I'M IN: Swakopmund, having visited Tsumeb, Windhoek & Namib Naukluft National Park all in Namibia
NEXT UP: Cape Town, baby
First of all, Namibia is stunning. I read in my trusty Lonely Planet that Namibia was a photographer's dream and my reaction was, "What, the rest of Africa is bumpkis?" But I see what they mean. The scenery here is really magnificent, and has certainly awoken my inner shutterbug - MANY pictures updated over on Flickr. I started out in Namibia up North in Tsumeb, where I was hoping to visit Etosha National Park. This is one of the few places in Africa where you can drive yourself around on safari. Right now it's raining cats and dogs (lions and hyenas?) up there and the animal viewing is not good. So I came on to Windhoek where I tried to not feel pouty about the crap movie offerings (The Bucket List?!). I got a haircut in Windhoek and woo wee, did I get my money's worth - she lopped off just about all of my hair! Lesson learned: language barriers and haircuts don't mix. So I'll be having fun with barrettes for the next few months.
Last weekend I splurged out on a very nice trip to Namib-Naukluft National Park, home of Soussevlei dune. It's a beautiful spot within a beautiful country - mountains and dunes for miles. We climbed some dunes, and even got to roll down a few. I'm still finding sand in unusual places. Who knew the human ear could contain so much sand and still function?
Namibia feels extremely Westernized - not really like other parts of Africa I've been to at all. And German spirit and pride is alive and well here. As with other places with lots of Germans, I've noticed that people here seem vaguely depressed, there are a preponderance of German-made vehicles traveling at high rates of speed and there are signs everywhere, both informational and detailing activities ALLOWED and NOT ALLOWED. Oh ja. There are also Dutchish/Afrikaner items about - all these city names for one thing! Favorite person name spotted so far: Bok van Blerk.
I have been able to watch exactly zero post-season basketball, which makes me sad. Hopefully I will have better luck in finding a place to make deviled eggs in honor of Easter this weekend. Hope the Easter bunny is good to you and yours.
