Blog - God & Wanderlust

7 Things You Need When Travelling to Taiwan

August 11, 2019August 11, 2019
by Samah

I taught English in Taiwan for two months and travelled throughout the country during my stay. Taiwan is a relatively easy country to travel in—friendly locals, laidback atmosphere and using the public transportation system is a piece of cake. However, being in a new country can take time to adjust, so below is a list of 7 things that will help you travel in Taiwan:

SIM card

Phone plans in Taiwan are amazingly cheap and worth the money whether you’re there for a layover or a month. You can purchase an unlimited data plan from Tayouan International Airport for NT $1000 (approx. CAD $40)—it will last you for 30 days, and if you plan to stay longer, you can purchase another one. The data plan is essential for obvious reasons—to stay connected to friends and family, find your way around or book train tickets in advance.

Google Maps

Where would I be without this app? A lot more lost I tell you. Google Maps is fundamental to my travels—of course you can be old school; look at signs, read a map, ask people for directions, follow the sun (yes, I once travelled with a lady who found her way by the direction of the sun), but travel is easier when you’re using Google Maps (p.s. I’m not endorsed by Google). Google maps will go into detail about how to get somewhere, the best transportation mode to use and the GPS will always pinpoint your exact location. The most helpful tip on Google Maps was when it told me which exit to leave through from the subway station. Subway stations in Taiwan can have multiple exits leading to many different streets. It was also helpful with finding the closest coffee shop and grocery store to my school. Download the app and use your unlimited data to spend more time exploring and less time being lost.

Portable charger

Google Maps, Instagram, Twitter, the camera app all come at the cost of a drained battery. A portable charger is necessary to ensure your phone lasts through the entire day. I was always at ease using my phone, knowing that I had back up battery power once my phone came close to dying.

Easy card

This card is your golden ticket. You can use it everywhere (besides department stores/restaurants). Use it to pay for your groceries, ferry pass, bus fare, High Speed Rail (HSR) ticket and the list goes on. It costs NT $200 (approx. CAD $8) and you can purchase it from any Family Mart or 7 Eleven. Load it with money and tap it when making a purchase. When using it for transportation, make sure to tap off once you leave (like how you use the Presto card if you live in Toronto). I made sure to load this card whenever I was travelling to another part of Taiwan for the weekend.

Toilet paper and soap

If you’re outside of the major cities, like Taipei or Taichung, you will encounter something that will put you in utter shock—no toilet paper in the washrooms. I had to hold it in until I went to a 7 Eleven to purchase tissues and wet wipes. Taiwan seems to have a BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper) policy that needs to be taken seriously. You don’t want to end up using your sock, or worse, nothing at all. You will also encounter a lot of squat toilets so prepare your hamstrings… and aim. The lack of soap afterwards when washing your hands is another cause for concern. While purchasing toilet paper, make sure to grab a hold of hand sanitizer or a mini soap bottle.

Bug spray

If you’re planning to hike in Taiwan, bug spray is essential. The only area with exposed skin were my ankles and they were ravaged with mosquito bites. I always went home with huge, itchy bumps that usually turned into dark, pigmented scars because I couldn’t help scratching them. This was in March, so I’m assuming one would need bug spray year-round. I felt uncomfortable wearing sandals when I returned to Canada as it was still summer and my ankles didn’t look their best. Do yourself a favour and use bug spray.

Credit and debit card

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but hear me out. I know many people convert their money before arriving in a country, or convert money at the airport. This is a good idea, except you never know how much you will need. I have a credit card that has no conversion fee when used abroad, which I used in department stores, instead of cash. I easily took out money using my debit card from 7 Eleven ATMs, which had a NT $100 fee (approx. CAD $5). At times I went to the teller at Mega Bank and they charged no fees (just make sure to bring your passport!). Just an FYI Taiwan Cooperative Bank didn’t carry Canadian currency. This was also helpful when I flew over to Japan afterwards with no cash and just my credit/debit card. I also made sure to carry multiple cards, in case my bank blocked one. So if you ever feel cash-strapped in Taiwan, there isn’t much to worry about as long as you have a debit or credit card.

This is it! Living in Taiwan for two months, I was using these items every single day. Do you have anything else to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Middle East

How to Spend a Layover in Abu Dhabi

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019
by Samah

United Arab Emirate’s (UAE) capital, Abu Dhabi, is the largest of the seven Emirates and often competes with Dubai for tourism. It is home to stunning western and traditional Arabian inspired architecture, a large percentage of expats from all corners of the world, and the fastest roller coaster on earth. It is also the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government. Federal government offices take up space and is home to the President of the UAE, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

How to Get to the City

Abu Dhabi International Airport is conveniently located near the city centre. There are many modes of transportation to and from the airport. There is a bus that runs every 40 minutes along four different routes within the city, you can take a taxi, or Uber. Etihad Airways guests travelling in First or Business Class can enjoy the convenience of the free Etihad Chauffeur service for departure and arrival transfers anywhere in the UAE as long as they reserve up to 24 hours beforehand. Economy Class guests can also use the Etihad coach services to Dubai and Al Ain when arriving or departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The Etihad Coach service can be reserved online up to 24 hours prior to the flight and is a free service for guests with Etihad Airways flight bookings.

Transportation

Renting a car is a simple process, requiring only a driver’s license (or international driver’s license if you’re not from a western country) and a credit card. A car rental offers a convenient way to get around, however Abu Dhabi has a fleet of air-conditioned public buses that operate frequently. Taxis offer another transportation mode; silver taxis serve all people while pink taxis are driven by females and only pick up female passengers and boys under 10.

What to Do

Mina Fish Market

A paradise for seafood lovers. Visit the Fish Market at the Mina Seaport. There are many vendors selling various types of fresh fish and seafood, all caught within a mere 24 hours beforehand. You can buy fish, ask them to clean it and cook it to your liking on the spot. It’s quick and relatively inexpensive. Many locals go here to buy fresh fish for the day.

Jet Skiing

Jet skis at available for rent at Mina Seaport. You will meet a jet ski rental worker by Mina Fish Market who will take you to Zayed Port (or you can drive there yourself). Whether you’re experienced or it’s your first time, you can haggle an inexpensive price, present your passport and zip through the crystal clear turquoise Persian Gulf waters with Abu Dhabi’s skyline in full view. It’s recommended that you know how to swim, although life jackets and first-aid kits are provided.

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The UAE takes great care of its most prized animals, which often have hospitals dedicated just for them. There’s a camel hospital, however the falcon hospital is a spectacular sight. The tour guides are fun and knowledgeable and will thoroughly explain falconry and its history with UAE sports. Watch a falcon go through a medical exam, surgeries, such as a feather transplant, and different methods of treatment. Hold and feed falcons and watch their grooming process.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

This is the largest mosque in the UAE and took ten years to construct. It’s easy to see why; the mosque hosts 82 domes, has the world’s largest hand-made carpet flooring and one of its seven chandeliers is the second largest in the world. The mosque can accommodate 41000 worshippers at a time, although when it is open to the public you will hardly see any. Visiting the mosque requires adherence to a strict dress code, however if you aren’t dressed appropriately don’t worry. There are long robes located at the entrance which can be slipped on before entering.

