“Coptic Cairo” – Egypt

The city of Cairo, and the country of Egypt, is predominately Islamic.  However, there is a small minority population of Coptic Christians which have a rich history in the city.  In fact, there is an area of the city referred to as “Coptic Cairo” as it is the heart of this minority community.  On a hot summer afternoon Lindsay and I decided to go and explore this unique section of the city.  The first thing we did was walk a few blocks from our hotel to the catch the Metro as Coptic Cairo was only a few stops away.  To be honest, our Metro ride was probably the most memorable part of the day.  The Cairo Metro actually has dedicated train cars for women and men.  However, since we were westerners we simply boarded the “men’s car” together.  Although our destination was only a few stops away it felt like an eternity.  First of all it was extremely hot, and second, every single man in the entire train car was staring at us.  This didn’t bother us in the least but we found it extremely funny.  It was literally like a movie scene as all of the men (their bodies swaying as the train rumbled on) just stared at me and Lindsay without hardly blinking.  I can honestly say it was one of the most awkwardly uncomfortable moments of my life and it was probably ten fold for Lindsay.  Again, we were not threatened at all but it was just hilarious as none of them ever took their eyes off of us.  We eventually made it to Coptic Cairo and began exploring this unique looking part of the city.  The area is defined by narrow alleyways, numerous markets and beautiful old Christian Churches.  Lindsay and I just wandered around taking in the neighborhood but quickly wore ourselves out because of the heat.  It was a short excursion to Coptic Cairo that day but it was something that we will always remember…if nothing else just for the awkward Metro ride. :)

Why is My Mother-in-Law Acting This Way?...Because She is in Paris!

A few years ago Lindsay and I took her Mother Pat and sister Cathi with us on a late fall European adventure.  Neither Pat nor Cathi had been outside the U.S. (aside from Canada) so we were excited to see how they would react to international travel.  When we arrived in Paris it was late November but they were having an unusually warm week and it was simply beautiful.  When we first arrived to the city via the Saint Michelle metro station Lindsay and I ran up the stairs so that we could watch as Cathi and Pat came out of the station and saw Paris, and Europe, for the first time.  We will never forget their look of absolute amazement and instant love.  On one of our first nights in the city we found ourselves with a few extra hours in the late evening to simply explore.  We were staying in the Latin Quarter area of the city and decided to simply stroll up towards Notre Dame Cathedral which was only a few blocks away.  It was a beautiful and warm (for November) evening and as the sun went down the lights of Paris began to come on.  We made our way past the Cathedral and down along a footpath which follows the Seine river.  We simply strolled along the river looking at the beautiful city of Paris which was all around us.  Occasionally we would stop, talk, laugh, etc.  During this time Lindsay’s Mom Pat was just smiling, laughing, singing, etc and we were all busting up.  She was so giddy that she could hardly contain herself.  We eventually realized that Pat was experiencing a “travelers high” and was overwhelmed with the feelings of being in Paris.  Lindsay, Cathi and myself all got a good laugh but to be honest we were feeling it as well.  There is something magical about the city of Paris and this particular night was no exception.  As the evening came to a close we simply wandered back around to the Latin Quarter and back to the hotel…but not without stopping to get a banana/Nutella crepe first. :)  To this day I think that is the happiest I have ever seen my mother-in-law and it was an evening we will never forget!

