Useless and Proud of It

Global Travel and The Curious Cook

Here's my last posting before I head out to class. When I have more time, I'll have to go back and visit this blog - Big Sweet Tooth. I like her style, and just looking at her blog will make you hungry.

Here's the posting . . .

It's not until I travel that I begin to understand the origin of food.

Every time I come home from a trip abroad, it seems I can better comprehend my cookbooks, my recipes and all the foreign objects I come across in ethnic grocery stores.

When I travel, I peek deep into kitchens and soak up the skilled vibe of the chef, no matter if it's a tiny shack on the beach in the Caribbean, where an young woman is kneading coconut bread or if it's an portly old man chain-smoking and whipping up delicious pan con tomato and pans of paella down a back alleyway in Spain.

Once you find food at its source, it begins to take on a whole new spin and recipes, ingredients, herbs and spices become a lot less intimidating.

I'll track down palm sugar and make huge batches of deep red hibiscus tea after sampling it in a cooking class in Bali and after spending time on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, I'll grind loads of basil, pecorino and pinenuts until I have lush green pesto to toss into pasta.

Sojourns to Mexico have me craving coconut shrimp and entire fishes tossed on the grill and after exploring Greece, I've found that there is no octopus like the brilliant purple tendrils enjoyed on the beaches of Paros (though La Cucina di Donatella just south of Evanston has a killer, lemon-kissed version).

Global travel is a way to open up your mouth and quell your curiosity about food--trust me, there's a whole lot more out there than you know.

No Name For Christian Baby

It's amazing how people can use religion for any purpose . . .

A 3-month-old baby born to a Christian family in the city of Aliabad, Azerbaijan, has been denied official recognition of his name due to the family’s choice of a Christian name.

When officials saw the name of Ilya Eyvazov, they refused to issue a birth certificate to the baby’s father because it is a Russian form of the name Elijah. The father of five said he had similar difficulties with the last two of his children, Moisei (Moses) and Luka (Luke).

After visiting city administration offices weekly for the next month, he eventually succeeded in securing a birth certificate that left his newest son’s name blank.

In Azerbaijan, where 96% of the population is Muslim, Christianity is perceived by many as a “foreign religion,” and conversion from Islam is often viewed as betrayal of the nation.

Without a birth certificate it is impossible for an Azeri to receive medical care, attend school or travel abroad. It’s not yet clear what practical problems Ilya Eyvazov will face if his official identification carries no name.

HP 2006 Photo Contest "Imaging a Global Culture"

The winner of the HP 2006 Photo Contest "Imaging a Global Culture" has been announced. The theme for this year was "Imaging a Global Culture".

Paul Teolis of Toronto, with his Graffiti Penguin image has been announced as the winner. The image shows a penguin overshadowed by a rusting oil storage tank in the Antartic.

The photo was selected by a panel of judges that consisted of photographer Edward Burtynsky, gallery owner Nicholas Metivier, and Toronto Star photo editor Ken Faught. More than 1,400 images were submitted to the contest from across Canada.

Obama's African Homecoming

There's no end to interesting blogs from around the world. I came across this African blog this morning, New Blog of independent Africa Reporter Arjen Westra, based in Africa, and the blogger has a few things to say about U.S. Illinois Senator Barak Obama

Obama for president?

US-Senator Obama visited Kenya. The media were full about his visit. What surprised me most, was that Obama spoke out about a lot of things and that his ideas were taken just as if he was a veteran statesman. But he wasn’t, It felt just as if he was hired to do so.

But is a US-senator supposed to criticize the government of the country where his father was born? Obama’s only connection with Kenya is, that his father migrated to the United States long time ago, but he was received like a long lost son.

He criticized the government of president Kibaki, he criticized tribalism and he criticized the raid on newspaper The Standard this year. Why did he not promote Kenyan business in the United States, but instead choose to go with the Kenyan political flow?

This is exactly what Kenyans have had enough of these days? Why am I writing this? Because for me it confirms the idea that Kenyans are in desperate need of a hero, a myth that as a relative outsider can put things in a way that people listen to.

South Africa had Mandela. Kenya now is dreaming about their own Mandela with Obama. The problem is, that Obama has nothing to do with Kenya, unless he migrates back to his fathers roots and comes to save ‘his’ country.

I found this article interesting because Obama was treated like a dignitary when he arrived in Africa. Tens of thousands of Africans turned out to see him. Many of them had traveled by foot, and waited for hours just to see his vehicle drive by. Yes, it appeared that they were looking for a hero, but Obama is an American, and a Senator. I don't think Obama will be leaving Washington anytime soon - Just a Traveler

St Kitts: The Hidden Jewell of the Southern Caribbean

St Kitts: The Hidden Jewell of the Southern Caribbean
by Lorraine Weston

With 69 square miles of diverse ecosystems, colonial history and inviting culture, St, Kitts is the Southern Caribbean’s best kept secret.

Boasting an average year-round temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the vibrant, inviting atmosphere for which the Caribbean is known, St. Kitts will certainly win the heart of any traveler lucky enough to discover it. Most importantly, the island nation’s commitment to sustainable development has succeeded in offering first-class accommodations, shopping and cuisine, while continually engaging in unparalleled ecological preservation.

Perhaps unlike anywhere else in the world, St. Kitts is steadfastly dedicated to the preservation of its unique ecosystems. From undeveloped stretches of sugary, white sand beaches to lush rainforests that conjure images of the South Pacific, the island remains unspoiled in every sense of the word.

At the center of the island rises Mt. Liamuiga, a dormant volcano with a mile-wide caldera, surrounded by exotic flora and fauna. Amongst the vine-enveloped trees and tropical wildflowers of these misty rainforests, hikers can’t miss the vast array of colorful birds, butterflies and elusive green vervet monkeys. For ecotourists, or simply anyone who appreciates dramatic natural beauty, St. Kitts will certainly surpass all expectations.

However, St. Kitts’ pristine ecosystems represent only a fraction of the allure surrounding the island. Historically, St. Kitts and its sister island, Nevis, were the pearls of the British Caribbean, rich and tremendously strategic islands celebrated throughout Europe.

The impenetrable fortress of Brimstone Hill stood as the “Gibraltar of the West Indies” for centuries. Constructed of black volcanic rock and held at times by both the English and French, the fort is today a national park and the island's historical centerpiece, offering some of the most pristine views in the Southern Caribbean. Furthermore, the remains of a vibrant sugar cane industry offer unique opportunities to explore colonial harbor estates and a glimpse into the vivacious Caribbean social life of forgotten eras.

Today, the vibrant, multiethnic culture of St. Kitts is centered in the island’s charming capital, Basseterre. At the heart of Basseterre is the Circus, a Victorian roundabout modeled on London’s Piccadilly Circus, complete with an ornate four-sided clock dating to the 1860s.

Equally impressive is St. George’s Anglican Church, a beautiful example of Georgian architecture. Despite the numerous markers of a colonial past, indigenous art and culture are regularly on display in Basseterre.

Each year, during the Christmas season, the small nation holds a week-long Carnival featuring dazzling performances and distinctive customs. It all takes place in the city’s streets, which are lined with one of a kind shops and exquisite Caribbean and seafood restaurants.

When it comes to recreation on St. Kitts, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Relax on calm, undeveloped beaches like Turtle Beach, Sand Bank Bay or Friar's Bay South on the island’s Caribbean side, or brave the waves of the Atlantic Ocean on the rocky, windswept eastern shores.

Try your luck on one of island’s internationally ranked golf courses, or at a craps table in a luxuriant casino. Go boating or fishing in the crystal clear Caribbean, or dive beneath the waters surrounding the island and discover vast coral reefs and over 400 ship wrecks. Still largely undiscovered, despite its otherworldly beauty, astonishing history and unmatched charm, St. Kitts is truly the hidden jewel of the Caribbean.

