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Havana Nights

Sarah Laurence — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:04:09 +0000

Sidecars are a common mode of transport in Havana

Cuba is a country of contradictions, complications and compromises, where instead of providing answers, visiting only poses more questions and uncertainties about the fascinating mix of people and cultures. To speak about the beauty and generosity of the people, the lushness of the forest, the idyllic turquoise and white beaches and the magnificent patchworks of crumbling colonial buildings seems to denigrate the country into clichéd brochure-speak.

But it’s all true. Cuba is not the most comfortable country (far truer for citizens than visitors), where the heat reaches unimaginable humidity levels without breaking, plumbing works only occasionally and even the government-owned hotels and resorts are not exempt from flies, mosquitoes and bed bugs – great levellers in a genuinely unequal system. Yet it is one of the most authentically beautiful; besides its physical aspects the island has an enthralling history, a complex social situation and is one of the only places in the world virtually untouched by contemporary American culture. The fascination and beauty of the location does much to distract from the occasional discomfort (although it is hard to look consistently glamorous in such a sweaty, sticky and yet sexy place).

Carnival Time

Culturally, the talent is astounding, and incredibly accessible. The amazing quality of live music at every meal renders one almost inured to it after a few days, yet leaves one surprised at the silence surrounding meals back at home. Cds from bands we had listened to for hours and paintings from people we met and with whom we had discussed the challenges of Cuban life have become personal souvenirs of the experience, far more treasured than any anonymous mementos would have been.

Few things measure up to walking along a narrow Havanan street in the dark, the interiors of buildings lit up in relief as people eat, play or watch sport on television. Groups of young men kick at soccer balls or smoke on street corners, children run around chasing each other and women chat comfortably through open doors or on the edge of pavements. We undeniably stand out as being foreign but attract no hostility; everyone wants to know where we are from, what languages we speak, how we live and what we think of their country. Many implore us not to believe the international perceptions of Cuba – they are anxious to show us the reality of the country, the citizens, the governmental systems and the pride. Possibly due to half a century of international semi-isolation, Cubans, even dissenters, tend to be intensely nationalistic. And they have reason to be proud. Even ingrained poverty is presented with beauty and style, which does not take away from the hardships they face.

: Havana Navy Barracks

The sweat and sweet flower smells of Havana, the open doorways leading to labyrinths of households, the generosity of spirit, earnestness and inherent pride in what is good – these are things which will stay with me forever…or at least until my very next trip.

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The Most Popular Restaraunt in Iceland is a Hot-Dog Stand… Seriously

Leigh — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:03:50 +0000

It all started with an August night. The three of us, friends since before we could spell our last names, sat around a bonfire in a southern-Ontario hamlet. The same-old scene: beer in hand, music playing, warm breeze sifting through the trees.

One of us, Sarah, was a day away from leaving the country to study in Copenhagen, Denmark, for an entire year. This was our last night together, and we laughed and talked about the summer we had had.

And it had been a good summer, filled with swimming pools and late nights and all-around carefree laughs. None of us were really looking forward to its end, to the beginning of a new semester where we would all be separated for months.

So, on this last night, after a fit of laughing at nothing in particular, Sarah turned to me and said, out of nowhere;

“At the end of the school year, you’re meeting me in Denmark, and we’re going to backpack around Europe.”

Travelling had always been on my to-do list, but it had seemed like a childish fantasy, not something I had ever known anyone in my small town to do. It seemed out of reach and dangerous and exciting and something that I was completely, utterly, hopelessly not prepared to do. A hurricane of excuses instinctively ambushed my mind; I was too young, I didn’t have the money, I don’t have a sense of direction, I had never been on a plane, I just flat out straight up would not know how to handle myself.

But the main reason I wanted to say no was because I was afraid. I didn’t know anything except for the towns I grew up in and attended school. I found comfort in their familiar streets, and in knowing that no matter where I walked in my town I would run into somebody I knew.

As I opened my mouth to voice one of these excuses, one single thought stopped me.
The thought of an adventure. A real one, like ones I had only ever read about in books. I looked at Sarah and nodded. We turned to our third member, Alex, a recent graduate with no current plans other than working at the local grocery store, and asked him if he’d be interested. He shrugged, and replied with a casual “Sure, why not?”

