I know, I know – SORRY for the horrific photos of my body and condition.  I am only trying to be authentic (despite the embarrassment) of what it was like to experience Hong Kong head-first.

Hong Kong is not China.  As an American I thought they were the same.  It’s like saying New York City is America or Dubai is the Middle East.  The are quite different in culture, cuisine and currency.

As an international restaurant consultant I can say with confidence that Hong Kong is one of those places anyone in the trade should see first hand.  I feel it is just scratching the surface though.  Perhaps one day Mandarin will be as common place as English.  We should all start warming up to the cuisine not just because it’s likely to be a global cuisine in 20 years but because it’s a wonderful cuisine and culture steeped in history, tradition and delightful culinary sensation.

Restaurant Consultant Aaron Allen

November 2009 Cairo Egypt

Cairo is such a unique place in all the world and it was a thrill to at long-last check it off my list of travel goals.  A city with more than 25,000,000 people, Cairo is burstling with energy.  The ancient is juxtaposed against the modern.  The old world pyramids of Giza transport us back to a different time (and then the lazer shows that happen nightly in front of the pyramids bring us crashing back to the modern day).

One rumor I can confirm with certanty is the use of car horns.  As one cabbie put it “Here we can drive a car that has no lights, no radio, no seats, but we would never drive a car without a horn”.  There are few street lights, cars not pedisterians have the right of way, and as a result the honking of a horn is the most dominent and frequent sound throughout the expanses of the city.  You hear honks of anger, honks of hello, honks of “watch out or I’ll run you over”, and honks that seem to be made just as a matter of muscle memory habit like blinking an eye.  The pyramids seem to stand in patient persistance in the noise and commotion all around them.

The food in Egypt is a melting pot of Middle Eastern flavors.  There are approximately 23 dialects of Arabic spoken in the Middle East.  It is hard for an Egyptian to understand the Arabic of a Saudi national.  This creates an interesting dimension for the traveler seeking to go deep into the culture and understanding of the region.  Sadly, many Americans see an Asian and think they are Japanese or Chinese and don’t think much further.  The cultures of Asia are as rich and dierse as can be found anywhere in the world and they can’t be lumped together in such a way.  Similarly, the Middle Eastern Arab nations and cultures have their own uniquenesses of culture, tradition, heritage and beliefs.

While Egypt is on the continent of Africa, it is an important part of the Middle East.  Egypt is not representatie of the entire Middle Eastern experience.  Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait and Qatar are all starkly different in many important ways.  A similarity they share is the unique Arab Hospitality that has been passed down for thousands of years by the Bedouin tribes that roamed the Middle East.  Arab Hospitality is about lavish generosity.  There are many stories of families selling their most important and prized possessions to pay the costs of hosting a guest.  In Bedouin tradition, even enemies were given refuge and were hosted graciously.

There are many misconceptions of the Middle East.  There are also many story-lines that are currently going unnoticed.  For instance, while China is leading the world in growth in manufacturing and India is leading in outsourcing, few know that the Middle East is the fastest growing hospitality market in the world.  More posts on that coming soon.

Hope you enjoy the slideshow!

Aaron Allen

Middle East Restaurant Consultant Aaron Allen

I’ve been blessed to travel and see the world. My goal is to visit 70 countries (the worlds largest airline only flies to 67). I will be posting collections of photos from select destinations as well as a number of mix-match photos as are found in this posting. The photos here range from Las Vegas to London, and Miami to Manila. It’s my hope that you may find some images that inspire your own future travels. If you’re looking for any travel tips or recommendations, please contact me. I love sharing my trips almost as much as experiencing them.

During my month in Thailand, I came face to face with the reality of how many things about American life are not conducive to true happiness.

This is the closest thing to paradise on Earth I have experienced. I wanted for nothing, except possibly a wife to share it with. I will be back. I hope you too will experience the magic of Phuket for yourself.

Any foodie should have Berlin’s KaDeWe high on their list of travel destinations. Opened in 1907 by Berlin merchant Adolf Jandorf, KaDeWe is the largest department store in Europe. Up to 180,000 customers visit daily and make their way through the 7-story shopping paradise. The store is 60,000 sm (approximately 650,000 sq ft!).

The top two floors are dedicated to food. During my trip I spent 3 hours mulling around in fascination. I don’t think I was nearly as amazed as a kid on my first trip to Toy’s R’ Us as I felt to walk around KaDeWe as an adult.

Travel is a Blessing – Especially for Restaurant People

My father was a 2nd generation restaurant owner.  Every day for 30-years he unlocked and locked the doors on his restaurant.  It’s where I grew up.  The restaurant was open 7-days a week in season and closed on Wednesday’s during the off-season.  That was my fathers only chance to go out and explore other restaurants and cities that would offer inspiration and reprive.  There were only so many places he could get to within a 24-hour limit.

Growing up, one thing I dreamed of as much as contributing to the restaurant industry was travel.  It has been a tremendous blessing to explore all 6-continents that have restaurants (Antartica is on my list of places to see, but it was in last place since it isn’t really a place of inspiration for restaurant people).

Growing up in a small town in the Florida Panhandle, world travel seemed like a distant fantasy.  I am so proud to have had the mentors, dreams and blessings that lead to my dream coming true of exploring the distant corners of Earth.  As of July 10, 2010 I have explored 42 countries on my way to a goal of 70 (world’s largest airline goes to just 67).  I encouage and support anyone who pursues their dream (especially if they dream of travel or contributing to the restaurant industry).  Please email me if I can help in any way.  Hope the slideshows offer inspiration for those dreaming of seeing new places.  More to come – stay tuned!

Restaurant Consultant Aaron Allen