THE NAMIBIAN COAST IS EXTRAORDINARY!!

 April marks the end of Term 1. It went by pretty smoothly and I was well-organized with all my tests prepared so even when they announced last minute that the last days of exams would be crammed into the next two days, I was ready! I marked all my exams and moderated others and then helped out with completing the reports and class schedules on the computer. We managed to finish all and now the learners are gone, most teachers have left and I’m spending a relaxing weekend alone.

In the past month I have taken a trip to Luderitz to see the magnificent coast! What a grand time I had! I want to thank Travis Matthews for having me at his place for my stay. He was so welcoming and included me in all his weekend activities. He is a PCV and works in CED (Community Economic Development) and collaborates with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. I met his local friends and they showed me all around town. It was great to be near the ocean again and this place has a much more low-key feel to it. The weather was great, went out to breakfast, had coffee and cakes in the afternoon and the braai (BBQ) on the beach in the evening! I even had some yoga lessons on the beach as Travis has started teaching yoga to some locals. (the photo with kids in water shows how resourceful kids are here…they use condoms as floating devices!!)

What a lovely time! I met some wonderful people, Phil, Alna, Liz and Paul and learned a bit more about Namibia. It is refreshing to get another perspective about life here and discuss some of the serious issues facing this country. Up till now, most Namibians I’ve met aren’t interested to discuss these things. Liz and Paul have transformed some old boats into apartments and decorated their property in true beach style with colorful succulents and collections of bottles and shells. It all reminds me of Santa Cruz.  Alna works for a TV station in Windhoek and travels with her crew covering stories in Namibia. She was in town to cover the installation of wind turbines for a new wind-powered energy station in Luderitz. Phil was my private cabbie; so generous and he had some fascinating stories to share for such a young man!

They also took me to Diaz Point where the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias erected a cross in 1488 upon his arrival from Good Hope in South Africa. The bridge to get to the point was destroyed by the mighty waves on this coast so you must hike up the short path at low tide. We also went to Kolmanskop, the sandy ghost town where diamonds were once mined. It was a thriving town before WW1 but by the 1950’s, it was totally deserted. It’s really eerie with lots of great photo opportunities. It was Easter Sunday so the gift shops were closed but I really enjoyed the tour and I had my own private tour guides! We went to Agate Beach to have a proper braai and BOY! do these Namibians love their meat! They are ready to brave the sand dunes with their bakies and braai at a moment’s notice!

Back here in the village, winter is soon to be upon us. I’m still wearing short sleeves and shorts but I put the fan away. Stay close by for the next adventure!