Like many of you, I knew little if anything about Namibia before I found it on my Semester at Sea itinerary. Namibia has only become more popular in recent years because of the birth of Angelina and Brad's daughter here, but if that's all you know it for, research it a little and see what it has to offer. It is truly an amazing country. The people here are the friendliest and kindest people, and all were so happy we chose to dock in Namibia. In Semester at Sea's 97 voyages, this is the first time that the ship has docked in Walvis Bay (pronounced differently by many, but generally Walfish Bay.) Everyone I spoke to said that they know so much about America and are happy that people are coming to their country. They were very proud and everyone was very happy to have us. If I did not mention it, the exchange rate here is about 8 to 1 (7.92 Namibian dollars/South African Rand to one American dollar). That equals very inexpensive for an American. I have had some great meals since I have been here. The prawns were delicious at The Raft the first night here, as was my steak sandwich at a local cafe in Swakopmund (pronounced Swock-o-moond). Last night we went to a restaurant in town and I ordered seafood pizza. It had calamari, prawn, and mussels on it...a good sized pizza for about 8 or 9 American dollars. We found it funny when Brittney ordered her chicken pizza, that it cost the same amount. That is because seafood is very easy to come by here as the coastal waters are filled with both fish and shellfish.
Yesterday Rebecca and I left the ship at about 8am to make our way into town so we could catch a taxi to Swakopmund. We found it very difficult to find one. One driver told us 300 Rand, which is equivalent to 15 times the amount we were told we should pay! We decided to go to one of the banks in town because there are usually taxi drivers waiting there, and happened to find a tour guide van for SAS students doing sky diving with the company. The driver offered to take us for free since he already had 8 students to bring. It ended up working really well because it turned out his company specialized in quadding and he dropped us off there to rent an ATV. After a 1 minute briefing about the vehicles, we followed our tour guide Michael to the dunes. Let me just say, it was the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. You would think it is just mounds of sand, but the way the light hits the various sides and angles is extraordinary. There are various elements that make up the dunes, other than sand of course, and our guide showed us the magnetism of mica. While having this great adventure, all I could think was what an opportunity I had been given and I really felt like one of the luckiest people in the world. America is beautiful in its own right, but traveling around the world, with different culture, strange settings, various languages and native tongues...it is such a gratifying experience. And what makes me so lucky besides just studying abroad? I am visiting a new place every week or two all around the world. I really can’t explain it, but Africa is beautiful.
So anyways, after that we got dropped off at the booking agency for the catamaran cruise. After deciding on one we liked, we inquired about camel riding. Later in the day we called, and they were all booked for the day ? I didn’t get to go camel riding...I was very sad. Next we went to the market because I wanted to get souvenirs. Usually there are about 50 people out selling their things, but that day there were only 4. As we were walking over, they started jumping down and dancing...they were so excited! I bought things from 3 of them, and Rebecca bought something from the one I didn’t. I did great bargaining through the first two, and then I got to the last one. I had put a certain amount of money in my pockets ahead of time so I didn’t have to dig through my stuff, and I was left with 200 Rand (about $25 American). I only had it in 2 100 Rand bills, and they don’t like to give back change. I found 4 things as souvenirs for my family, and started the bargaining. I am generally a very friendly person, and my roommates insist that they all loved me and I flirted with them. I don’t think that’s true, I thought I was just being nice to these people, but who knows...I get good deals. So the last guy’s name was Kevin, and I told him I was looking for a souvenir for my sister and her husband, whose name is Kevin, and he was so excited. He told me it was a connection. Of course he liked me after that, but he still did not want to take my 200 Rand for what I picked out. I told him I was giving the things to my family and he softened a little but he wanted more. He asked me for something from America. Well I went through my bag and had very little in it. Laughing, I offered him a pack of tissues I had. He didn’t want that. I kept digging and I came up with a pen. Just an ordinary pen...not one of those cheap bic ones, but nothing special. He was like let me see that, and kept it...it was really funny. We had been chatting a lot at this point and he said, okay you can have them but bring us something sweet...and then he packed the things up in my bag. When I left I’m sure they didn’t think I was coming back, nor did Rebecca, but I marched straight to the grocery store and got 3 packs of these topper cookies we really love. These cookies are very good, especially custard. I was back to see them about 10 minutes later. They started dancing again and had Rebecca take like 3 pictures of us together on my disposable camera I got for the dunes (so sand didn’t get in my real camera). They were very nice and we all had a good laugh. I had thought about buying things in some of the African stores, but to me if they can afford the store, they can’t be that bad off. These men were so proud of their things and so happy to sell them. To me, not only was I receiving some cool things, but I was helping them as well. It was a good day and when Rebecca and I got back, we enjoyed dinner with Brittney and Tori. Brittney bought this horrendous looking figure we named Zulu to give to her best friend. She knows her friend is going to hate it, but she is going to make her hang it on her wall!
Today Rebecca and I woke up early to meet at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club to go on our dolphin and seal cruise. It was SO COLD! I was wearing long sleeves, a sweatshirt, and a fleece, and was still freezing. I found out that apparently you can still get sunburned in weather this cold...I’d like to say lesson learned but we shall see. We met a really nice older German man who was telling us about the history of the country and was the guide for the other catamaran. Our guide was so friendly and asking us all kinds of questions about the ship and about home. Within the first few minutes, the fun already began. I saw so many seals! There were seals everywhere...seal islands! We had seals jump on our boat! I will post the pictures of me with Fluffy and the one with Spotty. Spotty had been in a fight so he was a little banged up. They lived in the ocean but our guides know some of the seals so they jumped right up and we got to pet them and play with them. It was so much fun! And I saw so many dolphins too! I was so excited. I love animals more than anything so I was really in my element. I even saw 2 African penguins too! I also saw huge pelicans...one of them posed in front of a pelican tour boat, accidently of course ? The guides gave us a shot of sherry that was made by them and apparently combats seasickness pretty funny. They also gave us mimosas and sparkling wine. All before noon... The food was delicious! There were shrimp and some kind of fish rings and potato patties...a bunch of things I can’t even remember. And there were raw oysters! Oysters are famous here as there are oyster farms all over the place. I figured I had to try locally grown oysters... The first one I had without anything on it...it was very slimy and tasted like the sea. I did not enjoy it. I didn’t want to have another, but a Belgium man recommended I put lemon juice, pepper, and a drop of tabasco sauce on it. I tried it...and although it was better, I have learned that I do not like raw oysters. I prefer cooked seafood, although I do enjoy sushi in the fish category such as tuna ? It was so much fun today, I really loved it. I wanted to go camel riding when I got back but people were worried that we would get back too late and I couldn’t go alone... I am hoping to go in South Africa.
I am sure I am missing things I did, as always. I need to video camera my day to keep track of everything. It has been such an experience so far. I will be in South Africa in just 2 days! We arrive on Friday in the morning and I will be leaving for my safari this weekend!!! The world is a great gift to us and gives experiences we could only receive by traveling. After visiting only my third country, I am eager to see what else awaits. Alright well leave me questions you might have! Until later, I hope you all are doing well and thanks for reading!
