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The presence of Al-Qaida, Taliban elements and indigenous militant sectarian groups poses a potential danger throughout Pakistan, especially in the western border regions. The State Department warns that militants are seeking to increase their attacks in Pakistan’s cities, focusing on civilian and government targets and places that Westerners visit.
In Peru, heavy rains in late January caused flooding of the Urubamba River and massive destruction in the Sacred Valley, sweeping away bridges and roads that will take months to repair.
Up to 40 landslides were triggered in the Cuzco and Machu Picchu areas, blocking the only railway connection between the ruins and Cuzco. Nearly 2,000 tourists and residents were stranded in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) with limited supplies. The Peruvian government declared a 60-day state of emergency on Jan. 25, and military helicopters began airlifting those stranded.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, on Jan. 12, followed by multiple aftershocks. It was the worst quake in the region over 200 years.
Much of the capital and many towns and villages are in ruins, and infrastructure in the region surrounding the epicenter was destroyed, greatly hampering aid efforts. Over 150,000 are confirmed dead, and it is estimated that over one million displaced people will need to be resettled.
The northern region of the country and the countryside in the south suffered less damage.
Burj Khalifa, at 828 meters (2,717 feet) the world’s tallest building, opened in downtown Dubai on Jan. 4. On Level 124 it has the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, At The Top, with panoramic views of the city, desert and ocean.
The At The Top experience (open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday-Saturday) includes a multimedia presentation and lasts about one hour. Tickets are time-stamped at 30-minute intervals, on specific days, to manage crowds.
Bungee jumping from the Transporter Bridge on Ferry Road in Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, northeast England, takes place year-round every third and fourth Saturday or Sunday morning of the month from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“Jumpers” (ages 16 to 50 or over 50 with doctor’s certificate) report to the visitor center on site and book the jump in the morning. Each signs an indemnity form and is weighed, then fitted with a harness and taken up to the top walkway of the bridge.
In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Israeli Opera Company will present two sunrise performances of Verdi’s “Nabucco” on a stage at the foot of Masada, June 3-5, 2010, and a special concert with diva Jessye Norman atop Masada, June 4.
Limited one- to seven-night ticket/hotel packages (from $688 per person, double, one night) for Masada Opera Weekend may be purchased at www.nabuccoatmasada.com. For info on Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.
The people in the region of Viengxay in northeastern Laos survived the US bombing campaigns of 1964-1973 by living in a network of large caves, each of which functioned as a hospital, bakery, school, shop, theater, government offices, etc. In an area of limestone mountains and rice paddies, some of the caves are now open to the public.
Air France encourages obese passengers to prebook a second seat at a 25% discount, and as of Feb. 1 the airline will refund the price of the extra seat if the flight is not full.
For overweight passengers who did not book a second seat in advance, the airline does try to accommodate them whenever empty seats are available, but seats are not guaranteed. The airline reserves the right to prevent a large passenger from flying if it might impede evacuations. The decision is left to the captain.
The Venezuelan government devalued its currency on Jan. 8, setting the bolívar at 4.3 to the dollar for nonessential items and 2.6 to the dollar for food, medical supplies and other essential products. Venezuelans swarmed stores to buy imported goods before prices essentially doubled.
Ordering the first devaluation since 2005, Chávez hopes the measures will boost the competitiveness of Venezuela’s exports and discourage locals from buying all but “strictly necessary” imports.
Israel’s Museum of the Good Samaritan (phone 02 541 7555) has opened on the Jerusalem/Dead Sea Road, several miles east of Ma’ale Adumim. Along with many mosaics, some from Samaritan synagogues, there are religious artifacts and items from cave dwellings. Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.