Libya
After decades of being cut off from most of the rest of the world by American & UN sanctions, Libya has again joined the world community and is cautiously opening up its doors to tourists from the US. One should go now before the country is firmly planted on the radar of the world tourist circuit, before the Libyan people become jaded by contact with the outside world. Libya is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, flavorful cuisine, the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Rome, and perhaps the friendliest people on earth. The country is now in transition somewhere between the "Great Socialist Libyan People's Arab Jamahiriya" the government proclaims and the confident face of a land rich in history and even richer in potential.
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A shot of the enchanting architecture at Tripoli airport. From the outside it looks sleek, modern, and quite imposing. It's actually much smaller and more chaotic inside than one would think.
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From the moment one walks outside the terminal, the omnipresent face of Libyan "leader" Muammar Qaddafi -- usually sporting his trademark sunglasses and African robes -- is impossible to avoid.
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I found examples of the mix of past & present everywhere, beginning with this shot from the roof of our Tripoli hotel where traditional rugs were drying in the sun under a bank of satellite dishes.
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On the left, a shot of the extensive collection of busts & mosaics in the Tripoli museum.
On the right, two locals relax at the souk next door.
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A couple of shots of the ruins at Sabratha. First, a sample of the well-preserved mosaics on site. Below that, a shot of the sprawling amphitheater.
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Even more spectacular ruins at Leptis Magna, the largest Roman ruins outside Italy. An entire ancient city to explore; it would take several days of random meandering to be able to see it all.
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Zesty Libyan soup was one of my favorite dishes. Thankfully it's available everywhere.
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The souk in Benghazi was a real treat in that it was a 100% local experience. We were stared at and gawked at -- always in a non-threatening curious manner -- because tourists are such a rare sight in this part of the country. I loved the vision of these real arches shown in similar patterns on the elaborate prayer rugs for sale below. Merchants were eager to be photographed, and we were invited into several shops for nothing more than a friendly chat.
click on eclipse above to be taken to the Libya Eclipse page!