Archive for June, 2008
Fond Memories And A Common Sense Approach To Living In Morelia Mexico
June 30th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 39 Comments
For me, living in Morelia was a very rewarding experience. It was certainly far different than what I had been used to in the United States. When I went there in 1997, technology existed, however, technicians were at times limited in their knowledge compared to their counterparts in the United States. Therefore, on occasion, computer equipment did not work as well as what I had been accustomed to. And, computer services were much more limited. For instance, when I first arrived at Centro Mexicano Internacional (CMI, my school in Morelia), there was one computer available 10 to 30 minutes a day to students for email services. If I wanted additional time and services, I had to go rent one of the two or three available computers at a local cyber cafe a few blocks down the street from CMI.
Now, I could have felt disheartened like some of the American students at my school, however, I viewed it as an interesting challenge. Instead of reading emails during my available computer time, I would download them, print them, and read them later. Then, I would hand write out any replies I wanted to send, type them up on a non-internet computer in Microsoft Word. Afterwards, I saved them to a disk, and the next day cut and paste my replies into my emails and sent them during my 10 to 30 minutes of computer time.
Morelia’s Transportation System
Welcome to the world of the Combi, Morelia’s at times challenging bus system! Consisting of a fleet of VW buses, the normal capacity is 15-18 people. However, it was not unusual to see more than 20 people sandwiched into every nook and cranny of the Combi. It was times like that that I really hoped everyone had used their deodorant. The nice thing is that Combis went virtually everywhere and one never had to wait very long for another in the event of missing the previous one. And, with such closeness, it was impossible not to get to know fellow passengers. I met many wonderful people that way. There were times, however, I must admit I broke down and took a taxi when I felt I needed my space. That was alright too, though, because as long as one negotiates the price prior to starting out, most trips are quite reasonable. For instance, in 1997, I could ride pretty much anywhere in El Centro (downtown) for anywhere between $2 and $3. Even longer trips across town were generally never more than $8 to $10.
Most generally, I felt safe riding in either mode of transportation. One Combi experience I had, however, was a bit tense (funny now, not too much then). I decided to take a scenic tour around town one day. For most of the trip, there was one other person besides me and the bus driver. He sat up in the front seat with the driver and got into an intense political discussion that eventually turned to the subject of Gringos. It was obvious neither of them cared much for the fact that Gringos were living “south of the border.” I sat quietly listening, hoping that I was dark skinned enough to resemble one of them. By that time, my Spanish was good enough that I could hold my ground in most conversations. I felt tremendously relieved, though, when the driver looked over at me and said “you are from Brazil, right?” I didn’t actually say yes, but I managed a quick remark in my limited vocabulary of Portuguese, enough to satisfy him and his friend at least. After that, I confined my Combi trips to shorter runs and more crowded buses.
Getting Used To Living On “Mexico Time”
The first time I taught an English class on a Saturday, I was exposed to the concept of doing things on “Mexico time.” Saturdays classes were always a bit more relaxed than ones during the week as most school administrators were gone. Students as well as teachers let their hair down a bit more than usual. I generally was not as strict about breaks as I had to be during the week, so, 5 minute breaks on occasion turned to 10-15 minute ones. It was alright, though, because we almost always got through all of our assigned material. Now, lunch break was a different matter. The first time I let my class take off for lunch, they went off by themselves. It was supposed to be a one hour lunch break, of course. Well, 1:00 PM turned into 1:30, 1:45, 2:00. Finally, a little after 2:00 my class returned. When I asked one of the students what happened, one of them said “sorry teacher, we were just on Mexico time today.” So, after that, I went to lunch with my class and kept them together as a group. Instead of feeling penalized, they loved it. And, I used the time to teach a few lessons not in the book.
My Students
While at CMI, I taught classes of all levels, from beginner to advanced, from ninos (children) to adultos (adults). I even got called upon to teach a class in linguistics to a group of teachers. My favorite class of all, I must say, was a group of 10 to 12 year olds. At first, I was not sure I would survive with all the antics that they pulled on me. Most of them wanted to play in class and rarely ever do their homework. Now how does one appeal to a 10 year old to get them to stay to task? Well, I commended them for how intelligent they were. Then, with the more difficult ones, I mentioned how nice it would be to meet their parents and report on their “progress” in my class. Now, the latter choice worked. After that, I never had a bit of trouble. In one of our last classes I asked each of my young charges to write about their favorite place, person, or thing. One of the girls, about 11 at the time, really touched my heart. She got up to describe her favorite person. “My favorite person is my English teacher David. His Spanish is not always the best. But, he is a good teacher and I love him.” I think I had a lump in my throat about a mile long that day.
Shopping Conditions
Just like with the buses of Morelia, shopping areas can be overcrowded and a challenge. There was more than one occasion I experienced pushing and shoving (never violent though) to get through to a counter to purchase food or other items. A Mercado (Mexican market) is nothing like the grocery stores I had been used to in the United States. Of course, there are a few supermarket style grocery stores in Morelia that are similar, but, they aren’t near as much fun to go to as the Mercados. As I mentioned in one of my previous articles - one can purchase almost anything in a Mercado (hopefully all legal). I used to spend a lot of my free time walking all over El Centro to the various shops and Mercados. I remember buying things from CDs to leather goods to delightful foods I had never experienced before. At my favorite clothing store, Milano’s, I was able to buy an entire new wardrobe for less than $150. I found leather jackets and coats at a stall not far from the downtown library for $50 to $75 that would easily cost $400 to $500 in the United States. Morelia has some of the best bargains I have ever found if one is willing to spend the time and energy to look.
