One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well

A Taste of My City - Part II

Indeed and its a good reminder in our world today, when one in five Canadian child lives in poverty and goes hungry to bed. Not to mention the fact that a third of the world population barely manage to eat one decent meal a day. So, with humbleness and appreciation for the blessings many of us enjoy, I would like to profile few of my favourite eatery spots in the city.

I prefer home cooked meal above all other options, but when I am out with friends and family, I like to explore the richly diverse food in my city, one that is an amalgamation of spices and cuisines. So, here are some old favourites and new discoveries, based on its affordability, aesthetic, customer service and of course quality of food being served.

 1. Zyng Asian Market and Noodlery

A Taste of My City

It's been ages, six months to be exact since I posted. I have no excuses, but school and life in general has been contributing factors. I thought to share some of the summer scenes around my hometown, before fall/winter comes around.

Danforth food festival

Learning expands great souls

Well hello there, wishing all of you a great new adventures in life and love in 2015. The title of my post comes from a beautiful Namibian proverb, African proverbs and literature are a testament to the beauty and complexity of the continent's history and culture. In'sha Allah 2015 will be a year of personal growth and expansion of knowledge through trials and travels. Today, I would like to profile the regality and beauty that is East Africa, Ethiopia and Somalia in particular. 

Here is the wind in the morning; The kind red face of God Is looking over the hill

Since I am too busy with school and work to travel much, let along focus on my blog until next year, I will try my best to post at least ones a month a profile of a region/city/country I am planning to visit in the near future. Today, I would like to profile one of the most fascinating and rarely known places, Nuristan, Afghanistan. Formerly known as Kāfiristān or Kāfirstān (Pashto: کافرستان‎). Its a historical region that covers present-day Nuristan Province in Afghanistan and its surrounding areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Its a beautiful place with fascinating indigenous population called Kalashi, many of whom still practice their own complex autonomous culture and believe of ancient Hinduism mixed with Islam.

Apparently selfies are not just limited to urban areas

the Kalash people live in three isolated mountain valleys

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability

I don't know about laziness, but summer has been a welcoming sight for us Canadians, thanks to a brutal winter we've had this year. Looking back at all the pictures I took since January 2014 was a display of extreme weather patterns many of us have not seen in recent times. We've had ice storm, snow storm, then ice storm and another snow storm in April (the spring season that never was). So, let me take you down memory lane….aka Canadian weather in the past 3 months.

May / June 2014

vs.

March / April

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

Peace and democracy hasn't come easy to many countries around the globe, the continent of Africa in particular. Without getting into the political mess that is the horn of Africa, I wanted to congratulate Somaliland for the courage and political will it showed 23 years ago on May 18th, 1991 to rise above tribal/religious friction and revenge for wrong doing, to become a united country. 

Without their youth (which compromises close to 60% of the country) patriotism and rejection of terrorism in the face of economic struggles and hostile neighbours, they would not be celebrating such achievement today.

A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one

Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum famously said: “We, in the UAE, have no such word as “impossible”; it does not exist in our lexicon. Such a word is used by the lazy and the weak, who fear challenges and progress. When one doubts his potential and capabilities as well as his confidence, he will lose the compass that leads him to success and excellence, thus failing to achieve his goal. I require you, youth, to insist on number one.” 

Well he did achieve in turning Dubai, into one of the most famous commercial cities in the world, and a major player in terms of trade and tourism. As well as a leading conference and exhibition venue in the Middle East with its beautiful infrastructure, amazing night life and appealing fashion centres (even though Kuwait and Bahrain might challenge the title).  Here are the rest of the pictures from my trip to Dubai:

I think this is self explanatory, I don't need to spell out where I'm @ :)

A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future

Stated by His Highness, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder & Former President of the United Arab Emirates. Unless you have lived in the Gulf region/Arabian Peninsula like my family for five decades now, or you have been to any part of the region in the past ten-twenty years, its phenomenon how much UAE have changed, Sharjah and Dubai in particular. Sharjah is the more conservative and in my opinion calmer, more historical spot to enjoy an authentic version of the country, besides Abu Dhabi. On the other hand, despite its reputation as the 'Venice of the Middle East, or Vegas of the ME,' Dubai is a tourist paradise, if you are willing to spend a bit of money to tour some of its top architectural divine and night life, or lucky enough to have your family and friends who live there to give you the local tour. Not to mention its amazing malls and gold/silver market for the shopaholic among us and of course some of the best restaurants and local cuisines for food connoisseur's.

