Feeding the Rhinos, Herero Nancy, and a Veterinarian’s Dream

On Tuesday, we spend the entire day relaxing at Okutala Lodge. We watch the rhino feeding both in the morning and again at 5 PM. In between, I even go for a swim in the pool.

I also chat with a couple of the staff members. One of them, who mainly works as a waitress, has been employed here for only eight months. Before that, she studied hospitality for three years. Her Western name is Nancy, but according to her, her local name sounds like the English words “Very now.” Her work schedule consists of 28 consecutive days on-site, followed by one week off in her home village somewhere far away. By origin, she is Herero — a more modern branch that separated from the Himba tribe.

The other person I speak with is an older woman who works here as a veterinarian. She is originally from Switzerland but decided a few years ago to move to Namibia. Working with the various animals in this nature reserve is, for her, the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

During dinner, we once again watch the aggressive male elephant making his evening round past the waterhole.