tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50713144535368908792024-03-13T23:32:00.842-04:009to5NewYork...WELCOME TO THE JUNGLETesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-65722094083723558392014-11-05T13:47:00.003-05:002014-11-05T13:47:48.211-05:00Best Worldwide Halloween Event is in New York (Warning: post full of pics)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YuL02IAssUo/VFpqizL1HqI/AAAAAAAAGcw/JbpI-K_aYSs/s1600/IMG_0280%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YuL02IAssUo/VFpqizL1HqI/AAAAAAAAGcw/JbpI-K_aYSs/s1600/IMG_0280%5B1%5D.JPG" height="332" width="400" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_2043509177"></span><span id="goog_2043509178"></span><br />
So there I was, headed downtown on a tightly packed 1 train, full of people in Halloween costumes, when I overheard two pissed-off, plain dressed Brits saying that they didn't know how "<i><b>big a fucking deal</b></i>" Halloween was to Americans.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHbLmueLqy8/VFpqGU1osmI/AAAAAAAAGcI/JMHBmoPqA5k/s1600/IMG_0271%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHbLmueLqy8/VFpqGU1osmI/AAAAAAAAGcI/JMHBmoPqA5k/s1600/IMG_0271%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pic that inspired many tasteless jokes, all of which would land me in hell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Really? We been doing this shit for 41 years. The Village Halloween Parade In New York is the largest celebration of its kind, worldwide. What began as a typical neighborhood trick-or-treat walk for mask maker & puppeteer, Ralph Lee and his kids in 1974, gradually became <a href="https://www.festivalinternational.com/site.php" target="_blank">Festivals International's</a> “Best Event in the
World” for October 31.<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTmotLYXAog/VFpq5WT8IuI/AAAAAAAAGdA/XuduzdRQH9M/s1600/IMG_0284%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTmotLYXAog/VFpq5WT8IuI/AAAAAAAAGdA/XuduzdRQH9M/s1600/IMG_0284%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel like she was probably his second choice for the side-kick costume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Two hours earlier, I was having a drink with a centaur and the Australian wolf man beside us, could barely contain his excitement about the annual Halloween festival that was kicking of at 7 pm sharp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jscj7tTfJAY/VFpqutUHyDI/AAAAAAAAGc4/TNo0jAyIlvg/s1600/IMG_0287%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jscj7tTfJAY/VFpqutUHyDI/AAAAAAAAGc4/TNo0jAyIlvg/s1600/IMG_0287%5B1%5D.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After taking over the DJ's table to sing Prince "Let's go crazy" and watching the entire place oblige at <a href="http://www.clubgroovenyc.com/" target="_blank">GROOVE NYC</a>. I made my way to the potty and chatted with a red hot Trinidadian devil. She had just bagged Wolverine who was waiting patiently with
her whip in his hand upstairs.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-usGSELedq6U/VFpqWMmRnCI/AAAAAAAAGcg/e9OClqbTfWY/s1600/IMG_0273%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-usGSELedq6U/VFpqWMmRnCI/AAAAAAAAGcg/e9OClqbTfWY/s1600/IMG_0273%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I prayed for her blasphemous sacrilegious choice for a costume </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After getting a blessing from the Pope we made our way through the festivities. I was run over by fast food while watching an alley cat take a shit ...or the
shit was taking her. A nun told me to mind my fucking business and I graciously turned down a peanut butter & crack rock sandwich from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eHMgXlugIU" target="_blank">Tyrone Biggum</a>s. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZZUxLFosiY/VFpqcVz1OkI/AAAAAAAAGco/PfwbcaS_2A8/s1600/IMG_0272%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZZUxLFosiY/VFpqcVz1OkI/AAAAAAAAGco/PfwbcaS_2A8/s1600/IMG_0272%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Halloween was never just for kids. That's just when most of us were
introduced to it. And actually it's not until you hit 21 that you can begin to properly enjoy this holiday. The costumes,the crowds, the local bars and lounges are outfitted to the nines. By
the time you reach 28yrs old it's damn near an Olympic sport. It's some of the most
intoxicating fun you will ever have and best excuse to dress up.<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FON5SgKlMs/VFpqP4frqdI/AAAAAAAAGcY/hM9j7rO-enk/s1600/IMG_0269%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FON5SgKlMs/VFpqP4frqdI/AAAAAAAAGcY/hM9j7rO-enk/s1600/IMG_0269%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is a "shit" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is no shortage of imagination, cross-dressing and nakedness in this parade. A quarter of a million costumes running around several dozen blocked off streets and you have one of the most exhilarating atmosphere's in the world -for one night only. Please don't shit on our holiday. Because we certainly don't shit on yours.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hhyob7K9CnU/VFpp84phi3I/AAAAAAAAGcA/pa8U6qSLKvs/s1600/IMG_0274%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hhyob7K9CnU/VFpp84phi3I/AAAAAAAAGcA/pa8U6qSLKvs/s1600/IMG_0274%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every time my waitress brought anything to our table she scared the bejeezus</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> out of me </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTYtwj7aPSc/VFpt_dWTwQI/AAAAAAAAGdc/vdPDFWrbT5Y/s1600/IMG_0283%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTYtwj7aPSc/VFpt_dWTwQI/AAAAAAAAGdc/vdPDFWrbT5Y/s1600/IMG_0283%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="342" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_2043509224"></span><span id="goog_2043509225"></span><br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-21683548505720792112014-10-08T20:32:00.000-04:002014-10-08T23:12:06.797-04:00Finding a Turkey made of tampons is easier than finding Tampons in Turkey. