Below are comments sent to us by a participant in our most recent Levantine Adventure Tour. Thank you!
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My husband Bill and I travelled to Jordan , Syria and Lebanon on a Levantine Adventure trip sponsored by Caravan- Serai. We also did an extension to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman. This trip proved to be a trip of discovery, enlightenment and a sensitivity to other cultures and faiths.
Since 9/11 I have had many misconceptions about the Middle East, mainly because of what I have read and heard on the news. I was prepared to meet with some hostility since I was not wearing a hijab or abaya.
Bill and I did not meet with any hostility either in the cities or in the small villages visited. There were many school children on holiday (Easter week) who would approach us and ask, “Where are you from?” When we told them we were from the USA and lived in California near Disneyland we got a lot of smiles and a big “Welcome to our Country!”
We had the good fortune to have the owner of Caravan-Serai, Rita Zawaideh with us on the tour. Her colorful past living in both Jordan and Syria made for further insight into the lives of people living in the Middle East.
Both Bill and I enjoyed seeing and learning the history of the many ancient Roman ruins, amphitheaters, mosaic masterpieces, visiting Petra (the Rose Red City, spending a cold night in a tent at the Wadi Rum(I used all three blankets given to me),visiting Palmyra and the great Mosques (which were awesome in architecture and design. The inside of the Mosques had Swarovski crystal chandeliers costing over 60 million dollars. We experienced a jeep ride in the desert (it was like being on a roller coaster (I did not like the ride….too scary). I also had the unique experience to go to a fashion show in Dubai. Wow! I thought I was in a New York fashion show…. models from Russia and Sweden modeling the latest in Western attire with Hip Hop music in the background. There were men and women who were dressed in their traditional long black robes and scarf, others in Western garb all seating side by side enjoying the show.
Our tour also took us to a winery in Lebanon. We actually liked both the red and white wines and bought some at the Duty Free shop to take to the hotel.
The highlight of the trip was visiting Rita’s family both in Jordan and Syria. Both families outdid themselves to prepare a sumptuous lunch to top it off with delicious desserts. It was a real treat to talk to each of the family members and find out more about their lives. All were so welcoming, warm and friendly.
I would recommend the trip to all. It was a trip of discovery, educational, enriching, a priceless adventure. Both of us are grateful that we were given the opportunity to travel in these countries. However, it was good to get back to the USA, Irvine, our bed and to our cat, Koko Chanel who missed us.
Betty and Bill
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wonderful Experience in Iran
Below is a letter we received from a client who recently returned from a month-long private tour of Iran. The person it is addressed to is our local coordinator in Iran who handles all of our ground logistics there. Our Iran tours, both private and group, continue to receive high praise, and all clients are always amazed at how well received they are while in Iran. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Waugh!
_________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms. Sattari,
At the end of our recently completed month-long tour in Iran, I promised our excellent guide Siavash Amirsharafi that we would write you a note regarding his work for us.
We (my wife Charlotte and I) had an absolutely wonderful trip, thanks in large part to his efforts (and, of course, the planning and support provided by you and by Caravan-Serai). Not only is he extremely well informed (and, it seems, well connected), but he worked harder than any tour guide we have ever met to make sure that we not only followed the program but took advantage of additional opportunities along the way. He was very good at getting us through closed doors when we would otherwise not have been sure of admission.
Among his concerns was our well-being--making sure we ate well (if anything, we ate far too much!) and did not take ill, and "running interference" for us when we crossed streets in the (for us) somewhat daunting traffic in cities. I am an avid photographer, as he will attest, but he was always careful to alert me to instances where it would have been inappropriate for me to take photos.
Siavash is a real treasure. While I am sure he would perform as well for "ordinary groups", it is important that you assign him to individuals like us who have a deeper interest in Iran and its culture. As I understand it, he has guided and translated for various western scholars; some of them stay in touch with him, which is a tribute to his knowledge and abilities.
We have no complaints of any substance about the trip, which exceeded our expectations. And we hope eventually to be back to see places we did not visit this time (Khorasan is at the top of the list). Your country has so much to offer, we can hope that many Americans will visit; perhaps that will help to thaw relations on the official level, which I think we would agree are most unfortunate. Everyone we met was courteous and most interested to interact with American visitors; we in turn enjoyed every encounter. As a historian interested in the historic Silk Road, I learned a huge amount, but as with any such experience, importantly I learned how much more I want to know about Iran, its history, and its people.
