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Tanzania

Crashing Colonial Africa

By Michael Flarup

July 12^th, 2010

With the sun beating on the beige hood of our Land cruiser we crushed through the bush. I was shooting the entire Lion King Cast perched on the roof with my 70- 200mm 2.8L lens when we spotted the gaping black hole in the high grass. A few seconds later our vehicle had a disagreement with gravity and disappeared into the ground.

I had very little idea of what to expect arriving in Dar Es Salaam on a pitch black tuesday night. I had never visited the African continent before and my expectations where weaved by a thin string of National Geographic wildlife photography and relief effort images shown on the news.

As we sped into the night with the doors locked through the poorer districts of this east african metropolis i braced for two weeks of foreign experiences. A million red suns toiling in dusty afternoons, this country of children runs on a different clock. An environment and attitude so foreign it will make you stop in your tracks and marvel at the slow chaotic rhythm of a proud people living in unbelievable poverty.

What are these photos about?

The Good & The Bad

☺ Amazing people. Hospitable and with a rich culture, the Tanzanians are a fascinating bunch. We ended up spending a good few nights with random strangers that eagerly showed us the ins and outs of their local area. ☺ Variety. From the ever popular Safaris to the beaches on Zanzibar there‘s quite a diverse set of adventures awaiting in Tanzania. You can easily combine, what would seem to be two very different destinations into one.

☹ Crime. Tanzania unfortunately also ranks as one of the more dangerous places I‘ve traveled to. While not on par with other parts of Africa, you‘ll still have to think carefully about your surroundings. Security is often needed in living arrangements in the city and you‘ll be shocked by the general disregard for human life. ☹ Disease. The chances of catching an exotic disease is unfortunately very real. From Malaria to intestinal parasites, there‘s plenty of interesting souvenirs to bring home. Take your shots and be aware of the cleanliness of the establishments you visit. Stay away from public hospitals and go to a private clinic if something goes wrong.

Every preconception i had about Africa was both reinforced and challenged. The chasm between rich and poor, between lush and barren left me both cynical and optimistic. Tanzania is a country of colors. Where you go to, and who you speak to, will show you a different part of the spectrum.