False Perceptions
After spending more than ½ my life in Africa I went to Britain, Shortly after arriving I attended a job interview with a panel of 4 interviewers.There was a woman who started off by asking in a very slow patronizing voice if I had been scared of the elevator, I replied that yes I had been but was amazed at the openings in the wall with glass in them; she replied that “I suppose you don’t have windows in your mud houses”.
I have also had people say “but you are white, we thought all Africans were dark skinned” and the popular ”how do you cope with all the wild animals”.
What are your perceptions of Africa, and have you been asked stupid questions about where you live?
Comments (88)
However, I think my weekly penny probably did more to help them.
I hope the money wasn't used to save their souls instead
Map, I'm not sure I've had much a perception about Africa outside of the movies I've seen.
A friend of mine lived in South Africa for a few years and he used to tell me how amazing the people were.
In Colorado....we were only ever on the map when monday night football was on and the Broncos were playing, or when the airport was shut down due to weather. So for the longest time people thought the weather here was all snow and cold. Those were the good old days
New airport and convention center went up and now the secret is out. 300 plus days of sunshine, tons to do, amazing beauty, and....pot. Since 'flower' became legal, people are moving here in droves and it's not the Colorado I remember at all.
Anywho, I've had guests come to stay here and they tell me that 'back east' everyone thinks the whole state is high and that the smell of marijuana is a constant thing in the air. lol
Map, your little town looks like heaven to me. I need to find a town like that.
The reality..
Brace yer selves...
The ascent...uphill 30 degree straight for 3km...
Doing a favor for one of my staff members...
just a street no name...
am guessing it's market day....
dust...dust..dusty!
close up of the residences..
They prove that it doesn't rain all the time if nothing else
Has the crime rate reduced since "flower" was legalised?
MY town is a paradise, Too quite for a lot of people but for now its my home.
Ian, I assume you will be buying legalised "flower"?
Bespoken, No problem, the pics show a bit more of SA, "informal Settlement" is a new phrase, they were called squatter camps before!, They can be full of life and can also be full of danger.
As we are on a photo tour, here is one of my area..
It does not rain all of the time.
Sometimes we pay off the sun-god to shine on our beautiful countryside.
We just need the rain to ensure our cattle and sheep are grass-fed outdoors to produce fabulous milk and cheese
Two Fridays ago...took the maid / tea lady home....3 x hrs past Pretoria (Warmbaths - now Bela Bela, Rust de Winter...Kalkfontein)
Lovely drive...authentic African village..bonus is you get to drive through a Game Reserve...free (1 x hr concession) to allow locals through, a short cut..
Seen a few animals...but phone battery was on low...so no happy snapping.
All those cows do have good grass to eat and produce the finest hard milk products with a sweet note in the taste.
What about leprechauns?, are they just a false perception of Ireland or real?
I guess everybody wants to find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Another misconception: We do not say 'Top of the morning to you, to be sure, to be sure!'
There a lots of megalithic tombs, and the ring forts especially are linked to the little people, and are often called fairy forts.
Ive used "top of the morning" many times, I shall now refrain!so I will, so I will.
However I think a man of your stature may have trouble entering them.
Those shoulders may make the door unusable for any future fairies...to be sure, to be sure
So what do these wee people eat?
They also love all human food, especially cream and raisins.
Begorrah and begosh.
A: "Of course yes, my kids go to school on its back every day."
Some other comments and questions are not for publication
Having an ele was very handy...generating electricity for the day by walking in circles. We were privileged
Forgive my cultural insensitivity
I'll hold a more nuanced and sophisticated idea of Africa in future:
Because that would be my very first thought
(And my very last also)