So today let’s take a look at the Granada Card, specifically the 3-day pass, which Turismo Ciudad de Granada was kind enough to provide me during my visit to Granada, Spain last fall.

What Is A Granada Card And What Does It Get You?

As I mentioned above, basically the Granada Card (there are 3 and 5-day varieties) allows you access to Granada’s major touristic sites, including the popular Alhambra. The 3-day card costs 25 Euros and the 5-day is 30 Euros. They both get you into the same sites: the aforementioned Alhambra, Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Monastery of Cartuja, Monastery of San Jeronimo and Science Park Museum.

The primary difference between the 3 and 5-day cards, aside from 5 Euros, is that the 5-day card gets you 9 free rides on the city bus network and the 3-day card only 5. (I should also mention those of you traveling with kids can get either card for your children for 9 Euros.)

Breaking Down The Costs – Granada Card vs. Purchasing Tickets Individually

Let’s first begin by looking at the costs of a Granada Card to see if it makes sense for your budget in the first place to buy one. Assuming you intend on visiting all of the sites it allows you in, here’s a breakdown of the individual costs:

• Alhambra: 14 Euros
• Science Park Museum: 6 Euros (2.5 Euro for Planetarium entry)
• Monastery of Cartuja: 4 Euros
• Granada Cathedral: 4 Euros
• Royal Chapel: 4 Euros
• Monastery of San Jeronimo: 4 Euros
• Total: 36 Euros (vs. 25 Euros for the 3-day Granada Card)
  

This of course doesn’t include the bus fares that come complimentary with the card (a single ride is around 1.25 Euro) and the added perk of being able to skip to the head of most lines.

Are Visiting That Many Sites Practical?

In case you don’t have 96 hours in Granada, I would organize the sites in this order: Alhambra (one day), Science Park Museum, Monastery of Cartuja (same day), and Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel, and Monastery of San Jeronimo (all same day). It can be done I know because I did so, despite my habit of tardiness and fondness of consuming alcohol with my Spanish friends. The only site that absolutely requires you to be on time (and early) is the Alhambra. I met many travelers at my hostel who missed out on a visit because they neglected to get there on time.

It’s an easy mistake to make as southern Spaniards are hardly the most punctual people on the planet but consider the Alhambra an exception to the rule. (When meeting people in Spain, generously pad about 30 minutes to any agreed upon rendezvous time. And the same if you’re ever meeting me anywhere.)

How To Get A Granada Card

There are a few ways and locations where you can get a Granada Card. The easiest way is to swing by the Granada City Hall in Plaza del Carmen (pictured above – here’s a map) the day before you plan to start using it. (Say hi to them from me while you’re there.) You can also pick one up upon entry into the Alhambra or the Science Park Museum.

One Of The Few Practical Buy-One-Get Many Cards In Europe

You may be wondering why I’m writing about the Granada Card, whether I was paid to do so, or if getting one free influenced my take on things. The answer is it’s one of the few cards in Europe that saves you money and can be practically used within the time allotted. Oh, and no I wasn’t paid and no, money isn’t one of the substances that influences my writing. (There are plenty others I’ll leave to your imagination.)

The short truth is, many of these cards like the Dublin Pass, require you to visit countless sights from morning until evening so you’re doing nothing but. The Granada Card is a nice blend of price and pace; quite appropriate for this region of Spain.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

Many people around the world may not have heard of Georgia, the tiny republic sitting along the Caucus Mountain range, which many considered to be Europe’s eastern boundary in Central Asia. Many more have never considered it a travel destination, in fact of the 1.8 million visitors Georgia saw in 2011, less than 25% weren’t from bordering countries. I spent some time this past April in Georgia, flying to Tbilisi from Istanbul (a 2.5 hour direct and inexpensive flight I might add) and the entire time I was there couldn’t stop asking myself – why aren’t more people visiting?

Few countries and peoples have endeared themselves to me (and my wallet) as quickly as I experienced in Georgia. But while the country’s government has worked to increase tourism (most visibly with it’s easy entry rules for most nationalities) several things may currently be working against it. A big part due to a garbled media message for this gem in the Caucasus that won’t be hidden for long.

Where Is Georgia? (The One Without The Atlanta In It)

Georgia is a small country, about the size of South Carolina, bordered by Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. Over the centuries it has had a close but often heated relationship with Russia and seen conquest by the Arabs, Persians, and Ottomans. (Something very evident both in Georgia’s artwork and cuisine.) Being at the crossroads of so many cultures and armies, similar to India, Georgia has absorbed and incorporated what it couldn’t repel militarily. That makes a visit to Georgia a rich cultural experience but difficult to refine into a narrow tourism message.

