My last post's title probably made little sense because I was planning on talking about my shopping in Windhoek, but couldn't get to it. The explanation is that I found a chachka shop in Windhoek... Obviously. It just seemed really random, and Annie (my Jewish friend) and I felt really at home in a store that sold traditional Oshiwambo art, bedding, cigars, suitcases, coffee, postcards, ostrich ornaments, cutlery, drapes, kids shoes, bras etc. (you get the idea)
Right now I'm sitting in Cape Town waiting for my airport shuttle to pick me up. It's weird because Alison, Annie and Michelle left this morning and all of a sudden I'm alone. May I reiterate that I haven't been this alone since May. I'm flying to Amsterdam and I'll chill there for 8 hours and then make my way to Canada. But for the meantime, I'm here sitting alone at a computer, waiting the 4 hours until I can wait 24 more hours on planes until i can get to Toronto.
Today I just meandered around the city until I found the Jewish History Museum and the Holocaust Center. I spent a good 4 hours in total at both. When I walked out of the Holocaust Center, the museum lady even told me that I had "done it right" by taking my sweet ass time. It was pretty embarrassing because I get pretty emotional in these sorts of exhibits. But crying alone in museum is weird. This mechanic guy kept walking by and every time he did I'd be in a slightly different spot along the exhibit, either sitting, crouching (my back got soar) or standing, but constantly crying. By the end he would walk by and purposefully keep his glance away from me. The last time he saw me I was sitting, crumpled, on a chair staring at the wall. (In my defense, the wall was part of the exhibit, but I think it probably looked weird and depressing to him).
When I left the exhibit I couldn't find a mirror and still haven't, so I can't tell if there's mascara running down my cheeks or not. Hope not, that would be embarrassing.
After the museums I took a different route back to Long Street (the street that my hostel is on) but landed up on this sketch road and kept thinking "I'm going to get sooooo mugged today." So, as soon as I could I got off the street. I ended up walking into this beautiful courtyard, past a security check point and onto parliament/government property. It was crazy deserted, but much less creepy than the previous street. Ooly problem was that I couldn't find a way out. At one point I thought I had, so I walked for like 10 minutes only to find that the gate I thought was open, was actually quite locked. I backtracked towards another exit that would get me back onto the sketchy street, and as I did this guy in uniform came up to me and I said, "I'm not supposed to be here am I" and he was like " Nope, you have to have a permit. The guys saw you on the camera and told me to go find you. How did you even get in?" I told him about the security guard a few blocks up and his boss had to radio him and I guess make sure he was actually at his post. I felt bad cause I totally got that guy in trouble, but whatever. The boss dude looked at me and said, "don't worry, you're not in trouble, it's not your fault," which I think means that he thought I was crying, which therefore means that I do in fact have mascara streaming down my face. Great.
I walked back to Long Street and got some food while reading a supposedly funny book. So far it hasn't been but I think that's because I'm not the intended audience. It's written by a self-proclaimed "Zulu Warrior" and it's about his qualms with people in Cape Town. Be neither a Zulu or a Cape Townian I'm pretty lost most of the time. But I look hella cool when I read it so I'm going to power through.
I have about three more hours to kill in here before the airport shuttle picks me up. I really want to take a nap but I already checked out of my room (damn you past Hannah). So, I'm going to continue to write this post for another half hour at least.
Yesterday was one of my best days this summer so far. The girls and I took the train to Kalk Bay. It's basically just Vancouver, but smaller and in Africa. We headed over to the pier and watched the boats, fishermen, seagulls and the vista while eating some hake fish and chips and sipping on some ciders. Perfection!! We walked up and down the two piers and even saw some seals. One of them stared directly into my eyes. I felt privileged. Kind of like the way Steve Martin's character wants Tina Fey's character to feel when he offers her 2 minutes of uninterrupted eye contact in "Baby Mama".
After watching an old women demonstrate how she descales and disembowels fish on the
pier (and stepping in loads of fish blood and guts), we decided to hit up some of the cute boutiques on the main strip. I got a really cute dress for Mir's wedding. I won't describe it, but I love and can't wait to remember Kalk Bay when I put it on again. After dropping mad cash we all decided an afternoon pickmeup was in order and we sat in a cafe overlooking the harbour and water and mountains and train tracks and beach (etc.)for cappuccinos and croissants. I can't really explain what was so great about sitting there with Michelle, Annie and Alison, but I think it has something to do with the fact that we were all really comfortable with each other, had lot's of stories to regale each other with and many shared memories to recount. We all agreed that this had been one of the best days this summer.
I can't believe that nearly three months has already gone by. Cliche as it sounds, I feel like I was just in Cape Town getting ready for my new internship, Namibia, and spending the summer with some great people. I'm back in the city, but I feel totally different and I can't help but smile when I think of all of the fun I've experienced. Even when I think of the days when I was exhausted, frustrated and even upset, I can't help but think how amazing this opportunity has been. I've gotten to travel, meet truly inspiring people, get passionate about things I didn't know I was passionate about, and seen how well I can persevere when my family and friends are so far away. (This is beginning to sound like the opening for "the Real world" but I mean every word of it)
I'm sad to see this summer over but I guess that all good things have to come to an end. So I just want to say goodbye to South Africa, Namibia, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Oneshila, Alison, Annie, Sol, Michelle, DEEP, Braiis, dance parties, sass at the dinner table, Harry Potter on repeat, long car rides, quad biking, sand, sun, cramped showers, hearts and eucher, stray dogs, "siliously?," supes/totes, one-eyed flansy, miladys, mista plice, tandem ninja kitty, benny's, aaron's dance moves,loud singing, challenges and recommendations, diamonds, flansy and hansy, medi-parc and stitches, lions fighting, robin hood, Game Plaza, searches for NEDBank, honking taxis, Windhoek Lager, Savanna Dry, appletisers, eis bein, and everything else, and say HELLO CANADA!!!!
see you all soon!
love Hannah
p.s. Rebecca, if you're reading this, could you email/ Facebook me to let me know if you're coming to pick me up tomorrow? If not, I have your number on me so I'll just call if I can't see you when I get in. Love you!
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