Fantastic photos Yeah - it's a dilema visiting countries where regiem change is really needed. I face this same issue when visiting my family in the UK. Looking forward to being disappointed by Burma :) Thanks for the great photos and story - again!
Freedon of speech! send me a private message Gorian so I have your email...
and I'll tell some good stories - Do you know I read somewhere that NATO was a secret wing of the Albanian mafia:-)
cheers!
Not a Serbian Jason,
No I am not a Serbian, actually I am Macedonian (like you mentioned in your comments, about our neighbors, I don't see any Serbians defending Macedonia or its people). May have gotten a bit carried away with my comments (you did not fail to quote my language numerous times) but I think you deserved a little bit of that, and honestly I have met too many similar minded people that have that syndrome and unfair judgement of my people and our culture. Sure, I may have supported your thinking of how big nationalists we are (even though that is much more of a Serb quality than Macedonian) but I bet you didn't see any house flying Macedonian flags for Thanksgiving, or Halloween or was it the 4th of July (oh right, your not American..) Which in itself disappointed me, seeing that this is the culture that is spreading and more and more predominating the world. When I read back, I sound a bit too anti-western-American etc, but I do value freedom of thought (which seams to be affected brilliantly back there) freedom of speech (which is affected not so brilliantly) and freedom of fear (which is obsolete). Fortunalty for us Macedonians, we still have these freedoms and thats probably what keeps the drive. What was the purpose of your visit to the balkans anyway, if you are so stubbornly obssessed with your passport, your salary, and obviously not the historical and beautiful aspect of old monasteries, and beautiful (deep) lakes? And as I have probably traveled far more extensively in the region (if not beyond) I stand by my previous words on prostitution in Macedonia. It's a big issue for UN/NATO/EU "peace" keepers used to cheap woman in other less developed countries (although they do enjoy the cafes, clubs, and lack of war). So unforunate that you didn't score in MK, and tough shit for the rain and your girfriend in BG.
love the rant! Thank You Gorian,
No I am not from the US but I assume you are a pure blooded serb...thankyou for your analysis
1) Macedonia women dress provocatively because they "worry much less than your woman about fucked up rapists roaming the streets".
2) The women who wished to marry a westerner "were either prostitutes (even though you state there are very few) or foreigners".
3) "Your country is older than mine"!? no comment;)
4)Thanks for your advice on where to "find the postcommunist whore sindrome" ...maybe you should worry more about finding your own war criminals/heros?
...and sorry, I didn't realise the impact of (my) "fucking embargo on Serbia"
P.S. I honestly loved the last paragraph ...totally agree: "And thats your countries smartest policy, keeping the masses dumb as shit, and having the lucky few do as they will, destroying people and nations much wiser and much less luckier than yours".
Although after meeting 'Professor bigot' I worry what the youth in Macedonia, let alone Serbia, are being taught.
And honestly, I loved your rant, almost as good as mine and I apologise completely for "arrogantly and uninformedly hurting Macedonians". with my opinions.
Thanks
Jason.
P.S. If you wanna know how NATO really screwed up the balkans and the West's destruction of Yugoslavia read the book 'Degraded Capabilty'
here is a link: http://www.martinshaw.org/degraded.htm
Wack Ass Westerner Jason,
The comment you have made about Macedonia are totally out of line. Im a Macedonian national who has studied and lived in numerous countries, including the US, which is where I presume you come from.
A couple of comments on your irritating assumptions, and your troubling egocentric personality:
1. Woman in southern Europe generally dress more provocatively than in the US or other "developed" countries. This is mostly because they are generally more self confident, make smarted decisions about sex, and have to worry much less than your woman about fucked up rapists roaming the streets. (check the annual rape numbers in Macedonia)
2. I have never heard of woman wanting to spend 20,000 USD to marry an idiot like yourself. Sure the economy is crappy, but I'm sure you didnt fail to notice that all cafes, restaurants, and stores were packed (unlike 90% of shithole US small town streets). The woman you may be referring to were etiher prostitutes (you probably realized how rare they are in MK) or of another ethnicity. There are much easier and ways to go abroad and get lucky than marrying a selfish dickweed suck as yourself, whose only possession is a good passport.
