The Stupidest Tourist: A Canadian in Mogadishu

[Jeff]

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Meet+Mo...306/story.html

"Now my trip around the globe is almost finished. There will be only small islands that are left for me to visit," he said, flinching slightly at the crackle of machine-gun fire from a nearby street.

The traveller said he would have been keen to meet the tourism minister to raise the issue of tourist guides and guidebooks for Somalia, which he found to be in very short supply when he planned his trip in the region.

"But to my surprise, Somalia has no such minister on the cabinet list," said Bown, adding that he would post information on the Internet for globetrotters wishing to emulate him.

On the one hand this is sort of funny, and we can make jokes about this guy probably being a Newfie (or worse, a New Brunswickian. Or worse, from Calgary).

On the other hand, its fucking tragic. Here's a country with millions of people trapped in a hell of shit, starvation and violence, and this guy is flitting in and out for a lark. Utterly totally clueless.

One other article with a scenic urban panorama included.

[Anacanapuna]

Are you sure this isn't some kind of satire? Because as Onionesque satire, it's not bad.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Anacanapuna

Are you sure this isn't some kind of satire? Because as Onionesque satire, it's not bad.

The truth is stranger than fiction. The source looks legit.

It sounds like the reporter lucked out and probably ran the story slanted to emphasize the gape-mouthed disbelief which the tourist's circumstances would no doubt evoke in any reader.

For a reporter stuck in Mogadishu writing this sort of article was probably the closest he's gotten having a laff in a long time.

[Salambo]

Yeah, it appears to be real. There are no words.

[Khampelf]

It calls to mind the book P.J. O'Rourke did "Holidays in Hell". But he was at least a professional journalist, sort of.

People like this guy get killed, then act all surprised and indignant about it.

[bufftabby]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

People like this guy get killed, then act all surprised and indignant about it.

Now that's a neat trick, both the being dead-yet-surprised-and-indignant, and your observation thereof.

[Zeener Diode]

It comes in handy when you're caught napping on the job.

[eleanorigby]

Wait.... There are weirder Canadians than Newfies?!

Oh, the glorious vistas that just opened for me.....



Re the story. Are you sure he's not an American? I thought Canucks were more globally savvy. Guess I'll stop pretending to be a Canadian overseas.

[Knee]

Originally Posted by eleanorigby

I thought Canucks were more globally savvy. Guess I'll stop pretending to be a Canadian overseas.

My sister pretends to be Italian. It seems to work out for her...

[Khampelf]

Canadians aren't more globally savvy, they're just not Americans, which gives them a big advantage traveling overseas.

I've seen it advised to American college age travelers to put a maple leaf on their backpack and try to 'pass'.

[The Futility of Nihilism]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

People like this guy get killed, then act all surprised and indignant about it.

OK, that statement alone was good for a laugh.

[Mako]

I pretend to be French. Everyone just leaves me alone.

[hatesfreedom]

That guy is awesome and I don't know how anyone could think differently.

Even at your most offended you know nobody gives a shit about Africa.

[HongKongFooey]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

Canadians aren't more globally savvy, they're just not Americans...

Hey! No telling!