This article was written by Jon Wuebben. Jon writes select pieces about travel in St. Kitts for the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J._Wuebben

Bedbugs Take Bite out of Travel Comfort

Oh, when I read this article, it made me itch! I don't think I've ever seen a bedbug, but after reading this I will be more careful when traveling - AND LOOK. I bet if you read this, you will too!


Until a few years ago, University of Kentucky entomologist Michael Potter had never seen a bedbug, a blood-sucking, tick-size insect that had evolved from common household annoyance to the stuff of nursery rhymes and urban legends.

But now, Potter told squirming attendees at this week's International Bed Bug Symposium near Washington, D.C., he never enters a hotel room without checking the mattress and headboard for tiny, dark brown spots or other evidence that what he dubs "the pests of the 21st century" have gotten there first.

Bedbug infestations are "still isolated, and the better hotels are on top of this," says Potter, a frequent traveler who adds that his own room inspections haven't turned up any unwanted roommates.

But after the pests' virtual eradication in the USA by the 1960s, globalization and a curtailed use of pesticides have sparked a resurgence of bedbugs in everything from college dorms to nursing homes. And travelers, who may unwittingly carry the critters in luggage and clothing, are among the most common recipients of their itchy, mosquito-like welts.

Statistics are hard to come by, in part because bedbugs — which score high on the "ick" scale even though there's no evidence they transmit disease and they aren't related to a lack of cleanliness — are "a problem nobody wants to talk about," Potter says.

Joe McInerney of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, a co-sponsor of the bedbug symposium, says "most hotel chains don't keep track because the number is so insignificant," and he adds that with 4.4 million hotel rooms in the USA and a 2006 projected occupancy rate of 64.4%, "you could count the number of cases per day on one or two hands."

But in a survey in December 2004 by Pest Control Technology magazine, respondents said hotels and motels were the most common location for bedbug invasions, accounting for 37% of calls. In a recent survey of 700 client hotels, the pest-control company Steritech found that 24.4% required treatment for bedbugs from November 2002 to April 2006, though only .6% of 76,000 rooms were infested. Overall, the National Pest Management Association says bedbug reports increased 71% from 2000 to 2005, with member companies that had received one or two calls a year now logging 10 to 50 a week.

Citing a potential threat to the state's tourism industry, Hawaii legislators passed a resolution this spring urging the state's health department to mount a bedbug prevention and education campaign. The nocturnal pests were on the agenda this week at a Las Vegas tourism safety and security conference. And next week, New York's city council will hold a hearing on a proposal that would ban the sale of reconditioned mattresses and establish a bedbug task force.

At the popular hotel review site TripAdvisor.com, "we get a steady stream of bedbug reports and have hundreds of reviews" that mention them, spokesman Brooke Ferencsik says. "Even if travelers aren't experiencing (bedbugs), they're becoming more aware and are looking out for them."

The blog HotelChatter.com, which also posts bedbug-related sightings and news accounts, notes: "Not only can a hotel get a terrible reputation for allowing the creepy crawly bed buddies to exist, but they can also lose out on a lot of dough."

Last month, a suburban Chicago couple filed suit against a Four Points by Sheraton near the San Francisco airport, claiming they woke to find bugs in their bed, bath towels and luggage.

This summer, another Chicago woman filed a $20 million lawsuit against the Nevele Grande in Ellenville, N.Y., saying her body and mind were scarred after she suffered some 500 bedbug bites while staying at the Catskills resort last year.

And land-based lodgings aren't the only ones affected: Last year, a Florida couple sued Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines after their cruise was cut short by what they claimed was a severe infestation in their stateroom.

"People's reactions to being bitten by a bedbug are different. To some, it's nothing more than a mosquito bite. But to others, it can have severe psychological implications, and there are cases in which a jury awarded more than $100,000," says New York attorney Timothy Wenk, who cautioned hoteliers attending the bedbug symposium that they "should be able to show that housekeepers were trained to look (for bugs), that they used a checklist, and that they had a professional (pest control) firm in place."

Daily inspections notwithstanding, the fact that bedbugs are resilient hitchhikers means a room could be bug-free one day but not the next, says Laura Krueger of the California Department of Health Services. And, she adds, there's no room for complacency: "When it comes to bedbugs, we're at orange alert."


TIPS FOR SLEEPING TIGHTER

Determined not to let the bedbugs bite the next time you check into a hotel room? According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, a nationwide increase in bedbug sightings has had "a minimal impact on the vast majority of hotels. ... Trained and knowledgeable housekeeping staff is one of the best lines of defense, along with having regular pest control inspections." If you're still worried, here are tips from pest-control experts attending a recent International Bed Bug Symposium:

Because bedbugs feed at night, the most likely places to find them are the mattress and box springs. Pull back the bedspread and sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots (the defecated remains of a bedbug meal), molted skins or the flat, brown, oval-shaped bugs, which range in size from a poppy seed to a tick, depending on the life cycle stage. In large infestations, there may be a sickly sweet odor that symposium experts described as that of coconut, sweaty socks or raspberries.

Other common hiding places include the bedboard, nightstands and carpeted edges where the floor meets the wall close to the bed.

Consider placing luggage on a metal rack or other hard surface, not on the floor or bed.

If you detect bedbugs, inform the front desk and request another room. But because the bugs have been reported to travel up to 100 feet, be wary about being moved to an adjacent room.

Experts say bedbugs usually can't be felt while they're feeding and cause little or no reaction in some victims. But many others report mosquito-like, itchy red welts or swelling that can appear anywhere from a few hours to two weeks after being bitten. If you do wake up with itchy bites that weren't there before you went to sleep, you can minimize the chances of bringing the "red-coated ramblers" back home by vacuuming your suitcase and laundering clothes.

By Laura Bly, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-09-14-bedbugs_x.htm

Should You Refinance Your Student Loan?

Here's an article I ran across, and being a student (with a loan) I definitely took note . . .

If you are struggling to repay your student loans then you most certainly are not alone.

Many times students and graduates that hold student loans look to refinance in order to lower their monthly payments. Before considering this, please read the following article. It may just change your mind.

Refinancing student loans can be a good idea under certain circumstances, but not always. Interest rates have been low but they are in fact rising and most economists agree that they will continue to rise. Most student loans are based on a variable interest rate and will not be locked-in until you refinance or get a loan consolidation.

The option to refinance is only available to those individuals who have established good credit by paying their loans back on time. If you have missed payments or have been late then you can pretty much forget about it. As a rule, refinancing rates are usually offered at 1 or 2 points below what your current rate is. This is to make the loan more attractive, but you must take caution.

It is tempting to pay less per month but oftentimes what was a 5 year loan turns into a 15 year loan. You can, and I highly recommend that you do, avoid this by paying off as much of the principal as possible. This will shorten the life of the loan and the amount of interest that you pay. This is of course ideal in the best of circumstances but in those times when money is tight you can cut back on your payments, even to the minimum.

Student loans are like every other type of bank loan that you receive in the sense that you borrowed the principal upfront and now the true cost of the loan can only be calculated after all of the principal and interest has been paid back in full. That is probably where a great many students find themselves having difficulties. Far too many treat their student loans as if they were free money. No doubt a great many do the same with credit cards as well but that is a subject for a different day.

Student loans are godsend in assisting millions to get their education. They are an integral part of our society and play a huge role in bettering ourselves and the world we live in through education. If you hold a student loan then you owe it to yourself to know exactly where you stand with it and make the proper adjustments if need be.

Women Blogging Around the World

Today I was looking around the BlogHer website, where the women bloggers are, and found some interesting blogs - Click on each link to read the postings:

Looking for Cuban blogs by Liz Henry
Here is my very favorite kind of web site, bold and feminist, literary and political. Sandra Alvarez, on her blog Negra cubana, writes thoughtful articles about race, feminism, gender, books, and health. She's a feminist literary theory nerd, reading Irigaray, hooks, and Spivak, and she's also firmly grounded in political realities.
__________________________________

Checking in with my new hometown bloggers in Dubai by Jules
In preparation for moving to Dubai, I did a lot of research. I read guidebooks, I read websites, I logged on to a travel bulletin board and read postings, I emailed with someone from said bulletin board who was living in Dubai to find out the lowdown on life in the Sandpit.

