A Holiday in Somaliland!

[NGONGE]

So after years of thought, hesitation and reluctance I have finally decided to give Somaliland a visit!

 

On April of this year, I am planning to pack my rucksack, hiking boots, water purification tablets, a mosquito net and, of course, some insect repellent and be on my way to sample Africa's best kept secret! Ah I forgot! I will also take one of the world's most known snake repellent spray and liquid.

 

 

Now, the above was the easy part and is, frankly, something that any sensible tourist would do. However, I have never been to this country and would like to know more about the ways and customs of the inhabitants. I would like to fit in straight away, you see. So, would any of you mind answering some of my questions? If you are a native of said country and may view some of my questions as idiotic, I would still request that you indulge me and answer them to the best of your ability. Ready? Here goes:

 

Are shorts acceptable and allowed in the country or will I have the police picking me up the minute I step out showing my wobbly knees?

 

I have been growing my hair and I think it is now at the right highet to genuinely pass me off as an indigenous Somali. Now, would I have to wear a hat or cumaamad at all times (considering my age and big pot belly) or is headwear not a real requirement in Somaliland?

 

What is the rule on talking to passing females?

 

When in restaurants, what is a typical tip one must give to the waiter? I do not want to give too much and appear like a useless tourist or too little and appear like a mean skinflint.

 

How about food? What foods should my western stomach avoid?

 

What about currencies? What is the best one to carry around? Should I be carrying it around to start with? Should I be hiding it in my socks?

 

What about passports? Any special thing to do?

 

What about wearing watches, rings and shiny things? Are they frowned upon?

 

If I run out of toothpaste or break my toothbrush would I be able to replace them easily? Is the cost reasonable or do I have to pay the equivalent of a family saloon?

 

How about walking around at night? Is there a curfew on that? Is it considered vulgar and not socially acceptable?

 

On the issue of bribes at the airport, what is the current going rate?

 

 

Is it obligatory to take photos of goats? Will my hosts be offended if I refuse to do so?

 

 

Err; I think that is it by now. But I still have a whole month before I really have to go and I am sure I’ll have many more questions to ask between now and then.

 

 

Ps

I hope you take this thread with the seriousness and respect it deserves.

[SayidSomal]

Are shorts acceptable and allowed in the country or will I have the police picking me up the minute I step out showing my wobbly knees?

 

I have been growing my hair and I think it is now at the right highet to genuinely pass me off as an indigenous Somali. Now, would I have to wear a hat or cumaamad at all times (considering my age and big pot belly) or is headwear not a real requirement in Somaliland?

 

What is the rule on talking to passing females?

 

When in restaurants, what is a typical tip one must give to the waiter? I do not want to give too much and appear like a useless tourist or too little and appear like a mean skinflint.

 

How about food? What foods should my western stomach avoid?

 

What about currencies? What is the best one to carry around? Should I be carrying it around to start with? Should I be hiding it in my socks?

 

What about passports? Any special thing to do?

 

What about wearing watches, rings and shiny things? Are they frowned upon?

 

If I run out of toothpaste or break my toothbrush would I be able to replace them easily? Is the cost reasonable or do I have to pay the equivalent of a family saloon?

 

How about walking around at night? Is there a curfew on that? Is it considered vulgar and not socially acceptable?

 

On the issue of bribes at the airport, what is the current going rate?

 

 

Is it obligatory to take photos of goats? Will my hosts be offended if I refuse to do so?

 

 

Err; I think that is it by now. But I still have a whole month before I really have to go and I am sure I’ll have many more questions to ask between now and then.

 

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO L kixkixkixkixk - war naga daa - are you serious.

 

My only advice to you is - War Abtirsigaaga baro - haddii kale waa lagu baadaya

[Ibtisam]

Fuuley. :rolleyes:

[Aaliyyah]

lol@ abtirsigaaga baro..ma asago 30 kor u dhaafay ayuu maanta abtirsan karin....allah ilaahay waxbuuba na tusay

 

 

Is it obligatory to take photos of goats? Will my hosts be offended if I refuse to do so?

loooooooooooooooooooooool yeah they want you to take pics of their goats...don't ofend them make sure you take at least 10 pics per family hehehhe

 

salaam

 

p.s. can't answer none of the questions since I was never back home but take it easy and go with the flow, you are making too much out of it.

[Faheema.]

Originally posted by

NGONGE:

 

Ps

I hope you take this thread with the seriousness and respect it deserves. [/QB]

First and foremost, drink Caano Geel and that will kick start your journey, Somali style Detox

[nuune]

 

Just go niyahow, su'aalaha badan maskax wareer ayey kugu ridayaan.

 

Let me add bal xoogaa, and that is my experience while I was there.

 

 

On the issie of bakhshiish at the eeriboodhka, it is not much, they will tell you(forcefully) toe exchange your dollar into somlailand shiling, higher rate than in downtown hargeisa, so ayagaa faaida kugu qabo,

 

there is another fee, 50 dollar(when I was there couple yrs back), they might stamp ur passport, so tell them not to do so, if u keep quite, they will stamp, but of the officals know that big passports need not to be stamped.

 

 

You can go outside in the nights, habeenkii oo dhan magaalada wey furantahay, be it hargeisa or Burco, I used to come home around 3am

 

 

The food is ok, you can get ur reer galbeed food everywhere.

