Walvis Bay, Namibia AFRICA

What an adventure! I had no idea what to expect in Namibia. A lot of SAND!
Now I am not a big fan of the desert so it was a personal challenge to spend much time here. I ended up having a wonderful adventure climbing up sand dunes and sandboarding down! Yes, they strap you in boots and helmet in the desert sun and down you go! Not having a lift up was tough and by the end of the excursion I was exhausted. The photos tell the story, a lot of wind, sand blowing in your ears and eyes but beautiful vistas and changing light made the colors gorgeous.

We enjoyed great meals, sampled chicken hearts in Brazil- this time it was ORYX, very tasty- not gamey, an excursion to the desert to understand how animals survive in this environment, and to the ocean to see dolphins, whales and seals, one which hopped onto the boat looking for fish and nipped my friend in the leg! It drew blood and ripped the jeans he was wearing but he calmly continued on, I on the other hand, never jumped faster each time another seal hopped into the boat!

The Taxi ride to town was an event in itself, small, old cars, going 120 km and passing into oncoming traffic constantly. Before I got into one of them I had to ask how old the driver was, he looked about 14!
It has been wonderful traveling with a group like this- there is always someone to go any place you want or tag along. Initially I wasn’t sure how it would be at port but all seems to be working out nicely.

Namibia is a country of 2 million people, the least populated nation after Mongolia in the world, mainly because of the harsh desert environment. Namibia gained independence from South Africa and formed a country only 18 years ago. Again, most blacks live in townships and whites in the cities but the drug trafficking and crime are less evident than Brazil. Namibia does have a high rate of unemployment, 40%, and people affected by aids, 30%, so we thought it would be dangerous and somewhat like Salvador but in reality, the people, black and white, are exceptionally friendly, helpful and all seemed relatively calm.

Both Brazil and Namibia have demonstrated the immense contrast in quality of life between rich and poor, black and white. We do have it good and not until I stepped outside my comfort zone and went into the townships or favelas did I realize just how fortunate we are to have the choices we do. Many people are unemployed with no options but begging or prostitution. Imagine the limitations and restrictions just to survive, have food and water and a place to sleep. It is so in your face in these last two ports and I imagine South Africa will be similar, oh my and then India….it is humbling to see the contrasts in lifestyles this closely. Am wondering about how we are all connected as human beings but so disconnected in understanding one another, a lot of judgments of what is right and wrong and how everything is related to economics … it is a lot to take in. Learning a lot about listening, accepting and not judging.

South Africa is next, learning about apartheid, segregation and what it is like to live there today from both black and white perspectives. It is all so fascinating.
Planning on taking a flight to Kruger Park for my first safari and a trip down the Cape by car with two new friends!

Hope you are well, keep writing, it makes me very happy!
xox
Margareta