First female round SA solo finishes tomorrow

[Dirt*girl™]

Astana - can you maybe suggest an alternative? through different countries..different routes...different continent maybe?

[Tumbleweed]

it's her life, her dream. she knows the risks. good for her.  

[Andyr249]

Congrats! That is a great achievement!

[Bat-ass]

i think astana is being realistic.... chance of disaster very high... i'v read Ruan Munsters book, and its amazing how he got through!!! but since he went, it seems thigs are worse, with Dakar being withdrawn, priates, Togo soccer team being shot up in angola on friday???

[ASTANA]

 

Astana - can you maybe suggest an alternative? through different countries..different routes...different continent maybe?

 

Its sad that they had to move the Dakar Rally due to increasing dangerous areas in North Africa / and east Africa for that matter.

 

There is nothing more rewarding I think to say I circumnavigated AFRICA!

 

Its just sad to have countries like Somali - with no official government and crazy terrorist taking over Africa. the vast empty areas in the desert is not so empty anymore...

 

I think doing South America or even Asia is a better bet at the moment. Its a lot safer according to stats (not saying you wont have trouble with random locals) - but you never know (that's part of the experience though). For me its just not the same as Africa, but its a good start. Do AUS, ASIA, EUROPE, NORTh and SOUTH america and then do africa when all is good again  - this way you did everything.

 

[ASTANA]

 

i think astana is being realistic.... chance of disaster very high... i'v read Ruan Munsters book' date=' and its amazing how he got through!!! but since he went, it seems thigs are worse, with Dakar being withdrawn, priates, Togo soccer team being shot up in angola on friday??? [/quote']

 

Its very good to dream big and I love open minded people willing to risk a bit and explore, but sometimes the odds are just too much against you. Being a woman makes it even worse.

 

Dreaming is good, but being realistic and making a calculated decision is a must

 

All the best to her / them. But don't blame terrorism and unrest when something terrible happens - we all know whats happening up there, so there should be no surprise then... sad but true I'm afraid 

 

[Tumbleweed]

i think astana is being realistic.... chance of disaster very high... i'v read Ruan Munsters book' date=' and its amazing how he got through!!! but since he went, it seems thigs are worse, with Dakar being withdrawn, priates, Togo soccer team being shot up in angola on friday??? [/quote']

 

i guess some people weigh up those risks, and think, wtf! let's do it. like bridget ringdhal.

[ASTANA]

 

i think astana is being realistic.... chance of disaster very high... i'v read Ruan Munsters book' date=' and its amazing how he got through!!! but since he went, it seems thigs are worse, with Dakar being withdrawn, priates, Togo soccer team being shot up in angola on friday??? [/quote']

 

i guess some people weigh up those risks, and think, wtf! let's do it. like bridget ringdhal.

 

absolutely. But then don't make a big scene about it when they get hijacked and held hostage for a month or more and some or all of them get killed because the government didn't want to pay the ransom.

 

Like some tourist traveling to SA then they go and walk around in the squatter camps at night - get robed / mugged and even killed. Now all of a sudden its a dangerous country - you get my drift. People should not blame something when they already know beforehand that its one of the risks

 

[Dirt*girl™]

I get you Astana....you just (simply put).....CARE.

[Tumbleweed]

i think astana is being realistic.... chance of disaster very high... i'v read Ruan Munsters book' date=' and its amazing how he got through!!! but since he went, it seems thigs are worse, with Dakar being withdrawn, priates, Togo soccer team being shot up in angola on friday??? [/quote']

 

i guess some people weigh up those risks, and think, wtf! let's do it. like bridget ringdhal.

absolutely. But then don't make a big scene about it when they get hijacked and held hostage for a month or more and some or all of them get killed because the government didn't want to pay the ransom.

Like some tourist traveling to SA then they go and walk around in the squatter camps at night - get robed / mugged and even killed. Now all of a sudden its a dangerous country - you get my drift. People should not blame something when they already know beforehand that its one of the risks

yeah, i see where you're coming from, but you're assuming she is the kinda person who would make a scene. i'm sure she has thought it through. it's not just a whim.

[ASTANA]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/world/africa/20tunisia.html?_r=1

 

Read the above link

 

Yeah the thing is I, and I believe most other South africans know when something is dodge - let it be a area your driving or walking in - people your meeting or buildings whatever, and this seems to help us a lot more than people from other countries.

 

I've traveled Europe and I knew when I needed to get out of a alley way or area etc and this sense have saved me from numerous mugs and dangerous situations.

 

So for a South african to do something like (travel africa now) this is almost like a Brittish or German tourist comming to SA and walking into Soweto or Khailitshia at night taking pictures and looking for a place to sleep. One should listen to logic aswell

 

The problem is that tourist seems to be naive or just not "educated / street wise" as us. The funny thing is - im from a farming community so not even a City guy / "sadjapie" , and I know when something is just not right. Where you can go and where not to go.

 

[GiroGirl]

Hi everybody.

 

Thanks so much for all your messages, interest and support.

Alot of valid points around my Africa trip of course.

 

Obviously I am aware of the dangers and risks involved. Especially now.

We can sit and debate this issue till we've turned it upside down and inside out. At the end of the day, if you have something you are REALLY passionate about, I know you wouldn't let anyone stand in your way either. Africa is a whole different ball game in comparison to cycling around SA.

 

A whole lot of planning is going into the Africa trip and we will leave here well prepared. And yes, I know that even with all the planning in the world, things can still go wrong. But this just simply will not keep me from giving it a go...and my best.

 

In the meantime, keep in touch everybody. I appreciate all the input.

 

Jolandie Rust

[leet22]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/world/africa/20tunisia.html?_r=1
 
Read the above link

Yeah the thing is I' date=' and I believe most other South africans know when something is dodge - let it be a area your driving or walking in - people your meeting or buildings whatever, and this seems to help us a lot more than people from other countries.

I've traveled Europe and I knew when I needed to get out of a alley way or area etc and this sense have saved me from numerous mugs and dangerous situations.

So for a South african to do something like (travel africa now) this is almost like a Brittish or German tourist comming to SA and walking into Soweto or Khailitshia at night taking pictures and looking for a place to sleep. One should listen to logic aswell

The problem is that tourist seems to be naive or just not "educated / street wise" as us. The funny thing is - im from a farming community so not even a City guy / "sadjapie" , and I know when something is just not right. Where you can go and where not to go.
[/quote']

We had the Irish come out to build houses. 1200 of them .they have to raise 5000 euros before they can even buy a ticket. First day here on the site 2 of them mugged .

I agree the world has gone to pot

[Tumbleweed]

Hi everybody.

 

?

 

Thanks so much for all your messages' date=' interest and support.

 

Alot of valid points around my Africa trip of course.

 

?

 

Obviously I am aware of the dangers and risks involved. Especially now.

 

We can sit and debate this issue till we've turned it upside down and inside out. At the end of the day, if you have something you are REALLY passionate about, I know you wouldn't let anyone stand in your way either. Africa is a whole different ball game in comparison to cycling around SA.

 

?

 

A whole lot of planning is going into the Africa trip and we will leave here well prepared. And yes, I know that even with all the planning in the world, things can still go wrong. But this just simply will not keep me from giving it a go...and my best.

 

?

 

In the meantime, keep in touch everybody. I appreciate all the input.

 

?

 

Jolandie Rust

[/quote']

 

 

 

three words: GO. FOR. IT.

[Dirt*girl™]

Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage!