Time Change

There is a 10 hour time difference between here (Tacoma, WA) and Windhoek, Namibia.  This is a chart to help myself be able to see the time change more tangibly and help plan when I will attempt to make skype calls to my loved ones while I am away.


      Tacoma  =  Namibia      

• Noon =  10 pm
• 1 pm  =  11 pm
• 2 pm  =  Midnight
• 3 pm  =  1 am
• 4 pm  =  2 am
• 5 pm  =  3 am
• 6 pm  =  4 am
• 7 pm  =  5 am
• 8 pm  =  6 am
• 9 pm  =  7 am
• 10pm =  8 am
• 11pm =  9 am
• Midnight = 10 am
• 1 am  =  11 am
• 2 am  =  Noon
• 3 am  =  1 pm
• 4 am  =  2 pm
• 5 am  =  3 pm
• 6 am  =  4 pm
• 7 am  =  5 pm
• 8 am  =  6 pm
• 9 am  =  7 pm
• 10am =  8 pm
• 11am =  9 pm

The Trek

I have done quite a bit of traveling around the United States in my lifetime.  The craziest transition I think I made was back in high school.  I went from being in Orlando, Florida to Spokane for about 5 hours in the middle of the night where my mom washed the entire contents of my suitcase and repacked it while I slept and then ran me back to the airport to fly to Juneau, Alaska.  I have traveled to Canada a few times and once to Mexico, but have never traveled outside of the continent of North America.  I am excited to extend my travels and explore more of the world.  With the travel plans being what they are for this trip, the group I am traveling with will first fly from Seattle, WA to Frankfurt, Germany.  We then have a 12 hour lay over in Frankfurt.  My professor says we will be able to exit the airport and spend most of the day exploring and taking in sights in Germany.  This is an exciting bonus to this trip.  We will then travel that night from Frankfurt (weather permitting) to Windhoek, Namibia.  Our return trip goes through Frankfurt as well, but we only have a 4 hour lay over which will be nice because I am sure we will be tired and ready to be home at that point.

First Flight: 10hrs from Seattle, WA to Frankfurt, Germany

Second Flight: 10 hours from Frankfurt, Germany to Windhoek, Namibia

 Overall Map with Final Location: Windhoek, Namibia

AI Steenkamp Primary School

I found out from my professor that I will be teaching at AI Steenkamp Primary School.  I will not be finding out what grade or what subject I am teaching until after I arrive in Namibia.  I don't know that much about AI Steenkamp yet.  Everything I do know has been told to me by friends of mine who went with this program to teach there last year.  The following pictures are ones they took from their experiences.  I am excited to update you all with pictures of my own experience once I am there.  As for now, this is a little glimpse into the educational world in Namibia.

Time and Weather in Windhoek

This is the best website I have found that gives information about the current time and weather where I will be in Namibia.  If you click on this link and refresh the page, it will give you most all of the information you would want to know about the current local time and weather forecasts.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=266


Here is what the site looked like when I posted this:

Home Sweet Home-Casa Blanca Hotel

During my stay in Namibia, I will be living with the 8 other gals from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) at the Casa Blanca Hotel in Windhoek Namibia.  This hotel has been used for three years now by PLU for this trip to Namibia and one of the professors I am traveling with has a great friendship with the owners and operators of this establishment.

The history of this great place as copied from the Casa Blanca website is:


History of Casa Blanca boutique hotel

The original house was built in 1970 by pioneer game ranger Mr Schultz in the style of Fort Namutoni, one of Namibia´s historic monuments located in Etosha National Park. He also lovingly created the indigenous garden, where beautiful old trees today spend welcoming shade.
The house changed hands several times and in 1999 Elke & Peter Young became the proud owners of a decrepit old castle. Peter immediately saw what needed to be done, whilst Elke fell in love with the incredible potential of the property and house. They set out to extensively renovate the building and a year later a new old castle with white walls, Spanish­style wrought iron, balustrades, arched windows and terracotta tiles opened its gates for guests.
Today Casa Blanca Hotel is well known for its elegant and relaxed atmosphere - complemented by excellent service. Sumptuous breakfasts and patio dinners at sunset.
After running Etambi and Casa Blanca for 15 years, Peter and Elke are handing over the business to their son Frank who will keep up the service, style and excellence. Prior to taking over the hotel, Frank spent 10 years working for Microsoft as an engineer and at Accenture as a business consultant.

I will post my own pictures sometime after I arrive, as for now I have the following pictures from the website that give me an idea of where I will be living.

Outside the Rooms

The Dinning Room

The Patio

 The Pool

24 Days and Counting Down

24 days from now I will board a plane in Seattle, WA with a travel plan bound for Windhoek Namibia in Africa.  I know these 24 days will go by quickly and that excites me.  I am looking forward to learning new things and getting to experience an entirely different culture and school life.  I am told that anything I expect to happen will not and that I can not truly prepare myself for the experience I am about to have.  As for now, I must finish all requirements I have left for school here at PLU and figure out what exactly I am going pack for my long two month adventure.