tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56143622454996593882024-02-18T21:00:07.376-08:00MickeyAshmore.comresearch create exploreMickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-61890927723276927262010-07-30T23:13:00.001-07:002012-01-20T07:28:21.060-08:00Capacity Reached: MickeyAshmore.Blogspot.comHello All,<br />
<br />
I have reached the capacity of this blog and can no longer add pictures.<br />
<br />
Please follow my time in Turkey at <a href="http://www.mickeyashmoreistanbul.blogspot.com/">http://www.mickeyashmoreistanbul.blogspot.com/</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Mickey<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Yshwy6_VmYDWzn_wffJCHyRopcQbOtilymnqyEdPEkmV9a8MYp1aSbw9rmliFX_aZ2rFrU6XxB8XK7mRG99OlmLsrR1Sc_a64sMCoog9LT-4igDoEcnUrjCWV1TAIwmBZ7vec2Pu0rgq/s1600/Indians-on-train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Yshwy6_VmYDWzn_wffJCHyRopcQbOtilymnqyEdPEkmV9a8MYp1aSbw9rmliFX_aZ2rFrU6XxB8XK7mRG99OlmLsrR1Sc_a64sMCoog9LT-4igDoEcnUrjCWV1TAIwmBZ7vec2Pu0rgq/s640/Indians-on-train.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-29019518760244331052010-07-29T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-29T10:03:04.169-07:00Day 1: IstanbulAfter 16 hours of travel, I am too jet lagged to write a lot... but I will note a few things:<br />
<br />
1. I am living in Nisantasi-Teskiviye and I really love the area. I am a five minute walk from the main drag, which reminds me a lot of Soho - a mix of high-end and boutique shopping, lots of young people passing the time at streetside cafes, tons of energy and a mild Bohemian flair in select places. This is certainly a great place to be. <br />
<br />
2. My Crest brand toothbrush and tooth paste purhcased from a local pharmacy cost $16.50 USD. Wow. <br />
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3. There are so many sweet shops and bakeries on the street - its unbelievable.<br />
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4. There are so many gorgeous Turkish women on the streets - its unbelievable<br />
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5. The language barrier is pretty tough... I bought a Turkish phrasebook so hopefully that helps<br />
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6. So far, everyone is very friendly and Turkey is very modern and feels very European. It was named the European Capital of Culture for 2010 --- I'm not surprised. TimeOut Turkey is a great companion too!<br />
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7. The weather is wonderful - feels like Seattle summer. 70-80s, some wind, not a cloud in the sky.<br />
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8. My first act in Turkey was to get a proper shave at a one-man barber shop down my street. I didn't only get a shave... my $8 package included a painful uni-brow plucking (Turkish men are <em>VERY</em> hairy so I think they really need this), tweezers to the excess hairs on my face (I guess I had some stragglers on my cheeks that he missed while shaving), a very odd head and scalp massage, several serious aftershave slaps on my cheeks, and a baby powdered towel exploding against my face. To end the experience, my barber put my sunglasses on my face, styled my hair for 3-4 minutes and then gave me two thumbs up. Damn good shave. Thanks to Atol the barber. I'll be back.<br />
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<br />
More to come... including pictures.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
MickeyMickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-53090376131961810152010-05-09T06:59:00.000-07:002010-05-09T06:59:17.103-07:00Aspiring Artist - my first crack at Pastels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Inspired by my Aunt Natalie, I created my first pastel from a truck I photographed in Santa Fe, New Mexico last year.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>My aunt writes, "This is an amazing first effort. Your truck is great! It is modeled. You did this quickly without having to think about it. Rusty (my uncle) does that too and that's talent."</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>I am selling my first work for $500 and limited edition prints for $50. Any takers?</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_eACHHZQjKI313wY87FjMnzZIp1_UvjVPkLNEyn9o7-74Aogu3BjBA1mWz94mhOoLo49vnMLLT6HSRhlt-21XY5qWRKmuAiyuOnidl7iUPRazMYFK3gycwB4XoQ6uQI0cYc2xQqc_37Q/s1600/mickey's_truck1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_eACHHZQjKI313wY87FjMnzZIp1_UvjVPkLNEyn9o7-74Aogu3BjBA1mWz94mhOoLo49vnMLLT6HSRhlt-21XY5qWRKmuAiyuOnidl7iUPRazMYFK3gycwB4XoQ6uQI0cYc2xQqc_37Q/s400/mickey's_truck1.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_1sS-aySV2_w85r615LwioxP2KxeUm8vd7FCoExelR_NQnNS9BSN_XQ_Ra78isc2rjE-SCQhiha0f7KwkXQK8vIVue4XEpzh3gxJby152DVLctaAg-r8XuUfu4h1XTF-vSSNFaT2b1UE/s1600/mickey's_truck_trimmed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_1sS-aySV2_w85r615LwioxP2KxeUm8vd7FCoExelR_NQnNS9BSN_XQ_Ra78isc2rjE-SCQhiha0f7KwkXQK8vIVue4XEpzh3gxJby152DVLctaAg-r8XuUfu4h1XTF-vSSNFaT2b1UE/s640/mickey's_truck_trimmed.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf78XOE1TTeuhNWs78lBoIkdysqvXtPpFnC0c7D-lIRGwNj3iHXH2BKMRiTfK71QxnWHtAeWavFeBOG2lM1TDPG_PX3UEuq8nHEQ3dCdxDgko-xF0fCjVq1gme317e2RFlpr8e1M0Mq5PH/s1600/Truck+Colorful+(1280x837).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf78XOE1TTeuhNWs78lBoIkdysqvXtPpFnC0c7D-lIRGwNj3iHXH2BKMRiTfK71QxnWHtAeWavFeBOG2lM1TDPG_PX3UEuq8nHEQ3dCdxDgko-xF0fCjVq1gme317e2RFlpr8e1M0Mq5PH/s400/Truck+Colorful+(1280x837).jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-69354772875559353452010-05-09T06:53:00.000-07:002010-05-09T06:53:25.105-07:00Bier, Beer, BereMy last day in Munich, a Saturday, was a day worth remembering. I cannot say I did anyone thing so memorable or exciting, but overall - I enjoyed Munich to the fullest, exploring the city, stopping for a bier at every resting place, and meeting new people. I was alone that day - but never felt lonely.<br />
<br />
First, I'd like to comment on the architecture of Munich. I believe most of the city was destroyed in World War II and has been almost too handsomely restored. Note the perfection, the changing pastel colors down a line of buildings - perfectly symmetrical and aligned. I cannot say it is bad -- I've been too less attractive cities. But, I will say the architecture tells much about the culture of the city: conservative, law & order, sterile at times, great for a family. Munich is a great city, but definitely not full of surprises by any means... or you got to know where to look.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmm6WuIvp5h3MXVH1w2ib9PFSeJlGCjlTjKvrpssKxER7vicnfxDfNvHzA54PJrT0Pm-5BYKvyU2yx64HE2krOk33W2yKXcgDvMVLh7fnKMtEs2D5qgakFQ10M9eNqpDOxKBTaOjIEn0L/s1600/street_lined_up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmm6WuIvp5h3MXVH1w2ib9PFSeJlGCjlTjKvrpssKxER7vicnfxDfNvHzA54PJrT0Pm-5BYKvyU2yx64HE2krOk33W2yKXcgDvMVLh7fnKMtEs2D5qgakFQ10M9eNqpDOxKBTaOjIEn0L/s400/street_lined_up.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jejLFEe9jckrgyGt-DxcqG42r85pQstvtyQ1DmJ_FjyTpCQEFQ2neteCXru7gEJiThQG-IUZeLgNV1hQUESjE7Wx8HNq6FU9dr1BdINJudiAJiHCnieMe6Lh4sP0z09oSgBsPSkK8ElB/s1600/street_so_perfect_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jejLFEe9jckrgyGt-DxcqG42r85pQstvtyQ1DmJ_FjyTpCQEFQ2neteCXru7gEJiThQG-IUZeLgNV1hQUESjE7Wx8HNq6FU9dr1BdINJudiAJiHCnieMe6Lh4sP0z09oSgBsPSkK8ElB/s400/street_so_perfect_2.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA2M4hPOxF2VQymUtv05FADnE2VQinpkvIWUYap4T5knLYXRt3Vg7E68HcYafmjZkqK5hbEtU1nYm6mOq8uUgJ2W3qFSs4DNqtJfsWovqkD_QLFMLGOXF2SEZ3Fo1k0sdV-D5pRog1cWw/s1600/street_so_perfect_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA2M4hPOxF2VQymUtv05FADnE2VQinpkvIWUYap4T5knLYXRt3Vg7E68HcYafmjZkqK5hbEtU1nYm6mOq8uUgJ2W3qFSs4DNqtJfsWovqkD_QLFMLGOXF2SEZ3Fo1k0sdV-D5pRog1cWw/s400/street_so_perfect_3.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYsdHj3DsffENNTkKKn1yhtsS71OzwmoXyDgAb6dvB_XHFwrKbVDhyphenhyphenNqZ8seow51qnJ8jyppVrrp_rgkMBhkdPmZNElUlM7PAV2wW5MjxJxbjjYWwGTu6mHYKfMdx1orxnO62EHl7-FoQ/s1600/cute_munich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYsdHj3DsffENNTkKKn1yhtsS71OzwmoXyDgAb6dvB_XHFwrKbVDhyphenhyphenNqZ8seow51qnJ8jyppVrrp_rgkMBhkdPmZNElUlM7PAV2wW5MjxJxbjjYWwGTu6mHYKfMdx1orxnO62EHl7-FoQ/s400/cute_munich.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>So Charming.</em></div><br />
After a nice breakfast in Gartnerplatz, a fantastic place to people watch with a nice capuccino and croissant, I walked the long walk to the English Gardens. I was wrong, Munich did catch me by surprise... note the number of naked folks laying on the grass (shown with arrows). And yes, some were even senior citizens (I did not want to see that). Walking through the grass toward the river and my next beer, I felt like a WWII solider crossing a mine field. Did I mention the naked swimmers and washed up hippies at the riverside... I thought Munich was conservative. This was definitely out of left field.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8-Rx17hCKzMRwKNGNdwhmyHN59VmDS3ZgeVac1RPxMU2ASgzrBMIQJ1jeWQOCk9ssbSlcr7YbkM2xvzBkWk1YWcmJuGfGp0sTB7mZLuGmejrS9sArjZUP0A5WmFk6jkC_L6U0XHt_FoU/s1600/Naked+People+Arrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8-Rx17hCKzMRwKNGNdwhmyHN59VmDS3ZgeVac1RPxMU2ASgzrBMIQJ1jeWQOCk9ssbSlcr7YbkM2xvzBkWk1YWcmJuGfGp0sTB7mZLuGmejrS9sArjZUP0A5WmFk6jkC_L6U0XHt_FoU/s640/Naked+People+Arrows.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg6KzxAMbs3xYBbBzCXq5Q93_fhMt2Q2ln2mVMhOBqXrFFKZmercDSYZZCBD8K8IA3ldl2wnarEyZWff1ENd-dMG6b7zfxO9iXmX_TooNtRYsGO16rexCDBov2k9d4m8uBAfWotBRVrEv/s1600/more_naked_people_eg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg6KzxAMbs3xYBbBzCXq5Q93_fhMt2Q2ln2mVMhOBqXrFFKZmercDSYZZCBD8K8IA3ldl2wnarEyZWff1ENd-dMG6b7zfxO9iXmX_TooNtRYsGO16rexCDBov2k9d4m8uBAfWotBRVrEv/s640/more_naked_people_eg.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfeVyC3wKY68aU44UpoNRJ9gQjr5Ivjb6r1iLiNyAhv-YGWaTB2xVeS2e2rLzQWSQgXtSa9PT0DhET96EZ7bzdCI6f4_b-4eJXjqprDfC0HMqtaMk5-sT7ikrkT7u6USQ93_rM2tfZ7PP/s1600/chilling_on_the_river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfeVyC3wKY68aU44UpoNRJ9gQjr5Ivjb6r1iLiNyAhv-YGWaTB2xVeS2e2rLzQWSQgXtSa9PT0DhET96EZ7bzdCI6f4_b-4eJXjqprDfC0HMqtaMk5-sT7ikrkT7u6USQ93_rM2tfZ7PP/s640/chilling_on_the_river.