tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73406790680679235182024-03-14T00:57:52.619-04:00Travel Better With Bob TaylorBob Taylor of Charlotte works in video production when he's not leading group tours outside the United States. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-28767354510264467932020-05-15T13:16:00.000-04:002020-05-15T13:16:24.065-04:00Sweden is a destination for the ages<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajySB7NX7UM0qWVFrUFEeLI1hbKr-TGv1R050N7ABg9KRewkPa_KOTIPJIWfzH54m9aVci1ET2GN0FJ7J5atN08URpoKvcJX06Dmo5kDjRH5Q9WY7-XCa6FFTKyWqHfKg9XEG2fZftqA/s1600/800px-Eketorp_Oland+++%2528Allie_Caulfield+from+Germany++2.0%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajySB7NX7UM0qWVFrUFEeLI1hbKr-TGv1R050N7ABg9KRewkPa_KOTIPJIWfzH54m9aVci1ET2GN0FJ7J5atN08URpoKvcJX06Dmo5kDjRH5Q9WY7-XCa6FFTKyWqHfKg9XEG2fZftqA/s640/800px-Eketorp_Oland+++%2528Allie_Caulfield+from+Germany++2.0%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eketorp: Iron Age fortress on the island of Oland in Sweden</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Allie_Caulfield from Germany -- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: small; text-align: start;">licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Generic license0</span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">SWEDEN</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> — Mention Scandinavia and the
first thing that comes mind is likely to be the Vikings. Three of the five Nordic
countries, Norway, Finland and Sweden, make up a trio of peninsulas that extend
like vast fingers of land that eventually yield to the sea, each with its own
personality and characteristics that have been shaped through the centuries at
the hand of Mother Nature herself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">With
such geographical proximity to water in a region where the Arctic Circle
comprises enormous chunks of land that were once buried beneath massive glaciers,
it's little wonder the indigenous people took to the sea in search of food,
shelter and a warmer climate.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tanum is known for its ancient well-preserved rock carvings</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Håkan Svensson (Xauxa) --</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: small;">licensed
under the Creative Commons GNU Generic license) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Much of
what scientists have learned about mankind's innate instincts for exploration
has been learned thanks to relics, bones, architectural ruins and the artistic
renderings of the Vikings themselves and their ancestors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In
Tanum, Sweden, situated in the northern part of the Bohuslän province in the
western region of the country, there is an abundance of Bronze Age rock
carvings that are rich in artistic achievement for their varied depictions of
humans and animals, weapons, boats and other symbols that represent the
cultural and chronological unity of the life and beliefs of the people living
in Sweden between 1700 BC and 500 BC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Receding glaciers provided the smooth rock canvasses</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy: (Fred J-- Public Domain)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As the
glaciers of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet slowly receded to the north about
14,000 years ago, they left behind a sizable area of gently curved granite
bedrock which became the “canvases” that were used by Bronze Age artists to
record their history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Today there
are at least 1,500 known rock carving sites in northern Bohuslän
concentrated in certain areas, including the parish of Tanum. The sheer number
of carvings at Tanum alone (approximately 600) make it a stunning virtual
outdoor laboratory with which to compare data in a concentrated area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">This
continuity of settlement combined with the ongoing practice of agriculture, as
illustrated by Tanum’s rock carvings, archaeological vestiges and modern landscapes
demonstrate a remarkable permanence over the span of eight thousand years of
human history.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Iron Age homes, Eketorp</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy:Håkan Svensson (Xauxa)<br /> licensed
under the Creative Commons GNU Generic license)<span style="font-family: "garamond";"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Since
1994 the Rock Carvings at Tanum have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
Cultural Site. Other than the carvings on display at </span><a href="https://www.vitlyckemuseum.se/en/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Vitlycke Farm</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, all of
Tanum's rock carvings are situated on private property.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Tanum is
a place where the age of rocks reveals much about human life on the planet
through the rocks of ages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">From the
Bronze Age to the Iron Age another candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status
can be seen at the southern part of Oland, a small island situated off the southeastern
coast of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Longhouse was the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">main gathering spot </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places/eketorp-fort-sweden-0010744/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Eketorp</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is an </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Age" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Iron Age"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Iron Age</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> fort
that was extensively reconstructed and enlarged during the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Middle Ages"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Middle Ages</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.
Over the centuries Eketorp has been used as a defensive </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringfort" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Ringfort"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">ringfort</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
thanks to its circular design, a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Medieval"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">medieval</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> safe
haven and a cavalry </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrison" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Garrison"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">garrison</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">. More recently in the 20th century it was further
reconstructed to become a heavily visited tourist site and a location for the re-enactment
of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Medieval"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">medieval</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> battles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Eketorp
is the only one of the 19 known prehistoric fortifications on Öland that has
been completely excavated, yielding a total of over 24,000 individual
artifacts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The original
fortification was built around 400 AD, during a time when <st1:place w:st="on">Oland</st1:place>
had established contact with the with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome" title="Ancient Rome"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Romans</span></a> and
other <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe" title="Europe"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Europeans</span></a>.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the centuries Eketorp has been rebuilt three time</span><br />
(Courtesy:Håkan Svensson (Xauxa) ==<span style="font-size: x-small;"> licensed under the Creative Commons GNU Generic license)</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Most
researchers believe the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringfort" title="Ringfort"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">ringfort</span></a> was constructed and used initially as a gathering
place for religious ceremonies as well as a place of refuge for the local agricultural </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">community when an outside
enemy appeared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
circular design of the stronghold is believed to have been chosen because the
terrain is so level that attack from any side was equally likely. The original
diameter of this circular stone <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortification" title="Fortification"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">fortification</span></a> was
about 187 ft, however in the next century the stone was moved outward to
260 ft in diameter.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eketorp#cite_note-2"></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">At this
juncture there were known to be about fifty individual cells or small
structures within the fort as a whole. Some of these cells were in the center
of the fortified ring, and some were actually built into the wall itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
ringfort was mysteriously abandoned in the middle of 7th century, remaining
unused until the early 11th century when it was reconstructed in large part by
building upon the original structure. A second exterior defensive wall was
added and as a cost measure the stone interior cells were replaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In its
current incarnation, Eketorp Fortress is primarily a tourist site that allows
visitors the opportunity to experience a medieval fort that was typical of the
region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum" title="Museum"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">museum</span></a> within
the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle" title="Castle"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">castle</span></a> walls
displays some of the 26,000 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(archaeology)" title="Artifact (archaeology)"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">artifacts</span></a> that were retrieved by the
National Heritage Board during<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the decade
long excavation ending in 1974. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Inside
the fort visitors are greeted by employees wearing the correct costumes, from
the period 400-650. There are daily activities during the summer season
(mid-June to mid-August), which include bow and arrow, bread baking and many
activities mainly towards children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There
are also some small typical thatched roof dwellings scattered throughout the
grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Be it
bronze, iron or any time in between, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region> is a destination for the ages.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-83464479214280939682020-05-08T11:51:00.000-04:002020-05-08T11:51:25.835-04:00Important tip for post-pandemic travel<strong style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></strong>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jTAl9iuarmNii6qVO9L7yMmP_Eo3gfvSihRvK-lb-hd60n1KxZ6eUQFdE79CAjVAUDqgwgxEvWzQ9JOfbO4Yawgc6UL4m7h2cHAfKEgEoxIUfm6bp25SnFbSBxqIBONlox2LIJquWCs/s1600/800px-July_2012_flight_cancellations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jTAl9iuarmNii6qVO9L7yMmP_Eo3gfvSihRvK-lb-hd60n1KxZ6eUQFdE79CAjVAUDqgwgxEvWzQ9JOfbO4Yawgc6UL4m7h2cHAfKEgEoxIUfm6bp25SnFbSBxqIBONlox2LIJquWCs/s640/800px-July_2012_flight_cancellations.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Travel was booming before COVID-19, but what can fliers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">do to change flight reservations when things are normal</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: </span><span style="background: rgb(248 , 249 , 250); color: #0b0080; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Chinneeb" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;" title="User:Chinneeb">Chinneeb</a> -- </span>licensed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<strong style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">CHARLOTTE, NC</span></strong><strong style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">—</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"> With the recent
upheavals in every aspect of daily living created by the coronavirus
pandemic,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>none has been more confusing
than the travel industry.</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Timing was just about ideal to send travelers and
suppliers alike spinning out of control in a frenzied effort to salvage
schedules, alter vacation plans, decide whether to cancel or postpone and, in
the process, make the adjustments in a cost efficient manner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Under normal circumstances airlines in particular have
rules that are designed to discourage changes which can be very expensive,
especially if those changes involve an entire family. In the case of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>COVID pandemic however, the whole world was
suddenly engulfed in a situation that developed so quickly that making a last
minute adjustment about whether or not to proceed could become a major hassle
under the usual airline guidelines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Appropriately, for the most part, airlines, cruise lines,
hotels, resorts and other hospitality businesses quickly waived their normal
change fees and allowed for postponements and/or cancellations without
penalties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But here's the dirty little secret travelers need to know
about when things return to pre-pandemic lifestyles and the travel industry gets
back to recovering some of that lost revenue; <span id="goog_28024880"></span><span id="goog_28024911"></span><span id="goog_28024925"></span><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/259.5">"</a></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/259.5">By federal law</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">,<span id="goog_28024926"></span><span id="goog_28024912"></span><span id="goog_28024881"></span></a> every commercial airline <em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">must</span></b></em><em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></em>hold
your reservation for at least 24 hours and allow you to cancel it within those
24 hours, even if you already paid."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; line-height: 150%;">(Read
it for yourself. Click on the link aboveand scroll down to Bullet Point #4)</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; line-height: 150%;">Believe it or not the law has been on the books for
nearly a decade, since <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Notice_24hour_hold_final20130530_0.pdf">April 2011. It also requires</a></span> commercial airlines to notify you of this right.
For example, airlines aren’t allowed to suggest, whether on a website or on the
phone, that your reservation is non-refundable during those first 24 hours. And
whomever you deal with when making a cancellation request during the first 24
hours must offer you a full refund in the original form of payment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; line-height: 150%;">Don't be surprised if you didn't know about this because
most people don't, and you had better believe that even if the airline does
honors your request, it's practically guaranteed that they won't inform you of
it unless you ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">Be sure to keep in
mind:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">To be eligible for the
24-hour cancellation right, you must have made your reservation at least a week
before the flight’s departure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Travel
websites are </span><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">not</span></b></em><em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span></em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">subject to this rule (only
commercial airlines are), so if you book through one of them, <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k7672610-o20-Expedia_Cancelling_a_flight_ticket_within_24_hours-Air_Travel.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">you may be
subject to less-favorable rules</span></a>. On the other hand, some of these
websites do give you </span><em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">longer</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span></em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">than 24 hours in which to cancel</span><em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">, </span></em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">but you should always check to find out <a href="https://www.priceline.com/help/#/faq/1248" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">what kind of commitment you’re making</span></a> if
you book on one of those websites. </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; line-height: 150%;">The Department of Transportation (DOT) says
that not all airlines are in compliance with the law. For example, airlines
that reference the cancellation right <em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-style: normal;">only</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></em>on
a “customer service” page (small print that most customers never bother me to
read), is not complying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.15pt; line-height: 150%;">So now you know. When the lockdown lifts,
you'll better prepared to handle your own travel destiny regardless of the
changes in our post-pandemic world. Should you run into a problem getting a
refund contact the DOT as soon as possible. It may further assist them in their
efforts to encourage airlines to do a better job of serving their customers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-8039803404738189252020-05-01T15:25:00.000-04:002020-05-01T15:25:12.892-04:00Laughing through WWI with "The Wipers Times"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9KWrOwX1h24LGwabdB2U7OH0WiflucDf9S4-xEUgyh6h1rdQDSxSXdJPAIhkoaO5S7tX2qARID6842Mg7ZLr-yPYyQVCSFk2r_m7Gt56jUBckAc6lUHmCaP8CVeZC1mcMe4HXounVoE/s1600/Wipers+Times+Paper++%2528army+national+museum.london%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9KWrOwX1h24LGwabdB2U7OH0WiflucDf9S4-xEUgyh6h1rdQDSxSXdJPAIhkoaO5S7tX2qARID6842Mg7ZLr-yPYyQVCSFk2r_m7Gt56jUBckAc6lUHmCaP8CVeZC1mcMe4HXounVoE/s640/Wipers+Times+Paper++%2528army+national+museum.london%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">During World War I the Sherwood Foresters kept morale </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">high in the trenches with a satirical newspaper </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Army National Museum London)</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">YPRES, BELGIUM</span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 22pt;"> – </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">During World War I, while stationed at the front
line in Ypres, Belgium in the early part of 1916, several members of the British
12th Battalion known as the Sherwood Foresters discovered an abandoned printing
press while on patrol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">With the
aid of a sergeant who had been a printer during peacetime, Captain Frederick John
Roberts, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Cross" title="Military Cross"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">MC</span></a>, became the editor along with Lieutenant
John ("Jack") Hesketh Pearson, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinguished_Service_Order" title="Distinguished Service Order"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">DSO</span></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Cross" title="Military Cross"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">MC</span></a>,
sub-editor of a satirical trench newspaper called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wipers Times</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">"Wipers"
was the affectionate name British "Tommys" used for <st1:place w:st="on">Ypres</st1:place>
(pronounced 'EE-pers') because it was difficult for them to say. Tommys was slang
for the everyday ordinary British fighting soldier, especially during<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>World War I. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Y-oMssUc9nnqUYCXHOLnS8QSRDMBtY3GyAZ-xu1PT0P7kVsFWP-j6hBBrm6QnOeETXZ9AoBAIlsTTvr9QSRM4f7SIf87ch6Onk1d5R7hGTcMXdpbkfK4tzwwyWVCfY2-C7Xv5Y_JcIE/s1600/in-flanders-fields-Cloth+Hall+during+the+war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="550" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Y-oMssUc9nnqUYCXHOLnS8QSRDMBtY3GyAZ-xu1PT0P7kVsFWP-j6hBBrm6QnOeETXZ9AoBAIlsTTvr9QSRM4f7SIf87ch6Onk1d5R7hGTcMXdpbkfK4tzwwyWVCfY2-C7Xv5Y_JcIE/s640/in-flanders-fields-Cloth+Hall+during+the+war.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ypres was destroyed during the First World War</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: In Flanders Fields Museum)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Though
neither Captain Roberts nor Lieutenant Pearson had any prior journalistic
background, they wholeheartedly immersed themselves into their project using
the slogan "Am I as offensive as I might be?" which became its
primary theme throughout its two-year lifespan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Roberts
was inspired and motivated by the fact that no matter how poor the muddy, rat-infested
conditions were in the trenches there was always room for humor to lift the
spirits of his men and to keep their morale as high as possible under nightmarish
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I_xGS3y7naRuwQNaaAifNm00n4e1IlEGscJx0ZzEt59pSZLJYbPAwIHn-kKSlUK58wwttdD3J8D_70xk9dkD1MFhCnlctoHP4_aefxmmkIbtJ7t-Rm27ySP3DA9OJxlCGRomqpP5yXg/s320/Extra%2521+Extra%2521++%2528army+national+museum+london%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Humor in the trenches </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Army National Museum London)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">By
February 12, 1916 the new publication rolled off the press for the first time
with a distribution of about 100 copies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Due to
limited availability and the cost of paper, print runs were small. Despite
that, readership was significant because each copy passed through many hands,
with parts read out loud in dug-outs and trenches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Until
publication was interrupted when a German shell destroyed the press, the
magazines appeared on a regular basis as often as possible. The size and layout
remained consistent until end of the war, however the name changed several times
according to where the 12th Battalion was posted at any given time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Over its
brief two-year life <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wipers Times</i> somehow
managed to put out 23 issues before its demise. When reading it today, a great
deal of the humor is lost due to changes in vocabulary and its use, the internal
military jargon of the times, secret words and language known only to the men
in the field and other "lingo" that would have little or no meaning
for the man on the street even then, much less today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP83ppY4Ut7ex_keeB5bysJhlqxdUSnpLe9lZ3_AeZbjIj_5OOSzLTNu59lGkGcbOf4jw68cdtx0gFXRF4nvRYvliCjfNzXA4cND9R7OS7xa1uxbfGcY5iRbIRUm2BgYY7tBGdeUteDL8/s1600/TheTimes+++%2528army+national+mussum%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP83ppY4Ut7ex_keeB5bysJhlqxdUSnpLe9lZ3_AeZbjIj_5OOSzLTNu59lGkGcbOf4jw68cdtx0gFXRF4nvRYvliCjfNzXA4cND9R7OS7xa1uxbfGcY5iRbIRUm2BgYY7tBGdeUteDL8/s320/TheTimes+++%2528army+national+mussum%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Extra! Extra!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Army National<br />Museum London)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
story was made into a film in 2013 entitled </span><i style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">The
Wipers Times. </i><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Although some of the humor is lost, the black and satirical
scenes perfectly capture the essence, the mood and the eternal optimism of the
men. Subscribers to Amazon Prime can watch the movie as an included feature in
their package.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">When
thinking about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wipers Times</i> some other
movies with similar themes come to mind; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Englishman Who Went Up a Hill, But Came Down a Mountain</i> (1995 -- The indomitable
human spirit to unite for a common cause), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good
Morning, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:country-region></st1:place></i>
(1997 -- Humor to ease the horrific ravages of war), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Green Book</i> (2018 -- Overcoming the struggle against ethnic
prejudice)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxa_m4FD9EjO-h6hP6YABDu5oIkdqsN3c7O4bXOXRaiakjsZ00TTb_lzVqxCTHnyzru0ZsUBcDZTflW-CM73fUEBJ1fHF8Qh32PKv7rdcFvOMRIjRuJ5SCsmbzVJxWYG0KGWwBSWDeew/s1600/Sargent%252C_John_Singer_%2528RA%2529+Gassed+%2528imperial+war+museum+london%2529+PD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxa_m4FD9EjO-h6hP6YABDu5oIkdqsN3c7O4bXOXRaiakjsZ00TTb_lzVqxCTHnyzru0ZsUBcDZTflW-CM73fUEBJ1fHF8Qh32PKv7rdcFvOMRIjRuJ5SCsmbzVJxWYG0KGWwBSWDeew/s640/Sargent%252C_John_Singer_%2528RA%2529+Gassed+%2528imperial+war+museum+london%2529+PD.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Germany began using gas as a weapon in WWI, as </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">depicted Sgt John Singer in this painting</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Imperial War Museum London -- public domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">In the
final analysis both Roberts and Pearson were awarded medals for gallantry
during the Great War.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">So if
you're looking for a good popcorn munching coronavirus flick, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wipers Times </i>just might do the
trick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-26698023431168914532020-04-24T12:14:00.000-04:002020-04-24T12:37:09.707-04:00Bayeux, France: From William the Conqueror to D-Day <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LU8j2AOdqt9r4lHHd2Lcy9fjfUsXCY7Rb9wSMVIGFWQ1hGfXxx-pycINiN9wnZurW5tQ7q9FdYkCwyVeAKmiZFvCqZThQG2IMgIrOJ4rmQRTSuTDnP0rEch6Zs029J4ili5IgP-RxDs/s1600/architecture-night-building-cityscape-france-evening-pxhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LU8j2AOdqt9r4lHHd2Lcy9fjfUsXCY7Rb9wSMVIGFWQ1hGfXxx-pycINiN9wnZurW5tQ7q9FdYkCwyVeAKmiZFvCqZThQG2IMgIrOJ4rmQRTSuTDnP0rEch6Zs029J4ili5IgP-RxDs/s640/architecture-night-building-cityscape-france-evening-pxhere.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Evening shrouds the twin-spired Bayeux Cathedral </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pxhere)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">BAYEUX</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">FRANCE</st1:country-region></span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> – One of the best things about <st1:place w:st="on"><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Bayeux"><st1:city w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></a></st1:place>
is that it has something for just about anyone. Though it traces its history as
far back as the 1st century BC, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city>
becomes most interesting about a thousand years later during the time of
William the Conqueror.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-bOyA47GBu9izJNld0qGBpQG8dlrolJTBi3Js8RPFGV58V5_sBpmfg5eqwdlHQmpaGtKZJMvYqJnQXjmIW9MZNvu9xvQ0mvqHobNegZnIMbJi5I5Il2t5mzm_2a-AQr9ymOGgottDyA/s1600/William+the++Conqueror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="450" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-bOyA47GBu9izJNld0qGBpQG8dlrolJTBi3Js8RPFGV58V5_sBpmfg5eqwdlHQmpaGtKZJMvYqJnQXjmIW9MZNvu9xvQ0mvqHobNegZnIMbJi5I5Il2t5mzm_2a-AQr9ymOGgottDyA/s320/William+the++Conqueror.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">William the Conqueror</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: bayeux tourism)</span><br />
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</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Situated
slightly more than four miles from the shores of the English Channel, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city> has the distinction
of being one of the first cities to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy
in 1944.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">With the
Germans defending <st1:city w:st="on">Caen</st1:city>, about 19 miles to the
southeast, <st1:city w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city> was relatively untouched
during the D-Day invasion while <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Caen</st1:place></st1:city>
was completely demolished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Ten days
after the D-Day assault, Charles DeGaulle made the first of two major speeches
in <st1:city w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city> in which <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> declared its allegiance to
the allies.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bPOq9e5GaKgp38bkHbVdjPxzY5Pk5f-Js8k_thb14sPgx8kUuMio9VEvqiDKH0bzE815gjzWqLgOxfvUHOe4tpShzCCY0_zbKYhupZCdJfHsWtCToIYd2NR-0CL9yMZy74ZG7Vm9QSs/s1600/Battle+of+Hastings+reenactment+%2528Public+Domain%2529+%2528Poliphilo%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bPOq9e5GaKgp38bkHbVdjPxzY5Pk5f-Js8k_thb14sPgx8kUuMio9VEvqiDKH0bzE815gjzWqLgOxfvUHOe4tpShzCCY0_zbKYhupZCdJfHsWtCToIYd2NR-0CL9yMZy74ZG7Vm9QSs/s640/Battle+of+Hastings+reenactment+%2528Public+Domain%2529+%2528Poliphilo%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Battle of Hastings (1066) re-enactment</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Poliphilo --</span>Public Domain) )</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">It was
during the 11th century that </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
came into its own with five villages arising beyond the walls of the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
William the Conqueror, who was known as William the Bastard until winning the
Battle of Hastings in 1066, became king of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> on Christmas Day at
Westminster Abbey in the same year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Slightly
more than a decade later, in 1077, William's half brother Odo, Earl of Kent,
completed the Romanesque Bayeux Cathedral, an event which King William
attended.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOobwCkJhV9oTFZwa4b-kE4SI7TLKciHVG6CK4xBijKZrHbP_LwPIr_ITR0qNLULAv7_yDQBUUnvss3j7pUuXIojFfGuRWIWQbkoTMjdi7qeLLOit2IZepPhZwcG7qKLDNSersPpCJVgc/s1600/Bayeux+Tapestry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOobwCkJhV9oTFZwa4b-kE4SI7TLKciHVG6CK4xBijKZrHbP_LwPIr_ITR0qNLULAv7_yDQBUUnvss3j7pUuXIojFfGuRWIWQbkoTMjdi7qeLLOit2IZepPhZwcG7qKLDNSersPpCJVgc/s320/Bayeux+Tapestry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bayeux Tapestry</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Bayeux Tapestry)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Soon
however, </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> began to lose its prominence
after William made his capital in </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Caen</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Among
the artifacts in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city>
is an embroidery depicting the Battle of Hastings featuring over 50 scenes in a
single piece of cloth that is roughly 230 feet long and 20 inches high. Only a
couple of scenes at the far end have been lost over the centuries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
<a href="http://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/la_tapisserie_de_bayeux_en.html">"Bayeux Tapetry"</a>, as it is called, is believed to have been woven in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> as a display
around the interior perimeter of Odo's cathedral.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpXHJ8NRmZ0E7tER4DrnavG0ZUN44CRO3cebz9ktShyoUQ38iUTGFU-uAOqy-FdF9DBSSry3RlmborIf185TfEKVsGnh3o-ueLP8LBot1swFyFstT9chJptGazNKJGjXBMxFzZGy3gS0/s1600/Harold%2527s+oath+to+Willliam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpXHJ8NRmZ0E7tER4DrnavG0ZUN44CRO3cebz9ktShyoUQ38iUTGFU-uAOqy-FdF9DBSSry3RlmborIf185TfEKVsGnh3o-ueLP8LBot1swFyFstT9chJptGazNKJGjXBMxFzZGy3gS0/s640/Harold%2527s+oath+to+Willliam.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The "tapestry" offers a wealth of information about</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">life in the 11th century</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Bayeux Tapestry)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Though
somewhat cartoonish in its appearance, the fact that so much of the tapestry
has remained intact for a thousand years is nothing short of a miracle. The
details of the story offer a priceless depiction of the life and times of
medieval </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">England</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> and </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
including elements of battle, strategy, clothing and weaponry among others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Though
William was French, many analysts believe the tapestry was created by English
artisans. Nevertheless, the storyline is clearly from the perspective of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the French.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Today,
the tapestry is housed in the Musée de la Tapisserie de <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city> just down the street from the
cathedral.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNArJ3Bjtk01RsXfkCyrRWsleiTYstAbTbm1amaotzF2ydtGzSEMdeY_EImUEzKHInkLmGQQkhkZve3XYCL-2_uqhhKt-LVbTUzDLu1LTu0lu0gIgC5NlVfZglkxtDxaFusVG4hb6irY/s1600/Artillery+at+Longues+sur+Mer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNArJ3Bjtk01RsXfkCyrRWsleiTYstAbTbm1amaotzF2ydtGzSEMdeY_EImUEzKHInkLmGQQkhkZve3XYCL-2_uqhhKt-LVbTUzDLu1LTu0lu0gIgC5NlVfZglkxtDxaFusVG4hb6irY/s320/Artillery+at+Longues+sur+Mer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">German artillery still faces</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">England</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Day
trips to the D-Day landing beaches are easily done from </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">. On clear days, the cathedral spires
of </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> can be
seen from the rolling countryside of Longues sur Mer. For visitors, Longues sur
Mer is one of the best places along the Normandy coast to view the massive
German bunker emplacements that still face the English Channel and, of course,
England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Strolling
through the area, it is difficult to imagine that this now peacefully serene
landscape has been the site of so much turmoil over the past millennium.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Entering
<st1:city w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city> from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Caen</st1:place></st1:city> at the first roundabout in the city, travelers
pass a statue of Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower, commander of the allied forces
on D-Day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjumi-SGPjg4AWQujOweq7sbWSnx5CSZJxJLfylxalzqXVyGOX9H9RhVMkkroFQm5EMbEHJti1pgCiW2U5gea016juNM1IDLd3oOu8orWR7U-HLOuZiKxPnf0iqB__sxjkf5YOiwa7Bw8/s1600/general-eisenhower-statue-bayeux++%2528normandy+war+guide%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjumi-SGPjg4AWQujOweq7sbWSnx5CSZJxJLfylxalzqXVyGOX9H9RhVMkkroFQm5EMbEHJti1pgCiW2U5gea016juNM1IDLd3oOu8orWR7U-HLOuZiKxPnf0iqB__sxjkf5YOiwa7Bw8/s640/general-eisenhower-statue-bayeux++%2528normandy+war+guide%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gen. Eisenhower is the first to greet visitors to Bayeux</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: normandy war guide)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
statue is cast in bronze and is the creation of sculptor Robert Dean. The site
was dedicated on June 5, 1994, during the 50th anniversary of D-Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As a
side note, an identical statue also stands outside the American Embassy in <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Grosvenor Square</st1:address></st1:street> in
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Today
the city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:place></st1:city>
proudly pays for the upkeep of the statue that was initially commissioned by
the Battle of Normandy Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Filled
with dozens of narrow streets and pleasant outdoor cafes, <st1:city w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city>
is an ideal place for a day trip in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Normandy</st1:place></st1:state>
or to use as a base thanks to its proximity to so many other historic sites.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6ZOtBNrbyo1CSvvyWjOKyx2a5QXVZyHyVOfhR4JR_7ve4Z3dAOpbMaP3dRJ8OMibpfJ5Hmugccg0EiwqaFSBUoYa2EkYGciQAXq-MpBxQxhIST0__HWhyy7495hVEDFb3Rn30_pcaPc/s1600/Old+mill+in+Bayeux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6ZOtBNrbyo1CSvvyWjOKyx2a5QXVZyHyVOfhR4JR_7ve4Z3dAOpbMaP3dRJ8OMibpfJ5Hmugccg0EiwqaFSBUoYa2EkYGciQAXq-MpBxQxhIST0__HWhyy7495hVEDFb3Rn30_pcaPc/s320/Old+mill+in+Bayeux.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Old Mill</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: peabod)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Best of
all for shoppers, </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Bayeux</st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> is filled with quaint
boutiques featuring fashions, souvenirs and antiques that rival almost anything
in </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Bayeux</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> is more than a place to merely drive
through en route to another destination. Take time to discovery its
half-timbered architecture and delightful restaurants. Stop in and try a croque
monsieur, a specialty of the region consisting of baked or fried ham and cheese
on toasted French bread.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcWmSji8Ak4oDCeT_gfL21PV7SQRMJcyRGmtVL_nerfjpuLLr5LsVg_OKMKYXTEfmKVRZVDnPGgAskY1wnxF5I3vAueUsx4X0URG223oBqjCQjDHV7oqIFkWBi_4jMEyLUlWhv4rqVF4/s1600/Bayeux%252C+France+++%2528Anton+Bielousov+--+wiki+3.0+%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcWmSji8Ak4oDCeT_gfL21PV7SQRMJcyRGmtVL_nerfjpuLLr5LsVg_OKMKYXTEfmKVRZVDnPGgAskY1wnxF5I3vAueUsx4X0URG223oBqjCQjDHV7oqIFkWBi_4jMEyLUlWhv4rqVF4/s640/Bayeux%252C+France+++%2528Anton+Bielousov+--+wiki+3.0+%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bayeux is an undiscovered medieval gem</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Anton Bielousov --</span>licensed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 <br />
Unported license <span style="font-size: small;">)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">In
French, croque monsieur means "gentleman crunch" but it's a sure
thing that the ladies will enjoy it as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">And
while you're at it, sip a glass of Calvados, the lethal regional drink made
from apples. The operative word being "sip."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Bayeux</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> may not be on the tip of your
tongue right now, but once you visit, you won't soon forget it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-14472847946577668072020-04-17T11:24:00.000-04:002020-04-17T11:24:20.776-04:00A love affair with Pablo Picasso<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdljto9UsOFCuytZwa58y5NEiks1oWti25n7FFxEk1-mh4bR0Pn4fUscLEWKK2R7Jt4CEjoAoui5UtkkF4p_NSUmEllpCvyxd4fvT60kTYwVO0zvMkZRYGmbL9tYtCGdA7SCaCAcYHzo/s1600/Rosengart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="800" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdljto9UsOFCuytZwa58y5NEiks1oWti25n7FFxEk1-mh4bR0Pn4fUscLEWKK2R7Jt4CEjoAoui5UtkkF4p_NSUmEllpCvyxd4fvT60kTYwVO0zvMkZRYGmbL9tYtCGdA7SCaCAcYHzo/s640/Rosengart.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Angela Rosengart beside two etchings Picasso did</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">of her when she was 19 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: rosengart collection)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">LUCERNE</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">SWITZERLAND</st1:country-region></span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> – Angela Rosengart was only a
teenager when she met Pablo Picasso for the first time. Today, at the ripe
young age of 90, the Swiss art collector from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lucerne</st1:place></st1:city> fondly recalls more than 50
encounters with the charismatic Spanish artist, most notably the five occasions
when she posed for him.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sqpWw9AGyNOthTd_ZZ317zoSs-MP2prK5y7n4AL-xMdmmJGxjkTGLq1tLzQQMkvRh1QuuResZHzts_SllUGo5cKdh32cIdtVeYuSG0nxBeHu6DT5POJn73XOa8Wr4AesLi2BC-gikJM/s1600/Lucerne+and+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sqpWw9AGyNOthTd_ZZ317zoSs-MP2prK5y7n4AL-xMdmmJGxjkTGLq1tLzQQMkvRh1QuuResZHzts_SllUGo5cKdh32cIdtVeYuSG0nxBeHu6DT5POJn73XOa8Wr4AesLi2BC-gikJM/s640/Lucerne+and+Bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The museum is a two minute walk from the Chapel Bridge </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For
years Rosengart displayed her collection of Picassos in a historic but unobtrusive
gallery on a side street in the Old Town of Lucerne. In 2002 however, the
exhibition expanded and moved to a neoclassical building across the River Reuss
in New Town. Situated on Pilatustrasse, across the street from the railway
station and in the shadow of the famed <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Chapel</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
the new display actually represents three <span id="goog_1833677827"></span><a href="http://www.rosengart.ch/en/">Rosengart collections<span id="goog_1833677828"></span>,</a> each with its
own floor. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaEQKmSJikFwO25uRf5qN7pkdXzNCUmBruqXvqOIElhWKqir_1ZG9bWu2wBOp5ELIzUOapo_gyVzLKRgfIuuK5q9KzY2QA5W3r5ioI9whpnAOUTlYhn7Kj5I70lDNG8J8Qf3lv-EPzSw/s1600/Rosengart+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaEQKmSJikFwO25uRf5qN7pkdXzNCUmBruqXvqOIElhWKqir_1ZG9bWu2wBOp5ELIzUOapo_gyVzLKRgfIuuK5q9KzY2QA5W3r5ioI9whpnAOUTlYhn7Kj5I70lDNG8J8Qf3lv-EPzSw/s320/Rosengart+Museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rosengart Museum, Lucerne</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Over the
years Rosengart also met Miro, Matisse, Braque and Chagall, but none of them
could match the aura of Picasso. “It was those deep, piercing Spanish eyes,”
she says, “They felt like arrows, and I very much felt that.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">After
sessions ranging from 20 minutes to three hours, Frau Rosengart says she was
exhausted each time because her soul felt “burned” by the experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Following
the footsteps of her father Siegried who developed her interest in art and
collecting, Frau Rosengart’s exhibition includes about 60 Impressionist and
post-Impressionist paintings, over 125 water colors and drawings by native son
artist Paul Klee and 32 oils plus more than 50 drawings by Picasso.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Siegfried
Rosengart became Picasso’s principal dealer in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and held eight
exhibitions of the artist’s work between 1956 and 1971. Each catalogue cover
was designed by the artist himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For years
the Rosengarts frequently visited Picasso in the south of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and it
was this unique life-long friendship that has a subliminal effect on visitors
to her gallery today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXGpncEshNFpbuzZnJpKI8LvtXy-n35AIgVusO-Wmy_P73Ju4PGj-5uj46SBpzOqs8k4Ks1BfwNT23pp-vvC_4Oea3LGOtiPy9ZqZ81BwqSlNP2QgBhWwDBPzVM0sZe9K5ngPADFiTuY/s1600/First+meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXGpncEshNFpbuzZnJpKI8LvtXy-n35AIgVusO-Wmy_P73Ju4PGj-5uj46SBpzOqs8k4Ks1BfwNT23pp-vvC_4Oea3LGOtiPy9ZqZ81BwqSlNP2QgBhWwDBPzVM0sZe9K5ngPADFiTuY/s640/First+meeting.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">David Douglas Duncan met Picasso for the first time when</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the artist was taking a bath</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: rosengart collection)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Part of
the magic lies in a collection of black and white photographs by American photojournalist
David Douglas Duncan that chronicle the artist’s life. Duncan and Picasso
became close friends, and he was the only person who was allowed to photograph
many of Picasso’s private paintings.</span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Duncan</span></st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> made a name for himself as a
combat photographer. Duncan, who died at 102 in 2018, first met Picasso while
on assignment for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life</i> magazine. The
artist invited him to enter as he was taking a bath. Unable to resist the
opportunity, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Duncan</st1:place></st1:city>’s
photographic instincts took over and the friendship grew from there. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqvgG8cl-Hw20rnOeKGUl3tJz2v_2lbLmaerTUaI-C-FVxXY0lq4H2RjbVBJqibrNxUUiC1GiVzMLIsA6LHJiP83v5-mpHjibi3LMg_OnkEBIH43hc7ExsMzwTwa7o-PHnpibciRajS0/s1600/Angela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqvgG8cl-Hw20rnOeKGUl3tJz2v_2lbLmaerTUaI-C-FVxXY0lq4H2RjbVBJqibrNxUUiC1GiVzMLIsA6LHJiP83v5-mpHjibi3LMg_OnkEBIH43hc7ExsMzwTwa7o-PHnpibciRajS0/s320/Angela.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of five portraits</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">by Picasso</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: rosengart<br />collection)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Later, Angela
purchased </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Duncan</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">’s
entire collection of Picasso images. When combined with her personal collection
of Picasso’s work, the artist comes to life in ways that are difficult to
describe without a personal viewing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The five
portraits of Angela, which Picasso gave to her, are the centerpiece of her
exhibition. Though Picasso was passionate in his love for women, his sketches
of Angela are “compassionate” in a manner that presents his subject as the
chaste, innocent teenager she was. In that sense, the etchings are uniquely
different from most of Picasso’s other portraits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Rosengart
believes that perhaps the reason for the lovingly platonic representations of
her was due to the fact that Picasso’s childhood sweetheart’s name was Angela.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Says
Rosengart of Picasso’s portraits, “He only wanted to know whether my mother
liked them.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVwoQrbG7PJP7zTxCflZUz3OGc6RaeISdgl-Wuj60M3d4w3LB6V256H92YPpF0D_qkBJb9aNVzWFgprN_cvvCAAxmb6ySHvBGjlqUCr2C_TaI2-b-Fv7dIxe39ZTocvwVy_HS7NFOE4Y/s1600/Picasso%2527s+Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVwoQrbG7PJP7zTxCflZUz3OGc6RaeISdgl-Wuj60M3d4w3LB6V256H92YPpF0D_qkBJb9aNVzWFgprN_cvvCAAxmb6ySHvBGjlqUCr2C_TaI2-b-Fv7dIxe39ZTocvwVy_HS7NFOE4Y/s640/Picasso%2527s+Eyes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The haunting, penetrating eyes of genius </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Angela
Rosengart never married. If she had, she says she would have never been able to
amass her collections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Despite
that, when one of Siegfried’s clients became frustrated that Angela’s father
would not sell one of his prized Picassos because he had promised it to his
daughter on her wedding day, the bemused Picasso pragmatically asked, “Then why
didn’t he marry Angela?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Thanks
to their close association with the artist, the Rosengarts were able to watch
Picasso at work on several occasions. That relationship allowed them to reserve
some of the renderings while the paint was still wet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">So
intimate and personal are Angela Rosengart’s collections that she never lends
to other galleries. For her, a stroll through her museum is like visiting with
old friends.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c_2JTfSWeafZHlOxvbQ09iHUecAtQw9rsLuYeckGV09Gv4uRSHpj7EevKa_X4Ri5FOqIvYrWeDuWo68s5LMTyIjzHydK63Ie0wYNME-Szr_mEowLfDtnb0HFhJiIfFl_7v5uWIct-aQ/s1600/Renoir+from+the+Reinhart+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="326" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c_2JTfSWeafZHlOxvbQ09iHUecAtQw9rsLuYeckGV09Gv4uRSHpj7EevKa_X4Ri5FOqIvYrWeDuWo68s5LMTyIjzHydK63Ie0wYNME-Szr_mEowLfDtnb0HFhJiIfFl_7v5uWIct-aQ/s320/Renoir+from+the+Reinhart+collection.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other artists are featured </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">as well, like Renoir</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: oskar reinhart foundation)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
Rosengart collection features the works of Monet, Renoir, Pissaro and Chagall
as well as those of Paul Klee, who also holds a place deep in Angela’s heart.
