Middle East Travel Archives - Page 2 of 3

One Year in the Desert

February 25, 2013 by Cate Brubaker

It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year that we’ve lived in Abu Dhabi. One year of blistering heat and murderous sun, one year of travel opportunities in this part of the world, and one year of continuing this wonderful lifestyle of ours.

I had originally intended on presenting this as a list of my likes and dislikes in regards to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. However, I’ve realized that many of the things that I like about this part of the world are a direct result of the things that I don’t like about it. So, after careful consideration, I have amassed a number of thoughts on the things I like about the year in the desert and I present them to you, in no particular order, for your perusal.

Abu Dhabi International Airport: I have to put this at the top of the list for many reasons. One is that it is a very nice airport. Secondly, it’s only ten minutes from our house, which has made it very convenient when we absolutely had to escape this city over the last year, which we did many, many times. Additionally, air fares are more than reasonable and an abundance of local holidays have made travel a breeze. Abu Dhabi is nice, but fancy hotels and shiny malls can wear a bit thin. We spent more time exploring other parts of the world than we did Abu Dhabi, and I’m okay with that. Will I ever again have the chance to spend a weekend at Chernobyl? Most likely not.

Electricity: Many sources put the United Arab Emirates in the top five countries for global carbon dioxide emissions, mainly due to the fact that natural gas is the primary fuel for the generation of electricity. It’s not surprising that this country needs so much power, as everything is air conditioned. Everything. Like the indoor ski slope and some parking garages at those shiny malls. I am, by nature, very frugal with power and water but I must admit that I’ve never been more thankful for electricity in my life. The heat here is unfathomable, and while I am judicious with my a/c usage, I do use it with much love.

Culture: One thing that I’ve noticed is a distinct lack of culture in the UAE, at least in comparison to some of the other countries in the Middle East that we’ve visited, such as Jordan and Egypt. Unless, that is, you count a rapid transformation from Bedouin to filthy rich as a culture, and I think that sociologists and anthropologists could have fun exploring that metamorphosis. I, personally, have found more culture within the communities of foreigners who have come here to chase a dream. The Indians, the Bangladeshis, the Pakistanis, the Filipinos and the Malays have carved a niche for themselves and their cultures, and they celebrate their customs with joy. I like that.

Beauty: There is beauty in the bleak of the desert, and I find much that is beautiful here. The Arab women are stunning, and the inky black of their robes only serve to highlight their gorgeous features, smoky eyes, and their stunning shoes that peek from beneath. The Emirati men have never made white look so good, and they should have a monopoly on aviator sunglasses, as I’ll now never be able to appreciate that look on anyone else. The waters of the Arabian Gulf are a shade of blue that rivals, and sometimes beats, those of the Caribbean Sea, and sand dunes are made up of too many colors to count, if you look closely enough. The amazing architecture of Abu Dhabi and Dubai is stunning to look at, but I have found more beauty in the simplicity of this part of the world.

It’s So Easy: I think that a lot of people have some preconceived notions about living in the Middle East, and many of those are spot on. After all, this part of the world is not necessarily the easiest for westerners to adapt to. However, the UAE is uniquely welcoming, and sometimes I think life here is more American than in America. Staples like alcohol and pork are easily obtained, as are most other products that expats desire, as most everything is imported from Europe. Bars and clubs all over the city woo partygoers with glitz and glamour, and water parks and roller coasters tempt with expensive thrills. It’s in many ways a dream land, until that summertime heat slaps your head and screams, “Wake up!”

As things stand now, we’ll be in this part of the world for another year. However, as many of you who know us can attest, that is subject to change at a moment’s notice. Am I ready for another twelve months in the desert? Yes and no, but the time has taught me a lot about myself and a part of the world that I never thought I’d become intimate with.

