Afghanistan – Reflections on Afghan Resilience Amidst Conflict

Afghanistan is on a heartbreaking journey to stability though the price is often freedom. People  showered unimaginable kindness during my travels through a county oversaturated with incredible sights yet overshadowed by decades of war and violence. Despite this troubled past  and years spent living under a cloud of fear, stress and uncertainty they rise above to exude a palpable warmth and love on a traveler they have just met.

It completely breaks my heart imagining what changes will come in the next ten years as the world chooses to mostly ignore Afghanistan.  A time when the country will fight its most important fight – the struggle to come to terms with a generational and ideological crossroads which will define success or set a path towards failure for future generations. 

Stuck in Somalia! (and getting kicked out of Ethiopia for refusing to pay a bribe)

Somalia Tank Somaliland Hargeisa 2008

Stuck in Somalia! (and getting kicked out of Ethiopia for refusing to pay a bribe) The first surprise, prior to visiting Somalia in 2008, was when I collected my tourist visa from the Somaliland consulate in Addis Ababa. You know you are going a bit off the beaten tourist track when your visa number is […]

Belarus! Top 5 things to experience in this unique country in 5 days!

Minsk, Belarus -Brando Niles Cox @ nothingdeclared.com

Getting in. For a long time, Belarus was one of the most difficult countries to visit. Even more so for curious Americans! Once requiring an arduous and expensive visa dance, with a lot of steps, and a high level of rejections.  Belarus would complete my visit of every country in Europe! For years, I had […]