Every time I see this picture I’m reminded of the Old Spice Ads. You know, the ones that start with a line like “Ladies, take a look at your man, now at me…” This border guard is definitely not that actor, but for some reason his posture and intensely serious yet playful expression remind me of the commercial.
We met this guard at the border crossing between Lesotho and South Africa. Unlike other border guards his interest in us wasn’t for a bribe or to get to know us, he simply wanted his picture taken. He chatted it up with Danny as the rest of us got our passports stamped, and eventually asked Danny to take his picture. You can’t say no to a border guard, but we didn’t expect him to get into such a position. Posing like an MTV star, the border guard leaned back in his chair. Provocative and yet lazy at the same time.
This guard’s job was to raise and lower the boom allowing cars to pass between the countries, but I suspect if given the chance he’d love to stare in to a camera and say something to the ladies. He made us promise to bring him the picture if we ever crossed that border again.
This photo was taken at the Van Rooyen’s border crossing between South Africa and Lesotho.
To see more of our favorite photos from around the world check out our travel photo page. Let us know your favorites and we’ll include them in our photo of the day series.
South Africa doesn’t have the cheap holiday deals it once had as the rand has increased significantly in value over the last few years. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it on a budget or catch a good deal. Check out our South Africa Country Guide and our DIY Safari Guide. If you’re heading to Africa, our African visa guide may also be helpful!
So I guess it’s better to visit SA sooner than later, before the rand gets more expensive??
It seems that way doesn’t it? I would say the money aside, visit SA sooner than later because I think you’ll want to go back again and again and again. Too much to do for one visit- we spent more than two months in Southern Africa alone!
Having people ask you to take their picture with your camera can be an interesting travel story. For me it was in Norway, where a traveler wanted me to take his picture, gave me address and wanted me to mail it to him. I did. It was a fun thought. He got mail from all over, I suspect.
Eileen