Travellers and tourists are advised to be cautious in their choice of a destination in Africa. See the link below (which I'll comment on), and I've added a few because they have been left out . Avoid the following places if you want to travel in Africa. As per link: Liberia--putting itself together under Mrs Leaf. Could be safe in future. Guinea--very unstable at the moment. Demonstrations against government. Nothing for tourists here. Kenya--Lovely destination. Crime the big problem in ...
Thousands of people know the old man of Giza, the Sphinx, but I have to tell you that I have a special relationship with him. Firstly I love to visit him because he has an aura--a 3500 year old aura--that I cannot explain, but I'll try. He is much smaller than he appears in pictures but his legacy is huge. Imagine, if you can, a monument that stood 1500 years before Christ. Not so long ago, in 1798 (!) the forces of Napoleon fought the battle of the Pyramids near the old man. There are many ...
I thought I'd blog on some of the aspects of Cairo tourists never see. I'll do this once a week or so.This city has some amazing stories to tell in its 1000 year history. On the eastern side of the city, close to the famous citadel, and in the Moquattam hills, lies the City of the Dead. This is a vast area of cemeteries and small mosques that has existed for as long as the city has been here. As you pass the city you will note two things: Mile upon mile of boarded up or walled grave yard. ...
Today has been a pretty bloody day in the Middle East. Living in Egypt I am obviously concerned as Egypt is often targetted because of its soft attitude towards the US. Today in the news: -Six people killed by bombing in Algeria. (Al Quaeda claims responsibility). -Three people killed by bus bombings in Lebanon (probably Al Quaeda or agents). -Another bomb in Baghdad (after yesterday's carnage). Sixteen or more killed. Arab kills arab. Muslim kills Muslim. Why? Where is this sordi...
As a Historian and not a politician, I always get excited by a presidential election. I like to compare men (and women now), and their philosophies, personalities and their ideals for America. Tonight I heard Barack Obama's speech and I was struck by his charisma, his articulate speech and the common sense he spoke. I panned the audience and found as many whites as blacks excited by Obama's stirring words. Obama has a long way to go but if he is significant of the type of candidate coming ...
Some news snippets for you: The President of China, HU Jintao, wound up a seven nation tour of Africa in the Seychelles today. A significant pledge was made to Zambia where the amount of aid will total almost 400 million dollars. Not all Zambians were enthralled though as many traders in that country felt that 20 000 jobs made has to be offset by the loss of revenue from local goods. They say that as tons of Chinese goods pour in so local goods sales would suffer. What those goods are I do...
I read on Times Online today that Kodak is considering selling its film interests. That's after 100 years of making cameras and film. I guess they'll concentrate on digital more. I know their digital cameras are getting better and are proving quite competitive. Last week I read that PC Warehouse will stop selling floppy disks when stocks run out , and a few months ago I heard that Dixons (UK) would no longer stock VCR's. So, it is obvious that old technology must make way for the new. I began...
Cairo is known world-wide for its infamous black and white taxis (would-be tourists will be pleased to know that we have new yellow cabs too). These taxis are often museum pieces dating from the sixties (shades of Cuba?), and some are held together by hand-made parts and a lot of faith. King of the "black and whites" is the virtually indestructible Peugeot 504, a vehicle seen in most "developing" African countries. The 504 is the prince of Cairo's taxis and many are cherished by their owners....
Cairo is known world-wide for its infamous black and white taxis (would-be tourists will be pleased to know that we have new yellow cabs too). These taxis are often museum pieces dating from the sixties (shades of Cuba?), and some are held together by hand-made parts and a lot of faith. King of the "black and whites" is the virtually indestructible Peugeot 504, a vehicle seen in most "developing" African countries. The 504 is the prince of Cairo's taxis and many are cherished by their owners....
Ah, the cycle of life. How it runs, seemingly, back to the beginning. It's the "empty nest" part of the cycle that we are in now. My wife and I married in the early seventies. We lived in a rambling cottage on the edge of a farm and we had three dogs. There was always an edge of panic when our bulldog, lab or spaniel got sick. You know the scene. Young couple dote on dogs, visit vet frequently, spend a fortune at the vet! Our dogs have always been important but when the kids came along the...
Everyone has heroes simply because there are people we admire and look up to. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and may be from politics, sport, the arts and entertaintment or, in fact any walk of life. A hero can be from history or the present. Most of all a hero is a)a representive of things we aspire to, or, a person we would defend in any debate because of qualities that have influenced us. A hero can be a brother, a Saint or a pop singer. One of my wife's heroes is Bob Dylan. Some of...
Just over a week ago, a crippled cargo ship, the MSC Napoli, carrying 2400 containers, was grounded on a sand bank near Branscombe in Devon. The ship was repaired a few years ago and heavy weather tore away at the old repair leaving a gaping hole in her hull. She was grounded as it was feared she would sink before reaching a nearby port. Many of you probably watched TV pictures of the stranded, ailing ship as she listed heavily over and tossed 100 or so of her containers into the sea. The...
As I am a realist, and, a person who puts logical explanations above all else, I do not believe in the paranormal. Psychic phenomena, ouija boards and ghost-watching do not enter my world because I believe that there is an explanation for everything. I also think that the charlatans of the world have blown up the paranormal to the extent that it exists now. Members of spiritualist churches are chief amongst those who try to persuade us that Mom and Pop are a few steps away with messages of go...
(I live in quiet hope that this innocuous little post does not provoke a "Battle Royal" between notorious JU feuders.) It was reported today that more Zimbabwe farmers face the eviction chop. The statistics/threats, are frightening: * 3500 white Zimbabwean farmers have been evicted, sans compensation , from their land. * Another purge of 300 to 400 farmers is about to happen soon. * Only the "lucky ones" will remain. Lands minister Didymus Mutasa, in his infinite wisdom, has decide...
The latest Big Brother furore in Britain has highlighted an intolerance and vulgarity that is common in parts of Britain. The social decline in values and the insensitivities to others' feelings, whether racist or otherwise, is blatant in Britain today. It is not just a Jade Goody display (the girl who caused the racist problem in Big Brother), it is a British display. There are lots of Jade Goodys and John Baddys in Britain but why are they like that? I don't know and would appreciate commen...