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Hey Compadre - Compadrazgo in Oaxaca, Mexico

Posted by admin on September 4, 2010  |  No Comments

Whether you live in Oaxaca or vacation here on a regular basis, if you’ve begun to integrate into the community, eventually you’ll be asked to be a padrino or madrina (godparent) to an ahijado or ahijada (godchild), so you’d better familiarize yourself with “compadrazgo”, or co-godparenthood. In a nutshell, it’s a web of mutual rights and obligations of monumental importance throughout Mexico and elsewhere, both in urban centers and rural communities, cutting across and permeating virtually all socio-economic strata. One chooses who will be his or her lifetime compadres, the cornerstone of compadrazgo.

If someone is asked to be a padrino of a child upon baptism, it creates a new bond between two families, solidified by the creation of compadres. The parents and grandparents of the child become compadres to the padrinos (at times extending to their children…i.e. compadritos.) While family members are frequently asked to be padrinos, often friends, neighbors and business acquaintances are selected, as a means of strengthening ties which already exist. My personal experience, confirmed in the anthropological literature, has been that while as a godparent you have lifelong obligations to your godchild which may or may not ever be called upon, it’s the ties between compadres which on a regular basis come into play.

Let’s examine other occasions when you might find yourself asked to be a godparent, obligations which may fall upon you at the time, and finally how your new status as a compadre manifests, and keeps on ticking. Why you and not someone else? To understand we must look at the pool of prospective choices from which you may be selected. My perspective may appear cynical, but is fact based and proven, using a functionalism model.

Godparents are selected for both religious and secular rites of passage, for godchildren ranging from infant to adult. In Oaxaca the most common events where custom dictates godparents be chosen are marriages, school graduations, girls’ 15th birthday celebrations (quince años), confirmations, first communions and baptisms. Sometimes but not always, there may be a financial commitment involved, where for example as padrinos of a wedding or quince años a couple may be asked or simply volunteer to contribute to the cost of the affair. But don’t worry, financial obligations may be shared amongst several godparents. A case in point involved my wife and me. When asked to be godparents at the wedding of the son of then merely acquaintances, our mouths dropped, whereupon after a pregnant pause the request was concluded with “…of the rings.” This meant that we were responsible for buying the wedding bands, while another couple was being honored with being the primary padrinos of the newlyweds. In fact you can be asked to be godparents of (for purchasing) the cake, liquor, flowers, and the list goes on, depending often upon the financial ability of the people throwing the function, and in the case of individuals with resources, whether or not they want to bestow a special honor at that particular point in time of the already-existing relationship. You may be asked to make a speech, give a blessing, dance with the bride/groom or quince añera, almost always being an active participant depending on circumstances. If you’re not Catholic, don’t take communion or kneel, let your soon-to-be compadres know, even if it appears there won’t be a religious component to the proceedings. There will likely be a padre involved. For example, on occasion one finds padrinos chosen within the context of the opening of a new business. As part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the padre may be in attendance to give and direct blessings. Personally, this Jew doesn’t object to having a little holy water splashed on him by the padre…as long as it’s as a result of inadvertence.

Padrinos are almost always selected from people of the same or a higher socio-economic class. For example, a factory worker may select the supervisor of her department to be her daughter’s padrino at a baptism, but the corollary would rarely occur. A maker of alebrijes in Arrazola may ask a wealthy patron shop-owner from Mexico City to be godmother to her daughter and future son-in-law at their wedding, but the opposite would be out of the question. And you may be similarly asked, by a Oaxacan friend/neighbor, a perhaps perceived equal, but for different reasons. Functions regarding the foregoing three examples? Bonds of friendship are acknowledged and strengthened for future utility; a patron-customer relationship is affirmed with comfort in now knowing that it will continue ad infinitum; and there will be the perception that a boss won’t fire a compadre.

Your status as a compadre begins immediately, and you may never again be referred to by your name, but rather “compadre.” You’ll experience the metamorphosis of your status, and will be treated differently. As an otherwise extranjero, you may feel as though you’ve come of age in Oaxaca. Compadres give and receive more invitations. Favors may be asked of you more readily and of a different type, with an expectation of compliance, if not the most careful consideration…and just as importantly, you will come to feel more comfortable making requests of your compadres…borrowing a truck, helping out with an arduous household chore, lending money, housing a relative temporarily, providing counsel in trying times, receiving preferential treatment in business or politics. By the end of our first year of permanent residency in Oaxaca, of the foregoing we lacked personal experience in only the matter of politics.