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMlBqEVfdtA/VDW4DMmleoI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/FWAmDiGDcSg/s1600/tampon_turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMlBqEVfdtA/VDW4DMmleoI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/FWAmDiGDcSg/s1600/tampon_turkey.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tamponcrafts.com/turkey.html" target="_blank">Photo credit</a> - Thanksgiving has never been so absorbent<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
There are certain things you need to know before you travel to different countries. For example eating unripe<b><a href="http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1967235_1967238_1967211,00.html" target="_blank"> ackee </a>i</b>n Jamaican will kill you. Introducing yourself as<b> Randi</b> in the UK means you're a horny bastard. (tough break if that's actually your name) Public drinking is no longer legal in Rome. And female circumcision is real in up to 70% of African countries. So be careful backpacking in the bush ladies.( no pun intended) <br />
<br />
<br />
Another need-to-know fact is that the tampon revolution has not, I repeat, has not infiltrated Turkey. I mean this is a mostly liberal Muslim country. Women wear bikinis on the beach (for better or worse) public displays of affection won't get you stoned to death. Women smoke in public. Wearing short-shorts won't get you clapped upside the head with a Koran. The clubs are totally westernized. And when the Mu'azzin makes the call to salat (prayer), you don't see many people stop, drop, and roll onto prayer mats.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1oofxNeE2XU/VDXTEdVZh4I/AAAAAAAAGaE/v4DI-nkPO1g/s1600/Tampon%2Bcuddles_kirstyriceonline.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1oofxNeE2XU/VDXTEdVZh4I/AAAAAAAAGaE/v4DI-nkPO1g/s1600/Tampon%2Bcuddles_kirstyriceonline.com.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kirstyriceonline.com/" target="_blank">Photo credit</a> Tampons are our friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
However, trying to (gently) explain your "need to plug the bleed" will be met with a look of genuine perplexity. I mean the UK, Ireland and South Africans are familiar with these cute little cotton <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=snatch" target="_blank">snatch</a>-catchers. But Turkey is not having it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Interestingly , in Turkey, men aren't skittish when it comes to picking up their lady's fem products. He'll toss them in the cart along with the weekly ration of yogurt, olives and peppers. He may even return with scented and unscented (because he wanted you to have options) <br />
<br />
But to explain or demonstrate, to either sex, how a tampon works can be akin to explaining how to perform open-heart surgery with two toothpicks and a butter knife (Macgyver style). I suspect they don't believe that virginity & these beaver plugs mix.<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmv0YehvtFo/VDXVvgypK-I/AAAAAAAAGaY/0YE4kM28ZV0/s1600/Tampax%2BPearls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmv0YehvtFo/VDXVvgypK-I/AAAAAAAAGaY/0YE4kM28ZV0/s1600/Tampax%2BPearls.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to look away when they make the box look so inviting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gratis.com.tr/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Gratis.com </a>is one of Turkey's fastest growing retail markets And they are owned by <a href="http://www.sedescoinc.com/businessdevelopment.aspx" target="_blank">Sedesco Inc</a>. which operates out of New York.<br />
Their mission - "<i>to globally source consumer products in the categories of personal care ...."</i><br />
Their development team "<i><b>Travels the world looking for products that are not readily found in the Turkish Marketplace.</b></i> <br />
<br />
Hey if you seriously want to differentiate yourself from other Turkish retailers, take a leap of faith and stock those shelves with some tampons. If not for the Turks then do it for the elusive network of expat women who secretly covet & barter tampons like cigarettes in jail. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-80960178102118010862014-09-03T19:21:00.003-04:002014-09-03T19:25:28.219-04:00Green Space All Up In Yo' Face<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">So, Which "Woolly Wall Pockets" combination is this!?</span></i></b><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GVnGfCw6qI/VAecmrnN3bI/AAAAAAAAGYg/NjkuoE1ml8Q/s1600/David%2B%26%2BHenrie%2BWhitecomb%2Bgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GVnGfCw6qI/VAecmrnN3bI/AAAAAAAAGYg/NjkuoE1ml8Q/s1600/David%2B%26%2BHenrie%2BWhitecomb%2Bgarden.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave & Henrie Whitcomb's 2500 sq foot vertical garden wall in New York's Greenwich Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/lavish-gardens-sprout-up-on-luxury-penthouse-roofs-1402604617" target="_blank">There's a certain sense of calm you get from having green."</a></b><br />
<br />
Nope I'm not talking about the maybe-illegal-depending-on-where-you-live kind.... I am actually referring to the kind you luxuriate in - Nature.<br />
<br />
