LL.........Dakar pics pretty please with sugar on top ?

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!

I know I know. I keep trying to find free time at night to upload them all, but this school week has been particularly busy. I haven't forgotten.

ok, thanks.

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.

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................

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.
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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?

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.

Storm clouds in Liberia



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

Still more Dakar, Senegal....

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

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........

I've said those very words about Ghana

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

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!!!!

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.

okay, so who wants to go to Senegal now? lol. If you book a flight with Ethiopian Airines, you can stop at another destination they fly for free....I think we'll be headed to Dakar.

Akon: Mama Africa...So much Love To Give...
(Compilation of pictures from places in Africa)




So much so much love
So much
So tell me can you feel it
So much so much yeah
Ya know
Make that visit
So much so much love
So much
Sénégal can you feel it
So much so much yeah
So much

So much love to share
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to give
Let them know they're missin' out
Mama Africa
Has so much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness
Meet me there
So much love to give
Let them know they missin' out
Sing again
A
This is for all the love
And the life took away
F
Don't forget we were born in trade
R
Ripped from the land and shipped away
I
Is the inspiration we used to survive
C
Have to see it with your own cries
A
Don't play
Add it up and alright
Still ya don't know

Land is so gold and green
The place is so fresh and clean
And everyday I water my garden
Tell me if you feel it deep in your heart and
The spaceis so cool and nice
Visit once, guaranteed to visit twice
And if you just believe in the most high
I know you'll be alright

Mama Africa
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to give
And let them know they're missin' out
Mama Africa
Has so much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness
Meet me there
So much love to give
Let them know they missin' out
Sing again

A
That's my favorite place when I need to get away
F
Must forget but we can't forget to pray
R
Like Lance ridin' on the runway
I
In my homeland and I'm feelin' so alive
C
Hear me chant Africa unite
A
Gonna accept mass alright

Still ya don't know
Skin is so dark and brown
She lifts me right off the ground
But no ya not gonna see it on ya tv
So just listen up and believe me
Her trees have the only cure
Her love is so luke and pure
Had to kiss them troubles goodbye bye
No I don't have to like mama Africa, you got
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to give
Let them know they're missin' out
Mama Africa
So much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness
Be there
So much love to give
Let them know they missin' out
Sing again

So much so much love
So tell me can you feel it
So much so much care
Make that visit
So much so much love
Sénégal can you feel it
So much so much care
Ow!
So much love to share
I just can't see how we livin' without it
So much love to give
Don't miss don't miss one moment about it
So much love to share
Resist this miss
I really doubt it
So much love so much love to share
Oh yeah
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to give
Let them know they're missin' out
Feelin' it all the time
Sweet blackness, oneness
Meet me there
Better be there
Let them know they're missin' out
Sing again

Buju Banton (Jamaican Reggae Artist)

Jamaica ALWAYS Has Lots of Love for Africa!!!!



African Pride
Artist: Buju Banton

Thou we struggle
Jah is the ruler and protector of I & I life
All man a bawl (Eh!)

(Ethiopia) Africans with African pride
(Somalia) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For our nation to move forward
(Mozambique) Africans with African pride
(Zambia) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward

What make we can´t all unite
Put each man difference aside
Why can´t we just come together
Cease from tribal wars and fight
Who knows better must do better
A source of collective insight
May not be exposed to education
But surely knows wrong from right

(Nigeria) Africans with African pride
(Ghana) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward
(Zimbabwe) Africans with African pride
(Zaire) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward

Self help with inner motivation
Teach I to be self sufficient
Don´t want to depend on no one
For attainment of my bread
Oh these words
Oh my calling
Children crying white squall tears
Hunger rampant harvest plenty (ooohwe, whoa)

(Senegal) Africans with African pride
(South Africa) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For any nation to move forward
(Ethiopia) Africans with African pride
(Somalia) Fighting to attain our rights
(oh oh oh oh oh oh oh)
(oh oh oh oh oh oh)

(Unde-lay, Unde-lay, Unde-lay, uh lay lay woi)
(Unde-lay, Unde-lay, Unde-lay, uh lay lay woi)
(Woi)

(Freedom) free Africa
A free free Africa
(Freedom) free Africa
A free indi-Africa
(Freedom) free Africa
Di whole entire Africa
(Freedom) free Africa (Whoa, woy-yo)

(Botswana) Africans with African pride
(Cameroon) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward
(Angola) Africans with African pride
(Namibia) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward

What make we can´t all unite
Put each man difference aside
Why can´t we just come together
Cease dis tribal war and fight
Who knows better must do better
A source of collective insight
May not be exposed to education
But surely knows wrong from right

(Algeria) Africans with African pride
(Mali) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward
(Benin) Africans with African pride
(Burundi) Fighting to attain our rights
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward

Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward
Want no more shedding of blood
For dis nation to move forward

Thanks, Asante! Mama Africa is one of my top favorite songs and I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE Buju Banton...I'm talking about the new him...not the old him, lol.

Did you see the dancing on the Buju Banton Video? Love it! And I love how he shouts out all these countries

Yes, I love it! I just realized that I've heard that several times, but never knew what it was called. Thanks!

Oh Lord I just love thest pictures

Thanks!

Thanks for sharing these pictures!! AFRICA is BEAUTIFUL!!

Thank you so much for sharing not only your pictures but your insights and experiences as well. I have enjoyed reading through this post One day we hope to get to Africa, God-willing. You are right...Jamaica will always have love for Africa.

Much Love

Wow those pics are Wonderful!!! I have never seen those pics before or such beautiful places in Africa. They always show the poverty there. Thanks!

and the pics with the men holding the lil girl up.. wow! (im speechless lol)

Lol, no problem.

NICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
thanks

Thanks! My intentions were to post more, but I have been really overwhelmed with a lot of things lately and I kind of neglected this thread. I'm glad people liked it, though.