And here we go, we😉 travel back in time, straight to the Middle Ages.
I hope you're well-versed on the subject.
You just keep stating your truths and counter-truths without any arguments. "Women have always had power"—small powers, and by proxy.
In our towns, most street names are named after men—what does that tell you, in your opinion?
Let me name a woman who had an influence on the history of Brittany and France: Duchess Anne of Brittany.
Now it's your turn—name some others. They're not exactly legion.
"They were doing it massively"—do you have any figures to back up what you're saying, since it was clandestine and therefore, in my opinion, there are no figures?
Oh, why get worked up? Tatra’s just playing a game. The guy who acts like a clown at parties, spouting whatever nonsense makes him seem mysterious and different. The more absurd it gets, the harder he’ll push to defend even the most ridiculous theories.
You do the same as Tatra—I suggest we play along too. Here’s one of mine: Child labor: a guaranteed path to fulfillment and the ultimate cure for childhood obesity.
We’ll never top the original, but we can always try. Plus, there are some nights when I’m just bored too.
It seems to me there’s no way to have a discussion with Tatra.
In the end, we’re giving him more importance than he deserves, considering how little he knows about issues affecting women. His only arguments are clichés that have been repeated for decades.
I never thought I’d read such nonsense on VF.
I agree with you—lack of openness to the world is terrible when you travel a lot and often.
Not communicating with him anymore? No, because on certain topics, I won’t accept just anything. This is the second issue—the first being the lack of courage among Bretons, and this one concerning women.
I bet he could come up with philosophical arguments about the best way to peel potatoes and prove it’s easier to do it with a dessert spoon than a knife 😉
What’s really serious is this discourse that puts women down, repeated over and over in posts—please address the issue.
I think giving him importance and getting worked up are his satisfactions, troll-style. He could argue learnedly that the wheel torture or being drawn and quartered would be preferable to a stay at La Santé. That the condition of a medieval serf or a slave in Egypt is preferable to that of a free man today. And it never ends.
Play his game and throw in your own arguments for fun, Brazilian-style, or just let it slide like we used to say back home. The good old days.
Women very often held a large share of power, in fact—even in the medieval world.
I suggest this, for example.
Hi Michel,
The work you’ve shared focuses on the role of certain women in the medieval urban world, which was far less populated than the countryside at the time. For a fair balance, you’d also need to include studies on the status of women in rural areas during the Middle Ages. ;)
In my humble opinion, throughout the history of our regions, the only woman who can truly claim to have enjoyed real power and an enviable status is the Celtic woman.
I’m quoting the name of a woman who had an influence on the history of Brittany and France: Duchess Anne of Brittany.
Yes, she notably helped civilize the French Court, which until then was still quite barbaric. She introduced women, music, and the art of dining—including cutlery for eating! Among other things.
From my region, I’d also mention Joséphine Pencalet and, behind her, the women of the factories—the Sardinières. For this era, there’s a song covered by two excellent Breton singers:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xih1ad
From the Roaring Twenties, there’s Berthe Sylva and Fréhel.
And for what Mariecurry mentioned 😉, there’s Boudicca, to start with.
The studies you present focus on the role of certain women in the medieval urban world, which was far less populated than the countryside at the same time. For a fair balance, you should also offer us studies on the condition of women in rural areas during the Middle Ages. ;)
In my humble opinion, throughout the history of our regions, the only one who can boast of having enjoyed real power and an enviable status is the Celtic woman.
I’m not so sure that the urban/rural distinction is such a relevant axis.
The Celtic woman is the one about whom literature explicitly mentioned matriarchy—was she really an exception?
To be seen.
As I clearly said earlier, I’m not very familiar with Latin culture, and it doesn’t come naturally to me, neither in my memories, nor in my references, nor in my imagination.
Oh, why get worked up? Tatra is playing a game. The guy who acts like a clown at parties, spouting nonsense just to come off as mysterious and different. The more absurd it is, the more he’ll double down to defend even the most ridiculous theories.
You too—play along like Tatra, and I’ll suggest one: Child labor: a guaranteed fulfillment and the ultimate cure for childhood obesity.
We’ll never top the original, but we can always try. Plus, there are nights when I’m bored too.
I don’t need your indulgence or approval to work every day with an audience that’s more open-minded and less clingy to prejudices, all with the institution’s backing.
I’m not bored—I just spend a little time on VF, which I really enjoy, for fun.
" they were doing it massively " do you have any figures to back up what you're claiming, since it was clandestine, so I don’t think there are any numbers in my opinion.
Women have been having abortions since antiquity, massively, using traditional medicinal plants or more invasive practices.
Contraception has also been practiced forever; and you’d be surprised to know that Chinese women still have knowledge in this area that has been lost in the West.
It’s estimated that in the mid-1960s, there were 800,000 abortions per year in France.
Clandestine, of course; so what?
There you go, my poor Tatra, it was better before—because back then, you wouldn’t have been so vilified by all those hypocrites. These days, all it takes is stating a few obvious truths to get torched by the green-and-pink thought police, the ones wallowing in lies and making us all lose our minds.
Because you think that in the 1920s women were *that* happy in their jobs? Here’s an example: a young woman on her hands and knees polishing the floor.
The boss had enormous power and enjoyed belittling them.
Your "currently" makes me think you’re putting up with quite a bit.
... Back then, if a boss had a good employee, he’d pay her to stay and not ask for time off. And if there was any trouble, employees would leave *very* easily.
From what I know, young Breton women at the time moved en masse to the city, where they found a better life, real freedom, and new opportunities.
I’m not convinced that, all things being equal, the same holds true today.
cqfd my poor Tatra, it was better before—because before, you wouldn’t have been so vilified by all those hypocrites. These days, all it takes is stating a few well-founded truths to get torched by the green-and-pink conformists, the ones wallowing in lies and making us walk on our heads.
I’m not so sure that the urban/rural divide is such a relevant factor.
This isn’t about setting up a showdown between city women and country women in the Middle Ages. It’s just pointing out that your response is biased from the start: the studies mentioned above focus on (some) women living in urban areas, while the vast majority of the medieval population remained rural.
I made it very clear earlier that I barely know Latin, and it doesn’t come naturally to me—neither in my memories, my references, nor my imagination.
You're assuming the urban/rural distinction makes sense when talking about medieval Europe.
I don't know. Do you?
It seems obvious when you've been digging around city centers / rural fields for 30 years. This distinction has made sense since the appearance of Celtic oppida. There you go...
What was the original topic of this discussion again? 😏
I don’t think there’s ever been a time when most people were truly happy.
And the 1920s were sandwiched between two devastating wars—so there’s that!
Maybe the *Trente Glorieuses*?
My grandparents never experienced unemployment; we talked about it. Their standard of living was rising, and so were social rights (my grandmother was a union activist).
They felt sorry for my generation.
From my perspective, there were other problems back then.
I don’t envy any era, and I don’t have any faith in the future.
You just do what you can with the time you’ve got.
The wind’s picked up here and some shutters have been banging—autumn’s starting with a bang! I’m sitting here with a hot chocolate and this discussion’s gone off-topic!
