Trully orginal Himba experience, and back tire problems.

Nambia, Epupa Falls

Przejechano 2640 km

THE SPONSOR OF MY BICYCLE SPARE PARTS IS COMPANY PRODUCING FINE BICYCLE SADDLES www.abi.com.pl

I know that as soon I will get out of town I will have more chance to meet tribes from the region, most likely Himba in their natural environment. The first night on my way, when I was asking for water, people invited me to stay in their village for the night.
I have to say it was this experience that I really came here for. The Epupa Falls are just an excuse really.
It was quite a big setlement although everybody was part of the same family there.
Everything belongs to one man with 3 wives, and a lot of children.
In Himba culture everyone and everything is connected by the family units, and if you don't have a family you are in trouble.
I was a guest of a quite important man in the neighbourhood, because he was the local representative of a strong political party called SWAPO.
Although in my opinion he was there just because of the extra money, and SWAPO wanted him because he was not so smart but has a big heart and respect from his own people.
On my way back I met him agan in a small town not so far from his settlement and he once again provided me his hospitality which was really nice of him. He also gave me a good insight into the local cultural traditions.
On my way to Epupa, beside the dust, sun and thirst- one more thing was causing me trouble. It was my back tyre. When I was in Opuwo I hadn't noticed that in one place it had started to wear down and when I was already 100 km from there the problem started to be visible.
When I got to Epupa it was geting even worse and I had to cancel my plans to follow a 4X4 track up the river to Rucana Falls.
So after taking a mandatory swim in the Kunnene river (just next to the waterfall), shaving, washing etc (luckily crocodiles don't like rapids!) I went back to Opuwo, and I must say that I barely made it!!!
Just as it was approaching darkness on the outskirts of town my tyre just blew off and the other one was flat too.
The next day I was lucky enough to find the only bike shop in Opuwo run by the Red Cross and there I found a tyre from Hindustan which fit my rims.
The following day when I was on the road I discovered that although it was new it was not perfectly round, but what to expect from Indian quality? I know something about, that believe me!
Although I met a really nice girl in Opuwo who gave me shelter during the time when I was fixing my wheel I decided to start my trip back south to Windhoek from where I would depart to more of the "real Africa" countryside.