JohnniOmani's VirtualTourist Home Page

All Things Beautiful

Our World. The Northern Lights dancing across the sky. Flowers growing in Auschwitz. African tribes dancing. Holidays. The Taj Mahal at sunrise. The Himalayas standing strong against storm clouds. Anne Franks house. A lioness playing with her cubs. Couples kissing under the Eiffel Tower. Stone Henge. Meeting a new friend on a train ride. Fishermen readying their nets along the Nile River. Beautiful saris, vibrant and flowing. Moscow’s stunning Red Square. A hurricane, deadly and beautiful. A letter from a friend. Gondolas edging past each other. Indian Rickshaws. Families smiling in airports. Hugs from family members after being away. Walking in the warm Irish rain. Middle Eastern sand dunes. A great book while on the road. Iranian school girls smiling under head scarves. The sound of rain against a tent. The magnificent Coliseum. The peaceful silence of the Arabian desert. The warmth of an igloo. Waking up next to a person you love. Yemeni architecture. The ancient cities of Syria. Scotlands Castles. The Great Pyramids. The feeling of uncertainty. The Dead Sea. Flanders Field. The call to prayer over a city. Mona Lisa’s smile. Pakistani hospitality. Mount Everest’s supremacy. Foreign dishes. Dolphin watching. The calming waves of the Indian Ocean. The tombs of Petra, Jordan. Iceland’s lovely landscape. Children helping their parents. Birds singing outside a window. Dads holding their daughter’s hand. Dew on early morning grass. Foreign wedding celebrations. World heritage sites. Michelangelo‘s ceiling. Reconciliation in Lebanon. The beautiful dominance of Arctic blizzards. Public wedding proposals. A humble person. A grin from a loved one. The turquoise Caribbean Sea. Thunder and lightening. Arriving at your destination. A handshake of gratitude. The mystery of an ancient tomb. A thoughtful compliment. The Mediterranean Coast. A great dream. The innocence of a child. People dancing. Georgian generosity. The Swiss Alps. Random acts of kindness. Laughing until you cry. Armenian monasteries. The beaches of Rio De Janeiro. True Iraqi friends. Old people holding hands. The lights of a city. Rolling hills. The feeling of certainty. Interesting graffiti. Being in love. Star gazing. Freedom. Waterfalls. A volcano. A herd of elephants. Excitement of a trip. Helicopter rides. Understanding a foreign language. Camel treks. The feeling of acceptance. Emotions. Mountain climbing. Scuba diving. Giant starfish. The Euphrates. Brazilian football fans. The Khyber Pass. Advice from a person you respect. St. Charles’ Bridge. Developing photos. A great meal. Catching up with friends. Temples. Palaces. The wind. Belgian chocolate. The red earth of East Africa. Cappadocia, Turkey. Crisp mountain air. Giraffes at a watering hole. Our planet.

The Yankees' starting lineup but not Darfur. The lyrics of U2 but not the UN charter. Nike but not the Gambia. Reebok but not Lesotho. Apple, IBM and HP but not Tutu, Dallaire or Stephen Lewis. Madonna, Cher and Oprah but not Maathai, Tenzin Gyatso or Lech Walesa. The life of Paris Hilton or Justin Timberlake but not the lives of Iraqis or Burmese. American Idol but not Amnesty International. The NHL, NBA, NFL and NCAA but not the IAEA, ICJ or UNHCR. The price of an Audi but not of indifference. Desperate Housewives but not the women of Northern Uganda. CBS, NBC and ABC but not the LRA, RUF or NPFL. The Top Model Finalist but not the President of India or China. Tyra Banks but not Ban Ki Moon. MacDonalds, Burger King or Starbucks but not Rwanda, Liberia or Sierra Leone. Facebook and MSN but not Democracy Now or IrinNews. Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps but not Charles Taylor, Slobodan Milosevici or Joseph Kony. Polo, Gap, Old Navy, H & M and Gucci but not Bhutan, Burundi, East Timor or Chad.