I don’t know about other regions in France, but for Brittany, here’s something to read about the place of women and the Breton matriarchy through wars, religion, and—at one point—a secular state also run by male chauvinists, oh yes! It’s the thesis of a young woman and student who ran for Queen of Cornouaille in 2019, and the second link is her interview:
I don’t need your indulgence or approval to work, every day, with an audience that’s more open and less clingy to prejudices, with the institution’s approval.
What’s your audience like? People who are "open" or just easily influenced? (I guess it’s pretty easy for a teacher to build little fan clubs.)
Your self-satisfaction reminds me of Zemmour’s little smirk—he’s done well in the revisionist game too.
It seems obvious when you’ve been digging around the basements of city centers / the basements of fields for 30 years. This distinction has made sense since the appearance of Celtic oppida. There you go...
What was the original topic of this discussion, by the way?? 😏
We’ve strayed far from the original theme, but the current one isn’t uninteresting.
It seems to me that drawing a line between urban and rural across millennia without accounting for the industrial revolutions of the 18th/19th centuries or the agricultural revolutions of the 20th century, among other things, doesn’t make much sense.
Ah, finally Sancho Panza comes trotting along to rescue our local windmill fighter...
cqfd my poor Tatra, it was better before, because back then you wouldn’t have been so vilified by all those hypocrites.
Really? And who invented the term "hypocrite"? That was centuries ago, when they apparently weren’t vilifying anyone—how lovely. Everyone was so nice, clouds were made of cotton candy, and rivers flowed with rosewater... Life was so much better.
These days, all it takes is stating a few well-worn truths
Which ones, exactly? Because they don’t seem so obvious to us green and pink/red plebeians. Was it better in the 1920s than now? Is it better under Erdogan than in France? Is a gulag better than a retirement home?
Those are opinions, sure. But self-evident truths? Hardly. Are you Hibernatus, pining for the days before you were frozen, or what?
the green and pink "right-thinking" crowd,
No red? How colorful you see the world—it’s almost charming. Personally, I’ll take green, pink, or even blue over gray-green or brown.
I totally agree. In any case—and this is obvious—we can’t go back, and we can only live in the era we’re in...
Going back to the past, reading Maupassant is enough to get a chronicle of life and realize that living wasn’t exactly a walk in the park back then. Beyond our current impressions and later rewrites.
Going back to the past, Maupassant’s readings are enough to get a chronicle of life and realize that living wasn’t a walk in the park back then. Beyond today’s impressions and later rewritings.
I’m not sure if you could find a worse example than a naturalist writer like Maupassant, who claimed his status as follows: "talented Realists should rather be called illusionists." (Preface to *Pierre et Jean*).
I’m not addressing you, Michel, but everyone (I don’t know how to reply to myself: HELP).
It sounds like a surrealist game. It makes me laugh because it happens often. The original topic disappears, and we end up talking about the past and the present.
But I like it. Actually, that’s how it usually goes.
I enjoy verbal sparring (there are plenty of people showing off their knowledge, and it all seems obscure to me), but it’d be better to aim higher—without aggression, if possible?
There are conflicts of ideas but also conflicts between people.
Tatra crystallizes all the aggression, but maybe he provokes it?
(It doesn’t seem to bother you, Michel, but I’d be devastated.)
I don’t know if you could find a worse example than a naturalist writer like Maupassant, who claimed his status as follows: "talented Realists should rather be called illusionists." (Preface to *Pierre et Jean*).
One day he also said: It’s cold this morning, don’t forget your light sweater (citation).
Basically, Maupassant—the worst example if you ask me. You’re the global benchmark for literature and for tossing out random one-liners without much point or connection. Long live Google.
Anyway, when you’ve made systematic contradiction your whole system, you couldn’t expect much better. My arms can’t drop any lower at this point.
Put in a little effort, and you’ll outgrow the age of "no"...
One day he also said: It's cold this morning, don't forget your warm layer (citation)
Basically Maupassant, the worst example if you ask me. You're the world reference in literature and in throwing out random phrases without much point or connection. Long live Google.
I don’t need Google—I’ve often used this passage in my professional work. And the fact that you picked the best counterexample had a funny side I couldn’t resist. 🙂
Anyway, when you’ve made systematic contradiction your system, you couldn’t expect anything better. My arms can’t fall any lower at this point.
A little effort and you’ll outgrow the age of "no"...
I have the weakness of reacting when I read nonsense—old habits die hard.
Tatra crystallizes all the aggression but maybe he provokes it?
It seems to me that by being provocative and aggressive toward participants, you invite that kind of response.
There are members who get a lot of flak for travel advice or a casual remark, and we’re never quite sure why. But when you’re being provocative, you can’t really complain if there’s debate. That’s just how the forum works. As long as there are no insults or crossing red lines, I don’t see much to criticize in Tatra or other contributors.
Otherwise, you’d have to start your own blog and disable comments.
Hi there. I discovered the story of the Penn sardine workers through the TV movie that aired a few years ago. Thanks for the details with the song and photos. The world of work has always been tough, yesterday just like today.
You might know the song paying tribute to Anne of Brittany, *Si mors à mors*.
I wasn’t criticizing. It’s just an observation, and it’s normal to defend your ideas—as long as, like you said, you don’t cross the line, which is far from obvious since those lines shift from person to person.
For me, the limits are those of moderation. And kindness first and foremost.
If it stings repeatedly and deliberately with no ambiguity, then I’ll step in for a discussion. And if it’s with Tatra, for example, or on sensitive topics, I know it’s going to clash a bit and that I’ll take a few hits—and that’s normal. If it’s clear insults, racism, antisemitism, etc., well, I’ll report it, and it’ll be up to the mods to decide.
Same goes for the messages I post—I’m careful and try my best not to step out of bounds, but I know that in the heat of the moment, things can spill over. We’re human. And in those cases, I trust the moderation team if I’m flagged. No problem.
At the same time, I think a lot of us on this forum are craving travel discussions. And, like me, many have turned to other, less structured conversations that are more "outside of travel in the strict sense." That’s where the extra conflict comes from—it’s obviously easier to argue over values or ideas than over the price of a beer in Utrecht or the quality of the bedding in a hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Basically, women got the right to vote much later than men, but for you, that doesn’t mean much of anything serious?
If women have always had power, can you name a few notable ways they’ve used it? For example, in what situations have they banned an activity for men? At what times have they been able to control their own bodies as equally as men?...
Looks like I’m inspiring you.
No, the right to vote has a long history—it’s always been subject to criteria: status, wealth, category... Suffrage reserved for citizens, or based on income...
Nowadays, it’s still denied to foreign residents without sparking your disapproval, I believe.
Personally, I rarely use it and don’t attach much importance to it. Plus, it’s mostly become a consumer object: we vote for one to get rid of the other, then later for a third to avenge the disappointments the second caused us.
There’s nothing there that resembles projects or programs.
As for the rest of your point...
I don’t know much about Latin France, but in the rural or coastal Brittany I knew, women often held the power: controlling the purse strings, driver’s licenses, decisions on education, housing, investments, and real estate purchases.
