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Coffee House Entertainment

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:05:13 +0000

I was needing to get out of the house for a while today so I headed to the local coffee shop to catch up on some emails take care of a little business and people watch. This time the person I would like to watch is right behind me so watching is difficult with out being obvious. I have been listen to this conversation for over an hour now. Well it isn’t much of a conversation as much as it is some guy talking, talking and talking some more. I am supposing he has met the women he is with here or the first time and is nervously rattling on and saying all kinds of silly things to impress her. He was just listing all the things he has purchased recently. The women he is with is in a position where I can catch a glimpse of her every so often and not be too obvious. She doesn’t look duly impressed. Yet he keeps rattling on as if he is completely unaware he is looking her interest. He was just saying that he had been in Texas and stayed at the best San Antonio hotels. Um OK… is how I interpreted the look on her face. She is being very polite and clearly acting like she is engaged. I guess he cannot see she is acting. He continued to rattle on and then all of a sudden stopped and said “tell me about some of your undergrad experiences’. Surprisingly he was quiet for a moment and she made her statement, but then the switch was turned on again and off he goes talking and talking some more interrupting her thought. I just can’t help but think this is not a first date going well. But then I could be interrupting this all wrong and perhaps she enjoys a guy just rattling on and on.

Coffee House Entertainment is a post from: Bob Travel

A bed and three rivers in Fort Wayne

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:49:57 +0000

While we were staying in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we happened upon the Three Rivers Festival. It appears that both locals and any traveler, like my husband and me, could not only experience the week long festival, but participate in it if we so wished. As we left our room at one of the hotels Fort Wayne offers its visitors, we headed straight for the main part of the festival and searched for the food alley. It was hard to figure out just want we wanted to eat. The food alley, which we like to call the grease and fat alley, had a great array of carnival food to choose from. Everything from pulled-pork sandwiches to Wisconsin cheese to elephant ears. Yes, elephant ears. That did not sound appetizing to me. So, we went for the pulled pork sandwich instead.

As we walked through the crowd, we noticed they were all waving bright, red Carthage flags. We got a good educations by those around us at the festival, all about Carthage College. We actually had the privilege to talk to a parent of one of the students. But, what was the best part about the festival was the Bed Races. Every team had five members. The teams must provide their own decorated bed, which has to be on wheels. Then they race against the other competing teams for the length of two city blocks. All the while, one team member has to me on the bed itself while the other four team members have to push. I never knew bed racing could be so intense and competitive. We were lucky to be sitting right at the finish line. They had heats set up in a bracket system. So, the losing teams slowly got eliminated and the winning teams could continue to race until only two bed racers remained. So, the winner not only has to be the fastest, but also has to have the best decorated bed. This was definitely the highlight of the festival and the highlight of our trip.

A bed and three rivers in Fort Wayne is a post from: Bob Travel

Goa filming

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:27:35 +0000

There are some places that naturally attract the allure that commands a five-star hotel. Goa, one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, is certainly among them. Our hotels will put you in the center of this place of natural wonder, where you can enjoy the gorgeous beaches, a lively urban center, and access to nature centers all at the same time. Children of all ages will enjoy the special attractions that take place in the reserves, where wildlife of all sorts can be seen close up, in a setting that is as educational as it is entertaining. In the midst of this fascinating paradise, our hotels add another level of pleasure. Meeting the highest standards in the industry, you will find yourself surrounded by luxury, in the midst of natural splendor. Life was never so good!
Goa has been a main attraction for a few decades now, experiencing a tremendous growth in tourism in the 1960s, when counterculture explorers came looking for enlightenment and beaches. This was the beginning of a very strong party scene in Goa. Though it is not everywhere, the parties can be easily found, and techno music can be heard until dawn at some of the more lively clubs. Goa trance takes its name from a kind of pre-techno electronic music that combines modern musical technologies, altered states of consciousness, and local influences from classical Indian music. The scene is strong enough that it is the subject of Venkat Prabhu’s next release, titled Goa, appropriately enough.
Prabhu, who directed the very successful features Chennai 600028, and Saroja, is one of the hottest Tamil directors working today. This new effort will be a side-splitting comedy, by all accounts, and will take on the reputation of Goa in popular culture and give it some new twists. In the style of sexy teen comedies, this is a story of young men on holiday in Goa, who get into a particularly perilous situation. The film will star Jai and Vaibhav Reddy, among other top names, and will also star Sneha, in a role that was once being considered by Jessica Alba. In the tradition of feature films being made in other locations, Goa is filmed in Malaysia.