3. Macedonia as a region, as a language, and as a people has been around much longer than probably wherever you come from. The fact that countries such as yours chose to ignore this fact and have actively chosen to erase or block our existense from history books is political and has been one of the main reasons the balkans have remained a hotspot throughout history.
4. Macedonia, as part of former Jugoslavia, never suffered the communist regimes that countries such as Poland, Czeckoslovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Hungary etc when through. You might find the postcommunist whore sindrome there, if thats what you are after.
With Macedonia getting the help in has been from countries such as yours (compare that in $ terms to any country in Europe, especially Greece, which was the least developed country in Europe 20 years ago, excluding Albania)I think however small the progress seams (not to mention the impact of your fucking embargo on Serbia which forced 400,000 refugees to Macedonia, and about 50 to western countries) Macedonia is moving slowly forward due to the peristance of its people and their national pride, which you have arrogantly, uninformedly hurt.
You could learn a thing or two from that 8 year old boy. But then again, thats probably not your fault. Your primary and secondary education is at best, rediculous. And thats your countries smartest policy, keeping the masses dumb as shit, and having the lucky few do as they will, destroying people and nations much wiser and much less luckier than yours.
hey jou i'm glad that you like switzerland, because i'm from switzerland! i'm staiing now here in an exchange year in nebraske, and i like it here.
i'm from bern, but i have alot of friends in zurich. please write me an e-mail, and tell me from your friends in switzerland.
adresse patria_krusty@yahoo.com
Thanks.. Thanks for your honest and positive comments about Bangladesha and it's common people. More often than not, my country is tainted with negative images for it's poverty and natural disasters. I'm glad you could see a land and it's people beyond the obvious.
They have Starbucks in Thailand now? Crazy. Of course the last time I was there, it was 2000. ;) I enjoyed reading this, brings back memories of my very first trip abroad. Thanks!
Rickshaws Hey, I just thought that you should know, for next time you travel to India, it's not neseccary to negotiate with the driver, all you have to do is look at the fare, and pay one less rupee than the fare is for, you'll get along just fine.
Phenidyl That's not cough syrup. It's actually a distilled liquor, I don't know what sort of Pheni you had, but when I was in bombay it was made out of cashews, and that stuff was Rocket Fuel. I've absolutly loved reading your journals, and I'm kind of sad that we're comming to the end of the road. I feel as though I've taken this trip with you. Your photo's and excellent skill with words has kept me on the edge of my seat.
commandments 11 and 12 11, if female thou shalt braid thy hair.(but only for duration of trip)
12, if male thou shalt wear a sarong and sport a upper arm celtic band tattoo.
Made these observations in the Africa House Hotel, Zanzibar 1999. Billed by lonley planet as the friendly hangout.It was cliquey, my face didn't fit,i was over 22, actually 30 at the time. Me and my wife are off again in 2 years. I read the live blogs of about 5 people who are near my own age or who I think are of a similar mindset to me, just so I can get a mental map of places to avoid once Im on the road. Glad your writing again.
Please Don't Say This Is It Dude. I have enjoyed your travels oh so much Like a voyeur observing the planet earth from the Hubbell. Please don't say the journeys over. I stumbled onto this site while "Googling" Goa. I book marked your first entry (not the site) and followed you through the "next" button. When are we traveling again? Where are we going? I would give anything for hypothermia and rude Tibetans as "these are a few of my favorite things."
Wow! What fabulous photographs! We were in Germany for 10 days earlier this year--some of the same places you visited. Your beautiful prose and exquisite photos brought back wonderful memories.
