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Economist
3 hours ago
- Economist
How much would you pay to nab a table at a swanky restaurant?
'SEX AND THE CITY', a hit tv show, is full of tips about love and living in New York. Alas, many of them are not fit for print, but one recommendation is to always have a tampon handy. In an early episode from 1998 Carrie and Samantha are desperate to dine at Manhattan's hottest French bistro. With no reservation, and faced with a recalcitrant hostess, the women give up. But when that same hostess finds herself caught short in the toilets, she bashfully asks Carrie for some sanitary supplies. Soon Carrie and Samantha are seated, martinis in hand. 'From that moment on we never had a problem getting a table at Balzac again,' Carrie says.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
We swapped cocktails in Ibiza for summer holiday in Afghanistan… why it's become unlikely tourist hotspot for Brit women
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STROLLING along a pristine street adorned with shrines glittering in the sunshine and cafes offering tasty local delicacies, Carrie Patsalis snaps a photo for her holiday album. But this isn't a city break in the Mediterranean - this is Kabul, the largest city in Afghanistan, ruled with an iron fist by the Taliban. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 21 Carrie Patsalis swapped cocktails in Ibiza for a holiday to Afghanistan Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Unlike local women who aren't allowed out of their homes, Carrie was able to soak up the culture and enjoy local delicacies Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Carrie visited cultural monuments and shrines during her trip to the country, which is under strict Taliban rule Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Despite its oppressive regime and appalling human rights record - and an advisory against all travel to the country from the UK government - Carrie is one of a growing number of British women who have swapped cocktails in Ibiza for a holiday in one of the world's top terror hotspots. Only 691 tourists are believed to have visited the country in 2021, but this rose to an estimated 5,200 in 2023 as the government is trying to encourage more tourism. Earlier this month the Taliban launched a warped campaign to lure more visitors, complete with a bizarre video showing spoof hostages and gunmen in the back of pick-up trucks and frolicking in lakes amid stunning mountain scenery. Ever since Afghanistan - which doesn't have a British embassy - was seized by Taliban authorities in 2021, its citizens have experienced worsening human rights. In August last year women's voices were banned from being heard outside of the house and they are not allowed to visit public parks, gyms or use transport without a male chaperone. Authorities dictate how they dress, and Afghan women do not have access to education beyond primary school level. Anyone who is critical of the Taliban regime faces being tortured. However, it is slowly becoming an unlikely destination for brave travellers looking for a true culture shock. Home-stays are not allowed and tourists can only stay in hotels verified by the Taliban. Carrie, a media producer from Wanstead, London, travelled by herself to Afghanistan for 10 days, accompanied by a male tour guide. Taliban launches warped Afghan TOURISM campaign with vid of brutes posing beside 'hostage' in ISIS-style mock execution Just six days after she left, a terrorist attack saw three Spanish tourists killed in the Bamiyan province, the largest in the Central region. A tour guide Carrie met during a trip to neighbouring Pakistan encouraged her to visit Afghanistan, insisting it would 'blow her mind'. But it took two years before she even considered it as she didn't want to support the controversial Taliban regime. She eventually decided she wanted to see for herself what local life was like for Afghan people. After extensive research she found a local guide she felt comfortable with who helped her book the trip and answered questions over FaceTime. Carrie told The Sun: "He said, 'You've got to come, it'll blow your mind, it's not what you think.' 'I was like, 'No way, absolutely not.' I felt like if I went I was supporting something I don't agree with. The first thing that struck me was how super clean the streets were. Everything was very quiet and calm. You'd imagine it would be carnage and it wasn't Carrie Patsalis 'It took me a lot of time and consideration, and then I just thought, 'Maybe if I go, I can see how local life is and we can talk about it on social media.' "It was a risk but I felt I'd done enough research." Carrie only told her husband and 16-year-old twin sons about the trip to avoid scaring the rest of her family. It cost her just over £1,100 for a return flight to Afghanistan, and she stopped off for two days in Dubai to collect her visa which cost around £220. Landing at Kabul International Airport on May 2 last year, she was surprised to be greeted by 'massive smiles'. She recalled: "I was nervous flying in as there is no British embassy. Hospitals are not well-equipped at all. I took my own