With warm regards,
Dan Waugh
_________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms. Sattari,
At the end of our recently completed month-long tour in Iran, I promised our excellent guide Siavash Amirsharafi that we would write you a note regarding his work for us.
We (my wife Charlotte and I) had an absolutely wonderful trip, thanks in large part to his efforts (and, of course, the planning and support provided by you and by Caravan-Serai). Not only is he extremely well informed (and, it seems, well connected), but he worked harder than any tour guide we have ever met to make sure that we not only followed the program but took advantage of additional opportunities along the way. He was very good at getting us through closed doors when we would otherwise not have been sure of admission.
Among his concerns was our well-being--making sure we ate well (if anything, we ate far too much!) and did not take ill, and "running interference" for us when we crossed streets in the (for us) somewhat daunting traffic in cities. I am an avid photographer, as he will attest, but he was always careful to alert me to instances where it would have been inappropriate for me to take photos.
Siavash is a real treasure. While I am sure he would perform as well for "ordinary groups", it is important that you assign him to individuals like us who have a deeper interest in Iran and its culture. As I understand it, he has guided and translated for various western scholars; some of them stay in touch with him, which is a tribute to his knowledge and abilities.
We have no complaints of any substance about the trip, which exceeded our expectations. And we hope eventually to be back to see places we did not visit this time (Khorasan is at the top of the list). Your country has so much to offer, we can hope that many Americans will visit; perhaps that will help to thaw relations on the official level, which I think we would agree are most unfortunate. Everyone we met was courteous and most interested to interact with American visitors; we in turn enjoyed every encounter. As a historian interested in the historic Silk Road, I learned a huge amount, but as with any such experience, importantly I learned how much more I want to know about Iran, its history, and its people.
With warm regards,
Dan Waugh
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Photos of Morocco
Here are some photos from Morocco - just follow the link to the Picasa Web Album! I will work on captions so there will be more information on the photos soon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bpskier/Morocco?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/bpskier/Morocco?feat=directlink
Monday, May 10, 2010
Home at last
As I look back on the last two weeks, I realize how much ground we covered on our tour of Tunisia and Morocco. I also realized how many typos I made in my previous posts from what I have now found out is the French keyboard! I have gone back and corrected the typos (I hope I got them all!).
You never realize how much you get used to things being one way, and not even considering that there could be a different way, then you find yourself in a foreign country and can't type worth beans. A good analogy, I think, to remind us that there is a whole wide world out there where things are different than here in the US. It may be frustrating at first, but you come to realize that is normal for someone else. It adds to the experience and broadens your horizons. If everything were the same all over then there would be no need to travel, right?
So my next task is to go through all the photos and get some posted to give everyone an idea of the sites we visited, the landscape, and the people of Tunisia and Morocco. There are over 1500+ photos to go through so it may take a few days to get it done!
It was a wonderful experience, and much different than traveling to the Levant, or the Arabian Peninsula. Here it is Berber nomads rather than Bedouin. There is a strong French influence on government structure and administration and the education system. And while there are a few Christian churches, they are mostly a result of the French, rather than having deep roots in the region like they do in Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
If you have been to the other regions before, and think that Tunisia and Morocco won't be anything new, please rethink that idea. You will be amazed at the differences from the blending of Arab, European, and Berber cultures. The food is much different, too, and quite delicious!
If you have any questions about the tour, Tunisia or Morocco, drop us a line!
You never realize how much you get used to things being one way, and not even considering that there could be a different way, then you find yourself in a foreign country and can't type worth beans. A good analogy, I think, to remind us that there is a whole wide world out there where things are different than here in the US. It may be frustrating at first, but you come to realize that is normal for someone else. It adds to the experience and broadens your horizons. If everything were the same all over then there would be no need to travel, right?
So my next task is to go through all the photos and get some posted to give everyone an idea of the sites we visited, the landscape, and the people of Tunisia and Morocco. There are over 1500+ photos to go through so it may take a few days to get it done!
