Comments on: Would You Take a Vacation to Afghanistan? http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/ The Neat Side of the Web Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:33:50 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: SFC 18 Delta http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1629139 SFC 18 Delta Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:43:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1629139 I am currently here in Afghanistan, and I can tell you it is pretty amazing, if you like nature and the outdoors its a real nice place, mountains, lakes, rivers, it just looks so cool, valleys with small villages and rivers flowing through them...the sad part is there has been a lot of littering around the u.s. bases...while in a convoy escorting some jinga trucks, even the drivers threw out water bottles onto the dirt road like it was nothing...it will take a long time to try to lift this country up to what it was back in the 60s and 70s. I am currently here in Afghanistan, and I can tell you it is pretty amazing, if you like nature and the outdoors its a real nice place, mountains, lakes, rivers, it just looks so cool, valleys with small villages and rivers flowing through them...the sad part is there has been a lot of littering around the u.s. bases...while in a convoy escorting some jinga trucks, even the drivers threw out water bottles onto the dirt road like it was nothing...it will take a long time to try to lift this country up to what it was back in the 60s and 70s.

]]> By: Crispy75 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1588301 Crispy75 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:28:46 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1588301 Friend of mine visited Afghanistan and Iran (he had a Afghani/British friend out there) a couple of years ago. Absolutely amazing places - geographically and socially. I edited his camcorder footage, which I'd link to some stills of if I still had a copy >_< Friend of mine visited Afghanistan and Iran (he had a Afghani/British friend out there) a couple of years ago. Absolutely amazing places - geographically and socially. I edited his camcorder footage, which I'd link to some stills of if I still had a copy >_<

]]> By: Detroit Indian http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1588186 Detroit Indian Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:48:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1588186 Let me just mention that another incentive would be that Afghani women are considered one of the best looking in the world. Of course this depends upon whether the future will allow them to shed the burqa :) Let me just mention that another incentive would be that Afghani women are considered one of the best looking in the world. Of course this depends upon whether the future will allow them to shed the burqa :)

]]> By: Non http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1586998 Non Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:07:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1586998 I don't know what I was doing at the time, but wow...I never knew they blew up and defaced the giant Buddhas. How sad. I don't know what I was doing at the time, but wow...I never knew they blew up and defaced the giant Buddhas. How sad.

]]> By: Johnny Cat http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1586195 Johnny Cat Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:23:50 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1586195 Orjan Morjan, yes from what I've read the Vietnam tourism can be quite a tricky deal. Orjan Morjan, yes from what I've read the Vietnam tourism can be quite a tricky deal.

]]> By: Jeff2442 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1584137 Jeff2442 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:28:06 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1584137 Yeah, but the blue mosque is in Turkey. Yeah, but the blue mosque is in Turkey.

]]> By: lannaxe96 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1583582 lannaxe96 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:50:50 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1583582 A beautiful place with a long heritage of historical treasures A beautiful place with a long heritage of historical treasures

]]> By: Frau http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582896 Frau Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:37:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582896 As much as I would like to - I'll pass. And it is unforutnate that there are some truly beautiful and unique places in the world that I think some people would be proud to show off to the "rest of the world", but it is the few ruling religious zealots who make it miserable and unwelcoming. Movies, whose settings are supposed to be in Afghanistan are being shot in my "backyard" anyways. I can just pretend. As much as I would like to - I'll pass.
And it is unforutnate that there are some truly beautiful and unique places in the world that I think some people would be proud to show off to the "rest of the world", but it is the few ruling religious zealots who make it miserable and unwelcoming.

Movies, whose settings are supposed to be in Afghanistan are being shot in my "backyard" anyways. I can just pretend.

]]> By: ted http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582850 ted Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:15:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582850 The City of Screams sounds really enticing. Are the hotel walls soundproof? The City of Screams sounds really enticing. Are the hotel walls soundproof?

