Gadling

Serena Hotels: Opulence amidst squalor and bloodshed

Dave Seminara — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Hotels and Accommodations, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

Anyone for a game of badminton and a round of emerald-hunting in Pakistan's Swat Valley? Or perhaps you fancy a beach resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, just minutes from the Democratic Republic of Congo?

The March/April issue of Foreign Policy features an interesting story and photo gallery on the luxury Serena hotel chain, which they dub the "Ritz Carlton of Failed States." The chain, which originated in Africa in the 70s, operates luxury hotels in a variety of dodgy places, including Pakistan, Kabul, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Mozambique and others. The Serena hotels are operated by an economic development fund founded by the Aga Khan, a spiritual leader for Shia Ismaili Muslims.

FP reports the Kabul Serena (see photo above), which has been attacked three times has rooms that start at $356 per night. The chain has been criticized for partnering with the Assad regime in Syria on the development of hotels in Damascus and Aleppo, but Aga Khan told FP that the company's involvement in conflict zones brings "an investment seal of approval" that helps attract more foreign investment. The hotels also create jobs in countries with high unemployment.

But is there something unseemly about a luxury hotel which features "holistic health and wellness services," a pastry shop, swimming pool, a "mind, body and spirit spa," and other amenities in an impoverished, failed state like Afghanistan? FP's slideshow juxtaposes scenes of opulence at the Serena hotels with images of children sorting through trash, smoldering buildings, and tin roof shacks.

One can certainly quibble with the high prices and unnecessary luxuries of these hotels, but the notion that aid workers, journalists, government officials, and businessmen should stay in slum-like conditions while traveling to conflict states is far-fetched. The reality is that many of these people are stuck in very primitive, dangerous conditions, sometimes for weeks, months or even years, and only get to repair to places like the Serena hotels for well-deserved R & R's.

I certainly wouldn't begrudge a Medicins Sans Frontieres volunteer who spent the last six months treating sick children in the Congo a long weekend at the luxury Serena resort in Rwanda. That said, a case can be made that holing foreigners up in luxury hotels allows them to exist in a fairytale bubble, where they are insulated from what's going on in the country at large. What do you think?

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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Serena Hotels: Opulence amidst squalor and bloodshed originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: the darkest type of eclipse shot from Tajikistan

Justin Delaney — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Africa, Asia, Tajikistan, Video, News

Gadling, travel blog and time-lapse video enthusiast site, is proud to present this stunning video shot in Tajikistan of the total lunar eclipse last month. The eclipse was best viewed from central Asia and Africa, and vimeo user Jean-Luc Dauvergne captured it expertly in full time-lapse glory. The clarity of the stars and the silence of the Tajik steppes combine to accentuate the interstellar view. This rare central lunar eclipse only happens when the moon passes through the center part of the earth's shadow, providing the darkest type of eclipse.

The next eclipse will take place on December 10,2011, and the next central lunar eclipse will happen on July 27, 2018. Mark your calenders.

Continue reading Video: the darkest type of eclipse shot from Tajikistan

Video: the darkest type of eclipse shot from Tajikistan originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Travel then and now: Travel to the USSR and GDR

Meg Nesterov — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine

This year is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union and 21 years since the reunification of Germany. While citizens of the USSR and GDR were unable to travel abroad and restricted in domestic travel, foreign travelers were permitted under a controlled environment. In the early nineties, if you were a foreigner looking to go abroad to the Eastern Europe or Central Asia, you called your travel agent and hoped to get approved for a visa and an escorted tour. After your trip, you'd brag about the passport stamps and complain about the food. Here's a look back at travel as it was for foreigners twenty years ago and today visiting the biggies of the former Eastern Bloc: the United Socialist Soviet Republic (USSR) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

Soviet Union/USSR (now: independent states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldovia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.)

Travel then: Before 1992, most tourists were only able to enter the Soviet Union with visas and travel itineraries provided by the state travel agency, Intourist. Intourist was founded by Joseph Stalin and also managed many of the USSR's accommodations. Like North Korea today, visitors' experiences were tightly controlled, peppered with propaganda, and anything but independent, with some travelers' conversations and actions recorded and reported. Read this fascinating trip report from a Fodor's community member who visited Russia in 1984 and a Chicago Tribune story with an Intourist guide after the glasnost policy was introduced.

