It feels like Nairobi
It feels like Jo’ burg
It feels like Arusha
After two months in the Middle East, the crisp air of an African winter is more than refreshing, it’s the good life.
This was my first trip to Africa, and I predict the “dark continent” will soon be getting its fair share of light. South Africa is a beautiful country with really friendly people. You can’t buy a pack of gum in the store without hearing the ever present greeting “Howzit?” With cheap real estate and a wonderful climate, the only blemish is an unusually high rate of crime that keeps houses and buildings barricaded behind electrified razor wires and tight security. We met up with our fellow Sloanie, Rahul, and he added that there is still unfortunately a great deal of racial tension in the country with generations that still recall the oppressive rule of apartheid, as well as many whites who are disenchanted by the aggressive affirmative action style policies of Black Economic Empowerment that try to redress earlier economic oppression by the apartheid regime.
Regardless, our time in South Africa went by exceedingly well split between meetings with potential investors and clients, and an evening spent hanging out with Rahul for dinner and drinks near the university part of town.
We took off for a 4 day safari after our time in S. Africa, and I’ll let the photos speak for themselves…
Zebras on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
Following the safari were a whirlwind of meetings with Members of Parliament and Ministry Secretaries in East Africa. Heading now north along the east coast of Africa, on our way to Bahrain, and soon back to the United States, I recall the Swahili toast our guide on the Serengeti taught us, Maesha Massouri, “To the good life!”
No comments:
Post a Comment