Stories about Travel from August, 2008
Bahamas, Guyana: Host Nation
“It’s a very frustrating job, hosting this event…and at the same time dealing with Caribbean governments, all of which appear to operate in a similar inefficient fashion”: Bahamian blogger Nicolette Bethel files a Carifesta update from Georgetown, Guyana.
Korea: Selling Tourism
Robert Koehler from Marmot's Hole summarized a local magazine's discussion over the lack of selling points regarding Korean Tourism.
Iran: Iran bans a top actress from leaving for Hollywood
Golshifteh Farahani, an Iranian actress who recently palyed in Ridley Scott's latest movie “Body of Lies”, was banned from leaving Iran. Iranian blogger, Atighe says[Fa] that she is our national pride.[Update: She left Iran in early October to present the film in New York. Watch her photos]
Barbados, Antigua: Peter Pays for Paul?
Barbados Free Press is not convinced that the CARICOM arrangement is beneficial, referring to an article about the recent double-murder in Antigua to make their point: “The ‘Caribbean Brand’ for tourism…was a disastrous policy created…as part of the effort to prop up the pretense and phony benefits of CARICOM. According...
Estonia: Olympics Champion; Song Festival
Itching for Eestimaa writes about an Estonian Olympics champion Gerd Kanter and last night's song festival that “served various functions”: “Ostensibly, it was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the major events of the Singing Revolution. But it was also a celebration of independence on the eve of the...
Slovakia: New Euro Coins
The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia reports that “the state mint located in Kremnica began minting Slovak euro coins” this week.
Trinidad & Tobago: Visa Teaser
Applying for a South African visa gets Caribbean Free Radio thinking about international travel and visa restrictions – and she is determined that “the country (she) plans on founding one day” will be different: “From a passport page-hogging stigma signifying ‘our country deems people from your country deeply suspect and...
Guyana: Carifesta Hopes
“As I make my way there very conscious of Guyana's problems, and still very irritated by the lack of information available about Carifesta goings-on, I nevertheless will take every opportunity offered to revel in the arts”: Signifyin’ Guyana thinks the regional festival means more than political grandstanding.
Bahamas, Guyana: Regional Travel
After traveling for an astounding 14 hours to get to Guyana for the Carifesta celebrations, Bahamian blogger Nicolette Bethel says: “The biggest barrier to Caribbean integration is the difficulty of moving around in the region.”
Morocco: An American Experience
Hicham, who just returned from a teacher training in the United States, shares his experience living in America.
Cuba: Domestic Tourism
“In the absence of tourist offices where a Cuban citizen can arrange – in Cuban pesos – an excursion in his own country, private resourcefulness has addressed this ‘market niche'”: Yoani Sanchez visits Soroa “on a trip coordinated by one of these emerging ‘tour operators'”.
Khmer Humer
Words & Pictures uploads a Khmer Humer. In other countries, a Humer is a luxury car. In Cambodia it is used for ice delivery.
Egypt: Alone in New York?
Egyptian blogger Eman is leaving to New York, where she will pursue her higher studies. “Right now I’m in the middle of a whirl of emotions, however that is not something I’m bothered with… What bothers me is people’s reaction to the fact that I am traveling on my own,”...
AIDS 2008: Lifting the Travel Ban on HIV-Positive People
The XVII International AIDS Conference ended in Mexico City last week, leaving participants with much to focus on until the next conference, which takes place in Vienna in 2010. One of these areas of focus are the travel restrictions imposed on HIV-positive people entering a country for the short or...
Guyana: Lights Out
The runway lights at Guyana's airport malfunction mere days before the regional Carifesta celebrations, causing the cancellation of night flights to the country. Living Guyana comments: “This is a country where things that will go wrong do go wrong. Officials here have to get real and understand that they are...
Colombia: The Road to La Loma in Medellín
The road up to the La Loma neighborhood of Medellín, Colombia is built for cars, trucks and buses. This leaves very little room for pedestrians, and Catalina Restrepo of Cosas del Alma [es] asks, “Where does one walk in La Loma?“
China: Keeping It Kosher at the Olympic Games
If you've ever been to China (or a traditional Chinese restaurant), you know that eating kosher according to the rules of religious Judaism is near impossible. Tiffany Sameyah of Jewneric reports that despite the best efforts of the rabbis, kosher food may not be available due to security rulings by...
Morocco: Passengers Set Fire to Plane
The View From Fez reports that angry Royal Air Maroc passengers set fire to their aircraft following over six hours of a delay. The pilot had to make an emergency landing in Barcelona.
Russia: The Beach Cossack Cometh
Carpetblogger writes about and reflects over the invasion of Russian holidaymakers to Turkish beach resorts such as Antalya.
Cuba: Birthday Candles
Child of the Revolution notes that “every August 13 without fail, the official Cuban media celebrates Fidel Castro’s birthday by trying to come up with ever more ridiculous ways to describe the man who ruled his 11 million subjects with an iron fist for close to half a century.” Yoani...
Jamaica: Shifting Sands
Guest Blogging at Abeng News Magazine, Long Bench discusses the matter of the sand heist at a beach in Coral Spring, which is earmarked for private development: “It is…our civic, ethical and moral duty to ensure that our institutions are responsive to our collective needs…I do not now, nor will...
