As 2024 ends, half of this country is dreading what will be four years of insanity. I can only hope that there will be an awakening that leads to controlling the worst impulses of human greed and our government becoming a corporatocracy. For now, let see what will become of our democracy. I for one, truly believe that most Americans are more pragmatic and centered than those on the right or the left…..
Art Basel, also known as Miami Art Week offers a combination of art fairs, museum exhibitions, satellite art programs, public art and murals seen through its many neighborhoods and commercial districts. There are over a dozen art fairs and it’s almost impossible to see them all. During this first week of December, the Art World in Miami is showcasing every form of art …. exhibitions, installations, performances, panel discussions and workshops representing every demographic and special interest group with plenty of parties, receptions and meetups. There was something here for everyone…..
As part of my yearlong travels, it was important for me to end the year by becoming more purposeful. By connecting my world with that of another place so different from my reality, hoping to serve as a global citizen in changing a person’s life. During my 18 days in Kenya, I visited a primary school in the town of Kisii from within a school region of 154, 175 people….
The final 18 days of my yearlong travel were spent in Kenya before heading home. If you were to ask me was this part of my original travel plans, I would have to say “not exactly” with no regrets. Kenya is known for its scenic landscapes, a diversity of indigenous tribes, and its vast wildlife preserves. In fact, Nairobi is the safari capital of the world with its own national wildlife park within its borders. Staying in Nairobi allowed me to partake in a safari adventure, volunteer at a private school in a rural community and explore the city. Here are reflections of the final days of my yearlong travel and of Kenya…
When traveling through Kenya, you are likely to come across the Maasai Tribe, a semi- nomadic and pastoral community of people that are fighting to retain most of their traditions. The Maasai People are famously known for their unique customs that are rooted in co-existing with wildlife and the herding of livestock. I was fortunate to spend a bit of time with a local Maasai Tribe learning about their way of life. Honestly, you are both perplexed and inspired by an indigenous community whose way of life and survival is threatened every day. Here’s what I’ve learned about the Maasai Tribe and their endurance to survive….
A fourteen-day stay in Cape Town, known as the “Mother City”, the first European settlement in South Africa. An absolutely beautiful city with its majestic flat-top Table Mountain overlooking the sea. The birthplace of political prisoner Nelson Mandela imprisoned for 27 years to eventually become the first president of South Africa in 1994 after ending racial segregation in 1985…quite an achievement but at a significant human cost. A multicultural city where at least four languages are spoken with a long history of harvesting wine. A city with probably one of the most horrific past yet able to find a pathway toward reconciliation. Here is what I’ve learned …..
What better place to experience the coexistence of man and wildlife than in the Serengeti, a vast ecosystem of national parks known for its stunning landscapes and home to some of the most exotic members of the animal kingdom. Spending my first week of 18 days in this unique, vast ecosystem to witness some of the most spectacular landscape of sweeping golden plains and exotic wildlife ever seen. It is painful to imagine that the combination of human behavior and climate change could one day end this vital ecosystem. Yet, there is much that is being done to ensure its sustainability. Here is what I witnessed and learned from this unique wilderness experience
Cappadocia is a region in Central Turkey known for its geographical landscape caused by millions of year of volcanic eruptions. These surreal rock formations are known as fairy chimneys and mushrooms, but honestly, they also look like something folks are too polite to name. The cities in this region were built from cave dwellings. In fact, the area is known for its cave dwellings, its landscape, its cuisine, textiles and ceramic plates but especially its hot-air balloon rides. I stayed in a cave in the city of Goreme, the tourist center of the province of Nevsehir. This once rural and impoverished region is very much now a tourist city. Here’s what I learned and enjoyed about this unique region of Turkey ending my three weeks in this country….
I always been fascinated by the photos I’ve seen of the Cappadocia Balloon Festival, one of the largest balloon festivals in the world, organized every July. The region’s stunning natural landscape of dramatic rock formations, fairy chimneys, and lush valleys is one of a kind. It has always been on my bucket list to visit this place and take a balloon flight regardless of when the festival is held. I somehow managed to take two, both times unable to contain my excitement. Here is why you may want to put this on your bucket list…..
In Cairo, Egypt for 10 days to experience ancient Egyptian civilization, from its mysterious pyramids, towering monuments, mummies, and tombs to its cuisine, artistry and way of life. Where else can you witness the Great Sphinx or visit a country once run by a powerful woman, Queen Cleopatra, 30 BCE? Cairo is the second largest city in Africa, the bustling capital of Egypt, a city rich in history and culture on the banks of the Nile River (the longest river in the world). Cairo, known as “Al-Qahira” in Arabic, is the largest city in the Arab world. It is also a city undergoing drastic changes. Here is my take on Egypt and what to explore when visiting…….
