Experience the Call to Prayer in Istanbul and Marrakech (Videos)

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Emily Sybil Miller

I was recently in Marrakech and Istanbul, two cities where you can hear the Islamic call to worship.

In many countries, Adhan (in Arabic) or Ezan (in Turkish) is the call to prayer that is recited 5 times throughout each day in order to summon muslims for mandatory worship. This practice is intended to reach as many people as possible, which is why microphones and loudspeakers are utilized. The Muezzin is the person chosen for this task, based on his talent at reciting the Adhan beautifully, melodically and loudly. It is one of the most important duties in the mosque.

What are they saying? That there is no strength or power except from God. That there is no God but Allah. That Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

The first time I heard it I was in Marrakech. I just stopped and stood still and listened. It was a truly beautiful thing. After a week in Marrakech and a week in Istanbul I can honestly say that I never tired of hearing it. In Istanbul, it sounded like a beautiful song.

My favorite part? How the different Muezzins at the different mosques seemed to be speaking to each other. You would hear it coming from one mosque, then suddenly realize it was coming from another, then another, then back to the first mosque.

Experience it for yourself.

IN ISTANBUL:

IN MARRAKECH:

How to Save Money on Urban Travel

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Emily Sybil Miller

Traveling can be expensive, especially in big cities, but I do have some advice on how you can save money and do it on the cheap.

GO WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE, BUT NOT DURING PEAK SEASON

If the weather is nice, you can spend most of your visit outdoors (at the beach, in a park or gardens, along the river, etc.) which will save you lots of money, so try to plan your trip for a season with decent weather. However, make sure it’s not peak season as that’s when all the prices are jacked up.

AVOID RESTAURANTS

Eat street food. Utilize local supermarkets. Cook. If the weather is nice, picnic in a park. The gardens at the Eiffel Tower is a popular destination for picnicking and drinking wine or beer while enjoying the power and mystique of the tower. If you really want the restaurant experience, go at lunch time during the work week when there are deals.

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Is it Safe to Travel Right Now?

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Emily Sybil Miller

In my opinion, there is no way to answer this question. Sorry.

I was in Paris just one month before the attack, staying just 2 blocks away from Le Petit Cambodge in Belleville. Then I was in Istanbul in December, again, just one month before the attack, staying 2 blocks from Sultanahmet’s main square.

In between the Paris attacks and my visit to Istanbul, my loved ones asked me if I was sure that going to Istanbul was a good idea. I replied, “I’m still going”. The truth is, I didn’t really know if it was a good idea, and although I did consider my options, there was never any real possibility of me canceling my visit to Istanbul. Today, I don’t have any mixed feelings about having visited these locations when I did, and I would go back to both cities in a heartbeat. And yes, I realize how lucky I am, and I am grateful.

For me personally, I decided that I didn’t want fear to control or influence my decisions. That is no way to live. The best thing we can do right now is not let the violence and terror (even if by our own volition) take away our freedom to enjoy life. Take a cue from Paris. Everyone must decide for themselves, but this is what I have decided, for me.

How to meet people at hostels when traveling alone

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Emily Sybil Miller

Circus Hostel, Berlin

This is the final installment of today’s hostel-related posts. So, first I shared my “formula” for choosing hostels when traveling alone, and then I shared my top 5 favorite hostels of all time….but maybe all this sounds great in theory, but you’re just not sure how to approach people at the hostels once you get there. I have some suggestions.

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My Top 5 Favorite Hostels of All Time

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Emily Sybil Miller

AT BAHAUS HOSTEL IN ISTANBUL

Pulling from my recent 4-month adventure around Europe as well as countless other hostel experiences over the years, here are my all time favorites. HOW DID I FIND THESE HOSTELS? Check out my formula for choosing a hostel when you’re traveling alone.

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Choosing Hostels When You’re Traveling Alone

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Emily Sybil Miller

Out and about in Barcelona with Hostel One Paralelo

When I travel alone I often stay in hostels for 2 reasons:

It’s cheaper
I meet people

Basically, if I don’t know anyone where I’m going, I’ll stay in a hostel. The more I travel, the better I get at choosing hostels, and I had such incredible hostel experiences on my most recent 4-month solo adventure around Europe that I wanted to share my latest “formula” for choosing hostels.

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How to Meet Expats in Paris

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Emily Sybil Miller

I just spent a month in Paris and have the DL on how to meet other expats living in the city.

When I arrived to Paris I didn’t know anyone and didn’t really have any kind of plan. I didn’t know how I was going to meet people, or practice my French, or even what I was going to do with my time. So, as soon as I arrived, I went online and googled a few keywords such as “French conversation groups in Paris” and “meeting expats in Paris”. Here’s what happened….

1. Meetup.com Continue reading →

Free or cheap ways to practice your French in Paris

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Emily Sybil Miller

In terms of finding cheap or affordable ways to practice your French in Paris, Meetup.com has good options.

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11 Signs you’re a city person trapped in the country

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Emily Sybil Miller

1. You always walk super fast and feel seriously annoyed by the one slow person you had to pass on the way

“DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?”

Source: http://gph.is/14Jopje

2. You’re always amazed by how cheap everything is!

“HOW MUCH?? I’LL TAKE 500”

Source: http://gph.is/1afjbht

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Trending American expat destinations

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Emily Sybil Miller

Today, the urban destinations of American expats are numerous, and expanding. In addition to the more traditional destinations (Mexico, Canada, Israel, Australia and many countries in Europe), in recent years we’ve seen new currents of American migration, especially towards Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. They tend to choose these destinations for a combination of personal, cultural, linguistic, educational, professional and economic reasons. It’s also important to mention that many Americans are also heavily influenced by their family and social networks, and often choose their host country, and city, accordingly.

Above all, the trend of American expatriation to urban destinations is the most notable, especially to “global cities” where they find international lifestyles, cultural opportunities, diversity, excitement, and of course growing urban expat communities.

Emerging urban expat destinations

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Top 5 reasons being an urban expat is the best!

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Emily Sybil Miller

Moving to a big city abroad is an an exciting adventure!

You meet people from all over the world. As a foreigner in a big city it’s just natural that you fall into the international social scene and meet other amazing urban expats.
Freedom and independence. Living abroad is essentially living outside the box and as a foreigner you generally aren’t held to the same expectations as locals, which means a life of independence and freedom from society’s rules and expectations.
Freedom from a boring life. Everything is new and different: new language, new culture, new food, new friends, new customs…
You increase your intelligence. Yes, all these new and different experiences, new language, new culture expand your mind in ways you never thought possible.
You also learn a lot more about yourself and grow and change so much just by getting out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself.

Is it easier to make American friends abroad than it is in the States?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Emily Sybil Miller

making American friends is easy when you’re abroad!

Meeting other expats when you’re living abroad is actually really easy if you live in a global city. In fact, in my personal experience and those of other expats, making new American friends is way easier abroad than it is in the States.

Why?

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