Fast forward one school year later, to May 28, 2010. Alex and I sit in the terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport. He cavalierly flips through a magazine, I watch planes take off through the window and contemplate what to vomit into: my purse at my feet, or a garbage can at the end of our row of chairs. Having never flown before, I didn’t know what to expect upon boarding the plane. I thought of our backpacks somewhere out of sight, in the catacombs of the airport, being roughly handled by evil men with black handle bar moustaches and spider web tattoos. Those bags were our lives for the next three months, and I was terrified at the thought of something happening to them before we even left Canada. We had a million hour overnight flight to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland, with a day-long stop over before boarding another plane to take us to Denmark, Copenhagen.

I watched with dread as the seconds ticked by. Thirty-two minutes and forty-eight seconds before boarding. Forty-seven seconds. Forty-six. Forty-five. Every second that passed took a piece of my sanity with it. I was covered in a cold sweat and couldn’t stop fidgeting. I was certain that I was going to lose consciousness and Alex was going to have to carry me onto the plane.

The change of heart came while we were buckled into seats 18C and 17C, second class, IcelandAir. The uncertainty washed away as I watched the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean from 32,000 feet. There was no leg room, bad food, and I was seated between Alex (who can sleep through anything, and who snores) and another passenger who had no sense of personal space. Still, I had seemingly left my fears and doubts in the airport terminal. I couldn’t sleep at all during the trip; I was high on adrenaline and excitement for the months to come. I couldn’t stop looking at the moon through the window, or playing with the tiny movie screens on the seats in front of us. When we landed at Keflavik International Airport at seven a.m (our plane took off at 9:10 the night before) I was wired and punch-drunk, and Alex was cranky from having slept sitting upright with his neck at an awkward angle.

The weather in Canada the day we left had been an uncomfortable high of twenty-eight degrees. We were wearing shorts and t-shirts when we set out for our day in Iceland, having never checked the weather forecasts. It was a rainy, windy high of ten degrees.

Amateur Traveler’s Tip #1- Research weather temperatures of future destinations, and dress accordingly, regardless of what the weather is like in the country of your departure.

Sadly, we were not prepared for the temperature change, and spent our day enjoying the scenery despite my frozen toes and Alex’s sudden desperation to purchase an authentic Icelandic wool sweater.

Our first impression of Iceland was: Is this it? The airport was deceivingly set in a wide field of volcanic rocks, a view which carried a continuous pattern in every direction as far as the eye could see. Our first hour spent in Iceland involved feeble reenactments of scenes from Lord of the Rings. When we gave up hope and headed back towards the airport, a string of taxi-cabs caught our attention. Now, keep in mind, our student budget frowned upon unnecessary luxuries, but since there was no available bus system and we thought we were in the middle of nowhere, and not having wanted our first stop on our adventure to be a bust, we got in a cab and asked the driver to take us into town.

Lo-and-behold, to our surprise, the nearest town (Reykjavick) was only a five minute cab ride away. Our cabbie was the sweetest 75 year old man. He had a soft spot for travelers and a very strong sense of patriotism. He gave us a tour of his hometown, free of charge, before dropping us off to explore on our own. Reykjavik is a small fishing community. The population is low, with one person for every square kilometer. It is nestled on the Western coast of Iceland, surrounded by scenic cliffs and brightly colored houses.

Alex and I spent our time exploring the town. The scenery was breathtaking. Grassy knolls snaked down to rocky beaches. A deep green lake led the way to the ocean and cradled the girth of snowy mountains. When the clouds chose to part, coins of sunlight danced off the careful ripples of the water’s surface. Abstract sculptures had been placed meticulously throughout the town to honor the local trade. One, a giant anchor, stood stoically on the shore as a memorial for fishermen lost at sea.

The whole place, despite the grey weather, had such a sunny disposition that one couldn’t help but daydream of renting a cottage on the waterfront just outside of town. The people were wonderful, and delighted by our accents. Storeowners frequently stopped us to ask how we were enjoying our vacation, and to inquire politely about our future travel plans. Every conversation ended with: Safe travels! Enjoy your stay in Iceland!