medical supplies in and I went in very, very steady. "The first thing that struck me was how super clean the streets were. Everything was very quiet and calm. You'd imagine it would be carnage and it wasn't. "Afghan people are very kind, sweet and shy. You notice immediately there are no women on the streets." Unpleasant encounter 21 Carrie visited 'White Flag Hill', home to a large white flag raised by the Taliban that features the Islamic declaration of faith in black writing Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Carrie was shocked when a local man asked her for a picture, only to be escorted away by Taliban guards Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media During her stay in Kabul, the capital, she visited stunning shrines, reflected on the impact of War at Babur Garden and tasted local delicacies. One day she visited 'White Flag Hill', home to a large white flag raised by the Taliban that features the Islamic declaration of faith in black writing. Feeling out of place as the only woman up the hill, she was shocked to witness a local man be punished simply for asking to take a photo with her. Carrie said: "I noticed that the men up there were intrigued [by me] but also backing away from me. "One young guy came up to me and was like, 'It's amazing to see you here' and we had a chat. Taliban guards were floating like sharks. 'He said to me, 'Can I take a photo with you?' "The Taliban guard came and pushed him in the back of the head and took him off. I assume he got his photo deleted and we have to hope that nothing more happened. 'It's a real shame because for me in my world, everything he did was normal. White Flag Hill was not pleasant." Days later she took a one-hour flight to Kandahar, a city seized by Taliban control in August 2021. I noticed that the men up there were intrigued [by me] but also backing away from me Carrie Patsalis With Taliban checkpoints and patrols, Carrie was 'nervous' about stepping foot in a place with such strict government control. 'It just felt a lot more serious there,' she said. Sniffer dogs and armed Taliban guards lined the airport and Carrie was struck by the heightened security checks for tourists, which saw her bag checked five times. She feared one of her camera sticks could be mistaken for a weapon, but it wasn't that which generated panic. Carrie said: "I remembered the very last thing I'd shoved in my bag was a purple Victoria's Secret bra. "One of the guys managed to pull the bra out by its strap so it dangled lengthways in the air for quite some time. "The remaining four men looked horrified and clearly didn't know what to do with themselves. "The main guy had seemingly frozen and suddenly he dropped the bra as if it was a grenade." The incident ended up cutting short what could have been a gruelling search process - as guards accepted Carrie's offer to help repack the offending garment and the rest of her bag. Trailed by Taliban guards 21 In Kandahar, Carrie's tour guide drove her through the lively city for a day of visiting the beautiful mosques and historic landmarks Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Carrie was trailed the whole day by a man on a motorbike, seemingly a Taliban guard keeping an eye on her Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Carrie captured the man on the bike on her camera Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Local Afghan women are denied an education past primary school age Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media In Kandahar, Carrie's tour guide drove her through the lively city for a day of visiting the beautiful mosques and historic landmarks such as the Friday Mosque, known for housing the cloak of the Prophet Muhammad. During the six-hour trip, the tour guide parked up the car to allow Carrie to admire the historical shrines. Carrie was trailed the whole time by a guy on a motorbike, who she figured was a Taliban member linked to the tourism office, ordered to keep an eye on her. Carrie said: "He was always at a bit of a distance but he was always there. Every time we went to a shrine he was there about 10 or 20 feet away. "If I turned my head he'd turn and pretend to be looking at the mosque. He obviously assumed I was oblivious. The guard was always at a bit of a distance but he was always there. Every time we went to a shrine he was there about 10 or 20 feet away Carrie Patsalis 'When we went for lunch he parked down the side of the restaurant and sure enough drove out when we drove off. "He followed us for the rest of the day and then went off." Carrie realised she was an 'unusual' site in Afghanistan given the lack of tourists and freedom for women. "Obviously they're wary of me,' she said. 