Modern Middle Eastern Travel
Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey Through a Woman’s Travel History
A one-way ticket and flight to the ancient Arab world full of conflict, news and picture perfect settings
The countries of the Middle East conjure up images of conflict, shocking news, prisoners and dark secrets. But cities like Cairo, Damascus, Istanbul and Egypt have much to offer the modern visitor. In her new book, Zaatar Days, Henna Nights: Adventures, Dreams, and Destinations Across the Middle East, Maliha Masood buys a one-way ticket in search of her Eastern roots.
Unhappy in her 9-5 job in Seattle, Maliha forged into unknown territory with little more than a vague idea. After a brief stint in Europe, she decided to go in search of some sort of connection to her Middle Eastern roots.
A flight into Cairo, Egypt, would begin an adventure full of surprises, extraordinary moments and people she would never forget. It welcomed her with a private apartment found through a cousin. This modern haven would be her base while she met the brotherly Mohammed and his interesting friend Yassar.
This lead to a surprising trip to Mohammed’s family’s house to share an iftar, the meal Muslim’s eat after fasting for Ramadan.
From there she made her way to the White Dessert, where she camped outside the white rock formations that took on animal forms. Back in Cairo, she met up with a woman she met in Paris and off they went to Jordan. The whirlwind was only beginning.
Seeing two young women travelling alone in the Middle East, with no purpose other than pleasure, had the two standing out from the crowd. They met people wherever they went, dancing with locals on the desert beaches, having impromptu conversations with strangers in restaurants, and swimming in Upper Egypt while making instant friends with men on the beach.
Their adventures took them to Damascus, Syria, where they met an older couple who invited them over to play dress up and infuse some fun into their sex lives; and Aleppo, Syria, where Maliha travelled alone again and spent time with another local family.
This is where she met Sharif, a man that would captivate her heart until long after she returned home, as well as Bashir and his cousins, who ended up drugging her tea in order to keep her as a second wife.
Turkey was the last stop on her journey where she stayed in a “fairy-chimney,” a cave with mattresses and built-in rocky ledges. A trip to Nemrut Mountain in eastern Turkey lead to a police interrogation and allegations that she was a spy.
The book swings from adventure to adventure, following a bold woman as she discovers the world and herself. Personal insight and poignant memories add to the intrigue, while her daring spirit invites mishaps and exploits.
This is a great read for people wondering what the real Middle East is like, how to travel there as a woman, and for those who need encouragement to venture out into the unknown.
You can purchase Zaatar Days, Henna Nights: Adventures, Dreams, and Destinations Across the Middle East at AMAZON.
