August 18, 2012 – Hour 1

The co-founder of a cultural exchange organization called World Weavers, Ben Bowler, joins Rudy to discuss his “Muslim for a Month” project. Actually, it’s not a month, but a ten-day program in Turkey that allows a participant to learn what it’s like to be a Muslim in the Sufi branch of that religion. (You’ve heard of “whirling Dervishes”? They’re adherents to Sufism who are inspired by the life and works of the famous Persian poet Rumi who believed dance and music brought worshipers closer to God.) You’ll live in a Sufi lodge in Istanbul’s old city, partner with a Muslim family, and take some escorted side trips. (You’ll get to tour Istanbul, as well.) $1,500 covers all meals, lodging, and trips for the 10 days; the next event begins Sept. 16. William McGee, author of the new book that takes a harsh look at America’s system of commercial aviation, Attention All Passengers, warns against the practice of flying with a child two years or younger in your lap and discusses the potential danger of our overcrowded airlines. (And if you missed his first appearance on the show last Saturday in which he discussed the lack of federal oversight of airline maintenance, it’s worth a listen.) You might recall about ten days ago when a Delta flight from Pittsburgh to Newark was delayed when a swarm of 10,000 or more bees attached itself to the wing of the plane. The beekeeper who was summoned to the airport to gently remove those bees (who were looking for a new home), Stephen Repasky, describes how he did it. It wasn’t the first time he’d been summoned to Pittsburgh’s airport for such a task. And Travelocity.com’s senior editor, Courtney Scott, offers suggestions for last-minute travel for Labor Day weekend. Rudy also shares some great travel deals and reports the week’s news in travel.