In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the province of Lubumbashi is known for mining. Copper is king in the Congo and Lubumbashi leads the way. The locals are proud of their mines. They are also proud of their mountain (wait, I didn’t know there were mountains in the DRC).There aren’t–well, maybe just one. Perhaps because the Congo is flat, the Congolese people built their own mountain out of tailings, residue, slag, and not so environmentally friendly stuff that copper mines produce. Lubumbashi mountain (I’m not sure that if an Englishman went up, it would still be a mountain) has become a symbol of the province. It certainly dominates the landscape. In a strange sort of African way, the people are proud of their mountain and all it represents, including the economic impact and the environmental damage the mines appear to be doing. So, if you want to build a mountain, invest in mines. Or, come to the DRC, they have plenty of mountain making stuff to go around.
Lubumbashi Mountain is made from the left over materials from the mines surrounding Lubumbashi.
Lions, Leopards, Water Buffalo, Wart Hogs, Rhinos, Elephants and Zebras–they all drink from this river. The Mala Mala Game Reserve in South Africa was established in 1964 and is a protected wildlife sanctuary. Situated in the midst of a much larger protected area, Mala Mala is an unfenced reserve where wildlife roam free. In spite of the location, poachers still manage to kill a significant number of animals each year. Mala Mala Rangers are working tirelessly to prevent and eliminate the senseless killing of protected species such as the Rhinoceros as well as preserve an environment where wildlife may enjoy living waters. And, it really is this cool 🙂
On the Mala Mala Game Reserve, this river gives life to a myriad of species.
There are numerous cross-cultural references to the Tree of Life. I don’t know the actual name for this tree, but the symmetrical shape reminded me of drawings I’ve seen from many parts of the world. In a land teeming with such diversity of life, the symbolism was not hard to find. Africa is an amazing place, bursting with life, much of it tenuous. This tree, thriving amongst the harshness, was an inspiring reminder of my own mortality.
Standing near a watering hole, this African Elephant felt the need to make other arrangements. He dug a hole with his trunk until he struck water. Then, he drank to his heart’s content.
A thirsty African elephant takes a healthy drink from his own personal well.
A Red-billed Oxpecker hitches a ride on a willing Water Buffalo. The Oxpecker lives in a symbiotic relationship with the Water Buffalo. It eats the bugs off the back of the large beast for food. The Water Buffalo benefits from a good cleaning.
A Red-billed Oxpecker eats bugs off the top of the Water Buffalo.
We came upon this Leopard eating the hind quarter of an Impala at the base of a tree. Up in the tree, twenty-five feet above us, the gutted and thrashed Impala was still starring at us. The Leopard killed the Impala, gutted it and hauled it up the tree. The Impala weighed almost as much as the Leopard.
He didn’t like us watching him eat so he took his dinner and sauntered into the bush. We followed. He decided to ignore us and sat down to finish his meal. When he was done, he just sat there, resting.
Leopard finishing a meal of Impala at the Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa.
The locals say the weather in Durban is the best in the world. I believe they believe it. But, when the storm brewing over the Valley of 1,000 Hills finally broke, it was like the Heavens turned over the oceans and dumped them on this valley. I can’t remember rain, no, you can’t really call it rain, maybe solid sheets of water, falling from the sky.
People, places, things–I think I’ve pretty much covered it. This will be my last post from Paris–a collection of random stuff–shapes, lines, designs, stuff–much of it transportation related–since we were running, literally, around the city. The city of lights, the city of love, good food, great architecture, interesting people–Paris has it all. Some may wonder, then, why shoot this–stuff? Storytelling, for me, begins with the wide shot and gets more specific. I am fascinated by shapes, lines, interesting stuff. It is so easy to miss the interesting stuff. It is even more difficult to see the interesting stuff, in interesting ways. The story of my visit to Paris–a story I will never forget–and, one I hope to visit again–concludes with the specific, yet random–from my treasure box of stuff.
Notre Dame Cathedral is rich in sacred imagery carved with intricate detail.
