The town I live in (OH-chee-vuh-RONG-go)
is not really a big town, though it is considerably larger and more first-world
than the many Namibian villages that are scattered throughout this region. We
are a town of about fifty-thousand people altogether. Forty-thousand people
live on the East side of Otjiwarango and the remaining ten-thousand live on the
West side, which is the ‘well-to-do’ area.
A person
driving straight through the town from East to West will notice drastic
changes; at first, you’re on a dirt street full of pot holes from the recent
rain … lined with shacks made of wood scraps, sheets of metal and wire. As you
drive, the road levels out and among the self-built homes you find barbed-wire
fences and the occasional cinder-block wall supporting the rest of the home.
The homes
you see after that are made entirely of clay bricks or cinderblock. Before you
know it you’re driving on pavement and the sidewalks are lined with people
selling veggies, clothes, and cheap candy. On every other corner is a bar
blasting loud music to the world.
Next you come
to the ‘center’ of town (which is way off center), where you find grocery
stores, clothing stores, and shops dedicated entirely to the passing tourists.
Unlike your average Namibian town, this place also has a handful of small cafes
and movie rentals as well.
On the other side of this area are a number of
happier looking homes; thatched roofs, green gardens and healthy trees promise
that when you look inside, you’ll find tiled floors, large sofas and paintings
on the wall. And quite probably four bedrooms. That are altogether larger than
the homes of entire families on the opposite side of the town.
Widest
income range in the world? Hmmm … I think yes!
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