Windhoek, Namibia, Africa

By Jothea Hite

Namibia is a huge country with a small population due to its desert nature. With a population of 2,1 million according to the 2011 census, you will understand why the size of the capital city of the Republic of Namibia is what it is. With only 322 000 inhabitants counted in the same census, it seems like a village compared to capital cities such as London or Paris. Yet, we are a very cosmopolitan city with cultures from all across the globe. I have read reports by travellers that recommend tourists to skip Windhoek and that it is a boring city, but having lived here for nearly 25 years, I beg to differ.
As a melting pot of African, European and also Eastern cultures, I would say that Namibia’s true identity does not lie in its cities and towns, but rather in its natural beauty that spans millions of years.
Windhoek is not hundreds of years old like many European cities. It is only a 174 years old – and that’s taking it back to the settlement by Jonker Afrikaner, an Orlam captain, as a result of a spring that could provide water for his livestock. The German army founded the city again in 1890 after years of hostilities and strife. This brings the age of the city to only 124 years in European terms.
The German influence in architecture is still very evident in the older parts of town. A couple of well-preserved German shop-fronts still grace the main street, Independence Avenue, which in German times was know as Kaiser Strasse.
History is not only German, however. In front of the Tintinpalast – seat of Government situated East of Independence Avenue, you will find Parliament Gardens and a statue of Hosea Kutako, one of the many heroes of the Namibian independence struggle.
Being located at such a high altitude affords Windhoek the most moderate climate in the entire Namibia. Our winter days are basked in sun, with night-time temperatures often dipping to under zero, while our summers can be very hot and dry. Despite our location in a summer rainfall area, Windhoek is termed as semi-arid. In extreme years, we’ve had
virtually no rain, while we can usually expect an average of 300mm per year.
So, what we cherish most is our blue skies! We get depressed when it is dusty and dry and grey, because we are so used to crisp, clear blue skies. Then the mountains surrounding Windhoek stand guard around the Windhoek valley and you cannot but feel at home.
Home is meat in Namibia and you should not leave Windhoek without having a taste of the best beef or game sirloin or fillet you could find. Local delicacies called biltong and and droëwors (dried beef or game meat and dried sausage) are eaten by all; true to our Namibian meat-eating tradition, which is augmented by a good dose of German sausages,  cold meats and of course, beer made in the German tradition.
Windhoek does not have much of a night-life, but you will find many clubs and bars if that is what you want to do in Africa. If you prefer to rather watch the African sunset, make sure that you are on top of the roof of a well-known hotel or at one of the old castles in town. During the day, visit one of the many coffee-shops or restaurants in the town centre to feel the true buzz of life in Windhoek.
Serious party-time is very linked to the German Wika-festival and the Oktoberfest, but also the ǀAiǁGams Festival that is held by the City of Windhoek.
What I love most about Windhoek is the fact that you can drive for five or ten minutes and be out in the country. Windhoek is relaxed and laid-back and that is probably why I would not want to live anywhere else in the world.  

London, England

London, England

By Nadia Farah Mokdad




‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford,’ said English writer Samuel Johnson, and it is just as true now as it was then. Inviting someone to London means inviting them to join a fast-spinning carousel of history, culture, nightlife and exciting people.

The capital of England is a city where everyone can find something to suit their tastes, from food to entertainment. It is easily accessible and has a well-developed public transport system, which, as a visitor, is preferable to going by car. Taking some of the many central bus routes (88, 29) is a wonderful way of experiencing not only the heart of London but also a ride on the famous double-decker bus. It is as fun as some movies show it be. However, if you prefer a more organised approach, there are companies like The Original London Sightseeing Tour which offer open-top bus tours stopping at most famous attractions.

To best way to know the city, though, is to walk it. A good place to start is at London Eye, the renowned Ferris wheel which offers a magnificent, almost plane-like view of London. The ride experience is especially beautiful the closer it gets to evening time because the London lights are being switched on. From there on, you can cross Westminster Bridge to encounter the equally well-known House of Parliament with its sharp towers that shine golden on sunny days. If you get there at a sharp time, you can listen to the haunting chime of Big Ben. Westminster Abbey is only a couple of minutes’ walk away. It is a gorgeous Gothic building and home of the Poets’ Corner where many famous English poets are buried, for example, Poet Laureate Lord Alfred Tennyson.

From now on the city is a playground whose exploration gets dictated by personal taste. There are many things to fill the days, starting with seeing the royal jewels or walking around the execution site of Anne Boleyn at The Tower of London to having a stroll through Hyde Park or Kew Gardens. The possibilities seem endless, from museums and art galleries, west-end theatres and having afternoon tea at one of London’s tea rooms to enjoying a local band at The Blues Kitchen or dancing the night away in a club.

What is guaranteed for everyone, though, are interweaving streets lined by gorgeous historical buildings with an architecture spanning a wide variety of styles and periods. Many of these buildings host, on the ground floor, cafés and traditional English pubs. You can take a relaxing break from sightseeing and sample some traditional English cooking, like fish and chips or a Sunday roast (it usually consists roast beef served with roast potatoes, assorted vegetables and Yorkshire pudding), accompanied by a pint of ale or cider. For those that don’t enjoy the local cuisine, international alternatives are easily available, with Chinatown, in the Soho area, offering a variety of oriental restaurants, bakeries, etc.

Shopping enthusiasts will find themselves at home in the Oxford Circus area, clashing bags with other shoppers on Oxford Street and Reagent Street. A wide selection of shops is available from high-street brands to luxury ones. For visitors with more alternative tastes, Camden Town is a great place to be, not only for shopping at The Stables Market, where many handmade things are sold, but also for the eclectic mixture of quirky places and people.
That can also be said of London in its entirety because, no matter what you end up doing, you will leave having had a plentiful experience and probably an eager wish to return.

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