Lions and monkeys and bats, Oh My!

On Sunday night the tone of our trip took a turn. Having said all our goodbyes we transitioned from a ministry mindset to thinking homeward. During the next few days we would reflect on our time in Arandis and start thinking again about the lives we will return to back home. Monday morning we set out for Okahandja where we would spend the next days debriefing. Okahandja is home to a few wood carvers markets where we were able to do some souvenir shopping. From there some of us took a quick swim in the nearby reservoir to cool off before heading up to Monkey Mountain for sunset. Make sure to ask the girls about their interesting 2am wake-up call at our new accommodations. I’ll give you a hint: it’s nocturnal, has two wings and rhymes with ‘fat.’

Tuesday morning we were up and out early for our game drive at Erindi Game Reserve. We purposefully saved our touristy activities for the end of our trip as we’re transitioning back to our American lives. We were able to see a large variety of game animals including kudu, oryx, wildebeest, water buck, steenbok, warthogs, giraffe, baboons, and more. There were hippos and crocodiles at one watering hole. But our highlight of the day was finding a recent lion kill. The guide said there were 2 lionesses and 3 cubs nearby, but we only saw one lioness up close and personal. The rest, he said, were hiding in the bush watching us from a safe place where we couldn’t see them.

For our last night we went out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants, Joe’s Beerhouse. There we were treated to some true southern African dining. Some enjoyed kudu, oryx, or zebra steaks while others opted for the variety of a Bushman’s sosatie (a kebab that included kudu, zebra, crocodile, ostrich, and chicken). Katie and Jill were really craving some American-style dishes but we talked them into getting some African game meat instead. Everyone enjoyed their cultural meals and we headed home with full stomachs and full hearts. Knowing we would need to be up early for our ride to the airport some went to bed early. Others, knowing it was our last night in Namibia together, took advantage of late night hot cocoa and conversations.

Morning came too soon for most, but we packed up the kombies with all our gear and headed off to the airport. As we walked across the tarmac to the plane we breathed in our last Namibian air and waved goodbye to the nation that had been our home these past two weeks. Some are anxious to get home while others are sad to leave. But every season comes to an end, and for us, the end of this season is almost here. Our two hour flight to Johannesburg was uneventful and now we’re relaxing during our 6-hour layover in South Africa. By this time tomorrow we’ll be back on American soil. Please pray for safety in our travels. See you soon!