Santiago de Cuba. Jansie’s spoken about Cuba enough for me to know it stands out amongst places to see. Where I’ve consistently pulled us East, she has this place in the West that won’t be moved in her heart. Whatever the list and whatever the category of favourites when it comes to our separate travels, Cuba is always there. Always featuring somewhere in her top three.
Dushanbe. I do wonder what it was like to live behind the iron curtain. Better yet, imagining Persian peoples who were formerly behind the iron curtain makes me wonder greatly! I could be wrong but I’ve got myself convinced that Dushanbe is the closest I’ll get to the feeling of the unprecedented story: what Soviet Persia was like. If I’m wrong, Kabul isn’t far away. And there’s always been an intrigue towards this esoteric capital and its people. No doubt the Soviet had its say in Afghanistan, who many might not know is one of three Persian lands, together with modern day Persia – Iran – and lesser known: Tajikistan. Hence my curiosity about Dushanbe…
Asmara. Capital of Eritrea. Formerly colonized by the Italians. My intrigue in this place was sparked by the story of the first man who cycled around the continent of Africa. What he noted of Asmara stood out for me. Amongst all the coastal countries of the African continent, and of all the collections he journaled to write his book: “Around Africa on my bicycle”, Asmara is the place that triggered my curiosity most. And if by the time I visit it, should it be that the unparalleled cultured feeling that I sense towards this place, remain with me, or go unquenched… At least I will be positioned close enough to the shores of the Red Sea to explore its underbelly once again. I do love diving!