I probably should have left, but I stuck around for wine and cheese and a glass of Italian. Then, like chips and salsa, I had too much cheese and not enough wine. They brought an emergency screw cap bottle.
TPOL’s Tip: The address is Cra 43D #13 – 17, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
After a hectic week in Medellin (see The Almost Perfect Sane Asylum Getaway), I needed to chill out. What better way of doing so than by sitting in an ice bath? After witnessing a tourist shivering and having a meltdown after trying it, I was a bit nervous about giving it a go.
After diving in, I was surprised why the tourist was so traumatized. To be fair, the ice had melted so maybe it wasn’t as cold as when he went in.
The next day after my yoga session (see Yoga Medellin: Another Side of This City), I scheduled another ice bath. This time the ice was freshly packed and ready to go.
I went in and, once again, could not understand why the tourist made it seem like an ice bath is a dare-devil activity.
On the contrary, it is a refreshing rehab after intense sport (see Muay Thai Medellin: Chapter 3 of My Combat Journey). In fact, I prefer it was more comfortable when it was packed with ice versus when it was only freezing cold water. The ice cubes felt like I was wearing a full-body compression suit. Between this and my fat-freezing session (see Medical Tourism in Colombia), I was iced out.
TPOL’s Tip: Ice Bath and Yoga are available at Flow Wellbeing: Cl. 12 #43D-105, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Here is the IG page.
It is a no-brainer to keep the Capital One Venture X card (see Keep vs. Cancel (Proactive Edition): Capital One Venture X). But what to do about the business version? Is it worth the $395 annual fee? Ultimately, I said no. Here’s why:
$300 travel credit < $395
10k anniversary points: From a valuation stand point, the 10k is worth ore than the $95, the difference in the travel credit and the total of the annual fee. I have over 332k Capital One points that are sitting idle, that’s a sin in itself. Why do you I need more? I prefer to keep my cash.
Business is Mastercard, and Personal is Visa: I use the personal card, a Visa, at Costco and everywhere that Amex is not taken.
Phone protection: I use the personal card for this as well.
I called retention. They offered nothing. I cancelled. Anyone disagree?
TPOL’s Tip: Be sure to transfer your points from the business to the personal card.
We’re up to 26 entrants If I get to 30, I will throw in a bottle of Don Q Silver.
Last year, I DOGE cut my March Madness bracket (see No TPOL March Madness Bracket. And No One Cares). This year, I’m bringing it back. Winner gets a flight to Puerto Rico to play golf with me.
Last year, I DOGE cut my March Madness bracket (see No TPOL March Madness Bracket. And No One Cares). This year, I’m bringing it back. Winner gets a flight to Puerto Rico to play golf with me.
In the words of the critically acclaimed Miley Cyrus and the fallen star, Sean ‘Puff Daddy’, ‘Diddy Combs’, “We can’t stop. And we won’t stop.” Indeed, I don’t even know how to stop. And that’s why after 11 years, I am still writing this critically acclaimed blog.
With an eye on the future, I have launched a Vlog that will combine the very best of my travel with the very best of why you read this blog- me.
No need for 23andMe. I know where I come from. While my ancient ancestors are from Turkey, the Bachuwas come from a small town on the outskirts of Mosul called Telkaif. Though my grandparents grew up in Baghdad, it was I had to go to where it all began. Driving to this town required another stop at the checkpoint. The security officer could not understand why we were trying to go there. After a lengthy explanation about the cultural and familial relevance, he waved us through. But like Samaraa, we had to surrender our passports (see Navigating Iraqi Checkpoints: The Road to Samarra).
The Town
While there were signs of normalcy, Telkaif was eerily quiet. Much of the population had left after the invasion of ISIS.
Historical Landmarks
The first Catholic church was locked away and inaccessible.
That’s not an intentional peephole.
On the way to the second, the sacred heart, we passed by a Catholic cemetery. We tried to go in but it was locked. A random passerby said that the guard in the church had the key.
We arrived at the church, and again, it was locked.
My guide knocked on the door and informed the guard that there was a Chaldean (Catholic Iraqi) from Michigan who wanted to ask him a few questions (Though I am not a practicing Catholic, Catholicism is an integral part of my culture.). A few moments later, he came down and immediately welcomed us in.
I thought it would only be a hurried look around and a prohibition on pictures. Quite the opposite, he was thrilled to take us on a tour. The first stop was the part of the church which was restored after the ISIS attack. Seeing the church where my relatives prayed years ago was a solemn moment.
The guard took us to two more places of prayer. Both were badly destroyed by ISIS and have yet to be repaired. He told us that people were killed in these rooms. That was disturbing and surreal.Nuns Quarters
Nuns used to live on the premises but left after the invasion and have not returned.
The Cemetery
After the tour of the church, the guard gave us the keys to the cemetery. That was unbelievable.
I searched for the names of relatives who may have been buried there. I could not locate any of them.
It was sad seeing tombstones shattered into pieces by ISIS.
Although ISIS was defeated, much of the population of Telkaif left.
We went back to the church to take photos with the guard and thank him for welcoming us. He invited us to tour the neighborhood across from the church. According to my aunt, that is where the Bachuwas lived.
TPOL’s Tip: Here is how you assemble a Russian assault rifle.
Return to Mosul
We told the security officer that we were going to Telkaif for a quick look around. When we came back hours later, he inquired why we were gone for so long. Despite our delay in returning, he promptly gave us back our passports and sent us on our way.
Dinner in Mosul
To top off one of the best days, we had dinner at what looked like Flint’s own Big John Steak and Onion. The lahem ageen was superb. The bombyah (okra) was good but as usual, it is better made at home. The meat was great, especially the lamb which fell off the bone.
How hard can it be to start a vlog? I am happy that I did not put too much thought into answering that question before launching this channel. I quickly learned that this hobby requires a lot of work, instruction, and talent. To kick it off, I filmed my experience in St. Lucia for carnival. The learning curve for vlogging is as steep as the learning curve for golf, which is also documented in this inaugural film. Fortunately, I don’t take myself too seriously and am happy to publish the result for your amusement. Please join me, Alexander, aka the #masterofwon, as I go on this journey into the known unknown i.e., I know it will be fun, but I have no idea if it’ll be any good.
Last year, I DOGE cut my March Madness bracket (see No TPOL March Madness Bracket. And No One Cares). This year, I’m bringing it back. Winner gets a flight to Puerto Rico to play golf with me. Enter here.
We arrived at the church, and again, it was locked. 
Nuns Quarters
