The air was unusually clear for Cairo, a city notorious for its polluted, hazy skies. Perhaps it was only because it was my first time seeing all the Christmas decorations set up for the bazaar that it felt like a crisp winter day. The bazaar was an opportunity for refugee women to showcase their skills and talents. Many of them were selling handicrafts, and others were dishing up food from their home countries. The smells mingled throughout … [Read more...]
Sea of Galilee and Redemption
The sea, the sea! That was my miraculous view for at least four Galilean days staying in a hotel on the outskirts of the ancient city of Tiberias, Israel. That was the Sea of Galilee or Lake Tiberias or Buhayrat Tabriya in Arabic or Yam Kinneret in Hebrew. This is the sea of abounding stories; biblical, archaeological, economic, political and of personal testimonies. One Night I was awakened by a dream. I was swimming in the sea’s deep … [Read more...]
Incomparable and Magnificent Istanbul
“If a blind man should gaze upon the world but one day, he should gaze upon Istanbul.” – Alphonse de Lamartine Few places elicit the “It's the most beautiful city I have ever seen!” reaction as frequently as Istanbul. Those were also my exact sentiments the first time I visited back in 2004. Today, 15 years later, as I stroll the empty streets of downtown Istanbul in the middle of the night, I remember why I have ever since felt this way. I … [Read more...]
Best Places to Visit in Dubai and UAE While Travelling
For globetrotting enthusiasts, United Arab Emirates is perhaps the current trending hotspot for jet setting tourists with Dubai leading the way. The Arabs have brilliantly transformed this barren desert into a work of art showcased by the mesmerizing sky-scrapers and stunning malls. For people who love city life, UAE, and Dubai, in particular, are bucket-list destinations. And part of the attraction is the weather - with warm temperatures and … [Read more...]
Isn’t it Iranic?
The taproot of the tree of civilization, Iran. While the USA is an entity less than a quarter a millennium young, Iran’s recorded history bows back 5000 years. At its height, about 500 B.C., Persia controlled more than 2.9 million square miles of land spanning three continents, east into India, south to Egypt, westward to Greece. It reigned over roughly 44% of the world’s population, making it the largest world power ever by population … [Read more...]
Lebanon’s Top 3 Destinations
There is something that is common with the Lebanese people all over the world. They love to eat and they love to brag about how amazing Lebanon is. Usually when someone is bragging about their home country I take it with a grain of salt. After all, most people think their country is the best in the world. Most people are naturally patriotic and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Lucky for me, I had friends that wanted to show me around. I … [Read more...]
Israel, The Holy Land
There is a magical land located in the Middle East; it is but a relatively small dot on the map, but has played an enormous role politically and religiously throughout recorded history. This is a place described in the Old Testament as the Holy Land, home to the Israelites. This is Israel - a landscape of deserts, beaches and at times, snow-capped mountains. Israel is a travel destination sought out by a diversity of travelers: the foodie, the … [Read more...]
The Rift Valley Mountain Trek to Petra, Jordan
Day 1 We began our hike under the 2pm sun from Dana Guesthouse, at about 4,300 feet (1300 meters) above sea level. The beating sun shone down on us intensified by the absence of shade and starkness of our rocky surroundings. Fortunately the hike descended down the side of the rugged mountains until we reached the canyon wash. The three of us were the only ones here - perhaps we were slightly nutty considering really very few people make this … [Read more...]
Cooking Class at Petra Kitchen
One of the most fascinating aspects for me about traveling Internationally is tasting food from different cultures and regions. What we think of Middle-Eastern food in the United States is a generalization of a wide range of countries based upon a few dishes which have become westernized. In actuality, within even one country - there can be dramatic culinary differences based on spices used and preparation styles. The culinary traditions of … [Read more...]
From Camping with Nomads to Exploring Tehran
The past few days I've been enjoying life with a group of nomads who move around the deserts of central Iran. They regularly herd large numbers of sheep and goats; I was able to join them as they moved one such herd from the flat lands up into the mountains. It is a life in motion for the herders and their animals; both are moved around continuously in search of food and water. Donkeys accompany the herds carrying shelter and additional food and … [Read more...]
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