Why the Veil?

by Erik Olsen on

Every good traveler knows that it is imperative when abroad to be sensitive to the local culture. But some cultural practices have a foreignness to them that is off-putting to people ,and when you factor in Islam, well, there’s a whole nasty stew of prejudices and issues associated with that as well. One of the cultural practices that has long puzzled me is the veil. It is said that Muslim women are compelled to wear a veil over their faces because several interpretations of the Koran say so. The veil, goes some interpretations, is meant to prevent women from exposing their beauty to other men, thereby lessening temptations that might lead to…well, adultery or other potentially damaging societal problems.

OK, that’s just one of several interpretations, but the reason I bring all this up is because the veil is a rather interesting cultural artifact that any traveler should be aware of if they are visiting a country where women wear one. And, along these lines, I just heard a very educational radio story about the origin of the veil. This story from NPR is one of several that will be examining Islam over the next week. The reporter talks to several scholars who study Islam as well as an Iraqi in California who discusses the matter from his perspective. It’s well worth the six or so minutes it takes to listen to it.

Get Paid to Travel to Iran

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve mentioned in these very pages how much I’d like to travel to Iran. Several friends of mine and folks I know have been there and have said that it is a lovely, friendly country, steeped in history and culture. That the “axis of evil” moniker and the current issues that make the news are political matters, and do not reflect the attitude or hospitality of the people. Well, now it seems one could test that theory…ad get paid to do it.

Or at least your travel agent will get paid. Yes, the Iranian government wants to attract Western tourists, especially Americans, to Iran and those that are able to lure them can get a $20 per head reward (as it were). Same with European tourists….$20. Other countries, well, those are worth $10, said an Iranian official. Al I can say is: sign me up. I’d go to Ira in a heartbeat. And I’d eve meet the fella in this picture. Sure, he seems a bit kooky, but it might be fun to share a hookah with the guy, see what makes him tick.

Endangered World Heritage Sites

by Neil Woodburn on

World Heritage Sites are, by definition, fantastic places to visit. But is this true of all of them?

Sure, the honored temples, pagodas, natural landscapes, and medieval towns all have something special to offer; otherwise they wouldn’t be on the list. But what about the negative aspects, the things never mentioned by UNESCO?

The fine folks at National Geographic Traveler have come up with their own rating system to honor the very best and very worst World Heritage Sites on this planet based upon “sustainable tourism.”

National Geographic actively hosts the Center for Sustainable Destinations which researches the impact of tourism upon popular tourist sites. For example, toward the bottom of the most recent scorecard of 94 World Heritage Sites researched by the group is the Potala Palace in Tibet. The Palace scored only 46 out of 100 possible points due to the impact of mass tourism, Chinese attempts to diffuse the Tibetan culture, and “souvenir shops replacing the religious articles market.” Dead last is Kathmandu Valley in Nepal where political strife, concrete buildings, and pollution is quickly destroying the ancient heritage of this fantastic area.

It is truly sad reading through the bottom of the list and the litany of problems facing so many of the world’s great destinations. The temples of Angkor, Cambodia, for example, are threatened by a rash of new tourist hotels which consume so much water that the water table has lowered and is weakening the foundations of the temple.

The good news is that a number of destinations are weathering the tourist onslaught with strength and vigor. Number one on the list with 87 points is the west fjords of Norway, followed up by Spain’s Alhambra. Both treasures are well protected and well managed by the local communities in which they lie. They currently face little threat and healthy longevity–at least for the time being.

Be sure to pop on over to National Geographic Traveler and check out the list. This is one of the better World Heritage Site summations I’ve seen in a long time, and one which will motivate, inspire, and sadly, even depress.

If you can get a hold of the print edition (November/December 2006) take a moment to mull over the depressing cover photo of tourists in loud clothing and sun hats scaling the ancient stairs of Angkor. One glance and you’ll understand why it has fared so poorly in the National Geographic Traveler report.

Utah Red Rock Video

by Erik Olsen on

Not that you needed a reason to go to Utah to experience it’s jaw-gaping beauty. Most Americans, ad certainly most gadling readers, are aware that Utah is probably the best place in the country, and perhaps on earth, to go mountain biking and skiing. Nothing I’ve ever experienced beats Utah powder. But take a look as this finely done (albeit a little muddy, thanks to the Google codec) video from America’s Redrock Wilderness. The color of stone there, shot during the golden hour, of course, is out of this world, almost as if it was shot on Mars. It was shot in wide screen and narrated by Robert Redford, so pull the corner of your browser out a bit and enjoy.

No Child Left Inside

by Neil Woodburn on

In an effort to introduce more kids to nature and the Great Outdoors, the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, has proposed a No Child Left Inside public awareness campaign. What a perfect name and a perfect goal!

Nature Deficit Syndrome has most certainly increased in today’s youth as a result of too much time spent indoors with video games and the internet. National Park attendance continues to drop and officials are concerned that whole generations of children are increasingly missing out on the outdoors. If this continues, people will experience places like Yellowstone only virtually and, as a result, will be far less enriched in their lives.

So, if you are a parent out there reading this, do your kid a favor and take him or her to your closest National Park. And leave that Gameboy at home.