A weekend in the Desert

After only a few weeks in Windhoek, I felt the need to explore a little more. Destination: Swakopmund.

When you speak to any Namibian about this coastal town, you can immediately see a glimmer in their eyes, which is followed by happy stories and memories. And rightfully so – this town offers so much for the senses – The fresh smell of the ocean, the sun touching your skin (midwinter, mind you), the crackling flavours of mouth-watering pastries at any one of the restaurants, beautiful golden bubbles happily rising out of a tall glass of beer, proud German colonial architecture which gives the town its identity, yet ironically juxtaposed with the vast arid sand dunes of the Namib-desert, where a very subtle orchestral wind hugs the self-healing desert , creating little clouds of sand that sculpt and transform the dunes into supple perfection

The desert, which oddly enough starts right next to the shoreline, is a poetic experience. It feels forgotten, yet it has a heartbeat, a soul of its own. Untouchable textures wrap the dunes. Here and there lies the palimpsest of a person or animal which has crossed your path, but these memories soon melts away into the sand to form new ripples and textures.

The desert made me realise, that we as humans and especially in the field of architecture, feel the need to create. Through the ages man had the urge to leave his mark or legacy, but there is simply nothing that parallels the work and force of Mother Nature. Humbled by the peaceful conversations between the ocean, wind and desert, it serves as a reminder there is a Creator, and we spend our days worrying about mortgages, social status, facebook status and possessions, and completely forget to take the time to absorb the beauty of the world!

Trans-Kalahari / Trans-Kgalakgadi

So the journey began into unknown territory. I have never been past Rustenburg on the N4-highway. Every town became smaller than the previous one. After filling up my car with fuel in Zeerust, I was still not aware that this would be the last booming municipality before I hit Windhoek.

Botswana, or at least the little bit that I saw, is nothing to write home about. The only thing indicating that you are driving through a little town is the speed limit. There are very little establishments where I felt like getting out, stretching my legs and answer the inevitable call of nature. Thank heavens I’m a man and any tree is sufficient!

After crossing the border into Namibia, you just immediately know that you’re in another country. The landscape is simple, yet striking and as you approach Windhoek, the dramatic landscape started reminding me of the Karoo. Simply beautiful.

After only a few days in Windhoek I am already loving this place. It feels so familiar, but little surprises is around every corner makes it unique. After a night out at Joe’s Beerhouse with other ex-‘Boukinders’ I was told about a condition – Akkedisme – where the Namibian sand creeps under your skin and you just fall head over heals in love with this place. I can totally see this happening!!

Turning a New Page

So I’m kicking off with this first ever post on my new blog about my new adventure. This coming week Wednesday I will start rolling my way from Pretoria, SA to Windhoek, Namibia via the Trans-Kalahari Highway (through Botswana) where I will start my new job as an Architect-in-Training.

I will try to squeeze 27 years of amazing existence into my Toyota Corolla and start a new page, a new life with new friends and a new life rhythm and I couldn’t be more excited!

It is very sad however, because I am leaving my kick-ass friends and family behind. Seriously, these people are hand-picked (not the family), A-grade quality and it is thanks to them that the last few months, which was filled with big disappointments, unemployment and tight budgets, has been some of the craziest most epic times of my life!!

WATCH THIS SPACE!!