India (March, 1998) – After the hectic chaos of Agra, I found myself in Khajuraho. I spent a few days kicking in the back of a rickshaw; roving around to the various temple ruins. The highlight of the foray was my encounter with a fossilized specimen wearing bottleneck glasses and an notorious ability for divination.

Morocco (September, 2014) – Roaming the medina; one shares the cobblestone passageways with a multitude of merchants hawking life's staples: food, pottery, apparel, carpets. Within the confines of the walled city cars are prohibited entry; and as such all goods are transported by carts, most hauled by lively beasts.

Morocco (September, 2014) – Marrakech offered a surreal culinary experience; we spent the week indulging on amazing fresh fruits and unusual spices, lots of tajines, several pastilla, and an evening of gluttonous shashlik. My only disappointment was my own expectation due to a childhood Disney fantasy; Baloo's melodic lyrics describing the bare necessity of life. Prickly Pears while intoxicatingly beautiful, failed to deliver on taste.

Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – We walked past a rather intriguing facade several times, but failed to realize the magic inside. After several days and building curiosity, we finally found ourselves inside the Gilamar Carpet Museum. While the aging structure showed signs of generational restoration; as we looked up towards the cupola, evidence of the former mosque was apparent. While I have a rather profound love of carpets, I was drawn to the reinvented geometry adorning the ceiling.

India (December 2016) – I had the privilege of celebrating the right of passage for a "youngster into manhood". Brahmin men go through a ceremony for which they enter into priesthood permitting them to perform socio-religious rituals; including prayers, weddings, birth and death rites. We gathered together for both the religious declarations and to party late into the night.

Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – We drove through the desert of Karakalpakstan; from Muynak to Nukus. We saw a number of monumental sites including Chilpyk Kala, a 2200 year-old Zoroastrian Tower of Silence. While no longer in use as burial tomb, the site had a interesting feeling about it. I climbed up the rocky outcrop alone to find a 14 year old boy drawing in baking sun. Using pantomime and his notebook, he described the architecture of the structure we were standing on.

Uzbekistan (November, 2019) – Security is abundant at Registan square; each portal has a uniform guard or two. We hurried around as the light diminished, cascading light reflection on the exterior facade. Our last evening in Samarkand; we engaged in a little side hustle and gained late passage into the historical site. It was a lovely starry night.