Ta PF...i think thats the thrill of the place. You either feel very comfortable or ready to die. Jesus its a raw country. I cant wait to get back. I was looking at going over to work the farm if i could wrangle it however i have since arriving back, scored a once in a lifetime job & my daughter is starting high school end of next year. There is no power or phone (NO NET !!) on the farm & schooling is all done at home.
Even when you think things are safe...they may well not be. You need a 6th sense all the time.
I am sure that was part of the thrill for Paul Theroux also. He said you could be robbed just for your boots - your money might not have much value way in the back country, but your boots had real value. He travelled overland from Cairo to Cape Town - quite a trip on foot and by local transport. Like you described travelling into Zambia, he travelled in a small vehicle with several locals who spoke a different language and were always armed with AK-47s. He, of course, was unarmed. Quite an interesting read.
He was shot at several times on his journey. Hopefully, no one shot at you while you were there.:gun2 Theroux had very little use for the NGOs in Africa either.
You are just going to have to introduce the farm where you work to the WEB via satellite.
It depends on where you want to go ian...if i was to pay a tour guide to do what we did ...i would have been looking at maybe 2-3 thousand USD over our airfares.
The animals are all there ...100 yards off the road in northern bots. I personally would NEVER EVER travel in south africa by myself or maybe travel into northern zimbabwe but bots is fine & thats where all the animals are mostly anyway. Bots is a democracy that knows that tourists spend money so the police & military protect the name...its easy to frighten tourists as i saw in Zim.
Knowing what i know now i would just drive myself but before that i didnt even want to go to the flamin' place.
First time with children i would have assistance as we did but ours were free so its a hard call.
Indeed it is. And for your 2-3 thousand, you don't get to see the people as
you did. I think that's pretty important to me. Have to think about that.
ian
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He was shot at several times on his journey. Hopefully, no one shot at you while you were there.:gun2 Theroux had very little use for the NGOs in Africa either.
You are just going to have to introduce the farm where you work to the WEB via satellite.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
'gus
i'm fascinated by your travelogue. and the photos are just damn excellent. did i say excellent? *mint* they are.
and your stories - we're going to have to schedule a big greasy breakfast after that steak dinner mate, becuase i like the way you tell 'em!
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This one kind of worried me - I suspect the center of gravity is WAAAY too high on this boat to be safe - easy way to meet the hippos, I betcha.
The light and color in this image is just excellent, Gus.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Did you work/live there before going? I can see the allure of wanting to spend
time there.
Ian
some sort of a tour?
ian
you did. I think that's pretty important to me. Have to think about that.
ian
I'm glad I asked
gubbs.smugmug.com
did you make it to europe and the US in the end, or are they the next installments.....waiting to hear where the best curry was from!!
gubbs.smugmug.com
heh - no - let me be perfecly clear: steak/ you go your way i go mine / breakfast.
anxiously awaiting more of your story and photos!
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