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As I was sitting here trying to figure out how I was going to tell you all about my last few months at Gobabeb, I was interrupted by a request to provide a total for the number of visitors I've had at the station so far this year. It was this request that made me realize that our lives are controlled and dictated by numbers. Thus, for this report, I'm going to present you with a few of the important, interesting, entertaining numbers I've come up across.
157: The number of days I have been in Namibia. It is hard to believe sometimes that I've already spent 157 days in the desert; sometimes it feels like the plane landed yesterday, while other days I feel as if I've always been here.
474: There have been 474 visitors to the station that I have led, facilitated, or otherwise engaged in conversation with since I have been here. They have been young, old, students, professors, lecturers, international visitors, Namibians, people with important positions or jobs, and every-day kind of people. Some of the faces and groups are just a blur, while others are a little more memorable. After looking at that number, I realize how important this position is. It is my job to tell all of these people, and as many people as possible, about the importance of conservation, use of appropriate technology, and just general concern for the environment.
42: The longest amount of time spent at Gobabeb without going to town. Yes…I spent forty-two days out here without going to town. By around day 38 or so, I was going a little mad from the quiet, a little hungry because I hadn't bought groceries in a long time, and was a little worn out from working. I wouldn't recommend this strategy to anyone. While it is great to have the quiet and peacefulness found at Gobabeb, you also need the noise and hustle and bustle of town every so often.
15: Letters from home. I've gotten a few from aunts and uncles, friends from Grinnell and home, my parents, and my boyfriend. Anytime someone goes to town, they pick up the post. The morning after they come back, everyone rushes to their boxes to see if they've gotten anything. It's like Christmas and your birthday all wrapped into one when you get something. Letters are a slice of home that you just can't get over e-mails…They seem more personal and more love and thought has been put into them than just pressing the send button. All of my letters have been posted to my wall in my office, so when I'm feeling a little blue or homesick, I can just turn around and read the letters, and it makes life a little bit better.
418: Pictures. People always ask, "What is Africa like?" And since I have never been one with words, the best way for me to show them the beauty of this area is to send a picture. A picture is worth a thousand words has never been more true for me than since I've been here.
2: Warthogs. A funny story…A group of us at Gobabeb headed up-river one afternoon to close down a study site. We all got out of the cars and spread out, looking for the green plastic bags we came to pick up. I was picking up parts of a bag when I heard a rustling in the trees just ahead of me. I looked up in time to see two warthogs run out of the bushes and across my path, not more than 10 feet in front of me. Now like any normal person would do, I screamed like you wouldn't believe and ran in the other direction. Funny, I know, both the warthogs and I went running scared. In fact, it's hard to determine who was more scared during this interaction, the warthogs or me. Not only have I encountered 2 warthogs, my list of animals includes zebras, baboons, gemsbok, springbok, kudu, klipspringer, jackals, cape fox, ostrich, and more poisonous snakes than I ever wanted to see in my entire life.
8: There have been eight interns at the station so far since I've been here: Nic, Susan, Sebastian, Amy, Josephine, Karl, Inke, and Philipp. They've come from five different countries and many different backgrounds. I've had the privilege and opportunity to meet these people, live with them, and I now can call many of them my friends. This is probably one of the best parts of the whole program, the people you meet.
37: Today it is 37 degrees (Celsius) outside. What does this mean? It means it's not just hot, is REALLY HOT right now. Summer is just beginning to hit its peak and here at Gobabeb, we are really feeling the change. You get used to sticking to everything and that nice film of sweat is a constant. Some relief comes at night when the air cools off; evenings are the best time of day here. Not only are there the gorgeous sunset (always a picture opportunity), but also the promise of cooler temperatures.
5.7: The exchange rate last time I was in town. As the designated worrier (between Gerald and I that is), this number is disheartening. When we arrived, the exchange rate was at a steady 7. In the last few months, the rate has fallen steadily, and shows no signs of stopping. While this is good news to most, it is not so good for Gerald and I. As we watch the dollar continue to fall, we know we will have to watch our money and spend more carefully.
So what do these numbers mean to me. Well, to me they all add up to one. One experience that so far has made for countless memories. I just wonder what kind of numbers the next 237 (approximately) days will bring.
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