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 |   ON THE WRITE PATH: travel journal for Around-the-World in 2015, 16, 18. |
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For there are many paths.  A tlog. A travel blog. A keeping-track of my trials, er.. travels. February 26, 2015 until ... June 18,2015. January 12, 2016 until February 15, 2016. November 13 to 30 2018 ... 2019, 2020: Taiwain. I went nowhere in 2021. 2022: Portugal, Thailand. Will include: Hawai'i, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Untied Arab Emirates, Portugal, Norway, Ireland and... (2015) ... Norway and Estonia (2016), México (2018), Taiwan, Balkans, Baltics, Turkey, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. Vi får se.  "Where I have traveled, stayed and visited. Over 181 places."     |
| Where would I feel safe with a culture and climate I could survive? Anywhere in Europe! Everything's connected. I'd love to live in Portugal but I could always visit. The Balkans are cheap and I like the people. Politically unstable though. Oslo/Lillehammer/Drammen would be expensive but cheap flights out of OSL go everywhere. I'd move to Gothenburg in Sweden in a heart beat. I love Taiwan but Taipei has bad pollution and horrible weather. Tainan in the south though is a great place to visit. Before moving I would visit for three months... before deciding. One should visit anywhere more than once at different times of year before moving abroad. Nowhere is Paradise 24/7/365. Nowhere. Charity Marie - <3  asked about retirement places with a mild climate near a beach."Australia ... not me! Yes, I have friends there but I don't understand the attraction. Very expensive and imho bland. England is more interesting! So... since you ask... many places in the world have lots of English speakers. And... one can learn the local language... and the local customs. If you learn Spanish (Spain), French (Africa, Indian Ocean, Caribbean), Arabic (Malta) or Chinese (Taiwan) your options explode. India, South Africa, and Nigeria are English speaking but each would have challenges. Consider Barbados or the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Safety? The USA is much more dangerous than anywhere in Europe, most of Asia, parts of Africa. Latin America has crime like the USA. Don't believe the developers trying to lure you to an ex-pat community where you will live behind bars. But if you must... Cuenca in Ecuador or Boquete in Panama might meet your needs (but highlands, no beach). I do NOT recommend Costa Rica. Unless you are retiring soon... wait. The situation changes from decade to decade. 10 years ago was the time to go to Portugal... it's been discovered. New Zealand sounds great but it's NOT Aus nor USA. Ask Elle - on hiatus  .If you are fine with living an hour away from the beach instead of on the beach your options should be better. Also, consider Victoria (Vancouver Island) in British Columbia. The climate is mild, the gardens are spectacular and nowhere is far from the water." I added: "I forgot to give practical advice. Make a plan, say a 10 year plan. Every year travel to a place you might want to move to (not just visit). While there for a couple weeks ask everyone who lives there what they like or don't like about the place. Keep you eyes open and Do Not Talk to Realtors or Tourist Industry people (unless they are willing to be brutally honest). At some point revisit your favorites ... preferably at the worse time of year. In much of Costa Rica that's April (no water) and October (too much). In Missoula Montana that's August Fire Season and Dec15-Jan15 (cold, grey, everyone leaves). Every place has a miserable time of year. Keep asking, make friends. When the time comes rent a place for 3 months (never buy until you are 100% sure) and really ask yourself the even harder question... do I really want to LIVE here." Schnujo is Late to Lannister  asked why I wouldn't recommend Costa Rica. I answered:"Costa Rica is a passive-agressive culture of liars and thieves. If you want to do whatever (even if it's criminal) and be smug about getting away with it, I can introduce you to expats who do just that. "I'm sorry" is supposed to make it all better. In my