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Recent Comments:
An open letter to Kim Jong-Il of North Korea {Gadling}
Nov 13th 2009 12:59PM While I recognize your point of satire, I caution you from juvenilizing your criticisms. Yes, the DPRK has a food issue (the signs of famine are still visible as physical deformities all too prevalent in the population), but what seems to be the crux of current shortages is distribution, not supply. As is the case in many food aid situations, distribution is a matter of politics, not logistics. I would thereby caution making suggestions that what's required is more food, for food is not the issue, policy is.
Concerning your suggestion that the DPRK be opened for tourists, it already is. The Korean International Travel Company (KITC) welcomes thousands of visitors every year, Americans included, though their foreign partners. I, for one, have been a couple times in recent years, and would suggest it as a wonderful trip for anyone to make. The DPRK is at a point where they're more interested in bringing in hard currency, than restricting foreign visitors. If one's willing to put forth the money, it's even possible to charter a private plane to fly one throughout the country. For train enthusiasts, one can enter and exit the DPRK on the Pyongyang - Dandong route, assuming one isn't an American.
There are already many opportunities for foreigns to visit, all that is needed is for more people to take advantage. As more people visit, the benefits of foreign tourism will become more noticeable, and Koreans will have additional opportunities to interact with foreigners. Sean, you should go for no other reason than to have an actual first-hand basis on which to write (although I do know that they're not too fond of reporters). Who knows, perhaps it all could lead to the first revolution through tourism.
Happy Birthday Gadling! Enter to win FREE TICKETS to anywhere Virgin America flies! {Gadling}
Oct 12th 2009 6:13PM Weeeeeeeeeee
Nine foreigners kidnapped in Yemen {Gadling}
Jun 14th 2009 5:31PM I took the photo used above during a month long trip through Hadhramaut last Dec/Jan. I travelled alone w/ a driver/guide. I never felt unsafe while there, despite Israel launching its Gaza offensive midway though the trip (and the fact that I'm a white American - I blend like the ugly duckling). Two things I think worked to my great advantage. First, I was traveling alone. It's much easier to go unnoticed when you're not traveling in a convoy of vehicles packed w/ folks that don't readily fit in their surrounds, or in the above case, stationary for a period of time. Word will spread about such a group, and that can bring unwanted attention. Second, I had a great driver. He was local, and knew where and what would be reasonable for us to venture. I would be introduced to people he knew would be open to meeting w/ a westerner, and my use of my 6th grader-esque Arabic (learned informally) allowed decent conversations over tea. He had been referred to me by a Yemeni friend, and I can't thank either of them enough for their assistance. I would not discourage anyone from going at this time, but would suggest that those interested consider what their profile will be, and how best to manage it. The precautions are no different than anywhere else one may travel. Perhaps start-out w/ a more westernized gulf state first?
Gadling's 10 days of gadget giveaways - day 6 - SeV Evolution jacket {Gadling}
Nov 24th 2008 10:18AM Hooded sweatshirt
Obese passengers in Canada have the right to two seats for price of one {Gadling}
Nov 20th 2008 5:57PM I wonder what other self-induced 'disabilities' can garner such benefits.
Does this now mean people with long legs have the right to Business class where there is enough leg room?
Galley Gossip: Middle Seat Etiquette {Gadling}
Oct 25th 2008 12:25PM This could have happened in any seat, but I so happened to occur one of the few times I found myself in a middle seat. I usually have enough notice before a flight date that I can scrounge up a window or aisle, but this time I just found out a few hours before, so I had to take a middle seat. I was between a middle-aged gentleman at the window, and a similarly aged woman in the aisle. The man stayed quiet for most of the flight, but the woman and I got to chatting. She had a son about my age who had recently dropped out of college and was moving back home. She was concerned about is future, and was asking me about my plans and interests. It turned out we shared many similar tastes and hobbies. All seemed like a normal congenial talk until about 90 min. into the IAD-SFO flight. Her right hand had found its way onto my left thigh. We had never bothered to put down the arm rest between us. I twitched my leg and her had quickly moved back to her lap. I chose to ignore her action, hoping it was a simple slip, and wanting to continue the nice company. We continued to talk, but about 15 minutes later her hand had now found its way higher up on my thigh, and she was gently rubbing up and down. At this point I had to put a end to it. I very firmly told her to stop, and I took her hand and removed it from my leg. The armrest went down, and I quickly retreated to my iPod and book. We departed the plane four+ hours later without another word being spoken. I still wonder what she was thinking (perhaps I know too well), but of all things that has crossed the line in passenger etiquette, this one has remained one of the most memorable. I suppose such an event could have taken place in any seat, but something about the confining nature of the middle seat made it all the more acute.
Slick iPhone mod {TUAW.com}
Feb 24th 2008 9:16PM An optical microscope & an electron microscope are very different things. While it may be cool to say an electron microscope was used, it is simply not the reality. He correctly states in his posting that he used an optical microscope. This is backed-up by the full-colour images provided. An electron microscope could not, by limitations of its nature, provide such images. Electron microscopes, in their numerous varieties, are wonderful tools for many applications; it just so happens one wasn't used in this case.
Merry Christmas: win two round trip tickets on JetBlue + noise canceling headphones {Engadget}
Dec 27th 2007 1:23PM DC, to go back to school
The hundred gadget giveaway, grand prize round: Insignia NS-LCD37 LCD HDTV {Engadget HD}
Sep 14th 2007 4:36PM Engadgetness
The hundred gadget giveaway, grand prize round: Nikon D40 DSLR {Engadget}
Sep 14th 2007 4:34PM Engadgetness