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rest of the day consisted of Beer at the Chinese Tower near English Gardens. Hundreds gathered on the sunny day across picnic tables to enjoy fresh beer, great food and plenty of company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTwqB_xfm2gsIZ2jmLcwzte5_-ZZRzWIkJU6GW1c06Jw9avNdQNrfjlII052FnuDVjsuKuVcIoj0UW-Y0v6EIt2dHIktwWg5WscbdGDCrGgN9i8WdX5nRKz9zG7EXrHA52NkQMdGVuJFm/s1600/chinese_tower___biergarten___eg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTwqB_xfm2gsIZ2jmLcwzte5_-ZZRzWIkJU6GW1c06Jw9avNdQNrfjlII052FnuDVjsuKuVcIoj0UW-Y0v6EIt2dHIktwWg5WscbdGDCrGgN9i8WdX5nRKz9zG7EXrHA52NkQMdGVuJFm/s400/chinese_tower___biergarten___eg.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkQtjFMJFZ40vgB4aZK7wWKIiw0f1NJ3E0-jrEaCzbqWWL_jJ7O-OW7f6zDEpecfLdy2dxuYSGpyfevFjkYYhz5rl9Gk2ipQMq4pwGO1hhhagDsEDJJRX9_qbNobZm2jixlkSecAr_w_Q/s1600/bavarian_food__eg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkQtjFMJFZ40vgB4aZK7wWKIiw0f1NJ3E0-jrEaCzbqWWL_jJ7O-OW7f6zDEpecfLdy2dxuYSGpyfevFjkYYhz5rl9Gk2ipQMq4pwGO1hhhagDsEDJJRX9_qbNobZm2jixlkSecAr_w_Q/s640/bavarian_food__eg.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bavarian Food at the Chinese Tower in the English Gardens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tW2B9-1CMOsV48zYu7OceSs7qzwzgtoXfAv0WGJM9ljdHmAlfNkpmsoUxMmHF5-2UJz0ccr7Wc7EJzceTue922HWrXd4BbLoHw4z_TdDRFHsfFbP1thKAXxkd8xQBdgVe3gSJUjvSwRC/s1600/lunch__eg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tW2B9-1CMOsV48zYu7OceSs7qzwzgtoXfAv0WGJM9ljdHmAlfNkpmsoUxMmHF5-2UJz0ccr7Wc7EJzceTue922HWrXd4BbLoHw4z_TdDRFHsfFbP1thKAXxkd8xQBdgVe3gSJUjvSwRC/s320/lunch__eg.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch -- all the important food groups in Bavaria: Beer and Meat... plus a little "veggies"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjryqGTWWMW1HOmB5nMM2OeTDEM5x5pQFm8Tat8cXzQfxVG5APra4uvkxd1t0ykBZCiiXS-8GGZUu_FZOsXZPxOgfKBsmmFfJyQhlJ4cml-jLh0ah3NLga97z4v66fa3yTrvhdfREkWyqA/s1600/scheinshaxe___eg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjryqGTWWMW1HOmB5nMM2OeTDEM5x5pQFm8Tat8cXzQfxVG5APra4uvkxd1t0ykBZCiiXS-8GGZUu_FZOsXZPxOgfKBsmmFfJyQhlJ4cml-jLh0ah3NLga97z4v66fa3yTrvhdfREkWyqA/s640/scheinshaxe___eg.jpg" tt="true" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trays of Schweinshaxe, a roasted Ham hock dish (or "pork knuckle") that is especially popular in Bavaria. The outer skin is crispy, the middle layer is juicy fat, and the center warm, succulent meat. Wow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oinGj31K9XYNChpTY2eaGf6bsigZY-0itgsPnu7th5nbfbsAV7IlD_S2PTckIqxmmqgbru0k2R8FGGdZ881TlgkxkmLkp3s7nQWw1S594nA5Hilrs_0VD44LPkSL818HUsiV7vck9dB2/s1600/everyone___beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oinGj31K9XYNChpTY2eaGf6bsigZY-0itgsPnu7th5nbfbsAV7IlD_S2PTckIqxmmqgbru0k2R8FGGdZ881TlgkxkmLkp3s7nQWw1S594nA5Hilrs_0VD44LPkSL818HUsiV7vck9dB2/s400/everyone___beer.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drinking beer in the sun at English Gardens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2LUilyLRyRbYgOa8U7DfEkHKPXhT9-yt5PW7MUq-07iJNyUl_akqnmk-p-LxStOZwP_EgLwgXnODUOwd0zT7PQnCTVbCenet1mlvL3gxivGD-BJixZ3PxaSX8wDDwmPR2EroADPevgJB/s1600/beer_beer_beer_beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2LUilyLRyRbYgOa8U7DfEkHKPXhT9-yt5PW7MUq-07iJNyUl_akqnmk-p-LxStOZwP_EgLwgXnODUOwd0zT7PQnCTVbCenet1mlvL3gxivGD-BJixZ3PxaSX8wDDwmPR2EroADPevgJB/s640/beer_beer_beer_beer.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Beer, everywhere. I miss it!</div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-76419506823777944692010-04-26T12:11:00.001-07:002010-04-26T12:11:50.601-07:00Fresh Veggies at the Naschmarkt - Vienna<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tvzNdQ0uLGNUWJ9uoq41n-AfBOTdV9y-ScV7lMabZ887YTXRYDbb4ZgQKDeLqycx9LGPKP5pqK471Xs88nutowVyFbPtLnqU6FVM4kIH76HKgyTjYoibHjk4JaiS-zA6AixKSFt7JzQ_/s1600/fresh_veggies_nm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tvzNdQ0uLGNUWJ9uoq41n-AfBOTdV9y-ScV7lMabZ887YTXRYDbb4ZgQKDeLqycx9LGPKP5pqK471Xs88nutowVyFbPtLnqU6FVM4kIH76HKgyTjYoibHjk4JaiS-zA6AixKSFt7JzQ_/s640/fresh_veggies_nm.jpg" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-62671768476633297442010-04-25T17:18:00.000-07:002010-04-25T17:19:02.483-07:00Cafe Central - Vienna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XjjWqyPm_J6ljauR9OSA7RHKMvk0lHIB7dqO4qbRD3fzx91gbc3VAwEt8NTkvHGLCcg4CWLPxeTZFMTInXdt6oW4st7Qd9SciVUgCKWedovPhOqH6FbDPwxoWXN6B_MxcfE3eYYERH-B/s1600/cafe_central.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XjjWqyPm_J6ljauR9OSA7RHKMvk0lHIB7dqO4qbRD3fzx91gbc3VAwEt8NTkvHGLCcg4CWLPxeTZFMTInXdt6oW4st7Qd9SciVUgCKWedovPhOqH6FbDPwxoWXN6B_MxcfE3eYYERH-B/s400/cafe_central.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>A <em>Viener</em> <em>Melange </em>(German for "Viennese blend") is coffee with milk and is similar to a cappuccino, but usually made with mild coffee (e.g. mocha), preferably caramelised. Everytime I saw <em>Melange </em>on the menu, it typically specified, as Julius Meinl coffee says, as having "equal parts steamed milk and foam." <br />
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Viennese coffee is also served with a small glass of still or sparkling water. Having now lived in Seattle nearly a year, I know good coffee - and Vienna has good coffee.<br />
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I enjoyed my last true Viennese coffee at Cafe Central along with several of their homemade desserts. Housed inside a beautiful, well preserved palace - Cafe Central is a classic Viennese coffe house - famous for being the regular stomping grounds of famous literary and intellectual characters back in the day. <br />
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Now-a-days, it is frequented by a mix of locals and tourists a like. And for good reason - the ambience and classic coffeehouse fare are just right. I'd highly recommend the Apple Strudel as well as sampling of their other famous cakes (skip the <em>Sacher Torte).</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVXb71yxrMcmtzXBatz-my8b-AosjLJyrsgp9AOanNkahU5Wden_WqdmgFlqRH5mQuiJWZLqXi9qHL3D2mNIOQrQ9MS7GMGBNA92ouxjB9CbbUA_hT50D-2VLqEblW4crH0PTkmk2PhUO/s1600/appel_strudel_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVXb71yxrMcmtzXBatz-my8b-AosjLJyrsgp9AOanNkahU5Wden_WqdmgFlqRH5mQuiJWZLqXi9qHL3D2mNIOQrQ9MS7GMGBNA92ouxjB9CbbUA_hT50D-2VLqEblW4crH0PTkmk2PhUO/s400/appel_strudel_2.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Details:</strong><br />
Café Central, in the Palais Ferstel, entrance of Herrengasse 14 (corner of Strauchgasse)Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-15091322381877631262010-04-24T08:31:00.000-07:002010-04-25T17:22:01.741-07:00There is more to Vienna than Schnitzel and Strudel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I sit now, writing by pen and paper, my account of a great weekend in Vienna. Sipping my Vienesse melange at the Hotel Sacher, while an older couple enjoys the famous chocolate Sacher torte at the next table, I imagine this is how all early 20th century writers would have done it. A bit romantic, yes. But exactly how I'd like to end my weekend in Vienna. And maybe similar to all those depressed writers, I too am depressed, by the dopamine imbalance caused by alcohol and food withdrawal after a fairly hedonistic weekend. I can't complain.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdWPEIhUSujRRALz0-VRd0CS_FAakfP8rnllY5M4wH9a2C9WZSvBj4NAaS0BbQsSlAKz97ugJI8NEEKhkczxwpkrXP2pCGgxwZVeo6ZbuMISIpSwN6mVJCUy2fHvXKKDhkVU6L7K5mM3M/s1600/appel_strudel_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdWPEIhUSujRRALz0-VRd0CS_FAakfP8rnllY5M4wH9a2C9WZSvBj4NAaS0BbQsSlAKz97ugJI8NEEKhkczxwpkrXP2pCGgxwZVeo6ZbuMISIpSwN6mVJCUy2fHvXKKDhkVU6L7K5mM3M/s320/appel_strudel_2.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>The Appel Strudel at Cafe Central, a traditional Viennese coffeehose which opened in 1860. Many of these cafes, like Cafe Central - were the hangouts for classic literary and intellectual characters. </em></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let's talk, first, about Vienna. The kind of place that evokes romantic emotions like Paris. The kind of city that makes you want to dress up simply for a stroll; as if to match the elegance and sophistication of the architecture and ambience. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQLQ7cd3l4bE5TM-Nk-bruv2IP0fzi2yaE6TGkHVmL-40IVt8-Ipxw5nKJqNLZbAoje1aYia6vfVVK26vMndY9t-0MNoFF0iTiuiGgbyhmdQj6a7V-KnTYE4Rfxa8YrvZ8SzA6HcSA6t4/s1600/sitting_on_a_statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQLQ7cd3l4bE5TM-Nk-bruv2IP0fzi2yaE6TGkHVmL-40IVt8-Ipxw5nKJqNLZbAoje1aYia6vfVVK26vMndY9t-0MNoFF0iTiuiGgbyhmdQj6a7V-KnTYE4Rfxa8YrvZ8SzA6HcSA6t4/s320/sitting_on_a_statue.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I arrived just two nights ago with little knowledge of what my weekend would entail. Given this volcanic ash cloud over Europe, it was a miracle I even made my flight. I just so happened to be standing near gate 26: the last flight to Vienna at 3:45pm, and heard the final boarding call, as my 5:30pm flight was simultaneously cancelled. I was able to change flights and I think I got the final seat on the final plane from Munich to Vienna. Just the sort of luck that signals a great weekend lies ahead. I gave a few friends of mine from studying in Hong Kong (who I hadn't seen in almost two years) about a week's notice that I was coming into town. They quickly responded - I had a feeling I was going to be met with warmth and hospitality.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdtuuIa8KcsOMmEOls0DnC0JLtX4SwDgP13DWz6NCpwImtmY0KtX8qJo5V_yF2uSrMEULn99zHIqSRZJqrB2H_9PBNzA6j2GlHMzxabCgoO6Blm2MYcQgGtnFRPWswROd8icyJnOYSN6o/s1600/opera_house_at_night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdtuuIa8KcsOMmEOls0DnC0JLtX4SwDgP13DWz6NCpwImtmY0KtX8qJo5V_yF2uSrMEULn99zHIqSRZJqrB2H_9PBNzA6j2GlHMzxabCgoO6Blm2MYcQgGtnFRPWswROd8icyJnOYSN6o/s400/opera_house_at_night.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>The Vienna Opera House at night. Completed in 1869, it was the first opera built in Vienna.</em></div><br />
