Travel
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A vision of Jannah…
Jannah (“Paradise” in Arabic), the equivalent of Heaven in the Christian tradition, is beautifully captured in Surah (“Chapter”) 55 of the holy book of Islam, the Quran. The recurring themes are clearly water, nature, and repose. Continue reading
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A tale of The Alhambra…
I am hard pressed to describe the magnificence of The Alhambra. It is my romantic dream of Arabia come to life. The right words still allude me even after having read “Tales of the Alhambra” by American writer Washington Irving (author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle) before our trip in… Continue reading
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The last stronghold…
It may be best to start at the end. 1492. The year Columbus sailed the ocean blue. The year the last Muslim ruler surrendered Al-Andalus (Romanized to Andalusia) to the Spanish monarchs; the very same rulers who had sponsored the expedition to the New World. The year the last Arab stronghold of Granada fell. While… Continue reading
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Say What (Portugal Portuguese)?
Bom Dia – Good Morning Boa Tarde – Good Afternoon Boa Noite – Goodnight Por Favor – Please Sim – Yes Não – No Obrigado (Male) – Thank You Obrigada (Female) – Thank You Adeus – Goodbye Fala inglês? – Do you speak English? Desculpe – I’m sorry Casa de banho – Bathroom A Conta,… Continue reading
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F Your Diet (Portugal)!
The original egg custard that swept the globe, the Pasteis De Belem from Pasteis De Belem. The jazzed-up version with a sprinkling of cinnamon and powdered sugar. Delicious either way. The predecessor to the malasada? A Portuguese Jesuita, a triangular flaky pastry filled with frangipane cream and sometimes times topped with sliced almonds and powdered… Continue reading
