On Namibia

No picture today. Picture uploading isn't allowed in many internet cafes. I've tried to get around it only with limited success. So I'll just talk for a moment...

...about how great I think Namibia is as a travel destination. This country's geography and population is quite diverse, and I believe you could get similar experiences in this one country to all (save Ethiopia) of the other countries I've visited combined. Yes, Namibia has it all. Sure, it may be a little more expensive. Come to think of it, sometimes it's less. Regardless, you get a much higher quality of everything. The infrastructure is fantastic compared to points north and east. In most towns, you'd think you were in a European or American city. I think I've missed the developed world as sad as that sounds. I've missed the less hassled life. I've missed the get what you pay for, not having to worry about being swindled at every turn. That's Namibia.

Even though I know Namibia offers such diversity, I've only really taken advantage of one aspect, one unique to this land: the endless desert. One day I'll upload the photos which might do some justice to the amazing experience that is the desert. I was often reminded of the deserts of the American southwest. However, every desert is unique. Though they always seem to call me. Their vast expanses, endless horizons. The play of light and color as the day progresses. I'm enchanted.

We rented a car for our exploration. Bruce and I split the driving, quickly learning to handle shifting gears left-handed with steering wheel on the right. It won't make much sense without pictures and since I only have a few minutes left at this internet cafe, a laundry list:

-Sossusvlei. Tons of sand dunes and valleys where rivers ran long ago. Camping at Sesriem was super cold, hot, windy, and dusty all at once.
-Naukluft mountains. Above the desert. Views to mesas. Awesome hike. cf. Bruce's blog.
-Swakopmund. German resort town on Atlantic. Windy and cold mostly. But nice the morning we went quadbiking and sandboarding. Again cf. Bruce's blog.
-Windhoek. The capital. Hot hot hot. Make arrangements. Get stuff done.

sunset

sunset
Originally uploaded by arutgers03

Goodbye Botswana. Don't know what to say about you. If I hadn't done all the awesome safari's in central and eastern africa, you would be pretty worthwhile. But instead, you're just expensive and a repeat. No fault of your own, of course. You're not here to amuse me. I just wish I had skipped you for more time in South Africa or other greener pastures.

Robbed!

Couldn't be in Johannesburg for one night without some mishap. We were staying in a hostel right next to the airport to catch our very early morning flight to Namibia (where I'm writing from).

We stupidly left our luggage next to our dorm beds and went out for a few hours. (Security had been so automatic on our trip for so many weeks, we had totally let our guard down when on our own. Not that we could have done a whole lot since the place didn't have lockers-- a must for sleeping in a dorm room in a hostel.)

When we woke up, Bruce found his trusty (expensive) fleece missing, some money gone, and stuff in his bags thoroughly out of place. The zipper on one of my bags was broken fully unzipped, so I only lost the easy use of one bag-- I tied it up for the flight here. I think they must have gotten scared off when they got to my bags because I could tell they were invaded only superficially. (Also my iPod and camera weren't stolen.)

So that sucks. More for Bruce than for me, but both of us are a bit shaken up. I'm looking forward to a great time in Namibia. The desert is calling. I guess we're fortunate something more serious didn't happen in Jo'burg, given its reputation as a very dangerous place.