Conclusion
Living in a different country with a different language and different customs is not for the faint of heart. This is my point - living in Morelia is different than where you live right now. Some of Morelia is quite modern, other parts are not. One cannot expect conditions to be exactly the same as in the United States or other more modernized countries. But, if you have a sense of adventure and use common sense, you can have a wonderful time and some marvelous experiences. I did. I have memories that will last a lifetime. I met people, saw places and things, learned new things, lived and experienced things that I will always treasure.
When you go to Morelia, go with an open mind. Be willing to learn, live a different lifestyle, experience new things. Above all, use common sense and have humility. If you do, you will have fond, priceless, unique memories that will always hold special meaning for you.
About The Author
The author, David Wix, lived, worked, and traveled extensively in Mexico during 1997 and has degrees in history and languages. Currently he is working as an insurance broker in California. He has had articles published in his areas of expertise and is currently working on a couple of books to be published in the near future. Author’s website: http://www.dave-wix.com and http://www.travelwriters.com/davewix.
The Shaman Of Trois Freres
June 28th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 41 Comments
The caves at Trois Freres in France hold some fascinating images. This is a brief discussion around those paintings. What was their significance?
Cave paintings hold a powerful fascination. They are one of our most direct ways of touching our ancestors. Those men and women who lived by primitive means would have been more aware of the world around them than we are. The nature of their lives would have caused them to be more in touch with seasons and the patterns of life. Life and death depended upon their knowledge of food supplies and seasonal variations Was this the reason for the cave paintings?
Deep into the Trois Freres ( Three Brothers ) Caves in France the visitor can see vague ancient images of figures and animals. One of these figures in particular has attracted international attention. Many believe it to be one of the first depictions of a shaman.
When I first saw the images from these caves in France I was stunned by their graphic nature. The pictures of cattle and other beasts that surround the central figure high up on the cave roof are vague now but skilfully drawn.
The central figure is about 2 and 1/2 feet or 70 cm tall. His appearance is strange, part animal part human. On his head are deer’s antlers, probably reindeer, his mask has owl eyes below this there appears to be a long beard. His hands are hidden inside lion or bear paws. The back is shaped like that of an animal, is he wearing an animal sin? The tail is that of a fox covering his erect penis.
My copy of the Animal Master is at www.mask-and-more-masks.com/The-Shaman-of-Trois-Freres.html
Around this figure there are many comments and speculations as to its true nature. It is general accepted that he is a figure in a mask and animal disguise. That he has some spiritual / magical significance to the animals surrounding him makes sense. It is also widely thought that he is a shaman.
Below the shaman there is a plethora of animals drawn over the top of each other. Almost like a sketch pad. I know at times I draw in this manner. I try forms and shapes sometimes they flow from the pencil at other times it seems much harder to achieve the effect that I want. As I scribble the page becomes full of overlapping images too busy to cope with. Ideas and notation. A place to be returned to in the future for a captured image to be reworked.
But that’s me and perhaps many other modern day artists. What of the artist in the dark of those caves? These images created, was it 14,000 years ago, or longer? Who really knows?
Can we assume that these artist of the paleolithic period were not of the same mind set as now? Art for us is a process of recording, expression, a reflection of our inner nature and sometimes of the divine. What were these artist expressing or communicating?
Lets accept one thing before I continue in this vein. It would seem that some natural talent was used by the artist in these times as the quality of painting and use of line shows to us. Often the figures were enhanced by colour sprayed through a tube, the paint blown from the mouth. Were these artists part of the magical process or were they paid in some way? Did they come from within the tribe or from elsewhere? Was it the Shaman who created the art for his own rituals?
Most of these questions are impossible to answer. What is possible is to use the knowledge that we have of tribal peoples and their traditions.
The shaman or healer or priest / holy man / woman is a figure still in existence today in some cultures. In fact the shamanic knowledge is being handed on to certain members of Western cultures. Shamanic practices have been well documented by anthropologists over the last 150 years.
The shamanic practices through out the world have several features in common. The shaman is a link to the spirit world. By going into a trance the shaman enters the other world and communicates with the spirits of animals or ancestors. These spirit guides help the shaman to resolve problems for individuals or whole groups. The spirit world is divided into three sections
Middle Earth where we live
The Underworld land of spirits and the dead
The Upperworld the place of Gods and Guardians
To reach a state of trance the shaman has several methods, dance, meditation and drugs being the main ones. When he enters the other world the shaman seeks his spirit guide to help him resolve his quest.
In these early times as in more recent recorded events the shaman would communicate with the spirits of the animals who, would be or had been killed. Keeping a balance to the order of nature was necessary. At times of shortage he would communicate with the spirits to help him bring food to his people. At times of drought he would sing for rain.
This still does not answer the question as to why these pictures are there hidden deep in a dark cave away from prying eyes. As the shaman enters trance he begins the journey into the underworld the cave could well represent that journey. The pictures on the walls are the images seen on the journey. This could simply be a way of recording a spirit journey. A way to hold the images. It could even be used as a teaching device for new initiates. Perhaps this is why there so many overlapping animals.
Can you imagine the impact of such paintings on the uninitiated visiting the cave. In the dim light the images would have been clearer and brighter than today. The shaman could well have been dressed as the picture. The drum would be beating. Incense could well be burning. Certainly a great setting in which to induce hallucinatory experiences, or if you prefer, induce the beginning of a journey into the spirit world.
