October 26: Opuwo Country Lodge

We woke up early for the sunrise and to interact one last time with the members of the Himba village.  Before saying our goodbyes, we were treated to seeing one of the women applying otjize paste to her face and body.  She delighted in covering my face and head with the creamy substance and also applying the homemade fragrance to my neck.  We were both in hysterics.  

On the way back into town, we stopped by a cemetery and watering hole.  At the cemetery, we observed both traditional and more modern headstones to mark the place of the deceased.  At the watering hole, we were amazed by the massive hand dug well, which took six months to complete.

Talk about a 180 degree turn from yesterday – we ended up eating lunch and hanging by the pool of the luxurious Opuwo Country Lodge.  We slept at the campsite but spent a fair amount of time in the lodge’s lounge and pool area.