Africa Friendship Safari 09

[Spikepretorius]

I thought this site might interest you guys:
http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=35013.0

 

[Cabrito]

That was a great write-up.

Thanks for posting it Spike!

I liked the toys r-us expedition rigs

 

[winkosmosis]

Don't they worry about attracting attention in Africa, being a a bunch of drunk middle aged white guys with flashy BMW bikes and flashy BMW gear?

Once I showed some BMWer expedition pictures like this to a girl I was dating, who used to live in Kenya when her Army parents were doing CDC work.... she was shocked that they'd dare to show their white faces in some of those places, much less geared out like that.

I'd be inclined to make my equipment look as ordinary and inconspicuous as possible, rather than going the "rich man on safari showing off" route.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Duh!
White people also live here
Not everyone is a pauper
There's more to Africa than what you see on your TV

 

[winkosmosis]

Duh!
White people also live here
Not everyone is a pauper
There's more to Africa than what you see on your TV

I know white people live in Africa. Why do they have to look flashy? Maybe you guys are just so used to the colonial life that you have no qualms about showing off your wealth on "safari" among very poor people.

 

[Spikepretorius]

Have you ever been to Africa?
Have you ever been outside America?
Thanks for your enlightened posts.
Have a nice day

 

[winkosmosis]

I've never been to Africa. I was born in Oman and grew up in Trinidad & Tobago.


All I'm saying is they could really do without the BMW logos on their flashy gear. It's not just insensitive and un-self-conscious, but they're asking for trouble. And I'm saying that as someone FROM the third world who is now an American. I guess my sensibilities are different from you white Africans'.

 

[Rallyroo]

You guys had some adventure. Great stories and photos.

I want one of those Defender 110 wood carvings! (makes mental note)

And that story about the BMW X5 riding on just rim until the vehicle bottomed out. Crazy. I wonder why the didn't have spare tire.

 

[C Red]

Great post. Interesting trip.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I know white people live in Africa. Why do they have to look flashy? Maybe you guys are just so used to the colonial life that you have no qualms about showing off your wealth on "safari" among very poor people.

Yikes. That's harsh, particularly given your admitted lack of on-the-ground experience. I also think you're projecting your own prejudices about white guys in "flashy" clothing.

I've never seen an African - black or white - judge someone based on clothing. They tend to take people as they act rather than look, which is a normal outgrowth of living where money is scarce. Try to remember that to an African villager making a dollar a day, the difference between a flashy $1,000 riding outfit and a non-flashy $400 outfit is utterly academic. Both are out of their universe. What you seem to be implying is that:

1. Either white people shouldn't go on safari, or
2. When they do, they should dress in grubby clothing

Neither makes much sense to me.

If you want to make the case that flashy clothing is more likely to attract criminal attention, fine - just remember that that admonition is as valid in downtown Topeka as it is in Cape Town.

Incidentally, in my experience in African cities (as opposed to villages), black professionals tend to dress much better than white professionals! And a lot of foreigners on safari - particularly Americans, if we want to go ahead and generalize - dress like slobs.

 

[Christian P.]

Spike, some people really need to come over here...



the picture of the BMW is amazing.

 

[Hltoppr]

I'm sitting in an office...with my BMW in the garage...and you have to go and post something like THIS!

Geez....

Can't wait to read it through! Looks like a wonderful trip...except for the sand, that is....sand + BMW = Lots of heavy lifting.

-H-