But it is the works of Pablo Picasso she holds most dear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">You see
this is a love story about a triangle between a photographer, an artist and a
collector. It is a story about life, living and friendship and though it was
not sexual, it was every bit as passionate and intimate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rosengart.ch/en/Agenda?catid=60">http://www.rosengart.ch/en/Agenda?catid=60</a>Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-17138071722926407192020-04-10T10:46:00.000-04:002020-04-10T10:46:47.339-04:00Irish legends are a good way to tour the country<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdMVFBGL-QJHb45hAj42ahiBCYUyWWZcLXnC4dydyqSUfrQ3p9k8Mfc6_24d9ijtPkJmrkA1ujsdKV-vgEZgerexyQKSuI3rP-Q9t2-aEl8eh5su6K-qMqOhYx-0nzto5f0KoX2x7Ie8/s1600/cliffs-oh-moher-clouds-three++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdMVFBGL-QJHb45hAj42ahiBCYUyWWZcLXnC4dydyqSUfrQ3p9k8Mfc6_24d9ijtPkJmrkA1ujsdKV-vgEZgerexyQKSuI3rP-Q9t2-aEl8eh5su6K-qMqOhYx-0nzto5f0KoX2x7Ie8/s640/cliffs-oh-moher-clouds-three++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dramatic Cliffs of Moher are a favorite site</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">IRELAND</span></b></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;"> -- Every country has its own
unique legends and folklore; <st1:country-region w:st="on">Norway</st1:country-region>
has its trolls, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> the
unicorn, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>
the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm and the Lorelei. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">So, too,
does <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><a href="http://www.ireland.com/">Ireland</a></st1:place></st1:country-region>
with its leprechauns and their pot full of gold at the end of a rainbow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, it sometimes feels as if there’s
a myth on every mountain, a story in every field and a legend wrapped around
every lake, river and stream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTsQPw3lmsK7envQv_EVR5SYe2alb9Re7Ed6Kj7uy1SECd5HbyMN6Fohd_B03M-ur31Fmkqqv9XgjasfG_jjv7Xau7uWAyy-dYQxhW5ZyD221HqgQDAkI6Lwg6J4GzzJzE122Dvp0JOM/s1600/rock-of-cashel+pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTsQPw3lmsK7envQv_EVR5SYe2alb9Re7Ed6Kj7uy1SECd5HbyMN6Fohd_B03M-ur31Fmkqqv9XgjasfG_jjv7Xau7uWAyy-dYQxhW5ZyD221HqgQDAkI6Lwg6J4GzzJzE122Dvp0JOM/s320/rock-of-cashel+pixabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celtic crosses are</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">everywhere</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">There's a
cornucopia of Celtic myths that can be brought to life by talented locals and
storytellers who use the time honored oral tradition of telling their tales. At
the drop of a hat they paint glorious word pictures of epic tales, magical
feats and characters full of courage and passion.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">Among the
standout places where it all comes together is the stunning UNESCO World
Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Antrim</st1:placename></st1:place>,
with its very name deriving from ancient stories of a conflict between the
Irish hero Finn McCool and his Scottish rival Benandonner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExhyQJlvUDQxzXvzIJWgpRrCvHHnfN87jzk663f6WvYpbwjhBFha4cF5kxqfPWjfEDZMCR8oLNP3B0Tsh9l8bH0oNf3a79-NREtE7u0TorY6vTo_FlAGRiPwIVo2wcs_VvFcJ6rVZIEo/s1600/nature-rock-cobblestone-wall-rock-formation-stone-wall---pxhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExhyQJlvUDQxzXvzIJWgpRrCvHHnfN87jzk663f6WvYpbwjhBFha4cF5kxqfPWjfEDZMCR8oLNP3B0Tsh9l8bH0oNf3a79-NREtE7u0TorY6vTo_FlAGRiPwIVo2wcs_VvFcJ6rVZIEo/s640/nature-rock-cobblestone-wall-rock-formation-stone-wall---pxhere.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to legend Finn McCool built the </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Giant's Causeway to connect Ireland with Scotland</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pxhere)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Some say
the astonishing 40,000 hexagon rocks at the Causeway were carved as stepping
stones to </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">
by the mighty McCool so the rivals could set up a fight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">Certainly,
clues as to Finn’s existence are left behind in rock formations such as the
Giant’s Boot, the Wishing Chair and the Giant’s Granny, not to mention the
iconic stones themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFvU3Wpjv23Ue3SGEmRl8gpPuhT9Hf1Z-DLmLao6RhrQKOWEfINXx0Dc69W9hFZBy4d2twbqldFpWdW8t3zwzaeeKTAmzifbD_2uNvb_yMWC8ta_28U2Km8GmJDEy2TxIC3BZWy1XR04/s1600/Kinnagoe+Bay%252C+County+Donegal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFvU3Wpjv23Ue3SGEmRl8gpPuhT9Hf1Z-DLmLao6RhrQKOWEfINXx0Dc69W9hFZBy4d2twbqldFpWdW8t3zwzaeeKTAmzifbD_2uNvb_yMWC8ta_28U2Km8GmJDEy2TxIC3BZWy1XR04/s320/Kinnagoe+Bay%252C+County+Donegal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kinnagoe Bay, </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">County Donegal</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">In Irish
mythology, the Tuatha De Danann (People of the Goddess Danu) were a race of
deities and heroes skilled in art, science, poetry and magic. One of the places
they are associated with is the ancient Grianán of Aileach, a stone fort that
still stands on a hilltop in Inishowen, </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Donegal</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">The
fortress was built on the site of a former Tuatha de Danann palace, which
legend says was called the Palace of the Northern Princes. The views from
Aileach are stunning at this particular site.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5RsQA7UgPhe3crZHTvvweYx85_Jm-al4mXKXdSiPdwg8_SBJLPQeRf10eQ6OV_W5Crq1gpWFqDsSzo8LABa6uyeJppvNKdDKEnlZW3QG-pduoGbCcTs4vg2663luxFBG6w0ukXzvPa4/s1600/The+famed+Dingle+Peninsula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5RsQA7UgPhe3crZHTvvweYx85_Jm-al4mXKXdSiPdwg8_SBJLPQeRf10eQ6OV_W5Crq1gpWFqDsSzo8LABa6uyeJppvNKdDKEnlZW3QG-pduoGbCcTs4vg2663luxFBG6w0ukXzvPa4/s320/The+famed+Dingle+Peninsula.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dingle Peninsula</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: ireland.com)</span><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">Much of
the appeal of this attraction however, lies in the belief that St Patrick once visited
the site in the fifth century to baptize the local chieftain, Eoghan, from whom
Inishowen gets its name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">Many
Irish legends also find their origins in the country's Ancient East where long
ago mythical beings lived and where the landscape remains imbued with their
legacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">At the
Rock of Cashel, visitors will discover a spectacular collection of medieval
ecclesiastical buildings in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Tipperary</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to legend, the devil took a bite
from a mountain known as the Devil's Bit and spat it back out. It landed in the
middle of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tipperary</st1:place></st1:city>'s <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">countryside
and remains there today as the Rock of Cashel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNyTQM3MeZdZTttPdmLf3mMCVqmY-EJvZsCKwkvFM4EtWscXmujCiMYXvix1GcUx_DTWZem1yi8ZFGW1x_kdzbijRc4mGDVw_iBYaHWfAPIY7ok5jnryEq05tknE1hx5zw0McYclNOHg/s1600/rock-of-cashel-4370614_960_720+pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNyTQM3MeZdZTttPdmLf3mMCVqmY-EJvZsCKwkvFM4EtWscXmujCiMYXvix1GcUx_DTWZem1yi8ZFGW1x_kdzbijRc4mGDVw_iBYaHWfAPIY7ok5jnryEq05tknE1hx5zw0McYclNOHg/s640/rock-of-cashel-4370614_960_720+pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Rock of Cashel in Tipperary</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Another
popular myth centers around the River Boyne, which holds the secret to the legend
of the Salmon of Knowledge and the mystical Hill of Tara. The Hill of Tara is the
inauguration place and seat of the High Kings of Ireland in </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Meath</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">This
special place serves as a port to the fairy world in the best-selling Artemis
Fowl books for young adults, and in the upcoming Artemis Fowl movie that mixes
Irish mythology with James Bond adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykcJpc7l-aCAOtiHp3yuNxH23hze35AAx3j0kZwLlCy-UhXO9Ju90uXXyySbGTkwA0xIXKszCBxaOBSfafgQoEVeN_X41NXEt1wEo1O3T3vUp4MW361P8eOxB12Eu7derZXoJwzHfq34/s1600/County+Antrim%2527s+dark+hedges++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykcJpc7l-aCAOtiHp3yuNxH23hze35AAx3j0kZwLlCy-UhXO9Ju90uXXyySbGTkwA0xIXKszCBxaOBSfafgQoEVeN_X41NXEt1wEo1O3T3vUp4MW361P8eOxB12Eu7derZXoJwzHfq34/s640/County+Antrim%2527s+dark+hedges++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The scenic wonder of County Antrim's dark hedges</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Moving
south, you will discover the origins of the legend of the Tir na nÓg (</span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Youth</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">), as well as the final resting
place of The Children of Lir. The four offspring of King Lir were turned into
swans and banished by their evil stepmother to live on the lakes of </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> for 900
years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">When restored
to human form by a local monk, they died instantly, and it is said they are
buried at a beauty spot in the picture-perfect <st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Allihies</st1:placename> in <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Cork</st1:placename>’s <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Beara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Peninsula</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
All that remains today are some large white boulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil14D7e9pXOdE4oEttal9C5I1ATpD4Y3DdEk-JhXufkd_CzN4SG98-jbQL3AzaO-bOYaReLfRn7zWuX1HwrGWnw8e1ORY8QHN8y1tKR_CDeJFCxxlAwQApKS64QxgG42SDJ2zISgrlcXM/s1600/Majestic+beauty+of+Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil14D7e9pXOdE4oEttal9C5I1ATpD4Y3DdEk-JhXufkd_CzN4SG98-jbQL3AzaO-bOYaReLfRn7zWuX1HwrGWnw8e1ORY8QHN8y1tKR_CDeJFCxxlAwQApKS64QxgG42SDJ2zISgrlcXM/s640/Majestic+beauty+of+Ireland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Irish scenery is breathtaking</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
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</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Finally,</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">there's the tale of the Irish</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">baker who invented a time-saving machine that
allowed him to slice four loaves of bread at one time instead of the
traditional single loaf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">In so
doing,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the baker, without realizing it,
had invented the world's first "four-loaf" cleaver! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">Naaahh...That's
not even a real legend, but if you believe it, join us after the next rain
storm and help us find that pot of gold at the rainbow's end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-31721026493278653342020-04-03T14:39:00.000-04:002020-04-03T14:39:39.459-04:00Basel: Switzerland ’s secret cultural gem on the Rhine<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO1-eCm9hsweYBMth0_v6Nqdt6lXTs53I_bnpcKbve5rpZFLgitJXCv5tKcsoebEz2C6fPwEmXcvOIN_gufJInH2xkTA5uyOUaHvEkJEO-u5qnb9LwEuSvJd2d0LPRffzKlmfcZy0N80/s1600/architecture-building-downtown-red-landmark-facade+--+pxhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO1-eCm9hsweYBMth0_v6Nqdt6lXTs53I_bnpcKbve5rpZFLgitJXCv5tKcsoebEz2C6fPwEmXcvOIN_gufJInH2xkTA5uyOUaHvEkJEO-u5qnb9LwEuSvJd2d0LPRffzKlmfcZy0N80/s640/architecture-building-downtown-red-landmark-facade+--+pxhere.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The colorful clock and facade of Basel's Town Hall</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pxhere)</span></td></tr>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">BASEL</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">SWITZERLAND</st1:country-region></span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> – When you think of the great
cultural centers of Europe, the cities that first come to mind are likely to be <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Rome, Madrid </st1:city>or <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Americans probably wouldn’t even
consider <st1:place w:st="on"><a href="https://www.basel.com/en"><st1:city w:st="on">Basel</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region></a></st1:place>, but they should.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Basel</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> has long thrived as an artistic hub and one of the
finest cultural destinations in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>. Now
American travelers are beginning to discover what Europeans have known for
centuries.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLeesoSZQxewWuxKT89l-kLLEf2LBmTKaie5CJDw7f1jzsJHVwBlPNsBD8GaH9YCR5xOH3X43h7BbnmS6EhdEtxsMOsBRc62Fc8NF6EfeuHM-7Y7eoKYjx-BGb1mIL2x4R-DpGwsP2oo/s1600/building-chateau-church-cathedral-place-of-worship--pxhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLeesoSZQxewWuxKT89l-kLLEf2LBmTKaie5CJDw7f1jzsJHVwBlPNsBD8GaH9YCR5xOH3X43h7BbnmS6EhdEtxsMOsBRc62Fc8NF6EfeuHM-7Y7eoKYjx-BGb1mIL2x4R-DpGwsP2oo/s320/building-chateau-church-cathedral-place-of-worship--pxhere.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cathedral overlooks</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the Rhine</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pxhere)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Situated
at the confluence of </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">,
</span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> and </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">France</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> along the banks of the </span><st1:placename style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Rhine</st1:placename><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">River</st1:placetype><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">,
</span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Basel</st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> is the gateway to the </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Upper</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Rhine</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, a region that is
rapidly growing in popularity.</span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Basel</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">’s cultural heritage is deep and
rich. Swiss democracy traces its roots more than seven hundred years to the 13th
century when three cantons unified to become the Confœderatio Helvetica (Latin)
or Swiss Confederation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">This
strong democratic heritage eventually led <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Basel</st1:place></st1:city>
to open the first public art museum in the world and later become the first
city in the world ever to hold a public referendum for the purchase of art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Today,
with more than forty first-rate museums, there are statistically more high
quality museums in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Basel</st1:place></st1:city>
than any other city its size in the world.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwiWsJEFwdJelwExaRVuYhBbUgazge1uKFlctLCvPQtxL0cfxtbok5U2y4NvFQ9nDUP_7YfVsJoYSBy7van6aztJhym2yVtgpsAQtwOX1g77qgt3rIbGchbeWKzLj3h7kyjCYI6OoXxo/s1600/Fine+Arts+Museum+Basel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwiWsJEFwdJelwExaRVuYhBbUgazge1uKFlctLCvPQtxL0cfxtbok5U2y4NvFQ9nDUP_7YfVsJoYSBy7van6aztJhym2yVtgpsAQtwOX1g77qgt3rIbGchbeWKzLj3h7kyjCYI6OoXxo/s640/Fine+Arts+Museum+Basel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Basel's Fine Arts Museum is one of the best in the world</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Prado in Madrid or the Louvre may be better known but, <st1:city w:st="on">Basel</st1:city>’s <span id="goog_1920134737"></span><span id="goog_1627306862"></span><a href="https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch/en">Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts Museum)</a> often surprises
visitors with the depth of its collections including Holbein, Hodler, Picasso,
Giacometti, Monet and Klee to mention a few of its artistic masters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Among
other exhibitions throughout the city visitors will find a doll museum, a toy
museum, a printing museum, a contemporary art museum, the <st1:place w:st="on"><a href="https://www.tinguely.ch/en.html">Jean Tinguely Museum</a></st1:place> and the <a href="http://www.fondationbeyeler.ch/en/Museum/History.">ErnstBeyeler Foundation </a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ys81Z3s2nXCkbP7HL9igTTrBeldZeOilfCo5lndl97qu2okaCqgR18Qb5ELP5Afbpg1tD8WHitBLSwy0ejZ2ClfDc88GMqhFHQUWxQ0MgJFdY84a0KNiqguwOTSZy03gyC12xGyQLqI/s1600/Beyeler+Museum+Basel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ys81Z3s2nXCkbP7HL9igTTrBeldZeOilfCo5lndl97qu2okaCqgR18Qb5ELP5Afbpg1tD8WHitBLSwy0ejZ2ClfDc88GMqhFHQUWxQ0MgJFdY84a0KNiqguwOTSZy03gyC12xGyQLqI/s320/Beyeler+Museum+Basel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beyeler Foundation, Basel</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: my Switzerland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Native
son Ernst Beyeler, who died in 2010, became world famous as a collector and was
instrumental in beginning an International Arts Fair in </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Basel</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> over half a century ago. The art fair
is now acclaimed as being one of the best in </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Europe</st1:place><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Beyeler’s
own museum, which took years for him to find the ideal location, features 20th
century art containing works from his private collection plus traveling
exhibitions as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Jean
Tinguely’s Museum filled with all manner of whimsical gadgets and contraptions
made from scrap metal is a delight. Tinguely was also a Baseler and his museum
was designed by world-renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98emZZK8NaJOknORudNvKD4mGEgxC94R7AUuSndhIzmxuziKVDuDKAaduWElrDIEmOeyC9U9IXHTjDcxk0kzyZvlJGwbSmLujpW5UPG3yUgdsjEls8cTapjUqMvEXvy1MIJ9368en-h8/s1600/Whimsey+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98emZZK8NaJOknORudNvKD4mGEgxC94R7AUuSndhIzmxuziKVDuDKAaduWElrDIEmOeyC9U9IXHTjDcxk0kzyZvlJGwbSmLujpW5UPG3yUgdsjEls8cTapjUqMvEXvy1MIJ9368en-h8/s640/Whimsey+in+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jean Tinguely's whimsical fountain is a favorite</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">You can
view Tinguely’s work at his fountain in the center of </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Basel</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">. The nonsensical machines are
captivating and, in winter when the water freezes they become amusing little
ice sculptures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">If you
visit <st1:city w:st="on">Basel</st1:city> in winter for the Christmas</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> Market,
the local tourist office can arrange a fondu dinner on a boat on the <st1:place w:st="on">Rhine</st1:place> for up to twelve participants. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSrJeBiKCLyVIJ8AFnVJWVUq_wqd6wINxgQSXBCYS_8aQWTjapxLDy5hCFV1JJTs_hBiZ_zp74k_TyNz85jNQsZEHES8bOwWim5PAE112nJPmiYPixSrBOJHKzFikieGvNtVFNcXVrak/s1600/Johaan+Warner+%2528Taylor%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSrJeBiKCLyVIJ8AFnVJWVUq_wqd6wINxgQSXBCYS_8aQWTjapxLDy5hCFV1JJTs_hBiZ_zp74k_TyNz85jNQsZEHES8bOwWim5PAE112nJPmiYPixSrBOJHKzFikieGvNtVFNcXVrak/s320/Johaan+Warner+%2528Taylor%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Johann Wanner,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">proprietor Christmashaus</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Don’t
miss </span><a href="https://www.johannwanner.ch/en/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Johann Wanner’s Christmashouse</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> shops featuring every sort of Christmas decoration
imaginable. Wanner is the world’s largest manufacturer of handmade Christmas
decorations and his year-round collection includes Faberge eggs, cuckoo clocks,
miniature figurines, ceramic and wreaths.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVsB_-ZM9efWwvuNYHhiV1VaXSypzR7-shQng5ce_HWriFoC3iYe50OKDn6HYSg0EuyEO09n0R4pN0ahMgnvaTWQ7An_h340_03E7_JBVZe2R1F9LxVIMhDvlty_bnPwVpON-yEs1hKk/s1600/Chriristmas+YearcRound++%2528Taylor%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="640" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVsB_-ZM9efWwvuNYHhiV1VaXSypzR7-shQng5ce_HWriFoC3iYe50OKDn6HYSg0EuyEO09n0R4pN0ahMgnvaTWQ7An_h340_03E7_JBVZe2R1F9LxVIMhDvlty_bnPwVpON-yEs1hKk/s320/Chriristmas+YearcRound++%2528Taylor%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas year-round</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
larger collection, Weihnachtshaus, is located at Spalenberg 14, while a second shop
featuring a lovely café, Weihnachtsstuben and Weihnachtkaffee, is just down the
street about two minutes away at Schneidergasse 7) (*Note: The website is
written in German)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Stay at
the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2141986644"></span>Art Hotel Teufelhof<span id="goog_2141986645"></span></a> which means Devil’s House when translated. This
delightful three-star gem was the fulfillment of a dream in 1989 by Monica and
Dominique Thommy-Kneschaurek. Hotel Teufelhof even has its own theater for the
performing arts.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDT6qVw2u00myTArF-2oySzgDsPcmNx813p-8EKhFPDJHQvdXZ1e6u6rMuHluwfCFbq3KGdql8p_9880D2ingl0c3haxBe3lvHch45-hFuus5HZqZu38yt0a_9MWtMUslymyQpLaNKDg/s1600/DerTeufelhof+Art+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDT6qVw2u00myTArF-2oySzgDsPcmNx813p-8EKhFPDJHQvdXZ1e6u6rMuHluwfCFbq3KGdql8p_9880D2ingl0c3haxBe3lvHch45-hFuus5HZqZu38yt0a_9MWtMUslymyQpLaNKDg/s640/DerTeufelhof+Art+Hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Der Teufelhof, Art Hotel Devil's is funky and unigue</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Each
room in this quaint nine-room hideaway is created by a different artist who is
allowed a maximum of one month to complete his or her room design. Rooms are
redone roughly every two years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Rates
range from $195 to $705 for a double or from $165 to $630 for a single. All
rooms are non-smoking rooms and</span><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 26.6667px;">include breakfast buffet, VAT, taxes and service charge.</span><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgK7-ONYnPxVWXo3JGEnuMHqxRkRqGWZLx0vwTLFs_gEgSUUW9X3cTEhwhHADMZjSLsJJSPEmeGP8WQJGMp2wSwMRYQP6ipgrjAL3sMkmLDuGJ-oZumVjKZ7JYxNBdiKh6l79oH-pZjs/s1600/Augusta+Raurica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgK7-ONYnPxVWXo3JGEnuMHqxRkRqGWZLx0vwTLFs_gEgSUUW9X3cTEhwhHADMZjSLsJJSPEmeGP8WQJGMp2wSwMRYQP6ipgrjAL3sMkmLDuGJ-oZumVjKZ7JYxNBdiKh6l79oH-pZjs/s640/Augusta+Raurica.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Augusta Raurica has Roman ruins just outside of Basel</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Basel</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> is easily reached in an hour by <a href="http://raileurope.com/">train</a> from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zurich</st1:place></st1:city>, and if you don’t
believe Baselers are passionate about their cultural heritage, just wait five
minutes and you'll have no doubt.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-2850218476808687252020-03-27T16:45:00.000-04:002020-03-27T16:45:39.410-04:00A bit of speculation after the Passion Play reschedules<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL18wcQFLRQEQ6PUHhxb0Us2m0dhYbP4lkz-9GO_NE1fEzi7_IUrb4HA5sypJIIrfcoMQ9DqBt3uyA6_IOdc8aUEyjR9Te71m4X4N6rDbDRVuvBbql7XpqVixrUBLbIXIEvW2n7qtqTfU/s1600/Catholic-pilgrimage-Oberammgau-2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL18wcQFLRQEQ6PUHhxb0Us2m0dhYbP4lkz-9GO_NE1fEzi7_IUrb4HA5sypJIIrfcoMQ9DqBt3uyA6_IOdc8aUEyjR9Te71m4X4N6rDbDRVuvBbql7XpqVixrUBLbIXIEvW2n7qtqTfU/s640/Catholic-pilgrimage-Oberammgau-2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Passion Play has been postponed until 2022</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: GNTB)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OBERAMMERGAU, GERMWNY</span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> — Coronavirus continues to
dominate the headlines as the world anxiously awaits the sound of the all-clear
signal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Hundreds
of thousands of small businesses have been affected while major hospitality
players such as hotels, airlines and cruise lines have suffered dramatically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Now the
country of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> has
announced the postponement of a 400 year tradition that has its roots linked to
<st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>'s first epidemic, the Black Plague. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX_7p2qxtO2ndy7fVepqpk7jrgCB0COTJUhI6tg0vvaH3XSaNYE6Er-JfanKF2o5tp2wPXAhH3nJGbJXrKv1Dbk9CpN0kFRp4xS1rLJaxl9N-jWWe83A1u3tbcXzhkF_LAPieG9EUwk8/s1600/kirche+peter+und+paul+front+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX_7p2qxtO2ndy7fVepqpk7jrgCB0COTJUhI6tg0vvaH3XSaNYE6Er-JfanKF2o5tp2wPXAhH3nJGbJXrKv1Dbk9CpN0kFRp4xS1rLJaxl9N-jWWe83A1u3tbcXzhkF_LAPieG9EUwk8/s640/kirche+peter+und+paul+front+large.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Citizens of Oberammergau prayed for plague relief in 1633</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: GNTB)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In the
great scheme of the multiple economic and medical outcomes resulting from
COVID-19, perhaps the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the Oberammergau
Passion Play is a minor consequence but from a cultural perspective the
announcement is huge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Passion Play is only performed every ten years, and it is because of its rarity
that pilgrims from around the world make long range plans for their visits.
Since the first performance in 1634, the only other time the play was not
performed as scheduled was in 1940 because of World War II.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ9_n_Vgkp0A54ASOeCgSit6M4NMShUeIo2x3NOxPLU3DfK2MmW1i13h9g6ahLB9zGuUg58W6N7AwPZcvXClmr7PoVv5cigJSI7tKavwz2ecVC5Oq6EFRmhBq7P39W03K-lZ3YG-CiMY/s1600/Church+Saint+Peter+Saint+Paul++Oberammergau%252C+%2528Jebulon+--.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ9_n_Vgkp0A54ASOeCgSit6M4NMShUeIo2x3NOxPLU3DfK2MmW1i13h9g6ahLB9zGuUg58W6N7AwPZcvXClmr7PoVv5cigJSI7tKavwz2ecVC5Oq6EFRmhBq7P39W03K-lZ3YG-CiMY/s320/Church+Saint+Peter+Saint+Paul++Oberammergau%252C+%2528Jebulon+--.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Church interior today</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: GNTB)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">According
to legend, after 80 deaths in the tiny village of Oberammergau in 1633, the
citizens of the town made a sacred pledge that every ten years they would
perform a "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus
Christ" if God would protect them from further ravages of the plague.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Actually,
the initial promise was to perform on an annual basis, but the range and scope
of the production were so large that it was impossible to carry out the
logistics on a yearly basis, so the ten year interval was adopted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
Following the vow, not a single person came down with the plague. Perhaps even
more miraculously, everyone who was afflicted with the disease at the time of
the oath survived.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBZzSHWfTan3_BO1-gY6fbSCZImhsAhWUiXfqc1GMTYO9bpUKGOw8BEkGiqIQje5r_2YSaTnlC-ruREfecqyIqo6knxB5oDQSsUNsWmfsRen9GMU8opNHAJrrXB7nr_FzVv__uXX0Ii0/s320/Oberammergau+Dorfpartie.+%2528The+Newberry%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rendering of Oberammergau</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: The Newberry)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">True to
the promise, the passion play was performed for the first time during Pentecost
in 1634 and has fulfilled its agreement every ten years since.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The first
performance took place in the cemetery next to the parish church on the fresh
graves of victims of the plague. The stage was little more than a simple wood
construction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In 1830,
the stage relocated to the northern edge of the village with a layout plan
which offered space for 5000 spectators. Today the permanent Passion Play
Theatre seats 4,700 people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">To
participate, actors must be residents of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oberammergau</st1:place></st1:city>.
The cast consists of about half of the 5,000 residents whose otherwise every
day lives consist of working as doctors, shopkeepers, teachers and the like. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5N9wBym6vNfLjhsFbqSOJYd53RkyQSwskFn9riji-zBsMbQ0Mwwyf906lW1o4NznXAzaejHF3aBtw7jy1uss73NXnj5NZRvnm8xFPCviQ2bpkDEKzzaQpNl4loJXhWfurwGZu9EOY8k/s1600/passion+%2528oBERAMMERG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5N9wBym6vNfLjhsFbqSOJYd53RkyQSwskFn9riji-zBsMbQ0Mwwyf906lW1o4NznXAzaejHF3aBtw7jy1uss73NXnj5NZRvnm8xFPCviQ2bpkDEKzzaQpNl4loJXhWfurwGZu9EOY8k/s640/passion+%2528oBERAMMERG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You must be a resident or be born in Oberammergau</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in order to participate</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: GNTB)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">All the
main speaking parts are filled by actors who have lived in </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oberammergau</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> for at least 20 years or by
people who were born there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
To illustrate why the logistics of a yearly performance are prohibitive, at
times there are as many as 700 actors on stage at once.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkJEI5oZft9cNOm3xqnozwhcRmsZrSIcOkTwsxuS5t-SwzAmaUu3xExc60TvlrjgLlvi-GA9PMvUtnLVKdcnM0ChPQ0ZlnDbOrHOmu9eoI8EPO00wYiu8Wdg4J5FYyBiWWor9BjI0aDI/s1600/oberammergau-passion-play+%2528Oberammergau+Passion+Play+2020%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkJEI5oZft9cNOm3xqnozwhcRmsZrSIcOkTwsxuS5t-SwzAmaUu3xExc60TvlrjgLlvi-GA9PMvUtnLVKdcnM0ChPQ0ZlnDbOrHOmu9eoI8EPO00wYiu8Wdg4J5FYyBiWWor9BjI0aDI/s640/oberammergau-passion-play+%2528Oberammergau+Passion+Play+2020%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Playing Christ requires endurance so three different</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">actors play rotate the role</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy:GNTB)</span></li>
</ul>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Due to
the physical stamina required for "Christ" to be on the cross for 20
minutes during the Crucifixion scene, three different actors rotate in the role
of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Due to
the uncertainty the coronavirus is creating globally with constantly changing
data and schedules, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>
has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>announced the rescheduling of this
year's production to 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">"The
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">municipality</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Oberammergau</st1:placename></st1:place> and the directing team of
the Passion Play around Christian Stückl had to make this decision to protect
the health of participants and spectators. The premiere is re-scheduled for May
21, 2022. "<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdmPe6Z05hxzmI8B7XKCVhXJ3fN1wotIAyjhtmSHMJUtpwGa8jjYS7fOzI0qmR_lqX6gzEgQnYaNuNovNuMhLtnsKpcEi7z-EVoISxgZeUIcArLrLVEmE2EVY2yDj0JQTT6cqK0n8SZ0/s1600/-germany-++%2528oberammergau-passion-play-2020-%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdmPe6Z05hxzmI8B7XKCVhXJ3fN1wotIAyjhtmSHMJUtpwGa8jjYS7fOzI0qmR_lqX6gzEgQnYaNuNovNuMhLtnsKpcEi7z-EVoISxgZeUIcArLrLVEmE2EVY2yDj0JQTT6cqK0n8SZ0/s320/-germany-++%2528oberammergau-passion-play-2020-%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At times there are 700 actors</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">on stage</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: GNTB)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">All of
that said, in a world where speculation is frequently more newsworthy than
actual events themselves, I am taking this opportunity for a bit of personal
speculation regarding the temporary setback created by the COVID-19 nemesis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Prior to
the pandemic, the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>
economy was rocking along at a record-breaking pace. Suddenly, almost overnight,
and with very little warning, Americans found themselves sequestered in there
homes for largely precautionary reasons and guess what...we don't like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Americans
are an active, busy society. We are forever on the move. We are doers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Where
people in other parts of the world take six weeks of vacation, Americans get
two, maybe three if we're lucky. So don't mess with our free time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOBkao-QOqMHftdBrd6S_5HeyVK1DwTk5J2kt9NMskn57TZgK2Qpx7_bqjBPPGClZCZvNQYE9DCDCl3pfDX5muC-4rnCnfDOnXeSmBCiE85gedgPsnDpIc12dHjUrLmeNnvM7tyRpAtY/s1600/passion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOBkao-QOqMHftdBrd6S_5HeyVK1DwTk5J2kt9NMskn57TZgK2Qpx7_bqjBPPGClZCZvNQYE9DCDCl3pfDX5muC-4rnCnfDOnXeSmBCiE85gedgPsnDpIc12dHjUrLmeNnvM7tyRpAtY/s640/passion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oberammergau's Passion Play is a cultural extravaganza</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">:(Courtesy: GNTB)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">True,
the hospitality industry is reeling, but it's a global phenomenon that is
affecting us all and when this is over, the bounceback is going to be of
unprecedented proportions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I
personally believe that springtime cabin fever will strike with tsunami-like
results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">What do
I know? Nothing. It's truly a mess, but I do believe that we are in uncharted
territory that feels very different from similar disruptions in the past.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9sWGt4C4DBUwFTo8splWpnJq2l7ndevFE22KYbB3GTY2fnBfbVNQu_GfETFEkhAQH9QEpfixl43TmAgQCPVrbXoic1n34FKLho48k8-jQY9RtSIL6SW06J-PK4gAZzGEs6Snp1gOY44/s1600/last+supper+%2528oberammergau+passion+3030%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="640" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9sWGt4C4DBUwFTo8splWpnJq2l7ndevFE22KYbB3GTY2fnBfbVNQu_GfETFEkhAQH9QEpfixl43TmAgQCPVrbXoic1n34FKLho48k8-jQY9RtSIL6SW06J-PK4gAZzGEs6Snp1gOY44/s320/last+supper+%2528oberammergau+passion+3030%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Last Supper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: GNTB)</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Never
before have we experienced sustained weeks without sports. Never before have
major cultural events been postponed or canceled at such a concentrated level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">No, this
time it's different and when it's over look out, because the wanderlusters of
the world are ready to get up and go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-60545378302445028772020-03-20T12:41:00.002-04:002020-03-20T12:41:27.742-04:00UNESCO's massive sundial in India at Jantar Mantar<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-bKZ2PDnhe39lBd9AtRxfd68LR1VwwClHz07_S1cwsfX5vhzKNfePeVFZ8UBLL5YQggOvuFXkikNpTgGdkXw-NoymHtH8IQisgeENte1_1EoKBCfyXqhjAr7Fw6ZU7cTs4X7OGw1G1c/s1600/Disneyland+of+mathematic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-bKZ2PDnhe39lBd9AtRxfd68LR1VwwClHz07_S1cwsfX5vhzKNfePeVFZ8UBLL5YQggOvuFXkikNpTgGdkXw-NoymHtH8IQisgeENte1_1EoKBCfyXqhjAr7Fw6ZU7cTs4X7OGw1G1c/s640/Disneyland+of+mathematic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 massive mathematical </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and astronomical instruments that are nearly 300 years old</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Jaipur</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> — Recently a lifelong friend
came by and delivered a book which could easily be classified as the "World
Traveler's Bible."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Now in
it's eighth edition, the weighty 960 page volume called simply as <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Heritage-Sites-Complete-UNESCO/dp/0228101352/ref=sr_1_1?">World Herita</a></i></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Heritage-Sites-Complete-UNESCO/dp/0228101352/ref=sr_1_1?">ge Sites</a></i> </span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">is a detailed journey to all 1073 UNESCO sites around the world.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZtWMbHnvLT9hyjtZLcYi3qP_YXf9Ck297NTO8FEVTQStvWopE0uMxNWYcPA4UTHG5FSebrrJ9tXKcTaFv70xUX5ly7-hctsLkAI3EyXAGix1X9wwm426dIDp9Qp1_PIIsBwNgxXi2ss/s1600/Entrance+bpixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZtWMbHnvLT9hyjtZLcYi3qP_YXf9Ck297NTO8FEVTQStvWopE0uMxNWYcPA4UTHG5FSebrrJ9tXKcTaFv70xUX5ly7-hctsLkAI3EyXAGix1X9wwm426dIDp9Qp1_PIIsBwNgxXi2ss/s320/Entrance+bpixabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jantar Mantar entrance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Arranged
in chronological order according to their date of selection, World Heritage
Sites are designated by UNESCO which judges them under strict criteria with the
aim to reflect the world's cultural and natural diversity and are of
outstanding universal value. Sites that no longer meet these criteria are
delisted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Combined
with superb photography, several methods of listing such as by country or by
cultural criteria such as historic or scenic etc., detailed maps and complete
descriptions of the sites, this book is far and away the best UNESCO reference
a globetrotter could possess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As an
example, let's look at one of the most fascinating sites in the world that you
have probably never heard of; Jantar Mantar located in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jaipur</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0kBdvl5IVQuUgyth64SQBszZdOg3uvRJqFF4GERx4b4mRfMhIS3yO4CCOWQg2KxSZjtjp2O7XwOzZ8mY2cdMvZiKD8HTxDbmMT6NsFqFAVi3CrihAlSaYm2fFPJ55lof49BzKEd1xn8/s1600/Time+Machine+UNESCO+style+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0kBdvl5IVQuUgyth64SQBszZdOg3uvRJqFF4GERx4b4mRfMhIS3yO4CCOWQg2KxSZjtjp2O7XwOzZ8mY2cdMvZiKD8HTxDbmMT6NsFqFAVi3CrihAlSaYm2fFPJ55lof49BzKEd1xn8/s640/Time+Machine+UNESCO+style+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Size matters at Jantar Mantar where bigger is better</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The Jantar
Mantar is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments
built by the Maratha Rajput king <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jai_Singh_II" title="Jai Singh II"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sawai Jai
Singh II</span></a>, the founder of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipur" title="Jaipur"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Jaipur</span></a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan" title="Rajasthan"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rajasthan</span></a>.
