The Africa they never show you

[LovinLiberia 0]

All I can say is WOW! Seeing these pictures makes me want to throw a few things in a backpack and hit the road. After reading a book called Nomads of Niger by Carol Beckwith and Marion Van Offelen it has been my dream to go backpacking across Africa but these Photos have really put in me a longing to make my dream happen.

My oldest duaghters father is from Ghana and when I showed her these pictures she fell in love with them. Her father has asked her several times to accompany him on a trip back home but she was always scared to go without me but after seeing these photos I think she may have changed her mind!These pictures and stories are simply breathtaking and a delight to read. You ladies have lit that adventerous spark in me once again! Thank you for sharing!

Thanks alot for this post! I hope your daughter can visit Ghana someday soon...I'm sure she will have a great experience! She might not even want to come back, lol.

ok, thanks.

[soon~tobe 0]

It's been a very slow friday at work, so I have been lurcking around VJ all day.

WOW this pictures make me miss Uganda so much!!! I know there are differances in all the African countries but the pictures sure have a lot of similarities to my Uganda. I miss is it so much!!!! I have only been away from Uganda for 3 months now, but it is so had. It's more then just missing my fiance, which I do very much. It is like my whole bpdy aches to be back there. It is sad but I don't think I have ever been home sick for America like I am homesick for Uganda.

it is a good thing I am poor right now or I think I would be on a plane back right now....Hopefully in Dec................

[reeses16 8]

Lets turn the table to see how America is portrayed to the majority in Africa. They see on TV the mansions of Brittney Spears and watch soap operas where everyone lives in gorgeous homes and wears diamonds. In turn they see America is a gold mine where everyone is rich and lives in luxury. When we try to convince them that we struggle to pay mortages and the power bill they laugh and assume we have money. The majority of Americans are middle class, struggling to make ends meet. We also have our dirt poor who are homeless or living by the grace of others who provide food. We are portrayed exactly opposite of Africa.

Basically here is what I'm trying to say: the naked, starving child does not properly represent Africa and neither does the sparkling clean mansion.

Hi! I haven't been on for a few days, I'm just started reading the new posts and I wanted to comment. About the media in both countries. I think there is an outsider looking in perspective to be considered. For example; in the US we also have very poor people in rural areas (with no electricity, water access to healthcare. But we rarely talk about them. In the last 10 years I recall a HBO documentary about a family in Apalachia ( I think it was called, Down in the Hallow), a Oprah episode about a desparately poor community just minutes from Chicago. And don't forget the urban poor and homeless. Their stories simply aren't carried by our media. Why? I suppose it makes the US look bad. We're the greatest nation, there is an image I think the media tries to uphold. As the greatest nation, I think it makes it easier to look down on other people and not be concerned with the image you portray of them.

My experiences of Africa are soley based on my time in Ethiopia. When I watched Ethiopian television, I never saw starving children and poor people. Why? Its not the image they wish to portray of themselves; although I found those issues unavoidable anytime I left the house. And in terms of what Africans see of the US, the images they get are exported goods in a way. I think media outlets are careful in selecting the images they wish to portray abroad. Broadcast companies buy and sell programming. To go a little further, the US only relatively recently started talking about wining hearts and minds, but is that one of the inherent purposes of our media. To make the US seem stronger than other nations and enticing?

[Ta Ta 1]

I believe so, America is a great and proud Nation and does not want it's flaws seen internationally, flaws that would be an embarrassment.

And so the stereotypical world turns.

The good , the bad and the ugly.......in all Nations.

[LovinLiberia 0]

Storm clouds in Liberia

These next set of photos are photos from in and around Dakar, Senegal.

[LovinLiberia 0]

[LovinLiberia 0]

[LovinLiberia 0]

[LovinLiberia 0]

Still more Dakar, Senegal....

[LovinLiberia 0]

....whew! I'm all Dakar'ed out. Running off to the park...I'll add more pics soon.

[Ta Ta 1]

Oh wow , you outdid yourself LL. I have to tell Taurean to check these out, she will love them.

I think I was in one place but have to ask her........

[Asante Maroon 0]

It's been a very slow friday at work, so I have been lurcking around VJ all day.

WOW this pictures make me miss Uganda so much!!! I know there are differances in all the African countries but the pictures sure have a lot of similarities to my Uganda. I miss is it so much!!!! I have only been away from Uganda for 3 months now, but it is so had. It's more then just missing my fiance, which I do very much. It is like my whole bpdy aches to be back there. It is sad but I don't think I have ever been home sick for America like I am homesick for Uganda.

it is a good thing I am poor right now or I think I would be on a plane back right now....Hopefully in Dec................

I've said those very words about Ghana

[Simply_Uno 1]

once aganin LL, you have out done yourself with this thread

[Asante Maroon 0]

Thanks LL!!! I see we were about to go and I was not feeling that

This is a thread that I think deserves to remain on task... and that's to give a more positive and unseen view of different countries in Africa

It's all about Africa, baby!!!! :joy:

[taurean 0]

LL:

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting the pics of Senegal! It's such a beautiful place. I look forward to returning (next week actually)! Thanks again....

Actually thanks for posting all of the pics! Africa has so much to offer and it's nice to see that depicted in the images.

Edited July 13, 2008 by taurean