World Travelers

Okay, interesting indeed, and quickly checked out some pics, some of it is impressive indeed. Thanks for the info Stavi!

How long will you be away then?

I have been on a 10 day holiday in my own city: Gent!

The Gentse Feesten (Ghent Parties) last 10 days. Every square has its own little festival with concerts for free, every theater has special shows or performances, every bar brings in dj's and live performances. Every single day. According to the website, it's about 4000 activities and/or concerts.

All music genres can be heard. I've been to an organ concert in the St Bavo cathedral. I've seen young Ghent bands during a 10 day contest, I've been dancing to the Elvis songs performed by a Black Elvis, I've been dancing folk and boombal, ... Most of it is for free, but the squares count on you that you drink at their bars, which is a very fair deal. There's also a lot, A LOT, of street art performances and shows. I've helped building a cardboard tower of 18m, I've seen dancing spectacles within the walls of the old abbey close to my home, I also followed some guided walks talking about the history of the city or parts of districts, ... My place was also the best apartment to see the fireworks... I was literally laying in a chair and had the fireworks right above us.

My flatmate and I had friends over almost every day which of course added to the fun! I was glad to guide them around and like I did with some of you, show them hidden corners of the city.

So much atmosphere in the city, it's fantastic. I've been to the festival two times for 6+ days but that was 8 years ago. But usually everyone in the region goes at least for one day, myself included the past years. But this edition was much more intense. I know the city a lot better now after these 10 days. It's a unique festival in the world, no city goes as wild as this. What a great 10 days. Thor and Timmer would love this.

terrible.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/o … ?CMP=fb_gu

It made me think about the time I did the Annapurna circuit. I looked in my old diary from 1989 and see that I was only two days away from going over the Thorung-La pass on this same date. When I did it the weather was great but it's still the coldest I've ever felt in my life. I managed to get three shots off from my old Canon AE 1 SLR camera at the top before it froze and couldn't get it to work after, a bummer considering the beautiful sight of frozen waterfalls and amongst the best of the mountain views on the way down on the other side of the pass, I initially thought my camera was broken in some way but it worked fine again once I'd descended a few hundred meters into warmer weather.

I'm shocked that this tragedy has happened on a hiking route.

Yes, horrible to see the situation. I didn't knew the country was so poor. A popular destination too here, for people in their 20ies. I think most people know at least someone who's been there. What you have seen must be incredible. Can you see the Himalayas from Kathmandu? That must be the mightiest background of a city on Earth.

However, I also know the country because of the murder of the daughter of my mother's colleague. She disappeared on a popular trail and was found murdered a few days later. The lack of action and compassion from the government was sad. So much tragedy.

No. I read that the stepfather went back to Nepal last week to find out what did happen during her hike. While they were driving to the NP where she was found beheaded., the earth quake took place. He is okay though. I cannot imagine what the mother after all this. I read that a few people have been missing here in this region. Last what I heard was that she was murdered for organs.

The local people don't want to participate in the murder case, and so far nothing has happened or no one has been arrested. After the murder, the US Ambassay discouraged to visit the region.

Here's a translated page
https://translate.google.com/translate? … edit-text=

Heavens! This is horrifying!

Can't give any recommendations. Have a great time though!

Not a big fan of Lisbon. Filthy city (literally: I was sneezing black soot for two days!), but Bairro Alto is quite fun. When I was there I rather enjoyed the Solar Do Vinho Do Porto port tastery, but this was many years ago, and their service apparently has gone *incredibly* down-hill so that in good conscience I *really* couldn't recommend a visit any more!

So, erm, basically I'm no use at all...

You always loose something on these trips.

I do. I'm incredibly absent-minded on such things.

Then you're lucky. Some of us are afflicted with the forgetful gene. It's a real thing, dammit. And it's annoying as shit.

It's weird. I'm VERY obsessive about planning details in advance (day plans, things to do etc.), but when it comes to knowing where your belongings are at all times, I'm totally forgetful. It's the "absent-minded professor gene" in me, I think. My brain is only concerned with the major issues and forgets all about the basics, the "close things".

In Norway money is not an issue.

One credit card is just enough to buy one round.

Russia and Turkey OK, but Belarus and Ukraine?!

Mexico is also formally North America!