Fishermen husbands, even captains, would return from sea only to be denied entry to the living room without slippers and sent off for a drink with the money slipped to them for the evening. As for farmers, often it was the moped or tractor—only the wife had the car license.
No need to have a bank account in her name to have a say in choices and decisions back then.
When it comes to controlling their bodies, women have always had abortions, and I truly believe we’ve never had less control over our bodies than in today’s world.
Michel
As I expected, you couldn’t cite a single notable use of this so-called women’s power! It’s telling that the only “ban” imposed on men was being denied access to the living room without slippers.
Women’s power was only what men were willing to grant them.
And as for the bank account, it’s a very male way of thinking to assume they didn’t need one.
Having secret abortions and risking your life isn’t what I’d call controlling your own body. And in this area, we could add rape, which was long under- or unpunished, brothels where the women were practically slaves, the loss of female virginity often meaning social ostracization (ask your 20-year-old Breton girls about that).
PS: The right to vote *should* be granted to foreign residents—no issue with that. What about you?
I have the weakness of reacting when I read nonsense. Can’t help myself.
Michel
If you ever run out of things to react to, feel free to reread your own posts. 😇
As I expected, you haven’t been able to cite any notable use of the so-called power of women! It’s telling that the only "ban" imposed on men was access to the lounge without slippers.
The power of women was only what men were willing to grant them.
As for the bank account, it’s a very male way of thinking to assume they didn’t need one.
To be honest, I don’t understand your demand.
What exactly are you talking about?
Having an abortion in secret and risking your life isn’t really what I’d call having control over your body. And in this area, we could also add rape, which was long under- or unpunished, brothels where the residents were practically slaves, and female virginity, whose loss often meant being cut off from society (ask your young Breton women in their 20s about that).
Yes, it *is* a way of having control over your body, of course. And it’s *you* saying it was done in secret—everyone knew about it.
PS: The right to vote should be granted to foreign residents—no problem with that, and you?
To be honest, I don’t understand your demand. What are you referring to?
For demands, take it up with a judge—this is just a simple exchange
You’re ordering me about I don’t even know what for...
I’ve given you plenty of areas where, in my experience, my observations, and my references, women are the decision-makers and influencers: real estate, legal transactions, major purchases, children’s education, budget management, organizing family events.
If you find that insignificant, that’s your call.
It was estimated that in the mid-1960s, there were 800,000 abortions per year in France.
Illegal, of course; so what?
Dig deeper into the mortality rates of those illegal abortions, and you’ll have your answer to that "so what?"
Right now, you’re mostly free to be afraid like everyone else, to say the right thing, to make sure you don’t fail to comply with the ocean of rules, norms, and obligations that constrain you for your own good, and to take the free medical tests that your health insurance keeps pushing on you to ensure you die too old and bored.
It’s clear you’re actually talking about yourself here! You remind me of those pseudo-nonconformists who are everywhere these days, amusing or riling up (depending on who you ask) the crowd by projecting their fears and lack of confidence.
A pretty tame herd in the end, one that could fit the "useful idiots" label falsely attributed to Lenin.
But where does this such a dark view of the world come from? (The answer "I’m not pessimistic, I’m realistic" doesn’t fly—it’s been overused.)
I’ve pointed out plenty of areas where women, in my experience, my observations, and my references, are the decision-makers and influencers: real estate, legal transactions, big purchases, children’s education, budget management, organizing family events.
If you think that’s insignificant, that’s your call.
Michel
You forgot the ban on walking in the living room without slippers and the right to drive a car! Your "experience" is actually a pretty male-centric and somewhat old-school perspective!
you forgot the ban on the living room without slippers and the right to drive a car! Your "experience" is actually a very male and quite reactionary perspective!
Men often didn’t have a driver’s license back then.
As for the slippers, it’s just a figure of speech.
In reality, sailors’ wives often banned their husbands from certain rooms.
And the husbands were often quite happy to head back out to sea after three days.
Tatra is playing a game. The guy who acts like a clown at parties, spouting nonsense just to come off as someone different
It’d be reassuring to think this is just a pose or some marketing angle, but I’m not so sure.
The last time I read someone who, in one breath, challenged a cornerstone of modern democracy while also claiming Western women have it worse today than yesterday, it was from Tariq Labstinan (or something like that—his go-to authority on these issues was Iran).
What shocks and disappoints me is that after these outbursts—and with one notable exception who calls it out—people just carry on chatting about their grandma, their digs, or their duchess.
I’d be curious to hear what the delightful Caro&Coco thinks about this. 😇
Contraception has also been practiced since time immemorial; and you’d be surprised to learn that Chinese women still possess knowledge in this area that has been lost in the West.
A question’s been nagging at me: will this whole situation change how you travel during the crisis?
Men often didn’t have a driver’s license.
What about a pilot’s license?
And soon we’ll need a license just to ride an e-scooter...
You’d be quite disappointed if I didn’t reply, and since I’ve got a few minutes to dash off a few lines and dot the i’s.
The last time I read someone who, in one fell swoop, challenged one of the pillars of modern democracy while also considering the condition of Western women to be less enviable today than yesterday, it was under the keyboard of Tariq Labstinan (or something like that; his absolute reference on these issues was Iran).
Consumerist universal suffrage, where everyone votes according to their passions, grudges, or interests, has nothing to do with the principles of democracy—neither modern nor ancient.
So as it stands, it doesn’t exactly fill me with naive enthusiasm.
Is that a problem?
When it comes to the condition of women, I’ll sign on to the cause as soon as it distances itself from Marxist postulates.
"Banter" really? That word isn't appropriate at all.
With Choucarde, we talked about the Duchess Anne, as she was a woman who left her mark on history.
And sometimes, you just need to lighten the atmosphere.
"Marxist postulates"—I’ll tell you right away that I don’t feel targeted or concerned by your statement at all. On the contrary, I feel completely objective, with no connection to any political ideas you’re implying.
"Marxist postulates" I’ll tell you right away that I don’t feel targeted or concerned by your statement at all—I actually feel completely objective, nothing to do with any political ideas you’re implying
I won’t tease you by pointing out that Marxism *does* aim to be scientific, materialist, and objective—that’s literally its whole purpose.
My point was to highlight the power and class dynamics that feminist arguments often imply.
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Hello everyone on this forum!
I know in advance that what I'm about to say here won't please everyone, but honesty is a virtue, isn't it?
Here's the thing: for many years now, I've noticed a habit in French-speaking posts of using abbreviations left and right, as if to show that we're "in the know." Let me explain with a few examples:
- - In discussions about Peru, I see "Aguas" for "Aguas Calientes." And if it's Mexico, well, it'll be "Aguas" for "Aguascalientes"!
- - For Guatemala, "travelers" will say "Guaté." Come on, saying "Guatemalas" would maybe be the undeniable sign that you know nothing about the country???
