We made it!

So I'll apologize up front for the lengthy post. We've been here for a few days now, and trying to get internet access to update my blog has been a little, ummmm.... Challenging! The other comment I'll make, is sorry for not posting any photos yet, but it has to do with my previous comment.

We arrived safe and sound, and with major jet lag! It is definitely the longest trip I've ever done. We have some wonderful hosts here taking care of us, and I can't say enough about their hospitality. They keep telling my that Namibia is the land of contrast. It is hard to explain until you've seen it first hand. My first impressions are it is a fairly modern City, with huge gaps between the "have's" and the "have not's". Their are many children here who only get one meal a day, which is at school. Yet others are driving around in BMW's and Mercedes.

The work side has been interesting to say the least. The first day was mainly a meet and greet with various dignitaries, ending it off with a dinner with the Mayor. We are considered an official foreign delagation here, which they seem to put a lot of emphasis on.

Today we really got some good work done. I had the chance to see first hand how they dispatch calls. ....oh my. It is too much to put into this blog, but there is a lot we can do for them that could really help them out, and most of it is simple changes to their processes. I'm really looking forward to what we can do for them.

Tomorrow will involve spending more time going over their business processes, and we also plan on driving out to the Katatura area. It is an informal settlement, ....they shanty town area. Not sure what to expect.

On the "contrast" side, the police building is very old and run down. (I won't even mention the bathrooms), and the front counter has one female sitting there, without any glass to protect her. The only protection are two large signs that say no guns allowed! ...the contrast, they spent money on a biometric access system for their building!

The other funny contrast, was getting a rid in Chief Kanimi's car back from dinner, in Namibia, with Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner cranked over his bluetooth enabled stereo system! Too funny.

On the personal side, I've never met such wonderful, and gracious people. I can't tell you how welcomed, and well taken care of we are.

I went shopping today, and bought some hand made crafts from some Himba tribe women in one of the market areas. They were wearing their tradition attire, ....which is pretty much nothing. (Google them). After some feeble negotiating on my part, I bought a few gifts and was allowed to get my photo taken with them.

So far, nothing is like what I imagined. Our hosts have some very cool things planned for us on the weekends. This weekend, we will be traveling out to the coast, where we will get to see (and climb) some of the world's tallest and oldest sand dunes. Did you know Namibia is the only country in the world that has sand dunes that go right into the Ocean?

I've had some great food here, italian, american, ...and some of the best steak I've ever had! Which was Oryx, and Kudu (sorry Jane, but it's true). .....the truth is, if it moves and can be killed for food, it will be. They are huge meat eaters here.

Anyway, I'll sign off for now. I'll hopefully have some better success in updating my blog, and promise to get a few photos published!

Wayne