The sense of patriotism was respectful but profound. Upon leaving, when Alex and I both agreed that we instantly missed the country and regretted not having more time to spend there, I understood why. Sadly, all of our pictures from that day were maliciously wiped from the laptop by a demonic virus hell-bent on (figuratively) slapping me in the face.

Amateur Traveler’s Tip #2- Upon uploading any pictures/video, immediately save said documents to a USB key, flash drive, etc.

And so, the day ended, and we boarded a plane yet again to continue our journey. The sun was setting on the island as we left, and I can proudly say I fell asleep with naught a worry in my head, only thoughts of the beautiful place we were leaving, and the amazing places to come.

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FIFA World Cup a Bone of Contention for Cubans

Sarah Laurence — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:58:45 +0000

: The Merchandised Face of Guevara

Despite not having a qualifying team competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Cuba is a soccer-mad nation (or futbol mad, as it translates in Spanish). This has decidedly brought the travel ban placed on all Cuban citizens to a head.

Seemingly adding insult to injur

y are the African and South African locals that Cubans see cheering from the stands. These are people who they have always been told are poor, and worse off materially than themselves, yet who are able to watch the soccer live, wear official merchandise and cheer for their country.

Many Cuban people met us, as South Africans, with a mixture of excitement and disapproval. After all, what where we doing in Cuba when the World Cup was on? They had a point. Word travelled around the Havanan grapevine that South Africans were in the streets, and people would yell “Sud Africa, Sud Africa, futbol!” as we passed by. Others would emerge from leafy shadows to express (to their great danger) how much they would have loved to travel to the World Cup, and how much the travel ban affected their lives. Everywhere we went we were followed by the constant drone of vuvuzelas blasting though open doorways and out of shady bars.

Fifty two years after the revolution, Cubans are becoming more and more frustrated by the confines of their borders. One can only wonder what levels the discontent might have risen to had the obedient, generous-spirited nation had a team competing for the cup on South African soil.

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Adventures with Relaxation in Costa Rica

Janie Bill — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:58:12 +0000

Whether you want to expand your consciousness or party until you drop, Costa Rica is an affordable destination. You can fly into San Jose, the capital, and choose between inexpensive motels and luxurious hotels. It is good to stay downtown in a place with enough shops and restaurants on site that you won’t be tempted to wander into the crime-filled streets. Don’t be alarmed if you are mistaken for a prostitute. So many men spread rumors about the benefits of legalized prostitution in Costa Rica that male tourists think every woman walking through a hotel lobby or looking for butterflies along the road is for hire. Security is tight, because non Costa Ricans sweep into the country and rob the banks. Guards patrol the banks with machine guns.

After a night of recuperating from your air flight, you can travel to your final destination either by bus or commuter plane. There is a huge difference between the west and east coast of Costa Rica. Surfing, white water rafting, horse riding, scuba diving, and fishing is popular on the west coast.

Throughout the country are national parks filled with wildlife, volcanoes, and exotic plants. Some rain forests seem sparse compared to lush woodlands of North America. Once you appreciate the lack of groundcover, you will notice the monkeys on branches watching the sun set. Brilliant birds fill the skies. Sluggish alligators congest the rivers. Snakes are under every bush. Flowers are abundant and you can pay for a tour through landscaped grounds and then ride a sky-lift to the top of the mountain.

Costa Ricans are easy-going and friendly. Someone is always willing to accommodate your every desire. Don’t expect to suffer because of the simplified lifestyle. At the base of the volcanoes are day spas where you can play in the hot springs, get a massage or disco the night away under an active volcano. You can find low priced souvenirs in shop huts and small marketplaces.

At the hotels along the coastline you can mix and mingle at swimming pool bars. Shacks are available for hard core surfers to stay for $20 per day. If you get inspired, you can find inexpensive property for your vacation home. There are clusters of North Americans, Germans and other nationalities.

Costa Rica is an appropriate destination for college students, families and couples. The ingratiating social scene welcomes single travelers as well.

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Music as a Destination – The Ultimate Concert Experience

Shannon Kempe — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:15:07 +0000

It’s time to take concert going to the next level. My friends and I are avid music lovers, and we love seeing live shows. There’s something about seeing a band perform live which can either make you love them more, or shatter the production illusion when you see they can’t really sing, dance or play as well as what’s on their album.