Continue reading Travel then and now: Travel to the USSR and GDR

Travel then and now: Travel to the USSR and GDR originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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List of World Heritage sites continues to grow

Kraig Becker — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Asia, Europe, Oceania, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, France, Netherlands, Australia, Marshall Islands, Ecotourism, News

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO, has added more sites, including several cultural locations, to its ever expanding World Heritage list. The additions were made this past weekend when the organization concluded the 34th session of the the World Heritage Committee in Sao Paulo, Brazil following more than a week of deliberation.

Amongst the new inductees are the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi in Vietnam; the historic monuments of Dengfeng in China; the archaeological site Sarazm in Tajikistan; the Episcopal city of Albi in France; and a 17th-century canal ring in Amsterdam. Those five sites were lauded for their cultural significance, and their inclusion brought the list up to 904 total sites.

Joining the sites named above were the Bikini Atoll, located in the South Pacific's Marshall Islands, the Turaif District in Saudi Arabia; Australia's famous penal colonies; the Jantar Mantar astronomical observation site in India; the Tabriz historic bazaar complex, as well as a shrine in Ardabil, both located in Iran; and the historic villages of Hahoe and Yangdong in South Korea.

Singling out the Bikini Atoll, the Committee said that nuclear tests conducted on the tiny island during the late 1940's and early 1950's had a profound effect on the geology and environment of the area. They also noted that the atoll had historical significance by ushering in the dawning of the nuclear age as well.

New sites are generally added to the World Heritage list on a yearly basis, with the locations receiving a measure of prestige and honor for making the cut. In order to remain on the list though, they must be protected and preserved by the country in which they reside. In recent years several sites have been added to the Committee's "endangered list" with some actually losing their "World Heritage" status due to changes in their condition.

Lets hope these new additions are around for a long time.

[Photo credit: Chinasaur via WikiMedia Commons]

List of World Heritage sites continues to grow originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UNESCO ponders new World Heritage sites

Kraig Becker — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Asia, Oceania, South America, Tajikistan, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Brazil

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, better known as UNESCO, has announced that it will consider expanding their list of World Heritage Sites when the organization meets in Brazil in a few weeks time. The current list consists of 890 places from around the globe that are considered to have universal appeal for natural or cultural reasons.

There are 41 locations, in 35 countries, up for consideration this year, including first time contenders from Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Tajikistan. Kiribati has submitted the Phoenix Islands Protected Area for inclusion on the list, while the Bikini Atoll, a famous nuclear testing zone, represents the Marshall Islands' hopes for their first World Heritage site. Tajikistan's spectacular Pamir Mountains could be their first entry as well.

The UNESCO committee will also review the state of 31 of their current sites that have been listed as being in danger. Those sites could be under siege from a number of sources, including environmental concerns, urban development, poor management, increased tourism, wars, or other natural disasters. Last year, Germany's Elbe Valley was de-listed because a new four-lane bridge was built through the region, while the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman was dropped because of poor conservation efforts.

The 34th meeting of the World Heritage Committee will take place in Brasilia from July 25 to August 3, with the final rulings on these new locations being decided then.

[Photo credit: Irene2005 via WikiMedia Commons]

UNESCO ponders new World Heritage sites originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AirBaltic expands, spruces up

Alex Robertson Textor — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, United Arab, Uzbekistan, Finland, Georgia, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Middle East

Yesterday, Latvian airline AirBaltic launched two new routes: Riga-Madrid and Riga-Beirut.

Riga-based AirBaltic is an airline to watch. Little known in North America, the airline is notable for its low starting fares and the inclusion of most of Europe's most popular tourist destinations on its route map. But what really sets the airline apart from the pack is its range of underserved destinations across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Nordic countries.

These less well-served destinations include Baku, Tbilisi, and Yerevan in the Caucasus; Almaty, Dushanbe, and Tashkent in Central Asia; Amman, Beirut, Dubai, and Tel Aviv in the Middle East; and destinations like Kuopio, Tromsø, and Visby across Nordic Europe.