There are many other depictions of what have been called Animal Masters in caves around Europe and Asia. They link with the antlered and horned figures of Nordic mythology and Pan in Greek mythology. Whatever the true explaination is you can allow your imagination to run over the possibilities and no doubt add to my speculation.
Biblography
Van James Spirit and Art: Paleo-shamanic Iconography See www.theosophical.org/questmagazine/janfeb04/james
George Frazer The golden Bough
Nevill Drury The Shaman and The Magician
Michael Harner The Way of the Shaman
Secrets Of Amsterdam The Truth Chapter 1
June 27th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 10 Comments
Amsterdam has a high proportion of ethnic minorities compared with the rest of Europe, currently 45%. The population register now contains over 150 different nationalities. In ten years’ time half the population will be of foreign origin.
The City spends substantial sums to prevent the formation of ghettos in boroughs with an over-representation of ethnic minorities. A Social Diversity Policy paper published in the summer of 1998 will give new impetus to the City’s minorities strategy. It will deal with any groups who might suffer social discrimination. Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution forbids discrimination on the grounds of a person’s beliefs, race or sexual preferences. In 1996 the Municipality of Amsterdam added its own code of conduct for local authority staff to this Article, plus a complaints scheme and an anti-discrimination office. The ethnic composition of the civil service in the city must reflect the population of the city. The main ethnic minority groups are Creoles and Hindustanis from Surinam (72,000), Moroccans (57,000), Turks (35,000) and immigrants from the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba (12,000). Amsterdam also contains around 26,000 Chinese, and has its own ‘Chinatown’, situated in the Nieuwmarkt area. In 2000, the first Chinese Buddhist temple opened on Zeedijk. There are also around 76,000 migrants from other non-industrialised countries, such as Ghana and Pakistan. The local Salto cable network transmits programmes made for and by immigrants on the Amsterdam TV Broadcasting Association for Immigrants (MTV). The Municipality has installed five advisory bodies to assist it in its migrants’ policy.
The policy on women
Support for the emancipation of women and of people who are subject to discrimination based on their sexual preferences is part of the city’s policy. The city pursues a specific emancipation policy and in 1995 installed the Ombudsman Service for Women to deal with complaints relating to the legal and social position of ‘black, white and immigrant women’ in Amster-dam. Adresses of more than a hundred help, advice and contact organisations are included in the ‘Yellow Pages for Women’ (Gele Gids voor Vrouwen) published by the Multicultural Emancipation Bureau.
Jewish Amsterdam
Amsterdam has had a Jewish quarter for more than 350 years. The district was de-populated during the German Occupation in World War Two.
Initially the quarter lay outside the city walls and was inhabited mainly by Jews originating from Spain and Portugal, including the family of the philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Rembrandt felt at home in the colourful Jewish environment, encountered wonderful models there and had his house built in Jodenbreestraat: Rembrandt’s House. The 17th century also saw the start of an influx of Jews from Central and Eastern Europe to Amsterdam.
The city became their ‘makum’ - the second Jerusalem - and to the present day Amsterdam is referred to affectionately as ‘Mokum’ by its older inhabitants. At the most Jewish point in the city, around the Jonas Daniel Meijerplein, stand four former synagogues dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, which since 1987 have together formed the Jewish Historical Museum, and the ‘esnoga’ (synagogue) of the Sephardic Jews from 1671-75, which is still lit by candles on the eve of the Sabbath and on feast days.
The village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel has since 1641 been home to the picturesque cemetery of the Sephardic community.
Sephardic Jews from Amsterdam emigrated to Surinam in the 17th and 18th centuries, where they established sugar plantations. Others founded the first synagogue in the New World, in Willemstad on the island of Curacao.
Amsterdam holds the largest collection of Jewish books in Europe, the Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana. The books were donated to the city in 1890 by the heirs of the German scholar Leeser Rosenthal (1794-1868); they were stolen during the German Occupation, but were rediscovered almost undamaged after 1945. They constitute a ‘treasure of Jewish booklore’, which forms part of the University Library.
The policy on homosexuality
The Municipality pursues an active policy to combat discrimination against homosexuals and lesbians. Gays and lesbians visiting Amsterdam find the atmosphere of tolerance there like a breath of fresh air. At the foot of the Wester-kerk church is a memorial consisting of three pink granite triangles. It is the only monument to the victims of persecution and discrimination of homosexuals in the world. The city is listed by the International Gay Travel Association as one of the top destinations in East and West for homosexual travellers. 80% of American gays who visit Europe call in on Amsterdam, and 6% of all foreign visitors to the city centre visit places which are favourites with homosexuals.
Amsterdam’s mayor, Job Cohen, was the registrar at the first same-sex civil marriage ceremony at the Town Hall, held in the early hours of 1 April 2001. Four same-sex couples said ‘I do’ and placed their signatures on the Register, for the first time enjoying the same legal status as a different-sex married couple. In his previous post as State Secretary for Justice, Mr. Cohen was instrumental in ensuring that this legislation reached the statute book. The opening of civil marriage to same-sex couples was approved by the Dutch government in December 2000. The Netherlands had already introduced registration of same-sex partner-ships, another legal landmark, in 1998.
Amsterdam, the habitat of Ines’Gloves - http://www.gloveseurope.com
With thanks to the city of Amster
With thanks to the city of Amsterdam…
Ines van den Born lives and works in Amsterdam.