In terms of the broader societal importance of compadrazgo, the number of kinship ties you have is relatively finite, and usually beyond your control. However, for as many life stages and changes as may arise, one’s immediate family has the opportunity to extend non-relative or “fictive” kinship ties through deliberate selection. One is able to build and nurture through mutual requests and compliance innumerable economic and social alliances.

Here in Mexico no one ever utters “you can pick your friends but not your family.” The strategies and decision-making processes involved in determining who would make appropriate compadres for a family, and why, are absolutely fascinating. I’ve only touched upon some of the dynamics. The internet literature is exhaustive and should be consulted by those interested or thrust into the system. Alternatively, you can email me upon being asked to be padrino for advice as to what to do and ask, and for particular issues regarding expectations.

Operating Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast ( oaxacadream.com oaxacadream.com), a unique bed and breakfast experience in Southern Mexico, Alvin Starkman received his Masters in Social Anthropology from York University in Toronto in 1978, taught for a few years, and subsequently attended Osgoode Hall Law School, becoming licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986. Until 2004 he was a partner at Banks & Starkman, specializing in family law, with employment law, personal injuries and commercial litigation rounding out his practice. A frequent traveler to Oaxaca since 1991, it was not until he ceased practicing law that he took up permanent residence in the state capital, in 2004. In his spare time Mr. Starkman takes groups of up to 4 people touring the craft villages, towns on their market days, ruins and other sites depending on his clients’ specific interests; writes articles about life and cultural traditions in Oaxaca; translates from Spanish to English for a local newspaper; and writes a column for a Canadian national antiques newspaper.

Travel South America

Posted by admin on September 4, 2010  |  No Comments

South America cradles several wonders of the world. In this continent lie five of the most popular vacation destinations: the Patagonia, Salar de Uyuni, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Galapagos Islands. Travel buffs from all over the world flock to see these South American tourist spots - and they have good reason.

But before you pack your backs and head to this beautiful continent, there are some things you should prepare for.

Plan your itinerary. South America is a very big continent, and it can become pretty overwhelming if you do not know exactly where you want to go. Try to book with a travel agency if you can - they can make your life so much easier by enabling you to visit as much as possible in as little time as possible. If you want to plan your trip on your own, though, then choose your destinations depending on your interests, fitness levels, and even language skills. Do not book trekking adventures if you are not the outdoorsy type, or if your doctor does not think it is safe for you to go. Also be sure to only traverse inner provinces if you at least understand Spanish. Very few people in the inner regions of South America speak English, and you might get lost in translation.

Get your travel documents in order. Each country in South America has different travel or visa requirements, and the deadline for getting those vary as well. You can inquire about these directly from the embassy or consulate of the South American country you intend to visit.

Register with the Department of State, especially if you plan a stay in one place for longer than a few weeks, or in an area where communications are poor. How do you do this? Simply visit https://travelregistration.state.gov and catalog your itinerary. If you forget to do this while you are still in the U.S., then register in the U.S. embassy of the South American country you are visiting as soon as you arrive.

Pack your bags with essentials. Traveling long hours (especially by airplane) to South America can be distressing if you do not have the right tools with you. Bring a lightweight pillow, a sleep mask, a travel blanket, and basic pain relievers such as back gel wraps. These items will make you feel more comfortable during the flight, so you can recharge and use your energy for exploring South America when you land.

i-SouthAmerica.com South America provides detailed information on South America, Travel South America, South America Tours, South America Cruises and more. South America is affiliated with e-SouthAmericaTours.com Wine Tours In South America.

Palm Beach, Eagle Beach or Baby Beach? - A Review of Beaches in Aruba

Posted by admin on September 3, 2010  |  No Comments

Collectively, Aruba’s beaches are consistently ranked among the cleanest, widest and most beautiful of the Caribbean and the world. On the island’s southwestern coast, tourists will find one beach after another, each with its own distinct atmosphere and diverse possibilities. As nearly all of the beaches are public, access is a breeze. Furthermore, several Caribbean beaches have change and shower facilities, shade huts and water sport equipment provided by Aruba resorts and hotels. For travelers in search of more privacy, a number of public beaches offer dazzling blue water and immaculate sand without the crowds. While most of Aruba’s best beaches are concentrated on the southwestern coast, a number of less frequented beaches on the eastern shores offer unique opportunities for families, surfers and sightseers.