Intricate carved stone detail above the entrance to the cathedral of Notre Dame.
Intricate design and inlaid gold accent gates at the Château du Louvre.
Intricate design and inlaid gold accent gates at the Château du Louvre.
Blue granite monuments, symbols of eternity, perfection and earth, near Paris monuments.
Red granite monuments, symbols of eternity, perfection and earth, near Paris monuments.
One of the friendliest gargoyles I’ve seen.
Aging cobblestones on an aging Paris street.
Stone Newels cast interesting shadows at the Château du Louvre.
Rusted chains, set in stone, convey a sense of decaying permanence.
Angels, even dusty ones, above your threshold must be a good thing–right?
Tie up your bike, or your boat.
Nice house, nice ride.
They’re everywhere–a great, green method of transportation.
Perhaps a place to chain your bike?
They’re everywhere.
My reflection in the cracked mirror of a Vespa.
In spite of the ubiquitous logo network, my cellphone reception in Paris was terrible.
Interesting designs and colors on the covering above our outdoor cafe stop.
Bright colors, garish perhaps, liven the underground realms of the Paris Metro.
Which line, which direction? This is how you find your way on the Paris Metro
Ropes and horn cleats on the docks of the River Seine.
On a bridge above the Seine, trash finds a home on the seldom seen and unnoticed river side of the wall.
Fall leaves adorn the streets of Paris in September.
So much to see, so little time. With so many sites, the challenge was to really see, to look for the commonplace and see the unique vibrance hidden beneath the rush. Judge for yourself. I was inadequate, overwhelmed, rushed. A feast before me, I had little time to decide of what to partake. Yet, I came away filled.
The Metro was our friend and we walked, and walked, and walked…and the sun went down.
A vintage rainy day in Paris.
Perhaps one of the most famous and most expensive streets in France.
Two boats pass at dusk, on the Seine River.
Stone steps make for good reading.
A woman strolls past the symbols of Parisian ethnic diversity.
On the way to Paris.
At last, we found it.
A rainy day outside the Château du Louvre
A window flower box fades in early fall weather.
A street performer serenades Parisian lovers with the accordion, long a symbol of Parisian music.
The Paris subway is convenient and economical.
A cool way to exit the Metro
The Paris Metro provides a convenient and economical way to see the sites.
Tourists mass outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Inside the gothic Cathedral de Notre Dame.
Just in case you forget, Parisian clocks remind of lunch time.
One of the more populous citizens of Paris sits at court.
Paris has many sites to see and many benches upon which to see them.
Industrial greenhouse gases contribute to the odeur of Paris
The Eiffel Tower beams a welcome, across the bridge.
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
The City of Light, and liberty.
The Eiffel Tower beams a welcome, across the bridge.
View across the tarmak from terminal 2F-Charles de Gaulle is a beautiful airport.
Paris is a city in motion. Cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, the Metro and people. People everywhere, constantly moving. It was easy, shooting motion pictures. Not so easy to capture stills. And the stories–in every face–I want to know them all. I have my own stories, but I want to know theirs. They won’t tell–easily. All I can do is stare–at their faces–and wonder. I will just have to imagine their stories.
Peace and warmth on a cold stone bench.
Right before she waved–they watched me take their picture.
On the Paris Metro, a woman leaves the world behind for deeper meaning
So much to see, so much to do, let’s eat.
A couple plot their course on the Paris Metro.
Russian spy or shy Parisian?
In Paris, the best camera is the one you have with you.
Subway–in Paris–really?
It’s not really about the food, it’s about the location.
Respite for a senior couple at the cafe.
Name brands are the style for parents and kids, in Paris.
The city of lights is the city of love.
A woman struts with high fashion down the center of a Paris street.
Even the sandals are expensive on the Champs-Élysées.
Just my shade–with matching lips and glasses, this woman means business.
Two men exchange stories on a Paris sidewalk
A group of ethnically diverse young men gather on a Paris street corner.
They're Calling To Me 