by Bernie Debusmann At first glance, the Indian city of Mumbai – or Bombay, as my wife constantly reminds me – is an odd place for an archaeological site. It is, after all, very crowded – more than 18 million people crammed into just over 600 square kilometres of space. It’s also a city that’s … Continue reading
by Bernd Debusmann Jr. Given the fact that most of you out there are on coronavirus lockdown – or should be – The Velvet Rocket has decided on a much-needed update as we revive the magazine for what we hope to be a successful and exciting 2020. Let’s get ready for thinking of past adventures … Continue reading
By Bernie Debusmann Today, Zanzibar is best known as an exotic tourist destination off the coast of Tanzania, but it also happens to be the site of what is believed to be the world’s shortest war – a virtually forgotten affair that lasted all of 45 minutes and killed or wounded 500 Zanzibaris. The war … Continue reading
This is a version of our article that first appeared in War Is Boring… The future of Iraqi Kurdistan is on the minds of many in the region today as the invasion of the Islamic State in the summer of 2014 has now been successfully repelled. Many dire and pessimistic predictions can be heard, with … Continue reading
Located near the town of Sheki, this abandoned fortress was actually one of my favorite sites in Azerbaijan (and by “this” I am including the hike in as well as Gelersen-Gorersen itself)… A fragment of the fortress now almost lost to the forest: Although the fortress dates back to the 8th or 9th century, the … Continue reading
By Bernie Debusmann, Pictures by Sarakshi Rai To most non-Spaniards, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) is distant history, the stuff of Hemingway novels. But to many Spaniards, the war can seem like yesterday – and nowhere is this more evident than in the town of Belchite. Belchite, home to about 2,000 people in Aragon, had … Continue reading
Black markets seem to be an integral part of human existence. Supply and demand trumps all. The authorities (rightly or wrongly) ban a commodity for which there is demand and the profit incentive will drive entrepreneurs to find a way to supply it. The punishment or consequences for participation in these illicit activities dictates how … Continue reading
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