Kivo Lodge Part 2 - Police officers, hunters and other thorns in the eye

18.11.-26.11.

Actually, I wanted to write the next entry in Swakopmund. But in the last few days, so many things have happened that it's worth picking up the pen again.

On the same evening I wrote the last update, a police patrol suddenly appeared at our door - and while Robin waited silently in the room, I was intercepted on my way out for a walk. The four armed police officers had apparently seen the unlit building in the twilight and became suspicious, which is why I had to answer a number of questions about the lodge. In the end, they left in a good mood after I exchanged phone numbers with one of the officers for emergencies. At least that's what was said before the messages 'good evening inka' and 'I would wish to visit you' started pouring in... I ignored the latter and hope that settles the matter - if not, I will of course provide updates. All in all, however, it was a somewhat precarious experience.

It was similarly interesting with our next visitor, an elderly German hunter who was at the lodge to shoot baboons, pigs, oryxes, jackals, and more.

Prior to that, Ivo, the owner, took us aside and explained in detail why he supports this industry - Most African farmers are forced to shoot individual animals from time to time to save crops and livestock and also provide food for the locals. Having someone else come and pay a lot of money for exactly that benefits not only the farmers but also many African species. Since the locals can now earn money from predators, it makes much more sense for them to protect and care for them as well.

With this knowledge in mind, it was much easier not to judge the hunting process prematurely. However, a wealthy old German man who enjoys killing and loudly attacks unemployed people, homeless people, and teenagers during dinner does not necessarily become more sympathetic as a result. Fortunately, we were able to drop off the guest at the airport today and gained some new experiences. Although I was never present during the hunt, I still witnessed a few things and now know what oryx liver tastes like: a bit soft, a bit rubbery, a bit like potting soil, and unfortunately not recommended at all.

All in all, the hunter turned out to be quite a thorn in my side, and since this week I even speak from experience. But more on that later...

(Oryx liver prepared, on the plate together with onions, sauce, and mashed potatoes)

On the other hand, we have become friends with the sandwich press even more in the past few days. Other culinary highlights include pomegranate jelly and surprisingly aromatic watermelons-

It last rained in March, and even then only 30% of the necessary annual amount, in order for animals and plants to survive until the next rainy season. So it's slowly running out here; all the animals are very emaciated, on almost every walk you stumble upon a starved warthog, the groundwater is running out, and many resources now have to be imported from South Africa. The whole country is experiencing a drought that most people here have never seen before.

So, of course, the joy was even greater that this week might have been the start of the rainy season - even if for now it mainly thundered and winded.

I was also on the road, and in doing so, I had a very special experience at the foot of the mountain on the left edge of the picture.

If you don't walk on solid paths, you quickly find yourself surrounded by thorn bushes and (which certainly cannot be blamed on me) sometimes at eye level, just outside the field of vision but close enough to make direct contact with a slight turn of the head. Luckily, I had just enough time to blink so that the thorn tip lodged in my eyelid just above my eyelashes and not one floor lower. Robin was able to remove the intruder with tweezers a little later, but it was still not pleasant.

The culprit was so small, and yet it was enough to rub across my eye with every blink.

But apart from a slight irritation, everything has healed now and nothing is stopping me from enjoying the next 10 days in Swakopmund.

In conclusion, I wanted to thank you for the many kind reactions - I really appreciate every comment I receive!

(And a special thanks also goes out to Robin, who is responsible for the beautiful 90% of the pictures.)

See you next week with an entry full of city, beach, and (desert) sand,

Inka