What did you expect?
world travel
world, travel, tour, extreme, festivals
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What’s FIRST THOUGHT that comes to mind about the place YOU TRAVEL to?

Except…

 

that your camera captured….

 

photos may not do its justice when it comes to certain destinations: pointing on what is expected, real or perhaps even fake

so lets face it –  COMPARE how the PLACES might be seen by outsiders! 

 

Including…

Warning! Some might get offended by the following content and dislike or block it…but it’s a pity not to show the possible patterns of biases that are daily nailing the image of hosts and tourists

WRLD Culture

WRLD Politics

Starting with something known, heard, and usually seen in the movies, social media, tourist websites brochures, and even on my website when you click on “Pack&Roll” by month…there are pristine, bright, neat, and just fine images to pull you out our your couch, pack your bag, buy a ticket and head on to that spot.
Known people who run the world: How they look, what they really think, and feel…body lang. that never or slightly shown on camera. They + world events that change our world. 

USA (Cali)

Expectation

Perfect look of California land. But how close that to the real picture? Real picture that residents see on the daily basis and not on the post card
Amazing beach.

Reality

This might look more familiar if you ever been in Cali
When you just came from China and randomly heading to the ice-cream shop in LA… with your so-called partner by trade.  

More worried about...

WRLD Politics

…close to inauguration. Are you FOR FOR DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS?? Eh doesn’t really matter anymore. If you go for democrats and didn’t get a 4 years cruise ticket after those ‘MAGA topping’ elections you still should be fine with entertaining yourself here, in between the football games…

Look at this millions and millions spent inauguration…

July’s bullet is now like an artefact — the steal that meant to change the world …oh ok too mounty: “Change the world” only for Americans…Europeans… and Middle Easterners.
That… Classic “Fake it till you make it”, fits perfectly here.
Kamala must be the all-time remembered candidate that planned to bring peace TO ALL with a “Passage of Time”,… er, say what? 

Good try…huh, NOT 

Russia

like a sun-kissed arctic landscape (Yakhtenniy Bridge)
Casting around the beach gateway in winter (December – February)…What about a real winter beach (snow-covered)?
Rule #1 – Right gear, nothing to fear…

Reality

shimmering sand beach gateway in summer

After 90s, bin all what was made-in-USSR, and then run to McDonald’s…Classic Monday, Tuesday,…to Sunday. 

You born in Russia? then you must have your tank, drink vodka daily, and sleep next to bears. Ah also forgot this new or known idea of ‘outside toilets’ in Russia: as neighbouring countries say Russians don’t have toilets at home they do private deeds only outside… WOW ok, if so then you must believe in spider man that lives in Manhattan.  

China

Expectation

Peaceful walk along the most historical 21,196 km or more (13,171 miles) made-by-human site …and at some point it could be an ideal place for a relaxing getaway. But when?
 

Reality

Delicious food, 3000 + years of history, 1st place of the Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites – roughly labels 48 sites (for 2023 year it followed by Italy – 51 sites).

Reality

Buzzing capital of skyscrapers, Shanghai, makes an exciting day trip especially when you bump into locals’ daily life. So dont expect super-chilled vibes…
Without brakes except the biker’s feet…call it a “stressful work”. 
Present ‘world wonders’, include plastic waste, random street foods (some are very yummy), ‘mamas’ dancing,…- bet would be more shocking than countries’ architecture.  

UNSC

Votes to veto

Israel knows..

drawing 'not-to-cross' line

Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger)

Au revoir la France!

This is ‘Hallelujah’ moment for many and not only for Africa. Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria shocked and shook the world, telling to their colonial past to pack their baguettes and leave asap. SO what’s next or who is next? 
New authorities…more military oriented to pass for good their colonial past: Asking — kicking out — French and US troops that must leave asap…er, “leave asap”, MAYBE — is the key word.
 
Meanwhile, China and Russia not staying aside, and bundle a good relationships with the continent, sponsoring some of them( China does more), making new alliances, mutually trading goods. And there is definitely more to what they signed, that I’m not aware of.
Both are aimed to tie this long-term bond with African states.
 
 A big and interesting move to Africa… All EYES ON ‘EM NOW!  

Turkey

to deal with ...?

Turkey as a middle man

2023 year deal: Who didn’t talk about it yet?! Back in 2023 at least. Turkey is now playing a ‘security’ role for realisation of the grain corridor.

and now actively taking part in Gaza ceasefire deal. US Foreign Affairs Minister, Antony Blinken, has been a rounder there who comes and go bringing “bridging proposal” …so far, for summer 2024, he didn’t succeed.  

russia IRAN TURKEY

Way out...meet for deal breaker

The times the Raisi was alive ( Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati, 14 December 1960 – 19 May 2024) Now there is a new president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is quite optimistic about the future of Iran.

China Russia

On a break

Reality

Also Reality

canada

so welcoming

Bravo to a national “hero”!…well, as long as you are not Russian YOU ARE SO welcomed!

Chinese New Year

Friendship, partnership, acquaintances, or just colleagues…

It’s the year of Dragon, based on lunisolar calendar..During the day they fire up the candles, whispering wishes, and light up the sky with fireworks. Spectacular settings!!!

 

However don’t expect too much of fireworks (explosive residue polluting air and ground)

Poland boarder control

closing the boarder for some...

Veto in OOH

Israel man

...Pardon, what??

they do but shame on you. Spanish shame – in other words. Normal day at the EU conference.

Normal day somewhere in Eu

…awkward moment indeed

Meanwhile in UK...busy moving out

Heh, knew you'd call me back...

Normal day somewhere in Eu

Thailand

Reality

Bankok’s red-light district, Thailand – the site of interesting stories to tell later on… huh, if you will remember

Or Expectations

Red Light Districts in Thailand is usually full of locals who gather outside to ‘welcome’ nosy tourists. Some even bringing their kids with when passing this area…culture shock guaranteed