ramalot:
Lots of excitement on the streets of Buenos Aires right now

An Obelisk in Buenos Aires! The Pope must be used to that environment!

ramalot:


She's Russian, and yes, she's lovely.

I haven't been to Jamaica, so I only know Jamaican girls in the US, and a few I've met in other places. Honestly, I don't have too many positives to say about them, other than they're usually good dancers. I love to dance, so I like girls who know how to dance too.
Other than that, their looks generally aren't impressive. They can also be a bit confrontational.

The days of Pablo Escobar are long gone. It's kinda like someone asking you if all the things they heard about Abacha still exists.
Sure, there are some faint remnants, but in general, no. If you're wondering if people still sell drugs in Colombia, yes, they do. Cocaine and marijuana are legal in Colombia, for a small amount of personal consumption. I don't smoke or do drugs, so I don't engage any of that.

Thank you and all the best brother

ramalot:


Absolutely! Lots of partying in the streets, with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people flooding the streets.




The black population in Argentina is very small, compared to other South American countries. Less than 1% of the population.
It's rare to see black people, and when you do, they're foreigners. Usually Senegalese or other African immigrants.

My relationship with Argentina is a bit of a love-hate relationship. I love the city and it's beautiful well preserved historical architecture and parks. However, the people can be a bit odd. There is certainly what's called "passive racism" in Argentina. Meaning you won't experience any overt racism, but you will get the sense that you're being ignored sometimes.

That said, this doesn't only happen to black people. Even my white friends who have visited Argentina experienced the same cold unfriendly treatment and bad service. Argentines are notorious for being cold and aloof, in general. So as long as you know that before visiting here, you'll be fine.

In Uruguay, which is just a 1-hour boat ride away from Buenos Aires, the people are so much warmer and more courteous. Several Uruguayans I spoke with in Uruguay made fun of Argentines, telling me how Uruguayans are more friendly than Argentines.

I find this difference interesting, as Uruguayans and Argentines are ethnically very similar. Unlike most other South American countries, both these countries are made up of a majority purely European population. Over 80%. Mostly immigrants from Italy and Spain, who have only been here about 100 years. So most are the same as Europeans in Europe. In the same way blacks in Haiti and Jamaica are the same as West Africans.

Attached pics:

1 & 2: Celebrations in Buenos Aires yesterday, at the Obelisk (that big white structure, similar to the Washington Monument in the US)

3. View from a restaurant we go sometimes, in Puerto Maduro area of Buenos Aires

4. View of Palacio Salvo in Montevideo, Uruguay. We stayed 1 street away.

Wished you responded more pointedly to the poser about the killing of blacks in Argentina!

zoedew:

These photographs look too much like straight out of Google street photographic impressions though!

Na why I no lie as they put the thread for front page the this.
Because of mumu like you

ramalot:


Same to you.

just like reading people's experience. I have read everything from the first page up to this page. Honestly, I have learned a lot on this thread more than I could have got from google. It just felt as if I am in a Cross-cultural Psychology lecture. You have been exposed to different culture of the world. I admire the kind of personality you have exuded so far and I like your vibe.
Your writing style is nice.
God bless you always.

I have seen the reply you gave about your fianceé's nationality.
Is she also a nairalander? Do you speak Russian?

On Nigeria: As we go to the polls in February, what advice do you have for Nigerians? How can we get it right?
What do you like about Nigeria? When was the last time you have been to Nigeria? What part of Nigeria are you from? When you have a dream, what is usually the language you speak in it?

ramalot:


Mexico was cool. Was there for 3 months. Spent most of that time in the capital, Mexico City, and some time in the Cancun - Playa del Carmen area. Mexico City has a pretty large metropolitan area, so very spread out.

Cartels certainly have a notable presence in Mexico. As long as you don't get involved with drugs or try to flirt with random women in bars cartel members hang out, you'll be fine. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a ditch somewhere. Especially if you venture far out of the capital.

