Here is the latest on the real places where we live around the
world. Anecdotes, impressions, frustrations, and joys. Life beyond
the official word in many of the important cities around the world.
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Islamabad,
Pakistan: "At first it was a bit uncomfortable because
I had to get used to men staring at me. But after a time, I
realised that people weren't trying to be rude, they were just
curious."
April 2, 2005
Kiev, Ukraine:
"There are lots of outdoor bazaars, called "rinoks".
Some specialize in certain products. There is an electronics
market, a spices market, a fish mart, and a book bazaar."
April 2, 2005
Stockholm,
Sweden: "If you are over-protective of what your children
see and do, you may have some problems. The Swedes are very
open, and the only thing they censor is violence up to the age
of 15."
March 28, 2005
Brasilia,
Brazil: "There are some funky, newly remodeled government-owned
apartments. These were each converted from two apartments and
have very odd floor plans. These places were too dark for my
taste." March 28, 2005
Dhaka,
Bangladesh: "This is a Muslim country, so everyone
in America will be worried about you because of stereotypes;
but they are by and large wrong. People are polite and pretty
nice." March 26, 2005
Singapore:
"Singapore is the food capital of Asia. You'll eat a lot!
Cost varies. The local "hawker" stalls can give you
a good meal for $4 Singapore. Or you can have a high-end $50+
meal." March 26, 2005
Lome, Togo:
"Women are sexually discriminated against, but it happens
less with the non-Togolese. The country has Muslim and Christian
populations, but there does not seem to be a rift between
them."
March 23, 2005
Sofia,
Bulgaria: "These housing areas really are villages
with dirt roads, usually with very little street lighting, roaming
Gypsies, and wild dogs going through your trash; plus limited
services and little snow removal or treatment in winter."
March 23, 2005
Podgorica,
Serbia and Montenegro: "You don't have to worry about
malaria, you don't have to worry about getting carjacked or
mugged, and while the drivers are aggressive, people do obey
traffic lights and most rules. And you don't have to commute
far to work."
March 21, 2005
Chittagong,
Bangladesh: "I had the time of my life in Chittagong.
I lived there for two years and then went back to Luxembourg.
Now I'm at university in the UK. I have visited many countries
in the world, and none of them matches the hospitality of Bangladesh."
March 21, 2005
Kathmandu,
Nepal: "We are a family of four, and we had a great
time. The recreation center is one of the best, with tennis
courts, swimming pool, baby pool, full service café,
two playgrounds, squash court, weight room, basketball court,
walking trail, and soccer/softball field." March 19, 2005
London,
England (UK): "London is so big that the expat community
is really large and disjointed; I think if it was a less developed
country it would be different, but it is not that easy to meet
other expats. I like to try to hang out with the locals, though."
March 19, 2005
Rabat,
Morocco: "It's quite dull, but I've certainly been
in places that are much worse! I really have no strong objections
to Morocco, but I might go a little stir-crazy if I had to do
another assignment here."
March 17, 2005
Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia: "Women have it harder since this
is a Muslim society, but it is in no way oppressive. Racially,
there is a distinct pecking order, with the Malays on top, next
the Chinese, and then the Indians."
March 17, 2005
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