</div>I arrived on Friday evening, earlier than expected. With three hours to kill before dinner, I slowly snkaed my way through Vienna's first district; wowed at every corner by the magnificently preserved buildings and beautiful architecture. I was clear that Vienna was built by a wealthy population with an eye for opulence and an intent to impress. I am very, very impressed. I can easily say Vienna may be one of the prettiest cities I have ever seen. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR5_OsxNjGlixzwkLd1QZI9mkCKDCZmNYnIkFjQRFBKtFOWAwQj1VLWBPwDcPv1ELyGLwAumz5LxV8U4mOKOF-7xUMzbS48Rml0ebGtthDjXljYec69z-8t52Nl4Q3CJ1AvTMI2gocUCV/s1600/palmenhaus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR5_OsxNjGlixzwkLd1QZI9mkCKDCZmNYnIkFjQRFBKtFOWAwQj1VLWBPwDcPv1ELyGLwAumz5LxV8U4mOKOF-7xUMzbS48Rml0ebGtthDjXljYec69z-8t52Nl4Q3CJ1AvTMI2gocUCV/s320/palmenhaus.jpg" wt="true" /></a>I enjoyed my first beer, a local Ottakringer, on the patio of Cafe Mozart - overlooking the Albertino museum, the Opera House, and a collection of other beautiful buildings. Again, wow - seduced by the grandeur of it all. By 9pm, I was seated comfortably, sipping a spritzer at the bar at the <a href="http://www.palmenhaus.at/">Palmenhaus</a> - a greenhouse built in 1822 and recently refurbished to include a restaurant. Clientelle of mostly Austrians, highly recommended for both ambience and food. Dinner with Eva, Tino, Andreas and Maximilion was fantastic - reminiscing about our time in Hong Kong, catching up on two years of time apart. And the food... Order the fresh fish. Outstanding. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzSkZuxXP7fKsuJ8PP_QfEDNnp1h4xXDKK8Slncw5Nx59GiViHOaBR9YyXdOK3tXSMVgQ2LFjx5zG68lDju79Qfbq-DgyJLYHKuDGFBO41FZTzeROX7J_R2Q-MavAdNZLrCIhAxQcekTm/s1600/ph2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzSkZuxXP7fKsuJ8PP_QfEDNnp1h4xXDKK8Slncw5Nx59GiViHOaBR9YyXdOK3tXSMVgQ2LFjx5zG68lDju79Qfbq-DgyJLYHKuDGFBO41FZTzeROX7J_R2Q-MavAdNZLrCIhAxQcekTm/s400/ph2.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div>From Palmenhaus, we quickly we made our way to a tram on ring road, where my friend Tino promised a night to be remembered. With twenty minutes to spare before the "special tram" arrived, we bought a few beers at a nearby stand. A luxury that I have always enjoyed in Europe - drinking casually in public. Then, around the corner came a public tram - bass pounding and blacklights illuminating the neon writing all over the glass. DJ booth in back, bar in front - we were definitely cruising to this party in style. Coordinated by one of Tino's friend, Hombre, we were headed to the Ottakringer Brewery, which for the night, had been converted into an enormous club with enough bass to leave ears ringing for multiple days. <br />
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We danced until 4AM. Then ate a Kasekrainer sausage, burning the roof of my mouth. But wow, very good. Weiner Wurstl stands are found all over the city, where for a few Euros a beer and sausage can be enjoyed at a standing counter. It seems everyone has their favorite stands.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBO0LqZx4t0QxIfYnf1TSARynVgLsqfGDKQPz4jYw6AfuJjvqCMkReh5tXQt4sKod4wJtOkGNgMsez-EH4wfPfMGCIvgMqLGkCi0V1p4mg6AGhH0IHPKOh9LGqCOT9T3UdXSAwqRdg3n8/s1600/kasekrainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBO0LqZx4t0QxIfYnf1TSARynVgLsqfGDKQPz4jYw6AfuJjvqCMkReh5tXQt4sKod4wJtOkGNgMsez-EH4wfPfMGCIvgMqLGkCi0V1p4mg6AGhH0IHPKOh9LGqCOT9T3UdXSAwqRdg3n8/s400/kasekrainer.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>A classic Kasekrainer stand.</em></div><br />
The next morning - I awoke early, my head hurting and ears ringing from the night before - the bassline, ntsh ntsh ntsh, stuck in my head. I made my way to Vienna's most popular local food market, Naschmarkt. It is one long mile of gourmet heaven - sitting between rows of beautiful classic buildings. I couldn't imagine a better place to assuage my hangover. First stop, the Prosecco stand - where despite the fact it was only 10AM, groups of locals and tourists alike where enjoying a bit of bubbly, oysters and other fresh fish to start the morning. When in Wien. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqrpkp3t97peTpKpOJe5UXLGgTQWpn7YeCk_vtcyAHOu-LeubJuSsK80XQT2Y79AHQj8eKGv74WkYNo3hgH-GFb_qyghqyOegQWsXJOFNntn5owkVeCTcLA7xUzTC0r-ivlKbMttvCryb/s1600/oysters_and_prosecco___naaschmarkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqrpkp3t97peTpKpOJe5UXLGgTQWpn7YeCk_vtcyAHOu-LeubJuSsK80XQT2Y79AHQj8eKGv74WkYNo3hgH-GFb_qyghqyOegQWsXJOFNntn5owkVeCTcLA7xUzTC0r-ivlKbMttvCryb/s400/oysters_and_prosecco___naaschmarkt.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAI8b-WAXngqMLD_NsWX8iqD_SsIgE9cCEM24wGkXtcaYyPlNGJwKWpb8gGndA4nzEsjl-Eryxz_Byl6wYX-O-NsbBRu6zQahjDFBdBEP4Y5PBekTFvfb8y1T7y-Ntky9oh3KoKc2w0aX/s1600/prosecco_in_the_am___naaschmarkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAI8b-WAXngqMLD_NsWX8iqD_SsIgE9cCEM24wGkXtcaYyPlNGJwKWpb8gGndA4nzEsjl-Eryxz_Byl6wYX-O-NsbBRu6zQahjDFBdBEP4Y5PBekTFvfb8y1T7y-Ntky9oh3KoKc2w0aX/s400/prosecco_in_the_am___naaschmarkt.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>The variety, scale and volume of food at the Naschmarkt is overwhelming. Wow. Everything from cured meats, fine cheeses, and wine to doners, hummus, and beers. But the greatest part of the market is the energy. People are not just shopping and viewing - they are enjoying. Most stands also have space to stop and have a drink while enjoying their food. For example, at one gourmet cheese shop - a group enjoys a bottle of wine and several antipasti platters- sampling the shops goods in full. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqfEXpB_kkN5Cyhm_DwpOavU7848tAhoP69ZlulmPwUB-vPPIuNjvnzCaXwD6hULJRnQPvX39K_5dyilL_B7iPqYQQSElTEGXrZhBjFg8KLpLVT_SvyDSwYwQ12izPF1qVfpHyMhGbZNi/s1600/doner_kebab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqfEXpB_kkN5Cyhm_DwpOavU7848tAhoP69ZlulmPwUB-vPPIuNjvnzCaXwD6hULJRnQPvX39K_5dyilL_B7iPqYQQSElTEGXrZhBjFg8KLpLVT_SvyDSwYwQ12izPF1qVfpHyMhGbZNi/s400/doner_kebab.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>The largest Doner I have ever seen - at the Naschmarkt.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG6RFXsFKtkE82ct_NCMrDwCHp5XnQ5IX8Z2OeQOGx4iSVsqjSAefTCHgOHWx8Eq02_Sq0tQ56IjKfWVrZd892Lg9G7X36uASJlPzlBKw5FNg5s8KzmKPHCbquJkD0OcaNYawvqBkxC7Z/s1600/shot_of_scnapps___naschmarkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG6RFXsFKtkE82ct_NCMrDwCHp5XnQ5IX8Z2OeQOGx4iSVsqjSAefTCHgOHWx8Eq02_Sq0tQ56IjKfWVrZd892Lg9G7X36uASJlPzlBKw5FNg5s8KzmKPHCbquJkD0OcaNYawvqBkxC7Z/s400/shot_of_scnapps___naschmarkt.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Shots of schnapps for breakfast - schnapps are quite famous in Austria - known locally as Obstler, from the German word fruit.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After a few hours perusing the market, I headed back to the center of Vienna for a short nap before meeting friends for lunch. Eva wanted to take me site seeing. My response - the perfect site would be that of a typical weekend for you in Vienna. It was sunny out - she smiled. After a quick lunch where I met her boyfriend and some of her other friends from the same town, Wels (and other parts of Upper Austira), we were off to the Museum Quartier. But not before picking up a few beers and Radlers (part beer, part lemonade). A very refreshing way to day drink in the sun.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsdqxGJo0ADEMrG8jMUmcjapoLoFV3EesCAunoGS7DFQlHxIUW8ytqjI3eYZrh4MJw9dI_WlL5HFWLMBb6sdNSt3nuSH1MNlVSGyRUJAyLExsHtTLAmMkkt85yncsKg3fZ6kqB9pMurBV/s1600/chilling_museum_quarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsdqxGJo0ADEMrG8jMUmcjapoLoFV3EesCAunoGS7DFQlHxIUW8ytqjI3eYZrh4MJw9dI_WlL5HFWLMBb6sdNSt3nuSH1MNlVSGyRUJAyLExsHtTLAmMkkt85yncsKg3fZ6kqB9pMurBV/s400/chilling_museum_quarter.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Lounging in the Museum Quartier</em></div>The museum quartier was perfect. A decent sized square sitting between Vienna's finset museums - we always were sitting in a work of art. And when public spaces are this nice, plus you are allowed to imbibe in Public - why not come here? Furthermore, the Viennese are weird/creative ... we could order drinks from the Ass and Sperm bars. Enormous sculptures created to represent the innerworkings of human systems, cleverly carved into a bar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScxKmajwzScGJTukdXRiC7wSKz4oZCPC8NAmzrUwe-h94LYaUsUCYAJAcZIuL479twrZfHhEtmtApdzQOmUAwIC47RkNND9CWR9_zgwq4wPXv05LXp7DxYEOZ_gR7LbO23rnVhWdIHtHA/s1600/sexed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScxKmajwzScGJTukdXRiC7wSKz4oZCPC8NAmzrUwe-h94LYaUsUCYAJAcZIuL479twrZfHhEtmtApdzQOmUAwIC47RkNND9CWR9_zgwq4wPXv05LXp7DxYEOZ_gR7LbO23rnVhWdIHtHA/s400/sexed.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Sex Ed starts young in Vienna at the Sperm Bar.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw9bWwkogpOyOGena93wF9R05kd5mMLY3iT0JSN3WArNMSD_4OiMdS9bb8oLoz-yASnNTAfG8-mk1vhbTJdVHITyd23DRUnSFge4GATYvykdBvcFBxP_XAalo0x6-NHKymz3hMLhzVKmq/s1600/ass_bar_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw9bWwkogpOyOGena93wF9R05kd5mMLY3iT0JSN3WArNMSD_4OiMdS9bb8oLoz-yASnNTAfG8-mk1vhbTJdVHITyd23DRUnSFge4GATYvykdBvcFBxP_XAalo0x6-NHKymz3hMLhzVKmq/s400/ass_bar_2.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Want to study another part of Human anatomy? Try the Asch bar. </em></div><br />
After a few hours relaxing there, with the sun starting to set - we made our way to Steiermark- a lively and large wine festival celebrating the wines from an area called<a href="http://www.steiermark.com/en/"> Styria</a>. The festival was a blast - enhanced by the unbelievable setting as the merrymaking was watched on by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathaus,_Vienna">Rathaus</a>, Vienna's gothic style city hall building constructed in the 1870s. Apparently, the Rathaus overlooks festivals of this type everyday. How lucky the Viennese are to have these types of special places. The wine was flowing all evening - at 12-16 euros per bottle, why not? I met a new group of Eva and her boyfriend's, Flo, friends. Similarly, they were all from outside Vienna and mostly from the upper part. Small towns from a couple thousand to 70,000 inhabitants. A distinction has clearly been drawn between those born in Vienna and those who come from "the country" and other towns. People stick with their own - I kept hearing. Very different than the US, where most people can't wait to be uprooted and start over fresh. Both have their merits. <br />
