Being a kid in Yemen

For centuries, MiddleEast and its surroundings have always been a boiling pot. Until the discovery of petrol rich territories, poverty, clan fights, wars, water disputes, civil wars, and ongoing fights to change Shia vs Sunni balance within the region has probably shed more blood than region's water sources.

Yemen is the poorest country within the region, with one key strategic factor in its hand: Aden. Where almost all Arab and Persian oil passes through. Saudis, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and obviously U.S is giving support to prevent Houthi's (Shia) , backed up by Iran, to gain control of Aden Port which they are so close right now. If this happens, oil prices would hit sky high, leading a chaos in oil dependant countires, and their cost of productions to exports.

Therefore, when I watch UN, US, EU, and the other big brothers's statements, it makes me feel so sad to see those helpless Yemenis suffer air-strikes leadin 53 civillian deaths...

So don't tell me that all this is for Yemen and Yemenis ! Because Yemen just looks like a beautiful little Gazelle in Serengeti, with a broken leg, being gulped down by predetors.

Not to mention that Pakistani army is also now on highest aler, so I would not be surprised if they somehow start marching on to the war zone soon...

As always, children are the most affected ones without having a clue of why all this is happening. Act now and save children in Yemen today !!!

God Bless them all !

Heart of Europe: Luxembourg

Cremant Champagne

Think about a country which is in the middle of Europe, with 400,000 population and one of the founders of European Union. Small, very clean, mostly foreign expats, lots of beautiful castles, home of Skype and Amazone in Europe.

Thanks to Mehtap and George, who are the sweetest couples on Earth, were kind enough to invite us in to their lovely warm homes in beautiful Beaufort. Now that Turkish Airlines have started to fly directly to Luxembourg, it is only 3 hours from Istanbul. Small but very practical airport allows you to land right at the heart of the country, and it takes you about 20 minutes to the capital Luxembourg City.

As soon as our touch down, we went to Bernard-Massard in Cremant (http://www.bernard-massard.lu/en/) visit one of the most well known sparkling wines or champagne in Luxembourg. Produces about 3 million bottles per year, and sells almost 60% of it. Very nice and quiet neighborhood, and they offer English cellar or factory tour ending with excellent tasting which costs you about 20Euros for 3 different types: Brut, Demi-Sec and Sec. Lovely atmosphere, very kind and friendly personnel. A definite "Must See"...

Our gide in the cellar

Next day: Short trip to Germany

Trier

Only for 11Euros, you can take a train to Germany's bordering neighbor city to Luxembourg in 50 minutes. You are now in Trier. A small, German town with around 100,000 population (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier). Porta Nigra or Black Gate, welcomes you to enter main downtown. Great German beer, along with veal schnitzel served with Pommes Frites (French Fries) in a very typical restaurant in Hauptmarkt. While you are at Trier, youcan also visit the house of Karl Marx :)

Train view

Best veal schnitzel ever had....

Eiffel Zoo

If you are travelling with kid(s) and dont know what to do, I suggest you to visit Eiffel Zoo in Germany which is about 80 kilometers from Luxembourg by car. Very nice, quiet, great walking paths with kids, some animals like, lions, tigers and bear which kids may love. 9 Euros entrance fee, free for kids under 2 years of age.

Castles, beautiful castles...

If you are in Luxembourg, I definitely recommend you to visit some castles. I was fortunate to visit two of them: Beaufort and Vianden. Built in 13th and 14th centuries. Feels a little haunted and spooky, but prepare your cameras, because you are definitely going to shoot some great photos. Most castles' entrance fees are about 6 to 10 Euros.

Conclusion: Very Swisslike country, with lots of castles, beutiful architecture, clean, child-friendly, easy to go around. Take a intercity bus to enjoy beautiful countryside of the country as well...

Places to see: Vianden and Beaufort Castles, Rue de Phillip II (Designer Brands), Cathedral Notre-Dame, Palace of Queen Luxembourg, Old Town.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Senate of Luxembourg Internal Affairs

Coming up next: Champagne Region and Paris