|
|
4 Feb 2006
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
|
|
Syria: Nordic embassies burnt down
In January a major Danish newspaper and a fundamentalistic Norwegian christian magazine printed caricature drawings of the Islamic prophet Muhammed. This has sparked anger against Nordic citizens in several Islamic countries. Today, 4 Feb, an angry mob in Syria's capitol Damascus attacked and burnt down the Danish and Norwegian embassies. Luckily no one was injured in the attacks as the embassies was closed. Some of the demonstrators was brought to hospital due to the Syrian police's use of tear gas in an attempt to disperse the mob.
Norway and Denmark have asked their citizens to leave Syria immediately due to the hostilities, and to be vigilant in other Islamic countries.
A very strange experience indeed, to watch the Norwegian flag be burnt by an angry mob in Syria. This has usually been a "treat" reserved to the US. Now, the Islamic world has turned their anger to these small countries far up north.
I think this is the very first time I as a Norwegian would think twice to visit an Islamic country.
|
5 Feb 2006
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Eurasia - whoppeeeee!
Posts: 169
|
|
Yes, its not great being british in those parts of the world either, but now that I am taking my Danish girlfriend though turkey, iran, pak to india....the plans may have to change if it all gets worse! Poo.
------------------
http://colesyboy.tripod.com
|
6 Feb 2006
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
|
|
Dont worry lads, wont be any trouble there. Just respect their believes, life styles, culteres, etc.. I mean respect what make them "them". Middle East people are very friendly. If you take a one step towards them they will take 10 steps towards you.
Good Luck
------------------
ride safely
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ozhanu.com/gezi
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
|
6 Feb 2006
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 29
|
|
There is no way you can factually state that there “won’t be any trouble.” That is irresponsible and impossible to know. It seems a trend on this site to ignore reality.
|
6 Feb 2006
|
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 23
|
|
Quote:
Originally posted by AZBill:
There is no way you can factually state that there “won’t be any trouble.” That is irresponsible and impossible to know. It seems a trend on this site to ignore reality.
|
AZBill,
I belive what Ozhanu is saying is that things are rarely as bad as they seem on TV and not to throw a good plan away just because of this. I don't think anyone actually thought he was offering a guarantee of safety.
And I don't agree that people on this site ignore reality. If anything, they often have a much better view of the prevailing conditions in a country than your average journo. I've lived in Syria a couple of times and I would have absolutely no hesitation in travelling there again, even now.
Nick
|
6 Feb 2006
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkey
Posts: 101
|
|
People losing their minds and falling into anger in masses for some others to abuse and benefit from have happened before and will happen again until we really learn how to communicate and live together for the sake of human kind and the planet as a whole. Until then at least for my friends who are willing to take a journey at least through Turkey I can say that everything is not better or worse than it has always been and ever will be.
But I guarantee with all my heart and mind that you miss out a beautiful experience of geography and “friendly” culture if you hesitate not to realize such plans of travel to my country. This fear, anxiety and imagination are definitely worse than the facts.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are planning to come and visit especially western Turkey.
Happy rides
cozcan
[This message has been edited by cozcan (edited 06 February 2006).]
[This message has been edited by cozcan (edited 06 February 2006).]
|
6 Feb 2006
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
|
|
She could allways pretend to be Swedish or something...
|
6 Feb 2006
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
Indu,
Like others have said, I'm sure you'll be fine. Please don't say 'the Islamic world' is attacking your embassies though. It's just a few nutters. Nobody said in the UK back in the day: 'the Catholic world has bombed the shopping centre of Manchester'!
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
|
6 Feb 2006
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
|
|
Terje Rød Larsen, the UN's special envoy to the middle east said the following to NRK today(a Norwegian broadcaster) :
"The unrest stem from many different conflicts and the situation may get out of control.
In many ways can the whole region now be compared with a keg of gun powder where the fuse is lit. I think the situation is more difficult, more complicated and more dangerous than it has been in many decades. The reason is that the many partial conflicts in the region - the Israel - Arabic conflict, the conflicts around Iran and the question of neucular weapons and the conflict between Syria and Lebanon.