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Another interesting aspect of this festival was the dress. Many here, both young and old, were dressed traditionally - others would call it folkloric, known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracht">Tracht</a>. Women wore colorful, check patterned dresses, known as Dirndls, while men wore fancy hats, greenish jackets with elaborate buttons and sometimes even special leatherish looking pants,y called Lederhosen. These outfits are also common in southern Germany - apparently based on the historical costume of Alpine peasants. <br />
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</div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-5723210953300927452010-04-23T11:44:00.000-07:002010-04-24T08:14:26.220-07:00Friday's At Viktualienmarkt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy a Hofbrau beer, a German sausage, and a slice or two of crispy Pork knuckle (melts in your mouth) at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktualienmarkt">Viktualienmarkt</a> in city center of Munich.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A great way to spend a Friday afternoon. The mix of people is amazing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Young and Old</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Tourist and Locals</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Traditional and Modern</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All sitting at tables or standing at counters in the hundreds enjoying the spring weather!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf4777ySNxZYTMOEYYiRjk0phkpj3QlPlGnEGyEBbsLH-oT5Nd0BxA13qY2qELhPnBqlj_25cSM3YibApOnU9Nhbcjw1EKYeGeqPt4o_n1pgVBzWSydqzL_-bxyh40iVQ00MQDfuaPiAh/s1600/Beer+at+Lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf4777ySNxZYTMOEYYiRjk0phkpj3QlPlGnEGyEBbsLH-oT5Nd0BxA13qY2qELhPnBqlj_25cSM3YibApOnU9Nhbcjw1EKYeGeqPt4o_n1pgVBzWSydqzL_-bxyh40iVQ00MQDfuaPiAh/s400/Beer+at+Lunch.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpf9DYoBAm_fPcDjbB325JwhWag3ZyAw_XIMxdmACvZtgAgVcONppEXiRsHs5mQIkm39M033882lL8c1I3HYW3olfbNXfyK1soy0Rz4Yp_EWBD1ORc_aJeJo-FQ3b5UhTk5U3pzHSqHg0/s1600/Beer+%2B+Lunch+%2B+Viktualienmarkt+is+good.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpf9DYoBAm_fPcDjbB325JwhWag3ZyAw_XIMxdmACvZtgAgVcONppEXiRsHs5mQIkm39M033882lL8c1I3HYW3olfbNXfyK1soy0Rz4Yp_EWBD1ORc_aJeJo-FQ3b5UhTk5U3pzHSqHg0/s400/Beer+%2B+Lunch+%2B+Viktualienmarkt+is+good.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbj01xmEz0hzuf7_1EbOnOdQI8a-1ZPulwu_ZFjKkQ3Gf0eZJRjVwTYXcurUSMQZAbw9xo4ruT3JCkEEpKOxlDdEK9Ht7hg6gnjtDqFTLvsM6-Xc6QKXCYAu6z_IDeZMd-sUojUAakc0h/s1600/Let's+all+enjoy+a+beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbj01xmEz0hzuf7_1EbOnOdQI8a-1ZPulwu_ZFjKkQ3Gf0eZJRjVwTYXcurUSMQZAbw9xo4ruT3JCkEEpKOxlDdEK9Ht7hg6gnjtDqFTLvsM6-Xc6QKXCYAu6z_IDeZMd-sUojUAakc0h/s400/Let's+all+enjoy+a+beer.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All ages affair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGI8zr8kJCvnZDFqy_yCd9Ju-aaNgZVSy4VhITehyphenhyphenuYOUmtEKtDPNkpbWLxSDF-5CT5YBk2hBupLdlD9n9pPXgmO6Fi8Juk6TW96EriWj6eSaUXd3rtLMUq8C-04xn9E1CfX3IWHjd5SE/s1600/bier_garten___munich___viktualienmarkt_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGI8zr8kJCvnZDFqy_yCd9Ju-aaNgZVSy4VhITehyphenhyphenuYOUmtEKtDPNkpbWLxSDF-5CT5YBk2hBupLdlD9n9pPXgmO6Fi8Juk6TW96EriWj6eSaUXd3rtLMUq8C-04xn9E1CfX3IWHjd5SE/s400/bier_garten___munich___viktualienmarkt_2.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Viktualienmarkt Biergarten.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRsLNB8SXw_J39KrXUeyi65mRLBwL-Oro4IEXmKzbVt1Zvtc89rYCoG5mDX0OeUxrxRKilcGZu2aXoriLliUPoeeJfydKedDgRjipEMFDUmzBmKcEXfAgqHE3QDFqoxpL3j1cU1bZhWXg/s1600/bier_garten___munich___viktualienmarkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRsLNB8SXw_J39KrXUeyi65mRLBwL-Oro4IEXmKzbVt1Zvtc89rYCoG5mDX0OeUxrxRKilcGZu2aXoriLliUPoeeJfydKedDgRjipEMFDUmzBmKcEXfAgqHE3QDFqoxpL3j1cU1bZhWXg/s400/bier_garten___munich___viktualienmarkt.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-18988304615703124142010-04-22T01:20:00.000-07:002010-04-26T12:10:42.757-07:00Schweizerhaus WienA great Sunday afternoon meal in Vienna at Schweizerhaus - a traditional bier garten with classic Austrian food. I ate enough pork and drank enough beer that I was full into halfway through the next day. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh585leeK38wKEbVpTQdDo2PiACziVyvfn2ZGhDN1OY4Nfhvzkg7yWbkgC-7jBwKBJbFm7vzQZbnUGvUGP6eYHEfJcoDwAomeTb_lPACdNtndu6MghfjeDFfPFfVkqugT4rMUjRfPqvWB/s1600/famous_pork___sh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh585leeK38wKEbVpTQdDo2PiACziVyvfn2ZGhDN1OY4Nfhvzkg7yWbkgC-7jBwKBJbFm7vzQZbnUGvUGP6eYHEfJcoDwAomeTb_lPACdNtndu6MghfjeDFfPFfVkqugT4rMUjRfPqvWB/s400/famous_pork___sh.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Famous Stezle, a roasted <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Schweinshaxe-Pork-Knuckles-334387">Pork Knuckle</a> ("Ham Hock") weighing over three pounds, served the traditional Austrian way with a side salad of cabbage, freshly grated horseradish, pickled chilles plus brown mustard. Roasted to perfection on the outside, leaving a crackly shell to seal the inside: a mixture of juicy fat and tender pork meat. An explosion of flavor when you bite in - like a juicy piece of bacon. Really, really amazing... In Germany, this is known as Schweinshaxe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QuP3uye-tKOiAyYmZyZffvj4G9Y3sGUAAWFvQnOfot8FetgN-v9-0W88iUgUbOSWPUB-wBUjX6IVUtL7ntxNoQSa82zyUfg0fgnNcuA4T4rnq5i-gqgeFq1fWdRmSDsPA2EE4cJ241nQ/s1600/beer_beer_beer_schweisserhaus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QuP3uye-tKOiAyYmZyZffvj4G9Y3sGUAAWFvQnOfot8FetgN-v9-0W88iUgUbOSWPUB-wBUjX6IVUtL7ntxNoQSa82zyUfg0fgnNcuA4T4rnq5i-gqgeFq1fWdRmSDsPA2EE4cJ241nQ/s400/beer_beer_beer_schweisserhaus.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The original Czech Budvar Budweiser with a thicky foamy head is served here by the tray load. Nothing like in the States... see History <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud%C4%9Bjovick%C3%BD_Budvar">here</a>. Never ending trays of this beer are served all day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtewEFnhyphenhyphen_lE5G0maYdl0dSHKX48-DwG0r05lPdHrRyz3BtBV9YsAi6tQJg1HcbC6V4S5fHp3e0EK-M-Om235TnSp717nu6fapoIyMLjE6YvgP4y5-OSFCJutW-L051vDJPHuUpxfecqeX/s1600/beer_sh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtewEFnhyphenhyphen_lE5G0maYdl0dSHKX48-DwG0r05lPdHrRyz3BtBV9YsAi6tQJg1HcbC6V4S5fHp3e0EK-M-Om235TnSp717nu6fapoIyMLjE6YvgP4y5-OSFCJutW-L051vDJPHuUpxfecqeX/s400/beer_sh.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaG3yavIjhwHozKffWZEzHeRiPwovWk9fNqkC0LLPLSEkHMhCVAwcqjBFz7t6yi2Jybq5LYEIuc2e0TtCAIlFcobJDZ8_f24gIjFDe6uJhBqLTphkhw3l8fjxUO0AI2LiyQxGbw_h5udv/s1600/100s_of_tables___sh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaG3yavIjhwHozKffWZEzHeRiPwovWk9fNqkC0LLPLSEkHMhCVAwcqjBFz7t6yi2Jybq5LYEIuc2e0TtCAIlFcobJDZ8_f24gIjFDe6uJhBqLTphkhw3l8fjxUO0AI2LiyQxGbw_h5udv/s400/100s_of_tables___sh.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did I mention it seats hundreds and hundreds?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5TZeszGdiDg8d_BxGsST0MQ48-D0krHvSEb22XpwxIQ2H0XyKybL7WDQWBFeZvJWf8nVAFhhlPOW0cSyC9B_CuYkhIsxMJoTWTASDGr5qNDSGYk5XVWRsiXowOfNagkT097pouw8CnxH/s1600/feast___sh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5TZeszGdiDg8d_BxGsST0MQ48-D0krHvSEb22XpwxIQ2H0XyKybL7WDQWBFeZvJWf8nVAFhhlPOW0cSyC9B_CuYkhIsxMJoTWTASDGr5qNDSGYk5XVWRsiXowOfNagkT097pouw8CnxH/s400/feast___sh.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breaking into the crunchy shell of the Stezle. Sides of salad and horseradish + mustard shown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div align="center">Job well done.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.schweizerhaus.at/1024/index.html">Schweizerhaus Wien - Biergartern and Austrian Food</a> - see more here.<br />
<br />
Karl Kolarik's Schweizerhaus Ges.m.b.H<br />
Prater 116, A-1020 Vienna<br />
email: info@schweizerhaus.at<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Opening hours</u></strong><br />
Daily open from 11:00 am till 23:00 pm. Season from 15th of march till 31st of october.<br />
<strong><u>Reservation </u></strong><br />
Telefon: +43 (1) 7280152 13Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-60807675922941374322010-04-12T13:01:00.000-07:002010-04-22T07:24:12.186-07:00Kazakhstan - A Variety of Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBS2rSjMdN9p_TQILFqhioYN-16k2eRJjCIbi-QA3o_jaBRR-Z8MgbkiZo3HydVjFactOeM2dyDN6_tv6ZiPZtiV2csx5VyLduUctOCtWAkTxtFQF3HzRmpaOxB6hXvZJ89BVjH_RMEf3/s1600/street_kebab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBS2rSjMdN9p_TQILFqhioYN-16k2eRJjCIbi-QA3o_jaBRR-Z8MgbkiZo3HydVjFactOeM2dyDN6_tv6ZiPZtiV2csx5VyLduUctOCtWAkTxtFQF3HzRmpaOxB6hXvZJ89BVjH_RMEf3/s400/street_kebab.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Street Kebabs out front of the Green Baazar in downtown Almaty. Very similar to Turkish or Middle Eastern grilled meets -- great flavor, and even better price.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtisIOW4XQmMTa4RBfaD5M6NwiUQzPVHMQAloiontChxAYcW4mCPWVR56tSOWgCLkxujwonfhxq931jBZoWgaT1Fa6lyt_0gfsFyGkA_QoE4We3DEWKsAvuHSfw4pydSU52-jB4IJRAFx3/s1600/baking_piroshky_meat_pies_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtisIOW4XQmMTa4RBfaD5M6NwiUQzPVHMQAloiontChxAYcW4mCPWVR56tSOWgCLkxujwonfhxq931jBZoWgaT1Fa6lyt_0gfsFyGkA_QoE4We3DEWKsAvuHSfw4pydSU52-jB4IJRAFx3/s400/baking_piroshky_meat_pies_2.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Pierogi?src=abop&fwd=1&qpvt=piroshky&q=piroshky">Pierogi/Piroshky</a> Baker. Russian influence. Most of these fluffy pastries are filled with a meat... sometimes horse meat (nomadic influence). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2swod7TF8U4mdSETEUN84pVeHjj1uet40pmwrrUsK6UqU297wfDkmLMELtOQHF-g-de_MWEYJkmGrQG8fI2Z4YIOLCg3FelIB7rN2qyK2cAKYoVJpwOaZCKQc3mOyCJ0S-47F94ZnH1u/s1600/baking_piroshky_meat_pies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2swod7TF8U4mdSETEUN84pVeHjj1uet40pmwrrUsK6UqU297wfDkmLMELtOQHF-g-de_MWEYJkmGrQG8fI2Z4YIOLCg3FelIB7rN2qyK2cAKYoVJpwOaZCKQc3mOyCJ0S-47F94ZnH1u/s400/baking_piroshky_meat_pies.