- - Back from Indonesia, many will talk about how familiar they've become with the country's language: "bahasa." Of course, everyone will know what you're talking about, but it still gets on my nerves because the language (one of the many languages) of Indonesia is "bahasa Indonesia." "Bahasa" actually means "language," and you'll find this word of Indian origin ‘Bhāṣā’ (it's Sanskrit originally) outside Indonesia too: in Thailand, for example, any language will be "phasa" as in "phasa thai" (official Thai), "phasa isan" (what's spoken in northeastern Thailand), "phasa angkrit" = English, etc.
Am I an incorrigible nitpicker? Maybe. But I'd also find it ridiculous if a foreigner came and told me they visited "Monte" during their trip to France, when it was actually Monte Carlo.
I read a lot in English and don't think I've encountered such a habit among English speakers.
Who’d like to share their best and worst travel memories in a few lines?
For me, it’s watching the TAJ MAHAL at sunrise and getting chased by dogs at the top of a mountain pass in GREECE on the way back from ISTANBUL.
THANKS GUYS
This is my 15,000th post, and it's a message I would have preferred never to write.
Patrick—Yangguizi—won’t be returning from his trek in Uganda. His health betrayed him in the mountains.
Like many of you, I laughed until I couldn’t anymore at his travel stories. I met him in Shanghai, then in Istanbul... We scoured restaurants—he was an incredible expert on world cuisines. We relived Korea, China. Always brilliant, so sharp, so funny, so down-to-earth. Being even a little bit his friend was something to be proud of. I think I envied him.
Patrick is still out there, of course...
He found his happiness running across the world. He’s on his path. He never doubted that "the traveler doesn’t even know if he’ll return one day."
Not sure this would’ve suited him, but his departure devastates me.
Alright,
Farewell, you foreign devil. Safe travels.
hello to all travelers with their eyes wide open to the desert...
I’ve always wondered what I was "doing" on this earth. And why my father, who died a few months after I was born—a former youngest French resistance fighter—joined the First Saharan Motorized Company in Atar and spent the rest of his life repairing army engines in Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali (which didn’t exist under that name back then), Morocco, and finally Algeria, where my mother was born and raised. (Believe me, it’s not "cool" being the child of a soldier in a country occupied by France, and even less so the child of a "pied-noir.")
Of course, I never got an answer: the dead don’t talk, and the army doesn’t either.
But here’s the thing—I had photos...
So naturally, one day I hit the road. I wanted to see, to understand.
It’s thanks to VF that I was able to do a little research on crossing the Morocco-Mauritania border, and I’m grateful to its members, just as I’m grateful to all those who welcomed me on the road for 14 years.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been wondering if I should talk about this or not...
It turns out the Mauritanians changed my life by asking for my help... And that started as early as February 2012... (Did I owe them something? No answer to that question.)
Ah, the irony—they saw me coming. But when you’re handed sick children and begged to do something, what would you have done? I’d worked in a hospital, so I knew a bit about the rules to follow. I didn’t hesitate.
And well, over all these years, I met doctors, surgeons, and together we organized care, evacuations of children, training for surgeons—even trying to stop children from having to travel outside their country. It was never easy. I’d like to thank those who supported us, as well as *La Chaîne de l’Espoir*, *La Fondation Face au Monde*, and everyone who built bridges between our two countries.
Unfortunately, despite the constant efforts of Mauritanian doctors and surgeons, some children couldn’t be helped in time. Today, I want to talk about four siblings—orphans of their mother—suffering from congenital glaucoma causing irreversible blindness. Their case was entrusted to me in 2020, just weeks before the big lockdown. We couldn’t do anything for them then, but when their father asked me for a gift, I rushed to my computer and wrote a story.
Through a tale, the children take a great journey, explore their country, and fulfill a dream. I never thought this book would be published—it was, in 2023.
This book pays tribute to Mauritania. It’s a message for those who know nothing about the hardships of life there, carrying both the harshness and beauty of an immense desert where you can travel by 4x4, bike, on foot, or by camel in complete safety. It bears witness to the kindness of Mauritanians toward travelers.
As a woman traveling alone in my vehicle—a now-rusted old Mercedes that no longer runs—I had the most beautiful encounters of my life there (I’ve seen other parts of the world...). The blind children of Choum, Atar, Nouadhibou, and Nouakchott will forever be in my heart.
Volunteer readers transcribed the book into a free audio version for the visually impaired. It’s available in sound libraries in France, the *Fondation Valentin Haüy*, and the Swiss Romande library.
I made my last trip to Mauritania in my old 4x4 to distribute the book everywhere, especially to its heroes and the school for the visually impaired in Nouakchott.
After that, I thought it was time to close the chapter because I no longer have the means or the strength to travel.
My publishers chose this title for it: *The Blue Eyes of the Desert*.
This publication helped a mission of Swiss volunteer ophthalmologists come to operate on glaucomas in Mauritania. I’m thrilled because they come back every year!
This adventure is ending, yes—everything must come to an end—but ultimately, it was born here, on the VF site!! So yes, I had to say it: THANK YOU!!!!!
Hi everyone,
I’m Loulou, a French expat who’s been living in Southeast Asia for about fifteen years, currently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A passionate walker at heart, I’ve trekked in Nepal (Thorung La, Mardi Himal), India, Vietnam, and I’m still planning new hikes (Char Dham, Langtang, Annapurna).
I’ve just published my first travel journal, recounting three months of walking and encounters across India. A portion of the sales goes to an educational center I support in Kep, for children whose parents work in the salt marshes.
I’m also working on a second book about Nepal with a musician friend, focusing on the Mardi Himal trek—two independent perspectives on the same journey.
Happy to swap stories with you about the Himalayas, India, Southeast Asia, or just the urge to hit the road and walk far from home.
Safe travels,
Loulou
Hi! It was totally by chance that I stumbled upon VoyageForum (an ad online and a story lol), and I’ve been reading some really old posts from 2011 about Thai massage schools—discussions on how to get by, accommodation, prices, etc. It reminded me of my own experience: I kept things simple by staying with a local family during my entire trip. I only shared all the expenses with them, which, I’ll admit, was super cheap… and I often traveled with them, which naturally opened a lot of doors for me. To start, at the school in Salaya, my Thai friend immediately connected me with Teacher Phong (the school’s mentor and teacher of teachers, a former monk). I was supposed to join a group session with other foreigners, but for some reason I don’t know, I got two days of private lessons for free with this expert… incredible! And on top of that, he loved France! It was an amazing experience. I "discovered" massage by chance—the Thai family just told me: "Try it, you’ll see!" (I’d had a pretty intense massage in the capital before 😅… but the next day, I felt unbelievably great!))
Every morning, I’d take a taxi (chosen by the Thai family at prices that beat all the competition) to this school—I’ve forgotten the name of the little village now… right in the heart of the countryside. Then, in the evenings, I’d keep practicing massage on all the family members… and they’d teach me Thai at the same time!))
Since then, I’ve practiced a bit, with lots of positive feedback. Following Teacher Phong’s advice—he thought my pressure was deep, firm, and precise—he strongly encouraged me to take this seriously.