View Georgia in a larger map

Add on top of that arguably Georgia’s most famous national; Joseph Stalin, who was born in the city of Gori in 1878. A museum, statue, and shrine of the home he grew up in is in the town square. Or more like, is the town square.

International Flights Tend To Land At Terrible Hours

Landing in a new city you’re not familiar with at 3 in the morning as a traveler can be intimidating. It’s a time when you’re vulnerable to scams, fatigue, and heightened anxiety due to your awareness of both. It’s one of the disadvantages of not being a country that built some of the first airports (i.e. United States and much of Western Europe) or being a major connection hub.

In Tbilisi, where the overwhelming majority of international travelers will land first, there is a train-metro station into the city; which unfortunately only runs until about 10pm. Most hostels, like Old Town Hostel I stayed at, do offer shuttle service for around 40 Lari (~$24 USD) which could end up being cheaper than negotiating one of the taxis around that hour. You may also have to book an extra night wherever you’re staying for a 5am arrival; one of 4 things non-planners should prepare for.

Naming Conventions And Confusion

You might be thinking that “Georgians” call themselves something similar in their language – no – they use the term “Kartvelebi”. So while every other person here does seem to be named George, or some variation of it, the translation of the country name is a rather odd one in English. (One of the many examples of such country and city confusion.) It is thought that “Georgia” was used by early European explorers because of their observation of the locals’ reverence for a particular Saint George. In any event, it’s not because of Britain’s King George II, whom the US state Georgia is named after.

Either way, for many in the Americas, the Cola-Cola factory, deep-fried anything, and CNN probably come to mind before nigvziani badrijani. Naming conventions can make promotion – and even writing blog post titles – difficult, cumbersome, and less-distinguishable. Just imagine if Azerbaijan were named New York or Greece, Virginia.

The War Of The Roses In Russian Roulette

Americans may remember then-President George W. Bush’s visit to Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi in 2005. During a public speech between Bush and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Vladimir Arutyunian threw a live grenade at the two; the explosive failing to detonate due to a malfunction. (Talk about luck for everyone within a 30 meter fatality radius.) Still, if this event made you think that Georgian’s are anti-American, it’s quite far from the truth. The Bush Administration was instrumental in negotiations between opposition parties after widely-disputed elections in 2003 and a strong supporter of the Rose Revolution shortly after.

Much like you’ll find in northern Iraq, Bush is quite popular in Georgia; even the highway from the airport into the heart of Tbilisi is named after him.

Then there is the Russian invasion and subsequent occupation of northern Georgia in 2008 where the fighting reached as far south as Gori. It is difficult to undo bad press, especially when there is so little of it from Georgia in the western media.

My Guess On Why Not, Coming Up Countless Reasons: Why You Should Visit Georgia

While these issues may be working against Georgia’s tourism efforts, I don’t believe they will be for long. In the coming weeks I’ll be writing more about why you should consider visiting this Caucasus nation and the advantages of doing so, especially soon. After than, you’ll likely be asking yourself the same question I am – why aren’t more people visiting Georgia – and hopefully be happy you weren’t one who missed out.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

There are so many myths about travel, the topic could nearly be considered folklore. Yet the most prevalent misconceptions are those that are ironically contradicted by the most facts. These are some of the most frequent misconceptions about going from one place to another.

1. Americans Don’t Travel As Much As The Rest Of The World

According to the market research organization GfK Austria, Germans are one of the most internationally traveled people in the world. Approximately 65% have been outside of their borders at least once. Yet, only 20% have ever left continental Europe. Compare this to the United States, approximately the same size as continental Europe. Only 20% of Americans have ever traveled internationally, but roughly 65% have traveled once domestically for leisure purposes. Well what about Australians, whose country is about 80% the size of the US? They have about a 20% international travel rate as well. There is a strong correlation between average passport thickness and how close the nearest international border is to you.

2. Traveling Is Dangerous

There is a growing amount of evidence that suggests the more vacations you take, the longer you will live. We are also living in the safest time in human history. Consider that trips we take for often granted today, like a trip across the Atlantic Ocean, are 9,000 times safer than they were just 100 years ago.

