Windows into Windhoek

Magic, a simple word and yet a complex world is unlocked by its meaning. A world in which nothing is impossible, incredible or unthinkable. The same applies to Windhoek. Having lived here for more than half of my life,
I can safely say there is no place like it. This is my tribute to a magical city.

By Tim HuebschleThe ValleyWindhoek is tucked away in a valley and from the mountains, this bird's-eye view over our city it is all the more apparent. Up here the city is peaceful, harmonious and gentle. All
troubles dissolve into the distance. Only one thing remains, and that depends on how you feel while you are up here on the mountain. Meanwhile life in the valley goes on.
Then There Was MeatWe all know that Namibian meat is something special. Juicy, tender and loved by all, except the vegetarians. I know why and how to be vegetarian, but that was all just a memory when I once again tasted our meat. That is why the single quarters Kapana market deserves a mention. Every single day there is meat to be eaten here. From early morning the grills are sizzling and Namibians are happily chewing away on what we all love.To Look SupremeRight here in the city centre justice is ever-present. This comforts me. The Supreme Court overlooks our shopping sprees, our everyday lives, how we walk, talk and act, who we are and why we are here. But justice never intrudes, it is just ever present, right here in the city centre. The Other WoodNext to the truck port at the southern end of Windhoek is another wood market, very unlike the mainstream city centre
market. I like things that are different, unusual, against the everyday monotony. So I like this market. The animals are carved by the grandfathers in the Kavango region and their grandchildren sell it here in Windhoek. The craftsmanship of the carvers is mind-boggling. The wood transports emotions and what no longer is alive becomes as lively as ever
The Winding CornerWindhoek is full of stories. Around every corner there is a story
waiting to be told or even in some cases the corner itself is the story. The intersection next to the
Khomasdal soccer stadium is such an example. It just feels timeless. The 'when' does not matter as much as the 'if'. It does, it did and it will happen. That is what counts and thus the story is told.
Outer Space Inner CityJust think about it for a moment. We have placed extra-terrestrial chunks into the centre of our city. That is just beautiful - or maybe magical is more appropriate a word. The "Gibeon Meteorites" are for us the most normal thing, they are just here and have been here for a while now. But to think that they actually came a long, long time ago from a galaxy far, far away...Well that's just beyond us. Instead let us just stick to saying: Our city is out of this world.