She is a leather gloves and bags designer: http://gloveseurope.com
Also medical business consultant: http://medicaleurope.com
America’s Cup In Valencia
June 27th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 10 Comments
Firstly - A Piece of Valencian History
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, and has a rich history dating back well
before the Romans conquered the Iberian Peninsula in the 2nd century BC. The town
of Valencia was founded in AD 138 when a group of Roman legionnaires were
granted land. At various times, Valencia has been ruled by Romans, Visigoths, and
Arab Muslims, among others. The region of Valencia enjoyed its golden age, or siglo
de oro, in the 15th century, when it was among the Mediterranean’s great trading
powers, exchanging olive oil, rice, saffron, wool, and wine with much of Europe
In 1936 General Franco led the army in an uprising against the Republican
government. Valencia sided with the Republicans and was even the seat of
government for a time when Franco’s Nationalists held a stranglehold on Madrid.
When Franco claimed power in 1939, Valencia was caught having backed the losing
side, and suffered greatly under the early years of his rule. With the death of Franco
in 1975, Spain’s politics and economy began to open up and tourism, along with
agriculture, breathed new life into the Valencia economy.
Today, the most striking sight in Valencia is the number of construction cranes that
tower over the city. Valencia is a city on the move, and the presence of the 32nd
America’s Cup will only enhance what is already happening.
About Valencia
The Host City for the 32nd America’s Cup is Valencia, on the Spanish Mediterranean
coast. Boasting excellent racing conditions, a dedicated race village, a long maritime
tradition and a motivated host population, Valencia, on the picturesque Southeast
coast of Spain, is the perfect choice for the historic debut of the America’s Cup in
Europe.
Consistent, reliable, weather conditions, were the most important consideration in
making the selection, and Valencia is nearly perfect in this respect. This part of the
Spanish coast enjoys a summer sea-breeze regime, with a steady, moderate,
Southeasterly wind building late in the morning and holding through early evening.
In this respect it can be considered the Fremantle (the reliably windy Host City of the
26th America’s Cup) of the Mediterranean, although the wind is not as strong.
Historically, this sea-breeze is so regular during the summer racing months that
one could reasonably expect suitable racing conditions more than 90% of the time.
But Valencia promises far more than just excellent sailing. An America’s Cup village
in the Port is planned, where all the team bases will be built, with public access to
allow fans close to all the action. Two race-courses will be within just a 15-minute
tow of the bases, and racing could take place just metres from the shoreline,
making the action accessible to crowds on the beach and breakwater.
Facts and Figures about Valencia
Port of Valencia location 39 29′ North / 0 18′ West
City Population, 760 000
Average annual temperature, 17 C
90% sunny days each year
Full government support. The City of Valencia has formed VALENCIA 2007 with the
regional and Spanish government to administer the Host City duties
Inner harbour venue for Team Bases and America’s Cup Village
Spectator viewing of the races with a capacity for over 1-million from the beach and
breakwater
A leading Spanish tourist destination with over 4-million visitors to the region
annually
The region of Valencia has nearly 500km of coastline and 38 yacht clubs
An historic and cultural city with 42 museums, 13 art galleries, and 12 theatre 30
gardens and municipal parks
International schools for America’s Cup families, based on UK, US and European
curriculum
If you would like more information about the region and are thinking of investing in
property in the area visit Villa Angels.
Karen Milacic is a graphic and web designer living as a British expat on the Costa
Blanca for the past five years. Visit her other web sites at: http://www.costablancaworld.com; http://www.thedesignbusiness.co.uk; http://www.costablanca-webhosting.com
Mesa Verde. Canyon De Chelly. Incas. Machu Picchu
June 26th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 55 Comments
When you look at the Mayan Temples and cliff Dwellings and the incredible artifacts and ruins at Machu Picchu, you have to ask yourself a few questions. Number one in the case of the high altitude of the Machu Picchu deal and the Cliff Dwellings in the mountain away from all predators, etc. A fortress so to speak. You have to come away with the question why. What were they hiding from? Hostile members of their own species, other tribes. Some have talked about aliens. Others about wild animals, some about plagues. Having watched the weather for some time and realizing the incredible droughts and fires that exist in some of these places, caused generally from lightening. Perhaps some of this is weather related. Where did they go? Well perhaps they went to where the water was, since we know from looking at present times that water does not always flow in the areas of the cliff dwellings in NM and CO. http://www.nps.gov/cach/
This whole area built up from 350 AD to about 1330 AD. Why did they leave? Some 50,000 sites in all times the number of people per area, which had to be a huge population of people. If you have a flourishing culture and all of a sudden in 1150 most all left. Some 100,000 sites are expected to be under the ground and around Four Corners. Were the Indians hiding from warring tribes in defense? Look at Keitsu (Sp?)in AZ, you cannot even get there and the place is literally in brand new condition still to this day. These people built this in 1270 approximately and then they too left. WHY? Attackers? I say it was drought, worse even than we are having throughout NM, CO, AZ, and Western NE, KA, OK, SD, ND and TX. And also in MT, WY. They needed food too; with that population they had to have a problem with growing and hunting food. They must have migrated. BY 1300s the entire civilization gone. Then of course the high plains of Indians in South America, who made pictures in the dirt. And for those who claim it could not be aliens, then why would a tribe, the Nausca move thousands of tons of dirt around where the weather gets above 120 degrees. Now they also used a canal system and a makeshift ditches, aqueducts and wells so they could farm.