Goa filming is a post from: Bob Travel

An Old New Healing in New York

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:45:15 +0000

My Acupuncturist advised me to check out another Acupuncturist who specializes in a technique called Gua Sha. I asked why my Acupuncturist was recommending another acupuncturist and he told me that he has heard about the benefits of this Gua Sha practice and thinks I will benefit from it, plus, he does not know the technique. I took the advise of my Acupuncturist and made a reservation for a New York City car hire and hotel room. Oh, and an appointment with the Acupuncturist.

When I arrived to my appointment, I was impressed with not only the office, but just how well known this Acupuncturist is within the medical community. She practices in her office and at several well known hospitals in New York. My first visit was a consultation which she explained the difference between the Acupuncture technique that I’m used to and Gua Sha. Gua Sha is a East Asian healing technique. Gua means to scrape or rub and Sha is a reddish elevated, skin like rash. Sha describes the blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. So, Gua Sha intentionally raises the Sha rash (petechiae). That sounded weird to me, but then when I first heard about Acupuncture itself, that sounded weird to me too, but after experiencing the results, it no longer seems strange.

Apparently, this practice has different names depending on which country it’s practiced in. She told me due to my disorder, that I’m a perfect candidate for the practice of Gua Sha. So, I made an appointment for the next day. We I arrived and received my treatment, I was shocked. During the treatment she applied a lubricant on all the major Acupuncture points with the Gua Sha tool. She held the tool at a 30 degree angle to my skin. She then rubbed with a the round edged tool in a downward stroke. An area is stroked, downward, until the petechiae surfaces and completely raised. If I had no Blood stasis the petechiae will not form and my skin will only turn pink. The area which she worked on me were the back, neck, buttocks, shoulders and my arms, but she didn’t apply it on my chest or abdomen. She raised the petechiae everywhere she stroked on my body. She told me the effect will last 2 to 4 days. If it fades very slow, that indicates I have poor blood circulation and there may be a more serious deficiency which will require additional treatments alongside my regular Acupuncture treatments. She advised that I can get Gua Sha treatments up to three times a week. But, that I must at least get one treatment per week.

My petechiae did fade very slowly, but I was fortunate enough, one: to be able to go to New York every week, and two: my petechiae didn’t form only after 4 treatments. I must also mention that the disorder with which I was suffering has dissolved, completely.

An Old New Healing in New York is a post from: Bob Travel

Jaipur Food Run

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:23:01 +0000

“Man, I would kill for a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich. Can we get one?” asked Steve for the eighty seventh time, as we traveled through India, not a big BLT nation. We had traveled before and he would get these cravings for some crazy food and that was all he would talk about until he got some or you socked him in the head. I only had to do this once. While in Maine last summer on break we were in Acadia Island and he had to have a Coney. I threatened to drive to Detroit to shut him up, but instead bonked him on the head. We had decided to come to India and were now looking for any Jaipur hotels that would have us. And bacon sandwiches were on his feverish, Indian heated brain. “Hey, maybe on of those fancy British place will have them, d the British eat a lot of bacon?” I knew the British were pig friendly, but the BLT? Why not? Just then, the Canadian embassy came in to view. “Hey, let me off, I’m going to go ask the Canadian guys.” Steve later explained that since that was the nation that brought us Canadian bacon, they were bound to have a source. Off he went crossing the street and dodging the auto rickshaws, the fantastically decorated taxis, two skinny dogs, a lady selling umbrellas, and a guy on a bicycle push cart selling fresh coconut juice. I wanted to get to a nice Indian restaurant, my tender stomach recovering now, and we had been given the name of a vegetarian restaurant in the central city of Jaipur. He was gone for about twenty minutes and I began to worry when out he bounded down the street with a paper bag. the embassy had sold him two BLTs, and he was happy.

