What a horrible week.
As you might have read in a comment post, last week was a jumble of twenty-hour work days in an attempt to finalize a huge contract that took me to three cities in as many days to meet with principals and shore up loose ends before the holiday weekend.
I was then assigned to touch base with a client in a fourth city, and arrived exhausted, prepared to do nothing more than enjoy some celebratory sleep and drinks over the holiday. But I arrived on Friday to discover that the central air in this property had gone kaput...unacceptable in this part of the country. So rather than dropping into a much-needed coma sleep, spent the day calling around for a repair person to come save me from the stifling heat.
That tackled, I regrouped and called some local friends to see if they wanted to meet up later in the day Saturday. That never happened, because as I was puttering around the house, I noticed the cat seemed out of sorts. At first, I thought it might be a combination of a bad attitude from my being gone for most of the week and his recent flight to rejoin me. But when I went to pet him, he actually growled (!!!) and hissed at me.
This was definitely a first. It was a stretch to think that the cat was pissed about the flight, because he typically defies all cat characteristics and actually is an awesome little travel buddy. When we take road trips, I belt his carrier into the passenger seat facing me and he hops right in and lays down. While I drive, I leave the carrier door open and he'll casually pop his head out every once in a while, check out the sights, then crawl back in and purr with pleasure.
I knew straight away that something was definitely fucked up this time, and stood frozen for a minute thinking about what to do. As I pondered, the cat managed to projectile vomit like a five-year old in a school play. Went to the fridge where we keep a list of local emergency numbers and rang the vet. The vet, of course, was closing in ten minutes and couldn't get my little monster in for a visit. But he did tell me that, based on the vomiting and other symptoms I described (I'll spare you the details) that kitty was definitely in distress and needed to be seen immediately.
Because of the timing, this meant a trip to the Emergency Vet. Now, if you're a pet owner, you're probably like me and live in fear of such a visit. Not necessarily because of the dire circumstances that will instigate such a trip--after all, thank God for the emergency vet--but because of the expense. Everything, and I mean everything, at the emergency vet costs two to three times as much as a trip to the regular vet.
Knowing this, I did a quick internet search on the possible causes of the cat's symptoms. They all pointed back to what I was told over the phone, and the damn cat needed to be seen straight away. Of course, every regular vet in a three-county region had shuttered their doors for the holiday weekend, off to drink margaritas on their porches and take their boats out for a weekend booze cruise.
So the cat was admitted for some emergency procedures. He's still being caged, poked and prodded as we speak. Again, if you're a pet owner, you know how ridiculously traumatizing this is for both pet and pet owner. Not to mention the fact that the emergency vet in this part of the world does not fuck around when it comes to payment. They would not begin treatment until they had a four-figure deposit in hand. Many, many people who came before me must have burned them hard, because as I was at the reception desk trying not to have a stroke over the deposit, another young woman was being refused treatment for her dog because she couldn't pay.
I returned to the house that evening after a very long day at the vet and couldn't get over how empty and quiet everything felt without el grande gato. I thought about going out, but decided I was shit company for anyone to be around, and realized that my checking account probably couldn't handle much more than the impending vet bill. As this reality caused a small series of panic attacks, I got a phone call from an inconsolable relative, absolutely crushed from a broken heart.
We've all been through this one...the heartbreak that happens sometime in your early twenties. It's gut-wrenching and life-changing. It's the heartbreak that strips away that last thin veil of innocence that we managed to still carry into early adulthood, and the moment it's gone, the world feel foreign and cold. We wonder how we'll ever pick up the pieces and move on, and more importantly how--or even if--we'll ever fall in love again.
It feels like a death, yet even when we're going through it, we know that it's just too disgustingly common to get the recognition it deserves. It's all too similar to a trip to the emergency vet--you may be reduced to tears and palpable dread, but no one else really gives a damn. "Oh, I'm sorry," is about the best that can be mustered. For those in the midst of a heartbreak that actually produces physical pain, it's a reality that seems impossible to reconcile.
So I've been alternating phone calls between emergency vet updates and a girl who I'm sure is currently unable to even muster the energy to brush her hair or teeth as she cries over the destruction of an unspoken future with someone she now loathes with every fiber of her being.