And I read an lot of blogs, written by people living in Dubai. I've said before that one of the things I love about blogging is that you get a snapshot of someone's life, and get to see what it is like to live in different cities, countries and ways of life. I find that aspect of blogging fascinating.
_______________________________________

Kolna Laila, an Egyptian women's group blog - by By Liz Henry
Recently a group of around 200 Egyptian women bloggers began a group blog called Kolna Laila. You might also find it as Kolona, Koulna, or Leila spelled as Layla or Leila and it means "We are all Laila". Most of the blogs aggregated here on Laila-eg.blogspot.com that participated are in Arabic, but some are in English or are multilingual.
________________________________________

An American in St Maarten - (the Dutch side)
I am from the US, and live in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. I have lived here since November 1997. I have learned... many, many new things.
_________________________________________

Root Magazine
Global Dance Culture - Root Magazine inspires readers to discover diverse cultures through excellent writing and photojournalism that explores styles of dance and music from around the world.
_________________________________________

Visit BlogHer - Where the Women Bloggers Are

Girlfriends Getaways Poll

You and two girlfriends are going on a girlfriend getaway. Which famous woman would you like to round out your foursome?

Do you think it'd be more fun to hang out with Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston? Would you discuss world politics with Condoleezza Rice or fashion with Paris Hilton?

Here are the results from our poll:

Who would be your ideal travel mate? The top results:

4.2% - Hillary Clinton
9.7% - Jennifer Aniston
4.8% - Sarah Jessica Parker
6.3% - Angelina Jolie
2.4% - Gwen Stefani
0.9% - Martha Stewart
0.1% - Anna Wintour
0.2% - Mary-Kate Olsen
0.6% - Paris Hilton
3.2% - Condoleezza Rice
0.3% - Nicole Richie
6.8% - Susan Sarandon
4.1% - Laura Bush
0.3% - Kate Moss
4.2% - Cameron Diaz
9.4% - Rachael Ray
4.3% - Katie Couric
20.4% - Oprah Winfrey
2.2% - Maureen Dowd
1.1% - Gwyneth Paltrow
0.4% - Lindsay Lohan
4.8% - Diane Sawyer
1.3% - Madonna
0.2% - Serena Williams
7.8% - Queen Latifah

Looks like most of Budget Travel readers want to go on vacation with Oprah.

I like to have fun on vacation, so I would choose Rachael Ray. Rachael knows how to eat on $40 buck a day, has lots of energy, and loves to travel.

Just over 3% would like to have Condi Rice as their vacation travel partner. Who in the hell wants to talk politics on vacation, and does Condi look like fun? Not to me - no way. Same goes for Hillary and Martha!

Note: This is an unscientific survey of Budget Travel Online readers.

The Youth Vote - Will It Count?

Americans of ages 18 to 30 hold political views that differ from the general population in some ways that are not at all surprising, and some that are, according to the latest survey by the nonprofit group Young Voter Strategies.

The poll, released Tuesday, showed that respondents in that age bracket predictably put a higher priority than the public as a whole on education and the cost of college — ranking those, in fact, as their top concerns, followed in order by jobs and the economy and the war in Iraq.

This differs from voters of all age groups combined, who prioritize the war in Iraq, then terrorism in general, then the economy and jobs, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll conducted Sept. 15-19.

More unexpected, perhaps, especially given the stereotype of rebellious youth, is that the 18-to-30 respondents have a much rosier opinion of Congress than the nation as a whole.

The survey showed 53% of those younger Americans polled say they approve of the job Congress is doing; these results were released two days before the publication of the CBS News-New York Times poll, in which just 25% of registered voters interviewed gave Congress a thumbs up.

Conversely, younger Americans are more hostile than the people at large toward President Bush.

Of the 18-to-30 respondents, 62% disapproved of Bush’s job performance, a statistically minor 2 percentage-point decrease from the Young Voter Strategies poll conducted in April.

Even the CBS News-New York Times poll, which is on the low side of recent presidential approval polling, showed Bush with a 56% disapproval among registered voters of all age brackets, with some polls showing even lower negatives.

The Youth Voter Strategies poll showed Democrats faring overwhelmingly better than Republicans in most issues categories, even seeing an occasional gain of a few points from that last survey conducted in April.

The survey is overseen by George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management in Washington, D.C., and funded in part by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The survey found that 70% of respondents thought candidates haven’t talked enough about health care and college affordability, and 68% felt job creation wasn’t being adequately addressed.

While 80% of all respondents said they were registered to vote for the 2004 presidential election, voters under the age of 30 accounted for about 18% of all voters, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

The Young Voter Strategies survey polled 650 18-30 year olds from September 10-17, 2006, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent.


Source: CQ Politics.com

Culture Shock: Different Strokes

I have a friend who attends Arizona State University, and he sent me this link. He's very creative - I'm not so, but he knows I have a blog, so I'll post this for all you "creative types".

This artists' community is all about sharing

In a world of recycled creativity with a lack of opportunities for artists to thrive, the Internet has once again come to the rescue.

DeviantART.com is a Web site that gives artists that break they are searching for. Whether you are rummaging around for interesting art or looking to sell, deviantART will satisfy any need for online art.

After six years of business, the main theme behind deviantART's Web site is all in the name. It's a collaboration of all categories of art; from writing to painting to photography, these pieces of art are all atypical in nature.

DeviantART is a starving artist's paradise - its membership is free and it gives artists an opportunity to get exposure for their talent. Members can upload their personal art, collect favorite art, make friends and save their favorite artists.

Members can also set up their own store in order to sell their prints or writing, which can even be purchased framed.

Instead of browsing for popular mass-produced posters and pictures on Web sites like posters.com, deviantART gives users an opportunity to be original and support rising artists.

With categories of art from fantasy to emotive portraits, this online world is an endless canvas for interested artists.
http://www.deviantart.com/

Source: ASU Web Devil

Democracy, Turkish Style

Turkey is trying to show the European Union that their country is democratic enough to gain membership in the Union, however a recent trial shows something very different.

The Bastard of Istanbul is a book written by a Turkish author, and the story revolves between Istanbul and San Francisco, and tells the stories of four generations of Turkish women and an Armenian-American family that fled the massacres back in the early 1900's. But in 2006, just telling the story and adding fictional characters is enough to land an author in jail.

And it was the "words" of those fictional characters that got her in trouble. One of the fictional characters speaks of "Turkish butchers" of a "genocide" while others talk about being "slaughtered like sheep" in the massacres during World War I.

Eli Shafak (shown above)was recently acquitted on all charges, but she had to stand trial, and is sounding an alrm over what she calls a newly-emerging "culture of lynching" against dissident views in Turkey.

The author said, "I am concerned about an idea that has recently developed in Turkey, the idea that those who do not think like us are cooperating with the enemy".

Well that sounds familiar, did they get the memo from Washington? If she is worried about democracy in Turkey, shouldn't we be worried about democracy in America?

The book does not pass judgement on whether the killings were genocide or not, but calls for national reflection on the near-taboo subject, which Turks have only recently begun to talk about.

The Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their people were slaughtered in what was a genocide between 1915 and 1917. But, Turkey rejects the genocide label, and argues that 300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in what they say was civil strife. All of this happened when Armenians took up arms for independence and sided with Russian troops invading the crumbling Ottoman Empire back in 1915 - 1917.

Can you imagine calling 600,000 deaths a "civil strife" - but that's what we have going on in Iraq - isn't it? Denial, Denial, Denial!

Source: Gulf Daily News

Passport Deadline January 2007

The date when passports will be required for U.S. citizens flying or cruising to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico has been extended by one week, to Jan. 8, 2007.

Until the new rules take effect, you can go to Canada, Mexico and most Caribbean countries and then re-enter the U.S. with just a driver‘s license and birth certificate.

