Think Forward.

Travel Diary #2: Self drive road trip Namibie-Botswana 3442

Antoine, 9 mon.
3 min read.
The second leg of our journey is a self-drive road trip starting from Windhoek in Namibia and ending in Maun, Botswana. For budget reasons, it was impossible to hire the services of a driver-guide for a month. Moreover, we love the adventure and freedom that this type of travel brings. We rented a 4x4 with a rooftop tent and a trunk filled with all the camping essentials: sleeping bags, dishes, propane, and even a small fridge. Upon our arrival in Windhoek, where we would only spend one night, it's striking how well-constructed and clean the city is. Paved sidewalks and no litter along the roads, unlike in Tanzania. However, there is much more begging. Here, it’s not about someone wanting to provide a service in exchange for some change, but rather an extremely insistent form of begging. The same was true in Swakopmund, on the western coast by the sea. In several towns with frequent tourist traffic, we encountered this dichotomy between cleanliness and begging. We then left civilization, heading north along the coast. We crossed the Skeleton National Park. I didn’t think a desert landscape could be so varied. Sand dunes, arid areas with some bushes, red earth sometimes tinged with purple, and occasionally the bed of a dried river with a bit of greenery and some antelopes surviving while waiting the next rainy season. Another striking aspect of this desert is the transition to the Atlantic Ocean. The shift from desert to ocean happens very abruptly, with waves crashing directly in the desert or, further north, on the few pebbles that serve as a boundary between water and land. The northern tip of the park is called Terrace Bay. The campsite where we stop is actually a very popular spot for fishermen from neighboring countries. We chatted with one of them who had come all the way from Cape Town (South Africa), having traveled 2000 km to get here with his 4x4. The next stop on our road trip is the famous Etosha National Park. It is very different from the parks we visited in Tanzania. The dirt roads are in better condition, and the park is more suited for a self-drive visit. The small waterholes (natural or artificial) attract many animals during the dry season and are well marked on the map. However, to see certain animals like cheetahs and lions resting in the shade of trees, it's best to signal other visitors to stop and exchange information. Even the guides, identifiable by their vehicles with pop-up roofs or completely open cars, are generous with advice. A simple wave will have them stop alongside you for a chat. The park is less varied in terms of landscapes compared to the Serengeti, for example, but the sight of the many species sharing the waterholes is magnificent. Once we crossed Etosha from west to east, we arrived in Rundu in northern Namibia, the second largest city after Windhoek. The owner of the campsite where we stopped told us that there is very little work, and thus most people living on the outskirts survive on what they find and trade. We went with him to see some houses in the village. They are simply areas of land marked out with wooden sticks and a few shelters, either made of metal or a wood/clay mix. For the end of the Namibian part of the road trip, we headed northeast along the Okavango River. We stopped at a fishing campsite. A little sunrise tour on the river allowed us to chat with the owner, who was very pleasant. He taught us a lot about poaching management and the damage it causes to the river's wildlife. There are almost no fish left. According to him, less than 10% of the aquatic wildlife in this river remains. After a little rest in a room at Popa Falls, we headed to Botswana and the Okavango Delta for the last two weeks of this part of our journey. Notably, the Namibia/Botswana border at this point is at the end of a long dirt road that crosses Bwabwata National Park. Before entering the Moremi Game Reserve on the east side of the delta, we spent a night at a campsite near Maun. This town is the equivalent of Arusha in Tanzania (see dedicated article). It’s the starting point for safaris. We stocked up on supplies: fuel, water, and food for the next five days. On the way to the southern entrance of the reserve, a few kilometers after leaving Maun, we realized that driving conditions would be a bit more challenging. The paved road ended, giving way to dirt and sand. We activated the 4x4 mode after just a few meters. Once in the park, conditions changed again. Unlike Etosha, there are no large, flat gravel roads. Thanks to the paper map and the maps.me app, we managed to explore the meanders at an average speed of 20 km/h for about five hours that day. This was followed by several similar days of intense driving that required sharp concentration and a keen sense of direction. The park is very wild, and the campsites are basic. We camped by the Khwai River in the north of the park. Arriving in the early afternoon for a slightly less intense driving day, we saw about twenty elephants drinking and crossing the river. We quickly lit a fire to signal our presence. What an experience! This road trip has been a crescendo of adventure. Our tourist experience in Botswana is relatively good, but not on par with the previous two countries. The cleanliness and quality of services (campsites and guesthouses) are much lower than in Namibia and Tanzania, with significantly higher prices. I don't want to minimize the beauty of the Okavango Delta; we saw stunning landscapes and all kinds of animals: kudu, zebras, elephants, giraffes, baboons, etc. Moreover, far from complaining, I feel privileged to be able to experience this adventure with my family. However, the prices are far too high. If I could do it again, I would spend a bit more time in Namibia and Tanzania for the same budget. A very beautiful leg of the journey comes to an end, but stay tuned for more adventures in a few weeks!
Antoine