Western Aruba Arashi, Boca Catalina and Malmok Beaches near the California Lighthouse at the northwestern tip of the island, are all part of the Arashi Underwater Park. Calm water, gentle currents, shallow reefs, and outstanding visibility make them popular swimming and snorkeling sites. Snorkelers and swimmers can glimpse large elk horn coral, sea sponges and schools of colorful fish just six feet below the water’s surface.

A Tour of Florence Museums

Posted by admin on September 3, 2010  |  No Comments

Florence museums are known around the world to house some of the world’s greatest masterpieces by the masters of each era of the art world. Trends in painting and sculpture have set the pace for others and made times in history immortal. The art work of Florence tells the tales of the Birth of Christ, His crucifixion and resurrection. It tells of fashion trends and how the world viewed beauty. Each element of the world’s history has been captured in the art found in the museums and galleries of Florence.

The Uffizi Gallery

Perhaps one of the most well known galleries in Florence the Uffizi is home to the Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. The list of artists reads like a who’s who of the greatest and includes Da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Rubens.

The Accademia

At the Accademia you will find the world famous David by Michelangelo. It also home to a large collection of Renaissance paintings, but is better know for the sculptures of Michelangelo including the Palerstria Pieta.

The Baptistery

The Baptistery is so old its date is not really known, but it is understood to be one of the oldest monuments in Florence. The exterior façade houses three arches that are adorned with sculptures and marble decorations. The doors are pieces of art in and of themselves. They are gilded in bronze and date back to the 14th and 15th century. Panels from the original dome have been removed and restored and are now housed at the Museum of the Opera del Duomo.

Gallery of Modern Art

Florence is so well known for its Renaissance era works that many people overlook the fact that the Gallery of Modern Art houses 18th, 19th and 20th century works that are modern by comparison in a city so old. The museum is located on the second floor of the Pitti Place. Here you find familiar works by Cezanne, Gauguin, and Grassi and others who adopted the style and techniques of French artists. Equestrians will particularly enjoy the works of sculptor Marino Marini.

The Horne Museum

Named after the English art collector Herbert P. Horne, this museum blends art with a history of life during the Italian Renaissance. The furnishings and accessories along with the architecture itself are a reflection of this rich era. Artwork ranges from the 14th to 17th centuries and includes pieces from Cafaggiolo, Urbino, and Orvieto.

The Silver Museum

This museum houses an interesting collection of objects from the various dynasties ranging from the Medici through the Lorraine. There is great diversity in the pieces of jewellery, gems, semi-precious tones and various art objects. These are all from eras in time when a rich life and extravagance were the norm. One of the most valuable pieces housed here is a collection of vases by Lorenzo the Magnificent.

This small sprinkling of museums only touches the surface of possible historical sites in Florence. Florence is home to more than 50 museums, galleries, or architectural wonders that make this city a place one could visit for weeks and still not take it all in.

Peter J. Wilson’s short articles can be found on a large number of online sites with reference to Italy and Tuscany. His articles on florence-italy-guide.com/florence-museums.html Florence museums can be found on florence-italy-guide.com/florence-museums.html www.florence-italy-guide.com/florence-museums.html and other online sites.

Adventures in Bolivia

Posted by admin on September 3, 2010  |  No Comments

As a graduate student, I finally had the opportunity to work on a project in southern Bolivia. Although I had spent previous summers camping alone while conducting fieldwork in remote areas, this was to be my first journey overseas, to a country known variously for coca growing, revolution, and the final resting place of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

La Paz is nestled in a series of steep valleys that are eroded in a jagged, blasted moonscape of sun-baked volcanic rock. One of the city parks is called “Valle de la Lunas” or Valley of the Moon. The city has sprawled up the valley slopes onto the Altiplano, or high desert. As my taxi drove from the airport over the lip of the high desert, the city was spread out below, partially obscured through a haze of heavy smog. After finding the company office, a driver took me to a hotel in the old part of the city, popular with young, dominantly British and Spanish backpackers. Left to my own devices for several days, I taught myself the phrases and words to order breakfast and dinner, and wandered through the open-air market to practice my nascent Spanish skills on vendors of flashlights, jeans, and trilobite fossils. I found Bolivians to be the friendliest of people, who seemed to delight in talking to a Norteamericano. At first, I felt no ill effects from climbing the steep streets in what has been described as the World’s highest-altitude capitol city. After several days, altitude sickness left me with a feeling of exhaustion and constant headache in spite of six weeks of hiking in the Colorado Rockies.