3. Traveling Is Always Expensive

There are so many ways to save money on travel – the two general rules being – things get more expensive the faster you travel and the less flexible your time is. Plane tickets cost more if you have to fly on a certain date and when you have less time to see things you end up paying more to compensate. You can however turn the Internet into a powerful tool against the airlines, use multi-city flights, or stop chasing cheap tickets all together to save.

4. You Need To Print Out A Boarding Pass Before Going To The Airport

Printing boarding passes – or paper really – is so 2003. I don’t travel with a printer in my backpack (ouch!) but simply by showing my passport at the check-in desk or self-check in I’ve never had any problems. Remember, you’ve already booked your flight and the airlines have you on record. Unless the airport (for security a few require ticket confirmations) or airline specifically says you can’t fly without one, don’t bother. Most airlines now support mobile boarding passes or online check-in (then print your tickets at either the airline’s kiosks or check-in counter).

5. Reading About A Place Or Seeing It On TV Is The Same As Going There

Cognitive studies show that we are mentally bound within a philosophical framework about the world around us and unconsciously we attempt to categorize the rest of the world within our own framework. Those perceptions we hold tend not to change unless there is a psychological change within ourselves. This psychological framework is based on our personal experiences – so while watching is seeing, seeing is truly believing.

6. Your Chance Of Dying In A Plane Crash Is 1 In 11 Million

That figure, typically cited, is based on risk for the average American – but most people aren’t “average” Americans (or Americans for that matter). Also, 80% of plane crashes occur during take-off or landing (recall “plus three, minus eight“) so it’s not how far you fly but how often, that determines your particular risk. For frequent flyers those odds boil down to about 1 in 20,000. But since I’ve just scared the hell out of you, allow me to reinsert hell back into you. For perspective, consider that your rough lifetime chance of getting struck by lightening is 1 in 10,000. Lastly, 76.6% of people involved in plane crashes survive and there are 7 more ways to increase your odds.

Keep Your Facts Updated

Science is anything but static – which is really the beauty of its methodology. Some facts change more quickly than others so be prepared to keep mesofacts from screwing up your next vacation. You can start by updating 8 things you probably got wrong about the Great Pyramids in Egypt and these cultural facts you didn’t know Bulgaria will surprise you with.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

Traveling invariably changes you and a key ingredient to how profoundly is our invisible companion time. Of all the dimensions we exist in, time is the only one whose direction we have no control over. You can go left, right, up, or down but time cannot be stopped, just be sped up or slowed down. We often don’t notice this passenger who changes us as much as the road does; yet never leaves our side.

According to the second law of thermodynamics, events in the universe act in a way that make everything irreversible. You cannot drink the same cup of tea twice, physically grow young, or turn an omelet into an egg. You cannot travel the world and return home the same person you were before. Traveling extensively changes you extensively. Those effects vary both by where you go on the map and how far you go traveling along the arrow of time.

Seeing The Shifts And Rifts Between Your Space And Time

My life is unorthodox to say the least. I have often have moments where I temporarily forget which city or country I am in. It’s in those lapses that I realize both how much I move and how extraordinary my life has become. For the most part my clocks are calculated by where I am and where I’m going next. Time ticks away steadily but often slowly as I’m incredibly fortunate to have many new, amazing, and memorable experiences. A taste, a touch, a smile I’ve never seen before. The occasional nod backwards that’s as compelling as it is confusing.

When I arrive places to visit friends and family I know my physical path usually has been radically different than theirs since I’ve seen them last. That’s easy to see on the map but the hands of time are much harder to observe. At least until you temporarily stop temporally.

The Slow Motion Button Of Travel And Life’s Fast Forward

Many RTW travelers and even those of you heading back from shorter trips have probably noticed the proverb, “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” firsthand upon arrival home. While traveling you feel like everyday is shorter – sometimes too short – and the more you do the less time it feels you have. It’s hard to imagine you’re experiencing the same 24 hours you did at home when walking along the medina walls of Marrakesh or exploring Chandni Chowk in New Delhi. Though of course, it’s not time that’s changing but your perception of it. And the longer you’re away the more amplified that effect becomes; so what was once abnormal becomes routine. Your clock is continually running slow.

When you return home, it’s you that feels somewhat out of place. It has been said that “home is wherever you happen to be” and when that becomes the road more often than not, I can tell you it’s easy to be confused with which is what.

A Temporal Anomaly Along The Road

I’ve found this time-disconnect to be most profound in my conversations with old friends. In many ways their lives have marched on and mine blissfully feels to have been stuck when our paths last diverged. Once we’re past nostalgic reminisces it takes time to find a conversational common ground. (Especially on my part not to sound like an elitist bastard talking about one incredible experience after another.)

