This is Emi. I'm finally in Namibia!!

Hi. This is Emi, Marybeth’s niece.

I have finally arrived in

Namibia

! It started on Friday when I left JFK airport. About five hours into my flight, our plane landed in

Cape Verde

to refuel. I wish I could have gotten out to look, but we were only there for an hour (and I was sleeping). 12 hours later, I arrived in

Johannesburg

(Saturday night). I stayed at a local hotel, and then next day (Sunday), I took a 25 hour train ride to

Cape Town

. The train ride was really nice and there were many beautiful views. I passed

Soweto

and some beautiful vineyards along the way. It was very relaxing but impossible to sleep. Oh well. It was nice anyway.

 

Everyday, in

Namibia

, I’ll be at the BNC (

Bernard

Nordkamp

Center

). This is a center for 70 orphans whose parents have died of AIDS. Every morning, they receive a bowl of soup, a small roll and the occasional apple. This is usually their only meal of the day. Everyone is so happy and energetic. They run to the truck whenever me and the other volunteers come, and they come to sit on your lap and hold your hand even if they have never seen or met you. Even yesterday (my first day), as soon as I got of the truck, children rushed to me and started climbing on me and braiding my hair. They are so friendly.:-)

 

Today was the craziest and happiest Valentine’s Day that I experienced. Almost everyone at the center was dressed in red and pink and running everywhere making valentines and singing and playing. I received and gave many cards to and from children that I had never seen before. It was a happy day.

 

Tennis has been GREAT. The kids are so happy with their new peewee raquets because now, they can actually hit the ball. Before, there were few raquets and the ones they did have were too heavy and too big. I will take pictures of them tomorrow and post them.

 

My housemates are all really nice. There’s Erica from Ossining, AJ from

India

, Scooter, Toby, Anna and Katarina from

Germany

, and of course Marybeth. Everyone is very friendly.:-)

 

I hear I’m missing snow.:’’-( Oh well… Namibian summer has been keeping me preoccupied (a lot of sunscreen is necessary.

 

Miss you all and Happy Valentine’s Day!! <3

XOXO Emi    

Comments

[Eileen Gallagher, a.k.a. Mom]

Well, why wouldn't they all come running to the truck when they saw you get out? It's not every day that Emi Suzuki lands in Namibia. If I were there, I would have gone running too! Meanwhile, I am very proud of the work that you are doing. Please write more about what kind of activities you are doing in regard to the tennis. xoxo

[grandma]

Emi, I just now opened this blog, (as MB is not a regular contributor, I don't come here often), and read your very well written account. Indeed, we are all proud of you, and it was wonderful to have you with us in Africa.
I hope we can have similar adventures together in the future.
Love, Grandma