At last I was to depart for the exploration camp in southern Bolivia, as the pickup laden with fuel drums and survey stakes arrived to collect me. My driver, Nicco, guided the pickup through the bustling, chaotic streets of La Paz and we rolled south on a two-lane, newly paved highway toward Oruro, a hot, dusty, windblown town that represents the end of pavement. There, the sun-baked main street was covered in a one-inch layer of dust that was excited into whirling vortexes as lines of Volvo flatbed trucks trundled through. Gray, windblown silt covered the cobblestone street, sidewalks, building facades, and withered decorative trees to produce a desolate dreamscape devoid of color. We rolled through a featureless landscape beneath an endless expanse of blue sky and mercilessly bright sun. As the daylight began to wane, the highway degenerated into a pair of deep ruts across the featureless desert, passing desolate adobe towns. We forded streams of frigid meltwater from the Cordillera Oriental, often breaking a thin film of ice. Night fell and still we rolled south, now across the Salar de Uyuni salt flat. Despite the heater in the Mazda 4×4, the cold crept in, and in the ghostly play of the headlights, the shimmering white deposits of salt might have been snow drifts. Time dragged, with only the constant rumble of the tires on hardpan marking a cadence in the darkness that surrounded the small, heated compartment of the pickup. At last we reached a town, a sign of human habitation in what seemed increasingly like a harsh wilderness. Not a single light bulb was evident as we thumped slowly over the cobbled streets. Dark shapes shuffled along the sidewalks, and the shadows of adobe buildings rose and fell, capering in the glare of the headlights. Stars, bright and brilliant as diamonds, but equally as cold, seemed to provide the only other light. Amidst this scene of harsh desolation, the corpses of dogs littered the streets, frozen stiff where they had ultimately succumbed to the uncaring elements.

After another three hours of crawling through the frigid darkness, the road seemed nothing more than a gully, with sagebrush whipping the sides of the truck. Almost imperceptibly, we left the desert and a sheer rock wall suddenly loomed out of the darkness. The truck climbed the rapidly rising road, which clung to the side of the cliff, and the engine whined in protest at the exertion caused by the steep grade and thin air. In the days to come, my own heart and lungs would register a similar wheezing protest. We passed through a looming cleft in the rock wall, beneath towering ramparts massed in the impenetrable gloom. Suddenly, the truck stopped and we had arrived. Arrived where? In the dim light, I could barely discern an adobe wall. There were no lights, no sound of people or animals, and no hum of machines that we have come to expect virtually everywhere in North America. In the dead quiet, pitch black surroundings, I might have been standing in a cavern instead of in front of the quadrille where I would live for the next four months. I had arrived in Bolivia.

About The Author

I am a geologist, and have visited several countries in Latin America and Europe, and have worked on various civil engineering and mining related issues throughout the U.S. and other places. I have written journal articles from a scientific viewpoint, but thought it would be fun to write about some of my travel experiences on a more informal level. I have other photos and geology related items at sedward.home.netcom.com/petrography.html” target=”_new sedward.home.netcom.com/petrography.html

mailto:sedward@ix.netcom.com sedward@ix.netcom.com

Lanzarote Nightlife - Arrecife

Posted by admin on September 3, 2010  |  No Comments

Although Arrecife is not renowned for being a tourist area - it is still very well worth a visit. This is where you will find a large number of Canarian locals, and ex-pats rubbing along together in almost perfect harmony. In fact, over half the island’s population is housed there. Getting around Arrecife is normally best on foot. The roads can be complicated, and it’s very easy to get lost in the town center. There are hundreds of shops to choose from and they tend to have better prices than the main tourist areas.

