My interview in "The Best Travelled"-Magazine
Apr 25, 2015, 5:30 pm
#31
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I liked the interview and it actually made me think a bit more about traveling to dangerous places. I have read about several different men online that do this, but wondering how much harder it would be for a woman.
I have a hard time even finding information about business protocols for women in some countries, much less travel to places where it might not be considered safe.
And yes, I do country collecting too, but so far haven't been to anywhere too dangerous. I don't really plan on doing it, but wonder when my country collecting interest will stop... and when I run out of safe countries, what will I do?
I have a hard time even finding information about business protocols for women in some countries, much less travel to places where it might not be considered safe.
And yes, I do country collecting too, but so far haven't been to anywhere too dangerous. I don't really plan on doing it, but wonder when my country collecting interest will stop... and when I run out of safe countries, what will I do?
Apr 25, 2015, 5:58 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2008
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"Originally Posted by LuxuryRogue View Post
Travel warnings against Sudan, parts of Caucasus, North Korea, Iran, North Iraq, etc. are purely political. These places are well worth visiting - and much safer for travel than the US."
I have been to Sudan and felt safer walking around everywhere from Khartoum to small villages than I do in most US inner cities. I walked late at night around Khartoum and felt totally safe. Of the above list, I have been to all but Iraq and felt safe everywhere except a few places in the Caucasus.
Have you ever been to Iran or Sudan?
Travel warnings against Sudan, parts of Caucasus, North Korea, Iran, North Iraq, etc. are purely political. These places are well worth visiting - and much safer for travel than the US."
I have been to Sudan and felt safer walking around everywhere from Khartoum to small villages than I do in most US inner cities. I walked late at night around Khartoum and felt totally safe. Of the above list, I have been to all but Iraq and felt safe everywhere except a few places in the Caucasus.
Have you ever been to Iran or Sudan?
Apr 25, 2015, 6:01 pm
#34
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I've lived and worked in the USA. I've also lived and worked in Somalia. I travel periodically to Iraq and have spent plenty of time "on the ground" in conflict zones.
Last year, I had 2 friends killed and 7 others injured in Somalia while just going about their daily lives. I had another friend escape Mosul while firing his AK47 out of the bed of a pickup truck as ISIS came over the wall of the airport. My colleagues in Kabul and Juba had a fairly easy year relatively.
If you think for one second that any of those places are "safer" than the USA (or indeed pretty much any country that isn't in an active warzone), you are flat out delusional.
Some of the stuff you have claimed to have done is naive to the extreme...
Last year, I had 2 friends killed and 7 others injured in Somalia while just going about their daily lives. I had another friend escape Mosul while firing his AK47 out of the bed of a pickup truck as ISIS came over the wall of the airport. My colleagues in Kabul and Juba had a fairly easy year relatively.
If you think for one second that any of those places are "safer" than the USA (or indeed pretty much any country that isn't in an active warzone), you are flat out delusional.
Some of the stuff you have claimed to have done is naive to the extreme...
No, all that proves is that you are taking a breezy, ethnocentric approach to understanding the situation in other countries (specifically, here, the US) by seizing on a hot, politicized issue and congratulating yourself after attempting only the most cursory understanding of it...
You are demonstrating exactly the kind of ethnocentric, short-attention-span foolishness you've been railing against.
You are demonstrating exactly the kind of ethnocentric, short-attention-span foolishness you've been railing against.
Apr 25, 2015, 6:55 pm
#35
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Apr 25, 2015, 6:57 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
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Spare me with a description what the US are.
This is ethnocentrism according to Wikipedia:
Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. Ethnocentric individuals judge other groups relative to their own ethnic group or culture, especially with concern for language, behavior, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and subdivisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity.
http://killedbypolice.net/
Studied at UCLA in the better old days. And won two lawsuits against formerly Forbes richest man (US). I probably know it better than you Now simply too uninspiring ("dumbed down").
