I decided to take my cheap little camera around Windhoek, the capitol city of Namibia, and photograph some of the buildings and landscapes. I thought that it could add to my pitch to get you to come here on holiday.
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| A view of Independence Avenue in Windhoek, Namibia Photo taken from the rooftop bar of the Hilton Hotel, Windhoek |
Of course, I am no city tour guide and I know little about the history of buildings in the city. When you come on holiday, there are tours you can take that will explain all of that. But, Windhoek has some surprisingly innovative architecture. Most office buildings are modernized or rennovated and new building are going up every month!
My daughter and I went around and took photos of buildings I thought are interesting to look at. Most are newly built, like in the last 10 years. The Independence Museum isn't fully complete yet, but its innovative design will soon become the iconic representation for Windhoek. My camera didn't capture the golden gleaming color of the building; but it is quite lovely with the side elevators (the dark strip up both sides) is actually darkened GLASS! What a nice view of Windhoek those elevators will provide! Fantastic!
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| Soon to be opened: The Independence Museum |
A national museum inclusive of the struggle of the people of Namibia AGAINST colonialism and apartheid repression is FAR FAR better than the colonial era German church that occupies a high point in town as an graphic brand for Windhoek.
Time and tide waits for no man! The architecture of the old Christ Church (it goes by its german name though) is a contrast and a blast from the past. It has a role in Namibia's history; but I don't think it should be an emblem for Windhoek going forward. I will be happy to NOT have a colonial church decorated with the names of German soldiers who died killing the indigenous people as they stole the land, be representative of Namibia in the 21st century.
I am amazed at how Windhoek and other towns in Namibia have 'grown-up' in the last 20 years. I remember clearly my first day ever in Namibia, when I arrived with my husband and small children (my kids are in University now!) The Safari 'hotel' was really a road side motel in American terms, more like a Howard Johnsons on some rural route in Indiana in the 1960's. But now, Safari's owners rennovated, expanded hugely and are quite the proper hotel with lower cost room rates and quite affordable restaurants. For now, they have the largest banquet hall in the country and a great conference center.
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| Parliament Gardens in front of the building where lawmakers meet! Many have their wedding photos taken here! |
These days there are three 'major' malls in Windhoek with a fourth under construction. Though these malls all carry the same South African outlet stores and really lack uniqueness, they are growing in size and really can compete with small strip malls in midwestern or southern towns in the USA. Windhoek even has a movie theatre with four screens! Now, that is saying something indeed!
At that time when I first arrived to live here, everything closed down at lunch time, they didn't serve alcohol on Sundays, and everything closed at 5. Remnants of this attitude from old, slow colonial days and a 1960's mentality of 'Mom' being at home and doing the shopping during her day in the house, still cling. Stores still don't sell alcohol after 1 on Saturdays! This is a remnant of the 'uber-Christian' background of those setting the rules during colonial days. This similar to the 'blue laws' in the USA where conservative communities mix their biblical interpretations with local laws and regulations. In Namibia, the 'no-buying-alcohol-from-stores' rule is ancient and a bit hypocritical since you can buy it in bars, night clubs and restaurants anyway whether on a Sunday or not.
Many stores still close at 5 and for lunch (between 1-2), but things are getting better with food stores and larger department stores staying open until 6 or 7 in the evening. These stores finally recognize that most urban women work outside the home and with two working parents, it is tough do the shopping, if everything is closed at the lunch hour and closes at 5... exactly when most folks get off work!
Still, too many shops close at 1 on Saturday! Can you believe it?! Most people with jobs need to run speed race on Saturday mornings just to get bread! The halls of the shopping 'malls' are full of people running to get basic things and the shops will close their doors at 1 no matter what.
Thankfully, that is slowly changing with increasing population and demand for services, but in 2012, most stores are closed tight by 1 on the most important shopping day for working families.
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| Another hilltop view of downtown Windhoek |
Enjoy some of my photos and when you come to visit...
Tell'em Jackie sent you!
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