First and foremost, I have learned that I like Abu Dhabi, but I also like leaving it from time to time.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

February 20, 2013 by Cate Brubaker

What’s wrong with this picture? At first glance, it seems as if very little is wrong with it. Just two women, enjoying a walk around a cultural site. However, the larger picture tells a very different story. The cultural site these women are visiting is Wat Phra Kaew, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Thailand, and the woman on the right is quite disrespectfully under-dressed. What makes this photo even more damning is that she would have been issued a shawl upon arrival, and had she refused it at that time, she would have been denied entry into the temple complex. I can only surmise that she removed the shawl as soon as she felt the coast was clear, effectively telling the Thai people that she has no respect for their religious culture. None. And if that isn’t a hearty “fuck you”, I don’t know what is.

Some of the most visited sites in the world pertaining to ancient history and culture are religious ones. Mosques, churches, synagogues and temples all over the globe have endured wars, the elements, and much more to become popular with tourists, but to the people whose faith these structures represent, they are much more than a place to take photos and check off of the bucket lists.

All too often I see tourist deliberately flaunting the rules of various religious sites. When I was in Istanbul last year I was so very excited to see the Blue Mosque. As we left our hotel for the day, I made sure that I had a long-sleeved sweater and a scarf in my bag, so I could cover up appropriately for my visit to the mosque. We neared the front of the line to enter the mosque, and I noticed female volunteers distributing scarves to the women so they could cover their hair. I donned my own scarf and we were granted entry. The crowds were thick, but not so much that I didn’t notice Western women removing the scarves as soon as they were inside. I overheard one woman say, in a distinctly American voice, “I’m not Muslim. I’m not wearing that shit.”

I don’t care if you’re not Muslim. I don’t care if you’re not Buddhist, or Christian, or Jewish. I don’t care what you are, or aren’t. When you enter a place that people use to pray, or worship, or meditate, or whatever is significant to them, show some respect. If they ask you to cover your hair, do it. If they ask you to kneel, do it. If you don’t want to do any of those things, don’t go in. It’s very simple.

I’m not a religious person. I don’t subscribe to any faith, and, to be frank, most modern religions trouble me and leave me confused. However, just as I appreciate my ability to to be free in my lack of faith, I appreciate the ability of others to be immersed in theirs. I respect their devotion, and consequently, I respect the places they go to show that devotion. I have no agenda other than a desire for cultural awareness, and a few minutes spent observing the rules so I can visit these amazing places is time well spent.

And to those ladies at Wat Phra Kaew and the Blue Mosque and all the others who ignore the rules, if you don’t have time for respect, then perhaps you shouldn’t be traveling.

Sunsets Around the World

December 24, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

“Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgundy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.”
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

I am a sucker for a gorgeous sunset. Who isn’t? There is something so stupendously satisfying about seeing another day race off to be tomorrow in some other part of the world. A setting sun is one of those moments that can be experienced anywhere in the world, even your own backyard.

Sunsets have sometimes been the definition of beauty as I judge a place and compare one to another. I realize that can be unfair. Each place in the world has its own identity, and its own signature sunset.

These are some of my favorites.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This is one of the places in the world where my favorite sunset did not necessarily involve an ocean view. Taiwan lies on almost the same latitude as Hawaii, so it has similar tropical weather and high humidity. These combine to create skies filled with marshmallow clouds and the golden and pink colors that I love. I loved to climb to the roof of our 27 story apartment building and spend an hour taking one photo after another as the sun set behind the buildings and the busy shipping port. It was truly one of the most spectacular views in the city, and it was all mine.

Kapua Bay, Big Island, Hawaii

It goes without saying that Hawaii has spectacular sunsets. Virtually any place on any of the islands has an evening view to melt your heart. However, I was fortunate enough to visit the beach house of my friend, photographer Sandi Child, on several occasions. This rustic cottage, located at the end of a long, 4×4 only, lava road through a macadamia nut and honey bee farm will always be one of my fondest memories of the Aloha State. Sunsets were spent on the lanai just a few feet from the water, with cocktails in hand, and abundant laughs. If we were lucky, dolphins or humpback whales would pay us a visit as well.

