Well, Ted has asked about the snake situation out here. Funnily enough, I was also quite interested in the snake situation myself during pre-departure preparations! As such, I emailed some past volunteers to get the low down. I was pretty dismayed to learn that black mambas, spitting cobras and puff adders were to be among my new neighbours here at the Mission. Aiiyy! I swiftly entered what became known as my "snake phase" of pre-departure preparations - a gripping phobia that I would die from some snake's venom while in Northern Namibia!

However, now that I'm actually here, all of this has become more of a "c'est la vie" attitude. Yes, dangerous snakes are spotted and (sometimes) killed from time to time on the Mission grounds, but I have yet to come across a live one myself. That being said, however, last week I did come across a dead snake (not sure what kind, will look it up in a book later) in the middle of a trail in Pete's village, and also spotted a shed snake skin hanging out of a termite mound (photos of both to follow later!). I do get a little nervous when I go running, but in reality the snakes will mostly likely be more scared of me and will not seek an encounter. Although, I figure that black mambas are so badass that they're not really scared of anything. Well, at least the sparse vegetation is an advantage in this situation - hopefully I'll spot a long black snake before it spots me!