world it doesn't. Tourists who sit on a beach with a drink in their hand have little to NO knowledge of the country. They flash their bling bling and make it all better  or just take another drink (they aren't there for the culture). Surfer-dudes (some are quite astute) and beach-bums are just that 24/7. Travelers know more because they observe more ... and share their stories.I lived there twice, visted over 20 times; been most everywhere. It feels like home. An unsafe home in a s***hole country. I only felt less safe in Cape Town, SA and more disappointed and culturally deprived in Australia. Poverty is rampant (didn't used to be so bad). The political situation is iffy at the moment. It is lawless and corrupt in ways you can barely imagine. Yes, the people seem friendly ... to your face. And some are genuinely friendly; however, only family matters and no one else ... and you ain't family. I have a couple friends ... but I don't totally trust them either. I can trust Norwegians. Taiwanese are friendly without expecting anything in return. The Serbians and Kosovars are very passionate (a bit treacherous like the Turks) and very hospitable and helpful. The Germans and many northern Europeans are just plain frigid and rigid, but are among the best travelers I've met all over the world. Visiting and living in a place are not the same. Visit Costa Rica! I have suggestions as a budget traveler.  But living there can be its own special hell."26.62 |
| Although 'modern' I want to go to the Palácio da Bahia. Moorish architecture with its tiles, fountains and courtyards has profoundly influenced Iberia ... not just 600 years ago, but today. Slat Al Azama Synagogue is '3 minutes' away and I'd like to see that as well. The Moors protected the Jews. The Spaniards did not. And later and elsewhere neither did many other Christian communities. The Islamic communities in Albania, Ottoman Empire, even Egypt did much better. The Jewish community was at one time quite large. I'd also visit a mosque or three. I'd visit any garden that was open that I could get to. Marrakech is a large city and I prefer smaller ones. The souks? I've been to more than one. I'd like to visit the one in Fes. To get from Marrakech to Fes though ... 3 days trekking including on a camel? Perhaps. I'd also like to see the tree climbing goats but I can't remember exactly where they were. Morocco is a very large country. And very diverse. The coastal areas aren't too overly hot but crossing the mountains into the Sahara? I'd have to carefully plan when I go. Morocco can also get very cold. And snow and ice close roads. No balloon rides for me! Maybe by-pass Marrakech to visit Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Chefchouen and Tangiers. It's a tempting thought that I entertained when I planned my trip to Spain in March. The trip I had to cancel and lost $700. But if I hadn't I'd still be stranded there. For
Prompt: Marrakech is a beautiful place. Look at Things to do in Marrakech https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293734-Activities-Marrakech_Marrakech_T... and find something you think is beautiful. Why do you think it is beautiful?{/v} |
| A tent city of semi-nomads. A line in the sand created to create a new state for when the French would leave. A country of sand and quicksand. South of Morocco and the Sahrawi, The Sahara, The Sahel. Meteorites? Yep. Was offered some by a Sahrawi I met in Oslo years ago. Fish? Of course. This is where the people 'turn black' according to the Portuguese explorers of the 1400s. Interesting to visit a city of tents, like the Syrian refugee camps of Jordan. Not so thrilling to think that Americans put children in cages and sweep away homeless encampments. This place would show Americans that there are better ways... Americans will never visit. But... someday perhaps I will. Both Senegal and Sahrawi are on my wish list. I'd probably fly to Dakar and go north through St. Louis. But ... there are direct flights from Paris when I checked long time ago.
Prompt: Take a look at Nouakchott 2020 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293815-Nouakchott-Vacations.html and answer these questions: What is the best of Nouakchott? Why?