The catch is that most routes fly in and out of Riga, a beautiful city that is sadly not exactly top-of-mind among most visitors to Europe. While AirBaltic's fabulous range of destinations can best be accessed from a starting-point in the Baltics or the Nordic countries, the airline's fares for connecting flights from cities across Western Europe can also be quite competitive.

In anticipation, no doubt, of the summer traffic to come, AirBaltic also upgraded its site yesterday. The visual changes are minimal, but they go some way toward making the site more streamlined and enjoyable to peruse.

(Image: Flickr/Londo_Mollari)

AirBaltic expands, spruces up originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trekking Tajikistan

Kraig Becker — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Asia, Tajikistan, Camping

The mountain countries of Central Asia have been a bit of a hidden gem for adventure travel in recent years. While the vast majority of people can't find Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan on the map as of yet, the more adventurous travelers have begun to hear tales of rugged, remote mountain trails that weave their way through mostly unspoiled backcountry with some of the most stunning views on the planet.

That's exactly what London Times reporter Caroline Eden found when she traveled through the High Pamir mountains of Tajikistan recently. She wrote about her experiences trekking amongst the 7000 meter peaks of the Geisev Valley, describing crystal clear mountain lakes, wide open skies, and tiny, remote villages populated by friendly, hospitable people. Best of all, the country has few tourists, which meant she often had the trails to herself, and many of her nights were spent staying with locals, which gave her a very personal glimpse into their daily lives.

The travel experience in Tajikistan has a lot to offer on the cultural and historical level as well. The former Soviet satellite has long been a crossroads for trade between the East and West, with major routes along the Silk Road passing through the country. Islam is the predominant religion now, but there are elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and even Zoroastrianism, each having an impact on the people that live there.

While that culture and history is interesting however, the big draw for the country is what it has to offer adventure travelers. Aside from the amazing trekking, there is plenty of rock climbing, horse and camel riding, and backpacking to keep you occupied for week, and mountaineers are also discovering the challenge of the "three giants" of the Pamirs, namely Peak Somoni, Peak Lenin and Peak Korzhenevskaya, which have earned there place amongst the top alpine climbing destinations in the region.

Trekking Tajikistan originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cycling the Silk Road

Kraig Becker — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, History, Asia, Europe, China, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Camping, Ecotourism

Cycling tours have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially amongst adventure travelers who are looking to explore the world from the seat of their bikes. One of the leaders in organizing these kinds of adventure cycling trips has always been Tour d'Afrique Ltd, the creative minds behind such epic rides as their namesake Tour d'Afrique and the Vuelta Sudamericana. The company has even launched a website called DreamTours that allows us to design and plan our own cycling adventures, leaving all the logistics to their travel experts.

As if that wasn't enough to keep us happily peddling our way around the globe, the Tour d'Afrique team is busily preparing for another long distance ride for 2010 that will cover the entire Silk Road, starting in Istanbul, Turkey and ending in Xi'an, China. The ride will cover more than 6650 miles over 16 weeks time, crossing through Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, as riders follow one of the most famous and important trade routes of all time, a route that was also explored by such historical figures as Alexander the Great, Marco Polo, and Genghis Khan.

Some of the highlights of the journey will include passing through an amazing variety of landscapes, from including snow capped mountains and desolate open plains. Travelers will get the opportunity to camp below sea level in the arid deserts of the Xinjiang Province in western China, while also ascending to dizzying heights as they climb along the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan, which rises well above 15,000 feet, offering a challenge for both the heart and the legs. The ancient cities of Samarqand, Bukhara, and Merv will be stops along the way as well, offering refuge from the road and a chance to explore marketplaces that have been bustling with shoppers for centuries.

Continue reading Cycling the Silk Road

Cycling the Silk Road originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trekking Tajikistan

Kraig Becker — Mon, 11 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, Asia, Tajikistan, Camping

Adventure travelers enjoy a great trek, and will go to the ends of the Earth, sometimes quite literally, to find one. The more remote, desolate, and free from other people, the better. Over the past few years, some of the classic treks of the world have become increasingly crowded, which is why some of the countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia have become hot spots for adventure travelers looking to discover new places to hike.