Huanchaco, Peru

Before we made the journey from Kaohsiung to Huanchaco, I asked Will if there were sunsets. He immediately showed me photos from his time there a few years before. I was satisfied, but it wasn’t until I witnessed one for myself that I realized just how gorgeous they truly are. Whether we were ensconced on the patio of our little casita with a bottle of wine, or we carried said bottle down the street to perch on the breakwall above the Pacific Ocean, sunsets in Huanchaco are one of those wide awake in dreamland moments that made it so hard to live that perfect place.

Amazon River, Peru

Not to be outdone by her Pacific coast, Peru serves up some spectacular sunset vistas in the interior as well, particularly in the jungles surrounding the Amazon River. I’m no meteorologist, but I have to assume that it’s the steamy, humid air that coaxes the amazing colors out of the sky as the sun sets. Beautiful pinks and magentas merge seamlessly with royal purple and midnight blue and tint the mighty river with their hues. Dark always seems to come too quickly in the tropics, but while the color and light show is going on, there’s no better seat in the house than the deck of a cargo boat on it’s journey to Iquitos.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

I have developed a love/hate relationship with the sun since I arrived in Abu Dhabi. On one hand, the often dusty haze that hangs in the sky contributes to stunning, blood red sunsets, and on the other hand, the sun is actively attempting to kill me. However, as the inhumane heat of the summer has faded to the deliciously pleasant temperatures of winter, a cocktail or dinner outside is an actually feasible endeavor. Whether it’s a luxury hotel’s rooftop lounge, or the deck of our villa, Abu Dhabi sunsets are some of the most unusual I’ve seen. Reds shift to orange and orange morphs to purple as the sun settles into the Arabian Gulf, all of it heralded by the sometimes otherworldly ululation that is the call to prayer . It’s an incredible sight to see.

No matter where I am in the world, I will usually drop what I am doing and run outside to catch the sunset, and I am grateful that I have seen yet another day to its close. Maybe at some point in the near future I’ll wake up early on a regular basis to do the same with the sunrise.

Until then…

Where in the world are your favorite sunsets? Let us know in the comments section below!

How Jordan Stole My Heart and Refuses to Give It Back

December 17, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

I’ll freely admit it. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was the first and only film of the series I have seen. I liked it for what it was, a slightly cheesy action film, but I really enjoyed it for what it inspired in me, a reason to visit Petra. The beauty of The Treasury and the rest of the complex that was shown in the movie sparked a flame that was one of the few of my early bucket list items that hasn’t changed.

Fast forward more years than I’d care to admit and I was on a flight bound for Amman. As has been our typical travel style this year we had only a weekend to see this beautiful country. I understood that I would likely leave with a feeling of want, and I did, but so many things about that weekend made it very worthwhile. Here are a few of them.

Sleeping Under the Stars

Part of our jam-packed weekend schedule was an overnight experience in Wadi Rum with Bedouin Directions. Everything about our time with them was seamlessly beautiful, from the desert hike at sunset to the dinner and music by gaslight. But the jewel in that crown was as simple as dragging our cots out of the tents and into the evening shadows. Snuggled up against the slight chill, I watched the stars come alive. Brilliantly vibrant against an inky sky, I fell asleep counting constellations and revelling in the utter and complete bliss I felt in the moment.

Wadi Rum

I gleefully dubbed my photo series of Wadi Rum “Beauty and the Bleak”. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is everything I had ever hoped for in a desert landscape. Unique rock formations, towering cliffs, dunes of myriad beautiful colors, and vistas that literally took me back in time all combined to make for an exquisitely perfect day. Our guide and his trusty Jeep had me squealing like a little girl as we raced over the dunes, we climbed through the rubble of Lawrence of Arabia’s house, I got up close and personal with ancient petroglyphs, and witnessed an incredible dust tornado the size of which I had never seen. I easily could have pitched my own Bedouin tent and stayed in Wadi Rum forever.