I love Thailand so much. It’s a whole different way of living… and it’s a real blessing, even if I couldn’t live there full-time. Anyway, that was an unforgettable memory, and sometimes the Thai family and I still say hi—from 2011, 2013… right up to today!
"It seems to me that poverty would be less painful in the sun" wrote Aznavour...
Not sure...😕 Who can prove that people in hot countries are happier than others?
What do you think?
Is it better to live in Montpellier than in Lille?
Are the Pygmies happier than the Inuit?
Are Canadians less happy than the people of Louisiana?
Are there more French expats in hot countries?
And your travels? Do you choose your destinations based on the climate?
Do you rejoice when a bit of sunshine appears?
Hi everyone, just this once I’m not posting for a travel story, but to share a thought for Venezuela.
If you didn’t know—since it’s not making headlines—the country was hit by two 7.5-magnitude earthquakes last week. Over 2,200 people have died, more than 50,000 are missing, and some coastal towns have been completely destroyed.
Maybe when the scale of the humanitarian crisis becomes clear, our media will cover it a bit more... especially since earthquakes with this many casualties usually make the front page, but there’s been nothing in France.
So here’s a thought for this country, which, whatever you think of its politics, is a true jewel of South America, both for its landscapes and its people.
hi there
I’d like to invite you to discover my coastal province in central Vietnam: Quang Ngai.
This year, my province has really improved its infrastructure—mountains, countryside, and sea are all authentic here.
No harassers or thieves, and no Russians either.
A local lunch costs around 1 €.
A *** hotel room is about 25 €, and you can find hotels right on My Khe Beach.
We have a specialty: *banh xeo*—10 crepes for just 1.5 €.
You can rent motorbikes to explore the province and maybe visit the many ethnic minorities.
I live here—I’m not selling anything, but I can help if needed (my father-in-law is a traditional Vietnamese doctor and he’s very skilled).
Hi everyone! 😉
I’m Typhaine, 35 years old. Five years ago, I left France for a solo round-the-world trip—no planes, just a van, hitchhiking, cycling, and even a canoe in the Amazon! Today, I work as a naturalist guide in Argentine Patagonia.
Wherever I go, my compass stays the same: observing and photographing wildlife, which I deeply admire and respect.
My project: I’d love to share this experience through a sustainable, authentic, and immersive nature tourism initiative. But to build something meaningful, I need to understand how other nature enthusiasts experience their own adventures.
If you:
Are over 20 years old
Have a true passion for Nature
Have already taken at least one trip lasting more than 3 nights (in your country or abroad) in your life
Promise: I’m not selling anything, this isn’t marketing. Your answers are 100% anonymous and will only help me shape this wild project.
A huge thank you to everyone for your help and kindness! Looking forward to chatting in this thread 😛
(Dear admins, this is purely a collaborative effort for my project study, with no commercial purpose. Thank you so much for your support!)
Photo: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), female on the left and her cub on the right. Photo taken by me in Alaska, Denali National Park.
It’s something we often notice in this forum—and many others—this behavioral shift.
A long-time member, or even a new one, asks a question.
They get one or more answers, some brief, some detailed, and then... nothing???
Not even a simple thank you!!!
From what I’ve gathered, if the answers don’t align with what they wanted to hear, it seems natural for the asker to just disappear!! 😕
Unless—(and I fear this is the case)—basic politeness is no longer part of our society????
I spent 3 weeks in Bali last summer (+ 3 nights on Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java). So I wanted to see what ChatGPT could suggest for comparison...
Here’s the prompt I gave:
"You’re a local expert guide for Bali.
- Plan a 20-day itinerary for Bali with a side trip to Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java without staying overnight.
- I’m traveling with my wife, and I love visiting historical sites, hiking, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and exploring rice terraces...
- For the duration of the stay, I don’t want more than 8 places to sleep, and I’d like to stay at least 2 days at each stop to avoid unpacking too often. Except for the last night, where I’m okay with just one night near the airport.
- I prefer neighborhoods that are walkable and try to avoid typical tourist traps, though I don’t want to miss the must-see spots. So suggest a mix of iconic sites and hidden gems.
- Recommend hotels or guesthouses with a budget of 50 to 100 € per night, including breakfast. Make suggestions in areas popular with travelers, specifying the vibe (I prefer quiet), and consider safety and proximity to attractions.
- For lunch and dinner, suggest two to three restaurants that are well-rated by customers.
- Give me a day-by-day program with details on travel times, visiting times for each point of interest, and recommendations for transportation (taxi, train, bike, etc.).
Estimate the total cost of the trip, including accommodations, food, transportation, and activities, and suggest two tips for saving money in each category.
- Don’t make anything up—be realistic about travel times, take into account the opening dates and hours of sites, and give me the entry fees for places to visit.
- Ask me all the questions until you’re 95% sure you understand what’s being asked. Don’t generate your response until you’ve understood."
The AI asked for a few clarifications:
"Great request—I can build you a really optimized and enjoyable itinerary, but to be 95% sure I hit the mark, I need a few key clarifications (this will really influence the pace, areas, and accommodations)."
In the end, it proposed a program very close to what we actually did.
I’ll skip its accommodation and restaurant suggestions...
Its proposal:
"Ubud (4 nights) => we did 5 nights
Sidemen (2 nights)
Amed (3 nights) => we’d planned 2 nights
Gili Meno (3 nights) => we did Gili between Sidemen and Amed
Munduk (3 nights) => we did 2 nights before Pemuteran
Pemuteran (3 nights) with Ijen => we did 4 nights
Sanur (2 nights + 1 last night) => we chose Jatiluwih instead of Sanur
It suggested "activities" (and accommodations too):
IN UBUD:
- Walk around central Ubud (1–2h)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Tirta Empul
- Gunung Kawi
- Massage / market / slow café
IN SIDEMEN:
- Rice terrace hike (2–3h)
- Cooking class
IN AMED:
- Snorkeling
- Japanese Shipwreck
- Beach + relaxation
- Volcano sunset
ON GILI:
- Snorkeling at Gili Meno Turtle Point, Nest Underwater Statues
IN MUNDUK:
- Jungle & waterfall hike - Munduk Waterfall + Melanting Waterfall
- Loop: 3–4h (perfect for your level)
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
- Twin Lakes
IN PEMUTERAN
- Snorkeling: Menjangan Island
For Kawah Ijen, it detailed the day well:
👍 from Pemuteran = best possible option
12 PM: leave hotel (we left at 10 PM)
1 PM: ferry
3 PM: arrival in Java + transfer
11 PM: start ascent
2 AM–6 AM: volcano
Return to Bali around 11 AM–12 PM (we got back at 4 PM)
👍 still very intense, but doable with an agency
💰 ~80–120 €/person all-inclusive
IN SANUR:
- Relaxation
- Quiet beach
- Proximity to airport (30 min)"
I’ve kept the habit of blowing my nose in the sink and then washing my hands—a custom I picked up in India. Sometimes, non-travelers are shocked when they catch me in the act... 🤪
Also, when I run out of toilet paper, it doesn’t bother me—unless I’ve got company over... 🤪
Just got back from walking a friend’s dog (while they’re on vacation), wearing a djellaba and Tibetan boots... 😏😏😏 Oh, for sure, if I’d run into locals, I probably would’ve shocked them? 😏
Anyway, as long as I’m not spitting on the floor at a restaurant or squatting on the side of a highway with a water bottle in hand...