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVStOKg6E76sguKPsnwkftTKI-nDoeFpyqdZ7j0vRNZOhZWn7GBeyGKdANVoMXX5xEt7xdKNF7aJV3z0EwzEnKqHgxwojYbtRtcIZ7jodK6VXSiWeMPRoyYjVhOb79GN8LsTo3s9V00qAe/s1600/kazakh_bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVStOKg6E76sguKPsnwkftTKI-nDoeFpyqdZ7j0vRNZOhZWn7GBeyGKdANVoMXX5xEt7xdKNF7aJV3z0EwzEnKqHgxwojYbtRtcIZ7jodK6VXSiWeMPRoyYjVhOb79GN8LsTo3s9V00qAe/s400/kazakh_bakery.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1NSfzvHVe4V-Lzyh58tCWCgzj3rfOeEpHkt9c-yXVhEk7jp-T4-vudHzpnTkPZUo0vRPC2z9ql9ULjVAlq_zsSEnbW5c7A4DfhVzGYGQgdc4-Zaa4x_gFnOdg4idvEq-Aa4N5jDe4EOh/s1600/strudel_upclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1NSfzvHVe4V-Lzyh58tCWCgzj3rfOeEpHkt9c-yXVhEk7jp-T4-vudHzpnTkPZUo0vRPC2z9ql9ULjVAlq_zsSEnbW5c7A4DfhVzGYGQgdc4-Zaa4x_gFnOdg4idvEq-Aa4N5jDe4EOh/s400/strudel_upclose.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Poppy seed strudel from a great coffee shop in downtown Almaty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSqRyyYLihyphenhyphen04OhdAqlm3SP5LJfagiP3QFWnTqYMV8c9x9yzqb04DdWUQqgfFUFXZ0fhtrDMwGRl9J4B4ZixTKn506-RH8IclYwzkZCoroVR96C1KSOCrWOAAfJFk6rrLyMNafvA3J9sy/s1600/domino_donuts_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSqRyyYLihyphenhyphen04OhdAqlm3SP5LJfagiP3QFWnTqYMV8c9x9yzqb04DdWUQqgfFUFXZ0fhtrDMwGRl9J4B4ZixTKn506-RH8IclYwzkZCoroVR96C1KSOCrWOAAfJFk6rrLyMNafvA3J9sy/s640/domino_donuts_2.jpg" width="428" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look familiar?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Cn4spMWJRN5dxHcjDBaghkXf7FZ8oCTkLSibkiFlsNgLYGSHip_Tyko7l969iQsLMOhJbWpoHymlAE5UVsAAPqaHtuhuyyKsaep9XNQd0_GBEYJnSGIWfb0ioQbWK49GID-Wjg8RW6PI/s1600/meat__chese_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Cn4spMWJRN5dxHcjDBaghkXf7FZ8oCTkLSibkiFlsNgLYGSHip_Tyko7l969iQsLMOhJbWpoHymlAE5UVsAAPqaHtuhuyyKsaep9XNQd0_GBEYJnSGIWfb0ioQbWK49GID-Wjg8RW6PI/s400/meat__chese_2.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cured meat and cheese specialty store in Green Baazar, Almaty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwdkRi0A7bvUQ6P3WrdK1YJ1z6vbgT97Zgm8cycNxskjDq_s2rsLLz4PHs7nGRyo5Y1aEhsTAmalGEIgWKiHaj_VbP45DFQ3mPNvmU4EFzpSc0OLQ2iVBFly92dPZGjlMM91GuB_9kUbL/s1600/meat_and_cheese_shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwdkRi0A7bvUQ6P3WrdK1YJ1z6vbgT97Zgm8cycNxskjDq_s2rsLLz4PHs7nGRyo5Y1aEhsTAmalGEIgWKiHaj_VbP45DFQ3mPNvmU4EFzpSc0OLQ2iVBFly92dPZGjlMM91GuB_9kUbL/s640/meat_and_cheese_shop.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKkkRo4L3sLIlAbo5jwfESinPNnkvSSo5JLutvnGL3hZ7pAWpzpBW2QNTl_xlZOsWYNPQJMcNo67tdzxmghGarI0vA5dDxWokavXTL8m3Loz5GQVz48x45AgSLNKJrCpFd8hTtHyHhhpn/s1600/hotel_kazakhstan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKkkRo4L3sLIlAbo5jwfESinPNnkvSSo5JLutvnGL3hZ7pAWpzpBW2QNTl_xlZOsWYNPQJMcNo67tdzxmghGarI0vA5dDxWokavXTL8m3Loz5GQVz48x45AgSLNKJrCpFd8hTtHyHhhpn/s640/hotel_kazakhstan.jpg" width="428" wt="true" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-3874358456984516052010-04-08T22:54:00.000-07:002010-04-08T22:54:03.001-07:00Slice of Italy in AlmatyFoodie friends will appreciate....<br />
I was pleasantly surprised two nights ago, when after nearly an hour of searching for a restaurant in dark and dreary downtown Almaty, I stepped into a very authentic feeling Italian restaurant. It felt like a little slice of Italy in the middle of Kazakhstan. The waiters spoke fluent Italian and took orders with the an air of gourmand snobbery. After seating us, the waiter quickly sung through a list of house specialties in melodical Italian... <em>"Abbiamo un'insalata di rucola con formaggio speciale, un spaghetti con gamberi, un fresco branzino alla griglia con limone, aglio e olio d'oliva..."</em><br />
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The meal started with warm fresh bread and olive oil, rather than russian rolls, cucumbers and spicy peppers. After a few moments, I realized Porto was a seafood restaurant with the fish flown in from Italy and proudly displayed on ice. No horsemeat on this menu. The dishes were totally authentic (this was not Maggiano's, much truer to Italy), with arugula Caprese salad to homemade Spaghetti with mussels, shrimps and claims and mushroom risotto to freshly grilled Gamberetti. Alternatively, there were tons of different fresh fish options - prepared whole to our liking - even baked in Sea Salt.<br />
The wine list was extensive as well. The waiter even scoffed at the idea of drinking red wine with fish... so of course, I chose white. The restaurant itself was fairly full (for a Wednesday night) and there were even a few Italians there who looked like they had just stepped off their yacht in Portofino.<br />
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Overall, it was pretty surreal experience and I'm happy to report that the meal was quite good. That said, it was close to $200USD --- so we paid dearly for the fresh fish to get to Kazakhstan.Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-49366882443092919942010-04-06T01:32:00.000-07:002010-04-06T01:34:33.235-07:00No Borat in Kazakhstan<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqCo5uq995vuwHGRre8Pu7uMav2JOC1RtafldA1lqRRvd8gnO_JWy3elxDB8GE_e8u-fhu7wPqXL1s0MO5PVuTBaldcRMna_Z9AELH3jWdpP34EOfSxFKuEnLX4AzG9THBNHTG7vuZHhK/s1600/borat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqCo5uq995vuwHGRre8Pu7uMav2JOC1RtafldA1lqRRvd8gnO_JWy3elxDB8GE_e8u-fhu7wPqXL1s0MO5PVuTBaldcRMna_Z9AELH3jWdpP34EOfSxFKuEnLX4AzG9THBNHTG7vuZHhK/s320/borat.jpg" /></a>Believe it or not, not everyone in Kazakhstan looks like Borat. Matter of fact, no one does. But, I will say that the population of Almaty, the city where I am staying for the next week, is certainly unique. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Almaty is a mix of Kazakh, Russian, Uighur, Mongol, Chinese, Korean and a few of this and that expat. The mix of people is a product of the country’s location – sitting largely (about four times the size of Texas) between China, Mongolia, Russia and a few central Asian to the South. Kazakhstan was part of the original Silk Road – so movement of people between these countries through Kazakhstan had a large impact on the culture today. There is even a small German population that was resettled here during WWII from Russia near the Volga River. Most of the original 700,000 moved back to Germany, under 100,000 remain today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QL1ncLdqBzWRNTKy2n15TOQhX_SZrnSUDfU1NzdAIjvsVnnNDM6NI-SLXdkwwe6t-g-bn6APy9NJlLYQYcpeuiv-h5H-gp3d4p5C2eHfiFXzZvPHQ4Nh-jHvI-URGNJkdE1bNpNwss3_/s1600/map-south-asia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QL1ncLdqBzWRNTKy2n15TOQhX_SZrnSUDfU1NzdAIjvsVnnNDM6NI-SLXdkwwe6t-g-bn6APy9NJlLYQYcpeuiv-h5H-gp3d4p5C2eHfiFXzZvPHQ4Nh-jHvI-URGNJkdE1bNpNwss3_/s640/map-south-asia2.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><br />
What I learned at lunch with a few Microsoft colleagues is that the majority of people here are classified into two groups (and make up almost 90% of the population): Russian/European and Kazakh. Kazakh are most interesting physically. Like their local food, Kazakh characteristics are a fusion of the surrounding cultures. From what I can tell, and I’ve only been here a little over 48 hours (so I am generalizing a bit), the average Kazakh (or is it Kazakhstani?) has the intense forehead, brow and flatter note of a Russian and/or Turkic person, mixed with the round face, eyes and coloring of the Chinese – very similar to Mongolian, but a less round head. They also tend to have very high cheekbones. However, the Asian look certainly dominates.<br />
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Despite the majority of Kazakh people, the Russian language dominates here – even in business. Kazakh is only spoken by about 60% of the population; whereas Russian is spoken by about 95%. Russian is the official language of business and the language of interethnic communication.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXg0Me5DtdmUXErrsEAizhyphenhyphenaeE8oBHQZH_wOvN8-Xqm7dg-PB8aRoqWRsukejtaCt8njm0b_jwKcdr-rbGFVxEmks3nr1bdnCNKQnL_RpZ4S1k4UTs9PbZeCzN_sJquIiEOSsrkJEkbxN/s1600/can_you_read_that.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXg0Me5DtdmUXErrsEAizhyphenhyphenaeE8oBHQZH_wOvN8-Xqm7dg-PB8aRoqWRsukejtaCt8njm0b_jwKcdr-rbGFVxEmks3nr1bdnCNKQnL_RpZ4S1k4UTs9PbZeCzN_sJquIiEOSsrkJEkbxN/s640/can_you_read_that.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><br />
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And the language barrier. I’ve never been so handicapped in a country due to language. English is very, very rarely spoken here – even by my hotel staff. English signs are nowhere to be found, either. When I stare at a strip of retail stores – I can hardly tell a bank from a restaurant from a dry cleaner. The difficult mostly stems from the Cyrillic language – which reminds me of sophomore year trigonometry class, still completely indecipherable. This is also why I accidentally ordered horse meat on a few occasions.<br />
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Let’s talk food. One of the best parts of the Kazakh culture is the love of meat and the similar preparation of certain meats to Turkey and Middle Eastern cultures. Kebab, locally known as Shashlik, and Döner abound. I’ve eaten Döner now, pretty much all over the world, and I can say that this sandwich (see below) was as good as it gets. The bread tasted like a chewy flour tortilla and it was stuffed with sliced lamb and a very unique assortment of vegetables: pickles, carrots, tomatoes and French fries (I know this isn’t a veggie). The sauce was a tangy, spicy mix – almost like the secret sauce at McDonalds. The combination was perfect!<br />