Through those processes though I’ve realized that we’re all experiencing entropy in different ways. Perhaps travel makes it much more apparent; you can always go home, but you can’t go back in time. Your understanding of the world, its peoples, cultures, motivations, and the rest is forever altered. Hell, even what you consider to be a home changes once you see that people live in countless types of dwellings and family structures around Earth.

So after months or years of travel you may be able to change how you physically move, where you go, and where you end up; but never go back to the beginning of any trip. And if you’re as fortunate as I am to take a long journey of any sort, you won’t want to return.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

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I’ll begin as usual by rounding up my favorite comments from this past April before opening up the discussion on traveling in Egypt with Giulia, who writes Travel Reportage. Here’s a short introduction in Giulia’s own words.

• Giulia is a solo female traveler from Italy traveling indefinitely around the world. She pays for her travels with occasional jobs and photography.

I was fortunate to meet Giulia last May in Cairo, toward the end of her 9 month stay in the country. You may have apprehensions about traveling to Egypt, be curious what it’s like for female travelers, or want to know how many shishas it’s possible to smoke in one day (believe me, I’ve got your answer!) So drop down into the comments and ask away. We all love to talk travel here so feel free to take the conversation on any path you choose. Giulia will be joining live from Genova, Italy and I’ll be in Istanbul, Turkey – we look forward to hearing from you!

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

Istanbul is a city I’ve come to know well over the years and I’m currently using the city as a base to hop around the Caucuses and eastern Europe until mid-May. Throughout that time I’ve come to realize that much like that bewitching lady, despite all of what your eyes see, it takes time to learn her secrets. Some I’ll share with you at a later date and the rest you’ll find and create on your own; but for now let’s take a stroll along one of Istanbul’s most famous spots.

The entire length of Istiklal Caddesi is around 2 kilometers (~1.2 miles) and this historic trolley slowly moves up and down the pedestrian street. (Before 1961 they were the primary tram cars in Istanbul.) Although it’s less than a lira (~$.55) for this ride, if you look closely you’ll see some travelers are always looking for a better deal.

You’ll find roasted chestnuts (“kestane“), a winter favorite, for sale by vendors on small carts up and down Istiklal Avenue.

Everything is for sale and no price is non-negotiable. Of course how far you get depends on the bargaining rules you play by.

Along the side-streets of Istiklal is where you’ll find a good assortment of common Turkish street foods. Throughout my travels I’ve found anything fried on a stick is almost invariably delicious.

Or perhaps you’d prefer a larger meal, say, seafood with a side of meze (“appetizers”)?

Anchovies (“hamsi“) are a common addition to such a dinner table.

Those of you with a sweet tooth might want to pick up some baklava, with pistachios or without. (You want with pistachio, trust me on that one.)

In addition to all of the food, there’s plenty of beer to be found in the many bars along Istiklal that stay open until you go home. And where there are drunk people there is usually good hangover food. This joint at the entrance to Istiklal from Taksim Square has buffered many rough mornings for a certain travel blogger you may know.

Hybrid collections of peanuts with sesame seeds and dried chickpeas.

Kumpir is a baked potato stuffed with as many ingredients as your imagination, and stomach, will allow. One topping though is obviously a popular selection.

Have a kokoreç first and then I’ll tell you what it is. One of my favorites, you eat this common Turkish street food in sandwich form.

Finally, you can take a taste of Istiklal with you back to your hotel or home for friends.

As I look back on this photo essay I realize how much I’ve missed and how futile it would be to capture it all at once.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

It was a cold Austin afternoon on the day before Christmas as I passed this rather out of place statue more than once on my way to the Texas State Capitol Building. Wandering in between searches for an open cafe to get some work done and a few photo opportunities. Little did I know about the connection between the tallest state capitol building in the United States and this woman lighting a cannon, seemingly pointed at nothing in particular.

In my travels I’ve come across a number of significant but subtle sites from lonely trees in the desert to haunted (slightly Satanic) palaces. But there was a fire in this cold piece of steel I was drawn to and her name was Angelina Eberly. She was an innkeeper who, while working on December 30, 1842, noticed a theft in progress across the street. It was members of the Republic of Texas attempting to secretly move the national archives from Austin to Houston. When Eberly realized this she fired a canon into the General Land Office Building (she was aiming at the thieves but fortunately for them, Eberly missed.)

