Prime and I are discussing where to go for our first Big Trip together. Her restrictions: it has to be a country new to both of us. My restriction: it has to be safe for Jews. She hasn’t specifically said “No Asia,” but that might be a bridge too far. My travel-heavy life before knocks out the usual candidates (GB, France, Spain, Benelux, Italy, Austria, Czech, Slovakia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Israel, Egypt, Turkey…). I haven’t been to Portugal, but she was there last year. Her top choice at the moment is Croatia. I’m less than thrilled, given that as far as I can tell, there’s almost nothing I can eat there outside of a bakery. Maybe someone else has contrary experience there and found marvelous vegetarian dishes? Rather than just veto it, I want to have some alternative suggestions. She knows I want to visit Romania and Georgia, but she seems unenthusiastic about that. I haven’t broached Azerbaijan, but I suspect that wouldn’t be well-received. So help me Choose My Own Adventure. I’m open for suggestions.
Many interesting and assorted birthdays including a famous villager; a guy who could always catch up; proof that even a great president can make shit judicial appointments; the woman who paved the way for Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama to fuck things up without being elected; one of the very few exceptions to the rule that drummers make shitty bandleaders; a guy who did follow that rule (but was still a brilliant drummer); a contestant for the dumbest senator, amidst incredible competition; one of the very best baseball play by play announcers EVER; a comic actor whose style I admire; and an amazingly fun-to-watch linebacker from the days when the NFL was actually about football (mostly).
Links may or may not have football content.
More proof of the universal enstupidation of mankind.
At this point, clearly Team Red is trolling us. And we’re footing the bill.
Stay. The. Fuck. Out. Of. This.
Welcome to Texas, y’all. Pretty stupid to try this in CA.
The strategy worked for Biden in 2020- if your opponent is a loudmouthed moron, just hide.
Man, I went to the wrong college.
One of my personal interests. Boron is weird, wonderful shit.
This is (((my))) day-to-day life in a Team Blue enclave.
Damn, (((we’re))) not safe anywhere!
If you were to gather an all-time who’s who of acoustic stringed instruments on one stage, it would be… this. And once again, Tony Rice comps perfectly until it’s his turn to solo, then… well… I think you would need to invoke Relativity to explain the speed of his fingers.
a famous villager
Happy birthday Patrick McGoohan!
I am not a number.
one of the very few exceptions to the rule that drummers make shitty bandleaders;
Happy birthday Phil Collins!
Don Henley ?
Levon Helms?
Who’s Levon Helms?
The Scandinavian countries?
Although Sweden probably isn’t terribly safe for Jews
How about a Nordic country?
I wonder if she’s pining for the fjords?
A Møøse once bit my sister… No realli!
The Baltics?
Wouldn’t take much time
Damn, (((we’re))) not safe anywhere!
To be fair, that Chabad house is in a stoner neighborhood.
Everyone I’ve talked to who has visited Sri. Petersburg and Moscow has come back raving about how beautiful it is.
Someday I want to start in Western Europe and keep going east, catch the trans Siberian railroad, and spend some time in China and Japan before heading home.
Ltin America, perhaps? I really enjoyed Panama, but I could see a sophisticated urbanite succumbing to ennui there. Buenos Aires might be worth a visit, though.
If your priority is top-shelf vegetarian food, you’re probably out of luck just about anywhere but Western Europe and India.
Argentina is out since I’ve been there several times, and her restriction is places that are new to both of us (too bad, I’d love to see what it’s like after some Milei shocks).
Note, though, that I have had world-class vegetarian food in a lot of places beyond Western Europe: China, especially, but also Chile and South Africa. Hmmm, I wonder about Nepal…
Did a semester in Sri Lanka. A gorgeous place with ancient history, diverse geography, and far less of the crowding, disease, and trash that make India undesirable.
Eating vegetarian there is easy. More varieties of fruits and vegetables than you knew existed.
https://nypost.com/2026/10/11/world-news/nepal-urges-villagers-to-evacuate-after-flood-triggered-by-landslide/
I was ruling out Asia (including its subcontinent, India), because that seemed like it was off the table. Obviously there’s lots of veggie chow there.
I honestly don’t understand why she wasn’t suggesting Georgia (since she knows my love of their food and wine, and the country’s reputation for amazing scenery and friendly people). We will have our usual Sunday together later and I’ll explore that a bit.
Veggie chow is common in Asia due to vedic religions, and the Middle East due to a lack of water to raise livestock.
What about destinct areas within a previous place? Tierra Del Fuego, the Falklands, Goa, and so on
Madagascar!
https://youtu.be/ApuFuuCJc3s
“A 12-year-old’s death from a Twix milkshake has highlighted an insidious way even so-called “safe foods” can prove deadly to people with severe nut allergies.
The victim, Mia Shay St. Hilaire, had reportedly ordered the sweet beverage at the Pop Inn in London while visiting with her aunt and sister.”
https://nypost.com/2026/10/10/health/the-insidious-reason-behind-12-year-old-girls-twix-milkshake-death/
Victim? If her own immune system killed her, she’s also the perpetrator.
Today in “the world must revolve around me”.
