I miss Egypt. Not just Egypt actually, but the Middle East in general. Forget the modern monoliths of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, what I yearn for is the excitement of exploration and the thrill of being set adrift…
Barber Shop Photos 20 – Nile Feluca
One of the highlights of my 2009 trip to Egypt was a two day cruise along the Nile River. This was special as we took a traditional Feluca, rather than the steamers that paddle their way up and down the…
Barber Shop Photos 19 – Jaresh, Jordan
In 2009 I travelled to Dubai, Egypt and Jordan. I love the landscapes in this part of the world and there is something magical about wandering through the ruins of ancient cities. Jaresh was unexpected for me as I was…
Travelling in search of culture
When we travel, one of our goals is always to find a slice of whichever country we’re touring that has been saved the ravages of tourism. As contradictory as it may be, we travel to seek the very thing our…
Barber Shop Photos 10 – Petra’s Treasury
I’ve talked about Petra in a previous Photo Blog, but this shot is certainly among my favourites. This vista, which looms out of nowhere as you walk through a tight canyon on the way from the modern town of…
Sinai 2009 – part 2
Did you miss part 1 of this story? Why not catch it here first? The desert evening was cold and we were shivering despite our warm clothes by the time we reached the car park staging point for the five…
Sinai 2009 – Part 1
The enchanting ululations of half a dozen mosques broadcasting call to prayer woke me before 5am and I came to consciousness with the sense of standing on the edge of the city, which comes from 17 hours in the air…
Surprises in the desert – Siwa
Egypt taught me a lot about the realities of travelling. I was swindled in the shadow of the great pyramids (http://www.einsteinsbarbershop.com/?p=72), endured the corruption of officials in Luxor (bullied by a guard at Karnak), dropped my bundle in frustration at…
Barber Shop Photos #4 – The Path to Petra
Petra is a site that has held significance for me ever since I was scared half to death as a young boy when I was silly enough to sneak out of bed and watch Indiana Jones and the Raiders of…
Barber Shop Photos #2 – St. Catherine’s Monastery
This shot from my 2009 trip to Egypt comes from St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, which lies in the centre of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The mountain is best known as the location where…
Sounds like a plan
As much as we might wish it, no trip comes truly out of the blue – not even for those lucky few who win a competition or happen to have particularly amazing partners. There is always some…
Breadcrumbs
The most memorable thing I have ever brought while abroad is a small model of the Great Pyramid complex at Giza. They are memorable to me, not by virtue of their expense or rarity, but because of the bumbling…