So, I'm going to Africa in two months and I'm sure that ya'll have some sage advice. It's my first time actually getting out of this country (Canada and a cruise don't count). Any tips I should take with me would be greatly apperciated!
posted by skirt @ 3:34 PM
14 Comments:
Don't fuck anything and don't go anywhere alone. Seriously.
Namibia like most of Africa has a bit of problem with HIV. It is also one of the poorest countries on the continent, which says a lot, with one of the largest income disparities in the world.
Also, keep your passport on you at all times and in a spot where it's not likely to be pickpocketed. It's the only thing that lets you into the embassy should anything happen, like a military coup.
"...in a spot where it's not likely to be pickpocketed." Gross.
Have fun, dude. Learn something new about a culture other then our own.
What occasions this sojourn to the dark contininent (don't call it that to anyone's face, they don't like it)?
practical things:
* talk to brad martin about this shit. he went to namibia and had lots of interesting things to say.
* sarge is right -- get one of those passport holder deals. i actually got out of getting mugged at 5am in amsterdam (while on a hit of speed) because i had my money and passport holder strapped around my leg. always have something like that on you in case of an emergency.
* read up like a motherfucker on where you're going. it helps you get a sense of the history and the culture, which will help you appreciate things more. for instance, when i went to italy, i read a lot about the ancient art, which helped me appreciate actually going to those museums in a deeper way. also, get one of those "lonely planet namibia" books, or some such. they break it down for you.
* pack as lightly as possible. i can't stress that enough. you don't want to be lugging lots of shit around with you all the time. rick steves has good packing tips.
skirt...
me: bhigginsmartin at yahoo dizot com
-brad
p.s. don't believe all of sarge's wikipedia fueled comments.
Brad-
Actually, my comments are fueled by the country's documented history.
Skirt-
Reading up on the history is smart. When doing so, think about how the U.S.'s slow response in helping end the apartheid government of South Africa might tie into any bad feelings relating to the Africaners taking all of their land. Also, think about why an organziation founded on marxist ideology might be so popular.
Most honorable Sarge,
Please forgive my wikipedia comment, however, I think your initial statement was fairly generic, biased, and stereotypical of most American's view of africa...(especially of those who have not been there).
Most of what you stated could be said of most countries on the planet....HIV, crime, poverty.
That being said.... I would definitely take your advice when visiting most foreign nations and US cities (including McGonigle, OH..... I would not fuck a McGonigalite (sp?), show my passport in McGonigle, nor argue that McGonigle is not an economically disparate town compared with surrounding municipalities (except Millville).
I am, however, glad that you address more relevant issues in your second posting....and frankly, these are the issues that I think should be brought forth when our fellow jackbloggers are travelling abroad, not the issues you can read about on Wikipedia or a Yahoo! travel page.
-b
"Most of what you stated could be said of most countries on the planet....HIV, crime, poverty."
Brad-
With all due respect, that's simply intellectually dishonest, Let's take your example of McGonigle and apply it to Namibia.
Chances are you feel pretty comfortable when driving through towns like McGonigle. Reasons for that might include the following:
(1) McGonigle's neighbors to the north haven't been engaged in violent civil war since time began and used the township as a staging point for some of their operations.
(2) McGonigle's neighbors to the east don't resent the township because the McGonigle Liberation Front used them within the last 10 years as a base for their incursions into North McGonigle.
(3) McGonigle's white neighbors to the south didn't decide that they were going to seize the land beloning to McGongile's black farmers and kill a few in the process.
(4) Subseqently, McGonigle's black farmers didn't form the South-West Ohio People's Organization in order to violently take back the land and shoot some of their own.
(5) The civic leaders of McGonigle, the State of Ohio, and the US haven't argued that HIV is a myth and substantially promoted this notion.
(6) The poorest areas of McGonigle pale in comparison to similiarly situated regions in Namibia. (While you're right, and I've never been there, I'm still willing to bet this is true. But feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.)
(7) McGonigle has been a township longer than Namibia has had formal independence.
I apologize for the generic-nature of my comments before. I thought they conveyed the nature of my concerns concerns without having to give Skirt a history lesson. But at least now you know where I'm coming from.
Sarge, your absolutely right.....I can't argue with your thoroughness, accuracy, and heartfelt concern for our fellow jackbloggahz. You are a Sarge, your absolutely right.....I can't argue with your thoroughness, accuracy, and genuine heartfelt concern for our fellow jackbloggahz. You are a true scholar, gentleman, and homo-internationale (international man).
While I truly wish we could continue our digital brinkmanship until Skirt’s departure, I must forfeit my stake in this digi-feud…..I do after all…..have to go and get my HIV induced, West-Nile-Monkey-SARS-Pox treatment….cuz…...you know…. I breathed some African air.
Thanks for the history lesson.
p.s. I don’t disagree with most of your statements, I just don’t like when people are so negative towards others visiting Africa…..for most of the r
please pardon the poor copy & paste job.
-b
Here it is again:
Sarge, your absolutely right.....I can't argue with your thoroughness, accuracy, and heartfelt concern for our fellow jackbloggahz. You are a Sarge, your absolutely right.....I can't argue with your thoroughness, accuracy, and genuine heartfelt concern for our fellow jackbloggahz. You are a true scholar, gentleman, and homo-internationale (international man).
While I truly wish we could continue our digital brinkmanship until Skirt’s departure, I must forfeit my stake in this digi-feud…..I do after all…..have to go and get my HIV induced, West-Nile-Monkey-SARS-Pox treatment….cuz…...you know…. I breathed some African air.
Thanks for the history lesson.
From Cincy…..Goetta done,
-bhm
p.s. I don’t disagree with most of your statements, I just don’t like when people are so negative towards others visiting Africa…..for most of the reasons you stated…..there needs to be more awareness, involvement, and action in such international issues.
I think this discussion can clearly be settled by the fact that Sarge now lives in the South. That means he's drunk, and an itinerent peddler, just like all the other darkies down there.
I applaud your attempts, 'Sarge'! Whoever it is you've gotten to transcribe your gruntings (obviously a keyboard would be beyond the comprehension of you troglodytes below the Mason-Dixon) is quite erudite and articulate.
It's just this kind of open-hearted pandering to you poor rurals that really illustrates the level of charity we've exported down to you from the North.
So sorry about Sherman! Happy to have you aboard and enjoying your (albeit much smaller and gratis) place at the table!
way to turn skirt's heartfelt enthusiasm for travel into a pissing contest, boys!
Indeed. Skirt, you should have a damn fine time. I think it'll be cool. I've never even been off of North America, so I'm envious.
Probably good to leave the vituprative idjits here behind for a minute. Many apologies.
wow, I'm away from the computer for 3 days and look what I miss. Thanks for all of your comments gentlefolks
As far as the history stuff goes, I already know some of it and am working on reading more- thanks for the overview Sarge, even if it was written out of jackblog inspired anger.
I've been planning on getting one of the passport things, but have no idea where to get one- any help on that one?
I certainly have no plans on having sex with anyone in Africa, I am well aware of the HIV issues there, and well, I've never really been one for one night stands or vacation trists.
B- I'll be sending you an email sometme soon.
thanks again guys- feel free to share more things as you think of them.
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