Awe Inspiring

Yesterday, 26^th, we visited Windhoek after having a very brief history class about Namibia. While there are many more things to learn and in much more detail, it was nice to begin to get an idea of Namibia and what to expect. I want to start off by giving some serious mad props to Namibians everywhere! Between the horrid treatment at the hands of Colonial Germany and the apartheid, there should be more than enough hatred to go around and yet there isn’t! My teachers, trainers and other Namibians I have encountered can speak so openly and honestly about these events and yet almost detached in a very healthy way. They have such forgiveness that they’re able to forgive all of the bad feelings and work towards a brighter future. While I don’t feel qualified to speak about these feelings in America, I definitely feel there is less negativity and more optimism, hope and determination to make a better future.

While in Windhoek, we toured the famous sights as well as the ones off the beaten path. We started with Heroes Acre (pictured) which is a monument to all of the “brothers and sisters” that gave their life to fight for an independent Namibia from both the Colonial Germans and the South African government. We then visited various sites that are remnants of the apartheid in Windhoek. We also had the opportunity to visit some of the rougher sides of town to really get a full picture of Namibia and all of its problems and attributes.

One of the biggest problems in Namibia is alcoholism and during this trip it was apparent. Scattered through out the poorer neighborhoods, are places called, in Afrikaans, “shebeens.” They are make shift bars that are literally a shack make of tin paneling, that’s probably 30’x40’, at least in the neighborhoods in Windhoek, and has only a few tables and chairs. They are also easy to spot because they use a generic sign that has either a Windhoek or Tafel Lager picture and a place to put a name. On one notorious road, there was a shebeen literally every 100 feet or every other shack/”business.”

The trip was extremely insightful and helped us to begin to see the past and present of Namibia to better understand how to help the future.