle Empowerment Network, and her daughter. I am so appreciative that they are letting me stay with them in their home, as it will be great to be with a family while I am there...

I have been doing a bit of research on the area, and it appears that Katutura literally means "we do not have a permanent habitat", as it was created during the apartheid era with South Africa. During this time indigenous Namibians were forced several times out of their homes and into these designated areas, while the white Germans, South Africans, and anyone else left over from colonialism took up residence in the capital city, Windhoek. Since apartheid ended, Katutura has apparently been one of the fastest growing areas around Windhoek, and has become a hub for all kinds of different ethnic groups. I just really think it's great...well, obviously not the apartheid part, nobody likes that, but the fact that I will be able to be in the midst of so much history and diversity will be so wonderful. Again, I'm just real excited. :)

Here's a map of Katutura for a little visual of where I will be resting my head until August:

Windhoek Street Map N: Katutura

that's about it for now...thanks for reading :)