There’s a group of roughly six of us who have been friends for almost 15 years, music being the tie that binds us all. We all have a huge diversity within our vast music libraries, so most of our music passions match up with at least one other person within the group. Throughout the years we have seen a large diversity of live music at many, many different venues as a result.

The more shows we see, the more we’ve realized the impact a venue can really have on the concert experience. Two of the group moved to the East Coast from the West opening up a whole new range of shows and venues. I have seen the first show in a tour on the East Coast, and have come back to see the last show of the tour on the West Coast. The two experiences are very, very different indeed even though it’s the same show. Differences vary from sound quality of the venues to the attitude of the audience.

As we have grown older, it is no longer about the number of concerts we can squeeze into one year. It has come to be about the full concert experience. Where you are, who the audience is, who you’re traveling with as well as the band can play a great role in the experience of the live music. Vacations are now scheduled around concert events. We have traveled to see our favorite band play live in their hometown. We have traveled abroad to see shows in Europe. We have seen some great music at some of the best venues in the world.

East of Denver, built into the Rocky Mountains, is Red Rocks. Acoustically it is the best venue in the United States, and on the top ten list as one of the best in the world. I highly recommend taking a tour when there’s not a show happening so you can experience a clear conversation in normal tones with one person on stage and one person all the way in the back, back row. The Gorge in George, Washington is one of the most beautiful venues, and as such often outranks Red Rocks as best venue. It too appears on the top ten list of best venues in the world. There’s a little circus tent in Cape Cod with a round center stage. There’s a bar across the street from Yale where a lot of big name bands play to “warm up” before they begin their tour if you want an intimate setting.

The next step for us in concert going is to see some of the greatest artists in some of the greatest venues around the world. I’m sure next year will contain a whole new goal as we are, and forever will be, in search of the ultimate concert experience.

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“The Lights Will Inspire You”

Sarah Laurence — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:14:42 +0000

Broadway with Jerry Springer

As I write I can see the two black and white photos of New York on my desk –one of the Empire State and surrounding buildings, the other my own picture of a sign at the intersection between Broadway and Wall Streets – the American Flag hanging proudly above the entrance to the Stock Exchange behind it. Should I minimize the numerous pages I have open on my laptop, I can daydream in front of my background –a colourful picture of Central Park and the Upper West Side on a sunny day, the Hudson River in the background. Clearly, I’m in an “Empire State of Mind”.

View from the Top!

The appeal of New York can be surprisingly hard to pin down when you really try to explain it, although many have attempted to. Carrie Bradshaw, of Sex and the City fame, mused “They say life’s what happens when you’re busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you’re waiting for a table.” Writer Thomas Wolfe reckoned that “One belongs to New York Instantly; one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years” and both Frank Sinatra and JZ agree that “If [you] can make it there, [you’ll] make it anywhere”. They’re all right, you know. Life is at its most exciting in the Big Apple. I feel like it’s mine and that its millions of inhabitants and I all belong. To be successful in New York is to have truly made it.

The Famous Intersection Outside the NYSE

In the industries of fashion, music, art and stage, New York is the centre of the cultural universe, where the best of anything in the world, some of the most interesting, exciting and talented people and 3.00am pizza delivery can all be found inside a small island – the total area of Manhattan amounting to just 58 square kilometres.

There are many companies offering tours of New York, and if you’ve never been, these could be useful. But the amazing thing about visiting the city is that sightseeing is at its best (and cheapest) when just wandering around. Unlike other cities with big, trademark attractions, the city of New York is the main attraction.

There are things that you have to do at least once in your life, whether you are a visitor or New York native. Here’s my list. If you’re confused as to why there are some obvious gaps (read Central Park) then they’re in the do-over-and-over-again list (so watch this space)!

1. Empire State Building

I wasn’t that excited to go up this beautiful building, but went pretty willingly because my husband

Empire State of Mind

was so keen on it. Thank goodness. The whole visit was a pleasure – from the organized, swift moving queues to friendly guides, affordable gift shop and of course, the amazing views. Try to visit early in the morning or late at night on a week day for the best views and shortest queuing times.

