May 20th, 2009 at 3:00PM: You've been bombarded with pessimistic accounts of the travel industry's decline. And, yes, I am fully aware that I'm part of it. Frankly, these reports are true. There is a problem – i.e., people aren't traveling – and it's driven by a combination of macroeconomic challenges and company mismanagement. But, these conditions also mean there's no time like the present to get out on the ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Iraq posts
Five great reasons to travel now
May 20th, 2009 at 3:00PM: You've been bombarded with pessimistic accounts of the travel industry's decline. And, yes, I am fully aware that I'm part of it. Frankly, these reports are true. There is a problem – i.e., people aren't traveling – and it's driven by a combination of macroeconomic challenges and company mismanagement. But, these conditions also mean there's no time like the present to get out on the ...Satisfy your lust in Baghdad (finally!)
Apr 20th, 2009 at 8:00AM: According to the NY Times, Baghdad is getting safer, and people are looking to have a good time (though, this does stand in stark contrast to the suicide bombing I reported a few weeks ago). So, if you find yourself in Iraq's capital, stop by a nightclub, order a drink and nail a prostitute. For the best results, go to Saddoun Street, where you'll have plenty of choices.
Or, you can dash off to ...Book your tickets now for the ancient city of Ur
Apr 2nd, 2009 at 2:30PM: Iraq is reopening the ancient city of Ur to the public next month when the United States military hands it back. It's been closed since the US invasion in 2003. The archaeological site is the birthplace of Abraham and dates to 6000 BC, where it once resided on a bank along a former course of the Euphrates River. It's one of Iraq's oldest and best preserved archaeological sites, famous for its ...Ransacked museum reopened in Iraq
Mar 24th, 2009 at 10:30AM: For anyone who wonders about the importance of the arts and historical places to a culture, head to Warsaw, Poland. Warsaw, after WWII looked a bit like Swiss cheese. An massive effort on the part of the country was made to rebuild or restore some of the important buildings' as a way to signal that Polish resolve and strength had survived. When I visited there, restoration was still taking place ...Baghdad or Bust
Mar 23rd, 2009 at 4:30PM: Here at Gadling, we often have conversations revolving around where we want to travel next. As we run through our lists, inevitably the conversation will turn towards the opposite question. Where wouldn't you go? The usually hot spots always get named: Iraq, Afghanistan and, of course, Houston in August. But the New York Times featured a group of travelers bold enough to travel to Iraq. And ...Iraq's National Museum reopens in Baghdad
Feb 24th, 2009 at 10:30AM: After six years of reconstruction, Iraq's National Museum reopened its doors this week. The institution, which was ransacked as soldiers stood by powerless, suffered major losses during the American led invasion, and much of the priceless collection was scattered throughout Iraq. Now, with only one third of the collection restored, the museum just opened its doors to a phalanx of politicians and ...Another war-torn golf course?
