cultures - i should log off

Living History While Traveling in Trabzon Turkey

August 1, 2013 By Danny

It about three years ago when we found ourselves traveling through Turkey during Ramadan. Turkey itself is a wonderful place to travel but what we found difficult was that as we headed further east, to the more religious parts of the country, we encountered the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. During the holiday, Muslims traditionally don’t eat during the day and instead pig out at night. Trying to be sensitive, and challenged by what food options were available to us, we tried to do the same which left us hungry during the day and awake at night as our busses made frequent food stops.

This past week we read an article in The Economist detailing how a Byzantine Monastary was being used as a Mosque to celebrate Ramadan. The article took me back to that time on the trip, travlling through that very city during this same very holiday. Although we didn’t visit this specific site, The Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, we were passing through during Ramadan and did visit another Byzantine Monastery, the Sumela Monastery. The site was itself quite beautiful and, as a tourist site, made a nice reprieve for us from the restrictions of traveling during Ramadan. Reading the Economist article I am left to wonder if it may to find a day when its own purpose is changed to another religion. This is something that happens all the time, especially in the Middle East, but I just can’t help to wonder what the future holds for sites such as this.

I intend to offer no opinion regarding the cultural and religious politics of that region of Turkey, but instead just want to offer a few photos from the Sumela Monastary

Photo of the Day: Zulu Danny

March 16, 2011 By Danny

In South Africa there are little tribal villages all over the place to see what tribal life is like. We visited one and part of the treat was getting to dress like a Zulu Warrior. I dedicated myself to the art and other than my footwear am dressed just like a Zulu Warrior. When it was Jill’s turn, she kept her shirt on….lame!

Special thanks to Flickr user beckamcknight for marking this photo as a favorite.

To see a few of our favorite photos from South Africa click here.

Our PHOTO PAGE has links to all of our collections on Flickr. Be sure to mark some of your own favorites so that we can include them on this column. We’ll be highlighting a different photo every day.

Photo of the Day: Jumping over Angkor Wat

February 17, 2011 By Jillian

Jumping in front of Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Special thanks to the random Cambodian woman with the curious name of ‘Ponch’ who took the photo for us.

Special thanks to Flickr user Itinerantlondoner for marking this photo as a favorite.

To see a few of our favorite photos from Cambodia clickhere.

Toasts around the world

February 4, 2011 By Danny

As most travelers know, many friendships are forged over a drink. Here’s a few toasts that will keep you covered no matter where you go.

Skål – This word comes from the old Norse word for ‘bowl’ and is now used across all Scandinavian countries to toast. Contrary to some beliefs, there is no relation to the word ‘skull’ but rather to the word ‘scale’.Prost – This German toast comes from the Latin word ‘prosit’ which wishes “that it be good!” As always a good focus on the drink at hand just be certain your beer selection is worthy of German culture. Maintain eye-contact from the toast’s start to its finish.

Salud – To your health everywhere that Spanish is spoken. To make things nice and easy French, Portuguese and Italian speakers say Santé, Saúde and Salute respectively. All come from the Latin ‘sal?s’ meaning ‘health’.

Gan bei – The Chinese will command you to ‘dry the cup’ or ‘drink it all.’ Etiquette is important in China though so expect the host to be the first to toast. (Gan Bei is Mandarin and not all of China uses Mandarin. The Cantonese equivalent, another dialect westerners are likely to encounter, is Gom Bui!).

Nostrovia – This Russian toast, also ‘to health’ is actually a misspelling of Na zdorovje. The best part about this toast is that it works not only in Russian but across most of the Slavic world and even in Polish. Wait for the host to offer the first toast before even touching your food!

L’chaim – L’chaim, l’chaim, to LIFE. Everything in Judaism is done to life and drinking is no exception. While you’re at it, a big ‘Mazel Tov’ or congratulations may be in order as well!

Kampai – Like the Chinese version of cheers, this Japanese version also refers to an empty cup. Rather than a command though think of it as a noun – empty cup. To some this might still be a command but to some ‘zen-like’ individuals it is a toast to all that you have to learn in order to fill your cup of life. Whatever you do, make sure the ‘Kampai’ has finished before you take your first sip!

Did you know that we’re Glenfiddich Explorers? You can catch this and many of our other lists on their website!

Photo of the Day: Whirling Dervish in Leopard

February 3, 2011 By Jillian

A giant ring of people chanting to their god. Onlookers, including ourselves, just beyond them. Inside that circle were the Whirling Dervishes, most wearing only white. This guy had a leopard skin to go with his more traditional outfit. They spin around to become closer to god and to nature. It was a sight to behold….especially given that we were in Khartoum.

Special thanks to Flickr user Itinerantlondoner for marking this photo as a favorite.

To see a few of our favorite photos from Sudan click here.

Living History While Traveling in Trabzon Turkey

Photo of the Day: Zulu Danny

Photo of the Day: Jumping over Angkor Wat

Toasts around the world

Photo of the Day: Whirling Dervish in Leopard

Recent Comments

Banking on the Road

Adventure Guides