A question When you mentioned the Chinese Tajiks were more
devoted than the Tajiks in Tajikistan, what exactly did you mean?
Were these "Chinese Tajiks" leaning more towards Zoroastrian religion or were they Muslims?
The original Tajiks were staunchly Zoroastrians and were related to the ancient Persians.
I would appreciate a reply or your impression of it. Kind regards and
Thank you.
Anoushiravan
Smth about Berat and albanians Nice and real article yours about Berat. Well actually I was born in Tirana, but for work reasons I travell a lot up and down Albania. Old Berat is one of the most beautiful cities to visit. But I'm impressed as well when I notice painfully the way albanians "take care" of their country. And as well I can tell you the reason of this. This nightmare started after the 1945..when,what was simply called a new modern revolution was only the way for albanian peasants to destroy values, history and create a nonsense political system, based on murdering, imprisonment and umiliation.. This was called by the regime the road to the "new man".. The new animal that saw the "top" of his success by the end of the 80', was nothing else than a poor violent creature, in posses of nothing, actually empty of human feelings.. a king on his kingdom of nothing..where the arrogance was the real and the only queen of his soul.. Why? Destiny? May be. But still today, after 15 terrible years, this creature has left clear signs on albanian mentality..and is still a significant number in this country.
What's the lesson for the others?
Exterminate ignorance...
Timely Entry ! Hi there , Thank you for this Blog.. ! I feel it is a timely entry .. that would help prospective tourists by subduing their apprehensions. There is so much more in Andamans especially abunduntant pristine LOcalities and Pristine Islands just a boat ride away .. like Lawerence Island , Light House spot etc on havellock Island.. and the Tiny Neil Island where you can rent a hut few meters away for mere Rs 50 ( just about a $ ).. and sleep to the soothing shallw water sounds. And can walk along the different beach stretches just in a matter of Hour or two.. and can find a secluded place if you have a company wand what to spend. And Havellock Island is no exception with the Great a Beach at #11 with Tents rented by the tourist Dept. And if you want to have a Full moon view the place is #3, #5. Actually on a full moon day here the moon looks so big and near .. brightly litting the whole beach and along side cottages.. Its an awesome scene.. when the moon suddenlyt rises on the horizon and chases awway the darkness. ! though it is a bit far from #11 to #3 .. you can rent a Motor-cycle for rs150 ( about $3 ) a day. and if are looking for best snorkling places.. it is here in Havellock Island. renting a Boatman costs you about Rs 500/- ( may be less if you can contact him directly at the village centre, ask for Boatman "Ranjit" ! very cool guy .. he will attend at your sea side guest house at the time you specify.).. I really cant forget the great experiences I had at Havellock Island.. especially the snorkling spots.. ! OHMY how can I forget the view .. when I saw a Octopuss at Lawrence Island when it came in clear readiant Ice-blue colour .. and vanished in just about 35 seconds before I could call my companiaon. Its all prestine and so natural.. even while sitting at #3.. and looking over the nearest Islands.. its breathtaking different shades of blue waters.. as if someone spilled all the blue shades God has with him... the same thing you can observe while on your way to Lawrence ISland.. mangroves.. so many blue shades of waters... and you wont forget the paradise experience for life.. !
andamans discovered a beautiful place in wandur/wandoor called sanctuary run by a terrific guy called viraj.guy is educated in japan ,australia,NY and france but chooses to live in peace instead.has a gorgeous rotweiler called maya.what a pair and what a place!!check it out.he organises great trips by boat altho his boat seems to be pretty badly ruined by the tsunami.has built cool huts on stilts.owns a nice jeep and may hire out his enfield bike if he's convinced you love bikes.
Ali
Ali Watters
Fantastic photos
Yeah - it's a dilema visiting countries where regiem change is really needed. I face this same issue when visiting my family in the UK. Looking forward to being disappointed by Burma :) Thanks for the great photos and story - again!