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Traveling Through The Eyes of Faith With Richard Zimler

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There are books that remain with you over time, that spark the imagination and echo down the years of your life. I read The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler in the late 1990s around the time I read The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco while I was studying Theology at Oxford, which I talked about in episode 12. The themes and characters of those two books still resonate in my own writing, and the idea of faith soaking into the very stones of a place is something that stays with me as I travel for my own book research.

When I visited Lisbon in autumn 2019, I wrote an article about my weekend there and mentioned Richard’s book, so I’m thrilled to be able to share this interview with you today. His books span the history of a Jewish family across the diaspora, as well as historical fiction set in the time of Jesus, and more modern tales of people of faith. Our discussion, like his writing, is both political and religious and hopefully will spark thoughts around your own position, for only by truly listening to others can we formulate what we really think.

Richard Zimler is the multi-award-winning author of 10 novels, as well as writing poetry, short film, children’s books, and song lyrics. Richard is American but lives in Portugal and in 2017, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by the city of Porto.

Why Richard loves Portugal, from the varied geographic regions to progressive politics
How difficult times call us to be more honest and authentic
The influence of Portugal on language and culture worldwide
The historical research required for a novel set in the time of Jesus
How places become imbued with emotion and faith
Transcending historical baggage to write and travel with an open mind
Writing from the different perspectives of varied characters

You can find Richard Zimler at Zimler.com.

9 Incredible Things To See In Egypt

Unusual Places

Ancient Egypt continues to weave its magic for us in the 21st century, even through turbulent political times.

Its monuments, tombs, hieroglyphics, and the waters of the Nile fuel its enduring appeal, and movies like The Mummy keep it in popular culture. And of course, what book lover hasn’t pined for the loss of Alexandria’s great library?

Everything about Egypt is huge, from its past to its sheer size. At just over 1 million km², how do you know what to visit? This guide highlights the 9 most incredible things to see for history buffs and Egypt fans alike.

1. Cairo

It makes sense to start with the capital. The Fatimids established the city in the 10th century (then called Fustat). Cairo became an important trading center on the spice route. It was also a seat of learning during the 13th century.

Head to the Islamic district to find evidence of its medieval history among the monuments and mosques. Artisan families run workshops and sell wares in the Khan el-Khalili shopping souk. This vast market is worth a visit. Who knows what bargains you’ll find?

Make sure to leave plenty of time to get to and from places as the traffic in Cairo is crazy!

Aerial view of Cairo city from Salah Al Deen Citadel (Cairo Citadel) with Al Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai Mosques. Photo licensed from BigStockPhoto

Make a trip to the Citadel of Salah el-Din. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates to the 12th century. Saladin built the citadel for protection against Crusaders. Three mosques and four museums now lie within its walls. The 19^th-century Mosque of Muhammad Ali is perhaps the most impressive. Intended to compete with Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia, it’s also called the Alabaster Mosque. The large terrace outside gives stunning views over the city.

The City Of Life And Death. New Orleans With Laura And Dan Martone

Unusual Places

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New Orleans is one of those cities that has a special place in the imagination of a traveler, even if you haven’t been there. It’s famous for loving life — for Mardi Gras parades, a vibrant music scene, drinking and eating and gorgeous architecture in the French Quarter — but it’s also known as the City of the Dead, with cemeteries, Voodoo, ghost stories, vampires, and of course, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

In today’s episode, native New Orleanian Laura Martone and her husband, Dan, talk about the history of the French Quarter and some of the haunted buildings there, the best cemeteries to visit, vampires, voodoo and Creole cuisine.

Laura and Daniel Martone write fiction in multiple genres including space opera, post-apocalyptic and urban fantasy. They lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans for many years and produced several audio walking guides. Laura has also written a guidebook to the city and they now live in their RV, Serenity, and travel between New Orleans and Michigan, USA.

The various pronunciations of New Orleans
Why the French Quarter has mostly Spanish influenced architecture
Interesting cemeteries in the city
Why vampires are associated with New Orleans
How and why Catholicism and voodoo are so entwined
The importance of music and its influence on the culture in New Orleans
The different parades at Mardi Gras
Seafood boils as social occasions
The beautiful natural ecosystems that surround the city

You can find Dan and Laura Martone at TheMartones.com

10 Ancient Ruined Cities Around the World

Unusual Places

There’s something magical about a lost city. Look at Atlantis, vanished beneath the waves, or the famous jungle city of El Dorado.

Not all lost cities are mythical, though. Others, like Pompeii, keep a firm hold on the public imagination. Ancient ruined cities offer the chance to walk (or swim) into historical settings and it’s easy to dream about the lost treasure or secret artifacts hidden away in these ruins …

This guide highlights 10 breath-taking ancient ruined cities, both above ground, and underwater, some of which I’ve used as settings for my thrillers.

1. Derinkuyu, Turkey

Derinkuyu underground city cave city in Cappadocia Turkey. Photo licensed from BigStockPhoto

Ancient cities don’t always disappear back into the landscape. Sometimes they’re under the landscape. Like the huge underground city of Derinkuyu in Turkey.

A Walk Along The Las Vegas Strip, Nevada, USA

Unusual Places

I visited Las Vegas in late October 2019 for a conference Downtown, but while I was there, I had to walk The Strip. Infamous as the center of Sin City, it certainly delivered in terms of excess. It was bonkers … but fun bonkers! A homage to American decadence and a theme park of entertainment in all its forms. I enjoyed The Strip for what it was and then left for the quieter parts of town! Here are some of my pictures and thoughts as I walked.

You can get Ubers easily and quickly from any part of the city, so I got one to the MGM Grand as a starting point for my walk. I went up onto the overpass to take a picture of New York, New York. Apparently, there are a lot of traffic accidents along the Strip — a combination of drunken pedestrians and drivers looking at the sights, so make sure to use the overpasses to cross the road.

Thriller author Jo Frances Penn in Las Vegas New York New York

I love architecture and The Strip is like a theme park in terms of its brilliant — but fake — buildings. There are some gorgeous aspects — like the upmarket shops at City Center …

The Bellagio lake and dancing fountains …

Ancient City, Modern Life. Beijing With LH Draken

Unusual Places

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China is a rising world power, increasingly challenging the USA in terms of global influence and technological development, especially around artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

It’s also an ancient culture with fascinating places to visit, and in this interview, thriller author L.H.Draken shares her thoughts on traveling to Beijing.

LH Draken is the author of The Year of the Rabid Dragon, a medical thriller set in Beijing, China. Lawrence is American but worked as a physicist and engineer in Beijing before moving to Germany.

Ancient historical sites in and around Beijing
Cultural and technological differences between America and China
Recommended hiking guides in China
What travel means to LH Draken’s writing and the concept of home

You can find LH Draken at LHDraken.com and on Twitter @lhdraken.

1. Cairo

1. Derinkuyu, Turkey

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