http://matadortravel.com/blog/5911 en http://matadortravel.com/travel-blog/afghanistan/yoleven/the-chai-chronicles-part-i <!-- google_ad_section_start --><p>About the title: Chai is a staple of daily life in Afghanistan. It is considered to be rather impolite to launch straight into politics, business dealings, or anything “heavy” prior to chai being served. Otherwise, most everything is discussed over chai, from local gossip, to personal business...</p><!-- google_ad_section_end --><p><a href="http://matadortravel.com/travel-blog/afghanistan/yoleven/the-chai-chronicles-part-i">read more</a></p> http://matadortravel.com/travel-blog/afghanistan/yoleven/the-chai-chronicles-part-i#comment Afghanistan bakhsheesh Iraq Other Philosophy visa Mon, 19 May 2008 12:47:42 -0500 YoLeven 75442 at http://matadortravel.com http://matadortravel.com/travel-blog/united-arab-emirates/yoleven/scuba-diving-and-some-hiking-in-the-uae <!-- google_ad_section_start --><p>OK, granted, the first thing that comes to mind when someone brings up "scuba diving in the Middle East" is a spot like the Blue Hole or Sharm al-Sheikh in the Red Sea.&nbsp; However, I had the opportunity recently to experience a somewhat less visited dive spot in the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp; Most...</p><!-- google_ad_section_end --><p><a href="http://matadortravel.com/travel-blog/united-arab-emirates/yoleven/scuba-diving-and-some-hiking-in-the-uae">read more</a></p> http://matadortravel.com/travel-blog/united-arab-emirates/yoleven/scuba-diving-and-some-hiking-in-the-uae#comment 25.440329 56.358806 25.440329 56.358806 25.440329 56.358806 Adventure Sports Authentic Cultural Interacting with locals Off the beaten path diving dubai Fujairah hiking Middle East Scuba Snorkeling UAE wadi Activity Must-see sights Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:43:03 -0500 YoLeven 69484 at http://matadortravel.com