Oh Beirut, it seems nothing has changed since the last time I was there. Things have pretty much only gotten predictably worse.
Category: Travel
I’ve had a number of amazing and unforgettable experiences with Couchsurfing mostly staying in Berlin way back in the day. This history of the site’s rise and fall fills in what happened after I lost track.
https://www.inputmag.com/features/rise-and-ruin-of-couchsurfing
A lovely interview about the magic bus and the hippie period in Istanbul revolving around the Lale Pudding Shop which is still in business.
Als ik het verhaal over witwassen in de Amsterdamse binnenstad hier lees, denk ik dat het hier in Berlijn zonder overdrijven tien keer zo erg is (decennia armoede, corruptie en geen enkele prioriteit bij de lokale overheid).
https://www.groene.nl/artikel/ze-zijn-hier-zo-lekker-aan-het-witwassen
An interesting story about the interaction between loving the outdoors and Instagram culture.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2415324/instagram-social-media-geotagging-outdoors-oversharing
We have to build these ultra rapid trains anyway, so let’s start on it tomorrow.
A lovely set of easter eggs hidden in Switzerland’s official maps.
Chaos at the Top of the World
A breathtaking background story of how the top of Mount Everest turned into a tourist destination.
https://www.gq.com/story/mount-everest-chaos-at-the-top-of-the-world
Languages spoken
Found this on Reddit and made my own.
Picked the countries where 50% of the people speak a language where I have at least B level of skill.
A couple of years ago, I remember seeing at IST airport advertisements for connecting flights to Erbil (أربيل). The city seems to have continued growing and by now developed a vibrant nightlife.