All of this must now be tied together around fundamental questions of value and attitudes which makes for a situation that may very easily come even more out of control than what we have seen the last few days."
He didn't mention the conflicts in Irak and Afganistan, which I'm sure you could add to the whole mess.
I'd think about following this conflict for a while and see where it is headed before making up my mind.
It is my translation... I did my very best.
|
6 Feb 2006
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
|
|
Hi All,
If you dont stack your flag into people eyes, if you dont say "i am not agains the cartoons", if you dont behieve racist or fundamentalist in religion, no one will touch you. All I am saying is a little bit "respect" and "humanity". We are not politian, we are only traveller, that's it. We just go places to see the beauty not the ugliness. You cannot blame all the nations because of some fundamentalist, stupid, uneducated and uncivilised people. Both sides lads, both sides... Everything has both sides. And you only see where you are looking from.
I dont wanna discuss anymore. These are just my thoughts and I'll travel there soon.
------------------
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ozhanu.com/gezi
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
|
7 Feb 2006
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
|
|
Matt: I believe I wrote "the Islamic world has turned their anger to these small countries far up north".
However, I see your point. I didn't intend to lump everyone together.
|
7 Feb 2006
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 57
|
|
Hi, well they don't call it Adventure Motorcycling for nothing; this stuff has been going on for decades, it peeks and troughs every now and again. There must have been hundreds of travelling folk passed through these regions without mishap over the years.
In my opinion its about respect, good judgement and a spot of risk assessment. The bit about not flying flags is probably sound advice.
PK
|
7 Feb 2006
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
|
|
Situation escalating.
Last report is that the Norwegian army base in Afganistan has been attacked and penetrated by an angry mob of demonstartors. Two soldiers injured by rock throwers.
According to ROE (rules of engagement)fighter planes have been requested for flyowers to show "force".
The largest newspaper in Iran has now started a cartoon contest of the Holocaust... Seems like someone really wants a conflict badly. That the middle east is rapidly becoming more unstable is evident, as explained by Terje Rød Larsen. Other issues relevant right now is Hamas having won the election and refusing to accept Israel.
Danes and Norwegians just ain't too popular right now, but most likely it will settle and be forgotten in a while... hopefully. The last time Norway experienced anything like this was when Salmon Rushdie published his book Satanical Verses (I think that is what it was called). It put the muslim world in a frenzy... shortly after, Norway was broakering a piece treaty between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Still, the Norwegian government does not advice its citizens to travel to the middle east (exept Syria and a couple of other places where it is particularly hot right now).
I'd just stick to my plans and watch where this is all heading. If it gets much worse you can allways change your plans at later point. It would be sad to drop your plans now only to find that the situation turned to the better.
[This message has been edited by Wheelie (edited 07 February 2006).]
|
7 Feb 2006
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
|
|
Another report just came in:
Afgan police shot live rounds at the demonstrators killing three-four and injuring about 20. The demonstrators were using rocks, handgranades, old russian automatic rifles, etc. Flyovers has started and warning shots has been fired. Demonstrators has barricaded themselves inside a building next to the base where they can keep carrying out attacks. The situation is higly volatile. Norwegian do gooders are being evacuated from Afganistan.
Add some killing into this whole mess and things could easily escalate and spread.
|
9 Feb 2006
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 142
|
|
Just so that it is clear, what is going on in Meymaneh, Afganistan, is not just a demonstration. It is an armed attack.
The differance being that the attackers in Meymaneh are using AK-47s, RPGs (shoulder fired, rocket propelled grenades), hand grenades, and other asorted handguns against the ISAF group posted there. In addition to the typical rocks and molotov-cocktails which are commonly thrown in middle eastern demonstrations/conflicts.
So this is an organized attack, and not a demonstration.
------------------
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025:
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- France: September 19-21 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
HUBBUK: info
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|