Highs and lows @ Carrières de Lumières, Les Baux-de-Provence, France, March 17, 2019
Highs and Lows Mostly because Spain was very comfortable for me, where there was no language barrier, entering France was both exciting and mildly anxiety-inducing. It was new country, language, and people. After several days of intense driving followed by a scene of big confusion in a supermarket where I got the attention of everyone including the security personnel, I realized I was mentally exhausted. But the next day, I had the pleasure of having a picnic with new local friends, where we spent a warm...
Intellectual Sanctuary @ Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt, February 19, 2019
Intellectual Sanctuary Many visit Egypt with the anticipation of seeing the relics from Ancient Egypt such as mummies of Pharaohs and the Pyramids. But Egypt has been as much Ancient Egypt as it has been Greco-Roman Egypt and Arab Egypt, to name a few. That was why Alexandria came to my attention, and as its name suggests, the city was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. And the Ptolemaic Dynasty constructed the Library of Alexandria, which was one of the largest and most...
With Amira @ Cairo, Egypt, February 17, 2019
With Amira I was introduced to Amira in Cairo by someone who I had never met earlier. Compared to my overseas travels about a decade ago, modern technology is helping me have more unique and rich experience. In an environment where I knew little about how things work, she was my gateway to understanding the values and custom of the Egyptians. She was like a mom to whom a baby, me, could ask anything about the world he sees – such as “what does this name...
Wadi Rum @ Wadi Rum, Jordan, February 9, 2019
Wadi Rum Wadi Rum, or the Valley of Sand, is one of the major tourist destinations in Jordan, along with Petra, and the Dead Sea. It is a sand desert but its mountainous landscapes gives it a unique sense of space. And its un-earthly looks have attracted filming of many movies from the Lawrence of Arabia to The Martian. Even if you have an off-road vehicle, an organized tour is mandatory because you are almost unable to navigate once you are inside the Desert....
Curious looks @ Citadel of Qaitbay, Alexandria, Egypt, February 19, 2019
Curious looks In Egypt, I get more curious looks than in the previous countries, including Jordan and Lebanon. Usually it’s teennage boys and girls who don’t hide their curiosity on faces, and exchange it with others in their groups. From time to time, some just come to me and take selfies with me, often without saying anything. I feel a bit awkward smiling at the camera when I know nothing about my selfie friend. At the waterfront in Alexandria, I noticed several looks at me in...
Giza Necropolis @ Giza Necropolis, Egypt, February 16, 2019
Giza Necropolis The famous Egyptian pyramids are in Giza, a city about 40 minutes west of Cairo by car. In Giza Necropolis (cemetery), there are 9 pyramids and the biggest and the most famous one is the one for King Khufu, with a height of 146 meters. The pyramids are big and tall enough so that as you approach the city of Giza, you can already see them. (The well-known secret is that you can have a great view of the Pyramids at the Pizza Hut right...
Kushari @ Abou Tarek, Cairo, Egypt, February 14, 2019
Kushari Kushari or Koshari is one of the traditional Egyptian dishes, made of lentils, macaroni, and rice, accompanied by tomato sauce, vinegar, chickpeas, and fried onions. The two metal jars in the background contain spicy sauce and vinegar, which are optional, yet still critical in my opinion. The rumor has it that the food was first invented during the British occupation, and later evolved through Egyptian soldiers. For me, the dish offers a hard-to-fail combination: garlic, vinegar, spicy sauce, and the crispiness and sweet taste of...
Last moment in Jordan @ Aqaba ferry terminal, jordan, February 11, 2019
Last moment in Jordan Finally the moment to leave Jordan has arrived. I’m taking an overnight ferry from Aqaba, Jordan to Nuweiba, Egypt. As usual, I overstayed in this country, by a couple of days. It was because I met some good people whom I wanted to know better, there was unexpected rain, and I liked the city Aqaba more than I had expected. Many regard Jordan as an attractive travel destination, because the infrastructure for tourism is well established, it is safe and the country...
This website chronicles Leebong’s journey around the world for 2+ years, for the time being. To find out more, see The Travel & The Why.
To catch me, see Itinerary.
Impressions Series
