A month ago I accompanied my partner of many passions to a combined work and leisure tour through Europe. It was a journey that compelled all my senses to be alert. My skin could feel the difference of this winter immediately. Namibian winters are nice. Belgium winters are brutal. I guess my excitement of being in Europe deleted the cold of Germany when we landed at the Frankfurt airport and collected our rented wheels. Or even when we stopped in Holland for a coffee. All I know is that, the raindrops that fell on my face while the wind was blowing (at a very low temperature but a high speed) is not one of my weather preferences. But the weather did not put me off.
Four days in Brussels made a pending epiphany materialize. A realization that quality and not quantity reigns supreme. I say this in regards to the buildings, the museums, the restaurants and the people of Belgium. This urban jungle hosted a multitude of sights and sensations through restaurants like Chez Patrick and another one, who’s name is vague because my French needs the French cultural centre, here in Windhoek in order for me to speak it. But the taste of fresh olive bread and cheese dishes, the soups and sirloins is a lasting taste in my mouth. While my partner worked, I toured and tasted.
I touched and savoured the offerings of the Flemish and French Culture in Brussels, Gent and Bruge. I tested the world famous Belgian chocolates, received a navigated boat trip on the Lake of Love and sighted a real Michael Angelo sculpture of the Madonna and child. Michael Angelo obligated me to take pictures in a non-picture zone. It was a crime of passion.
Forgive me, but I am not sorry.
The journey through Europe continued on a merry note, with me singing, ‘I am a born African person. And I will make you dance, dance, dance.’ I had to sing everyday, as an assignment from my singing teacher in Namibia, Ina De Michelli. So I formulated my own lyrics and allowed the scenery to inspire the songs produced by my internal melody.
We left the dense transportation zone of Belgium and headed south. We following the highway narrowly as it filled with disciplined drivers and tears from the heaven. With me almost exploding with anticipation to get to city of romance. Paris, France!
We settled in Paris for three days, at the Choi family residence. Here we debated about the Fairy Circles that Namibia so proudly and exclusively owns. I know I am excluding the fact that these fairy phenomenons occur in Chile as well. Look it up on the Internet, you will see, Namibia is blessed. And we stuck by the theory that these hollow scrub circles are indeed made by fairies and not the proposed termites or meteorites. Scientists are still working on it though…
The stay included a visit to the Eiffel tower, and satisfaction filled me as the Eiffel proved its charm. This must be why almost sixty million people flock from all over the world to pay it a visit. Among many appealing sites, Jardin de Luxembourg made an impression on me. This 224,500 square meter French styled park, built in 1612 is filled with creatively cut trees and the main attraction, the octagonal pond, known as the Grand Bassin. It must be exquisite in spring, but in it’s grey state it made quite an impression.
Paris was Paris. It was famous. The only criticism I have is a personal one. My taste buds turned pale at the sight of chicken feet and jellyfish, a meal our host; Pieter Choi so grandly recommended we share with him. This was at the busy Chinatown in Paris. That was the only bad meal I had on this journey.
The myriad faces and many groups and customs were apparent in France and it was striking how I could translate that to my Motherland Namibia. My thoughts hovered over the Nama, Damara, Wambo, Colored, Germans and Afrikaners. Before we left France we rested in a small town close to Archachon, where the highest dune, namely Dune de Pyla stood proud. Namibians, I take my hat off to our dunes. The curves and height of our dune ladies in Namibia stunned me as I compared it to the French ones. We have a jewel, and the jewel is our 55 million year old desert, the Namib. Its dunes are not just a tourist attraction but also a part of the Namibian identity.
Country number five walked in slowly as we drove all day and stopped in Salamanca in Spain. What brilliance. Perhaps my view of it was tainted because of my age-old love for flamenco singers and dancers, and so the appropriation to value it with the word "art" seemed acceptable. My prerogative prevailed. The galleries featuring work from artists like Danny Lopez. A sculptor who makes profiles out of metal, or Mecheline van der Hijden who does abstract paintings. What was also very prominent was the avenue of pavilions. A selection of history left behind by the last Expo in Seville. Pavilions from Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico among many flaunted their faces through these buildings.
Seville and San Fernando will forever stay a precious memory. And not just because of the place but because of the people. We resided in both towns for almost a week and the dedication to good music, breathtaking art and mouth-watering food, not to mention the conversations drenched in wit and humour. Amongst many firsts on this trip, Cadiz and its huge telescope called ‘Camara Obscura’ is vivid. I saw the city and all its wonders in a pitch-black room with nothing but the image of Cadiz reflected onto a white half circle of cardboard, that you could move in order to zoom in or out. It was a live picture show of the city. Complete with dancing waves and people hanging clothes. This telescope is one of only three like it in the world!
The grand moment of my European debut was definitely in Punta Paloma, in the south of Spain. There you stand on the shore, and you look at Africa across 15km of ocean. You feel so close to home. It made me feel big. A sunset in Canos De Mecca proved that the land of bullfights and tapas transforms itself from a grand place into many magical moments and from magical moments into a picture of warmth, windmills and wonders.
The trip to the south did not stop there. Due to my partner’s work, I had to accompany him to Gibraltar. This Mediterranean city captures the essence of Britain. It’s ‘Bobbie Policemen’ were proof that English was at the order of the day. I was relieved. For once I could order a meal for myself, in my favourite tongue. Gibraltar was windy but it was worth it. We even received the chance to see the apes and creative graffiti proved that it is good to see the fun in life. After Gibraltar we followed our trail of breadcrumbs back to Germany.
Again it was days of driving, but as there is a spirit in the sky, we found ourselves in a Barcelona Hotel, namely the Hesperia Tower. Service, cuisine and elegance have never appealed to my perception of perfect as the Hesperia Tower of the Catalan capital did. A place of many features of interest. In the world of Gaudi architecture and urban design complete with 35,000 shops, Barcelona was buzzing. This world capital of Art Nouveau has Europe’s foremost Romanesque and Gothic museum, the MNAC, according to Barcelona Style, a book I received at the hotel.
Amongst everything I experienced another highlight was seeing snow for the first time. That was near Dijon in France, when we returned. This white weather picture made me realize, how lucky we are that it does not snow in Namibia. With the living conditions of the marginalized, our land will suffer an unbearable downfall if it were to snow. The snow maintained vaguely as we rested for a few days in Düsseldorf before the flight back.
The reason I tell you about my trip is because I thought it is acceptable to not travel. It is not. The bible says wisdom comes from knowledge, and knowledge comes from experience. Experience the world. Experience your country! Namibia is perfect for traveling. Our 100-year-old Etosha Park, the Fish River Canyon, which I will walk in June, our sunsets and people. Namibia has many attractions. Once you have toured your own land. Take the plunge to go abroad. It is fun to compare.
« return.