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Black Africa
Define this?
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There are animals that will kill you, the great mammals like lions and
elephants that are not only present in the nature reserves but also
reptiles and insects that are plenty. Malaria and other parasites you
haven’t even dreamt about that will invade you an make you feel sick,
weak for weeks. There are huge stretches of land with little or no
civilization where your fate may depend on the strangers good will.
The mentality there is different to what we know from Europe, Asia or
anywhere else. Some people lay their eyes on you without a word or any
expression on their face, god knows what’s going on through their
head. There are groups of junkies and alcohol addicts like nowhere in
the world, places so dark you’d be rethinking your plan for days after
seeing it. There is poverty, sickness and trash.I wouldn't expect this from someone that is currently touring in Vietnam.. What is your thinking in saying Central Africa is too dangerous but Vietnam isn't?
I don't want to scare you or put you off, but you have sicknesses and dangers in Southeast Asia as well, without explaining details. (maybe when you're back)
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ok, I'll bite, I've worked extensively in the countries you've referred to as "Black Africa" - which I think is not a good name for it in the slightest.
There are animals that will kill you, the great mammals like lions and elephants that are not only present in the nature reserves but also reptiles and insects that are plenty
Yes, maybe if you camp in the middle of a wildlife reserve, whilst cooking several steaks over your camp fire. If not then you have no need to worry.
Malaria and other parasites you haven’t even dreamt about that will invade you an make you feel sick, weak for weeks
Malarial prophylactics have existed for years. Atovaquone tablets are cheap, work well, and have no side effects if you make a basic level of effort.
There are huge stretches of land with little or no civilization where your fate may depend on the strangers good will
This is just pure rubbish. It's an inhabited continent. You're not going to Antarctica.
Some people lay their eyes on you without a word or any expression on their face, god knows what’s going on through their head. There are groups of junkies and alcohol addicts like nowhere in the world, places so dark you’d be rethinking your plan for days after seeing it. There is poverty, sickness and trash.
Let me guess, you have read Heart of Darkness recently.
Many of the nations in the area you have referred to are developing countries, and so they might not look the same as Europe. I can tell you LA has as many problems with "junkies and alcohol addicts" as some of the poorest neighbourhoods on the African continent I've travelled through.
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Not sure if anyone posting in this thread have ever been to Sub-Saharan Africa. Doesn’t seem like it. I’ve been to Kenya, which has the reputation of being civilized and relatively “safe”. I had the idea of cycle touring through south-middle Africa as well and put a good time reading and thinking about it.
When you go to that continent you have to take to account all the dangers mentioned above by others, but there’s so much more. There are animals that will kill you, the great mammals like lions and elephants that are not only present in the nature reserves but also reptiles and insects that are plenty. Malaria and other parasites you haven’t even dreamt about that will invade you an make you feel sick, weak for weeks. There are huge stretches of land with little or no civilization where your fate may depend on the strangers good will. The mentality there is different to what we know from Europe, Asia or anywhere else. Some people lay their eyes on you without a word or any expression on their face, god knows what’s going on through their head. There are groups of junkies and alcohol addicts like nowhere in the world, places so dark you’d be rethinking your plan for days after seeing it. There is poverty, sickness and trash.
There is no other place on earth that calls me more than Africa and I think traveling there can and should be done. But going there thinking that “it’s not that dangerous” is a huge mistake. Just my 2 cents.
Edit: I edited the post so it would not offend future readers.