Monday, January 10, 2011

Random Signs Around Namibia


Don't Drink and Drive - a message graphically supported by a dead car - Namibia has a scary road accident record, many of them alcohol-related.


A mobile phone ad intending to convey the message that coverage is possible in even the remotest areas of Namibia - in this case among the pastoral Ovahimba people.

It used to disturb me that people who barely had money for food could afford to walk around with cellphones glued to their ears, until I realized how important communication is in the extended-family lifestyle of most Namibians - cellphones have become a vital support lifeline within this culture.


Sign at the entrance to Erindi Game Reserve in northern Nam - a private enterprise catering to upmarket guests - sadly, I doubt that they'd let me pitch my tent there ... :)


The way to the Sands Casino in Windhoek - gambling was legalized in Namibia some years ago and a few casinos have opened up around the country - I don't gamble and have never been inside a casino but, they seem to be prospering without me.


A billboard advertising a brand of Maize Meal - the staple diet for a large proportion of the populace.


A seal of the National Monuments Commission of Namibia - found on all recognized National Monuments.


Zig Zags - another brand of maize meal.


Lapa Car Wash - I love the Warthog.


Ok, this isn't in Namibia, it's Norvik's Treffpunkt at the Mariners' Wharf in Hout Bay, South Africa - I'm not sure how to translate the sign so I'll just say it's the most 'Southerly Sausage Shop in the World' - popular with German tourists I guess.

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20 comments:

  1. DianeJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    What a great bunch of photos showing so many colourful signs. I love the car wash.

    Re the mobile phones. It always made me wonder, how anyone could stand by the traffic lights in Joburg begging but with a moble phone glued to their ear. At that stage I did not even have a phone as I could not afford one!!!! Diane

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  2. JoyfulJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Great post on signage :-)

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  3. LisaJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Interesting. And the grass is so rich and soft and golden and beautiful.

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  4. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Thanks Diane - yeah, that's quite realistic Warthog ...

    I have mixed emotions about beggars - I'll go out of my way to help some but more often than not, I don't, an attitude for which I've been chastised in the past -

    I feel especially negative about children begging because often they spend the money they get on candy and I feel that giving money to them encourages a culture of begging - I prefer to buy a loaf of bread for them but, even this is not the answer because I've seen some sell the bread to others for the cash ...

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  5. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Thanks Penny - I've got a whole folder full of sign pics but I don't want to flood the internet ... :)

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  6. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Yes Fazlisa - I'm going north again soon and I hope there will be a lot of green grass to greet me ...

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  7. BarbaraJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Love the signs! Especially the mobile phone and the warthog-wash!

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  8. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Thanks Barbara - I have a lot more but I'll save them for later ... :)

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  9. dave hambidgeJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Seems like the Ovahimba get better mobile reception than I do in the outback of Cheshire!

    The warthog is quite something as well.

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    You certainly have an eye for photo subjects. Enjoyed reading the signs in Namibia.

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  11. Stone Art's BlogJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Hi, interesting blog you have here. Thanks for stopping by my 'Stone Art Blog', always nice to meet people with a passion for stone. Regards from Ireland, Sunny

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  12. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    hehe Dave - if you like chatting then you should move to northern Nam ... but somehow I can't picture you covered in red ochre, animal skin and beads ...

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  13. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Thanks Calvin - glad you enjoyed them.

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  14. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Thanks Sunny - some folks think I have rocks in my head ... :)

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  15. JoJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Excellent signs. The one over the dead car is thought-provoking. SA also has a high rate of alcohol - related road accidents. Sad, but true. Have a great day. Greetings from Jo

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  16. OneStonedCrowJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Thanks Jo - greetings to you too ...

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Love this post...I've always been intrigued by signs! A very simple and very old form of advertising!

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  18. OneStonedCrowJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Glad you enjoyed the post Theanne ... I probably wouldn't notice many of these signs if I didn't have a camera ...

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  19. IBéJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    You are right about the necessity of cell phones. Even more so in countries where land line is only better than no line.
    I really like the first picture (the desert rock)!

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  20. OneStonedCrowJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Thanks for your visit and comment IBé.

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