The Old City of Jerusalem, seen here from the Mount of Olives. The Jewish cemetery is located directly below the viewing platform. On the opposite side of the valley, the Muslim cemetery snugs up against the walls of the Old City. Temple Mount, with its golden-roofed Rock of the Dome, is seen at center left … Read more
Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, pursues education, documentation, and research about the six-million Jews who were murdered during World War II. The main exhibit hall, with its gut-wrenching displays and photos, ensures we will never forget this grisly time in our history. The Hall of Names shown in the above photo … Read more
Deli bar at Basher Fromagerie (cheese shop) is one of more than 250 shops and stalls found at Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, Israel. Machane Yehuda is a traditional Middle Eastern style shuk where customers can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, to freshly butchered meats, to upscale restaurants. The shuk dates back to … Read more
Last fall, I met an Omani man at my guest house in Delhi, India. When he learned I was a travel writer, he began to gush about Oman. “You must go! It is so beautiful. Muscat is gorgeous and people are so friendly.” I was sold. I added Oman to a list of Middle Eastern … Read more
On my first day in Muscat, the capital of Oman, I hopped in a taxi at noon and told the driver to take me to Old Muscat. He pulled up in front of Al-Alam Palace, home to the country’s leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. “Do you have water?” he asked. “No, but I’ll … Read more
