"There on trails past knowing / Are tracks of beasts you never met."
— Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin
First steps are always important.
But first impressions?
Unforgettable.
Namibia caught me completely off guard. The burning daylight sand gives every impression of a very hot desert, yet the nights drop to a bone-chilling 0°C - a sharp, pure definition of cognitive dissonance.
Yet, the entire discomfort faded into the background the moment I came across a row of animal tracks printed on the dune. Instantly, lines of poetry from my childhood echoed in my mind; of unknown trails and unknown beasts.
I still don't know who left those footprints behind, and honestly, I prefer it that way. Keeping the mystery alive is where the magic truly lies.
Alexander Seleznyov
May 20, 2026 - Kalahari Desert, Namibia
