Christmas In Mogadishu
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Cheers, steveman518. I'm hesitant to complain about a broken IFE or a tough steak, so there's far more braver people here than me!
Thanks, BryanIAH, yes, Saint Christopher is definitely looking out for me.
This is one of my favourite trip reports. I always dream about going to the places off the beaten track but never do. I admire you for being brave enough to go, I think I'd want a full military surrounding me with a drone in the air.
Did the people give you funny looks being the only Westerner there or take an abnormal interest in you?
Did the people give you funny looks being the only Westerner there or take an abnormal interest in you?
Thanks a lot for the report. The pictures and your posts were very informative. I have to be honest that I had to do a double take when I saw the title and had to click on the thread after that. I came here expecting to read about you working for an NGO or something similar, but you went for pure personal desire. May you continue to enjoy your trips, and hope that you are safe everywhere you go. This one will be hard to top.
Cheers, longpause.
#47
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,535
How much Italian remnants did you see? I saw the "Il Teatro" and the old FIATs, and of course lots of pasta but I was just curious how much colonial infrastructure, and whatnot was still around.
Thanks for the report. I am not sure how effective khat chewing security would be in a real fight though . I've only made it as far as Djibouti.
Thanks for the report. I am not sure how effective khat chewing security would be in a real fight though . I've only made it as far as Djibouti.
#51
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,256
Once again an excellent post, the photos truly tell an amazing story about a country no one really exposes to much of. Like someone else said, it's incredible to see what constant war for decades does to a country.
#52
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I've read some of your recent TRs and I have to say, you do go to some out of the way places. Very enjoyable read and fantastic pictures (though they'd be better if you invested in a real camera, like a Nikon !)
#55
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Platinum, MillionMiler, HH Silver
Posts: 38
Thank you for your thoughtful trip report, DanielW. You have captured humanity in an unreachable (to me) place. "Defaced" followed by "Sam", whether on purpose or not, has inspired me to take more pictures during my travels. Thank you again.
Last edited by millionsandmillions; Jan 3, 2015 at 8:53 pm
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
How much Italian remnants did you see? I saw the "Il Teatro" and the old FIATs, and of course lots of pasta but I was just curious how much colonial infrastructure, and whatnot was still around.
Thanks for the report. I am not sure how effective khat chewing security would be in a real fight though . I've only made it as far as Djibouti.
Thanks for the report. I am not sure how effective khat chewing security would be in a real fight though . I've only made it as far as Djibouti.
Cheers, nizolidas.
Thanks, mikelcf.
Thank you, DeepUnderground, yes, a very interesting place to visit.
Many thanks, millionsandmillions. Yes, always try and capture some of those fleeting, memorable moments when you are in some place new and exciting.
#57
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MAN/BHX
Programs: ABBA
Posts: 6,027
Good luck on your next trip to the States, or Israel, with that stamp in your passport!
I do have insurance (with various caveats) for Mogadishu, through work. I dread to think how much it costs. I assume you went in with no medical or repatriation cover?
I do have insurance (with various caveats) for Mogadishu, through work. I dread to think how much it costs. I assume you went in with no medical or repatriation cover?
#58
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,637
Tomorrow on Christmas day, three AU soldiers, a civilian contractor as well as five militants would be killed during an attack on the base by Al-Shabaab.
You were lucky that you worked with someone like Jibril who is well known to use excellent intel to avoid potential hotspots. There are plenty of other so-called security operators who are less capable (and significantly cheaper). The danger is that a naive or cost-conscious tourist signs up with them and winds up in a situation that escalates out of their control. Despite having lived there and the city having a special place in my life, I would not recommend travel to Mogadishu for tourists at this time - especially not for Westerners who will always be considered targets both by Shabaab and other groups who are simply in it for ransom.
If anyone is traveling to Mogadishu though, I would request you to please contact me via PM and I can put you in touch with my colleagues on the ground there who will be able to provide up-to-date intel that could make a big difference in keeping you safe.
#60
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Bay Area, California, USA
Programs: 10-year UA 1K and 2 MM, then AA EXP, now BA Silver; next stop, Kayak
Posts: 781
Today's news
A suicide car bomb attack by Islamist group al-Shabab has killed four people in the Somali capital Mogadishu, officials say.
Witnesses said the blast was close to the international airport, where African Union troops, UN staff and several Western embassies are based.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30672660
Witnesses said the blast was close to the international airport, where African Union troops, UN staff and several Western embassies are based.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30672660