37. Springtime in Namibia

Namibia blooms in a 2-week burst. Springtime in desert country! For two whole weeks it's FLASH: green and flowers! And then CRASH: burnt and done. It's typically at the beginning of October and snaps directly into summer normalcy. So although technically it's gone, I'd still like to honor springtime in Namibia with this quick recap of my favorite 5 things from this fleeting season:

1. BEARABLE TEMPS

The winter cool dissapates and the spring heat warms up the day comfortably. I struggle with the dry snap winter temperatures but I personally don't mind the intense heat of the summer. But the springtime in Namibia is both manageable for heat lovers like me and heat haters like my partner. I typically drape a longsleeve over my shoulders and slip it on or off depending upon where we are. Spring is the easy compromise between the two extremes. It's light, breezy, comfortable and easy.

2. CITRUS BLOSSOMS

We are lucky to have a side garden with five citrus trees lined up in a row: kumquat, grapefruit, naartjie (mandarin), clementine and lemons. We get a load of citrus in the beginning of the short winter and plenty of opportunity to share them with friends and neighbors. But in the spring, the citrus trees bloom at lightninig speed and the flowers drop in a week. The scent is intoxicating and the blossoms are beautiful. So fresh and lovely.

3. BIRDS ARE BACK & BIRDSONG BEGINS

In our backyard I've seen rosy-faced lovebirds and grey Lourie (go-away birds) and even once found hornbills at the backyard birdfeeder! So, in the background of my office, there is constant bird song during the day. I've never lived anywhere that had this much bird song in the air. Maybe that's partly to do with the tree patches so close to the house. Maybe it's because I keep the windows open in my office because I only have AC in the bedroom. Whatever the reason, it's incredibly soothing, and there is research proving that birdsong sharpens mental concentration!

4. INSECT SIGHTINGS

The backyard is full of random insects I've never been close enough to witness in the cities. I'm growing flowers to attract pollinators so I get to see butterflies of all sorts. But also praying mantis, millipedes, ladybugs, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, and once, even a scorpion! [...] Obviously, some visitors are more welcome than others.

5. JACARANDA BLOOMS

By far, the best part of springtime in Namibia is watching the jacaranda trees blooms across the city in purple puffs. I know they are invasive species to the area, and they guzzle too much water for a drought-inclined country. But I cannot help bursting with delight when I drive around the city for errands and catch a glimpse of the purple petals contrasting the city's green trees and sandy buildings. Every corner has a jacaranda blooms! I like imagining the trees yelling out a minnie mouse "yoohoo" to each other as they expand their purple branches overhead.

Windhoek is not the first time I've experienced the seasonal shift of being in the southern hemisphere. Singapore, Sydney and Buenos Aires taught me to appreciate the spring in the late half of the year and enjoy a summer winter instead. But Windhoek has been a very different living experience because of the desert landscape and dry heat. So I'll rest in deep gratitude for these sweet Jacaranda blooms - they last for up to two months, so while everything in the garden has bloomed and bowed out, there's still plenty of time to enjoy their purple flowers for a little bit longer. Yoohoo!

Cheers to springtime in Namibia - the fleeting moments are the most delicious,

smarti