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Travel to Oman: The Jewel of Arabia
Before traveling to Oman, I knew next to nothing about the country. Sure, I could locate it on a map, name the capital and recognize it as part of the Arab world, but I had no idea what a hidden gem that I would find on the easternmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula. If Oman were located somewhere outside the Middle East, I have no doubt that it would draw significant numbers of tourists to its beautiful deserts, wadis and coastline. Yet geographical positioning matters. Despite the fact that Oman…
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Three Day Dubai Itinerary
Dubai is bold, audacious and dazzling. A city of superlatives and contrasts, this once-sleepy village in the United Arab Emirates defies stereotypes, pushes boundaries and redefines geography. It is the type of place where tradition and modernity –while seemingly at odds–live side by side. Dubai is a city that sprung from the desert sands. Over the span of a lifetime, it has become one of the Middle East’s most diverse and dazzling megacities. In a society so seemingly rooted in the past, I found it mind-boggling to witness the UAE’s…
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Incredible Places to Visit in Jordan
Jordan is a safe haven in a region of conflict and one of the most accessible countries in the Middle East. Bordered by Syria, Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the Hashimite Kingdom delights visitors with its World Heritage Sites, while dodging the turmoil that has engulfed its neighbors in all directions. Jordan has always been a welcoming country. The tolerant nation entices tourists with its ancient marvels, hosts a diverse array of religions and cultures within its borders, and shelters refugees with open arms. Throughout history, those who passed through…
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Weekend in Syria
Legend has it that upon laying his eyes on Damascus, Prophet Muhammad refused to enter the city because he wished to only enter paradise once. And, after my trip to the city this past weekend, I can see exactly what he meant. While the Damascus city limits extend for miles and miles, the old city of Damascus is contained within ancient walls. It is a place where lattices of vines create a canopy over picturesque cobblestone streets that are lined with vendors selling colorful fabrics, barrels of sweets and spices and…
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The Desert Castles of Eastern Jordan
The eastern desert of Jordan is flat, desolate and barren. In this large swath of land near the Iraqi border, towns and villages are few and far between, trees are nonexistent and distinguishing features are difficult to come by. Yet, scattered throughout the endless fields of dust and rocks are impressive ancient structures that have been collectively deemed as the Desert Castles of Jordan. In reality, the castles are primarily a collection of caravan inns and fortified palaces that were constructed during the Umayyad Dynasty and still remain relatively intact…
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The Purple T-Shirt
Jacqueline Novogratz is one of my biggest inspirations and her book “The Blue Sweater” remains one of my favorites. Novogratz is the co-founder of Acumen Fund–a nonprofit that invests in entrepreneurs and fledgling companies worldwide. As a young girl, Novogratz had dreams of “saving the world from poverty” and ended up with a fulfilling life that no doubt improved the conditions of thousands worldwide. After college, she landed a high-paying job with Chase Manhattan Bank, but realized that what she was doing had little impact on the lives of the…
