Day 35: The End

Last night I dined alone at Swakopmund’s most famous seafood restaurant, at a table overlooking the ocean. As I sat there—eating my vegetarian pizza—I wondered who I’d like to have sitting at the table with me. I thought of Kasiki and Anna. Claudia, of course. And Getrud.

It’s been an interesting, sometimes wonderful, sometimes difficult trip, and tomorrow it will all be over. (thanks god, Claudia would say!)

Meeting these fantastic people reminded me how much friends flavor the life; and, while I’m sad to leave them, I’m more thankful than ever for all the other great people I know. I can’t wait to see you all again, make you a rock shandy, and hear what’s been going on in your lives!

Here are some final pictures from the last five weeks...



Fried eggs at breakfast are only for the guests, but Justine, the cook, made me some on my last day. (you never want fried eggs like you do when they're not allowed!)








A woman in traditional Herero dress, at a roadside stand. I bought a beautiful wind chime from her. I don't know what Matt's going to think about our new African motif!

















We visited a Himba village and (through a translator) spoke to some of the people who live there. This 17-year-old girl is still single and says she'd like a NYC boyfriend. Any takers? BTW, later at the same village I met a girl in Western dress who wants to be my Facebook friend.















Why all the Namibian bills have Chris Rock on them I don't know.

Yesterday I met a white convenience store owner who told me not to "cry over" the Africans, that running a government is over their intelligence level. Then he told me I should be a lip and tooth model.








Anna with her new kindergarten teacher, Miss Claudia.

I hear Claudia's situation has worsened since I left and that the owner is reprimanding her every day. I wish she could escape with me. I don't like seeing my friends abused.

On the plus side, I hear Anna got a new shirt and a new pair of shoes since I left, and there are some souvenirs from Swakopmund coming in the mail! Did I mention I love this girl?




Me, camping. Who would have thought? And I slept pretty well, too... save for a few donkeys, jackals, and baboons.
















Thanks for being there on the other end of the Internet. I couldn't have made it without you!