Wandering Around Beijing China

When Lindsay and I visited the amazing city of Beijing China we only had a handful of days to explore the city (which we were very sad about).  In order to get as much done as possible we decided to fall back on something we do every time we travel that rarely, if ever, fails us.  We picked a handful of main sights that we wanted to see (i.e. Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc) and toured them in depth.  Once we had done this we then simply wandered around as much as possible to try and take in the numerous other sights, sounds and scenes that make up Beijing.  I am thinking of one sunny day in particular when we started our “wandering” in the parks that surround The Forbidden City.  It was a beautiful, and hazy, summer day  and as we wandered through these parks we caught a glimpse into the daily life of the people of Beijing.  The first thing we noticed was a group of older men & women dancing in the park.  We ended up seeing this numerous times while in China but it was at this park when we noticed it for the first time.  These senior citizens (mostly) would gather together in groups, play loud & cheerful music and do the best dance ever.  Lindsay and I just couldn’t help but stop and watch for about 20 minutes straight.  It is not everyday you get to see 30 senior citizens dancing in unity to what sounded like Chinese polka music. :)  Lindsay and I finally realized that these people really have it figured out.  They are outdoors in the park, staying active and healthy and enjoying life to the fullest…you could see it on their faces that they just loved these group dancing sessions.  As we continued through the park we then noticed what at first looked like a group of people kicking around a dead bird.  It was actually a “shuttlecock” which is basically like a hacky-sack with feathers on it.  The feathers help with the speed of the shuttle cock so that you can kick it as hard as you want and it never goes that far.  Also, because it moves slower it allows for a lot more creativity in the way you kick it.  We saw people of all ages doing this from groups of old women to young guys who use it as a form of volleyball (except you kick the shuttlecock across a small short net).  I immediately became obsessed with this and couldn’t wait to try it.  Eventually we found a store that sells them and I bought two to bring home and play with.  For about the next year our entire family (i.e. brothers, nieces, nephews, etc) became totally obsessed as well.  In addition to the old folks dancing and shuttlecocking we also saw numerous Chinese families just enjoying the park.  Lindsay was pregnant at the time so we literally just strolled along slowly in the parks taking in the scene around us.  It is amazing what you discover when you simply walk around in a different part of the world.  By the late afternoon we had made our way to the beautiful area of the city known as Shichahai which consists of lakes, trees, parks, bridges, restaurants and charming old Hutong neighborhoods (historical old neighborhoods of Beijing characterized by small narrow alleyways, stone houses, etc).  This is were are walk began to take a very slow pace as we took our time wandering around the lake and pausing to watch the boats and people float by.  We eventually crossed a cute little stone bridge and found ourselves in an old Hutong neighborhood full of all sorts of shops.  This is where I ended up getting my beloved Shuttlecock and Lindsay found the perfect traditional Chinese tea set.  Once we had our shopping fix we continued to wander until we found ourselves underneath the beautiful and historic Beijing Bell Tower.  This commanding structure made almost entirely of stone and wood is in the classical Chinese style and towers above the surrounding neighborhoods.  By this time Lindsay and I were wiped out and began the trek home to our guesthouse.  When we started out that day for our walk we really didn’t have much of an itinerary.  However, by the end we had seen numerous beautiful sights and gotten a glimpse into the daily life of the people of Beijing China.  If you are ever traveling and find yourself with a few extra hours just start walking.

Ummayad Mosque - Aleppo Syria

Aleppo Syria is an ancient city that lies in the northern part of Syria.  I have said it numerous times before and I will say it again that Aleppo is my favorite city on earth.  There are so many notable landmarks around the city and one of the most beautiful is the centrally located Ummayad Mosque.  Not only is this Mosque beautiful but it was one of the first mosques Lindsay and I experienced in the Middle East (aside form the blue Mosque in Istanbul which was much different from this one).  It is located in the heart of the old city and although it is pretty from the outside it is the inside that is truly breathtaking.  After making your way through the outer walls you enter the interior of the mosque which is an expansive open courtyard made entirely of marble laid out in beautiful patterns.  The courtyard is lined with hallways held up by columns which means the entire interior wall look like one large archway after another.  In the middle of the inner courtyard is a gazebo looking structure made entirely of stone with numerous feet washing stations (a key part of Islam worship).  Finally, there is a tall and ornate minaret that rises proudly into the sky from one corner of the structure.  In addition to the physical beauty of the Mosque there is a peaceful reverence throughout the entire complex.  Everyone who enters is required to remove their shoes which means almost the entire place is whisper quite.  Lindsay and I simply wandered around the mosque stopping occasionally to meditate, talk and appreciate the beautiful and peaceful surroundings.  This Mosque is also very memorable for us because it was the first time Lindsay was required to wear the full body burka from head to toe.  We laughed to ourselves because when I entered the mosque I was simply asked to remove my shoes.  When Lindsay entered she was quickly pulled aside and when she emerged she was in a full body brown burka (almost looked like a Potato sack).  She was such a good sport about it and was happy to respect the local religion.  The Ummayad Mosque in Aleppo Syria is truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful places we have ever been.  We both really hope to be able to visit it again someday.

Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount) - Bangkok Thailand

The city of Bangkok is full of numerous temples, shrines and historical landmarks and it is almost hard to turn a corner without stumbling on one.  Each one is unique and beautiful and it really gives the city an amazing character.  Lindsay and I had read about  Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount) which sounded particularly interesting as it sight high on a hill in the middle of Bangkok.  We simply walked from our hotel to the temple which, like any walk in Bangkok, was fascinating in and of itself.  There were numerous neighborhoods that we passed through that offered a unique view into the daily life of the people of Bangkok.  The hill were the temple sits has numerous other shrines surrounding it which were all quite neat and we explored them briefly.  However, we were anxious to start climbing the numerous steps which lead to the top of the temple.  This was particularly thrilling because it offered a unique view of the dense concrete jungle that is Bangkok.  When we made it to temple we walked around and admired the numerous Buddha statues and watched the monks (in their bright orange robs) perform the various ceremonies.  I am not sure what it was exactly that we loved so much about this temple but it really impressed Lindsay and I.  Perhaps it was the incredible 360 degree view of Bangkok that we were rewarded with at the top.  Bangkok is a huge city and it was incredible to see the endless skyscrapers in all directions that rose like giants in the sunny haze.  We just sat their marveling at the sheer size of this great city.  The Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount) in Bangkok was a welcome oasis from the madness that is Bangkok and offered some of the most amazing views of the city.  Of all the temples in Bangkok we consider this one a “true gem.”

Boudhanath Stupa – Kathmandu Nepal

The city of Kathmandu Nepal is both beautiful and fascinating.  One of the main reasons for this is the numerous colorful temples scattered about the city.  Some of the most recognizable temples are Buddhist Stupas which are generally large white and gold dome/spire structures that stick out greatly when contrasted with the colorful buildings that surround them.  One of the biggest of these structures is the Boudhanath Stupa on the outskirts of Kathmandu.  Lindsay and I were lucky enough to visit this while being driven around the Kathmandu Valley by a personal guide which we arranged through our guesthouse.  We first caught a glimpse of the Boudhanath Stupa when our guide all of the sudden pulled off the side of the dirt road we were on and pointed off in the distance.  Beyond the colorful block houses of Kathmandu was a huge white/gold structure off in the distance.  We then made our way towards the Stupa and within a few minutes were walking along the road which leads to it.  The neighborhood around this area was particularly vibrant and colorful and Lindsay and I were loving every minute of it…despite the fact that I almost got hit by a car (I was filming a video when this happened).  Eventually we made it to the Stupa and it was honestly an overload of the senses.  The white/gold structure itself is huge but what was even more impressive was all of the color that surrounded it.  There were thousands of “prayer flags” that were strung from the top of the Stupa to the surrounding buildings.  Furthermore, there were numerous other very colorful small temples and shrines in every direction and to top things off the area was packed with thousands of people there to worship.  At one point there was a parade of worshipers that were following a man who was carrying a statue (of a God I assume).  The sights, sounds and smells of this area are unlike anything we have ever experienced.  There are also numerous bells that you can ring near the base of the Stupa (as a form of worship I assume) and as people rang those bells it added the perfect soundtrack to the day.  Lindsay and I simply strolled around and went in the various temples and buildings which were all very impressive.  However, just wandering around the base of the Stupa taking in the scene around us was our favorite part of the day.  The colorful prayer flags were stunning in contrast to the bright blue sky and white exterior of the Stupa and the air was filled with the sounds of bells ringing and children playing.  It truly was one of the most spectacular scenes we have every witnessed while traveling.  If you ever find yourself in Kathmandu make sure you don’t miss the colorful and fascinating Boudhanath Stupa.

Getting Lost Twice on the Same Street - Aleppo, Syria

While traveling the world Lindsay and I became very confident in our ability to “learn” a city very quickly.  This of course means that we could navigate through the main sections of the city with relative ease and flexibility.  However, our confidence backed fired on us, mostly me, two nights in a row in Aleppo Syria.  The section of the city where we were staying was called “old city” and had thousands of narrow, winding roads that all looked very similar.  One night when walking back to our guesthouse I thought for sure we were on the right road (alleyway) but we ended up getting extremely lost.  We never felt scared, as Aleppo is full of some of the most hospitable people on earth, but is was a little nerve racking as it was getting late and there were no taxis around.  Eventually we made it to a main square and were able to catch a taxi back to our guesthouse.  The next night we were walking back to our hotel via the same route but this time I was extremely confident that we were not going to get lost (as I had learned my lesson the night before).  However, after a few minutes we realized that we were not on the right road (alleyway).  Furthermore, after a few more minutes we realized we were actually on the road that we had previously gotten lost on the night before.  Needless to say we felt extremely dumb.  We laughed about this for hours because earlier in the trip (while in Istanbul Turkey) I had thought I knew exactly where our hotel was located and told Lindsay to “trust my travel senses.”  This time we were following my “travel senses” and it got us lost…twice…on the same road. :)