In Trinidad and Tobago soldiers help keep the streets safe

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’ve ever traveled in places where soldiers help man the streets, it can be a bit disconcerting, particularly in a place that should evoke an image of paradise.

I read in the World Watch section of today’s The Plain Dealer, (besides news Justin already posted on about lithium batteries and luggage) that for the next month or so in Tobago and Trinidad, seeing soldiers on patrol will be a common sight. Police can’t control crime by themselves so the military has been called in for reinforcement.

Because crime rates sky rocket this time of year, having soldiers frequent where people go for fun will hopefully put a damper on criminals’ good times. After Carnival in February, crime goes down, but I’m not sure how much since there are also reports of more police posts being established in rural areas.

If you go, besides being on criminal watch, don’t wear any camouflage. It’s illegal. I found that out from reading the Tobago and Trinidad Web site.

EU to be the most surveilled region in the world

by Abha Malpani on

Privacy these days is a myth. I rang for a taxi the other day, and before I could say hello, I was greeted with my name and my residential address. Why does a taxi company have to know where I live if I haven’t told them?

Also, telecom providers who I don’t have a contract with, often call me on my cell and address me by my name. How did they get my personal cell number and full name? Do they have my credit card details as well? Probably.

When we travel, we have to give all our personal details anyway, so the EU‘s latest agreement to share these details with national and international authorities (depending on the countries we are entering and exiting): names, passport numbers, addresses, credit card details, email addresses, and phone numbers — in the name of fighting terrorism and organized crime, is no surprise.

What’s surprising is that on analyzing this most elementary information in the UK recently, British authorities arrested 1200 suspects. How is that possible? I suppose it’s more important to know the accuracy of the findings, i.e. how many of those arrests were valid?

So the EU’s request to allow the sharing of passenger details is under debate, but if it is approved, the EU will beat the US to being the most surveilled place on the planet.

I find it both scary and amazing how the information we give out willingly when we travel can be used get gory details of our lives.

[Via Guardian]

To Talk Like a Pirate, Go Where the Real Ones Are–Or Not

by Jamie Rhein on

Catherine posted the scoop on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, even translating boardroom talk into pirate lingo–impressive, but for some honest to goodness pirate talk, head to the Straits of Malacca. Pirates still sail the waters here, wrecking havoc by capturing crews, taking over ships, and stealing their goods. The goods might be three million dollars of diesel fuel, for example. Just in case you’re a bit fuzzy about where this is exactly, (I even looked it up to be clear and I used to live in the region), here’s a map. The Sraits of Malacca is the stretch of water between Sumatra in Indonesia and the west coast of Malaysia. Singapore is at one end of it.

Marilyn Terrell, chief researcher for National Geographic Traveler, sent us a link to a National Geographic magazine article that details the history of and the current practice of honest-to-goodness pirates in this part of the world. It’s a fascinating read made more interesting by the account of the writer Peter Gwin who travels to where the pirates are. He interviews various players along the way, starting with one who is in jail. The pirate, like many other pirates, is from Batam, Indonesia. This is where Peter Gwin’s journey takes him, until he eventually learns, first-hand, the ropes of pirate living–part of it involves a karaoke bar.

I’ve been to Batam, Indonesia. At the time, it was a popular quick getaway from Singapore because of it had a decent resort hotel and a golf course. The school where I taught had a three-day retreat here. When I was at the retreat bonding with co-workers, I had no idea pirates were making their thievery plans close to where people recreate. I’ve also been to the west coast of Malaysia near to where pirates roam. Malacca is one of my most favorite towns, one I’d love to go back to and I recommend without reservations. My husband did say that Medan in Sumatra, also close to the straits, is, to paraphrase, “the armpit of hell.” He went there on a school trip with high schoolers. The night before their return flight, all 20 kids, plus the other chaparone got food poisoning. It was a real barf fest. Sorry, but it’s true.

When I read this article about the Straits of Malaysia and pirates, it reminded me about how little one can know about where one lives and travels sometimes. There are so many different realties. My version of Singapore and travel to the places near it, was mostly the clean cut version, although I could go on about some of the seamier details. Most of the time, however, I was busy with my job and with friends during the week. Holidays and weekend travel was a chance to unwind and have a bit of adventure–safe adventure. If I walked by a pirate, I wouldn’t have noticed.

If you have a notion to head through this part of the world, keep your eyes open. If you’re traveling through on the water, stay off of tankers. And if you get stopped by a pirate, refer to Catherine’s post. Maybe talking like one will help.

The photo is a montage created by Tarky7 and posted on Flikr today. The decription talks about Talk Like a Pirate Day and Modern piracy.

Robbers Super Glue Naked Man to Exercise Bike

by Justin Glow on

South Africa can be a dangerous place. According to a survey compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “South Africa was ranked second for assault and murder (by all means) per capita,” while the U.S. Department of State urges foreign visitors “to be vigilant and avoid any large gathering, particularly protests and demonstrations.”

However, things are evolving in the world of South African crime. Gone are the days where you could expect to be restrained and robbed with the classic tools consisting of rope or gaffer’s tape; Criminals in South Africa have a new weapon of choice: super glue.

The Register is reporting on a case where an unnamed man was pulled off the streets and forced to his home, where theives super-glued his naked body to an exercise bike. “They also glued his feet to the pedals and hands to the handlebars. Finally, his lips were sealed with the adhesive.”

Worried about being victim of this new trend in robbery? Just carry around some nail polish remover next time you’re traveling in unsavory places. “Even though Super Glue is incredibly strong, it has one weakness: acetone,” says the Superglue Corp’s guide to proper removal. “Fingernail polish remover with an acetone base has also been successful for removal of cured adhesive from skin.”