About this episode
In this episode of One Off Travel Stories, Andrew sits down with Mark Mustian, a seasoned traveler and author, to discuss his 2008 journey through Turkey and Syria. Mark traveled to the region to conduct firsthand research for his historical fiction novel, The Gendarme, which centers around the topic of the Armenian Genocide. Mark shares vivid memories of navigating tense border crossings, exploring the ancient Citadel in Aleppo, and navigating sensitive cultural topics during his travels.Guest:Mark is a professional lawyer who primarily practices contract law. He is an avid lifelong traveler who has visited over ninety countries. He is the author of three historical fiction books, including The Gendarme.Chapters:Introduction to Mark Mustian and the roots of his travel passionBalancing a legal career with global exploration and family lifeDiscovering heritage and the research process behind The GendarmeThe 2008 trip to Turkey and a difficult Syrian border crossingVisiting the ancient Citadel and the Armenian quarter in AleppoNavigating sensitive historical topics and experiencing a tense border exitMark's future travel plans to Argentina, Uruguay, and RwandaResources and Links:Mark Mustian's Official WebsiteThe Gendarme by Mark MustianThe Black Dog of Fate by Peter Balakian (Mentioned Book)Call to action:Check out my website at oneofftravelstories.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
