posted by Chris on Aug 31
One of the greatest things about the city of Cancun is that it is very close to the heartland of Mayan culture. The Mayas occupy the area from the peninsula all the way to Belize, and of course, live all over the world. But in terms of traditional culture, here the people speak the Yucatecan dialect. There are hundreds of dialects in the language, and most of these are mutually incomprehensible, although some people can understand each other in areas where the languages still share roots and patterns of development.
It’s one of the more difficult languages to learn, and impossible to begin in earnest over weekends at the five star Cancun hotels , but there are always fast ways to learn a phrase here and there, especially if it’s involving food. Most people who have tasted a panucho will never forget it. That’s actually the case with most of the traditional foods here.
They might taste deceptively simple, like a turkey taco, but a little attention to the taste buds will show that there are thousands of things going on at once. The tortillas are deep fried after they’re stuffed with a tablespoon of black bean sauce. The turkey is cooked with sour orange and achiote paste, among other ingredients. Then there are the complexities of the habanero pepper , and a number of other possible ingredients, which for some, suggest that Mayan cooking is some of the most splendid in the world.
posted by Chris on Aug 25
Paris is frequently considered to be the most romantic city in the world. And there are various reasons for this, though many of them have to do with the cultural climate, the amazing cityscape and also the incredible food and wine that can be found there. In addition, there is something of a laid back and sensual atmosphere that tends to seduce even the most ambitious traveler in one of the fine Paris hotels . And once you have the experience of lazing away an afternoon at a sidewalk cafe with a fine bottle of wine and some great bread and cheese =http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Wine-and-Alcohol-644/wine-cheese-pairing-guide.aspx , you are likely to be lost for good in the romance and character of this great city.
Sometimes travelers can be a little hesitant to try the traditional food of a culture or region, and this is common to those who visit Paris. However, the great restaurants in the city quickly convert the weary and dining in this city can be quite an event. Establishments like Comediens, which is conveniently located near the theatre district offer sophisticated atmospheres and fabulous dining options. Victor is another great find and it combines a fabulous traditional climate with amazing cuisine. It is one of the favorites for tourist, though it is also well loved by residents. Food and dining is a reason to celebrate in this great city and many of the restaurants explore the sensual nature of food.
posted by Chris on Aug 20
The reputation of Vancouver among the members of the film community has been growing by leaps and bounds. Usually when a city is discussed as a hot and upcoming spot for anything, it’s a temporary thing that only lasts a few years. In the case of Vancouver, however, it’s been true for so long that the film community on both coasts of the North American continent has started to see it as a threat or a resource. It’s a fortunate thing, and couldn’t happen to a nicer city, where the Vancouver hotels are filling with tourists wanting to see it for themselves.
There’s more than great art in the city, of course. Its reputation for fine restaurants and a truly international culture is the backdrop for time spent in a lovely part of the world. But the films help. With movies like Night at the Museum , Legends of the Fall, and the new A-Team set in Vancouver, it’s brought a major city to the attention of the rest of the world. Interestingly, it’s still able to maintain its particular charms, which are plentiful. There’s a sense of class and elegance here, and pretty much something for everyone, just like the movies.
posted by Chris on Aug 18
Chances are pretty good that most visitors to Hawaii have heard some stories about what happens to people who take rocks with them. Some of these make up some fantastic urban legends, where the luck goes so sour that it’s hard to imagine having a worse time of it. Others still seem rather too plausible, and none of them are inspiring anyone who visits to take the lava rocks back home with them.
The reason people have bad luck, so they say, is because Pele, the spirit of the volcano, protects what rightfully belongs to him. Anyone who messes with the order of things, then, will have to deal with the consequences. It makes sense. This is a place where the cultures in the majority traditionally work with the spirits of place, and these spirits are connected to nature and have a stake in its preservation.
The vast majority of guests in the luxury hotels Hawaii offers play by the rules, and respect the balance of things. But every hotel in town has a regular supply of interesting packages, where former guests will mail back dirt and stones, with stories about how their lives got turned upside down when they decided to ignore the rules and take something extra for a souvenir.
posted by Chris on Aug 14
It can be hard to get good press when everyone already dislikes you and what you stand for. Although the media is supposed to be unbiased, which is a modern invention for the media, it can be hard for them to get the whole story sometimes. That is why it is sometimes nice to see that there are papers out there that are writing the other side of the story. In Springfield, MO there were some students who were out working for Southwestern Company . They had been trained to be polite and to show their identification badge and other things like that. They had been following all the rules and regulations that had been given to them by their company and yet they were being called in to the police as scammers and as giving false identities.
