Noras, lords, I write this column on a special day: yesterday it was exactly one month that we travel with all that that implies. Also, interestingly, according to look at the countdown we have also a nice number of days remaining (333) ... but we, the relevant date is passing that first month.
For though this month has been like no other vacation months, when we were all very prepared in advance to take advantage of the limited time at best, many of the feelings that we are still "family", tread familiar ground. Among other things, without going too far, we still have very much the days and weeks we traveled. The "gurus" of which we speak the last time (the German farmers who had 20 months there), and we were told that first you count days, then weeks, and eventually, at best, months. I think they are going to be right. Also we were told, and I hope this mistake, that the passage of time sometimes mediate the function of the number of messages I wrote family and friends, at first, each time they connect (1 or 2 times per month) had 15 or 20 messages ... were then gradually decreasing ... until, when connecting as much as they saw that they received 2 or 3 messages a month, they realized that had long been out! Is tremendous as much "philosophy" of such couples could leave
:-) Anyway, anyway, from now most will be new sensations. The first is obvious: in a normal holiday, some days ago that we would be around head by what little we have left, and what we had to return. It is, of course, very nice to have in mind only our next destination, looking only forward. Although no longer a novelty, that feeling of having weighed anchor "by storm", and around this so far that neither comes to your head. But it is not what we feel vertigo, I would say is more of a sense of freedom that, intense and unfamiliar, sometimes perplexing. :-) Mola
After the first month, we will also adapt to what our friend Helen called "Roll Pin y Pon" (that great definition). And is that with 24 hours together and many daily decisions to make, many times "moderately engaged" ... they obviously do not always agree, and also the age again be seen in mental flexibility you have. We must fight hard and know very well not to lose too much of that flexibility ... Well, we hope that this whole year of reflection to help us improve. Lately, even joked with the issue and we call Pin (Eva) and Pon (JJ), which is already a good sign.
definitely closed today also our first country, because South Africa have still going to return, but in Namibia and said goodbye. And another consequence of these trips, long and planned progress, is that they never go as originally thought ... but I tell you the end.
Ultimately, that last this inflection point, truly begins again!
In these last two weeks in Namibia, we have covered much of central-northern India. From the coast, using the most original road had ever seen (salt roads, made from a mixture of salt and sand that is hard as a rock), and through villages of curious names (Uis, Sorriso-Sorriso), we switched from desert to the tropical lushness in the blink of an eye. We walked some mountain (for example, what we have dubbed the Matterhorn of Namibia ... while possibly more adjusted par with The Pedriza, red granite), and we did some sightseeing "urban."
But the most remarkable was a week we go on safari includes our own! Travel the roads "savages" of Africa, no one to guide you and lead you to the animals, and also with everything so green (beautiful!) Has been truly special. And that this is not the zoo, and it takes enormous patience to find more palatable animals (ruminants of all kinds look up stuff yourself, for example), along with the rainy season makes it difficult, as I will tell you later .
Anyway, as I say, we've enjoyed a lot, not to mention also a very special day where we did at dawn kayak among sea lions, flamingos, and some other dolphin.
This implies that a good number of photos of the album are "no bug", as my father likes (= no people) will see that other bugs are few. But that question was not out to make us a portrait or risk the cubs prowling Sabi was not highly recommended =: -0 And heard them roaring at night from our little store ... We did the hairs and hooks!
These weeks have been mostly camping, so we had less interaction with other passengers when you go to shelters. As for our ration of "brush with the natives", undoubtedly the most authentic moment was our meeting with Rusty, and the feeling of hope in new generations left us. After a visit to a cave painting, which was compulsory to travel with a guide, it asked us if we could bring her son back to town (about 30 km). Although it was back 20 miles from our route, was more rewarding that way with Rusty (the kid, 15 years) that we came up with his "father" (which, according to Rusty was her uncle, who helped occasionally making guide, the days without cole). While the adult barely spoke English and we have learned four things from paintings to which guided us, plus tip at the end asked us, we asked for bread, and I asked the clock because I decided not to wear it around here (they are eyes). And we will be happy to contribute to the local economy, even though the sometimes service is penniless (understandably), but is essentially a feel sad for these people $ errant (although, again, it is also understandable that this generation has known.) In contrast, Rusty I file with us a totally genuine conversation, very interesting especially for the jump educational and curiosity and concern that is evident between him and his uncle (we, us much more conventional fraternal history, you see :-) In half an hour we talked of many things, we laugh, I keep surprising us with their very wise opinions on any subject, we try to charm their concern to pursue their dreams while being fully aware of the fact that he had had to live ... and, at parting, thanked us for the ride and wish you good journey, without the slightest hint of something else to try them out to tourists (although I'm sure it was clear that we had dazzled). Did new and promising to move this country!
And, taking advantage that we close our first country on the itinerary, I will introduce some fixed sections of the blog entries, which will see repeated throughout these months. For that to give some structure to my bricks, or else I'm aware that I roll it up too :-)
Useful information
Information
colorful, primarily logistics, for those who may be mulling possible vacation destinations. Supplemented with photos, I hope serve to encourage some!