Jaipur Food Run is a post from: Bob Travel

First Day in Udaipur

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:24:37 +0000

Wow. I truly feel like I am on the other side of the globe. India is a way incredible and diverse place. It even smells different, I mean smells. Cow dung, burning cow dung, Indian food, incense, flowers and garbage all mixed together equals the aroma of India. It’s actually not as bad as it sounds. I’ll start from the beginning: My friend Mark and I had a great flight on Qatar Airlines. We really thought the airline was particularly good. We had a lay over in Saudi Arabia. At the airport, Mark and I experienced the most diverse group of people we have ever seen in one place. There were so many different skin colors, colorful robes and great turbans. Women covered from head to toe while other women were dressed like me, very casual travel loose cotton clothes. It was truly amazing.

Mark, interviewed a man from Oman and thought his English was broken, be was very friendly and welcoming. Anyway, we had a fascinating layover and definitely made me want to learn more about the variety of cultures in that part of the world. We landed in India around 3:30am and even though we hadn’t much sleep, we were wide awake due to our excitement. As soon as we left the airport, I could feel the amazing energy of India. After we managed to get a ride to our Udaipur palace hotel and unpack, we hit the streets. Our first day in India was surreal and beautiful. We met up with one of Mark’s friends, a Buddhist nun. She made us feel great just by being near her. Her name is Venerable Tenzin. We walked all around one of the nicer parts of Udaipur with her, Mark had a great interview with her, and we filmed her getting her head shaved. All Buddhist shave their heads because they are working on not worrying about appearance, so they can dedicate their energies towards their practice. Anyway, it was great walking around town. We got so many looks from the people we were passing. A Buddhist nun, a 6’6″ blond man and an American girl dressed very differently from all the other women on the street. We were quite a site for all those people. It was a great first day and we learned a great deal about Buddhism.

Mark and I headed back to our hotel room and crashed for a whole day, jet lag and excitement finally met and Mark and I lost.

First Day in Udaipur is a post from: Bob Travel

Newcastle Bridge and Museum

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:35:04 +0000

Quayside Newcastle is a beautiful area along the Tyne River in the city of Newcastle. This is an incredibly beautiful area with many interesting features and attractions. Tourists who visit the city and stay in one of the quaint old bed and breakfasts that may have been adapted from an old Victorian house, and those who prefer the comforts of one of the Newcastle luxury hotels, almost always enjoy at least one trip to this area along the river’s edge.

The riverfront in this section of the city has a dynamic and thriving area on both sides. The Gateside of the river is well known for its housing developments, as well as featuring great restaurants, pubs, music venues and museums. One of the major attractions on the Quayside of the river is the Millennium Bridge. This incredible structure spans the river area between the BALTIC Center for Contemporary Arts and the Newcastle Law Courts. The bridge is a cyclist and pedestrian tilt styled cross bridge. It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre and Gifford, and it has won awards for its shape and design.

The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Arts consists of a continually changing program featuring various exhibits, lectures and other events. It is an international center for contemporary art is one of the world’s leaders in the presentation and commission of contemporary visual arts. The Center opened in 2002 and celebrated its successful first five years with a Beryl Cook exhibition, as well as presenting the opening of the new Learning and Community Center20called simply Quay. Education and the support of new art development is a major focus of the center in their short existence have already created and presented various educational programs for students and children.

Newcastle Bridge and Museum is a post from: Bob Travel

The Port Louis District of the Island of Mauritius

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:45:27 +0000

Mauritius is an island of districts, districts that are diverse and have the influence not only of the rich cultural history, but the influence of the various ethnic groups that inhabit the island today. One of those districts is that of Port Louis. This is one of the more popular districts with the tourists and as such there is a wide range of options concerning the many luxury hotels. Mauritius is an island with a variety of landscapes, be they made up of mountains and forests, ocean waves and beaches, or the gardens and the architecture.