'They've been bombed for years so they're not going to just let anyone in. "If you go in knowing and understanding why they might be frightened of you then you will understand why they are following you. "I'd rather the Taliban know where I am because they can see I'm not doing anything dodgy. "It's really easy to wrap up an entire nation with a regime but actually most of the people, even if they work for the Taliban, they work for the Taliban to put food on the table. "It doesn't necessarily mean they support the oppression of women." Foreign privilege 21 Throughout her travels Carrie couldn't forget her 'foreign privilege' as unlike local women, she could visit public places Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Carrie said her trip to Afghanistan was incredibly rewarding and she wants to go back Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Carrie recommends anyone interested in travelling to Afghanistan does their research beforehand Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Throughout her travels Carrie couldn't forget her 'foreign privilege' as unlike local women, she could visit public places, which she admitted 'didn't sit right'. While she encourages others to experience the country's 'beautiful culture', she urges people to be 'completely aware of the risks' before travelling there. Carrie said: "My trip to Afghanistan was incredibly rewarding and I do want to go back. 'What I wouldn't do is say, 'Sure, go and book your flight now.' 'It is a regime that is not recognised politically by many governments around the world. If you go you must be completely aware of the risks and it must be a risk you are willing to take. "But when we only talk about the Taliban and women we lose the opportunity to celebrate what is a beautiful culture." 'No more dangerous than UK night out' 21 Zoe Stephens has visited Afghanistan three times between August last year and June 2025 Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Zoe travels with a group of up to eight women and with local female tour guides to get a glimpse into the daily lives of women and girls living there Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Zoe sticks to following cultural norms to avoid unwanted attention Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Zoe Stephens, 31, who works for Koryo Tours and lives in Crosby, Liverpool, has visited Afghanistan three times between August 2024 and June 2025. She travels with a group of up to eight women and with local female tour guides to get a glimpse into the daily lives of women and girls living there. It took a year of researching and planning, which included a research trip in August 2024, before she was able to safely take her first tour group there. Zoe said: "Everything is a risk in life. For me, the risk of going to Afghanistan is no more dangerous than walking the streets of a bustling city centre on a dark night. "People always think they know better. They always warn you against going to these places. "I'm confident in myself to go to these places because of my ability to handle any tricky situation, and if I didn't then I wouldn't go. Everything is a risk in life. For me, the risk of going to Afghanistan is no more dangerous than walking the streets of a bustling city centre on a dark night Zoe Stephens 'I had chatted to other travellers who'd been there and done my research. I wanted to see what it's really like." Zoe doesn't let any of her group walk around alone and sticks to cultural norms to avoid unwanted attention. Recounting her first-hand experiences with the 'morality police' - a law enforcement body which implements strict interpretation of Islamic morality - she said: 'They're the ones you have to watch out for. "It's not allowed for women to go into public parks. There are a couple of instances where they very politely enforce these laws. 'If you're a woman and you're there then they may come up to you and politely ask you to leave. "It's a very brief insight into the daily life of what the women there have to deal with. "The biggest rule is how you're dressed. I always go on respecting and trying to blend in rather than sticking out and challenging any cultural norms. 'That would be to wear clothing down to your wrists and ankles and having your hair covered at all times. "The main thing is modesty, not just in clothing but in behaviour as well. I wouldn't recommend going around singing and dancing." Pro-tourism 21 Zoe saw first-hand how the Taliban are trying to encourage more tourism Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Zoe says visitors must be wary of the 'morality police' Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Zoe said the Afghan women she came into contact with were ' so similar to us' Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Zoe and her group took part in traditional embroidery and cooking classes with local women and visited a women's retreat centre. She said it allowed her to see a different side to the lives of Afghan women. "When all we see in the media is Afghan women as shapes behind cloth, that's all we see them as,' she said. 