Running in Oshakati

René and I usually go for runs in the evenings- the only time the temperature is “cool” enough for running. They are most definitely short runs because we are actually at an elevation of 1,080 meters (3,540 feet), so I get short of breath as soon as we start running!! As far as you can see it’s very flat here, so it’s weird to think we are thousands of feet above sea level. But we are on a plateau that rises from the ocean side of Namibia (the west). Anyway, usually when we run people join us. It’s really funny because they’ll be walking along, minding their own business and all of the sudden they’ll just start running, sandals and all. The other night a younger girl (I would guess she was about 16 or so) ran with us for ten minutes! We tried talking to her and she jut giggled, so we assumed she I didn’t speak any English. It was quite something! She was wearing flip flops and a skirt! The other thing about our runs is that there are dogs EVERYWHERE. So, between the stray dogs (who may have rabies) and the guard dogs (who bark and growl), I get a little nervous. I’m glad that René and I run together, because there is a particular black dog that always tries to get me. From the beginning, black dog and I have been mortal enemies (he probably knows I’m afraid of him because he’s advanced toward me twice, and I’m talking barking and growling right on my heels, not nice!). Also, in the evenings people let their cattle out to graze. So during one run a huge bull with huge horns followed us for a block or so. It was a bit disconcerting.