Tajikistan is a perfect example of this. The former Soviet satellite, which borders Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, has a landscape that is dominated by mountains, and remains mostly cut off from the modern world. In fact more than 50% of the country sits above 10,000 feet in altitude, which gives you an indication of the terrain that visitors can expect when they visit the country.

Visit Tajikistan is exactly what travel writer Tiffany Kary did for an article that she wrote on the experience. The author found that once she left Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, her only options for finding a place to stay, were either in the home of locals or her own tent. Just to get out to those regions, trekkers will need letters of invitation and special permits allowing them to travel the countryside, but Kary promises it is all worth it, thanks to the nearly unspoiled scenery and unique cultural attractions that mix Buddhism, Islam, and even Zoroastrianism.

Exploring Tajikistan is a rather inexpensive endeavor, at least once you get there. A few hundred dollars will get you a multi-day trek that includes meals and lodging. Best of all, you're unlikely to come across any other tourists the entire time.

Trekking Tajikistan originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 11 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day (06/24/08)

Grant Martin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Tajikistan, Photo of the Day

I don't think that many people think of roughing it through Tajikistan when they think of "road tripping it". That's exactly why I love this picture, taken by uncorneredmarket in Gadling's photo pool. The perfect mixture of arid rough terrain, beautiful blue sky and a classic vehicle -- thundering down the dirt roads of Central Asia towards adventure unknown.

***To have your photo considered for the Gadling Photo of the Day, go over to the Gadling Flickr Pool and post it. Make sure it is not copyrighted, otherwise we can't post it here.***

Photo of the day (06/24/08) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keeping the 'Stans Straight, part 4: Tajikistan

Aaron Hotfelder — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Learning, Food and Drink, Tajikistan, Budget Travel

Tajikistan

Location: Shares an eastern border with China and a southern border with Afghanistan.

Capital: Dushanbe

In a nutshell: This small, mountainous ex-Soviet republic has historically been one of the poorest of the Central Asian republics, thanks in part to a civil war that lasted from 1992-1997; however, its economy has steadily improved in the last several years. Tajikistan's culture has much in common with Persian culture, and Tajik, the official language, is a variation of Persian. Brush up before you go.

How you know it: You don't.

Interesting factoid: In 1987, Dushanbe's mayor announced that his city would give their sister city, Boulder, Colorado, a traditional Tajik teahouse. It was built by 40 artisans in Tajikistan and shipped to Boulder in 200 separate crates. Though some assembly was required, the teahouse is now a beautiful, must-visit Boulder landmark. Almost ten years later, Boulder is paying Dushanbe back by building them an internet cafe. Well, better late than never.

Make sure to check out: The Pamir Mountains, some of the world's highest and breathtakingly beautiful.

More from this series: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan.

Keeping the 'Stans Straight, part 4: Tajikistan originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the Day (12/27/07)

Neil Woodburn — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Photo of the Day

This photo encapsulates everything I love about travel, especially those odd moments where you get mixed in with the locals and have to endure an entire different way of life just to get from Point A to Point B. And just look at that desolate landscape. There's probably not a McDonald's for at least another mile!

According to Teokaye, who snapped this wonderful shot, the truck (or carriage?) is full of "Wakhis on the way to the hi-altitude summer pastures to tend to family livestock. This road follows the border - Tajikistan is to the left, Afghanistan, to the right."

And then Teokaye asks us, "Can you spot the American?" I think I can, can you?

Photo of the Day (12/27/07) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling buys a cow!

Neil Woodburn — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Tajikistan

We did it. We bought a cow.

Well, sort of. Technically we loaned Mirov Zarobiddin the money so that he could buy the cow himself. We did this through an organization called Kiva, a nonprofit that organizes micro loans in developing countries to aspiring entrepreneurs.

We posted about this last week (for more information, click here) and asked our readers for some advice on who we should give a loan to. The idea was that this was an opportunity for travelers to give back to the world at large--a "thank you" if you will, for all the kindness and goodwill encountered in third world nations while traveling abroad.
The only problem is that Kiva has recently received some great press for the fantastic service they provide and all of the candidates we spotlighted last week received their loans within a day or two.