Completed in 1734, it features the world's largest stone <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundial" title="Sundial"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">sundial</span></a>,
which is accurate to within two seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye
while the observatory is an example of the Ptolemaic positional astronomy which
was shared by many civilizations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name "jantar" is derived from yantra
a Sanskrit word, meaning "instrument, machine." "Mantar"
comes from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mantrana, also a Sanskrit
word for "consult, calculate." Therefore, Jantar Mantar literally
means "calculating instrument."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vYJwofg9TE79r9cXHpTJx6_uRVEMApDkDEoWiuogyULhqPZ_g_U4rgMkvBLOjKC5xa98oy1yUjBzxTsaPY2ik9zzS94EK-gjMJ6BNvwopouvzX2KpNu0onJSq0lDuC0F6rPZEUR09Bg/s1600/giant+sundial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vYJwofg9TE79r9cXHpTJx6_uRVEMApDkDEoWiuogyULhqPZ_g_U4rgMkvBLOjKC5xa98oy1yUjBzxTsaPY2ik9zzS94EK-gjMJ6BNvwopouvzX2KpNu0onJSq0lDuC0F6rPZEUR09Bg/s320/giant+sundial.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giant Sundial</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy; pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">When Jai
Singh noticed that the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zij" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Zij"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Zij</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, an </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy_in_medieval_Islam" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Astronomy in medieval Islam"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Islamic astronomical</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> book that
tabulated the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephemeris" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Ephemeris"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">parameters</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> used for calculating the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_place" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Apparent place"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">positions</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> of
the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Sun"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">sun</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Moon"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">moon</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, stars, and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Planet"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">planets</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">,
did not match the positions calculated on the table, he constructed five new
observatories in different cities in order to create a more accurate Zij.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
astronomical tables Jai Singh created, known as the Zij-i Muhammad Shahi, were
continuously used in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for a century though they had little significance outside of the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">It's<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not known when Jai Singh began construction
in Jaipur, but several instruments had been built by 1728, and the construction
of the instruments in Jaipur continued until 1738. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge4uELwq70hwesNznWAZQ7LQIKunVNTtftAz93ogliz5DwwoSFp8Cuqm66nmiwAStYs80SfuTNVDKUmon2TUQ2MAYBWV99xNhO2vkPdj3zeIL-HyWkUWZTjJXbehKRrdIBZsNFaqnLEk/s1600/19+huge+instruments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge4uELwq70hwesNznWAZQ7LQIKunVNTtftAz93ogliz5DwwoSFp8Cuqm66nmiwAStYs80SfuTNVDKUmon2TUQ2MAYBWV99xNhO2vkPdj3zeIL-HyWkUWZTjJXbehKRrdIBZsNFaqnLEk/s640/19+huge+instruments.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The observatory has had several periods of significant success </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and abandonment </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">During
1735, when construction was at its peak, at least 23. astronomers were employed
in Jaipur. Because of the rapidly changing political climate, Jaipur replaced <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> as Jai Singh's main
observatory, remaining his primary observatory until his death in 1743.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
history<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jantar Mantar is one of decline and
restoration for the next 158 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">From
1743 to 1750, the observatory lost support under <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishvari_Singh" title="Ishvari Singh"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Isvari Singh</span></a> due
to a succession war between him and his brother. Although some restorations
were made to the Jantar Mantar by Isvari Singh's successors, when Pratap Singh
took over until 1803, a temple was constructed, and he turned the site of the
observatory into a gun factory.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3EEYMXYL8eF-xtE3eX3N1JOGDMwGZbPk6IuW9UC2a-KuWnYXbcb5-z_uVjEPG38Xy68FKv6J_d6NJfAB9Htjpii3JRVfdyw5LRDXHarBTz5UcOFW5iT_mXxC1NTJ2LgbEY0Tzk8OUvY/s1600/Big+instruments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3EEYMXYL8eF-xtE3eX3N1JOGDMwGZbPk6IuW9UC2a-KuWnYXbcb5-z_uVjEPG38Xy68FKv6J_d6NJfAB9Htjpii3JRVfdyw5LRDXHarBTz5UcOFW5iT_mXxC1NTJ2LgbEY0Tzk8OUvY/s320/Big+instruments.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where science blends with art</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Ram
Singh began the restoration of the Jantar Mantar, and completed restoring it in
1876. He even made some of the instruments more durable by inserting lead into
the lines in the instruments, and restoring some of the plaster instruments
with stone instead. However, the observatory soon became neglected again, and
was not restored until 1901 under </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madho_Singh_II" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Madho Singh II"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">Madho Singh
II</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Jantar Mantar observatory consists of nineteen instruments for measuring time,
predicting eclipses, tracking location of major stars as the earth orbits
around the sun, ascertaining the declinations of planets and determining the
celestial altitudes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIGv14ryL7omPZANa33wb8s6o7-tW9_pRlUHU7EKhxjTVZZFoydv7rXSlIe1znT1H0NKXh1XQM-3N-_QhwxzmoM2QHo_hd63y_pM6ek1dAd8ZoBi4KY0A-N-O6KeGjnU7OT1MSYeqGJ8/s1600/WorldsLargest+sundial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIGv14ryL7omPZANa33wb8s6o7-tW9_pRlUHU7EKhxjTVZZFoydv7rXSlIe1znT1H0NKXh1XQM-3N-_QhwxzmoM2QHo_hd63y_pM6ek1dAd8ZoBi4KY0A-N-O6KeGjnU7OT1MSYeqGJ8/s640/WorldsLargest+sundial.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sundial is accurate to within two seconds</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Among the
instruments on display is Vrihat Samrat Yantra, the world's largest </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnomon" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Gnomon"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;">gnomon</span></a><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> sundial
which measures time in intervals of 2 seconds using shadows cast from the
sunlight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The Yantra
Raj Yantra is a 2.43-metre bronze <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe" title="Astrolabe"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">astrolabe</span></a>,
one of the largest in the world, is used only once a year to calculate the
Hindu calendar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Vrihat Samrat Yantra, which means the "great king of instruments", is
88 feet high; its shadow tells the time of day and its face is angled at 27
degrees, the latitude of Jaipur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hindu chhatri (small cupola) on top is
used as a platform for announcing eclipses and the arrival of monsoons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JaiPrakashYantraJaipur20080213-3.jpg" title="Enlarge"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In most
cases, the instruments are huge structures, allegedly designed to increase
their accuracy. The Samrat Yantra, (Great Sundial), for instance, can be
used to tell the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in Jaipur <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_zone" title="Time zone"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">local time</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: garamond;"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: garamond;"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxr-lowgcbhnFsVzGKzabGInnMkpPW_CA-5EuN9fZNjPe33qGEMf7SBMKuOq4PcbOTdjwCNvK7NGAw_SoJJKlTjjZSZ__QTVikoc7kzOvgy-0HXgZC7QhvylMEz76wHrsLBCkw02RcyI/s1600/Samrat_Yantra%252C_Jantar_Mantar%252C_Delhi%252C_early_19th_century+%2528public+dom--%2529+British+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxr-lowgcbhnFsVzGKzabGInnMkpPW_CA-5EuN9fZNjPe33qGEMf7SBMKuOq4PcbOTdjwCNvK7NGAw_SoJJKlTjjZSZ__QTVikoc7kzOvgy-0HXgZC7QhvylMEz76wHrsLBCkw02RcyI/s640/Samrat_Yantra%252C_Jantar_Mantar%252C_Delhi%252C_early_19th_century+%2528public+dom--%2529+British+library.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Samrat Tantra as it appeared in the early 19th century</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: British Library -- public domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Samrat Yantra is one of the world's largest <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundial" title="Sundial"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">sundials</span></a>,
standing 88 feet tall. Its shadow moves visibly at 1 mm per second, or roughly
a hand's breadth every minute, which can be a profound experience to watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Jantar Mantar was declared a national monument in 1948 and at long last,
finally restored to full capacity in 2006. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Switzerland</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> may have Rolex and <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> boasts of Big Ben, but "for the time of your
life" <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s
Jantar Mantar is like no other place on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-49624517322422208222020-03-13T18:03:00.000-04:002020-03-13T18:03:04.559-04:00More great tips for post-coronavirus travel<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIstCTvXEf8Lk92Gf5uUtmzraY-2q5KI6Zrb0OVIhrbVDTaVzxNo_WoMd6VbiL4s2nZvzB_hEmhIl29w0l6q7XpSUnRQhG-6P2pB7AOPoeU4Fzqj4EIsj99BZ9LgKtOBCV22N7RRMZDWA/s1600/insurance+++Pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIstCTvXEf8Lk92Gf5uUtmzraY-2q5KI6Zrb0OVIhrbVDTaVzxNo_WoMd6VbiL4s2nZvzB_hEmhIl29w0l6q7XpSUnRQhG-6P2pB7AOPoeU4Fzqj4EIsj99BZ9LgKtOBCV22N7RRMZDWA/s640/insurance+++Pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When quarantines end and "Cabin Fever" kicks wanderlusters</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in the rear, here are some tips to ease the transition</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></b></st1:city></st1:place></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">CHARLOTTE</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state></span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> -- With the travel industry reeling
from coronavirus quarantines, cancellations and rescheduling, perhaps now is a
good time to offer a new collection of travel tips. Not all of these will work
for everyone in every case, but many of these neat little tricks can save lots
of time and hassles during the course of a trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Flying Apples:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a problem with clogged ears when
you’re flying, bring along and apple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the plane begins to descend – about 25 minutes before arrival – eat
the apple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chewing and swallowing
will keep your ears clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ILVBvIsQZcYR7tCuIOPQu9IlRSm7ImUvg7JHvZenuloYY63XQUEsS83f2GPBqso3wON75gVzNGlNHbxutziY99cECte2VGT8xQMVhyphenhyphenUh4ZtlcHAvzHRU48rkWiC7nzZAKLWcZwH8SV4/s1600/passport-+--+pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ILVBvIsQZcYR7tCuIOPQu9IlRSm7ImUvg7JHvZenuloYY63XQUEsS83f2GPBqso3wON75gVzNGlNHbxutziY99cECte2VGT8xQMVhyphenhyphenUh4ZtlcHAvzHRU48rkWiC7nzZAKLWcZwH8SV4/s640/passport-+--+pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you had a deal that expired, try to renegotiate.</span><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Grow a Pair:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it just takes having a little nerve
to speak up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When travel websites offer
really great deals for hotels, print them out and save them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even after the validity date has passed, you
have a printed version of a previous offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the hotel is not busy during a certain time, they might honor an
earlier deal just to fill up the space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s worth a try, especially for last minute arrangements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Local Knowledge:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever been bothered by street merchants who
keep pestering you to buy something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of saying, “No thank you,” in English, learn how to say the same
thing in the language of the country you are visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds silly, but many times the vendor will
get the message and think you speak his language and go bother somebody else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz3oMKo3GEPlommQjy6OvPos7Ecfc7a7KtbgaxwSSrT-lvljJfbRZ3_WIaG0ScYAvB9bF1wiLLOBciLk0vN7Uuoq6tERXmL90TzrCUOc4iGGXzvHS_570GKYPIyZy1UONYHTVPZzW2kY/s1600/photographer--+-pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz3oMKo3GEPlommQjy6OvPos7Ecfc7a7KtbgaxwSSrT-lvljJfbRZ3_WIaG0ScYAvB9bF1wiLLOBciLk0vN7Uuoq6tERXmL90TzrCUOc4iGGXzvHS_570GKYPIyZy1UONYHTVPZzW2kY/s640/photographer--+-pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bad as it may appear at the moment, the pandemic <br />should </span><span style="font-size: large;">be relatively brief</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy; pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unique
Christmas Tree:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a loss to
figure out what to do with some of those travel souvenirs you pick up and never
seem to use?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not use them to
decorate your Christmas tree!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree
will be unique and during the holiday season when people stop by for a visit,
it makes a great conversation piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Postcards, ticket stubs and disposable cameras add a quirky touch and
exotic blankets or fabrics can even serve as a tree skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Popcorn Break:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not carry two or three bags of microwave
popcorn in your carry-on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you arrive
at the hotel too late with no place to get something to eat, you can usually
find a microwave in the guestrooms or the common area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can tide you over for a little while and
you can also use the ice bucket as a popcorn bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Travel
Gingerly:</u></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know that
candied ginger is not only tasty but a preventative or remedy for motion
sickness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are prone to car, air
or seasickness, a small supply might be very helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNsxpg2CBNWcGPPQAeJBwrQ5CikmmUiYKGniDYfzbTm9xFFTcWN-555O5ZJZJBQPGOSMDZFCfAwUdzAuXkasSXe-ITRbZEMBVHoWHS7YGVigYAdRaCgEHHAPP4n9wE9iS4C1e1Xrd3Fs/s1600/travel+bag++%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNsxpg2CBNWcGPPQAeJBwrQ5CikmmUiYKGniDYfzbTm9xFFTcWN-555O5ZJZJBQPGOSMDZFCfAwUdzAuXkasSXe-ITRbZEMBVHoWHS7YGVigYAdRaCgEHHAPP4n9wE9iS4C1e1Xrd3Fs/s640/travel+bag++%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay calm, keep cool and don't panic</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: Public domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Rubber Band Safety:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of people are wearing rubber band
bracelets these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are
traveling with children in a crowded place such as an amusement park etc., you
can write your cell phone number or the name of your hotel on the inside of the
bracelet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you get lost or separated,
the kids will have a way to find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Returning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the Hotel:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times locals do not pronounce words in
their language the same way we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a
country where language can be difficult, take a hotel business card with you
when you go out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when you need a
taxi back to the hotel, just show it to the driver and you can save yourself a
lot of aggravation, and possibly money as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Taking License:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time you rent a car, check the license
plate to see if it's from the same state you are in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times police officers prefer to give
traffic tickets to a driver with out-of-state tags rather than their own
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no guarantee but it might
help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb-rGjnj9LnPUwJ0Kyh7wwApdgtxnVVq3wiuyq1dO-e7G8WYQls9pBUAQKfq-vJx8lDpgL3EUSP8D271OHwaFSNCd8902aCYONAeogvZP6_PPfkVYcGyG1SEieGCQOYcaapM7fchwFQQ/s640/kotor+fjord+cruise+ship+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise lines have been hit hard by coronvirus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A New Kind of Postal Service:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Want to make sure your cabin steward or maid
gets a message when you are out of the room while on a cruise? Take some post-it notes and leave the messages
on a mirror when you want more ice, Kleenex, extra towels, etc. Believe it or not, it works!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Let There Be Light:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Do you ever need a flashlight but just can’t
find one? How about using your cell
phone! Most of the newer phones have
powerful little displays that are bright enough to light the way down a dark
staircase or help you find some item in a dark corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Fresh as a Daisy:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Take two or three bars of your favorite soap
and put them in strategic places in your luggage. They make everything smell better and they
also come in handy in places where soap isn’t furnished.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnlSWoLzmrM79iJUzY2CZ4hdoueEg9z0ptHMozoWjae4n8-RQZv6-F-riLY0KKQ20NL-v-Fk50DJipwIBSjkJ2hrn6AT4t8rky_DYR6D4ko7u4PVFb7GcA-Jvbg2QslwJtpevWkGUDbI/s1600/lugage+--+++%2528PD%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnlSWoLzmrM79iJUzY2CZ4hdoueEg9z0ptHMozoWjae4n8-RQZv6-F-riLY0KKQ20NL-v-Fk50DJipwIBSjkJ2hrn6AT4t8rky_DYR6D4ko7u4PVFb7GcA-Jvbg2QslwJtpevWkGUDbI/s640/lugage+--+++%2528PD%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Travel is taking a hit now but it will return with a vengeance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Lighten Your Load:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%;"> Many people abandon old clothing at the end
of a trip rather than lug it all the way home.
Some hotels do not allow the cleaning staff to take things from wastepaper
baskets. In fact, some hotels even mail
the discarded items back to you. Next
time, just leave a note on the basket stating your desire to leave them and
that they are available for anyone who wants them. Case clothed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Cozy Up:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those insulated foam can holders make great
little storage places when you are traveling a long distance in a car or
van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll store pens, notes, glasses,
receipts, coupons or any other little items you might want to keep track
of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder they call them cozys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-23080441872928687562020-03-06T15:45:00.000-05:002020-03-06T17:52:24.701-05:00Coronavirus in Italy: The other side of the story<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU4pOVgIuPEBHROXS-jjArugm3A4n-T4fg6G7UEWRVB_EWK2626n9VnWS3K01eg1JofV-MBtOQmvdwiZGE12oWIP-rcew-aI-DOkMdmRBzw8L_j3aks06kXflX15aAI40-a9rSqD2U1I/s1600/Wedding+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU4pOVgIuPEBHROXS-jjArugm3A4n-T4fg6G7UEWRVB_EWK2626n9VnWS3K01eg1JofV-MBtOQmvdwiZGE12oWIP-rcew-aI-DOkMdmRBzw8L_j3aks06kXflX15aAI40-a9rSqD2U1I/s640/Wedding+Cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Victor Emmanuelle Monument in Rome</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:country-region style="text-align: justify;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana";">ITALY</span></strong></st1:place></st1:country-region><strong style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt; text-align: justify;">—</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt; text-align: justify;"> There used to be an expression
in local television news that said "If it bleeds, it leads."</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">By the same token, in the south in the United States any meteorologist who mentions the word 'snow' knows immediately from the moment that word leaves his mouth, it's only a matter of hours before it becomes
virtually impossible to find bread or milk at a local grocery store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In many ways, the
semi-pseudo hysteria over the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> is having
a similar effect. That is not to say that press reports are inaccurate or that
information services are lying or even distorting the news. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aql4EcJlgInVO6M11KWj4mXUAO_D8mac4e-VHOdq2N7eJbd4H3tkHRJlKEsOckc8eo6TH0rQ4-yDXItrWApwsGHG-CorOyIjCzjwBoMedESxwCBX2b-aygAAhuca9rBtRbMEyKZpr2M/s1600/St-peters-basilica-pannini-1731+--+%2528Pub+Dom%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aql4EcJlgInVO6M11KWj4mXUAO_D8mac4e-VHOdq2N7eJbd4H3tkHRJlKEsOckc8eo6TH0rQ4-yDXItrWApwsGHG-CorOyIjCzjwBoMedESxwCBX2b-aygAAhuca9rBtRbMEyKZpr2M/s640/St-peters-basilica-pannini-1731+--+%2528Pub+Dom%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Artist's rendering of the interior of St Peter's Basilica</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: public domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">On the other hand,
media outlets are in the business of reporting current events, so it's to their
advantage to perpetuate a story for as long as possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Putting it another
way, as said by former Barack Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and Winston
Churchill before that, you should "Never let a good crisis go to
waste."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkb7KuoPPmV-D2xdpg1aW6unnE1GkVMds9IKMiEUcCVnhgQSdnbk4Kl0OVfQamf1_HEwHmsBRBM98KA7NhRakrCzxmH0dnWuDpRG3OV56VNmsONZqFNHLC5fwcsI-H_a4VXTOOtlrTWY/s1600/coronavirus+%2528pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkb7KuoPPmV-D2xdpg1aW6unnE1GkVMds9IKMiEUcCVnhgQSdnbk4Kl0OVfQamf1_HEwHmsBRBM98KA7NhRakrCzxmH0dnWuDpRG3OV56VNmsONZqFNHLC5fwcsI-H_a4VXTOOtlrTWY/s320/coronavirus+%2528pixabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Covid-19 caught Italy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">by surprise</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">When Covid-19
caught </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
by surprise a few weeks ago on the cusp of the heaviest part of the upcoming tourist
season, it set off a mini-panic that continues even now.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">But there are
usually two sides to every story and, to date, the Italian tourism viewpoint
has gone largely under-reported or distorted in many ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For starters, nowhere
in the American press has it been mentioned that in the outside event that a
visitor to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region> does come
down with Coronavirus, the country is highly regarded throughout <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> for the quality of its healthcare and medical
professionals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Second, and again
not reported, is that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>
provides free healthcare services for foreigners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">While it has been
explained that the initial reports came out of Lombardy and the <st1:state w:st="on">Veneto</st1:state> in the north of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and Covid-19 is, for the
most part contained within that region, the media has been less inclined to report
that the largest at-risk group for the disease is seniors who are already
dealing with some form of respiratory ailment. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukzUdPZCPR91avvn4Swp6-9BQMAZCxo0XHOEMAhq3n54kMXCPzCouukSxOCEHNLBiaFFpibGfQFO1z3g1mImfjBijHp3e9u5evcQYcpAGW5UKlXtwuec64EWPh3I-aOKrwiRbiRWEVZ8/s1600/sick+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukzUdPZCPR91avvn4Swp6-9BQMAZCxo0XHOEMAhq3n54kMXCPzCouukSxOCEHNLBiaFFpibGfQFO1z3g1mImfjBijHp3e9u5evcQYcpAGW5UKlXtwuec64EWPh3I-aOKrwiRbiRWEVZ8/s320/sick+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seniors are the largest</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">at-risk group</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">As of this writing there
have been 3,089 documented cases of Coronavirus in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> with 276 cases that are
closed. Thus far, since the outbreak began in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, 107 people have died.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Compare that number
to the average DAILY toll of more than 90 motor vehicle deaths in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> Do those
significantly higher numbers prevent you from driving your car? In fact, has statistic
like the one above EVER even crossed your mind before you got behind the wheel
of your car? We're guessing the answer is 'no.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Yet another unreported
fact is that most of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s
Coronavirus victims have received treatment at home without need for
hospitalization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">One contributing
factor that perpetuates the idea that things are worse than they are occurs
when the press reports a preventive program that can easily be misinterpreted.
For example, earlier this week <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>
took pro-active measures to further isolate the disease by closing all the
schools in the country. Though the measure was positive, it is easy to perceive
it in a negative light.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZslgIjoPhm0yMQqOAYfjem7cu4HdQG9kP_sp3N4gpI1Aj8pejyCRz4tGIeHCb-RsaRihO6-1YvfSMdUL0Cucr5XDFCDGkNOrMAgpHYTp4F5LNlIyMnf-X7Rp6XtIWJ-RV8QqBXAAwok/s1600/View+from+the+Hassler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZslgIjoPhm0yMQqOAYfjem7cu4HdQG9kP_sp3N4gpI1Aj8pejyCRz4tGIeHCb-RsaRihO6-1YvfSMdUL0Cucr5XDFCDGkNOrMAgpHYTp4F5LNlIyMnf-X7Rp6XtIWJ-RV8QqBXAAwok/s640/View+from+the+Hassler.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">View of Rome from Hotel Hassler</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Hasslee Roma)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As hotels and other
hospitality businesses outside of northern <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> scramble to reassure visitors
that external perceptions are having a major impact that is not as severe as it
appears, many experts believe that the arrival of warmer weather will
significantly diminish the Covid-19 threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Roberto E.Wirth,
owner and general manager of the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1925461131"></span>Hassler Roma<span id="goog_1925461132"></span></a>, one of most prestigious hotel
properties in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city>,
is among those who are highly optimistic. Wirth tells fellow Italians to
"ignore alarmism and to follow the protection rules issued by the Ministry
of Health."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For travelers,
three simple precautions can prevent a high percentage of potential future
problems:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in left 4.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Wash
your hands frequently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in left 4.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Keep
your away from your face as much as possible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in left 4.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Use
Clorox Wipes to clean airplane tray tables etc.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nD7tclJJzrEOwWqswSp3JSeK3Gd6pf9AHI2BJNTTZZtL-MH1UABDkDMo2qNsxHelICTgVh-QAMS8fEfchKbWBJcXd_NZjrKdp5mOr4TmEYtJB3-ShtD6f6wZLcAusUmkoSrUYvb4V9I/s1600/Hassler%2527s+lush+Palm+Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nD7tclJJzrEOwWqswSp3JSeK3Gd6pf9AHI2BJNTTZZtL-MH1UABDkDMo2qNsxHelICTgVh-QAMS8fEfchKbWBJcXd_NZjrKdp5mOr4TmEYtJB3-ShtD6f6wZLcAusUmkoSrUYvb4V9I/s320/Hassler%2527s+lush+Palm+Court.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hassler's Lush Palm Court</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Hassler Roma)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The travel industry
is always filled with countless variables. The best, and most positive, thing
travelers can do to avoid knee-jerk reactions and to spend a little more time
than usual to get the best possible current information.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Avoid hearsay and
media-based websites because they may be misleading. It's better to rely on
<a href="https://travelregistration.state.gov/">government internet links</a> on both sides of the <st1:place w:st="on">Atlantic</st1:place>
to obtain the most accurate and up-to-the-minute information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">It is also wise to
contact your hotel to speak with the concierge or someone in management. They
will answer any questions honestly because they know only too well that
possible business may be directly impacted by their input.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn_sivYveGz5ijUfTpzej0Q_UZuSwru0rESOdcMQfPZF7GL-MuGgRv8uZ0GTbyS7t-WBjIr5nMQ50Hr_731xIOEJVz52usfAC9G06BJF6qaYpT_8i8Q3GDb9E7mT5ZfwQJQJ3XGu87Uo/s1600/Spanish+Steps+and+Hassler+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn_sivYveGz5ijUfTpzej0Q_UZuSwru0rESOdcMQfPZF7GL-MuGgRv8uZ0GTbyS7t-WBjIr5nMQ50Hr_731xIOEJVz52usfAC9G06BJF6qaYpT_8i8Q3GDb9E7mT5ZfwQJQJ3XGu87Uo/s640/Spanish+Steps+and+Hassler+at+night.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Spanish Steps at dusk with Hotel Hassler just beyond</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Hassler Roma)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Such research
requires a little more effort for travelers than usual, but it will pay off in
the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Be vigilant. The absolute
best situation, whenever possible, for travelers and suppliers alike, is to let
the status remain quo for as long as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Changes can have a
negative unanticipated domino effect that ultimately could be worse than your original
itinerary.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeXxzg2N48cqYFZqlpSN6VMpLBoufqKycXWNtz5S2cN_kgKQT84TDU5wyJMVdtCvxX7fFnZGvYwFW900V6ANoqpRsdFoqy83eYCcBKZfT6fSTNNFefShHKLictRdT6PO6pZ3KsQjjdvE/s1600/Rome+at+night++%2528Taylor%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeXxzg2N48cqYFZqlpSN6VMpLBoufqKycXWNtz5S2cN_kgKQT84TDU5wyJMVdtCvxX7fFnZGvYwFW900V6ANoqpRsdFoqy83eYCcBKZfT6fSTNNFefShHKLictRdT6PO6pZ3KsQjjdvE/s640/Rome+at+night++%2528Taylor%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They don'r call Rome "Eternal" for no reason and she </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">will outlive Covid-19 too</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">That is not say you
should not consider any contingencies</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">but rather to warn against being too quick on the trigger with a
"ready, fire, aim" approach to your travels.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">A little homework
might be a bit time consuming, but in the final analysis, if it's possible to
keep your original itinerary planned, you will likely come out ahead financially
and less aggravated in the long run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-68640572780538363032020-03-04T18:11:00.000-05:002020-03-04T18:11:06.286-05:00Germany celebrates 250 years of Beethoven in 2020<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI6IAnbcVPPfp9xJTI2yg22_UuuKVw3CbMhfJ8su0-oZ97sOPyrkyDcbxDJRxss5isz9n6AymqNxO-9YmxN9UN8RvkdO3z31RfdgZfC8UiKxrC6aGworoAatd4iV1AbcB1MukWU8z_PM/s1600/LV+Beethoven++%2528public+domain%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI6IAnbcVPPfp9xJTI2yg22_UuuKVw3CbMhfJ8su0-oZ97sOPyrkyDcbxDJRxss5isz9n6AymqNxO-9YmxN9UN8RvkdO3z31RfdgZfC8UiKxrC6aGworoAatd4iV1AbcB1MukWU8z_PM/s640/LV+Beethoven++%2528public+domain%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Germany is celebrating the 250th birthday of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ludwig van Beethoven in 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Public Domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana";">GERMANY</span></strong></st1:country-region><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> —</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;"><a href="http://www.germany.travel/">Germany</a></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> has been celebrating what will
amount to a year-long tribute to the life of <a href="https://www.germany.travel/en/ms/bthvn2020/beethoven-2020.html">Ludwig van Beethoven</a> honoring the
250th anniversary of his birth since December 16th of last year.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Widely regarded by many as the greatest
composer who ever lived, Ludwig van Beethoven dominates his era of musical
history as no one else has before or since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcJ4JQIhzsy7mbm498zrpBXcHMuF0oC0whx-VEWPyM0OusNoNJUosEvF_uGpLPd_0TTX0_x8MIaH7LnIqr7pvCIzJO2E88FGWjawj09ZAAswdClM_Ki_ZzopzqpJB26-umtvc5exDYDM/s1600/bonn-rathauw--%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcJ4JQIhzsy7mbm498zrpBXcHMuF0oC0whx-VEWPyM0OusNoNJUosEvF_uGpLPd_0TTX0_x8MIaH7LnIqr7pvCIzJO2E88FGWjawj09ZAAswdClM_Ki_ZzopzqpJB26-umtvc5exDYDM/s320/bonn-rathauw--%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Town Hall in Bonn</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Born in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonn" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Bonn"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Bonn</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">,
</span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">, Beethoven exhibited
musical prowess at an early age, prompting his father and teacher </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_van_Beethoven" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Johann van Beethoven"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Johann van Beethoven</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> to be a severe and intense
mentor, who believed that a stern disciplinary approach </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 26.6667px;">would enable his son to</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 26.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">become a child prodigy like </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Mozart"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Mozart</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Beethoven,
like many people of superior intelligence in a given field of endeavor, was a
complex individual who was further influenced by the onset of deafness. At the
age of 44, the great composer was completely devoid of the ability to hear,
thus making his frequently<span style="color: #222222;"> irascible</span>
personality even more confrontational than ever before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Close friends
and academic sources often confirmed Beethoven's disdain for authority and
social rank. At times, if the audience chatted amongst themselves or afforded
him less than their full attention in the middle of a program, Beethoven would
stop mid-performance while at the piano. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Other times
at soirées, he refused to perform if suddenly called upon to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Eventually,
after many confrontations, the Archduke Rudolph decreed that the usual rules of
court etiquette did not apply to Beethoven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr9U7582rdTeMMhLT7EsU53JbWrfQ_TpiNnBWCynbRJ4TnXILWWH42fbAxvDsvdIOIk-w1UYH5ewyYIdsYjy43zj5claEv8GdzNZ0RlUMx4fh7CcTyq2qFX4JhSJCtLVf31X1p83KZzE/s1600/Beethoven_Monument_in_Vienna_in_1913++%2528public+domain%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr9U7582rdTeMMhLT7EsU53JbWrfQ_TpiNnBWCynbRJ4TnXILWWH42fbAxvDsvdIOIk-w1UYH5ewyYIdsYjy43zj5claEv8GdzNZ0RlUMx4fh7CcTyq2qFX4JhSJCtLVf31X1p83KZzE/s320/Beethoven_Monument_in_Vienna_in_1913++%2528public+domain%2529.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beethoven statue</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">in Vienna</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Public Domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">There was
another side to Beethoven however, for he was also </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">an
artist, humanist, visionary, nature lover and a citizen of the world.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Indeed,
Beethoven was r</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">evolutionary.
