The online space of Caroline Bach
But I’m pretty sure these 8€ weird brand trainers can run just as fast and play tennis just as well as any other shoes. So I guess it all depends on me now as I’m not very good at all at playing tennis.. I do love it though, and that’s what matters – right? Oh, and running? Please, don’t even ask..
(If you know of a place where I can play tennis or squash here in Maputo, do let me know!)
Every weekday, I wake up at 6am, which is just about the same time as the sun rises. I have always refused to use curtains in my room, as I really enjoy waking up with the sun on my eyelids and could sleep forever if the room is dark. On weekends, however, this means that I’m bathing in direct sunlight by 7.30. I usually manage to snooze away until 8.30, but after that it simply gets too bright and too hot in here. So I get up, get out, and take a walk around my still sleepy Maputo. Or continue polishing those job applications.
Just bought running shoes for 8€. And some other randomness. Maningue nice!
Just wanted to let you know that I’m back on track. All I needed was a message from my mom, a video from Ady, some dancing and a hug. The dancing probably continues tonight, in one way or another. We shall see.
Tomorrow I’m going for another prison monitoring visit with the Mozambican Human Rights League and work. I haven’t told you about the last one yet, but that’s a story I’m saving for another day. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos for you due to both security and integrity reasons, but I believe the insights are interesting enough. Surprising enough. Upsetting enough. Disturbing enough. One day.
Have a great day, darlings. Look out for the leopards.
As I already told you, there were two things I wanted to do in Namibia. See the red dunes in the Namib desert. And see some wild cats. So with only a few days left of my two week easter trip, I made some research and found a place called N/a’an ku sê Foundation which is just about 50km from Windhoek. It is a wildlife foundation with a game park, lodges, and various kinds of wild animals that have been found either hurt or abandoned, and that the foundation now takes care of. Some of these being lions, leopards and cheetahs – I had found my place and booked a “feeding tour” for only 25€.
I had seen lions before, but not his close, and not this angry. There was a fence separating us from the animals, but there were little children in the jeep I was with, so the lions got their hopes up. The guide fed them by throwing meat over the fence and the jumps were impressive. I guess they actually could have jumped those fences if they wanted to. The ladies were the hunters, as we all know, but it was interesting to see how the lion actually was dominating the two females completely. He was in charge, no doubt. And he was a quite upset king.
When we got to the cheetahs, I was in awe.. apparently, once you tame a cheetah – they stay tame forever. These huge and gracious creatures were sweet as kittens and even made the kind of “mjau” sounds we all know. I asked if I was allowed to touch them. “At your own risk” the guide said, while patting one himself. So I put my hand through the fence and a cheetah walked up. It looked at me and then stroked its head against my hand, and licked it. The tongue felt kind of like the tongue of a cat, only even more rough. The feeling was overwhelming.
We continued to the leopards, which, as the guide told us, unlike the cheetahs – never can be tamed. These are the animals that unconditionally will rip your face right off. The guide didn’t have to explain that to us again when we got to see them, it was actually really uncomfortable being close to these demon looking animals, despite the fence. The were projecting the kind of “I can see right through you, you bad human, and I shall cut your throat and drink your blood while you sleep.” message that you sometimes get from evil house cats. Difference was these kittens had slightly bigger fangs. Let’s just say that leopards don’t seem particularly friendly.
On our way back to Windhoek, we met a man that was taming a wild horse, and found a really nice tree. It had been the prefect last day in Namibia, and I was driving, of course.
So, you’re having one of those days with a weird heavy sensation dragging you down from the moment you wake up. And then there’s little details enhancing random feelings of worthlessness, confusion and sadness. You want to give love, smiles and support but you need a hug yourself and miss your positive, strong and happy self. Not all days can be good days, you tell yourself.
And then your friend from many time-zones away writes a message, and you call her using this life-saving invention called Viber. She is working on a big project that has kept her awake all night, but she lets you talk. You complain, you tell her about the things that break your heart and the little details that drag you down. She listens, smiles while talking, boosts some of that confidence back into place, passes on some of her strength, gives you some real advice, some of her unforced wisdom.
You go home. You put loud music on. You try dancing it off but it doesn’t really work, there’s still sadness around.
Then she sends you this:
It doesn’t say much, but in the meantime – it says everything. And you know that you would do anything in the world to make sure this girl stays happy. Because you love her and that wise, strong and considerate chilango heart of hers.
(Yes, she gave me permission to upload the video. haha)
Having one of those days when everything feels like it’s in sepia.. no reason, really.
Workshop on the new Sida at Work Contribution Management Process. And chocolate.
