PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE

Candles, Ocean Views and Our First Camping Night

Week 124 of the photographic documentary of my daily life

While it is still in the back of my head, I am now trying to move on to preparing for our big trip ahead. I might never reach the feeling of safety and security I always had in this town again, but that could be a good thing leading to more cautiousness for the travels ahead.

If you don’t know what I am talking about, read about my last week here.

This week we were busy buying supplies and fixing up our car so that we won’t have issues while driving across southern Africa. Yes, as soon as the new year will start, we are planning to hit the road.

Preparations are plenty, from vaccines, visas, and paperwork over to maps and a rainproof setup. All of it needs to be done.

Meanwhile, it is December and that means lots of parties here in Swakopmund, Namibia.

Let me take you through my week.

This week I did a few jumps teaching students how to skydive, and I was able to enjoy the beautiful view from above. The city of Swakopmund, the dunes of the Namib desert and the Atlantic Ocean, all of it underneath a thin layer of fog.

Friday was a busy day, and I didn’t get around to taking a picture until I served dinner. David prepared the fish in the oven while I made the vegetables and a bit of couscous on the side.

It looks like a rather healthy meal, and I must say it also was a delicious one.

On Saturday, I was again up in the air. I captured this view for you on the way up to altitude. The city below is Swakopmund. Nestled between the dunes of the Namib desert and the blue of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sunday was a busy day, and in the evening, we went to a friend’s house, where we were chatting and had beers while the fourth candle was lit.

Christmas is just there. Right in front of the door. But I’m glad I don’t need to do Christmas shopping, cookie baking, or any other duties.

Here in Namibia, we celebrate Christmas with a group of friends celebrating a party. No presents needed and only time spent together.

When I first came to Africa, I had a plan in my mind of traveling from Tanzania down to Cape Town, South Africa. I wanted to cross certain countries and see attractions along the way.

During the trip, my plans changed and I skipped countries to visit others instead. While I have a few stamps in my passport already, I’d like to see more of those countries and explore new ones as well.

Before I left in 2014 to explore the vast African continent, my mom bought me maps. If she’d be able to do anything to keep her daughter safe abroad, then to make sure she won’t get lost.

Yes, I can map read. And even today, I prefer maps over a GPS and Google maps on the phone. I love lying down a map and planning a trip.

So back to those maps. Where were they? Between several moves and countless boxes where we store our belongings in Namibia, we finally found the maps.

Now, I’m ready to plan.

For the last two weeks, I spent training the daughter of the owner of the skydiving company. He was teaching me years ago how to jump out of a plane, and now I was selected to teach his daughter.

And if you’re wondering why he doesn’t just teach her himself, there’s a thing about relationships and teaching. It just doesn’t work. When too many emotions get involved, the quality of training might lack. I’m sure you’ve experienced that before when your partner was trying to teach you something or the other way around.

However, while I was the one teaching this girl, his father surely couldn’t stay on the ground. He came with and watched her and me on every single jump.

While it surely was stressful for him, I didn’t think about the fact he was there and just did my job.

Below you can see the girl doing a backflip which is part of the training in order to teach someone how to get unstable and then stable again.

It was her last jump in the first part of the skydiving training. The next jump, she was solo. All alone. Even without dad watching.

But this jump they could both enjoy together. And I loved the moment I snapped this picture while she was upside down, and he was right there next to her.

It took longer than expected, and it wasn’t the normal campout we’d do when in Namibia, but as you know, the last week threw things around, and I am only slowly moving on again.

The sister of the girl above is only 17 years old but already a businesswoman. To help a friend with funds for study fees, she planned a camping festival in the middle of the desert.

Together with four friends, they organized a stage, DJs, bouncers, and everything you need for a festival.

Our group of friends decided to head out and check out what these youngsters pulled off and maybe have a watchful eye above them.

We quickly set up our rooftop tent where we’d be sleeping that night and decorated the site with fairy lights.

It was a great party with the young girls, the bright African sky at night, and fresh air all around. The vibes were nice and the music was happy.

All we said the next morning driving back to town was that this night made us both excited for more camping. So, let’s plan the next escape.

And I love those fairy lights. I need more of them.

This has been my week in photographs. 7 days. 7 photographs. Anyone can join. Once. Or weekly. It doesn’t matter. We welcome everyone! Dennett started this photography challenge in 2020 and many have participated ever since.

Erika / Eileen / K. Barrett / Juan / David / Mia / Susan / LensAfield / Kim / Barbara / Diana / Barb / Sandra / Shruthi / Ellie / Pene / Olive / Gustavo / Jane / Penny / Jillian / Shell / Ivy / Lisa / Lynne

And these are the previous weekly photo essays:

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