Cyprus-Forum.com

[tony_makaroni]

Over the many years I have been to many countries, driven only in Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, as it then was, France, Austria, Belgium and a few others. I would not dare drive in India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, countries that I visited or indeed Saudi Arabia.

I only went to Moscow once and was rather impressed by the disciplined driving by Muscovites. Last Monday I returned to the UK having spent 3 days in Kiev, again the driving is very disciplined but none so more than Belarus, a country that I have visited at least 40 times over the last 6 years, the driving is superb, I have yet to witness an accident and rarely one hears the sound of a horn.

Now Cyprus is a country that I do do a lot of driving and I must admit that over the years I kind of got used to the atrocious driving and have my eyes and ears wide open each time I sit behind the wheel.

Like Johnny Cash sang - "I`ve been everywhere, man"
In Moscow - yes, it is disciplined, bot not in smaller cities though that is really not monstrous. Just a lot of stupid people with cars.
In Belarus I think there are as much policemen as civilians (or close to that ). So it is hard to violate driving rules in there
I`ve been in Italy, in Napoli, and people there told me that in fact there is no driving rules at all

[Paphitis]

Over the many years I have been to many countries, driven only in Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, as it then was, France, Austria, Belgium and a few others. I would not dare drive in India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, countries that I visited or indeed Saudi Arabia.

I only went to Moscow once and was rather impressed by the disciplined driving by Muscovites. Last Monday I returned to the UK having spent 3 days in Kiev, again the driving is very disciplined but none so more than Belarus, a country that I have visited at least 40 times over the last 6 years, the driving is superb, I have yet to witness an accident and rarely one hears the sound of a horn.

Now Cyprus is a country that I do do a lot of driving and I must admit that over the years I kind of got used to the atrocious driving and have my eyes and ears wide open each time I sit behind the wheel.

Belarus mythbuster: what is it like to live in 'Europe's last dictatorship'?

Most Belarusians do not have access to independent media and as a result public opinion in the country is determined by the state-run media, which is mainly pro-Russian and anti-Western.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/ ... ctatorship

Basically, a slave country that needs a master.

[Paphitis]

Over the many years I have been to many countries, driven only in Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, as it then was, France, Austria, Belgium and a few others. I would not dare drive in India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, countries that I visited or indeed Saudi Arabia.

I only went to Moscow once and was rather impressed by the disciplined driving by Muscovites. Last Monday I returned to the UK having spent 3 days in Kiev, again the driving is very disciplined but none so more than Belarus, a country that I have visited at least 40 times over the last 6 years, the driving is superb, I have yet to witness an accident and rarely one hears the sound of a horn.

Now Cyprus is a country that I do do a lot of driving and I must admit that over the years I kind of got used to the atrocious driving and have my eyes and ears wide open each time I sit behind the wheel.

Like Johnny Cash sang - "I`ve been everywhere, man"
In Moscow - yes, it is disciplined, bot not in smaller cities though that is really not monstrous. Just a lot of stupid people with cars.
In Belarus I think there are as much policemen as civilians (or close to that ). So it is hard to violate driving rules in there
I`ve been in Italy, in Napoli, and people there told me that in fact there is no driving rules at all

The quality of driving in Belarus is erratic. A-class highways are in reasonable condition. The condition of B-class roads varies considerably and some are impassable for periods in winter. Road works and potholes are usually poorly marked. Pony and trap combinations are a specific hazard for drivers in rural unlit areas.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advic ... d-security

Belarus is governed by a strong Presidential system with security forces loyal to it. The authorities show little tolerance for their opposition counterparts. The security forces have used force to disperse or intimidate opposition events. Be vigilant and avoid any demonstrations or rallies.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advic ... d-security

[miltiades]

Many myths surround Eastern Europe and predominantly ex Soviet Union nations.

Prior to my very first visit to Belarus in September 2010 I was consumed with many falsehoods not least on personal safety, unfriendly locals and much more. Over the course of 6 years and multiple visits I have reached my very own conclusions and have dispelled most of what I had read about Belarus. Personal experience is by far the best method of assessing a nation and its people. Yes, there is a Dictator in charge, Yes the people are not happy with the system, but everyone I spoke to had nothing bad to say about the West, especially Cyprus that is greatly liked.

In all my visits to Belarus I have never encountered any animosity towards my self and have never failed to attract a smile, neither have I ever feared in any way about my safety.

Many who comment on Belarus have never set foot in the country or interacted with the locals. I do this on every visit and being an outspoken type of a ....young guy, and it goes without saying, very charming and debonair I have made numerous friends.

[Paphitis]

Many myths surround Eastern Europe and predominantly ex Soviet Union nations.

Prior to my very first visit to Belarus in September 2010 I was consumed with many falsehoods not least on personal safety, unfriendly locals and much more. Over the course of 6 years and multiple visits I have reached my very own conclusions and have dispelled most of what I had read about Belarus. Personal experience is by far the best method of assessing a nation and its people. Yes, there is a Dictator in charge, Yes the people are not happy with the system, but everyone I spoke to had nothing bad to say about the West, especially Cyprus that is greatly liked.

In all my visits to Belarus I have never encountered any animosity towards my self and have never failed to attract a smile, neither have I ever feared in any way about my safety.

