Marc, When I read Ngaire's post this morning, I penned a response much like yours, and deleted it. Not that I wouldn't have eventually posted it, but thought it better to mull over the idea for more than 5 minutes, and the day went on, and I just got home from work! I for another prefer to stay on the Zambia side of the Falls, and when we were looking into places back at research time, my memory tells me that the Zambian side is flourishing with tourism, and a lot of it has to do with Mugabe. What that man has done to this former "bread basket" country is unspeakable. The lands are fallow, and what he has done to the wild life is enough to send any animal lover in the opposite direction. I do not want to perpetuate or prolong his policies in any way, including putting my dollars there.

Sedona, I'm not up on my African politics either, but if you will google Mugabe, I'm sure you will find more than enough reading to bring you up to date.

Years ago, due to world pressure and pressure from within, there was a transfer of power in South Africa, which had been an outcast country in the global community because of apartheid. SA would not be the tourism magnet it is today without this change. I applaud whatever coalition that was able to bring about this transition and I am happy to see this country one of the "hot spots" in the world that tourists want to visit. No, it is not perfect, and there is poverty still. Unfortunately, in Zimbabwe, another transition took place, and not in the positive direction South Africa took.

Okay, I am off my soabox now. I feel like Richard when he gets to feeling strongly about something!