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Polo's Bastards Top 10 Worst Destinations
With the current conflict going on between Ethiopia and Somalia, my mind immediately began to wonder what the writers at Polo's Bastards had been up to and what dangerous lands they've been exploring. Last time I checked in they'd just posted a piece on Rio's favelas. Since then North Korea and Chechnya have also made their blog pages. To round off the year though, Lee Ridley spent a little bit of his Christmas day highlighting some of the world's worst destinations in 2006. Iraq assumes the position of No. 1, which doesn't come as a shocker at all. The conflict created by the Hezbollah kidnappings of Israeli soldiers earned Lebanon the No. 10 spot, and in the middle you'll find Haiti, Afghanistan, the entire Horn of Africa (poor Eritrea), Nepal, Chad, Chechnya and North Korea. If you've been in the dark concerning the political climate of these particular areas, you might want to mosey over and see what the deal is. Otherwise, just be sure to proceed with caution in the upcoming year. It is a far, far more dangerous world out there.
Filed under: Blogs, Photos, Stories, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ronald norris Jan 4th 2007 8:27PM
none yet
Kay Clark Jan 4th 2007 8:20PM
Anyone who visits any third-world country is looking for a problem. Those governments are always unstable and unpredictable. It is a shame but that is how those places operate. I like overseas travel a lot but I stay in Europe or Canada, that's enough adventure for me. At least they serve food I can actually eat.
God Bless America! Jan 4th 2007 9:08PM
I'll stay RIGHT HERE in America, where the only thing we have to watch out for are terrorists flying airplanes into skyscrapers.
Erin Jan 4th 2007 10:18PM
I just returned from South America, and believe most Americans are ignorant about the culture. I am from Southern California, and travel to Mexico frequently. I am always careful and have never had a problem. South America - I visited Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil - was so beautiful and so European. It is sad to think how many people will not visit such beautiful countries with such friendly people because of hear say. You need to be careful wherever you are, be it New York City or Rio De Janeiro.
CAGE Jan 4th 2007 11:03PM
I'm with God Bless America! We have good food, great entertainment, and tons of people. We shouldn't have to go anywhere to get anything we want or need. But he did forget one thing we also have to watch out for, and that is the POLICE! Im sick of cops!
Rachel Jan 5th 2007 10:49AM
Kay, I hate to break it to you, but Canada is not overseas, and unless you go to Quebec, it's barely foreign.
Destiny Jan 4th 2007 10:49PM
I lived near Tokyo Japan for several years and found the country to be a lot more safer than the US, the people a lot more educated and it was definatly a positive experience.
Keith Jackson Jan 4th 2007 10:53PM
You want the overseas vacation of a lifetime in one of the safest places on earth (barring earthquakes)?
Japan is the place!
Don't let the myth that Japan is expensive dissuade you from experiencing heaven on earth. Japan is cheaper to visit than any other country you can think of, half of what London or Paris will cost you.
Enjoy!!!
GigglesMcFarkle Jan 4th 2007 10:54PM
I'm too affraid to leave my house. I don't even travel the the corner store.
Wait........I just heard a sound....brb
jim malloy Jan 4th 2007 11:00PM
i tried to get on the highlight worst destinations and it said forbidden. why?
Dario Jan 4th 2007 11:12PM
Ok...1st of all 3rd World countries are not that bad, such as bosnia ..it used tio be a third world country..and now look at it. It's one of the fastest growing countries in Europe (economically)..and it bearly has a crime rate. I visited it for 3 months...its beautiful and cool!
terrence vient Jan 5th 2007 10:11PM
i was a merchant seaman and i traveled all over the planet earth most of what i have seen was nasty even the so called civilized countrys were dumps is it any wonder people want to come here when you see the world as your job you look at it in a different way the war poverty and corruption you tend to see the world differently and what you see can color your view of mankind.
Ashley Jan 4th 2007 11:18PM
WOW...I love Bosnia...I was there for about a month and it is so grate. I went and visited the infumous " 3Bosnian Pyramids in Sarejevo"...i can say that im a believer!!....just stay out of saudi arabia and the middle east...they treat women like crap and dont allow them to interact in politics...but Bosnia and the rest of Europe is a 2-thumbs up!!
Hirlina Jan 4th 2007 11:18PM
There's nothing wrong with traveling to other countries, as long as you're careful. I spent 6 months backpacking throughout Asia, Europe and in Eritrea (where my friend's from). It was an amazing experience I will never forget. I've learned so much about the world that any Discovery Channel or history textbook can teach a person. The world is a much broader place than most of us may think.
Jack Jan 4th 2007 11:21PM
I've been everywhere in the states, and the absolute worst city in this country is Atlanta. Extremely unfriendly, unhip, low-class, and dangerous.
marrymeflyfree Jan 4th 2007 11:33PM
I'm an international flight attendant for a major US carrier. I make 4-6 transatlantic or transpacific trips per month, and travel extensively on my own time as well.
Having been to many "third world" spots on the map, I can safely say that America certainly has its fair share of cities that are dangerous, ugly, or dirty enough to compete. Likewise, there are many countries that are much cleaner and safer than our own, that have 100% literacy (we certainly don't!), that have less poverty and better education. We aren't the worst, but it would be a fallacy to assume that we are the best.
I_try2B_reasonable Jan 4th 2007 11:41PM
In all honesty, no single experience should color everyone's views of any one place or any one thing. Each individual's experiences are their own and may differ from someone else's by 180 degrees. Every destination has pros and cons. As with anything else, when traveling to a foreign country, use common sense, be on the alert and try to learn about the customs and laws of the place you are visiting BEFORE you get there so that you will be as prepared as you can be for anything fortunate or otherwise that might happen. As for me I'm gonna keep racking up those frequent flier miles and happy memories. Bon Voyage all!
Gil Jan 4th 2007 11:50PM
I have traveled around Europe, the UK, China, S. Korea, and all over the US, and it's amazing how much variety there is in the world. I haven't visited any 3rd world countries, so I can't comment on those, but everywhere else I have found good people and bad, good food and bad, etc. On the whole though, I've found that most people treat you very well if you treat them with some respect and dignity. The US is wonderful, but there nothing like having a beer in a pub that's been there for 250 years, or dinner in a restaurant that is in a building 800 years old.
Besides, traveling helps you understand other people better, whether they live in Atlanta, London, Beijing or anywhere else. I think that's a good thing.
John Jan 4th 2007 11:51PM
In the US...I LOVE to visit Charlotte, NC. It has grate southern culture and lot of fun attractions, however it still mintains its southern acsent and charm. Wonderfully Delightfull...PS. I visited Atlant Recently and to be frank its not all its cracked up to be. Dangerous suburbs, dirty sidestreets..the only good thing is its famous aquatic center. And they call A.T.L. THE NEW YORK OF THE SOUTH...thats not true, I personally would reather visit charlotte instead of A.T.L.
- WWW.WIKIPEDIA.COM/CHARLOTTE - ITS COOL
Cathleen Jan 4th 2007 11:50PM
New Zealand is the most beautiful, civilized place on earth. It takes forever to get there, but once you arrive, you won't want to leave. Don't waste your money in Australia - I couldn't believe how insecure those people are. They all talk trash about Americans but they all want to be just like us. They copy everything we do. If you fly to New Zealand on Air New Zealand or Qantas, do a stopover in Tahiti. What a gorgeous place.