I don't know about you, but I truly feel like this particular holiday weekend can't be over fast enough.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
5/28/2007
4/20/2007
The World's Most Dangerous Travel Destinations
To travelers, hearing the names of various nations often resonates in the same way as great poetry. Some of us consume travel guides the way that gourmets absorb cookbooks, letting the national monikers fill our minds with the possibility of exploration and adventure. As we pore over lists of nations such as Cape Verde, Tonga, or Vanuatu the dulcet tones resonate in our brains, hinting at the exotic and exciting.
There are other places, though, that even the most hardened traveler won't even consider. And it's these places that Forbes recently named in its list of Most Dangerous Destinations. After interviewing security and risk management firms who specialize in corporate globalization, Forbes has produced an extensive list of places the average traveler won't be heading anytime soon.
I have found that advice to American travelers is often far more cautious than security announcements for, say, Aussies or Brits. So I cross-referenced Forbes' list with Lonely Planet and the Australian government's smart travel site. With few exceptions, the Forbes list does indeed appear to consolidate some of the globe's most dangerous nations.
The Forbes article points out that "'The risks are changing. Civilians and business travelers are more in the firing line.' For one thing, we go to more places we didn’t used to, thanks to globalization, easier and cheaper travel and, according to Smither, some very specific market forces."
So unless you are a professional mercenary, here is a list of nations you should avoid, and why:
Democratic Republic of Congo
As news stories about the Congo's bloody civil war have grown in frequency, this area tops most nation's list of deadliest places. Lonely Planet notes that "Instability Rules", stating that the Ituri district is especially dangerous and that absolutely no attempts should be made to cross the border from Uganda or Rwanda.
Government travel alerts state that the capital city of Kinshasa is the only part of the Congo considered even remotely safe. In the same breath, these advisories urge extreme caution and all but prohibit travel after dark. As recently as last month, heavy fighting broke out in the streets of Kinshasa.
Forbes notes that more international firms want to do business in the mineral-rich lands of the Congo. Because of this, western professionals are sometimes required to travel to the Congo for business. (Personally, I would quit, effectively immediately.) What these people find upon landing in the Congo is a contingent of U.N. troops. But their role is that of "observer forces," meaning that they are unable to prevent or intervene in any pillaging, carjacking, rape, kidnapping, or murder.
IRAQ
Again, this one comes as no surprise. Lonely Planet refers to Iraq as "Not a place for a holiday." Even if you did want to travel in the midst of an active war zone, LP notes that commercial flights are few and far between, and visas are currently only given to journalists, business people, and aid workers.
The Australian government is very specific in its warnings: risk of westerners being kidnapped is high; avoid all unnecessary movement and remain indoors; risk of avian influenza; and my personal favorite, "Due to the risk of surface-to-air attacks against aircraft, we advise you not to travel over Iraq on aircraft without self-protection capabilities"
BURUNDI
Sharing a border with a highly unstable country will take its toll, and this is certainly the case with Burundi. As one of the Congo's neighbors, Burundi has experienced cross-border attacks and banditry. As if that weren't bad enough, Burundi has maintained a dozen years of its own civil unrest.
At the moment, the capital city of Bujumbura is incredibly volatile, where senior officials linked to an alleged coup plot are being detained. Within the capital, curfews are enforced, but sporadic fighting between the government and rebel forces continues.
PAKISTAN
The Forbes article cites Pakistan as one of the world's deadliest travel destinations. But the rest of the world doesn't necessarily agree. Certainly, the border region near India has been extremely dangerous for over a decade, with residents and visitors alike avoiding the region in both countries.
Lonely Planet includes a number of warnings, but does not specifically advise travelers against traveling to Pakistan. Specific threats include a series of suicide bombs in Karachi, sectarian violence and the massive 7.6 earthquake in 2005.
The Australians are a bit more specific, with numerous citings of suicide bombings in Quetta, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The circular also urges travelers to avoid Baluchistan, the federally-administered tribal areas, and all Pakistani borders.
SOMALIA
Lonely Planet minces no words when it comes to Somalia, calling it "one of the world's most dangerous destinations." As Forbes points out, the federal government recently wrested control of the country away from the Union of Islamic Courts, but fighting between clans remains the norm.
