In my fourth (or fifth if you count 0 -9 as the first) decade and still single, I am Zimbabwe born and bred and like a lot of people in this country am appalled at the tragedy unfolding around me. Zimbabwe has to be seen to experience the beauty of the place and the people have to be met to understand just how pleasant most are, despite the endless bad press.
I started this blog as an easy way (lazy way) of keeping in touch with all my friends around the world so while it is written mainly for those who know the country I have tried to make it understandable for those who don’t, though at times it may seem totally absurd; hence the title!
Initially I was going to be very critical of what is going on in the country and with the potential repercussions of that decided to stay more or less anonymous. However, there are loads of blogs that chronicle that and I quickly got tired of the negativity. So, the anonymity has faded somewhat and I prefer to concentrate on the things that compel me to write, political, humorous, and otherwise. I apologize in advance for my lack of journalistic skills but hopefully they will improve. Hey, give me a break, I am a scientist (an MSc in Horticulture) and have only “discovered” the arts relatively late in life!
Entries tend to occur as I am inspired and/or have something to say so they can be a bit erratic. Please fell free to leave comments, critical and otherwise, it is nice to know people are reading this.
Hey Andy, great blog!
Cheers
Lee
Dear Andy
This is all great. Thanks for the fabulous coverage of HIFA. Some very good points – will take some on board. Very direct writing style. Interesting. Can you contact me? Want to speak to you about something to do with the Festival.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Maria Wilson – HIFA
Hi Andy,
I’m still trying to learn how to walk propely, just like a new baby. How are you coping in good old Zim? We miss it like crazy and can’t wait to be back. Cheers to all.
PS What’s you land line (if working!) number to call you on skype
Hey Olivier I know the feeling well! Persist, it will pay off.
Battling is the only word to describe it. It isn’t like it was when you were here. Everyone is waiting for the elections but I’m not sure that whatever the outcome it will be a case of plus de change, plus de meme chose!
Hi Andy, it’s great to read your blog! We’re waiting with lots of apprehension to obtain the official results of the election and are keeping our fingers crossed. We’re really hoping to be able to anticipate our return home! Morocco is a wonderful country but there’s no other place but Zimbabwe that we intend calling home. We miss everybody there and appreciate more and more what we’ve left behind, although we know it’s only temporary since we will be coming back soon soon. Take great care of your self!
Cheers, Stefania (Olivier’s wife).
Hi Andy
Your blog is very funny, despite the terrible circumstances. I’d love to use some of your writing for our website http://observers.france.24.com, or even better, talk to you on the phone.
I’m thinking of doing a piece on Zimbabwe prices and the strange ways they affect you (and you seem to be quite an expert on this).
Let me know if you’re interested.
Sophie Pilgrim
spilgrim@france24.com
Dear Andy
You mention on the blog friends of yours, Gary and Jo Hensman. I’ve been trying to get in touch. I’ve tried the following address (ghensman@zol.co.zw), but suspect that they may not now be using it. Might you have other contact details?
Regards
Andrew
Hi Andy, How you doing? Tried e-mailing you several times, but been rejected as undeliverable! Treid Di in USA and she gve me the same erroneous e-mail address. Got a new address? Cheers, Peter
Hi Peter it’s same as the last but now @zol
Hello, Andy,
My name is John Wilpers. I am the Global Blog Coordinator for GlobalPost, a new international news organization set to launch on Jan. 12 (see http://www.globalpost.com).
My job is to build a list of blogs that will appear on GlobalPost where we will have approximately 65 correspondents in some 46 countries. We are looking for enlightening, informative posts from bloggers writing (in English) in those countries.
I am pleased to extend an invitation to you to have the most recent post of “Zimbabwe Absurdity” included on the Zimbabwe page of GlobalPost.com as part of our “Global Blogs” service.
After reviewing thousands of blogs worldwide, we have found “Zimbabwe Absurdity” to be one that is thought provoking and gives readers a true sense of what life is really like in Zimbabwe.
The way it would work if you accept our invitation is that we would use your RSS feed to place your most recent post on your personal page on GlobalPost.com. We would point back to your actual blog for comments and for archives, hopefully driving lots of traffic to your site. Each time you write a new post, it would replace the older one so only one post would appear on GlobalPost.com.
By appearing on Global Post’s exciting new international news website, your words, viewpoints, and pictures would gain worldwide exposure. Your posts would not only appear instantly on globalpost.com but also possibly on the sites of our partners, including the Huffington Post (7.8 million U.S. and 9.7 million global monthly unique visitors) and other news and information websites.
You don’t need to do anything differently. We do request that you consider pointing back to us from your blog (we will send out logos shortly for your consideration).
You should know that we have a few guidelines that we observe here at Global Post:
1) We do not publish racist, sexist, or misogynist comments (unless those comments are the subject of the post).
2) We do not publish obscene language or photos. While we recognize that obscenity can be difficult to define, we know it when we see it and we will let you know if we think you have crossed our line.
3) We do not permit plagiarism. Any work taken from another source must be attributed to that source.
4) We do not publish libelous or slanderous language.
5) We do not tolerate repeated errors of fact or misrepresentations of facts or quotes.
6) We do not publish work inciting violence.
Failure to observe these guidelines would result in the removal of your blog from GlobalPost. We would contact you, of course, to discuss the post in question.
Because we have a broad multicultural audience holding every conceivable political and religious viewpoint, we want to respect their views while also possibly challenging them. We will host controversial work. We will encourage robust debate of the hottest topics. We will not stifle discussion, only abuse of people, belief systems, and laws.
We hope these guidelines are acceptable to you.
I look forward getting your permission to put your RSS feed on our site. Please respond to: jwilpers@globalpost.com.
Sincerely,
John Wilpers
PS If you choose to accept our invitation and would like a photo and a short biography to appear on GlobalPost, please send both to me with your confirmation e-mail or at some time shortly thereafter.
JOHN WILPERS
Global Blog Coordinator
The Pilot House
Lewis Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
617-688-0137
jwilpers@globalpost.com
Hi Andy
You are a remarkable man. Thanks for your writing and photographs.
Best
Steve