
NAMIBIA Turning hurt into hope
There are a few rare trips you do in your life that you remember forever. Those trips are more than "holidays" - more than a pleasant break from routine, in other words. They're formative experiences that give you much more than a suntan.
In December 2021, our family did one such trip. It was the tail end of the Covid-19 pandemic and new variants lurked in every news broadcast. PCR tests were compulsory at borders around the world. On top of all the virus dread, my wife Jess had recently lost her mom to cancer. We were a family in the throes of grief, both immediate and abstract, with Christmas plans dashed and an uncertain festive season ahead.
One night, Jess and I made an impulsive decision: Let's go to Namibia. The boys were only seven and nine years old, but we could all get PCR tests and go for a long drive. Drive and drive until it all felt better.
At the time, tourism businesses were desperate. Although travel was allowed, Covid had wreaked havoc. There were ridiculously cheap specials everywhere. We found accommodation in lodges that we'd never have been able to afford under normal circumstances.
With our itinerary locked and loaded, we packed the Subaru Outback and went north, into the shimmering heat of a Namibian summer.
Dit verhaal komt uit de February/March 2025 editie van go! - South Africa.
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Dit verhaal komt uit de February/March 2025 editie van go! - South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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