The police in Mexico City are also notorious for trying to extort foreigners in the streets. They tried me once at midnight, making completely fabricated accusations. Just like Naija police. I laughed in their face, told them in Spanish that I know exactly what they're doing, and they're not getting 1 peso. I showed them the US embassy number and told them I'm calling, so they can show them whatever they say they have.

They had to beg me not to call, and continue on my way.

Anyway, Mexico City was fun. Got to experience "Dia del Muerto" festivities. It means "Day of the Dead." It happens between Oct. 30th and Nov. 6th. It's a massive traditional ceremony in honor of dead relatives. The main event is a huge parade in downtown Mexico City. People dress in different costumes, like skeletons and dead people. Very colorful event and tradition.

If you've seen the animated movie called Coco, it shows elements of this ceremony. I'm happy we got to experience Mexico at that time.

Food is pretty good in Mexico, especially if you like tacos. I don't mind tacos, but not a huge fan either.

Teotihuacan, about 50 mins outside the city was also interesting. Two large ancient pyramids (pyramid of the Sun and the Moon) and several small ones. We climbed to the top of most of them.

Playa del Carmen was a nice little beach town. The water there isn't very great, as there's often heavy algae bloom, but luckily, it was fine when we were there. Did some parasailing and other cool stuff.

Overall, Mexico was a pleasant experience.


Attached Pics (in order):

1 & 2. Parade at the Dia del Muerto festival in Mexico City.

3. View from a para-sail, over Playa del Carmen beach. We are in the air, attached to that speed boat with the long belt you see.

4. On the beach at Playa del Carmen. If anyone is wondering if the person on the right is a lady with her tits out, you're correct. PDC is a "topless beach." Like every such beach, whether in Miami or Europe, some girls walk around topless. And yes, there are many kids with families.

I guess it’s some powerful stuff to be American! Don’t venture out in the Middle East waving your Am. Passport. They hate Am. in those parts!

zoedew:

Not interesting that your Pa and Ma never spoke or taught you to speak your native language. Usually folks like you have identity issues. The typical American only tolerates people with the kind of background you have narrated.

Well, I've stayed with someone whose children can't speak any other language than English. They can't even speak pidgin English because the parents never spoke that to them.

ramalot:
I have gained some insights into different societies and cultures, by traveling far and wide. Not as a weekend tourist, but spending extended time in those places, and living an everyday life. Some of that information/experience might be useful to someone here.

Brother which tech can you advise Young men to do for someone that doesn't have any science related background before....
Looking to hear from you soonest sir.

Thanks in anticipation.

ramalot:


Sorry, but I don't use Linkedin. All the best.

You're a great man bro. I wish you the very best in future endeavours

If you're to advice your younger self with the same future (most of which you now enjoy)

What would it be?

ramalot:
I have gained some insights into different societies and cultures, by traveling far and wide. Not as a weekend tourist, but spending extended time in those places, and living an everyday life. Some of that information/experience might be useful to someone here.

How do you have acess to USA passport for travels, are you a us Citizen?

Pallium:


What part of Nigeria are you from?

Pallium.... no disrespect .... you ask very good questions... but Ramalot .. I beg you please.... don't answer that particular question .... tribalists are outside the gates in large numbers... chomping at the bit ... a clue of your tribe will trigger an invasion and the thread will turn into a tribal battlefield. History has a way of repeating itself.

WIZGUY69:


Na why I no lie as they put the thread for front page the this.
Because of mumu like you

YOU MAKE NO SENSE. SIMPLY SAY YOU DISAGREE WITH ME. THAT IS HOW TO CONDUCT A DECENT CONVERSATION.

ramalot:


I can't answer this, as it will vary widely for everyone, based on their budget. So you can simply look it up, based on your budget.

Flights: google.com/flights

Accommodation: airbnb.com

feeding: Everyone eats differently. If you like to cook your food, that's your cheapest (and best) option.

