Its a misconception that Africa in uncivilised. Not that luxuries necessarily determine a state of 'civilisation' - but we do have air-conditioning. Perhaps more urban legend, perhaps based on fact, but people have allegedly been put off visiting our magnificent continent due to the perceived lack of luxuries. Think of this another way; coming to Africa and dealing with the climate and insects will prepare you for global warming.
Literally from Cape to Cairo, the continent has its fair share of glitzy four and five star hotel chains, malls, shops and suburbs. From the familiar international brands, Intercontinental, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza to the more localised Southern Suns and Oberoi's, we are perfectly capable of rolling out the red carpet David Livingston style, complete with pith helmets, white linen suits and waxed mustaches!
True, Africa can also be very raw and graphic - markedly different to the clipped plasticness that we all know and love as Wisteria Lane. That, we defiantly are not. Well, not quite as plastic. The raw and real part of this continent's places adds to it's character. A gleaming steel and glass hotel with aircon by Daicon and ten kilometers away, a poor family living in a shack with a mock aircon painted to the wall. The city folk drive around in shiny recently polished SUV's (kids screaming, jammy prints all over the leather upholstery) while the township kids plat with their home-made wire bikes and cars, dreaming of the day. Different people, same aspirations.
Africa is very civilised.
Monday, January 30, 2006
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3 comments:
yes, so true. how we define and what we get from terminology and meaning is important. this is why Africa is such a great continent. Sipping tea at the genteel Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, or shaving a sundowner in the middle of the Luangwa valley watching birds root in the baobab trees - we have 'civilised' to suit all tastes here.
I have a dream that one day i'll visit africa,especially egypt.
Stop by for a visit.
Hey, isn't it time that the african people themselves open up their country to the world? Instead of waiting for people to visit your country and see the real deal why not invite them to visit and see it for themselves. As more people visited africa and experience how it is they would of course recommend it to others and so on. You need two hand to clap! CHiow!
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