Government warnings point out that travel by land and sea are equally dangerous. Piracy is common around the coastal areas, while kidnapping and terrorist attacks are frequent on land. In the most chillingly poetic warning I've ever seen on Lonely Planet, the guide warns that "A traveller to Somalia is spoilt for choice in the number of things that can go wrong."
AFGHANISTAN
Yet another destination that most Americans aren't considering traveling to anytime soon. LP says that Afghanistan was once a place of unparalleled hospitality, fantastic food, great hiking but has devolved into a land where kidnapping, assault and murder are common, particularly in Kabul.
What you might not know about Afghanistan is that it is one of the most heavily land-mined areas on the planet, providing an extra element of danger to an already unstable environment.
COTE D'IVOIRE
Commonly called the Ivory Coast, the northen part of the nation is being held under the control of armed rebels. Forbes warns that the capital city of Abidjan is the site of repeated violent conflicts after a years of civil unrest, despite the presence of U.N. troops in the southern part of the nation.
Sharing a border with Liberia certainly doesn't help Cote d'Ivoire's situation, nor has the presence of toxic waste, which was dumped in the capital in September of 2006. Several surrounding neighborhoods are affected, and even more have experienced toxic fumes traveling through the air.
SRI LANKA
The country had experienced a resurgence in tourism, after decades of being known as
one of the worst human rights violators on the planet. But a breakdown in the ceasefire between the government and the separatist group the Tamil Tigers has made the nation unstable. Government warnings report that intense fighting can break out at any time, and Lonely Planet notes that parts of the north and east are rich with landmines.
CHAD
This African nation is experiencing a spillover from the conflict in neighboring Darfur in Sudan. To add to its troubles, Chad has its own ethnic fighting in the east and civil unrest between the government and rebel factions. All travel outside the capital city of N'Djamena requires a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
But at the same time, Lonely Planet says that "A state of emergency has been declared in the capital N'Djamena." According to LP, Chad is a nation built on conflict. Its remote location, lack of natural resources and infrastructure, combined with its weak economy make an ideal climate for political upheaval.
NIGERIA
With the world's increased demand for oil, more companies are tryng to do business in Nigeria. In 2006, this resulted in 120 foreign oil workers being kidnapped. The nation's 250 different peoples, languages and religions create an already volitile backdrop. Government warnings point to potential terrorist attacks or mass civil unrest around April 21, 2007 (tomorrow) when the country holds Presidential elections.
HAITI
There are currently 8,000 peacekeeping forces in Haiti, according to Forbes. This is in response to the fact that Haiti has no effective police force. Lonely Planet says that this has created an opportunity for kidnappers and heavily-armed street gangs to run the capital city of Port-au-Prince with impugnity.
The country exists mostly in poverty, is overpopulated and has a long history of civil unrest. In recent years, this has culminated in a proliferation of firearms as well as corrupt police officials and judges.
LEBANON
When most Americans hear the word "Beirut," we imagine fighting in the streets. This is not entirely untrue, as there have been clashes between rival factions in the capital city. Throughout the country, car bombs, grenade attacks and bus bombings occur. In July of last year, the country was bombed by Israeli warplanes, in response to the presence of Hezbollah.
When Lebanon is not one of the world's most dangerous travel destinations, it has a reputation of being an incredibly interesting place to visit. Beirut claims to be the nightlife capital of the middle east, while the rest of the country boasts ski resorts, amazing food and architecture.
LIBERIA
There are currently 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers in Liberia, following the ousting and exile of former President Charles Taylor. After fourteen years of civil war, the nation hopes to rise from the ashes, but is left with very little infrastructure.
Lingering political unrest and social tensions have resulted in mass crime throughout the country, including theft, rape, and murder. In the capital city of Monrovia, governmnet warnings discourage traveling anywhere after dark.
SUDAN
The active warzone in Darfur has captured public attention throughout the world. Militia attacks in this area have killed and displaced tens of thousands of residents. As government-backed militias, local insurgents and government troops engage in active combat with one another, kidnapping, sexual assault and murder are common.