]]> By: Video Game Dork http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582661 Video Game Dork Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:20:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582661 And what vacation would be complete without as stay in... The CITY of SCREAMS!! D: And what vacation would be complete without as stay in...
The CITY of SCREAMS!! D:

]]> By: Skipweasel http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582577 Skipweasel Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:31:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582577 Meanwhile, a bunch of intrepid tourists tour Iraq... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102187982 They asked about hiring a couple of armed heavies for protection and were told that they'd have to have thirty or so - and feed them. So they decided instead to do without and keep a low profile. Meanwhile, a bunch of intrepid tourists tour Iraq...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102187982

They asked about hiring a couple of armed heavies for protection and were told that they'd have to have thirty or so - and feed them. So they decided instead to do without and keep a low profile.

]]> By: Medical Pastiche http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582242 Medical Pastiche Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:12:14 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582242 Geekazoid, The problem is that in Afghanistan there is only a handful of scenery which could be viewed as beautiful. As a whole, considering the vast amounts of bleak, arid mountain-desert, Afghanistan is quite ugly. As I commented in the source article, the article is like saying the Sahara desert is beautiful, refreshing, and full of life based on visiting an oasis. Geekazoid,

The problem is that in Afghanistan there is only a handful of scenery which could be viewed as beautiful. As a whole, considering the vast amounts of bleak, arid mountain-desert, Afghanistan is quite ugly.

As I commented in the source article, the article is like saying the Sahara desert is beautiful, refreshing, and full of life based on visiting an oasis.

]]> By: GailW http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582170 GailW Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:29:29 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582170 How sad that such a beautiful and culturally rich country has been destroyed by war and religious zealotry. How sad that such a beautiful and culturally rich country has been destroyed by war and religious zealotry.

]]> By: Zizkovak http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582052 Zizkovak Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:22:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582052 I have always wanted to see that part of the world... makes me sad that I can't. I have always wanted to see that part of the world... makes me sad that I can't.

]]> By: Orjan Morjan http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1582020 Orjan Morjan Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:06:22 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1582020 A more fitting comparison would have been travels in Vietnam. A more fitting comparison would have been travels in Vietnam.

]]> By: Geekazoid http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1581005 Geekazoid Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:56:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1581005 I see your point Medical, but I didn't take the article to be deliberately misleading people into thinking it's like Disneyland in Afghanistan. I take away from the article more of sadness that it is so filled with beautiful scenery, yet it is so dangerous and unstable as to be unfit for people who appreciate beauty to visit. Kind of like an ironic sentiment more than trying to sugarcoat the actual situation there. That they are sending more troops there, and the level of violence there is rising at a rapid rate, is very scary. I see your point Medical, but I didn't take the article to be deliberately misleading people into thinking it's like Disneyland in Afghanistan. I take away from the article more of sadness that it is so filled with beautiful scenery, yet it is so dangerous and unstable as to be unfit for people who appreciate beauty to visit.

Kind of like an ironic sentiment more than trying to sugarcoat the actual situation there. That they are sending more troops there, and the level of violence there is rising at a rapid rate, is very scary.

]]> By: Medical Pastiche http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580897 Medical Pastiche Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:56:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580897 When I was in Afghanistan almost 2 years ago, the country was in the midst of falling apart and falling to the Taliban. I would not be hopeful that things would change in 10 years time to make it a vacation place; even now, it is incredibly dangerous for people with jobs who do relief/aid work to be there. I do not think that most people realize how bad the situation really is, and stories like this do not help correct that perception. When I was in Afghanistan almost 2 years ago, the country was in the midst of falling apart and falling to the Taliban. I would not be hopeful that things would change in 10 years time to make it a vacation place; even now, it is incredibly dangerous for people with jobs who do relief/aid work to be there.

I do not think that most people realize how bad the situation really is, and stories like this do not help correct that perception.

]]> By: poppedculture http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580875 poppedculture Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:44:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580875 I have to second the keeping the head sentiment. That's just way too high a cost for tourism. I'll go somewhere safer, like Sudan. I have to second the keeping the head sentiment. That's just way too high a cost for tourism. I'll go somewhere safer, like Sudan.