So, we improvised.

I went back to the site and decided to focus upon Tajikistan, a wonderful, but challenging country I visited a few years ago that was peopled with a tough, hard working populace who were handed the short end of the straw when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Continue reading Gadling buys a cow!

Gadling buys a cow! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Help Gadling buy this woman a cow

Neil Woodburn — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Peru

If you've ever traveled to a third world country and fell in love with its people, you know that feeling of guilt that inevitably arises when you realize just how difficult life can be for those less privileged than you.

Most travelers caught up in this epiphany often wonder what they can do to help, how can they give something back to the wonderful locals who made their trip so memorable? Unfortunately, so many of us return from our travels with good intentions, but poor follow-through.

If this happens to be you, than today is your lucky day; Gadling is here to help and it's not going to cost you a thing.

Just in time for the Holidays, Gadling is teaming up with Kiva, a unique non-profit that provides micro loans to "help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence."

The concept is simple. Local entrepreneurs contact Kiva's field partners around the globe requesting small loans to help out their businesses--which are often not much more than a single cow or perhaps a roadside stand selling melons. The field partners determine risk, and if acceptable, will then post a description of the loan on the Kiva website. In addition, the field partners will also post information about the borrower, thus adding a human face to the transaction.

Continue reading Help Gadling buy this woman a cow

Help Gadling buy this woman a cow originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the Day (11/16/07)

Neil Woodburn — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Tajikistan, Photo of the Day

Rugged mountains, an unpaved road, a strange make of automobile. Nothing smells of adventure more than the three elements mentioned above and captured so perfectly in this photo by Uncorneredmarket.

What does the road ahead hold for these passengers and what grand times have already been left in their dust? I wish I knew, and I wish I were there.

This particular slice of the adventurous life was captured en route to Murghab, along the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan. If you'd like your similarly brilliant photos considered for Photo of the Day, visit our Gadling Flickr Pool and upload away.

Photo of the Day (11/16/07) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling on the Road Archives

Neil Woodburn — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, China, Tajikistan, Albania, Croatia, Haiti, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, United States

Here at Gadling we pride ourselves in putting our money where our mouth is. In other words, we write about travel because we are all travelers. This is our passion, this is our hobby, this is our life.

Unfortunately, we can't all travel 100% of the time. But, when we do hit the road, we tend to hit it rather well.

Over the last few years, our writers and correspondents have traveled the globe, absorbed their surroundings, converted what they've seen into zeros and ones on their laptop, and then digitally rearranged it for you right here on Gadling. Sometimes it might be a simple post, but other times we've built entire series around exotic locations. Sadly, as time passes, these features have died a lonely death, disappearing into the void of cyberspace never to be seen again.

As a result, we've decided to resurrect some of the very best and provide for them a nice, accessible home so that they may continue providing virtual sustenance to our readers. The link to this new home is just below our Gadling Writers on the Road section (which features our current writers on assignment). To explore our prior destinations, simply click on the Archives Button and you'll soon be up to your knees in China, Beijing, Alaska, Haiti, Miami, St. Lucia, Tajikistan, the Balkans, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Enjoy!

Gadling on the Road Archives originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Word for the Travel Wise (11/30/06)

Adrienne Wilson — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Asia, Tajikistan, Foreign Language

It's been a moment since I've provided you with a word from Tajikistan. During the three weeks I spent in the country this past September I found this one word to be quite helpful in many situations. If someone was hounding me on the streets or pouring too much tea I let this one roll off my tongue...

Today's word is a Tajik word used in Tajikistan:

bas - enough

Tajik is the official language of the country and is closely related to the Persian (Farsi) language spoken in Iran. According to Wiki the most important Tajik-speaking cities of Central Asia are Samarkand and Bukhara which are located in present-day Uzbekistan. In addition to giving interested language learners a taste at some commonly used words and phrases, the Great Game Travel Company has excellent info and short trips for touring the city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Be sure to check out the list of words first. If you're near the University of Washington look into their Near Eastern Language Programs. Lonely Planet has a pocket-sized phrasebook on Central Asian lingos worth packing along and several other book picks can be found by clicking here.

