Christmas In Mogadishu
#76
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Stunning photos. They make me feel a wide range of emotions but foremost "fascination". I have an itch to go to a few places most wouldn't (North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan) but I would draw the line at Somalia. You are brave, thanks for sharing! I need to check out your other TRs...
Cheers, jacobac00, hopefully some more adventures coming up this year.
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
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Posts: 12,148
Thank you once again for a superb trip report to a corner of the world unlikely to be visited by others here for quite some time - if ever! Your travels bring to mind an excellent book I once read called Danziger's Travels. I think you'd relate to it - if that is you haven't already read it.
HERE's a synopsis.
HERE's a synopsis.
#79
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Thanks, ThePinkUnicornShirtGuy.
Many thanks, Seat 2A, looks like a very interesting read and quite the intrepid traveller, even bedding his Persian hostess!!!
Thank you once again for a superb trip report to a corner of the world unlikely to be visited by others here for quite some time - if ever! Your travels bring to mind an excellent book I once read called Danziger's Travels. I think you'd relate to it - if that is you haven't already read it.
HERE's a synopsis.
HERE's a synopsis.
#80
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
Daniel, I'm curious- when sleeping, did you have a member of your security team, on guard by the door? I'd be nervous of kidnapping while I was resting at the hotel.
Thanks and great report.
Thanks and great report.
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,685
Stunning photos. They make me feel a wide range of emotions but foremost "fascination". I have an itch to go to a few places most wouldn't (North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan) but I would draw the line at Somalia. You are brave, thanks for sharing! I need to check out your other TRs...
#82
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MAN/BHX
Programs: ABBA
Posts: 6,027
Out of interest, and this is aimed at people who go to "interesting places" (Islamabad, Karachi, Kabul, and Gaza are on my list this year. We'll see if the first 3 actually happen this time -- it's been a couple of years), do you change anything about night-time routine (do you stay partially dressed etc? Grab-bag by the door? Do you keep your phone plugged in and charging, or keep it on you? etc)
#83
More or less safe - I would say especially only safe for women if you don`t mind much about personal freedom..... I can`t imagain to visit such a country.
#84
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Out of interest, and this is aimed at people who go to "interesting places" (Islamabad, Karachi, Kabul, and Gaza are on my list this year. We'll see if the first 3 actually happen this time -- it's been a couple of years), do you change anything about night-time routine (do you stay partially dressed etc? Grab-bag by the door? Do you keep your phone plugged in and charging, or keep it on you? etc)
Iran isn't too bad, much more liberal than Saudi anyway.
#85
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
Out of interest, and this is aimed at people who go to "interesting places" (Islamabad, Karachi, Kabul, and Gaza are on my list this year. We'll see if the first 3 actually happen this time -- it's been a couple of years), do you change anything about night-time routine (do you stay partially dressed etc? Grab-bag by the door? Do you keep your phone plugged in and charging, or keep it on you? etc)
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I have been to two of your four (Islamabad and Kabul) and didn't do anything different. Admittedly, I have always kept a quick change handy and quick access to anything critically important because of a fire experience in an apartment building many years ago.
#89
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
On November 1st, 6 Al-Shabab gunmen used two car bombs to blast their way into the Sahafi hotel compound. This is also the hotel where I stayed at for my trip to Mogadishu.
At least 15 people were killed, including the owner, Mr. Dhagabadan who I got to briefly meet and shake hands with when I first arrived. My tour guide, Jibril, luckily survived and is now in hospital.
More info here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34691602
At least 15 people were killed, including the owner, Mr. Dhagabadan who I got to briefly meet and shake hands with when I first arrived. My tour guide, Jibril, luckily survived and is now in hospital.
More info here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34691602
#90
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
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