Where is the World's Most Hectic Place?
10. Istanbul, Turkey: Walking through the various bazaars and markets was quite a unique experience. Many different people, culture, & ethnicities, mixed together in a city that spans both Europe & Asia (yet is located near the Middle East). The sights, sounds & smells were different just about everywhere in the city. It seemed that one of the most popular items for sale were manikins. Instead of stores selling clothes on the manikins, tons of stores were selling the manikins themselves. Pretty funny. I definitely had to be vigilant of pickpockets here.
9. Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo is a different type of hectic.. Almost an organized hectic. The world's largest city seems endless in every direction, with things only slowing down in various city parks.
8. Buenos Aires, Argentina: One of the only cities in the world that I haven't felt completely safe in. Everywhere I went, I felt like I had to be extra vigilant of my pockets & belongings. Staying in the San Telmo neighborhood, I walked & biked all over town. Even went to a Boca Juniors match (which was nuts!) in the Boca neighborhood, by far the most dangerous neighborhood in Buenos Aires.
7. Beijing, China: People & signs that I couldn't read everywhere. China seems like one of the toughest places in the world to communicate, since nobody speaks a word of English, and I couldn't speak or read a word of Mandarin. I got really good at sign language. The china-towns were crazy, with all sorts of weird, animals, insects, snakes, etc. being cooked alive on the street.
6. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Any place that you can shoot a machine gun at melons & a rocket launcher at cars, all in a big garage is bound to be hectic. The tuk-tuk dominated city is a unique place with some very cool history and architecture.
5. Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok lives up to it's billing as a crazy city. Murals, billboards, and posters of their King dominated the city, while the streets were lit up everywhere with lights. Since it was around Christmas time, I figured they were Christmas lights. I was later informed they were lights celebrating the King's birthday. I also got food poisoning here. Worst. 24 hour. Flight Home. Of my life.
4. Cairo, Egypt: Just another world. Least safe I've ever felt riding in a taxi cab. Swerved in and out of gridlock traffic. Slums everywhere surrounding the city. There is some sort of rule that says you don't have to pay taxes or something on their housing if they are unfinished. Therefore, almost every low income area of city has unfinished buildings that people live in to avoid paying these taxes. Had the privilege of getting shown around by my good Egyptian friend, Ahmed, who took me and Tobin to all his favorite places in the city. Had to pass through several police checkpoints in the city at night, as the police shut down a majority of streets at night.
3. Hanoi, Vietnam: Getting out of the taxi from the airport at my hostel, all I had to do was cross a 2-lane street. This task however, proved much easier said than done, as I stood there for about 3 minutes trying to figure out how I would get through the never-ending stream of cars, motorcycles, bikes, people, dogs, & various other animals. After watching the locals, I finally figured out I would have to just walk out in the street and bank on the fact that they were not going to run me over. Needless to say after a few days here, I am unphased walking out into traffic (which may be a bad thing).
2. Jaipur, India: From Tuk-Tuks to Motorcycles to trucks to cars to bikes to cows, India has just about everything you could imagine on their roads. Add in very unique and interesting people, sights, and smells, and you have one of the most hectic environments in the world.
1. Fez, Morocco: Let's be clear here. I absolutely hated this place. Probably my least favorite place in the world. I initially planned on spending 2 days here, but booked the first bus out after 8 hours. I disliked this place so much that I made some survival tips in case anyone has the unfortunate displeasure of visiting. See below:
Fez, Morocco Survival Tips
1. Never make eye contact with anyone for any reason. You will be harassed.
2. Never look in the general direction of any shop or item. You will be harassed.
3. Don't respond to any of the following: missuer, mister, brother, friend, hello, bonjour, where are you from?, can I help you?, I'm a tour guide, you have a hotel?, that road is closed, that hotel is closed
4. (Better yet) Completely ignore anyone saying anything at all to you. They are all trying to scam you.
5. Never ever act like you are lost. Note: you will get lost. Alot. Even if you have absolutely no idea where you are. "Tour guides" will swarm in for the kill & follow you all around the city.
6. Bring enough money to the city before arriving. ATM use is very shady here.
7. Always guard your pockets & belongings. There are hundreds of teenagers waiting to steal your stuff.
Fez, Morocco Survival Tips
1. Never make eye contact with anyone for any reason. You will be harassed.
2. Never look in the general direction of any shop or item. You will be harassed.
3. Don't respond to any of the following: missuer, mister, brother, friend, hello, bonjour, where are you from?, can I help you?, I'm a tour guide, you have a hotel?, that road is closed, that hotel is closed
4. (Better yet) Completely ignore anyone saying anything at all to you. They are all trying to scam you.
5. Never ever act like you are lost. Note: you will get lost. Alot. Even if you have absolutely no idea where you are. "Tour guides" will swarm in for the kill & follow you all around the city.
6. Bring enough money to the city before arriving. ATM use is very shady here.
7. Always guard your pockets & belongings. There are hundreds of teenagers waiting to steal your stuff.