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Other People's Moseys will
continue for the month of July. Sara and Richard are packing up their studio in
Seville and will resume their moseying in August. Email your own Mosey to correspondent@saraphina.com
FROM A YEAR IN NAMIBIA
By Lara Skripitsky |
The Dunes of Sossusvlei |
We set off on the 5 km walk to the large dunes with the smaller red dunes
around us
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Jennie, Mary, Alyson and I drive to the sand dunes of Sossusvlei land of
dunes, located about sixty kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast of
Namibia. We camp overnight at the closest national campground to the park. we are told by
our fellow campers that we must get up to witness the sunrise over the dunes.
Mother Nature had come again to remind
us of her beauty |
5:15 AM- I awake to Jennie whispering frantically…"We’re
late!" (we were supposed to be up at 4:30). We pack madly in the dark, get dressed
and drive the 60 km to the big dunes. As we approach, the sand on the road becomes more
and more dense. We fishtail a few times, Mary clutches the wheel with white knuckles and I
close my eyes and imagine I am driving in snowstorms in central Ontario. To
everyone’s relief, we make it to the point where 2WD vehicles have to stop. We set
off on the 5 km walk to the large dunes with the smaller red dunes glowing like burning
embers as the sun rises around us. Mother Nature had come again to remind us of her
beauty. I take pictures, knowing they will never truly express the magnificence we are
seeing. I whisper to Mary, "I feel like I’m on the Holodeck." Mosaic
patterns of cracked clay surround skeletons of camel thorn trees. Sand as far as the eye
can see. Our destination is Sossuslvei, where the world’s largest sand dunes reside.
As we trudge along, drinking in the scenery, Land Rovers, with mighty 4 wheel drive,
spin by us, dancing and weaving to keep from tipping over. Finally we reach the BIG dune,
the highest sand dune in the world. it stands 340 metres high, with a spine sculpted to
perfection by the winds from the Atlantic ocean. It takes about ½ hour to climb the
spine, and I have to stop several times to catch my breath. My sweat and hard work is
rewarded as I reach the top and drink in the glorious view…dunes as far as the eye
can see. Their silence is overwhelming. Spread eagled on the tip of the dune, we are
empowered, invigorated and alive. The clearness of the air empties my head of all thoughts
and I slip into the unconsciousness of the moment. After months of learners chanting my
name incessantly, this is a welcome respite. Finally, reluctantly, we gather ourselves and
run headlong down the side of the dune. When we turn around, all traces of our footsteps
have disappeared, and the dune remains a vision of perfection. If only nature could easily
erase all signs of human intrusion so easily. |
 
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