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Holy Heat Worship
Jordanians, no matter what God they believe in, all huddle around it worshiping the black metal God. There’s one in every house I’ve been to…and it always seems to be the center of attention. It’s the...
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Minimalistic Beverages
Water seems to be an afterthought! As soon as I entered the house I could smell it. The familiar scent of cardamom – my favorite spice in the whole world. Etedal asked if I wanted some Arabic coffee,...
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Unplugged Travel
Making friends in Feynan - Mahal Aoodat Smoke billowed throughout the tent and left the area a-glow in orange. The flames lapped up from beneath the metal spherical disk. She pounded the dough into a...
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Acts of Kindness in Jordan
Bonding over Shwarma Expect to be questioned when you go to Jordan. Of course you will be questioned by your friends and family as to why you would go to the Middle East, but you will most definitely...
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Experiencing Food Shock
A Jordanian Feast! Falafel, Hummus & Foul I sat on the couch and my stomach grumbled wondering why in the hell I hadn’t given it anything but a thin piece of bread, oil, thyme and an abundance of...
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Privacy Statement
No, this isn't me...it's my parents over 51 years ago... We had been driving for about an hour, and that’s when he finally asked me what he wanted to know. “Cherry, I want to ask you question – private...
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Lebanon Contrasts
The famous Lebanon Cedar Lebanon is such a confusing country. It is full of contrasts everywhere you look and with each person you talk to. Just when you think you understand it, you realize you don’t....
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In Search of Souks
It's not easy to find the souks in Lebanon! One of my favorite things about Arabic culture is the souk culture. I was first introduced to souks on my first trip abroad to Turkey. I still remember...
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Culture Up in Smoke
A cultural pastime... “Put, Put, Puuuut, Putttttt, Puttttt, Purrrrrttttttt….”The slurping, whirring, bubble noise broke through the background lounge music startling me. Next came the sweet smell of...
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The Culture of War
The epicenter of the war in Beirut - the famous Holiday Inn serves a a beacon of memories “Things may start shaking, so don’t make any plans on February 14th. ” said Walid. ‘Shaking’ was Walid’s term...
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Middle Eastern Visitation Rights
Weekends are spent visiting over big meals with extended family - Jordan I sat on the formal couch and listened to the Arabic words swirling around me; lightening fast and coming from every direction....
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The Food of Lebanon
One big pot of falafel...delish! Even in times of peace in Lebanon there is still a war raging. Lebanon battles it’s Arab neighbors for the title of ‘Creator of Hummus’. They even went as far as trying...
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Middle Eastern Oddities
Everything has a little bit of crazy inside.... The big billboard ad looming over the highway read “Expect the unexpected” as a man in camouflage held a shiny rifle and smiled at the cars passing by...
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Formula1 Crowd Culture
The crowd has it's own culture Spain is a new country for me to soak in; it’s officially my 38th country I’ve been to in my short international travel experience of 11 years. A land of late nights,...
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My Favorite Activity in Barcelona
The art of La Boqueria The colors are the first thing that grabbed me, a collage of vibrant green, red, and yellow swirling together from afar, but upon closer inspection each had it’s own boundaries....
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Ukraine Highway Culture – Mongol Rally
Hitting the Highway Today we were on what seemed like a super highway for Ukraine as we traveled from Odessa to Kiev. Finally – some smooth tarmac – hallelujah! However, as I sped down this highway...
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Mongolian Hospitality – Mongol Rally
Our early morning visitors Once the sun came up they started appearing. They were just puffs of dust off in the distance and as they got closer you could see 3 or 4 people squeezed on the motorcycle....
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Restoring the Past – Iolani Palace
Enter into the Past at Iolani Palace in Oahu The grand koa wood staircase was shining with a new coat of oil as the focal point of the room; it’s beautiful curves lead the eye gently from the second...
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How to fit in like a local in Barcelona
An essential item in Spain We all know how to look like a tourist; carry a camera, map, wear tennis shoes and white socks. But how to you fit into a culture? There are a few things I observed about...
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Christmas Past
My family home that I spent the first 18 years of my life in. And yes - that little yellow trike was mine from Santa This blog is as much about me as it is about travel – so here’s a little personal...
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