Cairo, Egypt’s capital, is one of the largest cities in Africa and has stood for more than 1,000 years in the northeastern part of Egypt on the banks of the Nile. To say this city is steeped in history seems somewhat of an understatement, with pyramids, tombs, ancient markets, and mosques reflecting the city’s millennia-old past. Over the years, however, Cairo has developed into a bustling metropolis and now blends its historic routes with a … [Read more...]
Living it up in Sin City
The lights and allure of Las Vegas has long held curiosity for me. It’s a dazzling playground for all. From mind-blowing entertainment, dancing fountains, world-class cuisine and 24-hour casinos – and all on one street! There’s no denying that Las Vegas is a relentless assault on the senses and earns its high-octane reputation as the Entertainment Capital of the World. But is there actually more to Sin City than sensory overload? I was … [Read more...]
Best Casino Resort in Las Vegas
My first trip to Vegas was a road trip with two friends. This trip did not start out very smoothly - after pulling out of my driveway I stopped for gas and one of my friends noticed one of the tires was nearly flat. In a hurry to get on the road in anticipation of 12 hours of driving, we quickly pumped it up and continued on our way. However it lost air pressure fairly quickly and every two hours or so we had to stop to pump up the tire. … [Read more...]
Getting Around Aswan Without Getting Fleeced
My trip to Aswan, Egypt to see the ancient Temple of Isis at Philae was a good reminder to always look on the positive side, even when you feel like you are being taken advantage of by locals. The temple itself is magnificent and dramatically situated on an island in the middle of a lake. Because the vast majority of visitors to Aswan go as part of an organized and guided tour, there is scant information available for the independent, … [Read more...]
MGM Springfield Jump Starts City’s Future by Rejuvenating Its Past
The Industrial Revolution ended long ago in the United States but remnants of its impact are still palpable. Once temples of commerce, many cities bustled with sprawling factories, grand theaters, turn of the century office towers, majestic hotels, and regal apartment buildings woven together by pedestrian friendly street grids. Today, much of this ornately designed architecture is demolished or condemned. Over the years, speculative … [Read more...]
Teotihuacan – Where The Gods Were Created
Chances are, you have seen images of Chichen Itza or Palenque, the stunning archeological remains of grand Mayan cities in Mexico. Perhaps you’ve even visited these sites at some point. Considerably less well-known, though, is Teotihuacan, or “the place where the gods were created.” In my mind, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Teotihuacan is western hemisphere’s ultimate pyramid city, vastly more impressive than even its more famous brethren on … [Read more...]
“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal City, CA, August 18, 2015—Tickets are now on sale for “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood as Southern California’s premier Halloween event unveils a slate of new mazes, an exciting hip-hop dance show, a new cutthroat Terror Tram experience and terrifying Scare Zones, beginning Friday, September 18, 2015. Tickets to this year’s event are available for purchase at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood, including … [Read more...]
Luxor, Egypt – April 2013
A visit to Egypt is not complete without visiting the historical city of Luxor and the nearby temples and ruins. This is an overnight sleeper train ride or about a 1 hour flight from Cairo. The history here is mind boggling - choose from two main temples, the one within Luxor and Karnak (right next to the city and is the largest religious building of its kind in the world). In addition the Valley of the Kings is only about 25 minutes away from … [Read more...]
Beware of Camels and Mysterious Shisha
I thought to myself, “I knew this was a bad idea.” I was officially stuck on top of a camel. Even after two weeks in this scandalous country, I had managed to fall into yet another obvious scam. A young boy had approached me at the base of the Great Pyramid in Giza and sweet talked me into climbing onto his camel for a picture. It seemed harmless enough; camels are pretty docile, and I was not obligated to pay for a ride. Just a quick … [Read more...]
A Totally Different Light Over Manila
Docking at the wharf of Manila reminds me of my first arrival in the city many years ago: the first of many arrivals I have experienced in the Philippine capital. A sunny climate greets me. The sunlight is intense yet reflecting so vibrantly upon the waters of Manila Bay. Over the years, there have been critics moaning about the city - mentioning its smog and chaotic traffic, its crimes, not to mention the voluminous homes (if such can be called … [Read more...]