Namibia, Africa June 14

June 14
The rest of the guests who had been assigned to my guide and gone on the activities with me, left today, so I was able to choose my activity for the day. My guide, Richard, is a friendly, knowledgeable, hard working guide. He is the product of a Colored father from S Africa, Namibian mother, and a German great grandfather. He is the youngest of 3 sisters and 3 brothers. As the youngest child, it is customary (in his tribe) that he inherited the family house after both of his parents died. His 3 sisters are not married and each have 2 children, all of whom he invited to live in his home. He explained that he does as his mother taught him and pays for the electricity, water and food for his sisters, even though he is rarely there. He works at the camp 7 days a week, from 4:30am to night time, for 6 weeks, then has 2 weeks off, (all staff are on this schedule) during which he works as a freelance guide for other companies.

Today we left at 8am to drive 1 hr to hike in another area of sand dunes. This simple and stark geographical environment offers me the opportunity to notice the details of the sounds and colors, and the plant and animal life. As we start hiking Richard points out the path left in the sand of from a venomous snake (picture 1), which move just under the surface. They also bury their body under the sand with only their face on the surface of the sand. You don’t want to step on them by accident!! The sand collects moisture and is surprisingly able to sustain green plant life, and shelter and food for insects and animals. Richard shows me that several inches under the sand it is cool. As I sit on top of a sand dune,(picture 2) I feel a wonderful breeze and view the surrounding landscape (picture 3).

Richard points out the foot prints of spring box (looks similar to a deer), birds, jackels, and many black beetles. He explains that the wind in this area comes from all 4 directions, forming star shaped sand dunes that don’t move even though they change shape daily. Sussusvlei red sand in a plastic water bottle is my souvenir of this harsh, dry, peaceful place. Prior to this area being turned into Namib Naukluft National Park, there was sheep and ostrich farming, and the Bushmen used to live here until the black African tribes (1600’s) and the European farmers (1900’s) hunted them. Today there are approximately 20,000 Bushmen surviving in northern Kalahari in the northern part of Namibia.

As the sun goes down I listened to the gentle clicking sounds of barking ghecko’s (lizards) as I look at the mountains, grassland, trees, and sandgrass birds, and watch another beautiful sunset. I spoke to Jennifer, the other Camp manager, about my thoughts of becoming a camp manager (after training) at a place like this. The service, the accommodations, and the food has been outstanding.