Only 25% of Americans have current valid passports - What's Up With That? I was taken by surprise by those figures. Why do only a fourth of American citizens have passports?

Even with the new passport requirements taking place in January, 2007 Americans will still be able to visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without a passport because they are U.S. territories.

I just finished a posting on how Puerto Rico's tourism is down, and perhaps Americans who still don't heed the advice to get their passport will drive up Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands tourism economy.

For details, visit http://www.travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778. For a list of facilities where passports are processed, type in your zip code at http://www.iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

Dominican & Cuba More Popular than Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's Tourism Slows

More vacationers are choosing to wile away their Caribbean holidays in the Dominican Republic or Cuba, rather than the traditional top destination of Puerto Rico, as those nations increasingly focus on boosting their tourism offerings, an industry group in the U.S. territory said Tuesday.

Puerto Rico, which was the region's most popular vacation spot for four decades until the island recently lost its top rank to the Dominican Republic, has not effectively worked to develop the sector in the last few years, according to a study commissioned by the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association.

The study cited a failure to increase the number of hotel rooms or tourism jobs in the island.

Puerto Rico's weak performance comes as other Caribbean nations with lower operating costs are successfully courting travelers, including a growing number of upscale vacationers, and investing significant resources to enhance their tourism infrastructure and hotel room counts, according to the study.

The Dominican Republic, which leads the Caribbean with 674 hotels offering nearly 60,000 rooms, has earmarked money for developing beaches, new golf courses, all-inclusive resorts and other attractions.

Meanwhile, the tourism sector in Puerto Rico, which has 12,700 rooms in 145 hotels, has remained largely stagnant, officials said.

Tourism in Cuba, where the communist government was forced to diversify its economy in the early 1990s after the loss of Soviet aid and trade, overtook sugar as the island's top source of income in recent years. Most visitors to Cuba come from Europe, Canada and Mexico because of Washington's travel restrictions.

Manufacturing jobs contribute about 42% of the local economy in Puerto Rico, and the government has emphasized bringing in U.S. companies by offering federal tax brakes instead of emphasizing the territory's $4 billion tourist industry.

The government of Puerto Rico had to shutdown for two weeks as the result of a fiscal crunch, and the islands Hotel and Tourism Association says its time to promote tourism jobs, and double the number of hotels rooms within the next 10 years.


Source: David McFadden - Associated Press Writer

St. Tropez -- A jewel of the French Riviera

A visit to the French Riviera would not be complete without a stop in St. Tropez. Renowned for its miles of glistening white beaches, exotic food and as a playground for the rich and famous – it is THE place to see and be seen.

A true jewel of the Riviera, St. Tropez is an animated seaside resort where the azure water and cerulean skies are backlit by brilliant sunsets of ripe apricot, ruby red and gold.

The late afternoon breeze from the Med causes the jewel-colored awnings of the sidewalk cafes to snap and wave merrily, and brings a welcome relief from the heat of the day. Here, the air is fragrant with jasmine and mimosa, and the occasional whiff of a gourmet meal being prepared makes your mouth water.

The nightlife in St. Tropez is fast, energetic and frenetic. You can always find something going on -- there are numerous clubs where you can eat, drink and dance the night away.

“St. Trop” as it is known by those in the film industry, means "Saint Too Much." It was “discovered” in 1956 when Roger Vadim’s “And God Created Women” was filmed here, launching a young Brigitte Bardot into instant super stardom. St. Tropez became a Mecca to artists, writers and, of course, movie stars in the 60s.

St. Tropez is the favored vacation site of chic Parisians and most of Europe. International stars still flock here in the spring and summer, and you never know whom you’ll run into at the open-air market in the Place des Lices, or while sipping an aperitif at one of the many outdoor cafes. In fact, people watching is a favorite pastime in the summer, when the sidewalks are crowded with tourists and sun worshippers.

At the heart of St. Tropez is the harbor. Take a walk along the pier, and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a picture postcard or a painting by Signac or Matisse. Picturesquely painted villas with red tiled roofs sit along the dock, indulgently watching over the wooden fishing boats that bob gently next to large, expensive yachts. 12th century churches, the famous parasol pines and narrow cobblestone streets among picture-perfect houses complete the feeling that it’s too beautiful to be real.

Much has been made of the very special quality of light that is only found in St. Tropez. Maybe it's because of its unique and paradoxical location, or perhaps the spectacular, almost tropical climate has something to do with it. Whatever the reason, when you see the way the luminescent light plays across the wooden sailboats, or highlights one of the beautiful fountains, you’ll feel the stirrings of your inner artist, and long to pick up a paintbrush and palette.

St. Tropez is also known for its beaches. The most famous is the Plage de Pampelonne, with its five km of almost blinding white sand, exotic boutiques, sidewalk cafes and restaurants, including the renowned “Club 55.”

At the north end you’ll find the Plage de Tahiti, which is a well-known haunt of famous celebrities. Other beaches you can visit include Bouillabaisse, Caneliers, and Salins.

To the south of Plage de Pampelonne is Cap Camarat, and just beyond that – a little less accessible and therefore much less crowded – are Plage de l’Escalet and Plage de la Briande. If you go a little farther south, you’ll find a wonderful beach – Gigaro, and the town of La Croix Valmer.

In all, you’ll find over 40 beaches in the area, so it’s easy to enjoy soaking up the sun every day, if that’s your pleasure.

If you prefer something a little more strenuous than lying on the beach, St. Tropez offers something for everyone in way of activities. You can find: Hiking, Biking, Golf, Tennis, Racquetball, Fitness Center, Miniature Golf, Amusement Parks, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Shopping, Restaurants (from the very expensive to the inexpensive), Cinemas, Swimming, Snorkeling/Scuba Diving, Boating, Sailing, Water-skiing, Surfing, Windsurfing, Parasailing, and Jet skiing.

When you’re finished soaking up the sun, you can move indoors, and soak up a little culture instead. There are plenty of wonderful museums, art galleries and other events scheduled throughout the year.

Some "must-sees" include:

Musee de l’Annonciade. (Place Georges Grammont, near the harbor). The museum is housed in the former chapel of the Annonciade. It was opened in 1995 and contains one of the best modern art collections in the Riviera. Many of the paintings show St. Tropez itself, but there are also paintings by artists such as Seurat and Matisse that make it worth visiting. Other artists showcased are Bonnard, Braque, Dufy, Utrillo, Derain and Maillol.

Musee Naval (Rue de la Citadelle) is a memorial to the days when St. Tropez meant more to sea captains and admirals than to the sun worshippers of today. You’ll find models of cannons and ships, old pictures of the town, and interesting little oddities. The museum is a part of the Citadelle, a structure dating back to the 1500s. (The Citadelle is a great place to stop for a picnic lunch as well!)

La Maison de Papillons (Rue Etienne Berry) Papillons means butterflies. The “House of Butterflies” is one of the most amazing places to visit in St. Tropez. Located in an antique house, it has over 4,500 different butterfly species, some of which are almost extinct.

The Open Air Market (Place des Lices) Open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, the market is a fun way to spend a few hours. Check out the amazing variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, haggle with the street vendors and pick up a souvenir or two. Don't forget to keep an eye out for celebrities!

Quartier de la Ponche is the old part of the city. It’s easy to get lost wandering around the narrow twisted streets and back alleys. Still, it’s worth spending the time exploring the shops and houses that are resolute reminders of the days before St. Tropez became “hip.”

When you’re exploring St. Tropez, don’t forget to look up. Nestled on top of the rocky hills, you’ll find many small medieval villages that are worth exploring, like Grimaud and Cogolin, now favored for their marinas.

No matter how long you choose to stay, you’ll find it difficult to tear yourself away from the beauty and excitement of St. Tropez. Even before you leave, you may find yourself thinking about your next trip to the jewel of the French Riviera.

Sue Thompkins - Just A Traveler
The World Is Wide
http://www.theworldiswide.blogspot.com

Webmasters: When reprinting any of the written articles found on this site, the author's name, website address, and URL must be included. In addition you must agree not to change the article title or contents.

