Word for the Travel Wise (09/07/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Since I can probably take a good guess at how many people will travel to Afghanistan or least think about going sometime during their life span and seeing that number isn’t high I’m going to point everyone to this small online Kabul Museum. In March of 2001 the Taliban destroyed all pre-Islamic statues and objects in Afghanistan. The Kabul online museum is in place to allow people to enjoy the museums contents before the destruction. Although there isn’t much inside the three galleries by virtually traveling there we can all say we’ve seen a small part of history aside from the news we get on CNN.

Today’s word is a Pashto word used in Afghanistan:

mujasemy – statues

Pashto is spoken by 40-50 million speakers in Afghanistan, western Pakistan and northern India. It became an official language of Afghanistan in 1936. Persian or Dari is also an official language. Good example sentences, historical information and links are all found at Wikipedia. Pashto.org has video, music, downloadable dictionaries, software and book lists. Yorku.ca has a long list of words to start along your Pashto learning path for at least a few weeks. Visit the BBCPashto page if you already have some understanding of the language under your belt.

Croc Hunter Dead

by Erik Olsen on

Wow, I just woke up to some tragic news. Steve Irwin, the famous “Croc Hunter” on TV died in Australia last night.

He was apparently filming for his program (of all things, the series was called ”Ocean’s Deadliest”) when he got too close to a stingray and the thing whipped it’s tail and slammed its serrated stinger into his heart. I loved the Croc Hunter. Man, I thought he was a fabulous talent and such a great ambassador for Australia…better than Olivia Newton John, anyway.

This is a big bummer.

Pamir Panoramas

by Adrienne Wilson on


One word for this shot: breath-taking. Same guy I mentioned a couple of days back who has kindly been schooling me to Tajikistan travel forwarded this Pamirs photo gallery my way as well. According to his notes it is where the Afghan, China and Tajikistan borders meet and I won’t be able forgive myself if I don’t make it down. Sounds pretty intense. I’m still making my last week itinerary as we speak so perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to make into the region. In the meantime check the Pamirs out for yourself.

From Afghanistan to Tajikistan

by Adrienne Wilson on

A few nights back I was introduced to a gentleman I was told could help me. I was told he was filled with an enormous amount of information about where I am headed and where I should go. He could point out Tajikistan on a map three-times blindfolded. He had been there before. When I met him I felt intimidated at first, questioning the unbelievable amount of knowledge he had on the area. Only five weeks sit between our meeting and the time of my departure to Dushanbe. He came off a little brash, but no matter what I thought of him then, I knew, he knew his stuff. I begged him to tell me everything and told him to promise he’d send more information about Tajikistan, about anything.

I was happy to have made his acquaintance and that I had found someone with even a half-idea of the Central Asian land. Keeping his to his promise, he forwarded this link from a piece he had written for Pology, a favorite online cultural travel magazine of mine. In his story he talks about crossing borders from Afghanistan to Tajikistan and describes the border towns, places, nomads, people, and the distinctive differences between the two. Whether or not Afghanistan or Tajikistan are particularly places of high tourism interest I’m sure anyone would enjoy the piece. Forget the landmines and casual talk about pistols, just read it and soak up the realness of the people, the buildings and the Soviet decay.

Very excellent read…

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 2

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s Friday and that means show and tell time here at Gadling. Ultimately we show you what you may have missed and you tell us what you like. Here we go.

5. Unique Hotels:
It wasn’t until last year sometime when it really started to dawn on me how much of an experience a hotel can provide. Before coming across some really cool spots to crash and lounge around I would just sleep, eat, and hit the road. So now, when I go to book hotels, before I grab the best deal, I look for other special qualities and what makes the place unique. In this blurb Neil describes places online that make it easier for travelers seeking similar hotel unique experiences. (I know I sounded a bit like an infomercial, but seriously check it out!)

4. Afghan Wildlife Reserves:
Erik is right – not many folks will bother going to Afghanistan let alone a wildlife reserve there should they every come to reality, but I felt it was a fine post and deserves another looksie. If we can’t go by foot, plane or train we may as well use our minds and travel with our imaginations.

3. Suspect Waters:
Hardcore, summertime, backing packing through the woods has never really been my thing and I can also tell you one other thing that hasn’t been my cup of tea on any trip of any kind. Um, diarrhea. Yeah, it sucks. In this post Neil directs us to the LA Times for a piece on some of the challenges faced by backpackers on their weekend escapes.

2. Mexico By Train… With Money:
Here’s an easy one… Ever been to Mexico by train? Got a little cash to blow this summer on your lavish vaca? Then drop a little money on a Mexican train excursion. Oh, and take me too!

1. Balkan Odyssey Part 1: Getting to Albania:
Did you know there was an airport actually named after Mother Teresa? I didn’t – until now. Neil’s back from his journey with plenty of tales to share. Go take a peek at his first installment to what looks like a very promising trip report to the Balkans.