Greetings from Cappadocia! We are rapidly adapting to the troglodyte lifestyle of the modern cave dweller! Cappadocia was a perfect hideaway for the early persecuted Christians because they fled here to hide away in caves and they built their churches in caves as well. It almost appears that every family had its own church, sort of like a second living room to their cave dwelling. These early churches comfortably fit only about 10 people in … [Read more...]
Eureka Springs Revisited
In early November, I spent two serendipitous days in the tiny resort town of Eureka Springs, located in the Ozarks, at the edge of Arkansas. I had accepted an invitation from a friend in the American Midwest to join her on her ranch in Kansas, and she was taking me on a road trip. Since we would be riding through Missouri, I asked if I might see something connected with Mark Twain. “Hannibal is on the other side of the state.” I was mildly … [Read more...]
Savannah Grace: Author & Traveler
From 2005 through 2009 Savannah traveled the world with her family. We recently came across her book and were fascinated by her travels, details from the road and depth of writing. Recently we had the opportunity to ask her a number of questions about her travels, first book and upcoming plans. Q. Tell us a little about yourself and how you first decided to write "Sihpromatum, I Grew My Boobs in China". My name is Savannah … [Read more...]
Tales from the Desert Kuwait
Staring out at the blackened waters of the Persian Gulf from high atop our hotel room near old town Kuwait City. The sun has obviously set and we are free to go out on the streets and eat food. 8 more days of Ramadan await us and our daylight appetites. Upon flying in our flight attendant enthusiastically made an announcement, "If you would like to see a spectacular view of desert sand, please pull down your window shades". Based on her tone … [Read more...]
Universal Studios Holiday Walk
The U.S. Marine Corps., Santa Claus and the 80th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Help "5 Towers" on CityWalk Ring in the Holiday Season with Hundreds of Thousands of Glistening Lights and a Gigantic Christmas Tree to Benefit -Toys for Tots The U.S. Marine Corps., joined by Santa Claus in conjunction with the Hollywood Christmas Parade , helped "5 Towers" on Universal CityWalk celebrate the festive holiday season as the new … [Read more...]
Robert Young Pelton: Author, Filmmaker, Journalist, Adventurer
We recently had a chance to ask Robert about his travels, current projects, his life spent traveling to "dangerous places" and the unique perspectives he has gained from his years on the road. Q. When did you get hooked on traveling? Was it a particular trip or event? I lived in a car when I was 16 and picked fruit for a living. A year later I bought a $150 ocean liner ticket from New York to Southampton on the SS Canberra and … [Read more...]
Tongue-Tied
The one I want to wrap in my arms and bring home is Nebras. I didn't even know her name when I return to Iraq, shortly after the assault on Baghdad. I am armed only with a photo of a beggar touching her nose with her tongue. I had met her a few months before, when I'd traveled to Iraq with a women's delegation, just five weeks before the U.S. bombings and invasion. Unfazed by impending disaster, the little girl, old enough to be in … [Read more...]
Still Alive
I'm learning to read his jaw. Sometimes I lose the language in his translations, but his jaw telegraphs the unspeakable. But, tonight, I can't see it. We're facing each other, squaring off in the shadows over outdoor vanilla sundaes laced with crisp kiwis and strawberries, arguing about whether I should accompany him to pick up his food rations from the United Nations. The UN had suspended food giveaways, and he finally has an appointment … [Read more...]
Lee Abbamonte: Global Super Traveler
Lee Abbamonte is on a global quest to visit all of the world's countries and furthermore complete this task before the age of 37 years, 9 months, 17 days. In doing so, Lee would be the youngest person on the planet to have visited all the countries in the world. We recently had a chance to ask him about his globe trotting exploits as well as his unique advice. Q. You are quickly becoming one of the world's most traveled individuals, … [Read more...]
Tony Wheeler: Founder of Lonely Planet
Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet, in San Francisco. He was on a whirlwind tour in the United States promoting his new book, Bad Lands: A Tourist on the Axis of Evil. We spent about an hour in the interview. Immediately following his book promotion tour he was off to attempt a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). We asked him a series of questions - this is … [Read more...]