He was visionary and cosmopolitan, not
to mention one of the most frequently played classical composers of his day to
the present. Ludwig van Beethoven was an extremely talented artist whose music
still unites people all over the world some 250 years after his birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">For travelers planning to visit <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 2020, here's a partial
list of events taking place throughout the country this year. Combined with
Passion Play in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oberammergau</st1:place></st1:city>,
2020 promises to be an ideal year for making a pilgrimage to Beethoven's
homeland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">#DiscoverBeethoven is all about German destinations, scenery
and visions that influenced the grand master. Take a stroll in Beethoven's
footsteps. Throughout the year, you can be inspired by milestones in history,
personal stories, outstanding events, innovative sound sensations and
unexpected perspectives:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rFn5yaJe1AntH93fHK6XD7AzohvPPx-BQ1wYUX61cEMOcs5xz-pjAG4hTITD0wXeYNr1APoSQadNkBqeVRdpRuXyabqs3pm7XEOBTDBmNhWE3yAJp2I5PIJ60ulKJ2qm_e44aJZEVK4/s1600/violinist-with-beethoven+%2528pub+dom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rFn5yaJe1AntH93fHK6XD7AzohvPPx-BQ1wYUX61cEMOcs5xz-pjAG4hTITD0wXeYNr1APoSQadNkBqeVRdpRuXyabqs3pm7XEOBTDBmNhWE3yAJp2I5PIJ60ulKJ2qm_e44aJZEVK4/s640/violinist-with-beethoven+%2528pub+dom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beethoven concerts abound in Germany throughout 2020</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Public Domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">NOW – Dec 17,
2020: Freiburg</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">: The city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Freiburg</st1:place></st1:city> is home to a remarkable variety of
orchestras, run by students for students. Eight of the best student symphony
orchestras will be performing a series of concerts featuring all nine of
Beethoven’s symphonies. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Mar 14 – May 3,
2020: Beethoven’s Mother’s House, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Koblenz</st1:place></st1:city>,
My son Ludwig</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">: This evocative play, performed in the
house where Beethoven’s mother Maria Magdalena was born and where she died,
features a pianist and the composer's music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Apr 14, 2020:
Osnabrückhalle</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">: The German National Youth Orchestra
begins its Easter session with Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Eroica, along with a
new work by Mark Barden that was specially commissioned for BTHVN 2020 by the
German Music Council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br />
<b>Jun 12, 2020: Open-air opera at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Schwerin</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Fidelio</b>: For
the Schlossfestspiele festival, Beethoven’s only opera is performed against the
magnificent backdrop of this historic residence set in the middle of a lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br />
<b>Jun 20, 2020: A celebration of Beethoven in the gardens of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rheinsberg</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Palace</st1:placetype></st1:place></b>:
Distinguished ensembles and the up-and-coming young soloists of the Rheinsberg
Chamber Opera perform in an outstanding event for the Beethoven anniversary
year that links music and nature and features both famous and seldom-heard
works.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eHXAxU-oudaqUe4Ti4ovcEMXbQ8_SXlSdiRhJU6PnvrOjZK8ajktLbxpI8SJghbB18HVjnjudtg0VhAbO8QZuP7oD1KyHvHSmiht_3eEI9lDGRHaMpNTrzHb9s-NE4r-ZHfGpQQcn28/s1600/oberammergau-germany---pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eHXAxU-oudaqUe4Ti4ovcEMXbQ8_SXlSdiRhJU6PnvrOjZK8ajktLbxpI8SJghbB18HVjnjudtg0VhAbO8QZuP7oD1KyHvHSmiht_3eEI9lDGRHaMpNTrzHb9s-NE4r-ZHfGpQQcn28/s640/oberammergau-germany---pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interior of the church in Oberammergau</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy:Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">
<b><br />Jul 5, 2020: MDR Summer of Music, Schloss Waldenburg, Young Talent 3</b>:
Winners of the EnviaM music competition perform works by Beethoven and Dvořák
with two MDR musicians, Vera and Norbert Hilger, at Schloss Waldenburg. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Aug 14, 2020,
Kurhaus Wiesbaden / Aug 15, 2020, Tauber Philharmonic, Weikersheim / Aug 16, 2020,
Kongress Palais, Kassel</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">: The German National Youth
Orchestra and the World Youth Choir start their 2020 summer tour in Bonn by
combining Beethoven’s masterpiece with the premiere of a work by Tan Dun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br />
<b>Aug 30, 2020: The Ninth Symphony at the Festival Theatre, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bayreuth</st1:place></st1:city></b>: In 1872, Richard Wagner
conducted the Ninth Symphony at the Margravial Opera House to celebrate the
laying of the foundation stone for the Festival Theater. There were further
performances to mark the resumption of the festival in 1951, for the 150th
anniversary of Wagner’s birth in 1963, and in 2001 for the 50th anniversary of
the New Bayreuth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Sep 6, 2020: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Elbphilharmonie</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Hamburg</st1:state></st1:place></span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">: Heiner Goebbels: New Work. A cycle for the Ensemble Modern
Orchestra (2020). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Dec 17, 2020:
Final Concert <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bonn</st1:place></st1:city>
Opera House</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">: Daniel Barenboim conducts the IX.
Symphony with the West-Eastern-Divan Orchestra and the European Choral
Association – Europa Cantat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Travelers interested in
Beethoven the Man who do not wish to take in a performance or if your travel schedule
does not coincide with a musical event may want to view a large <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">collection of Beethoven's hearing aids, such as a
special </span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_horn" title="Ear horn"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">ear horn</span></a></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">. The
hearing devices can be viewed at </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20.0pt;">the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beethoven_House" title="Beethoven House">Beethoven
House</a> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bonn</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">For more
information contact the <a href="http://www.germany.travel/">German National Tourist Board (GNTB)</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WFt4sOgoFcAZNM67mN89xSLt633G7DTykogRWFTvLdit4W0Sh6DrmTm8eS4P5NjxcFnK0qQtYrIUOC7dgw59Pf0oD_L5QxSRTJ3T0kMLvdBCnVt2V58ZKog-KcjiTzBKbxHYH6KnS7Q/s640/ludwig-van-beethoven-+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beethoven had to hear his music in his</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">head because </span><span style="font-size: large;">he was deat</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WFt4sOgoFcAZNM67mN89xSLt633G7DTykogRWFTvLdit4W0Sh6DrmTm8eS4P5NjxcFnK0qQtYrIUOC7dgw59Pf0oD_L5QxSRTJ3T0kMLvdBCnVt2V58ZKog-KcjiTzBKbxHYH6KnS7Q/s1600/ludwig-van-beethoven-+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">When it comes
music, Ludwig van Beethoven was truly a sublime "symphony for the
soul" in more ways than one.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 6pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-88779557179612233602020-02-21T11:11:00.000-05:002020-02-21T11:11:35.782-05:00The 20 most Instagrammed national parks in the world<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LKFHw0NnLbRWlyjyXX5atXU6CvfAsKC9A43r7SFeKlXtil6mLG7ORVCVgDMXkO1JMhhCI3mSGHk0fGx9Xo8M_ktid68iCKV_Rj-U4mbKdPyJ2L4KC0LMaAe0PZxOuTC6hkB9pTzbpb8/s1600/Women-hiking-at-Yosemite-%2528National-Park+Svc%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LKFHw0NnLbRWlyjyXX5atXU6CvfAsKC9A43r7SFeKlXtil6mLG7ORVCVgDMXkO1JMhhCI3mSGHk0fGx9Xo8M_ktid68iCKV_Rj-U4mbKdPyJ2L4KC0LMaAe0PZxOuTC6hkB9pTzbpb8/s640/Women-hiking-at-Yosemite-%2528National-Park+Svc%2529.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hiker greets a new day at Yosemite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: National Park Svc)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">CHARLOTTE</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state></span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> – If someone asked you to choose
the most instagrammed national park on the internet which one would you pick?
Here's a clue. The <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region> claims five of the twenty, four of
the first five and all US parks are in the top nine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">If you
said the <st1:place w:st="on">Grand Canyon</st1:place>, you'd be dead on the
mark. Yosemite is a little surprising at number two, while the Rocky Mountains
take fourth position ahead of <st1:place w:st="on">Yellowstone</st1:place>
which might also be questioned by some observers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86sLi7yneTR5eXAF8Z-BSaAef8GWoFf1H6tEygl2VZciUr1qgmw4ZXXVhreTlTCJ31DDsAXxOCyIUqjx5S4ArS1pYWTOUP1AO7-fnYBG9wu_j2Vnvn3OKs1M_3wb5woEeXQRnpRLDxtk/s1600/Grand+Canyon+%2528national+park+service%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86sLi7yneTR5eXAF8Z-BSaAef8GWoFf1H6tEygl2VZciUr1qgmw4ZXXVhreTlTCJ31DDsAXxOCyIUqjx5S4ArS1pYWTOUP1AO7-fnYBG9wu_j2Vnvn3OKs1M_3wb5woEeXQRnpRLDxtk/s320/Grand+Canyon+%2528national+park+service%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Grand Canyon is #1</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: National Park Svc)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The only
non-US national park sits in third place which is the Lake District in the </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United Kingdom</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Sequoia</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">National Park</st1:placetype>
in <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state> is the straggler for the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> with a
ranking of 9th. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Four surprising
omissions from the final list are <st1:placename w:st="on">Banff</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">National Park</st1:placetype> and <st1:placename w:st="on">Jasper</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">National Park</st1:placetype>
in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>, <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state>'s
<st1:placename w:st="on">Denali</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">National
Park</st1:placetype> and the <st1:placename w:st="on">Plitvice</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Lakes</st1:placetype> in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Croatia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqM9TeLiOwyRnrx6Xb0I70y8ihIZWie_kDVfyHQ2kXDVEgC3KeMsRtzHpSz40uH4hIyoXG5OTafpjGBWecmHu6tb892L_V55GMyWLC7AEZ2FYFCLBB9NkalneHOUVC8_ruN88WMjn8ZM/s1600/yosemite++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqM9TeLiOwyRnrx6Xb0I70y8ihIZWie_kDVfyHQ2kXDVEgC3KeMsRtzHpSz40uH4hIyoXG5OTafpjGBWecmHu6tb892L_V55GMyWLC7AEZ2FYFCLBB9NkalneHOUVC8_ruN88WMjn8ZM/s640/yosemite++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yosemite is second on the list</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Of the
remaining 11 parks, free admission is granted to four. Entrance fees vary from
park to park but, in general, the cost for a visit ranges between $20 and $60
with the higher fees coming at wildlife sanctuaries or sites where climbing is
involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Eleven
countries are represented in the list with the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region>
boasting the second largest number of posts with four parks to its credit; the
Lake District, the Peak District, Snowdonia and <st1:place w:st="on">New Forest</st1:place>.
The other country with more than one honoree is <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region> thanks to the Serengeti
and Kilimanjaro.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAJQj2FPVuXTcEGkZxIlGfyB20zCPoVubD8iTK7PY0EHLqUHixFO5lYC0BPWY_uD4MlwEXQxXmSL14A358g6nujPudO3QMIy57VVi3eENPigWfWl1IquONB7l_RaGtZ8LQjsm5SN8SJ8/s640/ilimanjaro++volodymyr-burdiak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kilimanjo with a chance see the Big Five is a huge favorite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Instagram -- volodymyr-burdiak)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAJQj2FPVuXTcEGkZxIlGfyB20zCPoVubD8iTK7PY0EHLqUHixFO5lYC0BPWY_uD4MlwEXQxXmSL14A358g6nujPudO3QMIy57VVi3eENPigWfWl1IquONB7l_RaGtZ8LQjsm5SN8SJ8/s1600/ilimanjaro++volodymyr-burdiak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">When it
comes to "Wonders of the World", four of the national parks are
featured in the various lists.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Victoria
Falls in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Zimbabwe</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> and the
Grand Canyon are two of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World" (</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_Borealis" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Aurora Borealis">Aurora
Borealis, </a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Niagara
Falls</st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> and </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rio de Janeiro</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
round out that group).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNRz5S_Pw_bWj864aEPdb8pSq8R4K0i9hPIJ24yq8PyH5QRkvjsYLtBti53ofwLRVc3uJMpB-aRrKcQy0j7ZEVQgXCJeityxmNnI4kgNBCEsIEN89yUUgidEL3M9W1LOg9pnQV5VDuNY/s1600/elephants++-Pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNRz5S_Pw_bWj864aEPdb8pSq8R4K0i9hPIJ24yq8PyH5QRkvjsYLtBti53ofwLRVc3uJMpB-aRrKcQy0j7ZEVQgXCJeityxmNnI4kgNBCEsIEN89yUUgidEL3M9W1LOg9pnQV5VDuNY/s320/elephants++-Pixabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Elephants the Great Migration</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
great migration of the Serengeti was named by </span><i style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">USA Today </i><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">as one of the "New
Seven Wonders" and finally, </span><st1:placename style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Komodo</st1:placename><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
</span><st1:placetype style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indonesia</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> was named in the "New
Seven Wonders of Nature."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
research was conducted by Faraway Furniture Co. In order to determine which
famous National Park around the world is the most popular on Instagram, Faraway
used the number of times each park had been hashtagged and then looked at the #s
that contained the name of the park on its own, with ‘"Park" and with
"National Park" to obtain the results.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Instagram
was the brainchild of Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger who launched the photo and
video-sharing social media networking service in October 2010. It became an overnight
success with a million registered users signed on in just two months. Within a
year it was up to 10 million users and, as of May 2019, a billion people had
registered.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v7zkH992PY5fA59alk60Ce5IhEJ2WVO6hRbnlZhdKwlpVE750-Wo5Ab2PLWHN2VXZyZ5Fp9g1-ADAPJ_st-RQoAG4hfrcinkoq-3zrzqkKazUBwFSwNbaETwEUJMOIJD1ehed2fWFJw/s1600/los-glaciares-++%2528henner-damke%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v7zkH992PY5fA59alk60Ce5IhEJ2WVO6hRbnlZhdKwlpVE750-Wo5Ab2PLWHN2VXZyZ5Fp9g1-ADAPJ_st-RQoAG4hfrcinkoq-3zrzqkKazUBwFSwNbaETwEUJMOIJD1ehed2fWFJw/s320/los-glaciares-++%2528henner-damke%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Los Glaciares in Argentina</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy: Instagram -- Henner-damke)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Users
can browse other users' content by tags and locations and view trending
content. They can also "</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like_button" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Like button">like</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">" photos
and follow other users to add their content to a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_feed" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="News feed">feed</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As with
any trivia related list, there is always a bit of controversy, just as there
was with the four parks listed above that were overlooked. Then again, that's
part of the fun. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_pN019thlVS0lzz8j3ydyW0M4moyjjHRrLmJwxrz95W2IJ70khMxzekQC1aJqVdpPDZ8onOvi4j3mK8tiFKUVgqb4Msceint7MePbYRXAhskRs-8IojAm4hoz1PGCv_rrw-LMFESM7s/s1600/victoria-falls-%2528dietmar-temps%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_pN019thlVS0lzz8j3ydyW0M4moyjjHRrLmJwxrz95W2IJ70khMxzekQC1aJqVdpPDZ8onOvi4j3mK8tiFKUVgqb4Msceint7MePbYRXAhskRs-8IojAm4hoz1PGCv_rrw-LMFESM7s/s640/victoria-falls-%2528dietmar-temps%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Victoria is stunning to see in Zimbabwe</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Instagram --dietmar-temps)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">We will
return soon with a brand new list to consider and debate. Until then here are
Top Twenty Most Instagrammed National Parks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Grand Canyon</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> (US)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Yosemite
(US)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Lake
District (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Rocky Mountains</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> (US)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Yellowstone</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> (US)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Peak
District (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Kruger<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Galapagos
(<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ecuador</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Sequoia
(US)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Snowdonia
(<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">New
Forest (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Komodo (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indonesia</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Serengeti
(<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Kilimanjaro
(<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Guilin</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> and <st1:placename w:st="on">Lijiang</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype> (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Uluru (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Victoria
Falls (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zimbabwe</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Fjordland
(<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Swiss (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Los
Glaciares (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-73465712697082833752020-02-14T17:32:00.000-05:002020-02-14T17:32:06.423-05:00Why not spend St. Patrick's Day in Ireland?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYceWVyQmVwj6M8baCf7WPLdi8WbsFIXMMHQQNsphPHaIl7XXUXeklpbOBgLNf42lSO9suCFY0c7aVXFCUuxA6FEzIvqEa52FTy9IQwYInyrKxW1qUulxhFB6oOyGr9cGu-aq8AizP6s/s1600/happy-st-patricks-day+--+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYceWVyQmVwj6M8baCf7WPLdi8WbsFIXMMHQQNsphPHaIl7XXUXeklpbOBgLNf42lSO9suCFY0c7aVXFCUuxA6FEzIvqEa52FTy9IQwYInyrKxW1qUulxhFB6oOyGr9cGu-aq8AizP6s/s640/happy-st-patricks-day+--+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're going to celebrate St Patrick's Day why not do</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it in Ireland?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">IRELAND</span></b></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> — While there are many legends
surrounding St Patrick, the patron saint of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><a href="http://www.ireland.com/">Ireland</a></st1:country-region></st1:place>, arguably the most familiar
one being that he was responsible for ridding the country of its snakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Wikipedia
says "the earliest text to mention an Irish saint banishing snakes from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> is in
fact the Life of Saint <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba" title="Columba">Columba</a> (chapter 3.23), written in the late seventh or
early eighth century.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick#cite_note-79"></a>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">It
wasn't until the 13th century however, before there was any written account of
a legend regarding Patrick driving away </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">'s venomous reptiles. That
story occurred when </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_of_Wales" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Gerald of Wales">Gerald of Wales</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> expressed skepticism about the
veracity of the folklore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVUSl4AJC94GrarKY6nn4W5dQEgNcjIlFnR2308k6N5sZYTYo8S1al3G0JOl9w_eCKHk81uuXm-83vUMZC2DoFh1EAmfMM7Or84g6dg3BIZ-ikmWQ8x3rmc4l_F7fvkcIrVXwQvW6q2E/s1600/Saint_Patrick_Catholic_Church+++%2528Nheyob+--+Wiki+4.0%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVUSl4AJC94GrarKY6nn4W5dQEgNcjIlFnR2308k6N5sZYTYo8S1al3G0JOl9w_eCKHk81uuXm-83vUMZC2DoFh1EAmfMM7Or84g6dg3BIZ-ikmWQ8x3rmc4l_F7fvkcIrVXwQvW6q2E/s640/Saint_Patrick_Catholic_Church+++%2528Nheyob+--+Wiki+4.0%2529.jpg" width="572" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Irish legend claims St Patrick drove the snake away</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Nheyob -- licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share <br />Alike 4.0 International license)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: large;">Even so,
the most familiar version of the legend is that of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyn_of_Furness" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;" title="Jocelyn of Furness">Jocelyn of Furness</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: large;">, who says that the snakes were
banished when Patrick chased them into the sea after attacking him while he was
in the process of doing a 40-day fast on top of a hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In
reality, evidence shows that <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region>
probably never had any </span><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">snakes at all and that, most likely, the slithering creatures
were actually a metaphor for the druids, whom Patrick is said to have driven
out of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
when he established <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity" title="Christianity">Christianity</a> there. </span><span style="font-family: "garamond";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Whatever
the truth may be matters little to the Irish today who have celebrated March
17, believed by many to be the day of St Patrick's death, as a religious
holiday for more than a thousand years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">So
popular has the tradition become that the holiday has now expanded into the
secular world as a robust international celebration of Irish culture and
heritage.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sDFeON9YpUdolenGzQBzkJ8lU8nK1P3rAOWWaJcN_1IXuyCvjmf_o_WPkJr3WfMg1j6jda_M1-VJ3DBh4sdu69zXCovknRHIWDAxsWW1g2goHQbiPciS30b9PQ3592n7cgKpnAdjbg8/s1600/st-patricks-day--++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sDFeON9YpUdolenGzQBzkJ8lU8nK1P3rAOWWaJcN_1IXuyCvjmf_o_WPkJr3WfMg1j6jda_M1-VJ3DBh4sdu69zXCovknRHIWDAxsWW1g2goHQbiPciS30b9PQ3592n7cgKpnAdjbg8/s640/st-patricks-day--++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">New York and Savannah have two of the biggest celebrations</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in the United States</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Among
the biggest celebrations in the </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">US</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is in </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.
Highlighted by a massive parade beginning at 11 am on </span><st1:street style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">44th Street</st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> and marching up </span><st1:street style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Fifth Avenue</st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> past St
Patrick's Cathedral, of course, the celebration concludes around 5:00 pm at the
American Irish Historical Society at </span><st1:street style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">East
80th Street</st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Oddly
enough, the second largest St Patrick's Day Parade in the world, drawing more
than half a million spectators, takes place in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Savannah</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">GA.</st1:state></st1:place>
In fact, <st1:city w:st="on">Savannah</st1:city> is recognized as the first
city in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
to hold a public observance of the "wearing of the green" tracing its
roots back 196 years to 1824.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR45ckpuzObMjWWtMIkk6JjQzPCksjjrIs3zWYF1PPNXLu-ersZNXXGZuzknfYU9pNvbK0uUxp2r6H896Od1WxP8n3QKpUOy18UX-idNJO_rIpE38VSdMBA87cy3-5PYLmwdhyMFm6KA/s1600/green-beer+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR45ckpuzObMjWWtMIkk6JjQzPCksjjrIs3zWYF1PPNXLu-ersZNXXGZuzknfYU9pNvbK0uUxp2r6H896Od1WxP8n3QKpUOy18UX-idNJO_rIpE38VSdMBA87cy3-5PYLmwdhyMFm6KA/s320/green-beer+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A pint of green beer is</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">good for what "ales" you</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">At that
time a notice from the Hibernian Society was published on March 16th in the
local paper, The Georgian, inviting citizens of </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Savannah</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> to join them for a discourse at the
Roman Catholic Church on the Feast of St Patrick the following day. The rest is
history.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMIOd_1EXj0QmmSOADpxRQ0vQXbKQJH8bRLgd7SJW4dOAptumUkEnDowv8qiFJq0IpM1IWJFYqQTG37JwTd96UGjkAsYt_xF1tSfqSW9pnh7ohyphenhypheng4BCAO3d7tLOvy8_9olxnqDyj03Jo/s1600/cliffs-oh-moher-clouds-three++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMIOd_1EXj0QmmSOADpxRQ0vQXbKQJH8bRLgd7SJW4dOAptumUkEnDowv8qiFJq0IpM1IWJFYqQTG37JwTd96UGjkAsYt_xF1tSfqSW9pnh7ohyphenhypheng4BCAO3d7tLOvy8_9olxnqDyj03Jo/s320/cliffs-oh-moher-clouds-three++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Cliffs of Moher are</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">an Irish highlight</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Which
leads to the most obvious question, facsimiles are great, but why not
experience shamrocks and green beer in the place where it all began, </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> itself?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">To be expected,
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city> attracts
the most attention and largest crowds on St Patrick's Day, but if you venture
out from the capital, you will find a plethora of celebrations in virtually
every village, town and city in the country. Some of the festivities last for
days at a time where visitors have the opportunity to celebrate in style with
locals in one of the friendliest countries on the planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Ireland</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">’s second city, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cork</st1:place></st1:city>, is staging a four day festival this
year from March 14th -- 17th, culminating in a vibrant St Patrick’s Day parade.
The colorful cavalcade will feature up to 3,000 people including sporting
groups, dance schools, the city’s long-established brass bands and special
guests from around the world.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno8XD3KSRvDt2u2kbeu5z-By2uRTjQ7YMi8JAWZUZmdsnxwVzkJNGbnr2KU9an5daACPJrNEeUL1HHLvu5gjLM9lwtryXim4lLrYpSn9fJmWDNb3LpkHQ65blysTzhMSXeAAoTYCh9Q0/s1600/the-ring-of-kerry---+%2528pixabay%257D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno8XD3KSRvDt2u2kbeu5z-By2uRTjQ7YMi8JAWZUZmdsnxwVzkJNGbnr2KU9an5daACPJrNEeUL1HHLvu5gjLM9lwtryXim4lLrYpSn9fJmWDNb3LpkHQ65blysTzhMSXeAAoTYCh9Q0/s640/the-ring-of-kerry---+%2528pixabay%257D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The stunning Ring of Kerry is a scenic masterpiece</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Cork</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> is well-known year-round for its
lively nightlife but during the festival it will be bursting with music as the
Lee Sessions bring masters of traditional music to pubs throughout the city.</span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Belfast</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> marks St Paddy’s Day with a
vibrant carnival parade and free open-air concert on March 17. The streets will
be awash in color (especially green) and noise as the parade snakes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(oops, check that, better to say
"winds" in this case) its way through the city center from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Belfast</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City Hall</st1:placetype></st1:place> to Writer’s Square.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy95mbYnWOcv6i2mXTnQe6evGar5XtqCnX9I3eBZNB2bOaXu9nSRIVgPTazVMtvpRo60OLhuKhbbC_adBvuVSFenOPDGALWi2W6v458sCocdlGpySBWWB1hgfcJk4F_ow1qFV0j4Yp2tU/s1600/Reflections+of+Kylemore+Abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy95mbYnWOcv6i2mXTnQe6evGar5XtqCnX9I3eBZNB2bOaXu9nSRIVgPTazVMtvpRo60OLhuKhbbC_adBvuVSFenOPDGALWi2W6v458sCocdlGpySBWWB1hgfcJk4F_ow1qFV0j4Yp2tU/s320/Reflections+of+Kylemore+Abbey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reflections of Kylemore Abbey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Elsewhere,
historic </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Limerick</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, which flanks the Shannon
Estuary, will host a four-day festival filled with fun, fireworks and plenty of
fancy dress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">On
Sunday, the 15th of March, the 50th Limerick International Band Championship
will strike up in the streets of the city when over 1,300 marching band
musicians from across <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region>,
Europe and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>
will compete for the coveted winners’ cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
grand parade, with its theme of ‘Our Future is Green’, celebrating the city's
designation as a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">European</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Green</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Leaf</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> for 2020, will wend
its way through the city's streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In
Armagh, where Patrick began his Christian mission and established the city as
the spiritual capital of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
the annual Home of St Patrick Festival promises another exciting program of
culture, music and spirituality. From March 6th to 17th, <st1:place w:st="on">Armagh</st1:place>
will feature a superb mix of local and international music, theater, spoken
word, art and comedy emphasizing the locations where Patrick walked, worked and
lived.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDb_0Jef1skyZufUIhuvDyYy1tPdI-wLbHghwzCRzUw8JmC8zLRbR2TXBaVDo1nDVsGPbIjYS6diWkucaNtNJ7cu3s7SqadHebfX7PKkhWN-5caJuujjdQfR8zDMIayZz8tpj_tPWKtM/s1600/Sign+of+the+times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDb_0Jef1skyZufUIhuvDyYy1tPdI-wLbHghwzCRzUw8JmC8zLRbR2TXBaVDo1nDVsGPbIjYS6diWkucaNtNJ7cu3s7SqadHebfX7PKkhWN-5caJuujjdQfR8zDMIayZz8tpj_tPWKtM/s640/Sign+of+the+times.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Killarney, on the Ring of Kerry, has four days of festivities</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Killarney,
on the spectacular Ring of Kerry, celebrates with an extravagant four-day
festival promising street céilís (traditional dancing and Gaelic music),
treasure hunts, greening of buildings, a grand parade and fun for the entire family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">St
Patrick himself will perform the miraculous feat of leading parades all over
the <st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ireland</st1:placename>,
including Sligo, celebrating 50 years of parades in 2020, and in Downpatrick in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Down</st1:placename></st1:place>, where a cavalcade of floats, bands
and color will be a sight to behold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CC39A1yiH6WE-ZnvxdPkkY75Zch-rB_dbeTSRNkNynCrtD7ODWrwGVmyiM-oG-3laOZqs_nFsL36uIHRH6Nbi6mFc8tpZJ56gI5dCfoT6BQWMFyPXRNYaPBTXOR2EeC693hW9SrBa8U/s1600/pub+dublin+--++%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CC39A1yiH6WE-ZnvxdPkkY75Zch-rB_dbeTSRNkNynCrtD7ODWrwGVmyiM-oG-3laOZqs_nFsL36uIHRH6Nbi6mFc8tpZJ56gI5dCfoT6BQWMFyPXRNYaPBTXOR2EeC693hW9SrBa8U/s320/pub+dublin+--++%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Picturesque pub, Dublin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">No trip
to St Patrick’s Day in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
would be complete without a visit to the national grave of St Patrick in
Downpatrick. The town is also home to the St Patrick Centre, the only permanent
exhibition in the world about </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">'s
patron saint, as well as Down Cathedral and many other religious sites and
cultural attractions associated with the great man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">If <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> appeals
but St Patrick's Day is not feasible, </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;"><a href="http://magellantravelclub.com/">The Magellan Travel Club</a> is offering a <a href="https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/993426">Shades of Ireland</a> tour from July 13th to July 25th.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In a
closing bit of trivia, the "Emerald Isle" looks like this when you
see it on a map:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wIVXOgzf0M79_ZLDCPPhV9TUjAWUUYxBTIi5HZfyJfkyjYVyRQH22_ROi6veuP9f9dU7n1SuOLoAA6i-UpPlnmnxGB8uoybgA5VhlVeYVRrMYzhry3O9K7fIjOgFRXx5TKjTWmeQ9wE/s1600/Ireland++%2528pixabay%2528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wIVXOgzf0M79_ZLDCPPhV9TUjAWUUYxBTIi5HZfyJfkyjYVyRQH22_ROi6veuP9f9dU7n1SuOLoAA6i-UpPlnmnxGB8uoybgA5VhlVeYVRrMYzhry3O9K7fIjOgFRXx5TKjTWmeQ9wE/s640/Ireland++%2528pixabay%2528.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Generic map of Ireland</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">However,
after too many pints of St Pat's green beer, if you turn the map 90-degrees
counterclockwise it may take on the appearance of a little green terrier:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsJZUkOhtr_lnMMEn-bzht8KN9OUxPKU3yGCjI1DGZAsSrpd5P2nA14omK1iPYOaDdvbDkl7X6V-IE2XykLFHiQgrkPDtCjmAhWRrLFtZDvmfVv00Olp0ak4IRapIPlJ37UfKHVFBeA8/s1600/Ireland+looks+like+azterrier+when+rotated+left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsJZUkOhtr_lnMMEn-bzht8KN9OUxPKU3yGCjI1DGZAsSrpd5P2nA14omK1iPYOaDdvbDkl7X6V-IE2XykLFHiQgrkPDtCjmAhWRrLFtZDvmfVv00Olp0ak4IRapIPlJ37UfKHVFBeA8/s640/Ireland+looks+like+azterrier+when+rotated+left.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Map turned 90-degrees counter-clockwise looks like a small dog</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">A word
of advice if such a phenomenon occurs, it is best to seek out the "hair of
the dog."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Erin</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> go bragh!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-9504899802626886442020-02-07T16:56:00.003-05:002020-02-07T16:56:38.985-05:00Celebrity Cruises sails into the future with the introduction of Apex in April<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz0X1GITvtimgLSWS-E-NVRLFogCaFeuTxLC-Xxh9Udo2gHUun3ArQLHGrZ4zk9L6x5xhoeqUwvAqekSANgmZifodGTTcCumK9jqUSkk2i12ku59SfpBWxA6Sa7Rf8sg5XhJEpcj4EHc/s1600/Celebrity-APEX-Dusk-Flat-Smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz0X1GITvtimgLSWS-E-NVRLFogCaFeuTxLC-Xxh9Udo2gHUun3ArQLHGrZ4zk9L6x5xhoeqUwvAqekSANgmZifodGTTcCumK9jqUSkk2i12ku59SfpBWxA6Sa7Rf8sg5XhJEpcj4EHc/s640/Celebrity-APEX-Dusk-Flat-Smaller.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrity Apex embarks on her maiden voyage in April 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">MIAMI, FL</span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">— When <a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/">Celebrity Cruises</a> introduced the Edge with her
maiden voyage in late 2018, the new ship forever changed sea-going cruises. Mention a cruise line that has lived up to the age-old travel mantra that
real travel is "as much about getting there as the destination
itself," and you have Celebrity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Cruising
under its trademark giant "black X" logo, Celebrity is re-inventing
the world of sea-going adventures forever. Gone are the days of massive
midnight buffets and parading wait-staff with flaming baked <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alaska</st1:place></st1:state>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1A4r0NDvkEt-9AmJ_U-MJ6-O5CV9lvLRcWqJ1-xK72Y2E0oE6lWTJZ835cZgBGnYQRF_P7DULuJk4RoCWz_sn1v0Mn8h6FVIQLvppOORUof3-ZaP1b1zpWX8rJy_iI77ZJJoegjfuPM/s1600/-Celebrity-Edge-leaves-her-mounting-doc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1A4r0NDvkEt-9AmJ_U-MJ6-O5CV9lvLRcWqJ1-xK72Y2E0oE6lWTJZ835cZgBGnYQRF_P7DULuJk4RoCWz_sn1v0Mn8h6FVIQLvppOORUof3-ZaP1b1zpWX8rJy_iI77ZJJoegjfuPM/s640/-Celebrity-Edge-leaves-her-mounting-doc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrity Edge with eye-popping "Magic Carpet" was the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">first in the series in 2018 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Thanks
in large part to Celebrity's innovative eye on the future, not only do today's
cruise passengers experience top-notch culinary delights that were once
available only to the elite first-class clientele combined with first-rate
shipboard entertainment that rivals anything on Broadway, but also
veranda-style accommodations that make portholes obsolete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Celebrity
Edge debuted a new standard in sea-going cruises in late 2018 when it set sail
with a host of new concepts, including the "Magic Carpet", a massive cantilevered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>elevator off the ship's side that
invites<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>guests to eat, drink and soar
over the sea up to the highest deck on the ship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The industry-leading,
first-in-class Celebrity Edge has received more than 50 awards and
was crowned one of <a href="https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654106/celebrity-edge-cruise-ship/"><i>TIME </i>Magazine’s 2019 World's Greatest Places.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Now less
than a year and a half later, Edge's sister ship, <a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-ships/celebrity-apex">Celebrity Apex</a> will enjoy her champagne christening on March 30th before embarking on her maiden voyage in early April. But
this is no April Fools prank mind you, because the newest Edge-class ship in
Celebrity's fleet will outdo her older sister from the moment she raises her
anchor.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTscINSmYLuInQVckOyGuVSZJjOEFf9wyogq4-PL6QLDSgnbkyeRzYV9RCgkwPAwironQmjTnnBtJK02d1WclCrO9K_XRRAnYB9mgnfyQLjL5-zHUFWkGrs0frax56YBMiSZPCGXYqEoc/s1600/Magic+Carpet+Ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTscINSmYLuInQVckOyGuVSZJjOEFf9wyogq4-PL6QLDSgnbkyeRzYV9RCgkwPAwironQmjTnnBtJK02d1WclCrO9K_XRRAnYB9mgnfyQLjL5-zHUFWkGrs0frax56YBMiSZPCGXYqEoc/s640/Magic+Carpet+Ride.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Magic Carpet is a cantilevered elevator lounge on the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">side of the ship</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: CelebrityCruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Celebrity
Apex encores the transformational feel of its sister ship with such distinctive
features as the floating Magic Carpet described above; The Retreat, the
all-exclusive experience for all suite guests; dramatically expanded staterooms
with Infinite Verandas; soothing indoor and outdoor garden escapes; magnificent
two-story Edge Villas with their own private terrace and plunge pool; and
high-style spaces throughout public areas, maintaining the focus on the
contemporary design elements that are a highlight of the Edge Series of ships.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNtH5VkT8Iosd0ON0wVC87mm05iin71wFc6DwK46P0fisPqUoXrP1BbxyPJSfEF0kFzs7si6UFz5auGsRdkqYB8IxaAR6xu7Y1H4eX_qM-NJicVnOrkzrbE-ytIwVGYrsZwSmW4lxxAM/s1600/Eden+Lounge+R+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNtH5VkT8Iosd0ON0wVC87mm05iin71wFc6DwK46P0fisPqUoXrP1BbxyPJSfEF0kFzs7si6UFz5auGsRdkqYB8IxaAR6xu7Y1H4eX_qM-NJicVnOrkzrbE-ytIwVGYrsZwSmW4lxxAM/s320/Eden+Lounge+R+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eden is one of bold new</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">luxury features </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Bold new
luxury features have been added to Celebrity Apex to ensure that it takes its
rightful place as the industry’s “it” ship, including:</span></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">New
culinary venues, menus and programming</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">An array
of firsts in beauty, fitness, and wellness</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Sweeping
changes to The Theatre with state-of-the-art technology taking center stage in
three all-new production shows.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">New experiences that trans form the breatking Eden venue into myriad of mood </span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-L9xWl3WwJVDJLUoTbEGpQyZ5uT5Ly6TE9Kif5TlbgrvCgGyo0wCTUhOZ1j98W87-dotqDZofQ_1bEgZ273RBpxMHzxN9MSajLDNpwxF3MNeLt82QEABPT2jXmphtNeFQ-qEkdl24QE/s1600/_EDGE-Eden-LifeAfterDeath+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-L9xWl3WwJVDJLUoTbEGpQyZ5uT5Ly6TE9Kif5TlbgrvCgGyo0wCTUhOZ1j98W87-dotqDZofQ_1bEgZ273RBpxMHzxN9MSajLDNpwxF3MNeLt82QEABPT2jXmphtNeFQ-qEkdl24QE/s640/_EDGE-Eden-LifeAfterDeath+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Culinary treats such "Life After Death" are a feast </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for your taste buds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><u>Apex of
Culinary:</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Already
recognized as the industry’s leading culinary brand, Celebrity further enhances
its dining reputation<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on Celebrity