Emirates Palace

This is a majestic 5-star hotel surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens, but it isn’t just for hotel guests. Make a restaurant or cafe reservation beforehand to be allowed entry on the premises. Some restaurants will ask that you spend at least 100 dirhams per person before confirming the reservation. The guards by the gates will ask to see your reservation notice prior to letting you in. Emirates Palace is a beautiful gold hotel designed intricately and lavishly and is a fantastic place to sightsee. The luxurious ambiance really hits you as soon as you drive through the gates.

Corniche Beach

White sand and turquoise waters; it’s where people go to relax, socialize and enjoy the sunset. Corniche Beach is complete with fountains, parks, cafes and a great view of Abu Dhabi’s skyline. The beach constantly has events and entertainment and private deck beds for rent if your company would like some privacy. You can also rent a bicycle and ride down its cycle path while enjoying views of the manicured waterfront. Corniche beach is fantastic for water activities or enjoying a romantic evening.

Sheikh Zayed Bridge

Sheikh Zayed Bridge is a unique arch bridge (some say the arches replicate sand dunes) and is named after UAE’s former president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. A well-designed bridge that dramatically changes colour throughout the night. The easiest way to get here is to park at Al Maqta Fort and walk back along the fence until you see an opening in it. Climb to the bridge’s peak and watch traffic zoom past on both sides if you feel daring.

Abu Dhabi is famous for Ferrari World, home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, and Yas Waterworld. Visiting these parks would take an entire day, so if you’d like to visit, forgo the above itinerary and purchase a Two Park Pass ticket, which allows you to visit both in one day.

What to Eat

Emirati cuisine is influenced by Middle Eastern spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and turmeric. Other popular ingredients include chick peas, rice, yogurt and meats like chicken and goat. Abu Dhabi also has a large Indian population, so authentic Indian cuisine is easy to find. However, it’s also home to cuisines from all over the world so there is something for everyone.

Mosaic

A delicious taste of Lebanon in Abu Dhabi. Enjoy fattoush, cheese rolls, manakeesh, grilled meat and so much more of what many describe as “fresh, home-made” Lebanese food. Open early at 8 am, Mosiac is ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Meylas Emirati

Authentic Emirati food. Try al majboos, a traditional and tasty Emirati dish with seasoned meat served with saffron rice or al madrooba, salted fish blended with nuts in a thick sauce and served over white rice. The staff are helpful and friendly, the tea is lovely and locals frequent Meylas Emirati so it’s definitely good.

Catch

This trendy restaurant is known for its top-notch seafood creations, unique cocktails and desserts. Not only are the meals aesthetically pleasing, you can enjoy a full skyline view of the Gulf while eating. Make sure to try their mochi ice cream, a soft, sticky rice cake wrapped around flavoured ice cream. Try it in flavours ranging from include green tea, coconut yuzu and lychee.

Abu Dhabi offers a unique cultural experience; it’s a fusion of Arab with many other parts of the world. If you’re here for a layover, make sure to try most, if not all, of the places above. You’ll be sure to leave this spectacular city feeling enriched and cultured.

Travel Tips

5 Things about being a Solo Female Traveller

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019
by Samah

People will still suggest you travel with a man or a group of girlfriends; however, there are numerous benefits and insights if you decide to go and adventure alone.

You will become more aware of your identity

You will become more aware of your identity.

I have always been pretty “girly.” As a kid, I didn’t wear pants until the second grade, and now I can’t live without mascara (only because people mistaken me for being sick when I am au natural). However, I never felt defined by my femininity until I went abroad. The way I thought about myself changed once I was walking through another culture. I felt new eyes upon my body and look at me through different perceptions. I was out of the environment that raised me and understood me to be the many layered individual that I am. Now, the world could only see me in a box. I wandered the world for the first time as a “white woman.”

In certain areas, I felt that my skin tone stood out like an elephant in a herd of antelopes. But then in areas of my heritage, I blended in like a zebra, unable to be distinguish from the locals. In non-English speaking countries like Germany, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, people would approach me and immediately begin to speak in their mother tongue. The would talk with a rapidness that expected me to understand the nuances, the ironies, or innuendos in their message. I would respond with a contorted face and reply in a grammatically unstructured sentence, “No speak- American!” My cover was blown. Their body would repose, smile and break out in flawless English, as I internally grumbled at my country’s lack of interest in speaking other languages.

It’s a sometimes uncomfortable feeling when you are perceived as an in-group, but you know you don’t belong. That was something I never felt back at home. It was the first time I felt like I didn’t belong somewhere, which I know people in my own homeland feel more frequently than I do. It felt like a spotlight was following me, highlighting to everyone around me that I wasn’t one of them.

Overall, I would say out of all my identity labels, being an American was the most interesting. People responded differently to me in unexpected ways. My nationality was often used for random things. One time, I was crossing the border on a bus from Greece to Albania. I was with a group of women on the bus, and we needed to pee. We got off the bus and walked to this dingy border crossing shack that had one bathroom. The owner wouldn’t let us use the bathroom unless we bought something, but since we had just come from Greece, we had no money to purchase anything. One of the Albanian woman took me and shouted at him, “She’s an American!” like it was some kind of “pass Go, collect $200” card. Needless to say, it wasn’t worth that much, as I popped a squat behind the shack.

It was a moment where I reflected on how silly it is that some nationalities are perceived to hold more clout when at the end of the day everybody pees the same.

You make so many more friends than you thought

When you travel in groups or pairs, you don’t seem as inviting. You are socially satisfied, and it is harder for an outsider to penetrate a tribe of two or more. I once traveled with an ex-boyfriend for two months throughout Mexico. I hardly made any spontaneous friends from that time because, together, we didn’t seem as approachable. I made more friends the day we forever parted ways than the two months we travelled together.

I personally find the most freedom when I travel alone, and that opens me up to more people.

Additionally, when people recognize that I am traveling alone, they tend to be curious about me. This curiosity has helped me meet a range of people, from hitchhiking with a gaggle of English gals throughout Ireland, to long beach walks with Costa Rican locals I met under a waterfall, to sleeping on the floors of London with new friends I had met in Italy weeks prior. The world is filled with almost 7 billion people, and there are hundreds of soul-mates, partners in crime, and lovers out there, waiting for you to find them.

When you travel alone, you become more open to the adventure of meeting new people and letting it see where it takes you. Like the time I hitchhiked from Amsterdam to Eindhoven in the Netherlands. I got picked up by a South African man, Roan, who spoke English, and he was living in Eindhoven at the time. He asked me about my adventures and why I was hitchhiking. One thing lead to another and an hour later we ended up in this warehouse turned artist’s residency outside of Eindhoven that was having a huge open house. There were endless rooms of random interactive art installations, food carts, and sleek styled fire pits in a courtyard where everyone was drinking beers and gluvine. I ended up having a great time with him and his friends, and they laughed when I told them how we met. “ Typical Roan!”, they said, and threw back local brews.

We had such a great time that he let me stay at his place. I ended up chatting with him and his roommates about Morocco until four in the morning. Then he got ready for work and dropped me off at the airport. I have yet to see him again. But I will never forget the adventure he gave me.

You become more centered within yourself

When you travel alone, you see yourself and your actions outside of the influence of others. You are never in a complete vacuum and will be swayed by the chaos around you; however, you get to choose where you want to go for whatever reason, even if you have no real reason at all. You don’t never need one.

