Rain and customs

Okaukuejo, Namibia

It’s a miracle we stayed as dry as we did last night given how much it rained. My alarm went off at 5am. We wanted to be at the water hole at dawn in hopes to catch a glimpse of a lion. Instead, we laid in bed until after 8am listening to the cracks of thunder and pouring rain. The boys were bored and wrestling around in the other bed, causing the truck to shake in ways indistinguishable from the gusts of wind. Our towels are soaking wet. We thought it would rain all day, but it’s now hot and sunny, clear skies. Ari went for a swim.

Thank goodness Lorinda brought us Yahtzee when she visited us in South Africa! We’ve played dozens of games at our camping table.

Namibia was the only land border crossing we’ve done on this trip so far, and definitely the most confusing. Though there were plenty of people lounging in chairs in the shade when we drove up, there was no actual stop. We got to the exit gate and were sent back because we didn’t have a green receipt. So we went back. Wrong office. Wrong desk. What building to now?

This is the only country we’ve had to present the kids’ birth certificates, thank goodness I have them.

One man scolded us like we were children, pointing to a sign above, directing us to read it out loud. “Namibia Border Post,” we responded. “If you understand it, then why don’t you stop??” I can’t believe we’re the only ones to confuse the South African customs office - mere meters before - as the Namibian customs office.

We couldn’t help but think to ourselves how easy it would be to streamline this for visitors with some clear, simple signage, but that just felt like another way we white people try to impose our values with unsolicited ways to “improve efficiency.” But still, wouldn’t it be easier?? Anyway, it was so damn hot and we were so glad to complete the immigration puzzle and be on our way.