Apex with new delicacies and menu offerings from Michelin-starred
Chef Cornelius Gallagher, including:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><b>Craft Social Bar:</b></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">This relaxed, casual bar space, will offer draft cocktails, wines on
tap and more than 50 of the world’s rarest craft beers. Menu items
will include contemporary comfort food cuisine like mac and brie, </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> beef sliders, crispy
chicken sliders and meat and cheese boards. Large-screen TVs will air live
sporting events.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>A 3-D
digital animation dining experience at Le Grand Bistro:</b> Celebrity Edge’s first-at-sea
digitally animated menu by Le Petit Chef offers a new animated story on Celebrity
Apex, enhanced by a fusion of entertainment and dining. The menu features such
dishes as spring pea soup, King Crab farfalle pasta and filet mignon, while
diners enjoy a story that chronicles the adventures of Le Petit Chef who meets
the girl of his dreams at age 12.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>A new Eden dining
experience:</b> This remarkable three-story indoor natural wonderland, with its sweeping
panoramic, outward facing windows will feature an extraordinary culinary
journey of a la carte appetizers, entrees and desserts with ingredients
sourced from local farms and fisheries in the lower-level restaurant. Menu
items include fresh roasted Spanish prawns with melted peppers; cured fresh
chorizo, slow-cooked shellfish broth with parsley, garlic, shallots and maldon
sea salt from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
pastrami with Devonshire Dijon mustard emulsion, mashed potatoes cooked in duck
fat and crispy rye bread sautéed in butter and melted raclette cheese.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ncDr3w1A_9PnZCr586ic9Zm3pXaF4kSyp4U1W37A57MkwnHhAHGu3_u2i9aroE2K-bSaBcv_Yp5sFX0pqiKcHG3PBSXZwKvwnX4c5JWDpV53LKFi4x_I0zGAlBTTBJ1f0W2Izzj6_DQ/s1600/Wellness+Edge%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ncDr3w1A_9PnZCr586ic9Zm3pXaF4kSyp4U1W37A57MkwnHhAHGu3_u2i9aroE2K-bSaBcv_Yp5sFX0pqiKcHG3PBSXZwKvwnX4c5JWDpV53LKFi4x_I0zGAlBTTBJ1f0W2Izzj6_DQ/s640/Wellness+Edge%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrity Apex will introduce a multitude of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">wellness options</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><u>Apex of
Rest and Relaxation:</u></b></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Celebrity
Apex takes to the sea with a spa management collaboration<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with OneSpaWorld and a new wellness
programming for the modern traveler. Highlights include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>A first-at-sea
offering of F45 Training:</b> These unique 45-minute, station-based,
heartrate monitored functional team training workouts will be offered in the notably
larger <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Celebrity</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Apex</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Fitness</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>A Destination
Wellness program:</b> Spa menus using authentic local ingredients inspired by
the destinations that the ship explores will be featured.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>A Women
in Wellness well-being program:</b> This program focuses upon the emotional,
physical and spiritual practices of some of the wellness industries’ most
highly respected influencers.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>An array
of first-at-sea spa offerings:</b> More than 120 soothing treatments plus a new
collection of state-of-the-art treatment tables, highlighted by the unique Iyashi
Dôme, the original Japanese infrared sauna that deeply cleanses and detoxifies
the body.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszqvglt7ypiZCaNTTc5VLT993uuf4WbfY0W0_i9KJBqT17Ki-xQxskCumVdw-ReTrqAI-nrLAHLgARI4z7W3qgnHZaqRpG6YMbOxXN07v4QRqBoZfunIT5FUzQ8Qjo5AozKslYY0TFrM/s1600/-Theatre+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszqvglt7ypiZCaNTTc5VLT993uuf4WbfY0W0_i9KJBqT17Ki-xQxskCumVdw-ReTrqAI-nrLAHLgARI4z7W3qgnHZaqRpG6YMbOxXN07v4QRqBoZfunIT5FUzQ8Qjo5AozKslYY0TFrM/s640/-Theatre+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Theatrical productions rival anything on Broadway</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in The Theatre</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><u>Apex of
Entertainment:</u></b></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Celebrity
Apex debuts three exciting new stage shows in The Theatre; an intimate
cabaret show in The Club along with a variety of themed experiences and
activities throughout the ship, including:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
stunning, contemporary design of The Theatre incorporates state-of-the-art
technology features, including:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv-uljoIzwDnyhj9f_BQOxX95M-4NvmRZeLzRj22ZY6ds67SnusXJNaXexKhSedVLlaFDiAHsC-hbc9RM5ao4ZC6TAasrfXgMNl84dDCCDTkFMrtHbKGzJOQ7-fNKiso5zAKxN2dJ_uc/s1600/The-Theatre-2+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv-uljoIzwDnyhj9f_BQOxX95M-4NvmRZeLzRj22ZY6ds67SnusXJNaXexKhSedVLlaFDiAHsC-hbc9RM5ao4ZC6TAasrfXgMNl84dDCCDTkFMrtHbKGzJOQ7-fNKiso5zAKxN2dJ_uc/s320/The-Theatre-2+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Theatre is spectacular</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">23-foot-tall
4K LED screen curving around the stage to immerse audiences like never before.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">28-foot
tall circular scrim and eight Panasonic 20K laser projectors for projection
mapping to create a 360-degree wrap-around picture for audiences.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">20-foot
tall Tree of Life, complete with over 3,000 LED leaves that set the stage for
one of the most dramatic new productions at sea. </span></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sMROmoDTmFYyXyyMP-broz0i98T4Lt-MLG4bB26AodMoGU9Z7JqLfb7hiRmskSTyJMKVKFzsi3syQdV5KyzFX1yN9wuFTXGp3zSC_gjm9YtBZ89FWqYhrHYZx7W_4qKh9_zl6nnTbXc/s1600/1544293861_Hype+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sMROmoDTmFYyXyyMP-broz0i98T4Lt-MLG4bB26AodMoGU9Z7JqLfb7hiRmskSTyJMKVKFzsi3syQdV5KyzFX1yN9wuFTXGp3zSC_gjm9YtBZ89FWqYhrHYZx7W_4qKh9_zl6nnTbXc/s320/1544293861_Hype+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Productions are stunning</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;">The technology plays a starring role in several production shows that are exclusive to Celebrity Apex. </span> <b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><i>Rockumentary</i></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> celebrates some of the greatest
classic rock moments in history, and for the first time, guests get to vote for
their favorite finale, via the Celebrity Cruises app. </span><b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><i>Tree of Life </i></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">takes
guests on a journey of relatable life moments, illuminated by the changing
seasons of the tree, and set to pop rock music. </span><b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><i>Crystalize</i></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> energizes
the night with a visually inspiring performance featuring light, laser
projections, custom video content, music, dance, and incredible aerial
acrobatics, all tied together by the amazing talents of a world-class
violinist.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gau4ekDnVxTkpPY2y0IxKJewEgrSD4slQIU9nyxQkT0jDUTskmUdXQ6GMXwvJbWaipATmhjKPoZqZZ7m1wUYLRMc54hHG1C1BYCs1za0fIvwm-VGQexGbjN_cNyykpCh41oOIysfwWM/s320/low_1543155430_EG18-EdenBalcony1R.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eden is unique</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Widely
regarded as the most unique space on any cruise ship, </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> indulges every sense with a variety of
experiences that transform the environment throughout the day from morning,
noon to night. An ecletic afternoon tea party morphs into a wonder-filled
journey in a Night of Dreams complete with live performances and audience
interaction, a daytime guided meditation becomes the ultimate ultra-lounge in Night
of the Chill and interactive art experiences by day lead into Night of the Arts
celebrating the arts through interactive experiences and performances. Each day
presents new options to Chill @ Eden, Learn @ Eden, Play @ Eden and Create @ Eden,
culminating at night in Evenings of Wonder at </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, encouraging guests to return again and
again</span>.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqK4oLCFHjrP4X-5K90KBld-37GMUWd85s0GO0q7NofamCDEyLYTNxZXAHLU7_sYjv0Q6_TcSJP695zmB1CAdxuMxrJ3eKhX7CvvLJNMCXD7rEHx8S7AVXBJnnu6Z1-2l9W_fzOYk9eM/s1600/The+Club+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqK4oLCFHjrP4X-5K90KBld-37GMUWd85s0GO0q7NofamCDEyLYTNxZXAHLU7_sYjv0Q6_TcSJP695zmB1CAdxuMxrJ3eKhX7CvvLJNMCXD7rEHx8S7AVXBJnnu6Z1-2l9W_fzOYk9eM/s640/The+Club+%2528celebrity%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Club is another entertainment venue</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Evening
entertainment can also be found at The Club, with the debut of <i>Caravan</i>, an intimate
and alluring evening cabaret-style production featuring new takes on classic
circus acts with astonishing aerial acrobatics, acts of balance and precision and
more. Also fully programmed during the day, The Club will offer a variety of
activities from video dance classes to archery to karaoke with a live band and
full production support. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">With its
distinctive iconic "X" Celebrity Cruises encompasses the mark of
modern luxury, with cool, contemporary designs and warm spaces, dining experiences
where the atmosphere of the venues is as important as the cuisine and superb
service that offers an unmatchable travel experience. In an industry where
service and value for the traveling dollar are a key to success, Celebrity
takes sea-going cruises to new levels of enjoyment with its bold innovative
spirit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUGcGa3Kxk8-PMkJ2h3Hi-29JmFxTuvN17-GNs5iB3rgliESyGxp9GbSAtv3TtU0hNa5pX1AMnrwkl5qrtLEhy_11E5_yjIErCy3QRvM7mM8MafL8q38T9oS6SKWDGSTIzVT1tCZACLY/s1600/Edge-Stateroom-with-Infinite-Veranda-ViewCelebrity%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUGcGa3Kxk8-PMkJ2h3Hi-29JmFxTuvN17-GNs5iB3rgliESyGxp9GbSAtv3TtU0hNa5pX1AMnrwkl5qrtLEhy_11E5_yjIErCy3QRvM7mM8MafL8q38T9oS6SKWDGSTIzVT1tCZACLY/s640/Edge-Stateroom-with-Infinite-Veranda-ViewCelebrity%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Infinite Veranda staterooms go beyond traditional balconies</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Celebrity
Cruises' 14 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents
that are at the APEX of the industry and the cutting EDGE of technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Celebrity
Cruises represents the very best of sea-going "X Factors."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-37931528980065380212020-01-31T12:09:00.000-05:002020-01-31T12:09:01.114-05:00The Top Twenty most Instagrammed lakes in the world<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz-6Amr7eUzHuxQAnOocHdZnxJMB5ACKg_Ejd1soyxr7EBc9oGNW2g9Zt36icBsjbT4TKtP4hd9UKunq2yuX8D0EvNKmZikG4eDtFI1Qeb-pkK7J1WIvNMuq151QpdZo7RJktdm-Vsjc/s1600/italy%2527s+Lake+Como+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz-6Amr7eUzHuxQAnOocHdZnxJMB5ACKg_Ejd1soyxr7EBc9oGNW2g9Zt36icBsjbT4TKtP4hd9UKunq2yuX8D0EvNKmZikG4eDtFI1Qeb-pkK7J1WIvNMuq151QpdZo7RJktdm-Vsjc/s640/italy%2527s+Lake+Como+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Italy's Lake Como is stunningly beautiful and eclectic</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">CHARLOTTE</span></b></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state></span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">— Instagram launched in October
2010, and became an "instant" overnight success when a million
registered users signed on in just two months. Within a year it was up to 10
million users and, as of May 2019, a billion people had registered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Created
by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram is a photo and video-sharing
social media networking service owned by Facebook in which an account's posts
can be shared publicly or with pre-approved followers. Users can browse other
users' content by tags and locations, and view trending content. They can also
"<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like_button" title="Like button">like</a>" photos
and follow other users to add their content to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_feed" title="News feed">feed</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">To help
users discover both photos and each other, "hashtags" were introduced
in January 2011. Today, Instagram encourages users to make tags both specific
and relevant, rather than tagging generic words like "photo", to make
photographs stand out and to attract like-minded Instagram users.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24gBdCeftqiMUtkrnfN396luDUkrk7XpEtJ3CYKNhxCzVTl1a0N0uE-9AV07d0oYDqdg69opEpYZCLd-2JXlAknuBlJdh6btooOIFNB-PpEJt7Qq1ja5CfdTvXvDz6PI8IcnhX1PY4HY/s1600/keswick+lake+district+UK+%2528PIXABAY%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24gBdCeftqiMUtkrnfN396luDUkrk7XpEtJ3CYKNhxCzVTl1a0N0uE-9AV07d0oYDqdg69opEpYZCLd-2JXlAknuBlJdh6btooOIFNB-PpEJt7Qq1ja5CfdTvXvDz6PI8IcnhX1PY4HY/s640/keswick+lake+district+UK+%2528PIXABAY%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The UK's Lake District took top honors</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">As of
the new year, the most-followed person on Instagram is footballer </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Cristiano Ronaldo">Cristiano
Ronaldo</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> with over 196 million followers, while the most popular woman
is singer </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariana_Grande" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Ariana Grande">Ariana Grande</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> at more than 170 million.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The most
liked photo on Instagram as of January 14, 2019<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram_egg" title="Instagram egg">a "picture of an egg</a>," posted by the
account @world_record_egg. Created for the sole purpose of surpassing the
previous record of 18 million likes on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kylie_Jenner" title="Kylie Jenner">Kylie
Jenner</a> post, the picture currently has over 53 million likes.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3SzAy-MjixrxYQU8eyG608cITSzZK8VIqGwD20eg5cIk9Gqq88hyphenhyphenoHF96BcMlbjCmK0Yk9_WmaF948ZGe8EkfQtPBtne5EbrMVBFWg_uB_Ouusjw4Qo8NrHyZSPG1wdSXPC0P0GZpU0/s1600/loch-ness+--+pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3SzAy-MjixrxYQU8eyG608cITSzZK8VIqGwD20eg5cIk9Gqq88hyphenhyphenoHF96BcMlbjCmK0Yk9_WmaF948ZGe8EkfQtPBtne5EbrMVBFWg_uB_Ouusjw4Qo8NrHyZSPG1wdSXPC0P0GZpU0/s640/loch-ness+--+pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scotland's Loch Ness, home of the legendary Nessie monster</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">With
that information as background, <a href="http://showerstoyou.co.uk/">Showerstoyou.co.uk</a><span id="goog_815314614"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_815314615"></span> decided to discover the most
"Instagrammable" lakes around the world to help travelers decide
where to go on their next picturesque trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Choosing
lakes throughout the world, Showerstoyou.co.uk set about the task of gathering
the number of hashtags per lake in order to identify which would make the best
Instagram-worthy place to visit next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0tnxBbkRszPGj31lhs81_LU2WSHr-e9LlQF6Vl-DMrm9wK1_pGJ3osTjsKjDrf7WYcjx3EBpOnchaEbGEyo6lHOi0fHeO3pNTKqjUopuaJFrKx-YAlZ3U8eu0JWPaaTfb1T0DqVedtE/s1600/lake-tahoe+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0tnxBbkRszPGj31lhs81_LU2WSHr-e9LlQF6Vl-DMrm9wK1_pGJ3osTjsKjDrf7WYcjx3EBpOnchaEbGEyo6lHOi0fHeO3pNTKqjUopuaJFrKx-YAlZ3U8eu0JWPaaTfb1T0DqVedtE/s320/lake-tahoe+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nevada's Lake Tahoe</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">First
place honors went to the popular Lake District in the </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> with 2,951,548
hashtags.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The top
choice was immediately embroiled in controversy since the area is made up of a
multitude of lakes rather than a single body of water. Showers To You explained
their decision by "taking (the <st1:place w:st="on">Lake District</st1:place>)
as a whole due to the fact it is well known for its glacial ribbon bodies of
water." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Also
counted among the top ten was the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s Loch Ness. The famous <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Scottish</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>, which is home to the legendary Loch
Ness Monster, ranks ninth overall with over 500,000 photos added to the ‘gram. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> rates second and third on the list
with Lake Tahoe taking the number two position and <st1:place w:st="on">Lake
Michigan</st1:place> number three. Both have well over 2 million, 2 hundred
thousand hits. Notably the first three spots are the only ones with 2 million or
more images.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ92LpVABAJdfJJKD9FJM56PvV6TvFUwe64L57KIuZe2VNjCkNEQUOj40CRvSPjMz-DT11QXNYfc7oLP1f1M0i7RyaBsnWxkxSMhkmdR3YJqKvzB-D4eiLBj058iQvFCqc9nX9BKcnKw/s1600/Lake+Erie++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ92LpVABAJdfJJKD9FJM56PvV6TvFUwe64L57KIuZe2VNjCkNEQUOj40CRvSPjMz-DT11QXNYfc7oLP1f1M0i7RyaBsnWxkxSMhkmdR3YJqKvzB-D4eiLBj058iQvFCqc9nX9BKcnKw/s640/Lake+Erie++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lake Erie lighthouse -- The Great Lakes took 4 of the first<br />twelve places </span><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Also
impressively, the Great Lakes captured four of the first twelve positions;
3--Lake Michigan (2,208,442), 6--Lake Erie (863,446), 7--Lake Superior
(832,139), 12--Lake Huron (377,916) Ironically, Lake Ontario did not make the
list at all.</span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Italy</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">'s <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Como</st1:placename></st1:place> is a surprising 4th
with 1,412,597 Instagrams. By the way, <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Como</st1:placename> is the fifth deepest lake in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Yet
another surprise rounds out the top five with the Dead Sea in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Jordan</st1:country-region>
and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Palestine</st1:place></st1:city>
garnering 1,137,909 hashtags.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Of the
top 20 most instagrammed lakes, the United States has seven. Only three other
countries rate more than one as <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Bolivia</st1:country-region> and the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> each have
two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFA37lpvJtlAC2xOaG7TR6UEK-itFFK5ESX6OZrJd7jmxvg2Cw2usO0HkQLEKpbyfNARRljYSx6wWbs_BEns290tOkstXZhmo8ei80VRktWRqHBqt9QiiiVGGUr_W9gCKnt7NgoorLI/s1600/landscape-lake+titicaca+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFA37lpvJtlAC2xOaG7TR6UEK-itFFK5ESX6OZrJd7jmxvg2Cw2usO0HkQLEKpbyfNARRljYSx6wWbs_BEns290tOkstXZhmo8ei80VRktWRqHBqt9QiiiVGGUr_W9gCKnt7NgoorLI/s320/landscape-lake+titicaca+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lake Titicaca in Bolivia</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Perhaps
the best known lakes with the lowest totals are 18th ranked Lake Titicaca in
Peru and Bolivia (110,703) followed by Lake Victoria in Tanzania, Uganda,
Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda. With 51,888 'grams Lake </span><st1:state style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Victoria</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> takes 19th position.</span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Bolivia</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">'s Languna <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:state> rounds out the top twenty with
38,462 votes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">And just
for the record, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Veronica</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Lake</st1:placename></st1:place> missed the cut
completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-66937920002643706922020-01-24T12:42:00.000-05:002020-01-24T12:42:02.833-05:00Visit someplace new or return to a favorite spot?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf7oClDX4VXMq9mJqv7szSdC5yAUf8Aywh-LidYPIH_qoO2m7KarIzbGGYEs9u_9EBs1b0d1K6igQgjxIggF-tWyt58f3ACGoSjbebkaMskNZLnGs5F_hEOEKageGb43aSK7mt0wJHYE/s1600/moulin-rouge+++Pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf7oClDX4VXMq9mJqv7szSdC5yAUf8Aywh-LidYPIH_qoO2m7KarIzbGGYEs9u_9EBs1b0d1K6igQgjxIggF-tWyt58f3ACGoSjbebkaMskNZLnGs5F_hEOEKageGb43aSK7mt0wJHYE/s640/moulin-rouge+++Pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Moulon Rouge in Paris is a symbol of Bohemian culture </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 11.0pt;">CHARLOTTE</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state></span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> — One of the nagging dilemmas
for people with a passion for travel is the ever-present internal battle of
whether to go someplace new or to revisit a destination filled with fond
memories. Both options have merit with no right or wrong answer, but in the end
it is the traveler and their individual lifestyle which determines the best
personal choice.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Years
ago, one of my fellow traveling companions, a veteran writer, mentioned that
her philosophy was that she "wanted to see everything once before she saw
anything twice." It seemed like solid advice at first but after a few
years of wanderlust were added to my resume, my thoughts began to change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For
example, anyone who has ever visited <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
York City</st1:place></st1:city> for the first time in the teeming humidity
of July or August is guaranteed NOT to come away with the same impressions of
the Big Apple as someone who makes their maiden journey during Christmas when
the air is crisp and the city comes alive with seasonal lights and decorations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fR61WHUyMnb46KBNfAtGcMBF1jfYdKqeOVKVkwTW8YKdC3cjcYWRrgscAKIglnPG7V_kt5ylFDnzUx3Xf9PLLAYUlUGcMvkTSRatVpUJgLo9Deqb_QhKfZZc1_3OeyLJuzi7KGedtLM/s1600/palace+of+the+Liberty+of+Bruges+%2528visit.bruges.en%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fR61WHUyMnb46KBNfAtGcMBF1jfYdKqeOVKVkwTW8YKdC3cjcYWRrgscAKIglnPG7V_kt5ylFDnzUx3Xf9PLLAYUlUGcMvkTSRatVpUJgLo9Deqb_QhKfZZc1_3OeyLJuzi7KGedtLM/s640/palace+of+the+Liberty+of+Bruges+%2528visit.bruges.en%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Palace of the Liberties in Bruges, Belgium</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: visit bruges/en)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">To
begin, never forget that no two trips are ever the same. Regardless of how
delicious and memorable a previous adventure may have been, it is impossible to
duplicate, so don't even try.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Also,
keep in mind that regardless of how much effort you make, you will never see all
of any one destination, which means the best thing to do is to pace yourself.
All the more reason for a return visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Back in the
1950s and 60s, tour operators created so-called "Deluxe Grand Tours of
Europe." These were basically cookie-cutter trips that included 21 countries
in 17 days at a killer pace that was totally exhausting. The concept of these
"If-it's-Tuesday-it-must-be-Belgium" tours was, of course, to make
senior citizens believe they could see all of <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>
in one huge trip of a lifetime by using the comfort of an English speaking
guide who also knew how to convert "Monopoly money" into useable
funds (euros did not exist back then).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvvm-6MLkQHoJ5BfnfegVZoUubxuyiB95JPit7QXTJQhDEpi1sJqf-uHpuLa9WauZyK-bxmh-aUSwiXtKLmYrgAEqxhNPQN2CyVpm3dvcHdrOEIsS5oM4K3PRokc3ixMvDPIIfdK4HEo/s1600/venice---%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvvm-6MLkQHoJ5BfnfegVZoUubxuyiB95JPit7QXTJQhDEpi1sJqf-uHpuLa9WauZyK-bxmh-aUSwiXtKLmYrgAEqxhNPQN2CyVpm3dvcHdrOEIsS5oM4K3PRokc3ixMvDPIIfdK4HEo/s320/venice---%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grand Canal, Venice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Five
minutes at the Colosseum or the </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Eiffel</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, quick photo op, 30
minute bathroom break and off to the next hotel. Luggage outside the door by
seven, gulp down a cup of coffee, a stale croissant and uncooked bacon and back
on the bus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Technology
and readily available disposable income have changed travel trends dramatically
since those post-World War II Grand Tour days. Thus, returning to a destination
you've already visited in the past brings with it an inherent comfort level
that creates a sense of returning home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">You can
still get out and do new things, but you also have a relatively familiar home
base that is worth its weight in comfort that eases apprehension and anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As
previously mentioned, while you may have hit the must-see high spots on your
inaugural trip to a city or country, chances are you missed many, if not most,
of the nooks and crannies that bring a destination to life with its own
personality and character. That makes the second and future visits the time to check
out a city's museums and/or lesser-known neighborhoods.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxrxqPnBhDHi67NLwtPIhFC1e0skDmtxzBlLZfyhuhyLGxJtadk8IOpvaY_Lm6Et4jp0DYMd5aVhypeb8g47E71Zbvvbctbb5WoQYF0EXK3AVDHqVboh1UipdIqm13j_Jx8RgV4Dz1h4/s1600/neckar++%2528rhine-moselle.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxrxqPnBhDHi67NLwtPIhFC1e0skDmtxzBlLZfyhuhyLGxJtadk8IOpvaY_Lm6Et4jp0DYMd5aVhypeb8g47E71Zbvvbctbb5WoQYF0EXK3AVDHqVboh1UipdIqm13j_Jx8RgV4Dz1h4/s320/neckar++%2528rhine-moselle.com%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Neckar River, Heidelberg</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: rhine-moselle.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Don't
forget that destinations change. The </span><st1:state style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Berlin</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
you experienced on your last trip may not be quite the same today as it was in
the ten years since you were there. It's another solid reason for going back to
a place that you fell in love with once before.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">However,
just as places change, so, too, do people, and for many travelers, that's the single
greatest endorsement of all for returning to a destination. Whether it's
because you went to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
when you were eight years old and you want to see it through new eyes now that
you're 20 or, better yet, you want to share that same first-time joy you
experienced with someone else is truly the magic of travel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There is
something Christmas-like to a travel adventure when you can stand back and
savor the reaction of someone who is witnessing something unique for the very
first time. It could be Michelangelo's David or Sistine Chapel ceiling. Perhaps
it's some grand new culinary treat like escargot in <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>
or caviar in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Maybe it's the Lipizzan horses in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vienna</st1:place></st1:city>
or the massive Edinburgh Tattoo. The catalyst for the moment makes little
difference. All that really matters is sharing that moment. Therein lies the
secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Executive
editor George Stone of National Geographic Traveler tells us that "People
travel for people as much (if not more) than for sights. Sometimes we
discover a bit of ourselves in a stranger; sometimes we learn how to be a
better version of ourselves by learning from a local " </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCzlaKLEKxA4mDdqf8wzRQ9bDqUOEoa9xucj0Lwsd1I1vAhMKFC_W4YRruqnIoKdI2NGjk9-J0fr8aXfxbzP2TnGfezXZSJlVk-hvOYzROnlaOUnD480H1xWZ_ZJwkXnw5dM4rrew3Uk/s1600/Face+of+India++%2528Huitt%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCzlaKLEKxA4mDdqf8wzRQ9bDqUOEoa9xucj0Lwsd1I1vAhMKFC_W4YRruqnIoKdI2NGjk9-J0fr8aXfxbzP2TnGfezXZSJlVk-hvOYzROnlaOUnD480H1xWZ_ZJwkXnw5dM4rrew3Uk/s320/Face+of+India++%2528Huitt%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The face of India</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: S. Huitt)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: large;">"Discovery"
is the key that unlocks the pleasures of travel and discovery can occur at any
time in any place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: large;">Certainly
the flip side of the traveler's dilemma is easier to justify. After all the
very </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">nature of travel is to see and to experience the world beyond our personal
borders. Traveling to a new destination is therefore by definition already incorporated
into the process of being on the move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">On the
other hand, returning to a place for a second, third or, even, fourth time should
not deter travelers. Actually it should be regarded as a luxury or a bonus.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8zPkFKihI-kIA7-nfgGCUPHFokFw-K8S1tAVrgBEDXYX3Hyt9DS1fcTJAFVAwGwvGygeKJ6fvm2chYSDlSL5UZ5zovCJ1_A9va-QG9T9hrwnr-M_YeACy7nudg3-_FzhH2QH68lkMUM/s1600/Model+of+Herod%2527s+Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8zPkFKihI-kIA7-nfgGCUPHFokFw-K8S1tAVrgBEDXYX3Hyt9DS1fcTJAFVAwGwvGygeKJ6fvm2chYSDlSL5UZ5zovCJ1_A9va-QG9T9hrwnr-M_YeACy7nudg3-_FzhH2QH68lkMUM/s320/Model+of+Herod%2527s+Palace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Model of Herod's Palace</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">at Masada in Israel</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">In this
day and age of social media, there's often pressure to view vacations as
checklist travel in order to outdo others. Avoid such temptations at all costs
because it is the least satisfying form of travel there is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1eURGqdqlRdVd5DS1enD2JmISZzWTZGZGumVRPeTe4l6FWmgXCj-f4AmE1KQ6F-qAj0JWde4psKQ4xi_aEcaxDJNX2UvZleEv4I09G6Pj9rZJYIpvOm-phsCNsc0eb1koaRVf4IYIgY/s1600/Typical+scene+in+India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1eURGqdqlRdVd5DS1enD2JmISZzWTZGZGumVRPeTe4l6FWmgXCj-f4AmE1KQ6F-qAj0JWde4psKQ4xi_aEcaxDJNX2UvZleEv4I09G6Pj9rZJYIpvOm-phsCNsc0eb1koaRVf4IYIgY/s640/Typical+scene+in+India.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Typical scene in the streets of India</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: S. Huitt)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Whether you prefer seeing</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">new places over return visits or some combination of the two, the purpose of a trip is to experience the things you want to experience on your terms.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">However you achieve it is up to you, but always be a traveler first instead of a tourist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br style="font-size: medium;" /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-42752967593394336822020-01-17T17:36:00.000-05:002020-01-17T17:41:15.273-05:00How we can help Australia and its bushfires<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdLTh_WXfpoc9s17TPX3Bvh3_kbYgvehzVR8AQ6jFhXcCSMQFQ16h2WxfXbVyNu116NffBHb-upJirlunIp70F-hnMFN96eKK-AKsTIx_lT_YkSSfWlVTiktnJIh2q5_54KCNchb7Mw0/s1600/Bushfire_at_Captain_Creek_central_Queensland_Australia++%252880+trading+24+--+wiki+3.0%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdLTh_WXfpoc9s17TPX3Bvh3_kbYgvehzVR8AQ6jFhXcCSMQFQ16h2WxfXbVyNu116NffBHb-upJirlunIp70F-hnMFN96eKK-AKsTIx_lT_YkSSfWlVTiktnJIh2q5_54KCNchb7Mw0/s640/Bushfire_at_Captain_Creek_central_Queensland_Australia++%252880+trading+24+--+wiki+3.0%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bushfires continue to rage in Australia, but we can help</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy:
80 trading 24 -- licensed under the Creative Commons </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: small;">Attribution 3.0 Unported
license)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9.0pt;">AUSTRALIA</span></b></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> — When it comes to ultra-long
distance travel, most Americans are hard pressed to find two more appealing
destinations than <st1:country-region w:st="on">New<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zealand</st1:country-region><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Presently
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
is battling devastating bushfires fueled by high winds and weather extremes that
are expected to scorch the island continent during the summer season "down
under." Environmental damage in wildlife and ecological habitats promises
to be staggering.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF7LyW8kK7bMAG8fOZCW2wczmuSq0zh0VVtBRRxVYsahKQ1A6OFWOF3zzzvIL68bZewJTOLzGiCMmfGbz8TZlTtF4-Vuhf0R6zxWvfr68qldFGgaNK7777UKRkjX38YsX-FacfW8E1us/s1600/Darling+Harbor+--%2528sydney.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF7LyW8kK7bMAG8fOZCW2wczmuSq0zh0VVtBRRxVYsahKQ1A6OFWOF3zzzvIL68bZewJTOLzGiCMmfGbz8TZlTtF4-Vuhf0R6zxWvfr68qldFGgaNK7777UKRkjX38YsX-FacfW8E1us/s640/Darling+Harbor+--%2528sydney.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Australians have a spirit all their own that is infectious --</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">View of Darling Harbour</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: sydney.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Though
large, </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is still an island and, therefore, typically the climate is influenced by ocean
currents, including the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Ocean_Dipole" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Indian Ocean Dipole">Indian Ocean Dipole</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> and the El
Nino-Southern Oscillation. These climatic patterns often correlate with
periodic </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought_in_Australia" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Drought in Australia">drought</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">s and a seasonal tropical low-pressure
system that produces </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Cyclone">cyclones</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> in the northern region of the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Australians
could easily be called the "Texans of Oceania." They are fiercely
independent, passionately proud, highly competitive, vociferously opinionated
and yet, at the same time they are magnanimously friendly, charmingly
hospitable and, perhaps most admirably, dedicatedly loyal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Australia</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> is the largest country
in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceania" title="Oceania">Oceania</a> and
the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_area" title="List of countries and dependencies by area">sixth-largest country by
total area</a> in the world. Most of the population resides in coastal cities
that line the perimeter of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Most
visits to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region> begin
and/or end in <st1:city w:st="on">Sydney</st1:city>, the bustling, lively
capital of <st1:state w:st="on">New South Wales</st1:state> with its now iconic
opera being as familiar a landmark for Australians as are the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Eiffel</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place>
to the French, Big Ben to the English and the Colosseum to Italians.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxVYmBbAyv2RL5yv83R7JrVZVCqqwh1VBYrMr52pzR8UxltXrxHetBSVdAZFHRo9i1s2TN4Hn-5cEWXcWlixx-MonTCGv-IO2qg8JGqCEfHLS347rxkRvbAFOPTJfCiZ-0DxcQK8Zgxg/s1600/sydney-opera-house+%2528public+domain+piicturs%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxVYmBbAyv2RL5yv83R7JrVZVCqqwh1VBYrMr52pzR8UxltXrxHetBSVdAZFHRo9i1s2TN4Hn-5cEWXcWlixx-MonTCGv-IO2qg8JGqCEfHLS347rxkRvbAFOPTJfCiZ-0DxcQK8Zgxg/s320/sydney-opera-house+%2528public+domain+piicturs%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sydney Opera House</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: public domain pictures)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Regarded
as one of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings, the
gleaming white layered shell-shaped Opera House Performing Arts Centre at </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sydney</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Harbour</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is a multi-purpose venue that is capable of offering several different performances
simultaneously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Adjacent
to <st1:city w:st="on">Sydney</st1:city>'s city center is <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Darling</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Harbour</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
a large recreational and pedestrian area situated on the western outskirts of
the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_central_business_district" title="Sydney central business district">central business district</a>. Originally
named Long Cove, the locality extends northwards from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatown,_Sydney" title="Chinatown, Sydney">Chinatown</a>,
along both sides of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockle_Bay,_New_South_Wales" title="Cockle Bay, New South Wales">Cockle Bay</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Street_Wharf_3" title="King Street Wharf 3">King Street Wharf 3</a> on the east, and to
the suburb of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrmont,_New_South_Wales" title="Pyrmont, New South Wales">Pyrmont</a> on the west. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfIkGaOolQQ6zNvrVt3HqWm-HgM7KeQu4eeZnqJ52ebPNOK4uIUKSidSYNuRCaQcpYRDya_yZTa-S1HsErSgj4HPf-_P2Mp2SuwiWSbs7apCP32hs1I96zXHE3-uM0H8lV71pAQVhERE/s1600/sydney.com+%2528the+rocks%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfIkGaOolQQ6zNvrVt3HqWm-HgM7KeQu4eeZnqJ52ebPNOK4uIUKSidSYNuRCaQcpYRDya_yZTa-S1HsErSgj4HPf-_P2Mp2SuwiWSbs7apCP32hs1I96zXHE3-uM0H8lV71pAQVhERE/s320/sydney.com+%2528the+rocks%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Rocks is lively and </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">colorful</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: sydney.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Always a
favorite spot, even if travelers have never heard of the district until they
arrive, is The Rocks, an urban </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Tourist">tourist</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> precinct and historic area in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Sydney">Sydney</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">'s city
center near the opera house.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Botanic_Gardens,_Sydney" title="Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney">Royal Botanic Garden</a> is the most
important green space in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city>,
hosting both scientific and leisure activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Fifteen
separate parks within the city center include <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park,_Sydney" title="Hyde Park, Sydney">Hyde
Park</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Domain,_Sydney" title="The Domain, Sydney">The Domain</a> and Prince Alfred Park.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAAKYPJNCBPVxxBHcApnTRLYz2LW7YZDMo_3inc9ni6ialnXV9sYzDicEuzH4EM6ye14NAq5Hw6RGZtVGFtDryB3oxbfIrq1HWPpBKdcWbg3leIQOD2bMAc24nxAIForrIMXN9pfJOno/s1600/Jacarandas+Royal+Botanic+Garde+--+Opera+House%252C+Sydney+%2528visitsydney.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAAKYPJNCBPVxxBHcApnTRLYz2LW7YZDMo_3inc9ni6ialnXV9sYzDicEuzH4EM6ye14NAq5Hw6RGZtVGFtDryB3oxbfIrq1HWPpBKdcWbg3leIQOD2bMAc24nxAIForrIMXN9pfJOno/s640/Jacarandas+Royal+Botanic+Garde+--+Opera+House%252C+Sydney+%2528visitsydney.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Royal Botanic Garden looks out toward the Opera House </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: visitsydney.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">But
these are merely appetizers which most avid travelers easily discover on their
own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Beyond <st1:city w:st="on">Sydney</st1:city>, just a two hour drive west, are the <st1:place w:st="on">Blue Mountains</st1:place> with their seemingly infinite stretches of
eucalyptus trees. This UNESCO World Heritage area boasts of 87 miles of walking
trails that include native bush-lands, impressive rock formations and underground
caves.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YoPyYTCJ1GwyD8DYyPJmCGFTwpMW7cTTZhtUcuiirj_kGlrPVOUc9zpu0Tu3da6XVYcyq89WkhIWAkcexzcOq4Pzu5Szz_r6fE8HGcGyVAHiNDg4A7UwsIN2L7ssu1efnlATPngKI4k/s1600/blue-mountains++-%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YoPyYTCJ1GwyD8DYyPJmCGFTwpMW7cTTZhtUcuiirj_kGlrPVOUc9zpu0Tu3da6XVYcyq89WkhIWAkcexzcOq4Pzu5Szz_r6fE8HGcGyVAHiNDg4A7UwsIN2L7ssu1efnlATPngKI4k/s320/blue-mountains++-%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Blue Mountains beckon</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Here you
can be entertained by stories told by local Aboriginal guides and also admire
the craftsmanship of resident artisans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Be sure
to dine at Darley's Restaurant and don't forget to sample some of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>'s famous <st1:place w:st="on">Blue
Mountains</st1:place> wines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Australia</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> also has a pair of equally
famous natural destinations that are more remote than the Blue Mountains but
well worth the effort to make a visit: the <st1:place w:st="on">Great Barrier
Reef</st1:place> and Ayers Rock.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gWLvuSi8MNQoGZXDKha0qYOZxJIxnlztvQ6tdDNEl3u7l2udt-4BMMF-mhSYct0W1iic0oxu5UDfk_r7UWzj_eVifHK5cA5ifLOpevoLPeMsTFH6coYKav6G47FBeq68YoZ0qrWK_tY/s1600/uluru+%2528Ayers+Rock%2529+Pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gWLvuSi8MNQoGZXDKha0qYOZxJIxnlztvQ6tdDNEl3u7l2udt-4BMMF-mhSYct0W1iic0oxu5UDfk_r7UWzj_eVifHK5cA5ifLOpevoLPeMsTFH6coYKav6G47FBeq68YoZ0qrWK_tY/s640/uluru+%2528Ayers+Rock%2529+Pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Uluru, more familiarly Ayers Rock, is worth a visit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Uluru,
better known as Ayers Rock, is a large </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstone" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Sandstone">sandstone</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> rock
formation in the southern part of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Northern Territory">Northern Territory</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> of central </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Australia">Australia</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.