Petra

What can I say about Petra that hasn’t already been said many times over the last two thousand years? The first glimpse of the Treasury as we neared the end of the Siq is a humbling experience, to say the least, but to stand in front of The Treasury, head tipped all the way back to take it in, is a feeling of awe that will be a touchstone of mine forever. Add to that the rest of the complex, the gorgeous striations in the pink sandstone, and the soaring expanse of the many cliffs made me feel so small, and so grateful to be there. Petra is a place of huge cultural significance and although I say this a lot, it is a place that no one should miss if you have the opportunity to go.

The Donkey Ride

So this guy at Petra really wanted us to have a ride on his pair of donkeys. He trailed us all through Petra and we eventually agreed, more to just get him off of our backs than anything. As we discussed the route we would take, he mentioned a secret way to get back to the parking lot near the entrance to Petra. Thus began an epic sixty minute journey across an area that only goats get to see on a regular basis. Those strong little donkeys scrambled up and over the rock formations and as the bright sunlight bounced across the cliffs and reflected back on Petra, I was again lost in a moment that felt very much like a dream.

Throughout our entire weekend in the country of Jordan, as we raced in our rental car from place to place, I was flush with emotion. The landscapes are gorgeous, the people are intelligent and generous, especially with their tea, and the history is something to be savored. I can’t wait until we have a chance to return and really get to know this enchanting place.

Have you visited Jordan? Would you like to? Let us know in the comments section below!

Unrest

December 10, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

I have never really understood the word “unrest”. It seems so much like an afterthought; a simple word stating the opposite of “rest”, but no more. Isn’t everything and everyone in a state of unrest at times?

Semantics aside, the word unrest is often used today to describe heated, politically charged situations in countries like Egypt. This unassuming descriptor conjures up feelings of unease in people halfway around the world as they absorb the media’s sometimes skewed story telling along with the most shocking images a news source can scrounge up. Unrest means danger, unrest means terror, and unrest means stay the hell away lest you be caught up in the violence. Unrest means remain at home.

We had booked a weekend trip to Cairo over a month ago. The week before our departure unrest reared its head as Egyptians once again took to the streets to protest a corrupt government. My friends around the world began a protest of their own. They protested my decision to continue as planned with the trip.

I can’t say that I wasn’t a little unsure. I was. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I wasn’t frightened. I felt no real fear about a trip to Cairo. I wasn’t terribly worried. Not until we were on the plane, pushing away from the gate at Abu Dhabi International airport. That is when I came face-to-face with unrest. And it scared the hell out of me.

Events unfolded benignly enough, as tense situations often do. The plane had just started its lumbering trek to the runway when the shouts began a few rows in front of us. One of the members of the Egypt Air cabin crew was shouting at a female passenger, and she was shouting right back. The aircraft shuddered to a stop. The pilot informed the passengers that we were returning to the gate due to a “disruptive passenger”. The plane made a sharp, 180 degree turn and back to the jetway we went.

As often as I fly, and as much as I am convinced disaster is inevitable on an airplane (see fear of flying), I have never experienced a disruptive passenger situation. However, I assumed that the authorities would board the plane, remove the offender and we’d be on our way. Not so. A strange song-and-dance routine began, with the song as screams in Arabic and the dance as a near brawl in the aisle of the plane.

You see, according to the man seated behind me, the woman simply refused to buckle her seatbelt. Her simple act of weird defiance was delaying our flight, and the Egyptians on board were not happy about it, not happy at all. As more and more people in uniform boarded the flight to attempt to deal with the situation, more and more of the other passengers became pissed off. Shouts directed toward the woman soon evolved into shouts directed at each other. Then the shoving started and the fists were drawn back in a show of force and I panicked. I panicked with a spray of tears, grabbed my bag and got off the plane.

Thankfully, Egypt Air employees prevented my all-out retreat back to my house in Abu Dhabi. They allowed us to wait at the gate until the situation had been resolved, which took over two hours. Two hours! Eventually, Abu Dhabi police removed the lady from the plane, and gate security escorted us back onto the aircraft. As we pushed through the drawn curtain separating first class from coach, my fellow passengers erupted in applause. I almost burst into tears again as we found our seats and got settled.

