The covering has the disconcerting effect of obnubilating as well as illuminating the woman behind it. Shrouded in black niqab and ankle-length abaya, she floats towards me. Behind, her friends are firing salvos of cell-phone photos, as though we foreigners are exotic beasts in a zoo. She stops, and through her veil, in perfect English, asks, “Where are you from?” “California.” “What city?” “Los Angeles.” “What part?” … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2016
Springtime in Shiraz Is …
... the smell of citrus blossoms - the fragrance that follows you as you pass numerous orange trees planted as urban vegetation on city streets. It is the smell of running water on hot sidewalks as a young man washes his motorcycle. And the mulberries - I am reminded they are among my favorite fruits - yet I rarely get to gorge in this capacity. They are beginning to ripen, their sweetness runs all over one's fingers - their flavor only leaves me … [Read more...]
KLM’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Makes Inaugural Flight to San Francisco & Debuts in North America
NEW YORK, N.Y. – May 5, 2016 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner made its inaugural flight on May 4, 2016 between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). KLM’s first Dreamliner out of the United States features lower fuel consumption, a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system, Wi-Fi for all passengers, and new World Business Class (WBC), Economy Comfort and Economy class cabins … [Read more...]
Top 3 Cities to Visit this Summer
So many beautiful cities exist around the globe, that it can be hard to choose where you want to travel to. But because of their food, history and amazing culture, you’ll find the following three destinations the ideal getaway for your summer vacation. Milan Traveling to various cities worldwide can be exhilarating. It can also be a traveler’s nightmare if you have to switch planes or sit in a confined space for hours on end. Fortunately, … [Read more...]
Looking At the Origins Of Blackjack; Where The Games Come From And Why It’s So Popular
Out of all the different casino games, blackjack is one of the most popular casinos games worldwide. A large part of its popularity may play a part in the fact of the games simplicity. Although the game requires great skill, and still to this day there are many guides on how to play blackjack and ways to test your skill on the game. It is still a game that most people are able to pick up very quickly which itself encourages people to play. … [Read more...]
My Climb of Mount Ararat
Climbing Mount Ararat was a dream of mine since childhood! I would stare at the picture posted above the chalkboard exactly in the center of the room at Armenian School and think, “Why are we just looking at? Why can’t we climb to the top?” I have been blessed that my life has taken me to nearly 60 countries where I connected with Armenian communities in South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Our language, food, and music … [Read more...]
Wine Trails, by Lonely Planet
52 perfect wine weekends await ... brought to life by Wine Trails, a hard-cover Lonely Planet published guide to 327 wineries spread throughout 20 countries. From France to the United States, this book covers the best of the old world with the new world. Coverage provided for each region is refreshingly not overwhelming - a short introduction is listed followed by a handful of recommended wineries (often both small and larger). The coverage … [Read more...]
Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar: Tuscany, Italy – May 2016
After 600 years, the Antinori Family, arguably Italy's most well-known wine family opened their newest estate winery to the public in early 2013 (by appointment). The cellar is located about 25 minutes from Florence and 30 minutes from Siena. While this is a large winery (67,000 square feet), its physical footprint is barely seen because the entire winery and parking facilities are located underground and are built into the side of a hill. The … [Read more...]