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Popular Local Customs | Other Local Customs Tips | All Tips (27)
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 | A Helping Hand    |  | |
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 |  on October 2, 2007 |
Whether you like it or not, it was customary in southern Africa to employ local people to help with household chores, both inside and outside. Even when I was a poorly paid volunteer in Zambia (relative to other whites or 'mzungus' as we were called), I was constantly faced with entreaties at the door asking for employment. Eventually, I gave in and hired my own guy, James, to look after the odd jobs that I could just have easily done myself. However, to James, it was his main source of income for the years that I was there. The same thing applied in Zimbabwe, except that, with the expatriates that made these countries their life, these employees became like part of the family. I was glad to see Edward again in Harare, still faithfully carrying out his chores 20 years after our first meeting! |
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| THEY WORK VERY HARD!! | | |
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 |  on November 9, 2002 |
I found in Zimbabwe, as well in Kenya. To give the camp hands $5.00- $10.00 a day. Thats not per-camp hand. Thats per-traveler. The money gets collected, then they divided up later. Now, your main guide. He gets his own tip. Again, the same as above. But give what you can. It's very important they feel they have a reason to keep doing safaris!! In turn will help protect the parks and all that is in it!! |
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| DIARY OF THE TRIP I made an... | | |
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 |  on August 25, 2002 |
DIARY OF THE TRIP I made an 'on the road' diary, with watercolor drawings and some personal impressions. It's written in spanish, of course, but you can take a look at the drawings at my travelogue |
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| Be friendly and respectful.... | | |
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 |  on August 26, 2002 |
Be friendly and respectful. When ending your journey, dont throw away your things - like toothpaste or half of your shower liquid soap. Those things - even sun tanning cream! - are very very valuable. Even old T shirts and worn out sneakers. You should exchange those at the market, when buying other things - like statues and batik. Dont buy statues the first day, because they are heavy. If you have exceeded the allowed weight for the plane, try the following tactics: send some things in the parcel to your home (not statues - they will brake!) or: cry truthfully at the airport (risky, but efficient in my case). I exchanged my used sneakers with the statue on the picture. Unfortunatelly I throw away most of other things (to European its just garbage). But I had to walk barefoot for this statue... :) They even wanted my sweaty smelly socks! We laughed a lot at the market about that. I was the attraction of the day. |
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| Buying African batik is... | | |
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| on August 26, 2002 |
Buying African batik is definitely a must. I made friends with one woman and we became pen pals. I send her parcels of my used clothes and shoes. She has two daughters and she is a widow now. Her husband died of TBC. She is trying to make the ends meet. I believe in personal help, thats why I am doing this. I know who she is and we can share our grief and hapiness. I just wish I could do more for her. So - when being in 3rd world country - dont look at these people as something strange, exhibited in the zoo. They are people, just as you. They deserve something better. Make friends with them. Chat with them. Give what you can. On the picture: african batik (hand painted sheet) and the rest of goods you cant resist. |
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| I don't remember who said... | | |
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 |  on September 8, 2002 |
I don't remember who said 'You've got the watches, we've got the time' but it could well have been a Zimbabwian. The rush-rush of the modern western countries is something uncommon in Zimbabwe which I believe we should learn from! |
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| People were very friendly in... | | |
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 on September 2, 2002 |
People were very friendly in Zimbabwe. We found it very easy to get around, etc.. I didn't really enjoy the coffee there though.. It was very watered down and sometimes tasted a little strange.. |
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| Before rafting or canooing on... | | |
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| on August 26, 2002 |
Before rafting or canooing on Zambezi, buy yourself one of these. Its called Nyami Nyami and represents a river spirit that will protect you from anything bad. River spirit is very important in African culture, since water is fundamental and waluable resourse. Also, wearing it you can expect wealth. Since nyami nyamis are not heavy, I recommend that you buy a few of them for your friends and family back home. They will love it! They are made of stone, small and look great. |
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| Do you like my hairdress? I... | | |
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| on August 26, 2002 |
Do you like my hairdress? I had it done when I got over my cultural shock experience and asimilation took place in my soul. But before getting too excited (I know, it looks great!) you must be aware: for this kind of hairdress (the breads are made from my own hair, not artifical) you must sit still for 7 hours. A lot of hairstylist would try to make you enthusiastic and will say it takes 3-4 hours, but dont believe that. It takes 7 hours at least, so bring water to drink during the procedure. If you have short or thin hair it is better (and least time consuming) if breads are not yours - you can choose which one will you have (colour, style). Now, when you have this hairdress, you are more acceptable and people will make friends faster and easier with you, they will not be afraid or submissive (I hate that). But please, be aware, that this hairdress on this picture also came with lice in the package. So I had to buy lice shampoo to get rid of that. I recommend bringing lice shampoo with you in Zimbambwe. Since that was my only infection there, I am quite satisfied. This hairdress is very recommendable also for thick hair (as mine), since you are not feeling so hot anymore. But do wear a hat allways, the sun is crazy. |
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| Listen to mbira, a special... | | |
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| on August 26, 2002 |
Listen to mbira, a special musical instrument. Dont buy cheap mbira at the market, they are useless for playing. The real mbira sounds very nice. But you probably wont resist buying a drum or two. I can tell you - its difficult to bring it on the plain (dont send it by post! - it will get mouldy), but my friend has made it. She is taking drumming lessions now in Slovenia. Thomas Mapfuno is the best known music artist outside Zimambwe. Here you can listen to clips of mbira playing: http://www.ultranet.com/~nmwar http://www2.kenyon.edu/project |
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More Zimbabwe Tips
| Overview | General Tips Tips: 95 - Photos: 69 |
| Restaurants Tips: 42 - Photos: 29 | Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 87 - Photos: 58 |
| Things To Do Tips: 218 - Photos: 198 | Nightlife Tips: 39 - Photos: 30 |
| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 51 - Photos: 48 | Tourist Traps Tips: 29 - Photos: 12 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 64 - Photos: 32 | Transportation Tips: 64 - Photos: 48 |
| Local Customs Tips: 27 - Photos: 21 | Packing Lists Tips: 21 - Photos: 11 |
| Shopping Tips: 8 - Photos: 7 | Sports Travel Tips: 3 - Photos: 2 |
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