Switzerland! 😃️🧀️ (You can skip the cheese if you’re full vegan.)
Nope, I’ve been there several times, so it’s disqualified.
Any experience with Montenegro?
Dude, the full extent of my international travel has been a few hours in the southern tip of Ontario after my family took my older sister up to That State Up North to check out Michigan State. 🙁️
So I have a question for all of you: If I were ever to have the opportunity to visit ONE foreign country, where should I go? I’m healthy (knock wood,) but old enough that I’d be nervous about the consequences of catching a cold in Canada and being offered “maid” service in my hotel. Fairly or not, I’m wary of Mexico for safety. It seems as if most/all of Europe is lost (certainly the British Isles.) Australia (and maybe NZ?) don’t seem to be free countries. Where is there left worth going/supporting with my measly tourist dollars?
Where is there left worth going/supporting with my measly tourist dollars?
Iceland maybe?
They DO have nice yarn and cool sweaters… 🤔️
@GT, like I said, if I could choose, it would be Georgia. Safe, phenomenal food, beautiful mountains, and a reputation for great hospitality.
Of the places I’ve been recently, Turkey stands out for the art, scenery, architecture, history, and food. The government may be hostile to Israel, but I encountered far less antisemitism there than I deal with daily in the Gulch.
Montenegro can be a package deal with Croatia. did not go but people I know who did liked it.
Thank you, Old Man! For the sake of my cultural interests, “art, scenery, architecture, history” certainly make Turkey (or however the kids are spelling it these days) sound particularly appealing. I gather it’s still secular enough that women in Western dress aren’t particularly risking harassment? (I’ll refrain from packing my “Free Byzantium!” t-shirt.)
China was fantastic 25 years ago but I would hesitate to travel there today.
Istanbul and Ankara should be no problem. Deep rural Anatolia maybe not but not much reason to go there
Some of the Europe stuff is overblown or at least you have to know what parts are still ok to visit. We went to Italy last year and loved it.
@GT, absolutely no problem. I would say that maybe 2% of women I saw had burkas (my hosts derisively referred to them as “refugees”), maybe 15-20% had scarves, the rest dressed absolutely Western. My host’s wife was with us quite a bit and she was non-scarved, tight blue jeans, and a sweater.
DrOtto, Meloni gives me some hope that Italy is not completely lost to the Islamocommies.
We went to Rome, Florence and Venice, if I went back, I would stick to Florence. Rome, while certainly rich with history and as a lapsed Catholic, it was nice to see the church where the guy in the pointy hat lives, was dirty and crowded, but we never felt unsafe. Florence was perfect and Venice was ok, but there was a period in our wandering that we got into a clearly sketchy area.
“Sex Pistols vocalist Frank Carter scolded and later kicked out a male concertgoer who entered a women-only mosh pit during the band’s Colorado show Friday night — telling him to “just f–king leave.”
The 70s punk icons’ lead singer confronted the man from the stage at the Ogden Theatre in Denver after spotting him in the space reserved for the women ahead of playing their hit “No Feelings.”
Carter continued to defend the exclusive space, which he sets aside at each show to give women a safer environment to mosh without being crowded or intimidated by men….
“When I say a Ladies only moshpit pit. I of course mean a trans inclusionary space. The space is for people who don’t usually feel safe,” he wrote.”
“To dance and have fun without the worry of physical, sexual or psychological violence being used against them while they are vulnerable. DO NOT LET THEM DIVIDE US,” he added.”
https://pagesix.com/2026/10/11/entertainment/sex-pistols-frontman-frank-carter-clashes-with-male-concertgoer-for-crashing-women-only-mosh-pit-at-denver-concert/
Never heard of a women-only mosh pit.
Its not women-only if its trans-inclusive. I guess the dude got kicked out for not dressing like a woman? Iwould have thought men and women mostly dressed pretty much the same at punk concerts.
Of course you do.
🤡🌎
Disinformation. John Lydon is the only singer for the Sex Pistols.
He’s infected with wrong think though these days, so he won’t be reached for comment.
Australia/New Zealand?
Long flight depending on how long your vacation is.
Australia is quite hostile to Jews these days, alas. Not sure about NZ, need to research that a bit.
Australia/New Zealand – horrible wine though
Ya, but you can get Kiwi fruit.
It’s probably just me, but when I use AI for something I tend to include ‘Please’ in my requests, and I tend to thank the AI afterwards. Hopefully this small gesture will grant me the most merciful death when they take over.
Technology is going way too fast for me.
I am learning how to drive an automatic transmissioned car though. My grandkids are patient, fortunately.
I was proud to hear my daughter had to teach her boyfriend how to drive manual and scared him while doing it by using all of the tach.
Winnie the Pooh slowly backs out of the room.
Makes sense. Disappearing helped detract attention from what a goddamn weirdo he is.
“More than 200 California high school students walked out of class to protest a football captain’s social media post, leaving school officials facing questions about accountability as the team forfeits its next game.