The thing about this story that ended up being really interesting was that one news station ended up approaching the Southwestern Company students who were walking around and asking if they could follow them around and observe them. They said it was ok with them and one reporter did so. It turns out that they weren’t doing any of the things that were said was happening and they wrote an article on it. How often do you see that happening?
posted by Chris on Aug 9
For contemporary people living contemporary lives, especially those who are living where the necessity of making a living means living in densely populated areas, it’s hard to find silence. It’s easy to see why gardens are so popular in the world these days. They’ve always been a centerpiece of urban cultures, and for hundreds of years, people have learned to cultivate a little bit of nature in their own living spaces. This was the idea of Central Park in NYC, in fact, where over a century ago, planners decided to give the folks in the city a chance to get in touch with nature without having to travel long distances.
This idea does indeed carry over into the backyard garden. The garden can be a place of entertainment, and also solace. Human beings are naturally drawn to nature, because it’s part of the hard-wired mechanisms of the body to connect with natural rhythms. Even the busiest people can get benefits from being around greenery, and finding ways to literally stop and smell the roses. Spending a little time contemplating the mystery of it all by gazing at a garden fountain can also help calm down the noise of the mind, and readjust the rhythms of thought to something more soothing. Connecting with nature is connecting with the essence of what constitutes a human being.
posted by Chris on Jul 28
I had some friends, well, I still have them, that talked me into going to Miami with them. They had been planning the trip for about six months and about three weeks ago mentioned that I should come along. I wasn’t hurt by the apparent oversight, they knew that I really wasn’t that into beaches, true story, but decided to apply some pressure and finally convinced me to go with them. I just got back last Monday and honestly I don’t think I’ve had a better vacation in my entire life.
We had a couple of really cool rooms in one of the hotels Miami and I have to admit they had great views of the beach. For the first three days my three friends went to the beach together while I explored the city, on my own. I saw the relatively knew Egyptian Gallery exhibit at the Bass Museum of Art and it was pretty fascinating. There was a painted Sycamore Fig Wood Sarcophagus and mummy, which was pretty amazing to see.
During the evenings we went to some of the nightclubs . One of my friends and I love to dance and we had a great time. We also had some unbelievable barbecue, which I will never forget. Finally, my friends talked me into going to the beach with them, and I have to say I actually enjoyed myself. They swam in the water, and I just laid on my towel, but it was a beautiful afternoon and the crowd was nice. Ultimately, I think each of expanded our personal horizons a bit while we were on that trip.
posted by Chris on Jul 26
There’s a little bit of love for the good ghost story in most anybody. That feeling of having been seduced into listening to a story full of creepy details, where it reaches a turning point that causes goosebumps to slowly, but certainly, rise, is a thrill that hits at a very young age.
Almost any place in the world is worthy of a good ghost tour, and there are thousands of them. It starts with a few local stories, and they start to add up. There might be an extra colorful detail added here and there, until eventually it’s become almost theatrical. That is, indeed, what’s happened in Portland, where the Beyond Bizarre tour takes visitors to all the cool and creepy spots.
At least some of them. It’s lead by a team of people who have a long interest in odd phenomena, and some rather solid experience in working with these strange and inexplicable things. For guests staying in the top Portland hotels , this may not immediately seem like a particularly haunted city.
However. The proximity to the ocean makes for some very interesting weather patterns, and in the fall it starts to become apparent that it can get pretty grey here. That’s perfect ghost weather, and add to that the deep and dark forests, and suddenly, it starts to make sense.
posted by Chris on Jul 22
Phoenix Arizona has become a mecca for auto auctions. It could be because of the many influential people who live and vacation in the south western city or maybe it is the dry warm weather offering a greater chance of keeping a clean car on the floor. What ever it is that has brought them to Phoenix, it works.
People fly in from all over the world to spend a week or so at amazing car auctions such as the Barrett-Jackson . The Barrett-Jackson is a famous car show that happens in the Phoenix suburb of the elite, Scottsdale every January. Winter months in the desert are a perfect time to visit the city because the weather it not to hot and not to cold. You can work in a great golf game or two on your visit.
Some of the other auto auctions that are held in Phoenix, fall through spring, are the Arizona International Auto Show, the Gooding & Company auction, Kruse International and for the motorcycle enthusiasts there is the International Motorcycle Show.
So check into one of the best hotels in phoenix and see what sort of mobile beauty you can get your hands on. There is nothing in the world like cruising in your favorite make and model.
posted by Chris on Jul 19
Some people feel the need to break the bank when they go on vacation and stay one of the luxury denver hotels , others don’t have that kind of money and need to stay in a cheaper hotel. No matter what your money looks like, here are some things you can do in Denver.
Denver has what is called the Golden Triangle district . In this small area there are more than thirty galleries. It is free to go in and enjoy the art, and if you have the money, you can take some of it home with you.
If you want to get a look at some money, take a look at the US Mint in Denver. While they won’t give you any money, they also won’t charge you to go in and take a tour. You won’t be able to get up close to the money, but you will be able to see what it looks like as it is being made.
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts usually costs a little bit of money to get into, however a few times a year they offer free shows. Plan your trip so that you will be able to see one and you won’t be disappointed, but you will want to check their website to make sure you can follow the rules.