Hatshepsut Temple in Luxor is the scene of the murder crime in November 1997 when terrorists killed 62 people (most of them tourists). The temple is one the ancient monuments that spread across the ancient capital in the southeastern part of Egypt.
Nowadays, it’s one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the West Bank of the Nile River. Perhaps, out of the hundreds of tourists that visit this archaeological site everyday, only very few know its gruesome past. Our tour guide didn’t mention it but when I asked him about it, he seemed agitated and responded curtly, “This place is safe now.” That doesn’t really answer the question, right? My badness for being rude? \0xD83D\0xDE00
I didn’t come here to see the crime scene but I was intrigued about the Hatshepsut, the Queen Pharaoh.
By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander
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In Luxor, the ancient Egyptian capital, archaeologists discovered 63 royal tombs at the Valley of the Kings. These pharaohs ruled the country in the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. But, perhaps, the most famous discovery from here is the tomb of a Tutankhamen who ruled in the 18th dynasty.
Unlike Cairo, pyramids weren’t used here as a tomb for the Kings or Pharaohs. Instead, these royalties were buried in an elaborate, long, tunnel-like passage that goes deep down under at the valley. Nowadays, only three royal tombs are open to the public for viewing for a ticket price of one. Yes, we went down to all three but only one has left me in awe – the tomb of Rameses IV.
After spending my first weekend in Tucson with Katie, I had a surprise visitor in town for my second weekend, and VisitArizona had listed an event online that piqued our interest: a PowWow in Phoenix.
A PowWow is a gathering of several Native American communities who perform their traditional dances and showcase their communities’ costumes, and not knowing much about Native American culture at all, despite several visits to the Southwest, including various Indian reservations, I decided that it was time to learn more about their culture and so we headed to Phoenix for the day.
A PowWow is traditional held so that Native Americans of different communities can meet, dance and sing together, make new friendships, and of course: preserve their heritage and culture. But there is usually a dancing and/or singing competition, in the case of the PowWow we went to, there were competitions for both.
Photo via Flickr by T. Tseng[/caption]
When life becomes monotonous, head down to Florida, America’s favorite year-round destination, to break free from everything dull. Some go for the hedonism it offers, and others go to relax. But when you’re thinking of your ultimate escape, look no farther — Miami, the Magic City, will never fail to make you feel refreshed, relaxed, and energized by the time you get back to work.
Here are five places offering rest for the weary in gay Miami.
Stroll Around Wynwood Art District
With over 70 museums and art galleries, Wynwood Art District screams life, hopes, and dreams in vibrant colors. The open-air street art installations you’ll see here won’t just awaken your drained body but will feed your mind as well. If you want to explore together with other art lovers and learn more details about the visual feasts you’ll be seeing, join the Wynwood Art Walk Tour. When you’re done, sit at one of the cafes in the neighborhood and enjoy the artistic vibe. If you like contemporary art, be sure to check out the internationally acclaimed Art Basel, an annual art show held in December.
Returning to Arizona felt as glorious as ever! As usual, I am housesitting here – but this time, for different homeowners. I’m enjoying the company of a different dog and a different pool, but I am in the same neighborhood in the Catalina foothills which I love, and funnily enough it is just as hot as it is when I’m here in May. Tucson is experiencing unseasonably warm weather at the moment, I’ve been told.
I usually come to Arizona for a month of peace and quiet, and to catch up on work projects that I don’t get around to when I’m on the road, but this year, I’ve been busier than usual. I’ve been more social than I was on previous visits, making more of an effort to make new friends here, and have them show me some cool spots around town, because Tucson’s restaurant scene keeps growing. I also got to catch up with old friends over wine and cheese and have been taking advantage of my well equipped and spacious kitchen which almost makes me want to stop traveling and set up a home base. Almost.
The highlight of the week? Katie came to visit me for a few days and I introduced her to some of my favorite spots around here: we hiked in Sabino Canyon and in Saguaro National Park (and after finding this website listing all the hikes around Tucson I think I’ll never get bored here – so many hikes I haven’t done yet!), and we visited the beautiful San Xavier Del Bac Mission, pictured above, which is the oldest European structure in Arizona, filled with striking original 18th century statuary and mural paintings.
