Lindsey Ricker
Lindsey Ricker
South Africa 2012-2014
VIEW FINAL REPORT
My studies at Belmont University in restorative justice, liberation theology, entrepreneurship, and philosophical ethics guided me to explore South Africa through an interdisciplinary lens. Academic and experiential work in these fields prepared me for a year in Cape Town interning in human rights, business consulting, and sustainable development. Read More About Lindsey →

Adventures in Namibia

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 271

 

About a month ago, I was able to take a week off work to go on a road trip through Namibia. My trusty co-adventurers included my housemate Kyle, my dear friend Mmamohau, her comrade Mandisa, and another American, Alison. Our road trip started strong with some Coldplay and Matt Kearney jams, aubergine pâté, and a luxurious first night at Ai-Ais hot springs resort. However, our timing was not ideal since several of my fellow Connect-123 interns left for home during our trip. Before we left, they indignantly joked, “Why would you choose Namibia over us? It’s just a bunch of sand!”

 

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 189 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 206 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 192

Our strong start unfortunately did not last long. We quickly noticed that there was a scarcity of petrol stations. The majority of time on our second, third, and fourth day was spent rather slowly as we carefully took on one gravel ‘highway’ after another. At one low, low, low point we realized that we had only driven 20km in an hour—20 kilometers, not miles. Nevertheless, we persevered through the tough times with games and entirely too much Matt Kearney.

 

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 245 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 239 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 224

 

After driving one day, we decided that we could carry on no further and stopped for the night at an accommodation in the middle of the desert. We were desperate and slightly low on petrol, so we said we would take whatever rooms they had available. My friend Alison and I got stuck in a couple’s room, which wasn’t an issue except for the fact that there was not wall in between the bedroom and the bathroom. We recovered by making s’mores outside on the campfire whenever one of us needed some privacy.

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 177 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 355

 

Although we had some rough patches, the encounters we had with nature in Namibia made the trip entirely worthwhile. Highlights of our trip include a hike up Dune 45 in Sossusvlei (one of the highest sand dunes in the world), a glimpse at Deadvlei (a petrified forest in the desert), Fish River Canyon (the world’s second largest caynon), a camel ride through the desert, a tour of a ghost town (with houses covered in sand), wild animal sightings everywhere (including horses, antelope, zebra, and warthogs), and a drive by Orange River.

 

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 185 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 257 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 280 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 279 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 283 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 262

 

The entire trip I was craving a braai (South African cookout), and I finally had my wish granted on the last night. Our last accommodation was on a farm called the White House, which we thought was too ironic to pass up. Unfortunately, it was basically the opposite style of our first lodging. The rustic nature of the White House was exasperated by Mmamohau and my illnesses. When we returned home, Mmamohau learned that she had bronchitis and I had food poisoning or the equivalent. This lead to a slightly rocky ending, but jolly camaraderie and Lord of the Rings themed accommodation in Windhoek (called Rivendell) made food poisening slightly less painful.

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 293 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 301 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 302 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 304 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 328 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 340 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 349 Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamibia 352

In the end, I decided that if I ever consider marriage with a life partner, then we must go on a road trip to Transkei or Namibia to test our love and see magnificent landscape.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *