Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Moving Platform

Future updates, it seems, will be mostly available on
http://nomadormad.tumblr.com/

Reason is mostly that it's a simpler platform than Blogger to upload pictures and videos and comment about them. The extra hassle of working with Blogger when not really writing that much made me not send real updates and so my blog had but tiny fragments of what's been going on. While I do enjoy writing, it often seems futile when most of my friends don't bother reading. Heck, it's hard for me to keep track of what my friends write as well :) So a simple format: a picture here and there with, perhaps, a few words, should suffice.


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Bamberg, Germany - Amazing Beauty

Our world has so many pearls of beauty and while some are well known, others are less-known. It's my fortune that I sometimes meet wonderful people and in my endeavors to visit my friends wherever they are, I enjoy the unexpected discovery of new exquisite wonders.

So in this episode meet Bamberg, a town with the highest beer breweries per capita rate in Germany, which is already a country with an impressive breweries per capita rate :) While I'm personally not that impressed with the UNESCO World Heritage Site title of Bamberg's old city, the old city itself is very impressive. Many buildings have unique decorations. Here are a few pictures:
Mind that some elements from the drawing thrive to leave it and join our world. Sneaky little angels.
Time to upgrade my rubber ducky collection! :)

The begging meerkat had a writing next to it saying he needs money for a ride. Dana decided to help and got the applause of the creators of the presentation as she was the first! :)



Impressive catholic churches

Sunset was a beauty

Sun setting behind the trees

and my x50 optical zoom camera tries to get a last glimpse of it

I was told this is the "penis church". I'm sure it has another name as well...

Cityscape

Bamberg

Bamberg some more

Old banknotes, including some Israeli ones, featured on a lamp in a bar in Bamberg. Why?


Monday, July 14, 2014

Palestine, Israel and Peace - Let's Shift the Focus NOW!

This is my travel blog and not a political blog but to save some of my time repeating my opinion in public, I've now decided to shout it out online.

Focusing on who's right and wrong in this conflict will not help us reach a solution. Focusing on love and peace rather than hatred, violence and righteousness will. I'm against the objectification of the other side. All who want peace and co-existence are on the same side, regardless of the side of the border they were born on.

I'm proudly pro-Israel, pro-Palestine and pro-peace. I don't accept and wish that we'll all denounce anyone who wishes death to Jews, Arabs or any other group. I wish a happy and full life for all.

I have friends with a wide range of political views. This conflict seems to be one that so many people feel so strongly about and many know way too little about it. Those who chose a side are so eager to defend it and attack the other side. This isn't helping. Really, it doesn't. You might have good intentions but you're just helping this shit go on.

One of the biggest reasons, in my unsubstantiated opinion, that propagates this conflict is the ongoing meddling of outside powers that have clear interests in keeping the conflict unresolved. Many politicians in countries that shouldn't even be a part of the whole issue make political gains over its existence.

First and foremost though, I blame the extremists that somehow manage to drag us all down with them. Driven by fear, we end up hating the others and wishing them horrible things. Let's climb back up and wish them only good things. You'll quickly find out that more people believe in love than in hate. It sometimes is hard to see when people are enraged after another despicable murder but I want to believe we're all capable of making that change.

Resolving the conflict and restoring peace will not be done by governments that thrive on the desire for power and control, it'll be done by people on both sides rising and saying NO TO VIOLENCE, YES TO PEACE.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Bratislava, Slovakia

Currently in Slovakia and leaving today towards Austria. These are two weeks of slightly tasting new cities I haven't been to before. Enjoy the pictures and the unrelated text under them. They're well disorganized for maximum pleasure.
Food truck in Bratislava

Blue Church, Da ba dee da ba dai



Stairway to cat heaven

Surely lots of xxx in this shop

Damn X50 ultra zoom!!!

These cigarettes were made in Greece, sold in Egypt and picked up by an Israeli in Slovakia for you to see right now. The story of stuff. Oh yes, and cigarettes damage smokers' health so much that one who never smoked might wonder how and why they keep going. Don't underestimate the power of addiction if you're still eating meat ;)

Hail Mary. On the side are all the "Thank You" plaques from those who Mary personally helped. She's awesome, or so they say.

Bratislava at night.

Nearly 7,000 Russian soldiers died battling for Bratislava during second world war. Were their names and lifestories mentioned anywhere near the monument?


7.7.2014 - three years on the road



Oh Europe, so green thou art! :)

Blue church

Blueeeee church

Now you're sure it's from a fairy tale, the blue church in Bratislava

Israel's own Janis Joplin, aka Asaf Avidan, will come to Bratislava. Israelis are everywhere you travel. If you don't see them it only means you're not looking well...

This may sound different in Hebrew where ZONA means whore...

Hebrew and Arabic speakers will now flock to Europe where you can get one kus (pussy) for only 99 Eurocents...

Some Slovakian supports the Israeli prime minister... or they love Bed & Breakfast...

Sunset over the Danube river

Trying to ride these bicycles failed as they're unfortunately attached to the metal holder. Where's all that bicycle friendliness I was hoping for?