Situated 208 mi southwest of the nearest large town, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Springs" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Alice Springs">Alice
Springs</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, Uluru is sacred to the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitjantjatjara" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Pitjantjatjara">Pitjantjatjara</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anangu" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Anangu">Anangu</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Australians" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Indigenous Australians">Aboriginal people</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> of the area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The area
around the formation is home to an abundance of springs, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(geology)" title="Depression (geology)">waterholes</a>, rock caves and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_painting" title="Cave painting">ancient
paintings</a>, and is listed as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" title="UNESCO">UNESCO</a> World
Heritage Site. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lHvdyTsnxmWA9R4LMGySGVFTw7ByIk59wNMrcaIqNyBqzTajXUR1XWUiuQfEDCQC3MRNT4wraCW8iE7aHvXBLy2_CRwBZ3AWkfXbbd-bTa23A_T-1c8r1UvKUtYwe-i21_Q6S93-8OQ/s1600/GB+Reef++Pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lHvdyTsnxmWA9R4LMGySGVFTw7ByIk59wNMrcaIqNyBqzTajXUR1XWUiuQfEDCQC3MRNT4wraCW8iE7aHvXBLy2_CRwBZ3AWkfXbbd-bTa23A_T-1c8r1UvKUtYwe-i21_Q6S93-8OQ/s320/GB+Reef++Pixabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">UNESCO's Great Barrier Reef</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Another
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's
largest </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Coral reef">coral reef</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> system off the coast of </span><st1:state style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Queensland</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">. Composed of
over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 1,400 mi,
the reef is located in the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Sea" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Coral Sea">Coral Sea</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
and can be seen from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_space" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" title="Outer space">outer space</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">It is
the world's biggest single structure built by billions of tiny living organisms
known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral" title="Coral">coral</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyp_(zoology)" title="Polyp (zoology)">polyps</a>.
Selected as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site" title="World Heritage Site">World Heritage Site</a> in 1981, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN" title="CNN">CNN</a> has labeled the
<st1:place w:st="on">Great Barrier Reef</st1:place> as one of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_World#Seven_Natural_Wonders_of_the_World" title="Seven Wonders of the World">seven natural wonders of the world</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">If this
was a normal travel story, this is where it would end, but this time the story
is not typical. The places in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>
listed above are traveler's favorites, just as <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> itself is one our
favorite destinations. We mentioned these locales as a reminder to us all at
just how fragile our planet can oftentimes be.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxbcrz94sFHCg3_1ui1NnJH8ExgjQLvLIi-kRrD4dmjVr0iDLuQ0IuK2_6iIjV9Gt3k_riOTqvnh_dla0ER9mbxCDYBwgl9JTBLvYUxN3VREThhzVGu6uBjozbKMw_pNlzg3vDsmWZ1E/s1600/Darling+Harbor+-+Sydney.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxbcrz94sFHCg3_1ui1NnJH8ExgjQLvLIi-kRrD4dmjVr0iDLuQ0IuK2_6iIjV9Gt3k_riOTqvnh_dla0ER9mbxCDYBwgl9JTBLvYUxN3VREThhzVGu6uBjozbKMw_pNlzg3vDsmWZ1E/s320/Darling+Harbor+-+Sydney.com.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Colorful Darling Harbour</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: sydney.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The sites
and attractions mentioned above are little more in this article than scene
setters to whet our wanderlust appetites and to remind us of what could be lost
forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For those
of us who have savored the beauty of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, it is time to ask what
we can do to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Contact <a href="https://fundraise.redcross.org.au/drr">Australian Red Cross' Disaster Relief and Recovery</a>, or get
in touch with <a href="https://www.wires.org.au/">WIRES</a>, an organization committed to wildlife in Australia.
You can also donate to <a href="https://email.nationalgeographic.com/T/v40000016f817f7c58bb04a3f4bbe5cfc0/08212ba360b04ff10000021ef3a0bccc/08212ba3-60b0-4ff1-8f8d-68a911edcbbb?__dU__=v0G4RBKTXg2GtTHJDsy7ii3waBSrIwMXGZJ7x_OARFKFQAIe3mwx22JG_r9Sy1LWLGyMVrrFIdudbYjwKGAKz6iTAgyV5XAM3SbSN-FzJU9XXpFWtSFRxbGw4nHcgLdnvWYAVcbDlQyQtE1-NmUBscmA==&__F__=v0fUYvjHMDjRPMSh3tviDHXIoXcPxvDgUUCCPvXMWoX_0JoZLAZABQF-bYwVNzZQ8ytS0-ymxJa5FriL4XtHMs9tQmnRBcUMSyLrkA7g8oO-XnjMg4i4kRNgtBki-1K9GzTsAY9yft30U0QCOo6sK1YgtOFG5yTGYCBkoPWAEN9HPmk9Ugdnt9o7F0RhGvPNjNXtHtv3Sw9Ck-hUcUAylJSMYqr5EyidlrcJMVflLPTfbDKfpFA1RiKmXTJdTRZ9hyGHVAsduAtpgyA3L2s6U27mrGlJWmeyAHbPtQptmBDlyNcLcVyOS48U375Zgcxu5YSIMIGVOmpMF5Sa7-apewhA==" target="_blank">local fire brigades</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">To
support people affected by the fires, Fast Company<a href="https://email.nationalgeographic.com/T/v40000016f817f7c58bb04a3f4bbe5cfc0/08212ba360b04ff10000021ef3a0bccd/08212ba3-60b0-4ff1-8f8d-68a911edcbbb?__dU__=v0G4RBKTXg2GtTHJDsy7ii3waBSrIwMXGZJ7x_OARFKFQAIe3mwx22JG_r9Sy1LWLGyMVrrFIdudbYjwKGAKz6iTAgyV5XAM3SbSN-FzJU9XXpFWtSFRxbGw4nHcgLdnvWYAVcbDlQyQtE1-NmUBscmA==&__F__=v0fUYvjHMDjRPMSh3tviDHXIoXcPxvDgUUCCPvXMWoX_0JoZLAZABQFwhlsGcskOuCOhiUNQ9HU_RfHtS9omYCPN877Y6WDLdmNinTUf_oYxMFEnELza1V_uXHNt2uIorg8WMWnQwQKot0GI8yDA4E8eIPSHJXIAQdrdMtC5ae0sRj9vb91exCYFbNGHguSB-Bnpy7iQB_Kb43C6A6738QQcdJggD-TV9XUoS27x7jZcvFcjFRpyhj6hiCn59TaOaHxi38qTo1e0o57-BOtWNr4DrPye_ej7FA6M41uqYKZe_N0YYw-5GkloKbOZKwsz0eVH6Io0XoMus8whCpPOrU88ETQOgdeuWV-9lTEdTMmqxM24EgJ2bm2nVSPNCBVRj178kibNO5S5U=" target="_blank"> suggests</a> donating to the <a href="https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/media-newsroom/the-salvation-army-launches-disaster-appeal/">Salvation Army’s disaster appeal </a>or the <a href="https://email.nationalgeographic.com/T/v40000016f817f7c58bb04a3f4bbe5cfc0/08212ba360b04ff10000021ef3a0bccf/08212ba3-60b0-4ff1-8f8d-68a911edcbbb?__dU__=v0G4RBKTXg2GtTHJDsy7ii3waBSrIwMXGZJ7x_OARFKFQAIe3mwx22JG_r9Sy1LWLGyMVrrFIdudbYjwKGAKz6iTAgyV5XAM3SbSN-FzJU9XXpFWtSFRxbGw4nHcgLdnvWYAVcbDlQyQtE1-NmUBscmA==&__F__=v0fUYvjHMDjRPMSh3tviDHXIoXcPxvDgUUCCPvXMWoX_3g3dRD1DWLuBvQKG_CNQ-2BVezlk6u8rxzX6UlH5wdV4hUBHh-IRVU5Y7hQpPpTGSm5tZKHdcufavnYMW8wTjniL7gnoRac6kFLmjwNbDvNXD-m7hHaIrZ_Ao3AouNnfjbPoh0k7o9zt7w2ZpjUlHV1NO7dxGJGR6Pt2sG63kYxpaT9t1kyWhXy1s7SnQi5Ldb_4UQ6HxrtqU5N7UQaaoRN7vGLtm_9yM6K7TLiW_UVJtSG56JVf10PoVHFAMpSUj9OonsNmX51B2oeG-Rka2ycRtkDr9oP6t76fIFce_FO6e1ax5SC9Acv2AfFsaqKSo=" target="_blank">bushfire appeal fund</a> set up by the St. Vincent de Paul
Society. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuIGlu8HxzH7jcR_zTPggBnMz2nAN58CZK6SR3qWpPfpBPGi2tKDrDNZqtGm-v56Ngp6iJ9AV3OqdHL5RLktAIrvfoh7q1wvR2e46qlVcU5lezZkao6TnojsZtgUhknCUGPimutlCdv8/s1600/koala+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuIGlu8HxzH7jcR_zTPggBnMz2nAN58CZK6SR3qWpPfpBPGi2tKDrDNZqtGm-v56Ngp6iJ9AV3OqdHL5RLktAIrvfoh7q1wvR2e46qlVcU5lezZkao6TnojsZtgUhknCUGPimutlCdv8/s640/koala+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Koalas were struggling to survive before the fires</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
fires have made Australia's declining koala population more vulnerable than
ever; consider a donation to the <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;"><a href="https://www.koalahospital.org.au/">Port Macquarie Koala Hospital</a></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;"><a href="https://www.koalahospital.org.au/">,</a> which rescues koalas in regions across New South Wales. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
As Executive Editor, George Stone of <i>TRAVEL</i>, a publication of <i>National
Geographic</i>, so appropriately writes, "It's not enough to love a land only
when the sun shines. Now is the time to care for a faraway place as if it were
our own backyard."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-14660349535953415752020-01-10T12:24:00.000-05:002020-01-10T12:24:15.838-05:00Escape winter in one of these five (or six) great Caribbean islands<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SILmgASQlduQhyphenhyphenX0HzANVy2IlGsDNTLA4l-Hm_YRUTr0a5rIOgIEC1zWJFAXvTPe8IpJyUl-ZqrwzOAPT8IuqWk5ilnZPQ-bRBx8CQVD9JFtKyqGM_C37OyCS0fDYfNSaahklsDyRjg/s1600/snorkeling-with+sea+-turtles-++%2528Barbados+Toursim%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SILmgASQlduQhyphenhyphenX0HzANVy2IlGsDNTLA4l-Hm_YRUTr0a5rIOgIEC1zWJFAXvTPe8IpJyUl-ZqrwzOAPT8IuqWk5ilnZPQ-bRBx8CQVD9JFtKyqGM_C37OyCS0fDYfNSaahklsDyRjg/s640/snorkeling-with+sea+-turtles-++%2528Barbados+Toursim%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Caribbean is a land of perpetual sunshine that is generally</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">far from the madding crowds of other destinations</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Barbados Tourism)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">CARIBBEAN</span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> — Sometimes the Caribbean can be a traveler's dilemma. On one hand
the stretches of white sand beaches, crystal clear water and eternal sunshine
are as beguiling as any destination could be. On the other, for the most part,
"if you have seen one, you've seen'm all."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdxeYATrJcAMNDXd9Q_oyDMF6g-vpnAJ6ySLIdO7p4YSFt3vUrSFzQ_okx3NyXzRgeX_Aguf0zUQjkXrqfG6G-2Ldoiiq89Zt2ijX3beUA7PTQaglVj74DcAz0Crmj9O-c_qfyOJHRhg/s1600/Cabanas+on+Grace+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdxeYATrJcAMNDXd9Q_oyDMF6g-vpnAJ6ySLIdO7p4YSFt3vUrSFzQ_okx3NyXzRgeX_Aguf0zUQjkXrqfG6G-2Ldoiiq89Zt2ijX3beUA7PTQaglVj74DcAz0Crmj9O-c_qfyOJHRhg/s320/Cabanas+on+Grace+Bay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miles of beaches at the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Turks & Caicos</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">However,
as fall and winter fast approach, the allure of warmth and water becomes
increasing attractive to escape the wrath of ice and snow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">So how
do you decide? Which island is best? Here's a personal top five to consider.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoWpTZ8iNDARFrVTyPHAkAMJBAj_Aq22SPPvfdFR2J9R7Qxh1QNT9MUoMyyx7-tO2diZQebz3hLGXRqxFyYKBJFMFgXjZGBVJZSCYDY40EDUFBt982Ib2r2ziJhe0At33kONIK__gQK4/s1600/Hooiberg+Aruba++%2528wiki%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoWpTZ8iNDARFrVTyPHAkAMJBAj_Aq22SPPvfdFR2J9R7Qxh1QNT9MUoMyyx7-tO2diZQebz3hLGXRqxFyYKBJFMFgXjZGBVJZSCYDY40EDUFBt982Ib2r2ziJhe0At33kONIK__gQK4/s640/Hooiberg+Aruba++%2528wiki%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With an abundance of cactus, Aruba is reminiscent of the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Amerian southwest. Mt Hooiberg is its highest point</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtest: Aruba Tourism)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Aruba:</b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
Nestled just fifteen miles off the coast of </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">,
</span><a href="http://www.aruba.com/us" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Aruba</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> is one third of the ABC islands along with Bonaire and </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Curacao</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.
While Bonaire remains a haven for divers, retaining much of its pristine
features, </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Curacao</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> for many years was regarded
as the hot spot of the three.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">No
longer. Aruba has long since surpassed its sister island with glitzy hotels,
casinos, excellent restaurants, shopping and a variety of other amenities that
make it seem a bit like the Las Vegas of the Caribbean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Depending
on your lifestyle, <st1:place w:st="on">Aruba</st1:place> could just as easily
be at the top of this list as the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">All the
beaches and main activities center around one side of the island because the
opposite shores are too rough for beach lovers to enjoy. More adventurous
travelers go to that side to enjoy caving.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWSzoWSQRggzm_AIHGNjJKSJo3EaUpyj7UZfrsBrQcxHtQ8FoWHbhST44TOXXQIZI-0Q6eK9O346LgApHuBUpR1qdYf50kfEXtOtbWZ7WvxBOEfNZzExoL3UrNeWlG6ZmoJWbAKutkKM/s1600/aruba-divi-divi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWSzoWSQRggzm_AIHGNjJKSJo3EaUpyj7UZfrsBrQcxHtQ8FoWHbhST44TOXXQIZI-0Q6eK9O346LgApHuBUpR1qdYf50kfEXtOtbWZ7WvxBOEfNZzExoL3UrNeWlG6ZmoJWbAKutkKM/s320/aruba-divi-divi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Divi-Divi trees grow away </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from the wind</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">With its
steady sea breezes, one of the distinctive features of </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Aruba</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is the Divi Divi trees which grow sideways in the direction of those perpetual winds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Aruba's
Dutch heritage makes shopping in the capital city of <st1:city w:st="on">Oranjastad</st1:city>
almost as good as it is in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Netherlands</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Official
languages are Dutch and Papiamento, but English and Spanish are also prevalent.
Don't be surprised to watch a television newscast where all four languages are
used interchangeably. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj2jjq1Eih_6AGjTAVtI3qhcpwY784SNT6clz8pk-9BNA4W4IhBjbGoVt7I1Ze9iegdw8_qOYtrEDAd5ga1YlN-22t1x7G1WIkYtJp9FAUhr9lhTuc-8l4WWRw-Pd0c1xyXcE0Vp9eWA/s1600/Iguana++Aruba+++%2528Aruba+Tourism%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj2jjq1Eih_6AGjTAVtI3qhcpwY784SNT6clz8pk-9BNA4W4IhBjbGoVt7I1Ze9iegdw8_qOYtrEDAd5ga1YlN-22t1x7G1WIkYtJp9FAUhr9lhTuc-8l4WWRw-Pd0c1xyXcE0Vp9eWA/s320/Iguana++Aruba+++%2528Aruba+Tourism%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Curious resident</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Geographically
the island resembles the American southwest with an abundance of cactus and the
highest spot being </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Hooiberg</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> at 541 feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Dining offers
a plethora of restaurants with choices ranging from hotel restaurants to
delightful local spots.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Aruba
may just be the most active place in the <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNZs7_qFAq0dp8s1-0ox_QsryFmlBylrw62D2oJO7HiAOXlbBNFhQyN0teLe_qlPyXHvn7BVzwps8wHecdqHl00-4-jjWPjOPDSXFiv2KxjqBzMk5IwHzt25yGpKeZragq_n2j-yHHco/s1600/Barbados+Parliament+Museum+++%2528Barbados+Tourism+Board%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNZs7_qFAq0dp8s1-0ox_QsryFmlBylrw62D2oJO7HiAOXlbBNFhQyN0teLe_qlPyXHvn7BVzwps8wHecdqHl00-4-jjWPjOPDSXFiv2KxjqBzMk5IwHzt25yGpKeZragq_n2j-yHHco/s640/Barbados+Parliament+Museum+++%2528Barbados+Tourism+Board%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barbados Parliament and Museum</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Barbados Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>Barbados</b></span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b>:</b> As with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Aruba</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><a href="https://www.visitbarbados.org/">Barbados</a></st1:country-region></st1:place>
has done a masterful job of marketing which is noticeable from the moment you
set foot on its shores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Tracing
its history to the British Commonwealth, it's not surprising that 40% of the
visitors to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region> arrive
from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United Kingdom</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
so naturally English is the native language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">One of
the most notable aspects of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region>
for first-timers is how clean it is, giving the island the feel of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region>
being plunked down in the middle of the <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeQWDUX7pGIV8s-zRpBFePHD-gwX-NViooBE6DPv4zf4lPA5yBiiUTBenrUQNx8cwiC1vqVbcMpYxn7EAaUS6lYT0j6KroFn0sbHZLlpTjF3a1rqQkSCKCb6r3FbEsCvHZTBukxt140A/s1600/Flying+Fishxx%2528P7xabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeQWDUX7pGIV8s-zRpBFePHD-gwX-NViooBE6DPv4zf4lPA5yBiiUTBenrUQNx8cwiC1vqVbcMpYxn7EAaUS6lYT0j6KroFn0sbHZLlpTjF3a1rqQkSCKCb6r3FbEsCvHZTBukxt140A/s320/Flying+Fishxx%2528P7xabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flying fish are a favorite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">food</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
national foods of </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Barbados</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
are flying fish and cou-cou, also known locally as "fungi." Cou-cou,
made up primarily of cornmeal and okra, can be found in any supermarket on the
island and is usually served as a complement to steamed or fried flying fish.</span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Barbados</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> provides just enough to see and
do with plenty of time for the beach.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIwvW77E8HlFMAIbuY8eQTFBDvzFoaHYRaFOmoE1k4Ha_mMzjl2vAam5vbzjhYml-1me1GguXXspOilGfTwBZbmCFQx-1u0e_3cOj0anZDMo5oYoWhKhPEB8nHOH6MqCgw_CMDmbUZ9E/s1600/Brimstone+%2528Ukexpat+--+wiki+3.0%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIwvW77E8HlFMAIbuY8eQTFBDvzFoaHYRaFOmoE1k4Ha_mMzjl2vAam5vbzjhYml-1me1GguXXspOilGfTwBZbmCFQx-1u0e_3cOj0anZDMo5oYoWhKhPEB8nHOH6MqCgw_CMDmbUZ9E/s640/Brimstone+%2528Ukexpat+--+wiki+3.0%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brimstone Hill Fortress is a landmark on St. Kitts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy; </span>Ukexpat
--<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: small;">licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution 3.0 Unported license)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b style="font-size: 20pt;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><b style="font-size: 20pt;">St Kitts
& Nevis:</b><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.stkittstourism.kn/" style="font-size: 20pt;">St Kitts</a><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> seems like a quiet spot until you take a boat to </span><st1:place style="font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><a href="https://www.nevisisland.com/"><span id="goog_1545862015"></span>Nevis</a><span id="goog_1545862016"></span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 20pt;">. By comparison, St Kitts is </span><st1:city style="font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rio de Janeiro</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> during Carnival.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Once a
thriving region for sugar cane, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St
Kitts and Nevis</st1:place></st1:country-region> today rely heavily on
tourism for their economy. Many of the old sugar cane ruins have been renovated
into beautifully quaint accommodations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefMt2wDQRHVByUlP7RWilG76ZVmT6GpjR3eOCNsTtf7nWoS2nRMogubl_0OfAkAFmva6cfEVz2Q8_j7NLDMU1VHdWaii3SjwgznErJjyvlFioLXEArD8CaZpK8cD_wrWd23gbM560he4/s1600/Brimstone+cannons++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefMt2wDQRHVByUlP7RWilG76ZVmT6GpjR3eOCNsTtf7nWoS2nRMogubl_0OfAkAFmva6cfEVz2Q8_j7NLDMU1VHdWaii3SjwgznErJjyvlFioLXEArD8CaZpK8cD_wrWd23gbM560he4/s320/Brimstone+cannons++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cannons protect Brimstone</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hill, Mt Nevis in the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">distance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Most
visitors are fascinated by the green monkey population which is so huge that it
is said there are as many monkeys on the islands as there are people.</span></div>
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<st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Brimstone</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hill</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Fortress</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">National Park</st1:placetype>
on the northwestern coast of <st1:place w:st="on">St Kitts</st1:place> is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the largest fortress ever constructed in the <st1:place w:st="on">Eastern Caribbean</st1:place>, Brimstone Hill is well worth a visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Minutes by
boat across the "Narrows", just two miles away, is the gumdrop shaped
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Nevis</st1:placename></st1:place>. With volcanic <st1:placename w:st="on">Nevis</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Peak</st1:placetype>
in the center of the island, <st1:place w:st="on">Nevis</st1:place> looks like
a cone that has erupted from the middle of the sea.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx2crxhzr5VKdhfHk-pqWKUNqcJOkLT7apy2eBUwGd-t8mHT_cyvChEnQqKFq98kol9Kuke-Z64RvNKpW7xiq0-kKtCnSWdORasNxSOo_VnP_TFosJecb1kJn5Q3tVozlLHSyKTWh_Bo/s1600/Breakfast+at+Nisbet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx2crxhzr5VKdhfHk-pqWKUNqcJOkLT7apy2eBUwGd-t8mHT_cyvChEnQqKFq98kol9Kuke-Z64RvNKpW7xiq0-kKtCnSWdORasNxSOo_VnP_TFosJecb1kJn5Q3tVozlLHSyKTWh_Bo/s640/Breakfast+at+Nisbet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast at Nisbet Plantation looking down the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Avenue of Palms</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Nisbet Plantation)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Nevis</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> is a place to rest and relax. Historically the island
has ties to Admiral Lord Nelson and Alexander Hamilton which make for pleasant
outings when the allure of the beaches calls for a break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">St. Kitts and Nevis</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> may be an acquired taste for
some, but for those who just want to sit back and relax, this is the place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbGoCUIiYhjrAmzXwXcNfTomktBx1Oob7LzElH3CRpKgzaBW7Pu76xGB3s8ZNIoIE7h0VMx9vjtjuUkZq1HmUuh2rLozb5SHEV-gOAhBtu0VP19xYPKk5ucZAMcAxJ-lFZ3gL1Ak43VI/s1600/Checking+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbGoCUIiYhjrAmzXwXcNfTomktBx1Oob7LzElH3CRpKgzaBW7Pu76xGB3s8ZNIoIE7h0VMx9vjtjuUkZq1HmUuh2rLozb5SHEV-gOAhBtu0VP19xYPKk5ucZAMcAxJ-lFZ3gL1Ak43VI/s640/Checking+in.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Checking in at the Sans at Grace Bay</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: peabod}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Turks
& Caicos:</b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> As with Aruba and </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Barbados</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">,
the </span><a href="http://turksandcaicostourism.com/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Turks & Caicos</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> are awakening to the magnetism of tourism. This cluster
of islands came to the game much later than her cousins, which is part of the
appeal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwOq5SM2GvL86TdZbdCTXswHwfsJ3_0jjKbp0RI7WJ5NMX3NZvBYd_AuFMstB4E7d4wkEAMGAc1f6_5PCPuMDDlEo4d3YAHi9BqvOlWhHikp7xNQI5K0atOJyAcV24zHzcNQbxIZlmLc/s1600/Da+Conch+Shack%252C+TCI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwOq5SM2GvL86TdZbdCTXswHwfsJ3_0jjKbp0RI7WJ5NMX3NZvBYd_AuFMstB4E7d4wkEAMGAc1f6_5PCPuMDDlEo4d3YAHi9BqvOlWhHikp7xNQI5K0atOJyAcV24zHzcNQbxIZlmLc/s320/Da+Conch+Shack%252C+TCI.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Da Conch Shack is a favorite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
Turks retain their original rustic charm yet possess much of the infrastructure
necessary to make it the best of all worlds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As would
be expected, life centers around the beaches and water activities, of which
there are many. Hotels range in virtually every category with one of the best
properties for location, comfort and convenience being the <a href="https://www.thesandstc.com/">Sands at <st1:placename w:st="on">Grace</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Bay</st1:placename></a>
near the capital city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Providenciales</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T58yXIYl-NOQse0hql7D9ATwOUdsjRBAiGwKg1XRvJ69DZes2Vi2SSLErwKNlJ9-TbCC6edY27UoZQRNhyphenhyphenY8_oIbFWBYrFQor7dlZ24oW2gLmG6dNILWiVCn9qfsKuft2PRX1HEBIHQ/s1600/Rum+punch+and+conch+salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T58yXIYl-NOQse0hql7D9ATwOUdsjRBAiGwKg1XRvJ69DZes2Vi2SSLErwKNlJ9-TbCC6edY27UoZQRNhyphenhyphenY8_oIbFWBYrFQor7dlZ24oW2gLmG6dNILWiVCn9qfsKuft2PRX1HEBIHQ/s320/Rum+punch+and+conch+salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rum punch and conch salad</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Conch is
the culinary treat of the islands featuring conch fritters, conch salads, conch
chowder and everything in between. It doesn't get any fresher than watching
natives pluck a shell from the sea before having it served at your table
minutes later for lunch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Da Conch
Shack is among the most popular spots for fresh conch served any way you like
it. Then head back to your hotel and simply "conch out."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeHUfPKKAXjWyTJhMgh665ghykUvEwQOrw0RyB4pHfDFgVgnLQZYR_5oxC8BwiFYEEA5yydJVWjFIvdpIrK4o72OX_r83PI1qKmJi2yIuSGQsoZ285P4tQ3AeyPr8Ddzlx-Jk4v6qx08/s1600/Pool+with+a+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeHUfPKKAXjWyTJhMgh665ghykUvEwQOrw0RyB4pHfDFgVgnLQZYR_5oxC8BwiFYEEA5yydJVWjFIvdpIrK4o72OX_r83PI1qKmJi2yIuSGQsoZ285P4tQ3AeyPr8Ddzlx-Jk4v6qx08/s640/Pool+with+a+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pool with a view at Le Village on St Barts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Le Village)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">St.
Barts:</b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> The only island in the </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> with
Swedish heritage is </span><a href="https://www.st-barths.com/en" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">St. Barts</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">. Located about 18 miles from St. Maarten, this
tiny jet-setters oasis probably doesn't have the best of anything in the </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, but boasts the second best of everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">St.
Barts is hilly and small but thanks to its tiny harbor, it does not get as much
of the massive cruise traffic as other islands.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wWEMPx4aC9mD8E9U87HSJdhAUdROJSP13uL9KIZDGGqC_AS4hPnCvM43yAne3yLPbMJrlOJtiOvw2Ev2f5zhr36HnHgY9tskqfRVn5c2DxWEnJPue9Rroxi7gbc9_RO8JCtp2G1Zlk4/s1600/Secluded+beaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wWEMPx4aC9mD8E9U87HSJdhAUdROJSP13uL9KIZDGGqC_AS4hPnCvM43yAne3yLPbMJrlOJtiOvw2Ev2f5zhr36HnHgY9tskqfRVn5c2DxWEnJPue9Rroxi7gbc9_RO8JCtp2G1Zlk4/s320/Secluded+beaches.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Secluded beaches</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Known
for its cuisine which is primarily French, every type of food can be found on
St. Barts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Though a
bit more expensive than some of the other island destinations, St. Barts makes
up for the cost with great beaches and more than its share of character. If you
spend a week at this now predominantly French paradise, don't be surprised to
catch a glimpse of some well-known personality who is just "getting away
from it all."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">One
reason celebrities like St. Barts is because they are treated like everyone
else, far from the maddening paparazzi who so frequently invade their lives.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH44rp9NK-KvDVRhgp8hDXNQphJkNtUjTDA9xmN4MmHrdM6MNl1Wt-UOTsxV6-Lf4-PfrBhyQKIiU6bms7o8X4uHIGPZqDzKdIKAAlBhwFaMeKb8CMS55FoXld6KLX5jrZs5CxL_7Jao/s1600/The+Harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH44rp9NK-KvDVRhgp8hDXNQphJkNtUjTDA9xmN4MmHrdM6MNl1Wt-UOTsxV6-Lf4-PfrBhyQKIiU6bms7o8X4uHIGPZqDzKdIKAAlBhwFaMeKb8CMS55FoXld6KLX5jrZs5CxL_7Jao/s320/The+Harbor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gustavia Harbor, St Barts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo:peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Five
star properties are the order of the day on St. Barts, but </span><a href="https://levillagestbarth.com/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Le Village</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, the only
four-star resort on the island will save you some money and provide all the
amenities as its more prestigious counterparts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Le
Village is locally owned by native islanders and that makes all the difference.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKPzPqUJTEjeLa3Hg7dBtiMpQJg80JTCcLMLaVKFrLxCjQ6CzskLDpAdSxzdhpJixOefN2StlnFPcytmWexjD3x1kGF_GPAMOEukhCrnDj3M2ffaBEo95zzYUg8oz4vxHQg4nvHtlxg8/s1600/Sunset+and+Fisherman+++%2528Aruba+Tourism%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKPzPqUJTEjeLa3Hg7dBtiMpQJg80JTCcLMLaVKFrLxCjQ6CzskLDpAdSxzdhpJixOefN2StlnFPcytmWexjD3x1kGF_GPAMOEukhCrnDj3M2ffaBEo95zzYUg8oz4vxHQg4nvHtlxg8/s640/Sunset+and+Fisherman+++%2528Aruba+Tourism%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fisherman's day is done at sunset in Aruba</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There
you have it. A half dozen <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place> destinations that
break the mold and offer more than just beaches, sand and sunshine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-21449896352443176902020-01-03T18:06:00.000-05:002020-01-03T18:06:49.198-05:00Passport renewal just got a whole lot easier<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooOdcZxRWsXarn01n6TRM6gQ1vIPK6Dxm6qgi6TW9yFq5-yfBSVKpuasTL0SattaUpzPqIOBJWyzhuu1zQmjNIoTIWgbWjvRxIimOjXay1ySvB4ltKBadUMgXl7i9qSXnIZKAXNu4UJQ/s1600/passport-+--+pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooOdcZxRWsXarn01n6TRM6gQ1vIPK6Dxm6qgi6TW9yFq5-yfBSVKpuasTL0SattaUpzPqIOBJWyzhuu1zQmjNIoTIWgbWjvRxIimOjXay1ySvB4ltKBadUMgXl7i9qSXnIZKAXNu4UJQ/s640/passport-+--+pixabay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alexander Graham Bell would have been proud to see today's</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">advances in telephone technology</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;">CHARLOTTE, NC</span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> – The process of obtaining your
first passport or renewing your old one, though not difficult, has
always been one of those "put-it-off-as-long-as-possible" hassles of
the traveler's world.....until now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">To begin
with, many inexperienced travelers are often shocked to learn that the
expiration date printed in that little blue book, in many cases, really means
you must renew your passport at least six months before it expires or they will
most likely be doing their trip at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">That's
because many places will not allow visitors to enter the country if their
passport runs out within six months of traveling. All they will do is collect
your luggage and put it and you on the next flight home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Therefore
it's critical to be aware of that little quirk and take care of it well in
advance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In the
dark pre-internet days of travel, last minute passport renewals were not only
hand-wringingly stressful but also extremely expensive. While the process remains
costly today, much of that previous tension can be eliminated, or certainly
minimized, thanks to the addition of the World Wide Web to our arsenal of recent
travel innovations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Launched
in 2014, an app named <a href="https://www.mobilepassport.us/">Mobile Passport</a> may one day become the travel industry's "most
valuable player" because it allows absent-minded travelers and procrastinators
to renew their passports within 24 hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">At the same time, since is an app on your telephone, the beauty is that it can be used to get you through Customs & Immigration. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;">The popular travel magazine </span><i style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 26.6667px;">Conde Nast Traveler</i><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;"> claims that Mobile Passport </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;">saves even more time than Global Entry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Before
the onset of the Mobile Passport era, typically the steps for renewal involved setting
an alarm for six months before the passport's expiration date, filling out the
proper paperwork, getting a new photo, mailing in the application, and
then...waiting, sometimes for up to eight weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">If you
were on the leading edge of the passport renewal cusp,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>crunch time could be a nerve wracking ordeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Today, Mobile
Passport allows users to fill out their passport and declaration information
and submit it in advance of returning to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>, letting them skip the
paperwork, long lines and interviews at customs and immigration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">As part
of a partnership with </span><a href="https://www.rushmypassport.com/" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">RushMyPassport</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> -- a website with the sole purpose of
shortening the process of obtaining and renewing passports -- Mobile Passport
has established a system that utilizes modern technology to add yet another
contemporary solution to a rapidly growing list of resources that have made
travel easier than ever before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Perhaps
most important, Mobile Passport will send you a notification six months before
your passport expires, meaning that you no longer need to remember to do it
yourself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Following
notification, MP Provides step-by-step instructions for renewing your passport.
