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
The Dromomaniac
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
Above is a mural from a swank film library in Amman courtest of the government suddenly throwing money into developing a film industry. The guy running the bottom floor library studied engineering and has a side business in painting ostrich … Continue reading
Last century I was in Jordan and all my photos from my entire Middle East trip were destroyed at the airport when I flew out from Israel—I mean, occupied Palestine. I had a big argument with the staff and one … Continue reading
I was originally going to title this, “I Hate Traveling”. After 28 hours of airports and airplanes, I was a little punchy after arriving in Amman, Jordan. I flew San Francisco-Los Angeles-London-Amman for $589 one way on United and bmi, … Continue reading
The time has come. It’s time to go. Again. Tomorrow (1/11/11 at 1pm—yes!) I fly one-way to Jordan, then to Syria and Lebanon, and then somewhere warmer. This has the looks of another big around-the-world trip. I’m not sure how … Continue reading
I am in the San Francisco Bay Area in the town of Kentfield, exactly on Kent Avenue, and tomorrow I will go up the street to Kent Woodlands, then to Kent Road which leads to Kent Trail and Kent Lake. … Continue reading
