The problem where I'm living now is that it's just too damn white. I could be anywhere - UK, Australia, wherever but most of the time it really doesn't feel like Africa. I pity the tourists that just do the Garden Route. They are seeing rich, white South Africa. Nice, big houses, gorgeous landscapes, white folk in their big 4x4s and black folk on the street hanging around looking for work or a freebie. It just kinda misses the point of going to Africa in the first place. You don't visit to see a slice of how your life could be back home if only the climate was better, the country less populated/built up... or maybe you do... maybe that's why so many like Australia.
You leave the country with no further understanding of the different languages and tribes, no knowledge of traditional culture (apart from those grotesque "show villages" which are all fake, touristy but have the one bonus of adding employment to the area and making visitors feel safe) and discover next to nothing about the reality of life for the majority of the population. Gah!
2 comments:
some interesting comments...but tell me, why the redbull can?
Hurrah - proof that someone reads my drivvle!! And my first comment. Well, I could go into many semiotic details e.g. a symbol of a throw-away culture, an item not steeped in culture, tradition or history, being surrounded by bull headed people... Or I could just say I rather like the photo, have been drinking rather a lot of the stuff recently and couldn't find one more suitable. Delete as applicable!
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