Here are a few highlights from a recent short trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe:
- Seeing lions, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, and giraffes on a game reserve.
- Visiting the former residence of a worldwide icon whose life was devoted to eradicating oppression, Nelson Mandela.
- Enjoying a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River.
- Experiencing one of the world's largest waterfalls, Victoria Falls, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- Drinking South African wine.
Is there any possible way that our beat up, disrespected town could offer a similar experience? Shockingly, sort of:
- Okay, so deer, rabbits, and squirrels don't quite match up to the above.
- Rochester boasts the former residence of an individual who fought against the oppression of women, Susan B. Anthony. Although perhaps not as iconic as Mandela, her work was clearly critical. She, like Mandela, was arrested for her passion (granted she did not spend 27 years in prison). Rochester was also home to one of the most important abolitionists, Frederick Douglass.
- Cruises along the Erie Canal and Canandaigua Lake are readily available. (I've done neither but have heard they are well worth doing.)
- Rochester is about 90 minutes from another one of the world's largest waterfalls, also on the border of two countries, Niagara Falls. Closer to home, Rochester's High Falls is considered the largest urban waterfall in the country.
- The local wine scene is pretty sweet.
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| High Falls |
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| (A tiny part of) Victoria Falls |
You can find lions, rhinos, elephants, etc. at the Seneca Park Zoo. It may not be the same as a game reserve, but it is a fun time and reasonably priced.
ReplyDeleteI've done cruises on the Erie Canal, Genesee River, Canandaigua Lake, Seneca Lake, and Skaneateles Lake. The allow you to enjoy beautiful scenery from a vantage point you couldn't get otherwise. Take the time to try one. You will be glad you did.