Africa Hot

Greetings from the beautiful country of Namibia!

So back home we'd often use "Africa" as an adjective to describe hot weather. As in, "It was hot yesterday." "How hot?" "Oh, it was Africa hot!"

Well, now Kathleen & I feel like we can honestly understand "Africa hot!" We're on an Overlanding trip camping in the desert country of Namibia, and it has been so incredibly dry and oppressively hot. A few examples:

- When we set out lunch meat on the metal serving trays each afternoon, by the time the last people in line are fixing their sandwiches the meats have cooked and the corners are curled up -- ewwww!

- We drink liter after liter of water, and never have to go to the bathroom -- we just sweat it all out

- The day we hiked up Dune 45 and took a walking desert tour it was 110 degrees!

- Our hair dries within minutes of leaving the shower. Towels & wet bathing suits too (and in Cape Town Kathleen & I made a special shopping trip to a camping store to get her a quick dry camping towel - so not necessary!)

- When the wind blows it seriously feels like a blow dryer set on high heat

- There is no shade - anywhere!

- If you have cheap flip flops, they'll melt and stick to your feet if left in the sun

- The crystal light powder we mix into our bottles of truck water wind up tasting like hot lemon zinger tea - NOT refreshing!

- Our new favorite time of day is 4:30 - 6:30am -- the only time the desert is a lovely temperature.

Seriously, the heat is insane, but the country is gorgeous, and we're out of the desert now in a little coastal town called Swakupmond. Namibia was a German colony, and apart from the desert behind us, this feels like a little town in Bavaria or something. The desert dunes we left yesterday are a stunning red color, and as soon as I can get to another Internet connection with a USB port, there will be great photos posted - Stay tuned!!

xoxo,
Mere & Kathleen