May
14
2023
A passport with X or U as gender is ineligible for entry into or transit through the United Arab Emirates.
Not All U.S. Passports Are Eligible To Enter Or Transit Dubai
Destinations
Category Archives for Destinations.
Americans Have Been Getting Caught Smuggling Fruit Roll-Ups Into Israel For A Strange Reason
May
06
2023
An intermittent fruit roll-ups shortage in different parts of the world has apparently been slowing building over the past couple of years, peaking in the past two months, thanks to what’s been described as a viral ‘hack’ from TikTok of wrapping up a small scoop of ice cream into the snack and eating it. The ice cream freezes the fruit roll-up and gives it a crunch.
That’s created… a black market in fruit roll-ups.
White House Will Lift Air Travel Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement At End Of Day May 11
May
01
2023
Days after the CDC updated its Covid-19 vaccination requirement for visitors traveling to the U.S. by air, the Biden administration announced that its vaccine requirements – including for airline passengers – will end at the ‘end of the day’ on May 11.
Women Are Traveling To Europe Because American Dating Is Awful – But It’s A Trap
Apr
11
2023
The New York Times runs a trend piece on women traveling abroad to find romance. They say that dating in the United States is awful, and meeting men abroad is much better – that people marry later so the dating pool isn’t limited over 30; that men are more serious; that potential mates are more adventurous (while in the U.S. all men are the same archetypes).
The first thing to know about any trend piece is that there isn’t really a trend, although the pieces themselves might create one. All you need is a little anecdata.
The Tricks To Make Tourist Trap Visits Great
Apr
04
2023
Places are only touristy if you spend your time in touristy places. But I’m a big fan of popular attractions during shoulder season. There are fewer people – fewer tourists – but the same great things to do and see much of the time.
U.S. Government Proposes New Rules For Passengers Flying In And Out Of The Country
Apr
03
2023
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is proposing to require that all passengers on flights in and out of the United States provide a U.S. address; two phone numbers, and an email address – or be denied boarding.
I Won’t Return To China For A Long Time, And You Should Evaluate Your Risk, Too
Mar
29
2023
For the average person the risk is low, but it’s a new area of uncertainty. Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) says “American citizens are too often being detained as de factoo hostages in business disputes or to coerce family members to return to China.”
Maybe you share things to social media from the Falun Gong’s Epoch Times? That alone could create risk.
India To Foreign Airlines: Go Away, We Don’t Want Your International Flights
Mar
21
2023
India has a population equal in size to China. However it isn’t nearly as significant economically or geopolitically. It hasn’t experienced China’s growth. India’s economy is about one fifth the size. And even on a purchasing power parity basis the average Indian is about 60% poorer than the average resident of China.
They don’t think they need foreign flights to improve commerce and bring down costs. They’d rather protect their homegrown oligarchs.
Want Great Dumplings? Taiwan Will Pay Tourists To Visit
Mar
02
2023
Taiwan had early success containing Covid-19. Like much of Asia it was heavily locked down during the pandemic. And despite re-opening, pandemic restrictions haven’t been completely lifted. It’s not yet seen as a major tourism destination. Fewer than one million tourists entered Taiwan in 2022.
That’s a problem for Taiwan because cultural exchange and deepening ties with the rest of the world are its best path forward for securing support that will deter Chinese invasion. So they’re literally going to pay tourists to visit!
Love Island Star Arrested Transiting Abu Dhabi After Viral Video Snorting Drugs
Feb
18
2023
Former Love Island star Kaz Crossley was arrested in Abu Dhabi while connecting from London enroute to Thailand. She was wanted by authorities after viral video on social media showed her doing drugs two years earlier while in Dubai.
Many things are allowed in the U.A.E., and even more conservative Qatar, until they aren’t. Behaviors that are kept private, or outside of public view are generally tolerated. But engaging in these behaviors becomes far more risky once exposed.