Arrecife is located very close to the airport, and has everything from shops, to an excellent assortment of bars and restaurants to suit all palates. Well worth a mention is “El charco de Gines,” a saltwater lagoon in the city centre, surrounded by fishermen houses. It is also here, in the capital, that you will find the only high rise building which is a hotel.

The nightlife in Arrecife tends to be very Spanish oriented… with cosy tapas bars, and fantastically smelling restaurants all bustling with conversation and fine company. Arrecife residents are amongst the most welcoming on the Island, and are extremely proud of their heritage.

A visit to the harbour in the mornings is a must, if only to observe the fresh fish being haggled over by the locals for the “dish of the day.”

Arrecife is also the corporate centre of Lanzarote, with many legal firms, insurance companies and accoutants all jostling to get the next client in their door first.

canarynightlife.net canarynightlife.net

Camper Awnings – Protect Yourself From The Rain When Camping

Posted by admin on September 2, 2010  |  No Comments

Camper awnings allow you to add extra space to your camper. You can get an awning for a popup camper just as easily as you can get one for a fifth wheel or a motor home. You can even add a Florida room to the awning of your camper. When you have an awning for your camper, it is very easy to operate once you set up the popup camper. Camper awnings are wonderful additions to any camper that will make your experience that much more memorable.

Camper awnings larger than 8.5 feet come with support legs. These are permanently attached to the awning and when you close it, they fold up inside. A smaller size camper awning is self-supporting and does not need the support from the legs. You can secure the support legs of the awning to the ground or attach them to the wall of the camper. There are also popup camper awnings that will fold down along with the canvas material when you decide to move on.

Along with popup camper awnings you can get such additions as “Add a Room.” These help to double the amount of sleeping space you have and provide you with a sunroom where you can sit outdoors when it is raining. The sidewall supports of these camper awnings store easily into a bag on the front of the camper and the room itself does not attach to the awning of the camper.

Camper awnings that are 10 feet or longer also include a center support. When you want to extend the camper awning, you can roll it out to the full length or stop at any distance that you prefer. This is true of the popup campers awnings as well as for the awnings used with an RV. However, when you have the popup camper awning fully extended, the material will sag in the middle. To correct this all you have to do is roll back the popup camper awning one full turn.

When you first install popup camper awnings, you might think you have done something wrong when you notice that the arms seem to be bent a little. This is perfectly normal because the camper awnings are designed to have a slight bend in the lateral arms when the awning is fully extended. You should never try to push the arms of a popup camper awning into a straight position, especially when the awning is extended to its full length. This is the first mistake that many new owners of camper awnings make and as a result, they damage the awning.

To find out more about awningsexplained.com Awnings visit Peter’s Website Awnings Explained and find out about awningsexplained.com/rv-awning.html Camper Awnings and more, including Patio Awnings, and Aluminum Awnings and Canvas Awnings

Package Holidays

Posted by admin on September 2, 2010  |  No Comments

Package Holidays
First off there are two types of package holidays.
1. The Package Holiday
2. The all inclusive Package

Lets start with number one The Package Holiday, this can be divided into two types number one is self-catering, what this normal means is you pick your destination then book your flight and accommodation through a travel agent, the rest of your holiday is left up to you to arrange such as meals, entertainment and in some cases transfers from the airport to your accommodation.

The big plus with this category of holiday is you have complete freedom to do absolutely what you want when you want, you are not tied down to a timetable and are free to pick and choose when and where you want to have your meals and what entertainment you want to see. If you have chosen accommodation with a swimming pool than if it’s a nice warm evening and you fancy a dip at midnight too cool off then you will be free to do so.

This type of holiday will basically cover for any kind of budget, and can work out excellent value for money, for example if you are booking accommodation that sleeps four and the price is £200 per week and you book this with another couple than you either have a weeks holiday for £100 or two weeks for £200.This category of holiday is one of the most common across the holiday market, from couples with young babies, family groups large and small to the more mature couples who just want to please themselves.

The alternative type of The Package Holiday includes flight, accommodation, meals and transfer’s to your holiday accommodation and free entertainment the complete package. This category of holiday is popular with people that have children up to the age of 14 (once children reach 14 they will not want to be put into Corkys holiday club)trust me on this one. The big plus with this holiday especially with couples with young children is that the adults get to have some time by themselves as the hotel’s that run these type of holiday’s usually put on day and night entertainment for the kid’s as well as entertainment for adult’s at night, some even have baby sitting services.

