WRITING PROMPT

Summer Celebration

A colorful flower festival

Beginning of the month Dennett called for stories on the topic of “winter survival” or “summer celebration”. Depending on where in the world we do live. I wrote a piece about the first topic within a day.

But I am no longer in a country preparing for winter. I just arrived in the southern hemisphere. I arrived in the African spring. A season that barely exists but prepares the country for a hot summer.

Not been given a chance to climatize I was thrown into nature’s power. The hot African air made me forget within minutes the morning frost I left behind. In Germany.

It’s time for summer dresses, ice cream and swimming in the sea.

Not having the time yet since we are still dealing with paperwork issues I just spend a day in town without going to the beach. Thinking about this article I decided I rather do it now before the month is over and the next writing prompt will come up.

Staying at the in-laws I first walk through the garden capturing the colorful blossoms shining into my eye. These purple ones are incredible. With their dots all around it’s hard to tell if the shot is out of focus and blurry of it that is just how the flower is.

They are fascinating. Not one blossom looks like its neighbor. They are all unique.

My mother-in-law asked me to be her personal trainer while we are staying with them and push her to live a little healthier. She struggles especially to motivate herself for exercise.

So here we go. I’m on my way to the beach to take some pictures and she is walking next to me. The wind is blowing and the sun just burned off the fog.

There it is. The Atlantic ocean. A rough sea. You can hear it from far. Crashing waves onto the coastline. Sea birds are playing in the wind.

Looking at these colorful fields of yellow, orange, and red flowers it is weird to think I was just now in a country covered in the morning frost. Winter was on its way through the door.

And all of a sudden I’m two seasons further. Skipping winter and spring I’m heading full-on towards summer. These flowers in the field remind me of autumn’s beauty that vanished just before I left. Same colors.

I’m jumping into the fields of flowers next to the walking path and tell my mother-in-law that I will meet her at the bench just in front of the ocean.

Stepping through an area of lush green succulents with bright shining flowers I don’t know which flower to capture first. I’ve always loved to walk through these fields along the ocean. But they were always the prettiest when spring was in its full swing.

I’ve lived in this wonderful beach town for five years. I know its seasons and where to go for the best walks. The wind is always part of living on the ocean which doesn’t make it a hot place despite being in the desert.

None of these flowers would thrive here without the help of humans. It never rains on the coast. Watering these gardens is why they thrive here in such beauty.

Look at those colors. It’s simply unbelievable that such powerful plants can grow in a soil that is nothing but sand.

Finishing my selection of photographs I lift my head and look at the ocean. I can smell the salt in the air. It’s lovely. It’s lovely to be home again. In my other home.

I’m walking back on the path watching my in-law enjoying the view. Living so close to the ocean every day you tend to forget how fortunate you are to live on the beach.

Slowly turning around again we walk back to the house. Friends of mine are coming to visit in a bit. They are dropping off some paperwork we need the next day to apply for a certain validation stamp.

Yes, in the meantime everyone is involved in our mission. Receiving paperwork from the authorities is not a one-man-job. In Africa you involve a whole village.

These succulents always remind me of the riverbed. They do grow here without us humans watering them. They grow naturally in this environment living off the moisture in the air which occurs in the daily morning mist.

Back at the house, I make my way into the backyard where more flowers are waiting. It’s a real celebration. This artwork of nature. Something to notice and appreciate.

Some lavender just started to bloom. Growing straight out of the desert. Sandy soil can still be fertile. For the adapted plants at least.

Apple blossoms show that it is still springtime over here. What a lovely blossom on a tree.

Something I have never seen in my entire life is an apple blossom right next to the ripe apple. On the same tree. At the same time. How is that possible? Seasons are merging in Africa. Plants might get confused too.

Right next to the apple tree there is this single pomegranate hanging from the treetop. Shining in its brightest color calling for birds and other animals to feed on it.

This white Calla Lily is the end of my documentation of summer at the coast in Namibia. Summer celebration over here is a lovely walk on the beach and some wind blowing in your face.

Soon I will have more time to explore and share more of the beauty in my new home. My new home for the next few months. You know me already. I can’t stay for too long in one place.