Leaving Swakop, I felt had to help out my buddy, Tony, who
called the area in the parking lot where our car sat resting for three days and
nights, his “Office.” I wasn’t sure if
he was homeless, or what he actually did, but, unlike many of the hawkers who
bugged us to buy carved palm nuts, “I am an artist and I am hungry. Can you please help me, meesta,?” Tony never bothered us. But he DID answer my questions about town,
where to go, etc., was my car safe, what is the Damara word for Hello (Madisa,),
your president Obama is a good man! He
was a welcome smile. He called me “Mr.
Arizona!” I guess this is another aspect
of staying more than just one night. You
get a deeper feel for a place.
We cruised up the coast, always in sight of the waves on our
left, an hour or so toward Hentie’s Bay.
This was to be just a one-nighter on our way north. A cool shipwreck gave us a little respite and
chance for photos and buying rocks and minerals from the ragged people
there.
Our guest house is nice on the outside and near the beach. Louie and Annejkie, he Belgian, she a local Namibian, were very warm and welcoming. He is quite a large, rugby-style individual with a rare combination of talents. He is a Michelin level chef who worked at some fine restaurants in France and a hunting and fishing guide who specializes in catching sharks, catch and release only. He has also shot lions, but, shhhh, don’t tell any dentists.
We had planned to go out to the fish restaurant tripadvisor
advised, but Louie insisted that we stay and he would cook something (not
shark) that he had just caught recently.
I am not a big fish eater. I like
my fish n’ chips, my shrimps, my lobster, but an actual white bony thing lying
there eyeing me with his right eye is not my thing. But, I’m on vacation, I’m exploring, I’ll
give it a go.
I love fish. I CANNOT
get enough fresh fish! Whatever Louie
did that night, poached it in tarragon, or some such, I was so high on the food
experience that I couldn’t concentrate.
Louie, you changed my life. Thanks.
And that combination of yours, those refined skills: catch ‘em and cook ‘em,
doesn’t seem so strange afterall.
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| A seal pup we ran into on our long, romantic walk on the beach. |