East Meets West -- Chinatowns of the World

China has a long and rich history of exploration and migration around the world. In fact, according to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, at the end of 1999, there were 34,505,000 Chinese people living in countries around the world.

The word "Chinatown" in Chinese means "The Street of the Tang People", with Tang referring to the Tang Dynasty, a period of Chinese history regarded by many people as the pinnacle in the Chinese civilization.

For many Chinese people, the original Chinatowns around the world were not started out of choice, but because of racial segregation, and oppression. In other places, they were created to bring a sense of home and community to strangers in a new land.

Whatever their origins, you can find a Chinatown in almost every major city in the world. They vary in size -- from a couple of streets to large, thriving cities within a city.

Visit any Chinatown in the world and you'll be treated to a banquet for your senses -- vibrant, shimmering silks that are sensuously soft against your skin, exotic spices and culinary delights to tempt your astounds along with a kaleidoscope of sounds, fireworks and music.

Wander along the crowded streets and you'll find large pagoda-style arches, paper lanterns, Chinese dragons, beautiful temples and commerce taking place at a dizzying pace.

Here is a list of some of the best Chinatowns in the world:

San Francisco, California: The largest Chinatown on the West Coast, Chinatown is one of San Francisco's biggest tourist attractions. It is world-renowned for its exotic ambience. The history of this Chinatown dates back to the gold rush days of the mid 1800s. Although they were not allowed in the mines, Chinese immigrants built laundries and restaurants to serve the growing city. Today the area is about eight blocks long, and the best time to visit is usually mid-day. Don't miss the small exotic shops that you'll find on the narrow streets, to look for the best bargains.

New York City, New York: Found in lower Manhattan, Chinatown in New York takes up two square miles. It is the largest Chinatown in the U.S. Founded by Chinese sailors and traders in the mid 18th century; the population was small and transient. It wasn't until the Californian Gold Rush that large numbers of Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. After racial tension created problems in the West, immigrants moved back east for safety and employment. Today its overcrowded and narrow streets are both a tourist attraction and home to the largest population of Chinese New Yorkers. You'll find restaurants, open air markets and shops selling everything from silks to herbal products to high fashion.

Singapore: In a city already predominated by Chinese people, an area named "Chinatown" may seem rather redundant. But Chinatown here is one of the most active and vibrant in the entire world. Here you'll enjoy a feast for your palette as well as your eyes. Enjoy exotic dining, brightly painted buildings, nightly cultural activities and shopping.

Melbourne, Australia: Chinatown Melbourne also dates back to a mid-19th century gold rush. It combines the best of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Korean cultures in a busy, bustling environment full of history. The best time to visit Chinatown Melbourne is at night, when the decorative streetlights are ablaze, lanterns are lit in restaurant windows, and wind chimes and neon lights are dazzling. Your biggest problem will be deciding where to go first!

Toronto, Canada: Sam Ching's Chinese laundry, downtown, launched the oldest of the six Chinatowns in the metro area of Toronto. Begun in the 1870's, Chinatown Toronto is famous for over 500 Chinese restaurants, glazed porcelain tea sets, jade necklaces, pearls, and the latest in electronic gadgets. If you watch closely, you'll even see abacuses being used to figure totals and change.

Chinese festivals are celebrated in every Chinatown, and if you happen to find yourself in one of the world's Chinatowns during one, you can consider yourself lucky. Celebrations include lion dances, fireworks, parades, music and laughter. You'll enjoy seeing the true spirit of the Chinese people as they come together to celebrate and honor their history and culture.

Ancient Incan Ritual in Peru

Known as the Ritual Festival of Peru's National Identity, the ancient Incan ritual "Warachikuy" is celebrated every year during the third Sunday of September on the esplanades of the mysterious Sacsayhuaman ruins which are located 10 minutes away from Cusco in Peru.

The celebration, which has been taking place since the XVI century, recreated the ancient ritual this past Sunday, Sept. 17th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and offered tourists an opportunity to comfortably watch the ritual.

To make the ritual more pleasant for tourists, Peru improved the infrastructure, increased security and reduced the ritual's time.

Aside from enjoying Peru's springtime fresh air, the hotel offerings during low season provided an opportunity to combine this stop with trips to nearby circuits such as the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, where tourists could visit various ruins and cities of great historical importance in the Incan civilization.

The ruins of Sacsayhuaman located outside of Cusco formed part of the fortification walls of the ancient Incan city.

Call 866-661-PERU or visit www.peru.info.

,

Diamonds: From Chaos to Girls' Best Friends

They begin in chaos, 75 miles or more beneath Earth's surface, as carbon transformed into crystals by extreme heat and pressure.

As volcanic eruptions drive the crystals upward, they can revert to free carbon atoms, or vaporize into carbon dioxide, or become the graphite that's used in lead pencils.

The survivors retain their original form only if they make it to a point near Earth's surface where they can cool down rapidly. Here, under large plates of Earth called "cratons," they form into diamonds.

The movements of land masses, glaciers and water have transported diamonds thousands of miles from their origins. It is believed that the first diamonds were discovered in riverbeds of India in around 800 B.C., yet their volcanic birthplace was never found. These abundant alluvial deposits supplied the world until the 1700s, when further exploration revealed diamonds in Brazil.

For centuries, people mined diamonds only from riverbed sands and gravel. Then in 1870, they found diamonds in the South African earth far from any river, and the era of dry-digging for diamonds began.

Ever-better techniques led to mining at greater depths. In South Africa, diamonds were found more than 150 miles deep in conical rocks called "kimberlite pipes." And when one of the world's richest diamond deposits was found on the beaches near Namibia, marine mining came into play, yielding diamonds that had been carried to Atlantic Ocean resting places by South African rivers eons ago.

For centuries, rough diamonds were used only as talismans, and they were rarely worn. They were thought to magically produce an immense variety of powerful benefits ranging from medicinal cures and protection in storms to punishment for lying. Possibly the earliest use of diamonds for jewelry was when a Hungarian queen's crown was set with uncut diamonds in approximately 1074.

It's believed that diamond polishing began in India during the 1300s, followed by the first diamond cutting in Antwerp, Belgium during the mid-1500s. While India remained the world's central diamond source until more deposits were found elsewhere, Antwerp became the leading diamond center.

The 58-facet round-brilliant cut was invented by Vincent Peruzzi in the 1700s, but the man whose name would become synonymous with the modern round-brilliant cut diamond was born in 1898 to a renowned family of diamond cutters and dealers in Antwerp. His name was Marcel Tolkowsky.

By age 21 he had long mastered the many skills of diamond cutting. Now he developed a mathematical formula for the round brilliant cut as his doctoral thesis for the University of London.

The formula was calculated to maximize the refraction and dispersion of light through a diamond for optimum fire and brilliance with the least loss of material. It involved a precise combination of cutting angles and relative measurements.

The result was a more beautiful stone than the European cuts of that time. Soon it replaced the old cuts, and became known as the "Tolkowsky cut" or the "ideal cut."

Tolkowsky moved to the United States in 1940, retired in 1975 and lived until 1991. But meanwhile, starting in the late 1940s, diamond cutters had evolved variations of his formula and the industry became engaged in debate that remains unresolved.

Regardless of the controversy, Tolkowsky's disciplined approach to a standard formula inspired the diamond cutting industry to reach new heights of competence and skill, shining forever through the countless diamonds that rise from chaos to be treasured as precious jewels.

2050: A Vision of the Future

Penelope walks to her car. It’s blue today; yesterday it was orange – and tomorrow? She can decide on her way to work.

She extends her thumb and speaks a password while the car’s security system scans her finger and voice print, before unlocking and opening the door. It’s hot today but as she settles herself in the driving seat, the air temperature has already been adjusted to suit her predetermined preference and the intelligent upholstery fabric will adapt to maintain her cool.

