Is Mogadishu safe?

[ChamonixMountainBum]

I know extremist group al-Shabaab are known for instigating bombings and the odd kidnapping and other armed militia are not shy of robbery and murder but I hear the beaches are really nice. I suffer anxiety but want to step outside of my comfort zone.

That remains the funniest thing I've seen live on MN. If I remember correctly that whole thread was bonkers but the auto correct was just sublime!

I have booked a Pirate themed family holiday to Somalia. But on 2nd thought I would find off putting is DS (4) seeing other pirates boys having real guns. He's not allowed a toy gun as I find them very unrealistic. Real ones on the other hand might be a bit heavy for a 4yo... AIBU is it unreasonable to cancel the holiday for that reason? DH said I'm bonkers to cancel a once in a lifetime holiday.

Americans have tiny "ladies guns" that fit into a handbag that might be suitable for DS. (Don't tell him they're for ladies, you don't want him cross-dressing at his age.)
You can probably get one on Amazon.

Timbuktu, Mogadishu or Ouagadougou?

Yeah it's a blast over there

Aga doo

Sorry

In this essay I will be attempting to take a brief look at the historical attempts to answer the fundamental question of your time, is Croydon safe?
in order to do this we will of course have to first deconstruct the question, considering both the evolving concepts of safety as developed in the field of urban studies, the histor-socio-economic development of Croydon as a “place” within the greater metropolitan consciousness of London, and also the most bedrock of concepts the meaning of the word “is” as understood in a Hegelian sense as opposed to an existentialist sense.

So it's a destination wedding? YABU to expect people to travel for that, especially when some of them are only invited to the evening do and not the actual wedding. And no children invited? I wouldn't let my DC be looked after by the pirates at the hotel's babysitting service .

For some unfathomable reason Foreign Office advises against all travel to Somalia. Can’t think why.

Croydon historically was in Surrey. Surrey sounds pretty safe. What if they took it out of Greater London and put it back in Surrey?

I suffer anxiety but want to step outside of my comfort zone.

Right. Well that should do the job very nicely then. It's not known for being anyone's comfort zone. Especially not yours.

What do they know. Best ignore them.

Sounds like the charge sheet for Captain Jack Sparrow…

Impersonating a cleric of then Church of England?

Says nothing about Croydon though. Typically Western capitalist double standards.

Oh, I didn't know that. Thank you, you safed my holiday. I will ask my cousins aunt Ehalia from Gun s Linga in the US to source me one. I think, I read somewhere that guns aren't allowed on passenger planes. Do you think we could have it delivered directly to our hotel using UPS? How much ammunition should we get?

I wouldn't bother getting one in advance. The pirates at your hotel can get you one when you get there. It'll be cheaper too.

Wait a minute - are we talking about Mogadishu or Croydon? Actually, the same advice applies.

Is this a joke?

You don't need to go go to Mogadishu OP. Just go to the Quayside in Newcastle on a Saturday night. Now that's living life to the full!

I'm not in any way suggesting you do this, but if you book a domestic ticket directly with Proflight Zambia (say, Lusaka to Ndola) then once you've selected your seats the next page on the website booking process is optional extras: wheelchair assistance, excess baggage, and... FIREARMS permits. If you have children in your travelling party they can take guns on as well for the same fee. The really brilliant thing about booking a firearm is that you get an extra 5kg cabin baggage for your ammo box.

I have actually been on holiday to Timbuktu and Ouagadougou. A long time ago…

Never been to Croydon though.

I once watched a very interesting youtube video on how people typically socialise out and about in Mogadishu. Looking at the local culture etc. I can't comment on whether it was safe or not safe, but I will say that it looked absolutely shit. I mean there's shit and then there's really shit. This was really shit.

I'm so glad I found this thread. It's really motivated me!

I've been to Croydon on a Saturday night and survived the fabulous live experience of flying bottles and fists (albeit it was 20 years ago). With memories of that amazing adventure and the wonderful suggestions on this thread, I've found a bona fida travel company and I'm planning a summer trip to Mogadishu with hubby and the kids.

The itinerary is to fly out to Dubai, take a short cruise on the Strait of Hormuz, a few exciting nights in Iran (highlight: an optional beach stay on Kharg Island), Iraq (highlights: a hike in search for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon), Libya (highlight: Arch of Marcus Aurelius) and Syria (highlight: the Ancient City of Damascus). We then have a beautiful beach resort booked in Mogadishu to relax. We've been told that if we hire a boat there, we'll meet some lovely boat captains while we're out at sea, who'll happily take us on an extended cruise for an unspecified amount of time. They, understandably, might expect our families back home to pay for the hospitality they extend to us.

And if we want to lengthen our stay further, there is an optional extra of a week in Afghanistan.

We'll do most of this trip overland by car. Can't wait. My family don't seem so keen. I can't think why.

(Edited to add that I would draw the line at Mordor. That's just far too dangerous my opinion.)

Sounds fab! When in Iran and Afghanistan you can perhaps show them our culture? Shorts and t shirts will be absolutely fine walking round the sights.

... and sandals with pristine white socks!
keep a few spare in your backpack, nothing worse than holiday snaps with coverd in muck socks

Thank you! If you want to come, maybe a few of us on MN could make it a group holiday?

I was also thinking spaghetti strap tops and cycling shorts. I think DD could get away with a bikini - I will make her wear a sweatshirt draped around her shoulders, of course, so we don't look completely uncouth (and, mainly, to prevent sunburn as we will be out and about a lot).