The Lin Life Universe

Country #37: Turkey   Highlights   Ottoman architecture - a blend of Islamic and Byzantine Christian influences   Istanbul - only city to straddle 2 continents Europe and Asia Food variety and flavors was mind-blowing    Favorite dish - menemen, similar to scrambled shakshuka   Obsessed with Turkish towels and textiles at the bazaar   Cappadocia - hot air balloon sunrise tour, serene and peaceful    Turkey had just issued a press release condemning the US government for their decision to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Impartial supporters of the peace process. http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-137_-abdnin-telaviv-buyukelciligini-kuduse-tasimasi-hk.en.mfa   https://www.vox.com/2018/5/14/17340798/jerusalem-embassy-israel-palestinians-us-trump   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #36: Lebanon    Highlights   Exotic - Arabic, French, English languages. Greet loved ones with Bonjour habibi!   Religious diversity - impressive and unexpected in Middle East, 18 officially recognized religious groups, mostly Christian and Muslim, churches next to mosques.   ATMs dispense Lebanese pounds and USD   Batroun - Magical coastal town with its intoxicating sea breeze along with being surrounded by Phoenician, Byzantine, Greek, Roman and Ottoman history made my time here unforgettable.   Guest room of a local wellness studio Dharma Ji where I hosted a series of Mindfulness workshops.   Imagine waking up with a view of St Stephen Cathedral and the sea, doing yoga,  walking through the Old Souk for a fish sandwich from local George Malouf’s lunchtime eatery.   Lemonade - this town is famous for it’s lemonade.   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #35: Qatar   Highlights   May 2018 - first Middle East trip   Doha Airport - offers transit layover tours  https://www.discoverqatar.qa/transit-tours/ Qatar Airlines - Complimentary hotel stay program for overnight layover https://www.qatarairways.com/en/hia-hamad-international-airport/transit-accommodation.html   24 hour layover - perfect amount of time taste of Doha    Souk Waqif - dinner    Fire station gallery - Laundromat exhibit by Ai WeiWei  exiled Chinese artist, his work raises awareness about international human-rights issues https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/24/arts/ai-weiwei-refugee-project-qatar-china.html   December 2018 - 3 simultaneous Ai WeiWei exhibits http://www.artnews.com/2018/10/26/ai-weiwei-takes-los-angeles/   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #34: Brazil   Highlights   Second visit in South America   Brasilia - capital as recent as 1960. Unesco world heritage site. Architect’s mecca, chiefly designed by Oscar Niemeyer  influenced by modernist movement. Modern architecture city laid out in the shape of an airplane. Le Corbusier influence around town.   Greater rhea which is related to an ostrich or emu.   Rio de Janeiro Aprazivel - tree house restaurant in Santa Teresa neighborhood Guimas - locals spot by the botanical garden Amir - Arabian food   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #33: Chile   Highlights    First time in South America   Long, thin country - #3 span of latitude   Wine tasting   Pastel de choclo - classic comfort food South American shepherd’s pie  layered dish minced beef with onion and paprika shredded chicken hard boiled egg, olives and raisins sweetcorn crust topper grind choclo corn with a mortar and pestle Into a paste  add butter, ground basil, milk, sugar   Culture - values family and tradition    Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #32: Sweden   Highlights    Reindeer heart in Stockholm    Nobis Hotel  - great location   June 2017 - Chilly Gamla Stan, bought an article of clothing in every store   Stylish city   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #31: Croatia   Highlights    Dubrovnik Old Town - Limestone walls and pavers polished to a shine, it was brightly lit, glittering, stunning (setting for Game of Thrones)   Most beautiful sunset - Dinner with friends at Nautika sits on old Walls overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Inky purple bowl of ocean with this rose gold tint reflecting a beautiful sky full of golds purples, oranges, reds, pinks.    Hire a boat for a half day   Coral Beach club   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Moment for Gratitude   Reflection - What have I learned about myself?   My love of food reinforced - getting to know cultures through their food   Prefer village or small town feeling over big cities   Find a neighborhood that reflects some aspect of my personality or a sense of community for accommodations   Adventure streak - Diving in 8 countries Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Mexico, Maldives, Cuba, Spain Rock climbing   Slow travel penchant - Bike rides through Europe   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #30: Portugal   Highlights   Lisbon - Pastel de nata   Portuguese Egg tarts in Belem   Sintra - Pena Palace, Moorish castle, Sintra Palace, reverse order to avoid crowds    Porto - Port wine tasting   Duoro River Valley - gorgeous wine country   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!

Country #29: Cuba   Highlights   Obama administration - relaxed the restrictions on the Cuban embargo  and gave businesses a reason to believe we were headed towards diplomacy and eventually ending the embargo. The new administration has reversed this stance.   Havana - 20 people NYE 2016   Vinales  - Rock climbing and tobacco farms   Bay of Pigs - scuba diving   10% USD penalty, take euros   Rations - wifi cards, black market   Want answers? Send your questions, comments and thoughts about life [email protected]   Thank you so much for listening to The Lin Life Universe. I hope you’ve been enjoying it. Please leave a review!