Many who comment on Belarus have never set foot in the country or interacted with the locals. I do this on every visit and being an outspoken type of a ....young guy, and it goes without saying, very charming and debonair I have made numerous friends.

Myths from the Guardian and UK Foreign office trying to warn its citizens? Surely not!

The rest is because you're a sheep Milti. Always pointing with the wind like a wind sock!

Did you know, belarus received for many years major subsidies from Pootin?

Most Belorussians are on the Russian teet Milti, a bit like the TCs and Turkey. Everyone is brain-washed and hardly no one has access to free press unless you have access to a computer and the internet.

sure they may be ok people. but they are also a Slave people milti.

[miltiades]

Many myths surround Eastern Europe and predominantly ex Soviet Union nations.

Prior to my very first visit to Belarus in September 2010 I was consumed with many falsehoods not least on personal safety, unfriendly locals and much more. Over the course of 6 years and multiple visits I have reached my very own conclusions and have dispelled most of what I had read about Belarus. Personal experience is by far the best method of assessing a nation and its people. Yes, there is a Dictator in charge, Yes the people are not happy with the system, but everyone I spoke to had nothing bad to say about the West, especially Cyprus that is greatly liked.

In all my visits to Belarus I have never encountered any animosity towards my self and have never failed to attract a smile, neither have I ever feared in any way about my safety.

Many who comment on Belarus have never set foot in the country or interacted with the locals. I do this on every visit and being an outspoken type of a ....young guy, and it goes without saying, very charming and debonair I have made numerous friends.

Myths from the Guardian and UK Foreign office trying to warn its citizens? Surely not!

YES ABSOLUTELY. As I said I base my knowledge gained over many years and many visits.
You haven't been to either Russia or Belarus, you draw your conclusions from news outlets and a very biased foreign office. I base mine on my personal experiences.
It reminds me when I first arrived in the UK age 15, in 1961, I was flabbergasted to say the least on the views held by most Brits that the Cypriots were terrorists, knife throwers and cold blooded killers. This about a nation that had never in its long history waged war against any other nation, a nation that is perhaps one of the safest nations on earth. My late father in law, in 1963, on being informed that I was a Cypriot ordered me out of his house telling me that he does not want a bloody terrorist in his house!!

Mate, Im talking from personal experience, not quoting from the media, the same media that told us Sadam had WOMD, and that Assad must ....go !!

By the way, Belarus women are bloody gorgeous, they are so ....appetising even to a young 70 year old

[Paphitis]

Many myths surround Eastern Europe and predominantly ex Soviet Union nations.

Prior to my very first visit to Belarus in September 2010 I was consumed with many falsehoods not least on personal safety, unfriendly locals and much more. Over the course of 6 years and multiple visits I have reached my very own conclusions and have dispelled most of what I had read about Belarus. Personal experience is by far the best method of assessing a nation and its people. Yes, there is a Dictator in charge, Yes the people are not happy with the system, but everyone I spoke to had nothing bad to say about the West, especially Cyprus that is greatly liked.

In all my visits to Belarus I have never encountered any animosity towards my self and have never failed to attract a smile, neither have I ever feared in any way about my safety.

Many who comment on Belarus have never set foot in the country or interacted with the locals. I do this on every visit and being an outspoken type of a ....young guy, and it goes without saying, very charming and debonair I have made numerous friends.

Myths from the Guardian and UK Foreign office trying to warn its citizens? Surely not!

YES ABSOLUTELY. As I said I base my knowledge gained over many years and many visits.
You haven't been to either Russia or Belarus, you draw your conclusions from news outlets and a very biased foreign office. I base mine on my personal experiences.
It reminds me when I first arrived in the UK age 15, in 1961, I was flabbergasted to say the least on the views held by most Brits that the Cypriots were terrorists, knife throwers and cold blooded killers. This about a nation that had never in its long history waged war against any other nation, a nation that is perhaps one of the safest nations on earth. My late father in law, in 1963, on being informed that I was a Cypriot ordered me out of his house telling me that he does not want a bloody terrorist in his house!!

Mate, Im talking from personal experience, not quoting from the media, the same media that told us Sadam had WOMD, and that Assad must ....go !!

By the way, Belarus women are bloody gorgeous, they are so ....appetising even to a young 70 year old

[tony_makaroni]

Wow...when this discussion had become politically oriented? Here in Russia we have a joke that every discussion in the Internet sooner or later will be about Ukraine or Hitler .
About Belarusians, we even have an expression: "Belarus friend - best friend" cuz they all are very nice people, and that looks like very true for me. And women - ya, hot as hell
Yea, that "media carpet bombing" really works great

[supporttheunderdog]

Welcome Tony, welcome to the mad world of Cyprus Forum, where it is not so much political views but personsal animosity.......I to had many misconceptions about Russia, that is until I met a lovely Rusdian lady who is now my wife. My late father in law introduced me to the proper way to drink Vodka where each good brand does have a distinct flavour..yes the driving here has Not so much laws but suggestions, where eg stopping at the red traffic light is optional and in consequence Green means proceed with caution and where even crossing the street at a lights controlled crossing you still take your life in your hands, and as for indicators and mirrors, in Cyprus they are optional extras.

Enjoy life here...it can be very good.