Frank Scerri, Sales Manager at Sportsnet, sat down with the Blog team recently to discuss his passion for the Middle East…

Sportsnet | What was your most memorable travel experience?
Frank Scerri | I have had many memorable travel experience over the years but a combination of 3 experiences on one trip cumulatively stand out.

Temple Mount Jerusalem

On a recent trip to the Middle East I had a series of experiences that were amazing. Firstly I was a sole traveller on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This sacred place for both the Jewish and Muslim faiths, fought over for thousands of years, was all mine , an exhilarating solitary experience that I will remember forever. On the same trip two additional experiences relating to my faith were equally memorable. Sailing on the Sea of Galilee in a replica fishing boat to that of the bible times, on a dead calm sea and climbing Mt Sinai in Egypt was a combination of a spiritual, emotional and cultural travel experience explosion, I will treasure forever.

SN | Why?
FS | For many reason the Middle East, captivates me. The Middle East as a region, so topical in the public forum for the wrong reasons, is a melting pot of ancient civilisations, architecture, cuisine, hospitality, archaeology and people that I’m my view is unrivalled anywhere on this planet. The region is simply a treasure trove of experiences, something you may find in legend of “Aladdin’s Cave”. Abracadabra Open Sesame!

Mt Sinai Egypt

SN | Have you been back recently? If not, why?
FS | I have travelled at least once a year to the region over the last 4-5 years, each time discovering new countries. Believe it or not but Iran is where I would love to go, don’t tell my mother please?

SN | What do you remember the most? Colours, food, smells, heritage etc?
FS | The region is just one massive kaleidoscope of all the above, the colours constantly vibrant, food endlessly amazing, smells acutely nasal hair burning and the heritage captivating.

SN | One thing you would recommend is a MUST to do?
FS | The single most important thing I would recommend is to focus on the people, the locals. Discard the media frenzy surrounding the Middle East and open yourself to most hospitable, welcoming people you will ever hope to know.

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