The capital city of Khartoum is also extremely dangerous, with civil unrest breaking out suddenly and curfews being imposed with little or no warning. Threats of terrorist attacks are common, particularly against Westerners, many of whom are unfortunately aid workers. In outlying areas of the country, unexploded landmines are buried in rural areas.
While it is highly unlikely that the average traveler will be headed to these hot zones, it is difficult to not think of the citizens who are caught in the cross-fire of these greusome conflicts.
I'll spare the pontificating here, other than to say that many of us have really won some sort of geographic lottery, thanks to the region of the world that we were lucky enough to be born in.
There are other places, though, that even the most hardened traveler won't even consider. And it's these places that Forbes recently named in its list of Most Dangerous Destinations. After interviewing security and risk management firms who specialize in corporate globalization, Forbes has produced an extensive list of places the average traveler won't be heading anytime soon.
I have found that advice to American travelers is often far more cautious than security announcements for, say, Aussies or Brits. So I cross-referenced Forbes' list with Lonely Planet and the Australian government's smart travel site. With few exceptions, the Forbes list does indeed appear to consolidate some of the globe's most dangerous nations.
The Forbes article points out that "'The risks are changing. Civilians and business travelers are more in the firing line.' For one thing, we go to more places we didn’t used to, thanks to globalization, easier and cheaper travel and, according to Smither, some very specific market forces."
So unless you are a professional mercenary, here is a list of nations you should avoid, and why:
Democratic Republic of Congo
As news stories about the Congo's bloody civil war have grown in frequency, this area tops most nation's list of deadliest places. Lonely Planet notes that "Instability Rules", stating that the Ituri district is especially dangerous and that absolutely no attempts should be made to cross the border from Uganda or Rwanda.
Government travel alerts state that the capital city of Kinshasa is the only part of the Congo considered even remotely safe. In the same breath, these advisories urge extreme caution and all but prohibit travel after dark. As recently as last month, heavy fighting broke out in the streets of Kinshasa.
Forbes notes that more international firms want to do business in the mineral-rich lands of the Congo. Because of this, western professionals are sometimes required to travel to the Congo for business. (Personally, I would quit, effectively immediately.) What these people find upon landing in the Congo is a contingent of U.N. troops. But their role is that of "observer forces," meaning that they are unable to prevent or intervene in any pillaging, carjacking, rape, kidnapping, or murder.
IRAQ
Again, this one comes as no surprise. Lonely Planet refers to Iraq as "Not a place for a holiday." Even if you did want to travel in the midst of an active war zone, LP notes that commercial flights are few and far between, and visas are currently only given to journalists, business people, and aid workers.
The Australian government is very specific in its warnings: risk of westerners being kidnapped is high; avoid all unnecessary movement and remain indoors; risk of avian influenza; and my personal favorite, "Due to the risk of surface-to-air attacks against aircraft, we advise you not to travel over Iraq on aircraft without self-protection capabilities"
BURUNDI
Sharing a border with a highly unstable country will take its toll, and this is certainly the case with Burundi. As one of the Congo's neighbors, Burundi has experienced cross-border attacks and banditry. As if that weren't bad enough, Burundi has maintained a dozen years of its own civil unrest.
At the moment, the capital city of Bujumbura is incredibly volatile, where senior officials linked to an alleged coup plot are being detained. Within the capital, curfews are enforced, but sporadic fighting between the government and rebel forces continues.
PAKISTAN
The Forbes article cites Pakistan as one of the world's deadliest travel destinations. But the rest of the world doesn't necessarily agree. Certainly, the border region near India has been extremely dangerous for over a decade, with residents and visitors alike avoiding the region in both countries.
Lonely Planet includes a number of warnings, but does not specifically advise travelers against traveling to Pakistan. Specific threats include a series of suicide bombs in Karachi, sectarian violence and the massive 7.6 earthquake in 2005.
The Australians are a bit more specific, with numerous citings of suicide bombings in Quetta, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The circular also urges travelers to avoid Baluchistan, the federally-administered tribal areas, and all Pakistani borders.
SOMALIA
Lonely Planet minces no words when it comes to Somalia, calling it "one of the world's most dangerous destinations." As Forbes points out, the federal government recently wrested control of the country away from the Union of Islamic Courts, but fighting between clans remains the norm.
