Been away only two weeks but it feels like forever. That is a good thing about travel: you get more bang for your buck than staying at home (i.e. it feels like you are really living.) If I had to … Continue reading
I’m determined to learn a little Arabic every day. As with any language, locals appreciate the effort even though I am sometimes chided, “That’s Egyptian Arabic!” Habibi, if you can understand me, I don’t care what kind of Arabic it … Continue reading
My last time in the city of Hama, the owner of the Cairo Hotel warned me not to eat at any of the falafel stands lining the main street because they were unhygenic. I took the advice with a grain … Continue reading
It’s a three hour bus ride to the desert oasis of Palmyra. It’s a pilgrimage all travelers make for the well-preserved, large scale ruins of the ancient city. I’m not much of a ruins guy—you should see my ex-wife (rimshot!)—but … Continue reading
I took a Jordanian service taxi to Syria, which is a regular car that leaves when it has four passengers. It costs a little bit more, but sometimes The Dromomaniac is worth it. At the border, between the checkpoints, our … Continue reading
You would think that for $131 I could get a decent-looking visa stamp in my passport. Alas, no. Did you know there is a Syrian consulate in Newport Beach, California? I can’t think of a more unlikely diplomatic post. When … Continue reading
