What day is it?

We've arrived safely at our destinations.  From door to door, our trip took about 38 hours, of which 20 hours were on two planes.  Our first flight on the German Lufthansa airlines was quite nice - every seat had its own video screen with a free selection of 18 different movies (watched Despicable Me and The Last Airbender), two meals with real silverware :-) and comfortable seats.  But after 10 hours we were ready to get off the plane and stretch our legs.

    Just under the airport you can catch local or long distance trains to take you anywhere in Europe.  We hopped onto a free local train and took a twenty minute ride to Weisbaden.  Well, I think it was free.  We just got on and no one came around to collect our ticket.   It was in the mid 40s and there is still some snow it spots left from the last snowstorm.   Walked the half mile from the Weisbaden bahnhof to old town center where the Saturday market was in full swing.  Didn't have any Euros on me so just looked at the delicious fruits and vegetables and baked goods.

 After a tour of the St. Augustine's church, searched for a restaurant to try some pork schnitzel and potatoes.  Couldn't help be think that if I could have found a kolbasa with that, it would have been the perfect fourth grade meal.   :-)

Then back to airport to wait for our :30pm flight to Windhoek.   The Air Namibia flight was not nearly as nice.  No movie screen on the seatback, less leg room and not as good food.  Fortunately, I had brought my own supplies of essential foods - CheezIts, beef jerky and Trio bars.  So all was good!

Arrived in sunny, warm Windhoek at 7:25 am.  And the fun began.
I passed through Immigration with no problem, but the first our Paula's student teachers (who are staying here for two months to start their student teaching experience) made the mistake of saying of answering, "Why are you here" with "I'm here for tourism and for working in the schools."  "Where's your work permit?" which no one has.   Paula's and all the students passports were confiscated and they were taken to a separate room.   I went outside to find our friend from the University, Edwin, who was planning to meet us, but he was no where in site.  We were stuck.   Eventually, though, after all the other passengers had left and we kept insisting that Edwin would be here soon, the head Immigration officer proclaimed, "I don't have time for all of this, go on." And that was that.   Edwin never did show up.   We heard from our driver coming in to town that there had been a big thunderstorm the night before.  So we think Edwin and Emmy, who were out at there village north of town, must have been delayed by the rain.  Many roads become impassable after big rains due to flash floods and such.   Some traffic lights in downtown were out, the internet at our place (Casa Blanca Hotel) was out and more.
      Made it to Casa around 9:00 where our rooms were ready but our friend, Frank, the owner was no where to be seen.   A English fellow, Paul, introduced himself and when asked about Frank, was told that he had returned to Germany, for good.  Yikes.  But Paula and Sherry are quite nice and knowledgeable so it will be fine.

Here's a friend who visited me while I was typing this.  So someone do some research for me.  Is it OK for me to pick this up next time he visits?

Having trouble uploading video.  Any bloggers out there (Mrs. Barnes, Mr. Stafki) - have a recommendation on how else to share video?  I'll try to use YouTube, but I suspect the internet connection is not very fast here.

So one last note, before I head to breakfast.  Here's a photo of Reuben who cooked us a traditional Namibian braai last night with chicken, pork, beef, lamb and beef sausage.  I'm trying to upload a video interview of him saying hi to the students, but it's not working with my connection right now.  Now I'll just post a picture.

  Today we try to find Edwin because he has set up our meetings with the Minister of Education and the University local organizing committee for the July conference.  We'll go downtown to exchange money, rent a car so we can drive to our meetings and return to Casa.  Paul is a professional birding guide and he has asked if we want to go out to Avis Dam to do some birding in the afternoon, so that's a possibility. 

Hello to all the Dolphins and welcome to guest principal, Mrs. Rimmele.  I hear that snow is in the forecast for you all.    :-)        Be well.

Mr. Leitz