I have found that when I travel alone, I am able to submerge myself mentally in a space. I become more observant of my surroundings whether it is walking through the Guatemalan rainforest, biking through the streets of Rome, or boating on the small strip of sea that separates Spain from Africa. I am able to be in the moment and not have it obstructed by someone else’s opinion, perception, or distractions.

I’m allowed to let my body aimlessly wander in no particular direction and let my legs have a life of their own. They end up bring me to corners I might have missed if a travel companion wanted to turn around. I can go as far as I want for as long as I want. There are no compromises, no juggling between needs, waiting around for someone else to get ready, or disagreements over what to do. You are allowed to be completely selfish. Which also means you have to be completely self-reliant. That is where the real fun begins.

If you are lost, you got yourself there, if you are found, you got yourself there as well.

When the chaos of your life and world falls away, you are left with just yourself- you see which sides of you are essential and which can soften. The endless bus rides, conversations with new people, and time spent away from home shows you the potential of who you can become. The outside expectation that make up your home dissolves, and you are able to clearly see what drives you.

You learn that you can take on the world

I learned more about myself in the first six months I traveled on my own than the 4 years of college.

I vividly remember the moment I got health insurance by myself when I was living in Prague. I was part of a six-month study abroad program when I was 20 and our health insurance had to be renewed 5 months in. I took a tram to a part of town I rarely visited, applied and paid for health insurance while speaking in broken Czech, a language so fragmented already I’m sure my ineptness didn’t help, and walked myself home.

When I was ten minutes away from my concrete communist styled dorm, it settled that I had just bought health insurance in a foreign country on my own. That was so easy.

Granted my future travels have also shown that travel is often not a smooth ride, but it gave me the belief that, if I can do that on my own, I can probably do a lot more. What gets me through the bumps is my determination to conquer the world.

The world is more protective than predatory

This notion surprised me the most. In the beginning of all my travels, I always think people are out to get me. That I’m standing out like a vulnerable antelope that walked into a lion’s den. But again, people are more curious than malicious and once they realize that you are alone they become more protective than predatory. There was one time I was hitchhiking in Germany and this older couple picked me up. The woman was driving, and she said she was so worried for me, which is why she pulled over and told me to get in.

“Oh, it isn’t like in my day where you could easily get a ride from Berlin to Munich. People are dangerous now.”

But how did humans become more dangerous when statistically we are in the longest moment of peace? I believe that the advent of 24/7 news cycles and the velocity of social media has skewed our perception as to what the world is like. Now we can find out about a hurricane in Puerto Rico, a nuclear plant exploding in Japan, and a famine in India all within three minutes of each other.

In actuality, most people are boring and live mundane days, but our brains are wired to remember the anomalies, the horror stories, and the bizarre happenings. So, we end up believing that things are worse than they really are. My travels have always been based around the benevolence of complete strangers who took me into their homes, fed me, let me wash the world off my body, and join in their company.

“But, you picked me up.” I said to her. “And you’re not going to try to kill me, are you?”

I try to show them the kindness within themselves.

Adrien Behn has self-produced Strangers Abroad, a travel and storytelling podcast. Strangers Abroad is a series of conversations she had with strangers that she met while backpacking throughout Latin America for 5 months, overlapped with her personal stories about being a woman who travels alone. The podcast aims to focus on the self-growth and eye opening experiences that happen to individuals when they travel abroad. She is a travel writer, live storyteller, and an intense pie baker. She desires to hit every country before she dies (with modern medicine, she still has plenty of time). Follow her travels on Facebook and Instagram.

Middle East

Dubai Packing List and Summertime Travel Tips

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019
by Samah

Dubai during the summer months is a whole lot different than Dubai during the winter months. Cheaper accommodation prices are attractive for this expensive city, but also consider the weather, what to wear and available activities to do.

Dubai, like most sand-filled deserts, is sweltering hot in the summer. Temperatures soar to 40°C amidst the dense and humid air. The Canadian in me, at times, found it unbearable, yet there were those that nonchalantly walked under the sun’s wrath. Although very preventative, beware the chance of bearing a heat stroke. Always carry a water bottle and limit your time outdoors when the sun’s at its peak.

But what should you pack? There’s more to it then light clothing and a hat. Here’s a list of what I found necessary during my summertime visit to Dubai:

Dubai Packing List

You’re going to sweat. If you’re outside for an hour or even a mere ten minutes your clothes will cling to your skin, drenched with perspiration. I could feel the heat and dense air five floors down in Dubai Mall’s underground parking garage. Depending on your stay’s length, pack ample underwear and clothes. Last summer I lived all over the UAE with just a carry-on. This was feasible because I stayed with relatives and I could dump my clothes in their washing machine every so often. If your accommodation doesn’t have a washer and hand-washing your clothes isn’t an option, then pack a suitcase filled with clothes.

Loose linen and cotton clothing is the way to go. Long sleeves and pants provide ideal protection from the sun. A bonus is you’ll make the Emiratis happy with your modest attire. Ladies, thin, flowy maxi skirts are your best friend. You can pair it with a camisole or a tee. You can buy the perfect summery, linen top and maxi skirt from Amazon below.

Nighttime is more bearable, but it definitely doesn’t require a jacket or even a second layer of clothing.

Formal attire. When going out in the evening make sure your dress or outfit is light because it’s still humid at night. Try to keep it less bulky unless you’re hopping straight from your air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned wherever-you’re-going.
Heels. A lot of younger Emirati women and some expats walk around in heels, especially around downtown Dubai. I’d reserve these for going out in the evening.
If you pack makeup, don’t bother putting it on during the day unless you want your mascara transferring and your foundation turning greasy within 30 minutes. Keep that for the evening.
Swimsuit. Swim attire is only to be worn on beaches or by pools. Unless you wear a burkini (modest Islamic swimwear). You can wear that thing anywhere.
Umbrella. It rarely rains in the UAE during summer, although the government’s working on artificial rain to maintain cooler summer temperatures. Many people carry umbrellas to shade them from the sun. This UV travel sun umbrella is perfect as its silver colour prevents heat from reflecting downward and the black underside blocks UV light. Bear in mind this is not a rain umbrella, but it’s perfect for the sunny desert weather.
Sandals. Forget socks and closed shoes. Do your feet a favour and let them breathe. I can’t imagine doing anything in the summer that requires closed shoes. Unless you’re a health freak and will be jogging every evening at Dubai Marina.

I recommend the classic, comfy Birkenstocks or the Ecco Damara sports sandal, which come in many colours and are great for walking.
Wear something on your head! Pack a wide-brimmed hat, baseball cap, or better yet, get cultured and wrap a keffiyeh to protect against the sun’s scorching rays.
Sunscreen. Although sometimes I prefer to wear long sleeves, sunscreen is much needed if you’ll bare some skin. In fact, during the day, I saw many tourists slather on sunscreen and lay to sunbath, while I felt I was going to melt in a puddle. Maybe I’m just extra sensitive to heat.

La Roche-Posay SPF 60 sunscreen is fantastic. It’s allergy-tested, fragrance and paraben-free and stays water-resistant for 80 minutes. Buy it here:
Water bottle. I’ll simplify this. Dubai is heavily reliant on plastic water bottles. Households buy caseloads. Tap water is undrinkable. Dubai has a recycling system; however, I’ve seen people chuck their plastic bottles into garbage bins. Prepare to increase your carbon footprint.

