Diplomats and Dance Parties

On Friday evening, Ruth, Kaylan, and I went to a “Young Diplomats Wine and Cheese Reception,” hosted by the Lt. Colonel Christian Ranthum, Defense Attache for the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek. While a gathering of diplomats sounds a bit more glamorous than the unpaid volunteers I usually roll with, the invitation said “Interns Welcome” and it promised wine, so it didn’t talk too much arm-twisting for any of us to RSVP "Yes."

Courtesy of the U.S. embassy and the American taxpayers, Lt. Colonel Ranthum and his family live in a lovely home atop a hill in Klein Windhoek. The reception was held on their gorgeous stone patio with a beautiful view of the city (and a heated in ground pool to boot). I spent most of my time chatting with two cadets from the Air Force Academy who are on a whirl-wind tour of the country, and a very sweet girl named Megan, from DC and working for the National Institute of Health. I did have the opportunity to meet our host, and though I’m still a bit confused about what exactly a defense attaché does, from what I understand he works as a liaison between the United States military, the Namibian military, and the U.S. Embassy, serving as a representative and gathering intelligence. When he was talking about his role, he seemed surprised I asked so many questions about the military aspect of his job. When I mentioned my brother and father had also served in the military, his entire expression changed and he wanted to shake my hand (Dad and Ryan, I thought you’d enjoy that). Props to the U.S. Embassy for the nice wine selection and spread of cheese.

After a quick stop at home for a hot shower and a cup of tea, I rallied up my energy and headed out for Canadian Nicole’s birthday party. After a small gathering at her house (including fresh homemade sangria, yum) we headed out… yup, El Cubano. It was the birthday girl’s choice or else I may have campaigned to go elsewhere… I haven’t explored enough of the city to go there as much as I have. At any rate, we stayed until closing time, so despite my reservations, good times were had by all.

My legs are very sore today. I feel like I did hill sprints or something. I didn’t, just dancing the past two nights. I feel a bit pathetic for being as sore as I am, but dancing can be a good workout, right? Everyone on Dancing with the Stars looks great… but then again, I’m pretty sure they aren’t drinking Windhoek lager or red wine back stage…

If it’s not obvious yet, I’m a big fan of the nightlife in Windhoek. Smoke in the bars is gross, but an extra load of laundry a week is worth it. Admittedly making sweeping generalizations, the scene feels less drunk and frat-tastic than the bars and less pretentious than the dance clubs back home. The music selection is very danceable (always at Funky Lab, more variable at El Cubano) – a lot of hip-hop, some salsa and random pop, but invariably upbeat, which in my opinion is totally preferable to techno (too intense) or 80s and Journey (I’m a big fan but it’s better suited for karaoke and car rides vs. the dance floor). I recognize a lot of the music from the states, but they definitely mix in some more local music. I feel less self-conscious and less ogled at on the dance floor than I do walking down the street. It’s liberating, and it’s fun.