Government warnings point out that travel by land and sea are equally dangerous. Piracy is common around the coastal areas, while kidnapping and terrorist attacks are frequent on land. In the most chillingly poetic warning I've ever seen on Lonely Planet, the guide warns that "A traveller to Somalia is spoilt for choice in the number of things that can go wrong."
AFGHANISTAN
Yet another destination that most Americans aren't considering traveling to anytime soon. LP says that Afghanistan was once a place of unparalleled hospitality, fantastic food, great hiking but has devolved into a land where kidnapping, assault and murder are common, particularly in Kabul.
What you might not know about Afghanistan is that it is one of the most heavily land-mined areas on the planet, providing an extra element of danger to an already unstable environment.
COTE D'IVOIRE
Commonly called the Ivory Coast, the northen part of the nation is being held under the control of armed rebels. Forbes warns that the capital city of Abidjan is the site of repeated violent conflicts after a years of civil unrest, despite the presence of U.N. troops in the southern part of the nation.
Sharing a border with Liberia certainly doesn't help Cote d'Ivoire's situation, nor has the presence of toxic waste, which was dumped in the capital in September of 2006. Several surrounding neighborhoods are affected, and even more have experienced toxic fumes traveling through the air.
SRI LANKA
The country had experienced a resurgence in tourism, after decades of being known as
one of the worst human rights violators on the planet. But a breakdown in the ceasefire between the government and the separatist group the Tamil Tigers has made the nation unstable. Government warnings report that intense fighting can break out at any time, and Lonely Planet notes that parts of the north and east are rich with landmines.
CHAD
This African nation is experiencing a spillover from the conflict in neighboring Darfur in Sudan. To add to its troubles, Chad has its own ethnic fighting in the east and civil unrest between the government and rebel factions. All travel outside the capital city of N'Djamena requires a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
But at the same time, Lonely Planet says that "A state of emergency has been declared in the capital N'Djamena." According to LP, Chad is a nation built on conflict. Its remote location, lack of natural resources and infrastructure, combined with its weak economy make an ideal climate for political upheaval.
NIGERIA
With the world's increased demand for oil, more companies are tryng to do business in Nigeria. In 2006, this resulted in 120 foreign oil workers being kidnapped. The nation's 250 different peoples, languages and religions create an already volitile backdrop. Government warnings point to potential terrorist attacks or mass civil unrest around April 21, 2007 (tomorrow) when the country holds Presidential elections.
HAITI
There are currently 8,000 peacekeeping forces in Haiti, according to Forbes. This is in response to the fact that Haiti has no effective police force. Lonely Planet says that this has created an opportunity for kidnappers and heavily-armed street gangs to run the capital city of Port-au-Prince with impugnity.
The country exists mostly in poverty, is overpopulated and has a long history of civil unrest. In recent years, this has culminated in a proliferation of firearms as well as corrupt police officials and judges.
LEBANON
When most Americans hear the word "Beirut," we imagine fighting in the streets. This is not entirely untrue, as there have been clashes between rival factions in the capital city. Throughout the country, car bombs, grenade attacks and bus bombings occur. In July of last year, the country was bombed by Israeli warplanes, in response to the presence of Hezbollah.
When Lebanon is not one of the world's most dangerous travel destinations, it has a reputation of being an incredibly interesting place to visit. Beirut claims to be the nightlife capital of the middle east, while the rest of the country boasts ski resorts, amazing food and architecture.
LIBERIA
There are currently 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers in Liberia, following the ousting and exile of former President Charles Taylor. After fourteen years of civil war, the nation hopes to rise from the ashes, but is left with very little infrastructure.
Lingering political unrest and social tensions have resulted in mass crime throughout the country, including theft, rape, and murder. In the capital city of Monrovia, governmnet warnings discourage traveling anywhere after dark.
SUDAN
The active warzone in Darfur has captured public attention throughout the world. Militia attacks in this area have killed and displaced tens of thousands of residents. As government-backed militias, local insurgents and government troops engage in active combat with one another, kidnapping, sexual assault and murder are common.