The capital of Mauritius is also Port Louis and this is one of the most culturally active and happening cities on the island. Most who travel to the island on holiday choose to stay in Port Louis for this reason. Many of the larger companies and corporations have their headquarters and office buildings in the city, and the mix of culture and different races combine to make this one of the most cosmopolitans regions, as well as one of the most important of all the port cities located along the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The population is relatively large in the city, and many of the most impressive spots for tourist activities are located withing this hub. One such destination is that of Chinatown, which is located here in Port Louis. As in the Chinatown neighborhoods the world over, when one steps onto the streets in this area one feels as though they stepped onto the streets in the country of China itself. The food and the atmosphere is overwhelming and enticing.

Shopping here, and throughout the district, is varied and has many options for bargains and rare finds in the many market places and shops. One such market is the Central Bazaar of Port Louis, where one can find works of art, antique stalls, and many options for finding the flavor of the island through the various restaurants and food stalls. And of course, what is true for the island as a whole is true for this district as well, as there are many opportunities for mountain hikes and nature walks. This is one city on the island that truly has it all.

The Port Louis District of the Island of Mauritius is a post from: Bob Travel

Gems from India

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:59:28 +0000

India is full of gems. The country side, the people, the history, spiritually and literally the gems and minerals. Many stones are mined as well as cut polished and processed in India. Some very fine micro faceting of gemstones by laser has been developed over the past few years. This produces an especially sparkling gem stone bead or setting cut stone. The qualit of the carving and cutting is top notch with many factories in Delhi/ A short distance from my five star hotels in Delhi are many showrooms proudly showing these items. The richness of the history and spiritually play into this as many whom follow the Hindu faith believe it auspicious to adorn oneself only with gold and transparent stones. There for emeralds, rubies, tourmalines and many other fine stones are mined and processed in India. Adding to the richness of the sub continent. The spiritual history goes back eons with many traditions being adopted from things that developed in India. Like the Mala or Prayer Beads. These devises for ritual use specifically to count the repetitions of mantras have been adapted around the world and by many religions and groups. In Greece they are called worry beads the Catholics call them Rosary. It is all from the same ancient tradition that Hinduism grew from that the use of these beads cam into being and the concept shared throughout the world. The concept of meditation, getting in touch with your-own mind is an ancient gem from the Indian sub continent. Meditation employs quiet sitting to changing out loud or to oneself or walking or repetition of some other kind. The point of which is to focus the energy of the mind. India has many more gems to be spoken of these are just a few.

Gems from India is a post from: Bob Travel

Slacking in Phuket

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:55:40 +0000

I’m writing while looking after three children whose mother, I like to call Slacker Mum, is spending nine days swanning around Thailand and staying at a Phuket resort while I’m stuck in Bangkok. Actually, I’m not writing this while I’m looking after the children. I’m writing this while I recover from watching the children. My shattered health needs to be taken care of in a private sanatorium in the Alps. That’s where nothing like domestic duty is never mentioned and I’m brought some wonderful smelling chicken soup by a very attractive Swedish nurse.

But, I’m still here in Bangkok trying to make sense of the lessons I learned during the time I spent in charge of the children, who aren’t mine I might add. The first lesson was if I was going to be the Slack kind-of-Dad, then there will be a time when my wife goes off to Phuket without me and in those first few minutes after she’s gone is where the tricky moments take place. Some very disturbing displays of emotion that reflected ill on my children’s faith in my abilities to guide and nurture them.

But, weirdly enough, everything worked out. Slacker Dad did the school runs, which is probably not a surprise to other females, but for me were a frantic and unseemly last-minute wind storm of random shouting about inefficiency and punctuality. Yet, what I found the first morning were three children, present and accounted for, dressed, hair was brushed, teeth cleaned and me trying to figure out how to fill in the extra time this splendid array had afforded me. I made them ride bikes to school. Naturally, that didn’t last long, being how cold it was outside.

I did also manage to figure out that the kitchen does need to be dealt with everyday, but the laundry can wait for a few days. But the greatest problem was the mess, mine and the three children. We were a messy lot, sloppy. So, I set down some very strict communist rules, like the one about reading at the kitchen table, that one, I must admit, only applied to me. I did notice though, with only one command giver in the house instead of the bounce back and forth several times between Slacker Mum and Slacker Dad, that my commands were acted upon immediately. At first I thought I was hallucinating at how fast things got done with only one shout.

Slacking in Phuket is a post from: Bob Travel