| estebangc |
24 Jul 2012 23:16 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
(Post 383934)
With respect , it doesn't really matter whether you understand it or not .
What this thread is all about is First World perceptions and Third World realities .
Animals have to wander and graze over sparse vegetation and cannot be tied up , it's been that way for many thousands of years . Low incomes do not allow for expensive fencing either and land owning traditions are not the same as western europe or north america and probably don't permit fencing .
It's already been stated that roads are viewed in a completely different light in traditional areas and are not merely a means to travel .
The cattle aren't the problem - WE ARE as we travel at speed through somebody else's country .
The only answer is to slow down so that the animals are aware of you and can judge your speed , 99% of the time they will try to avoid you .
Cattle can be a huge investment for a small farmer in a third world country and to lose one is a tragedy not only because of the immediate loss but also because of the difficulty of replacement or the length of time for a replacement to grow from a calf . If the animal killed in the accident were incalf [pregnant],then the loss is even more serious .
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+1, not only very interesting, but a very realistic and respectful approach.:thumbup1:
In anthropology that's called " ethnocentrism": judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. It's an interesting thing, because we all suffer it at some extent and it requires great consciousness and abstraction to be able to get rid of it (and time). For a French, eating dogs will be immoral ("dogs are cute, men's best friend") and spiders disgusting, but eating horses and "scargots" (=snails) is acceptable for them; for us Spaniards eating horses looks horrible while killing bulls (and others) has been more than acceptable and tasting snails a delight.
So killing cows in Ethiopia may be solely your fault, since bicycles and pedestrians cannot drive them over and you are the strange actor on the road (a possible explanation, I don't know at all).
Whether it is expensive or not or how much one would pay (or not), it's only possible to say it once you are there. Today with the sheppherd alone 100USD may be ok, but with a big group around getting nervous 250USD may be the minimum to keep things calm, who knows. If things go right and you are socially skillful enough (time to smile a lot!), you may still invite everyone to a great BBQ and party that night, have a great time and turn a horrible event into an unforgettable (although still expensive) memory of your trip in Africa. You may even change your vynil seat cover for a genuine leather one or get a new "horn" for your bike!
Esteban |
