46. Five Goodbyes to Namibia

For the past 3 years, Namibia has been home during my partner's work contract. It's not our first time in Africa as we both lived in Angola (that's where we met) but neighboring country of Namibia was a unique desert-country experience. As we prepare to leave post, I wanted to share my last five goodbyes to Windhoek and Namibia.

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Goodbye 1: To being in the desert

I'd never been in a desert country before so I had no idea about the dry heat, droughts and exteme desert temperatures. Sopping wet laundry dried on the line within hours! I could wash and dry my hair within 30minutes. Unfortunately, it also dried out my skin and made me itchy and flaky at first. Hard water didn't help. So I learned to be rigorous about hydrating skin oils.

Droughts were a different beast. The first year we had a drought that wiped out most plants in the garden, so I experimented with little plant umbrellas and then finally gave in to succulents. Then by the time it finally rained, the garden revived and the countryside exploded into green. Incredible! It definitely shifted my perspective on water protection because during the drought we learned to save water with shower catchers, concentrate water use with the dishwasher and be strategic water-users by planning water times and lowering volumes. Hectic but necessary!

The extreme winter cold and dry hot heat were altogether foreign. All I can say is wear lots of layers and drink beaucoup water. Maybe add electrolytes.

Goodbye 2: To the (few) vegan options

Windhoek is a small town and the food scene heavily caters to the carnivorous crowd. However, we were lucky to find a handful of different cafes that served plant-based dishes. Olivia's had smoothies and green juices. Cassia Thai was a hole-in-the-wall that made a perfect yellow curry. An easy go-to was the Indian restaurant Indus for their tender aloo ghobi, dahl and chana masala. Goodfellas thankfully kept the Mad Hatter cheeseburger and Plant'd pizza on their menu. Frankly, we had most of our treats at the Virgin Active gym Kauai customizing wraps and smoothies after workouts. (You can order the Mushroom Princess to have one of the cleanest wraps I custom-created.)

Goodbye 3: To the magical lodges and wildlife

While in Africa, we did our fair share of traveling to lodges to see the animals and wildlife. In Voigtland Guesthouse we fed giraffes. Okapuka Safari Lodge was excellent for wildebeast, kudu and springboks galore. Avani was grand for seeing hippos and elephants alongisde the majestic Victoria Falls. At Chobe River Lodge, we saw even more elephants, crocodiles and water buffalo. We even did a final trip to Gocheganas lodge for a couple photo shoot in front of protected rhinos. Each lodge charming, each lodge different with fascinating wildlife.

Goodbye 4: To the Cape Town escapes

Anybody living in southern Africa will know the luxury of a get away to Cape Town. After being country-bound for a bit, you itch to see something different. And Cape Town does not disappoint! Vegan cafes, penguin beaches, lush botanic gardens, outdoor cinemas and hiking adventures. Ah, Cape Town, you know how to have a good time.

Goodbye 5: To the friendships

Like any post, I made friends, I lost friends, and I found friends. I have to confess that at the start Windhoek seemed like it would be an isolating post. And the first year was meh. But by the second year I was lucky to get involved in some groups and activities that brought me to people worth knowing. I hosted some bizarrely fun events at my house and I went to other people's houses to talk books, lead ceremonies, throw kids around, play with dogs and have wonderful illuminating talks. I'm deeply grateful for those friendships. I really believe that some of them healed me.

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I think what I learned in Namibia is to truly involve myself with what lights me up. ...I think I say this every time I end up at a new post so forgive me if it sounds repetitive. But I think Windhoek being so small really forced me to be my own brand of weird, stand out and OWN IT, y'know? I volunteered myself for live illustration events like It Takes a Village. I rocked up the SPCA to play and train with pups. I taught Rocket Yoga weekly at the local shala. I coached femme-entrepreneurs in branding design. I enrolled in psychology, business and anatomy e-modules alongside nerdy friends. I fell down the self-help rabbit hole in Vipassana meditation and started repairing my self-talk and self-regulation habits....

Basically, I truly madly lived through my interests. Each of these weekly social moments helped me level up my confidence, creativity and self-worth. I still have a thousand ways I want to grow. I'm never one to be stagnant. But I think I'm on a brighter path after Windhoek and I'm grateful for all the people who helped me get there.

If you have Windhoek in your future, I wish you the best of luck. No one will experience life the way you do, so I hope you find what lights you up and follow it whole-heartedly. But if I can be useful for now, let me share a handful of my Windhoek favorites that existed during my tenure 2023-2026:

Bellisima Beauty Lounge crafts specialty care packages, that are meticulous, gentle, private and ultra relaxing. Mine is the Smarti Serenade with basic mani, basic pedi, & facial massage.

Chef Siobhan Dammert is fascinated with all things gut-rich and nourishing. She bakes sourdough, crafts kombucha and builds epic sauerkraut (and kimchi!)

Elevate with Kirstin personalizes my self-care breathwork and advanced yoga workshops for optimal wellness and excellent somatic releases.

Kauai has a secret menu for vegan options - mushroom princess is my favorite option.

Mercy Massages comes to your house with an aromatherapy massage and leaves behind a heavenly cloud of essential oils.

Seodhna Keown leads a pilates-mobility class that is fun, social and community-minded.

The Crumb bakes amazing range of vegan and gluten-free items.

Willem Vrey does excellent portrait photography.

Xammi organizes luxe ceramics courses and private ceramic events.

Yoga Shala is the place for excellent yoga and everything woo.

Zero Waste store has excellent ingredients without all the packaging nonsense.

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Getting ready to leave post, I'm already starting to miss the calm, small and slightly boring things about the city of Windhoek. 1) It takes 15min to get anywhere. 2) There is always bird song in the background. 3) Nightlife is chill. 4) Long greetings and curtseying are bizarre and delightful.

I'll also miss the Namibian landscapes that I found alternatingly terrifying and awe-inspiring. 1) Moonscapes as far as the eye can see. 2) Devastatingly empty deserts. 3) Real purple mountains. 4) And ooh boy, the romance of a sparkly star-studded night sky...

In the expat life, one gets used to saying goodbyes and so even though I'm ready for the next adventure, I know Namibia will stay with me for a long time.

goodbye windhoek, hello sabbatical,

smarti