After taking a little trip around the world, I came back a few months ago with an idea in mind.
I mostly do diving, and I love observing animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
During the trip, I realized it was quite complicated to know where and when to see certain species.
For example:
where to dive with sharks or manta rays
where you might get a chance to swim with whales
I even discovered thresher sharks during my trip… I didn’t even know this species existed before, even though they’re incredible to see.
We spent a ton of time searching for info all over the place, especially on social media, without ever getting a clear picture.
So I started putting all this together on my own, in the form of a map, to make it easier to visualize where to go depending on the seasons.
I recently put a first version online (it’s called Fauneya).
There are probably mistakes, inconsistencies, or things to improve, and that’s partly why I’m posting here.
I’d really love to know how you all go about planning this kind of trip.
As part of my Master’s thesis, I’m currently conducting a public survey on a topic that concerns all of us when planning a trip: artificial intelligence and the role of human contact in travel planning.
These days, we’re using more and more digital tools to find ideas, compare options, and book trips... but is the role of human advisors still essential? At what moments? And for what types of trips?
The survey is anonymous and takes about 7 minutes.
It’s aimed at anyone who travels (or has traveled) for leisure, whether you plan everything yourself or go through an agency.
While browsing the forum to gather info for my upcoming trip to Thailand, I often see the terms "traveler," "great traveler," and also "tourist"—so what’s the nuance for you?
I've traveled quite a bit in Vietnam over the past few years—from the southern delta to bustling cities and even some small islands—but what really sticks with me is the north, the high mountains.
Up there, there's something different—maybe slower, more raw. The morning markets with ethnic groups, women in traditional clothes, the colors...
The stilt houses, kids following you and laughing for no reason, the terraced rice fields—it almost feels unreal at times, so vast and quiet, yet so human and simple.
You often hear that Sapa has become too touristy, and that's partly true, especially in the center. But as soon as you move a little farther away, everything changes quickly. The landscapes open up, encounters feel more natural, and you rediscover something truly authentic.
I think it's that contrast that struck me—the difference between what you imagine before going and what you actually discover when you take the time.
And you—what memory do you hold onto from Vietnam? A particular place that touched you more than others?
Hello,
We’re finalizing the plans for our upcoming trip to China in May 2025. The second-to-last stop will be in Zhangjiajie, where we’ve planned to stay for 2 full days before heading to Shanghai.
We’re traveling solo using local transport and have arranged to stay in the city of Zhangjiajie.
We’ve seen that there’s a lot to see:
Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon and the glass bridge, Zhangjiajie National Park, and that the sites are quite far apart with fairly expensive entry fees.
We’re thinking of dedicating one day to the national park and the Grand Canyon (glass bridge) and one day to Tianmen Mountain.
But we’re not sure if this plan is realistic—any thoughts would be much appreciated!
I should be serving a warming drink to the participants in the discussion about gardens and parks that provide us with beautiful photos, I could mention the delicious buttery scent wafting from bakeries in the thread about returning to France, but my heart, its powerful pulse that nourishes my entire being, is elsewhere.
Dasht-e Lut, Yazd, Esfahan, Bam, Kerman, Qeshm, Hormuz—a melody, a prayer at the heart of desire.
A dream, an unattainable fantasy? No. Not anymore.
A very serious Italian travel agency is organizing this trip for 6 people this winter. I’m signed up, I’m going, I’m living. Maybe.
"But you’re completely crazy!!!!"
I know... I know that every civilization, every society has a vital need to create scapegoats to define and justify itself, pathetically. And Iran is one of them, top of the list. I laugh or sigh, and it doesn’t bother me.
But that unchanging red, deep red and garnet, so beautiful in itself, in all the Western chancelleries repeats, whispers, shouts: don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, you’re putting yourself in danger and we can’t do anything for you. You’ll be turned into mere bargaining chips, into arguments for endless negotiations. Fear must be instilled, its power absolutely preserved, no concessions made to the enemy. The information (how many French hostages, real or fake, compared to the number of travelers?) is always lacking.
Traveling becomes a merciless confrontation between desire, the vital pulse, and anxiety, its ghosts.
Hi everyone, here’s our itinerary. Arriving on the evening of December 13th. Departing on January 7th.
Thanks in advance for your tips and valuable feedback.
Manila – 1 night
Coron – 4 nights
Coron to El Nido cruise – 2 nights
El Nido – 4 nights
Port Barton – 5 nights
Flight from Puerto Princesa to Vigan
Vigan – 2 nights
Sagada – 2 nights
Banaue – 2 nights
Bagabag – 1 night
Manila – 1 night
I’ve only booked the flight to Manila and the Manila/Coron flight so far. Is it possible to book boat trips, accommodations, and the Puerto Princesa flight last-minute?
Really disappointed with Costa Rica! Pura vida? The scam of the century!
(Costa Rica pure emptiness).
The country where animals are free and people are in cages.
3 weeks in December in this country and never again. Imagine the trailer of a movie that seems interesting, and when you go see it, you realize it’s a flop and the best moments were in the trailer.
Well, that’s exactly how we felt with Costa Rica pure emptiness.
My wife and I have traveled quite a bit and didn’t expect to be so wrong about a place.
On the main routes, we visited:
San José
Alajuela
Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo (Caribbean side)
Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio (Pacific side)
And a few short stops in intermediate towns.
Our dissatisfaction grew gradually like this:
When we arrived at the hotel, the taxi dropped us off on a small street in front of a white metal gate with ground-floor windows barred. We looked at it skeptically, but the sign matched.
He approached the gate, rang the bell, the buzzer sounded, and the door opened slightly. The hotel wasn’t bad for the price, a 10-minute walk from downtown, but with a "Fleury-Mérogis" vibe guaranteed.
So far, so good.
After showering and regaining our bearings, we headed downtown.
What started to unsettle us on the way was seeing houses with bars on the ground-floor windows and even on the second floor.
At first, we thought the hotel’s neighborhood wasn’t great.
Downtown San José:
It’s a generic city, not very exotic, with a pedestrian street and a small mercado where you can eat local food without frills. Very few tourists—if any—which let you blend in with the locals. We had lunch and struggled to make ourselves understood because, aside from one or two shops, English wasn’t spoken.
On the way back to the hotel, we took a different route, and while chatting and strolling, my wife pointed out a beautiful two-story white house completely barricaded like Fort Knox.
From that moment, we started noticing the facades of houses and buildings, and wow, it was creepy—most looked like prisons, some even with barbed wire.
Though put off, we told ourselves it was probably a big-city thing and the rest of the country couldn’t be like this.
So far, so good.
We relaxed at the hotel and had a drink at the bar. Night falls early, around 5:30 PM. By 7:30 PM, we headed back downtown for dinner. A bit unsettling for a capital—downtown was almost deserted, and aside from fast-food chains, very few restaurants were open, with hardly anyone on the streets.