Here is Part I of the pictures I took while travelling the Gulf region, Sharjah and Ajman fish market in particular. I took over 1000s pictures since I haven't been back to these 2 cities since I was 8 years old, close to 20 years now. I will post the rest including mostly Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah in a week's time (yes, I'll try not to neglect my blog for another month).

Ajman Fishing Market

Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave

Albert Einstein said, "He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice," in reference to the promotion of war and defining ones patriotism by the barrel of a gun.

Open market in Hargeisa

Whenever I visit Somaliland, I'm always struck by the political choices this small autonomous region made in the past 25 years to keep the peace and build a nation in the midst of endless violence in Somalia. As a student of international relation and political affairs, you learn that one of the key factors of achieving peace is forgiveness of your enemy through 'truth and reconciliation'. 

Those who educate children well are more to be honored than those who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well

From right: Nimo, Zahra, Ubah, Nimo II, Deqa, Suad and Zulekha

Powerful words by Aristotle, which speaks to my experience touring an orphanage in Hargeysa, Somaliland this summer. It was just two years ago, on September 2011, when I started this blog as an outlet for my love of travel and photography. Its been a struggle to find a meaningful focus that motivates me to turn this little blog into something that not just speaks to the reader/visitor, but also to me. I just did not see the point in posting mere pictures of my travels, a privilege few of us in the world can boast about, when many young women and men in 2/3 of the globe are struggling to access basic needs. So in the spirit of my blog's anniversary, I will be focusing more on what I find politically and globally engaging and interesting. Whether its my fieldwork in Africa or upcoming mini documentaries on Somaliland child labor, primary education (girls education in particular), I would like to profile a world, few of us in the West are privileged to witness and hopefully, a voice for the many who cannot speak for themselves. So, I hope those of you who have enjoyed my blog or follow it, can join me in this new journey of mine. Don't worry thou, I will still post fun and interesting pictures I take, there are plenty of architectural and historical shots from the Middle East coming up in the next few months.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail

Last year, I ended up staying for few days in Puerto Rico mainly because my friend who has the biggest crush on Ricky Martin insisted we stop there on our way home. We mostly stayed in El Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan), which consists of Spanish colonial buildings, some amazing shopping spots and of course awesome night life. We visited El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th century citadel that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as many museum and salsa bars as possible. Here are some of the pictures I took of this beautiful city considered the Gibraltar of the West Indies:

 We stayed in Da House, one of Old San Juan funkier hotels and an amazing bargain

Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living

Inspiring words by Ms. Miriam Beard and true from my experience traveling to different countries. Here are the rest of my pictures from Cuba, this time from Trinidad and Santa Clara.

Trinidad - beautiful city and the most Caribbean-like in Cuba

History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies

It took me a while to process my trip to Cuba, mainly because its a place where you either visit for its affordable resort destination or to experience a country that has yet to find its place and stuck between a bygone cold war era with its decaying iconography and austere socialism amidst profitable tourism industry. Outside of the boring resort gate, also known as tourist prison (I'm calling you out Veradora) by Cubans, there are so many amazing local spots and artisans to explore. The jarring paradoxes and contradictory beauty in this small Island that has been a political thorn for some and an admiring force for many revolutions around the world can be overwhelming.

Our first stop was Havana and what an experience it was to be surrounded by erudite museums, alluring street festivals/theater and the everyday hustle and passion of Habaneros (the people of Havana). My favorite part was walking around UNESCO World Heritage site of old Havana, with its fascinating cluster of buildings and churches, mostly restored from near ruins in the past decade.

We met this interesting lady at the Historic Square - Plaza de la Catedral 

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave

Since we are going through an unexpected snow storm in good ol' Canada (aka stuck at home, can't go anywhere at the moment), I thought to share some of the amazing pictures we captured in Guamá, Cuba. I spend about 10 days in Cuba during my Christmas break including few days in January 2013. Just looking at the images of a warm climate, wild animals and beautiful architectural buildings makes me less gloomy about the freezing weather outside of my window.

