And back to Nebraska...

Home again. A blizzard closing in from Kansas and Colorado. Friends and family. Too much to do before Christmas. Realizing how far it really is between Namibia and Nebraska. No really good way to close out this blog.

Maybe a toss backward to some favorite blogs of the year. A year in review:

January: Kelly's report on shopping
February: Larkin locked in the men's room
March: We tackle our first camping trip with the Bates family
April: We visit Uapii's farm (also Tristan's story)
May: Larkin blogs about wildlife ownership in Namibia and Tristan saves a ship full of sailors
June: Nebraskans visit and some insights on nature from Namibians
July: Polytechnic students eat our classroom exercise, Mom and Dad Powell visit, and we have fun at the Zambian border
August: a bit about poaching, Namibia comes apart at the seams, and Larkin is passed over in the early 'weeding out' phase of the Mr. Polytechnic competition
September: birds in the house, Kelly's pre-school kids, WIS Sports Day (Tristan's blog), and baseball
October: Larkin's brother, Noel, visits
November: We braai a turkey and Larkin is investigated by the Sewage Board
December: We look at one last sunset in Namibia

"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that
goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."
--Miriam Beard

Thanks for traveling with us this year. It's been a pleasure.

Out of Africa: culture shocks and more problems with pants

We made it safely to London, and Tristan's first 'wish' for his return the northern hemisphere came true. McDonald's in Victoria Square Station in central London. A year without fast food. Wow, those fries tasted good!

We started noticing some odd little cultural things as we walked through the Frankfurt airport. One of those over-the-top jewelry stores was right next to the gate where we disembarked from our plane from Namibia. I turned to Kelly and noted that this was quite different than buying jewelry from Himba's. Quite a little culture shock to our system.

Waited for a train for London's Underground on an above-ground platform in the snow and wind on the way to the hotel. Temps hovering at about -2C. It was 38C in Windhoek on the day we left.

For those of you who remember Tristan's problem with his pants on the way to Namibia last December, you will have to laugh along with this 'pants update'. When we went to claim our luggage today, in London, Tristan's bag was nowhere to be seen. This time, it was not Dad's fault. Blame British Airways, I guess. But, once again, Tristan is living on one pair of pants for a day or so in London. One pair of everything, actually. His bag is supposed to be delivered to our hotel tomorrow.

Last Namibian sunset

The house is clean. Car ("Poly") has been returned. Bags are packed. Good-bye's are said. Family is still talking to one another.

We are away from Windhoek on a local farm near the airport, spending our last night in Namibia. Still shaking our heads that this is over.

The last sunset did not let us down. A great farewell display from a country that has been a pleasure to explore.

Hunting with Orion

It was a nice surprise to see Orion when we arrived in Namibia,
Although the image of the hunter plunging headlong with his sword into the night sky was odd.
A world upside-down.

But, regardless of angle, we had a friend in this new land.
A sun-loving celestial body who had joined us on our journey from frigid North America for more southerly pursuits.

Only in the southern hemisphere does Orion promise warmth and long days.
And he was true to his word.
Until, one night, we searched and realized we’d been left alone. No hunter to guard our night skies.

Winter. Planning evenings around when we could use the space heater or how long we could stand cold tile on our feet until escaping into piles of blankets.
A warm bed. A long winter with unfriendly stars.
Orion was hiding behind the sun and even the sun is shy during winter.

Last week, we looked up and realized our friend had returned.
The hunter had found us, and with him came warmth, rain, and longer days.

But we were like the houseguest who stops by to break your morning and then tells you she must leave because she has something much more important to do than to talk to you.
Orion was back. A reminder to us that we had to leave.
To apologize while walking backwards.

To travel north long after the birds have gone south.
To find ourselves in darkness and cold again.

But, still, with Orion.
Our connection between grassland and bushveld.
A messenger between worlds.

And so, we will sit in the cold and we will dream of summer.
We will dream of hunting with Orion.

--L. Powell, Otjiwarongo, Namibia

"Beneath the Sand": your invitation to our photo show

If you have nowhere else to be on Friday, January 22, 2010, consider stopping by Hardin Hall on UNL's East Campus from 3:00-4:30 pm.

Our family has thought a lot about how to share our year with our family and friends. We've taken 13,500 photos during the year. Each of us (Larkin, Kelly, and Tristan) has really enjoyed being behind the lens at one time or another, and Namibia is a wonderful place to capture imagery.

So, the Powell Family Photo Show was born as one way to share our experiences and the stories behind the photos. We call it "Beneath the Sand: a photojourney of our year in Namibia."

