[girlgun]

Originally Posted by uhler

since we're on the topic of countries, anybody have any thoughts on bhutan?

 

how beautiful.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by racehorse

i had the opportunity to study a semitic language and i must say i was drawn to amharic due to how exotic it seems, and the richness of the culture behind it. i eventually chose arabic instead however due to the all round usefulness of it.

smart man. I am presently learning amharic, lesane negus (the kings language) or popularly known as lesane melekot (the angel's language) and it is a pain in the ass, though it is in fact a remarkably beautiful and poetic language, aside from often being straight to the point.

[o o o]

Originally Posted by uhler

since we're on the topic of countries, anybody have any thoughts on bhutan?

 

apparently, it's super beautiful, but not really accessible if you do not have a lot of money, as the government is now trying to limit the number of tourists entering the country: independent travel is forbidden, and you have to got through guided tours that are obliged to charge at least 200 $ a day...

there:

http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/visitor/visitor_.html

"All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided, package tour or custom designed travel program. INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IS NOT PERMITTED IN BHUTAN."

http://www.visitnepal.com/bhutan/bhutan_visas.php

"Bhutan's National Tourism organization has embarked on a protection campaign to preserve Bhutan's as the Forbidden Kingdom of lore. The unofficial word is that yearly tourist numbers are limited to 6,000. Agents serving Bhutan are required to qualify tourists by charging a minimum of $200.00 per day for services offered."

there is more detailed information here:

http://www.bhutanallseasons.bt/touri...formation.html

"Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local customs and way of life, especially while visiting places of religious significance.

The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also economically viable. For these reasons, tourism is carefully monitored and the number of tourists visiting Bhutan is kept to an environmentally manageable level.

Visitors may experience Bhutan only on all-inclusive package tours for which a fixed daily tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This tariff covers the following services: accommodation & all meals, transport, guide, entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites, and additionally a cultural program for visitors traveling in a group of three or above. "

(...)

The Department of Tourism regulates all tourism related activities in Bhutan. The existing travel agencies are registered with them, and they also fix the daily tariff rates. 35 % of the daily tariff goes directly to the Department of Tourism and hence to the national treasury.

1. The current daily tariff is as follows:
Peak season: January, February March, April, May, June September, October, November, December.
For group of 3 persons or above US $ 200 per night per person For 2 persons in a group: US $ 230 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 200 +surcharge US $ 30)

• For 1 person: US $ 240 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 200 +surcharge US $ 40)

Low season: July, August

• <LI class=style24>For group of 3 persons or above US $ 165 per night per person <LI class=style24>For 2 persons in a group: US $ 195 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 165 +surcharge US $ 30)
• For 1 person : US $ 205 per night per person ( daily tariff US $ 165 + surcharge US $ 40)

Tariff for individuals and small groups (FITs):
For group under 3 pax surcharge is applicable. This amount goes directly to the Government of Bhutan.

• <LI class=style24>1 person Group US$ 40 per Night stay in Bhutan.
• 2 person Group US$ 30 per Night stay in Bhutan.

it's all inclusive, but still...

[gmku]

I keep getting e-mails from princesses whose ex-king fathers or uncles need a place to send their millions of dollars, and for some reason, they think my particular bank account, out of the millions of bank accounts in the United States, is the best place for their deposit.

Or maybe that's Nigeria.

[o o o]

to stay on topic: i really like ethiopian food, the ethiopiques volumes i've heard were great, i know various things about the country some of which have already been mentioned, and i would be interested in visiting the country... i have a colleague who went there two times (stayed in Addis Abeba for a few days), but i realise we never really discussed his experience there. i think he really liked his two short stays there, though.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by o o o

to stay on topic: i really like ethiopian food, the ethiopiques volumes i've heard were great, i know various things about the country some of which have already been mentioned, and i would be interested in visiting the country... i have a colleague who went there two times (stayed in Addis Abeba for a few days), but i realise we never really discussed his experience there. i think he really liked his two short stays there, though.

you know, this thread has perhaps been the most positive thread I have ever posted, and the most personaly rewarding, as it is so refreshing to see dozens of people express some understanding of this place other then just it existing on a map of africa somewhere, which most people think of as one big country to begin with. this is the 21st century people, and the moral of history and the lesson to be learned is that isolationism is self-destruction

[uhler]

Originally Posted by gmku

I keep getting e-mails from princesses whose ex-king fathers or uncles need a place to send their millions of dollars, and for some reason, they think my particular bank account, out of the millions of bank accounts in the United States, is the best place for their deposit.

Or maybe that's Nigeria.

same here!

[✌➬]

So when are you going to leave L.A. for Ethiopia?

[gmku]

Originally Posted by uhler

same here!

Hmm... send me your account number, PIN, mother's maiden name, your DOB, and SSN, and I'll look into this for you.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by ✌➬

So when are you going to leave L.A. for Ethiopia?

graduation date dec 08. they will let me loose on some Ethiopian kids in Sept 09 semester, unless of course I can find a sponser/scholarship to attend University at Addis, which is what I would prefer, but either way 09, it has been six years work already.

[flophousefloozie]

Love their food.

That spinach/potato dish. To die for.

[uhler]

i liked their food until it gave me the explosive shits. it was really good though.

[HaydenAsche]

I know it's in Africa and I know I don't give a shit.

[uhler]

ok, now lets talk about macedonia. we should turn this thread into an obscure country thread.

one of my friend has family from there. i used to get him mad by calling him greek. i guess there is or was an ongoing war between both countries. also, the best liquor store in my area is owned by macedonians.

[_slavo_]

Or Hungary. Hungary is weird too (sorry, Bal, if you're reading this)

[5Against1]

I know that Ethiopia has a Starbucks now.

[Rob Instigator]

Originally Posted by _slavo_

Or Hungary. Hungary is weird too (sorry, Bal, if you're reading this)

do Hungarian women have real hairy pussies?

[pbradley]

It's all about the Resselas Jazz Club. Jazz and Ethiopian cuisine.

http://www.rasselasjazzclub.com/

[_slavo_]

Originally Posted by Rob Instigator

do Hungarian women have real hairy pussies?

sort of a question I'd expection from you, Rob . But seriously, I have no clue, I've never had a Hungarian girlfriend.

[uhler]

most europeans are really hairy everywhere. they pride themselves on not shaving.