Zimbabwe 2014: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l17NdQ3olo Brings back fond memories of my days in S. Rhodesia now called Zimbabwe. They had just started construction of the Kariba Dam...

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l17NdQ3olo

Brings back fond memories of my days in S. Rhodesia now called Zimbabwe. They had just started construction of the Kariba Dam when I left Africa in 1957. Salisbury now called Harrare (the Capitol). Hwange used to be called Wankie. Victoria Falls remains the same but the activities like bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge (links Zimbabwe with Zambia) and canoeing and rafting below the falls were unheard of back in my day. We never had that kind of equipment back then. Victoria Falls Hotel looks much the same as does Meikles Hotel in Harrare. None of those tourist game camps were around back then. Zimbabwe is experiencing difficult financial times with one of the highest inflation rates in the world so I guess they are trying to attract visitors to bring in hard currency. Their President Robert Mugabe has literally killed what was once a thriving country that was called the bread basket of Africa. So sad. :(

NeilL Loc: British-born Canadian

A similar thing happened to Detroit. At least Detroit is starting to recover.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I was there a few years ago for work and it was an interesting political climate. While I was told I was safe in the car with my companions, I was told I was not if I were to walk into to town to take photos. More specifically, I 'may' make it home, but my camera and gear would soon find another home. Nigeria was worse, but that's another story. S-

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

NeilL wrote:

A similar thing happened to Detroit. At least Detroit is starting to recover.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :-D

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

St3v3M wrote:

I was there a few years ago for work and it was an interesting political climate. While I was told I was safe in the car with my companions, I was told I was not if I were to walk into to town to take photos. More specifically, I 'may' make it home, but my camera and gear would soon find another home. Nigeria was worse, but that's another story. S-

My last visit was in 1980 at the time of the insurgencies. It was kinda unnerving to see soldiers armed with sub-machine guns standing on nearly every street corner in Bulawayo. I agree about Nigeria. Lagos really sucks.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

bcheary wrote:

My last visit was in 1980 at the time of the insurgencies. It was kinda unnerving to see soldiers armed with sub-machine guns standing on nearly every street corner in Bulawayo. I agree about Nigeria. Lagos really sucks.

I'm adventurous but have no desire to visit any part of Africa as it currently exists. Just too dangerous everywhere. If I had the money I would visit Nepal and Patagonia.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

pounder35 wrote:

I'm adventurous but have no desire to visit any part of Africa as it currently exists. Just too dangerous everywhere. If I had the money I would visit Nepal and Patagonia.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :-D

Jacotte Loc: Cape Town, South Africa

Thanks for this, it made me home sick though. Such a beautiful country, wonderful people, stunning landscapes. Pity about the political situation though.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

The latest is that Mugabe and his thugs are charging everyone in the country $10 to put on a birthday party for Mugabe.

Since he took over he has destroyed the country, once called the "Breadbasket of Africa" for its ability to feed itself and three other African Nations. Now, it can't even feed itself. What an animal! He's one of the worst in the world, right up there with North Korea's current and past dictators.

Two articles:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/21/mugabe-birthday-party_n_6726646.html

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/robert-mugabe-birthday-party-elephant-meat-lion-zimbabwe-91

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice video, but it's not on my To Do List.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Africa was not on my bucket list but this video has moved it there; at least until I check prices and see it is way too expensive. Thanks for posting it, I will definitely watch it again.

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

If all goes as planned I will be visiting Zimbabwe in about a year with a close friend who is a native zimbabwean and grew up in a rural community there. I am very much looking forward to the experience.

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

pounder35 wrote:

I'm adventurous but have no desire to visit any part of Africa as it currently exists. Just too dangerous everywhere. If I had the money I would visit Nepal and Patagonia.

I've been three times and can't wait to get back. There are many parts of Africa that are safe. The people can be remarkably kind and the country can be so spectacularly beautiful. Please don't judge an entire continent by news headlines.

DavidJon Loc: Ada, Oklahoma

Very nice video of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia). Id love to visit Africa someday but doubt if Ill ever get the chance. Have you ever read the novels of Wilbur Smith? He was born in Northern Rhodesia and writes historical fiction about South Africa, Rhodesia, Mozambique, etc. His love of Africa and its peoples clearly show in his books, a number of which follow the families of the Courtneys and Ballantynes. Start with his first novel, When the Lion Feeds.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

charryl wrote:

I've been three times and can't wait to get back. There are many parts of Africa that are safe. The people can be remarkably kind and the country can be so spectacularly beautiful. Please don't judge an entire continent by news headlines.

I heard a speaker from Nigeria on TED, and she said that Africa in general is totally misunderstood. She complained that Africa is often referred to as a country. The main problems lie with bad governments, not bad citizens.