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And the bad? Well, the Kazakh culture has nomadic roots. Therefore, the typical meats for most dishes are horse and mutton (sheep). Even at the French restaurant I visited last night, Horse steak was on the menu. I opted for my steak made of beef. That said, I’ve now eaten horse twice, once on accident and once intentionally. Both times – the result was so-so. I won’t necessarily say that horse meat always tastes bad, but I do think – without the proper preparation – it tastes bad about 97.6% of the time. I’d recommend you steer clear, except of course… when in Kazakhstan. Otherwise, chicken, beef, pork and lamb are common here as well – especially at Western restaurants. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3LppkynQeZXSiUL0uNpfZCUN2I95fcW-Ecd179bFmv_Jdstfajyq5ImLjGG3GMf4OwheOAamQ60umU6oJ1MJvL5YNLwVEWyLS_rb4o5v_jnyxRt3QOinpLUrRYur46IVT6BICa7ouKbg/s1600/here_you_go__doner_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3LppkynQeZXSiUL0uNpfZCUN2I95fcW-Ecd179bFmv_Jdstfajyq5ImLjGG3GMf4OwheOAamQ60umU6oJ1MJvL5YNLwVEWyLS_rb4o5v_jnyxRt3QOinpLUrRYur46IVT6BICa7ouKbg/s640/here_you_go__doner_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And some more good? Similar to a country like Singapore, which takes cuisine cues from Indonesia, China, Malaysia and India, Kazakhstan’s local cuisine is enhanced by the diversity of influence. Stir-fried Chinese noodle dishes are served along meat stuffed dumplings, spicy mutton kebabs and Turkish raviolis known as manty. Even Korean food finds its way into local restaurants and offerings, particularly Korean salads with cabbage and pickled vegetables. <br />
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Overall, the diversity of influence on Almaty and Kazakhstan is both good and bad. The Soviet-era has left much of the city drab, grey and unremarkable, while the unique ethnic mix adds flavor both to the street life and food. Worth a visit? I’ll let you know in a few days once I get to enjoy a full weekend here… including the night life!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zr_6fYMyEoNZ6vu-fcnSt9_qXqPaI0ynV79HclGWYvDfol1t9znEy-GvfL9HmJcFK8N-bZ3P1HhoS83DbkEaKtMFr_GPNbmRSrhyUjK857iumskSj7yvfsu5As5Um5NnA6b4yPc19j2s/s1600/bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zr_6fYMyEoNZ6vu-fcnSt9_qXqPaI0ynV79HclGWYvDfol1t9znEy-GvfL9HmJcFK8N-bZ3P1HhoS83DbkEaKtMFr_GPNbmRSrhyUjK857iumskSj7yvfsu5As5Um5NnA6b4yPc19j2s/s640/bakery.jpg" width="596" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-84705431744758671772010-04-05T21:09:00.001-07:002010-04-05T21:27:32.387-07:00Russian Orthodox Cathdral - Downtown Almaty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAk7amMrYI9qOkIS7Y8rL-0INT5UsThjWYZ6GIlsVEnwGmsDyo1HIMPYdf2PJ6x6wR8dZW5w3d2zAmJS2XZhJm1jxhkHYgi5nZlwJWV9pU5i8eVv-vSuOf4e1JmHSTwX5i_3opzt9Ojh8/s1600/church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAk7amMrYI9qOkIS7Y8rL-0INT5UsThjWYZ6GIlsVEnwGmsDyo1HIMPYdf2PJ6x6wR8dZW5w3d2zAmJS2XZhJm1jxhkHYgi5nZlwJWV9pU5i8eVv-vSuOf4e1JmHSTwX5i_3opzt9Ojh8/s640/church.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Ascension Cathedral (Russian: Вознесенский собор), also known as Zenkov Cathedral,is a Russian Orthodox cathedral located in Panfilov Park in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Completed in 1907, it is the second tallest wooden building in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQS56-w5ygQeII_4jDpy_aFEU6atzHw__aw6Cjs81Ax8FSWf9XBDpKd6mG4TbqbLa5hzu_CSjNX05VrsZPKhFcZEkQTl0D9Z_xKvV2e9yAwBhu0q5FfODiidnebflgwQjc5k50baTM2_k/s1600/russian_church_up_close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQS56-w5ygQeII_4jDpy_aFEU6atzHw__aw6Cjs81Ax8FSWf9XBDpKd6mG4TbqbLa5hzu_CSjNX05VrsZPKhFcZEkQTl0D9Z_xKvV2e9yAwBhu0q5FfODiidnebflgwQjc5k50baTM2_k/s640/russian_church_up_close.jpg" width="428" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBf89iVxal7_ueukyFFaiEAA4L0iR6h9vG1eotuPxQOvK1i9o-u60VDV7w_qsFdC1cZ5vuJc8cxhbJu6CId-yWHemcN85HwvVS4Ms5QcNgtpjZt7CV10pblZIpOlRRdR5QbWyC1py4c7Lt/s1600/russian_church_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBf89iVxal7_ueukyFFaiEAA4L0iR6h9vG1eotuPxQOvK1i9o-u60VDV7w_qsFdC1cZ5vuJc8cxhbJu6CId-yWHemcN85HwvVS4Ms5QcNgtpjZt7CV10pblZIpOlRRdR5QbWyC1py4c7Lt/s640/russian_church_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-46895169391406344882010-04-04T20:02:00.000-07:002010-04-04T20:12:09.637-07:00Festival for the Prophet's Birthday - CairoOn my last day in Cairo, my Egyptian friend took me to the old market in the oldest part of Cairo. It also happened to be the day of a very, very, very long parade celebrating the Prophet's birthday. Small groups from villages all over Egypt gathered in procession - each group singing their local song praising Allah, proudly displaying their town's banner dressed in traditional attire.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80hdK9OtIcEc9W7UqCf2rRMpINjisW3GvyZ8e06l-T5j-ME-rtIo2t8ObUArW59yY_OtBgjqfcBK6pBLXm1-1VbX5thyphenhyphenBO0y9JxlYXXfkaKxfHA9cHekMJSBZE2scLVMs6IPEjpPqmk_V/s1600/chanting_festival_cairo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80hdK9OtIcEc9W7UqCf2rRMpINjisW3GvyZ8e06l-T5j-ME-rtIo2t8ObUArW59yY_OtBgjqfcBK6pBLXm1-1VbX5thyphenhyphenBO0y9JxlYXXfkaKxfHA9cHekMJSBZE2scLVMs6IPEjpPqmk_V/s400/chanting_festival_cairo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSPDpvmsijaInvYmyovDlPxXI3Y83ic9ZqxqdM_7g5p019WqN8WY4YTgoGJ6bhODptAn8M0L-ty1yKytCY7GUUuiFDjxQnfw3HxlARrRvIVGVnByUZl9BlXvwEbjU7my0UAQVaBgt4D1o/s1600/festival_cairo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSPDpvmsijaInvYmyovDlPxXI3Y83ic9ZqxqdM_7g5p019WqN8WY4YTgoGJ6bhODptAn8M0L-ty1yKytCY7GUUuiFDjxQnfw3HxlARrRvIVGVnByUZl9BlXvwEbjU7my0UAQVaBgt4D1o/s400/festival_cairo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjYqWv6pc-Fgdma7ucVpvkAgBTC-IDQND8IOwc4P0zSXFTpLmgh0aWqwvThg1f5JqYaNPqyACz8W570RycNg-XVb4seIZ-qwkr6sPcDQAGVu4nTthOXlHto6iRn4B1z7phm8_2XVesYPG/s1600/festival_cairo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjYqWv6pc-Fgdma7ucVpvkAgBTC-IDQND8IOwc4P0zSXFTpLmgh0aWqwvThg1f5JqYaNPqyACz8W570RycNg-XVb4seIZ-qwkr6sPcDQAGVu4nTthOXlHto6iRn4B1z7phm8_2XVesYPG/s400/festival_cairo_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx519UKdKtCC7jFRW4U_PWcGcQ10BwmCqTInXKoe22VXdcHDEu1gWiGl8y_KLhMS_omHzMq2Fts92HYtOGW3LDxGGT_KhL3F44SCOlz8QwKT482KMYLrw_pd8jdvfI4C8tFIsl7P-_n6Us/s1600/old_cairo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx519UKdKtCC7jFRW4U_PWcGcQ10BwmCqTInXKoe22VXdcHDEu1gWiGl8y_KLhMS_omHzMq2Fts92HYtOGW3LDxGGT_KhL3F44SCOlz8QwKT482KMYLrw_pd8jdvfI4C8tFIsl7P-_n6Us/s400/old_cairo.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-19158907386256286532010-04-04T19:48:00.001-07:002010-04-04T19:49:41.257-07:00Reader E-mail: From a Ghanain living in TexasHello Mr. Ashmore,<br />
<br />
My name is Gifty, I'm 15 years old, a very proud Ghanaian, and i just discovered your blog on different countries, and I saw the one about Ghana. Reading your blogs about Ghana was so exciting, and funny, and informative. I was born and raised in Ghana, but i currently live in Texas. I love what you did in Ghana for the school children especially introducing presentations and how to apply the knowledge most Ghanaian students memorize. Memorizing text book materials was how me and my fellow Ghanaian classmates learned in school. I was lucky enough to go to a better, more financially stable, private school in Akim Oda, Eastern region of Ghana than the students you taught at Kuk JHS, so i didn't have much trouble in applying my knowledge or using the computer. <br />
<br />
<br />
I'm glad that you enjoyed the Ghanaian cuisine, i do too. When tourists go to Ghana, the friendliness of Ghanaians are always mentioned, and i agree. The one thing that i found very interesting and something that i had never thought of in that way was your "obroni" post. I always thought that there was nothing wrong with the word until i saw your perspective on the concept vice versa. If a black person was walking down the street and the natives called him/her "black person, black person!" that is pretty ignorant. So thank you for opening my eyes to this perspective, and I agree with you on ending this "obroni" saying habit. <br />
<br />
Also, your post on the Accra cinema (i wasn't in Ghana when it was completed) was informative. I never knew that they had self-flushing toilets in Accra. The first time i saw one myself was on the airplane coming to U.S. When i was in Ghana i didn't know much about the outside world either, just like Cornelius, not even the outside Africa. The fact that they showed American movies was also new to me. (i've lived in Texas for almost three years now). <br />
I haven't finished reading all of your posts yet, but i'm curious. Why do you visit all these countries and teach school children? Is this part of your job here in the U.S? If it is, that is a really cool job, and I would LOVE to know more about that job. Or are u just doing this just cause you want to? How do you get these host families? Do you just ask them and they willingly agree to host you in their house?<br />
<br />
Take care,<br />
<br />
-Gifty<br />
<br />
p.s, your post on how conservative Ghanaian youth are in the "boyfriend-girlfriend" matter was my favorite. As a teenager, i DEFINITELY knew what you were talking about.Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-66800221962144043042010-04-04T19:41:00.000-07:002010-04-04T19:41:06.555-07:00LH646 to Almaty via FrankfurtI am convinced that the trick to delivering great first class air travel is to wine and dine your passengers until they are so full and buzzed that even the longest, bumpiest, and most boring 10 hour flight is enjoyable. Evidence comes from my flight from Seattle to Frankfurt on Lufthansa, for which 10% nice smile plus 90% luck landed me a free business class upgrade upon check-in. I don’t even have a frequent flyer account with these guys. <br />
<br />
But let’s step back to my flight. The only other time I ever flew first class, I was 16 and had to be wheel chaired to the seat, IV drip only plucked from my elbow a few minutes prior after a “near death” bout of food poisoning and over-indulgence in Acapulco. Unlike that terrible flight back to Dallas, my LH flight to Frankfurt (en route to Kazakhstan) has been terrific. I am even willing to argue that my in-flight meal was better tasting than the dinner I had last night at one of Seattle’s new hot spots, Cicchetti.<br />
<br />
I had no idea that reheated airplane eggplant rollatini, pork tenderloin with apricot risotto, and tres leches cake (which is one of my favorites) could taste so good. Wow, the menu they presented when I boarded claimed, “first class food in first class” and they were not kidding around. Good Job to the chef who figured this all out. <br />
<br />
Did I mention the glass of champagne before taking off and the excellent Tuscan Villa Antinori wine with my meal? I finished It all off with a digestive as the pretty French flight attendant pronounced. A little cognac, although I was tempted by the Bailey’s. <br />