Past Tajik/Wakhi words: rohi safed, mailesh, rahmat / tashakkur, samolyot, dishma

Word for the Travel Wise (11/30/06) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the Day (10/13/06)

Neil Woodburn — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:42:00 EST

Filed under: Tajikistan, Photo of the Day

We return, for the second day in a row, to the fantastic photo collection of teokaye--an intrepid traveler who has passed through Afghanistan, Russia, and now, with this photo, Tajikistan.

Simply titled "Sheep" this shot, taken in the Rushon District of Tajikistan, is a study in contrasts between the helpless little herd and the gigantic boulder perched above which could very easily make little sheep pancakes were it ever to fall loose.
Nice shot, teokaya, keep 'em coming!

Photo of the Day (10/13/06) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GADLING'S TAKE FIVE: Week of October 1

Adrienne Wilson — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 23:50:00 EST

Filed under: Business, Food and Drink, Blogs, Photos, Stories, Asia, North America, South America, Tajikistan, United States, Argentina, Hidden Gems

Buckle down everyone and grab some hot cocoa. It's time for another weekly dose of Gadling's Take Five.

5. Shrink is Located in Terminal A:
Fear of flying? Get help and get over it! Iva brings a great piece from USA Today which talks of Buenos Aires response to those who are afraid to fly. You can now find a shrink in the terminal. Can someone say "hooray?"

4. America's Best Restaurants:
Eating is one of our favorite past times and can be especially delightful while on the road. That is unless you are eating junk 24/7. Skip the ick food and swing into America's 50 Best Restaurants as found in Gourmet Magazine.

3. Hidden Gems: Pamir Botanical Gardens:
Tour the world's second highest botanical gardens found in Tajikistan or specifically in the Pamirs. Take a look at photos and my first hand experience traveling through parts of Central Asia where little is known.

2. Playboy Club Reopens:
I'm sure heels are clicking somewhere over this news provided by Neil. The new Playboy Club have reopened in Las Vegas' Palms Hotel starting today. Fella's beware of any women dressed as bunnies and remember always to behave.

1. Space Tourist Anousheh Ansari Blogs:
Envious - indeed we are! How I'd love to travel to space and I'm sure there are many folks who feel just the way I do. Until we can afford it, I mean, until we get our chance there are other outlets. In the meantime we can read the blogs of the most recent tourist to soar out of this world, Anousheh Ansari.

GADLING'S TAKE FIVE: Week of October 1 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volunteer Vacation Reviewed

Adrienne Wilson — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 22:59:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Tajikistan, United States

Now that I've given you a week of blow-by-blow insider detail and a look at how fun volunteering while on vacation can be, let's do a quick review. First question people always ask, "How can I do something like this or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity?" Joining a GV Team with Habitat for Humanity is usually the easiest part I find. Before signing up for the first plane to Uganda to help build homes start by learning about the organization. Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Their mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. I was introduced long ago when I read an article in TeenPeople Magazine about Sarah Michelle Gellar doing GV builds in Dominican Republic. I was so inspired I immediately looked Habitat up and followed homeowner, volunteers and other participant stories on their website until taking off for my first build.

There are many ways to get involved with Habitat. Check out their Get Involved page to find an opportunity for you. Global Village builds often leave people wishing they had done more. AmeriCorps/VISTA has several long term programs (up to one year) with Habitat located in many different locations throughout the U.S. If travel to foreign lands to lend your hand is what you are after, head right to the Global Village Program. Search the list of available trips and then apply online or download the application to submit via post. From this point there are two roads you can take, possibly more if you are a sharp thinker. One road is to raise the money for your trip expenses by fundraising and other activities. The second road is to raise the money from your very own paycheck or savings. I've taken both roads and I'll say the first is much better if you have the time and can be a great way to spread the word and get others involved with Habitat and their mission.

Once you've taken care of all of the above, you're pretty much on your way to fun times and doing great things. Beyond all it's one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time, energy and did I mention work hard!

If you missed the Volunteer Vacation installments you can catch up on them all here:

Volunteer Vacation Reviewed originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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