I
still remember the day I took my trip to Windhoek like it was yesterday. I had
spent the days preceding my departure at one of Africa’s greatest gay
gatherings, the Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) in Cape Town. The year was
2011 and the theme was Maid In China. This was my first MCQP and it lived up to
all of my expectations. My journey started in the morning of 19 December with a
brisk walk from my hotel at the V&A to the Cape Town train station. Yes,
you read it right; I took a 23-hour bus ride from Cape Town to Windhoek.
I
honestly do not know what had possessed me to take a journey by bus alone
instead of flying to Windhoek. I had not been in a bus since 2007 but something
in me made me think it was a good idea to be on a bus for 23 hours instead of
flying for two hours. My decision may have been informed by the fact that the
bus ride was less than $100 vs. at least $300 by plane. After a few minutes of
admin and finding my bus we were on our way. I was excited. I came prepared
with my snacks, music and a power pack for when my iPod would give up on me. I was that super eager guy in row 22!
The
most beautiful thing about this journey was meeting all the different people
that were making their way from Cape Town to their homes for the Christmas
holiday season. I met a lovely lady (we shall call her Grace) who had just
completed her Masters degree at the University of Western Cape in economics
from Windhoek who gave me a bit of a background on the country’s politics and
economic policies. I also met gentlemen who were making their way to Angola and
the DRC. I quite enjoyed the conversations with all these people and one
particular one was with Grace when she was telling me about her decision to
quit her job and go study full time after her divorce. Grace was also very kind
to give me a blanket at night. I don’t know what I was thinking – I just
assumed that the bus company would provide us with blankets like they do on
planes. Now I (and you) know.
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| The gentlemen from Angola and DRC at one of our stops before crossing the Namibian border. |
We
arrived in Windhoek at 8 am after an uneventful ride after we crossed the
Namibian border. Note to self: the next time you decide to take a bus ride that
crosses any borders just make sure it is not over the Christmas period. I was
very lucky that the bus stopped right outside my hotel in the city center,
Hilton (don’t side-eye me, yes I took a bus to go stay in a 5* hotel). I must
mention that that was by far the best hotel I stayed in during my travels.
Their attention to detail was awesome. Perhaps I was happy with the fact that
they allowed me to check in early AND have breakfast. I am tempted to say that
this was the best part of my Windhoek stay.
 |
| This is all I traveled with. This is me awaiting my room to be ready at the lobby of the Hilton Hotel Windhoek |
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| Scrumptious breakfast at the Hilton Windhoek |
The
city is very clean! It reminds me of a small German town I have never been to
or a small version of Bloemfontein, a South African city. I searched the city
for Namibian cuisine and all I was met with was German cuisine that was
drenched in oil enough to deep fry a pea. Honestly my disappointment at this
city came from the fact that it had no identity of its own. It was the tenth
province of South Africa – I could still use my South African Rands throughout
the city and dine out at the same South African chain restaurants.
I
spent my days lounging my hotel's rooftop bar and sending my friends
pictures of the cocktails I was having and the spectacular views of the sunset.
I also quite enjoyed seeing the beautiful OvaHimba ladies in their full traditional gear and their famous natural long hair. The OvaHimba are a tribe from the North of Namibia and are the last nomadic people of Namibia.
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