...44...namibia

to me, namibia was the most hopeful place we visited. people were friendly, races appeared to mix easily, and infrastructure was great. i insisted upon coming to namibia because the San people (the original people on earth - see Journey of Man) lived and still live here. unfortunately, to get to the ones who are living in their traditional way (small outfits, hunting with bows and arrows, speaking in click languages), we needed a 4-wheel drive car and a gun to fend off lions. this required more planning than we had done, so we'll have to go back.
namibia has some of the craziest and most desolate landscapes i've ever seen.

...43...victoria falls - livingstone, zambia

in zambia, we visited nish and road tripped to victoria falls. pretty!

...42...south africa

south africa was a delightful introduction to the african animal kingdom, and a depressing introduction to the ramifications of so many years of apartheid and repression. the beautiful and very affluent city of Cape Town is within easy sight of the shantytowns (read south african: informal settlements). it's easy to understand why people get robbed at knife-point, with such a stark separation of wealth. my time here made me appreciate the incredible freedom we have at home. walking in a well-kept city park, we never have to think not to wear sunglasses (let alone bring a wallet) for fear someone will relieve us of them.