Insider tip: although the building has 102 floors, the main viewing observatory is on the 86^th. Don’t bother to pay extra to go right to the top: it’s enclosed by scratched glass and the views are no better than outside on the main deck.

2. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

It feels terribly clichéd and touristy to visit them, but these attractions are a huge part of American

World's Most Famous Greeter

history, offer great views of Manhattan from afar and provide fantastic photographic opportunities. Catch the inexpensive ferry from Battery Park on the southernmost tip of Manhattan. If you would like to go up to the statue’s crown, an appointment needs to be made in advance, but like us, most visitors are content with looking up at her (she’s weirdly small in real life). As one of the most important gateways to America, Ellis Island Immigration Museum is fascinating and nostalgic, filled with original artefacts and interesting information.

3. Ground Zero site and museum

Ground Zero is not hard to find. A massive construction site filled with cranes and workers, all looking like ants scurrying around in hard hats. However, locating the museum is a little more complicated. Only temporary while the official monument and memorial centre is built, the museum is housed in a narrow unassuming business centre to the south of the site. A must-see to learn about the attacks and the people involved and pay tribute to the lives lost. The information and artefacts that have been collected are incredible and visitors walk around seemingly in a trance, often fighting back tears.

Tiles of Love, Hope & Encouragement

4. Brooklyn Bridge

Linking the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world, built in 1883. Used by cars, pedestrians and cyclists, it makes for a gorgeous 3.6km walk (across and back) on a sunny day. Its history includes jumpers, a shooting, a terrorist plot designed to blow it up and even remnants of a Cold War bunker, discovered in 2006. When walking along the pedestrian path, obey the rules and beware of cyclists

5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Over 2 000 000 works of art are housed in this grandiose building backing onto Central Park. Once inside visit the areas that interest you most, and be prepared to get lost – the interior is a maze of hallways and galleries. Highlight tours are offered for those who want a good summary of the collection and to cut out the wandering-aimlessly-while-lost feeling.

6. The Rockefeller Centre

You are sure to have seen this on TV, as it consists of Radio City Music Hall, Winter Ice Rink and Christmas Tree, shopping malls and is home to shows such as 30 Rock which we had the privilege to see being shot live – Tracey Jordan just an arm’s length away!

Times Square

7. Times Square

Noisy, busy, full of Midwestern tourists and exploitative gimmicks, this is a place that’s largely left to visitors. Although some people love going there on New Year’s Eve, I would give it a very wide berth on the busiest night of the year. You still have to see it, though. Watch out for pickpockets (and more recent car-contained bombs) and ignore the exorbitant tourist prices – there are better places to shop. Great place for discount theatre tickets!

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Dance Up the Nile River

Janie Bill — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:14:34 +0000

For a peaceful getaway that allows you to read and laze in the steamy desert, hope onto a flatboat and slink down the Nile. You embark from Cairo, which is a thriving metropolis filled with favorite franchises. Evenings within the hotels lining the river entice lovers to take languishing walks amid the chains of lights arranged on sundecks and strung on boats.

The Egyptian Museum is a must see. It houses artifacts from the numerous Egyptian eras. Outside, the pyramids have been stripped and are bare. Most of the wall paintings have faded and the etchings are sometimes faint. The preserved statuary and treasures have been moved into the museum where you can get a close look at the amazing craftsmanship.

There are several pyramids to see in the area surrounding Cairo, and each offers a distinct adventure. To reach the Giza Plateau where Cheops and Chephren overlook the Sphinx you can arrive on camelback with the heat from the desert brushing the hair off your face and the music from Sir Laurence of Arabia playing inside your head. There are several additional pyramid sites, such as Zoser which opened to the public recently and Meidum which must be unlocked in order to enter. After sunset, you can visit a hookah bar and then stroll to the Sphinx and watch the identical lazar-light show you’ve admired when the character, Jaws, tries to murder James Bond. Careful with the taxi rides when traveling through Cairo. The drivers tend to find routes far from your destination to increase the prices. Be prepared to either enjoy the ride or consider paying a tourist escort to haggle on your behalf.

After a few days of sightseeing in Cairo, board one of numerous flatboat cruise ships located on the Nile River. Each is designed like a gilded casino with crystal chandeliers and elaborate Louis IVX furniture. The cabins are small but serviceable with European electrical outlets and simple furnishings. The flatboats are smaller than ocean cruisers and the staff provides personalized attention to your dietary preferences and tour excursion choices. The intimate dining halls encourage passengers to become fast friends.

