The scorching sun beams on my face, the dry, sandy wind blows by, causing me to squint my eyes, and the sizzling terrain burns my feet. Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest places in the world; it’s almost unbearable. Yet the flash floods, moist air, and thriving jungles during monsoon season, was another environment in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is the 8th most populated country, despite being slightly smaller than Iowa. This summer I was fortunate enough to travel to Saudi Arabia and to my native country Bangladesh.
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After landing in Saudi Arabia I felt my clothes stick to my skin, but eventually even my perspiration evaporated. It didn’t help that women must be covered up from head to feet in public. My mother, sisters and I wore burkas—a black gown that covered you from the neck down—and scarves to cover our hair. Women have very different rights in Saudi Arabia, and anyone who travels there must respect those laws.
Completing the Muslim Pilgrimage (Umra) was the purpose of our trip to Saudi Arabia. For me, it was a very special spiritual journey. Umra is a once in a lifetime chance for many Muslims. I finally was able to see the holy house of God, or Kaba (as Muslims know it to be). The Kaba was the most amazing sight I’ve ever seen. Once my eyes found the gigantic, black cube they were glued. Hundreds of Muslims from every corner of the world gather here to revolve seven times around the Kaba, thus completing the first step of Umra.
Every day in the glorious city of Mecca, not one minute was wasted. Awaking before the sun rose and sleeping long after the sunset, we saw countless deserts, date trees, and camels. In fact, my sisters and I were able to ride a camel! It was as if I were on a mechanical bull, clinging to the heavily decorated saddle.
As a child, I’d heard stories centered on the Mecca and Medina of millennia ago. Gazing upon the cities that marked the wonders of my childhood shocked me. I’d never thought that thousands of years later, I’d be seeing the same sanctities as were mentioned in the stories. Besides air conditioning, indoor plumbing, and gas stations, the locations have been relatively untouched.
I learned lots about the history of Saudi Arabia in the short week we were there. I was sad to leave the beautiful country, however getting away from the heat was one thing I was anticipating. We boarded our flight consumed by stress due to the language barrier, from Arabic to English. However, we made it and were off to our next destination.
Bangladesh was an eye opener to a different culture that I was unfamiliar with. I got to see the world my parents grew up in. I was able to improve on my native language, spend time with my family, and live in a completely different atmosphere. We traveled from the heart of the city all the way to the country side; to see my 98 year old Grandpa, my Nana. We spent much of our time with him, and listened to his childhood stores. What I respect the most about my Nana is his ability to pursue extraordinary goals. For example, he is currently in the process of establishing a mosque that provides a semblance of the Taj Mahal. He also founded a college, high school and numerous primary schools to benefit the needy.
Being in a third world country makes me question my wardrobe. In both Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh seeing homeless people inhabiting every bend is a norm. It’s humbling to compare my fortune to their suffering. Watching the harsh lives of the poor, and the struggles of my family have inspired me to help better the lives of the underprivileged. I hope to one day return and check this off my bucket list.
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1 Reply to “A Tale of Two Countries”
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Grt place to visit.. This place is located after entering the Ranthambore National Park.. However, to visit this place u can evn get your own vehicle…
John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
Hey Maggie, I really appreciate your innovative traveling ideas. You have covered so many adventurous places. Waiting for some new destinations. Please keep posting.
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Game Lover
It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
Hi Maggie,
You always share to the world with something new and different destinations. Thank you so much for sharing.
The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
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Wow, what a nice article. Makes you feel like you should pack up and go immediately. It seems Linblad runs a good operation and trips are kid friendly. Is there a list of particular dates that are family friendly or are there kid activities year round on board the boats. Any other advice on travling with kids to Ecuador and Galapagos would be really welcome.
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Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
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Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
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I enjoyed reading your Italian family vacation story, and thank you so much for these tips. This surely gonna help us achieve a stress-free vacation in Italy. Great blog!
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For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
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very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
nice article, i also read about Celebrate Christmas Eve 2018
Aloha!
I would like to add my baby equipment company, Nana’s Baby Equipment. I serve the entire island of Kauai with aloha!
Mahalo,
Sharon Hackleman
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Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]