Samantha, THIS is the travel essay I need everyone to read!
When I was little, every time we went to visit Egypt, I was embarrassed that we weren't doing something cooler, like visiting NYC, or spending the summer at a cottage like all my white friends. I had no idea just what an incredible experience it was, and how lucky I was to experience it, until I was older. And so much of that came from what is held up as worthy, cultured, etc.
I listened to a podcast series a few years ago that walks through Prophet Muhammad's life. One of the interesting and unexpected benefits I got was actually learning about the Sassinid (my spelling is probably wrong) empire in Persia, which I'd never heard of at school or elsewhere. And learning that a major hub in the Roman empire at that time was actually Damascus. If I, a woman of Arab descent, didn't know this, how likely is it that the average person in Europe or North America has any idea of this?
Hard agree on the whole essay. Thank you for writing it.
What a great essay. I was fortunate enough to do a semester abroad in Syria my last year of university, and I consider it one of the formative experiences of my life. We spent four months studying Arabic in Damascus, and then another two months traveling in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco. I’d never been to Europe; it was my first real experience abroad. And it gave me so much context when years later I visited the British Museum and the Louvre and the Kunsthistorisches Museum and saw all the heads that had been missing off the statues in the national museum in Cairo.
That is so cool, Sarah! And totally agree that it's tough to see European museums the same way after visiting the countries where a lot of their artifacts came from.
I would love to see Syria one day...it became unsafe for travel when I was in college, and I worry that I'll be waiting a while. Yemen is also high on my list but currently out of the question.
Have you been to Tunisia? I lived there for a year once, and I feel like it’s such an undiscovered secret. Great beaches, cool (original) Star Wars filming sites, and totally unspoiled Roman ruins out in the desert. It’s definitely one for your “weekends in Africa” project.
I haven't, and it's on my list of places to start looking for flights to! We had some friends in Cairo who had previously lived there, and they raved about it. From pictures, it looks like a combination of Morocco and the Greek isles...swoon.
What a wonderful essay. Something one should always keep in mind when they plan travel destinations - don't always run behind the places that are glam'ed up by social media reels.
Infact I always keep narrating stories in my podcast of my experiences in Wadi Rum & Wadi Mujib (Jordan), in Luxor (Egypt), in Kas and Ephesus (Turkey) and places like this (& lots n lots of places from where I live - India). Gorgeous landscapes, lots of fascinating history and so much of amazing local interaction - thus enhancing your vacation there. Adding a few of your mentioned countries to my list now :) This was really good!
This was a wonderful article, Sam. I particularly liked the following:
"Perhaps that last point is the most salient one here: where glamor—a night in a fancy hotel, a flashy social media post—is ephemeral, an expanded mind is forever, and traveling in service of the former comes at the expense of the latter. "
I would add that by focusing only on major European cities--or only on the major tourist streets in such cities--travelers frequently miss the best parts. Wandering through side streets and spending time in the villages and countryside can often lead to experiences that are so much richer and more rewarding.
I looked at the Global Index for Türkiye and found it at 29, also ahead of the US. Yet my friends and family continue to ask if we’re “safe.” Thank you for this post. I now have some prodding to do with these folks.
So glad you found it helpful—knowledge is power! Another point I should have made in the post that’s just occurring to me: countries aren’t monoliths, and while some areas might be unsafe, tourist areas could be totally fine. For example, I’d bet a whole lot of money that Egypt is high on the terrorism index because of activity in North Sinai, which is easily avoided by visitors. (I’d be curious to know if Turkiye is similar.)
It's also interesting when you discover how many non-American tourists are regularly going to places that Americans think are dangerous or difficult. My Russian friends honeymooned in India, I've met multiple Germans and Austrians who vacation in sub-Saharan Africa, the Red Sea is full of Eastern Europeans... as you so eloquently described, we're all shaped by what we're exposed to.
Very good points! Live in Lusaka, Zambia and came her the first time 2006 and realised already then that the world was so much bigger and there is so much to see outside of the “common” places. Now I just want to travel within Africa and I will never be done. Also want to see Jordan, that after meeting a friend here that grew up there.
I definitely recommend Jordan--there's plenty to see, but since the country is physically small, you could do it all in about a week. Totally understand the desire to keeping traveling within Africa, though. Such a diverse continent!
I'm with you on Oman. It's the Gulf country I most want to visit.
The sand dunes there look incredible!
They do. I also think Muscat would be an interesting contrast to the other Gulf capitals.
Samantha, THIS is the travel essay I need everyone to read!