Many of the subterranean water supply had lines pointing towards them, could they be trying to alert the water gods as to where the water was at so they would let it rain and the Nausca could use it for agriculture? The lines being made with groves, forming line art and pictures which can be seen even in the upper atmosphere and a trained eye can see them from orbit if you know where to look. Some started in 100 BC when they were drawn and did it for 1000 years. But the Paracas did this too and they started 400 years before about 500 BC. Now mind you in times of 500 BC in Europe no such encounters were written about in the history of what we know, but it appears from the multiple gods of the day and most modernized cultures and societies of the time did participate in tributes to the gods of what we might call Mother Nature. Similar to the gods of wind and fire and water of the Native Indians of these various regions.
In the US and I recommend a visit to Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly to see what I mean about the cliff dwellings and lightening, fires and water supply. As well as the great fortress like setting. These dwellings built out of sand stone are still very strong and magnificent and only a few have been covered by landslides. One can only imagine the empire of the Anastasa Indian Civilization. One of the exhibits called “the great house” some 400 rooms, Chaco center.
Think about it 1 million lbs. of dirt were moved. Some 2500 trees used, without being dragged, perhaps from 80 miles away. There were actually roads leading into Chaco Canyon. All this in 850 AD. Let us look at other cultures such as in Afghanistan and the underground tunnels and aqueducts and rivers. These types of issues are global. A period of no water, supreme droughts, over taxed and depleted soil, over population for hunting the number of migratory and year round domestic animals. Lack of water, fires, and food and when territorial issues happen from lack of supplies, you have the strong surviving over the weak. The warriors take over and the civilization collapses.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
New York City Off The Record Part 1
June 26th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 10 Comments
THE BEST OF THE BEST
The best bar, the best bathroom, the best bus line, the best block party, the best back-crack, the best Brooklyn hipster haircuts, the best gossip, the best magazine browsing, the best patriot outlaws…Does it get any better? THE VILLAGE VOICE Best of NYC www.villiagevoice.com
Best Way To Find Whatever It Is That You’re Looking For: www.CITYSEARCH.COM helps you find bars, restaurants, shops, and museums all the time.
CUPPA COFFEE
JACK’S COFFEE ‘Jack is no ordinary coffee shop’. Stir brewed coffee, premium teas, live music on Tuesday, and Thursday night movies. ‘Great Vibe’. 138 W 10th St.
The Village Voice has named MUD ‘The Best Coffee Empire’, giving NYC residents an alternative to the (Star-$$$’s) takeover. Look for the orange truck at Astor Place and Union Square.
THE HUNGARIAN PASTRY SHOP - A heavenly view of The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Amsterdam and 109th Street.
THE CUPCAKE CAFE is close to Broadway and the fabulous 42nd Street area where there are movies, arcade games, and a wonderful cluster of import shops. It is just behind the New York, New Jersey Port Authority in an area where you might not think to stroll. Located at 522 9th Avenue on the corner of 39th Street, the nearby highway leads to the Lincoln Tunnel.
HOUSING WORKS USED BOOKS AND CAFE-’Soho’s Best kept secret’- 126 Crosby Street, NYC 10012.
HAVE MORE FUN
ST. ANN’S WAREHOUSE - Aritists, audiences, volunteers, creative freedom and some of the best perfomances in the outward bound of entertainment. 38 Water Street Dumbobrooklyn.
GALAPAGOS ‘may be the only public place in town where (while imbibing) you can hear a reading of Shakespeare’s Tempest, shimmy to live Cuban music and see trapeze artists all in the same month.’ 70 North 6th St. (Williamsburg/ Greenpoint) Between Wythe and Kent Aves. Take L train to Brooklyn 718-782-5188
POETRY SLAM With poetry or prose, untried and unstoppable writers gain stage worthy experience. NUYORICAN POETS CAFE - 236 E 3rd between B and C (212) 505-8183
THE BOWERY POETRY CLUB - 308 Foot of First Street between Houston and Bleecker
FILM FORUM- 209 W. HOUSTON ST. N.Y., NY 10014 BOX OFFICE: (212) 727-8110 New York’s leading movie house for independent premieres and repertory programming — The Film Forum presents independent filmmakers, international collections, complete retrospectives of worthy filmmakers, silent films, and mini-festivals.
LEISURE TIME BOWLING CENTER AND COCKTAIL LOUNGE AT THE PORT AUTHORITY - Between Eighth and Ninth Ave from 40th to 42nd Streets, 268-6909 Electronic scoring! Lotsa Lanes.
THE MERMAID PARADE -is a completely original creation that is the nation’s largest art parade and one of New York City’s greatest summer events located on CONEY ISLAND where streets, buildings, public beach and boardwalk may be a bit down at the heels, but it remains a one-of-a-kind destination. Vicinity of Surf Avenue and West 15th Street, Brooklyn, NY www.coneyisland.com
The STORY BOOTH is a soundproof environment where you can record your story or the stories of your loved ones located between Track 13 and 14 of Grand Central Terminal.
THE LIVING ROOM –The indie best for accoustic folk, country, pop, rock and soul–154 Ludlow Street NYC (between Stanton and Rivington)
LISTEN UP
WNYC National Public Radio 820-AM
WFMU College Free Form 91.1- FM
WFUV-FM Adult Alternative 90.7
PEOPLE ARE HAPPIER WHEN THEY ARE LEARNING
WARD STUDIO- a coveted acting studio in the Miesner Approach. Offering summer sabbaticals for the corporate professional and intensive acting training for the serious minded actor. 145 West 28th St. Ny, Ny 212-239-1456 www.wardstudio.com
DANCE THEATRE WORKSHOP @ 219 West 19th St. is about supporting and advancing the work of artists - constantly evolving to sustain artists at every stage of their development. They provide a wide range of administrative, promotional and technical services to the community of independent artists in New York, across the country and around the world.
