Having "Me" Time

Before we enter the land of the ancient egyptians, we visit the Citadel which was home to Egypt's rulers for almost 700 years beginning in 1176.   I must say it's definitely one of the largest Citadels  I've ever been to.  It's so big, it's like a little city all within itself with mosques, gardens, houses, and other buildings.  Up high on the hill, it rises above Islamic Islam as a reminder of ancient power and glory.  So great was it's empire back then. The main destination is most definitely the Mohammad Ali Mosque .  When I first hear its name, a grin flashes my face as it reminds me of the boxer, but then I remember that Mohammad Ali was the name of the founder of modern Egypt.  He had brough Egypt recognition after being part of the Ottoman empire.   It's an enormous mosque.  There is a large central dome and several other small ones. Two minarets rise out into the sky.  By the entrance, I am shown a beautiful ...

We know muslims fast, but do we know why?  Something new I learnt about "Ramadan," when muslims around the world fast for a month each year, is that it is actually a "festive" season for muslims!   Eventhough I have muslim friends and have witnessed them fasting through school, I just always recognized it as a month when they would be not be eating during the day.  It didn't sound very festive to me.   I knew it was according to the lunar calendar, but that was about the extent of my knowledge.   Little did I know it was "festive" until I found myself in the minority and surrounded by a different world. Ramadan, my friend taught me was a time of purification.  Fasting is a time when they ask for forgiveness for past sins, and in turn do good deeds and restrain themselves from dawn till dusk.   It's a time of self-contemplation when one is to forgo worldy activities and get intouch with God.   Ramadan is al...

The flags on Dataran Merdeka Today it is Hari Merdeka Day in Malaysia or otherwise known as Independence Day.  It was on this day (31 August) in 1957 that Malaysian Independence from British rule was declared at Merdeka Stadium.  In the days running up to the national holiday, Malaysian flags fluttered all over the country and was seen on all the major buildings in Kuala Lumpur.  Everywhere I looked, I saw the Malaysian flag.  Such was the strength of national unity and you could tell the Malaysians were proud of their country. As a tourist, a sight you cannot miss in Kuala Lumpur is the " Dataran Merdeka " or Independence Square.  It was on this square that the British Union Flag was first lowered and replaced with the Malaysian Flag fifty-three years ago at midnight.  A historical moment in the history of Malaysia and one that signified the diminishing British colonial rule in Asia. It's incredible to think that this happen...

Back from my very brief vacation in Kuala Lumpur I must admit, I miss it already.  Flying out Friday morning and back on Sunday evening, it was indeed a very short trip but one that I'm glad I finally made.  I had been meaning to go for several years now upon the invitation of a wonderful friend there, but for one reason or another, I just never made it.  Now that I have, I wish I had done it sooner.  Being able to reunite with a long time friend was wonderful and I'd like to "Thank You" her and her family for giving me such a wonderful time there.  They were a wonderful host. There is much to see and do in Kuala Lumpur than first meets the eye.  Only a two-hour flight from Bangkok and accessible on the low-cost AirAsia it is a wonderful little getaway place to go if you are in need of an escape from everyday life whilst at the same time discovering a new culture and way of living. Unlike Thailand which is predominantly Buddhist (90percent),...