30 day a bit of interesting history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouakchott https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293815-d10339182-Reviews-Nouakchott_Ho... we're doing a private tour today, looks like an interesting variety. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293815-d14779091-Nouakchot_... We're writers and here's a golden opportunity to see a famous library and a shipyard graveyard. Our muse should be inspired by one them to discuss. Maybe even both. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-libraries-of-chinguetti-chinguetti-mauri... https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bay-of-nouadhibou-ship-graveyard and our interesting dining choice. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293815-d4022339-Reviews-Restauran... Discuss what you enjoyed on the tour or the library, or the shipyard graveyard or even the restaurant. Maybe all of them. Have fun! |
| Under the Lion's Head Under the Lion's Head the city sleeps tonight, aware of turmoil, yet hesitent to admit that all isn't right as rands are counted and everyone hopes the cauldron doesn't seethe like before and again. The Lion's Head best sleep with one eye open! Better if both ears hear the anger that surrounds Table Top Mountain, the legacy of separation, the moaning of repression, the poor man's plight. © Kåre Enga [177.185] (22.avgust.2020) I copy paste as I wrote about this in June: "Kaap Stad, Suid Afrika" .  I may never go back. The glare into the back of my head cannot be unseen. The screech of Akrikaans on the graffitied train1 from Simon's Town cannot be unheard. And my smeller no longer can catch the faint fragrance of protea2. Plus, the penguins didn't show up. I spent my birthday at Kirstenbosch Garden. Marveled at the beauty of the fynbos3, a narrow-leaf plant kingdom of it's own. Took a picture of Oliver4, a 150 year old rescued olive tree, now a bonsai, and wondered who'll rescue me and my wrinkles. I even had my picture taken by a friendly group. And there's the rub. They were not the only friendly people. The bookseller at Wordsworth5, a lady under the oaks in The Company's Gardens6, a man on the main drag, Long Street7... all friendly... but there was a scent of hostility hanging in the air... most everywhere. I got to see a seal being fed at Hout Bay on the line of the hop-on hop-off bus8 and the brightly painted homes in Bo-kaap 9. I even ventured around windy Table Top10 taking the rotating cable car ascending and descending like an alien ship11 with a magnificent view of the city12. It was enough. There's little reason to return. I know no one there and made no connections. Cape Town is a beautiful place. It has one of the most scenic backdrops of any city in the world1314. But for me it's about people and culture and there are at least 20 places in Africa I'd like to visit before I'm too old. Translation sung by Doris Day and Frankie Lane circa 1952. A nice article: http://africanaromatics.com/oh-sugarbush-how-sweet-you-are-me/ Why did I repost?
Prompt: Pick out one of these things to do in Cape Town https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g312659-Activities-Cape_Town_Central_Wes... and write a story, article, or poem about it. Footnotes |
| These are the some of the photos I took of Kaapstad in April, 2015. It's coming out of winter in August. https://www.facebook.com/kare.enga.9/media_set?set=a.958073394227285&type=3 Just looked for a cheap but decent place to stay. Found one that has a lekker vibe for $11-15/night with an 8.8 rating. It's in Green point near the Silo Hotel, which at $1,200/2 night is beyond my budget. I'm glad that someone wealthy has offered to treat you-all!  I can do Cape Town (its other name) for $30/day. So one night at the Silo or one month in a hostel is a no-brainer for me. I'd budget $1,000-1,200 for a month if I ever go back.  Which is another issue. It's a lovely setting and a great city to visit but I felt I could cut the hostility with a knife.  Fortunately, the folks I met to speak with were quite charming and friendly.  I didn't do the ghost bus tour. I did take the hop-on-hop-off routes. I visited the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens and saw the fynbos there and on top of Table Mountain. Saw a sea lion being fed in Hout Bay beach.  The beaches (Camp's Bay, Clifton) to the west along the South Atlantic were beautiful and in April it was still warm enough to go in. I stayed on the sandy beach. In wandering around town I visited Bo-Kaap, the colorful old Cape Malay neighborhood.  Because I was there 5 days I also went to Simon's Town but didn't see any penguins. The train trip back was memorable.  Was it a ghost? The screeches from the car in front of us sounded like a chalkboard in pain. Either the tall blond girl who went that way was laughing or dying. We didn't get up to make sure. It was going to be a long ride in a rickety old car festooned with graffiti. Safer '1st class', they said. I guess the shrieking in Afrikaans was free. In our car a middle-aged woman was talking softly in a language I do not speak but whoever was on the other end of the phone was getting a talking-to. A 'mother's voice' needs no translation. The slow rumble took forever as few people got on or off. The poorest waited for the cheapest cars. When we arrived it was quiet. I didn't see the young woman, which was odd. I could have seen her blond shriek a kilometer away.  BCoF: We're doing a mystery bus tour. You get to put your thinking cap on and write a flash fiction ghost story. 100 words or less. https://www.capetownmagazine.com/events/mystery-ghost-bus-haunted-tour-in-cape-t... the bonus surprise of the day is actually our hotel. Wait until you see this incredible pool. We're staying here tomorrow too so don't worry about missing out on the amenities. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312659-d12223139-Reviews-The_Silo_Hote... 30dbc: we grabbed a quick flight from Durban to Cape Town, it's only 2.5 hours. 30 day We're heading straight out on our tour of Cape Good Hope and hopefully we'll see penguins and get some time on the pristine beaches. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g312659-d17420184-Cape_of_Go... https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/cape-town/things-to-do/cape-of-goo... There's lot of things on the itinerary. Check it out and talk about the things that appeal to you. The link has 100 pictures available for your perusing enjoyment on tripadvisor. And there's more pictures on travel and leisure. I'm sure you can weave a tale by looking at the pictures. |