For inquiring mind, Guamá is a municipality in the Santiago de Cuba Province of Cuba. It is located in the south-west of the province, and contains most of the Caribbean Sea coast west of Santiago de Cuba. After it was invaded by the Spanish empire, most of the Indian tribes (Ciboneys and Taíno Arawaks) that inhabit the island were treated brutally by the Spaniard, where the slightest infraction of Spanish rule, or refusal to accept Catholicism, resulted in mass torture and executions. Tainos who never experienced any hard labor were forced to work in gold mines or sugar cane plantations until they died of exhaustion. They were initially replaced by Native American slaves from the Southeast, but eventually, most slaves were either Africans or persons of mixed African-Native American heritage.

 holding baby crocodile, their skin is so amazingly soft.

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe

I think Lao Tzu was on to something with that quote. I'm bored with sharing my travel pictures, so I thought instead to share some of my favorite international artists and mini documentaries for the nomadic travelers in us all.

Through music and film, "1 Giant Leap" explores the universal complexities of human nature. Jamie Catto (Faithless co-founder) and Duncan Bridgeman set out on their journey recording musical jewels and words of wisdom with the cream of the world's thinkers, writers and entertainers along the way. The duo traveled to the farthest corners of the planet, to ensure immense cultural diversity in this time capsule of humanity at its most inspirational.

War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Happy belated 2013, hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday season. Mine was spend relaxing and having fun in Cuba with friends.

I thought to start the new year with a topic I always wanted to write about, without getting too political. Let's call it.....Vintage Somalia, before violent conflict destroyed the land and caused so much horror and pain for millions of Somalis around the globe. I hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures from my parents home country. Somaliland, northern region is where my parents were born and raised, but they lived many years in Xamar Waayn (Mogadisho), aka Somalia familiar to most people. So to them it hits home when they see these snap shots of bygone time in Somalia, the horn of Africa.

Somalia Gulls -Mogadishu beach, 1979.

Canada is like a bird, it likes to soar freely

I often post about the natural beauty and exotic spots of foreign countries, forgetting that nothing can beat the natural wonders of my home country, Canada. Whether its the red-soil cliffs in Prince Edward Island, the Great White North of Kelowna, British Columbia, or Chirchill Manitoba...aka the Polar Bear Capital of the world, we are blessed to be living here. One of my ultimate bucket list is to visit every city and town in each province and territory God willing.

Few weeks back I went on a short trip with my colleagues to Blue Mountain, an alpine ski resort in Ontario, Canada, just north of Collingwood. Even though we were there for a conference and the weather was too warm for skiing, it was a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful small town that reminded me of old Europe. Here are few of the pictures that I took whenever I could get a chance to explore and speak with the locals.

In Boston serpents whistle at the cold

I love this quote by Robert Lowell. The first time I went to Boston, I was a freshman representing my university to participate at Harvard Model UN debate. It took me another 7 years to visit this amazing city again when my best friend got into Harvard as a fellowship candidate. This time around I behaved more like a tourist, meeting up with friends and getting to know a bit more about Boston's rich history, amazing architect and museums. Without any particular order, we explored as much as we could from Freedom Trail Granary Burying Ground to Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. Here are some of the pictures I took few months back.

 Harvard Yard

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life

These words by Charles Darwin speaks to my chaotic life at the moment. Sometimes taking a break from blogging and prioritizing what is important is necessary, specially when school and work is involved. Anyway, let's move from the boring stuff and get to more pictures from my recent travels.

When I travel, I tend to gravitate to my favorite things in the world, the 3 FAF: Art, food and fashion. So, when I was vacationing in St. Lucia and St. Kitts Islands, I discovered some of the most renowned artists and designers in the Caribbean, if not the world live there. In St. Lucia, we went to visit Eudovic's Art Studio, owned and operated by Internationally renowned master carver, Vincent Joseph Eudovic. His studio is a beautiful display of his wood carvings, I think I kept asking 20 different questions and taking a picture every second. Sadly, we did not get the chance to meet him in person, but we did speak with his son and few of his apprentices. Here are some of the pictures I took inside of the studio:

 Vincent Joseph Eudovic son, Jallim Eudovic.

How sweet I roamed from field to field, and tasted all the summer's pride.

Could not agree more with William Blake. Here are the 3rd installment of my Caribbean tour, this time the Island of St. Maarten/Sint Maarten. I found it fascinating how the Island plays into the caricature of its history. The French side clings to its European roots, while the Dutch side plays up its Caribbean vibe.

I have to say thou, out of the seven Islands my friend and I have been to, St. Martin was my least favorite. Partly because the taxi we rented for the day was just awful and did not want to take us to all the destination we wanted to check on both sides of the Island. Nevertheless, I loved the Dutch side more and would like to explore the whole Island longer in the future.