Enough "frontline" for my taste:
Security Forces (Peshmerga) will not allow you to drive into Mossul (sneak-in by local transport is possible)
That's exactly what I'm saying, but compare it with the official US travel warning: http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...l-warning.html
... the threat to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) increased considerably with the advance of ISIL towards Kurdish areas. ... U.S. citizens should avoid areas near the Syrian, Turkish, or Iranian borders, which are especially dangerous and not always clearly defined. The Governments of Turkey and Iran continue to carry out military operations against insurgent groups in the mountain regions bordering Iraq. These operations have included troop movements and both aerial and artillery bombardments. Extensive unmarked minefields also remain along these borders. Border skirmishes with smugglers have become commonplace. Unrest in Syria has resulted in large numbers of people seeking refuge in the area. Iranian authorities previously detained, for an extended period, U.S. citizens who were hiking in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) in the vicinity of the Iranian border. The resources available to the U.S. Embassy to assist U.S. citizens who venture close to or cross the border with Iran are extremely limited. The Department of State discourages travel in close proximity to the Iranian border. ...
This is ethnocentrism according to Wikipedia:
Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. Ethnocentric individuals judge other groups relative to their own ethnic group or culture, especially with concern for language, behavior, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and subdivisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity.
http://killedbypolice.net/
Studied at UCLA in the better old days. And won two lawsuits against formerly Forbes richest man (US). I probably know it better than you
Now simply too uninspiring ("dumbed down").Enough "frontline" for my taste:
Security Forces (Peshmerga) will not allow you to drive into Mossul (sneak-in by local transport is possible)
That's exactly what I'm saying, but compare it with the official US travel warning: http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...l-warning.html
... the threat to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) increased considerably with the advance of ISIL towards Kurdish areas. ... U.S. citizens should avoid areas near the Syrian, Turkish, or Iranian borders, which are especially dangerous and not always clearly defined. The Governments of Turkey and Iran continue to carry out military operations against insurgent groups in the mountain regions bordering Iraq. These operations have included troop movements and both aerial and artillery bombardments. Extensive unmarked minefields also remain along these borders. Border skirmishes with smugglers have become commonplace. Unrest in Syria has resulted in large numbers of people seeking refuge in the area. Iranian authorities previously detained, for an extended period, U.S. citizens who were hiking in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) in the vicinity of the Iranian border. The resources available to the U.S. Embassy to assist U.S. citizens who venture close to or cross the border with Iran are extremely limited. The Department of State discourages travel in close proximity to the Iranian border. ...
I won't repeat the posters upthread who have pointed out the erroneous reliance on raw numbers statistics. But also, homicide rates alone are not the only factor in the safety of a country. For that matter, the homicide rate in a given city and even certain neighborhoods isn't applicable across an entire country - whether in the US or anywhere. Perhaps it's a sign of a narrow bias that someone believes otherwise.
Again, your whirl-wind drive through Kurdistan and not within any ISIS territory or on the other site of the immediate fighting, doesn't answer the poster who inquired about exactly what your experience was in ISIS territory - which is none. So you have a photo in front of a sign for a refuge camp in Suruc, Turkey - safely behind the Turkish border. Yet your blog title tries to lead the reader believe you traveled "along the ISIS front".
What do government travel advisories have to do with anything? They are known to be overly conservative in most cases. The US warning isn't unlike many others.
what is best about whizzing by 17 countries in 13 days.
how can you "describe things the way they really are" spending less than one night in a place.
what aspects of war conditions can you debunk when you actively avoid them, whether by intention or by impermissibility.
strange self-promotion.
how can you "describe things the way they really are" spending less than one night in a place.
what aspects of war conditions can you debunk when you actively avoid them, whether by intention or by impermissibility.
strange self-promotion.
I thought so, too.
Last edited by 84fiero; Apr 25, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Apr 25, 2015, 9:53 pm
#37
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
I know you're not responding to me, but those countries are very high on my list.
In any event, aren't traffic accidents the biggest issue in Iran? As for Sudan, my biggest fear would be heat exhaustion...but starting every morning with a plate of ful sounds brilliant.
In any event, aren't traffic accidents the biggest issue in Iran? As for Sudan, my biggest fear would be heat exhaustion...but starting every morning with a plate of ful sounds brilliant.
