Stories from 21 August 2006
Slovenia: Self-Made Road Sign
The Glory of Carniola translates a self-made road sign warning of a bad road ahead a bit too straightforwardly.
Ukraine: Railroads
LEvko of Foreign Notes writes about the lucrative and dangerous business of running Ukraine's railroads.
Hungary: The Storm
Paul of Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar has barely escaped from the storm that killed three people and injured over 100 in Budapest.
Russia: Literary Chechens and Navajos
J. Otto Pohl posts a more detailed review of the book comparing depiction of Chechens and Navajos in Russian and American literature: “It is true that since 1868 the Navajos have kept their promise to maintain peace with the US government. They have also not asked for political independence. But,...
Russia: Remembering August 1991
Alex(ei) of The Russian Dilettante's Weblog writes about causes and consequences of the August 1991 failed coup.
Serbia: Travel Observations
Balkan Ghost of Finding Karadzic has visited Serbia and Republika Srpska and shares his observations. Here's one on Belgrade: “Belgrade's educated middle class has undergone a diaspora to western Europe in the last ten years, leaving a gap filled by a more rural demographic that has moved to the big...
El Salvador: Minimum Wage Increased
El Salvador/CNY Companion Diocese notes that “the government of El Salvador has approved increases in the minimum wage in several sectors.” Tim Muth compares what the monthly minimum wages were and what they will be as of September 1 and adds: “the large number of workers in the informal sectors...
Venezuela, Brazil: Crossing Borders
We continue to follow cyclist David as he heads south on “only road that connects Venezuela and Brazil.
Costa Rica: Safe for Women
Uri Ridelman writes that JonBenet Ramsey's murder suspect had been an English teacher in Costa Rica. Scott celebrates a recent article in USA Today calling Costa Rica the third safest travel destination for women worldwide.
Uruguay: 60's-70's Classic Rock
Love, ani xo remains the definitive cyberspot for Uruguayan classic rock.
Trinidad & Tobago: An open letter to Flickr
Unable to renew his Flickr Pro account because PayPay doesn't accept credit cards with addresses in certain countries (Trinidad and Tobago included) Taran Rampersad writes an open letter to Flickr.com.
Chile: Meeting with Fernando Flores
Mary Joyce has narrowed down her meeting with Fernando Flores into five main topics of discussion. For more information on Flores, see Rosario Lizana's two-part interview and Claudio Ruiz's critique of Flores’ blogging style.
Bolivia: Crazy for Blogs
Sebastian Molina, who has been the driving force behind a weblog evangelization project called “Loc@s por los blogs” points readers to an article in El Deber with the same title.
Argentina: Buenos Aires: Diagonal Norte, Then and Now
Robert Wright explains why Diagonal Norte is his favorite avenue for architecture in Buenos Aires.
Trinidad & Tobago: Oil down
Franka Philip makes good on her promise to cook oil-down, the classic Trinidadian dish made with breadfruit, and offers two recipes.
Venezuela: Hugo Chavez: No Me Gustas Tu
Lovers of Manu Chau and haters of Hugo Chavez will get a good laugh at all-encompassingly.
Bolivia: First Impressions
Eduardo Ávila pens his first impressions after returning to Cochabamba: “It appears that on every block in the city center, a new apartment building is on its way up. For starters, fewer individuals want to live in a house, even though it offers more space, a garden and more privacy.”
Philippines: Ninoy Aquino
On the anniversary of Philippine senator Ninoy Aquino‘s death, Manuel L. Quezon III remembers the eventful day in 1983. Aquino was a leading critic of then Philippine ruler Ferdinand Marcos and he was assassinated at the Manila International Airport when he returned home from exile.
Cuba: The American's Guide to Cuban Diseases
Babalu Blog publishes “The American's Guide to Cuban Diseases”. Among the afflictions listed are “Ovarian Induced Dementia” and “Twisted Bonnet”.
A tale of two Ethiopian books
It was a tale of two books in Ethiopia’s blogosphere over the past two weeks. The first book, catchily titled African Development: Dead Ends and New Beginnings (PDF of the first draft – English), was written by Meles Zenawi, prime minister of Ethiopia, currently residing in the prime ministerial palace...