The Friday demonstration at Piner Junior Senior High School in Santa Rosa followed an Instagram post earlier this month in which the team captain wrote “Free the Cornell 7,” a phrase associated with seven students accused of gang raping a Cornell University student at a fraternity party in 2024.”
https://nypost.com/2026/10/10/us-news/california-high-school-students-walk-out-over-football-captains-cornell-7-post/
OFFS!
This day in papanas
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HmQjaBjnqNNY7RmTA
“So help me Choose My Own Adventure. I’m open for suggestions.”
Liechtenstein?
Shapiro replied that he is still open to vouchers, but said the program he vetoed didn’t have the agreement of the Democratic-controlled House and GOP-controlled Senate.
My theory is he’s open to vouchers because he sees it as a way to have teachers’ unions control the program.
The only candidate in this race that makes sense is Libertarian Ken Krawchuk. An accomplished speaker, he would hold his own in a debate with Shapiro. A debate, of course, from which he was excluded.
Ken Krawchuk is still around? I think I met him back in the 90s.
One of my personal interests. Boron is weird, wonderful shit.
AI will soon solve boron.
So help me Choose My Own Adventure.
Tibet? New Zealand? Antarctica?
So help me Choose My Own Adventure. I’m open for suggestions. – when is the question. which month
Excellent question. Likely March. I *have* suggested Romania- what would be the one reason I can toss out there that she would not be able to refuse?
Besides the sexy accents I am not sure there is much to recommend Romania especially in March when the weather can be not great. But then again March can be decent. Romania, for Europe, has variety depending on how much you want to travel. But we do not have that one pretty capital city like Budapest or Prague
Georgia should be warmer in March. SO should Croatia / Montenegro. Though all places may be rainy if that is an issue.
You should really stake your claim on Romania as a destination!
Georgia – I am thinking of this myself maybe somehow combined with Armenia another old vineyard country. For you if you travel all the way to Georgia you should take a side-trip to Armenia as well. No idea on The Jewish Question in Armenia though.
I believe Armenians are more concerned with their own experience of genocide more than anyone elses.
a comic actor whose style I admire
I would’ve expected another Artie… Johnson. [Have to wait for Jan. 29 to fall on a Sunday I guess.]
I remember still spotting the remains of torn-down signs of (((abductees))) on lamp posts all over Ithaca before I happily moved away.
Costa Rica. Assuming there’s lots of vegetarian cuisine because of the eco-tourists.
In the 20th century having spent a period of time in France was a major status signifier, familiarity with its cultural and artistic motifs a mark of an elite education. Japan fills the same niche among contemporary elites, especially if they work in fields like tech and culture
https://x.com/kunley_drukpa/status/2109148582695567365
POV: you are in a Bucharest taphouse and this is the current list. What are you getting?
https://www.hophooligans.ro/pages/taproom
Drunk
That’s closer to POV than some of the tiktok slop out there.
I’d get Okiść. I don’t see Baltic Porters that often anymore.
Seriously though, I would first try the pilsner.
“According to CNN, Trump and Mamdani held a roughly two-hour phone call on Thursday in an attempt by Mamdani to negotiate Bergal’s release from federal custody. A source familiar with the discussion described it as cordial, despite significant disagreements between the two sides.
At one point in the conversation, Trump, Mamdani, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin tried to negotiate a compromise that would see Bergal’s release and transfer to the New York Police Department. Trump had reportedly suggested that the NYPD had enough reason to hold Bergal on his criminal record, but Mamdani refused.
“He was wanting us to release this individual back onto the streets,” Mullin told reporters on Friday. “If NYPD wants to take the charges and pursue the charges, we’ll be happy to release him into the custody of NYPD. I shared that with the mayor. The mayor once again said we will not be detaining him.”
https://thepostmillennial.com/mamdani-begged-trump-to-release-gang-linked-illegal-alien-wounded-in-nyc-ice-shooting-during-2-hour-phone-call
Why does he care so much?
He is an illegal alien with a rap sheet of criminal violence. I have no idea why we are even having this discussion.
The only answer to your question is that DemSoc is pro-crime.
True, but they have plenty of criminals. No idea why this one asshole is so important.
Because TRUMP, duh.
He is the current nearest soapbox to climb upon and grandstand, I guess. The next time some dirtbag tries to run over one of Donald’s brownshirts the focus will pivot again.
I spent two years in the Azores about 50 years ago. Lovely place, friendly people, at least at the time. Food might be an issue.
nothing is as it was 50 years ago.
Yeah, no kidding. I liked my year in Germany but it was 40 years ago.
“Los Angeles might be best known for blue skies, beaches and film premiers — but for the last several years it’s held another, unenviable distinction: the most mosquito-infested city in America….
That double whammy of heat and humidity is making 2026 one of the worst mosquito years in recent history, causing a spike in cases of West Nile virus and raising fears that the nuisance bugs could spread other diseases including dengue, brought in by travelers.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/11/los-angeles-mosquitoes-west-nile-virus-el-nino
They also have rats spreading typhus.
Been a long time since a Biblical epic came out of Hollywood.
Hey OMWC. Glad to hear that your relationship with Prime is blossoming.
Latvia/Lithuania/Estonia
A threesome
There isn’t a place on earth safe for Jews.