Apr 26, 2015, 2:01 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
there is indeed lots of good technical info on FT, but when the territory becomes 'rougher' (= political), the mainstream propaganda stereotypes prevail in this forum
-> which leads to wrongful impressions, opinions and decisions about (travel to) those 'rougher' countries
Examples:
* nowadays there is much more personal freedom in Russia, than in the US (incl. gay interests)
-> which leads to wrongful impressions, opinions and decisions about (travel to) those 'rougher' countries
Examples:
* nowadays there is much more personal freedom in Russia, than in the US (incl. gay interests)
Apr 26, 2015, 2:36 am
#39
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Monaco
Posts: 317
), usually on the higher level (see my 1st blog page, scroll down), and in repeated visits. What do the locals make of it? North Iraqis are among the very few who are happy with the US.Last year, I had 2 friends killed and 7 others injured in Somalia while just going about their daily lives. I had another friend escape Mosul while firing his AK47 out of the bed of a pickup truck as ISIS came over the wall of the airport. My colleagues in Kabul and Juba had a fairly easy year relatively.
I liked the interview and it actually made me think a bit more about traveling to dangerous places. I have read about several different men online that do this, but wondering how much harder it would be for a woman.
I have a hard time even finding information about business protocols for women in some countries, much less travel to places where it might not be considered safe.
And yes, I do country collecting too, but so far haven't been to anywhere too dangerous. I don't really plan on doing it, but wonder when my country collecting interest will stop... and when I run out of safe countries, what will I do?
I have a hard time even finding information about business protocols for women in some countries, much less travel to places where it might not be considered safe.
And yes, I do country collecting too, but so far haven't been to anywhere too dangerous. I don't really plan on doing it, but wonder when my country collecting interest will stop... and when I run out of safe countries, what will I do?
I have been to Sudan and felt safer walking around everywhere from Khartoum to small villages than I do in most US inner cities. I walked late at night around Khartoum and felt totally safe. Of the above list, I have been to all but Iraq and felt safe everywhere except a few places in the Caucasus. Have you ever been to Iran or Sudan?
I spent three years in Russia from 2011 to 2014 and the quote above is just so wrong I can't believe anyone dares to say this. LGBT condition in Russia is sad, saying loud that your sexual orientation is different clearly puts your life in danger, this is the real situation.
To the above sceptics and critiques: I am happy to invite you to my next Extreme Traveler International Congress www.ETIC.club (even if you don't qualify). PM me. The next event is planned for Gaza. The last one in Grozny was a great success.
Last edited by LuxuryRogue; Apr 26, 2015 at 3:00 am
Apr 26, 2015, 3:14 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
Don't become hysteric. Attitudes in Russia are the same as more or less everywhere. Your double standards suck: you rave about Amanhotels in Utah and Wyoming (with tough sodomy laws) yet you bash Russia (where everything is legal, except public display to minors). The scene in Russia is active. Maybe you were too loud?
2) Saying that 'everything is legal' when speaking about LGBT issues in Russia demonstrates either that you don't know anything about what you say or worse that you are willingly writing wrong informations.
3) How can you say that 'the scene [...] is active'? The scene is dying in Moscow and St Pertesburg. And I don't even speak about smaller cities. I went to a lesbian club once (only LGBT club in the city where I was living) shortly before it was attacked and people there were badly injured.
Please keep on entertaining us with your passion for men in uniforms and big guns. Staying in luxury properties and flirting with danger does not mean you know the country you are visiting. I cannot understand why you are so rude to me when I just insist that your comments about freedom in Russia are deadly wrong.
Apr 26, 2015, 5:50 am
#41
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1) I don't remember having written any comments about Amangiri and Amangani. Actually I have never stayed at any of these properties so please check old posts before making assumptions.
2) Saying that 'everything is legal' when speaking about LGBT issues in Russia demonstrates either that you don't know anything about what you say or worse that you are willingly writing wrong informations.
3) How can you say that 'the scene [...] is active'? The scene is dying in Moscow and St Pertesburg. And I don't even speak about smaller cities. I went to a lesbian club once (only LGBT club in the city where I was living) shortly before it was attacked and people there were badly injured.