Should you need your new passport ASAP, RushMyPassport can help expedite the process
in as little as 24 hours. Keep in mind the process can be pricey, but it's probably
better than the alternative of cancellation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Fees
start at the standard government price of $170 and get higher as the turnaround
time gets shorter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">You still
have to physically mail in the application and photo, but that's infinitely easier
than driving to a passport agency, the post office or trying to figure out the
instructions at the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 26.6667px;"><span style="color: windowtext;">U.S. Department of State</span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;">'s website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Mobile
Passport isn't the only source for expedited renewal services, however. <a href="https://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/expedited-passport-services-now-available-at-fedex-office/?">FedEx</a>
also offers services at more than 2,000 locations with a tiered system of
time-frames ranging from 24-hour service to rush renewal that takes between 10
and 12 business days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">At $449
for 24 hour service, it is expensive, but considering the possibility of losing
a trip altogether, it could also be viewed as a bargain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For
travelers, either of these passport renewal programs could very well be
something that will never be used. Then again, considering the relief from the angst
their availability provides by simply being aware of their existence might one
day be a huge pill to swallow, but they could also be a blessing that did not
even exist in the not so distant past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-77616522251120811212019-12-19T18:01:00.000-05:002019-12-19T18:01:10.274-05:00For a Christmas experience unlike any other, try Rent-A-Santa<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fZm2w0a8n8MFGEHsqVLpcJYybTp3NYyZ5RzattDb79J6ohcEgsOUz4tvhRCY10asYlYERLfjTIr7A6kSvFvYWtCaTydl29tHtp3RtZH2rK9YGhrEnRGmexix5_WT9d9MoCQoYlofAwM/s1600/Santa+Doug++%2528Rentasanta.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fZm2w0a8n8MFGEHsqVLpcJYybTp3NYyZ5RzattDb79J6ohcEgsOUz4tvhRCY10asYlYERLfjTIr7A6kSvFvYWtCaTydl29tHtp3RtZH2rK9YGhrEnRGmexix5_WT9d9MoCQoYlofAwM/s640/Santa+Doug++%2528Rentasanta.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Santa Doug makes ready for a big Christmas season</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">CHARLOTTE</span></b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state></span></b></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">– No character or personality
epitomizes the spirit of Christmas better than Santa Claus. Wherever you are
jolly old St Nicholas is the universal embodiment of the season regardless of
what they may call him in any corner of the world. Be it Sinta Klaus or Father
Frost, Kris Kringle, Papai Noel, Christkindl or just plain old Santa, the
spirit of his message is the same everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In fact,
some people get so caught up in the aura of Santa Claus they even go to school
to learn the nuances of portraying the season's most beloved symbol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH5OPGYuBFcYJ-_0j2uehfX0YrsP4q2f0wlhWCInS-pNbXMFpdWc-GavsKcycjY8dRu5bGsnZJvXArRuerenkNzoBf0B6ENUrtXVK67yyLYEoBaRjPUXJWcoXhunVWinVj-Ea3Bc8Fdw/s1600/I+ate+all+the+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH5OPGYuBFcYJ-_0j2uehfX0YrsP4q2f0wlhWCInS-pNbXMFpdWc-GavsKcycjY8dRu5bGsnZJvXArRuerenkNzoBf0B6ENUrtXVK67yyLYEoBaRjPUXJWcoXhunVWinVj-Ea3Bc8Fdw/s640/I+ate+all+the+cookies.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't me -- somebody else ate the cookies</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.rentasanta.com/" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">DougEberhart</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, a Princeton graduate from Charlotte, NC, is also an alumnus of the
</span><a href="https://www.santaclausschool.com/" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">C.W. Howard Santa School</a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> in Midland, Michigan, where he learned long ago that
being St. Nick involves a lot more than donning a red suit and being able to
end every sentence with a hardy "Ho, ho, ho!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Santa
Doug has been bringing his alter ego alive for over 40 years using his love of
people and his contagious personal charisma to entertain and visit both
children and adults. All of his equipment is professional and custom made.
Santa Doug visits schools, hospitals, homes, parties and apartment complexes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-u8n_FC1ianxSw7deHsbMH4caWhRJfJdVgG9B0aIdRhAJuBtKtmDyCX_Z0IzVOANbnfpD8ohqWJ6aQA-f2lXZcQJ8r5toVuXxcp6GUV60ZMgGFp20QjWZoAtImNfdy2OX9SNrysLypY/s1600/House+visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-u8n_FC1ianxSw7deHsbMH4caWhRJfJdVgG9B0aIdRhAJuBtKtmDyCX_Z0IzVOANbnfpD8ohqWJ6aQA-f2lXZcQJ8r5toVuXxcp6GUV60ZMgGFp20QjWZoAtImNfdy2OX9SNrysLypY/s320/House+visit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kids love house visits</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Among
Santa Doug's most popular specialties is house visits where Santa arrives
before Christmas to the delight of children of all ages, including adults who
are easily the most impressed members of any group.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Visits
are a cooperative effort between Santa and the organizer(s) to make everything
perfect. In advance, Santa Doug obtains the names of the children who will be
present and a fact or two about each child such as their favorite color, a
teacher they like, a special interest or a recent accomplishment. Anything that
will help personalize the visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">All of
this is wrapped into the spontaneous conversations that evolve during the visit.
If small gifts are involved they should be wrapped with a clearly printed
label. The packages are all transferred to Santa's Toy Bag before he greets the
kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">During
the holidays, anywhere there's a need for Santa, Doug is ready including
schools, groups and corporate meetings and outings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Za21uRIQc6GENg0JtPeZsc0PKhIZxsc4E7k5-7h-TypUzAL0Z1WqhvgJyxWeX_M3h3r5ZadXM0lCu2_Qchxr2OUYWu7LifBXp0OzU6CIQoupj67VpWKLIaQpVYQcFFflFeIZvnHN8UU/s1600/Jolly+Old+Elf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Za21uRIQc6GENg0JtPeZsc0PKhIZxsc4E7k5-7h-TypUzAL0Z1WqhvgJyxWeX_M3h3r5ZadXM0lCu2_Qchxr2OUYWu7LifBXp0OzU6CIQoupj67VpWKLIaQpVYQcFFflFeIZvnHN8UU/s320/Jolly+Old+Elf.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Custom-made costumes</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As a
true professional, Santa Doug dons the traditional red and white Santa suit
with various styles and furs. His beard is real hair, hand tied and custom
fitted for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Each
costume is unique and custom made. Additionally, he has over five vintage Santa
suits that are unlike any on the market which have been immaculately created
from pictures and postcards from the late 1800’s of Jolly ole St. Nick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Santa
Doug even provides tips on his website to ensure the best possible "Santa
Experience."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNubNbUU1c0stZbULkQfizd4r0BI9hHnTw0byjX4ySJ78npr9G_I7jzj63Sz9iao5fkeQIhdDSXQ1lg2fpkiBitrTBzGSBpb65VwYBs6MtpuPI2DnHRJTHFUHDcBilCDgT5lImywvaGp8/s1600/My+two+front+teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="720" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNubNbUU1c0stZbULkQfizd4r0BI9hHnTw0byjX4ySJ78npr9G_I7jzj63Sz9iao5fkeQIhdDSXQ1lg2fpkiBitrTBzGSBpb65VwYBs6MtpuPI2DnHRJTHFUHDcBilCDgT5lImywvaGp8/s640/My+two+front+teeth.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two front teeth will be just fine with me</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7 Tips
for a Good Santa Visit</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "garamond";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Have
the room temperature no higher than 68 degrees.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Have
a place for me to sit that is sturdy, no lazy boy chairs, and please not near a
roaring fire.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Try
to keep the kids away from me for a few feet, especially if I am bringing in
presents.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4. If
you have provided presents for me to pick up, let me know where you have placed
them and have the names CLEARLY PRINTED on each package.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5. The
tags should be taped securely and NO GIFT BAGS as things fall out easily.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>6. If
you have kids at a home visit, please have them INSIDE during the time I arrive
and not outside playing, as I don’t want kids to see me getting out of my
sleigh.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>7. Take
as many pics as you wish but if your baby or child is screaming, it is NOT a
good time for the child or for me.</b></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tTOPg-N8JIcNB4BT6D1bGKW6gpMbKuC58Ehf1JSExKWwESkKTbSuCHeSKEZM4cDGEiq7Zro8XxlYBCPByd3k6M2if-E-uY2Ys5NSUvPVqOlFuNT2JwnilTyqj4r0_RupGAgHHXam6Gs/s1600/Checklist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tTOPg-N8JIcNB4BT6D1bGKW6gpMbKuC58Ehf1JSExKWwESkKTbSuCHeSKEZM4cDGEiq7Zro8XxlYBCPByd3k6M2if-E-uY2Ys5NSUvPVqOlFuNT2JwnilTyqj4r0_RupGAgHHXam6Gs/s640/Checklist.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Makin' a list, checkin' it twice</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Despite
the traditional happiness of the season however, every now and then a
serendipitous moment occurs that serves as a poignant reminder to Doug that he,
too, can be on the receiving end of the Santa Claus experience:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">"Yesterday
I picked up a gig at an orthodontic clinic where a Santa had to cancel due to
an illness. I had two of God’s beautiful non-verbal special needs girls ages 9
and 12 visit me.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">"The
mom was great. She lifted the lighter child out of her wheelchair and placed
her on my lap. The younger girl was so excited to have some time with Santa
that I could feel her smile next to my face as I held her and looked at the
camera.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDINWCm_nztiHrpiJSPSJHqb2xLzMGa9CcUIC4Zbn8mppmesgZ9f6_8NvTfzrsfKZNTjfJAGQNi8-xJuanOKiKpc-n_HjKexbrO1a5xD0aPKd1RJJ5o4vAZsHPjiyyl5NVqxIzPtw0x8/s1600/Pure+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDINWCm_nztiHrpiJSPSJHqb2xLzMGa9CcUIC4Zbn8mppmesgZ9f6_8NvTfzrsfKZNTjfJAGQNi8-xJuanOKiKpc-n_HjKexbrO1a5xD0aPKd1RJJ5o4vAZsHPjiyyl5NVqxIzPtw0x8/s640/Pure+joy.jpg" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joy and happiness are what it's all about</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">"And
then the pictures began. (Click. Flash! Click. Spontaneous joy. Flash! Ear to
ear smiles. Silent contagious laughter. Click. Flash!)</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">"The older girl smiled and thrashed in her chair with excitement. I was so
blessed to have picked up this gig and to meet these two wonderful children,
for this is what being Santa Claus is all about.</span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRAseSOCV5_-drrEzrh4Q1O6DuzSLLVw6yDjPXE9YwsSYCYxexnphcXdyFTHx4qULT1lupSxuUYZZhcNarQKt8rWV7HkNuQ5csFsVZiXpk7df7fUasUWfcasWFt0FTX6ZeceI98O_gw4/s1600/Big+hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="600" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRAseSOCV5_-drrEzrh4Q1O6DuzSLLVw6yDjPXE9YwsSYCYxexnphcXdyFTHx4qULT1lupSxuUYZZhcNarQKt8rWV7HkNuQ5csFsVZiXpk7df7fUasUWfcasWFt0FTX6ZeceI98O_gw4/s640/Big+hug.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gift of Santa Claus is universal</span><br />
(Courtesy: rentasanta.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">"It's
times like these that make me realize WHY I put on the red suit. This isn’t a
job. This isn’t a hobby. This is a calling and I am insurmountably blessed that
I answered it. We are the magic makers. We are beacons of hope for children of
all ages and to those who believe."</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-86546307140348633362019-12-13T16:30:00.000-05:002019-12-13T16:30:49.721-05:00Irish eyes are smiling at Christmas markets in Dublin and Belfast<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8am9s44qspkNfFs49sTcURfKJrvTio7BiHhYwrLgbar2TE7EHUa-neMuseH9F6FwCbkkU1IxaHt8G0UOgxEekaMbRpK1cIi_Swt-1lNGVmSgATuPKtkSIosnL1HR38olr5TTuGgzzmpY/s1600/Belfast_City_Hall_%252808%2529%252C+2009++Ardem+--+wiki+3.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8am9s44qspkNfFs49sTcURfKJrvTio7BiHhYwrLgbar2TE7EHUa-neMuseH9F6FwCbkkU1IxaHt8G0UOgxEekaMbRpK1cIi_Swt-1lNGVmSgATuPKtkSIosnL1HR38olr5TTuGgzzmpY/s640/Belfast_City_Hall_%252808%2529%252C+2009++Ardem+--+wiki+3.0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Emerald Isle lights up in Dublin and Belfast at Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: </span>Ardfem
--<span style="font-size: small;"> licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">IRELAND</span></b></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> — For anyone traveling to the <a href="http://www.ireland.com/">Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland</a> for the
holidays, the "<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Emerald</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>" has spruced up
and added millions of lights along with plenty of red to compliment its
traditional Irish green.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Sparkling
with twinkling lights, replete with delicious food and drink and brimming with
great gift ideas, Christmas markets are the perfect places to discover a little
festive magic, and the two biggest cities on the island of Ireland, Dublin and
Belfast, have more than a few seasonal venues that are just bursting with
Yuletide cheer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja40MNc0KCAkzK0inhNU52sMewhfLgAVFDaKQZuI6rnmJH9XuiDBLetTkrDDJhIb5NFLG0s2YzPjvJZ2F3rSVarwuBxMLd1LEwwa5fDgQBKuPJN7zrPO94OuW7gr6q3-Q5wHD18IROf88/s1600/galway-christmas-market-three-up+%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja40MNc0KCAkzK0inhNU52sMewhfLgAVFDaKQZuI6rnmJH9XuiDBLetTkrDDJhIb5NFLG0s2YzPjvJZ2F3rSVarwuBxMLd1LEwwa5fDgQBKuPJN7zrPO94OuW7gr6q3-Q5wHD18IROf88/s640/galway-christmas-market-three-up+%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">High angle view of the colorful Christmas market in Galway</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For
starters a new Christmas market brings all things festive to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Dublin</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>
this year where the grounds will be transformed into a "magical new
experience" from December 12th until December 22nd.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKB96-XTUi5KAeXO7WOR7rZSYfJ2Soy_yBAxvmQOhskxwtxCDaC3ODc4yS78zAfcgrVxZsJbmmoPDjqZlrTSpWkMS45SxdudhugjfHeWwAzVFzWrubAkjQJn_2jN8XXXg7noqXFOKK92E/s1600/belfast-christmas-market+%2528Ireland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKB96-XTUi5KAeXO7WOR7rZSYfJ2Soy_yBAxvmQOhskxwtxCDaC3ODc4yS78zAfcgrVxZsJbmmoPDjqZlrTSpWkMS45SxdudhugjfHeWwAzVFzWrubAkjQJn_2jN8XXXg7noqXFOKK92E/s320/belfast-christmas-market+%2528Ireland.com%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas spirit is everywhere</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Over 30
traditional alpine stalls from artisan producers will be present at the event
held in the courtyard of the impressive castle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Dubbed "Christmas
At The Castle," local crafts-people will be selling unique decorative
gifts and food throughout the day, while evening activities include carol
singing and horse-drawn carriage rides around the castle grounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Adding
to the ancient atmosphere, visitors are also invited to explore the castle’s
stunning interiors with complimentary access to the State Apartments from 6.00 pm
to 8.00 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">At St
Stephen’s Green in the heart of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place>
another winter wonderland called the Christmas Market on the Green will open
each Sunday until December 22nd to sell everything from vintage and sustainable
clothing to vinyl, art and jewelry.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe24KBhuiAbzyNWMiBE5I2vAezC8E2yHfVOmBRdQYN2GJnbpRQAF92O8yFsnx1uZMcInAURkdyhJLVKff_1ACmgPTq4SJWsUOHq6GEjSCjbVkutV529izlE5gQJiVbqrG5JOzj94SWwc/s1600/whitby-goth-weekend+gothic-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe24KBhuiAbzyNWMiBE5I2vAezC8E2yHfVOmBRdQYN2GJnbpRQAF92O8yFsnx1uZMcInAURkdyhJLVKff_1ACmgPTq4SJWsUOHq6GEjSCjbVkutV529izlE5gQJiVbqrG5JOzj94SWwc/s320/whitby-goth-weekend+gothic-woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's an alternative market too</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: pxfuel)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Travelers
looking for something less traditional with a unique twist, may find the
perfect quirky gift for the person who has everything at the Alternative
Christmas Market on December 15th at the Grand Social on Liffey Street Lower.
Here you’ll find all things weird and wonderful from medieval crafts to gothic
clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Goth
fashion is a clothing style marked by conspicuously dark, mysterious, antiquated
and homogeneous features. It is worn by members of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goth_subculture" title="Goth subculture">Goth
subculture</a>. A dark, sometimes ghastly fashion and style of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing" title="Clothing">dress</a>, typical
gothic fashion includes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_colouring" title="Hair colouring">dyed</a> black
hair, dark <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipstick" title="Lipstick">lipstick</a> and dark clothing. Both male and female goths
can wear dark <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_liner" title="Eye liner">eyeliner</a> and dark nail polish - most often
black. In other words it's the "Morticia look" for contemporary
fashion.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8HwI2xaB3WPn6ApvZJbITRegwqh3EP0ou5nxkt0W_km8uOrZqdy7ZlMj_GVcjVvRUsJgSXkDH7fGsnhKmtAoArMem2PWM5DHfU1BdIZ_1w2unUOw-RtTyKj8n_X-ynqbUFNNkXQLoaM/s1600/temple-bar-at-night-in-dublin-ireland+--+%2528Good+Free+Photos%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8HwI2xaB3WPn6ApvZJbITRegwqh3EP0ou5nxkt0W_km8uOrZqdy7ZlMj_GVcjVvRUsJgSXkDH7fGsnhKmtAoArMem2PWM5DHfU1BdIZ_1w2unUOw-RtTyKj8n_X-ynqbUFNNkXQLoaM/s640/temple-bar-at-night-in-dublin-ireland+--+%2528Good+Free+Photos%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pub scene is always lively in Dublin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: good free photos)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Still
searching? Why not take a trip to the harbor town of </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Dún
Laoghaire</st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> just 30 minutes from </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> to enjoy the Dún Laoghaire Christmas
Festival on weekends until December 23rd?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">This
year's theme celebrates all things retro. Alongside the Christmas market filled
with handmade gifts and mouth-watering treats, there will also be a 50s-style
Ferris wheel, which was featured in the movie Grease, vintage
chair-o-planes used in the TV series Into the Badlands, colorful hobby
horses and an old-fashioned rollercoaster.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD1EWBWbuZ5syGMkn8YY-cRG7jKAb8yoNT2ME1eJVqC3yxoJNhz_1LORD9jg9W4EMbGhdbQH0l4-WiE6YdV01H9XpdnNXQH4y51FPg8Xfp7czf2NKxK3iHcLhixDnoTRXLVTCN7iOpjA/s1600/Christmas_lights%252C_Belfast++Albert+Bridge+--+wiki+2.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD1EWBWbuZ5syGMkn8YY-cRG7jKAb8yoNT2ME1eJVqC3yxoJNhz_1LORD9jg9W4EMbGhdbQH0l4-WiE6YdV01H9XpdnNXQH4y51FPg8Xfp7czf2NKxK3iHcLhixDnoTRXLVTCN7iOpjA/s640/Christmas_lights%252C_Belfast++Albert+Bridge+--+wiki+2.0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas lights in Donegall Place in Belfast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">(Courtesy: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="background: rgb(249 , 249 , 249); color: #222222;">Albert</span></st1:placename><span style="background: rgb(249 , 249 , 249); color: #222222;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placename></span></st1:place><span style="background: rgb(249 , 249 , 249); color: #222222;"> -- licensed
for reuse under the Creative Commons</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background: rgb(249 , 249 , 249); color: #222222;">Attribution-Share
Alike 2.0 license)</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">In
recent years, </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Northern Ireland</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
has become a trendy destination, and </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Belfast</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is not to be outdone. The Christmas Market on the grounds of the spectacularly
lit City Hall are thec focal point of the city’s Yuletide celebrations right up
until the 22nd of December.</span></div>
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With an eclectic array of international traders in beautiful wooden chalets
offering incredible food and delightful gift ideas, this is the perfect spot
for immersing yourself in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Belfast</st1:place></st1:city>’s
buzzing Christmas spirit.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pty-mXJGbc2KogznXiZ8c3Ot-TqCA8PXWp7y930DmAJXlSuiX9Dd7wKBZ_zAfsVwtNWJug8og8xHLJy2DXCKt0hm191yexh-L7vxXwbtdOtbmjbxgY-IQmQKAyHopVO88WUq-uzXFr8/s320/Gluhwein+is+the+drink+of+choice.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spicy hot Gluhwein is the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">drink of choice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Peabod)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Food
favorites include French crêpes, Belgian chocolates, Dutch pancakes, and
everything from kangaroo burgers and hog roast to specialty cheeses and as well
as hot glühwein. All the delicious foods are served alongside quality produce
from local artisan food and craft producers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Looking
for an unusual Christmas gift? You might find it here among the handcrafted
selection of leather goods, jewelry and crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Elsewhere
in <st1:city w:st="on">Belfast</st1:city>, the famous <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St George’s</st1:place></st1:city> Market joyously filled with
twinkling lights, festive food and drink and an abundance of locally crafted and
made Christmas gifts for all the family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Scattered
throughout the rustic market stalls is a dazzling line-up of local musicians,
including school and community choirs that add an extra touch of magic on Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays in December.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjps5JXl1PQ5vmGCIe3NFxGj8p_jDD5iLGvWzaPTbDQieuyji9WUMNCx18z2r-vIA_mr4gNggqJiNZRRubziF1an3u2M6eK5Aok7q4UuDwueh1Di0VWz8py3QMJc9ken1dclHFA9KR5768/s1600/cliffs-oh-moher-clouds-three++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjps5JXl1PQ5vmGCIe3NFxGj8p_jDD5iLGvWzaPTbDQieuyji9WUMNCx18z2r-vIA_mr4gNggqJiNZRRubziF1an3u2M6eK5Aok7q4UuDwueh1Di0VWz8py3QMJc9ken1dclHFA9KR5768/s640/cliffs-oh-moher-clouds-three++%2528www.ireland.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The always spectacular ever-changing Cliffs of Moher</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Ireland.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">These
are but a few of the holiday treasures taking place during the Yuletide season
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
However, while this story has only a brief shelf-life and appeals largely to
those who are already planning to visit Ireland between now and Christmas, the
<a href="http://magellantravelclub.com/">Magellan Travel Club</a> is offering a tour of both countries from July 13th to
July 25th, 2020 (including air). A ground-only package is also available.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Ireland</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> is a year-round destination that
lives up to its reputation for legendary friendliness and hospitality
regardless of when you visit. Yes, the home of the River Dance truly is a
"land for all seasons."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-64724627683530574422019-12-06T17:41:00.001-05:002019-12-06T17:41:51.548-05:00Be it traditional to bizarre Finland in winter is Europe's playground<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WFTPAl_E1FKJ7xhJ42sBuPuFJTEI9GLzXZ9ei_3AZYmCFe_vvqu6Cn-f6hfZOBCoJ1Tkt96r3hHgkg-A5YbbrhF3nrTZgYI-IwRX2mTT-U8TdtW_Ek2ZfK9ygF34qbB1cyY3TJRk-GE/s1600/Ice+hotel+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WFTPAl_E1FKJ7xhJ42sBuPuFJTEI9GLzXZ9ei_3AZYmCFe_vvqu6Cn-f6hfZOBCoJ1Tkt96r3hHgkg-A5YbbrhF3nrTZgYI-IwRX2mTT-U8TdtW_Ek2ZfK9ygF34qbB1cyY3TJRk-GE/s640/Ice+hotel+church.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The church in Finland's Snow Hotel on the Arctic Circle</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Snow Hotel Finland)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br />FINLAND</span></b></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> – No country in the world
embraces the short dark days of winter with more enthusiasm than <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><a href="http://www.visitfinland.com/">Finland</a> where </st1:place></st1:country-region>Finns eagerly greet the first snowflakes of the season with reverent anticipation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Here
Mother Nature turns an entire country into a crystalline playground filled with
exhilarating, and sometimes unusual, activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">No sport
represents the Finnish passion for winter more than cross country skiing. Even
today, the Finn’s love of their woodlands and lakes is deeply rooted in their
rural heritage. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSsHsQs7352qO5HxsSucqovcx4o3qW5rlrjDcjVlGlVglZhu07UgWAmlgMHWb4WtBw9_xxxQ9Xa5GpJ4EpukjKIgnyvaFl62Xd3NR_FgZIR5OowRcjKoZPN6PDcPmkHcNo959yy8laWo/s1600/Snow+trekking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSsHsQs7352qO5HxsSucqovcx4o3qW5rlrjDcjVlGlVglZhu07UgWAmlgMHWb4WtBw9_xxxQ9Xa5GpJ4EpukjKIgnyvaFl62Xd3NR_FgZIR5OowRcjKoZPN6PDcPmkHcNo959yy8laWo/s320/Snow+trekking.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trekking on virgin snow</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Skis
have evolved from a primary means of transportation to the most popular source
of cold weather recreation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Outdoor
loving travelers with an appetite for exercise can do cross country hut-to-hut
ski tours by trekking through pristine nature, through snow laden forests and
across frozen lakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Hut-to-hut
tours feature rustic accommodations, sometimes with no electricity. On the
other hand, because you’re in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
no amount of rusticity ever goes without a sauna at every location.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhgycrYcOwBP5HmK0jEUhyphenhyphengXRIw6yJ-vFEFP9K9B-wTVfD23O_4CqwbdvJsgR8JFqHoxxKtLvh0KvplRcDlV_bKm9ESA7RltNDs-oV-luv5FdBWC6ulNYmquXEqBgezB3nNpazjDYGME/s1600/Finnish+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhgycrYcOwBP5HmK0jEUhyphenhyphengXRIw6yJ-vFEFP9K9B-wTVfD23O_4CqwbdvJsgR8JFqHoxxKtLvh0KvplRcDlV_bKm9ESA7RltNDs-oV-luv5FdBWC6ulNYmquXEqBgezB3nNpazjDYGME/s320/Finnish+winter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saunas are everywhere</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">While
much of </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">
is relatively flat, all the familiar winter activities are available with
plenty of opportunities to hit the slopes for downhill or alpine skiing. Just
below the Arctic Circle in Kuusamo, </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Ruka</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> is one of the most
popular spots in the country for such traditional ski experiences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Telemark
skiing is another favorite. Perhaps the best way to describe it is that it’s
like doing cross country skiing on downhill terrain. Like other forms of the
sport, telemark is challenging because it demands stamina combined with rhythm,
coordination and balance in order to derive maximum pleasure from skimming
across soufflés of powdery white snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Much of
the fun of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
in winter however, is leaving traditional enterprises behind to find bold
adventures that are unlike anywhere else in the world. It is here that Finnish
creativity has no peer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB70MgIC7_Uc-1v0qTXAhtaTHmms48RUf4VSMF_CyKBjhw74orDlk_Wa4FMgj7aGUdbwyfwkjn1Nfjnl6E9m-3ndJ40sc51FzVQw7mg3CKot-OFsU7p9ZugTuJ3JUrF8b4L1UexdecbCc/s1600/Ski+racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB70MgIC7_Uc-1v0qTXAhtaTHmms48RUf4VSMF_CyKBjhw74orDlk_Wa4FMgj7aGUdbwyfwkjn1Nfjnl6E9m-3ndJ40sc51FzVQw7mg3CKot-OFsU7p9ZugTuJ3JUrF8b4L1UexdecbCc/s640/Ski+racing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Finlandia Ski Race is an international marathon on skis</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Each
year in February, the Finlandia Ski Race attracts nearly 10,000 participants
from around the world for a marathon on skis. Beginning at the </span><st1:placename style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Lahti</st1:placename><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><st1:placename style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Ski</st1:placename><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> about two hours northeast of </span><st1:city style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Helsinki</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">, this test of speed and endurance
features two major competitions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The first is a 20-mile race followed by the
main event which is 47-miles long. For some the race represents a commitment to
a healthy lifestyle, but for most the ultimate goal is to simply cross the
“Finnish line.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vvc6aNbjwMAa-WHaqMlIFUoCfUTpP_PalHMtyf05TXl1zn9tVU17fHxMnzmtKrNxyxKoi20Fjo2Gsw3X5bCtLvzfttvPExSW95vlNja-sKCKAc6oZUWgdykw3a0FD7atYinIyvctzHQ/s1600/Header_reindeer_race-+%2528visitfinland.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vvc6aNbjwMAa-WHaqMlIFUoCfUTpP_PalHMtyf05TXl1zn9tVU17fHxMnzmtKrNxyxKoi20Fjo2Gsw3X5bCtLvzfttvPExSW95vlNja-sKCKAc6oZUWgdykw3a0FD7atYinIyvctzHQ/s640/Header_reindeer_race-+%2528visitfinland.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reindeer skiing at a reindeer round-up in Lapland</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">How
about reindeer skiing which is popular in </span><st1:place style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Lapland</st1:place><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">?
Just hook a bridle and tow-rope to your favorite reindeer and race across the
tundra at breakneck speed.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Lapland</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> is also home to annual reindeer round-ups. Just as bison
were integral to the lives of native Americans in the western <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for food, shelter and clothing, so too, are reindeer for the Lapps. Round-ups
allow visitors to participate in herding reindeer, often by helicopter, as the
animals are separated for breeding, slaughter, being returned to their owners
or released back into the wild.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2H2Ps0ZDYafk_vxZ2G72FeidGuElHM_Qy2Hx_493pj-mjP2-sB3ep4Ugst23GTFO4mO2YJo_Rr6Hd-vNEyuc5JAKQpTMEPnRwhNX57dV5PEbaiWb9OJZQJkIL8vE7OMVR-UjEVxGs_c/s1600/Dogsledding+in+the+Arctic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2H2Ps0ZDYafk_vxZ2G72FeidGuElHM_Qy2Hx_493pj-mjP2-sB3ep4Ugst23GTFO4mO2YJo_Rr6Hd-vNEyuc5JAKQpTMEPnRwhNX57dV5PEbaiWb9OJZQJkIL8vE7OMVR-UjEVxGs_c/s320/Dogsledding+in+the+Arctic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dog sledding is also popular</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Throughout
the dark-shortened days of winter in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> ice sculpture contests are
a popular diversion in many small villages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Just
because temperatures are freezing and summer is either long forgotten or too
far in the future to dream about, does not mean that Finns don’t remember the
range of activities that await after the snow melts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyinKNK6Cdu8KhB0f69XzihHXeawHH3KLLH4LTiYGbxX7Wrv7ZuneF83vAlo5moajliNAbrZzC-5y4ciyvgTda2KC9PEmobNxucUaVilpMj2F5edFWVBZzbdITsU3DYJan_gU6OxZaIY/s1600/Snow+golf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyinKNK6Cdu8KhB0f69XzihHXeawHH3KLLH4LTiYGbxX7Wrv7ZuneF83vAlo5moajliNAbrZzC-5y4ciyvgTda2KC9PEmobNxucUaVilpMj2F5edFWVBZzbdITsU3DYJan_gU6OxZaIY/s320/Snow+golf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's play 36 holes</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">How
about a round of snow golf where the “greens” become “whites” and balls are
orange to make them easier to find. A little snow will never keep a dedicated
Finnish duffer from making his appointed rounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">How
about fishing? After all, the fish are still under all of that frozen water.
Drill a hole, set up a stool, get a hot glass of cider, drop a line and you’re
in business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There's
horse racing too. The trotters at Vermo run all year long.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY7KLghXpNjNoVuJ_c0928s2teIZph1sHoEyIbBAftALsMwr60222qvAib4p7ikWhLArHmw8kybFW4FZdBfE5IhmNn17vBm3DIPf3nVa3ODctmbcrceDwy5Hk14LiIWYBOZgkXdemeBY/s1600/Ice+swimming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY7KLghXpNjNoVuJ_c0928s2teIZph1sHoEyIbBAftALsMwr60222qvAib4p7ikWhLArHmw8kybFW4FZdBfE5IhmNn17vBm3DIPf3nVa3ODctmbcrceDwy5Hk14LiIWYBOZgkXdemeBY/s640/Ice+swimming.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Summer swimming is for sissies</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">For
members of the Polar Bear Club, why not compete in a winter swim meet? A regulation
pool is chiseled out of the ice and all the events are just like summer; breast
stroke, butterfly, backstroke and freestyle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU9nPaXDvdnLIeJrwuLJ4ULCf2d6Sw31wBT8fiWWXoBIZHJ74OC_s1g3wSbiGIx6wXlawK46dS70PYGC5JsaFWT6qDv_a7pA2QoYCJaOT0Eei9K0CMJKbVh75muMlEHtsR15lp_Mi18w/s1600/kemi4+Sampo++%2528Scandi+Travel%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="540" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU9nPaXDvdnLIeJrwuLJ4ULCf2d6Sw31wBT8fiWWXoBIZHJ74OC_s1g3wSbiGIx6wXlawK46dS70PYGC5JsaFWT6qDv_a7pA2QoYCJaOT0Eei9K0CMJKbVh75muMlEHtsR15lp_Mi18w/s640/kemi4+Sampo++%2528Scandi+Travel%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do an icebreaker cruise on the Sampo, then don a wet-suit</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">for a dip in the Baltic</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Scandi Travel)</span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Many
travelers find cruising relaxing. So do the Finns. That’s why they offer
</span><span id="goog_1793937683" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"></span><a href="https://www.visitfinland.com/article/the-mighty-sampo/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">ice-breaker cruises</a><span id="goog_1793937684" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"></span><span id="goog_1802349984" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"></a><span id="goog_1802349985" style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"></span><span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> more than half of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The best
known and most popular is aboard the Sampo, a retired government ice-breaker
that takes travelers out to chop up the ice. Sampo sails out of the seaport
city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kemi</st1:place></st1:city>.
