A typical day

Here's what a regular weekday would be like for me in Windhoek.

I wake up at 7 or 7:30. I pop my head out of the tent to look at the light to estimate what time it is because I don’t have a watch or cellphone and I don‘t want to turn my computer on to see what time it is. I get up, maybe take a shower (sometimes the water is hot, sometimes not), make myself some instant coffee and toast. Over breakfast, I chat with other people or surf the internet on my little computer. Then, I gather my notebook, ID card, and reading material, and head to court.

Outside, I stand on the street and get a cab. It costs 7.50N for a taxi ride -- about $1. I ask to be dropped at the Central Prison. I arrive, the gate opens, I sign in, and when court begins, I sit inside and watch. (The court is at the Central Prison. It was built, or more likely converted, to handle the trial I am observing. Court lasts until 4 on most days. Then, I take a cab back to my hostel, type up my notes from the day, and email them off to Lawyers Without Borders.

At night, I cook dinner or go out with the people from my hostel, Chameleon Backpackers. Then, it’s back to my tent for a snooze.