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Is there any country you would not go to even if you were paid to go there?

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    #482
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    kowloon wrote: »
    I never realised they were up there with North Korea and Turkmenistan. Has this been the case for long?

    Friend of mine lived in Lagos for two years. Confined to compound to live in, 24 hour armed security, when they left it was in a car, with an armed driver.
    Long two years!! That was the 90s


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    #483
    boardlady
    Registered Users Posts: 253 ✭✭boardlady


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Ditto. It takes a lot to gross me out, and India is top of the list there. I'd thought poorer areas of China or Africa were bad (which they were), but India shocked me, and worse yet, they embrace that kind of living. Ugh. Dead bodies in the streets, and when the water rises in the towns/cities, the dodgy sewers open up to bring everything out into the open.

    Also, while other countries/cultures have the same, India still shocks me for the differences between the rich, and the poor. It's brutal, and yet, you rarely hear anyone talking about it.

    Yup. I have zero desire every to visit India again. I did one extended trip, and while there were some interesting sights, and some lovely people, it didn't balance out with the loonies, the poverty, the disgusting lack of hygiene, etc. Ugh. Never again.

    I did India decades ago - 5 months and 1 month in Nepal. I agree with everything you say - but i'm still glad to have had the experience :)


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    #484
    jmreire
    Registered Users Posts: 8,367 ✭✭✭jmreire


    Yurt! wrote: »
    What was she doing there do you mind me asking? I know there is (was with covid) a small cohort of westerners working on aid projects as well as a sprinkling of people in the higher education sector at an American founded Christian university (if you can believe that).

    She was not working in the education sector, but on a long running medical assistance project, which predated covid.


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    #485
    TXPTGR1
    Registered Users Posts: 234 ✭✭TXPTGR1


    UAE- been to Dubai on a stopover- horrible place frequented by awful people
    I know i


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    #486
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 13,712 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    kowloon wrote: »
    I never realised they were up there with North Korea and Turkmenistan. Has this been the case for long?

    I am pretty sure Nigeria was a popular destination for Irish catholic missionaries in the 1950s. It can't have been very dangerous then, if they were accomodating priests and nuns with their foreign religion. No European in their right mind would walk about Nigeria without an escort anymore, so you'd have to assume standards have fallen since the civil war, to put it mildly.

    Edna O'Brien, when she was researching her novel 'Girl' (a book about violence/ female circumcision) went to Nigeria. She had to have an armed guard with her constantly, and she was in her 70s! Went into Boko Haram territory and everything. That takes serious balls.


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    #487
    dxhound2005
    Registered Users Posts: 20,854 ✭✭✭✭dxhound2005


    If the chances of getting murdered, or being the victim of a crime are the biggest consideration, Nigeria is a lot safer than most of the Americas. Stay away from Mexico and Brazil. Nigeria is well down the list of the crime stats even in Africa. South Africa is a lot more dangerous.


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    #488
    itguyinaction
    Registered Users Posts: 60 ✭✭itguyinaction


    AMKC wrote: »
    Me I would not go to Turkey. I was there once and would never go again. I found the people rude and small minded as well as backwards.


    Interesting how point of view can depend on people. I was many years ago in Turkey and had very positive impressions. Sure the culture is much different but I love Turkish outdoor restaurant when many people come to eat with so much delicious food (and which are so crowdy and full of energy), many small family shops when you can come and bargain for hours and noone will tell you than you spend so much time and you didn't buy anything (and where they always offer you very very good tea for free) and many, many others things. Sure it's much different country than in Europe we are used too but for me it was very interesting.


