Two Videos in the Ho, Ghana Market

Aside from being able to live cheaply, what are you doing in West Africa? It does not look like there is anything really to do, there are a lot of people sitting around (which I know sums up a lot of Africa). If the atmospere is nice and the scenery beauitiful then that is plenty but we have been seeing al ot of dillapitated markets etc.. I am not seeing the adventure that you generally portray is what I am trying to say. Not being critical, just wonderin?

Gadget from has written 916 comments

Only 1 in a 1000 readers is a traveler, so from a "Tourist Perspective," then I am doing nothing.

However, this is the inherent problem of a "Travel Blog." if I am not talking about highly exciting tourist attractions, then readers are confused.

You saying "dilapidated" markets is just a subconscious prejudice against anything African. I have been to Africa six times, the moment I set foot in Africa readers start to act as if I am in a horrible place. I never say it is horrible, the readers say it is horrible. this is just crazy.

Africa is not over-populated, the amount of clutter I see in comparison to Asia is one-fifth or India, --- India is a pig sty compared to Africa.

Travelers enjoy simple things, while tourist need entertained.

I can sit with a couple of girls cooking my eggs and be entertained greatly.

I will continue to get negative comments for a long as I am in Africa, why? Because it is full of black people, and the NGO's have sold the place as bad.

A person can travel for years in Africa and never lose their first impression gave to them by the NGO's and Press. Sadly, people do not change their opinions, their first concept is the judgement for life.

Africa is wonderful, no tourist to drive me nuts with stupid asshole comments, and plenty of locals happy to meet me, we enjoy talking. Not like Europe where the Europeans treat tourist with disdain, the tourist are welcome here.

The say to me 50 times per day,
"You are welcome," in a Ghana English way.

True perpetual travelers are happy with the simple idiosyncrasies of culture, while tourist rate a country by the amount of entertainment, and the number of things they can brag about they seen on the trip.

Africa has not built any large castles, they have not constructed much, the place has few if any true tourist attactions, the attraction is the culture of the tribal people Being that people cannnot allow themselve intimacy, this stops tourist, Africa is about being close to people, nothing to do with Tourist Attractions.

Pato from has written 56 comments

Very well put. You hit the distinction between a traveler and a tourist on the head with this comment. That is is!

I am not the typical tourist and have never been on an organized tour. I have backpacked cheaply through 45 countries with great amount of help from locals. I (on the defence, third time starting a sentence with "I") have ALWAYS mingled with locals rather than other douchy backpackers, fluent in spanish and have slept on my share of parkbenches and in the bushes. For me, my greatest adventure so far was hitching the east cape of Africa, from Durban up to Tanzania. It was frought with danger and beauty, I had several knifes pulled on me and was able to see what I am made out of...
I agree with what you are saying in regards to what 'most people' say. I dont think you took my comment the right way is all man. As far as the NGO's go, have you read "Dark Star Safari"? I do not like Theroux but did like the way he portrayed Africa. I think he was dead on.
Andy, I have been enjoying reading and conversing with you for years, I just meant what I said. Do not read anything into it. btw India is a billion times different than africa, not fair to compare the two.

Gadget from has written 916 comments

I always compare, and always will, the only way to explain to a person is to compare a place to another place they know, or could know.

The speed of travel is the essential difference.

Great stuff as always Andy! You're the epitome of the PT lifestyle.

Cheers,
Brian