Year of the Dragon – NYC 2012 New York City is a perfect home for intrepid travelers. It’s the city that historically is known for its candid talk and surly abrupt manners or lack of them. And yes, Gotham has again been voted the rudest city in America, but at the same time ranksContinue reading “Year of the Dragon Parade Celebration – NYC”
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Xian: The Gateway to the Silk Road
One of the best ways to see history in person is by visiting the cities along the Ancient Silk Road. Religion was the driving force behind many of history’s greatest battles, and the force which leaders used to expand their empires. The faces numerous cities and villages reflect the styles, ideals and philosophies of the dominantContinue reading “Xian: The Gateway to the Silk Road”
A Far-Flung Silk Road connection – the Great Mosque of St. Petersburg Russia
St. Petersburg’s skyline says it all. From the banks of the Volga the views include the golden cathedral towers of the Peter and Paul Fortress and the pointed towering Minerats and bright blue tiles of the mosque dome just to the right of it. Peter the Great wanted his capital to reflect the cultural makeContinue reading “A Far-Flung Silk Road connection – the Great Mosque of St. Petersburg Russia”
The best surprises found in Souks, Bazaars and Medinas across the Middle East and beyond
Much of what was the Persian Empire in the BC days were the bazaars which still remain to be the center of commerce in modern times in cities from Istanbul down to Yazd in southern Iran, and from Marrakesh to Xi’an. Long dark covered alleyways with packed stalls staffed with smiling merchants waiting to makeContinue reading “The best surprises found in Souks, Bazaars and Medinas across the Middle East and beyond”
The four Iwans of the Jameh Mosque of Esfahan
At the first encounter, there is a courtyard of the Friday Mosque in Esfahan is composed of four prayer halls or Iwans, the east and west are similar in hight and frame but the west is more colorful. The north and south are much larger and both compete for who is fairest. Each iwan designContinue reading “The four Iwans of the Jameh Mosque of Esfahan”
Travel Life: An intrepid unintentionally picky eater
Have a weak stomach and can’t leave home without popping a few Tums Tablets? That’s me but I don’t let it get in the way of my wanderlust Fresh fruit juices, grilled kebab, ice cream, “healthy” green salad, drinks with ice cubes and the list goes on. These are just a few things that IContinue reading “Travel Life: An intrepid unintentionally picky eater”
Esfahan Market Delight
Esfahan is not only one of the top travel destinations of Iran but also the place to get something to take home. The US has many restrictions on how much it’s citizens can spend in Iran. This restriction along with the obstacle of having enough cash to float you the whole visit restricts spending andContinue reading “Esfahan Market Delight”
Destination Esfahan
It has been given the historical title of being “half of world” for a reason. To see it was to see half the world. To miss Esfahan would be missing a big part of modern Iran. It was named the capital of Persian twice under two different ruling powers and is a place that hasContinue reading “Destination Esfahan”
Farflungistan 