Stories about Travel from August, 2010
Gambia: The Smiling Coast of Africa
Travel journalist Tony Knight blogs about his visit to Gambia: “The Gambians you meet are friendly and engaging. There is a level of bumster activity intent of selling you refreshments, gifts and tours. Having got their measure though, look beyond at the genuine welcome you get everywhere.”
Caribbean: “Earl” Watch
It's that time again: Hurricane season. Regional bloggers, having been affected by brutal storms in the past, are keeping a watchful eye on Hurricane Earl, which has now been classified as a Category 3 storm. Within the next 36 to 48 hours, it is expected to affect the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, among other islands.
Russia: Adventures of Israeli Blogger in Russian Hospital
Sometimes it takes a foreigner blogging about her experiences in a hospital to pinpoint the "shocking truth" about your country.
Russia: The Mirny Diamond Mine
Siberian Light writes about the Mirny Mine, “the largest open pit diamond mine in the world, and […] the second largest excavated hole in the world.”
Ukraine: Museum of Strategic Rocket Troops
Leigh Turner, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, writes about the Museum of the Strategic Rocket Troops, located some 300 km from Kyiv.
Pakistan: Live Blogging Flood Relief Mission To Thatta Region
Teeth Maestro live blogs a flood relief mission to Thatta Region in Pakistan via CoveritLive and documents the journey live via GPS. “I believe that is the only way to share with the world what we see and hear on the ground,” Dr. Awab Alvi notes.
Ukraine: Anthem in 14 Languages
Ukraine's national anthem performed in 14 languages (Ukrainian, Greek, Tatar, Gagauz, Polish, Romanian, Georgian, Yiddish, Romani, Russian, Hungarian, Belarusian, Armenian, Azerbaijani) – at Ukrainiana.
Thailand: Yellow Fever Vaccination
Chris Mitchell identifies the health centers in Bangkok, Thailand where residents can get yellow fever vaccination.
Taiwan: Tell the difference between Yukata and Kimono
Famous comic blogger and Japanese culture observer JaeJae teaches us how to tell the difference[zht] between Yukata and Kimono, the two similar Japanese traditional garments.
Russia: “Where's Your Rabbi?”
Oleg Klimov posts two photos from Birobidzhan in Russia's Jewish Autonomous Region – and shares this short conversation (RUS) with a guard at the local synagogue: “‘Where's your rabbi?’ – ‘He left for Israel a long time ago…'”
Hungary: St. Stephen
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the history of the cult of St. Stephen, the first king of the Hungarians, who was canonized on Aug. 20, 1083.
Poland: Open-Air Market in Krakow
A walk through Krakow's Hala Targowa market – at Polandian.
Ukraine: Blueberries and Early Harvest
Blueberries and this year's early harvesting in the Ukrainian countryside – at The Pickle Project.
Russia: Blog Posts on Hospital in Russian Town Lead to Debates on Russian Healthcare
A blogger from Israel with Russian roots was unfortunate enough to get sick while visiting her relatives in Russia. Her recollections and pictures of a hospital in the city of Voronezh [ENG] provoked heated debates on the state of Russian health care.
India: Why Mumbai Is The Place To Live
Chip Huyen, a Vietnamese geek, blogger and a traveler is in Mumbai as a part of her travel around the world program. She explains why Mumbai is the place to be among other Indian cities.
Cuba: Additional Releases
Havana Times reports that another six political prisoners are scheduled to be released.
Benin: Traveler Recounts Experience at Porga Border
Toyin Ajao recounts his horrific experience at Porga border in Benin:”When it was my turn, the officer in charge asked me to pay 5,000cfa to get my passport stamped and I asked why it was so. He did not bother to answer me but commanded me to leave his sight...
Lebanon: Souk Saida – Beauty vs. Poverty
Lebanese blogger Bahaafe shares his experience (with photos) of his first visit to the heart of the coastal southern city Saida; in his post entitled ‘Souk Saida – Beauty of Stone VS Poverty of Life‘.
Myanmar: Photo essay on Yangon
Jodi Ettenberg publishes a photo essay that provides a glimpse of life in Yangon, Myanmar
China: Pambassadors
Elaine Chow from Shanghaiist blogs about the recruitment of six Panda Ambassadors in China. The Pambassadors will be working at the famous Woolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in the coming October.
Angola: The biggest open-air market in Africa
Mark and Jana writes about the the biggest open-air market in Africa, the Roque Santeiro Market in Angola:”…is known for being the biggest open-air market in Africa, for transacting thousands of dollars a day, and for being the main stage for the sale of every imaginable product.”