THE INSTITUTE OF CULINARY EDUCATION was named “Avocational Cooking School of the Year” by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. ICE has three divisions: Recreational, Career and Special Events: 50 West 23rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues www.iceculinary.com
ANNE BOGART AND SITI TRAINING — Disinct, challenging and innovative methods of actor training. Viewpoints and Suzuki, Master Classes- Guest Artist Series, Drop-in Classes. www.siti.org
CRUSH WINE CO. -153 E. 57th St. offers a quick wine tasting primer for $50.
GREAT PUBLIC SPACES
PALEY PARK @ 53rd Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues. Located within Midtown’s cultural district and surrounded by high-rises, this celebrated “vest-pocket” park is a welcome respite from the sights and sounds of urban living.
NY PUBLIC LIBRARY @ 42nd street and Madison boasts a gorgeous reading room that would make anyone feel like royalty - indeed, it rivals the ballrooms of European palaces. But out in front, along the street, is where this illustrious institution truly connects with the city around it. A series of well-linked spaces - steps, plazas, little nooks and pathways - provide innumerable places for sitting, meeting, eating and chatting.
BRYANT PARK a green and sensual urban oasis including “Seventh on Sixth” fashion shows; the JVC Jazz Festival; the “New York Times Young Performers Series”; lunchtime concerts by Juilliard students; Monday night movies in the summer; the Kaleidoscope Circus; boules and chess games.
HUA MEI BIRD GARDEN Community garden that hosts daily, early-morning gatherings of Chinese men who bring beautiful songbirds in fancy bamboo cages. Sara Delano Roosevelt Park. Lower East Side, New York, NY
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL– One of the most well known and impressive indoor public spaces in the country, Grand Central Terminal provides an unparalleled experience to over half a million people every day. Park Avenue and 42nd Street, New York City, NY
METROPOLITIAN MUSEUM STEPS - The grand, granite steps leading to The Metropolitan Museum of Art are a destination themselves: a place to meet, eat, talk, and watch both people and Fifth Avenue traffic. Fifth Avenue from 80th - 84th Streets, New York, NY
IN PRAISE OF THE LOCAL BOOKSTORE
– Owning a bookstore is a labor of love, and the financial rewards are slender. Independently owned businesses, like bookstores or drugstores or hardware stores, help define a community.
” Oh joy! Oh Rapture!” COLISEUM BOOKS– WELCOME BACK!! 11 W. 42nd Street New York, NY Phone: (212) 803-5890. Across the street from BRYANT PARK
LABYRINTH BOOKS - 536 West 112th Street, for university presses.
ST. MARKS BOOKS - 31 Third Avenue, for a wide selection of all books.
THREE LIVES AND CO 154 West 10th Street, for fiction.
THE DRAMA BOOK SHOP–Drama Books is one of the largest book stores specializing in theatre related material. 250 W. 40th St Phone: (212) 944-0595
SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
A beautifully made hat is a headturner. BARBAR FEINMAN MILLINERY- 66 East 7th Street NY, NY 212-358-7092.
Wahoo! Elisa Miller knows how to throw a class act Swank! SOMEDAY PRODUCTIONS handles all aspects of party and event planning– 347-432-8949 www.somedayproductions.com
GO YOGA Located in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A small, friendly Yoga Center offering a variety of classes all day - every day. Go Yoga is located within the Girdle factory at: 218 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn NY. 718.486.5602 www.goyoga.com
TO MARKET WE GO
GREENMARKET FARMERS MARKET a program of the Council on the Environment of NYC, promoting regional agriculture and ensures a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers. Comprehensive regulations govern what may be sold at a Greenmarket. With few exceptions, all items must be grown, raised, foraged, caught, or otherwise produced by the seller. www.cenyc.org
CHELSEA MARKET includes The Juice Factory, Amy’s Bread, Chelsea Wholesale Flower Market, Fat Witch, Chelsea Wine Vault, Hale and Hearty Soups and lots more…. Eat, browse and leisurely stroll. 75 9th Avenue New York, NY 10011
UNION SQUARE PARK AND GREEN MARKET- Three-square-block urban park that hosts a year-round, open-air farmers market four times a week. 14th Street and Broadway, New York, NY
Janice Hoffmann is CEO and founder of Success Is Sweetest http://successissweetest.com/ -
A New York City based Career and Lifestyle Coaching Boutique.
Dayton Nv Economic Growth
June 25th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 10 Comments
Dayton, NV is experiencing unbelievable growth. We have seen over the years rural Nevada take wings and totally run in their expansion. Reno a decade ago, beat all records. Now Las Vegas is number one growing DMA in the country. Also we saw Carson City with high rankings for years. As well as South Lake Tahoe. We have recently seen Spanish Springs over the hill from Sparks, NV grow to nearly 20,000 people, it was simply a valley over the hill before. Now out of the blue is incredible growth in Dayton, NV. Ten Thousand new homes going in and old downtown renovation, rivaling that of the Queen Creek area of Phoenix.
Dayton has some Old West type history, which is extremely interesting, but nothing in its past will begin to compare to the next growth spurt coming soon. http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2003/04/16/39639.php
and it just keeps going. Three new projects just completed in Fernley is also growing in an unlikely area and many are commuting into Reno. Anytime we have numbers like 19% or more growth we are talking a huge expansion; http://www.nnda.org/Lyon/news.asp .
