Border crossing day! We packed the tent away as quickly as we could but being the first time it took longer than expected. So unfortunately we arrived at the border at 10 in the morning with what seemed like the rest of the population of the Sheseke.

We drove up to what looked like the correct building due to the que standing outside and tried to find some where to park in the madness of cars, lorrys and people. Unloaded all the boys and headed to join the que. A few minutes later a guy told us because we had passports to go inside and get a stamp.

Inside there was no indication of where to go so we asked a security gaurd. She grudgingly lent us her pen to fill out a book and then pointed to the desk which everyone else was queing at. Now what do we do? go join the que again? Husband decided to jump in before next person and ask the lady… Her answer… “Passports” So husband handed them over… She opened and stamped each.

So baby blue was out of Zambia with no issue despite not having visa in his passport to be there? We bundled the kids back into the car and drove across no mans land into Namibia! More parking madness and a even bigger que. Again no sign telling us what to do! Again we joined the que.

After some time and no movement Husband went to ask the security if we were in the right spot. He just pointed at que, so we guessed we were in the right que this time.

As we had no cash for visa Husband went to ask the guard on the gate if he could go into Namibia to get cash and then come back. Apparently that was fine?! So off Husband and the older two go leaving me and Baby Blue in the none movement que.

As soon as Husband left I started getting hassle of some of the men in the que. “You cant cross without a man”, “You dont know what your doing”, ” im coming in front of you “…. Urm dont think so Mr! It unfortunately seems part of the culture here, women just are not seen as important as men 😦 but I stood my ground.

Baby blue wanted a feed so I sat down on the floor still in the que and fed. Public breastfeeding out here is the norm, in fact at first I found it abit strange because people dont advert their eyes. Its not that they are looking at my boobs its just that its so normal.

By the time husband had returned I was very hot, dehaydrayed and in a bad mood! But almost inside the building!

(picture taken from http://welcomehomeministry.com/warning-grumpy-mom-alert-honey-dont-bother-me-please/)

Once near the front we could see people out of the que asking the one guy behind the desk for some sort of form. It seemed we needed to fill out a form before our turn so quickly husband got the forms and filled them out while I tried to maintain our place in the que. People had relised we hadn’t done the forms so thought they could push in front! Again I stood my ground!

By this the older two were starting to play up and complaining they were hugrey. So when we finally got to the front I was relieved. But as it turns my relief was premature!

The guy behind the counter pushed our passports back and said wheres your number? What??! What number?? Apparently we had to go see a nurse round the side for a number! At this point im afraid I lost it! “Do you think some signs telling people what to do would be useful?” he looks at me blankly “we have been queing for over 2 hours and now we have to go get a number and que again?” “calm down madam”. Husband steps in “We will go get the numbers and then we are coming back to the front of the que” he says calmly but sternly. “Yes Sir” ( sexisum grrrrr)

So finally after our temperature taken, number got and passport stamped we headed to customs to do the car export paperwork.

Frustrated, tired, hot, sun burnt and grumpy Husband decided it best if me and the boys waited in the car. 30mins later we left the border crossing and finally entered Namibia.

(Photo credit http://ronnieborr.com/blog/africa/into-namibia-testing-times-on-gravel/)