10 (not 9 and not 11) weird and peculiar things about Namibia that might as well come from the outer space

1. Disappearing cities

Namibia used to be a German colony, therefore - we need to start with the obvious.

The combination of German colonial architecture proudly presented on the sand dunes, between arid desert and cold Atlantic shore, is like consuming apfelstrudel with salt on the rocks in Grand Budapest Hotel. There is no word for that.

Walk the streets named Keizer this, roam the buildings of Bismarck that, explore the districts of Willhelm whatever. Eat your schnitzel and do things in the name of love for lager.

Good examples: Swakopmund, Lüderitz

* No pictures included – as per explained in my previous post (see link here: https://somissania.blogspot.com/2017/09/diamonds-can-kill-you-tale-of-namibian.html) – it is doubtful that I actually stayed in those cities.

I’m placing picture of the ship wreck instead just to illustrate the weather beauty.

 

2. Namib Desert Horses

Nobody knows how they got there. 
Nobody can verify their origin. 
Maybe they are the ancestors of the German cavalry horses, maybe they came from the outer space. 
They should simply be taken for what they are – horses in the desert.

3. Rock music

A Tall German Farmer and chatty storyteller in one person may show you around his farmlands. You might see some unusual fossils of quirky reptiles and listen to the tales of drifting continents as well as people doing PhDs from boneless reptiles. After that your host will play you some rock music. Jaaaa

4. Rock engravings and the forgotten penguin

You’ll see the ancient rock paintings of the San Tribe portraying zebras, giraffes, five fingered shaman lion and the whole wide world. What would strike you the most is the fact that nobody seems to care that there is also a portrait of penguin out there. Bosch of the Bush.

5. Seal excitement  

It’s great that you are fond of seals. They are so cute. Let me speak the truth now – they outnumber your imagination. They bark like dogs. They are very smelly. 

PS. These are not black stones – this is a seal colony.

6.       Quiver trees

You will be told that these are not the actual trees but aloe bushes. As if it makes a difference for tree or aloe bush. Not to mention the fact that no one seems to notice that they look like they have been planted by the aliens.

7. Hiking the dunes aint’ easy

But coming down is like bouncing on a cloud. If this would have been one of my childhood experiences I’d probably become an astronaut. 

8. The click language 

Khoekhoe language, spoken by Nama and Damara people in Namibia, when first heard, puts you off your boots. Now, listen to that and space out. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6TZkkD1amE

 9. Fire wood is dangerous

Don't you go all in for 'Into the the wild' option. Some trees and bushes become toxic when burned. See example of the mining town of Uis. They had a bunch of newcomers (miners or football players, depending on the story version) that came in to bread win. They collected the fire wood, cooked the meal and never woke up. Graveyard of Uis is now most populated area of town.

10. Secrets of the Tropic of Capricorn

Amongst the numerous add stickers covering the Tropic of Capricorn sign you’ll find one that sums it all.

Africa is not for sissies. Amen to that.