33% growth in a decade is what they are believing to be the best estimate. This growth rivals another area in Arizona; Queen Creek. The reason we compare Queen Creek in AZ with Dayton is the draw of an old town and Golf Course (Trillium in AZ) and Dayton Valley Golf Course there in Dayton, NV. This study from the University of Nevada tells of the future economic growth. http://www.ag.unr.edu/uced/reports/quarter…3qtr2002_03.pdf .
Look at what else is available? Yerington, Fernley, Top Gun HQ Fallon. Gardnerville and Minden are practically built out, but their borders can expand and have been constantly for years. Expect more people to leave California and move into the area because it is business friendly, less regulations and smarter government. Even with the tax increases in NV, it is ten fold better than CA. CA has made some big mistakes and many communities in Northwest NV are getting the mass exodus.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
The Truth About Youth Hostels
June 24th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 11 Comments
In August 1909 the German teacher Richard Schirrmann had been caught in a violent thunderstorm on an eight day migration with his pupils and found accommodation in a barn by a farmer.
While the pupils were sleeping, Schirrmann was laying awake the whole night.
The thought attacked him suddenly, “One would have to create places, at which move-joyful young people and pupils receive a safe and inexpensive overnight stay”.
He published this idea for the first time in 1910 in an essay about “Voksschuelerherbergen” (”elementary school pupil lodgings”),
“…also the boys and girls of the common man must practice fresh merry moving as counterweight for the room stool time of their school years… how do I imagine now appropriate and sufficient lodgings for the enormous army of the elementary school pupils?… each city and nearly each village has an elementary school, which almost waits in holidays with empty areas for it, into a sleep and a dining hall for move-merry children to be transformed. Two classrooms are sufficient, one for boys, one for girls. The banks are set partly one above the other. That gives free area for the list of 15 beds. … each camp place consists of a tautly with straw plugged bag and cushion, 2 sheets and a blanket… each child is stopped to bring its camp place back in order finely neat… ”
After publication of this essay in the “Koelnische Zeitung” (Cologne Newspaper) numerous money and gift contributions in kind and support offers came from whole Germany.
In 1912 the first youth hostel was opened in the Altenia Castle, Germany
The first youth hostel was arranged according to Schirrmann’s plans: 2 sleeping halls with 3-storied solid wood beds, a dayroom, kitchen, wash and shower rooms. First hostel warden was Richard Schirrmann. He lived directly above the hostel rooms. In the same year Schirrmann also published the first hostel listing with approximately 140 addresses.
In many of these lodgings however were not even basics of accommodations, e.g. for girls were nothing at all.
In 1913 were already 301 youth hostels in cities and villages. One year later one counted already 535.
In 1920 the first expenditure of the “youth hostel” magazine appeared, and with approximately 700 addresses the first manual with addresses by youth hostels were published.
From 1924-1929 with the first lottery in favour to the youth hostels 1.5 million realm Marks were gained. In 1932 had already been 2,123 youth hostels in Germany. More than 4.5 million overnight stays took place. But at the end of the twenties in further countries, like Poland, Holland, France, England, and Switzerland, more than 600 youth hostels were already opened.
On October 20th, 1932 in Amsterdam in presence by land agencies from Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Belgium, the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) was created.
The federation has its seat today in Welwyn Garden City near London. Richard Schirrmann was selected as the president. Conference language was German.
On the following conference in 1933 also Isabel and Monroe Smith from the USA participated. Within one year they could open thirty youth hostels in the United States. Also in 1933 the national socialists arrived in Germany at power.
All political and religious youth combinations were dissolved and replaced by a system of obligatorily university-formed youth organization, under the line of the “realm youth guidance”. Richard Schirrmann must withdraw as a chairman of the German youth hostel factory.
He let himself impress by the idealistic elements of the new movement and became honorary president of the realm federation for German youth hostels. A decision which he should bitterly repent later.
In 1936 for political reasons it had come to the break with the international youth hostel federation. In 1947 after the end of the world war, 247 youth hostels with 1,158,500 overnight stays were counted again in Germany.
From 1949-1990 also in the GDR were an extensive network of youth hostels developed. Initially still led as federations, these later had become to state led institutions of the youth. The existing federations were dissolved. In 1960 were the most youth hostels in the Federal Republic. More than 720 houses realized 11,300,312 overnight stays.
In 1990 after the end of the GDR also in the new Lands of the Federal Republic youth hostel federations were created. In November these federations joined the German youth hostel association.
Youth hostels today
World-wide there are more than 4,000 youth hostels in 65 countries, whereby more than 600 alone in Germany.
The youth hostels in Germany offer to their guests far more than an inexpensive overnight stay. Beside small cosy old buildings or the experience in castles and residences you also find many houses in scenic delightful environments as well as in large cities. For more details go to www.smart-travel-germany.com/hostels-germany.html.
This true story was published in German language by the German Youth Hostel Association, and translated by Marcus Hochstadt.
Marcus Hochstadt travels extensively to countries, continents and Germany itself as a sales manager and entrepreneur since more than 14 years. He knows in almost each German city the points of real interest. In his free monthly Special Report at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/smart-travel-guide.html he reveals more valuable insider tips and travel secrets.
Living Abroad Spanish National Health System
June 24th, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 11 Comments
Are you covered by the Spanish National Health System?
If you are in Spain as a tourist, you will probably have brought along your copy of
the E111 form obtained from the national health service in the UK, or you may have
taken out private health cover with your tour operator. In either case, you will be
covered for accidents and urgent illnesses during your stay. The E111 form will only
cover you for emergencies, not for treatment of chronic illnesses or for undertaking
an operation in Spain that you would have to wait a long time for in your home
country. If you run out of or mislay your regular medication whilst in Spain, your
E111 form can be used in any pharmacy to obtain a replacement.
