"My suggestion is not to go out alone. Some people will sugar coat it with all the usual precautions and then say "enjoy." Simply put, it remains the most dangerous place."
adventure boy

"Just got back and although nothing happened to me it is not a safe country by any means. The drivers are awful, there were countless rocket attacks, two Canadian ISAF guys got blown up and I heard that on the road $5000 was being offered for any westerners killed.
It's also really hard to know what is safe, they will never tell you if something is dangerous and NGO's will tell you everywhere is dangerous.
For the most part they seem fed up with all the trouble, however there is still a large anti-western movement and they love a fight (60 killed two weeks ago) so be careful."
Timboneswestham

"I have gotten two pies finished and have started on the chili. Now I need tortilla chips and refried beans. Anyone know where I can get those? Also peanut butter?
Ate sushi off the conveyor belt for luch today, it was wonderful.
Been in and out of grocery stores. I cant believe how expensive produce is.
The people here are amazingly polite even when they know I dont understand a word they are saying."
canuck55
Posted: 30 Oct,
7:45am

"there are about six money changers there together, and the rates were significantly better than anything i found in the heavy tourist areas.

unless you are with a local though, this street may be hard to find. so if that is the case, at least wait until you get out of the airport, because the rates there are REALLY bad."
paulie
Posted: 30 Oct,
1:05am
-------------------------
sing, like nobody's listening. dance, like nobody's watching. love, like you've never been hurt. live, like this place is heaven on earth.

Author: michi
Date: 10/31/2003, 06:34 am
Message: We found it disappointing. To say that it is not like at home would be insulting to say the least. But not what we expected.

I don't remember the hotel but we were told it had the best duck. The duck arrived whole, was not big for ten of us, and was expertly carved by a chef into small pieces. We were shown how to place duck, dark sauce and finely sliced green onions on buns. It was tasty but not what we expected so put it down to a new experience.

Author: numbnuts
Date: 07/24/2003, 08:25 am
Message: Does the barrage of street 'entrepeneurs' and AGGRESIVE street sellers ever put you off going to a country?

I find I'm beginning to dread getting out of the airports in some regions, and that within the first five minutes I have a negative image that is difficult to erase!! See my personal account and experiences at www.travelpackers.com USERNAME

Author: artisland
Date: 10/24/2003, 06:49 am
Message: I prefer capitalism in the form of street peddlers than the high rise skyscrapers and luxurious malls that are springing up all over. Eventually the governments will eliminate these "pesky" hawkers..... In some cases, really "eliminate".

Author: Skaye
Date: 10/27/2003, 10:59 am
Message: Marilyn: I quite agree the children are heartbreaking.. we met a little boy who sort of adopted us when we got off the ship in Honduras and if I could I would have brought him home.. it seems hopeless and the money I give to children's charities seems like "spitting in the ocean".. As my husband says though - if we stop going to their countries as tourists they would be without that money also..

Author: Clematis
Date: 10/30/2003, 01:16 am
Message: I'm always a little surprised when I hear about people not tipping at the camps because if they read the guidelines from the travel companies or any guide book, they'd know ahead of time. And I think inside of every camp book in the room were tipping guidelines (which were quite modest). We tipped both the general fund and also the guides and trackers, (even in the rare case when they weren't exceptional) because we figured they depended on their tips. We also brought gifts for something extra but it took up valuable space in our bags. I have not heard of anyone tipping a manager though - it was never on any of our lists - did anyone here do that? We had some exceptional service from managers and I wrote feedback about to the main company, etc. Has anyone had luck sending something directly to a camp after they've returned home?