These are the only Slovaks we've seen wearing traditional clothing

Monday, July 7, 2014

3 Year Nomadding

July 7th, 2011 was the day I flew out of TLV airport, starting my current ongoing journey. Today is the 3 years mark. Nothing special about dates but the meaning we pour into it and 3 years is quite the time. I went around the world in 511 days, visited quite a few countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America and have had amazing experiences meeting and connecting with many fantastic people across different cultures, languages and places.

This blog you're reading covers some parts of my journey. I try not to write too much but rather show some pictures I've taken. I doubt that my readers, most of whom know me personally, will have the energy to read about all my experiences while busy living their own lives. However, a short photographic glimpse is hopefully a sweet ray added to your day. You're welcome to subscribe by entering your email in the nearby box.

July 7th, 2014 - 3 years on the road and today in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia.
The current leg is in eastern Europe and I'll soon head towards China after a few days in Russia. Come to visit me :)

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Uncooked Burning Man Food - Easier and Healthier

Soon I'll attend the first official regional Burning Man event in Israel. This post is meant to share some food tips that will make your diet easier and healthier on the playa. No cooking and no cooling needed. During the nevada Burning Man event, I didn't need to cook any food and thus saved myself the needed settings for cooking and the time spent with it. Not that I say you shouldn't cook if you want to, but I personally prefer to experience other things on the playa. So, here I go with ingredients and then with some "recipes":

Nuts, Seeds, Muesli and Cereals

Natural and even roasted nuts and seeds can be eaten anytime anywhere. Often containing some good fats and proteins. Recommended: almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and whichever rock your boat.
Muesli and Cereals can be eaten throughout the day, either dry or with water (preferably cold). If you think one must add milk to it, think again. They're often sweet enough.

Dehydrated Fruits and Sea Weed

Try to focus on things you like and don't have much food coloring and preservatives. Peaches, Dates, figs, raisins, pineapple, banana and what not.

Sprout it all UP

Sprouting is so easy and ensures you have the freshest food at your finger tips. The effort is minimal and the results amazing. If you've never sprouted before, experiment with it at home first. To sprout lentils, for example, all you need is some container (a plastic box is fine), something to wrap it (a t-shirt or towel would be fine for that) and a sieve (you could use your hands if you don't wanna bring one). Cover the lentils with enough water and let them soak for a few hours (4-15 hours is fine). Use the sieve to drain the excess amount of water and cover the lentils in the container. Within 24-48 hours you'll see the sprouts and will be able to enjoy a fresh meal. If you leave them around for longer, consider rinsing them and draining the water every 24 hours. Eat them as is or dress them up and let them dance a bit before.

Sugar and Spice

Your favorite spices and dressings are a must. I recommend olive oil, chilly powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin. Some like playa dust flavor or sparkles from a pony.

 

Fresh Produce

While fresh fruits and vegetables might not last long on the playa, it won't be a bad idea to bring them for your first and second days. Keeping them in a colder environment would mean they'd last longer. You don't need a cooler but can wrap them boxed (or not boxed) in your clothes to keep their temperature. Cucumbers, carrots, apples, oranges and whatever you like with slight preference to the harder ones that won't get crushed.

Tahini

Making tahini is quick, easy, tasty and full of calories and health. All you need is a bowel and raw tahini that you should be able to get at the store. If you're in the middle east, whatever you get is good. If you're anywhere else, try to get something from the middle east. Raw tahini can be used as is or to dress up some other foods. To make tahini sauce you simply mix the raw tahini with the following: water, lemon juice, salt, cumin, black pepper, chilly and paprika. The last 3 spices are not commonly practiced but be special and bring your own weird spices.

Canned Food

Perhaps not the healthiest choice but might be the easiest to handle as it'll be pre-cooked. Sweet corn, beans in tomato sauce, cooked chickpeas, green peas and many more. Mixing contents of different cans is a great way not to get bored.

Snacks

Energy bars and all sorts of of things in a wrap are easy to access and consume. Often much less healthier and more expensive than the previous options so it's only a good choice for the really lazy and sweet tooth oriented people.

Alcohol

While warm beers are not so much fun, red wine and a good scotch are. Alcohol has a lot of calories and while perhaps not the healthiest for your body, might be good for your mind. Remember to stay well hydrated while on the playa.

Tools

Can opener, plastic boxes, plastic bag for trash, spoon, bowel and possibly a knife are all you'll need to eat in style.

Recipes

Not really. Improvize. As long as it's made with love, it'll be good.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Interview on OpenMind.com.ua

Orest Zub is a talented Ukrainian entrepreneur and blogger I've met some years back when passing through Ukraine. Our paths crossed again a few months back in the south of Mexico and it's been a lot of fun to catch up. Orest requested an interview for his blog about Colnect and my lifestyle and he has now published it on his blog OpenMind.com.ua. As the post is in Ukrainian language, I've embedded the interview video (mostly in English) here below.