The strongest blizzard in a long time has hit Madrid strong. The Spanish capital hasn’t seen this amount of snow since 1963. Even though we’re stuck at home, have no garbage collection service and we’ve got a global pandemic on the loose, there was much happiness on the streets today.

An ancient brothel, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the site where St. Paul penned his gospel, and the burial place of St. John—these ruins hold an extraordinary tapestry of history waiting to be uncovered.

Rediscovered by Europeans in the 18th century, Göreme has a history that stretches back thousands of years. Once used as a necropolis by the Romans, it became a significant Christian hub during the early Middle Ages. This small city is one of many towns in Cappadocia, central Turkey, where entire communities were carved into the region's iconic fairy chimney rock formations.

"Madrid is home to countless historical sites, and among them is Sobrino de Botín—the oldest restaurant in the world, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. While other establishments may claim to be older, Botín stands apart for one key reason: since its founding in 1725, it has never closed its doors, changed locations, or altered its name. This unbroken legacy makes it a true culinary treasure of Madrid."

September 2018.

It has been one week since we arrived in the Near Eastern lands. We now find ourselves in the Valley of Göreme, nestled within the heart of Cappadocia. Inspired by Dr. Samuel Ferguson’s legendary five-week African expedition of 1863, we seek to uncover the mysteries of this ancient region—its caves, its homes, and the lives of those who once thrived here.

The hub of Istanbul's tourist attractions is Sultanahmet Square. On one side stands the iconic Hagia Sophia, on the other, the majestic Blue Mosque, with the ancient Hippodrome nestled nearby—all just a short walk from the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Yet, what often goes unnoticed—and I myself missed it on my first visit—is a hidden gem right next to Hagia Sophia: the Basilica Cistern, an underground forest of Roman columns waiting to be discovered.

I've been waiting two decades to see Buffalo Tom in concert ever since I was introduced to them by a former bandmate, who is probably their actual #1 fan. Kitchen Door was the first cover song we ever recorded, on a 4-track tape recorder. The band broke up, we went different ways, but I kept Buffalo Tom in my Walkman, then Discman, then MiniDisc player, then iPod, then iPhone, and now Spotify.

I visited the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, located in Turkey. While the site itself holds a fascinating glimpse into history, many of the statues that once adorned this ancient marvel now reside in the British Museum.

In Spain, summer is a time of vibrant fiestas, where cities, towns, and villages celebrate their patron saints with unique traditions. Madrid marks the occasion with open-air concerts and film screenings, while Andalusia might host carnivals complete with food stalls and fashion shows. However, Buñol takes the spotlight with La Tomatina, a legendary tomato fight that turns its streets into rivers of red, blending chaos, culture, and fun in a truly unforgettable spectacle.

Attending a wedding in Bodrum, Turkey, was a feast for the senses and a celebration of cultures. Although it wasn’t a strictly traditional Muslim ceremony, the event seamlessly wove modern Turkish customs with a rich tapestry of local traditions. With international guests adding a global flavor, the wedding became a vibrant, multicultural affair. From heartfelt rituals to the lively energy on the dance floor, every moment captured the essence of a Turkish wedding: joy, emotion, and a profound sense of togetherness.

Twenty-four-year old welder Antonio Caparrós breaks into tears while he hugs friends and relatives in a storage room  with two gigantic, intricate, and beautiful statues and another few dozen sweaty men. He confesses that he has been released from a physical and emotional burden after having carried, along with another 39 men and for nearly five hours, a 1.1 ton statue of a Pieta, the depiction of a dying Jesus Christ in his mother’s arms.

On the foothills of the Himalayas there is this tiny Chinese village called Baisha. It is one of the oldest in the region, having its roots in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) and home to the Naxi people. With its cobblestone streets, fresh air, and ancient constructions, you can almost feel as a fly on the wall watching this traditional Chinese town.

Sihanoukville is a coastal city in Cambodia. It's the third largest after Siem Reap and the capital Phnom Penh. Just like so many other cities in the country, it is full of small villages where people live in wooden shacks. Just beside the road, only a few meters from the beach, I found this group of houses.

Southeast Asia is known for its lengthy rainy seasons. And when it rains, it RAINS. During the monsoon season, water pours for about half an hour at a time, but the volume is enough to flood everything. Days usually start with a beautiful blue sky, the suddenly turns to an apocalyptic gray. You barely have time to find shelter and hell breaks loose.

Siem Reap is probably the most touristic city in Cambodia. There are several markets with little trinkets and cheap t-shirts where foreigners flock to get souvenirs. This is not one of them. This is an authentic Cambodian market, off the tourist path, where no one speaks English and all you can get are groceries and a hair cut.