Which of these cities would you rather visit?

[Catya Sher]

I've been to all of them already except Marrakesh; just got to Tangier
when i was traveling when a student in Europe.
I checked Damascus because I like Syria - it's full of so many colorful
ruins from older civilizations. Look at pics of Palmyra for example
to see how spectacular some are.
Then there's little-known Apamea; the water wheels of Hama; the riches
of Aleppo ; St Simeon Stylites outside Aleppo - just incredible layers
of history from so many periods.

Do you think the American - Israeli govt wants anyone to know about this?
For 40 or more years, it has pushed hard the image of Syria as some crazy country
because it has opposed Israel's expansionism.

Whereas, Syrians are polite, friendly, very urbane.
One can see they are the descendants of advanced civilizations.
Hardly the dangerous types they are made out to be.

Istanbul I've been so many times and traveled to every corner of Turkey
that it is full of great memories but because I've seen everything, it doesn't draw me - though I would of course like to go back.

Why didn't you mention Shiraz or Isfahan?
These are truly amazing cities too - but again, there's no way for this information
to get out to the uninitiated American public - or they might start
imagining that Iran is a very civilized country full of art and architecture.
Therefore, Americans and others may stop hating Iranians which would ruin
all the plans of the same old nefarious powers which dominate America at this
juncture.

I LIKE Delhi and Agra because of the Moghul monuments there.
For any Chishti Sufis, there is the 799th Urs of Nizamuddin Awliya in the Nizamuddin sector of Delhi starting June 2 or 3 this year - next year would be
the 800 th - so plan ahead for a trip if you like this saint.

[Catya Sher]

Speaking of initiation,
about ancient Egyptian religion, you know that's where religious seekers often start
on their search for spiritual truths.
It sounds exotic.

I could never get interested because I felt a repellent darkness - I mean
dog gods? Look how the word dog is a reverse the word God.

It's insulting to God.

Much else too. It actually gives me the creeps to look at those statues.

The only good thing was; they appreciated cats...!!

But I know that many Westerners commence their spiritual paths being led into studying Egyptian supposed wisdom.

There is lot of esoteric material to make ancient Egyptian religion SOUND mystical and
full of the best hidden secrets.
I think there was one novel which was a little interesting called "Initiation".
But most all of the material related to the supposed greatness
of Egypt I recommend to avoid. I don't think it's from the Light but rather from the dark.
Search elsewhere instead!

[Haris]

definitely Istanbul

India would be last for me

I totally agree.

I've been to all of them already except Marrakesh

Even Plovdiv?

[Alchemist]

Visiting cities just for the sake of visiting cities is the most retarded of modern habits.

What do these people hope to seek there?

You can see any of these cities from the comfort of your own home. Ever heard of Google earth?

These modern europeans keep touring the old cities, the ruins of past civilizations for some sort of a spiritual awakening ...some lost message within the ruins and empty corridors... but return empty as they had left. Don't follow their practice.

If you die on your way to see a woman, then you have died for her. And if you die on your way to see a city, then you have died for it. So be aware of where you are going and for what, because you never know when death will come.

just my 2 cents

[Catya Sher]

Re Haris: Yes !
It's very rare, but I was interested because it is the ancient city of
Philippopolis named for Philip, father of Alexander.
I traveled on two occasions by bus through much of Bulgaria, including
Varna.
I was interested in that because Ottoman Sultan Murad II, father of Sultan Mehmet II, Conqueror of Istanbul, had won a huge victory over a couple of European countries there in 1444, so i went to see the site and plaque
commemorating that.
It's was a bit dangerous in Bulgaria at that time because of mafias.
Not good for a woman traveling by herself, and Romania was more dangerous still.
But both are fascinating and picturesque.

Why did you choose Plovdiv, Haris?
I had an acquaintance whose parents were from there and he was amazed when I had not only been there but could immediately identify it as Philippopolis.
He said no Americans ever are interested, usually only Europeans are conversant with this historical detail.

So it's surprising that you know about Plovdiv too.

You made a great list. Finally an interesting topic for a poll,
besides some of the political ones earlier.
Of late, some seemed superficial and silly.

Samarqand is FABULOUS! A dream city, truly.

I didn't get to Bukhara though due to only 7 day visa allowed
by Uzbekistan at that early time of independence from Moscow.
They were very careful about letting foreigners in.
I WOULD like to go there, and to Merv too.

[Catya Sher]

Alchemist, for once I strongly disagree on such a topic.

It IS a spiritual search to go contact the ACTUAL site of
these very elevated civilizations.
If nothing ELSE, it shows how egocentric the modern West in fact is
in asserting it's the center of the world !

It isn't.

These Eastern civilizations were, to me, much higher.
It's a long subject, but perhaps it provides comfort
to a sensitive soul like me that there have been much more
congenial times and places to live than modern America.

Surrounded by the ugliest architecture on earth - ! -
makes one's spirit oppressed.

Therefore, seeing the Registan for example, opens one's soul.
A picture CAN NOT perform this magical feat.

Meeting other peoples is fascinating as well.

