Re: [Leica] PAW and Nudity and Zimbabwe

[Daniel Ridings <daniel.ridings@muspro.uio.no>]

> I wonder, though, whether there is a safety issue here? I do not know if
> the Zimbabwean regime monitors the LUG, but here is a guy publicly
> identified as saying that life was better under Smith. I would assume
> that making such a statement in today's Zimbabwe is hazardous to one's
> health?

I was wondering about the same thing. I've been going there since 1992.
Back then, someone might, only might, express something slightly critical
of the government if you were taking a walk out in the bush (no joke) and
you were sure there were no curious ears.

This time, we were sitting in the bar, solving the problems of the world
as one does in bars, and people were very explicit and not low-key (it
_was_ a bar, and local spirits are still cheap ... "cane", a spirit made
from sugar cane, is highly recommended. It would be _better_ if they would
make sugar, but I think the government figures people will be happier half
drunk) ... anyway, I asked: "Aren't you guys afraid of spies?" There was
an adamant "no". What are they going to do? Turn in 95% of the population
in Harare?

But the spies were there. You could spot them. The government does monitor
all e-mail in the country (the US spy project probably helps them out with
that one). I did all of my corresponding in Swedish. Sure, eventually, if
they really want to, they'll get it translated. But I'm just a little shit
anyway, so I seriously doubt that they'll bother.

BUT ... if they let ME into the country again or not ... well, that
remains to be seen. About 50 foreigners a month are turned back at the
border in retaliation for the sanctions against our friend Bob and his
cronies.

I thought about this, the security issue. His name isn't there (I know
it), but his sentiments are not exceptional. Economically it was better.
Sure, they couldn't vote, but they couldn't vote at the last election
either (only a fraction of the polling stations were open and working at
snail pace to make sure the Harare people couldn't get in their vote ...
Bobby knew they would vote against him and they make up a _large_ portion
of the population).

To be fair: Gary, on the other hand, could honestly say that he really
could understand M:s actions. Gary knew a few terrible things from the
past.

All the best,
Daniel

> not ask about the logistics, though ;-)

Technically, I think it was 1/30 @ f2 for the first two and 1/60 @ f2.8
for the last :) Nice thing about Leicas ... they're so quiet, they don't
break the mood :)


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