in Namibia we drive (+ 12-min December vlog)

I spend the last full moon of the year, bleeding, my moon cycle synced to the sky, moon bathing during the deepest sleep of my life under a star-sparkled sky in the Etosha Pan surrounded by lions.

scroll to the end for the 12-minute December vlog

I am in Namibia trying to stay out of the African sun that burns even in the shade wearing as few clothes as possible while remaining clothed.

This country reminds me of Australia in the 80s which I know only because my mother immigrated from Austria to Australia when I was six.

The day I left for Africa I let thick tears roll down my cheeks while sitting on the train to the airport.

Fear of the uncertainty that lay ahead.
Grief for the separation from my cat for the first time in almost five years.

A song comes on in a playlist I had created dedicated to healing my heart after a breakup earlier this year. The lyrics sing out.

fear is really courage becoming known
tears are really joy finally coming home

The words soothe and encourage me.

Up, up, up the plane went. My first time out of Europe since 2020. Down, down, down the plane landed in Africa. It’s my first time on this continent, discounting Morocco because Morocco is made up of a blen…