It's the healthiest and BEST education for ANY Westerner.
I received my university alumnae magazine today and tossed in the trash;
I didn't really learn much there. Not that it was a waste of time -
but in comparison with the true knowledge I gained from
extensive travels through over 50 countries, it is as nothing.

Now - I'm not speaking of someone from the East, as their situation
may be different.

The West of today is closed off, ignorant and uncaring about
the rest of the world and talks down to countries like Afghanistan
Iran, Iraq, Syria etc as though they were nasty infants.

It's totally unfair: if one did not know this before one went,
one surely has no excuse for upholding such unfounded superiority complex
after meeting the very lovely, sweet, and kind people throughout
the countries Haris brought up.
Morocco got a little spoiled, I think.
But it does have charm.

In North Africa, more interesting to me are Algeria and Libya in terms of ancient past
and striking ruins, such as Leptis Magna in Libya.

[Haris]

I read about it and i know it has a very rich history. One of the undiscovered gems of Europe. Also I have a Turkish friend who's been there and he recommended it.


I would love to go to Hajj, visit all the significant areas of Afghanistan, Jerusalem, Damascus, and all these ancient cities especially Istanbul. A holiday should not be about lying on the sand under the sun for 2 weeks. That is stupid and you could do that anywhere. I would prefer to learn about the Islamic, classical and ancient history of the place that I visit. It makes you wiser as a person and the experience of seeing such places first-hand is indescribable.

Sadly the only cities i've been to are London (obviously heh), Kabul, Paris, Cologne, Peshawar & Dublin.

I would much rather visit museums, libraries, forts, castles & mosques than just lying about wasting my life.



Alchemist, these Europeans go on these tours for silly reasons & the locals always take advantage of the gullable tourists. You should go to a place to learn something from it and enrich your life experience. If that is not to your taste that's fine. Which cities have you yourself been to and why?

[Gulbabo]

Alchemist - u don't make sense. Siyahat is encouraged in Islam.

[IamDZJ]

so what are some pros and cons of going along with a cruise rather than by one's self or with a buddy or life partner?? i think not going with the cruise gives one the freedom of figuring their way around which can be exciting.. no??

[faye]

i know some old people who go on cruises and enjoy them but i travel alone and enjoy mixing with the locals in the countries i go to. i don't stay in cities for too long nor go on the sightseing tours. i would love to go to morroco and the areas of spain where there is a lot of muslim architecture.

[IamDZJ]

i love madrid. someday inshallah..next year i am going to tanzania with my friend. after that egypt but after that it's back to working hard for a few years..

[afghan]

love to visit the holliest city jerushalem.

[Afghania]

Cairo,Egypt
I would love to visit this place,In sha Allah

[tor_khan]

My verdict on four of the cities mentioned:

Istanbul, Turkey - Love this city. Great blend of East/West/Old/New. Food is great. Gotta dine on the terrace tops and order in one of those eateries that overlooks Hagia Sophia. Transport is great - I recommend all the usual - Topkapi for the Islamic treasures. Cross the Bosphorus on a boat to literally travel between Europe and Asia. Jumah at the Blue Mosque is pretty busy and you've got to see one of Dervish Shows in the evening whilst eating melon ice-cream. Everyone comes back with a Blue Turkish Eye for some reason. Bought a Turkish kilm as a souvenir.

Cairo, Egypt - Reminds me of Karachi, need I say more. Busy, disorganised. Street hagglers are aggressive. When we were there were framed photos of Hosni Mubarak everywhere. Giza is the thing that most folk go for with the usual photo of a camel. For the life of me, I don't get why people would want to travel out to see the Sphinx and the Pyramids but then sit on top of a camel to pose. Have an Egyptian rug.

Marrakesh, Morroco - Terracota City! Star attractions, Masjid Koutobia, the square and for ladies you can get your hands hennaed for with that dark black henna that the Africans use. We were just walking along and they Mauritanian Africans just grabbed my daughter and started painting her arm. Like, as if we asked?? The Square is a star attraction for fresh food in the evenings. Marrakech is great if you want to get up to the Atlas Mountains, Essaouria, Fez etc. Bought a Berber hand-dyed rug.

Damascus, Syria - Walled city, beautiful souks. More class and character than Cairo, in my opinion. Food was much better. They like their vine leaves stuffed with rice etc. City of Jasmine. I found the place clean, and they have these old places that serve as hotels called Khans. Airport was like something out of the Flintstones.

Samarkand and Delhi most definitely on the list InshAllah. Central Asian/Iran, for sure.

Been to lots of other memorable places, but not on the list but deserving its own mention is Muscat, Oman. Lovely people, well worth a visit - significant Baluchi population (locally known as Baloshi). Sand, spice, sea, souks, scent, scenery and the most expensive meal I've ever had. We had already ordered before we worked it out in familiar money - biryani with Omani spices at $100 per head. Imagine the families you could feed with that for several weeks.

Memorable moment? Went swimming with the dolphins in the Gulf.

[faye]

no fish meal under the bridge in istanbul, tor_khan? delicious.
looks like i am off to morroco on my own, here, lol.
good thing you had enough money to pay for that expensive meal, or did you have to wash the dishes? $100 is at least a weeks living for me when i do my budget journeys to the east.