The man behind me gently tapped my shoulder and I turned around. “When you began to cry I was so angry”, he said. “I just want you to come to Egypt. I just want to welcome you. I am so happy you returned to the plane.”

I was happy as well. Cairo is a raw, gritty and stunningly gorgeous city. The Egyptian people are kind and warm and fiercely proud of their heritage. Tahrir Square is filled with men and women whose ideals are not up for discussion, or for sale. I fell in love with the feelings of angst and despair and hope that are the very breath of this amazing country.

And the Pyramids were great too.

The Sport of Travel

October 31, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

I’m no sports enthusiast. Not in the slightest. I’ve simply never seen the appeal. However, I have, at times, been persuaded to attend a pro basketball or American football game and found myself enjoying the competitive, carnival-like atmosphere. It’s infectious. People all over the world crave the competition, whether it’s an alley football match between groups of kids, or an international event with a production level that rivals Hollywood blockbusters.

Additionally, more and more travelers are either including international sporting events in their travels, or making a certain event the main reason for their trip. With major events, and minor ones, held in virtually every corner of the globe, it’s easy to tailor a trip to include as much, or as little, sports action as you like.

Formula One

Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2009 — Photo: Powwow

I’m from the United States, and car racing in the USA is something completely unique, and very different from the car racing events held in the rest of the world. Had I been more of a fan, I might have been aware early on that Formula 1 is considered to be far superior to NASCAR. As it is, I never watched or even paid attention to either. Until we moved to Abu Dhabi, that is.

Yas Marina Circuit is the location of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, held this year on November 3,4, and 5, and is just minutes from my house. I have walked the 5.5 kilometers of that track, which is open to the public on most Tuesdays and Sundays, and marveled at the absolute splendor of it. Add to that the concerts and other events that are held on race weekends, and I definitely see the appeal.

Throughout the season, races are held in places all over the world. Monte Carlo, Shanghai, Budapest, New Delhi and Sao Paolo are just a few of the cities holding fabulous race weekend events. If those events are even half as lavish as the one on order for Abu Dhabi this weekend, I consider Formula 1 to be one of the ultimates in a sports vacation.

Horse Racing

Easily one of the oldest, and most loved, of international sporting events, horse racing enthusiasts and gamblers the world over look forward to annual races as they might look forward to the birth of a child. The glitz and glamour of race meets are legendary, as is evident by the star studded photos that turn up in the tabloids after a race is over.

While many countries hold local “bush” events, the big races offer millions of dollars in prize money and the finest and most carefully bred and trained horses in the world. The most famous of these races are carefully orchestrated events designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of people, and include parties, concerts and other activities.

Each of the top races prides itself on being the best, but each also has something unique to offer. The Dubai World Cup, held in Dubai, UAE in March, is the richest horse race in the world with a ten million dollar purse. Sheikh Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, enters his own horses in the race, and the well-known opulence displayed in the UAE is increased tenfold for this fabulous event.

Royal Ascot in England is held over five days in June. Attended by the Royals and with a strict dress code enforced, this is one of the most attended racing events in the world. The Gold Cup is the most prestigious race held during this event, and the aristocracy and the rest of us turn out in droves of over 300,000 strong, making this one of the best attended race meetings in the world.

The Kentucky Derby in the United States is undoubtedly one of the most iconic races in the world and epitomizes the Sport of Kings. Held each year in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May, this race, the first in the Triple Crown series, showcases the best 3 year old Thoroughbreds in the world. Additionally, the legendary mint juleps and the ostentatious hats and costumes worn by the attendees and the festive atmosphere combine to create one of the United States’ most loved sporting events.

Boxing

Boxing has always been a popular sport around the world, and famous fights have garnered international attention. After all, who can forget the Rumble in the Jungle held in then Zaire in 1974 between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman? Since then, and with the rise in popularity of the UFC, boxing has become an international phenomenon, with fights held in cities around the world.

Las Vegas may always be synonymous with the prize fight, but international destinations such as Macao, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro and Stockholm have all offered up great fight cards this year, with thousands of people attendance, and many more paying hefty fees to watch on television.

