~~Would you go to Uganda in these times~~

[EXman]

Just got an offer to photograph and film a charitable organization's building an elementary school and camp for soccer (that is what they like.) I would be donating my time and taking a 3-4 week leave of absence from work (w/o pay or might give me 2 weeks paid vacation.)

They are going over there purchasing land and building it over the next two years. Part of it will be a farm so that it can sustain itself.

My buddy has been there a few times and it is right next to Kenya which is relatively safe and I'd love to tour that country. Problem is I know in that part of the world kidnappings are not out of the norm. last week 11 tourists got kidnapped in Ethiopia. All Europeans not Yanks but still lily whites. I also know a family who just had to leave their home in Zimbabwe due to the government taking all the whites land and redistributing them to blacks. Is it racial yea it is!

I have three kids a beautiful wife and well after seeing Bob Woodruf special last week and his guilt for leaving his family and putting them through grief when he returned screwed up. Totally different place but all that matters is that he returned in a coma and will never be the same. I also worry about the food/water there and what would happen if I were to get ill there?

Damn I'm a Pus but I wanna here your thoughts.

Anyhow anyone been to Uganda or that region lately?

 

[iamwiz82]

I have absolutely zero desire to vist anywhere in that region.

 

[yankeesfan]

I just saw the Last King of Scotland. So, no. I bet it'd be fine to go there, though. It's probably an irrational fear.

 

[EXman]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I have absolutely zero desire to vist anywhere in that region.

Yes they don't have the accomodations you usually get. (don't take that the wrong way) They will probably be pretty bad. Of course that does make it a bit more of an adventure. Where we'd be staying people have automatic weapons and wildlife can kill you and that is all right there on the property!

 

[rivan]

I went to South Africa last year to visit family. They're uncomfortable enough - being white - that they're moving back to the states, and they're in Cape Town, among the most white-friendly spots on the continent.

Would I go back? Maybe, but I wouldn't bring my wife or kid, but without family to stay with, I don't think I'd have a reason to.

That said, my trip around Cape Town and our safari on the edge of Kruger were the experience of a lifetime. It wasn't all pleasant - the race issues are horrific and far too deep/complex to discuss here - but the country, it's wildlife, and many of it's people are simply stunning.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I have absolutely zero desire to vist anywhere in that region.

:thumbsup:

 

[alien42]

if you do end up going to kenya feel free to IM me any questions you may have, i was there for a month in 2005 and have many kenyan friends.

 

[triacontahedron]

What is the reason to go there? Just work hard for a month and donate your salary to a charity. For these money they can probably hire 10 local guys to make movies for them, not only it would do the job but it is also an investment in local economy and would make life of a few guys there a little better(there has to be some native photographers in africa).

 

[dud]

My son just got back from Uganda. His wife and her family are from Ethiopia and moved there. They had a "traditional" wedding ceremony and from what I hear there were no problems ... everyone got home safe.

 

[EXman]

Originally posted by: triacontahedron
What is the reason to go there? Just work hard for a month and donate your salary to a charity. For these money they can probably hire 10 local guys to make movies for them, not only it would do the job but it is also an investment in local economy and would make life of a few guys there a little better(there has to be some native photographers in africa).

Nice thoughts/intentions but you are missing the point.

Originally posted by: dud

My son just got back from Uganda. His wife and her family are from Ethiopia and moved there. They had a "traditional" wedding ceremony and from what I hear there were no problems ... everyone got home safe.

That sounds fantastic. I have heard northern part of Uganda near Ethiopia is the bad part the one that has the "lords army" that does unmentionable things when they come into any town and operates in the Ethiopia/ Somalia/Sudan/Ugandan region.

It turns out I have a friends parents that lived there for a few years. They will be getting a phone call!