by Calvin Sun | Jun 19, 2011 | Introspection, Lebanon, Mythbusters, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
It’s semantics. In India, poorer neighborhoods where Indians live are called “slums.” In Lebanon, poorer neighborhoods where Palestinians live are called “refugee camps.” Yet I saw no evidence of what the media conjures up for us:...
by Calvin Sun | Jun 19, 2011 | Jordan, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Some leftover from our last hours in Beirut: After an uneventful flight from Beirut to Amman, and the standard passport etiquette (20 JOD for a visa on arriva, which is $28.71 USD!), we decided to save some money by taking the airport shuttle (3 JOD) into the city...
by Calvin Sun | Jun 18, 2011 | Lebanon, Let me tell you a Story..., Mythbusters, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, What Dreams May Come
Beirut: A cosmopolitan, urban city policed by carbine-armed soldiers, where ferraris and BMWs park next to armored tanks, where glass-paned high-end boutique shops neighbor derelict husks of concrete bombed out by a 10 year old war. There are military checkpoints, and...
by Stephanie Quan | Jun 18, 2011 | Crisis, Fail, Lebanon, Lessons Learned, Let me tell you a Story..., Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Now that I’m in Lebanon, I can tell you about entering. Upon arriving in Beirut, I was asked to fill out the visa information. Not knowing the address of the hotel, (Calvin had made the reservations and was coming in on a later flight) I left that part blank....
by Calvin Sun | Jun 17, 2011 | Lebanon, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, The Nightlife
“Sir, have you ever visited Israel?” “Never.” “OK, go.” I know this routine. I’ve heard about it ever since I started traveling. The rule is that if you ever been to Israel and show evidence of it with a stamp in your...
by Stephanie Quan | Jun 17, 2011 | Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Turkey
Meet Ahmet! He’s 7 months old and just too cute. His mother (in the background) rigged up a camera battery charger for me from another type of charger. Brilliant! And amazing in a touristy area where most people will just try to sell you a charger for way too...
by Calvin Sun | Jun 16, 2011 | Lebanon, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Travel Warnings
Guess what’s been issued as I’m about to embark on my journey into Lebanon today: The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon due to current safety and security concerns. U.S. citizens living and working in...
by Calvin Sun | Jun 16, 2011 | Fit for Foodies, Introspection, Mo' Money Mo' Problems, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Turkey, Walking Tours
We finish off Istanbul with a relaxing day of sightseeing. After beginning our day at the Turkish Baths with a thorough scrubdown and massage, we hopped on a metro: …where we ended up near the Spice Market and the New Mosque. Right by the Galata Bridge on...
by Calvin Sun | Jun 16, 2011 | Let me tell you a Story..., Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, The Nightlife, Turkey, Walking Tours, What Dreams May Come
There are very few moments in life where you stop to think, and forget to start again… We knew we only had 2 days in Istanbul, so upon our 6am arrival into the Bus Terminal (from our 12 hour overnight bus from Cappadocia) we got a little antsy as they kept us...
by Calvin Sun | Jun 16, 2011 | Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Turkey
To give you an idea of what pollution is like in Istanbul… I guess the newer sign is the one on the right, while the older sign is…the one on the left. - At time of posting in Istanbul, it was 71.6 °F - Humidity: 73% | Wind Speed: 23km/hr | Cloud...
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