When I was little, every time we went to visit Egypt, I was embarrassed that we weren't doing something cooler, like visiting NYC, or spending the summer at a cottage like all my white friends. I had no idea just what an incredible experience it was, and how lucky I was to experience it, until I was older. And so much of that came from what is held up as worthy, cultured, etc.
I listened to a podcast series a few years ago that walks through Prophet Muhammad's life. One of the interesting and unexpected benefits I got was actually learning about the Sassinid (my spelling is probably wrong) empire in Persia, which I'd never heard of at school or elsewhere. And learning that a major hub in the Roman empire at that time was actually Damascus. If I, a woman of Arab descent, didn't know this, how likely is it that the average person in Europe or North America has any idea of this?
Hard agree on the whole essay. Thank you for writing it.
What a great essay. I was fortunate enough to do a semester abroad in Syria my last year of university, and I consider it one of the formative experiences of my life. We spent four months studying Arabic in Damascus, and then another two months traveling in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco. I’d never been to Europe; it was my first real experience abroad. And it gave me so much context when years later I visited the British Museum and the Louvre and the Kunsthistorisches Museum and saw all the heads that had been missing off the statues in the national museum in Cairo.
That is so cool, Sarah! And totally agree that it's tough to see European museums the same way after visiting the countries where a lot of their artifacts came from.
I would love to see Syria one day...it became unsafe for travel when I was in college, and I worry that I'll be waiting a while. Yemen is also high on my list but currently out of the question.
Have you been to Tunisia? I lived there for a year once, and I feel like it’s such an undiscovered secret. Great beaches, cool (original) Star Wars filming sites, and totally unspoiled Roman ruins out in the desert. It’s definitely one for your “weekends in Africa” project.
I haven't, and it's on my list of places to start looking for flights to! We had some friends in Cairo who had previously lived there, and they raved about it. From pictures, it looks like a combination of Morocco and the Greek isles...swoon.
What a wonderful essay. Something one should always keep in mind when they plan travel destinations - don't always run behind the places that are glam'ed up by social media reels.
Infact I always keep narrating stories in my podcast of my experiences in Wadi Rum & Wadi Mujib (Jordan), in Luxor (Egypt), in Kas and Ephesus (Turkey) and places like this (& lots n lots of places from where I live - India). Gorgeous landscapes, lots of fascinating history and so much of amazing local interaction - thus enhancing your vacation there. Adding a few of your mentioned countries to my list now :) This was really good!
:) thanks so much for reading, glad you enjoyed it! I'll have to check out your podcast--I would LOVE to see Ephesus.
This was a wonderful article, Sam. I particularly liked the following:
"Perhaps that last point is the most salient one here: where glamor—a night in a fancy hotel, a flashy social media post—is ephemeral, an expanded mind is forever, and traveling in service of the former comes at the expense of the latter. "
I would add that by focusing only on major European cities--or only on the major tourist streets in such cities--travelers frequently miss the best parts. Wandering through side streets and spending time in the villages and countryside can often lead to experiences that are so much richer and more rewarding.
Thank you, Clarice! And your point is a great addition! Big cities are not necessarily where the best cultural experiences are.
I looked at the Global Index for Türkiye and found it at 29, also ahead of the US. Yet my friends and family continue to ask if we’re “safe.” Thank you for this post. I now have some prodding to do with these folks.
So glad you found it helpful—knowledge is power! Another point I should have made in the post that’s just occurring to me: countries aren’t monoliths, and while some areas might be unsafe, tourist areas could be totally fine. For example, I’d bet a whole lot of money that Egypt is high on the terrorism index because of activity in North Sinai, which is easily avoided by visitors. (I’d be curious to know if Turkiye is similar.)
I’m sure it is very close to the Syrian border.
It's also interesting when you discover how many non-American tourists are regularly going to places that Americans think are dangerous or difficult. My Russian friends honeymooned in India, I've met multiple Germans and Austrians who vacation in sub-Saharan Africa, the Red Sea is full of Eastern Europeans... as you so eloquently described, we're all shaped by what we're exposed to.
This is such a great point!
"--an expanded mind is forever..."
Very good points! Live in Lusaka, Zambia and came her the first time 2006 and realised already then that the world was so much bigger and there is so much to see outside of the “common” places. Now I just want to travel within Africa and I will never be done. Also want to see Jordan, that after meeting a friend here that grew up there.
I definitely recommend Jordan--there's plenty to see, but since the country is physically small, you could do it all in about a week. Totally understand the desire to keeping traveling within Africa, though. Such a diverse continent!
Awesome post. Totally agree
:) thanks, Daniel!
Couldn't agree more, Samantha.
An expanded mind is forever indeed. Beautiful pictures of Wadi Rum. I feel lucky to see them through you. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Shaista 💕