Eric flew home on Wednesday and I miss him dearly. We had so much fun traveling this beautiful country, sharing old memories and making new ones. Once Eric saw golf courses in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, he started asking folks what it would take for an American to live here permanently. He’s not serious but he’s serious about falling in love with Namibia. He’s telling everyone about the beautiful, diverse country that is Namibia.
While on the coast, we saw the seals at Cape Cross, flamingos at the lagoon in Walvis Bay, Dune 7, the lighthouse and jetty in Swakopmund, and the climax was a 2.5 hour plane ride over the deserts and coast. We also experienced the “four seasons in one day” of Swakopmund. One minute we were layered in long sleeves, jackets, and scarfs with a cool mist on our faces and the next we were sweating in the hot sun.
We visited Spitzkoppe, nicknamed the Matterhorn of Africa, on our way back to Windhoek. It’s outline roughly looks like the Matterhorn in the Alps, but it is not near the original’s height. Still, there is something majestic about mountains amid all these deserts and dry land.
During our travels, I explained to Eric the importance of keeping our RADAR on. This is a PC acronym for Recognize the danger, Assess the situation, Decide what is best for you, Act when the timing is right, Reassess as the situation changes. This is especially true in our capital city of Windhoek where crime has been increasing but this is a good practice for any traveler. It is a good practice for all, anywhere.
Eric had one last adventure on his own. My plan was to return the rental car and wait in the airport with Eric until he took off. However, May 1 is a national holiday and my normal driver was not coming to Windhoek as expected. Eric took me to the B1 hike point heading North. I warned him about the possible chaos of drivers seeking my fare and we needed to pay close attention to my luggage and not get it out until I had negotiated my ride. This all went fine until my driver saw how much luggage I had to fit in his hatchback. I had a duffle back of camping gear and a cooler. Eric’s jaw dropped when he watched them pack and repack until it all fit. Then he watched me drive off with a bunch of strangers with a backpack on my lap and the cooler half on the floor and half between me and another passage.
Eric found his way, without his copilot, to return the car and get his flight.
He is back in Pittsburgh, safe and sound, with new stories to share with family
and friends.
All for now with all my love
Where's GranEllen? 
What a wonderful trip to have with your brother!
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Loved the story of your visit with Eric. Gosh, he lives only 2 hours from me. Anyway, your cab story brought back memories for me tonight. I traveled with my daughter to Nicaragua for a “home stay” on a coffee farm before she began a January research position as an undergraduate. We spent a week together with many ups and downs in a family home (no English). I had to leave her at the airport in Nicaragua when it was time for me to fly home alone. It hard to begin with (she was only 19), but when I went inside to check my bag, I came out to find her GONE. Gone, I was panic stricken. She had a cab arranged but he wasn’t there yet when I went inside. Turns out, he arrived just as I went inside the terminal and was in a great hurry to pack up all her things up in his taxi so she was in the parking lot when I couldn’t find her. My heart was in my throat when I came out and found her missing. A found the graduate student who was looking for her too, and we finally all found each other. Phew. So I know exactly how your brother felt. He had to trust and let go.
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Yes, sounds like you understand how he felt leaving his ‘little sister’ with strangers…trust and let go. We will have to get together when I come back and visit PA. Eric is in Pittsburgh, my niece is in Allentown, and my sister is up near Hazleton.
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