Wow, am intrigued. You have toured the world. It will be good if you can add Japan and Australia to the list. Build the Airbnb clone for my final project. Cool web app

At last, something refreshingly different on Nairaland.com

ramalot:
I have gained some insights into different societies and cultures, by traveling far and wide. Not as a weekend tourist, but spending extended time in those places, and living an everyday life. Some of that information/experience might be useful to someone here.

How do you make money

zoedew:

These photographs look too much like straight out of Google street photographic impressions though!

This is Ramalot (the OP). This account is meant for a different business activity.

I haven't responded to questions here in some hours, because in responding to this comment, I included a Google Maps link which the Nairaland bot didn't like. So it restricted the ramalot account from posting in the Travel section, until tomorrow.

Justwise and DisGuy, kindly remove the restriction on my account https://www.nairaland.com/ramalot

------------

To your question, I lost the longer response I typed before, and can't justify retyping it, as it's not worth the time and effort. However, that previously typed response provided a Street View link to the exact spot I snapped that pic in Bogota. Just so you can look around on Google Street View yourself.

I don't feel the need to prove anything to anyone on the internet. However, since I love Google Street View and your comment is not completely out of line, and actually makes sense, I'll indulge you a bit.

And I'll consider your comment a compliment to my photography and media production skills
If anyone is wondering, these pics below were taken with a Samsung S10e, in 0.5x wide-view mode.


Attached Pics:

1. I went to the same place in Google Street View, where I snapped the originally posted pic and tried to recreate the shot. It's very close, which gives credibility to your suspicion, but obviously not the same, or from that source. Except you believe Google made a special edition, just for me to post on Nairaland .

It's in front of the Museo Nacional subway entrance, in Bogota. We lived on this street for about 2 months. Feel free to find this subway in Street View and look around.

2. The original pic you're questioning.

3. Just for the hell of it, here's another pic I took from the same spot. This one only looks slightly to the right side, across the street. Feel free to do the same in Street View and you'll see that.

4. Another shot from the Rio de Janeiro pic in that same post. This time from the front of the double-barreled cannon you see in the first one. It's an old military forte in Copacabana. We lived in Copacabana for about 10 months.

I don't mind healthy skepticism, as long as the person is polite, and not being a jerk about it.

This is Ramalot (the OP)

I will continue answering questions with the ramalot account, when the mods remove the Travel section posting restriction placed by Mod Bot. It happened because a response included a Google Maps link.

1kTask:


This is Ramalot (the OP). This account is meant for a different business activity.

I haven't responded to questions here in some hours, because in responding to this comment, I included a Google Maps link which the Nairaland bot didn't like. So it restricted the ramalot account from posting in the Travel section, until tomorrow.

Justwise and DisGuy, kindly remove the restriction on my account https://www.nairaland.com/ramalot

------------

To your question, I lost the longer response I typed before, and can't justify retyping it, as it's not worth the time and effort. However, that previously typed response provided a Street View link to the exact spot I snapped that pic in Bogota. Just so you can look around on Google Street View yourself.

I don't feel the need to prove anything to anyone on the internet. However, since I love Google Street View and your comment is not completely out of line, and actually makes sense, I'll indulge you a bit.

And I'll consider your comment a compliment to my photography and media production skills
If anyone is wondering, these pics below were taken with a Samsung S10e, in 0.5x wide-view mode.


Attached Pics:

1. I went to the same place in Google Street View, where I snapped the originally posted pic and tried to recreate the shot. It's very close, which gives credibility to your suspicion, but obviously not the same, or from that source. Except you believe Google made a special edition, just for me to post on Nairaland .

It's in front of the Museo Nacional subway entrance, in Bogota. We lived on this street for about 2 months. Feel free to find this subway in Street View and look around.

2. The original pic you're questioning.

3. Just for the hell of it, here's another pic I took from the same spot. This one only looks slightly to the right side, across the street. Feel free to do the same in Street View and you'll see that.

4. Another shot from the Rio de Janeiro pic in that same post. This time from the front of the double-barreled cannon you see in the first one. It's an old military forte in Copacabana. We lived in Copacabana for about 10 months.