Still, the firing of the cannon was enough to draw the attention of local cavalry who were able to chase and track down the bandits. Eberly’s actions were a turning point in what is known as the Texas Archive War – the attempt by then Texas President Sam Houston to move the capitol of Texas from Austin to Houston. (Texas was an independent republic at the time and not yet a part of the US.)

Because of Angelina Eberly, the archives were retrieved and returned to Austin before the next morning. 3 years later when the Republic of Texas was admitted as America’s 28th state, Austin, not Houston, was made the capitol – which it remains today. Thanks, in large part, due to that 3 kilo canon ball fired by Eberly near the spot where her statue stands today. So I suppose it’s true what they say, don’t mess with Texas – or perhaps more fittingly, don’t mess with Texas’ women.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

A few days ago I talked about increasing your laptop’s wireless range when traveling but a range of 1 million kilometers wouldn’t mean a thing with a dead battery and no outlet in sight. A long battery life for your laptop and other devices determines how long you can pass the time with them when in transit. And, like bandwidth, electricity is something you can never have enough of.

There is much you can do when on the road and prior to your next trip to give that battery a workout so it’s pumped for you when it counts the most.

Begin Early If You Can (But If Not There’s Still Hope)

Whenever you unwrap your latest and greatest gadget, it’s worth opening up the instruction manual (or downloading it as the case may be) and flipping to the battery section. Follow the manufacturer’s advice for first use (e.g. charge full before using) and take mental note of their advice for long-term care. These are two points to heed the manufacturer – but you should mostly disregard their estimated battery life as it’s often inflated by 50-100%. (Keep in mind also that the typical battery loses its maximum charge by about 10-20% annually.)

• In Case You Didn’t Do That Way Back When – You can still benefit from good battery habits even if you didn’t start right away or happened to purchase a used or refurbished product.

Check the current health of your laptop’s battery using either Battery Bar for Windows or iStat Pro for Mac (both free) to find out how much of the original capacity your battery can still hold. Run a few calibration cycles (see below) and you may notice a several percent increase. Once that’s done, continue to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for long term care.

Don’t Leave Your Devices Plugged In Constantly Once They’re Charged

Generally speaking, once your device is fully charged according to the indicator, you don’t want to leave it plugged in for hours and hours and hours afterward. Doing so wears out the active chemicals in the battery that keep it charged. Instead, charge full and unplug, especially your smaller gadgets. For laptops the same basic rule applies but since you’re likely to leave it plugged more often than not, this next piece of advice is especially relevant.

Calibrate Your Batteries Regularly

Calibration is a fancy term for charging your batteries completely full and then leaving them unplugged until they drain completely. This calibration process one or twice a month can keep your batteries lasting longer on each charge and also extend their overall life. When you’re not specifically calibrating your iPad, Toshiba Portege, Samsung Galaxy II, or other batteries, do a series of ‘shallow’ discharges. Drain the batteries about halfway before plugging them back again.

That advice is specifically for lithium-ion batteries which most modern (past 2-3 years) devices use. For other (nickel-based) batteries, do full charge and complete drain cycles more often instead.

Keep Your Battery Cool Honey Bunny

What we perceive as heat are molecules bouncing off each other rapidly. Excitement is good when you’re at a party but for a battery all of those crazy molecules are a bad influence. Heat causes battery chemicals to be more reactive and discharge faster. So, keep that iPod out of your pocket for fresh air and be careful not to block the vents of your laptop when you’re far from an outlet.

Turn Off Wifi

Kindles, Nooks, and anything else that doesn’t need wireless when you’re running on batteries should have that function shut off. It’s a notorious energy hog and while we’re at it, turn off any programs or apps you’re not currently using. Having many programs open requires more effort from your battery, even if they’re just sitting in the background.

• Look For Multitasking Apps Lurking – Most smartphones now multitask to run several apps at once. They also let you keep apps open in the background that might not be shut down for some reason or another. Here’s how you can find and close them on Android and iPhone.

Use Basic Programs Over Complex Ones

Similar to using fewer programs, you can also use programs that require less computing and memory power as well to squeeze out a few more minutes of battery life. For example, use Notepad instead of Microsoft Word and Chrome instead of Firefox and later transfer things over when you’re near an outlet.