You’ll spend a lot on water bottles because the hot temperatures will quickly boil your water. Don’t leave your water bottle in the car. I’ve had to repurchase many because of this. Nonetheless, your water will rapidly warm even as you walk around with it.

I wish I had bought The Coldest Water® insulated bottle which keeps your drink cold for up to 36 hours. My sister takes it with her when she travels and fills it with water from water bottles. It keeps her water colder (and drinkable) for longer. Check it out here on Amazon.
Sunglasses. If you forget these at home, buy a pair at the airport. By 10 am it was difficult to walk with my eyes open, looking straight ahead because the sun was so bright, and the sun’s heat prickled my eyes.

Dubai Travel Tips for Summer

Dubai during summer is dead and that’s a good thing. You’ll enjoy fewer crowds because the majority of expats have returned home. This also means many outdoor attractions are closed like Dubai Global Village and the Miracle Garden. Make sure to check opening hours before driving off somewhere.

Have I mentioned it’s hot? You may want to do a Musandam tour to Oman or visit Hatta village so be careful. I didn’t bother doing elongated outdoor activities, like kayaking. Instead, I opted for a sunset yacht cruise or jet skiing.

Many people (Emiratis) prefer to go out after dusk when the temperature is cooler, but I don’t recommend this as you obviously want to explore.

Well, there you have it. Dubai in the summer is quite enjoyable, just make sure you are prepared to face the heat. Hopefully these tips will aid you when travelling to Dubai in the summer. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.

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Uncategorized

Solo Muslim Female Travel and the Hijab

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019
by Samah

As human beings, we tend to categorize to understand other humans better.

Our experiences and reality are shaped by our gender, race and religion (or lack of). They are also shaped by how others perceive these attributes and treat you—covert biases, stereotypes and judgments on how you should be if you are of a certain race or gender or religion.

Over the years, the heated debates and controversies surrounding the Muslim woman’s headscarf (hijab) has continuously appalled me. Among the heated outbursts from feminists and angry opinions from men, all with varying opinions, the Muslim woman’s voice was drowned by people who think they know better. National laws on what she gets to wear have been made on her behalf under the guise of liberation and secularism (ahem, France). A genuine secular state would not incorporate religion in its organization of time, meaning holidays like Christmas or Easter Monday would no longer be mandatory nation-wide holidays. As this still occurs, it’s futile to enforce the country’s secular notion. People usually point fingers at other countries dictating women’s clothing as well. I won’t get into the hypocrisy of certain countries, but they do ‘claim’ to follow Sharia (Islamic law), which does require men and women to be covered accordingly: navel to over the knees for men and wrist to ankles and hair for women (*gasp* the inequality!). In fact, France and some Islamic countries share the same sentiment when it comes to Muslim women and their clothing. France, instead, will hold pepper spray to a woman’s face until she removes her clothing and fine her or send her home from school if she’s wearing a long skirt. Women can’t be too covered apparently.

But, is she forced to wear that? Did her father or husband make her? Maybe some are. Maybe some aren’t. Do you wonder if a girl taking birth control is forced to by her mother, or if a woman teetering in heels is forced to wear them by her boyfriend, or if parents forced their daughter to go to college against her wishes? No? Okay.

Muslim women’s clothing has been used to drive votes and influence politics. Now that it’s synonymous with female enslavement and oppression, it has been used to show how Islam has all of a sudden (well since 9/11 actually) become incompatible with the newfound freedom in some nations. Freedom that came after the colonization and exploitation of Islamic regions and how the French empire (I don’t mean to scapegoat France, but they lend themselves a good example) enforced the French culture onto North African countries like Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, and left them poor, but the French resource rich. Because of this, France’s constant ‘when in Rome’ spiel is sanctimonious. You can’t have your cake and eat it too, France.

What About Travel?

I wanted to write about a scarf-wearing Muslim woman who was living life on her own, dealing with everyday issues and just going through life. And what better person than Kareemah Ashiru, a Nigerian born, American raised solo female traveler, who I relate to as a solo traveling Muslim female as well. Sometimes it’s mentally exhausting to go on social media and see whenever a Muslim woman is mentioned, it’s in the context of a political issue. The media spends way too much time talking about Muslim women and politics, at least here in Canada. We didn’t ask for this.

The Hijabi Globetrotter

Nigeria's third mainland bridge — Nigeria’s 3rd mainland bridge links Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island

Kareemah has been traveling solo since 2015. She’s already traveled to several countries like Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, USA, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, the U.K., France, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Much like myself, Kareemah’s ambitions to discover herself and contribute to society came early. She took the plunge in 2015, her first solo flight being to Madrid, Spain, where she went to the University of Toledo and looked forward to improving her Spanish. It wasn’t easy, convincing her parents to do a solo trip. But, her parents trusted her decisions and had faith in God to keep her best interests at heart.

She rented an apartment, immersed in Madrid’s liveliness. Spain came with perks. It was different from the USA—the pace of life was slower, the people friendlier and the food was super healthy.

The Hurdles

However, being a Muslim in Spain isn’t always easy. Majority of the food contains ham, which is impermissible to eat in Islam. Wearing a hijab and finding working possessed a challenge in Spanish society. Kareemah worked harder than her American acquaintances to find a job. Spaniards had a hard time equating a hijab-wearing Muslim to an American. To some, Kareemah just had to be Moroccan for their comfort. Her experience isn’t isolated; it’s one most racialized people can relate to. At the Riyadh airport, I had a Saudi Arabian security official ask where I was really from, after looking at my Canadian passport. I’m born and raised in Toronto.

Austria's St. Francis of Assisi Church — Austria’s St. Francis of Assisi Church

Many might think well take just your scarf off and live freely, but that’s a simplistic way to perceive it and it’s not quite like removing a sweater when the weather gets hot. It doesn’t address the main issues—1. Who’s dictating what freedom conceptualizes to in reality? In a ‘secular’ society, morals are constantly changing. What is considered freedom today may be considered oppressive in a few more decades. Do you find the mandatory covering of genitalia oppressive? Some do. 2. Telling a woman to remove her clothing to live, in your perspective, free is as oppressive as it gets. Why is a woman wanting to follow her religion and dress modestly so unfathomable?

Besides job hunting obstacles, Kareemah recalls one negative experience in Austria, while she rode the train. Her backpack was taking up space. She moved it to let a lady sit down. The lady, instead, snickered and said something in a foreign language to her friends. They chuckled. What they said wasn’t too understandable, but Kareemah made out the word ‘bomb’ in their conversation.

As interesting as solo travel is, there are times when it can bring an onslaught of loneliness. During the holidays, when you return to your hotel or Airbnb at night or while a hike or other solo activity. Kareemah usually writes about her travel experiences in her journal, calls her siblings or friends, or tries to meet up with other travellers or even locals.

The Perks

With most things in life, the good always outweighs the bad. Travel is eye-opening and enjoyable, and you’ll meet many friendly people. For Kareemah, the good came with learning Spanish and easily communicating with Spaniards. The good was encountering a Turkish lady who helped her navigate the streets of Istanbul. She takes these as an opportunity to show people the Islam she grew up knowing—just simply being kind, from one fellow human to another.

