from tgr
Read this whole thread, and was on the fence as to what I felt, as I can see both the sympathy and the wtfyousostupid. Then I read the blog. One word comes to mind. ENTITLEMENT. Within the first few paragraphs, I went from feeling sorry for them to wanting to throw a few rocks myself. Having spent a lot of time in SA, I have to agree with earlier posters... something doesn't smell right here. Getting jacked is easily believable. You have stuff/they need stuff. Getting roughed up for being a cracker in a drugfarm zone? Sure. Smack bitches and send them packing. But the while village mob scene, complete with synchronized whistle formations and blinding flashlight (LOL) assault, for NO reason? Questionable. And how does she know exactly what was being discussed by the villagers, who was saying what, when no one spoke the language? Were the villagers considerate enough to speak english to each other so they could understand? All these conversations, requests being politely requested and harshly denied... how did all this go down with no common language?
My guess is that when they were initially met by the locals, they flashed the famous American attitude, and shit went bad fast. Respect is king down that way. You fail to show proper respect (say...by refusing a request or spraying someone with bear spray), you are gonna get hammered. I don't know how much they bothered to learn about the SA culture before they went, and it doesn't matter now. But the whole BOOfuckingHOOO I lost all my cool STUFF!!! [IMG]tetongravity.com/ubb/frown.gif[/IMG] tone rubs me. Roughly and against the grain. Suckers sending $$ are just... suckers.
Regardless of how cool/laid back/awesome you are, in a country like this, you are by definition you are a rich american asshole. Period.
Regardless of how 'nice' the local population is, you are still the outsider. You need to play by their rules.
When you are an outsider, you don't demand anything. Ever. You don't even ask. You buy. Nicely. You want to see my documents? Here is a $10 and this very cool Nike baseball cap. It is my favorite and I want you to have it because I am your guest. Thank you for your hospitality. I will forever treasure this scar from the rock you hit me in the head with.
Sucks that it happened. But not at all surprising. Maybe if these people really are decent and not entitled ameriaholes, they will send some of the bounty back to the people in this place that so desperately need it?