My flat

I know, I neglected you here waiting for news on my blog, but I am trying to improve now.
I found a nice flat to rent for me. It will be free next week, but I will move in after my exam, on 15.8.07. It is the upper floor of a 2 storey house high up at a hillside. It will be quite a steep drive for my car, so I might have to buy a 4WD anyway. The view to the east is marvellous, straight to the mountains surrounding Windhoek. There are 2 medium size bedrooms with built in cupboards (not beautiful, but useful), one facing east and north for warmth in winter and the other one facing west and south, for a cool sleep in summer. Then there is a large living room southeast and from there you get out to the east-facing Veranda with the nice view. To the north there is a white tiled bathroom with shower over bath and a large kitchen with all cupboards, sink and fridge built in and space for a seating area. I will be able to use an old couch and a couple of chairs, will need to buy bed, tables and a desk. To the west is an area of currently stone and dust which with a bit of luck, advice and support from my landlords, may turn into my garden. Behind that is a rocky, unfortunately crumbly (therefore not suitable for climbing exercises) natural wall and then the mountain continues. I also have a shaded area and some wooden seats for a BBQ, a garage and a shaded parking area. The nearest relative of the elephant is living in the mountain rocks and my garden: rock dassies. They are very cute, but I have been told I will face problems with creating a garden. The place is not far from the city, 15-20min walk and the area is fairly safe so that I will be able to walk to or from work in daylight.
The landlords are very friendly, but hardly ever there. They have a guest farm north of Windhoek, maybe I can stay there one day with you?

Rock Climbing

Hey, I can't believe it is nearly two weeks since my last entry! Time is passing so quickly and I guess even quicker here in Africa than elsewhere. Last weekend I have been rock climbing with a couple of very nice people near Windhoek. It is a nice, solid, smooth rock on a farm and there is almost always shade which is essential inthis country. The only disadvantage is that baboons sleep on the rocks and leave all their shit there. At this time of the year there are no problems with snakes and scorpios, but I have already been told just to throw them down when I come across any while climbing. All the routes are bolted and the technique they use for securing themselves slightly differs from what I knew. There are only a few easy ones and then a lot which are challenging for me. I also noticed that I only climbe once before this year and was tired quite early. Never mind, this group goes every weekend, so there will be plenty of opportunities for my training. At some point this spring they also want to climb Spitzkoppe and if it fits in my timescale I will try to join them.
So, this is my first entertainment organized here, horse/camel riding will follow as soon as I have written my second exam and bought a car.

Heidrun

Back from the farm

The weekend in the wilderness was fabulous! I went with my friend on a number of game drives and although nothing was close enough to shoot we saw a lot of animals: Kudu and Oryx, some smaller antelopes, lots of Guinea Fowl, warthog and jackal. It is amazing how quiet it is out there, you just hear the calls of the animals and the squeaking of the pumps for the waterholes. Also, the stars at night are unbelievably clear and so many that I had problems to find familiar pictures such as Bootes or Corona Borealis (apart from the fact that they are upside down from what I am used to). I also found Scorpia, Libra and Virgin very clearly and high up. It has not rained since April and everything is sandy.
Now I am back in the "big city" finalizing my work for the law exam and then heading on straight for the Pharmacy Practice exam which will follow on 14.8. So, unfortunately, no safaries for a while.

I will keep you posted - Heidrun

first foto

Hello,
I am very busy, preparing for my law exams on the 16.7.
I just thought I show you a photo of a craft market in Windhoek city.
I will be away on a farm for a long weekend now, looking forward to it.

Hoping to post more in the future - Heidrun

Arrived in Windhoek

Hello everybody,
This is just a short note as I am currently on borrowed internet until I have my own sorted. I arrived safely, was picked up by my boss and straight away integrated in the family. I get lots of help with getting started. And I realized how much I have to learn for my exam - another reason why in the beginning I will not post very much, sorry.
People here are complaining about a very cold winter which is 2 degrees at night, but 24 during the day - comparable to a nice European summer, I am sure my colleagues in England envy me for this.

Heidrun