During the tour, participants are allowed to outfit themselves in brightly
colored wet-suits and go for a dip in the <st1:place w:st="on">Gulf of Bothnia</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5F81OE-Or2W-8PweMkExqkMQ0bdDtopIkltH2PYVxiRC7uRrZDOhsTVL0tbqLRS7h4r2aiRFbjEwGLY8pASHzA2I4M-s0mP6x8ozv2XPFWJPFwi0AAS6_1UNxJkT76JBjyuWptgZ6KU/s1600/The+mysterious+Northern+Lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5F81OE-Or2W-8PweMkExqkMQ0bdDtopIkltH2PYVxiRC7uRrZDOhsTVL0tbqLRS7h4r2aiRFbjEwGLY8pASHzA2I4M-s0mP6x8ozv2XPFWJPFwi0AAS6_1UNxJkT76JBjyuWptgZ6KU/s320/The+mysterious+Northern+Lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where better to see the </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Aurora Borealis than Finland</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Finnish Tourist Board)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Summer
has the midnight sun, but even that cannot compete with the Aurora Borealis or
Northern lights of winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">When
conditions are exactly right, another phenomenon known as the “blue-moment”
occurs just before sunset when eerie shades of blue envelop the surroundings to
create an alien-like atmosphere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Try
snowmobiling or dog-sledding. If no dogs are available, no matter, you can do a
reindeer safari instead.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLks_suXFle3BTGCUcNzr2DyGeL3nauy0RjneL2ImC6PkrVacvjRnKkUmjnEkTcrlGPUETtPzOsxW-_niodR3ZB4flZdLjf9i3qURuE_2fW7494tg6GIkuMEt8FMlAfTnlSITBfd9JTw/s1600/Sauna+Society+of+Helsinki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLks_suXFle3BTGCUcNzr2DyGeL3nauy0RjneL2ImC6PkrVacvjRnKkUmjnEkTcrlGPUETtPzOsxW-_niodR3ZB4flZdLjf9i3qURuE_2fW7494tg6GIkuMEt8FMlAfTnlSITBfd9JTw/s640/Sauna+Society+of+Helsinki.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saunas are the Finnish National pastime</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Sauna Society of Helsinki}</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Of
course there’s always sledding, skating and campfire cookouts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Whatever
your interests, be they offbeat, traditional, adventure or something in
between, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
welcomes visitors to the wonders of winter. The Finns refer to it as “snow-how”
because in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
there’s no business like “snow” business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-43347780500411179312019-11-29T10:08:00.000-05:002019-11-29T10:08:42.304-05:00Learning the origins of some of our favorite Christmas traditions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y8VGHFgGYfQHvSjWjEaq6aCPxYZ9FY1zi9aF_9P4m14Jtazc5sZw9LL6poTLqtHfg1boBWQh2xTPdkItSxX1LAkSXpqX43YbiFHL3boHEmWlhsLI1hb2cxS3TCBoTfBhFEVMTztMn6s/s1600/christmas-market-in+prague+%2528czechTourism.com%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y8VGHFgGYfQHvSjWjEaq6aCPxYZ9FY1zi9aF_9P4m14Jtazc5sZw9LL6poTLqtHfg1boBWQh2xTPdkItSxX1LAkSXpqX43YbiFHL3boHEmWlhsLI1hb2cxS3TCBoTfBhFEVMTztMn6s/s640/christmas-market-in+prague+%2528czechTourism.com%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aerial view of the lively Christmas market in Prague</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: CzechTourism.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">EUROPE</span></b></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> – Thanksgiving 2019 is now only a memory and the December frenzy of Christmas and New Years looms on the
horizon. Mercifully, since Turkey Day came late this year, the Christmas season
is shorter and, for many, that is a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Still, no
holiday season has more traditions than Christmas, but few of us know of their
origins with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> being
among the greatest contributors to our yuletide rituals?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">According
to legend, a monk traveled to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Thuringia</st1:city>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> in the
7th century to teach the word of God. Situated in the central part of the
country, <st1:place w:st="on">Thuringia</st1:place> was well known for its
dense forests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEq-j7NOrAx0UeJkA9FKNNPKPcv42laOeIMDVIdoViLgFNYss46aF-eRlXz7WTF3D0RWkeR4fRlXcZE4vOov1FNriq6Z2SupqNwQWYJFInsJUDJHjNaK6Dwp7KCdwBVj1n6XFGJCXsZM/s1600/oh-christmas-tree-+%2528public+domain+pictores%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEq-j7NOrAx0UeJkA9FKNNPKPcv42laOeIMDVIdoViLgFNYss46aF-eRlXz7WTF3D0RWkeR4fRlXcZE4vOov1FNriq6Z2SupqNwQWYJFInsJUDJHjNaK6Dwp7KCdwBVj1n6XFGJCXsZM/s320/oh-christmas-tree-+%2528public+domain+pictores%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas trees were one of</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the first traditions</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Public Domain Pictures)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">With its
abundance of timber, the monk began using fir trees as a means of explaining
the concept of the Holy Trinity to local peasants. Over the centuries the fir
became known as “God’s Tree.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">By the
12th century, firs were being brought indoors during Christmas and being hung
upside-down as a symbol of Christianity. The triangular shape represented the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. By hanging a tree from the ceiling people knew it
had greater significance than mere decoration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Over
time, the idea of inverting a tree became lost, yielding to an upright position
with candles as decoration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs4nETvWs6Egsyhevop92e5bNisB2Yil7Loq9ouD8YrtS04Irkgr-yUx7mTtf1OonXamK_3kFrKS25hG-BH815egI7T6p1QX3Upy4-Ci6DPAhzW5j5lWwjwUgMGcralsO6OxzSvbLYbM/s1600/Flickr+%2528Attribution+2.0+Generic+%2528CC+BY+2.0%2529%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs4nETvWs6Egsyhevop92e5bNisB2Yil7Loq9ouD8YrtS04Irkgr-yUx7mTtf1OonXamK_3kFrKS25hG-BH815egI7T6p1QX3Upy4-Ci6DPAhzW5j5lWwjwUgMGcralsO6OxzSvbLYbM/s400/Flickr+%2528Attribution+2.0+Generic+%2528CC+BY+2.0%2529%2529.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Early trees were hung</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">upside down</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">( Courtesy : Flickr (Attribution 2.0 <br />Generic (CC BY 2.0))</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Earliest
accounts of trees being decorated date to 1521 in </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">, but they were more than
mere ornamentation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">According
to Encyclopedia Britannica, "The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and
garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians,
Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and
survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of
decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the
devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">During
medieval times, December 24 was commemorated in cathedrals in many countries
with mystery plays based upon Biblical texts. Beginning with the story of Adam
and Eve, trees were placed indoors and decorated with apples in reference to
the forbidden fruit. Wafers symbolized the Eucharist and redemption.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOayz6j3JxD3IuYjvcKnGfWbAtLWMqY9KDnwfce1y1LGTjvknZrHUCR_1SduWWqxTRE-hGncSWZTW03JUHYYRRHsU8V_mlwukQXCrlcbHeuLerf2kU3BYOfVkJUovLJJ486JQX1C5JxKA/s1600/Christmas+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOayz6j3JxD3IuYjvcKnGfWbAtLWMqY9KDnwfce1y1LGTjvknZrHUCR_1SduWWqxTRE-hGncSWZTW03JUHYYRRHsU8V_mlwukQXCrlcbHeuLerf2kU3BYOfVkJUovLJJ486JQX1C5JxKA/s640/Christmas+balls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Glass Christmas balls replaced apples as tree decorations</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">One year
a poor apple harvest in </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Europe</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> diminished the
supply of the red fruit to place on the trees. As an alternative, a glassblower
from </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lauscha</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> created red glass baubles
as replacements. Voila, the Christmas ball was invented, and the rest is
history.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Though
we generally don’t think of pretzels as a Christmas tradition, the popular
doughy snack does have religious significance associated with both Christmas
and, especially, Easter. Since the 12th century the pretzel has been used as an
emblem for bakers in the <st1:state w:st="on">Alsace</st1:state> region of <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oTn9WQvXhY3BYEJMaN66_JcHbzm3_P-rTVJkdEJZ2k-Nzy9Z_Ml0uCZJ9cQoCiI4xj416fkwrpFE7IK4mYXu1AZ7htpKYZvQPwZh48EIbqh_s8jWeAhQUbPw4lSZmB6tzwZ3JzOMydo/s1600/Pretzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oTn9WQvXhY3BYEJMaN66_JcHbzm3_P-rTVJkdEJZ2k-Nzy9Z_Ml0uCZJ9cQoCiI4xj416fkwrpFE7IK4mYXu1AZ7htpKYZvQPwZh48EIbqh_s8jWeAhQUbPw4lSZmB6tzwZ3JzOMydo/s320/Pretzel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pretzels are a tradition not </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">many people know about</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The
religious aspects of the pretzel have to do with the ingredients as well as
shape. During Lent when Catholics were forbidden to eat eggs, lard or other
dairy products, pretzels became popular because they only consisted of flour
and water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
pretzel’s shape was established because the strips of dough were said to represent
the folded arms of someone who was praying in the manner typical of the period.
In addition, the three holes represented the Holy Trinity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In the
Middle Ages, pretzels were given to children as a reward for learning their
prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCd8gd_uSB7iiUlFtuq9xcQtXR9ZZBkRVBsppmolTYij_eaI4LM-8x98ykfBpvPq7sOHOdYvA25zMCx6Egqul8VWXZ_ZVO-ElHSJOfW1bWtwsrta7wk1-iRCckyz7w6ACLMLJL4UDuFc/s640/The+markets+appeal+to+young+and+old+alike.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pretzels were forerunners to Easter eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCd8gd_uSB7iiUlFtuq9xcQtXR9ZZBkRVBsppmolTYij_eaI4LM-8x98ykfBpvPq7sOHOdYvA25zMCx6Egqul8VWXZ_ZVO-ElHSJOfW1bWtwsrta7wk1-iRCckyz7w6ACLMLJL4UDuFc/s1600/The+markets+appeal+to+young+and+old+alike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">So
popular were pretzels in </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
at Easter that they probably became the forerunner of modern day Easter egg
hunts. Pretzels were hidden around the farms for children to find on Good
Friday. When the search was over, two hard boiled eggs were placed in each of
the large holes in the pretzel to represent rebirth and everlasting life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wSeUpvcAZucqZqhK11fZK3vHnkge2VzATVxGejyh6N7DRFt7IDD6ZC4gslkmBZ014VhHTemexApFE4xYiItcN_WAeqaJtaAE8ofwDZd-DKBW8sS-QtM4F_muz14f8sCUwjhcvGikxWg/s320/Snow+Day.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bad weather is a plus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wSeUpvcAZucqZqhK11fZK3vHnkge2VzATVxGejyh6N7DRFt7IDD6ZC4gslkmBZ014VhHTemexApFE4xYiItcN_WAeqaJtaAE8ofwDZd-DKBW8sS-QtM4F_muz14f8sCUwjhcvGikxWg/s1600/Snow+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Because
of their “infinite” design, pretzels were later introduced at wedding
ceremonies resulting in the familiar phrase of “tying the knot.” The couple
would make a wish, break the pretzel like a wishbone and then eat it to signify
their union.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">During
Christmas, some cultures give each other slightly sweetened yeast pretzels on
January 1 for good luck in the coming year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPOaSkEoi56ykxBeV03OKN1GMF7RJW-fUU5w6Tl-sYbCsexdMWGPhBahJ1ImFBhGiYo2WBhdttat9aWuUCm8-TIVUhZvKN_pLpmcrX22pZlVDxtqx0a8QWAxCCsdHW4A1Dqo1eR7tISo/s1600/Peppermint_candy_cane+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPOaSkEoi56ykxBeV03OKN1GMF7RJW-fUU5w6Tl-sYbCsexdMWGPhBahJ1ImFBhGiYo2WBhdttat9aWuUCm8-TIVUhZvKN_pLpmcrX22pZlVDxtqx0a8QWAxCCsdHW4A1Dqo1eR7tISo/s320/Peppermint_candy_cane+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Candy canes originated </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in Germany</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p>G</o:p></span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">ermany</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> also claims the invention of the
candy cane in 1670 when the choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral purchased “sweet
sticks” from a local candy maker to quiet the children during the Christmas Eve
service. Needing some justification for handing out candy during the service,
the maestro asked that a “hook” be added to remind the children of the
shepherds who tended baby Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt; text-align: center;">Christmas
has been celebrated during the time of the winter solstice since the 4th
century when Pope Julius I chose to emphasize the light of the Savior during
the darkest time of the year.</span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhweORyyFXnZIfaGyjT-wvASE3z9BZ0gJ9sWZ62nyqYNdoUginTidFjUnjNJV-xKUvMSivzdvLE8dYeiOnktxzu-VYxkYCiEaKwR34yY2kURiVkA1A-lK9SwqUmjs4POnC762W_PuCwlQ/s1600/Manger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhweORyyFXnZIfaGyjT-wvASE3z9BZ0gJ9sWZ62nyqYNdoUginTidFjUnjNJV-xKUvMSivzdvLE8dYeiOnktxzu-VYxkYCiEaKwR34yY2kURiVkA1A-lK9SwqUmjs4POnC762W_PuCwlQ/s640/Manger.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most Christmas markets have manger scenes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">In </span><st1:place style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Scandinavia</st1:place><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> a huge log was burned on or about Christmas
Eve until a couple of weeks after the holiday. Mistakes and faults were
forgiven and burned away in the fire so that everyone could begin the new year
with a clean slate.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPlc617n19muAPRH9GDajMbz0bcvCyLmA18lRspEaC28BjLGiWSy4VMc1t75ehwlkKgJ5DCcebN2B3slQEmSnJqw2nvRmYGVAbG5KXLvVDsWUVxCq6e2ne84autMgRbtc22l9iTciPpI/s1600/Wordpress+yule+log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPlc617n19muAPRH9GDajMbz0bcvCyLmA18lRspEaC28BjLGiWSy4VMc1t75ehwlkKgJ5DCcebN2B3slQEmSnJqw2nvRmYGVAbG5KXLvVDsWUVxCq6e2ne84autMgRbtc22l9iTciPpI/s640/Wordpress+yule+log.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Yule Log is a Scandinavian tradition</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Public Domain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The Yule
log was never allowed to extinguish entirely, however. As a symbol of good
luck, a small portion was always saved to start the fire the following year.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Often it
helps to know the story behind a story to make it come alive and provide
greater insights about the traditions we celebrate each year. Who knows, maybe
that’s why whenever we visit another country, the first thing we do is pass
through “Customs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Reprinted and updated from December, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br /></div>
Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7340679068067923518.post-2786810037544503572019-11-22T17:14:00.000-05:002019-11-22T17:14:01.782-05:00Continuing the search for the world's most perfect massage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWTs-cMa95DZ5hxmm9VndeFxKd7ck2kO1Wq42yLvWPufWF0I295cTWlVQwX5bXVPpK-z8LFp-1ZMoN7H7kPuOXgOceksZJDwwxBg4i_5C8WysUuyKtlM2RmrZO7qeoxW9l84mCOO-IWY/s1600/wellness++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWTs-cMa95DZ5hxmm9VndeFxKd7ck2kO1Wq42yLvWPufWF0I295cTWlVQwX5bXVPpK-z8LFp-1ZMoN7H7kPuOXgOceksZJDwwxBg4i_5C8WysUuyKtlM2RmrZO7qeoxW9l84mCOO-IWY/s640/wellness++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finding the best massage was not an easy task</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></st1:city></st1:place></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">CHARLOTTE</span></strong></st1:city><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state></span></strong></st1:place><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">—</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> After years of traveling the
globe and listening to my female writing companions wax dreamily about spending
a day at a spa indulging themselves with the bliss of being pampered beyond
recognition, I determined it was time to discover what the fuss was all about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; tab-stops: 4.75in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Last week I
detailed the first half of my epic adventure to discover the world's most
perfect massage. This week I continue the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>search which had thus far been an exercise in futility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Sweden</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> was my next encounter, and it,
too, featured a bedroom floor treatment. For years I had heard the term "Swedish
Massage" but I never paid much attention to it because it usually implied
something other than a truly professional massage treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESB7l0dwxvtlciM7DJxdZzNMsk8CJ9zXBk97N2aGdBfdQCdB_JHqdi6MWGTQOVxv0aj1SxduF82WOn3L2NUuow4LPckpD9kWcIrulq3B7pn1aeEMC1B8LvHMHlpdCVn2F0OyOPqEBtZE/s1600/old+city++%2528visitsweden.se%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESB7l0dwxvtlciM7DJxdZzNMsk8CJ9zXBk97N2aGdBfdQCdB_JHqdi6MWGTQOVxv0aj1SxduF82WOn3L2NUuow4LPckpD9kWcIrulq3B7pn1aeEMC1B8LvHMHlpdCVn2F0OyOPqEBtZE/s640/old+city++%2528visitsweden.se%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Swedish massage is one of the most traditional treatments --</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stockholm Harbor</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: VisitSweden.se)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">I take that back.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The Swedish massages I knew about were definitely “professional” but at
a completely different end of the spectrum.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Nevertheless, since I was in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I assumed that the method
of massage would be of the genuine Swedish variety, with nothing sinister or
untoward related to the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Once again, I rang the front desk of my hotel to schedule
an appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on the last leg of
an assignment for the Swedish Tourist Board, and there was a bit of extra time
built into the end of the itinerary so it seemed like a good time to take
advantage of some added relaxation.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRT5Lgm8Mrpux7usGHdMXErLjG5_eNwjlUJfMLhXPJXr_CrJ6d3uKXGLDe1XOJ-WXJa-xnZp-K5P5mbqp8opVGePe734nBN_0f-i46xko98Rb7kh03g6Xy-xN4xeJre9S7Y6pgBk3h-k/s1600/woman++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRT5Lgm8Mrpux7usGHdMXErLjG5_eNwjlUJfMLhXPJXr_CrJ6d3uKXGLDe1XOJ-WXJa-xnZp-K5P5mbqp8opVGePe734nBN_0f-i46xko98Rb7kh03g6Xy-xN4xeJre9S7Y6pgBk3h-k/s320/woman++%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Swedish massage</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"></span>
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The attendant arrived at the appointed time and introduced
herself as Annika Jenson. She promptly went into the bathroom and got two large
towels which she placed on the floor. Then, like her Japanese counterpart, she
grabbed a pillow from the bed and placed it on the floor.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“Just get undressed and lay down on your stomach,” she
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll get ready and be back in a
moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Being that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sweden</st1:place></st1:country-region> is a liberal country, it
didn’t seem unusual that being undraped was out of the ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Annika came out of the bathroom, she had
a face cloth in her right hand which she strategically laid across my
backside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose she thought that
provided some sort of privacy, but given my ample girth, it was like covering a
three hundred pound Parkerhouse roll with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>an unfolded cocktail napkin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Halfway through the procedure it was time to turn
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annika picked up the wash cloth
and told me to roll over <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>onto my back. As
I stared up at the ceiling, she strategically put the cloth back over me and
continued her routine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“Why bother now?” I thought, “There’s nothing she hasn’t
seen or exposed already.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O7ortxBcU46-KsszKRfAYzRoZyJcDoJryj8HyuhX6gvFOUtulqeLdK315IUuji4Yov_Tjf8LccEIS6EiOmmiIbasplut4RK3t7bC8FbaxEixfCBK89JmxruGQuAF0smsTv_A3x3r0QI/s1600/wellness+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O7ortxBcU46-KsszKRfAYzRoZyJcDoJryj8HyuhX6gvFOUtulqeLdK315IUuji4Yov_Tjf8LccEIS6EiOmmiIbasplut4RK3t7bC8FbaxEixfCBK89JmxruGQuAF0smsTv_A3x3r0QI/s320/wellness+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wellness travel is popular</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Annika went about her business quietly and with great expertise.
Perhaps I was overthinking the procedure, but though it was soothing enough to make
the prospects of a great night’s sleep considerably more viable, there was
nothing particularly sensational about the process.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Then again, conditions were not exactly ideal, and that
may have minimized my level of relaxation to some degree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">When Annika finished, she returned to the bathroom to put
her lotions away and wash her hands while I got dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she came out, I smiled and shook her
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I thanked her and told her
how much I enjoyed visiting her beautiful country. Annika nodded politely and
departed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4J8ZDZFTYAXYYbGr0-bGUnpbwyyLuKPOuMwNxJC7BJKpBf3gKpKAS8U2oXcwNFia-I0zOBagMi0a4nTJwnhybLnylQR-2LbMKWy6d4ju8SwgVkqs6UlHTfbTJZuXqOwMdmiIbWpDF_Y/s1600/Old+streets+in+Gamla+Stan%252C+Stockholm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4J8ZDZFTYAXYYbGr0-bGUnpbwyyLuKPOuMwNxJC7BJKpBf3gKpKAS8U2oXcwNFia-I0zOBagMi0a4nTJwnhybLnylQR-2LbMKWy6d4ju8SwgVkqs6UlHTfbTJZuXqOwMdmiIbWpDF_Y/s640/Old+streets+in+Gamla+Stan%252C+Stockholm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The quaint narrow streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Old Town</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: VisitSweden.se)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The following morning, I was in the lobby by 9:45
awaiting the arrival of our guide when Annika walked into the hotel.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Needless to say I was surprised to see
her.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">When our eyes met, I walked over to
say hello. We stood in the lobby making small talk for several minutes and then
I asked, “What brings you here so early in the morning?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“Well, I’m supposed to meet a video crew here today. I’m
going to guide them around the city.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">My jaw dropped. Not only was Annika a massage therapist
in the evening, but she also worked for the local tourist office during the
day! She was equally surprised to discover that I would be her client for the
remainder of the day and that she would be our escort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The shoot proceeded without a hitch. Not only did Annika
turn out to be a truly lovely person, she was also an excellent source of
information about the city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gothenburg</st1:place></st1:city>.
Even so, for the rest of the visit I avoided eye contact with her as much as
possible and, whenever I did look at her, it was as though she had x-ray
vision. I found myself constantly trying to cover myself with no place to hide.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCTTmQOG7PegXUgNsBA5TTSqU2ee3JuJB7C6zKY0aBD9pbfWWGa68rNcckq5IBnLjb5ERalD9xG7V26_aCTDY8uQAKA-TdTtCL7w7FAvuju7gyAU3ax6omJQCiP_gwlyLTDLOjQ4F6pU/s1600/Sukothai%252C+Thailand%2527s+ancient+capital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCTTmQOG7PegXUgNsBA5TTSqU2ee3JuJB7C6zKY0aBD9pbfWWGa68rNcckq5IBnLjb5ERalD9xG7V26_aCTDY8uQAKA-TdTtCL7w7FAvuju7gyAU3ax6omJQCiP_gwlyLTDLOjQ4F6pU/s640/Sukothai%252C+Thailand%2527s+ancient+capital.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sukothai was the ancient capital of Thailand</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Tourist Authority of Thailand)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">While </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
is an Asian country, baseball is not big there, so I felt reasonably certain I
could avoid the trauma of being turned into mashed potatoes like I was in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: garamond; font-size: 20pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">All the female writers I had read in my research had said
that Thai massage is among the best in the world. Truthfully, my faith in their
opinions was starting to wane, but I remained optimistic that I would
eventually complete my quest for perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Thailand</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"> is fascinating, though I could
never quite get a handle on the stark contrasts within the culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the one hand there is a dark, sinister
quality about the place that far exceeded anything I have ever witnessed in the
West. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrCAxQCC6rAflJAHqbRecFpH508gFerHabRCgPsGm-Xdl94rxPuKIXfdKi1n6YQCEJ48IuSlmiyGhWo4dRWukzTuU0Vt9mqlahhxGMo0feg0hPnc1pTbpFic4MTAackk3GstMqzG0EpM/s1600/Making+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrCAxQCC6rAflJAHqbRecFpH508gFerHabRCgPsGm-Xdl94rxPuKIXfdKi1n6YQCEJ48IuSlmiyGhWo4dRWukzTuU0Vt9mqlahhxGMo0feg0hPnc1pTbpFic4MTAackk3GstMqzG0EpM/s320/Making+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Floating market</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Tourist Authority<br />of Thailand)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Then there's the side of the culture that is 180 degrees
to the contrary. </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">It was so completely
different that, for me, it was difficult to believe it was the same
society.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">There was a sweetness, gentility
and purity among the people that I had never experienced anywhere else combined
with equal doses of decadence that I had never before witnessed either.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The Thais are totally service oriented. There is nothing
they will not do for you. There is a serenity within them that is hard to
describe. Perhaps it’s the Buddhist philosophy that permeates their lives which
gives them such a purity of spirit. Or maybe it's nothing more than a gentle
simplicity within their ethnic identity that makes them seem so content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever it is, the two degrees of separation
within the culture seem to be in direct opposition with each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">An old friend who was now retired from the writing aspect
of the business, but still very active in Public Relations was heading up a
group of writers I was traveling with, and it was she who instigated the
excursion to the spa.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO0PavSSDp8tVQFVrlvW2RM-5YtSm4Oo2J3Nq-gsKafOZcY3ISU62RDibnZyx3XzIWJHbR1_21Pjnidbz3EUsIfSEbtCP6VqzYd1fXaoRQQcYwGEXTj696xbiOyZSWPhN8vzqTiQMvbo/s1600/boca-raton-thai-massage+stretch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO0PavSSDp8tVQFVrlvW2RM-5YtSm4Oo2J3Nq-gsKafOZcY3ISU62RDibnZyx3XzIWJHbR1_21Pjnidbz3EUsIfSEbtCP6VqzYd1fXaoRQQcYwGEXTj696xbiOyZSWPhN8vzqTiQMvbo/s640/boca-raton-thai-massage+stretch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thai Yoga Massage is like the waterboarding of </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">wellness therapy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Using keen insightful intellect, I weighed my options and
came to the conclusion that if a bunch of women were going to get a massage
then it had to be good.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">After all, it
was articles that had been written by women that began my quest in the first
place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Since I was the only male in the party, it was obvious
that my treatment would be a one-on-one affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The women, on the other hand, did the typical female thing and decided
to have a group massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of the
same phenomenon as going to the restroom together at a restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The preparation for this massage was, again, completely
different than the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the spa in
Chiang Mai, they handed me some clothing that resembled silk pajamas and told me
to put them on.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqMfwJqKzlLH3JadGEa2MQDMF5sYUh1ygX5szLh9N5FQQHNQUQSCqY_fn5MZiOabP3_UDMmfO-2URT9Gf4cvYdX6Cl2f_z5ByPXm3KDLXu8k_afx4O8wYeOjAqyKj8ARIVL7u_VvrTOc/s1600/Klassische_Handgrife_bei_Thai_Yoga_Massage+--++%2528Sopacha%2529--+wiki+3.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqMfwJqKzlLH3JadGEa2MQDMF5sYUh1ygX5szLh9N5FQQHNQUQSCqY_fn5MZiOabP3_UDMmfO-2URT9Gf4cvYdX6Cl2f_z5ByPXm3KDLXu8k_afx4O8wYeOjAqyKj8ARIVL7u_VvrTOc/s640/Klassische_Handgrife_bei_Thai_Yoga_Massage+--++%2528Sopacha%2529--+wiki+3.0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Thai that binds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Once attired in my Hugh Hefner outfit, I was taken to a
room that was roughly 8 feet by 8 feet with a soft thick soft on the floor that
ran wall to wall. The room was enclosed by a ceiling that was roughly 8 or 9
feet above the floor. The cubicle was dimly lit for serenity but there was no
music or soothing sounds to be heard. Instead it was completely quiet. My first
impression was that the room appeared very much like an enclosed ring the World
Wrestling Federation might use for one of its cage matches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For this treatment, my attendant was extremely short, almost
frail looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thais are generally small
in stature anyway, but this lady was even smaller than most. She took one look
at me, rolled her eyes and shook her head back and forth as if to ask,
"Why me?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Immediately I knew that I was in trouble again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There was no oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No back or leg rubbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No light
manipulation of the scalp and face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
technique was something else again. It was destined to be an experiment in
contortion that would turn me into the Thai version of the Gordian Knot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kp6smiJvXjMxtXAHJAIzN4UFGMxZLMfBLy3ydv6YAQflyXbR09gl5HskIE8Zn3ay3vgdHSaK7WYXQxfD98-cLulhSPa7Tskdh1sdRnj2Hbnfi6RZSKw_6C8Mz2r5mEGoro34rsWI32E/s1600/massage++--+-%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kp6smiJvXjMxtXAHJAIzN4UFGMxZLMfBLy3ydv6YAQflyXbR09gl5HskIE8Zn3ay3vgdHSaK7WYXQxfD98-cLulhSPa7Tskdh1sdRnj2Hbnfi6RZSKw_6C8Mz2r5mEGoro34rsWI32E/s320/massage++--+-%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thai version of hear, see </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and speak no evil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I was motioned to sit against the wall and stretch my
legs forward. The little Thai woman began with a flurry. She had a lot of
energy and was accustomed to working quickly. She was not accustomed to dealing
with Jabba the Hut. It would have been far better for her to pace herself. I
could have told her that in advance had I been able to communicate with her or
if I had known what she was going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being unable to either, I just let her commence at her own rate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The massage was like an audition for Cirque du Soleil. The
therapist began at my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grabbed
my right foot first and jerked it violently to the left. Before the surprise,
and pain, subsided, she yanked it just as severely to the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second movement bent my knee in a
direction I am quite certain it was not designed to go. As I screamed out in
pain, the little Thai woman smiled with satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Next, I was told to sit in the middle of the cubicle with
my legs bent across each other Indian style. The therapist stood behind me,
reached over my right shoulder, grabbed my right ankle and tried to pull my leg
back over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“Lady,” I thought, “There’s just no way my leg can go that
far.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I could feel her pulling harder and harder. Then she
began to rock my leg back and forth in much the same manner you use to rock a
car when you’re trying to get it out of the snow or mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6b7umAf4lXPea3BBfQky2yYsq4dUmqQqsLUg3hrQv0WQ1KaxhHVwBfq0mzwmAYJODIyZDu4i7ncH-W1C-0LkhsI5ZGL7ubvE8hSz2lOR_4B1M8fSDC6-VxEslgwOg_p0oGOJyTP0Y88/s1600/Klassische_Handgrife_bei_Thaimassage_Thai+Massage++%2528Sopacha--wiki+3.0%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6b7umAf4lXPea3BBfQky2yYsq4dUmqQqsLUg3hrQv0WQ1KaxhHVwBfq0mzwmAYJODIyZDu4i7ncH-W1C-0LkhsI5ZGL7ubvE8hSz2lOR_4B1M8fSDC6-VxEslgwOg_p0oGOJyTP0Y88/s320/Klassische_Handgrife_bei_Thaimassage_Thai+Massage++%2528Sopacha--wiki+3.0%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She loves me "knot"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Once she determined she had reached my maximum dexterity
point, she put my right leg down and moved to the left. Thank goodness she
didn’t actually get my leg behind my head. If she had, I know she would have
left it there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">When it was time to work my arms, the therapist sat with
her back against the wall for leverage, put her bare feet against the left side
of my body and pulled my right arm across my chest with as much force as she
could muster. For a tiny person, this little lady was really strong. I probably
could have twisted my body in her direction except that her feet were
positioned in such a way that the only thing I was going to move was my arm. I
was convinced that I now had a dislocated shoulder, and still, the treatment
continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For the next exercise, I was told to lie on my back with
the bottoms of both feet pressed against the wall. Then she moved to the top of
my head, grabbed both arms and pulled as hard as she could with her feet jammed
against my shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">By now I was beginning to wonder if she was a
"therapist" or some other facsimile known as "the rapist."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I sat up while she got down on her knees behind me and
jerked my right arm down over my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You guessed it, the left arm was next.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuviXbYZ3JXer03bBQm0Qokh2YKBGmJYEGmXfWmibYwxY7Xc6FRTApJ2P650U3SVExJyi4S_Z2_nJRP0T3knjZS7dUsKM0nIQ3p5020WrkbiGYiDgYQShDJHVR7geChyH0OOCUhaDTvs/s1600/loy-kratong-festival+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuviXbYZ3JXer03bBQm0Qokh2YKBGmJYEGmXfWmibYwxY7Xc6FRTApJ2P650U3SVExJyi4S_Z2_nJRP0T3knjZS7dUsKM0nIQ3p5020WrkbiGYiDgYQShDJHVR7geChyH0OOCUhaDTvs/s640/loy-kratong-festival+%2528pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Thai festival known as Loi Krathong </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">meaning "to float a basket"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">For a full 30 minutes, the little Thai dynamo mangled my
body parts into positions they had never known before and never will know again.
My fingers and toes touched places they had never touched, or ever were meant
to touch, for that matter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Mercifully however, the process was, at long last, taking
its toll. Powerful and expert as she was at her craft, the attendant was not
accustomed to working on someone quite so robust. She was exhausted, and yet, she
was only halfway finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Out of breath and gasping for air, the attendant motioned
me to sit against the wall and rest. Then she looked at me with chagrin, rolled
her eyes and said, “You big. Res' now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Back soon.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcQDLRwK8jFyP13kDZqiUmXhA9zhgz3w1QucuYdMlnnDnWCmWHD7e13ZAhNxX-gTXoexwRUI_MBaaV9vRb9J-2xT1K2Wc0R3S4tlFygs-0N7X_G6c5YiVxpbnaxSn0sxB7-UGX3tptJM/s1600/thai-dance-+Pixabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcQDLRwK8jFyP13kDZqiUmXhA9zhgz3w1QucuYdMlnnDnWCmWHD7e13ZAhNxX-gTXoexwRUI_MBaaV9vRb9J-2xT1K2Wc0R3S4tlFygs-0N7X_G6c5YiVxpbnaxSn0sxB7-UGX3tptJM/s640/thai-dance-+Pixabay.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thai women are striking, but</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">typically small in stature</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I knew I was large, but I didn’t consider myself a
candidate for toting teak logs at the elephant training school either. Nevertheless,
I had worn her out. She needed a break before completing the second part of the
program. I had to admit that I did feel better after all of the stretching,
pulling, yanking and jerking, but I couldn’t honestly opine that it had been
anything close to relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">When the therapist returned, we went through more of the
same. Finally toward the end of the treatment, she sat down against one wall of
the room and spread her legs. Then she motioned to me to put my head between
her legs so she could work my shoulders, face and scalp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I was on my knees looking at her and trying to follow the
instructions. When she motioned for me to come forward I leaned down on fours
and moved my face toward her crotch. How was I supposed to know that she wanted
the back of my head in her lap instead of my face?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The tiny woman screamed in a moment of frenzy and
panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held up both hands as quickly
as she could while yelling at the top of her lungs, “No, no, no, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ova’ roll ova’. No face, no face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In mere seconds she had become fluent in English!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I immediately realized my mistake and quickly changed
directions. After an hour of merciless pulverization, I wasn’t in any to dive face
first into her nether regions either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently my
error scared her into reality. She completed her assignment very quickly after
that and hastily informed me that the treatment was over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As for me, I was still in pursuit of the perfect massage.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tzqyjv5x4s8SU6WNssALq4DZZ4Cu_FD5zdDAbv5bl4dqzlnT2kzQrvsw3oGcMaMjQCP9jtUFnCEqGtW0doH_6o9ynOarqCTt66NZkHfNDLXxqZZphTvdm_Csn99dlZ4x-9DFY-OAuVs/s1600/Baths+of+Caracalla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tzqyjv5x4s8SU6WNssALq4DZZ4Cu_FD5zdDAbv5bl4dqzlnT2kzQrvsw3oGcMaMjQCP9jtUFnCEqGtW0doH_6o9ynOarqCTt66NZkHfNDLXxqZZphTvdm_Csn99dlZ4x-9DFY-OAuVs/s640/Baths+of+Caracalla.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ancient ruins of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Photo: Taylor)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Next stop, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>. This time I was after
something called a "Four Hands Massage." The unique aspect of this
treatment was that instead of having one therapist do the work, there would be
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">It was sort of like synchronized swimming for massage
therapy. They would work in tandem so that both sides of the body received the
same manipulations at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
sounded interesting and worth a try. The biggest drawback about the treatment
was that since two people were working, the session took half as long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">On this occasion, there was a cover sheet, with no
pajamas or claustrophobic closed areas and everything seemed routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Routine, that is, until one attendant handed
me an article of clothing, sort of, that I was supposed to wear during the
treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPBvZlAxs01K7vAYATgHWBPs6Kd6kXOpASrF2Va5qPXY26T7AAfmXfbdsOQ5-jaCwvNUi6twA_ZpUWbNPlLkq6D8NHx53um4-x30O4ZwByW7CoS3RhRtO-yQe1kw3uJn6diGJIzIpZbc/s1600/Four-Hands-Massage++%2528DiscoveryLoyalty.com%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPBvZlAxs01K7vAYATgHWBPs6Kd6kXOpASrF2Va5qPXY26T7AAfmXfbdsOQ5-jaCwvNUi6twA_ZpUWbNPlLkq6D8NHx53um4-x30O4ZwByW7CoS3RhRtO-yQe1kw3uJn6diGJIzIpZbc/s320/Four-Hands-Massage++%2528DiscoveryLoyalty.com%2529.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In theory, fours hands are</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">better than two</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: DiscoveryLoyalty.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">The added garment was nothing more than a thin paper jock
strap that barely covered my masculine gender, provided I didn’t tear the
elastic loose as I was putting it on.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20pt;">Other than that everything else was normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There was nothing unusual about the treatment, except
that it went twice as fast because four hands were working at once. In the end,
I saw no real benefit to the double whammy and convinced myself that it was
little more than a gimmick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Once on my back, the women worked my arms, shoulders and
scalp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it came time to rub the
front of my legs, they removed the cover sheet leaving everything exposed
except for the little sack they had given me to enclose my package.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><span style="font-size: 26.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinECbI031dW25WSWcwArsJ__wlBF5V52i0fhXyHHmnuWcefdpLarbfCAScaHfTBZWXYa9Bd9U_nFIUjYv0Nqq2_U5inf7CAkIJuaK3Fn9n254mrZYMrU4f2fTjpbxeDWE_6wFlAo9YvQ4/s1600/woman+%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinECbI031dW25WSWcwArsJ__wlBF5V52i0fhXyHHmnuWcefdpLarbfCAScaHfTBZWXYa9Bd9U_nFIUjYv0Nqq2_U5inf7CAkIJuaK3Fn9n254mrZYMrU4f2fTjpbxeDWE_6wFlAo9YvQ4/s640/woman+%2528Pixabay%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Laying on of the hands, four hands that is</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Courtesy: Pixabay)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The grand finale came when they finished working on my
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when each woman grabbed one
of the flimsy pieces of elastic that was wrapped around my hips and pulled the
jock strap away in one grand gesture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">It was rather like being at an elegant dinner party where
all the waiters simultaneously lift silver domes to reveal the food. The
difference this time, of course, was that the paper jock was the dome and my
goodies were, well, not food, but you get the picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As soon as they tore away the covering, the attendants
hastily left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact they got
out so quickly I was thinking, “What just happened?” before I even realized the
treatment was over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">As far as massage was concerned, I was pretty much over
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had tried. I had put my best foot
forward, so to speak, and done my best to find the best massage in the world,
yet each time the experiment ended badly off-center and out of kilter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">In the process, I did however, establish a short list of
guidelines for all future massages to which I religiously adhere today:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Basic Massage Rules For Men<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">1 – Always request a female
attendant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">2 – Don’t stay in your hotel
room for a massage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">3 – Never trust a hairball
therapist wearing a diaper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">4 – Be sure to be kneaded
rather than stretched<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">5 --At all costs avoid an attendant
who is a baseball fan during the Japanese World Series<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">It’s a basic list, but it has served me well. Though I
have since enjoyed the occasional luxury of a fine massage, I no longer scour
the planet in search of the elusive ultimate massage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Though I will never stop traveling, when it comes to my
Massage Research International project, affectionately known as my personal
MRI, I have vowed never be "rubbed the wrong way" again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />Peabodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159448075719161606noreply@blogger.com0