Please keep on entertaining us with your passion for men in uniforms and big guns. Staying in luxury properties and flirting with danger does not mean you know the country you are visiting. I cannot understand why you are so rude to me when I just insist that your comments about freedom in Russia are deadly wrong.
2) Saying that 'everything is legal' when speaking about LGBT issues in Russia demonstrates either that you don't know anything about what you say or worse that you are willingly writing wrong informations.
3) How can you say that 'the scene [...] is active'? The scene is dying in Moscow and St Pertesburg. And I don't even speak about smaller cities. I went to a lesbian club once (only LGBT club in the city where I was living) shortly before it was attacked and people there were badly injured.
Please keep on entertaining us with your passion for men in uniforms and big guns. Staying in luxury properties and flirting with danger does not mean you know the country you are visiting. I cannot understand why you are so rude to me when I just insist that your comments about freedom in Russia are deadly wrong.
I spent three days early August with a straight friend in Moscow, we had a great time. Security was never an issue. We stayed at Ritz-Carlton, a 5-minute walk from Red Square. We do not speak Russian but we have done everything on our own, without a guide. It was as simple as in any part of the world. Underground is easy to understand, otherwise we always took hotel cars, except when coming back from Imperia Lounge, a famous Moscow club (we took an unofficial cab, we knew the price was crazy so we negociated but it was still a bit expensive). We saw plenty of gay couples everywhere.
I have been living in Russia for 2 years now, and I confirm homophobia is very common here. Surprisingly enough, last time I went to Moscow with a friend I was asked at the reception of our hotel if we wanted a king bed or twin beds. But it is the only positive example I have in mind.
I May go to Moscow for a weekend at the end of the month, why not trying this one. But when you say that it is targeting domestic market, businessmen, and wives/girlfriends I am not sure I will like the atmosphere and interactions with other clients especially as a gay couple lol. I will probably stick to the Ritz Carlton.
"Happy the people whose annals are tiresome" Montesqieu
Apr 26, 2015, 6:44 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,653
You seem to enjoy making smart alec quips and pretending to hold some sort of moral high ground. That may earn you brownie points with a few people. The rest consider you a bit of a buffoon.
Apr 26, 2015, 7:07 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
This is hilarious. Time goes fast you know? What was correct 3 or 4 years ago is not accurate anymore and all I said showed the increasing danger for LGBT people. It was still interesting to read some old comments, hope you enjoyed the research work in my annals.
Last edited by Pierre&Cédric; Apr 26, 2015 at 7:14 am
Apr 26, 2015, 8:13 am
#44
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You assume incorrectly. Most of the friends I refer to were actually local Somalis, but there were also some expats involved - one was a manager with Turkish Airlines and the other was a housekeeper for a foreign Embassy. Neither was there to "kill local lives or livelihoods".
You seem to enjoy making smart alec quips and pretending to hold some sort of moral high ground. That may earn you brownie points with a few people. The rest consider you a bit of a buffoon.
You seem to enjoy making smart alec quips and pretending to hold some sort of moral high ground. That may earn you brownie points with a few people. The rest consider you a bit of a buffoon.
I agree with you almost completely. I would remove the phrase "bit of". The whole conversation reminds me of the 3 Berkeley Boobs that went hiking in Iraq on the Iranian border and got arrested when they wandered into Iran. These kids were simply trying to "prove something" about how adventurous they are. Cost their family and the government millions to get them out.
If there is someplace you want to go and decide to ignore the dangers, fine. But the whole notion of going somewhere specifically because it's dangerous is not the brightest notion, IMO.
As far as trying to compare the dangers to an American inner city.... I lived 6 years in Angola. Among other things we had a Kevlar blanket in our rooms. And we had to use it. Even Chicago or Oakland aren't that dangerous.
Apr 26, 2015, 8:34 am
#45
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Join Date: Jul 1999
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Don't have yourself photographed in some back-country shooting gallery in a bespoke blazer and perfectly folded pocket square -- where's the champagne flute? -- and then lecture this community about the flaws in its "worldview."
Posters like this are why we have the "Ignore" button.
