tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62179010170099652112025-08-08T22:03:58.575-04:00Join Adam the Traveler as he journeys across the globe in search of adventure.Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-53110773815745798792013-10-08T21:49:00.000-04:002013-10-08T21:49:04.893-04:00

Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander: An Indian Odyssey has been featured in the excellent travel site Cultural Travel Guide! Read "17 facts you thought you knew about a trip to India," a two-part interview with the author that covers a wide range of topics related to preparing for an adventure to the world's most fascinating country. And while you're on the site, be sure to check out the other

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-1434751420119882322013-10-01T00:01:00.000-04:002020-06-23T22:45:03.142-04:00

Photo Credit: Zachary Rosen Exciting news! My first book, Where Camels Dance and Cows Wander: An Indian Odyssey is now officially launched! Through absorbing narration and vivid photography, this book tells the gripping story of my recent four month journey through India. I'm confident that you'll agree that there is no other travelogue quite like it! Hardcover, softcover, and e-book

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-62464129507956860302012-12-21T10:15:00.000-05:002013-07-31T11:43:05.639-04:00

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Suddenly I was back there: back on the hill overlooking the breathtaking vista, back watching the prettiest sunset I'd ever seen, back in the city that I loved more than any other. In a few short days I'd planned to return to Granada, in what would be my final stop before flying home. But with an unexpected crash, an irrational fear had just

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-49259152529574821872012-11-27T12:33:00.001-05:002013-05-16T13:51:48.603-04:00

The colors of Moroccan life are often dazzlingly vibrant. Women dress in brightly-dyed clothing, textiles glow in intense hues, and pottery is painted in all colors of the rainbow. But the dry scenery that currently passed by outside my train window was decidedly more muted. Ever since departing from Rabat two hours prior, it seemed as if the sun's scorching heat had washed all the Earth's

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-76072502786759861582012-11-15T12:11:00.001-05:002013-05-16T13:35:13.394-04:00

Once I decided to travel to Morocco, another idea began to form. I knew that French was commonly spoken in the North African country. And something intrigued me about the language shared by romantic and villainous cartoon characters alike. So, I asked myself, why not try to pick up French while I was in a francophone country? Alas, there was only one problem. Besides&

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-79605069242320815802012-11-01T12:01:00.001-04:002013-05-16T13:52:17.880-04:00

Every summer for four days in June, tens of thousands of music lovers descend upon a small fishing city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco.They come from all over the globe to witness the magic of the Gnaoua World Music Festival, held inside the fortified walls of historic Essaouira. Like most people outside of Morocco, I had gone through my life completely unaware of the

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-42390015436302936482012-10-16T12:36:00.001-04:002013-05-16T13:40:16.520-04:00

Speechless. That's the sensation that overcame me upon my first sight of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Ever since learning about ancient Egyptian civilization in elementary school, some small part of me had skeptically regarded it all as fanciful myth. Perhaps because the grand works of the Pharaohs stirred a part of my imagination normally reserved for interplanetary spaceships, eye-patched

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-4411324907641059922012-10-09T12:02:00.000-04:002013-05-16T13:52:53.438-04:00

I drove away from the Druze village of Majdal Shams and turned on to a lonely highway headed south. A military convoy sped past in the opposite direction. The Israeli army had been a constant presence since my arrival in the country two weeks ago, even more so since I'd crossed into this disputed region. Something suddenly caught my eye up ahead. I pulled over the car and

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-24667486823247464692012-09-27T11:43:00.001-04:002013-05-16T13:53:19.452-04:00

A surge went through my bloodstream as the reality of my surroundings sunk in. Experiencing this place had been a motivating force in my travels over the last two years, and now I'd finally arrived. I had made it to Jerusalem, a place whose history and importance could fill entire libraries. I gazed over the old city and shook my head in astonishment. The relatively

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-43179626354849507562012-09-25T09:05:00.000-04:002013-05-16T13:48:41.215-04:00

As a young boy, I remember watching in awe as a heroic adventurer named Indiana Jones came upon the staggering site concealing the mythical Holy Grail. The sheer scale and beauty of the place in which he entered seemed so fantastical that I would have been shocked to learn that it was indeed a real location. While the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade may have been a work of

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-56284814066297172542012-04-30T06:18:00.000-04:002013-08-19T19:15:38.972-04:00

The snow-covered peaks of the highest mountains on Earth shone from the right side window of Air India flight 252. From this elevation it was impossible to tell where Nepal ended and India began. I allowed the awe-inspiring sight of the Himalayas to slowly lure me into a trance. The sudden appearance of a smiling flight attendant snapped me back to reality. "Your customs form, sir." I

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-78086529829057398082012-03-30T09:41:00.001-04:002013-05-16T13:55:06.076-04:00

Hampi, India, is best known for being the site of scores of ancient temples that are set among a surreal landscape of boulder-strewn hills. Its a popular place to hang out on the backpacker trail. Somehow, every roaming musician seems to end up at the same place in Hampi: The Tipi. Incredible jam sessions take place on a nightly basis at this gathering spot. While staying at the Tipi I had

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-88841007186235936722012-02-29T03:23:00.000-05:002013-05-16T13:55:31.939-04:00

Pushkar, in the state of Rajasthan, India, is a sacred town for Hindus. Its also a popular spot for foreign tourists, an oasis far removed from the stress and hassle of city life. Hindu legend has it that here in Pushkar a drama played out between lord Brahma, creator of the universe, and his two consorts. This picture was taken from a hill topped with a temple dedicated to