Nadir Shah, Darius the Great and Alexander the Great have all passed through here. History surrounds us. The Durand Line (the line that the British drew through the mountains to seperate Pakistan from Afghanistan over 60 years ago) separates us from Afghanistan but history and loyalty knows no boundaries. The war with the Soviets spilled over into our villages and caused destruction but we have always defeated the enemy. The Taliban now passes through here on their way to Pakistan and we allow them to do so because we support them. They are our brothers. You must know that Pashtunwali is the way of life here. (Pashtunwali refers to a male centered moral code which takes preference over anyone’s laws and it is practiced by all tribal people in the North West of Pakistan). You see John, we show them Melmastia (A Pashtun word that means hospitality extended to foreigners) and our Taliban brothers are no different. We may be part of Pakistan but our Muslim brotherhood extends past borders and General Musharraf and America will never realize this point. We have always been gracious hosts but foreigners have tried to take advantage of us. The Americans will follow in the footsteps of the Soviets. They will fail in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They will fail like the British in India and French in Algeria and they need to realize that history repeats itself; we as a people will prevail. It may take ten years but God willing we will succeed.

Listening to elders around a fire in a hut on the Afghan Pakistani border taught me so much about the way of life in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The bearded faces around the fire spoke with elegance and conviction that day along the Khyber Pass. Their lessons and stories were invaluable and helped me to realize that Pakistan is a land of loyalty, violence, history, beauty and revenge. Pakistanis are gracious hosts that always lend a helping hand so as long as you don’t exert your presence on them and try to control the situation. They are shy and gentle yet fiercely independent with strong loyal ties to their tribe, religion and country. The Khyber Pass on the Afghan border was an excellent way to end my journey through Pakistan but my understanding of the Pakistani people and their culture began weeks earlier in the beautiful city of Lahore in the East of Pakistan.

The last few years has given me further insight into foreign cultures and I must say that I am learning or at least observing a great deal about how the world operates on a daily basis. I have noticed countless great things about people and their customs but I have witnessed harsh realities that will linger in my mind for the rest of my life. Travelling is a fantastic way to learn about the world and despite the majority of the time being filled with great memories, journeys through off the beaten track destinations (places where many travellers feel out of their element) have left sharp impressions in my mind. Countless people travel with their eyes closed but I believe witnessing, remembering and learning from people in difficult situations teaches you to view the world through an alternate set of lens. Ive travelled through East Africa and witnessed the realities of situations where a significant % of the population have survived and continue to survive in unimaginable circumstances. Ive met people who didn't ask for my money but for the clothes off my back to people that only get a chance to really bath when it rains.

I witnessed lepers in India begging for money while people in Syria and Iran try to make ends meet despite sanctions. After experiencing these countries first hand and coming home to Canada with all its luxuries can be tough on me at times. No matter what happens in life (missing a car payment or having student loans) things can always be worse. People suffer hardship on a daily basis and thousands die needlessly in places such as Darfur or in Northern Uganda. Travelling and experiencing the hardship of other people has put my own life into perspective and I have such a deep respect for the resilience of people around the globe.

I firmly believe that most people by nature are good spirited folks willing to show a foreign host a great time if they extend a welcoming hand and an open mind. The people I have met through my travels throughout the past four years have given me such a multi faceted outlook on the world. Ive come to the understanding that everyday life of peace and happiness is the desired outcome for most folks but not the reality for others. Travelling really changes your vision about what life is and how people deal with it. Many people I ve encountered are genuine people that would do anything to trade positions with a foreigner. I often think how it was absolute luck that I was born into a great family in Canada and after travelling abroad I never take that fact for granted. Travelling is a rollercoast ride of emotions but a ride that Ive been lucky enough to experience on numerous occasions. I will continue on this journey for the rest of my life and I will continue to be humbled by the resilience and hospitality of people from around the world.

The Middle East has long been discriminated against and misunderstood by people worldwide especially by the western world including my friends, family and myself. Most travellers don't consider travelling this region due to the political turmoil and conservatism but despite having its problems, the Middle East offers travellers just about anything you could ever imagine. The Middle East is an archaeologists and Historians dream come true. Although it helps, it isnt necessary to to have any appreciation of history to be blown away by much of what there is to see in the region. The area has some of the most incredible structures known to man from Petra to the Pyramids with less known gems like Baalbek or Shaharah.

