This past winter we spent three weeks in Israel and Jordan, an itinerary that for many includes the famous carved city of Petra. We all know it from Indiana Jones, but few could tell you what it actually is. So if you’ve found yourself planning a trip to Petra without really knowing anything about the area, I highly recommend picking up … Read More
Books and Mementos: Egypt
Naguib Mahfouz is one of Egypt’s most famous authors and winner of the Nobel Prize. In preparation for our trip to Egypt, I read his Cairo Trilogy which is a multi-generational story about a Cairene family spanning the years from the Egyptian Revolution in 1919 to the end of World War II in 1944. It gives great insight into Egypt’s modern history … Read More
Books and Mementos: Turkey
Before visiting Turkey, I knew very little about the Ottoman empire. The Sultan’s Seal is a historical novel that served as a great introduction for my first trip to Turkey. This short and enjoyable read follows Kamil Pasha and his British sidekick Sybil as they investigate the death of the palace governess. It’s a murder mystery with a little romance and politics that will teach … Read More
Books and Mementos: Peru
I typically bring quite a few souvenirs home, but this trip was a little different since we really didn’t have time to shop. I’m not an impulse buyer, so even in another country it takes me a long time to select exactly what I want to buy. Though I would have loved a nice alpaca wool blanket, I have no regrets because the treasures … Read More