Posts Tagged ‘religion’
Life as a Buddhist monk in Thailand
It was in Chang Mai that we had one of our more memorable travel experiences during a morning chat with a Buddhist monk.
Riel World photo – Varanasi, India
Hindu pilgrims at sunrise on the Ganges River in Varanasi, India.
Learning about Buddhism at a Himalayan temple
An elderly monk walked up to the spot where we stood, slowly spinning the prayer wheels and chanting words under his breath. He stopped in front of us and smiled. “Om mani padme hum,” he said, in a soft, slow cadence.
Understanding the whirling dervishes
Whirling dervishes. The term is a familiar one to many people, but what exactly is a whirling dervish? That is, beyond some exotic Middle Eastern man who twirls round and round while dressed in a white robe and tall hat? Not many people know that the dance of a whirling dervish is actually a spiritual [...]
The (slowly) changing role of women in Saudi Arabia
National culture changes very slowly, but there is no doubt that it is something that constantly evolves. Sometimes in small ways over centuries, and sometimes in bigger ways over shorter periods of time. One example of this is the role of women in the Middle East, and particularly in the conservative nation of Saudi Arabia. [...]
From doctors to shamans
It’s no secret that culture plays a role in health care, from our systems of medicine to our personal decisions. When a person receives health care in his or her home country, there are unlikely to be many clashes over culture because it’s a medical system that he or she knows and understand well. The United States is not a [...]
How Muslim athletes deal with Ramadan
We’re currently in the midst of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month in which Muslims are expected to fast each day between dawn and sunset. This practice is supposed to increase spiritual self-discipline and help one to focus on non-worldly activities. Although people understandably get hungry during the day, the fast is practiced by most Muslims. [...]
Running cultures
There are so many interesting cultures around the world, with their own traditions and ways of life, but never before have I come across an article on running cultures. Yes, a culture in which long distance running is a way of life, as much a part of the people’s heritage as their food and their [...]
Unique world religions
Sure, you know about Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. But what do you know about Zoroastrianism or Yoruba? A number of readers may be familiar with the Baha’i faith, but have you actually heard of the African Mami Wata religion? Chris Wary published a unique and interesting article recently on Matador Travel, profiling six unique religions that he suggests are [...]
Sex becomes a less taboo subject among some Arabs
Sex has always been pretty much a taboo subject in the Arab world. It’s simply something that wasn’t discussed openly. Now, though, the first cracks are appearing in that wall of silence, and one of the individuals who is shedding light on the subject, interestingly enough, is a 45-year-old Emirati woman who quotes the Koran and doesn’t go [...]
Cathedrals, monasteries and other sacred destinations
Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world are religious sites. But you don’t have to be a pilgrim or a spiritual seeker in order to appreciate a sacred place. I’ve recently come across several articles that approach religious tourism from a variety of angles. Take a look. For starters, the world’s most visited religious destinations. [...]
Communicating with Muslims
People in various cultures perceive the world differently. This is one of the main causes of communication miscues between individuals from diverse regions of the world. If you want to see an excellent example of how the meaning of simple words can vary from one person to the next, check out this article in the Christian Science Monitor [...]
Stay current with the Riel World
Follow me on Twitter
Join me on Facebook 
Subscribe by EmailMeet Bob Riel
Bob Riel is a writer and a traveler. Go here to read more about Bob, his work and the Travels in the Riel World blog.
Great American Road Trips
Two Laps Around the World
My travel memoir - Two Laps Around the World: Tales and Insights from a Life Sabbatical - is about two round-the-world journeys with my wife.
Visit Travel Blog Exchange
