Himba land!

Hi again!

Earlier this week I traveled far north to better understand the differences and similarities of water issues in various part of Namibia. In my previous trip we found several health problems related to very poor sanitation caused by a lack of water. On this trip, sanitation was less a concern because people were confronted with problems of obtaining enough clean water and food for immediate survival. The extreme poverty of villagers was oddly juxtaposed with vibrant, relaxed and smiling people. The highlight of the trip was a visit to a Himba village far from the beaten path. The Himba people have preserved much of their native culture, evidenced by their traditional dress and huts. It was like viewing a page from National Geographic, and realizing the images of rural villagers are real people, and then interacting, talking and laughing with those people.

At one point I was away from our interpreter but a kid of maybe 6 or 7 years old wanted to communicate with me. After my failed attempt at communicating by pointing to myself and saying my name, the kid made a funny face at me. I made one back, and he mimicked it. We spent the next few minutes opening our mouths as wide as possible, sticking out our tongues, contorting our cheeks with our hands, and laughing at one another. It was one of those very human moments when you realize how people worlds apart are still connected and related.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pics (I hope they load!), and I hope you are all doing well back in the states, and in Australia (Hi Mino and Meghan!)