Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the month of the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to sunset during this month in adherence to one of the Five Pillars of Islam (sawm). Ramadan officially begins after the visual confirmation of the crescent […]
Travel
History and Culture Tango in a Cup of Yerba Mate
Yerba mate tea is much more than the latest craze touted by health aficionados, which there are many. Conveniently packaged in tea bags, cans, and bottles, and now commonly sold in a variety of shops, mate has hit the mainstream. Nevertheless, what exactly is yerba mate? Moreover, what cultural meaning does it have? Like coffee […]
The Quirks of Shopping as an Expat
Suddenly, on your way home, you remember that you need some cashew milk, eggs, poppy seed bagels, and your favorite locally brewed IPA. You swing by your neighborhood store, grab a basket, head to your designated aisles, and check yourself out in under 10 minutes. Easy, simple, done. Now imagine you recently moved abroad to […]
Virtual Travel: Explore the World from your Living Room
Virtual travel is a budding industry. Today, its main use in the travel industry is for advertising purposes- to give consumers a taste of a new destination so that they are persuaded to go there. Yet is it not hard not to envision the great potential for virtual travel.
Traveling While on Assignment: On or Off the Beaten Path
After being assigned abroad and working for some time, you might find yourself itching to venture out and explore your new surroundings. Every country has highlights and places to go, but we’ve all been there after a long day of traveling: exhausted, stressed, hungry, and just ready to sleep. But nothing is worse than discovering […]