| Joale u phela joang? The country is called Lesotho, the language is Sesotho, an individual is a Mosotho and the people are Basotho. I might be tempted to see dinosaur footprints but I can do this in Montana. Cave people? that sounds interesting. Cannibals? As in who-eats-who? I'll stick to culture and interviewing people not eating them. (As for breaking down and getting stuck? 24 hours outside Abancay, Peru...in a bus. Been there.) This is an incredible article: https://www.internationalcuisine.com/about-food-and-culture-of-lesotho/ Food 1. I would like to try the local foods. In this cold dry climate there doesn't seem to be anything too exotic. So... what do you eat and how do you make it? And may I have some... 2. How do you eat this and when? I grew up with special seasons and occasions and I suspect that would be the case here as well. And I won't assume that anything is done in a European way. Clothing Nien Hsing (Taiwan based) company spins yarn and makes denim in Maseru. There are textiles, blankets, rugs and tapestry makers. 3. Can I visit a textile plant? Meet and speak with someone who works in one? 4. Blankets ... the national dress is nothing without blankets. They were featured in Black Panther! I'd love to talk to someone who could explain them to me. How do I wear one? Could I buy one? (to use instead of a coat?) 5. Can I visit the weavers at Setsoto Design in Teyateyaneng? Flora and Fauna 6. Lesotho is highland grasslands with few trees. Could I get to gardens like at Katse Dam or somewhere to see wild animals? "Together with the neighbouring uKhahlamba-Drakensberg in South Africa, the highlands of Lesotho form a hub of ancient floral biodiversity known to botanists as the Drakensberg Alpine Centre." As for animals, I'd settle for seeing a zebra, leopard or aardwolf... if any still exist here. But maybe: African wildcat, Baboon (Papio ursinus), Grey rhebuck, Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), Smith’s red rock rabbit (Pronolagus rupestris), Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis), Rock hyrax, Ice rat (endemic), Black backed jackal, Small grey mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta Basutica), Water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) or Striped polecat (zorilla) (icotonyx striatus). Who would I talk to and who could point them out? (Maliba Lodge - expensive) Sesotho 7. The language has two tones. Why are they important? Can you help me hear and produce the difference? I'd ask to practice all the sounds like nn and mm and p versus ph and the click q. Fun clicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM8kqcrFaTY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcCqVc6bmzU Sesotho 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdA9h41yUP8 In parting: Do not laugh at the snake because it walks on its belly. If you are a flag, follow the wind. A farmer who doesn’t work in the rain or under the sun has nothing to harvest at the end of the year.
http://countrylicious.com/lesotho/famous-people
Leribe to Semonkong After breakfast we backtrack slightly to visit a riverbed close to our accommodation to view evidence of prehistoric life forms. If the river is in flood these ancient footprints are hidden but usually the water levels are low enough o look at the Dinosaur Footprints. We leave the main road to Maseru and travel to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers. These caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannabilism. We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along the back roads which go through many rural villages. Thaba Bosiu is a cultural centre of utmost importance to Lesotho and its history, We then drive into the capital city Maseru for lunch. This gives one a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho. Mid afternoon we head back into the highlands of Lesotho going through the Mantsa Pass to the highland town of Semonkong. Dependant on weather and water levels, enjoy a lovely sunset over the Maletsunayne falls before checking into Semonkon g. oh no, our vehicle broke down and we're going to spend the night in the wild. https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/places-global-african-history/m... discuss what you discover in the information and in the pictures. If you lived back then how would you handle cannibalism? Join in or become a vegetarian How did you cope with the breakdown and having to rough it over |
| -4 degrees celsius at the moment in Butha Buthe. A cold -6 at the Katse Dam in Bokong as well. Leribe? Same. May go up to 13 today. Did you-all bring woolens? This is not the tropics! Afrika = cold is a difficult notion for many. I would definitely be interested in anything cultural and just 'being' rather than 'doing'. The dam reminds me of the catchment areas in semi-dry Flint Hills, Kansas. Lots of stone. Not green in autumn nor winter. And it's definitely still winter and definitely dry. A desolate area of stone and captured water. Sani Pass in winter? Nah... and I'd rather go down slowly than up. Have I ever mentioned that I don't like heights. The views would be spectacular. Hopefully the driver is only interested in driving and getting everyone safe to their destination. One oops = possible death. Thaba Bosiu sounds interesting. (Close enough to Maseru to stay there.) To understand how they survived apartheid and avoided submission to the Zulu or South Afrika one must learn about King Mashoeshoe. There is so little information about a place that doesn't have resorts, a beach or bling. So little about the people other than to just go there and experience it. Since I'm not a shopper and not a tourist I might like that.