<br />
Alright, so maybe I sound like a little kid in a candy store. But I just can’t help but remark on how much I am enjoying this flight right now – fully belly and buzz included.<br />
<br />
Well, I am going to watch a movie now. Unfortunately though, Lufthansa does not have the greatest movie selection – probably another reason they served me so many courses and wine pairings so I won’t know the difference.<br />
<br />
I’ll be posting pictures soon from Almaty, Kazakhstan. I am hoping that my good fortune at the airport is an omen for what is to come. <br />
<br />
MickeyMickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-35085775109490075532010-02-25T06:07:00.000-08:002010-02-25T06:17:16.910-08:00Pretend: Lawrence of Arabia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLaVh3QcmGrcisuAbdiOxi3JUZTO8vZMoPrxcjlMonK9SC-wP2yutycaal_GSl8_JnKfCDNGdMwwG5pevcx9S8T8oJ90-SfKofRPuuLXCvH9mLfJ7OGNy_lfLlYR4DzYxbP3rTXbm_D8f/s1600-h/modern+day+bedouins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLaVh3QcmGrcisuAbdiOxi3JUZTO8vZMoPrxcjlMonK9SC-wP2yutycaal_GSl8_JnKfCDNGdMwwG5pevcx9S8T8oJ90-SfKofRPuuLXCvH9mLfJ7OGNy_lfLlYR4DzYxbP3rTXbm_D8f/s400/modern+day+bedouins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Howdy Folks,<br />
<br />
I woke up this morning around 5am, on my second to last day in Egypt having not yet seen the Pyramids up close. Panicked, knowing I would never ever be back… I departed my hotel so I could make it to the desert before sunrise. Out above the city and where I could see the pyramids. The one catch: I had to be at work by 8:30am. Time was scarce.<br />
<br />
30 minutes later, I found myself sitting in a small Egyptian perfume shop, selling scents made from flowers and spices that smelled suspiciously similar to Cool Water by Davidoff and Body by Issey Miyake. I drank piping hot Arabic tea as I negotiated the price of a solo guided horseback ride to a good viewing point of the Giza Plateau. <br />
<br />
Once finalized, I saddled onto an “Arabian” horse with a nice guide named Kimo. We rode to a small “mountain” that looked back over Giza city (outskirts of Cairo) and the pyramids (they are surrounding by a 25km wall to keep out people who don’t pay and just want to loiter. It protects the Pyramids). On the mountain, there was a small makeshift tent (a modern Bedouin establishment) where there were three young guys sleeping, one small dog chewing a blanket, a dirt bike and a small fire to boil water. They made me some nice tea as we watched the sunrise and my guide smoked a cigarette (everyone here smokes). “No thanks,” I declined to partake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXSgK_MsOiIJTYbmRlu51irWp6JmFXQAAczUFWqx7q_SElNMSEAl0MVIlg0G8IjuQpFCkZjlR2WpCwdFeSpKlBsiwCFENprvI7KjtzScz2vYN1els6A9FG_GoiWUF5gzqsQm61-3BkyI3/s1600-h/horses_and_pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXSgK_MsOiIJTYbmRlu51irWp6JmFXQAAczUFWqx7q_SElNMSEAl0MVIlg0G8IjuQpFCkZjlR2WpCwdFeSpKlBsiwCFENprvI7KjtzScz2vYN1els6A9FG_GoiWUF5gzqsQm61-3BkyI3/s400/horses_and_pyramid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I then saw a camel guided by a chubby, but jolly man in a traditional outfit. I managed to convince him to let me climb aboard and ride for 10 minutes… I almost fell off (David, remember when we rode a camel together at that theme restaurant in Jaipur – remember how much it bucks you when it stands up).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLghT6nsV57j6yIa8fDpc4p6D2USCGfIwQLiz_xR3rFhcRPqMapX0sow1JrYMV7qpW90yMP6YpjyudZA24RJOw_pkvhKCikyVE-rG9FsRVuf4FI8SShXNp9phGZf5HwO_KG08yI0c_lWRj/s1600-h/camel_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLghT6nsV57j6yIa8fDpc4p6D2USCGfIwQLiz_xR3rFhcRPqMapX0sow1JrYMV7qpW90yMP6YpjyudZA24RJOw_pkvhKCikyVE-rG9FsRVuf4FI8SShXNp9phGZf5HwO_KG08yI0c_lWRj/s400/camel_man.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnQxfeJSa-iS7cTjtythJkH5XV3ouBS1gvvZzwlVRrwh1Ne-GaUgZoEOgUiRQEAqKbPIddssoWpOEGJBWBQTHPz5pAdFzXtxLmilU2YYIFpwMx_Jeg3gniznAFUbztbmt8sHyP1VCbcm/s1600-h/magic_camel_ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnQxfeJSa-iS7cTjtythJkH5XV3ouBS1gvvZzwlVRrwh1Ne-GaUgZoEOgUiRQEAqKbPIddssoWpOEGJBWBQTHPz5pAdFzXtxLmilU2YYIFpwMx_Jeg3gniznAFUbztbmt8sHyP1VCbcm/s400/magic_camel_ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After about an hour of chatting, taking photos and looking at the view, I rode back into town chatting with my guide. He was 29-years-old, married with 3 kids (two twins) and studying Ancient History at Cairo University. His family has been raising horses in a stable and living in the same house for over 4 generations. It is common in Egypt that multiple generations of one family will live under the same roof and at the same time. Each family, if they are lucky, occupying a different floor. He was a really a nice guy – he spoke more than just “tourist” English so we had a real conversation. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnQxfeJSa-iS7cTjtythJkH5XV3ouBS1gvvZzwlVRrwh1Ne-GaUgZoEOgUiRQEAqKbPIddssoWpOEGJBWBQTHPz5pAdFzXtxLmilU2YYIFpwMx_Jeg3gniznAFUbztbmt8sHyP1VCbcm/s1600-h/magic_camel_ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjnQxfeJSa-iS7cTjtythJkH5XV3ouBS1gvvZzwlVRrwh1Ne-GaUgZoEOgUiRQEAqKbPIddssoWpOEGJBWBQTHPz5pAdFzXtxLmilU2YYIFpwMx_Jeg3gniznAFUbztbmt8sHyP1VCbcm/s400/magic_camel_ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anyway, I am at the office now with about 3.5 hours of working life left in Cairo. My time in Cairo has been a mixed experience; but all-in-all, I am very happy I came. That said, I wouldn’t recommend traveling to Cairo if you are seeking the following: <br />
• Good Food<br />
• Relaxation<br />
• To cleanse your body or detox*<br />
<br />
I think the air here is a mixture of 50% oxygen, 20% car pollution, 15% sand and dust and 15% second hand cigarette and sheesha pipe smoke. Traffic is a nightmare, caused by lack of road rules, making travel across the city take 5 times longer than it should. That said, the people here have been generally nice and my work experience fantastic (learning a lot and enjoying mixing with the office culture of Cairo). <br />
<br />
Hope everyone is doing well. See pictures below (I reduced image size so quality isn’t perfect. Email me if you want a sharper photo). Feel free to share comments and Brett, I am expecting you send out your annual “e-mail” poking fun at my travel writings.Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-24719740517571552282010-02-19T01:33:00.000-08:002010-02-19T01:33:06.015-08:00Nile Maxim + TanouraEnjoyed an evening of dinner and lots of dancing (Belly Dancing, American Cover Band dancing, and Tanoura) last night on the Nile. <br />
<br />
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/korayem/sets/72157607371220842/Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-71219857172824657922010-02-16T12:30:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:30:28.089-08:00War-Torn Beautiful Beirut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although it is difficult to capture the true essence of Beirut without visiting, in many ways -- it reminds me of a blend of three things: Miami, Paris and D-Day Normandy Beach. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The topographic setting and art-deco high rises along the Mediterranean with a long corniche lined with fancy cafes and flashy cars. Did I mention beautiful people (women)? Miami.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Small winding streets named "Rue de...", colorful buildings with small balconies, a multitude of quality French restaurants and a certain bit of romance. Paris.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bullet holes, rubble, half-standing buildings and walls missing facade. Normany Beach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beirut has real character, true soul and a very distinct feel. My description does no justice to this city. I recommend a visit.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H4rEn2FMp73eBfvIcrqEHLFZ1UobKuJXk6UPzAmLWoMr9IkPwnx9o-JRREu8Y-Xf3KN9VKhB9FObU4bCR9ZUUUxXb1vRBOfBwA34JwHtFaOgP5auDvjAuREKxyQtC3VFyd-bg-iYCoGu/s1600-h/Beirut+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H4rEn2FMp73eBfvIcrqEHLFZ1UobKuJXk6UPzAmLWoMr9IkPwnx9o-JRREu8Y-Xf3KN9VKhB9FObU4bCR9ZUUUxXb1vRBOfBwA34JwHtFaOgP5auDvjAuREKxyQtC3VFyd-bg-iYCoGu/s400/Beirut+Wall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSD_GIzQIAg3uS7Pz_ltGiEl6eR3iSFqyIZaIrF42hDyUIjoiKb_kmwuafIrEooo4MecVpwiwuNotbhOqozgXDwOsBKa6eBAMNH_djjEnbZi3vv-BGlM5X46uM4Ctm0N-7B1d-gTHVkMf/s1600-h/Beiruti+Balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSD_GIzQIAg3uS7Pz_ltGiEl6eR3iSFqyIZaIrF42hDyUIjoiKb_kmwuafIrEooo4MecVpwiwuNotbhOqozgXDwOsBKa6eBAMNH_djjEnbZi3vv-BGlM5X46uM4Ctm0N-7B1d-gTHVkMf/s400/Beiruti+Balcony.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-22776063413271022002010-02-16T05:04:00.000-08:002010-02-16T05:07:47.048-08:00Downtown Beirut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUNz_5MkyhTkzDEgdR5vmERoFKeeCk_91WTCo1Plka1Q30u-RRS21VkZYy3OAK7V50bj8y0QObek9a1kCxB6HhjY75n5lDGPquq7QfFICKEE27v81sDc95044CIS78SFFdkxwNdPBQGgS/s1600-h/Downtown+Cair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUNz_5MkyhTkzDEgdR5vmERoFKeeCk_91WTCo1Plka1Q30u-RRS21VkZYy3OAK7V50bj8y0QObek9a1kCxB6HhjY75n5lDGPquq7QfFICKEE27v81sDc95044CIS78SFFdkxwNdPBQGgS/s400/Downtown+Cair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mosque and Church split East and West Beirut. This middle ground, also known as the green line, was a no-go zone during the Civil War. It is slowly being restored.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>The Green Line was a line of demarcation in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990. It separated the mainly Muslim factions in West Beirut from the Christian Lebanese Forces in East Beirut. The appellation refers to the coloration of the foliage that grew because the space was uninhabited. Many of the buildings along the Green Line were severely damaged or destroyed during the war. Since the end of hostilities, however, many of the buildings have been rebuilt within the framework of the urban renewal project of Solidere in Beirut Central District.