Visit Somalia!

March 1, 2006 5:10 PM

Visit Somalia! Okay, so it has no government that is recognized by another country. It has a provisional parliament, though - but they usually opt to convene in another country's capital, over 600 miles away, out of fear. But hey, look at the bright side: They've got a minister of tourism, and he'll do his best to make sure you won't be kidnapped. No guarantees, though - it can still happen.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (19 comments total)

Previously discussed: (1) (2)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 5:12 PM on March 1, 2006

(inspired by a BBC World Service item on the subject)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 5:12 PM on March 1, 2006

The Economist article reads almost like an Onion piece:

“Tourists can still go and see the former beautiful sights,” [the tourism minister] says. “The only problem is they're all totally destroyed.”
posted by brain_drain at 5:15 PM on March 1, 2006

Seems about as attractive as a Baghdad holiday timeshare or a trekking journey through Yemen.
posted by clevershark at 5:17 PM on March 1, 2006

Check out a very nice weblog by a woman doing volunteer work there: Inside Somaliland

It isn't easy creating a consensus government out of pure anarchy, but Somalia may get there. Inside Somaliland has a lot of useful information about reconstruction efforts and ways to help out. Plus pictures of food and stuff for the tourist in you.
posted by BinGregory at 5:36 PM on March 1, 2006

Excellent link, BinGregory, thanks.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 5:40 PM on March 1, 2006

Of course,by there I meant Somaliland, not Somalia, but it was all one place once upon a time, so you know what I mean.
posted by BinGregory at 5:47 PM on March 1, 2006

Ex-colonial regimes that were ruled by the British Empire usually have well established Judicial and University Systems. The French ex-colonies have well-established arts and and huge and unwieldyadministrative traditions. Ex-Spanish and Portuguese colonies have a huge Catholic Church apparatus.

But have you ever noticed that ex-colonies of Italy tend towards having no percievably funtional government at all?
posted by zaelic at 5:47 PM on March 1, 2006

But have you ever noticed that ex-colonies of Italy tend towards having no percievably funtional government at all?

To be fair, most of the Mediterranean region was a "colony" of "Italy" about two thousand years ago.
posted by maxreax at 6:49 PM on March 1, 2006

I was in northern Kenya this summer, not to far from the Somali border and strayed from the beaten path. I saw a huge Bin Laden poster that made me a little nervous about the area that I was in. The coast there is beautiful.
posted by Frank Grimes at 7:24 PM on March 1, 2006

Kidnappings in Somalia still happen. Just today, a UN worker (also, happens to be American) was kidnapped.
posted by mulligan at 9:36 PM on March 1, 2006

I support a charity in Somalia. It is an NGO run entirely by women. If you make a donation they GUARANTEE that 100% of the donation goes to the needy. Have a look at www.saacid.org
posted by milkwood at 2:14 AM on March 2, 2006

Extreme tourism, eh? Just remember no-one back home'll be impressed if your show-off holiday gets you killed.
posted by rhymer at 5:09 AM on March 2, 2006

I'm an avid Lonely Planet fan, always make it a point to check on their latest editions, and in the ThornTree postings before I backpack to any region, so I'm fairly used to their brand of realistic humour.

Still, couldn't stop laughing when I read this:

A traveller to Somalia is spoilt for choice in the number of things that can go wrong.

Oh boy. *wipes tears*
posted by the cydonian at 6:32 AM on March 2, 2006

Arrr! Ye forgot thar pirates! Avast!
posted by Atreides at 8:12 AM on March 2, 2006

maxreax: So we can expect Somalia to be in good shape by around 4006?

Book your flight now and save!
posted by rusty at 8:59 AM on March 2, 2006

Also, I forsee an excellent market for souvenir t-shirts that read "I visited Somalia and all I got was not killed."

Well, a so-so market anyway.
posted by rusty at 9:01 AM on March 2, 2006

Oh, man, rusty, that should have been my page title.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 9:06 AM on March 2, 2006

So if you've got no money to pay off the kidnappers, you just die. Huh. So....why are there somalis living there?
posted by Smedleyman at 9:43 AM on March 2, 2006