I just returned from watching the sun set on the sandstone cathedral in Arequipa's Plaza de Armas. I sat on the bench with ice cream cone in hand watching the trabajadores on their 3rd day of a hunger strike. Some hung on large crosses with steps to hold their weight and others lay on the ground in sleeping bags. This visual is a good entry point into the realities of South America. After so many trips to lesser developed countries I find … [Read more...]
Ray’s Apartment
En la escuela me ensenaron que en el Apartheid no todos son iguales y no importa la ley, por eso me molesto con las cosas que veo, eschame brother: "fuck you bloqueo! "pero entindelo man tamalo como quieras, la politica no cabe en la azucarera. In school they teach me that in Apartheid Not everyone is equal and the law doesn't care, Because of this the things I see bother me, Listen to me brother: Fuck you embargo! But I understand … [Read more...]
Napa Valley – November 2008
Napa Valley is a narrow long valley located about an hour north and slightly east of San Francisco. This is California and the USA's premiere Internationally recognized wine region. Cabernet is the "king" of the varietals produced in this region and most wineries produce at least one vintage of this wine. There are approximately 1,000 wineries/producers in the valley making wine commercially and of these a fair number are open to the public. … [Read more...]
Splendour of the Far East: The Philippines
My plane bucks like a wild horse on the final approach before landing through disturbing clouds that crowd late afternoon summer skies over Manila. Beside me a Singaporean Flight Engineer and his wife eagerly peer out the window for a first glimpse of the city. "We've been visiting the islands a number of times," she explains, reminding me of how neighbouring Asians refer to the rest of the country, "and can't wait to get back. Philippines are … [Read more...]
Mount Benson Signature Mountain of Nanaimo
Magnificent Mount Benson is one of the scenic wonders of Nanaimo, British Columbia, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Mount Benson is the city's backdrop rising 1,019 meters above the Strait of Georgia. The mountain's green forested slopes are favorites of hikers and wildlife, and there's a sweeping view of the Coastal Mountain Range across the water from the rocky summit. Unfortunately, this paradise is threatened. Forestry … [Read more...]
Trip to the Rhine in Germany
We flew British Airways from San Francisco Int. Airport, to Heathrow Airport, and then into Frankfurt Airport. Heathrow has a special assistance lounge. Ask for assistance when leaving your plane, and they will take you to the lounge. You give them your boarding pass and let them know what sort of help you need, and when the time comes for you to board your departing flight, they either let you know that someone will meet you at the gate with an … [Read more...]
Prager Port Works, Napa Valley CA – January 2007
Prager Port Works Napa Valley - Prager Port Works is a unique winery in Napa Valley as their specialty is port-style and other late harvest "sweet wines". Warm up this winter with a visit to their winery in Napa Valley, California! If you are looking for exceptional fortified wines, this is the place for you. Wine tasting includes 5 samples of their best ports. Tasting is in an intimate room in which you are surrounded by literally hundreds … [Read more...]
Asian Affair: Sizzling Singapore and Vibrant Vietnam
I've always loved aircrafts and long haul flights. We boarded award winning Singapore Airlines in LAX with about 30 hours of travel time ahead of us. With 8 magazines, 6 movies, 4 meals and a sleeping pill, the time went quickly and I arrived relaxed and ready to explore. American airports are not very people friendly. Singapore's ultra-modern airport invites you to linger with free internet terminals, a cinema, rooftop swimming pool, … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Annual Events
The following are annual events held in greater Los Angeles. If you know of an *annual* event not listed below please email dave to have it added. Additional daily events are listed here: www.laweekly.com/calendar LA Event Calendar January - Rose Parade (Pasadena) - Golden Dragon Parade (Los Angeles) - LA Times Travel Show (Los Angeles) February - Academy Awards (Hollywood) - Golden Dragon Parade (Los Angeles) March - … [Read more...]
India on the Rails
If life is a journey than, in India at least, it chugs along on two parallel steel lines, the railways. No reference here to the local trains of Mumbai, India's commercial capital, where citizens spend a substantial portion of their waking hours commuting increasing distances within ever expanding city-limits. This one is grand - a vast rail network criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country, spanning over plains and rivers, through … [Read more...]