I don't mind healthy skepticism, as long as the person is polite, and not being a jerk about it.

I didn’t mean to doubt your sincerity. I only stated what appeared apparent to me. Quite appreciate what you are about! You do not have to prove the authenticity of your pics Sir.

Well done sir.

How did u learn these languages?

Are there places in nigeria one can learn it?

ferhyntorlah:


Okay but still, if I had a thread that details my personal experiences, I wouldn't want it to hit front-page.

Then you create the thread in the diary section. The same thing you are saying made a former Nairalander - DanielHouston - had issues with the mod here. He created a thread in this section and mandated only to have positive comments on it. He opposed everyone who disagreed with him. Justwi.se disagreed because of freedom of speech, he got angry and left. Search his name, and you will find the thread.

You should always expect opposing views as long as your work is in the public sphere. Alternatively, you don't post your work publicly. That way, no one knows anything about you. The moment you post something personal about yourself publicly, it becomes everyone's business.

Alright, a nice thread indeed.

Please I have a design on drones. Can you linked me or mention some few drone producing industry in the US or Canada. Either military drones or commercial! Thanks in anticipation!

1kTask:
This is Ramalot (the OP)

I will continue answering questions with the ramalot account, when the mods remove the Travel section posting restriction placed by Mod Bot. It happened because a response included a Google Maps link.

Hello

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'm a freelancer who works remotely here in Nigeria, and I've been flirting with the idea of mimicking what you do, traveling around Africa in my case.

My decision stems from the fact that I love this beautiful continent (our weather and our culture are priceless). But I earn something decent (middle class income based on Nigerian standard ), so I don't I have the wherewithal to spend quality time in Europe or Latin America like you do.

That said.

Now, my question.

1. What good qualities are Nigerians (or blacks) known for in all the countries you visited. Do they consider us smart or dumb

2. Apart from being perceived as fraudsters, what other bad qualities do foreigners perceive Nigerians (blacks) as? Do they see us like lazy people?

3. Tangential to the information about my background, which African countries would you advise me to experiment with considering my income? Please factor the fact that I'm single and I will probably being going alone. Or do you think getting a partner along with make things interesting rather than risking going alone and hopefully finding a partner in my travel destination?

4. To put it simply, did you had more fun in those countries prior to having a girlfriend (or fiancé)? I'm asking you indirectly to state the pros and cons of traveling as (1) a single person while being receptive of finding a partner in the travel destinations or (2) bringing a partner alone here from Nigeria.

Please note.. I intend to be working remotely like you while staying in the travel destination.

Gerrard59:


Then you create the thread in the diary section. The same thing you are saying made a former Nairalander - DanielHouston - had issues with the mod here. He created a thread in this section and mandated only to have positive comments on it. He opposed everyone who disagreed with him. Justwi.se disagreed because of freedom of speech, he got angry and left. Search his name, and you will find the thread.

You should always expect opposing views as long as your work is in the public sphere. Alternatively, you don't post your work publicly. That way, no one knows anything about you. The moment you post something personal about yourself publicly, it becomes everyone's business.

Yeah, I get you and thanks for your input. I read Daniel's German experience from A to Z.

What I'm trying to say it, when a thread is still in its home section, it attracts less attention from unsavoury elements and you get to read more intelligent posts.

But when it's moved to the front page, you'll read all manner of nonsense. That's just my point. I've been observing this for years now on Nairaland.

The diary section limits the flow of comments from the poster to readers. I know there's another section for the poster to communicate with readers but I prefer it being done right in the thread, which the diary section lacks or am I wrong?

Anyways, I don't think I would even pen down my personal experience on Nairaland with the way things are.

@1kTask
I am really enjoying your thread.

I love traveling but have some limitations.

Aside the south east, I have spent at least a day in all the states of Nigeria except Yobe and Kebbi.

And I have visited most of our near neighbors, Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Togo.