The capital city of Khartoum is also extremely dangerous, with civil unrest breaking out suddenly and curfews being imposed with little or no warning. Threats of terrorist attacks are common, particularly against Westerners, many of whom are unfortunately aid workers. In outlying areas of the country, unexploded landmines are buried in rural areas.
While it is highly unlikely that the average traveler will be headed to these hot zones, it is difficult to not think of the citizens who are caught in the cross-fire of these greusome conflicts.
I'll spare the pontificating here, other than to say that many of us have really won some sort of geographic lottery, thanks to the region of the world that we were lucky enough to be born in.
2/05/2007
Late Bloomer
Sometimes I really feel way behind. While it would seem like a normal outpost for a writer to have a blog, this is my first foray into such a thing. Because writing and technology are two separate disciplines, and I guess in my mind that kind of takes me back to my "good in languages and history, not good in math and science" days of school.
Because of that, I have these strange coping mechanisms for learning new things. When I had to study econ in college, I told myself it was the philosophy of money, not a series of math equations. Similarly, I'm approaching the learning curve of html with the concept that I'm learning a new language, not trying to scale a frustrating wall of technology. I've always prided myself on knowing how to say three phrases in native tongue within the first few hours of being dropped in to a new country: "Please", "Thank You" and "Fuck Off".
For a girl traveling solo, please and thank you will cover 90+ percent of situations. The rest of the time, you'll need to know how to shock the hell out of someone.
Sure, I could approach this new technological environment the same way many Western tourists approach their travels....a good portion of the rest of the world speaks english, so they can "wysiwyg" their way through. But aren't those folks missing out on the richness of words and phrases that don't translate into our tongue? The closeness of the bond that is formed when two strangers meet and one struggles but sincerely attempts to work within the framework of the other's world?
(I must pause for a moment to revel in the moment of actually using wysiwyg in a sentence. There, I'm better.)
Of course, in my travels, there are a couple of necessary crutches. There's always going to be a Lonely Planet guide in my backpack or suitcase. And I'm equally grateful for the wealth of online resources that I can call on in blogging. Then, there are people. Whether natives or fellow travelers, this is where you're always going to get your best information. Because as much as Lonely Planet knows about the world, they're just not going to be able to tell you as much about Kathmandu as the South African girl you meet who's just been there last week.
So I've really been thinking of other bloggers and site visitors as fellow travelers. I'm so thankful to those who have helped me hunt and peck my way through getting this set up. And I'm beyond happy when people actually come here and play in this little environment I've created. Please share your comments and questions, and I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Because of that, I have these strange coping mechanisms for learning new things. When I had to study econ in college, I told myself it was the philosophy of money, not a series of math equations. Similarly, I'm approaching the learning curve of html with the concept that I'm learning a new language, not trying to scale a frustrating wall of technology. I've always prided myself on knowing how to say three phrases in native tongue within the first few hours of being dropped in to a new country: "Please", "Thank You" and "Fuck Off".
For a girl traveling solo, please and thank you will cover 90+ percent of situations. The rest of the time, you'll need to know how to shock the hell out of someone.
Sure, I could approach this new technological environment the same way many Western tourists approach their travels....a good portion of the rest of the world speaks english, so they can "wysiwyg" their way through. But aren't those folks missing out on the richness of words and phrases that don't translate into our tongue? The closeness of the bond that is formed when two strangers meet and one struggles but sincerely attempts to work within the framework of the other's world?
(I must pause for a moment to revel in the moment of actually using wysiwyg in a sentence. There, I'm better.)
Of course, in my travels, there are a couple of necessary crutches. There's always going to be a Lonely Planet guide in my backpack or suitcase. And I'm equally grateful for the wealth of online resources that I can call on in blogging. Then, there are people. Whether natives or fellow travelers, this is where you're always going to get your best information. Because as much as Lonely Planet knows about the world, they're just not going to be able to tell you as much about Kathmandu as the South African girl you meet who's just been there last week.
So I've really been thinking of other bloggers and site visitors as fellow travelers. I'm so thankful to those who have helped me hunt and peck my way through getting this set up. And I'm beyond happy when people actually come here and play in this little environment I've created. Please share your comments and questions, and I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Labels: language, Lonely Planet, technology, travel
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