Read the reports.
my Gymnastics Academy in Riyadh
Read the reports.
Category: travel
Uber disrupting the taxi industry
I hate taxis. 😦
And would love to support ANY alternative.
Uber sounds great. 🙂
Uber is a venture-funded startup and transportation network company based in San Francisco, California, that makes mobile apps that connects passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire and ridesharing services. …
Uber has been accused in several jurisdictions of illegal taxicab operation. …
On 11 June 2014, in a concerted action, taxis blocked roads in major European cities in protest against what they perceive as a threat to their livelihood by companies such as Uber. The cabbies contended that Uber and similar smartphone app-based services have an unfair advantage because they’re not subjected to the same kinds of fees and regulations placed on taxis. …
Google is one of the biggest investors.
Uber is not always the faster, cheaper option. But it will be, eventually.
Masmak Citadel, Riyadh
Our organizer, handler and interpreter Ebrahim took Chris and myself to the famous fort one afternoon on our day off.
The Masmak (Arabic: Qaṣr al-Maṣmak قصر المصمك) is a clay and mud-brick fort, with four watchtowers and thick walls, founded on stone blocks, lying in the center of Riyadh, in the old quarters. This building played a major part in the kingdom’s history, as it was here that the recapture of Riyadh, led by Ibn Saud, occurred on 14 January 1902. …
Today it’s a museum with signage posted in Arabic and English.
The retaking of Masmak has acquired almost mythical status in the history of Saudi Arabia.
There are times during the week when single women are not allowed in. And other times when men without families are not welcomed. By law Muslim men should have no chance at any chance encounters with females.
Ebrahim told us that wedding matches were often made by sisters and mothers of the (proposed) couple.
The Mosque square adjacent to the Fort is tranquil, an oasis in downtown Riyadh.
We enjoyed a mint tea.
Chris bought some souvenir prayer beads. Ebrahim bought a Samsung phone cheap off a dodgy guy in the parking lot. …
It will work … Insha‘Allah.
muralism in Santiago, Chile
Mike is cycling South America. He’s reached the big city in Chile. Great for photojournalism.
Inspired by the indigenous inhabitants of southern Patagonia; the Mapuche. Many of the murals highlight the struggle and plight of the Mapuche. Historically stripped of land and resources by European settlers they struggle to find a footing in modern day Chile. …
Afghanistan photos
“Afghanistan is possibly the most beautiful country in the world”.
Those are the words of Steve McCurry, the renowned and respected photojournalist best known for his picture of ‘Afghan Girl’ – the famous green-eyed refugee whose image graced the covers of magazines and newspapers all over the world.
After crossing the border from Pakistan over 30 years ago, McCurry brought the world the first images of the conflict in Afghanistan. Now, in a culmination of his past three decades’ work, he is showcasing some of the images he feels best represents all sides of Afghanistan; not just the war, but the beauty, the people and the culture.
In this short video, Steve McCurry recounts his experiences in this mysterious and unexplored nation, and shows us some of his best photos from Afghanistan.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Holy Day in Riyadh
My second trip to the Kingdom, again I walked the streets during the main prayer of the week, Jumu’ah, mid-day Friday.
Downtown streets, normally choked with traffic, are empty.
Men and boys walk to the Mosque. Leave their shoes at the door.
I’m here as a volunteer clinician at a week long Gymnastics Course.
VisaCenter.ca FAIL
Bottom line: I recommend you NOT use Visa Center Canada.
___
If you ever want to go to Brazil, know that the process for getting a travel visa is difficult. Brazil “reciprocates”, asking of YOU whatever your nation asks of a Brazilian traveling to your country.
I recommend you use a 3rd party company to HELP you with the application.
Visa Center Canada seemed to be the biggest and best in Canada. AND they had a drop-off Office in Calgary. I went in person to be sure my application was done correctly.
(Online instructions are confusing. For example, the size of the required mugshot PHOTO is listed differently on different pages. I assume the size requirement has changed over the years.)