She’s accomplishing her goals to give back and develop herself. Her travels lead her to develop her blog, Hijabi Globetrotter, where she highlights Islamic-friendly options on having a good time in Spain, its Islamic history and connecting Muslims who plan to visit the country. She successfully learned Spanish and began to understand herself on a deeper level; what she likes and dislikes and her breaking points. She has a newfound appreciation for her family and the blessings she didn’t initially realize. The growing confidence in her abilities and learning how to mentally and physically take care of herself.

Keeping up with Religion

Although not strict on sticking to a zabiha diet, which means not being particular about eating meat slaughtered according to the Islamic ritual, Kareemah stays on the lookout for halal food options for her blog’s Muslim audience. As some countries don’t always have halal options, Kareemah sometimes opts for kosher foods instead, citing that for her, it’s okay to eat foods consumed by ‘people of the book’ i.e. Christians and Jews. Furthermore, it’s important to stick to the five daily prayers that Muslims are required to pray. This means scouring for a prayer spot, which sometimes ends up being in the car. It also means partaking in activities permissible in Islam so opting out of drinking and clubbing events.

Kareemah’s advice for those wanting to solo travel? Don’t be afraid.

It was one of the best life decisions she’s ever made. Not everyone is going to be comfortable with the idea. If you want to start, but don’t know how, she advises with traveling alone in your city, or eating alone in a restaurant. This will sound nerve-racking to many people, but with time, it’s easy to get used to. Sometimes, we need to learn how to spend time with ourselves. For fellow Muslim women who find it hard to convince their parents, try traveling with a group of other Muslim women. They might be more open to that idea. There is a group on Facebook for this. It’s called Muslimahs Who Travel. She wishes everyone the best of luck and happy travels.

Kareemah’s story highlights the reality of many Muslim women who want to maintain Islam in their daily life. Although a part of it, the headscarf is a fraction of what Islam is composed of—there’s a lot to the religion, and Islamic scholars still find out new details and information to this day. The scarf isn’t unique to Muslim women, nor is it a symbol of inequality between men and women. There are deeper global concerns that are better exemplifications of that issue and men and women have always worn different clothing. Quite frankly, the media’s narrative about “liberating Muslim women from the shackles of Islam so they can live ‘free’ like women in western countries” needs to be dismantled—it only furthers the euro-centric standards that are seemingly imposed around the world. If a woman goes about her daily life dressed, in her view, modestly, then let her be. Her actual ‘freedom’ isn’t something to be concerned about.

You can follow Kareemah’s travels on Facebook, Instagram and check out her blog, Hijabi Globetrotter.

Africa

Moonbean Chocolate | Made in Uganda

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019
by Samah

Denise, a Calgary native turned Research fellow for BRAC Uganda, sips her tea. The early morning mist unveils the rolling hills of Kampala, the Ugandan capital. Her husband, James, outlines today’s plan. Coffee mug in hand, he sifts through moonbean chocolate’s social media.

As Denise leaves for BRAC, James sorts, then roasts cocoa beans. They will be grinded once cracked and winnowed—a process to remove the outer shell of the cocoa bean to leave only the cocoa nibs—then put into the refining machine. He begins to temper yesterday’s batch of chocolate liquor, which has been refining since. Once tempered, he will mold the chocolate into bars and package them. Returned from work, Denise completes administrative tasks and provides a debrief of what tomorrow will look like. James usually cooks dinner.

Harvest time hits monthly. This requires a trip to the cocoa farms in Bundibugyo, a district six hours west of Kampala. Improving fermentation or bean selection are hot topics with the cocoa bean farmers.

What’s one thing the husband and wife duo have learned from running a social chocolate-making business in East Africa? They’ll frequently be on their toes.

In The Beginning

Where it all started: Bundibugyo, Uganda

Bundibugyo doesn’t see as many tourists as some districts of Uganda, however it does host some attractions, such as Semaliki National Park. The region is comprised of four tribes. It has been the scene of conflicts as recently as the 2016 Local Council elections. Due to its proximity with the Congo, and the difficulty of crossing the mountains, the people of Bundibugyo have been isolated from Ugandan culture. They maintain many of their traditional beliefs and much of their ancestors’ way of life. The region is now peaceful and the growth has seen positive developments in the economy. With increased access to wealth, however, come social problems, such as underage pregnancy, high school drop-out rates, and a prevalence of AIDS and other diseases.

James and Denise spent time between the library, the local teaching college, the cocoa factory and a restaurant called Hotel Vanilla, where they accessed a mildly disruptive internet connection. Hotel Vanilla gave them respite from the bustle and curiosity of village life. They explored the hills, played guitar, and slacklined with the local children.

The Calm Before the Storm

Tasked with establishing a community library in the Bundibugyo District, James, a social responsibility manager for a Ugandan cocoa exporter, spent his days surrounded by cocoa trees; the scent of fermented and drying cocoa beans wafting in the dusty air.

The labour of cocoa beans farmers was noticed. They would remove the beans from the pod, box them for fermentation and shield them with banana leaves. Left to ferment, the beans were turned over every four to five days, until the fleshy pulp dissolved, allowing them to develop a rounded flavour. The beans were then dried on racks to reduce moisture content—a process worked around rain that could take up to two weeks. The dried beans were delivered to exporters.

Eureka!

James had his ‘ah ha’ moment once he realized most cocoa products exported from Uganda were in raw, unprocessed form. Almost no one was importing chocolate made in Uganda.

Through discussions with Denise, the business idea of creating Ugandan-made bean-to-bar chocolate emerged.

The Embarkment

Chocolate-making seemed simple…. in the beginning. After reading the basics of chocolate-making online, James and Denise plunged right in. They roasted cocoa beans, cracked and winnowed them by hand and ground them into a rich, brown liquor of goodness while sweetening with sugar.

There was one problem.

They didn’t have a means to refine the chocolate liquor into a smooth chocolate paste. But after four years of Uganda-living, James and Denise are accustomed to implementing innovative solutions to their problems. And that’s what they did—with a meat grinder. The meat grinder was used to refine the chocolate paste, but after 20 attempts at hand-cranking the device, there was no apparent improvement. The chocolate was tempered anyway, and shaped into chocolate bars. A taste test ensued with farmers and staff. It was delicious.

While ideal for cocoa farms, Bundibugyo threw challenges at the chocolate-making process. Uganda is seldom routine so transport delays, power outages and an endless battle against dust—the least desirable ingredient on chocolate, were usual. The delicate fermenting process required cooler temperatures, so working early mornings and late nights were typical.

Chocolate-making brought more enlightenment than chocolate-making itself. The constant attention to details and being kept on their feet, James and Denise found, were one of the pleasures of life in Africa.

Fruit of the Labour

It’s delicately wrapped in silver-lined wax paper, complete with a moonbeam logo sticker.

Moonbean chocolate is currently made with 75% and 60% dark chocolate. The 75% dark chocolate maintains the unique ‘tobacco’ flavour of African cocoa. The 60% dark chocolate yields a (red) fruity flavour and a rich, persistent taste. Both chocolates have a glossy finish, a satisfying snap and a deep reddish-brown colour.

And milk chocolate? It’s in the works. Denise and James are testing different flavours—coffee and cocoa nibs, nuts and dried fruit.