Additionally, Thailand, where the mother of UFC, Muay Thai, originated, also sees a significant number of tourists arriving solely to experience the sport. Whether actively training for their own fighting career or as a spectator, thousands of travelers seek out the best trainers and fighters that Thailand has to offer.

Whether making an elaborate trip for one of the four-year extravaganzas like the Olympics or the World Cup, or taking in one of the yearly events, sporting event travel is something that travelers from all walks of life are experiencing more and more. Sadly, I’m not going to be in attendance at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, but I may climb to the roof with a pair of binoculars to see what I can see.

After all, it’s not NASCAR, people. It’s Formula 1.

Have you traveled solely to take in a sporting event? What would be your dream sports-themed trip? Share your ideas and experiences with us in the comments section below!

Central Souk Abu Dhabi

August 2, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

Abu Dhabi is a shopper’s paradise. From high end luxury clothing and jewelry shops to bargain chains, Abu Dhabi’s numerous malls have everything to offer. However, finding an authentic Middle Eastern shopping experience in this glitzy city can be more difficult. There are numerous shops tucked away in alleys that offer the spices, trinkets, and carpets that we associate with the area, but these can be hard for the average tourist to find. Abu Dhabi’s one-stop souvenir shopping can be accomplished quite easily at the Central Souk. While it certainly doesn’t compare with Sharjah’s Blue Souk on the authenticity scale, it is nicely designed and offers a combination of high end boutiques, a variety of restaurants and a traditional market atmosphere.

Located near the intersection of Khalifa and Liwa Streets near the Old Clock Tower in downtown Abu Dhabi, the Central Souk is part of Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Center. After a fire gutted the area in 2003, a massive rebuild project was started, and many parts of the area are still under construction. Despite the chaos, the souk is easy to find, and ample signs lead to free underground parking.

The first floor of the souk is home to the traditional market. The walls are constructed of dark wood, and antique furniture is scattered throughout, tagged discreetly if you care to inquire further about the beautiful pieces. Here you can follow your nose to the spice shops, and their wares are displayed in colorful barrels. Shops sell the spices in bulk, and also offer gift packages of common local spices in a segmented box.

Aside from spices, treasures abound in every corner of every shop. Satisfy your kitsch craving with camel-themed snow globes and magnets. Choose a hand-made piece of jewelry crafted from semi-precious stones. Purchase a brass Aladdin’s lamp for a child and watch their eyes light up. Try to find the secret compartments in handmade wooden boxes. Admire the brilliant colors in the pottery bowls and vases. Attempt to decide which brilliantly colored Turkish lamp would best suit your decor. With many shops to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which treasure chest to dive into.

Bargaining is expected here, so be prepared to smile and haggle away. Also, if you think you may return to a particular shop for additional purchases, make sure to ask for a business card. The shopkeepers will likely offer you an additional discount as a repeat customer. The sales people also seem adequately stocked with packing materials such as bubble-wrap to help keep fragile items safe during travel.

While it may not be the Arabian bazaar of your dreams, Abu Dhabi’s Central Souk literally offers something for everyone. So if it’s a last minute shopping trip before the airport, or an afternoon devoted to browsing, Abu Dhabi’s Central Souk will not disappoint.

Visit our facebook page for more photos and “like” us while you’re there!

I Am Published!

June 27, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

I have the pleasure of telling all of you that an article I have written has been published on a popular travel website! Call me silly, but it is quite thrilling to see words that I have written pop up on a website that is seen by thousands of people! Strangers will read my article! Some of these readers might even take my advice!

I have an excerpt below, but make sure to click the link to read the entire article!

Cheap Date: Abu Dhabi

Budget conscious traveling is a financial art form. Finagling cheap flights, scouting wallet-friendly accommodations, and utilizing alternative transportation can all be wonderful and exciting ways to maximize the travel dollar and really get up-close and personal with the part of the world you’re visiting. In many destinations, this is a relatively easy feat. However, when you find yourself in a part of the world that isn’t usually associated with the word “budget,” getting creative can take you even further off the traditional beaten path. Case in point: Abu Dhabi.

