Beautiful Buenos Aires

by Erik Olsen on

I don’t know about you, but I’m always dreaming about the place I’d go when/if I got rich and where I could settle down for the golden years, do a little work here and there, but otherwise just travel, travel, travel. There are places in the states that have this appeal. I could see hanging out in Montana or Wyoming. And then there are places like Thailand, where I can imagine living in a little village, eating Thai food all the time and penning some great (and likely ever unpublished) novel. But it seems that many folks who have had this idea, many of them in the prime of their youth, are heading South. Far South to .

According to this piece in New York Magazine, since ‘s 2001 financial collapse huge numbers of Americans have headed to BA to live large. The exact numbers are unknown, but the number of Americans registered with the embassy to visit…many for long stays…jumped nearly 13 percent between 2004 and 2005. A second apartment, like the guy in the article bought for himself, cost just $68,000.

I can understand this. I spent two weeks in Buenos Aires years ago and loved the city. The broad avenues, the rich culture, the food (that is, the meat….oh, the meat, don’t get me started on the meat), and the women. Even though I could hardly get a Portena to give me the time of day (they are, I contest, quite snooty) they are mighty fine to look at. So it makes sense that various bond traders who cashed in with their f*ck you numbers have sought BA out as an earthly paradise.

Afghan Wildlife Reserves

by Erik Olsen on

What a fine idea. Not that anyone will ever go, mind you. Of course, perhaps that’s the point.

What am I talking about? Why, Afghanistan, of course. That distant, dangerous land, where nary a Christian soul dares to tread without military escort. And it is in Afghanistan that the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society has decided to launch an effort to establish some wildlife reserves there. Because we know how much the Taliban likes to take care of its animals and the natural surroundings, let alone the man-made Buddha shaped ones.

Naw, I’m being cynical. I know that the Taliban were mostly run off by “coalition forces”. I know that things are peachy keen there now and what’s needed are efforts like this to bring in tourists and Western know how. So I’ll cut them some slack and offer a few hand claps. But the interesting subtext here is that there are supposedly some lovely lands in Afghanistan, in case all you saw were endlessly dreary brown hills when watching the news. In fact, according to the group. Afghan lands are some of the most beautiful wild lands in Asia. So, lets save our scrutiny and scorn for later. For now, let’s celebrate the effort and hoe that we all might be on lion country safari in Afghanistan soon.

Central Asia Refresher

by Adrienne Wilson on

Every once in a while it’s nice to remind ourselves about places that may not be on the top of our travel lists, but we forget exist or never knew existed. As I’ve been sharing some upcoming travel plans with people it’s suddenly starting to strike a nerve how much of the population is unaware of other smaller countries or entire regions to boot! On a recent trip into a book store for some quick guide book hunting my conversation with the clerk went something like this:

“Excuse me, do you happen to have any travel guides on Central Asia or Tajikistan,” I said.

The clerk scratches his head and replies, “Hmm… Why no, no one goes there.”

“But you’re missing a HUGE chunk of the world and I’m going,” I responded.

An older gent with his head tucked in an Eyewitness Travel Guide for France looks up in curiosity.

“Then you’re probably the only one going then,” he concluded.

“Thanks, I’ll look online,” I said.

After this conversation at the bookstore I have found myself being questioned as to why I’d want to go any placed that ended in -stan or where the heck Tajikistan is, but the better question will always be, why not?! Anyhow, I didn’t start all this to moan and groan. Instead I just wanted to provide a quick Central Asia refresher. Wikipedia is one of the best places to start for the basics which I’ll just throw out right here/right now. Central Asia is comprised of the following: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, western China, northeast Iran, Afghanistan, western Pakistan, and central-east Russia south of the Taiga.

The borders of Central Asia have been defined a number of ways, but in one of the broader cases this is probably your best bet. There – I feel much better now. If you’ve got some Central Asia travel experiences to share please feel to tell all. For those who hadn’t a clue before, I hope this provides a small amount of insight.

Word for the Travel Wise (05/02/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Recently I had the opportunity to taste a most delicious dish, a dessert to be exact, at a the Halal Kabab House in Alexandria, Virginia. When it comes to desserts I can be a little skeptical or shy away completely primarily due to my lack of trust in sweets. I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth and have a long list of ingredients that aren’t favorites for my taste buds. Sometimes it’s all in the texture of the dessert like any other food that can turn anyone on or off, but in this case I was very pleased with the new item.

Today’s word is a Farsi (Persian) word used in Afghanistan:

ferni – dessert, pudding garnished with pistachio nuts

For me to say that ferni is a Farsi word may be a little incorrect so I would double-check, but I did ask the woman working the counter the differences between Afghan Farsi and Iranian Farsi. She noted Afghan Farsi is more like British English (more proper and by the book) where Iranian Farsi is like American English (loose with more slang). In any case try the dessert if you ever happen to have the chance.

Farsi is only one of the langs spoken in Afghanistan and usually around areas bordering Iran and varies slightly. The CIA Worldfact book lists (Afghan Persian) Dari and Pashtu as official languages. Excellent sites for learning Persian online include a personal favorite called Easy Persian and Farhangsara. Both sites have an excellent beginner’s guide into the language and use images, sound and music to assist you in the process. Check out Lonely Planet’s Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook for a shorthand guide at the ancient lingo.

Past Farsi words: be salamati, toot farangee, akkasi

Word for the Travel Wise (03/28/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’m probably one of few filled
with envy after looking at this online gallery of photos from some of the Middle East’s most dangerous corridors taken
over a period of several years by Luke Powell in areas like
Afghanistan. (Gasp!)  All the places you’re not supposed or the reserved traveler would take fancy in never going
near like Iran and Afghanistan have become an object of my affection over these last few years. Though my own travels
to Iran have been set back quite a few times I spend the days refreshing my brain with a word or two from the region or
clicking through photos like Powell’s.

Today’s word
is a Farsi (Persian) word used in Afghanistan:

akkasi  –
photographer

If you have a moment to peek around his site I suggest you do. The way he
captures architecture, street vendors in Faryab and spectators at local quail fights in Pul-i-Kumri is absolutely
phenomenal. You won’t be disappointed.

Farsi is only one of the langs spoken in Afghanistan and usually
around areas bordering Iran and varies slightly. The CIA Worldfact book lists (Afghan Persian) Dari and
Pashtu as official languages. Excellent sites for learning Persian online include a personal favorite called Easy Persian and Farhangsara. Both sites have an excellent beginner’s guide into the
language and use images, sound and music to assist you in the process. Check out Lonely Planet’s Farsi
(Persian) Phrasebook for a shorthand guide at the ancient lingo.

Past Farsi words: be salamati, toot farangee