Expect to be entertained by dancing and performing theatrical skits with your new pals. The gift shops sell belly dancing outfits and Arabic robes for costume parties. A popular game is dancing in circles while the band determines the moments for diving on the floor to grab spoons. Passengers stay awake well into the wee hours of the following morning, celebrating the alluring setting of fertile banks and contrasting vastness of the arid desert.

As you voyage down the Nile, merchants pull up in colorful rowboats. They toss their goods over the rails, calling out good will and quoting the prices. If you are interested you toss money to them and somehow, their young boys manage to catch the coins before they fall into the dark Nile. If you lack the impulse to purchase a lace tablecloth or cotton dress, you will receive another choice in your hands as soon as you drop the goods.

With each city, you learn about a particular time of Egyptian history. Destinations with impressive complexes include Luxor, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. You can take a day trip by airplane to see the giant images of Ramses II. The boats dock at small communities such as Esna, where the surprisingly complete Temple of Khnum merges with the present day homes. The Temple of Horus in Edfu reveals man’s destructive nature during wartime. Men striped the temple of its original artwork and replaced it with Christian icons which were removed. Aswan offers shops and restaurants, but don’t stray because the residents have a way of staring that makes you feel vulnerable.

The playful energy and constant activities are ideal for collegiate travelers. Although more than one time I didn’t feel safe, the walking tours are comfortable for children. Keep in mind the intense heat during the summer months, which deterred all passengers except those accustomed to the temperatures in Florida from taking several tours when the humid heat reached over 100 degrees.

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Dance Up the Nile

Janie Bill — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:14:09 +0000

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Secretive Serenity in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Janie Bill — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:13:36 +0000

To veer off the beaten path of your European vacation venture past Italy and hop on a train that will sweep you through a valley into Ljubljana, Slovenia. The capital city of Slovenia is an upcoming tourist destination. The furtive mood combines a sense of hidden energy in a quiet social setting until sunset. Just as the mysterious beings you’ve feared in your dreaded school literature classes wait until dusk to emerge, the silent old town suddenly fills with peaceful families and eager college students out for a bite of ice cream. Yes, ice cream lovers stroll along the cobblestone streets with baby carriages and docile conversations in droves. Anyone who enjoys eating and walking will appreciate the numerous shops, cafes, and bridges intended for socializing. Once the sun sinks and darkness falls across the river, the town erupts with enthusiastic street parties.

Ljubljana nuzzles against both sides of the Ljubljana River, which carries murky waters in a motionless current. Throughout history, numerous cultures desired control over its prime setting. No wonder the Argonauts selected this city to boast their Golden Fleece. Napoleon saw such strength in the city’s location, he named it the capital of his Illyrian Provinces. It served as the Roman Emona and the capital of the Province of Carniola. Today, Ljubljana holds the Congress of the Holy Alliance where European statesmen brainstorm and numerous trade shows.

Invasions by diverse cultures merged the creative ingenuities of dominate cultures. The buildings combine a Viennese flare with Art Nouveau, Baroque and Renaissance details. Their local artist, Joze Plecnik, is responsible for many sites, including the Cobblers Bridge where shoemakers established their marketplace. Now you can find beaded jewelry and collectible posters sold from huts. Enterprising musicians provide street performances and crumbling buildings house new age clothing shops.

There are several town squares connected by narrow streets. Look for the favorite lovers within the community. The lovebirds were forbidden from tying the knot and in honor of their undying loyalty to one another, the city has a mural of a window where the woman waves her handkerchief at a mural of her soul mate across the courtyard.

The city is known for its Slovenian Philharmonic Hall, which was one of the first music societies in the world. Masters such as Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven, and Paganimi became honorary members of the orchestra. The resident conductor in 1881 was Mahler. The Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theater is in a Neo-renaissance palace that has symbolic sculptures for dramatic effect. Throughout the year, Ljubljana hosts fantastical festivals featuring jazz, alternative music, and international arts, among others.