The car’s automatic mood sensory system plays soothing music and the de-stressing aroma of lavender is wafted into the cabin. Her electronic license has already been inserted and approved and her retina scanned to ensure a cross match with the license. Any attempt to drive while banned would, of course, result in immobilization.

She "tells" the car of her destination – the "work-hub" in the next town where she can access a huge range of technologies along with workers employed by a dozen different businesses and the time she wishes to arrive. Thank heavens she no longer has to worry about forgetting anyone’s name – her active contact lenses simply relay a picture of anyone in her field of vision to her computer which can instantly feedback their details if required.

Powered by hydrogen fuel cell, the car is performing even better since she downloaded that new engine management software. Her slot on the highway has been booked with the network management system – but on her way to join the car-pod on the motorway, she receives a communication asking her to stop and pick up a passenger travelling in the same direction. Her satellite navigation system gets her swiftly to his address and its always worth the effort giving a lift exempts her from 25 per cent of the toll charge on the road.

As she joins her "pod" of vehicles travelling for the next three junctions on the motorway, she can relax. The on-board computer takes over, checking speed and controlling braking systems to ensure collision avoidance as well as monitoring road and weather conditions, while she catches up with the email and newspapers. She is directed to a parking space as she approaches her destination and informed that a tyre technician will be there to meet her. Her sensor has detected that her tyres are reaching the recommended limit.

She arrives at work precisely 30 seconds before her estimated arrival time, ready for the day. Having had its tires changed, the car is now taking someone else to a meeting before being returned to the pool station – where it has been re-booked for her journey home.

2050 Study Commissioned by Skoda

Pre-booking motorway space to travel to work in your entertainment hub is the latest prediction from respected think-tank the Center for Future Studies. In a report commissioned by Škoda, the way we use vehicles is predicted to change dramatically by 2050.

In 2050 motorists are predicted to pre-book travel on motorways in timed slots within vehicle "pods", where vehicles take the strain of motoring and car pools are the norm. Motorists can change the colour of their vehicles to match their mood and download the latest software to boost performance.

It will come as no surprise to many that drivers will lose their sense of direction as dependence on satellite navigation becomes far more widespread. Media companies will provide in-car content of games and video that doesn’t require long periods of concentration or interaction.

The increased robotisation of the car will ultimately hand over control to the vehicle, which will boost road safety and enable motorists to use their travelling time to watch the morning news, video conference or answer some emails.

Commenting on the findings of the study Dr Frank Shaw from the Center for Future Studies said:

“Škoda is to be applauded for thinking about how we will use vehicles in the future. The most effective car manufacturers spot the trends of tomorrow and start building them into the cars of today.

“The key drivers of change determining the design, manufacture and usage of the car of the future are technology, energy supply and demographics. Technology will make cars safer, cleaner and more intelligent and will also provide alternatives to our oil dependency. The car of the future will be far more of a versatile, eco-friendly, cyber-connected travelling space.”

The driving license of the future will be electronic with cars simply not starting if drivers don’t have a license. Drivers will be recognised by their iris and the car immobilizer will disengage only if you are authorized to drive that vehicle at that time.

Looking to the future is a vital part of any car manufacturer’s business. Commenting on the study, Catherine Bell, Head of Press and PR for Škoda said: “Clever car design that enhances the owner’s experience is central to Škoda’s current and future success. This report is an important part of helping Škoda engineers to think about how people will use cars in the future and design vehicles that meet those needs.

The new Škoda Roomster, which goes on sale in September, is a great example of a vehicle meeting the changing demands of the driver. It offers a highly flexible interior that can seat children in comfort and safety or provide enough room to accommodate two mountain bikes.”

The study concludes that the main task of the car in 2050 will be the same as today –to take occupants directly from A to B as safely and comfortably as possible, with reasonable speed, minimum fuel consumption and minimum impact on the environment.

Škoda commissioned the report to coincide with the launch of the new Roomster model, which uses a two-room concept for the model’s interior space – the Driving Room and the Living Room. This enables owners to use the vehicle in a variety of ways as the Varioflex rear seat system allows for 20 different seating and carrying space combinations with up to 1,780 litres of luggage capacity.

The Roomster is Škoda’s fourth model line and heralds a new era in individuality and versatility for the brand. Following the lines of a compact MPV, it will also appeal to purchasers of small family hatches but differ from its competitors in this segment thanks to its unconventional design.

The Škoda Roomster continues the tradition of the brand in offering unbeatable value for money, while being fitted with numerous useful and clever creature comforts and luxuries which enhance the feel-good factor. The Roomster is available to order from retailers now and goes on sale across the UK on September 23.

WHY ARE ALL THE NEAT VEHICLES IN EUROPE? DAMN, I WANT THIS ONE!!!!!


Source: Paddock Talk - Two drivers, two cars, drop the flag, it's all good!

Top 11 Songs About Cars

The car holds a special place within the realm of global culture.

For young and old, regardless of race or creed, the automobile is a symbol of wealth and power and mobility. If you own a car, you can go anywhere. Or at least that's the mythology that's been built up around the car.

Needless to say, given the car's place in society, it's no wonder that the relationship between the automobile and rock 'n' roll (and rap, for that matter) is one of the longest running "marriages" in pop culture history.

The car has held a special place in the hearts and minds of songwriters, who have managed to capture the allure and thrill of owning a car and driving it for pleasure (or recklessness, as the case often may be) for decades.

Rock greats like Chuck Berry praised the joys of cruising in "Riding Around In My Automobile" while the Beatles went so far as to promise their baby "You Can Drive My Car."

The Beach Boys may be the kings of the car, though, as much of their early output, especially their memorable hit singles, were dedicated to the hotrods that warmed the tarmac of So. Cal.

With so many artists singing the praises of the auto, from ZZ Top to Gary Numan, it was hard to trim the list down to a manageable number, but we feel that our list of the Top 11 Songs About Cars is pretty tight.

Now, without further adieu, here's IGN Music's Top 11 Songs About Cars: (the picture shown here is a hint about the number 11 top song about cars)

http://music.ign.com/articles/732/732341p1.html

Getting Back to Basics in Math

K.I.S.S. - they are finally getting off stupid, and back to basics

U.S. educators and the government have called for schools to improve their math courses in the past decade to boost student proficiency in basic math and stay competitive with foreign countries.

Mathematics teaching in kindergarten through the eighth grade needs to stress the basics so students learn how to solve problems and develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.

The report by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics said students in kindergarten should begin learning how to count groups of objects and about the fundamentals of geometry. By the eighth grade, students should be introduced to algebra and linear functions and learn how to use math to analyze two- and three-dimensional objects, the report said.

The council's advice is striking because in 1989 it touched off the so-called math wars by promoting open-ended problem solving over drilling. Back then, it recommended that students as young as those in kindergarten use calculators in class.

The council's finding also represents a fundamental shift in its policy about teaching math. In 2000, the organization said school systems should decide on their own how soon they would introduce basic math principles to students.

That policy has made math teaching inconsistent in the U.S. from grade-to-grade, and there are no uniform standards on when a student is expected to learn arithmetic or algebra, the report said. A survey of 47 state educational agencies showed that 85 percent believed "national leadership is needed" to guide schools on math learning expectations, the study said.

Unlike many countries, the U.S. has no nationally mandated curriculum, so the math council's guidance has significant influence.

The study, released on its Web site, found U.S. school systems revealed an "inconsistency in the grade placement of mathematics topics as well as in how they are defined and what students are expected to learn."

Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal

Will We All Have to Ship our Luggage and Fly Naked?

Here's a funny, but very real life article

Flying low: The sad absurdity of air travel after Sept. 11
By Mary Ann Anderson - McClatchy News Service

After I made airline reservations to attend a meeting, I didn't realize what I'd done until the e-mailed flight confirmation came through. I blurted out "%$@!"

I had booked a flight to New York City on Sept. 11.

"%$@!" indeed.

It's not that I'm not scared to fly. Well, mostly not. I do pray a lot before I step into one of those oversized tin cans.