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    #489
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    boardlady wrote: »
    I did India decades ago - 5 months and 1 month in Nepal. I agree with everything you say - but i'm still glad to have had the experience :)

    Me too. Don't get me wrong. As much as I disliked India, there were some good parts, and I have some interesting memories from my trip there. I'd just hate to have to repeat any of those experiences in that country. It's a destination marked off the list... and from reading books when I was younger, I definitely wanted to experience India firsthand. It's just that the real experience was too... real? :pac:


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    #490
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    itguyinaction wrote: »
    Interesting how point of view can depend on people. I was many years ago in Turkey and had very positive impressions. Sure the culture is much different but I love Turkish outdoor restaurant when many people come to eat with so much delicious food (and which are so crowdy and full of energy), many small family shops when you can come and bargain for hours and noone will tell you than you spend so much time and you didn't buy anything (and where they always offer you very very good tea for free) and many, many others things. Sure it's much different country than in Europe we are used too but for me it was very interesting.

    Turkey is a fabulous country. I have been many many times and it is ancient and interesting.
    However I do understand posters reactions of they have only ever visited coastal tourist resorts. Especially if the women are fair. But that is a small part of the country and not really representative of the whole country.


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    #491
    Duffy the Vampire Slayer
    Registered Users Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭Duffy the Vampire Slayer


    dxhound2005 wrote: »
    If the chances of getting murdered, or being the victim of a crime are the biggest consideration, Nigeria is a lot safer than most of the Americas. Stay away from Mexico and Brazil. Nigeria is well down the list of the crime stats even in Africa. South Africa is a lot more dangerous.

    Most of the murders in Latin American nations don't occur in places where tourists (Or middle class locals) are ever likely to be.


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    #492
    dxhound2005
    Registered Users Posts: 20,854 ✭✭✭✭dxhound2005


    Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »
    Most of the murders in Latin American nations don't occur in places where tourists (Or middle class locals) are ever likely to be.

    It should be possible to find some places in Nigeria suitable to visit. It is ten times the size of Ireland. There were places in NI which went mostly unscathed by the Troubles.


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    #493
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 13,712 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    dxhound2005 wrote: »
    If the chances of getting murdered, or being the victim of a crime are the biggest consideration, Nigeria is a lot safer than most of the Americas. Stay away from Mexico and Brazil. Nigeria is well down the list of the crime stats even in Africa. South Africa is a lot more dangerous.

    Ah now, you're not seriously claiming that Brazil is dangerous enough to necessitate armed protection?

    The strictest advice I ever got in Sao Paulo was 'don't take your phone out of your pocket in the street'.

    Tourists don't wander into the favelas. The principal cities are about as safe as Istanbul or Athens -- not exactly safe, but no need for personal protection. By comparison, people daren't step out of their cars in Lagos, unless to enter their hotels from an underground carpark. Different ballgame altogether, it seems.


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    #494
    dxhound2005
    Registered Users Posts: 20,854 ✭✭✭✭dxhound2005


    I took a good look at the USA government advice for their citizens going to Nigeria. It is grim, but not for the whole country. I just glanced at the information for Brazil. Much the same.

    Do not travel to:

    Any areas within 150 km/100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay due to crime. (Note: This does not apply to the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.)

    Informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados) at any time of day due to crime (see additional information below).

    Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours due to crime (see additional information below).

    Country Summary: Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common in urban areas, day and night. Gang activity and organized crime is widespread. Assaults are common. U.S. government personnel are discouraged from using public, municipal buses in all parts of Brazil due to an elevated risk of robbery and assault at any time of day, and especially at night.


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    #495
    CosmicFool
    Registered Users Posts: 492 ✭✭CosmicFool


    Middle East and as of today Hungary


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    #496
    Duffy the Vampire Slayer
    Registered Users Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭Duffy the Vampire Slayer


    dxhound2005 wrote: »
    It should be possible to find some places in Nigeria suitable to visit. It is ten times the size of Ireland. There were places in NI which went mostly unscathed by the Troubles.

    I would assume there are places that are fine, but I really don't know much about the country.


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    #497
    dxhound2005
    Registered Users Posts: 20,854 ✭✭✭✭dxhound2005


    Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »
    I would assume there are places that are fine, but I really don't know much about the country.