Most people that visit the region are absolutely stunned to learn that the Middle East has some of the most impressive structures and ever built by man. Not only are they incredible but there are so many different styles of buildings that exist in the region. Yemen has some of the most visually dazzling buildings in the region with its ginger bread type homes. Oman has impressive gleaming white buildings that shine in the sunset like nothing you have ever seen before. Egypt has the ancient wonders ranging from the Pyramids to Abu Simbel while Jordan has the beautiful ruins of Petra and Jerash. Iran has gorgeous blue tiled mosques while Lebanon is home to some of the best preserved Roman buildings on Earth. Add Turkey, the Gulf and Israel to the list and you would need 3 lifetimes to experience it all. In addition, the views are out of this world. The desert scenery in Oman, Iran and Jordan will make your jaw drop and the mountains in Yemen, Turkey and Lebanon are a paradise for trekkers. The Middle East has just about anything you could ever ask for and due to current problematic areas ie Iraq, Israel/Palestine and you have a place where mass tourism does not exist. After three years of exploring its sights, the Middle East still humbles me when I least expect it whether it is the stunning sunsets or hospitable people. Living in the Middle East has opened up my eyes and mind in so many different ways and allowed me to experience one of the most interesting cultures the world has to offer. I have traveled through Palestinians' refugee camps to drinking tea near Iraq and every person I met traveling thus far has been so friendly to me no matter their political ideology, religion, color, origin or gender. They have always greeted me with the most honest sincerity and welcomed me to their country. I am far from naïve and I don’t live in a fantasy world of peace and harmony but human beings are more alike then most realize or willing to admit and traveling in the region has allowed me to discover this first hand which is proving to be a remarkable experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Travel here and you will walk away in awe :) The Middle East has to be experienced to be believed and with five thousand years of history and culture, it is impossible not to fall in love with the place.

The Caucasus has always been a region out of the ordinary. For thousands of years it has been a bridge and refuge, a home to mountain clans and ancient peoples and an area that has seen its fair share of oppression and conflict. The Caucasus consists of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Armenia are remarkable countries but I found Georgia to be the most fascinating nation due to its traditions, people and history. Even as late as the 20th century there were mountain men in Georgia wearing medieval tunics and wielding swords. Most travellers first impression is one of astonishment due to the locals hospitality as well as the beautiful views. It lives up to the old travel writing cliché of the ‘land of contrasts’. Georgia is home to stunning mountain scenery, police corruption, a unique language, legendary hospitality, brutal history, fantastic traditions, heavy drinkers and soviet statues making it the absolute highlight of my travels thus far.

Africa is the type of continent that will leave a lasting impression on your mind and soul like no other. It is a place that will shock you, surprise you and entertain you; it will get under your skin to the point that you will leave and promise yourself and new found friends you will return one day. Africa is home to some of the most amazing animals, people and sites on Earth bar none. The sight of women walking on dirt roads from village to village with water jugs on their heads while dressed in bright colourful clothes will make you smile yet realize the existence and reality that is Africa. Harsh extremes are common here and should be treated with humility and respect. The people will most likely leave the strongest impression on you and their enthusiasm and spirit is eye opening to say the least. Africans will embrace and adopt you and you will feel like you stepped into a land that that should have visited years before in your travelling career. This continent has to be experienced to be believed and the continent is full of thrills and excitement. Obviously Africa can not be summarized in a single paragraph but trust me, if you go and give this misunderstood continent a chance it will not only get under your skin but into your blood which will make you go back time and time again.

Asia is probably one of the most diverse areas on the planet due to its size, culture, politics and people. Most travellers go directly to SE Asia and I am sure for good reason but South Asia ie Pakistan, India and Nepal are some of my favorite destinations in the world. South Asia has temples, mosques, churches, pollution, mass crowds, bizarre religious beliefs and rituals, sweet people, amazing views, incredible wildlife, fantastic history and countless elements of surprise sure enough to keep you on your toes at all times :) South Asia is an easy place to fall in love with for soo many different reasons. Pakistan lacks any type of mass tourism while Nepal and India are so diverse you can go white water rafting to the peaks of the Himalaya in a span of a week. It is an addictive place, a place to get lost, ''find yourself if you will'' and learn about what ancient culture and history is all about. Asia can be a journey that is difficult to explain and you can travel through some areas where time travel is possible. The land and culture varies from Nepals majestic scenery to Indias hectic cities and temples to Pakistans tribal areas; each rich in culture in their own right. South Asia will not disappoint any intrepid travellers and it is an intoxicating place to spend a few months.