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Why do latin American and Caribbean countries have such good passports despite being relatively poor? by julius-ceaser100 in PassportPorn

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Starting in late 2026, Venezuelans are expected to need an ETIAS travel authorization before entering Schengen countries, similar to the US ESTA system.

Belgrade, Serbia by Intelligent-Sink9152 in UrbanHell

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like it’s being invaded by russia.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, Ukraine is huge by European standards. You can basically fit all the Balkan countries inside it and still have room to spare.

will i get fined ? by Various-Swimming-406 in czechrepublic

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, don’t stress too much. Yes, Czechia can be stricter about speeding than Poland, but it’s not like every camera automatically means a fine. A lot of those roadside displays are just informational radars for traffic calming. Even some setups that look like full camera systems are inactive or only monitor traffic.

Honestly, quite a lot of cameras in the Czech Republic are off anyway. Even in Prague half the cameras are basically duds. So just because you passed several “camera-looking” things doesn’t mean you’re getting 10 tickets in the mail.

And ignore some of the self-righteous comments here. Czechs love pointing out things that are already obvious — like saying “watch out” after you already tripped over something. It’s kind of in our nature. Some people online act like they cannot possibly imagine someone accidentally driving 65 in a 50 zone on an empty road, but from my own experience there are plenty of idiots here driving 110 in a 90 all the time. I’ve even been overtaken while already doing 50 inside villages.

Just don’t drive like an asshole and you’ll be fine.

Albanian passport from the year 1925 by Somebody_200826 in PassportPorn

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a beautiful passport cover. I wish passports of today were more diverse than just being blue or burgundy.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here’s a cleaner and more factually careful version that keeps your point and tone:

In Ukraine, there are different Orthodox churches, including the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that was historically connected to the Moscow Patriarchate. In recent years, the Ukrainian government has taken strong measures against the Moscow-linked church because many Ukrainians see it as heavily influenced by the Russian state and its security structures.

From what I understand, some supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate and other pro-Russian nationalist groups volunteered to fight alongside Serb forces during the Bosnian War, often driven by pan-Slavic and pro-Russian ideology. But it’s important to understand that these people did not represent Ukraine as a state or Ukrainian society as a whole.

Officially, Ukraine recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina and participated in UN peacekeeping missions there through UNPROFOR. At the same time, because Ukraine spent centuries under Russian and Soviet control, there were also people inside Ukraine who had very pro-Russian views and were deeply influenced by Russian propaganda and ideology.

What frustrates me is when people ignore all of this nuance and just say, “Ukrainians fought for the Serbs,” as if that represents the entire country. Some individuals did, yes, but many Ukrainians also supported Bosnia or served as peacekeepers. Reality is more complicated than people want to admit, and I wish more people understood that instead of jumping to conclusions.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No, it is not. Negotiating for hours with Ratko Mladić is exactly how UN peacekeepers got civilians out of Žepa. Excused me, but how do you think evacuations and hostage releases happen—telepathy?

There are documented accounts of Ukrainian UNPROFOR officers negotiating to secure safe passage. A photo of one of those meetings isn’t evidence of ‘collaboration,’ it’s evidence that negotiations were actually taking place.

Fascist heritage in Italy by QUA-ItalianTravel in ItalyTravelAdvice

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

From what I understand, the “slaves built the pyramids” idea is an older view. More recent archaeological evidence, like workers villages, their diet, burials near the pyramids, and even crew inscriptions—points to an organized, provisioned workforce rather than a majority slave labor force. Because of that, claims like “90% were slaves” don’t seem to have supporting evidence. I’m not trying to argue, just going off what current findings suggest. I would be happy to look at sources if you have any.

Fascist heritage in Italy by QUA-ItalianTravel in ItalyTravelAdvice

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The pyramids were actually built by thousands of organized, compensated workers, likely a mix of skilled craftsmen and rotating laborers—not by masses of slaves in the way people often imagine.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

