Stories about Travel from August, 2011
Bangladesh, India: Illegal Bangladeshis In Assam, Myth Or Reality?
Hisham Barbhuiya at Youth Ki Awaaz breaks the myth spread by communal bigots that Bangladeshi migrants cross over to India everyday and have a sinister plan of turning Assam into a Muslim-majority state.
Sri Lanka: Riding On A New City Bus
Murshid rides on a new Volvo city bus, a recent edition in the public transport of Colombo and blogs about it with an image and a video.
Ukraine: The 1975 ‘Ukrainian Cuisine’ Book
The Pickle Project reviews the English-language ‘Ukrainian Cuisine’ book, published in Kyiv in 1975.
Ukraine: Basic Language Tips
The Kalpak shares some Ukrainian language tips that should “help with basic sign reading that a new visitor to Ukraine will need to do in order to navigate around Kyiv.”
Russia: A Psycho-Neurological Patient's Photo Stories
Pasha Kyshtymov, a lifelong psycho-neurological patient in Siberia, cannot communicate through speech, but had no problems learning to express himself through photography. On his blog, the Russian photographer Oleg Klimov has documented the poignant impromptu experience of teaching Pasha to share his worldview with others.
Barbados: Jamaicans Plead Guilty to Drug Smuggling
As eight Jamaicans plead guilty to smuggling marijuana into Barbados, BFP says: “Drug mules are the Privates. Who are the Generals?”
Japan: Chaos at Chitose Airport on March 11
On March 11, 2011, a Delta airplane pilot approaching Tokyo airport described his experience of an emergency landing in an email so vividly, that it spread rapidly across the blogosphere. Aviation fan blogger BUTA_NEKO responded to the meme in Japanese, to tell the other side of the story.
Cuba: Nyad's Failed Attempt
As athlete Diana Nyad gives up her attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida, Generation Y says: “Her laudable intention was to highlight the closeness between the Island and its neighbor to the north, to help reconcile both shores. But the Straits of Florida is also part of our national...
Barbados: Threat to Borders?
Barbados Underground suggests that “as the economic condition of many around the region in markets known for exporting drugs…declines, the threat to our border will increase, ” adding: “Barbadians must not yield to others who have failed to show how they can manage a stable society in the way Barbados...
Africa: The Tricks of Visa Scammers
Ssuuna reveals the tricks of visa scammers in Africa: “In my home country Uganda and many other African countries, visa scams are on the increase. Many people have been robbed of huge amounts of money by visa dealers.”
The Balkans: Travel Blogs
At Balkan Travellers, Sarah Hucal writes about Yugo Yoga performance that took place on a makeshift stage at Belgrade's Museum of Yugoslav History in July 2011; more of Hucal's Balkan travel writing and photos are at her blog, Solo in the Balkans. Jana Orsolic's Istria Week travel photos and journal...
Barbados: Rihanna Helps Barbados’ Profile
Diaspora bloger Jdid defends Rihanna's costume and dancing style at the country's recent Kadooment, while Cheese-on-bread reviews her homecoming concert; Barbados Underground adds: “The world maybe about to totter into another recession which is not good news for the tourism dependent Barbados. Rihanna’s homecoming is anticipated to provide a needed...
Côte d'Ivoire: Abidjan in Mourning After Tragic Bus Accident
Friday, August 5, was a tragic day for the West African country of Côte d'Ivoire. A bus transporting passengers in the capital city Abidjan, plunged off a bridge into the Ebrié lagoon, killing 40 and injuring 9. The Ivorian government has decreed three days of national mourning as a mark of respect for the victims.
Walking through Japan
On August 1st Thomas Köhler started a mission: to walk trough three of the major Japanese islands, from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Köhler – who works as a manager at a tour operator – came up with the project after the March 11 disaster, when the number of visitors to Japan...
Russia: Photos From the Tyva (Tuva) Republic
Oleg Klimov's photos [ru] from the Tyva (Tuva) Republic – here, here, here, and here.
Russia: “Stolen Dreams”
Oleg Klimov posts a series of photos [ru] of people sleeping on a Moscow-Novosibirsk train.
Armenia: Pagan tradition and Soviet entertainment
Ianyan features two special reports accompanied by photographs on the traditional annual water fight at the pagan temple of Garni and an old Soviet-era games arcade that remains intact and in use in the country's second largest city of Gyumri.
The Venezuelan Paramo in Images
Venezuela Analysis posts a photo essay of the Venezuelan Paramo with photographs by Mason London: “The paramos, a unique ecosystem found in the Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (+/- 3,000 to 4,500 meters in altitude), represent some of the most agriculturally utilized lands in all of Venezuela.”
Cuba: In Favour of Travel
“Ninety percent of Cubans on both shores do not look kindly on the arbitrary policy of the Castro brothers, authorizing who can and cannot enter their country”, writes Iván García, adding: “Cuba belongs to all Cubans.”
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago: Flying High
Two posts in the aftermath of the Caribbean Airlines crash: Jamaica Woman Tongue on “duppy” airlines and KnowTnT.com on the “political circus of BW523.”
Ramadan Recipes: Feasting After Fasting
As the month of Ramadan begins, Maria Grabowski has started a list of blog links to some wonderful Iftar recipes. Please do share your favorites, too!