Fest Des Federweissen (Fall Wine Festival) in Frankfurt, Germany

On October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn GermanyLeave a comment

It is hard to believe that it has been four years since we sold our home and moved to Frankfurt, Germany. It was a wonderful experience that gave us the opportunity to see many different cities and countries. During our first week in Frankfurt, we enjoyed the first of many festivals that we would get to see during our time there. The Fest Des Federweissen is a celebration of the wine harvest and specifically in Frankfurt it is about the Apfelwein. Traditionally Apfelwein is served in a pretty little jug called a Bembel and we actually received one from one our favorite restaurants as a gift before moving back to the United States.

Our First, But Definitely Not Our Last, Glasses of Apfelwein (Bembel in the Background)

Although wine is the star of the festival, it wouldn’t be a German festival without many varieties of food stalls, especially those selling sausages (wurst). The festival was located between Frankfurt’s busy shopping district and the old town (Altstadt) square. Although we would later go to many different Christmas markets throughout Europe, this little festival was just a small taste of what we would get to enjoy. With this year being the way it has with very little opportunities to explore places, we are definitely missing the time we spent living in Germany.

Wine is Definitely the Star of the Festival

Artisan and Craft Market in the Beautiful Parque El Ejido in Quito, Ecuador

On September 1, 2020September 1, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn South America2 Comments

In order to walk to the old town quarter of Quito in Ecuador from our hotel, we had to walk through Parque El Ejido. It is a lovely park that has a nice artisan and craft market as well as plenty of open space. Located right in the city, it can be quite busy at times as families gather to have a picnic or play a game of soccer. There is also an interesting arch located in the park, simply called Arco de El Ejido with a statue of two men battling one another.

We love finding markets where we can buy local arts and crafts whenever we travel to places. We typically try to bring something home with us to remember our trip, especially if it is something that we can display. While we were in Quito, we found a local artist in the market that sold watercolor paintings and we couldn’t resist buying an original piece of art. Whether you want jewelry, clothing, or art, there are an abundance of options.

Walking Through the Park and Shade Trees

Even if you aren’t interested in the market, just enjoying the shade of the trees, the open grassy areas, or even getting something sweet from a food vendor makes visiting the park worthwhile. Since we walked through the park both ways to and from our hotel in Quito, we had plenty of time to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. We have been to many wonderful parks during our travels, but this one is truly one of our favorites.

Leisurely Stroll Through the Park’s Vendors

Large Park with Room to Escape the Busy Market Area

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar in Old Cairo, Egypt

On June 11, 2020June 11, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Egypt3 Comments

Visiting markets wherever you visit is certainly worthwhile, but there is something very special about the bazaars in the middle east. Khan el-Khalili Bazaar in the Old Town Center of Cairo, Egypt, also known as Old Cairo, is certainly one of them. They can be quite busy and you need to be aware of your circumstances to avoid pickpockets or those who might want to take advantage of you. In most bazaars it is usually customary to bargain over the prices and the vendors don’t take offense to it. In fact, to get the best price, you might even start to walk away before the vendor offers a lower price that seems reasonable to you. Haggling, though, does not mean offering a ridiculously low price that might be viewed as an insult.

Many Items for Sale and a Vendor Ready to Bargain

In addition to the crowds, there is likely to be sensory overload with the various smells, colors, and variety of items that can be found within the bazaars. There are spice shops, tobacco shops, artisans selling rugs, hookahs, clothing, pottery, and more. There are also coffee cafes and bistros with local breads as well. The narrow streets of the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar wind in various directions and you could spend hours walking through the shops and bartering for items. We only had a little over half day during our time in Cairo to visit the old historic center and wish we could have spent more time in the bazaar.

Old Cairo has many sites to visit and the bazaar is certainly one that should be visited. Some of the other key sites in the area are the Mosque and Madrassa of the Sultan Hasan, Abu Serga Church, the Babylon Fortress, and the historic Ottoman house Bayt Al-Suhaymi are just a few that should be visited as well. Cairo has so many interesting things to see that you could go back several times and always find something new to see.