This category of holiday has an enormous market and the selection of companies offering this holiday is massive and you must do your home work before booking, remember once you reach your accommodation you will spend most if not all of your time in the hotel’s complex get it wrong and your in trouble.

My advice is try to talk to someone who has been where your thinking of booking or go on the internet and search on the travel forums remember this is not only your hard earned money you will be spending but two weeks you wish to be relaxing with your family not having to complain and moan about your holiday, and come home more stressed then when you went.

The all inclusive Package
This package is as above but normally includes drinks, ice- creams, and snacks. The two facts you want to do here is look at the small print, for instant’s drinks might just mean soft drinks, alcohol drinks might just include what is termed local drinks and some put in times at which the drinks are served so once again do your home work.
The additional thing is compare the cost between a normal package holiday and an all inclusive is the additional cost really worth it, will the drinks, ice-cream and snack’s make the extra cost viable.

I hope you have found the above helpful happy holidays.

chris allan is SEO of travel.chris-allan.com/ travel.chris-allan.com/ and article writer on Travel and Holidays

Discomfort Experienced on Airplanes

Posted by admin on September 2, 2010  |  No Comments

Q: Why can I never get any sleep on the plane, why am I always so uncomfortable?

A: I agree a plane ride can get pretty painful. Outside of spending your kids’ college funds to pay for a first class ticket there is little an average person can do.

Besides sleeping issues, don’t you agree they also serve the worst food? Here is my theory: if they were to make the food absolutely delicious then people would start to wonder why the airlines can make the food SO good yet have such terrible seating arrangements. So really the crappy food is there to compliment your discomfort.

Imagine if there was a level below economy class. They would probably give you an air host/hostess outfit and put you to work, or give you a standing room ticket where you are situated near the back and are allowed to use unoccupied washrooms to take a breather from all the standing.

Now that I am onto washrooms, doesn’t it feel like you are going to get sucked into the toilet and thrown out of the plane every time you flush?

In conclusion, if you are looking for ways to be comfortable on the plane there aren’t any. You might as well rent a burrow and take a few extra weeks to reach your destination.

Also see Manoj Jasra’s website: manojknows.com manojknows.com and his blog: relationshipsbymanoj.blogspot.com relationshipsbymanoj.blogspot.com

Davao Travel Guide

Posted by admin on September 2, 2010  |  No Comments

Davao is a bustling metropolis in the heart of southern Mindanao, one of the biggest islands in the Philippines. It is a sprawling city and notably one of the biggest in the world in terms of land area with more than 2,400 square kilometres. It has been dubbed as the “Gateway of Mindanao”, being its status as unofficial capital of Mindanao and also as a good hub for travellers wanting to explore the region. Here are some of the amazing things you can see and do in Davao:

1. Pearl Farm Beach Resort – If you seek sand and sea in Davao, then this is the perfect destination. It is located in Samal, a group of islands just 45 minutes from Davao by banca (outrigger boat). This resort was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters where cultivated for their white, pink and gold pearls. This 11 hectare spread now opens its doors to guests as a relaxing resort. The resort has very tranquil surroundings and it’s a haven if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

2. The Philippine Eagle Center – The home of 32 Philippine Eagles, 16 of which are captive bred. The centre is dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine eagle or more popularly known as the monkey eating eagle because of its diet. Sadly, there are about 100 to 300 of these majestic birds left in the wild and the centre has done extremely well with its captive-breeding programme and has so far managed to hatch 14 eaglets. The centre is also famous for housing a magnificent collection of plants, ones that you would typically find in a tropical rain forest.

3. Kadayawan – The word “dayaw” can be loosely translated as something good, beautiful or valuable. Thus, the Kadayawan is Davao’s celebration of life, culture and the bounties of harvest. It is an annual fiesta, held every third week of August, and is a mardi-gras like festivity of street dancing and celebration where the indigenous tribes’ dances and songs are performed and showcased.