Many of us normal folk' can attest to the statement above, made by Joe McMillan, the CEO of developer DDG Partners. But not on his level. He and a bunch of other ridiculously rich Manhattan dwellers, are spending <b><i>beaucoup</i></b> bucks, some up to half a million dollars, to create<a href="http://nypost.com/2012/04/22/these-nyers-are-really-roofin-it/#1" target="_blank"><b> green spaces </b></a>on the terraces and roofs of their multi-million dollar penthouses.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnBKaFu2950/VAePcKvwOrI/AAAAAAAAGYI/NRCRyYxW35Q/s1600/Fred%2BRich's%2BRooftop%2BOasis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnBKaFu2950/VAePcKvwOrI/AAAAAAAAGYI/NRCRyYxW35Q/s1600/Fred%2BRich's%2BRooftop%2BOasis.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><b>70 Little West St. battery Park. Home of Fred Rich and his 2000 square ft Botanical slap in the face.<br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I feel incredibly</span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> privileged</b></i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to be able to pick and eat fresh fruit and vegetables in the city; the flavor of fresh-picked food is incomparable,” </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Fred Rich, as told to </span><b><a href="http://nypost.com/2012/04/22/bette-midler-and-other-ny-celebs-are-really-roofin-it/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">The New York Post</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And from the looks of his rooftop, clearly he ain't referring to the aisles in Wholefoods y'all.</span><br />
<br />
Japanese maples spruces, pines, thyme and fruit trees..... These people are growing Panera Bread salads on their penthouse decks and while we fumble around with <b><a href="http://www.woollypocket.com/?gclid=CJjjr4qLxsACFa_m7AodbysAUw" target="_blank">woolly pockets</a> </b>on our<b> </b>bedroom walls.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1289157786"></span><span id="goog_1289157787"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGJRXvwSOZo/VAeaxSC6WTI/AAAAAAAAGYY/o3Cl3iE-PAI/s1600/fire-escape-garden-4-537x357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGJRXvwSOZo/VAeaxSC6WTI/AAAAAAAAGYY/o3Cl3iE-PAI/s1600/fire-escape-garden-4-537x357.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A clearer depiction of NYC garden terraces</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My thoughts on this? <i>Get tha Fugg outta here</i>!<br />
While I completely understand, I can't help but laugh. Here's why.<br />
When I'm out dranking and yucking it up with my New York cohorts, they always say "why" or "That's too bad" when they find out that I am a suburban dweller. and I always shrug with an understanding smile. But to be truthfully honest...... please keep your crummy sympathy.<br />
<br />
One reason? Because while these guys run to parks for green space, along side the hoards of bikini and speedo clad sunbathers, masturbaters, and crusty characters, I simply go into the backyard.<br />
Many of them don't even know that their coveted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park#1900.E2.80.931960" target="_blank"><b>Central Park</b></a> was laid with over 18,000 yards of Jersey manure? Yup, it's true!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_Z4QF5FoRw/VAeLldf56MI/AAAAAAAAGX8/QlhGAEWvBvc/s1600/Kevin%2BH.'s%2BPhotostream%2Bon%2BFlicker%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_Z4QF5FoRw/VAeLldf56MI/AAAAAAAAGX8/QlhGAEWvBvc/s1600/Kevin%2BH.'s%2BPhotostream%2Bon%2BFlicker%2B.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Central Park scavenger hunt for green space. <br />Photo credit: Flicker.com</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the love of Jesus people, let's stop acting like this city doesn't treat nature as an accessory instead of a necessity. It's awesome to work and play in the city that never sleeps. But when the party is done I skip my ass back to the abundantly green suburbs. It's like living on the more developed part of a third world. You know, like when you go to Jamaica and the resort is beautiful, then you step your foots outside the resort into<b><a href="http://youtu.be/_GZlJGERbvE?list=PL12772FCC26F3D16B" target="_blank"> Jamrock</a>. (</b><i>No shade Jamaica - 1-Love</i><b>)</b><br />
<br />
Honestly I think some of these urban dwellers suffer a little "suburb envy". I mean how else can you explain it? Perhaps you can get a landscaping job on this guys terrace<br />
<br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-54377207958233624512014-05-12T13:25:00.001-04:002014-05-13T12:38:12.802-04:00Drunktown is the face of Native America? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpmDrYKJvOA/U2FqtGGnPSI/AAAAAAAAGHI/U0l5_FoDVhU/s1600/native-american-couple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpmDrYKJvOA/U2FqtGGnPSI/AAAAAAAAGHI/U0l5_FoDVhU/s1600/native-american-couple.png" height="640" width="449" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the "dripping in jewels" era </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As a perk of my</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><strike> indentured servitude</strike> employer , I’ll be going to see a few private screenings of
the Sundance & Tribeca films for $Free.99, this year. Among them
is a film called <i><a href="http://filmguide.sundance.org/film/13944/drunktowns_finest" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Drunktown’s Finest</span></a></i>.<br />
<br />When I read the bio for this film I immediately went to the
trailer so that I could gawk at the actors. I wanted to know if these
were the faces of real Native Americans Indians.<u2:p> <o:p></o:p></u2:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><u2:p><br /></u2:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><u2:p><br /></u2:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Let me preface my next, and possibly
biased comment by saying, I’m pretty good with matching faces to certain
