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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jul 2011 : 22:02:36
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Ok Turk and toubab,I've started a new topic on the subject of travellers stories because I'm sure that I,m not the only person who posts on Bantaba to have had some great funny, entertaining or otherwise experiences in Africa. It would be good to hear and share stories from others but I'll kick off and hope others follow.
Here's a somewhat entertaining muse on food. During a visit to Ghana in 1975 my partner and I stayed in Dixcove in one of the colonial forts dotted along the coast called Fort Metal Cross. At this time travellers met up quite by accident moving from one country to another and for a small sum of money you had a room and evening meal. About eight of us were lodged there and the cook ,a local woman provided us with fish and yam. After about 10 days of being served fish(always tuna) and yam we had a chat amongst ourselves and decided we would ask Agnes the cook if we could have something different to eat for the next meal." I will try" was the reply and we waited in anticipation for the next evening meal. When it arrived we were thinking 'maybe chicken' but no it was fish and rice. Ok we thought it is certainly different but by the next night it had reverted to fish and yam. Still there's no harm in trying!
On a more somber note a couple there,a Frenchman and his Scottish girlfriend told us about their recent experience.They had been hitching down through Morocco ( hitching from one place to another was a very common way of getting around in the 60's and 70's no matter where you were going) and had ended up being dropped off somewhere in Mauritania. As they were waiting at the roadside for a lift (mostly from lorries and other travellers in vans) a group of riders on camels came from the desert,kidnapped them and rode off. They were taken to an oasis, kept captive for about 3 days before being returned unharmed to the roadside. They said they were well taken care of and later learnt that their captors were the Polisaro freedom fighters. The Scotswoman said because of that experience she was never going to return to Africa!
I have more stories if anyone is interested.
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2011 : 22:15:14
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Thanks for that, I found a change from the usual topics very interesting and I for one would welcome new postings on things that are different, maybe turk has other ideas, who knows, will he reply to your topic, again who knows, will turk discuss fun topics about travelling,? Who knows,he is a bit down at the moment because most people are fed up with his way of posting and disregard for others feelings, he feels picked on ,so insults will most likely be directed to me,Thanks. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 27 Jul 2011 22:20:34 |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2011 : 22:55:04
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Rassimian
That is great topic. Do not mind Toubab and snuggles, they are obsessed with me they can not resist to mention my name in every reply they do.
Please tell other stories. I like this one.
I actually have similar story. One of my first trip to West Africa long ago. We (Me and some French dude) rented a SUV vehicle and decide to drive from Europe to Dakar to kind of follow the famous Dakar rally route. The route was from Europe Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia and Dakar. It was one of the best adventure I had. Obviously having luxuries SUV helps, but when the heat gets almost 50, no air conditions work after a while. It starts blowing heat. And the night, the temperature drops dramatically.
We are in Mali, spending night in the middle of no where. Suddenly these guys came from nowhere. Many of them, we can't fight or do anything they were little hostile first just to scare us. It looks like they wanted to rob us, but really they were not that bad. They asked us where we are from, and when these French guys said they are from France, they got little bid angry, started swearing us. It was my turn and I greet them with Islamic phrases and they were kind of shocked. I am very familiar with the local culture and the religion of Islam. They were kind of get calm down little bid. Africans can be very bad at time, but if they have something similar, they would act like your brothers. I could have seen these French guys, they were scared so much, they were probably ready to became Muslim. lol. Anyway, basically, they wanted to rob us, but they were friendly. Anyway, they did get some of our valuables and gone. That was exciting.
I think it is very useful to know about the place you are visiting. And especially knowing some historical sensitivities, local culture, religious things could be very useful to survive when you have some escalation. I guess being 'traveler' rather than 'tourist' really helps.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 27 Jul 2011 22:56:21 |
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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 12:35:57
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Turk, I take no part in internal squabbles on Bantaba. It,s a shame they happen!
Your story is great. Methinks you were lucky cos it can be dangerous travelling as I know all too well.
OK 1975 travelling to Nigeria from Ghana. Get to Lome, capital of Togo.Have to stay the night.Book into room on sea front. So hot and humid that during the night I get up to stand in shower.Surprised to find a Canadian guy there with his wife. We are all standing naked in shower.Decided it might be cooler outside. It was, but despite lighting plenty of anti insect incense I woke up (didn't get much sleep anyway) and counted over 100 mosquito bites. No lie or exageration! My face ,hands and arms were a bit of a mess for several days.
Whilst in Lome heard that the border between Togo and Dahomey might be closed due to rumours of attempted coup.Decided to go anyway. On the way met a Nigerian in his Mercs. Asked him if there was a problem. "No you can go" Arrived at the border. Presented my passport to the official. Spoke French to him. " No you cannot cross" So I thought maybe he wants a 'dash'. So I went back to him with some money in my passport. Tried to explain that I wanted to go straight through to Nigeria. Again " No you cannot come in" So I sat down for a few moments to think what to do when I felt the touch of something against me. There were armed soldiers at the border who were obviously a bit fed up with me not taking no for an answer. If you,ve ever had a bayonet pointed at you, you soon move.Ended up going back to Ghana touring around for 2 months until I could return to cross .Later learnt that whether or not there was an attempted coup the President was so paranoid that he believed 'white people' were responsible and that was why I could't cross but the Nigerian and other black Africans could. One thing is for sure. Wherever you are in Africa don't mess with the army. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 14:05:10
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"Wherever you are in Africa don't mess with the army." Great sensible advice,good that you returned,you must NEVER argue with those in authority ANYWHERE. !!!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 14:48:48
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| touby,i have to disagree with you. 'you must never argue with those in authority ANYWHERE' That is why the world is in the state it is in. It is a brave person who argues with someone with a gun when you don't have one yourself. Revolutions and change occur I would submit when people do 'argue' and that word has to be defined in terms of personal commitment and sacrifice. Too many examples in the history of the world to quote really. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 17:48:21
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"It is a brave person who argues with someone with a gun when you don't have one yourself."