You will have to use the doctors, surgeries or hospitals of the Spanish national
health services, called INSS. If you go to a private doctor or hospital, they will ask
you to pay, so if you are unfortunate enough to need to call an ambulance whilst on
holiday, make sure the driver knows that you need to be taken to an INSS hospital.
There are many private hospitals along the Costa Blanca, and you may find yourself
arriving at one of them as the driver has assumed you had private health cover. If
this happens you should communicate this to the INSS within 24 hours. The
personnel at the private hospital will assist you.
If you have contributed to the national health services of your own country, and that
country has an agreement with Spain on health services, you can also be covered if
you stay for longer periods in Spain, or become a permanent resident here. Then
you need to bring a form E-121 in two copies with you to Spain, and register it with
the Spanish health authorities. The registration is with the local Centro de Salud.
They will keep one of the copies of the form, and fill in and stamp the other one, to
be kept by you.
After a while you will receive in the post a card identifying you as a person with
certain rights to use the Spanish national health services. On it will be given the
name of the doctor you are to visit in case of illness, as well as the address of the
next INSS health centre. If you go on visits to other countries from Spain, you must
remember to get an E-111 from your local health centre, to be covered as a tourist
abroad, even in your home country.
If you are not included in the national health services of your home country, you
may have contracted a private health insurance there. Find out with the insurance
company if they will pay your medical bills in Spain as well. If you are completely or
partly without cover abroad, and a travel insurance does not fill the gap, you should
take private health insurance. Some foreigners feel more comfortable with private
insurance in addition to the public one, because they like to choose their doctor and
hospital, or because they doubt the quality of the state health services. To the last
point we can say: The national health services in Spain are of a very high standard.
You do not have to make appointments in advance to see a doctor, you turn up at
the surgery early in the morning, sign your name on the list, and wait your turn. You
may have to wait a couple of hours before being seen, but the receptionist usually
tells you roughly what time your turn will be based on how many are in front of you
in the queue so that you can go away and have a coffee and come back. As with any
country, there are waiting lists for operations, but not nearly as long as in the UK.
I
have known of cases whereby people have been diagnosed with terminal cancer in
the UK but been refused treatment because of budgetary or time constraints. Those
same people have then moved to Spain to spend their last days in the sun, have
been advised to visit the local doctor and then been admitted to hospital within days
to have life saving treatment.
If you do wish to opt for private health cover, there are a number of private Spanish
or foreign health insurances offered to the foreigners in Spain. The most popular
ones being Adeslas, Asisa, La Estrella, DKV Seguros, Sanitas and Winterthur. Today,
all insurance companies have their “Defensor del Asegurado” (ombudsman for the
insured) who you can present your complaints to if you feel the company is not
dealing correctly with you. If that does not work, you can approach Direccion
General de Seguros (phone 91-339 72 00) in the Ministry of Economy.
If you decide to take up employment in Spain thereby making contributions to the
Social Security system, you will obviously be covered by the Spanish national health
service. Your gestor will assist you in filling out the appropriate forms and register
you in the Spanish Social Security system. Currently, as a self employed person, the
monthly contributions are 220 per month (146.81), and it is your responsibility
to ensure they are paid. Once you are in the system, the authorities will track your
contributions and if you do not advise them of a change in circumstances, they will
expect you to pay the contributions. Failure to do so will result in fines and
eventually, a withdrawal of health services.
Everybody should keep, next to the phone, the name and phone number of a doctor
speaking your language, or of the local health centre, as well as a company
providing ambulance services, and the closest hospital where you would want to go
to in an emergency (depending if you are covered by the National Health Service or
rely on private services).
Karen Milacic is a graphic and web designer living as a British expat on the Costa Blanca for the past five years. Visit her other web sites at: http://www.villa-angels.com; http://www.thedesignbusiness.co.uk; http://www.costablanca-webhosting.com
Molokai. The Best Hawaiian Island You’ve Never Visited
June 23rd, 2008 by novina, under Travelling. 10 Comments
About 1.5 million years ago two large volcanoes, Kamakou in the east and Maunaloa in the west, pushed through the ocean’s surface and formed the island of Molokai. It first became inhabited around 650 A.D. by daring settlers traveling in double hulled canoes from Tahiti and other areas in the South Pacific. Of the roughly 7,000 residents about 40% are of Hawaiian descent, hence the moniker “The Most Hawaiian Island”.
Here’s a quick list of places I visited in Molokai…
Kalaupapa National Historical Park: The settings of two tragic chapters starting in the mid 19th century with the removal of indigenous people from this spot followed by the forced quarantining of leprosy patients here.
RW Meyer Sugar Mill Museum: Also known as the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center, this retired sugar mill was built in the late 1870’s to crush and process sugar cane. The family home, which overlooks the mill, is still owned by RW Meyer family members.
Kawela Battlefield: Long before hostilities with European settlers existed, inter-island rivalries and battles took place between native Hawaiians. This is the site of a 5-day battle which took place in 1736 where the joint forces of Molokai and Hawaii defeated invading forces from Oahu. Thousands of warriors perished, including the Oahu chief, Kapiiohookai.
Ancient Hawaiian Fishponds: Encompasses dozens of centuries old fish enclosures used to house fish before they were eaten by royal Hawaiian chieftains.
Isaac Rau owns and operates several travel and destination sites including http://www.1stcheapflights.com and http://www.icheapairfares.com.