Greece, eh?

On our 25th wedding anniversary, we toured Greece. Now, in the year of our 50th anniversary, we'll cruise Greece. Tonight (since the volcanic ash has parted) we fly to Venice. Our cruise May the markets smile upon us all.

 

Cuba, eh?

We're planning a trip to Cuba, next year (to celebrate a wedding). Aah, but starting May 1, 2010, Cuba requires proof of medical insurance. (I reckon that's to avoid having tourists arriving to take advantage of Cuba's free medical coverage.) Alas, the Cuban authorities (so far) haven't clarified what type of coverage is required or what (foreign) companies are "approved". Cuba does, however, have kiosks in Havana airport where (apparently) you can buy insurance for (about?) $3 /day. Since Canadians are Cuba's most popular tourist, I'm expecting a personal clarification from Fidel.

 

Afghanistan, eh?

Obama makes a major speech on his Afghanistan decision. He personally contacts (in advance) leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, China and Russia ... among others. That includes countries that have no troops in Afghanistan, like China and Russia. That includes countries whose troops are mostly in non-combat roles, like Germany. Uh ... but wait. Doesn't Canada have troops there? And haven't Canadian troops suffered the greatest per capita losses? Click on picture to enlarge. But hold on! No problemo! Biden will inform the Canadian Prime Minister. Then, too, Canadian troops will be moved to another region: the Arghandab district, north of Kandahar. That's a piece of cake, right? After all, it's near the Canadian Dahla Dam restoration project. But wait. That's the site of pitched battles with NATO troops - a killing field for Taliban planting roadside bombs. A region where U.S. troops have sustained heavy casualties since being assigned there earlier this year. "Good luck to the Canadian troops in Arghandab," says a University of Nebraska geographer who has mapped Afghanistan for decades, and advises the military. "It's treacherous country and there are a lot of Taliban." ------------------------- Some countries have so-called "red card" status. They agree to send troops to Afghanistan provided their troop are not in combat roles or that they are assigned to less dangerous areas. During Operation Medusa, at least 12 Canadian soldiers died because they could not get support from other national contingents because of these combat-restrictions. In 2006, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey were "red card" countries. Britain, Canada, the Netherlands and the U.S.A had major combat roles. "Hello? Mr. Biden? Are you there, eh?"