We're going to be here for a couple of days. https://www.safaribookings.com/tours/t29369 The mountain kingdom of Lesotho is out-of-this world for its sheer mountain beauty. Combine that with its unique culture where the people have combined a 21st approach to certain day-to-day activities whilst holding onto their culturally unique way-of-life and it blends into an amazing experience. Our guests are often visiting Lesotho whilst on holiday in South Africa. We have perfected a 3-day tour which incorporates many of the top things to do in Lesotho, despite being on a time budget. This is our lodging, Bird Haven. https://www.birdhavenleribe.com/ We're leaving from Dar-es-Salaam, it's a seven hour flight from Tanzania. We will be arriving at 3:00pm then directly heading up the Pass. So get some sleep on the plane because we have a real long day ahead. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Tanzania/Lesotho#r/Fly-from-Dar-es-Salaam We travel up the Pass into Lesotho in 4x4's, looking forward to the afternoon of culture, history and amazing scenery. Cultural Immersion – a visit to a local Basotho village. Roof of Africa Route – spectacular views from the top of Africa! Bushman Paintings – interesting history into the nomadic Bushmen. Overnight accommodation at Bird Haven in Leribe, in traditional style rondavels. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293803-d1764272-Reviews-Katse_Dam... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sani_Pass what was your impression of Sani Pass? https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293803-d2414232-Reviews-Thaba_Bos... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotho_people This culture is very unique. What were your impressions? |
| I don't do heights! And although I have had to stand for hours in a train my legs no longer appreciate the abuse. No balloon ride for me. I'll visit the Maasai, thank-you-please. But would I be able to eat? Yes, they can arrange vegetarian and vegan meals ... most anyone can ... but this is a culture of blood and milk and raw meat and ... Cow's blood is used for special occasions. Milk is mixed with blood or urine. Cows are seldom slaughtered. The liver and kidneys are offered to the elderly ... like me! Ugali (a thick white-corn-based porridge that serves as a staple food throughout Tanzania) is generally served with milk in Maasai households. I will eat it of course. Fortunately, like the Maasai, I'm milk tolerant. I've had blood in various ways before (don't tell my vamps  ) but urine (although not a dangerous liquid) mixed in with milk might push my limits. And sleeping in a mud-dung hut shouldn't be too awfully bad. The temps are 27/16 this week. Pleasant. But wooden slats... would my back be okay? Thankfully mosquito netting is provided. In Arusha I'd stay in a hostel and, frankly, I'd like to see Mt. Kilimanjaro even though Arusha sits at the base of its own old volcano. Would I see animals? A zebra would do. I don't need to see the big 5 in the wild. I wouldn't have the opportunity to see them up close anyways. Would be a nice view from a balloon though! I'll take notes. Take whatever pictures are allowed. Try to be a good guest. Try to not obsess over Blood and Urine.
