VSO
on Alex MacMillan (Namibia), 30/Mar/2012 14:11, 34 days ago
"What does VSO stand for?""I don't know""Voluntary Suffering Overseas""Good one... Voluntary Servitude Overseas""Very Small Outcomes"You get the idea: we'd had this conversation over many beers with VSO'er John in Zambia, who'd told us this age-old VSO joke about what it means to do a placement for a year - go abroad away from friends and family, be paid an allowance instead of a salary, be out of your comfort zone for a long time. It's something I've been thinking about as we've had a spate of goodbyes this last month as many VSO'ers are leaving, reflecting on what they've gained from their time here.Although we're doing a lot of hard work and learning a huge amount, we're also having a lot of fun. So I wanted to dedicate one post to the VSO'ers who've just left who've been getting us through the voluntary servitude, to say how much we'll miss you all!! And to remind us during the more difficult times that any suffering is definitely voluntary, and part of the reason we came...Alex and Tricia in Walvis BayIn SwakopmundMe and Tricia on the moonscape driveGoing South to KeetmanshoopTricia on the left, me on the right!I promise this is EvelineClaire and KristenRainerNienke and EvelineCarolina's farewell cake - Carolina, Claire, Brigitte and EvelineEveline's leaving do at Friendly HavenThe Friendly Haven staff - Left to Right: Jacky, Lisianna, Eveline, Cecilia, Claudia, CelaniClaudia's leaving giftThe hiking trail at Dan Viljoen - me, Eveline and TriciaWe won't miss these guysStopping for lunchThe view over Windhoek (in the distance)5 hours and 15km later - the end of the trailWeekend game drive at Amani Lodge - one of the cheetahs.Tricia on the game driveDrinking champagne and watching the sun setAfrican sunsets...Izzy's leaving do' in Que TapasTea at Gocheganas lodge outside WindhoekSunsetNienke watching the sunsetYou have to look carefully at this one to see everyone...