13 Rules To Live By—From A Life On The Road

Do I have a guiding list of principles or rules I live by? The Caucus Mountains, Azerbaijan. As a world travel adventurer, professional inspirational speaker, and author, people often ask me for advice. Some want travel tips, others ask about technology and photography gear, and others are looking for life lessons learned from the road. […]

Watching Syria’s War With Tears In My Eyes

Somehow I question the sincerity of the headline on this billboard, I took this photo in the summer of 2008. What’s happening to Syria? To the people of Syria. My friends in Syria. I wonder. And I cry. Why? Because Syria surprised me. Surprised me with thrilling and unexpected  joy—and filled me with wonder and […]

Countdown and What’s With Egypt?

I’ve been working more than three years on my new book. It’s been a much bigger project than I imagined. You see it’s much more than writing. Because I’ve decided to break the barriers and move past the borders of traditional publishing categories, producing the book has pushed me beyond my limits. Not so much […]

Reflections & Surprises-The Middle East

Reflecting then. Reflecting now. Egypt’s rich history overshadowed by its present. For those of you who follow my Facebook page or Twitter feed, you know over the last couple weeks I’ve been posting a few photos and thinking about the time I spent through Egypt in 2008. First, I still haven’t connected with my host […]

Goodbye Syria. Hello Turkey.

It was time. Sucked into the history, architecture, landscapes and people of Syria I made tracks for the Turkish border where before crossing I met a farmer and his kids herding goats down the road. Lots of smiles, hugs and questions but this would be my last contact with a Syrian on his soil until […]

Wandering Aleppo’s Old City

Perhaps I just like wandering around medieval towns. But Aleppo, and Damscus for that matter, take medieval to a new level. Europe’s history has always fascinated me, but the Middle East stretches the confines of what’s imaginable yet with the evidence surronding you, the reality seems even more implausable. So much I’m fascinated with the […]

All Good In Aleppo

It was a short but great ride through the foot hills, along the valley and into the city of Aleppo – which is equally as stunning and interesting as Damascus. I think I could stay here a while. Though finding my way around was a lot tougher. Dominating the skyline of the ancient city is […]

Crac Des Chavaliers

It’s actually hard to travel in Syria alone. Everybody wants to talk to me, share tea with me, introduce me to their children and ask questions. I find the hospitality to be on par if not more so than many of the supposedly “dangerous” places I’ve visited. Axis of evil? Oh, come on! With so […]

Faces & Places of Damscus, Syria

To get a flavor of Damascus I share with you some photographs I took while wandering the old city. How many people can you fit on a motorcycle. The answer might be found here in Damascus, Syria. Heading to the Mosque. Woman always must pray separate from the men, who are praying below. The ancient […]