Have been. Never want to go again, especially in these years. Never visited a country that has an aura of dread and anxiety projected off of everyone you walk past—hard to explain, but it’s there. They are very friendly though. But I got the impression it’s because they’re so interested in where you’re from and it’s a breath of fresh air almost. Eyes light up and moods pick up, lots of chatting and rarely need to buy a round yourself or feel alone in a foreign place. It’s a shame.
Yeah, stayed with a friend. He was on edge about leaving his house unlocked when we went from his side door driveway to the garage about 20 feet back. I’m like what are you doing? He said they have people sneak into your house and terrorize the family for cash, etc. So he had to lock it every time, even though we could see the door.
It was same vibe in the other areas, people eyeball you skeptically like they are sizing up a threat at every passing.
(I’m a very generic looking white guy, which doesn’t provoke this reaction in Canada or other countries)
They might triangulate me from my Fediverse or Facebook comments and detain me. I haven’t said anything terrible but I don’t trust that it’ll be safe any more.
Had a nice visit there 15 years ago. Watched the weird Ohio sky where the clouds circle overhead. Visited friends. Went to the Pizza Hut in the middle of nowhere.
Got harranged at LA airport because we were late walking through a tunnel. (weird when the doors lock at both ends and a PA tells you to stand still.)
No plans to return. It’s not safe. It doesn’t want visitors.
Have been. Never want to go again, especially in these years. Never visited a country that has an aura of dread and anxiety projected off of everyone you walk past—hard to explain, but it’s there. They are very friendly though. But I got the impression it’s because they’re so interested in where you’re from and it’s a breath of fresh air almost. Eyes light up and moods pick up, lots of chatting and rarely need to buy a round yourself or feel alone in a foreign place. It’s a shame.
Yeah, stayed with a friend. He was on edge about leaving his house unlocked when we went from his side door driveway to the garage about 20 feet back. I’m like what are you doing? He said they have people sneak into your house and terrorize the family for cash, etc. So he had to lock it every time, even though we could see the door.
It was same vibe in the other areas, people eyeball you skeptically like they are sizing up a threat at every passing.
(I’m a very generic looking white guy, which doesn’t provoke this reaction in Canada or other countries)
They might triangulate me from my Fediverse or Facebook comments and detain me. I haven’t said anything terrible but I don’t trust that it’ll be safe any more.
Had a nice visit there 15 years ago. Watched the weird Ohio sky where the clouds circle overhead. Visited friends. Went to the Pizza Hut in the middle of nowhere.
Got harranged at LA airport because we were late walking through a tunnel. (weird when the doors lock at both ends and a PA tells you to stand still.)
No plans to return. It’s not safe. It doesn’t want visitors.