It takes 3 business weeks to get a Brazil visa. Canadian and Brazilian holidays MIGHT mean that it could actually take 4 weeks. I saw no option to speed up that process. By comparison, I can get a visa to China in 2-3 business days, if I pay.
The girl at Calgary Visa Application Center (DROP-OFF ONLY) 400 5th Avenue SW was very helpful.
We filled out everything carefully, so far as she was concerned. Sent all documents to Vancouver.
NEXT day I got an automated email stating:
Your documents for VISA BRAZIL TOURIST MLT have been received. Unfortunately we are unable to process your order at this time.
The reason for this is: need online application form.
The girl at the Calgary Office had printed out a copy of the application form. I’d filled it out correctly. Attached the needed documents:
• passport photo
• letter detailing my trip
• hotel
• copy of bank statement
• copy of my 2013 income tax declaration
It’s not cheap. I paid about CDN$240.
As I had only 3 weeks to get this visa before flying out of Calgary, I was worried.
I went back to the Calgary office next morning. The girl was surprised to see me back.
We telephoned and I was told we had done the application incorrectly. We had printed a blank form. And filled it out in pen. Then signed it. The way the girl in Calgary had always done it.
By phone I was told I must (instead) fill out the online form. Print it so it includes digital bar codes. Sign it. Email it to the Vancouver office.
Having lost time, I immediately did as requested. Sending the NEW application form to the Vancouver office.
vancouver@visacenter.ca
I also copying this general address:
info@visacenter.ca
In my email I emphasized:
Time is critical on this application as I fly to Saudi Arabia soon. I’ll need my passport back.
It was your Calgary office that resulted in this miscommunication. Please explain to Calgary the correct procedure.
Sincerely,
Richard Blake McCharles
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I feared that these few lost days would result in me having to fly out of Calgary without my passport in hand.
I hoped that when a company like VisaCenter.ca screws up like this, that they would have some sort of fast tracking process to put my application into the queue where it should have been, had they not screwed up.
Unfortunately the Vancouver office of VisaCenter.ca is not very efficient. My main contact there was a woman named Susan. She was slow in responding. She was wrong or incomplete in her answers to my questions. (I would urge VisaCenter.ca do a performance review on Susan.)
There were a couple more days delay.
In the end, Susan finally admitted that we had run out of time to get this visa before I flew out of Calgary. That honest statement was the only moment I had any confidence that she’d follow up on anything she told me.
I asked that she rush my passport back to me. At any price. She said she’d courier it immediately, at a cost of about $30.
I was relieved.
I cancelled my Brazil trip. But was happy that this incompetent company had not completely lost my one and only passport.
… Unhappily, the Vancouver Office of VisaCenter.ca did not put my complete address on the package. Here’s what they did:
It took several more days to finally get delivery of my passport, 6 days before I flew.
Here’s the address correction adding the essential condo unit number:
Avoid VisaCenter.ca, if you can. Try a different company. Or go directly to the embassy or consulate.
I’m copying VisaCenter.ca the sad story of one disgruntled customer. If they have any response, I’ll add it here.
Bottom line: I recommend you NOT use Visa Center Canada.
GoPro selfies from 36 countries
For 600 days, Alex Chacón traveled 125,946 miles through 36 countries on five motorcycles, taking short selfie clips along the way on his GoPro camera. He compiled the clips into a three-minute YouTube video, documenting his journey as he travels the globe on a motorcycle.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
He calls his site the Modern Motorcycle Diaries.
(via Mashable)
Deadliest Animal in the World
Bill Gates:
What would you say is the most dangerous animal on Earth? Sharks? Snakes? Humans?
Of course the answer depends on how you define dangerous. Personally I’ve had a thing about sharks since the first time I saw Jaws. But if you’re judging by how many people are killed by an animal every year, then the answer isn’t any of the above. It’s mosquitoes. …
Gates Notes – Mosquito Week
(via Bill Gates on Facebook)
Rick McCharles 