X-rated Bob wrote
It's very interesting to get these impressions of countries that are less fashionable, less well known than (for EG) France and the UK.
Thanks Bob. In all honesty, i prefer the less fashionable places because you get to meet genuine people (what i mean is that there is no pretense involved and these people say what they mean).
singemonkey wrote
You know I would. I've tried to get there on two occasions and it didn't work out both times. Once because I just had too little time when visiting Egypt, and once when the intafada broke out just as I was about to go to Syria with a travelling companion with a distinctly North American accent. I still get a twinge when I see that unstamped Syrian visa in my old passport ☹
One day, by gum...
One day, brother..one day. Chin up! ?
Just to cheer you up, there's a whole bunch of frogs in the lobby this evening with their i'm-french-you-idiot attitude.
There's something about the frogs i've never liked. Just can't seem to put my finger on it. ?
Squonk wrote
Bet you must be a tad homesick by now. The guys at work showed me some research some wally did on which country has the most beautiful woman in the world (God alone knows what criteria he would use) and Iran comes up tops followed by Uruguay! Yeah right....
But it must be very interesting, especially the whole culture thing. The western press always give the muslim countries very bad press.
Have you tried any of the local food?Guitar shops? Any metalheads over there?
Ha ha ? Squonk, yeah man, i am a little homesick but i'll be back home end of this week.
You know what they say about statistics being a lot hot air.
As for that bad flak that the Muslim countries come under, IMO a lot of it is undeserved and some of it is. The people i have met though take a dead sea full of salt with what Uncle Sam says ?
One of my clients took me out to a very nice Jordanian restaurant (which is supposedly one of the best in Amman and a well kept secret because these guys hate Americans walking in there and ordering a cheeseburger) and the food is hands-down awesome man. I would definitely recommend it to people who don't mind humus, salads and a little bit of meat with arabic bread, olives, haloumi etc etc... you get the picture. I love the fact that they don't believe in boiling veggies. Wash 'em, cut 'em and eat 'em!
Sadly, i have not had the opportunity to visit any guitar stores yet, but i did pass by two stores that looked very interesting ?
However, something very cool (and maybe a little disheartening) happened yesterday when i got back from supper and had to rush across the street to buy toothpaste. It was a kid (maybe late teens) with a very beat-up nylon string guitar playing Brubeck's Take 5. Geez, i shouldn't even try to explain how awesome it was.
He was totally smokin and he had a very cool middle eastern vibe going on the part where the drum solo happens. The guy doesn't speak a word of english and my arabic is really a disgrace to the language, but he gave me a big nod when i mentioned Dave Brubeck and then the mofo goes on to play some very interesting stuff (very middle eastern) on his guitar. I should mention that at this point i got pretty jealous of the dude, 'cos although he was playing cover tunes, he was playing with such feel. Needless to say, i have now decided that i am never going to play a nylon string guitar...ever. One day, man, i want to be a CEGP (the E is for electric).
Oh, BTW, also met a Dream Theater fan..woohoo \m/ 8) That's one metalhead ?