You may well think that but I disagree,I think that that course of action is not brave but foolish,however if you want confrontation then go ahead,argue.
In an ideal world of course you are totally correct,only one problem ours is not an ideal world ,and if you are travelling in one or two's in a country where you are not a citizen and you start an arguement with those in authority in that country,you are asking for trouble and will probably get it,one person has no power at all and unless they wish to become a martyr the safest thing to do is do as you are told.As I wrote many places in this world are far from ideal.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 19:02:00
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| Rassimian. I think you may have an opinion and express yourself, but I do not think it is duty of outsiders actively involve in regime change in another country especially violent resistance. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 28 Jul 2011 21:02:04 |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 19:46:38
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| Haveing travelled to many countries I agree not just Africa |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2011 : 22:09:28
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| Don't think he QUITE said that turk |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 28 Jul 2011 22:09:55 |
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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 11:47:43
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Thanks touby,Turk I did not say anything about outside interference. I was replying to comment made by toubab about confronting(argueing with) authority. What I would say to you toubab is do you believe in struggle of people throughout the world to change their lives for the better and if your answer is yes then it is usually always necessary to oppose and challenge authority.
Turk. Just to answer your question which poses a dilemma for many people who want a better world.
Many regime changes have occured purely through internal struggle with no outside help/interference but many examples where this proved to be necessary and beneficial. One example - the overthrow of the Pol Pot regime. Not by Cambodians,not by the west but by Vietnam. Now unless you were supporter of Pol Pot was not that intervention a good thing? Not sure what Vietnam gained from this unlike western intervention which always tends to be about some benefit to them such as Libya = OIL. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 13:06:14
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I understand what you mean however I cannot discuss the meaning of your thoughts except to observe "As I wrote many places in this world are far from ideal." it is up to an idividual any action that he feels he must take.I am sorry but I don't want to discuss this topic with you.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 13:26:59
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Rassimian
I am skeptical on your stand for the following reasons.
There are great deal of power unbalance in the world. There are rich nations, there are poor nations. There are nations which have enormous political and military power. There are nations that are not. For US itself spends more military spending than the rest of the world. So, outside interface require political, economic and military influence. I am thinking that, the only capable forces for outside interface is wealthier nations. And they are not necessarily objective, in fact, they are biased. They may promote their ideological and cultural values, but that is not necessarily a good thing for the nation that needs help. Also, outsider most likely have an interests. International politics is based on the interests. No one helps you because they want to help you in the name of goodness. And people have double standards. I will give you a few examples. For example, NATO helped Bosnia without any hesitation and the conflict was in the middle of Europe. At the same time there was a bloodier conflict in Rwanda, no help provided. US is promoting democracy in middle east, and they attack Libya, Iraq, Sudan, at the same time west do not mind having the even worse bloody regime in Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Israel. Don't you think the situation in Israel requires outside intervention. The conflict has been since 1948 with many wars. Why not we have UN intervention to provide peace between Jews and Arabs. Unfortunately, in the international arena, there are unbalance powers that have double standards who to help who not to help.
I am no fan of any dictator like Pot Pot regime. But I do know western intervention in the region was motivated by the prevention of communism at times. There are always interests i.e. oil, natural resource, having strategically important region control. For example, Afghanistan. It is one of the most strategic place on the earth where China meets India, Pakistan meets Iran, all the oil/gas rich Turkish republics in the region.
I don't trust nations and because of unbalance power, I believe outside intervention mostly times are not good.
I am happy to put pressure on despotic regime by unilateral move. For example, Malaysia do not recognize Israel. US do not recognize Cuba. China do not recognize Taiwan. No diplomatic relationship between Iran and US. That is fine, but in general, I am against foreign intervention because of the above reasons.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 13:38:46
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Toubab. You don't want to discuss this topic with me for what reason?
Turk. I agree with your comments. I am not an 'interventionist' It's not about not trusting nations ,its about not trusting or believing in 'authoritarian' regimes of which there are many.
It is not my stand as you put it.It is just purely my observations on 'world politriks'.We probably have more views in common on this subject than you think. Perhaps this topic should be continued in a new posting. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 13:47:08
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Rassimian
Thanks for re-conciliatory post but, you did not need to explain. I am perfectly fine with having different opinion, if there was any. I really did not mean, that was your position. I wanted to clarify my position. If it sounded like I am objecting your stand, that was not the intention. Topics here are usually extended and I think that is ok. I have been enjoying your previous experience, you can continue for your stories.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 29 Jul 2011 13:48:40 |
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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 14:43:01
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Thanks turk,although I think the original topic diverted somewhat.Someone else on bantaba must have some stories. Come on Bev and anyone else who has been to the Gambia. Lets hear about your experiences otherwise it becomes a one or two sided affair.
I'm going to end my contribution with the following. 2007 in the Gambia. Staying at the Peaceful Motel in Bakoteh. Does anyone know it.? I always bring music over with me ,mostly reggae. I kept promising myself to go down to West Coast radio to play my tunes and my Gambian friends encouraged me so one thursday I headed down with my vinyl and was introduced to DJ Mo. He's a
nice guy and after a quick chat I was doing an hour session on the radio. Got some nice response from people phoning in and I was booked for the following week. When that time came arranged for my tunes to be recorded on cassette tape and am the proud owner of my DJ set. Couldn't have happened in the UK! Session over!
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