Antoine

I am the CTO and co-founder of Bluwr. I love designing and writing scalable code and infrastructure.


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The Monad 429

Tupan, 4 d.
The Monad is found at the highest level of existence, being the eternal, indivisible spark of the Divine. It is not a being in the conventional sense, but a pure center of consciousness, a point of origin that transcends time, space, and form. The Monad is a direct emanation of the Absolute, the One Source, and contains within itself the total potential of divine intelligence and will. The Monad beholds the entire cosmos, reflecting it inwardly without division or movement. For the purpose of experience, evolution, and the expansion of consciousness, the Monad unfolds itself. This process does not mean that a fragmentation occurs, but emanation, in accordance with the laws of sacred geometry and cosmic harmony. The Monad expresses itself into twelve individuated Soul aspects — each a radiant expression of its divine essence. These are sometimes called Oversouls, Higher Selves, or Solar Selves in esoteric traditions. Each of these twelve Souls remains intimately connected to the Monad, yet takes on a unique pathway of spiritual development and service. Each Soul, in turn, extends itself into twelve Spirits, or individual incarnating identities, that manifest across the dimensions of space and time. These Spirits are what we often understand as human personalities — seemingly separate lives, yet each one is a temporary projection of a higher spiritual intelligence. These incarnations serve to gather experience, to learn through contrast and duality, and ultimately to return to unity through the path of conscious realization. Thus, from a single Monad emerge: 1) 12 Souls (higher, eternal selves). 2) Each with 12 Spirits (incarnated personalities). 3) That results in 144 individuated expressions of the original divine spark. This structure is an archetypal framework encoded within the very fabric of the universe. The number 144 is not coincidental: it is directly related to sacred numerology and appears in mystical scriptures such as the Book of Revelation, where the 144,000 sealed servants symbolize the perfected collective of awakened souls. In this model, the journey of each incarnated Spirit is not isolated, but part of a vast, intricate tapestry. All experiences — joys, sorrows, triumphs, and trials — are transmitted upward through the Soul to the Monad, enriching the totality of divine being with wisdom distilled through the lens of individuality. The Monad, untouched and changeless, still gathers all of these reflections into itself in perfect harmony. To know oneself, then, is not merely to understand one’s personal identity, but to awaken to the truth that we are emanations of a higher Soul, and beyond that, of a singular Monad — a spark of God.

New Era in World Athletics: The CAA’s Vision for Equitable International Representation... 452