You're invited. Stop by. Seventy-two of our best photos (in large-format) and some of Larkin's writing will be on display in Hardin Hall's Second Floor Lobby. We'll also have some of our other interesting 'finds' from the year (probably a basket or two). Some Namibian games for kids. And, a bit of refreshment. Maybe some mopane worms...

The photos will remain on display during 22-29 January 2010. Here's a little video teaser to tempt you (click play button).

Photo credits. Tristan: cheetah cub; Kelly: roller, meerkat, Himbas, and lion.

If you are a glutton for punishment...

...you can bookmark my new blog, designed for everyday use in environs away from (but potentially including, again, someday) Namibia.

It's called A Land Ethic and will include: "Ideas, information, and discussions regarding conservation and wildlife management in the Great Plains and beyond."


Sorry, "Nebraska to Namibia". Kind of feels like I'm about to go behind the chicken house and put my old dog down. Didn't mean it that way...you did your job. Over 8500 hits as of today, an average of over 60 per day. Not too shabby for a blog from Nebraska written by some guy with just enough time on his hands to be dangerous.

Only a few posts left until NTN becomes a time capsule. Hope you have enjoyed the ride.

How big is Africa?

One of my high school friends, Chris, works quite a bit in Africa. Recently, he posted this graphic on his facebook page. In the thieving, sharing spirit of the world wide web, I've grabbed it to post here (it does have the original source listed). Interesting, eh?

Another 'neighborhood product' from southern Iowa, Amy, did a Fulbright stint in Malawi earlier this year. She has a great post and follow-up about people confused about where the "capital of Africa" is... The general point is that Americans don't know much about Africa. Now, be honest and admit it...when we told you we were coming to Namibia, you didn't know where it was did you? Well, until a few years ago, neither did we.

Well, after a year in Namibia, we probably don't know all there is to know about Namibia, much less the rest of Africa. But, we do know that Africa is not a country. And, now you know how big Africa is.

It is not a bad idea to learn more about Africa. China is investing strongly in many African countries as there are raw materials to be had. Namibia, for example, is bound to become one of the largest uranium exporters in the near future. There are many interesting books about the current "neocolonialism" or re-colonization of Africa. A fellow blogger in Namibia this year, Amanda, has a couple of good blogs (here and here) about people and NGO's coming to Africa. In fact, I commented on the topic myself, once. The future of Africa is up for grabs, it appears. Stay tuned.

Little dots on a map

Kelly had a great idea earlier this year. We started putting dots on a highway map of Namibia to show where we had stayed the night or visited. Pink dots for night stays and yellow dots for visits or tourist stops during the day.

We had three groups visit us in Namibia, so those trips added to the dots. Some dots had little "L"'s or "T"'s on them to show that was a place that Larkin or Tristan stayed the night without the rest of us.

Not including our house in Windhoek or our initial hotel in Windhoek, we have stayed at 37 different places in Namibia during the year. Eight of those are "Larkin only" (mostly communal conservancy research and Polytechnic excursions with students) and one is a "Tristan only" site (his school excursion).

In addition to these 37 lodges/camps/farms/guest farms, our map has 29 yellow dots indicating major stops to visit some kind of tourist site or other destination. This does not count all of the tourist destinations in Windhoek or nearby.

The gaps in our map (no dots) are the Kalahari in southeastern Namibia, the far northwest region of Namibia up near Angola, the area around Fish River Canyon in the far south, and the area in far eastern Namibia, below the Caprivi. We made it to Zambia and Botswana, but not South Africa. You have to leave some for next time, right?!

We had a goal, when we came to Namibia, of seeing the country. I designed my research to get us away from Windhoek and out around this diverse country. Kelly set an aggressive budget agenda to save money for traveling. I think we met our goal! I doubt we can say we've stayed in that many places or seen that many destinations in our home state of Nebraska!

One last trip, and now...let the packing begin

After Tristan's last day of School, we had time to squeeze in one last trip together. Larkin is finishing some interviews with commercial farmers, so we headed up to an area north of Windhoek, near Otjiwarongo.

.
We spent a night with the Beckers, a husband and wife that we met in a cafe in Otjiwarongo during a trip with Larkin's brother. They invited us to come by their farm, as Peter had spent time in Nebraska in the 1970's....even on East Campus at UNL (where Larkin works). We had a great time on their farm. They are members and officers in the Kalkveld Conservancy, so we worked an interview in during our stay.

.
We then visited the Waterberg plateau, where Larkin had spent time with his students during the past year. We stayed at the guest farm of the president of the Waterberg Conservancy, and also completed another interview.

.