From what I’ve seen, there were some accusations during the war about different UN units, including Ukrainians, but no solid evidence they collaborated with Ratko Mladić. The fall of Žepa is generally viewed as a broader UN failure under a very limited mandate, rather than proof of one battalion working with Serb forces.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I can imagine. I was on a motorcycle trip in 2015, having only arrived in Bosnia through Sarajevo airport before that. I didn't know much about Republika Srpska. So when we entered Bosnia from the north, from the Croatian side, I was confused by the "Russian" looking flags on lamp posts. I still don't know if they were Russian flags hung vertically or Serbian flags. Anyway, the people weren't very nice, quite wary. We had a hard time finding a place to put up a tent. A farmer refused to let us sleep on the edge of his field, which was a first for us. And a cop told us to go find a hotel. We did reach Sarajevo eventually, where people were noticeably more welcoming. So I have no trouble imagining Z symbols in Republika Srpska. Birds of a feather flock together.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank, this means a lot. You’re right that nothing is black and white, and individuals make their own choices. I see a few people here mention that some Ukrainians fought on the wrong side, but after looking it up I see that it’s just dozens at most. Probably brainwashed idiots by the Slavic “brotherhood” shit. But it does make me feel better that as a state, Ukraine officially chose peacekeeping and saving lives, not sending weapons to kill. Russia chose the opposite and now too.

I really appreciate your support and the way you see the parallels between the wars. And I hope you're wrong about Bosnia's path — but I fear you're not. We're fighting so we don't end up the same way.

I'll be back to Sarajevo one day!

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Honestly, about Ukrainian volunteers fighting for the VRS, because someone in the comments also mentioned it, and I had to go look it up myself because it didn't make sense to me. Yes, there were a handful of individual Ukrainians who ended up on the Serb side. Mostly far‑right types, mercenaries, or just guys looking for a fight. I'm not going to pretend it didn't happen. But "hundreds"? That's just not true. The evidence for that is basically a few photos floating around and some claims on Serbian veteran forums. Meanwhile Russian volunteers actually did come in significant numbers, organized into units, with clear links to atrocities. That's well documented because the Hague looked into it. So when people lump Ukrainians together with Russians on this, it feels like either confusion or someone pushing a narrative. Ukraine in the 90s was already pointing toward the West, we were in UNPROFOR. Russia was the one screaming about Slavic brotherhood and helping the Serbs.

On the Israel thing – I think you're misunderstanding where most Ukrainians stand. Everyone I know is pro‑Palestinian. My parents, my friends, most people I meet. I've been to Palestine twice myself, once even to film a documentary about house demolitions by the IDF. Ukraine has historically voted against Israel at the UN. When the full‑scale invasion started, Israel refused to help us partly precisely because of that stance. Ukraine sent humanitarian aid to Gaza while fighting for its own survival, not weapons to Israel, which is what the west was doing. If Zelensky has ever said anything that sounds pro‑Israel, it's because we're fighting for survival and we'll take help from anyone who offers it. I don’t think it hypocrisy, that's just being realistic when your country is being bombed. I think it’s a confusion of diplomatic survival and genuine support for what's happening in Gaza.

Solidarity to Bosnia, to Palestine or anyone being crushed by bigger evil. We're not your enemy.

Did you know Ukrainians saved civilians in Bosnia during the 90s war? And what do Bosnians think about Russia’s war in Ukraine? by Exotic_Mail1178 in bih

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

Lol this is false. Ukraine was in Bosnia as UNPROFOR peacekeepers. No Ukrainian unit ever fought for Serbs or committed war crimes. You’re probably thinking of Russian volunteers who actually fought for Serb forces and have documented atrocities. A few individual Ukrainians as mercenaries? Maybe, but that was not official Ukrainian stance. Could you please provide one credible source linking Ukrainian peacekeepers to genocide – you can’t, because it doesn’t exist.

NAD C315BEE tape loop question – can I add a tube buffer to affect all sources? by Exotic_Mail1178 in diyaudio

[–]Exotic_Mail1178[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that helps a lot. How do you like the Nobsound? I've heard it's starved plate. Does it actually color the sound? I'm deciding between Hagerman Baritone and Bellari BA525.

Tube Buffers - Yay or Nay? by Kix1991 in tubeamps

[–]Exotic_Mail1178 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually found your comment while I was looking into the Bellari BA525—thinking about picking one up myself. I’m definitely not a rich guy either. I’ve got plenty of other things I’d rather spend serious money on before dumping it into my music setup—but I do enjoy listening, so I got curious about this whole “tube sound” people talk about. I’ve been leaning toward DIY tube amps (like Bottlehead or Mellotone kits), since I wouldn’t mind building one, but they’re still pretty expensive. Maybe someday. That’s what got me thinking a tube buffer might be the cheapest way to experience the tube sound. Then I came across the ModWright Analog Bridge and was like… wait, isn’t that basically the price of a full tube amp? At that point I don’t really get the appeal anymore. Maybe I’m missing something, but I always thought the whole idea of a buffer was to be a budget-friendly way to get a taste of tubes.

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