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the ZIMBABWE Situation


the ZIMBABWE Situation
Photo Information
Copyright: kris verswe (verswe) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 689] (3521)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06-05
Categories: Daily Life, Event
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-16 6:04
Viewed: 6250
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The contrasting tourism fortunes of Zambia and Zimbabwe, on either side of
the spectacular Victoria Falls, could not be starker. Zimbabwe's loss has
become Zambia's boon.

The tourist trade, a major source of foreign exchange in some African
countries is now becoming nothing but a distant memory in others. Nowhere is
this more obvious than in Zambia and Zimbabwe - two nations on opposite
sides of one of the 'Seven Wonders of the World', the majestic Victoria
Falls.

But while Livingston town on the Zambian side is bursting with
dollar-spending foreign visitors crammed into newly-built four-star hotels
and river-edge lodges, Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls town on the other side is
almost a ghost town. The erratic policies of President Robert Mugabe are
driving away all but the hardiest of foreign visitors.

This situation is an exact role reversal between the two countries. Until
three years ago, the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was the in-place to
be. It was full of hordes of young backpackers and also older, and often
richer, jet-setters from around the world.

From bungee jumpers to high handicap golfers, Vic Falls - as the town was
fondly called - was the place where it was all happening. Its lively and
bustling hotels were perpetually fully booked, on-season and off.

Wooden carvings are sold alongside the road "everywhere" in Zimbabwe.
This picture is taken in Victoria Falls; there is an outdoor market which makes it easy to compare the work of several craftsmen.
They sell everything, from giant wooden carved giraffes to these drums.
Be aware that craft market income is the only income for many families.
brevbrev14, Mondaychild, worldcitizen, jassy, kevinos has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jassy Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 150 W: 19 N: 308] (1061)
  • [2006-10-16 20:56]

Hello Kris,
This is a very nice photo. I like the POV and the composition (just part of the man on the right, beating the drum), and the colors and repitition of the drums is great. Also an excellent Note; it really helps us to understand a bit about this part of the world. Thanks! Well done.
Regards, Jackie

Hi Kris, i like a lot this shot and your compo!great colours and scene captured, very interesting the man's hands on the right:i think it is an important inclusion.
Very good work!

CIAO!

Valeria

Nice powerful pattern and colours, making the frame visually very interesting. Isn’t funny how tourist tat looks the same anywhere? It becomes the symbol of tourism’s degradation and trivialization of every culture. One of the things I like about Laos is that, unlike nearly every other country there is no tourist junk to be found. Regards Kevin

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