The Gift of World Piece

A terrible pun, I know, but consider the source… yours truly! These pieces of the world were gifted to me by Valerie, one of our chat moderators who recently returned from visiting Namibia…

“I feel a hot wind on my shoulder, and a touch of a world that is older…” No, it’s not Mexican Radio, it’s Namibia – one of Africa’s newest nations but also a land that has not changed much in tens of millions of years.

Valerie returned from a visit there in September of 2025, one of “The Three Wise Mods” (I told her I’d retire “The Three Modges”) who traveled through the country, staying nights at a wide range of tourist lodges and visiting some of NamibiaCam’s livestreaming locations.

Val was kind enough to bring back a huge haul of souvenirs – most purchased from local businesses and gift shops, but also a few natural keepsakes such as pebbles and twigs.

I was lucky to be the recipient of one of her MANY care packages – how she was able to board her return flight with so much for so many, I’ll never know!

And I do mean “care” packages: the contents of each box of goodies were chosen with care and consideration for every person.

Interspersed with items from Namibia were thoughtful souvenirs from her home state, signifying her pride in her roots. Perhaps she felt that she herself was a souvenir of Maine, borne by the wind on a journey of a lifetime.

Some have said the best souvenirs are not those you take but those you leave behind. Pursuant to that, I’ll add that Pericles, the Ancient Greek statesman and general, once said "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others".

Valerie, through her thoughtful and considerate dispersion of souvenirs, has woven a very personal collection of experiences into the lives of her fellow mods. I can hardly imagine a more meaningful gift.

• Watch "The Three Wise Mods" visit the NC waterhole!