Newlywed couple from Yemen

Fourteen hours at Dubai Airport, not four! Oops.  Arrived at 10 pm and departed at Noon the following day. Just crazy enough of a schedule that there was not the time or daylight to take a tour of Dubai.  This was my second trip via Dubai that I did not have he opportunity to leave the airport with enough time to return to airport and make it through all of the security points.  I flew Emerites from NYC to Dubai and then Fly Dubai from Dubai to Kathmandu.  Fly Dubai is the economic airline for the Arab nation.  Emerites is something else.  Beautiful flight attendants speaking 30 languages with a choice menu.

I finally made it to Terminal 2 which is the exclusive terminal for Fly Dubai.  I found a wall at the far end of the airport to sleep and just a few minutes after I made myself comfortable a young couple joined me on the seats right next to my sleeping spot. They were clearly in love and enjoying each other. The young man started talking to me. We ended up talking for much of our stay. 

He and his wife had just married. They are from Yemen.  He is 22 and she is just 18, yes just 18.  They were heading to Pakistan where he is studying to be a doctor.  He speaks many languages, Arabic, English, 2 languages from Pakistan and is learning Japanese which is where he would like

to continue his studies. He learned English in 3 months. He was at the top of his high school class and was offered a full scholarship to study medicine in Pakistan.  

He has been waiting for Ather's hand in marriage for years. They  grew up together as she is his cousin. She lost her mother when she was young and has taken care of her younger brothers for years. She has 2 older brothers and 2 younger brothers. Now Murad's Mom will take care of Alther's younger brothers while she joins her husband in Pakistan.  

Murad said that Yemeni need to pay $6000.00 for a visa to visit Dubai because they have always been workers in Dubai. Now Yemen charges those from UAE the same though few from UAE visit Yemen. Murad said it would be too dangerous for me to visit Yemen as an American.  He showed me videos of the revolution there, the countryside, his home. My goodness it is beautiful. He hopes to become a doctor and work in his country to help his people receive needed health care.  

His father is a police man and his brother is a pilot for the army.  Both of them give 50% of their wages to help the poor as there is so much need for assistance.  They all live in a family compound with three generations of family and cousins. His mother also takes care of his cow and goats.

The Taliban often kill civilians for no reason. And now that the army has split and there are 2 groups fighting each other often civilians are caught in the middle. 

I cannot figure out how to upload a photo of them....will do soon.

Some day when Murad is a doctor in Yemen wouldn't it be something to put together a team of medical professionals to go to his country.  This young man is 22 and has so many plans and dreams and dedication to his people. I was in awe of his strength, commitment, life experience and knowledge at such a young age.  

I hope to send the newlyweds a Taste of Maine when I get home to congratulate them!

Travel Tips for Nepal January 2014

Today is the first day of my month long holiday. I am heading to Kathmandu, Nepal and absolutely delighted to be heading out on an adventure.   Ashley, the daughter of a friend and Eola, a dear friend from my years at Women, Work & Community are currently living there so I have some great contacts upon my arrival. How exciting!  And thanks to Facebook and email they have already met up for a visit.

Wow it has been a long time since I have visited my blog. How wonderful to be back!  I thought I would start with some general travel tips that I have used for decades.  Feel free to comment and share other tips.  My dear friend Nathalie suggested I share tips for traveling alone as a woman.

I travelled as a kid with my folks to Canada and Florida in our station wagon. My overseas travel started just after college with a dear friend.  My passion began with my first exposure in the pubs of London where I met 20-somethings from all over the world including Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand and South Africa.  For the past 25 years I have tried to visit a different country each year of my life.  And through many hair raising life experiences have some advice I am happy to share.

Here are some tips for travel off the top of my head:

1. Travel with a backpack. It is so much easier to get around by foot, by escalator, by train, metro, bus, plane, tour group and it is great exercise
Take a frisbee because if you do not speak the language it is a great game to play with kids and adults. You can use it as a cutting board, a plate, a bowl, and a weapon to throw at charging dogs as well.
2. Swiss army knife is a must with all of its' tools
3. wet wipes are perfect for washing hands, fruits and make a perfect shower for flights and long treks
4. memorize your passport number because it expedites the process of having a passport reissued when stolen if you are mugged and have no form of ID
5. Make copies of your passport and credit cards and important info and put it in a ziplock with a $50.00 at the bottom of your backpack. Why?  If you are mugged it is nice to have some cash in your large backpack if that has not been taken as well.
6. Make copies of  your itinerary and/or email it to a few different friends/family.
7. If you are traveling with a friend, give copies to each other
8.   Wear a sports bra and keep your important documents tucked inside your bra.  Do not use a passport holder with a cord that goes around your neck.  Why?  If it is visible it could be cut and taken.
9.  A few ziplock bags and plastic bags are handy for dirty laundry or  messy fun food or spilled toiletries
10.  Bring a pocket photo album of your life including photos of  your family, pets, house, hobbies, and highlights of where you live-industry, tourist attractions, unique features, wildlife, seasons etc.
11.  Try not to give out $ or candy. Instead give food, soap, toothbrushes, dental floss, postcards, pens, pencils, mirrors, magnets, clothes or pay for a service for someone
12. Always ask people permission before you take their photo.  While we are tourists we need to respect people and other cultures. If someone says no, please respect that.  Now, if they say yes and it is a great photo. Find out their mailing address and then print the photo, laminate it and send it to them.  Why laminate?  Areas with high humidity in particular eat away at photos and will disintegrate in just a few years.  
13.  As a single, woman traveler.  Cover up!  Regardless of the culture, cover up.  Definitely do your research and respect the culture whether it is head, shoulders, legs, waist, stomach, chest.
14. Travel guidebooks are helpful including:  Fodors Lonely Planet etc.
15. Couchsurfing.com is a great resource to visit a country but sleep on people's couches and get to know your hosts and communities through their eyes
16. TRUST YOUR INSTINCT
17. I carry mace but have never been smart or fast enough to use it when I needed it though I continue to take it with me