They hope to concoct and release new chocolate flavours each month, beginning 2018.

What’s in a Name?

Moonbean chocolate. The name transpires from Bundibugyo. Uganda, particularly because it’s embedded in the foothills of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Famously known to Ugandans as the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori Mountains claim the third highest peak in Africa. The glacier waters from the mountains feed the Nile River and cocoa tree plantations on the lower slopes. It would only make sense to say the farmers farming those cocoa beans are growing moonbeans.

The Environment Counts…

Moonbean chocolate ingredients are only sourced in East Africa.

From the eco-friendly awareness raising initiatives with farmers, through the production process, moonbean chocolate tries to embed environmental consciences into each chocolate-making stage.

The packaging envelope is made of recycled paper and banana fibre, with natural food-safe dyes, making it safe for composting and recycling. It is produced by a small company, Rafiki, that supports local women with livelihoods in training and craft skills.

Future green goals aim to provide farmers with cacao seedlings and shade trees to prevent deforestation, land erosion and promote multipurpose farming. Cacao trees avoid direct sunlight, and the shade trees, such as mango, avocado and banana, will also offer tasty edible by products. For a region covered with fertile land, Bundibugyo is incredibly food poor and crop diversification is something they are actively promoting.

…And So Does Philanthropy

Described as a social business, moonbean chocolate actively supports local organizations working towards a shared goal of poverty alleviation through financial literacy training, healthcare, and education initiatives. They pay attention to these areas:

Creating jobs

By solely producing in Uganda, more jobs are created and more money remains in the country. According to the World Bank, for every job created in agro-processing, 2.8 jobs are created in supporting industries.

Education

With more job creation and more money remaining in Uganda, the additional income cocoa farmers and workers generate can be invested into their children’s education, and be used to support grass-roots development initiatives in their communities. Additionally, moonbean chocolate envisions a facility where it can guide school-groups, and other would-be chocolate makers, in the process of bean-to-bar chocolate making. James and Denise are developing a cross-curricular syllabus for Ugandan primary school-aged children focusing on cocoa—the history, geography, science and art of chocolate-making.

Chocolate making workshop — Chocolate-making workshop

James teaching school aged children — James teaching school-aged children

Healthcare

A severe accident or illness for cocoa bean farmers often leads to poverty. Moonbean chocolate aims to prevent such a scenario by offering access to healthcare schemes and working with local CBO/NGOs to sensitize the communities they work with.

Agricultural best-practice

Farmers are provided with training and education on current agricultural best-practices to increase crop yields, improving methods of fermentation, as well as working practices, to maximize their rewards.

Moonbean chocolate developed a simple philosophy towards giving back to Uganda: trade, not aid.

It’s a unique perspective. Uganda has taken great leaps to reduce poverty and although abundant in natural resources, Uganda lags in areas like improved sanitation, access to electricity, educational progression and child malnutrition. However, donations aren’t necessarily needed. A more sustainable way to address the cause of poverty is through income increase of Ugandan workers. This provides economic benefits and adds value in Uganda by using a business model that empowers African farmers and their communities through trade and not aid.

What’s next?

In stage one of establishing their social business, James and Denise have launched a Kickstarter to fund moonbean chocolate ingredients, register their company in Uganda and develop more eco-friendly packaging material. They intend to offer farmers training sessions to increase cocoa bean harvest quality. The meat grinder has been replaced with a Spectra 11—an appliance actually made to refine chocolate paste.

Moonbean chocolate is an ambitious undertake, with a hope to inspire other cottage industries to add value to crafts and commodities in East Africa. Once they prove that a ‘production in Africa’ business can be successful and sustainable, they’re optimistic to see many more entrepreneurs following suit.

Want to learn more? Connect with moonbean chocolate on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Behind moonbean chocolate: James and Denise

Disclaimer: These links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement by God & Wanderlust of any of the products, services or opinions of moonbean chocolate. God & Wanderlust bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links.

Middle East

8 Things to do in Al Ain

August 10, 2019August 10, 2019
by Samah

You’re probably wondering, where the heck is Al Ain?

It’s located in United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is compromised of seven emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai being two of them.

Within Abu Dhabi, lies the city of Al Ain, also known as the Garden City.

Downpour in Al Ain — View from my aunt’s porch during a downpour

You’ll notice I didn’t mention Al Ain in my post on things to do in Abu Dhabi. That’s because it’s a two hour drive to Al Ain, from the heart of Abu Dhabi, and because Al Ain needs a few days to be thoroughly explored. Although UAE’s fourth largest city, Al Ain is barely a hotbed for tourists right now so you’ll have many attractions to yourself. It isn’t busy or crowded and you’ll enjoy the laid-back, suburban feel it has to it.

But why 38 days in Al Ain? It’s where my aunt lives and operates her optometry office. I stayed with her, which gave me ample time to explore the entire city. I’m not going to write a 38 day itinerary, nor do I even recommend staying in Al Ain for that long, but there are a few notable things you should do if you happen to come across this city.

8 Things to Do in Al Ain

Al Jahili Fort

One of the oldest buildings in the UAE. It was built to defend the city, protect palm groves and serve as a residence for the local governor. Al Jahili Fort features a black and white gallery, an exhibition centre, a bookshop and beautiful landscaped gardens.

Al Ain Mall

Located across an abandoned mosque building project, Al Ain Mall was conveniently located five minutes from my aunt’s house. You’ll notice a ton of Arab men here, dressed in a white thobe, enjoying coffee with their buddies. Prices are a hit or miss in the UAE. I found clothing stores to be more expensive than the ones in Canada, but camera gear was less expensive. This mall has an indoor skating rink, a large food court and all the American stores you can imagine.

Green Mubazzarah

I used to come here at night. This park is at the base of Jabel Hafeet mountain and hosts a hot spring you can dip your feet in. Surrounded by lush green hills and palm trees, it’s great for barbecues, camping in the winter months or just having a picnic.

Museums

Al Ain is the birth place of the UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, so it’s enriched with culture, history and a plethora of museums. I thoroughly enjoyed the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum. It’s based on Sheikh Zayed’s palace home and his family. You’ll find replications of his bedrooms, kitchen, maids’ rooms etc. Just watch out for lizards, if you sit in the rooms in take pictures. They usually scurry out from behind the pillows.

Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum
Inside Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum

Hili Fun City

The great thing about the UAE is that the names of most places are usually straightforward, and Hili Fun City is no exception. It’s a theme park with many different rides where you can easily spend an entire day. The best thing was the lack of lineups.

Jebel Hafeet

The highest peak in the UAE and you can get to the top of this mountain by car, cycling or walking (if you’re feeling adventurous). Drive up a long, thin, winding road and devour the sight of Al Ain from the top. I went during sunrise and at night to see the entire city lit up. You don’t have to drive all the way to the top though. There are many parking lots and restaurants along the way and the scenery during the drive up is breathtaking.

The drive up Jebel Hafeet — The drive up

View from halfway up Jebel Hafeet — View from halfway up the mountain

Wadi Adventure

Located at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet is a man-made white-water rafting, kayaking and surf facility. You can bring your own equipment or rent gear from the resort’s shop. Not familiar with water sports? Lessons are provided by certified trainers for all levels of competency. This is a great place to beat the desert heat and provides a day of fun for water sport enthusiasts and families.