No, I was rattled because Sept. 11, as we all know by now, is the anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history.

When I flew to New York before Sept. 11, 2001, I always picked out the World Trade Center as my landmark. The first time I flew into New York a few months after the terrorist attacks, I looked desperately for the twin towers, hoping beyond any hope that I — along with the rest of the world — would soon wake from our hellish nightmare that terrorists had wrought.

As the lower end of Manhattan emerged into view, there was nothing left but a big hole and a billion shattered souls. In my mind, I tried to will the twin towers back into place. Knowing I couldn't, the tears came, fast and furious and uncontrollable.

Glancing around the aircraft cabin, I saw that I wasn't the only one with tears streaming down my face. Other passengers craned their heads toward the left side of the plane and the shattered Manhattan skyline, straining to catch a glimpse of the destruction, pulling out tissues and wiping their eyes.

After Sept. 11 — and again after this summer's Aug. 10 plot to blow up aircraft between London and the United States was foiled — air travel, once glamorous, once fun, once exciting, has become such a burden that it's almost impossible to have a pleasant traveling experience anymore.

While I realize that security measures are for our own good, some of them go beyond common sense and into the bounds of the utterly ridiculous.

For example, in Anchorage, Alaska, I had a 2-inch sewing needle taken from me because it was — and these are the exact words the security agent used — "a dangerous weapon." Yep. No kidding. As if I was going to take over the entire Boeing 757 aircraft with a needle.

Since then, I've had countless forgotten corkscrews, nail files and nail clippers seized from my handbag. A couple of weeks ago, I was flying back from a writing assignment in the Caribbean. After I claimed my boarding pass, a big lady with a big gun strapped to her side pulled me aside and said that I had been "selected" for a security check. Without so much as a "please" or "thank you" she commanded, "Follow me."

Down a hallway I went, a huge metal door slamming behind me. Down yet another hallway I followed the lady into a stuffy little room, where once more I was commanded, without any formalities: "Sit down."

When a big lady with a big gun tells you to follow her and then to sit down, you do as you are told, no questions asked. After that, no one said anything more to me. Next my checked luggage was brought into the room, where two other ladies proceeded to sift through and pull out all those things that you don't want anyone to see. Try as they might, the ladies found no bombs.

"You can go now," one said. I did. Quickly.

But at the gate, I was picked to be checked again. This time, my purse was searched thoroughly. When one of the security agents pulled out a pair — just one pair — of disposable contact lenses in perhaps a half-teaspoon of saline, she just said one word, "Liquid."

"These are my prescription contacts!" I protested, and then said. "Prescriptions are allowed!"
"Liquid," she said again in her monotone voice. "We have to take all liquid."

She promptly took the contacts and tossed them aside. I looked at her. She looked at me. And before we could help it, we both started laughing at the ludicrousness of it all. I turned and walked away, with no contacts and mumbling %$@! under my breath.

Will it get to the point where we all have to ship our luggage and fly naked? Seems to me that it's almost getting to that.

No, I won't be naked when I fly to New York on Sept. 11, but neither will I be carrying any contact lenses or sewing needles.

What I will be carrying is a deep sadness that air travel, once such a grand adventure, has become impossibly absurd.

Source: The Seattle Times - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home//

Borders, Pork and Your Vote

If you don't like what's going on in Washington, do something about it!

Politicians use your tax dollars, and you should have a say in how your hard earned dollars are spent. Just like you send them to Washington, you have a voice in putting them out. Use your influence, use your vote - otherwise this is not a democracy of the people, by the people.

Betting on the Border
Will allocating Homeland Security funds for border enforcement solve the illegal immigration problem? Congress is considering an immigration plan that will focus on border security only.

Tell Congress if you agree with this approach.
Support short-term funding. Border security will solve most of the problem.

Oppose short-term funding. Continue to try and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Cut That Pork to Fund My Earmark
Congress debates rules to publicly list “earmarks” and their sponsors. “Earmarks” allow Members of Congress to designate that certain funds must be spent on certain projects in their district or state, a practice some call “pork.” Some think the practice should be banned entirely.

Tell Congress what you think.
Earmarks or pork should be publicly listed with sponsors

Earmarks should be banned entirely

Also: Offer up your suggestion for allocating tax dollars for projects for your state.
We'll pick some for a vote here on Congress.org

Election Season is Here
Be sure to register to vote and find out who is on the ballot in your state this November.

More information on Congress activities can be found each day on Congress.org.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is located in the northwest part of Arizona.

The Grand Canyon was made by the cut of running water. The Colorado River flows through the canyon. Some people think the Colorado River was there to start with and that over the years it cut through the rock, and now it is still there.

If you look in the canyon, you can see many layers of rock.

Geologists believe these rocks are at least two billion years old, which is almost certainly true, but no one can be exact.

About 500 million years ago, tiny sea creatures called trilobites lived in the sea. When they died, minerals from the ocean replaced their cells in their bodies. Then a long time after, the bodies petrified, they were fossils. There are no fossils at the bottom of the canyon, but near the top, you can find trilobites, and sometimes even footprints or so of reptiles.

Hiking in the Grand Canyon is very different from any other hiking because of its dry climate. Rangers say you need at least three liters of water for going down the canyon per day (remember, this is per person). You need less water in the winter, but you have to watch for freezing cold, rain, sleet or snow. You shouldn't have bare skin and in the summer you should wear light clothes and a hat. You should hike in the coolest part of the day and rest in shade at mid-day.

The weather is, well, very odd. In the middle of the canyon it gets very hot and dry. On the North Rim it is like the mountains. On the South Rim, it's a mixture of hotness and mountain-like. And canyon walls are pretty dry.

Three bridges cross the river: The Navajo, (used for vehicles) and two suspension bridges. Until 1907, the only way to cross the river was by a ferry. Later on, E.D. Wolly made a trail from the North to South rim. In 1921, they built a swinging bridge.

The day me and my parents visited the Grand Canyon, a man and his small son were reported lost. Rather than go down into the Canyon with guides, the man took off on his own with his son. When we arrived mid-day, the temperature was about 96 degrees, and by nightfall you needed a blanket to be comfortable.

As a young teenager, I did not have any interest in seeing the Grand Canyon - as this was a stop-over on a cross country drive to California - that's where all my energies were targeted. But, once you see the canyon, you can't help but being impressed - it just appears to go on forever.

We stayed for two days, and on the day we left we heard news of the man and his son - they did not survive.

View other natural wonders of the world . . .
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002388/naturalwonders.html

Celebrity Spotting in Great Exuma

Celebrity Spotting in Great Exuma
by: Fred Coolridge

What’s a guy to do?

It seems that playing a pirate in the Caribbean just wasn’t enough for Johnny Depp. He had to go and buya whole island in the Caribbean!

And rumor has it that when he informed his wife Vanessa Paradis that he had bought her an island in the Exumas, Bahamas, her response was: What do we need an island for? Poor Johnny!

I guess nobody really needs to own an island but if you were Johnny Depp (or Justin Timberlake, another celebrity recently spotted in the Exumas) and you could afford a small piece of paradise on earth, then there is no better place in the world to start looking than the Exumas.

Johnny Depp and Justin Timberlake aren’t the only celebrities who seem to think so.
Other celebrities who have recently been spotted island hopping or island hunting in the Exumas include: Demi Moore, Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler, Bill Gates and Madonna.

Why Exuma?

The Exumas are a string of islands stretching through the Southern Bahamas.

Great Exuma is the largest of these islands and its greatest appeal is its relative lack of tourists and commercialization. This factor makes the island attractive to many celebrities who live a major part of their lives in the spotlight.

The island also offers some of the best sailing in the world, great fishing, spectacular beaches, luxury hotels, gourmet dining and friendly, down to earth locals. Many magnificent coral reefs are located in this part of the world making snorkeling and scuba diving an incredible experience as well.

If you are a keen star gazer, you might want to set your sights on a trip to the Exumas because even if you don’t spot any celebrities, you’re highly unlikely to return home from this amazing tropical paradise disappointed.

