Setting the Scene

Wazee.com Unusual Journeys

qNamibia: Dreams of Desolation q

Setting the Scene

Why are so many Westerners afraid to venture to Africa? Is it because it’s far away? Because of its dark and formidable history? Is it because of AIDS and crime? Perhaps it’s all of the above. Perhaps it’s simply fear of the unknown.

Even if you've never heard of Namibia, you have seen its magnificent wildlife on TV. You have seen its incomparable deserts in car commercials and perhaps that diamond, symbol of your love for another, comes from the seashore of Namibia. Formerly known as South West Africa, Namibia lies along the south western coast of Africa. It has a surface area of a half-million square miles Hardly known by many in the west, Namibia contains huge riches in mineral wealth including a vast stretch of its coast that stretches many miles inland and is reputed to have diamonds lying scattered all around. And, its a one of the most inexpensive places imaginable.

For those willing to take a chance and go to a new and unknown African destination like Namibia, the rewards are amazing. It's a third world country with a first world attitude. Much of its infrastructure is comfortably western. Yet, animals can still be seen in the wild running across the road or walking beside it in parts of the countryside. From the safety of your car you glimpse aspects of what life was like for your ancestors. And it really is safe. To be quite candid, the fellow on our left here was only yawning at me - bored at the sight of just another camera-toting tourist; hardly a threat and hardly even worthy of lunch.

From the stillness of an African dawn to the grandeur of sunset, you experience feelings like nowhere else. You are alone. You sense an awesome stillness. The bloody red African sky is like no other. And, there is magic once every month as the western sky flames out and the full moon rises in the east. And then, at night, when you see the Southern Cross for the first time, you truly feel that you understand your place in the universe. When you remember that man originated in Southern Africa you sense deja vu. You know that you have been here before. You will never be the same again. That’s why you should go to Africa!

No pain, no gain. It takes a lot to get there but it is worth it.

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