Al Ain Oasis

The UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage site and a delicate oasis eco-system. It contains more than 147,000 date palms of up to 100 different varieties, and is filled with palm plantations, many of which are still working farms. It’s a tranquil haven, away from the heat and city noise. All that can be heard is birds chirping and the rustle of palm leaves.

Here are some tips: If you’re driving back from Al Ain, to wherever your accommodation is, it’s best to drive at night, while the roads are empty. My cousins and I road-tripped to Dubai at night and it only took an hour (usually it takes an hour and 45 minutes). We went to Umm Suqeim Beach and swam under the night sky and there were only a couple other people there. Sometimes, outdoor places are better explored at night, just for the cooler temperature and lack of people.

Al Ain hosts many other attractions, such as a camel souk, the Al Ain Zoo (which I’m not a fan of) and the Hili Archaeological Park. There will be more to discover as the city further develops.

Al Ain is an interesting ‘off the beaten path’ city to explore and learn about UAE history. What’s an interesting place you’ve explored, that isn’t considered a tourist hotspot?

Americas

10 Profound Things You’ll Learn With a Broken Leg

July 27, 2019July 30, 2019
by Samah

Life is unpredictable
You can plan your future with rainbows and sunshine, but life has a mind of its own. It will knock you down, bring you back up, close doors in your face, put you through hurdles and then show you an open door when least expected. I planned to go to Vancouver, explore and do landscape photography. I didn’t think I’d break my leg in a million years, especially while on a solo trip, but it happened.

You’re stronger than you thought
Mentally. While in the trauma bay, doctors and nurses continuously asked if anyone was with me. I repeated that I was on a solo trip. To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about it. I was preoccupied with calling Thrifty to tell them I was unable to drive their car rental anymore and figuring out how to reschedule my Taiwan trip, which was going to be in two weeks.

Of course, I was fortunate to break my leg in Stanley Park and not during a hike where I was by myself with no cellphone service.

Surgery leaves you exhausted
If you’re fortunate to receive a cast for your fractured tibia, good for you. I underwent surgery to nail a metal rod inserted within my tibia. This was to make sure the fracture heals correctly.

This trip seemed to have many firsts, including my first time receiving surgery. Anesthesia makes you groggy and tired. Nurses were trying to speak to me after I woke up from surgery, but I fell right asleep.

There are compassionate strangers in this world
My Airbnb hosts visited me at the hospital to bring me extra clothes, their used crutches, carried me up and down the stairs, since their three-floor apartment had no elevator, and drove me to the pharmacy for my painkillers. My taxi driver bought me lunch. Strangers offered to help at the airport. My fellow airplane seat-mates gave up their seats so I could rest my broken leg on their seats.

Your parents care more about you than you care for yourself
You probably won’t meet anyone who’ll take care of you like your mom does/did. That’s the sad part. My mom reacted worse to my broken leg than I did.

My parents are always here for me, waiting with me at hospital checkups, driving me to physiotherapy, cooking me food and constantly asking if I’m doing okay. I can see them getting tired, but they won’t stop until I’m good as new again. I just hope I can be there for them as they grow older.

You’ll feel frustrated
The inability to do your usual tasks will take a toll on your mental health. There were days where my helplessness made my cry myself to sleep. As an independent woman, who’s used to taking on tasks solo, this experience made me realize that I could never live a life dependant on others, whether financially or for happiness. You’ll get a serious case of FOMO, as you watch your friends go out without you. You’ll spend the first month or so bed-ridden, longing to feel the outside air just once.

You’ll gain weight
All that time spent in bed, where all you did was eat, sleep and pop painkillers? It’ll make you pack on the pounds. It’s what I realized when I weighed myself recently. I get depressed whenever I think about it. I can only hope to shed it off once I’m back on both feet.

Your body is magic
Your body does its best to protect and heal you and you don’t even need to think about it. My tibia fracture is healing slowly, but surely. I’m regaining my strength. And I know I’ll be hitting the trails and going back to my photography soon enough.

You’ll get through it like you’ve always did
Think back on the times you felt your life was crashing down. You came out alive then and you’ll come out alive now. This is just another obstacle life threw at you. And you’ll have more to come as life continues. The ups and downs are a part of life. You wouldn’t know happiness if you didn’t know pain.

You’ve become mentally indestructible (kind of)
I have this urge to solo travel even more. I’ve been through one of the worst things that can happen and I’m getting through it. I feel more resilient. And I know it’ll be easier for me to push through whatever else life will throw at me. Life doesn’t stop while you mope about your problems. So you quickly get back on your feet and trudge on through.

Middle East

2 Day Itinerary for Abu Dhabi

July 27, 2019July 27, 2019
by Samah

Things to do in Abu Dhabi that don’t include Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. To be honest, I wasn’t the least bit interested in Ferrari World. As beautiful as they can be, cars rarely excite me.

Abu Dhabi is to Dubai what Mississauga is to Toronto. A bustling, growing city that’s just not there yet. That’s a good thing. Abu Dhabi is a less crowded, less noisy option in the UAE. And if you want even less crowds and noise, try Al Ain.

Regardless, Abu Dhabi is a spectacular city with lots to offer. Two days were enough to explore the touristy places.

Where I stayed

Cousin’s condo across Dalma Mall.

Transportation

Nissan Sunny car rental from Thrifty.

Abu Dhabi Itinerary

Day 1

Jet skiing
My first time jet skiing and it was in the Persian Gulf waters. It was exhilarating, despite seeing one too many people fall off their jet ski.

Fun fact: When handed raggedy life jackets, I wondered if they even worked. In the water, I was getting the hang of maneuvering a jet ski. Racing at maximum speed, I made a sharp turn and felt a whoosh behind me as my little sister went flying (she was sitting behind me, arms around my torso). My sister is not a good swimmer. I quickly slowed to turn around. Utter relief swept over me. She was afloat. I started to giggle. She was drenched and in shock and took a while to clamber back on my jet ski.

We rented jet skis from Blue Whale Jet Ski, located across the smelly Al Mina Fish Market.

Marina Mall
A smaller mall with American stores. You can ride the Marina Eye, which is located across the parking lot.

Emirates Palace
Extravagance. A shiny, gold hotel where the washrooms offer towels to dry your hands. Here’s the catch: restaurant reservation are required to enter the premises (unless you’re a UAE/Oman citizen). My cousin made reservations and security let us through the gates.

Sheikh Zayed Bridge
An interesting place to explore at night. Park in Al Maqta Fort’s parking lot and walk back, along the road. There is an opening along the wooden fence to your left. There is a whole lot of sand to walk through until you reach the bridge. Experience the thrill if you’re able to climb and stand atop a bridge peak. Look down to the vast ocean, while cars on both sides zoom past. I was way too anxious to climb any higher.

Day 2

Cookies n' cream frappe from Tim Hortons — Cookies n’ cream goodness

Dalma Mall
Better than Marina Mall and decorated like it’s Christmas everyday, with all the lights. This is where I fell in love with the Tim Horton’s cookies n’ creme frappe. If Canada offered it, they would have all my money.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque
It’s a popular tourist place for a reason. Stunning architecture, glorious lighting and the evening sky made it all formidable. I caught Mahgrib here, the evening Islamic prayer, and was surprised to see the ladies prayer room so tiny. A huge mosque with a tiny prayer room. Go figure. Ladies, if you aren’t wearing mosque-appropriate clothing, you can borrow a long, hooded robe from the mosque entrance. Men should be in long pants and an appropriate top. I had borrowed my cousin’s daughter’s abaya (long black cloak).

