In Swakopmund, everywhere you come across memories of the German colonial era, which lasted from 1894 to 1915. It starts with the names of the restaurants, which are called Deutsches Haus, Braustube, Fachwerk Biergarten, Zum Kaiser or Café Anton. (It goes without saying that there is Black Forest cake in Café Anton.) The Windhoek and Hansa beer, which are brewed here, also speak for the beer tradition of the Germans. (The brewery, then called Südwest-Brauerei, was founded by Germans in 1920!).

In the antique shops you will find reminiscences of a different kind of the German past. Including some from the time when Adolf Hitler was in power. A few years ago, I also saw a swastika flag in a shop window!

But back to nicer things! A few weeks ago, Brigitta came across original German beer mugs. She brought home a large one (for me) and a small one (for herself). We drink more beer here than we do at home; and these stoneware mugs keep the beer fizzy-fresh. Prost!

PS. An inscription on my beer mug reads: «Hail to the king, because the howitzer flashes for the fatherland». Good old times? That was also the time when wars were glorified – but they still do to some extend today…