Name the country that you have visited and that is, in your opinion, the dirtiest in the world.
Let's have a vote. A vote for the dirtiest country on this planet. The rules are simple: 1) You need to have been there yourself and witnessed the situation first-hand, and 2) Air-pollution does not count (sorry, China).
After careful consideration and and assessment to all the countries I have been to in the past, my vote goes - whole-heartily - to India.
What do you think?
Reply to this After careful consideration and and assessment to all the countries I have been to in the past, my vote goes - whole-heartily - to India.
I didn't need to consider anything carefully, India wins hands down from all the countries I've been to. 😊
Reply to this Alright you two....stop it.... I still want to go to India. I guess it will be good to go with open eyes.
We've only visited about 35 countries so we're not in the same league with you but from personal experience it would have to be Cambodia. I must admit I'd be comfortable just picking a city rather than a country and in that case my vote would go to Phnom Penh.
If you had one wish for these dirty countries what would it be?
I'd love to assist Cambodia in setting up some infrastructure to dispose of garbage, plastic bottles in particular.
Although working for clean water throughout Asia makes some sense also.
Reply to this I agree... I've only been to 11 countries so definetely I am the baby of this lil discussion group but for me I would say Phnom Penh is one of the dirtiest....
Reply to this Alright you two....stop it.... I still want to go to India. I guess it will be good to go with open eyes.
We may gave been overly sensitive at the time as Faye was pregnant in her first trimester and trying to protect an unborn child from the experience that is India for seven weeks was just too tiring... We
do find ourselves yearning to go back though... We have some amazing memories of the place, and thankfully the ones of the filth are fading away leaving the good ones more vivid! 😊
Reply to this I'm glad the bad memories fade faster than the good ones!!
Reply to this China and India. Doesnt mean I wont go back to either country..PNG - pristine wilderness and Port Moresby is a filthy slum down at the shanty towns over the water and around boirama. I guess shanty towns anywhere are going to be filthy.
Reply to this Dave and Merry Jo - India is a fantastic country, don't let the dirtiness put you off! Before we went to India, Neil was doubtful whether I would cope there for various reasons (dirtiness, how 'hands on' the people are etc) but I loved it! The food is unbelievable!
Sorry, though I love India I have to agree it is one of the dirtiest places we have been to...I'm not going to mention the public toilets we came across as it's just too disgusting to even think about!
Phnom Penh, I agree too is a dirty city. China we found to be quite clean apart from having to look out where you walked with all the gobs of spit either on the floor or flying down towards the floor!
We found Bolivia to be quite dirty too - as in people squatting in the street going the toilet (and not just to pee!).
Reply to this Oh no worries, India is on our list. Some dirt won't chase us away.
We have many friends who have loved their time in India. We'll contact you for ideas when we begin to plan that trip.
Reply to this This kind of thread takes away rather than adds to the passion of travel. Granted both India and China are dirty, but in every country, there is that one area that is considered dirty. Both China and India are incredibly big countries, it is had to balance the scale when it comes to a vote. I was born in Africa, I will tell you that there are countries in Africa that I, would vote dirtier than India. Interesting thread though. I have been to all continents except South America and I have seen some pretty dirty places. For those who want to go to India, I encourage you to go, it is an interesting country. Don't take your culture with you when you go, otherwise you will not enjoy it. Keep an open mind.
Reply to this Favourite country= india
dirtiest country= india
interesting how cleanliness had no affect on how much i loved india!
Reply to this India for us as well... Some things you see in that country is not a pretty picture but it is not to say we dont like the place.. Been twice to India as it is just magnificant.
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Nigel,
We agree with you....in our travels the dirt has not prevented us from falling in love with a country.
Reply to this m from india...it really pains me to hear that INDIA in on top of the list...was expecting this as well...but amidst all the dirt it is still beautiful...something mysterious that really calls u back.again and again....and thats why its called incredible india...
Reply to this Ah, a thread whose sole purpose is to set India up for a fall. Anybody who has been there knows for a fact that it is the dirtiest country ever, even if India is the only country they have ever visited!
I shall not have India defamed so easily! Whilst being a little suspect as regards dirt, this will only be a memorable factor if you have a heart of stone. This country has soul and more beauty in its smallest slum than many countries have in their entirity! Stay away from the cities, they are truly ducked. Get into the country and enjoy an incredible country, relatively free of crap.
BTW Read the blog that inspired this debate and, Ben, if those places are all that you have seen of India then it is no surprise you hold the opinion you do. The ganges at varanasi and Agra are two particularly bad, or good, examples of filth!!!
Reply to this This kind of thread takes away rather than adds to the passion of travel.
Not sure I agree with this... Challenging my western sensibilities is exactly what provides me with my passion for travel. I'm incredibly open minded, but think it would be impossible to leave my 'culture' at home when traveling, it makes me the person that I am... Don't get me wrong though, I don't judge other cultures by the value system I hold and was raised with which at times can be very difficult ( animal welfare for example).
In regards to India, I think that this thread is showing that although India in undeniably filthy, it's not what defines it... It
is a spectacular country, let it captivate you and it almost certainly will!
Reply to this Good point.
Each person who has been to India describes its beauty, their love of the country and longing to return.
Being aware of the filth will not keep travelers from going it will just make them aware of what to expect.
Reply to this Just to be clear here: My intention in starting this discussion was NOT to defame India as has been suggested above. I am sorry if it came across like that!
I was really curious what other people think about this topic. Great discussion though, and it would be interesting to see other "nominations" - unless the issue is settled already...
Reply to this Haha the dirtiest country in the world I visited was France... Especially along the roads there is all kinds of junk..
Reply to this Bolivia smells like urine wherever you go - its pretty to look at though and a very exciting country so that wasn't a major put off!
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