It was a wonderful experience, and much different than traveling to the Levant, or the Arabian Peninsula. Here it is Berber nomads rather than Bedouin. There is a strong French influence on government structure and administration and the education system. And while there are a few Christian churches, they are mostly a result of the French, rather than having deep roots in the region like they do in Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
If you have been to the other regions before, and think that Tunisia and Morocco won't be anything new, please rethink that idea. You will be amazed at the differences from the blending of Arab, European, and Berber cultures. The food is much different, too, and quite delicious!
If you have any questions about the tour, Tunisia or Morocco, drop us a line!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Marrakech
We are now in Marrakech, and on the last few days of the tour. We have seen a lot - some things on the itinerary and some things not.
On our way to Fes we made a stop at the town of Moulay Idriss and came around the corner just in time to be behind a funeral procession. We followed the procession for a little while as our guide explained the rituals for a Muslim funeral, from the treqtment of the body, prayers, and burial. As we followed to pall bearers and family - men only for the procession -we could see that everyone they passed stood out of respect, whether they were having tea or in their car, they stopped what they were doing and stood as the procession went by.
In Fes we had a great tour of the ancient medina, which is loaded with history. The winding passageways can be confusing and claustrophobic as the walls literally press in on the pathways. One of our visits was to the oldest tannery around. The skins are treated and dyed in a very traditional manner in vats tended by numerous workers. It looks like hot stinky work to first soften the skins then to color them - using only natural dyes. The colors are amazing! Poppy reds, deep indigo blues, pinks, purples, greens, yellows, all achieved using only natural ingredients. And the leather is so soft when it is done - jackets, bags, slippers of the softest leather you have ever felt. Photos of the tannery will be posted later.
Along the way I have noticed a flower here that looks very out of place: a giant purple thistle that would make any Scot proud - all over Morocco! Flowers have been everywhere we go - poppies in fields, jacaranda trees with their purple blooms, pink flowers, and of course roses.
We are off to visit the famous square of Marrakech then to have a special dinner tonight. More to come later!
On our way to Fes we made a stop at the town of Moulay Idriss and came around the corner just in time to be behind a funeral procession. We followed the procession for a little while as our guide explained the rituals for a Muslim funeral, from the treqtment of the body, prayers, and burial. As we followed to pall bearers and family - men only for the procession -we could see that everyone they passed stood out of respect, whether they were having tea or in their car, they stopped what they were doing and stood as the procession went by.
In Fes we had a great tour of the ancient medina, which is loaded with history. The winding passageways can be confusing and claustrophobic as the walls literally press in on the pathways. One of our visits was to the oldest tannery around. The skins are treated and dyed in a very traditional manner in vats tended by numerous workers. It looks like hot stinky work to first soften the skins then to color them - using only natural dyes. The colors are amazing! Poppy reds, deep indigo blues, pinks, purples, greens, yellows, all achieved using only natural ingredients. And the leather is so soft when it is done - jackets, bags, slippers of the softest leather you have ever felt. Photos of the tannery will be posted later.
Along the way I have noticed a flower here that looks very out of place: a giant purple thistle that would make any Scot proud - all over Morocco! Flowers have been everywhere we go - poppies in fields, jacaranda trees with their purple blooms, pink flowers, and of course roses.
We are off to visit the famous square of Marrakech then to have a special dinner tonight. More to come later!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Kingdom of Morocco
Today we began our tour of Morocco, arriving from Tunis this afternoon and taking a short driving tour of Casablanca. It was hard to leave Tunis, but hopefully we all will have an opportunity in the future to come back and see even more of the small North African jewel.
So here we are on the edge of Africa along the Atlantic coast. I have noticed a bit slower pace to things here, which is fine. Each country has it's own rhythm and I suspect the pace will change again as we move inland tomorrow.
We will be visiting Morocco's Imperial Cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech. I look forward to seeing Fes again after about 15 years since my last visit!
Hopefully I will be able to post a bit more regularly than in Tunisia. More later!
So here we are on the edge of Africa along the Atlantic coast. I have noticed a bit slower pace to things here, which is fine. Each country has it's own rhythm and I suspect the pace will change again as we move inland tomorrow.
We will be visiting Morocco's Imperial Cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech. I look forward to seeing Fes again after about 15 years since my last visit!
Hopefully I will be able to post a bit more regularly than in Tunisia. More later!
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