Belgium Cheap Holiday
Europe and Central Asia
AlbaniaI. Summary Drug trafficking is a significant problem in Albania, which is a major transit country for heroin from Afghanistan and Turkey destined for markets throughout Europe. Organized crime groups use Albania as a transit point for drug and other types of smuggling due to the country’s strategic location, weak police and judicial systems, and porous borders. The most common illegal drugs are heroin, marijuana, and to a lesser extent, cocaine. Heroin is typically transported through the "Balkans Route" of Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania, and on to Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. Cocaine is smuggled from South America, via the United States, Italy, Spain, Greece or the Netherlands, and ... [Read More]
Latvia (05/05)
Latvia's flag consists of two horizontal, maroon bands of equal width, divided by a white stripe one-half the width. The national holiday is November 18, Independence Day. ... Foreign investment in Latvia remains high, as both Western and Eastern investors are trying to establish a foothold in the new EU member state, as well as to take advantage of Latvia's stable macroeconomic environment, central location in the region, and cheap labor. Representing 7.1% of Latvia's total foreign direct investment, the U.S. FDI stock in Latvia stood at $184 million at the end of 2002. In the same year, U.S. goods and services accounted for 1.6% of Latvia's total imports, while exports to the United States accounted for 4.2% of Latvia's total exports. Latvia is a member of the World Trade Organization since 1999. Latvia and the United States have signed treaties on investment, trade, and intellectual property protection and avoidance of double taxation. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
According to the Serbian holiday law, when either day of a 2-day holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day becomes a holiday and when a holiday falls on a Saturday, it will not be observed on the preceding Friday. ... According to the Montenegrin holiday law, if any holiday should fall on a Sunday, the next working day becomes a holiday. ... Basic food items are plentiful on the local market, and cheap. Fruits and vegetables are available in season. Grocery stores are small, and shopping often requires multiple trips (e.g., grocery store, vegetable market, and butcher). Meat is available and inexpensive, but cuts are rough and sanitation practices are not up to Western standards. Processed foods are generally available, but these are generally European brands and are expensive. Personnel should bring American favorites to post or order them during their tour, as they will almost certainly not be available locally. Religious ActivitiesLast Updated: 10/6/2003 5:49 AM ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Local HolidaysLast Updated: 7/13/2005 3:43 AM The following U.S. Government and local national holidays are observed (dates for 2005): New Year's Day [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Congo River with its islands and beaches provides opportunities for motorboating, waterskiing, fishing, picnicking, and swimming. The current is swift and dangerous; therefore, it is imperative to wear a life jacket when participating in water sports. The Embassy has an 18-foot motorboat that can be used on weekends or holidays on a reimbursable basis. ... The school’s calendar is essentially the same as for U.S. schools, except for a slightly earlier starting date. The school operates on the usual Monday through Friday school week, and school holidays include: ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
You can find most household items in Sofia, but you might like to bring ribbon, U.S. holiday wrapping paper and greeting cards, and special holiday decorations for children’s parties. There are some products available for children’s parties and holidays, but not the wide selection available in America. You might also want to bring your Christmas tree stand. ... Ware, Timothy. The Orthodox Church. 1993. Local HolidaysLast Updated: 12/2/2003 11:47 AM ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
In addition to the ten American holidays observed worldwide, the Embassy and Consulates General observe ten Government of India designated holidays. The Embassy and Consulates General do not always observe the same holidays. ... Two areas for skiing are Auli, Uttaranchal, and Solang in Himachal Pradesh's Kulu Valley. With an incredibly beautiful panorama of India's major Himalayan peaks, Auli offers the basics. Accommodation is very cheap. No ski-lift is available, and it takes two long days to get there. Solang has a ski-lift—for those taking a course or who obtain permission from the Manali Mountaineering Institute, which owns the lift. Rental equipment is cheap. However, the ski season is very short in both places, from late December to early February. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The following local holidays are observed by the Embassy in addition to traditional American holidays. New personnel and visitors should avoid arriving on these days, since most public institutions and shops are closed. Some dates vary; those indicated below are for 2004. ... Domestics work a maximum of ten hours daily with one full day or two half days off each week, and one month's paid holiday per year. On local holidays domestics receive full pay and are not required to work. When employment is terminated, domestics are entitled to notice or notice payment, payment for any unused leave, termination pay, and a certificate of previous employment. Monthly wages range from about 50,000 CFA for a novice cook to 100,000 CFA for an experienced cook. In addition, employers must pay social security contributions amounting to 15.75% of salary (of this total, the employer contributes 12.55% and the employee contributes 3.2%), as well as a transportation allowance. If uniforms are needed, they are provided at the employer's expense. Most domestics speak French, and some can read French. A few speak English. All domestics must be trained to individual preferences and supervised carefully to assure satisfactory performance. [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Turkey observes both civil and religious holidays. Although dates for civil holidays are determined by the same calendar used in the U.S., religious holidays are set by the Muslim/Lunar calendar, resulting in observance on different days each year. Offices of the Government of Turkey are closed on all these days, and often also a day or two before or after the actual holiday. ... Calls to the U.S. can be placed using AT&T, MCI, or Sprint phone cards. Calls to the U.S. are currently about $5.00 for the first minute and $1.59 every minute thereafter using AT&T, or about $1.70 a minute if placed directly through local PTT with no initial connection charge. Callback services are also available. Figures shown are based on weekday rates and, as in the U.S., weeknight and weekend rates are considerably cheaper. Calls to other countries besides the U.S. are cheaper using the local PTT rather than U.S. companies. InternetLast Updated: 10/1/2003 11:55 AM ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The American Embassy is closed on all American and Estonian holidays. The list of Estonian holidays is as follows: ... Tallinn residents can dial international calls directly from their residential telephones or book them through the operator. It is slightly cheaper to call the U.S. from Estonia than vice versa. Calls to Eastern and Western European countries from Estonia are cheaper than calling those countries from the U.S. ... Tallinn has many taxis, all of which must use a meter. Taxis generally fall into two categories: those from larger taxi companies with clean, modern fleets (Tulika is one of the largest companies and used frequently by the Embassy), and those from smaller firms or independents using Soviet, Russian, and older Western cars. You can either get a taxi at a taxistand or request one by phone, for an extra fee. If they do not do so immediately, remind drivers to turn on their meters. Taxi rates are generally cheaper than in Washington, D.C. Some modern taxi companies take credit cards, but you should plan to pay in cash. Passengers usually tip the driver a small amount (5%–10%), but tipping is not considered mandatory. Overall, using taxis in Tallinn is easier and more pleasant than in most U.S. cities. Regional TransportationLast Updated:&nbs ... [Read More]
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