Those of you who happen to be in Vancouver, Canada on Friday, June 10th are welcome to join Wandering Earl and I give a talk about our recent trip to one of Earth’s least visited countries – Iraq. That’s right before the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Conference in Vancouver – the same event last year in New York where Earl and I first came up with the notion of meeting up in Iraq.
From military checkpoints to Chinese restaurants that don’t serve food plus the Boston Celtics at hookah cafes, we’ll share with you what had to be one of our most bizarre travel experiences to date.
It was in one of Sulaymaniayh‘s hookah cafes, over many puffs of shisha, that we decided to help bring a glimpse of Iraq to you. Now, 6 months later, we’ll be at the Persian Teahouse at 4:30pm-6pm on June 10th to do just that. You’re invited to come hang out, swap travel stories, and ask questions about traveling in Iraq over a tea, shisha, or both.
Actually, the very few hookah places in Vancouver (like the Persian Teahouse) use a tobacco substitute, since smoking indoors is nearly completely banned. That’s not very Iraqi but we’ll have to make due. You can use the form below to let us know you’ll be attending, leave a comment, email me, or just show up.
- Those of you reading via email can click here to see the invite with address and more information.
We hope to see you there – for everyone else not in Vancouver or nearby, I’m planning on recording the talk and posting it later for you to view.
Until then, happy travels as always,
-Anil
I am hoping that I can make it! It would be cool to meet both of you and hear your stories in person. Here’s hoping that flights and buses work out!! Cheers!
My fingers are crossed, hope to see you in 2 weeks!
Okay am I understanding this correctly? You are going to be in Vancouver giving a talk? I’m going to try and come- working on my schedule right now.
Yes, the talk will be an informal gathering before the TBEX weekend kicks off. Are you in Vancouver?? Would be so nice to finally meet you in person – also, if you can’t make the talk I’ll be there a few days before and after if you’d like to meet up, just let me know!
Whoo! Can’t wait for this. So glad the Persian Teahouse worked out. And can you believe I haven’t been yet? This will be momentous. 🙂
Thanks so much for your help setting it up – we’ll get to meet the Persian Teahouse together – and each other in person as well 🙂 I can then prove I am a real person!
Good idea this, though it is a shame about the tobacco substitute. Perhaps the beginning of a TBEX Fringe Festival?
That would be so great actually, to pump some life around and into the conference itself. More travel, talk, and events would bring some nice color around the official events.
I won’t be there Anil which is a shame as would love to hear your story.
I’m always happy to share, perhaps somewhere else in the world or in Turkey 🙂
Such a shame you give this talk on the other side of the world, would love to have been there. But good that you are planning on making a recording of it so that other people can watch it later as well 🙂
I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out in this day and age 🙂
Oh I remember your Chinese Restaurant story!
It would be great to be there and listen to your Iraqi adventures, but I can’t. Waiting for the recording!:)
I am happy that I met you in Cairo at least, and hope to see you again on the road soon.:)
😀 Too bad but I’ll do my best to make a decent recording!
It was wonderful to meet you in Cairo, I really had a good time and can’t thank you enough for introducing me to everyone 🙂 I’m sure with your travel bug and mine, we’ll meet sooner than later somewhere else in the world. Looking forward to it!
I love how great ideas hatch at TBEX! That’s why I’m doing the Mongol Rally this year! I’m hoping to make it to the talk – but have a lot of conflicts – so will see what I can do to make it!
It’s a busy weekend Sherry, understandable! We’ll have to catch up somewhere, if not at the talk, somewhere else in between all the TBEX.