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-51600457691730868262012-01-23T09:09:00.000-05:002013-05-16T13:56:06.907-04:00

If you're looking to visit a country with friendly people, look no farther than Nepal. Warm smiles and open hearts are easy to come by over here. Its also a great place to capture some memorable portraits. Locals who spotted a camera around my neck often yelled out the request "one photo!" when I passed by. Due to this welcoming attitude, I was able to snap dozens of portraits while in

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-6750029639889135092012-01-03T09:00:00.002-05:002013-05-16T13:59:16.665-04:00

Ready for adventure? If you've come all the way to Nepal, then chances are the answer is yes. The lure of the highest mountains on Earth draws huge numbers of thrill-seeking travelers to this small mountainous land. But you don't need to climb Everest if excitement is what you're after. Just hop on a local bus. Challenging topography has played a big part in hampering the creation of roads

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-36301627657484564362011-12-27T04:11:00.003-05:002013-05-16T14:02:27.420-04:00

The sight of smiling schoolchildren has the power to warm the heart of anyone, anywhere. Even if the young ones are strangers from a strange land, it's hard not to hope that they are receiving a quality, well-rounded education in a productive learning environment. In the developed nations of the West, our relatively strong public school systems have allowed many of us to almost take this as

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-19854313483544149132011-12-19T00:00:00.046-05:002013-05-16T14:05:23.926-04:00

The mighty Himalayas loomed behind as I walked down the tarmac to the tiny sixteen-seat propeller plane that awaited. I stepped onboard, took the seat directly behind the pilot, and stuffed my ears with cotton balls in preparation for the quick but noisy flight ahead. Minutes later the lakeside city of Pokhara was but a fading oasis below. I soon realized with a startle that tremendous

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-19286759758774481522011-12-12T00:00:00.023-05:002013-05-16T14:06:43.606-04:00

A lone woman emerges from the intricately carved window above me. She surveys the scene below her, a scene no doubt similar to ones that she has witnessed before, but always with some new detail to observe. Crowds weave their way through the narrow rubble-strewn street, dodging bamboo-crested rickshaws, speeding motorcycles, and maniacally-piloted taxis. Proud

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-13523592727307894922011-12-05T07:01:00.000-05:002013-05-16T14:07:35.617-04:00

Is there a better place to strum a carefree song than on the rooftop of a Nepali bus? Tired of being stuffed inside cramped coaches, a fellow traveler and I decided to ride out the final leg of our journey to Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, on the roof rack. I took out my trusty guitar to commemorate the auspicious occasion. Here's a little bit of Jason Mraz' "I'm Yours", played off the

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-4041642574221643032011-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:002013-05-16T14:13:30.469-04:00

Bangkok is a sprawling, bustling, and cosmopolitan metropolis. The city known to locals as "Krung Thep" is essentially the capital of Southeast Asia, and anyone traveling in the region will likely pass through here at least once. Bangkok can be anything to anyone. So, inspired by this kaleidoscope of a city, here are some random thoughts on Bangkok, Thailand, and the region in general. If

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-31159096369267610302011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:002013-05-16T14:14:16.025-04:00

Every night shortly before sunset, a mesmerizing spectacle unfolds at a cave in western Cambodia. Over a million bats initiate a symphony of high-pitched shrieking in anticipation for the night's feast. Quick as a flash, they come streaming out of the large opening of their cavern dwelling, and do not stop their procession for over an hour. Locals bring their children to witness the event.

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-89226789090721993842011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:002013-05-16T14:15:15.153-04:00

So many temples dot the landscape of Asia that I thought I'd seen it all, that I was completely "templed out". Accordingly, I didn't raise my expectations ahead of visiting Cambodia's Angkor Wat. But I was wrong. The ancient temples of Angkor are astonishing. I was overcome by a sense of child-like wonder, totally in awe that such a place could exist on Earth. I consider myself fortunate to

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-64666113447556038062011-10-31T09:00:00.003-04:002013-05-16T14:17:39.741-04:00

Any travel guidebook on Southeast Asia will issue stern warnings on visiting the region during the monsoon season. Getting from place to place can be a challenge, they say, and carefully laid tourist plans can be ruined by unpredictable weather. Yet here I was, arriving in one of the least developed countries in the region, right in time for the peak of the wet season. Cambodians have been

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-4043793931230009752011-10-24T09:00:00.001-04:002013-05-16T14:19:14.187-04:00

A Vietnamese person without access to a motorbike is like a bear who hates the taste of honey. You just won't find any. Over twenty million of these machines are on the roads in this country, far outnumbering all other vehicles combined. And you will not just encounter motorbikes transporting their drivers, but everything else and the kitchen sink. Literally. I regularly had the urge to blink,

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217901017009965211.post-35063410328209467272011-10-17T09:00:00.008-04:002013-05-16T14:26:35.194-04:00

Heavy bags by my side and sweat on my brow, I sat in the already scorching morning heat and waited for my bus to arrive. I had spent all of my time in Vietnam on the well-worn tourist trail and I was eager to see a different side of the country. So, I'd impulsively decided to make a bound for somewhere that sees few tourists. The only information that I possessed related to the town of

Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11573913416415587225noreply@blogger.com3