Hello from many Kokos!

Blogging on the road! I asked a few of the other travellers to submit some blog entries as we travel from Swakop to Waterberg. Here they are:

From Carolyn Norby!:

YESTERDAY I was woken up early by the blustery East wind. At the golf course, I was greeted by a herd of 150 springbok, Egyptian geese, partridge and a variety of small birds. Cal, Adam and I braved the gusty winds to play the first 9 holes of the golf course. Even the owner of the course asked if we wanted to reschedule our game – twice! We persevered and felt a great sense of accomplishment and exhaustion by completing our game.

Back in town we ate a bite at the Kokopelli hang out “The Village Café”, munching on springbok stirfry and pancakes.
My afternoon was highlighted b a visit to Lex’s after school care program at the Mondessa Youth Opportunity Centre. Jen, John, Lisa, Alex, Jenica and I entertained the lunch crowd with a couple song selections. After the kids ate, Anne and I went to Math class. How many of you remember your Lowest Common Multiple and Greatest Common Factors? I had to re-learn quickly to help Lex’s 25 grade 5 students! I loved being back in the classroom!

My evening was very entertaining, as I was wined and dined in the desert! Our Dinner in the Dunes with Mascato was amazing! I learned a few new dance moves from the Mascatos as we danced away to a lengthy set by Afro Shine. What a rush!

From Erin Lange:

Our day was spent with crossed fingers, hoping the wind would die down a bit so that we would be able to get on a scenic flight. We tried at 9:30am, and also at noon, but to no avail. Luckily the wind calmed and we had lift off at about 2:30pm. Soaring above the gorgeous red Sossusvlei dunes, Kuiseb canyon, shipwrecks, seals, flamingos and beautiful Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, we had a unique view of the diverse natural beauty of the area. We landed, proudly barf-free, just in time to make it to the bus to go to the dunes for dinner. As expected, the whole evening was magical, fantastic food, wonderful music performed by Afro Shine which inspired hearty napkin waving, conga lines and fun new dance moves. We said goodbye to Mascato (only for 2 weeks, so not a sad goodbye), and headed home from our perfect ending to a wonderful week in Swakopmund,

Erin and Kier

From Adam Rice:

What a great time we all had in Swakopmund!! The people, the food and the scenery are all amazing. Yesterday was warm and windy but in spite of that Carolyn, Cal and I were all still able to go golfing. I never knew how tiring 9 holes of golf could be till we faced the warm gusting wind. After golfing the next best thing in my mind was relaxing to a soothing message. What a life. The choirs from the suburbs of Swakopmund put on an informal concert at S.S. High School and really picked up our spirits. We finished the evening the best way I know how to -- lots of great food, music and dancing with all your friends. Yesterday was truly a memorable experience.

From Chantelle Olson:

Wow – don’t we wish the Canadian winters were like this! The weather has been beautiful – and I have completely fallen in love with this country. It is beautiful here. It has been a trip of firsts for me – my first time outside Canada, my first time on a plane, my first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean, my first time tasting the ocean water, and my first time climbing a sand dune – to list just a few!

Yesterday was a free day – we were allowed to do whatever we wanted for our last day in Swakopmund. At 15:00, we all congregated at Swakopmund Secondary School, where three school choirs, all of which are directed by Mascato members, held a little informal concert for us: S.S.S, directed by Linus, Da Duine Secondary School Choir, directed by Lindsey, and a small group from the Westside High School choir, directed by one of the Mascato sopranos (Hilia). All three groups did very well – I enjoyed listening to them very much. At the end of their set, the SSS choir sang a song that Linus wrote for them – it was about children playing in the streets before their parents get home from work – quite a beautiful song, actually. All three Mascatos have done a very good job with their choirs, and it was a pleasure to see the fruit of their labors in those kids.

Last night, I watched the sunset on the beach. It was glorious – orange, rose and lavender – and as the sun sank behind the waves, the whole beach was bathed in a golden light. At the last moments, just before it disappeared, the sun was hidden and revealed as the waves rose and fell in the distance. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. And it was perfect as a precursor to our Dinner in the Dunes. Camp Maskoko – totaling around 120 choristers and miscellaneous people (parents, directors, etc) – ate a fantastic meal in a very cool tent, with lots of laughter and great conversation. Afro Shine was there to perform for us, which pretty much made the night! And we sang Sparks for Lex – she was so thrilled! Then, it was goodbye to Mascato. No tears that I saw, mostly because we’ll see them again in two weeks in Windhoek. We walked back to the buses in the dark, singing Disney songs and yawning. I was admiring the stars – so strange and unfamiliar, but still beautiful. Just like Namibia.

From Laura Forster:

Being caught in a sandstorm was truly worth all my choir fees. Sand everywhere but not as gritty as you would think from seeing sand in Canada. Its like fine gold flecks, sticking to everything. A true African experience. Not nearly as bad as getting sand in your clothes in Wabamun.

The sunsets in Namibia are stunningly rapid. If you look away for a bit you could miss the whole thing; you can actually watch it sink to the horizon. They are so beautiful and it makes me wish my parents were here to see them because no one appreciates a sunset like they do. I would think this rivals Molokai, Dad.

(P.S. To my parents, sorry I didn’t write sooner. I’m still alive, although I’m not feeding myself properly, of course. I am taking all my appropriate drugs and drinking clean water. Hope Stratford is fabulous and I am sending my love to Aunt Liz. Please send news! And tell Nigel I say Hi!)

The people are amazing in Namibia! The way they sing with their entire bodies and the way they can MOVE! WOW! You have to see it for yourself. I can’t even begin to explain.

Loving the protein-based diet, especially the seafood. Loving our music and theirs. This is unbelievable. Love again to my family! Take care of Smoke and Shade! Muah!

From Katy again:

One pic:


Some Kokos hanging out in Swakop