</em></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-26560464603743630672010-02-14T07:05:00.003-08:002010-02-14T07:05:04.381-08:00mmmm.... Egyptian Sweets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCY0iPES0zbvJmRIpyV1yvMcLY_N4SAOSYCcvmD2Q5SxAMH7EBsNqEXVi4JM8HFQZWR7GF4VHUlmxmpQ9FIFquPONLx-1wPqqyOfWkzq8DzlnbJnChsqPHopHaK9JoPa5GH9FsCgEZ3G/s1600-h/sweets_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCY0iPES0zbvJmRIpyV1yvMcLY_N4SAOSYCcvmD2Q5SxAMH7EBsNqEXVi4JM8HFQZWR7GF4VHUlmxmpQ9FIFquPONLx-1wPqqyOfWkzq8DzlnbJnChsqPHopHaK9JoPa5GH9FsCgEZ3G/s400/sweets_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Sooo much Sugar... soo good. I feel sick.</em></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-40351375744918679862010-02-14T07:05:00.001-08:002010-02-14T07:05:03.682-08:00mmmm.... Egyptian Sweets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCY0iPES0zbvJmRIpyV1yvMcLY_N4SAOSYCcvmD2Q5SxAMH7EBsNqEXVi4JM8HFQZWR7GF4VHUlmxmpQ9FIFquPONLx-1wPqqyOfWkzq8DzlnbJnChsqPHopHaK9JoPa5GH9FsCgEZ3G/s1600-h/sweets_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCY0iPES0zbvJmRIpyV1yvMcLY_N4SAOSYCcvmD2Q5SxAMH7EBsNqEXVi4JM8HFQZWR7GF4VHUlmxmpQ9FIFquPONLx-1wPqqyOfWkzq8DzlnbJnChsqPHopHaK9JoPa5GH9FsCgEZ3G/s400/sweets_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Sooo much Sugar... soo good. I feel sick.</em></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-48090933901185537502010-02-14T06:56:00.001-08:002010-02-14T06:56:28.681-08:00Cairo is plenty safe.. if not welcomingLearning that I would be traveling to Cairo, many of my American friends expressed concern. <br />
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“Is it safe over there?” <br />
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“Be careful. Don’t get kidnapped.”<br />
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“Do they treat Americans well?”<br />
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And so on.<br />
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My response at the time has now been confirmed after a full week in Cairo.<br />
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“Yes.”<br />
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“Ok, I’ll be fine.”<br />
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“They are very friendly and treat me like family…well almost.”<br />
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Believe it or not, I feel more than just safe in Cairo, but welcomed. I think the people in Cairo are friendlier and more hospitable than most places I’ve traveled (although nothing will compare to Ghana) and I feel safer in Cairo than I do in NYC. However, that is not to say there are no risks to my well-being. The top three being:<br />
<br />
(1) Getting hit by a car as I snake my way through a multi-non-defined lane highway of speeding vehicles at night. Everyone else was doing it too… <br />
<br />
(2) Suffocating from pollution. Or, at least, long term damage leading to premature death. Lack of clean oxygen may seriously damage my brain. Cairo is easily the most polluted city I have ever been to. Imagine sitting in a closed room with a running car; however, there is just enough air getting in and out of a small window so you survive. But not without feeling a heaviness in your chest and layer of soot on your fac.e<br />
<br />
(3) Eating glutonously to the point of heart attack. Falafel deep friend in clarified butter. Heavy lamb and okra stew mixed with clarified butter. Tahini covered everything (I love this stuff). Diabetes inducing Kunefe and other sugary treats. Egyptians are definitely not following any sugar-free south beach diets.<br />
<br />
Other than those three risks, and maybe the chance of a terrible car accident (which was fairly high today as my cab driver slipped dodged large trucks, drove on the shoulder and squeezed between semi-trailers while taking me to the airport). All the while frequently glancing over at me while he taught me Arabic. “Ana Geheddaaa, It’s VERY Good!” he exclaimed over and over. <br />
<br />
So, yes – Cairo is safe. Although not particularly peaceful. Every Egyptian I have encountered has been more than helpful and friendly. I’d say so far, other than the food, the people are what make Cairo great.Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-74875678685445946842010-02-09T22:31:00.000-08:002010-02-10T03:51:57.801-08:00Cairene Specialty: KushariIn Seattle, one can find cheap street cuisine from all corners of the world recreated for trendy, wealthier consumers to enjoy. From Mexico, we have the taco. From Greece, the gyro, or Turkey, the doner. We even have a taco truck, which was featured in the NY Times, that serves Korean BBQ. Cheap food marketed to the lowest classes is being taken upscale - and this is a global phenomenon. In Cairo, that equivalent, which is yet to hit the United States, would be <em>Kushari. </em><br />
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"Small, medium or large?" my server asked at a small Kushari restaurant in Cairo. Those were my only options - not that I knew any better from looking at my Arabic menu. I enjoyed my first taste of Kushari, a famous Cairene dish, on Sunday afternoon. Well, I guess I enjoyed it... but honestly, it was just okay. However, in fairness, I think I should give it a second shot... nonetheless, I did enjoy "partaking" in this very common local eating tradition. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xn9EtYfaZFfgrebHFJv0lw_KQ7nW15hQ_Dv0E4hkLkKB_LrGe41iXrhpW5Iltcw1ju7ZUY2__xMvDBhzRe53ZiOIga9DgM4hvBwwMyMcGrSpnR7-_sCG0ULpLPaXDiRfRQqRUHBmzI57/s1600-h/koshari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xn9EtYfaZFfgrebHFJv0lw_KQ7nW15hQ_Dv0E4hkLkKB_LrGe41iXrhpW5Iltcw1ju7ZUY2__xMvDBhzRe53ZiOIga9DgM4hvBwwMyMcGrSpnR7-_sCG0ULpLPaXDiRfRQqRUHBmzI57/s400/koshari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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Kushari is a traditional Egyptian Cairene meal that consists of a strange combination of a main base of macaroni noodles, spaghetti, rice, black lentils, chick peas, garlic sauce and a spicy tomato chili sauce, all topped with fried onions. It is sold from carts by street vendors, in restaurants (many of which specialize in Kushari) and is even made at home. I've heard it described as Egyptian Chili... I'd say more like the Egyptian version of Spaghetti Bolognese. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTpeNGkREV3_WWdWv2u202fP1tnexkGKgMcx8qke_smiTbVMdDHNMvMUFga0tMeA1ZbBWqiwV4NcECSJjhOEbr_f4kkiRW98XRthuXv7dvGPlj0hTTRuSP0A1TKBZ6PNvrrDd-oxVZBS/s1600-h/koshari_maker_chubby_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTpeNGkREV3_WWdWv2u202fP1tnexkGKgMcx8qke_smiTbVMdDHNMvMUFga0tMeA1ZbBWqiwV4NcECSJjhOEbr_f4kkiRW98XRthuXv7dvGPlj0hTTRuSP0A1TKBZ6PNvrrDd-oxVZBS/s400/koshari_maker_chubby_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em>The Kushari maker works quickly to feed so many people. He places fresh macaroni pasta in a bowl to then be topped with the strange combination of lentils, chickpeas, friend onions, spaghetti, and a spicy tomato sauce.</em></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I enjoyed my first taste at modern, quick service restaurant that served only Kushari and lots of it. The interior reminded me of a trendy, fast food restaurant one might find in the US. Bright color-coordinated theme of orange, yellow and green. Well lit with shiny furniture - definitely not a traditional, street food joint but a restaurant catering to the middle and upper class. A bit ironic given Kushari's popularity due to how inexpensive it is. However, the transformation of cheap street foods into trendy dishes is a global phenomenon and Egypt has definitely caught on. <br />
<br />
The clientelle was fun to watch. A group of four girls wearing brightly colored sweaters and headscarves whispered back and forth across their table - clearly gossiping. Several businessmen in suits were taking lunch. A couple held hands under the table sipping Pepsi and devouring two large bowls. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WXmMWj4n1O2LzZPvVStv9BE7gx-HpwlSuPiOMpJehllo8-7Xk59T9-PacIiZ8v5yrx4pqsxf22_JJzP1O_sBtFoGvCqDRKfpaM7SGopPcMW_ASbMtGkgcya8TFmOikGfHHzmVbTLqypE/s1600-h/koshari_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WXmMWj4n1O2LzZPvVStv9BE7gx-HpwlSuPiOMpJehllo8-7Xk59T9-PacIiZ8v5yrx4pqsxf22_JJzP1O_sBtFoGvCqDRKfpaM7SGopPcMW_ASbMtGkgcya8TFmOikGfHHzmVbTLqypE/s400/koshari_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Kushary is eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An untested <a href="http://www.touregypt.net/magazine/mag06012000/mag5.htm#Koshari (or Kushari) (serves 6)">Kushary Recipe.</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuKJNvNS9wT4MOADjXlFG1nYOx0nYSoRiHKOcvBaiWvEwVVr1KR2sgt3o2Wm9aNOUw-OD91YK4F41Bk-VSdNKT8bspy-GGbP30ZYDXC4mwR6JW3aEon59jq7yHa9UEEGeI5lkuS_eAgvd/s1600-h/koshari_maker_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuKJNvNS9wT4MOADjXlFG1nYOx0nYSoRiHKOcvBaiWvEwVVr1KR2sgt3o2Wm9aNOUw-OD91YK4F41Bk-VSdNKT8bspy-GGbP30ZYDXC4mwR6JW3aEon59jq7yHa9UEEGeI5lkuS_eAgvd/s400/koshari_maker_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>A big pile of fried onions, many stacks of "to-go" bowls, and the tireless efforts of these two men point to the immense popularity of Kushari. How many bowls do they serve a day? </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone in Cairo has an opinion of the best Kushari. All the guidebooks mention Abou Tarek. I have not been there but will hopefully have a chance when I give it a second try.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5614362245499659388.post-21437356408899051572010-02-08T08:46:00.000-08:002010-02-08T08:46:08.979-08:00Downtown Cairo - Airport to Hotel Transfer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0G1mi89hY-r7H6JmY8wyA-buny2kTtyJUaN6EkgJpTGnkzUCMwj1zAwgfBMz3w8OqWx_UjRFV7vB6v10k2LDdXtAQ39BV4MEAjQXMICkx1BY8T4xPWjRVV642OCVNxW0HNGQd8W9BHxbR/s1600-h/blurry_people_and_focused_buildings1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0G1mi89hY-r7H6JmY8wyA-buny2kTtyJUaN6EkgJpTGnkzUCMwj1zAwgfBMz3w8OqWx_UjRFV7vB6v10k2LDdXtAQ39BV4MEAjQXMICkx1BY8T4xPWjRVV642OCVNxW0HNGQd8W9BHxbR/s640/blurry_people_and_focused_buildings1.jpg" width="640" /></a>Cool Photo.</div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11676806743757939872noreply@blogger.com1