Jan 29th, 2009 at 2:00PM: It's becoming pretty clear that the U.S. government equates golf with peace, freedom and stability. The best way to "ruin a good walk" is on its way to Baghdad's "Green Zone," which is what the comparatively safe part of the city is called. The Joint Contracting Command Iraq, Mission Support Division is trying to find the equipment necessary to construct a driving range on Phoenix Base in this ...Kuwaiti airline still pushing for $1.3b
Jan 27th, 2009 at 4:00PM: The Iraqi government is going to write a $300 million check to Kuwait Airways. So, the airline believes there's only another $1 billion to go. The cash is related to damages caused by Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of its wealthy neighbor. A spokesman for the Iraq Cabinet, Ali al-Dabbagh says that the approved settlement was "final and comprehensive." The country's Justice Ministry will make sure ...Destinations on the edge: Baghdad
Jan 6th, 2009 at 11:40AM: There used to be one way to go to Iraq. You'd go to your local recruiting office, take an oath and sign a contract. Then, you'd subject yourself to a minimum of 16 weeks' training under the most unpleasant of circumstances. Wearing your snappy new threads (and a Kevlar helmet), you'd be put on a plane. Today, things are a bit different. You don't have to be a soldier or civilian contractor to go ...Baghdad airport welcomes first European passenger flight in 18 years
Jan 3rd, 2009 at 11:00AM: 18 years after the United Nations imposed a ban on all commercial air traffic destined for Iraq, a Swedish charter plane has landed at Baghdad International Airport. The charter was operated by Nordic Leisure and their 150 passengers were mostly Iraqis. This is just the beginning of what should become a fairly popular route, as many Iraqis are in Europe waiting to return to their homeland. ...Now at the British Museum: Babylon
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Jan 2nd, 2009 at 3:30PM: Winter's special exhibition at the British Museum, Babylon: Myth and Reality, is up and running and will be open until March 15th. Inside, the collection details the rise and fall of the ancient city, highlighting on the reign of Nebuchadnezzar and pulling from biblical, ancient and even modern references. You'll see 16th century artist's renditions of the Tower of Babel, Hanging Gardens, various ...Tossing shoes: How to insult (or avoid insulting) someone in the Middle East
In Baghdad, It's Time to Shop
Nov 12th, 2008 at 12:30PM: Bombings in public spaces are fewer than before in Baghdad, but still not uncommon. However, the threat doesn't seem to be stopping local residents from shopping at the city's markets. Vendors at these retail meccas are staying open later and stocking more goods in their market stalls than before. The city's central market district could be considered "bustling" for the first time in a long time. ...Iraq opens Najaf airport, hopes to spur tourism
Jul 21st, 2008 at 5:00PM: The Dalmatian Coast and Marrakech are so 2007 -- you aren't a real hipster traveler until you've visited Iraq's newly accesible tourist destination: Najaf. Officially opening its doors this month, Al-Hamza airport was just revamped by Kuwaiti investors and is now geared towards bringing in tourist dollars. Najaf, a southern city in Iraq, is home to the shrine of Iman Ali, the son-in-law of the ...Painful lesson on stray pets in foreign countries
Feb 9th, 2008 at 2:00PM: Have you ever been tempted to save that "poor little puppy's" life by airlifting it from its miserable life in Egypt, Greece or Asia, and bringing it home, so you can pamper it with vitamin bones and pet spa treatments? I have friends who have rescued a puppy from one of the Greek islands (don't ask how they got her on the plane) and after 10 years, they are still enjoying each other's company in ...Savvy Traveler: Arab vs Muslim
Aug 24th, 2007 at 4:05PM: It is a little frightening how many people use the terms "Arab" and "Muslim" interchangeably. Shows how much we know about that region of the world even after years of being intimately involved with the Middle East. One often hears that people say "Arabs" when referring to Iranians. They are actually not Arabs; they are primarily Persians. Yes, they might practice Islam but that's another story. ...New Airline in Iraq Bans Iraqis
Aug 8th, 2007 at 4:32PM: There's a brand new airline in Iraq fittingly called ExPat Airways, and aside from limiting food and alcohol on the flight, they're also banning citizens of Iraq, among other countries. According to ABC News, "Expat Airways said it is only accepting U.S. and Western citizens on its flights as it tries to capitalize on the thousands of U.S. contractors traveling in and out of the Iraqi capital ...iPods Save Lives
Apr 6th, 2007 at 12:01PM: There is some usefulness to iPods, outside of playin' tunes.
Here's a wild photo of an iPod which took a bullet for a soldier in Iraq.
According to the post, the soldier (Kevin Garrad, we're told) faced off against an insurgent with an AK-47. Both fired, just a few feet from each other, and a bullet hit the soldier's chest pocket, holding his iPod. The iPod helped slow the bullet so that it ...Kurdistan Launches Tourism Campaign
Oct 23rd, 2006 at 11:55AM: USA Today runs a rather interesting story on the recent tourism campaign launch to get more travelers into Iraq's Kurdistan region. A California marketing firm involved in helping the Kurdistan Development Corp., recently created a new television ad campaign for the three-province region in Northern Iraq and notes that Westerners are welcomed, walk around the area freely and that there is an ...
