I really did not even know such a place existed in Ethiopia. It was hard for me to realize how little I actually knew about Ethiopia prior to actually visiting there. Well basically nothing other than those news stories about the droughts and famines decades ago. So when I heard about the Simiens I really did not know what to expect. Nicknamed … [Read more...]
Category: Featured Posts
Tips for visiting the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Tips for being prepared for your trek through the Simien Mountains. Really a lot of these tips were garnered from the experience of doing it with little or no preparation. Sure it was possible, but honestly there were moments were I regretted being there because of the lack of preparation. Perhaps you can learn from some of my experience, … [Read more...]
First impressions: Serbia
There is something about Serbia. I really can’t put my finger on it but sadly most of my knowledge and understanding of the country comes from the 90s, during the wars in the Balkans. I was young then and my memory of it these days is hazy but watching the news you learned that the Serbians were the aggressors in the war. The enemies. We may not … [Read more...]
Old City of Jeddah Saudi Arabia (UNESCO WHS)
I have always liked Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea in present day Saudi Arabia. Jeddah has been a city welcoming pilgrims, travelers, and business people for centuries across various empires that have come through this area. Famously Jeddah is the entry point for most of the pilgrims who come for the Hajj (as well as Umrah) and for it the city … [Read more...]
Photo Essay: The old town of Al-Ula – Saudi Arabia
Al-Ula, the beautiful oasis in North Eastern Saudi Arabia has a long and storied history. People have been living in this region for centuries…well actually millennia. It makes sense as it is the reason we are here, to see the ancient city of Mada’in Saleh and of course the surrounding regions too. What you don’t realize is that there is so much … [Read more...]
To the Border – Turkey
“Is the gate open today?” “What gate?” “The gate at the border” “What border?” The Syrian guy looked at me like I was an idiot as the mini-bus wheezed out of the station. My Arabic almost coming out as second nature given that it was the only language I could successfully speak in this area of Turkey. I realized quickly around me that everyone … [Read more...]
Mount Nemrut and Beyond – Turkey
There is very little to do in Adiyaman you almost wonder why any would come here. If it wasn’t for the nearby Mount Nemrut National Park very few probably would. We arrived here on the morning bus unsure of how we were going to move forward. So what is Mount Nemrut and why would you come here? Honestly before coming I really only knew it … [Read more...]
Haydarpasa Gar – Hejaz Railway Beginning – Istanbul Turkey
Sitting alone in the café in Jordan I was working hard to try to plan my holiday travels. Holiday from Holiday travels perhaps is the proper term as I was on Holiday in Jordan (although studying Arabic). After purchasing my tickets and telling friends I was going to Turkey one of my friends from my old Jordan visit told me that I must visit … [Read more...]
Adventures in Middle East Living: Visiting the Embassy
I didn’t take photos of the embassies so I just have a photo of Amman traffic to share. So wanted to get another story and update on life, love, and study in the Middle east. Or at least two of the previous three. Besides regular classes, I've been working on trying to get my business visa to Saudi Arabia. On advice I woke up really early to … [Read more...]
Photo Essay: Views of Mysore – India
As I wrote earlier I had taken a quick trip down to Mysore and Bangalore from Hyderabad with my cousins. For all of us it was our first time in Karnataka and against my better judgment we ended up taking a day tour of each of the places. Alas, however that doesn’t mean I am without photos, although probably without as many good stories. Beyond … [Read more...]
Photo Essay: Prophet’s Birthday in Hyderabad India
It was a warm January over there in Hyderabad this year. We were there mostly to try to catch up with family, go shopping, and relax and enjoy the escape from the terrible “polar vortex that hounded the US”. The Prophet Muhammad's (SAWS) birthday is not something that is generally celebrated with a lot of fanfare. In many … [Read more...]
Notes from an Indian Train
It’s been 20 years… Wow 20 years…seems almost unbelievable. I really can’t believe its been that long. I had to recheck my math to verify that. But yes strangely in fact 20 years since my last train ride in India. And you would probably think so much has changed in that amount of time, but maybe not as much you would imagine. To be honest I’m … [Read more...]