Bars with security guards out front.
I won’t say we felt unsafe that night, but once it got dark, we realized the bars on the windows weren’t for nothing. First day in, and our impression was already mixed.
The next day, we explored the city and surroundings, and our feelings didn’t change.
So far, so good.
Off to Cahuita by bus—4 hours of travel.
The landscapes are very green but quickly become monotonous. The road runs alongside the forest and passes through a few towns and villages, and even in the countryside, there were just as many prison-like houses.
The bus dropped us off at Cahuita’s terminal station—only four of us got off. It’s a village, or rather, a small town. Cahuita is basically one straight road and a perpendicular one, and honestly, doubt started to creep in.
A few restaurants that add 13% tax and 10% service charge—so 23% extra. We dropped our stuff at the hotel and went to explore. In 20 minutes, we’d seen it all. We had lunch and planned to check out the famous park.
Entry is by donation—well, the "entry" is a joke. There’s a path along the forest by the sea, and that’s it.
Nothing’s going right anymore.
We thought it was a total scam, but since we hadn’t gone far, we decided to come back the next day to explore further.
We returned to the hotel, relaxed, and around 8:00 PM, we went out for dinner. Only two restaurants were open, and the streets were deserted.
Creepy!
The next day, we explored the so-called park more thoroughly and really got it.
A path along the forest by the sea—2 hours there and 2 hours back, where you see animals that feel like showing their faces.
A total joke—"all that for this?"
The beach was full of wood debris and coconut husks. We wondered if the photos online were edited because the sea, very rough, wasn’t the azure blue we’d seen in pictures.
But calling this a park is a joke—it’s like a new concept.
When we thought about the reviews online, we started to suspect that professionals with interests in the country were monitoring and countering any negative feedback that could harm their business.
Too bad we didn’t check the negative reviews beforehand—we did while we were there, and it helped. We wondered if we’d become too demanding after all our travels, but no—when something’s bad, it’s bad.
Manuel Antonio’s park is even more ridiculous—there’s a short path along the sea for about 500 meters, and then nothing. You have to climb through mud and hack your way through the forest. We ended up barefoot because the mud was up to our calves. All that to see a raccoon and a few parrots flying overhead.
We didn’t expect Noah’s Ark, but we’ve seen more animals in Bali, Mexico, and Thailand while visiting temples or just walking around than in these so-called parks!
Puerto Viejo, not far from Cahuita and supposedly livelier—well, it couldn’t be worse!
According to Lonely Planet, it had a Caribbean vibe and wild nights, but maybe that was a long time ago. The good reggae music playing everywhere isn’t enough.
In the evening, Puerto Viejo was a bit livelier than Cahuita, but that’s not saying much. Very few tourists—if any—no night market, just two or three shops open selling $20 T-shirts. Same vibe as San José.
No big deal—we enjoyed the beach and the sun, which was reliable.
Our itinerary was supposed to include Tortuguero Park, but after talking to other travelers who’d just been, we changed our minds, knowing we’d be visiting Manuel Antonio Park on the Pacific side.
To get back to the Pacific side, you have to take the bus and go through San José again—5 hours this time—then switch bus terminals and another 4.5 hours to Quepos.
A stopover town to get to Manuel Antonio’s beach and park!
A town just like the others we’d seen—deserted as soon as the sun sets, and not exactly bustling during the day either. (Where are all the tourists?)
Still as many bars on the windows and that feeling of being in the wrong place.
7 km later: Manuel Antonio beach and park.
The beach is very beautiful and quite large, but don’t expect turquoise blue water—the waves stir up the sand, giving the water a brownish color.
Along the beach, shops and restaurants for about 300 meters, and then nothing. At night, after sunset, the town shuts down too.
Manuel Antonio Park is highly praised for its wildlife, so we were eager to see it. When you express dissatisfaction with Cahuita or Manzanillo parks, the response is always, "But you should’ve gone to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio!" No matter what you do or say, they’ll tell you, "You should’ve gone there or here."
Back to our famous park—entry was about $16, and contrary to what we’d heard, it wasn’t crowded!
Guides at the entrance with spotting scopes offered their services for about $30.
The park: a mix of boardwalk and dirt paths through the forest, sometimes running alongside beautiful coves and beaches.
As soon as we entered, a crowd was taking photos of a deer eating leaves.
A little further on, a guide with a group of five stopped. The guide raised his arm and set up his spotting scope! He showed them, about 100 meters away, a hummingbird perched on a branch. Some, looking through the scope, exclaimed, "Oh my God! Amazing! Incredible!"
For a moment, we thought they’d discovered a unicorn or were in Jurassic Park and had just crossed paths with a T-Rex!
The concept is comical—looking at a bird or another animal through a spotting scope because it’s too far away. Isn’t that what TV is for?
For our part, we saw monkeys, ants, an armadillo, an iguana, and the backside of a sloth climbing a tree. Amazing, incredible!
We stayed a few days in Manuel Antonio to enjoy the beach, changing hotels often because prices varied wildly from one day to the next for shameful services. On top of that, they’d quote a price in dollars and convert it at their discretion—thieves!
Alajuela, a city near the airport, has a two-story mall and a local market downtown! No interest except its proximity to the airport.
What we liked:
The climate and, in hindsight, San José—the most authentic city we visited.
What we didn’t like, in addition to what we’ve already mentioned:
Costa Ricans aren’t very friendly or communicative. English is barely spoken, not even by doctors at Quepos Hospital, where my wife ended up with food poisoning (thanks, Google Translate). The widespread obesity among Costa Ricans, who eat like Americans. The insecurity. The eco-hipsters who leave their $150 lodges in minivans with guides to visit parks and other sites, then return to barricade themselves in their fortresses at nightfall (oh my God, amazing, incredible). The blue signs at the entrance of towns that accept this payment method: "We accept American Express." Parking lots that become paid just because a guy is watching your car. Prices displayed in dollars. The cost of living (hotels, restaurants, taxes). Landscapes that are too green and not flowery enough. Beaches—nothing exceptional. Pollution in cities where big American trucks rule. Sewage dumped directly into the sea. Aside from the jungle, there’s nothing to visit—no ruins, monuments, or anything worth seeing.
In short, my wife and I think the hype about this supposedly eco-friendly country is overrated. It’s just the trendy destination of the moment. There are much better, cheaper, and more authentic places.
In hindsight, we keep the good memories and our beautiful photos, but if we had to do it over...
Before signing off, a little message to those who don’t like hearing opinions different from theirs:
Well, some things aren’t up for debate. And to those who’d have us believe that in 3 weeks, we don’t have the right to criticize a country or express our feelings—how can you praise it in so little time? What a scam. Costa Rica is a money pit. Pura vida? Pure cosmic emptiness.
If you like spending your evenings barricaded in your cozy hotel after dark, this country is for you.
For everyone else: run!
Hello,
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine, nothing is simple anymore for traveling to Belarus due to sanctions.
No more direct flights from the EU to Minsk.
