Safari Notes

I have always wondered at America's Africa strategy! And agenda! It some times seems to me: the US doesn't have any long term policy or agenda on Africa. That is most likely! I still remember how the US handled apartheid South Africa - taking too long to put pressure on it; then Sudan: for years, the US wholly supported the North against the South which was then supported by the Soviets, then - in the nineties, America turned against the North and shifted its support to the South. In both South Africa and Sudan, the human suffering and toll has been enormous! And then, there's the recent shift in Libya ! And now: Chad !

I spent some of my happiest and most peaceful moments and years in and around Lira, Northern Uganda. The breathtaking green planes; the fresh water rivers and lakes at almost every few miles; the butterflies and cranes, and the endless site of: elephants, hippos, buffaloes and birds of all colors! And abundant food: fresh fruits and vegetables of the kind that I have never seen or found any where else! It was then very peaceful: no robberies, or rapes or murders. I visited almost every major trading center around Lira. And Lira had an excellent infrastructure, a well equipped hospital, working institutions, schools & colleges, phone and TV services, well stocked groceries et cetera. And civil order. Incredible! But that is how it was! I never ever thought then, that I and my family would flee such a stunningly beautiful place! That was way back in the sixties and before 1971. Before Idi Amin and the LRA ! Now, just the thought of visiting Lira - horrifies me! 'They seem to hav...

A very interesting and disturbing blog! Very educative and instructive too! I am learning more about Botswana; a side of Botswana that I never knew about! Visit the blog to read more on what these very good people are doing to fight HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

They got him ! No punishment can befit him! I can not think of any! What a joy! How relieving! But the relief isn't complete! There have been many like him who got away! And there are many who still 'rule' many parts of Africa and other parts of the world! Idi Amin ! Yes, if it wasn't for Idi mishandling and suffocating Uganda - would I be here? Most likely: not! At least I survived and live much better than I thought I would, years ago. Many, in Africa have their lives directed and decided by a few despots and 'monsters'! Fate for millions of Africans is in the hands of a few! Any hope? “ For Africa to me... is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place. ”

It is amazing how wild animals and life survive in such a barren and desolate place like the valleys, mountains and deserts of Hadhramout! It takes years some times, for any rain to fall in most areas. And yet: life survives! A variety of life forms. This troupe of Baboons, of the Papio hamadryas species, I guess - survive near an oil field. Here, they are scavenging for food near a garbage dump area used by the oil companies. This lizard survives under and near the accommodation shacks used by oil workers; it too, finds food and water easily in such places. As much as oil prospecting has disrupted their ecosystem, the animals have found a way of surviving around people. The camel! The undisputed 'king' of the desert! There are no wild camels in Hadhramout, but the bedouins , leave their much valued camels to wander in the plains and valleys, around. The bedouins, who have always lived here - found their lifestyle too, disrupted by the discovery of oil; but they too, and t...

A very wise African proverb! Water , the essence of life, 'cannot be washed'. There is water and water ! And yet it is said 'more than one billion people have no access to clean water'! And the statistics on water are alarming! And very saddening! The way fresh water sources are being depleted and polluted, gives very little hope. More so in Africa ; same in Yemen . I still remember way back in the sixties and seventies, when I was growing up in East Africa: there were only pristine rivers and lakes. Not a single plastic bottle or bag in the waters, then. No more! Chemicals, garbage and all kinds of pollutants are now being dumped in to the rivers and lakes; just as is happening in other parts of the world. Unlike other parts of the world, where water pollution went hand in hand with economic development - Africa hasn't had much economic improvement. The fourth World Water Forum has just finished in Mexico. As always, much talk and discussions, but very little wi...

Yesterday, I read the story of the very extra-ordinary two year old boy in Kenya, who was born without legs and arms: Freddie Msena Mtile . A very heartrending and sad story! Abandoned by his parents after being born disabled, due to sick and warped up traditions practiced by some tribes in Kenya - Freddie had found love, care, joy and new meaning in life from his foster parents and many kind people. But only for a short time. It is only when one considers and deeply contemplates the lives of people like Freddie, that one can really appreciate ones wholeness and life. Many of us go about with life complaining and worried about very minor things indeed: the weather, a cold, not having enough money and such. And yet, most of us are physically whole and healthy. But there are people who live very difficult and sad lives; some, even with such disabilities - find joy and give great meaning to their lives; none more than the incredible Kyle Maynard ! What an extra ordinary man! What an...