4. Handicrafts - There is a lot of cultural diversity in Davao. Because of this, it is a great source of tribal handicrafts produced by the ethnic tribes that still call the city as its home – the Bagobo, Manobo, Mandaya, T’boli, Mansaka and B’laan tribes. The handicrafts are easily available throughout the city, although the Aldevinco Centre in CM Recto Avenue is a good collection of stores specializing in exotic fabrics, trinkets and antiques.

5. Durian – Davao is a major producer of tropical fruits in the Philippines, the most famous of which is the durian. This fruit, with its distinctive green thorn-covered husk is so notoriously pungent that it has been banned inside aircrafts as carry on luggage. The durian smell is a great talking point among locals and tourists alike. Some think the strong odour is quite pleasant while others would think it’s too overpowering. If you can get past the smell, the creamy white flesh is sweet and is likened by many as similar to custard or almonds.

For

Nude Beaches

Posted by admin on September 1, 2010  |  No Comments

Nude beach or nudist beach is all what you want to know about? Let us start first to find out the meaning of nudism or nudist itself. The very mention of these two words often arouses feelings of titillation, embarrassment, outrage or even a combination of the three. For the thousands of people involved in the naturist movement worldwide, however, the idea of a nude beach seems, well, natural. After all, we all come into this world wearing only our birthday suits. Nudism or nudist are ideas that believe about being the way we were born and the way human kind was for most of our history: nude except when the weather dictated otherwise. It brings everyone down to the same level. You never know if the person you are talking to is a janitor, a doctor, or the CEO of a Fortune 100 company. Nudists are extremely accepting of everyone no matter the gender, race, sex, size, etc. Whether you shop at Wal-Mart or Brooks Brothers, no one knows and no one cares. It allows us to relax and just enjoy good company.

A nude beach is a beach where the users generally wear no clothing. If clothing is optional then, to emphasize that, also the terms clothing-optional beach and free beach are used. It is one of the most common and traditional forms of public nudity. A nude beach should not be confused with a topfree beach or topless beach, where upper body clothing is not required for women or men, although a swimming costume covering the genitals is required for both men and women.

There are unofficial several criteria that must be met for a beach to be categorized a nude beach, that is, not a part of private club or resort. Nude and topless beaches first became popular along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of France in the 1950s. Since then, several beaches from Crete to the Caribbean have become “clothing optional.” All over the world, you can find a nude or clothing-optional beach that will meet your needs. A wide variety of venues can provide you with the kind of nude beach you seek: Certain bed and breakfasts, resorts, camp sites, private clubs, and spas all cater to customers who feel more comfortable in the nude. At some you’ll find total privacy. Others attract a community of like-minded sun worshipers who have a fondness for a nude beach.

People visit nude beaches for many reasons, including because they enjoy being nude or partially nude, because they enjoy looking at people who are nude, because of curiosity, because of personal philosophy, or simply because they believe that there is no reason to wear clothing (see naturism and nudism). Sunbathing with little or no clothing allows a more even sun tan, eliminating tan lines.

Nude beaches are variously known as “FKK” (from the German Freikörperkultur), “clothing optional” (C.O.) or “free” beaches; they are also described as being “au naturel.” Though the latter term is nominally derived from French, it is, not used by speakers of the language to describe nudity (in French, au naturel is used only for food cooked without preparation). In French, nude beaches are called plages nudistes “nudist beaches” or plages naturistes “naturist beaches.” In British English the terms “topless beach” and “nudist beach” are most common.

Most existing nude beaches have been used as such for many years and thus have become “traditionally nude”. Many are “unmanaged” beach areas that have been adopted by the local users in an effort to maintain the beach’s “quality”. Others’ right to existence has been recognized as such by one or another legislative body—municipal, regional or national, and are termed “official” (although not necessarily legitimate). One can distinguish between different types of beaches:

* Those where nudity is illegal and/or not tolerated. Nudity may result in requests to cover up, uncomfortable glares, a fine or arrest.
* Those that are unofficially tolerated by the “authorities”
* “Official” nude beaches
o Nudity is compulsory unless the weather is bad, etc.
o Clothing is optional (i.e., nudity is permitted but not required)

The clothes free areas tend to be segregated or isolated physically from the non-nude areas. In other instances people maintain a comfortable space between people dressing differently. Signage is often used to inform beach visitors about what to encounter and/or to segregate different areas on the beach. This accommodates people who are not comfortable with nudity. This also accommodates beach users who do not like to be watched too much, especially by clothed individuals.

