History ... and then Herman!
I visited Swakopmund eleven years ago in 1995, once again in May 2004 and there I was back for a third time in December 2015 looking forward to three days of catching up; walking her streets, soaking up the culture, the ambiance and come what may.
My first day was spent doing exactly that and I walked almost every street through town centre. It’s a beautiful town with a lot of history that I somehow either missed or don’t remember from my previous visits and so this time around I took a bunch of photos of historical building in an endeavour to make sure it sticks.
There’s a hospital that has been turned into a hotel, old German Fachwerk - which looks like wonky Tudor - and quite a few other historical places of interest scattered around town.
I hadn’t realised there was so much German spoken there either and so when lunch time came around it seemed only appropriate to find somewhere alfresco to enjoy a good Broodchen - German for sandwich. The Art Café near the well-known Brauhaus was just the spot for this and the Broodchen was so good it went down like a homesick mole … so I ordered another one … and then a piece of carrot cake … perfect!
Then it was back to walking the streets which was now dual purpose; see the sights and walk off the extra carbs I’d just downloaded.
... and on the horizon and approaching fast was about the 200th street vendor wanting to sell me a carved palm nut. I do understand that everyone is simply trying to make a living the best way they know how, but at this stage I’d already purchased quite a few of these nuts and so the conversation went something along these lines …
Trinket salesman -“Hello sir, how you doing?”
Me - “I am well thank you, and you?”
Trinket salesman - “Very good. My name is Herman, and yours?”
Me - “I’m Dave. Listen Herman, I appreciate your work but no thank you on the palm nut thingy.”
Herman - “Wuss your problem?” with a bit of a scowl on his face.
I was a bit taken aback at first, thought of asking Herman how much available time he had, but then realised I might regret this, thought better of it and replied - “No problem Herman. I’ve already finished my Christmas shopping and just don’t need any more palm nut keyrings.”
He breaks into a big, bright smile and says - “Oh, Okay then. Have a lekka day ferda (have a good day further).”
Me - “Cheers Herman, you too.”
Off I went having a good chuckle to myself while replaying this almost surreal conversation in my head, and thinking I must write this down as soon as I get the chance so as not to forget it.
You just have to love it …