Aziz Daouda, 4 d.
2 min read.
At its most recent congress held on July 14, 2025, in Abeokuta, Nigeria, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) adopted a resolution that could upend the organization of global athletics governance. As the debate on modernity and representation within international sports institutions intensifies, the CAA is proposing major reforms for World Athletics (WA). **At the Heart of the Reform: A Call for Fairer Governance** Confronted with recent developments in world sports and the need to ensure transparency and efficiency, the CAA believes it is time to revise the Statutes of World Athletics, the global governing body for athletics. The main goal is to strengthen continental representation within the WA Council. This reform hinges on the key points of the resolution, namely fair representation by continent. The CAA suggests establishing a fixed quota of representatives for each continent within the Council. Such a measure would give each region an effective voice, limiting the overrepresentation of continents already well established in international decision-making bodies. It also proposes that the election of World Athletics Council members should be conducted by the continental associations, rather than by a global general assembly. The CAA insists that each continental association should directly elect its own representatives. However, under the CAA’s proposed reform, the presidency is an exception: the position of President of World Athletics would remain subject to the traditional election by the WA General Assembly, thus preserving a form of institutional unity. The proposal goes further by suggesting that, for all World Athletics commissions and working groups, the nomination of members should also fall under the authority of the continental associations, according to a pre-established quota set by WA regulations. This approach aims to ensure real diversity within the technical and strategic circles of global athletics. **A New Momentum Towards International Sports Democracy** The CAA’s initiative is part of a global movement calling for more democracy, transparency, and balance in the governance of major sports federations. Several observers believe that such a reform, if supported by other continental associations, could become a model for other sports and help create a more balanced, representative, and inclusive international sports world. Nonetheless, the proposal will face multiple challenges in its implementation. Despite its ambitions, this resolution will have to overcome several obstacles. Naturally, it requires building consensus among other continental associations. There will also be negotiations with the World Athletics Council, which may fear a loss of influence for certain continents. Finally, regulatory texts will need to be adopted according to a timeline compatible with the desired institutional evolution. Inspired by the spirit of Abeokuta, the CAA’s proposal could well usher in a new era for athletics. It reaffirms the legitimacy of emerging continents and raises the fundamental question of equity in international sports. Only time will tell whether this ambitious reform will find global resonance and lead to a profound transformation of World Athletics governance.

MRE : The elephant outside the room 462

Sheikh Flakho, 4 d.
2 min read.
MRE : marocain résident à l'étranger. A simple acronym, rolls off the tongue nicely. Depending on your social class, a different image popped up in your mind. Let's examine different scenarios : — The ex-NEET turned Italian: Family borrowed a year's worth of wages to send him on raft to Italy or the afterlife. Gets a new phone to everyone when he visits every couple summers. Unfortunately, it's not the 80s anymore and he's got no choice but to sell drugs if he wants to afford a Volkswagen Golf. "You can take an african out of africa, but you can't take africa out of the african". Karma will make him live long enough to see black africans invade his country like he invaded other people's. Single handedly responsible for making real estate unaffordable in towns nobody wants to live in. — The daughter who studied in france and works in paris that your neighbor brags about: Lost her virginity in a party but her parents will never hear about it. Trades her headscarf for a CDI. Thinks she needs no man as she goes around Europe like a pokemon trainer catching selfies in cities her ancestors did not build. Claims she loves her country but only thinks about going back there if she can double her living standards. A pure product of the system, hates racism, sexism, and any globohomo-ism. Enjoys being fetishized by white bois. — The lazy friend that won the visa lottery to the US: Thinks he's made it thanks to his skills and hardwork alone. Starts Vlogging as soon as he takes a mortgage. Too busy surviving the American collapse to ruin things back home. Will settle for a what barely qualifies as a woman according to his mother's standards for the papers. — The red-pilled scholar of self-denial : Moved out of morocco out of sheer hatred for the country, its institutions, its culture, and its people. Tries to prematurely reincarnate by changing his name, accent, and backstory to better fit in his new home. The real life equivalent of the anime villain whose reasons make more sense than the hero, but is still in the wrong. — The self-exiled man of inaction : Moved out of morocco mentally, not rich/special enough to move physically. Browses r/morocco. Most likely speaks english because his french sucks. Mind broken by the system despite never facing persecution (for a lack of trying to subvert it). Fuels loneliness epidemic but uses dating apps and social media. Imports problems from abroad, never comes up with solutions. Would not change anything is he was part of the 0.1%. Having a big diaspora around the world is nothing to be proud of. Granted, morocco gets a significant amount of foreign currency from them, but this is basically a "resource curse", and not even a good one. I have yet to see anyone quantify their negative impact on the economy. Not only do they drive housing prices up since they can afford bigger mortgages, but they also sabotage the collective consciousness. The moroccan dream is to get out of morocco. As long as we treat our diaspora as gods among men, we idealize the act of running away. Why try to build things here when you can enjoy a much better life by going somewhere else? Why try to have a career here if local talent is always seen as second rate compared to foreign one? I'll always be astonished by the degree of hatred and scorn that we, as a people, have against ourselves. Sure, leaving this cesspit of a country behind is the rational choice at the individual level. Doesn't mean it's the right one.