allouc's VirtualTourist Home Page

I count myself as one of the fortunate people of this earth to have seen a fair number of different places. Not all of the following places have been my choice to visit, but even the most forsaken places have held a reward in the shape of a memory.
I will try to make a list of the things that have stuck in my mind from different places or that have impressed me and present it here. I am sure from the outset this will never be a complete list but I will try to give you a piece of my mind.

How can I not start with the fairest island of them all. It's not the sun and sand I care for, nor the mild climate. It's just the place I call home and the living that is sweet.

Growing up I was very interested in Ancient Greek history. Themistocles, Leonidas, Kimon were my heroes for daring to stand up for Greek values against the barbarian Persians.
My trips to what we still refer to as Persia was enlightening to say the list. Iran is different from most other countries and its culture is certainly wonderful and interesting. People are warm and probably some of the friendliest people to foreigners.
Politics aside, Iran is a worthy candidate for an axis of culture.

I have to admit there is something magical about this country. It is a lovely beautiful country with rich history and an endless variety of landscapes. It is also a land of huge differences ranging from the Palestinian refugee camps to the glitzy reconstructed Beirut Central District.
What always stays with me from this country are the ancient cedar tree groves and the majestic sunset vistas from Faraya Mzaar.

There is a mystical bond that ties Greeks not living in Greece with that land. An appreciation and love not usually found with the people having to confront daily life's problems in the country. We see the hospitable and beautiful land of philosophers, heroes, artists and gentle common folk instead of one full of petty politicians and crooks.
Don't ask me which is my favorite country to visit.