    Nor do I. But I saw posters saying they would never go to any country in Africa. I doubt if they know very much about a continent which is three times the size of Europe.


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    #498
    Duffy the Vampire Slayer
    Registered Users Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭Duffy the Vampire Slayer


    dxhound2005 wrote: »
    Nor do I. But I saw posters saying they would never go to any country in Africa. I doubt if they know very much about a continent which is three times the size of Europe.

    Blanket answers about continents on this thread are usually ill-informed. I know plenty of people who visited different African countries and loved them.


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    #499
    Das Reich
    Registered Users Posts: 736 ✭✭✭Das Reich


    People exagerating a lot about Brazil, never was robbed in 20 years living there, althought distant from Rio de Janeiro or sh*tholes like Fortaleza or Recife. In some states like Santa Catarina (the most European of all Latin America) half of the cities had no homicide in 2020 (https://www.sc.gov.br/noticias/temas/seguranca-publica/seguranca-publica-de-santa-catarina-fecha-2020-com-queda-historica-nos-indices-de-criminalidade). The fact is that if you live in small town and is not involved in drugs crime is not a problem.

    PS: long time since I left Brazil and years ago the situation was much worse than now.


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    #500
    Mad_maxx
    Registered Users Posts: 13,505 ✭✭✭✭Mad_maxx


    bubblypop wrote: »
    Politics does not come into most people's mind when they wish to visit a country, unless it will impede their personal travels.
    Hungary is a lovely country to visit and I wouldn't see a reason not to visit because of their current government.

    I really disliked Hungary , found the people incredibly surly


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    #501
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »
    Blanket answers about continents on this thread are usually ill-informed. I know plenty of people who visited different African countries and loved them.

    Same, although I also know plenty of people who visited a variety of African countries and seriously didn't enjoy their experience.

    It all boils down to the person in question.. and honestly, when it comes to Africa (or many other countries) where it's easy to come across something outside their comfort zone, most people won't know until they experience it firsthand. Like the poisonous spiders, snakes, sharks, etc in Oz didn't bother me much, but I know many who completely flipped when they encountered even the less deadly of what's available. At the same time, I know people who were seriously uncomfortable around the Black townships in Africa.. I know I had my own very fearful experiences, but I was mostly able to shrug them off because I did get away without anything terrible happening to me.

    The point being that Africa.. (yes, it's a massive generalisation), tends to force people to look at very different and uncomfortable realities... unless they're happy to stay most of their time in a compound/hotel, and be guided everywhere. (which I've found many actually do)


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    #502
    Duffy the Vampire Slayer
    Registered Users Posts: 5,378 ✭✭✭Duffy the Vampire Slayer


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Same, although I also know plenty of people who visited a variety of African countries and seriously didn't enjoy their experience.

    It all boils down to the person in question.. and honestly, when it comes to Africa (or many other countries) where it's easy to come across something outside their comfort zone, most people won't know until they experience it firsthand. Like the poisonous spiders, snakes, sharks, etc in Oz didn't bother me much, but I know many who completely flipped when they encountered even the less deadly of what's available. At the same time, I know people who were seriously uncomfortable around the Black townships in Africa.. I know I had my own very fearful experiences, but I was mostly able to shrug them off because I did get away without anything terrible happening to me.

    The point being that Africa.. (yes, it's a massive generalisation), tends to force people to look at very different and uncomfortable realities... unless they're happy to stay most of their time in a compound/hotel, and be guided everywhere. (which I've found many actually do)

    Oh, I won't argue there, I know people who've had those experiences too. And with many other countries or regions too.