Namibia is perfectly possible to do on your own. A specific% of sites (at least, and not necessarily that you should not miss for the world) are only available in 4x4 ... but whether in 4x4, as many people, or normal car (for about one third the price), you can walk comfortable, easy and financially on your own.
respect to the time of year, we are now in rainy season (December to April or so), and travel in this time has its advantages and disadvantages (while traveling during the dry season, the rest of the year as more or unless the situation is exactly reversed.) Pros: it's low season, accommodation is cheaper and also no need to book in advance, you can go where you get caught picking up on the fly. And safari areas are green and lush, an environment radically different from what we saw in Tanzania, and in its day and said it would be nice to see on occasion. Against: animals are harder to see, for two reasons - have much more water, so as to scatter much more (in dry season will shift closer to the pool and have no more than expected), and the vegetation leafy distinguishes them worse. The second drawback is that, as and where, after good rains the roads (remember, largely unpaved) become impassable. Or 4x4 or anything. One night it rained so we woke up in what he called a new form of "water bed" because the floor of our store ... floated =: - /
we eat (and drink)
In Namibia we have very little frequented restaurants. For starters, no more than 4 people with authority, so that the cuisine with some variety is very limited. The times we have dined "out", however, we left happy, although not as cheap as South Africa (like everything else, Namibia is a semi-cheap destination only). Worthy of mention:
- Game meat, such as Kudu, Oryx or Impala.
- The biltong, jerky kind of deer (Kudu among others) that are eaten as pipes, we (and this rich)
- A round zucchini, prepared more like a pumpkin (boiling), which like ours, the truth is that they are not so tasty.
For drinks, you can imagine that Namibia is not wine country (though if any, any, as in Lanzarote, but of course ...). The beer is rich and that if it's cheap stuff ;-) And non-alcoholic, Eva has been engaged in an apple soda called Appletisser, and I returned to my childhood every time I took a Mirinda.
What happens to us over the head
One of the attractive aspects of a trip like this, although it may seem paradoxical, is that you have lots of downtime transfers, wait, no of "Stand elessstronicosss" as the tv, etc. In that time, basically you can only do 3 things: read, talk or think. Well, okay, there is also a fourth ... but still many hours left for the other 3 ;-) With regard to reading, both books have begun to travel, of course, they were gifts. One of them, interestingly, relates a journey that we do near the end of our year (through the Amazon river, at least in part), and is very contrasting to be reading about a culture and nature so radically different from what we see here .
But reflections and conversations we have (between us or more people) are also an intrinsic part of the journey, and from time to time share some with you all.
In Namibia we have talked enough about the pace of work of the people, and the concept of "use of time." From our Western point of view, it is amazing the capacity for doing nothing, to see the day. Eva says that gave a book to everyone. How can they not be concerned? The restless, "born or made? Perhaps a bit of both: one is born restless, and without the passage of time will reward your curiosity, promote your quality of "being restless, do not you think? Finally, it is clear that the time is short and worth taking, it is not so easy is to find the ideal way to use it, it is clear that there is no universal definition (varies with culture).
Another recurring aspect is what I would call "bureaucratization of work." I mean, is very clear that jobs do not appear to be threatened as play is play, or the salary depends on how much or how well they work. In many cases the face to the public service is clearly improved very obvious ways, and viewed from any perspective (not necessarily through the prism of Western perfectionism). In general, tourist information services to the people he runs you have to get the words out with pincers, I go out or anything but after a while you realize the service penniless. In general, these kinds of posts are usually public, but not always. In contrast, it is significant that as "fight" at the pump because you choose your supplier, and you wash the glass thoroughly, and that his salary is entirely the tip you give them.
As far as I'm concerned personally, I think I never in my life have I had such a relaxed mind, so empty. Those who know me know that almost always running at 1000 per hour, giving short stroll to the many issues at hand (work and rest), and always attentive to the environment to attract more topics that give good atmosphere. As I say, is new to me, and rather strange (although I'm sure I'll get used :-), have all day to resolve the 4 logistic problems that we may have. Unfortunately, is also taking a side effect anything entertaining.
After the death of my mother, I now realize that returning to routine and keep your mind occupied (more like hyper-busy) helped me to gradually overcome their loss. These days, with no inertia to direct my thoughts, I find myself continually be reminded of it, and their absence makes me much more obvious (and painful) while thousands of miles from home. I would love to tell you all the beautiful places we are seeing the unique experiences that we are living, and she had enjoyed. So his memory comes to me unexpectedly, like a magical moment in the Kalahari in the peace and scenic beauty were almost intoxicating, and vacuuming after a few minutes in silence to mourn Eve broke thinking as I'd like to share with my mother. Some nights also are hard, because for some reason to lie on the bed, what comes to mind is that last week at his side, and his last hours.
Anyway, I feel these last lines as tear gas, but if we are faithful to the intention of making this "glob" on personal and real story of our year, not only beautiful but also tell him at least pretty. Although in the end I had no strength or time to make an entry with the dedication, know that this blog is dedicated to it and your photo is presided. The sorely missed.
.............
Well, and finally, I return to the thread start and the novelty of lead and 31 of our 366 Saturday. Planning to go on the run and field, we realize that some initial intentions still need to debug and adjust to the possibilities that we are (eg rainy season in Botswana will be complicadilla). And, moreover, arise imponderables on which we have no control and force us to reschedule (if you have not got beyond the news about political instability in Madagascar, which has many overtones of falling off the itinerary :-( We are evaluating Southafrica extend some alternatives, a short stay in Swaziland, Mozambique and fundamentally. If anyone knows these or other countries in the area ("Zambia?," Leshotho?, "Malawi? ... Because Zimbabwe is also complicadillo), or knows someone who knows and can recommend (or otherwise) any of them or other close (Mauritius is another option, if not the exclusive preserve of the resorts) ... We are all ears!
is all from Namibia, chao! Juan & Eva
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