Ben Wilhelmi

Fashion and more

 

Here are some modern pictures snapped in Tanzania. Wildlife, stunning landscapes, Masai people safaris are only one aspect of Tanzania, a bit reductive somewhat. The pictures below are a modest attempt to show a different aspect of this stunning country.

 

This stunning woman has been one of my favorite anonymous model recently. Mwanza city, aka Rock city.

Huge billboards sadly have come with modernism...Dar es salaam.

 

One of the cool bars with nice views in Dar.

 

 

Yeah, girls will be girls, everywhere. Check check...what's the verdict?

I hope this comment won't get me crucified by feminists and other politically correct activists...

 

Female pilot and flight engineers have been our colleagues for a while now.

 

I have to send this picture to Christian Dior's company. They might get a heart attack...

 

Below are some fashionistas commonly spotted in the Dar malls:

No idea who the woman on the yellow dress is but she is often to be seen around.

 

Street photography, Uganda

 

 

These trendy hats are quite common in Uganda  Not at all in Tanzania. I love how fashion gets recycled.

 

 

The "I don't care lady" gliding through the downpour...

 

 

 

Usually my natural charm suffices to defuse a situation when I get spotted.

 

Or not...

 

These contraptions on the other end, unlike the retro hats, are common through the East African countries...I got rescued once in Kenya and once that Land Rover came to a halt next to my car the driver slammed the door and the front grid fell off! Just like in a movie. But those mechanics are good at fixing older cars on the spot. A bit more challenging with modern cars full of electronics...

 

 

 

Rare case of a mask worn, and properly. A few dozens deaths due to corona since the beginning. One cannot blame the average Ugandan especially with some notorious examples come from the West

Aerial photography, Tanzania

 

Over the Rufii river. That was my lucky day, an elephant crossing is quite a rare occurrence across such a wide river.

 

 

The Indian ocean, rarely disappointing especially at low tide over reefs and mangroves.

 

 

The Nyerere bridge in Dar es Salaam.

 

 

The Mkapa bridge across the Rufiji river.

 

And a bit further here is the Rufiji delta at low tide reaching the Indian ocean.

 

A few pictures of the saltey lake Eyasi

 

 

 

 

 

Kampala, Kikuubo bazaar

 

 

 

Notice the heavily taped carb board trays. Their main purpose is to life the whole set of items at once to allow a delivery vehicle to pass through. Normal circulation is not allowed so the street is taken by the poorest sellers.

 

 

 

The bazaar also contains a few buildings made of labyrinths on a few floors. Olivia runs through that with impressive ease.

 

 

 

 

 

Another president for life overlooking  hot elections these days... Only 33 years in power.

 

Bagozza Milano...another fakeryat best. Or fake fakery.

Butiaba, floods on lake Albert, Uganda, part lll

 

 

 

 

And this brave woman smiles! What a resilience after months of misery.

And the massive road work is being carried on as usual. No visible help is diverted to the people. I hope l missed something on that aspect.

There was a street some time ago...

Some residents are relocating, salvaging what they can.

 

Another resilient woman, laughing while spreading fish to dry.

 

The road work going for 100's of km in the area.

Uganda, roadside life

 

 

I don't want to diminish the Tanzanian drivers, riders and others but the Ugandan road "skills" are a step "higher". For example 3 passengers and maybe cargo is a common sighting here, even in cities where the cops don't even bother to stop the habit. Their driving skills in traffic jam is also one league away...I owe an apology to all the Tanzanian drivers I might have abused in the past for what was in comparison amateur recklessness.

 

Lukewarm attitude towards Covid...and cool rubber boots.

 

The guy enjoyed the view ...

 

Another common scenery...

Elections in the making...dirty, violent and unfair, what a surprise.

The Harley dreamer?

Sweet apparition in the bush.

Kikubo bazaar, Kampala, Uganda

Kikubo, central Kampala, closed to regular circulation, even to cows. Most of the retailers operate here.

 

The banana seller is the attraction on the picture but notice the orange hat. Isn't that an old-fashioned hat from the roaring 20's? Yet I have seen quite a few of them here in Uganda only, different colors and patterns. Still very stylish on African women l'd say.

 

On top of the chaotic atmosphere in the bazaar, the show is also about fashion. Bras for sale...and those ladies know a few things, whether l can appreciate or not.

My big problem these days are slippers or sandals with furry decorations and to add insult...socks!

I'm told I cannot understand fashion...

 

At least this elegant woman fits some of my fashion standards.

 

 

Items are stacked beyond belief, no space must wasted.

Even stairs are rented to lower class business people.

And the street itself can be squatted. These entrepreneurs just have to be ready to lift up aside the goodies on a tarpaulin or small table when a deliver van shows up.

Traditional brooms and cool sport hat on the lady in red. "Venezia". Another long trip for a garment. I have spotted a t-shirt once belonging my Belgian bank.

 

 

 

No idea what this is..

 

'

 

B/W film photography, Masai people.

 

 

One of my little privileges of living in Africa is having the time...well I am obviously still a bit obnoxious about it but I have some free time nevertheless and opportunities, like bringing vintage cameras to remote areas, here around lake Natron with a magnificent 1961 Rolleiflex allowing 12 shots per medium format film roll, very old fashioned.

Why...? Because l can? Because l couldn't afford such an expensive camera 20 or more years ago. And well it is just about driving a venerable car or listening to a LP...

 

Pictures in South Sudan

 

 

 

Notice the feather.

 

 

the water point near the airtsrip. Notice the armored vehicle to welcome my airplane.

 

 

 

 

Cool pattern for this pajama?

 

 

At a USAid center, Pibor.