|
 ZhengZhou
Cradle
of Chinese Civilization
Published in the Summer 2010 Issue of Canadian World
Traveller
By Michael Morcos
It
was a humid, overcast day and Mt. Songshan, the sacred
Chinese mountain behind me, was hidden in the fog that
coiled over its slopes like a slumbering dragon.
In front of me, long rows of 1,200 year-old pagodas
loomed through the mist, their tall towers outlined with
ghostly petal-shaped eaves. Close by the “pagoda
forest” stood an ancient Shaolin temple, the
birthplace of Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism.
As I marveled at the majesty of China’s past, its ambitious, energetic
present was only 40 kilometres away — the object of my
visit, the city of ZhengZhou, a metropolis of eight
million people that is both the cradle of Chinese
civilization and an important part of this teeming
nation’s rapidly evolving future.
(More)
 Las
Vegas
Like
You’ve Never Experienced It Before!
Published in
the Summer 2010 Issue of Canadian World Traveller
By Greg James
Las Vegas… Sin City, glitzy showgirls, 24-hour casinos,
aging crooners, free drinks, mediocre cuisine, quickie
weddings, tacky recreations of the world’s iconic
landmarks and a longstanding reputation as the
“anything goes” capital of the USA! That’s what
most people think of Vegas.
Well, no more. CityCenter, the stunning new
addition to the world-famous Strip has changed all that!
Form and function
truly converge here with impressive public art and
innovative internationally inspired architecture and
interior design creating a feast for the senses while
maintaining a human-scaled ambience. A popular saying
goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
However, after my short stay at CityCenter, I couldn’t
wait to tell all!
(More)
 Egypt
Exploring
the Cairo of the Fatimids
Published in
the Summer 2010 Issue of Canadian World Traveller
By Habeeb Salloum
"You must walk Cairo's
Muizz li'Din Allah Street! It's full of history. I'm
still in awe at what I've seen." Husn Abboud, a
budding Arab Canadian writer seemed to be in a trance as
she related to me the high point of her trip to Egypt.
Now, a year later, I stood
with Ahmad, the muezzin (the official appointed to call adherents to prayer) of Al-Hakim bi Amr Allah Mosque, atop Bab Al-Futuh,
one of the three remaining of the 60 gates of the city's
once all-encompassing 10th century Fatimid walls. As I
surveyed Muizz Street below me, I thought of Husn's
words that had given me the urge to explore this
venerable city within a city.
Over 1,000 years have passed
since the foundation of this ancient town was laid yet
still Fatimid Cairo abounds with domes and minarets.
Even though from my vantage point, the town appeared
rundown, it still had the majesty of history.
(More)
Back
to Top
|
