Follow the Fish
Follow the Fish
No Meat, Please!
One of the most exciting things about international travel is getting to try all the different kinds of food. There are dozens of TV shows dedicated to travel food alone. While most people may greet the thought of foreign cuisine with open arms, it's a much more daunting subject for those of us who happen to be vegetarians. Middle Eastern countries host a culture that is highly dependent on animal products. There is even a Muslim holiday known as Eid el Adha during which anim
Money, Money, Money!
It’s no secret that traveling is very expensive. This is one of the main deterrents for many Americans. With the rising costs of international airfare and hotel stays, traveling internationally is something a lot of Americans feel they can only do once or twice in a lifetime. After all, there is so much to see inside the United States. However, my goal is to encourage Americans to break outside the continental U.S. There are many places around the world to visit where the mos
Museum Dreams
One of the first and last places I visited in Egypt was the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. I was so nervous that my hands would not stop shaking. The unrelenting sun beat down on my shoulders as I made my way from the underground parking structure to the first security checkpoint. Behind a small gate, five fully armed soldiers sat under a white canvas tent. I reluctantly approached, climbed over the closed gate, and waited for them to acknowledge me. One of the men outstretch
Egyptian Arabic: Basics 101
Communicating with Egyptians turned out to be much easier than I had anticipated. Most speak just enough English to get by in basic conversations. However, when traveling to a foreign country that does not use English as its first language, it is only polite to try your best to learn to speak with locals. Learning another language strengthens your social and communication skills, helps fight off Alzheimer’s, and makes you look so much cooler when you get back home. I have
Drink Like a Fish
In most Muslim countries, drinking is illegal. In Saudi Arabia, those caught consuming alcohol are subjected to prison time and lashes. Importing alcohol can even result in execution. That’s right. If you take alcohol into Saudi Arabia, you could be killed. These harsh, inhumane punishments are due to strict interpretation of Sharia Law, or Islamic Law. However, while Egypt also practices Sharia Law, they are quite lax on the issue of alcohol. Selling and consuming alco
Ramadan in the Ancient Land
When I realized the month of Ramadan fell into my vacation time in Egypt, I was overcome with excitement. This is the biggest holiday in Islam. Due to its lengthy duration, it is unlike any other holiday in the world. My excitement grew as I watched shopkeepers help each other string long, colorful garland between their stores and down the streets. Jewel toned lanterns, some as large as an adult, illuminated cafe doorways and porches. Markets and bakeries displayed dried
Travel Virgins
For those of you who have never left the comfort of your own country, never fear. Fish is here! I'm hoping to make your decision to travel internationally a little less daunting. If you have yet to make travel plans, hopefully you will be inspired to do so after reading this article. Like many Americans, I too was a travel virgin before making the voyage to Egypt. Sure, I'd been to many places around the United States, but I'd never had the opportunity to go abroad. At l
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