There are plenty of characters in this town, and many were out in full cultural splendor during the Oktoberfest/Halloween weekend. Oktoberfest in Windhoek is similar to, but much smaller than, the one in Germany: day drinking, live music, supersize beer steins, lederhosen, dirndls, a mechanical bull, and drunk old men.
Following a few hours at Oktoberfest, I accompanied Lerine and Charene to Kiepie’s, the late night Afrikaner bar. Imagine a roadhouse in Oklahoma (รก la Scooters) with a band playing 80s hits and entertaining a crowd of couples two-stepping and those on the brink of a bar brawl. Lucky for me, a Rod Stewart look-alike wanted to teach the unteachable American how to two-step.
Wednesday was song night at the Playhouse Theater, featuring some incredible local talent. I went in support of my new friend, Gloria Song. Quite possibly the most authentic stage name ever. Preferring, however, to go by “Gloria Guns,” she’s a Korean-Canadian who sings country and plays the guitar. Not so typical here in Windhoek. After her performance, Gloria was approached by a recording studio! One only hopes she’ll become the biggest thing to hit Namibia since Westlife.
On Sunday, I found a great excuse to dress up and celebrate Halloween with a group of “hashers” who hike the trails (of which there are many) in and around the city. Given his ties to Namibian history, I felt it appropriate to dress as Fidel Castro, with a tin foil beard. Creativity comes with limited resources...
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