The Madinet Habu Temple in Luxor is an architectural wonder of ancient Egypt. Its classic and timeless style remains intact until today as evidenced in the relics and antiquities that are found here.
Most of all, this temple doesn’t draw much attention from tourists, thus, it is less crowded than the rest of the attractions in Luxor. In fact, on the day we went there, only 9 of us were the ones roaming around. This ancient fortified temple was built as a Mortuary Temple of Rameses III.
Hello, Everyone,
It has been too long since I have written. Now I am visiting family in Anacortes, Washington. The weather gods are being very kind to us this week. I was prepared for cold, rainy weather, but instead, we are getting sunshine, lovely days, cool nights.
Anacortes is a city on Fidalgo Island in the San Juan Island archipelago, north of Seattle. This city was founded in 1891. The city began as a potential railroad town in the hopes that it would be the northern terminus of the railroad. People began building homes, opening businesses, but all those enterprises failed when the railroad project did not materialize. Now it is primarily a fishing town, with 2 marinas, a ferry terminal and a fish cannery. Both of the marinas are filled with pleasure boats.
Right now, springtime, the trees are blooming, the rhododendron are spectacular, the tulips are prolific. Anacortes is well maintained, a pleasure to drive or walk through.
Last Friday and today we went for a walk in Washington Park, which is at the northwestern corner of this area, above Skyline Marina area. The walk is just over 2 miles, but uphill, downhill, around corners, through the forest.
I am enjoying the lifestyle of Anacortes. The city has two marinas, and most of the people here either have a boat of some sort, or enjoy the water-related activities. While there are many shops and restaurants in town, down here, near Skyline Marina, life is serene.
I came here with the intention of helping my brother and his wife get settled in their new home. We are getting some things accomplished, but we are also taking time to enjoy the island: walking and eating. So much excellent seafood.
I hope you have enjoyed my little blog post about Anacortes. It is another place that is a piece of heaven on earth.
Until next time,
Dolly
Berlin is super gay. Gayness is so well accepted in every aspect of society that you’ll find sprinkles of it everywhere. Schoeneberg is the heart of the gay community and has been since the 1920s when it became the first ever gay village – in the world.
Although it was all heavily repressed during the Nazi era, it was reborn after the Berlin Wall was erected in the 1960s and has continued to thrive ever since. Alternative gay scenes have started to spring up in the East over the past 20 years since the Wall came down, particularly in Kreuzberg, Neukoelln and Friedrichshain.
But Schoneberg nonetheless remains the Queen of the Berlin Scene.
Currently on my way home from Cairo to Houston via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. I know shocking and before y’all freak out yes everything is fine in Cairo and Him & I.
In the last 24hrs I think I may have slept like 4hrs total. I still have over 4hrs to go on this flight. I’m exhausted and even though I’ve been trying I can’t sleep and am going a bit stir crazy. I’ve already watched Steve Jobs, Suffragette, Ivory Tower, Our Brand is Crisis and The Good Dinosaur. Yeah, I have this problem when I am on a flight that has free movies, I feel like I must catch up on movies I haven’t seen and watch as many as I can. For now though I’m taking a break and to keep my mind busy I figured I’d write a blog post because I know everyone has been wanting to know about well…
I’ll start with my return to Cairo.
I arrived out of the blue to Cairo on February 29, exactly 3 years and a day (thanks leap year) from the date I left. He knew I was coming back soon, but I never told him the exact date. After the last goodbye my plan was always to just show up at his door one day. I arrived on a direct 10 hour flight from Bangkok to Cairo on Egypt Air. I was beyond nervous and scared to arrive in Cairo because thought I wouldn’t get the VISA on arrival and was also terrified of seeing him.
Iowa City is a real gem to find. Being a University town, it has everything that most towns do not have.  We experienced  things that one would only expect to find in Chicago or New York or any other major city in the country. Coralville, Iowa is their sister city and abuts the city limits so be sure and visit both cities when you are there.