Then, it was off to Kamanjab to deliver 51 copies of the CD we created for the Kamanjab Combined School Choir. A whirlwind trip through a country that is starting to 'green up' after new spring rains (photo above is of a rainstorm on the plains near Otjiwarongo). Lots of calves in cattle yards and young kudu, oryx, and impala. Spring has arrived in Namibia. Our photos of the trip are on the Picasa site.
.

Now, the packing begins in earnest.

With a little time and some scissors...

First, the legalese.... Tristan has given permission for his likeness to be used in this blog, so long as we don't make too much fun of him. So, we will try to not cross any ethical lines....
.

This story happened while Dad was at the CCF Training Course last week, and Mom was helping Tristan get ready for school. For a bit of background, Tristan has been growing his hair longer, and longer this year. Evidently, it had reach the point where his bangs were in his eyes.

.
So, the decision was clear. It was time to get the bangs cut. So, while Mom was not watching, he went to the mirror with a pair of scissors and chopped off his bangs. Almost down to the roots. Then, he put a cap on and went to school. Mom noticed nothing.
.

When Mom picks Tristan up from school later that day, his hat is not on, and Mom thinks he has been attacked by some band of thieves during school. When Dad comes home from his trip, a giggling group meets him at the front door and the photo shows all:

Perhaps the most ironic part of the story is that we had our final haircuts scheduled for the next day with Sonja, our wonderful hairdresser from South Africa. So, she worked her magic, and with a little spiking and hair gel, Tristan is as good as new.

Parenting lessons to be drawn from this experience:

1. If Tristan offers to cut your hair, don't take him up on it. Although the bangs were cut fairly straight. Maybe with practice.

2. Just because you make it through almost 12 years without a hair cutting incident does not mean it will never happen.

3. Always make sure you stay in good terms with your hairdresser, just in case you need them in an emergency.

Cheetah Conservation Fund: International Training Course

During the first week in December, I was asked to come provide some instruction at the Cheetah Conservation Fund's International Training Course. The CCF holds a month-long course for biologists/managers from around African and in Iran...biologists who will benefit from learning about management of predators, especially.

I provided some material on mark-recapture analyses and also a lecture on decision-making in natural resources. I've enjoyed my interactions with CCF and its staff this year. There are some exciting plans about working together on various projects in the future, including a goal of having graduate students from Namibia coming to UNL to do their MS or PhD degrees.

Here is a photo journal of my 2-day stay at CCF.

The road into CCF. The Waterberg Plateau is in the background. I arrived in the evening, and it was like a nature drive on the way to CCF.

A warthog stops long enough for me to take his photo on the way to CCF.

The full moon rises over the Waterberg Plateau.

So, I'm sitting in my room, preparing my mark-recapture lecture, and I hear a rustling at my window. Turns out it is inside my room, on the window. A little gecko. Little reminders you are in Namibia and not Nebraska.

The participants in the mark-recapture theory lecture (my lecture) got to go out and experience capture of cheetahs for real. We set this cheetah trap near a 'play tree' using the tree as the bait...the cheetahs want to go sit on the tree. Here, the students shovel sand and grass inside the trap to hide the wires and trip-treadle on the bottom.

Our group (half of the students) with our trap, ready to catch a cheetah. There were students from 7-8 African countries and Iran.

Another mark-recapture technique. The students set digital trail cameras to capture photos of cheetahs. The CCF's research staff then use unique patterns of spots to identify the wild cheetahs on the photos. I am helping them analyze this data set.

One last drive around the CCF "Big Field" before I leave. Some hartebeest bid me farewell.

Exit stage left

It is just simply unbelievable that a year has past, and we are almost ready to board the plane and start the journey home. What a year, indeed.

This past Friday, I had my exit interview with Polytechnic's Rector, Dr. Tjama Tjivikua. The Rector and his office have done an extraordinary job to provide a smooth year for us, and it was a good conversation about the year and future plans.

If you want to read the details of my professional year in Namibia, you can see my final report (a PDF file) to Polytechnic of Namibia by clicking here.

Thanks to everyone at the Polytechnic for their assistance! In the photo below: the Rector, some guy from Nebraska, Ms. Neaveara Olivier (International Relations), and the Polytechnic's Director of Rectorate Affairs. They presented me a copy of The Atlas of Namibia.

One big reason to stay in Namibia

I know everyone wants us to come home. But, really, can you blame us for wanting to stay in Namibia? Here are two photos, taken on the same day. Where would you rather be? Shoveling snow or enjoying a cool swim near the Waterberg plateau?

Thanks to Joel, our friend and housesitter, for ruining our day with his photo of our house back in Lincoln after their lil' blizzard. But, interesting to compare to a photo we took almost exactly a year ago.