Click the Travel Generation link below!

via Cheap Date: Abu Dhabi » Travel Generation.

The Blue Mosque

May 29, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

We arrived at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport at 1am. After a six hour flight from Abu Dhabi, I was more than ready to just get to the hotel and go to sleep. We hopped into the van to the hotel and I prepared to snooze until our arrival. However, our driver drew my attention to Sultanahmet Cami, or the Blue Mosque. There it was, just inside the walls of the Old City of Istanbul, perfectly lit and gleaming. This is the reason why so many make the journey to this city on the cusp of East and West.

After a few hours sleep, we awoke to the call to prayer. Having lived in Abu Dhabi for a few months, the call to prayer is not a surprise. However, the clarity of the call in Istanbul is phenomenal. Perhaps it’s the water of the Bosphorus Strait, perhaps it’s the walls and buildings of the ancient city, or perhaps it’s the uniqueness of this Occidental/Oriental marvel.

The Sultanahamet Cami is a working mosque, and entry is from the southwest side through a courtyard. It is referred to as the Blue Mosque due to the blue tiles inlaid on the interior domes. Approaching this mosque is, in itself incredible, as the minarets tower over every other structure in this part of the city. Given the fact that it is, indeed, an active mosque, bags are provided for removal of shoes, shoulders and knees must be covered, and women must cover their hair. Shawls are provided for this.

The mosque was constructed under the order of Ahmed I, from 1609 to 1616. The design incorporates both Ottoman and Byzantine styles, and is considered to be last mosque designed during the Classical period. It was also built to house a tomb for the Sultan and an educational institute as well as a place for worship.

The interior of the mosque houses more than 20,000 handmade tiles in designs of flowers, fruit and trees. The upper level tiles are primarily blue in color. Over 200 stained glass windows let in the natural light, which is aided by wrought iron chandeliers. The combination of light and color reveals the reason this place is referred to as The Blue Mosque.

Thousands of people descend upon this place each year, both for worship and for tourism. The Blue Mosque holds all of the ancient history of this part of the world, and thus is still an important aspect of the history of Turkey. The Sultanahmet Cami demands great respect and awe, and, as an observer, you are certain to see why Pope Benedict XVI said that Turkey will be a bridge of friendship and collaboration between East and West.

More photos can be seen at www.facebook.com/thelifenomadic

Al Ain Camel Market

May 8, 2012 by Cate Brubaker

Al Ain, located 160 kilometers east of Abu Dhabi on the Omani border, is known as the Garden City of the United Arab Emirates. Known for its low humidity and scenic surroundings, it is a popular destination for Emiratis and tourists alike. It is home to several luxury oasis hotels and Jebel Hafeet Mountain, a popular sunset viewpoint.

One of Al Ain’s more popular tourist experiences is the Al Ain Camel Market. Situated behind the Bawadi Mall on Mezyad Road, the Al Ain Camel Market is open daily during daylight hours and is a traditional livestock market in the Bedouin style. In addition to camels, there are goats, sheep and cattle offered for sale, as well as livestock and veterinary supplies. However, the camels are the main attraction, for buyers and tourists alike. Camels from as far away as Sudan and Pakistan are accompanied by their shepherds and offered for sale. Young camels, old camels, riding camels and meat camels are housed in pens while the sellers and buyers congregate outside.

Be prepared to be one of the only tourists at this market. Also be skeptical of shepherds escorting you into their camel pens to see the babies or sit on one of the adults. After the photos are taken, they will often demand payment. It is wise to agree on a price before entering the camel pens. In addition, this is first and foremost a livestock market, and while the camels and other animals appear to be treated well, it is not an animal park and there is obvious indication of that.

The camels and their handlers are a bit of Bedouin life in the heart of the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. The animals are beautiful and the men charged with their care lend a very traditional feel to this market. An easy drive from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Al Ain Camel Market is a great escape from the bustle of either city. Bring your cameras and sunscreen and enjoy this slice of traditional Arab life.