'The Afghan women that I know and have seen and danced with, gossiped with and laughed with, are women who have great ambition and are so similar to us. "But the reality for some people is they're not allowed to leave their house. It's about seeing these different dimensions." The traveller says she saw first-hand how the Taliban are trying to encourage more tourism. The Afghan women that I know and have seen and danced with, gossiped with and laughed with, are women who have great ambition and are so similar to us. But the reality for some people is they're not allowed to leave their house Zoe Stephens During her stay in Kandahar, a government minister decided to film her group as part of a 'propaganda video' by the Taliban for its X account. But she wasn't allowed to be part of it because she is a woman. Zoe said: "At the moment, for a traveller, the authorities are on your side. It's in your favour to cooperate with them. It was a surprise during my first visit. "When you speak to them you realise there are varying levels and not everyone subscribes to certain ideologies. "The minister wanted to get us on camera and make films, literal propaganda videos. They're very pro-tourism.' Zoe would recommend Afghanistan as a travel destination to Brits to better understand the culture and people - but she advises caution. 'Afghanistan has quickly become one of my favourite countries. You need to experience it to believe it,' she said. "The amount of things the Afghans have been through compared to their warmth, resilience and friendliness, they're just incredible people. "Do your research beforehand, and if you're not willing to follow the cultural norms and be respectful, then don't go.' 21 Zoe and her group took part in traditional embroidery and cooking classes with local women Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 21 Zoe says Afghanistan is one of her favourite countries to visit Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Controversial I'm A Celeb star signs up for Bake Off eighteen months after jungle feud
Fans are already wondering if the oven gloves will come off again WHIPPING UP DRAMA Controversial I'm A Celeb star signs up for Bake Off eighteen months after jungle feud Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CONTROVERSIAL I'm A Celeb star is swapping creepy crawlies for cake tins - signing up for Bake Off just 18 months after a fiery jungle feud. The reality TV troublemaker is set to roll up their sleeves and step into the famous tent for the celebrity edition. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 A huge YouTube star is swapping creepy crawlies for cake tins Credit: Channel 4 5 Nella Rose is joining the next series of Celebrity Bake Off Credit: Instagram/@nellarosee Nella Rose caused chaos in the I'm A Celeb jungle back in 2023 with her headline-grabbing clashes and tearful exit. Now the YouTube sensation is hoping to whip up something sweeter as she trades drama for dessert on The Great Celebrity Bake Off. The Celebrity version of the Channel 4 reality show raises cash for Stand Up 2 Cancer. Viewers are already bracing themselves for kitchen meltdowns. A source said: "Nella's a Channel 4 favourite and has done loads of digital channel. She is a big personality with a huge younger following and bosses are keen to tap into that. "She proved she could be box office when she was on I'm A Celeb, but Bake Off chiefs think she'll be able to show a different side to her personality in the tent and will be a lot of fun." OTHER CONTESTANTS Sugababes star Mutya Buena is ready to Push The Button on a Kitchen Aid mixer after signing up. Singers Rag'n'Bone Man and JoJo Siwa are also signing up to take part. Strictly contestant Vicky Pattison has also joined the line-up, along with Molly-Mae Hague, Mark Wright, Edith Bowman, Jon Richardson and One Day actress Ambika Mod. I'm A Celeb star looks completely different as she shows off incredible weight loss and denies using fat jabs NELLA'S I'M A CELEB JOURNEY Nella caused a stir in the jungle during her time on I'm A Celeb in 2023. Viewers were left divided as the YouTube star didn't hold back, delivering fiery one-liners and emotional outbursts that made her one of the most talked-about contestants of the season. She famously clashed with her campmates, including Fred Sirieix, just days into the series. Fred made a remark which seemingly offended Nella about his age, in which he told the social media star: 'I am old enough to be your dad." Fred quickly apologised and Nella accepted, with a condition. Nella told Fred in the show: "I accept your apology, but let's not be friends." She later told hosts Ant and Dec she didn't think Fred considered the emotional weight of his remark. Despite the drama, she built a strong fanbase and proved she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. NELLA'S NEW GIG Nella landed a gig as the co-host of the Channel 4.0 show Boss Pitches. She co-hosted a six-part series with fellow internet personality, GK Barry, 24. The new series includes celeb guests who will be lending their time, experience and credentials to the budding entrepreneurs who are seeking their assistance in starting up their new businesses. Celebrity guests include businesswoman and YouTuber Patricia Bright, 37, Konan, 34, from UK rap duo Krept and Konan, and podcasters James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu of Shxts N Gigs. Hannah Wesson, executive producer at BBC Studios Entertainment, said: "Nella Rose and GK Barry are the perfect duo to 'boss it' in the boardroom and we can't wait for viewers to watch the show." 5 Nella Rose's dramatic stint on I'm A Celebrity was packed with emotional moments Credit: Rex 5 She clashed with campmates, including Fred Sirieix Credit: Rex
