Week before Namibia!!!!

I have to say that I'm nervous, but excited to go to Namibia. I'm ready to see what it is like outside of the United States, and to get an idea of how other countries run, or take care of the wildlife, and how people are so adaptive of what the enviornment gives them. I would really like to know more about how the are able to work with the wildlife to not just make a profit, but to also have a love of the wildlife that is naturally in Namibia, even the ones that people fear, like lions or hippos. I'm also ready to find out how my first experience at bartering at the market place. On that note, it is going to be really interesting to see how different the two countries are. I also cant wait to talk to the kids at the school we will be visiting, because we can answer whatever crazy questions we have about one another. Last thing I'm nervous about is the fact that my cell phone wont be able to work, so I wont have the same freedoms to just call or talk to who ever I want. I am so used to just haveing some one at the tip of my fingers, and its going to be a weird adjustment.
When I think about what it is actually going to be like in Namibia, I keep thinking that we are going to get the weirdest looks because we are white. However, I keep telling myself that surely they have plenty of tourist that come through all the time and are used to white people. Another wonder of mine is the merchants that are in the market are going to think, "oh! There is a stupid American, lets get as much money out of them as we can!!" I really hope that I can get over that and just relax as I talk to the people. My thoughts could be completely wrong, and if I am, I will more than happily say so later on.
I do know that I am ready for this trip and that I can not wait to be on that plane so I can stop thinking and wondering what it will be about. I would just like to have a small glimpse of the future so I can just stop haveing all of the thoughts just bombard my brain. Last note, I and ready to go on the biggest adventure of my life!

The not so dry desert

Greetings! This blog will document the experiences and insights of UNL students and faculty as they study abroad. To kick things off, we start in Namibia, Africa. Namibia has been a travel hotspot for the UNL contingent since 2005. I am travelling ahead of the class, but the students and Dr. Powell will be along soon. Anyway, on to the title of this blog.

I arrived in Namibia on Easter morning as the first spears of light were reaching out over the horizon. Light revealed to me a Namibia I have not seen before .... very green! In fact, much of Namibia is wetter than it has been in the past 100 years. This rain has caused some logistics issues as I cannot get to the farm I was planning to visit. Ah well, plan B is in play. I have been out to see some critters and will be walking in the veldt very soon!

Any guesses on this critter?

Lift-off coming soon!

Check back for a record of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's study abroad trip to Namibia during May 2011!