In the United States, the popularity of traditional nude beaches has declined somewhat over past decade due to the influx of abusive users[citation needed], the aging of the nudist community, and the efforts on the part of religious groups, usually Christian fundamentalists, to close them down. However, the number of official nude beaches has, in fact, increased during this period. Most of this increase can be attributed to the ongoing stewardship of local nudist organizations and the establishment of working relationships with—or lobbying of—local municipalities and law enforcement agencies. In fact, clothing-free attractions are increasingly being recognized as being a good source of tourist income. The users of nude beaches are sometimes the target of enforcement relating to legislation banning public nudity, often because of broad language included in laws or bills intended to target sexually oriented businesses. Clothes free organizations such as the Naturist Action Committee have lobbied against such bills.

In the United States, nude beaches stretch from Santa Cruz, California (home of the Red, White, and Blue nude beach) to Moshup nude beach in Martha’s Vineyard. Nude beaches in Europe can be found everywhere from Pori, Finland (Yyteri nude beach) to Banana nude Beach in Greece. Wherever you do, know that a visit to a nude beach is a natural experience. And that the pleasure of sunning and swimming at a nude beach is one you will long remember. So pick your favorite place, check to make sure your nude beach is open to the public, and get ready to shed your cares and your clothes at the nude beach. There are almost 50 places where nudity or topless sunbathing is allowed or tolerated. These nude beach locations include Blacks’ Beach, the most popular nude beach in the country and the nation’s oldest nude beach (San Gregorio, where people have been going topless since 1967)

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Jaipur - India

Posted by admin on September 1, 2010  |  No Comments

Jaipur also known as The pink city is the capital of Rajasthan. According to legend, it was Raja Sawai Jai Singh who had his capital in Amber, and felt the need for more security and so shifted his capital to the newly built city of Jaipur. Jaipur was first planned and well-designed city by a great Bengali architect known as Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. According to the books of history, it was based on the Hindu treatise on the Shilpa Shastra, the Indian architecture.

It was coloured pink in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Albert in 1876. Since then the colour pink has been associated with the royal and hospitable city of Jaipur.

Jaipur Tourist Attractions

Jaipur is world famous for its royal palaces, majestic forts and Havelis. Its architectural marvels are world-renowned. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal. Once upon a time it was used as form of veil by women folk of royal family to watch the processions. Another classic example of Rajput and Mughal architecture style is the City Palace built by Kachchwah Rajput rulers. A part of this spectacular palace is turned into a museum for foreign tourists who come to know about the rich culture and heritage of the regal city of Jaipur. There are rare manuscripts, Mughal carpets, their costumes, weapons and other things used by Rajput and Mughal royalty.

Another wonderful sight is Jantar Mantar which was built by Sawai Jai Singh. It was an observatory, which was specially built to observe the movements of stars. It is built in marble and stone. Amber Fort, built on a hilltop by Raja Man Singh is another famous fort. It is built with white marble and red stones on the styles of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The reason behind the fact that it is on a must-see list of every tourist is because it offers fabulous views of the surroundings. Other famous and must see places include, Nahargarh Fort, Laxmi Narayan temple, Jaigarh Fort, Govind Deoji mandir etc.

Hotels In Jaipur

Jaipur is a famous tourist spot for foreigners who are attracted to it because of its magnificent palaces and forts and rich cultural heritage. Its close location to the capital city of India Delhi, also makes it very accessible. There are number of places to stay at Jaipur that will suit any budget.

Some of the famous heritage hotels of Jaipur include Chirmi Palace, Samode Bagh, SMS hotel, Raj Palace Hotel, Diggi Palace Hotel, and Raj Mahal Palace etc. Some other luxury hotels where you can stay in comfort and magnificently are Bella Casa, KK Royal Days, Raj Vilas, Rambagh Palace and the Jaipur Palace.

If you are on an economic budget then you can stay at other hotels like Madhuban, Santha Bagh, Jas Vilas, Jai Niwas, Jaipur Inn, and HR Palace. Whether you want to stay at a deluxe hotel or a guesthouse, Jaipur has everything to offer you.

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