With the help of local Maasai Mama's we will be guided through a number of traditional Swahili recipes to prepare your own lunch. We will learn how the local Mama's prepare food at home using traditional cooking equipment and methods. We will learn some Swahili words for different foods and be able to get hands-on help to prepare each dish. We will learn about how Maasai build their homes and how traditional Maasai homes are set up in a "boma". We will see inside the homes and how they live. We will learn how Maasai create their own beaded jewellery and go away from the workshop with your very own bracelet. Vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options can be catered for in the recipes. We're cooking our dinner and learning how to make beaded jewelry together. How cool is that? Can't wait to hear your thoughts. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g297913-d19076562-Swahili_Co... AND: We're staying at Arusha Serena Hotel and Resort Spa. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297913-d304446-Reviews-Arusha_Serena_H... https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g297913-d15883436-Miracle_Ex... As dawn breaks over the horizon, you serenely drift over the magnificent marvel of nature, The Serengeti, enjoying an eagle’s eye view of the wildlife theatre as it unfolds below you. You will have ample opportunities to spot wildlife from a different perspective. If you are fortunate, you might be able to spot the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Rhino, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile and a variety of birdlife. Your game viewing opportunities from the sky are endless. Following the flight, you will celebrate with sparkling wine and a splendid bush breakfast in the middle of the Serengeti, capping off what is sure to be your most memorable morning in the skies of Africa. The afternoon we'll be enjoying some of the awesome amenities at our hotel before the BCoF people take us to our next adventure.
Day 2831: August 17 Arusha,Tanzania Prompt: Write a story or poem about your Miracle Experience Balloon Safaris | Serengeti https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g297913-d15883436-Miracle_Ex... |
| Eating with my right hand is going to be difficult (I'm left-handed) and I'd prefer my food to be served on my own plate. Using injera (which I've had before) will be interesting (worthy of a poem perhaps). From a Baha'i religious point-of-view there are issues as well. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Author: Bahá’u’lláh) states: "73. TAKE HEED LEST, WHEN PARTAKING OF FOOD, YE PLUNGE YOUR HANDS INTO THE CONTENTS OF BOWLS AND PLATTERS. #46" "This prohibition was defined by Shoghi Effendi as “plunging one’s hand in food”. In many parts of the world it has been customary to eat with the hands from a communal bowl." Ethiopian food is known worldwide and has many aficionados. I'd have to make a list of those I really want to try and those I'd rather avoid (ketfo ... not amused by raw or rare meat). I don't do well with picante (hot-spicy) foods so I'd have to try these three to find out what I can tolerate (from Wiki): Berbere, a combination of powdered chili pepper and other spices (somewhat analogous to Southwestern American chili powder), is an important ingredient used in many dishes. Also essential is niter kibbeh, a clarified butter infused with ginger, garlic, and several spices. Mitmita (Amharic: ሚጥሚጣ, IPA: [mitʼmitʼa]) is a powdered seasoning mix used in Ethiopian cuisine. It is orange-red in color and contains ground birdseye chili peppers (piri piri), cardamom seed, cloves and salt. It occasionally has other spices including cinnamon, cumin and ginger. I would definitely visit Lelibela. Steph at https://www.bigworldsmallpockets.com/lalibela-ethiopia/ suggests dry season October-March, on a weekend for Saturday market and Sunday mass, and getting a guide to explain it all. She was there 3 days. For me Friday (if I arrive early), Saturday, Sunday. So 3 or 4 nights because it's cheaper than Addis Ababa and I need to go slow to not wear myself out. Temps? I expect 27/10. Wonder whether I can partake of a coffee coffee ceremony. It looks interesting. Since floral coffees like Harar are my favorites (I drink them here whenever I can) I think I just might enjoy this. Also if anything like tea in Turkey it's a time to sit and chat. I'd also want to visit Harar or the Omo Valley in the south. Addis Ababa may seem expensive after Cairo. A bed may cost $15 night. Lalibela though has nice hostels at $10/night. I would have to take hundreds of photos. I may need a new camera. For eight centuries rock solid faith white robed, Lelibela gathers for morning mass to sing its song. [177.188] "Blogging Circle of Friends " Let's talk about Ethopian cuisine. There's a few things listed, what would you recommend for us to try and why? What did you think about the coffee section? What's your favorite hot beverage coffee, tea or hot chocolate?