Beijing to Iran - from Asian to Islamic cultures

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About this blog

This trip is my own personal jihad for enlightenment. Unlike the commonly viewed definition for jihad (holy war), I am going back to the arabic roots of this word as meaning striving or effort. Of course I should note that my quest for "enlightenment" is not really to the highest spiritual level, although that would definitely be nice. But in using this term, I am referring more to my gaining a better understanding of Islam through meeting people and learning about their lives and dreams and viewpoints.

• 1

  The Great Wall - It's All About Education   Beijing, China on Jan 15, 2005 11 pictures 0 comments
• 2

  Urumqi and a New Meaning to Carry On   Urumqi, China on Jan 18, 2005 0 pictures 0 comments
• 3

  Technology, Customs and Frustration   Almaty, Kazakhstan on Jan 20, 2005 0 pictures 0 comments
• 4

  Excuse Me, Can You Tell Me Where.....   Almaty, Kazakhstan on Jan 20, 2005 6 pictures 0 comments
• 5

  Visas - Trials and Tribulations   Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Jan 21, 2005 3 pictures 0 comments
• 6

  Istanbul - For the First Time   Istanbul, Turkey on Jan 23, 2005 4 pictures 0 comments
• 7

  Tehran Traffic - Navigating the Chaos   Tehran, Iran on Jan 25, 2005 3 pictures 0 comments
• 8

  Running With Smugglers   Bandar Abbas, Iran on Jan 29, 2005 5 pictures 0 comments
• 9

  Shiraz, Isfahan and New Friends   Shiraz, Iran on Feb 2, 2005 9 pictures 0 comments
• 10

  Tasty Iranian Food   Tehran, Iran on Feb 8, 2005 9 pictures 1 comment
• 11

  We Are Not Terrorists   Tehran, Iran on Feb 10, 2005 3 pictures 0 comments
• 12

  Chadores, Scarfs, Women and Sex   Tehran, Iran on Feb 10, 2005 5 pictures 0 comments
• 13

  Finding the Meaning of Islam   Tehran, Iran on Feb 10, 2005 4 pictures 0 comments