]]> By: violet http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580847 violet Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:28:00 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580847 @inti: Mm, yes. Watching the bombing of Baghdad on television was the first time I had a visceral reaction to anything like that. The tears...they just happened. I don't consider myself particularly maudlin or whatever, but it was like my first grown-up, fully-aware response to what was, in flat truth, scores of innocents being annihilated. Really f*cked up moment. @inti: Mm, yes. Watching the bombing of Baghdad on television was the first time I had a visceral reaction to anything like that. The tears...they just happened. I don't consider myself particularly maudlin or whatever, but it was like my first grown-up, fully-aware response to what was, in flat truth, scores of innocents being annihilated. Really f*cked up moment.

]]> By: Geekazoid http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580796 Geekazoid Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:00:40 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580796 That's true Alex, which makes it even sadder. I think any country in the world that has beautiful natural sights would be proud to show them to the world, and have a nice tourist trade (a great source of revenue). Just seeing these pictures I can't see how anyone wouldn't find it a beautiful place to visit and see. That's true Alex, which makes it even sadder. I think any country in the world that has beautiful natural sights would be proud to show them to the world, and have a nice tourist trade (a great source of revenue). Just seeing these pictures I can't see how anyone wouldn't find it a beautiful place to visit and see.

]]> By: arbos http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580757 arbos Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:37:33 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580757 Comparing Florida and an independent country... yeah, colonies! lol ..... Comparing Florida and an independent country... yeah, colonies! lol .....

]]> By: Kalel http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580645 Kalel Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:35:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580645 If I really wished to see Afghanistan, I could sign up for the US Army. If I really wished to see Afghanistan, I could sign up for the US Army.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580606 Lauren Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:14:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580606 This is truly an amazing place filled with culture and archaeological treasures. Well done This is truly an amazing place filled with culture and archaeological treasures. Well done

]]> By: Inti http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580558 Inti Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:46:51 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580558 violet, they are completely destroyed. I remember seeing it in the news back in 2001, ending a global controversy opposing the entire world vs the Taliban. The footage of the dynamiting was painful, I felt as sick as when Baghdad was being bombed 2 years later. violet, they are completely destroyed. I remember seeing it in the news back in 2001, ending a global controversy opposing the entire world vs the Taliban. The footage of the dynamiting was painful, I felt as sick as when Baghdad was being bombed 2 years later.

]]> By: Quiana http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580542 Quiana Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:41:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580542 I have faith that some day I will get to go there. But I am opposed to death, so I can wait. Things change more quickly than people believe. I have faith that some day I will get to go there. But I am opposed to death, so I can wait.

Things change more quickly than people believe.

]]> By: violet http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580518 violet Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:25:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580518 Didn't they blow up a lot of the enormous Buddhas? That one hurt. Didn't they blow up a lot of the enormous Buddhas? That one hurt.

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580494 Alex Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:12:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580494 The world is full of amazing places, which are probably a lot safer than Afghanistan. Tourism requires much more than just spectacular scenery - there's a lot of logistics involved (hotel, transport, food) that I'm sure are lacking in places like Afghanistan. :( The world is full of amazing places, which are probably a lot safer than Afghanistan.

Tourism requires much more than just spectacular scenery - there's a lot of logistics involved (hotel, transport, food) that I'm sure are lacking in places like Afghanistan. :(

]]> By: Geekazoid http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580492 Geekazoid Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:11:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580492 This is poignant, sad, all of that. Truly Afghanistan has many spectacular and beautiful sights that are perfect for tourism. This is poignant, sad, all of that. Truly Afghanistan has many spectacular and beautiful sights that are perfect for tourism.

]]> By: pardonmoi http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-1580493 pardonmoi Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:11:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/20/would-you-take-a-vacation-to-afghanistan/#comment-1580493 Beautiful country and I'd love to see it someday. For now though, I'm happy to stay "unkidnapped" and to keep my head attached to my body. Beautiful country and I'd love to see it someday. For now though, I'm happy to stay "unkidnapped" and to keep my head attached to my body.

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