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_cuisine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_production_in_Ethiopia#:~:text=%22Ethiopia%... "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Our trip has been customized to meet our needs. We will not be having the down time listed in the beginning.https://www.safaribookings.com/day/t21782 We're arriving and immediately leaving by plane to our adventure to Lalibela which is home to the 12th-century hand carved rock churches of King Lalibela (1181 - 1221) whom the town is named after. We'll have lunch in our hotel, then visit the first group churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are found northeast of a stream named ‘River Jordan’. In a 1970 report of the historic dwellings of Lalibela, Sandro Angelini evaluated the vernacular earthen architecture on the Lalibela World Heritage Site, including the characteristics of the traditional earth houses and analysis of their state of conservation. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g480193-d7619296-Reviews-Tomb_of_A... Our meals are included but no alcoholic beverages so we're doing a brew tour. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g480193-d12133587-Reviews-Lalibela... 2,605 |
| Misr, the Arabic name for Egypt. Best to go first to the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy. Spend a week there. Take your time. Learn as much as you can about the various kingdoms, the beliefs, customs, every day life. Egypt was a living civilization full of intrigue and the mundane.  My photo. Taken in Torino, 2018. When you are surfeited go to Egypt. Cairo will overwhelm you with a crush of people. It's still a very much alive civilization. Don't just be another tourist. Eat the local food. Let the customs infuse you with delight not just frustration. When I go I'll stay in a hostel for $5/night, maybe even get a private room. There are too many good choices. It's 37 degrees today, tomorrow 38. It will be 24 tonight. Not a drop of rain in sight. What to do? I'll have to check out the Nile and maybe a walking tour or two. St. Simon (the cave church) intrigues me. I will find a mosque, not necessarily the famous ones. They are peaceful places of prayer. Yes, I know there are these huge monumental paramids, but people intrigue me more. I'm sure there's plenty of good food. Plenty to choose from on this list (*intrigues me): *Ful Medames (Ful is a paste of mashed broad (fava) beans flavored with garlic and olive oil.) Tamiya (falafel) *Koshari (A mix of rice, brown lentils and macaroni topped with fried onions and a spicy tomato sauce) Shawarma (like Greek giro) Kebab and Kofta Mulukhiyah (thick green soup usually eaten with meat on the side) *Pigeon (yes, the bird) Egyptian Desserts Baklava Feteer Meshaltet (like burek or flia) Baba Ganoush Mahshi (stuffed vegetables) *Besarah (creamy green puree) *Alexandrian Kebdah (liver) *Sayadiyah Fish Hawawshi (stuffed pita) Kanafeh (sweet) *Umm Ali (highly recommended dessert) Basbousa (sweet) Baked sweet potato For photos and explanations: https://www.cleopatraegypttours.com/travel-guide/egyptian-culture/top-10-egyptia... I would only ride a camel if offered. For me it's a tourist trap I can avoid (like holding koalas in Australia). But the people of Garbage City, the Zabbaleen, and Saint Simon's Coptic cave church? Yes. Garbage City Piles of garbage. Piles of trash. The ancient recycling. The sorting out. When will the pigs return to help the Zabbaleen. How long can ancient ways continue to exist. The stench persists. The heat persists. Saint Simon overlooks it all. The rock resists as antiquity resists this passage of time. © Kåre Enga [177.187] (15.avgust.2020)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294201-d754516-Reviews-Heliopolis_Towe... 30 day https://travel.usnews.com/Cairo_Egypt/Things_To_Do/Giza_Pyramids_62479/ we're doing the 8 hour private tour and riding a camel..woohoo. Let's hear what caught your attention? Talk about what you saw and learned about the pyramids or the artifacts or the crafts. https://www.viator.com/Giza/d23032-ttd/p-8243P13?eap=ttdpw-cairo-15861&aid=v... Experience Cairo’s very best on a private, full-day tour that takes in ancient sites, artifacts, and a bustling bazaar. Ride a camel through the sand beside the soaring pyramids at Giza and go toe-to-toe with the enigmatic Sphinx. Pause for lunch before visiting the Egyptian Museum and explore the stunning collection of artifacts, mummies and royal treasures with your guide. Then continue to the Khan el Khalili bazaar to browse vibrant displays of fabrics, handicrafts, and antiques. We'll be dining at the hotel. My photo album with a few of the photos from Torino: https://www.facebook.com/kare.enga.9/media_set?set=a.2054416051259675&type=3 |
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