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    #503
    Andrea B.
    Registered Users Posts: 1,921 ✭✭✭Andrea B.


    boardlady wrote: »
    I did India decades ago - 5 months and 1 month in Nepal. I agree with everything you say - but i'm still glad to have had the experience :)

    Same as. Nepal nice.
    What stuck with me about India was how sh#te they treated each other and the general acceptance of the poverty and misery of lower castes.
    Sure, there were some good charitable people and organisations, but I felt they were a minority.


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    #504
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,959 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    AMKC wrote: »
    Me I would not go to Turkey. I was there once and would never go again. I found the people rude and small minded as well as backwards.

    As a Leeds United fan all my life, I would never go to Turkey following the murders of Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus


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    #505
    HerrKapitan
    Registered Users Posts: 458 ✭✭HerrKapitan


    Mad_maxx wrote: »
    I really disliked Hungary , found the people incredibly surly

    I know it's not the fashionable thing to say, but I thought Hungary was really nice. The people there were really friendly and helpful. One of the friendliest in Europe I thought, after Slovenia and Croatia.


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    #506
    OMM 0000
    Registered Users Posts: 3,733 ✭✭✭OMM 0000


    TXPTGR1 wrote: »
    UAE- been to Dubai on a stopover- horrible place frequented by awful people
    I know i

    Dubai does seem to attract the sort of people who think they're classy because they drink wine and get waxed every few months.


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    #507
    boardlady
    Registered Users Posts: 253 ✭✭boardlady


    Andrea B. wrote: »
    Same as. Nepal nice.
    What stuck with me about India was how sh#te they treated each other and the general acceptance of the poverty and misery of lower castes.
    Sure, there were some good charitable people and organisations, but I felt they were a minority.

    I think it was the sort of trip that can only be taken in youth! There is not a chance that post-kids me would be able to control my anxiety to the point that I could function in India now. What amazed me most, was how quickly I adapted to - and almost became indifferent to - the poverty. I began to pass people begging, with limbs missing from leprosy, almost without 'seeing' them :(


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    #508
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    OMM 0000 wrote: »
    Dubai does seem to attract the sort of people who think they're classy because they drink wine and get waxed every few months.

    I think one of the problems with Dubai is that it attracts people who consider having money as being some kind of powerful status/class... and then, they encounter the locals who look down on them as being foreigners, so, all they have left is their money, as a status symbol within a culture that values money, but values the local ethnicity/culture more.

    Dubai is a weird place, full of isms. Incredibly racist at so many levels. Elitist. While also having a huge underclass, who do little to support each other.


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    #509
    cdeb
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭cdeb


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    As a Leeds United fan all my life, I would never go to Turkey following the murders of Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus
    Cannot understand this attitude tbh. It's like a Juve fan saying they'd never go to England - but we all know there's a huge amount more to the country than football hooligans.

    Turkey's too large and interesting a place to forego just because of one tragic incident 20 years ago.


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    #510
    Mad_maxx
    Registered Users Posts: 13,505 ✭✭✭✭Mad_maxx


    OMM 0000 wrote: »
    Dubai does seem to attract the sort of people who think they're classy because they drink wine and get waxed every few months.

    Dubai is just Saudi Arabia with a good PR management team , a wafer thin veneer of tolerance


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    #511
    Mad_maxx
    Registered Users Posts: 13,505 ✭✭✭✭Mad_maxx


    bubblypop wrote: »
    Friend of mine lived in Lagos for two years. Confined to compound to live in, 24 hour armed security, when they left it was in a car, with an armed driver.
    Long two years!! That was the 90s

    I had no idea Nigeria was like that , I thought it had a pretty strong middle class ( relatively speaking ) and was fairly advanced ( relatively speaking ) in the likes of Lagos ?

    A neighbour of mine spent three weeks in Zambia when he was circa seventeen on a school trip , he was working on a project to deliver water to the locality , this guy was a bit of an engineering genius so being seventeen didnt stop him providing help

    he loved Zambia , felt completely safe and found the people incredibly friendly , he said the land is extremely fertile , " you could grow two crops of grain in one season in the right year " ?


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