The museums have retained the rare art pieces from moments in history that other countries hastily dismissed. The Modern Gallery offers paintings, sculptures and prints by Slovenian 20^th century artists. The Museum of Modern History provides a visual display with sound effects of the 20^th century Slovenia from Austria-Hungary through World War II and the Tito period. The National Gallery displays artwork created by Slovenians from the 13^th through the 20^th centuries with sprinkles of European paintings. The National Museum holds the Vace Situle, a Illyrian bronze urn from the 5^th century BC. Robba’s Fountain was created by the Slovene sculpture Francesco Robba in honor of three rivers that feed Slovenia. I regret not purchasing a simple sketch of Saint Raphael from a quant antique shop beside a sports bar.

The city is a college town and students congregate on the steps of the pink Franciscan Church built between 1646 and 1660. Another noteworthy Baroque building is the Cathedral of St Nicholas with main doors that tell about the previous struggles of living as Christians in Slovenia and a side door with images of the Ljubljana diocese.

Aside from the mysterious atmosphere of the Dragon Bridge and the historic French Revolution Square, and the Triple Bridge with its incorporated buildings, and the Town Hall featuring battle scenes, and Vodnik Square surrounded by flowers, fruit venders and vegetable huts, the magnificent hilltop castle is a must see.

You can reach the castle on a tram car or be like the vigorous students and walk up the hill to take a nap in the park designed by Plecnik. From the Ljubljana Castle you have views of the terra cotta rooftops framing the river. The castle walls were built during the 16^th century and the tower was added within the 19^th century. On the castle grounds are a terrace, a café , a craft shop and gardens.

If you prefer the great outdoors, there are gorges, brooks and lakes where you can hike. Health resorts take advantage of the natural springs and waterfalls.

Ljubljana is a definite yes for families in search of a tranquil destination and also for youthful travels who thrive on adventure. Visualize an unspoiled Prague and a tranquil Budapest and you will know what to expect.

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Key West and the Dry Tortugas

Janie Bill — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:13:08 +0000

The Keys in Florida provide whatever type of experience you desire. The museums amaze children while providing a break from the joyous socializing which is more suitable for the adults. The community developed during the days of rescuing sunken vessels in exchange for their bounties and today Key West meets the expectation of having superior antiques.

The Earnest Hemingway homestead reveals the writer’s beginnings, before he had gray hair and a beard. His property houses 40 cats, most of which have six toes to bestow good luck onto Hemingway. Beside his swimming pool rests Hemingway’s last cent, which he threw at his second wife to mark the end of their marriage.

If you would like to take a day sale or cruise to a nearby destination, sign up before you travel to Key West. Weekend tours are filled three or four days before a busy holiday.

We selected the Dry Tortugas National Park. Anticipate leaving the dock between 7 or 8 am and pack your towels, sunscreen, bathing suits and, yes, even consider a wet suit if it is winter or spring. You can select a vessel that provides snorkel gear at no additional charge, and includes breakfast and lunch. Snacks are available for an additional fee. Visitors are allowed to camp over night on the beach under the stars. Youngsters earn a badge if they complete a simple test.

The best view of the Dry Tortugas is when the boat arrives. You get a sense of the isolation felt by the early settlers and prisoners who worked tirelessly to build a fort that would shield the Americas from foreign invasion. The heat and lack of drinking water continue to be inhospitable for the few transitional residents. The island is known for its numerous fatalities among the prisoners. The most famous prisoner is Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician who aided John Wilkes Booth on the night he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Many considered Dr. Mudd to be innocent of his criminal charges and he proved to be honorable by treating dying men with contagious diseases.

Ponce de Leon and his crew destroyed much of the fabulous wildlife, turtles, birds and fish. The island remains serene, surrounded by jellyfish and anxious water fowl. Fort Jefferson is an amazing representation of masterful construction from labored efforts.

Tortuga gives freedom to many Cubans seeking a new life. They endure the dangerous journey across the ocean in hand-made boats hardly large enough to carry them.

Once you’ve returned to Key West, make sure you join the sunset watching festivities at the pier. Jugglers and jewelers entertain the crowd. Any attire is appropriate, whether you chose an old tee-shirt you used to wash your kitchen floor before leaving home or a slinky, lace outfit you discovered in a shop on Duval Street.

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