I love Arabic and Persian writing even if it’s written on a dusty piece of masking tape or label on a jar. While I think I can make out the words pronunciations I couldn’t tell you whether it’s paint or condiments in those jars. I’m sure evanr would have a clue. He took this photo while in Islamic Cairo right outside of the Khan Al-Khalili Market. So telling, yet not so telling.
Photo of the Day (9/6/06)
Evanr or uknowthename does it again! Here we have a shot under a shady bar or restaurant of some type in Dahab, Egypt two weeks after the bombing there earlier this year. Thank goodness Evan didn’t get stuck in the middle of that, but from this photo you would never think a thing goes wrong in the area. Nice!
GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of August 27
It’s the beginning of a new month, but still the end of the week for us here and with that we bring you some of the week’s best:
5. Pilot Locks Self Out:
This is the kind of story one reads and rubs their eyes in disbelief. Sure it’s humorous, but somewhat scary too. A pilot locked out of the cockpit? How can that be? You’ll need to head over for more details.
4. Sex and Violence, Elk-style:
Iva Skoch wastes no time in making her presence known with this alarming headline. I won’t spill all the details here, but let’s just say its got a something to do with hiking and animal acts. Read further – I dare you.
3. Cape Verde:
I’m giving this plug on Cape Verde the number three spot because we don’t get around to Africa much and it seems like such an amazing place. (Understatement, yes – of course.) Cape Verde is beginning to attract interest according to this piece and you wouldn’t want to be the last to find out why would you? Go check it out!
2. Backpacking in California’s Sierras:
We love first-hand experiences here and Neil does a fantastic job on recounting his trip through California’s Sierras. Complete with photos and enough tips to help you plan your own visit out yonder.
1. Never Heard of:
Great post if you’re the traveling type that likes to wander into places no one has ever been or few people know little about. I know I’m one of them and this list from Budget Travel is worth clipping out and saving for later when an exciting destination where no-one will find you is much needed.
Inside Africa Vol. 1 & 2
TASCHEN books are some of my favorite to collect. If I had hundreds of dollars to blow I could easily do so on their website, but for now I’ll have to place some of these titles on my Christmas wish list or refrain from doing so much running to and fro’ to buy a few more. Of the more recent releases I’d like to take a peek at the Inside Africa titles. The two volume set puts the diversity of African living in the reader’s face. I’ll be one of the first to admit (and this is very sad because I have so many African friends), but when I think of dwellings found in various African places I don’t think modern for the majority. I see mud, clay, and earthy homes with wells and without running hot water. SO WRONG. While a good portion of countries may have tribes and villages with housing of this nature there are tons of luxury lodges, artist studios, minimalist houses, and so-forth. These two sets claim to have a good mixture of both and more, but with the eye-popping ink and paper stock TASCHEN uses I’m sure anyone flipping through the book would want to stay in a clay hut. Deidi von Schaewen is the photographer and it took a period of four years and fifteen countries to make it these Inside Africa volumes happen.
Countries featured include Egypt, Kenya, Botswana, Morocco, Réunion, Seychelles, Tanzania, Tunisia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Nigeria, and Senegal to list only a few.
Word for the Travel Wise (08/01/06)
I don’t know what the for sure stats are on the most traveled African countries, but Egypt has to be pretty high on the list. Almost any and everyone I know that mentions traveling to the continent usually bring up Egypt, Kenya, or South Africa. I’m hoping to head to Africa in the very near future, but until some more money trickles in I’ll be dreaming and studying up on the various langs heard around the lands.
Today’s word is an Arabic word used in Egypt:
filoos – money
My Language Exchange is an excellent site in making friends across the globe while zoning in on the areas that give you the most trouble in your language of choice. While most services are free, contacting other members does cost a very small fee. Other learning tools for free standard Arabic online include this Learn Arabic site which has some remarkable lessons. The audio sounds a bit off for me, but they’ve got both the Naskh script (easy to read when learning the alphabet) and the Latin spelling of the letter. Babel Arabic is another good source. Planet Edu has an online listing of Arabic schools all over the Middle East, Africa and the U.S. Lastly, for purchase and a quick pocket guide there’s the Lonely Planet Egyptian Arabic Phrasebook.