Naqsh-e Jahan Square – Must-See. The great squares of the world. Red Square, Times Square, Saint Peter's Square, Tiananmen Square. These meeting points ooze history. A gathering point for both locals and visitors throughout time. Naqsh-e Jahan Square known as Imam Square should be added to the list of magnificent squares. It is located in Esfahan, Iran. Construction started [...]
UNESCO Iran – Must-See. Shiraz one of the must visit cities within Iran, was fabled for both its wine and poets. The city is still admired for its poetry, but no longer for its wine since Iran has banned all alcohol. An hour from Shiraz are two must see UNESCO World Heritage sites. One world famous, [...]
The strong men of Iran. One third aerobics, one third break dancing, and one third weight lifting show, and then throw in a bit of sufi dancing. I was in a treat for a unique performance. I was in Shiraz a city of poets and formally wine. I was in the innards of the Shiraz bazaar. [...]
The Amazing Faces Of Kurdistan, Iraq. Scanning the news on any given day, and it is natural to feel a bit apprehensive. Car bombings, kidnappings, beheadings. But once on the ground, your preconceptions are quickly washed away in a wave of hospitality and welcomes. For several days, I wandered the streets of Erbil, the regional capital [...]
Visiting Behesht Zahra, Martyr’s Cemetery. War is savage. Brutal. The aftermath of this savageness is displayed in full at the Behesht Zahra cemetery outside of Tehran. These losses are the results of a nearly 8 year war between neighbors Iran and Iraq. Over 200,000 martyrs are laid to rest in this sprawling cemetery. Another one million [...]
Visiting the Grand Bazaar in Tehran. Corridor after passage after hallway snakes around for over 10 km in length. It is a simple process to get lost. I am floundering, but enjoying myself in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran. Tehran is the incredibly busting capital of Iran. Over 16 million people are jammed into this vast [...]
Khor Virap – Must-See. Khor Virap sits in the shadow of Mt. Ararat, the symbol of Armenia. The Turkish border is a scant five miles away. Khor Virap plays a central role in Armenia’s rich history. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned in a pit for 14 years in the 3rd century. Eventually, he was released and [...]
Tourism Fails As someone who travels constantly, I have numerous interactions with airlines, hotels, tour providers, and everything in between. I witness the superlative and the truly, incredibly awful. I will be highlighting interactions with the latter. I spend countless hours of my time and thousands of dollars righting these wrongs. Mystic Blue - Entertainment Cruises [...]
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