But I have had difficulty visiting outside the country - declined visas twice.

Money isn't much of a problem for me, I run a successful startup but time certainly is, I am not always in Lagos and Abuja where most embassies are based and can't follow thru the onerous visa processes.

What advice do you give for me to push my adventures beyond the shores of Nigeria and Africa?

ramalot:


Sorry, but I don't use Linkedin. All the best.

Then how do you get clients?

ramalot:


Absolutely! Lots of partying in the streets, with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people flooding the streets.




The black population in Argentina is very small, compared to other South American countries. Less than 1% of the population.
It's rare to see black people, and when you do, they're foreigners. Usually Senegalese or other African immigrants.

My relationship with Argentina is a bit of a love-hate relationship. I love the city and it's beautiful well preserved historical architecture and parks. However, the people can be a bit odd. There is certainly what's called "passive racism" in Argentina. Meaning you won't experience any overt racism, but you will get the sense that you're being ignored sometimes.

That said, this doesn't only happen to black people. Even my white friends who have visited Argentina experienced the same cold unfriendly treatment and bad service. Argentines are notorious for being cold and aloof, in general. So as long as you know that before visiting here, you'll be fine.

In Uruguay, which is just a 1-hour boat ride away from Buenos Aires, the people are so much warmer and more courteous. Several Uruguayans I spoke with in Uruguay made fun of Argentines, telling me how Uruguayans are more friendly than Argentines.

I find this difference interesting, as Uruguayans and Argentines are ethnically very similar. Unlike most other South American countries, both these countries are made up of a majority purely European population. Over 80%. Mostly immigrants from Italy and Spain, who have only been here about 100 years. So most are the same as Europeans in Europe. In the same way blacks in Haiti and Jamaica are the same as West Africans.

Attached pics:

1 & 2: Celebrations in Buenos Aires yesterday, at the Obelisk (that big white structure, similar to the Washington Monument in the US)

3. View from a restaurant we go sometimes, in Puerto Maduro area of Buenos Aires

4. View of Palacio Salvo in Montevideo, Uruguay. We stayed 1 street away.

Is it true that Argentina is the most racist country in the world, I heard there are no blacks in Argentina?

ramalot:


Nothing in life worth having or doing is easy. Yes, you have to start somewhere. Even if that means hunting down the last existing cybercafe in your city, to get it done. Even if it means searching for a computer rental program in your city. Google "laptop rentals in [enter your city]." Yes, laptop rentals exist in Nigeria. I know, because someone I offered a lucrative job once gave me an excuse of not having a laptop, and that there was nowhere to rent one. One quick google search later, and I sent him to a rental location in Abuja.

Where there's a will, there's a way. At the end of the day, it's all in your hands. A cybercafe might be your most affordable option. Also see if there's a library in your city that offers free internet access. As you said, you gotta start somewhere. So do exactly that.

Personal anecdote: The first step that directly resulted in me becoming a US citizen started in a cybercafe, in a dusty Nigerian town, as a teenager.

Sir, you broke my will in this your reply.
Please i would love to have your email to communicate you on issues.
I am am ICT graduate with solar installation skills. I currently have 24/7 light at home in Nigeria but i need to get a decent job with my tech skill. my mail just incase is johnbright197@gmail.com

Most of the guys here are into traveling and wish to learn about living in various parts of the world by becoming travelers. There are some general guidelines you should be aware of if you share the same situation and desire to explore the globe. To know the best Places To Travel In The World, Visit Us.

I am almost 30 I haven't done half of what you are doing I don't know how you are doing this, but it's amazing,

Ustec:

Is it true that Argentina is the most racist country in the world, I heard there are no blacks in Argentina?

How many times do you want him to answer this question?

ramalot:
I have gained some insights into different societies and cultures, by traveling far and wide. Not as a weekend tourist, but spending extended time in those places, and living an everyday life. Some of that information/experience might be useful to someone here.

how do you transact? I mean how do you purchase things in those country if you want to eat