ZimbabweMap
May A mere 15 years ago, Zimbabwe was one of the most developed countries on the continent, almost on par with the Republic of South Africa. ![]() Britain had direct influence over the country’s development. White farmers in Zimbabwe sold fruit to London. The Queen’s government secretly paid out money to Zimbabwe’s president Mugabe. But then Tony Blair came along and decided he was better off spending that money elsewhere. So he stopped paying. In response, Mugabe not only cut off his nose to spite his face, but also lopped off his hands and feet and got a lobotomy. Mugabe said, “Oh yeah, if you’re not going to pay me, then I’m kicking out your white farmers.” And did, by creating impossible conditions for them and making populist declarations about how the native population should own the land of its ancestors. Of course, since the native population is completely unable to do anything worthwhile with the land of its ancestors, the country quickly fell into unbelievable decline. The local currency was devalued almost entirely, so everyone switched to U.S. dollars. HarareMapIn the morning, I step into the hotel’s elevator and find myself—uhhhh—suspended in a moment of disbelief. There’s a Russian-language poster on the wall with a big headline that reads, “Loyalty is rewarded.” The black guy next to me is completely unperturbed. All the hotels in this chain on the territory of Zimbabwe had these Russian posters shipped in. ![]() Loyalty is rewarded. Join and begin collecting points today Mugabe continues to rule the country. The capital has a street named after him. The block on which the president’s palace is located is gated off at night, and all the sidewalks on the block are off-limits to pedestrians. ![]() The capital’s traffic light posts are painted with black and white stripes. ![]() The backs of traffic signs are painted with green and white stripes. ![]() The street signs which have the good fortune to contain an additional stipulation look incredibly elegant. ![]() The tall vertical specifications are also lovely. ![]() If you’re parked illegally, you might end up with a wheel clamp on your car. ![]() The parking spots are all numbered. Under every number is an arrow pointing towards the parking meter. ![]() Like in Ireland, the payment confirmation slips are called parking discs here. ![]() Every vehicle larger than a minibus has a sticker or sign that says, “Driver instructed to stop at rail crossing.” ![]() At the same time, it’s not unusual to spot someone driving their mother-in-law around in the back of their pickup. ![]() Or soaping up their car smack in the middle of downtown. ![]() An interesting idea: to have the wheel which operates the standpipe behind the glass, instead of a button to call the fire department. ![]() A phone card vendor. ![]() A newsstand. ![]() The one thing that’s been done extremely well is directional signage. There are plenty of detailed directional sings generously sprinkled around everywhere. They show the location of various businesses, organizations, embassies and so on. ![]() An excellent idea: indicating street names right on the sidewalk. ![]() A trash can in the capital. ![]() A payphone. ![]() A bus stop. ![]() Two kinds of post boxes. ![]() A modern electrical box. ![]() A gorgeous old-fashioned electrical box. Those were the days. ![]() A butcher shop. ![]() The capital still looks pretty decent (it reminds me of the cities in New Zealand). ![]() But drive in any direction for five minutes—and the real Africa begins. ![]() In the capital, people are still rushing about their business. ![]() Five minutes away, no one is in a rush to get anywhere anymore. ![]() In the capital, various sign plates are available for sale. ![]() Five minutes away, shoe polish is available for sale by the pound. ![]() Then the savannah begins. ![]() A strange pole resembling a chicken foot stands at the entrance to every large town. ![]() The pedestrian crossing sign is incredibly beautiful. It has a caution sign mounted above it. ![]() The cows on the signs are beautiful in their own right. Cows on traffic signs look different in every country. ![]() A sign indicating a toll road ahead. ![]() Every gas station has a board out front listing the types of fuel: diesel or petrol. Next to each type is a “yes” or “no.” The price and octane grade are usually not listed. ![]() MasvingoMapThe town bears an uncanny resemblance to provincial towns in Australia. ![]() The same one main street and low-rise colonial buildings. ![]() Outside the city are the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the ancient capital and main ideological object of worship of the country. In fact, the word “Zimbabwe” means “stone house.” ![]() BulawayoMapThe second-largest city in the country. The streets are lit with fluorescent lights at night. ![]() Traffic light plates are painted with black and white stripes. ![]() Bulawayo’s main distinguishing feature as a city is that the street posts here are located on the road itself, rather than on the sidewalk. ![]() Even the trees grow in the part of the street that would be reserved for cars in every other city in the world. ![]() A payphone. ![]() Municipal trash cans are welded out of fuel barrels and finished off with peaked canopies. ![]() You’ll still find British pillar boxes here. ![]() As well as compact pole-mounted post box models. ![]() Traffic light ahead. It’s called a robot here, just like in South Africa. ![]() To be honest, there isn’t much else in the country. ![]() Although wait, there is. Aesthetically unique handicapped symbols. Ok, now that’s definitely it. ![]() |
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may 2011
Zimbabwe
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