Driving is a huge hassle, especially crossing through Poland at the only open border in Brest—you can wait 2, 3, or even 4 days just to get through by car.
The least painful driving option is to come via Lithuania and cross at the only open border, with a minimum wait time of 8 hours, sometimes up to 20 hours or more!!
Controls are very strict and annoying on both the Lithuanian and Belarusian sides. Avoid bringing alcohol, food, or cigarettes—everything will end up in the trash, especially when leaving Belarus for Vilnius, where the Lithuanians are tough, even with EU citizens.
The joy I once knew when visiting my wife in Minsk is sadly over—it’s now a real ordeal.
The fastest solution is to fly. My wife travels to France by taking a bus to Kaunas in Lithuania, where you can catch a flight (though not daily) to Paris Beauvais or Charleroi in Belgium with Ryanair, for example.
For the return trip, it’s the same: a flight to Kaunas and then a direct bus from the airport to Minsk.
The bus crossing is quicker than driving—the 250 km journey, including border checks, takes about 6 to 8 hours for buses leaving Lithuania around midnight, but controls are still strict at the border.
The biggest challenge is finding flight schedules that align with the bus routes between the two countries, given the unpredictable border crossing times.
Now, my wife travels via Charleroi in Belgium (near Brussels), and you can take a train to Paris. Alternatively, you can fly into Beauvais and take a bus to Paris (Porte Maillot).
For those driving, note that EU insurance and assistance policies no longer work in Belarus or Russia. You’ll need to get local insurance, usually limited to third-party liability (I don’t think full coverage exists?), as well as mandatory medical insurance. This is available at the border.
You now have to pay highway tolls—no more BELTOLL boxes. Instead, you pay a flat fee for the duration of your stay. Stop at the first gas station after crossing from Lithuania to fill up on fuel and cigarettes.
From what I know, Lithuania bans carrying more than 60 € in cash, but there’s no limit for USD (though it’s capped at $10,000??).
With a Visa card, you can now withdraw 1,000 rubles per week (about 270 €)—two months ago, it was only 500 rubles!!
For now, you can still pay by card in shops and gas stations.
However, major retailers like KORONA (which may be Russian-owned??) no longer accept foreign Visa cards.
Unfortunately, the additional sanctions announced by the U.S. on August 5, 2025, against Russia—and possibly Belarus—aren’t promising for the future.
After 20 years of visiting Belarus, I’m truly saddened to see the joy of living in this country with my wonderful wife turn into such a bleak situation, all because of human folly.
Hi everyone!
I’m putting together our travel itinerary for Veneto at the end of April. And the more I look and research potential sites to visit, the more I find!
We’ll only be there for a week—my family and I—including 3 days in Venice. So we have to make some choices...
I plan to rent a car when we arrive in Venice and head straight to Bergamo, which would be our first stop. We’d leave the car at the airport when we return to Venice so we can explore the city at our leisure.
What do you think:
1 night in Bergamo (a 2h15 drive from Venice airport),
1 night in Garda,
1 night in Verona,
1 in Padua, and
3 in Venice—would that be doable?
Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences! :)
Now that the curtain has fallen on the past year, it’s time to see what’s happening around here.
It seems pretty quiet, but I’ll read more in detail later.
First, I need to tell you all an anecdote.
My eldest little girl, in her third year of law school, was really scared she wouldn’t pass the year.
I told her:
“Trust yourself, you’ve worked so hard, and worst case, if you fail, you’ll just redo the year.”
“But I don’t think I’ll make it—they changed the rules, and if I mess up even one unit, I have to start all over.”
I knew her grades weren’t exactly stellar, and with what I was about to say, I wasn’t taking much of a risk.
“Here’s the deal, sweetheart: if you pass, I promise I’ll take you to India, just the two of us.”
I have to admit, India is a country I’ve talked about so much to all my grandchildren that in their minds, it’s become a magical, mythical place (hmm).
July had barely begun when my phone rang, her name flashing on the screen.
“Mamido, I did it!”
My promise came rushing back—oh no, oh no, oh no!
“Congratulations, sweetheart!”
A little shyly, she said:
“Is the India trip still on?”
And me, replying:
“Of course it is!”
And that’s that—a promise is a promise, or you risk losing that precious trust that keeps hearts warm and at peace.
We’re leaving in February. Only 8 days—yikes, the carbon footprint!
But we can’t miss her tutorials, or she’ll be kicked out.
Personally, that works just fine for me.
Going to India has become a challenge for me. It’s far, it’s exhausting, I sweat, I hate mosquitoes, the spices bother my mouth when I used to love them. There’s noise all the time—at night, the dogs bark nonstop, and we almost get run over. I’ll get lost in the streets because my sense of direction has vanished. I don’t like rice anymore. All that chaos and those cultural differences that once enchanted me now just overwhelm me.
But I promised.
The upside—and it’s a big one—Raman, the same driver I’ve had forever, will be at the airport with a sign with our names. We’ll stop at the same little shop for chai (or tea, plain and simple) with that aroma that intoxicates me, halfway through the trip.
It’ll be a tiny trip—staying with friends, I’ll show her a few places I love: Chidambaram, Mamallapuram, and the clinic where I worked. Then we’ll head back.
My little girl will go home to her parents.
As for me, I’ll leave right away for our Scottish island with Homme for our chilly winter.
How can you love a country so much you want to live there, then suddenly reject it, no longer able to appreciate what once made it special?
That’s the mystery of love, I guess.
I’ve visited the U.S. four times myself, including two long road trips. The last one was just this past August...
I won’t be going back. I already felt guilty last August, but recent policies have finally convinced me: the humiliation of Zelensky, authoritarian excesses, Gestapo-like methods for detaining people of foreign origin, the murder of innocent people (a mother shot dead), corruption, insane "tariffs," skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans, the abduction of foreign figures to secure oil, the requirement to disclose social media accounts, and now... threats and blackmail to forcibly take Greenland—a region that belongs to Denmark and thus the European Union!
The reality is that simply posting this could get me denied entry to the U.S.!
In this context, I just can’t keep spending money there. I loved my trips, but there are so many other countries with stunning landscapes to explore.
So I get why you’d want to travel there. I did, and I loved it. But once a country no longer respects any of the values that made us love it, why go?
How can we even consider traveling to a country that threatens to take one of our territories by force?
Hello everyone,
Controversial topic? Not necessarily—maybe just a reflection on a world to come.
I spent the last 15 days of August on a cruise in Greenland, from Kangerlussuaq to Tasiilaq.
I was utterly amazed by this unique world of rock and ice, the little houses in every color, a simple life that’s also complicated by isolation and climate, among other things...
I carry in my heart the kindness of the people I met, the raw and gentle majesty of the icebergs, the colors of the sky...
So, I can’t even imagine a massive presence of raw material prospectors, heavy machinery requiring roads to be built—if that’s even possible—changing their way of life... putting sled dogs out to pasture!
Do fast food and Greenland’s northern lights really mix?
I wouldn’t trade my memories for an ESTA!
All opinions are respectable, which is why this isn’t a controversy—but I’m sorry, I have a soft spot for *my* Greenland.
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