Hardest Places to Visit

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Well, I went but it did not seem that difficult. It was just so different, but overwhelmingly interesting.

While there are dozens of flights to Russia these days, it appears the iron curtain is still up in terms of Russian bureaucracy -- the back and forth to obtain a visa can take weeks, even months, and requires a LOI. If you're lucky enough to get one, it only lasts for 30 days.

If just getting into Russia wasn't enough of a challenge, you can up the ante by visiting Sakhalin Island. Seven times zones away from Moscow, getting there involves taking the Trans-Siberian Railway across the continent to Khabarovsk, switching to a ferry, then another train, and THEN back to another ferry. Or you could just walk around Red Square and save yourself the trouble.<br id="ecxFontBreak" />
And now for the most dangerous state to visit. Surprise, surprise. South Carolina


• Violent Crimes per Capita: 0.00513
• Median Household Income (2009-2013): $44,779
• Persons below poverty level (2009-2013): 18.1%!<(MISSING)/b>



With 4.8 million residents, South Carolina was named the most dangerous state by WalletHub. Here are other some other facts about the state.


• Property Crimes per Capita: 0.03663
• Fatalities per 100 million Vehicle Miles of Travel: 1.76
• Sex Offenders per Capita: 0.00304
• Youth Incarceration Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants: 235


I have been to SC at least twice, once for the Masters golf tournament just south of the border. And both visits included the wonderful and charming city of Charleston. But they have bad drivers, and troubled youth. That is a bad combination!!
I really cannot think of a bad place I have been, other than some ghettos and barrios here in the U.S., like Watts, east Oakland, old Harlem, south Chicago, or duh, downtown Baltimore. The townships in South Africa are not exactly uplifting either. Nor the favelas in Rio. What I really look for are the eyes and 'soul" of the inhabitants. Do they appear happy or at peace with themselves? People in multi-million dollar mansions do not always have that same peace, smile, or happiness. I have seen some of the happiest people in grass huts in the hill tribes of Laos. With the disaster in Burma, I cannot imagine that would be a safe or enjoyable place right now. Of course, the same could have been said for Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, Bangladesh, or central west Africa (ebola). We are so fortunate to live where we live. So, stop fighting in Baltimore, and Ferguson, and start living!

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