I could easily mention all the war-torn places like Yemen, South Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria, where I would feel uncomfortable and I would fear for my well-being.
Nobody in their right mind would voluntarily visit any of these countries, unless of course they were on a humanitarian mission.
So instead, I am plumping for a place that, quite frankly, should be one of the safest, most liberated, most educated, most liberal and totally moderate-thinking; certainly, many of its folk are just that of course.
But this supposedly first-world country has by far the highest rate of death by guns in the developed world, and even more incredibly, over double the gun ownership ratio than Yemen, a place that has been embroiled in civil war for the best part of eight years! This potential hell-hole has one of the highest rates of prisoners behind bars in the entire world, hate crimes are rife and rising, as are gun-related deaths.
America has so much to answer for. I know that, statistically it’s still safe, it’s a huge place, and there are an enormous number of areas where you really don’t need to worry. Of course.
But let’s start with your entry into the country. Those bastards at immigration are some of the most unwelcoming, obstructive goons whose only passion in life is to give the visitor as much lengthy hassle as possible.
Once you’re in, my God there is crime. Major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit have gang-related crime problems. Racism is massive; police brutality is massive, and, as I have described in these blogs before, a mass shooting, or more, takes place every single day.
My biggest sense of being ill at ease in myself is knowing that over 25% of the American population is wilfully ignorant, totally and utterly racist, probably voted for Trump, knows the moon-landings were faked, that Covid was all a hoax, and will argue until the cows come home that we are all living on a flat disc.
And I’m a straight white guy! I dread to think how much extra hassle you will get if you’re a little bit different.
I know that leaves three-quarters of the population who will welcome me as a Brit, and they will be lovely, and charming, as I remember they were in San Francisco and Florida, when I visited many years ago.
But the other lot terrify me, as does the pathetic medical bankruptcies that plague so many of its people. The justice system as well stinks, where the top legal minds administer the law based of their political partisanship. Suppose, during my visit, I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and falsely get charged with murder. Imagine I was black, and gay. What chance of justice do you all reckon? Spending the rest of your life on death row, in institutions that have always dealt in punishment rather than rehabilitation.
Yemen, South Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria? No, no, no, no and no. Add the U.S.A to that list.
The country I would least like to visit
In my case, this country is Ukraine. At least, at the moment, and for the years to come.
In my childhood, I was at a Crimean Black Sea resort with my mother when I was six. Later, with my dad, I spent a couple of summer weeks at a sanatorium on the banks of the Dnipro river. I think I was ten back then. Nice memories. It was warm and I remember how wide the river was. I believe the opposite shore was around a mile or even more away.
Much later, in 2008 and 2013, I was in Kyiv, enjoying its lively atmosphere, a mix of authentic Ukrainian charms and post-Soviet vibes. Walking down Kreschatik Street and the adjacent boulevards was fun.
All these times I’ve enjoyed visiting Ukraine, both as a child and as an adult. I loved it for its warm southern atmosphere, its nice people, and its simple but tasty cuisine.
Now it is not possible.
Even when the war is over, I wouldn’t go to Ukraine for the simple reason that I am a Russian, and Russia has brought pain and suffering to this land. Even if they would finally permit Russians in, at some point in the future, I wouldn’t go there as I will have a hard time explaining that I, from the very first second, wasn’t supporting those who invaded their country.
This is why I believe that I won’t go to Ukraine anymore. Probably, in my lifetime.
The Country I Would Least Like to Visit
The three writers of this Blog share several traits in common but the one relevant to this article is that there are countries where we are not welcomed. Mind you, it’s not because any of us have ever gone to these countries and committed mayhem. Nope; it’s just that our Passports are the wrong color.
From the late 1800’s into the mid 1900’s, the US treated Central and South America like a plantation. Some of that was due to competition with the Soviet Union and some was just arrogance. But never mind all that, I have never precipitated in any such thing. It makes no difference, I’m just guilty as hell.
So, all three of us have places we cannot go to for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with us. I have a friend named Peyman. He’s from Iran, a country I would love to visit but I’ve never said that to him. He’s made it clear several times he wants me to come and he would like to show me his beautiful home town. I don’t think so. I have no plans to be the guest of Iran’s fabulous penal institutions. I’ve never said that to Peyman… maybe I just did.
To be clear, I do suffer from the adventure gene and there are very few places I really don’t want to see. Example: most mornings I get up when I hear the “Call to Prayer” through my open window. But even for someone like me, there are places that are of no interest.
When Roger first suggested this topic, I really didn’t know what my answer would be. Once I begin to think about it, I realized that war was the deal-breaker for me. Man-made starvation, grinding poverty, and nationalism will land an area on my no-no list. I cannot think of a single example where a people have benefited from hate. Not one.
To be clear, nationalism & imperialism are two different things. There have been any number of successful nations which have benefited greatly from imperialism; from Rome on. That’s not hate so much as “we want your stuff.” But even that may be coming to an end in the fields and bloody apartments buildings of Ukraine.
So, my short list would include places like South Sudan, where being from the wrong tribe will get you killed. But I think I’ll nominate the sea-side city of Mogadishu as the one I never plan to visit. Everything I own is the wrong color: Passport, skin, even blue jeans. Not only am I not welcome, there is a very real possibility, even likelihood, I’d be killed.