Sheikh Zayed Mosque at night — Past the entrance

Inside Sheikh Zayed Mosque — High ceilings and chandeliers

For my itinerary, around CAD $200. However, only the jet skiing cost money. I stayed at my cousin’s house so food was provided. For a single person, it depends on how many attractions will be visited. I recommend checking the prices of attractions on their websites to help set your budget. Restaurant food is priced either similar to or less than the cost of food in Canada. Groceries are more expensive.

Driving in Abu Dhabi

Check out my blog post on driving in Dubai. It’s the same all over the UAE. Driving from Dubai, or from Al Ain, to Abu Dhabi is a piece of cake. Roads are rarely congested. Although, be careful with missing an exit. It’s not like Canada or the United States where you can take the next highway exit. In the UAE you will continue to drive for a while until the next roundabout to make a u-turn.

Abu Dhabi immerses you in the Middle Eastern landscape, architecture and hospitality, while letting you stay in the comfort of western living. If you’d like the taste of an ultra-luxurious lifestyle then this place is a must visit.

Share your questions or tips on visiting Abu Dhabi in the comments below!

Middle East

Minimalist Travel | Easier Than You Think

July 27, 2019July 27, 2019
by Samah

Minimalist travel carry on luggage — I travel with just this carry-on

Look, if I can survive the summer desert heat with just a carry-on worth of items, then minimalist travel shouldn’t be too hard for anyone.

This is part two of my minimalist travel series. Read part one first!

If you’re looking into light travel, have lost your checked-in luggage one time too many, or don’t want to carry a lot being a solo traveler, then you should incorporate minimalism in your next trip. Traveling with a mere carry-on opens a whole new world.

Let me explain.

You don’t spend money on materialistic items

You only have a carry-on, which was already quite full upon arrival to your destination. It’s next to impossible to fit more stuff in it. That ‘I Love Dubai’ mug or Burj Khalifa souvenir? Not buying it. This in turn feeds your minimalist life. You could buy a suitcase to fit extra items, but are you going to spend more money on a suitcase so that you can spend more money to put items in it? With all this extra money, you’re able to spend more on experiences you can cherish for a lifetime.

Deciding what to wear each day is a breeze

You’re in a new country to visit new places and explore. You don’t want to spend time wondering if shirt A matches your green skirt better than shirt B. Because when you bring just a carry-on, you make sure all tops will match with all bottoms. I’m not saying look like hobo—you don’t need to forgo style. Be a minimalist and keep your chic style simultaneously.

Here’s a tip: pick a top you love and wear often. Now create three different outfits with it, with what else is in your closet. If you’re unable to do that, then go on to the next top until you can do that with three of your tops. Viola! You now have nine outfits!

When it’s time to pack and leave… wait you don’t need to pack

You only brought a carry-on, didn’t buy much in the new country, so what’s there to pack? At the end of each day, I would neatly fold my clothes back into my carry-on. When it was time to leave, I spent no time packing. Plus, I effortlessly kept track of what I brought so it was easy to make sure I didn’t forget anything.

Now for the nitty-gritty stuff.

Summer in Dubai is hot and I happened to go during the two hottest months, July and August. Temperatures soared to 40°C.

But I couldn’t let this stop me from exploring. Some days I set out at dawn to explore beaches and other outdoor places before the sun peaked. Sometimes I stayed out during the day. When I visited Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis the Palm: Dubai Hotel, my clothes were soaked with sweat, right down to my underwear. Observing other tourists, I wasn’t the only one going through this sweat-induced predicament. Walking into air conditioned washrooms was bliss. Waiting for the air conditioning to work in a hot car was agony.

3 ways the sweltering heat affected my minimalist travel

I did laundry more often

Re-wearing clothes you heavily sweated in a few days before isn’t an appealing idea. So I tossed my clothes in the washing machine more often. When I didn’t have enough clothes to do a whole laundry load, I washed my tops by hand. If you don’t have access to a washing machine on your trip, you will have to wash your clothes by hand or wear your clothes several times until you can wash them.

I showered more often

On some days there was nothing more I wanted to do then rip my sticky, sweaty clothes off, hop into a cold shower and change into fresh, laundered clothes. Oftentimes, my sweaty clothes were dried by the time I returned to my aunt’s house, but I hopped into the shower nonetheless. Most days, I took showers twice—either in the morning and night or in the afternoon and at night.

I bought more clothes

Hear me out on this—from the get go, I was skeptically about packing two sets of pj’s for a month. It was a stretch. I knew this deep down inside, although I wouldn’t come to terms with it. While packing, I added a third set of pj’s to my carry-on and took them out. I did this several times until I was forced to take them out because my carry-on was over the 7 kg airline allowance limit. So in Abu Dhabi, I went to Forever 21, bought a pair of sweats, a t-shirt and I was content.

I also bought Aldo sandals, which came in handy after I went quad biking and lost my home-brought sandals in the sand.

What my minimalist travel experience taught me

You can save a ton of time

Time is gold, especially during travel. Less often, I sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. More often, I’m on my feet looking for the next adventure. Fewer clothing options gave me time to explore the UAE in depth. I focused more on creating a daily itinerary so I could get the most out of my time there. Passing up on makeup and heels left me with no regrets. I used to wear makeup every day. But without any makeup to put on, I finally felt how men feel when they roll out of bed every morning—liberated, with all the time in the world. I grew comfortable being bare-faced, feeling the sun against my skin and the ability to rub my eyes with no worries about looking like a raccoon after. Sure I noticed girls my age, usually around Dubai Mall, with faces done up, click-clacking in heels. But it didn’t affect me. I started to feel comfortable with my bare face and that became the only thing that mattered. The only thing on my face was a sun-kissed tan.

We’re bombarded with ads—but you begin to look at them differently

How many companies would lose business if people began to feel secure with their bodies and overall life?

We are constantly told our lives would significantly improve if we bought that jacket, those shoes, that foundation. The words, the visuals, the display of a lifestyle people crave, whether fun, luxurious or family-oriented. It’s all an illusion.

At the end of most days, with my sweaty clothes, sand-filled shoes and tired eyes, I was happy. I ate different foods, interacted with locals, experienced a different lifestyle and it was exhilarating. I now look at ads with a different perspective. Who are they targeting and what are they selling? I ask myself if I can continue life without those shoes, without that beautiful shade of lipstick or without that trendy top. 99.9% of the time the answer is yes. It’s an experiences > things mentality that will get you high on life.

You’ll save money

Being happy with what you have and not blowing money on unnecessary items means you won’t cringe at your bank balance. You now have more to spend on loved ones and on experiences and memories that will be kept for a lifetime. It’s a win/win situation.

The UAE was an eye-opening experience that taught me more than I anticipated. Travel is better and simpler with less. I’ll be going to Taiwan in a few months on a volunteer trip to teach English. I’m excited to go carry-on only. Stay tuned for a post on that!

Let me know in the comments—how do you incorporate minimalism in your travels?