About The AuthorFred Coolridge is the content manager and author for the website:
Great Exuma Island, Bahamas -http://www.exumabahamas.org/.

Top 5 Paris Attractions

Top 5 Paris Attractions

There is an old saying which states that Paris is the place where all good people go to die. It is the combination of historical charm, modernism, and a heady underworld which makes Paris a fantasy tourist destination.

It is the top 5 Paris attractions which draw people to this great city, again and again. Beyond the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre there are attractions which take visitors by surprise and in doing so create memories that last a life time.

Below are a few of the hottest destinations in Paris, France. If you visit Europe, for work or pleasure, be sure to find the time to explore and experience the top 5 Paris attractions.

Paris is an old city and with history comes a great deal of memories. It is within France that these memories are replicated in stone. Paris is the capital of France and the city of monuments. This beautiful city is home to hundreds of monuments and intricately carved structures which dominate the cityscape.

The Eiffel Tower embodies the essence of Paris. It is the most famous and visited of all the top 5 Paris attractions. The tower was built in 1889, as a physical and tangible representation of all things French. It was created only to be a temporary structure and was to be taken down after the world's fair. It remains today as one of the top 5 Paris attractions.

Another attraction is the Centre Pompidou or the Beaubourg. This is actually the museum which houses all of France's greatest masterpieces by modern artists. This is a must see for aspiring artists and one of the most historic destinations in the top 5 Paris attractions.

One of the most photographed places in the top 5 Paris attractions is the Louvre. This small castle is now home to a number of paintings and sculptures by famous artists. It is here that you can find the Mona Lisa. Of course, architecture makes it on the list of top 5 Paris attractions.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is an attraction that can not be overlooked. This is the most breath taking and spiritual structure in the top 5 Paris attractions. It is here that the world's first true basilicas can be found. Some would assert that they are the best in the entire world. The Notre Dame Cathedral was built in the early 1100s and has since remained a solid structure and a representation of France's flawless architecture.

In 1870, the Sacre Couer or Sacred Heart church was built. The structure is preceded by an exerting 237 step stone staircase. These are but a few of the top 10 Paris attractions.

Other places to visit include the Luxembourg Gardens, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Arc de Triomphe, Musee Rodin, Marais, and Musee Jacquemart-Andre.

Paris is filled with entire centuries of history and certainly a visit to Paris is a trip of a lifetime. Make sure to visit all of the top 5 Paris attractions.

Sue Thompkins - Just A Traveler

The World is Wide

http://www.theworldiswide.blogspot.com

Webmasters: When reprinting any of the articles found on this site, the author's name, website address, and URL must be included. In addition you must agree not to change the article title or contents.

Korea Highest Consumption Rate for Alcohol

Who knew?
Korea is ranked among the highest consumption rates for alcohol in the world!

A glass of red wine is served at Table 34, a stylish fine dining restaurant at the Grand InterContinental Hotel Seoul, in southern Seoul.

"Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing," Ernest Hemingway wrote in his book, Death in the Afternoon.

Throughout history, wine has always been associated with the good life. Wine is a symbol of luxury, leisure and merry-making.

In recent years, there has been an explosion in the wine market in Korea. Visit the trendy districts in Chongdam and Apkujong, and you'll find rows of posh wine bars serving a wide variety of imported wines. Wine clubs are sprouting up, while hotels are promoting wine-tasting events.

Wine and Dine
A live string group played soothing tunes as wine enthusiasts gathered for a wine-tasting event last week at the JW Marriott Hotel in Socho-gu, Seoul. Amid the sophisticated surroundings, guests dined on sumptuous Italian dishes and sampled finest wines from Italian wine maker Castello Banfi.

Wine as a Luxury
There is no doubt that Koreans love to drink and be merry. After all, this is a country, which has consistently ranked as having one of the highest consumption rates for alcohol in the world.

As Korea's luxury market emerges, wine drinking is gaining popularity. It was only in 1999 when Korea opened its market to foreign wine imports, but the growth has been astounding.

In the first half of 2006, wine imports jumped 22 percent to $38.88 million, according to the Korea International Trade Association. This is the third straight year of growth in wine imports. Wine imports are projected to hit $80 million by the end of 2006, and reach $100 million next year.

Wine's popularity is generally attributed to Korea's overall economic growth, which has created higher incomes and improved standards of living for most Koreans.

Drinking Culture
It's difficult to sell wine to a country where the goal of drinking is to get drunk! A young person wanting to climb up the corporate ladder is required to drink a lot in Korea - it's part of the business culture.

Source: The Korea Times - Cathy Rose A. Garcia writer

A Tale of Two Bambaataa

Last week, The1Shanti, a New York based MC of East Indian heritage, received a letter from one of Hip Hop culture's founders, Afrika Bambaataa, where he was officially blessed with the title "India Bambaataa."

"You have our [Afrika Bambaataa and The Universal Zulu Nation's] blessings as long as you make whatever funky music you make to rock/funk the world. You have our blessings as long as you use your mind, body and soul to use your music as a tool to fight for justice for our Indian brothers and sisters who have a lot of problems in India and need a person like you, who is starting to get international status, to speak out about our Indian heritage and not let no one in the world forget your roots and your people's roots."

-A Tale of Two Bambaataas-
Afrika Bambaataa, born Kevin Donovan, spent the early years of his life in the Bronx Riverside Projects where he rose to become a leader of the prominent street gang, the Black Spades. After a life changing visit to Africa, Donovan changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa Aasim and committed himself to using his position as a community leader to direct people toward positive outlets.

The1Shanti, born in North Carolina to East Indian parents, grew up traveling between Virginia and New York. Building street credibility from the age of eight by battling kids on the playground in Washington D.C., The1Shanti confused by his not-quite-white yet not-quite-black heritage found refuge in Hip Hop culture.

Citing Afrika Bambaataa's bold leadership as a primary influence throughout his career, The1Shanti is supposedly the first New York rapper to bring Hip Hop to India.

Like Afrika Bambaataa before him, after a life changing visit to India, The1Shanti declared himself as a "global urban music pioneer," and dedicated himself to educating Indians about the true nature of Hip Hop.

In response to this Hip Hop knighthood, the young artist states, "Hip Hop is the most influential force of our generation. Bambaataa's blessing lets me know I'm playing an important role in pushing the boundaries of how far hip hop can grow."

The1Shanti has already made a successful major label debut on Sony Asia with his crew, DDP.

The1Shanti's solo album bearing his new title, India Bambaataa, is set for release late fall on Flatbush Junction Recordings and should be available nationwide by November.

Source: Soundslam

http://www.the1shanti.com/
http://www.mypsace.com/indiabambaataa/

Lasting Peace An Illusion

I ran across this quotation today, and it sums up what we as a global community must rise to - Are we really up for it?

That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; that until there is no longer any first-class and second-class citizens of any nation; that until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; that until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race -- until that day, the dreams of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained: Speech by H.I.M. HAILE SELASSIE I - California - February 28k 1968

TOP 10 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

Hope everybody had a GREAT Labor Day Weekend. I spent mine with family, friends and lots of good food!

What does it take to become one of the 10 most powerful women in the world? I'm not sure I want all that power, but I do want to be financially independent.

At any rate, does anyone know who the 10 most powerful women are? I didn't, and even after reading the list, Condi Rice is the only woman's name I recognized.

Oh well, here's the list - do you recognize more than one?

TOP 10 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

Angela Merkel, German chancellor
Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state
Wu Yi, Chinese vice-premier
Indra Nooyi, chief executive-designate, PepsiCo
Anne Mulcahy, chairman and chief executive, Xerox
Sallie Krawcheck, chief financial officer, Citigroup
Patricia Woertz, chief executive, Archer Daniels Midland
Anne Lauvergeon, chairman Areva
Brenda Barnes, chairman and chief executive, Sara Lee
Zoe Cruz, co-president, Morgan Stanley


Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5305024.stm?ls