"Thank you for bring me here" (posting from the road)

I was trying to think of the right combination of words to describe this place. Instead I will recount a tale told by my guide, Weilheman. We are staying in the middle of the mountains at an amazing little retreat. Our cabin is built into the side of a sand dune and we overlook a stunning valley that is home to zebra, springbok and oryx. No place I have ever stayed at has made you feel so..."at home". The dog, meerkats and horse wander up as if we were old friends. Dinners are communal and a delicious mixture do international company and amazing food. A short 2 hours away from here is one of Namibia's greatest attractions...Sossusvlei.

Looking for a break from driving, and the info that you can only get with a local, we hired the retreat owner, Weilheman to take us to into the red dunes. Weilheman reminds me of my grandfather...not someone who prattles on...when he speaks its with a purpose. He was a great guide, informative but direct. He encouraged us in the beginning to ignore the guidebook recommendations of where to stop etc and head straight for Dead Vlei. Chances are good you have seen an image of it in the past - it is somewhere I have wanted to go for years. Even knowing what to expect, after reading all about it and studying thousands of images I was speechless when I first crested the dune and saw Dead Vlei.

 After wandering, sitting, exploring and photographing from every angle - we met up with Weilheman for a picnic in the Sossusvlei area (this is an area surrounded by massive dunes where the trees are still alive). While there I gushed about how much I had loved finally getting to see Dead Vlei. Weilheman nodded and told me about a time he other tourists with him...

 "There were 5 Italians who wanted to visit Sossusvlei and although they were uncomfortable, they crammed into my truck and we headed there. Only one spoke a little English, so my 'guiding' was of no use. They just looked out the window and didn't seem to say much. We actually started our day in Sossusvlei. They looked around and took some photos. Didn't want to climb the dunes...just kind of wandered. I have no idea of they were enjoying themselves. Then we went to Dead Vlei. I couldn't give them the instructions on how to hike there and since I didn't want them wandering off in the desert, I figured I'd better take them. Well, we got over the crest of that final dune and the older man just collapsed down and sat there in tears.

His wife rushed over to him and I followed with some water - thinking the heat was getting to him. The man said something to me in Italian before talking to his wife. Luckily his wife is the one that spoke some English and she and explained; 'he cry because this most beautiful place ever. He say thank you for bring me here.' Well...I guess they were having a good time after all."

That old Italian man and I feel the same way Weilheman - I think he just communicated it more eloquently. Thank you.