Topping Off Your Battery With Some Obvious Road Alternatives

There are some obvious energy savers that we tend to neglect when tired or alone in an airport on a quiet night. Start by using your headphones instead of built-in speakers even if there isn’t much ambient noise around. (Just be careful not to miss your next flight.) You can also dim your screen slightly for a nice battery boost and don’t just let your device fall asleep. When you’re really trying to stretch out a charge, turn off (or hibernate) your gadgets and laptop to save as much power as possible (feature built-into Windows; how to enable on Mac).

Electronics in sleep mode have to supply a small amount of electricity to various components that can drain battery life even when you’re not using them. Turning them off or putting them in a hibernation mode can ensure you save the juice you’ve got remaining.

Finally, you should check to make sure Bluetooth is disabled on your devices (if you’re not using it obviously) and enable energy-saving mode on any device that supports it when traveling.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

Hopping up and down on your suitcase or backpack to fit in that one last pair of socks makes for a good pre-travel workout but it’s not exceptionally effective. Or good for your backpack either as constant over-packing can wear out the seams on your luggage over time. Rather, you can save time and stress by packing your things in an order that encourages compression, let your bags sit over night, and then comfortably zip up them up before heading out in the morning.

8% Of Your Clothes Are Full Of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, And Carbon Dioxide (Air)

Studies done in London and the Netherlands show that air occupies about 8-56% of the space between the human body and worn clothing. Folds existing in and within the clothing, worn or not, also holds about this much air. Letting your bags sit overnight gives gravity time “pull” your clothing down and force some air out. But thanks to thermodynamics the slightly higher air pressure in a newly packed bag will force that air out to the lower pressures around it after a few hours. You may have noticed this effect (and a bag that looks more comfortably packed) after getting your checked luggage after a long flight.

When space is especially tight and you can’t get your zippers closed, instead of forcing the issue, leave them just slightly open. In the morning, the 8% or more saved by gravity and differences in air pressure can often give you enough space to comfortably close your bag.

Air Is Your Bag’s Worst Enemy

Admittedly that may be a bit harsh as air is our wonderful life-giving friend, but not matter how well you pack most of your bag’s space will be occupied by air. Those of you who’ve ever used compression packs have seen firsthand that removing the air in and around clothing can reduce the physical space they occupy by up to 80%. Without the use of compression packs though you can still eliminate a lot of excess air when preparing your backpack.

Roll Your Clothes

A common trick to put your backpack on a diet is to pack like a stripper and roll, not fold, your clothes when packing. This not only reduces wrinkles but also gives less space for layers of air to occupy. To encourage compression overnight however it’s important to pack your bulkier, heavier items first and at the lowest point in your bag. Since your softer clothes have more room for compression, gravity will help pull them down overnight, forcing around 5-10% of the air out of them.

• Stuff Socks Into Shoes - Since this space can’t compress make the most used out of it by filling your packed shoes with socks, underwear, and other smaller items.

It Takes Some Planning Packing Ahead Of Time

Generally speaking I’m a terrible planner and for those of you constantly packing your bags (or writing blog posts) right before your next flight, following the 80% rule means you can slack on compression. For the rest of you, remember that packing for 2 weeks is no different than packing for 2 months but when your zippers desperately need it, 6 hours of patience and packing can give you just enough space for those extra socks or bat’leth.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad

There is something unexpectedly personable about the Citadel of Qaitbay; a building that looks like it was built with Lego. Created to protect Alexandria, Egypt from an impending Ottoman invasion in the late 1400s, it only served that purpose for about 30 years. The Ottomans eventually conquered Alexandria and whomever ruled Egypt in the following centuries used the citadel to protect this section of Mediterranean coast.

A building designed with war in mind, I suspect that sultans and kings past did their best to maintain the peace along these warm waters. Mostly because the wall facing the sea was heavily armed; save for a single room during peacetime – the sultan’s suite. It offers some magnificent views of Alexandria’s harbor, although it took a bit of rule-breaking and a some guard-coaxing to hop up on the wall to see them.

Entrance to the Citadel of Qaitbay costs around 25 Egyptian Pounds (~$4.50) and is one of the most popular sites in the city for tourists along with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. As touristy as the citadel is and ordinary the interior walls are on the surface, the Citadel of Qaitbay is worth about an hour of your time if visiting Alexandria. There isn’t much written around inside to help guide you but many of the tourist police lounging around will be willing to give you mini-tour. (With the expectation of a few Egyptian pounds in return). The history you’ll hear may not be remotely accurate but you’ll leave with a colorful story and see the entire coastline of Alexandria from tip to the other (Citadel of Qaitbay) tip.

Copyright @2012 foXnoMad