 

But be carefull about lacagta, what to carry and wot to give out, the person you give 5 dollar would come back to u after one hour and ask for more, so is better to give them into somaliland shiling(the 5 dollar), so in that case they know u know the system iyo in aan lagu dhici karin.

 

 

There is no tips in restaurants, except the big one's, and the tip ain't big thing, half dollar would do, again do it in Shilin, you can carry 20 dollar of somaliland shilling in ur pockets, aint heavy, si fiican u qeebi

 

 

You can talk to passin females, yes ask JB, he will refer to you Gargaar Hodheel, my fav hang out.

 

 

everythin si cheap sxb, toothbrushes, ur usual sinsbury stuff would be there, and very cheap as well.

 

 

I am goin there on April too on my way to Boosaaso, and my final stop to Xamar

[SayidSomal]

lets help out the brother

 

Are shorts acceptable and allowed in the country or will I have the police picking me up the minute I step out showing my wobbly knees?

 

even t-shirts are not allowed let alone shorts - war ma gaal baa? as soon as you hear that - you are in trouble.

 

I have been growing my hair and I think it is now at the right highet to genuinely pass me off as an indigenous Somali. Now, would I have to wear a hat or cumaamad at all times (considering my age and big pot belly) or is headwear not a real requirement in Somaliland?

 

there is barbers in Egal Airport - any hair type that does not confirm to the norm is shaved - be prepared to have hair cut.

 

What is the rule on talking to passing females?

 

Never ever do that - you be asking for trouble

 

When in restaurants, what is a typical tip one must give to the waiter? I do not want to give too much and appear like a useless tourist or too little and appear like a mean skinflint.

 

the way to tip is not to ask for change back - just tell them to keep the change.

 

How about food? What foods should my western stomach avoid?

 

camel milk and any with Ghee butter

 

What about currencies? What is the best one to carry around? Should I be carrying it around to start with? Should I be hiding it in my socks?

 

war dadku tuuga ma aha - carry them in carrier bags

 

What about passports? Any special thing to do?

 

hide it.

 

What about wearing watches, rings and shiny things? Are they frowned upon?

 

yes - plastic watch will do. other wise be prepared to leave to guy who claims to be your cousin or even brother you never met and he will keep to remember you by

 

If I run out of toothpaste or break my toothbrush would I be able to replace them easily? Is the cost reasonable or do I have to pay the equivalent of a family saloon?

 

Caday - badow yahow!

 

How about walking around at night? Is there a curfew on that? Is it considered vulgar and not socially acceptable?

 

that is the only time you are allowed to talk to girls - never heard of Cawo Guurin??

 

On the issue of bribes at the airport, what is the current going rate?

 

$20 + $100 exchanged

 

 

Is it obligatory to take photos of goats? Will my hosts be offended if I refuse to do so?

 

yes!

 

good luck now !

[Aaliyyah]

NG it seems Nuune is heading there...take him with you..your own very tour guy....

 

salaam

[NGONGE]

Originally posted by +FahIIma:

quote:Originally posted by

NGONGE:

 

Ps

I hope you take this thread with the seriousness and respect it deserves.

First and foremost, drink Caano Geel and that will kick start your journey, Somali style Detox

[/QB]

Aha! You remind me of one of the most important questions. TOILETS! Will I have to do an impression of a female gymnast or do they have civilised toilets there (and the more acceptable chicken-laying-an-egg-position)?

 

This is very important. Think carefuly before you reply. My whole trip depends on that one fact alone. If I don't like the toilet, I am NOT going.

 

ps

Syid,

It's a long journey from London to Somaliland. Ab tirsiga dhariiqan ku baran doona.

[Ms DD]

Dont hug women.

 

Correct your Somali. Yaa laguu maleyn dhaqan celis. 'Dhariiqan' wont do

 

Protocolka sida loo hadlo baro

[MZanzi]

Nin bidaarleh oo aan afsomali kuhadli karin,...laakin dhib maleh dhagool iska dhig jb haku turjume

[SayidSomal]

LOL@ms DD's don't hug women and protoclka baro

 

ninka waxaa ka dhigtay - mariinaan!!

 

althought i remember - when i first when back to somalia - as i came off the car - i saw my mum and i ran to her and hugged and kissed her.

 

there were these people outside this shop looking at us - and i distinctly remember one person say to all of them: 'Oo maxaa la yaaban tihin - waa wiil aan hooyadiis arkiin dhowr sano'

[nuune]

Protocolka sida loo hadlo baro

Innaa Lillaahi, Ms DD, ka qallee hee, am sure inuu Ngonge beezaani iska dhigi karo, he has to be and sound cayaalka xaafada

[Faarax-Brawn]

The only way to find out that you fit in right away,is When you hear the words: Biciidkani geesahi ma ka dheceen?

 

Although i am not from Somaliland,i have 4friends who go to Hargisa every year. Weey kala qeybiyeen dadku(as he said). There is of course the Dhaqan Celis(You), Dhaqan Dhoofay(Those kids who never left somaliland but dress up and act like dhaqan celis) and Dhaqan Jooga(JB and his ilk). Regardless of how hard you try to fit in,You will "STAND OUT",so dont try too hard.

 

Oh & he said,the women will hassle you.

[Ms DD]

I was wearing jilbab and cabaayad, and they still thought i was a dhaqan celis..Not Somaliland but Boosaaso. Imagine sida loo jarjari doono aw heelowgaan!