countries. For example, countries in East Africa; I can tell Somalis,
Ethiopians & a Kenyans when I see them.) I can
basically identify Ecuadorians from Salvadorians &
Mexicans from Colombians (because they've flooded the neighboring town -
and thank God because it’s the only reason I can get decent produce
indigenous to the Caribbean)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-5TvK1BCiI/U3D4qBwi1lI/AAAAAAAAGJo/AD0HnOKvnB8/s1600/Brazilian_indians_000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-5TvK1BCiI/U3D4qBwi1lI/AAAAAAAAGJo/AD0HnOKvnB8/s1600/Brazilian_indians_000.JPG" height="322" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brazil is home to over 60 tribes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_indigenous_peoples_of_Brazil" target="_blank">indigenous</a> hunter gatherers </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">However, I</span> honestly couldn’t spot a Native
American if I was standing on the reservation and my life depended on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
a long time, I thought<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Diamond_Phillips" target="_blank">Lou Diamond Philips </a>was the only Native American actor who made it out of the reservation
hood and into stardom. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as far as I know, all the </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>Quileutes</b> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">in
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twilight</i></b>
series were pretty convincing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aside from existing images of traditional & </span><a href="http://listverse.com/2007/11/20/top-15-most-famous-native-americans/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">noteworthy</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Native Americans,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often think of modern day Native American features as a hybrid between Filipino and Ecuadorians. Or like the tribal people deep in Brazil. Or Samoans?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> How many of you r</span>eally even know what a Modern day Native American looks like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ins1CVa6AI/U3D7hzVGhQI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/g_0l70FlU4E/s1600/Wolf_Pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ins1CVa6AI/U3D7hzVGhQI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/g_0l70FlU4E/s1600/Wolf_Pack.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not every actor, but several of the wolf pack actors are in fact Native <br />
American. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So because you cannot be worldly without knowing a little about the people
who originally inhabited the continent that they were slayed on, before the next wave enslaved people were brought in to develop it, I did my homework (read: Googled).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and here’s what I found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">P.S. There are 36 speaking roles in Drunktown's Finest and of those roles, 32 are Native American Indians.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1990</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">George H. W. Bush declare the month
of November as </span><a href="http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Native
American Heritage Month</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reason that so many Black Americans claim
Native American Heritage, is because </span><a href="http://nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/indivisible/index.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">it’s true</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.
Although not everybody actually is “a quarter Indian” there was a point in
American history (slavery) where the ethnicities joined forces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lou
Diamond Philips is not Native American <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Julia Jones and Alex Meraz from the “wolf pack”
in Twilight are Native American (and sexy as hell)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sacajawea is the Native American face that you
see on the U.S dollar coin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Actor Will Rogers was born to a well respected
Native American Territory family</span><span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: TitilliumRegular; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">in Oklahoma <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is still a
travel blog. …I think<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-59110534831877882492014-05-06T19:11:00.001-04:002014-05-12T18:38:42.808-04:005 TIPS FOR SLEEPING ON PLANES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfTcmYTjg5Y/U2gMypP7F1I/AAAAAAAAGHg/YIVyIz6KerI/s1600/bridesmaids2jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sfTcmYTjg5Y/U2gMypP7F1I/AAAAAAAAGHg/YIVyIz6KerI/s1600/bridesmaids2jpg.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep "seat-mate" chatter to a minimum. Because nobody wants to hear your<br />damn conversation but you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's face it, anything more than a six hour flight can be agonizing, especially if you're wedged away in airplane </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp" target="_blank"><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gitmo</span></strike></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strike> </strike>economy class. For those of you who dread long flights, there are a few survival tips that you can take ...or leave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_qi_7wp0NI/U2gNGL7L-RI/AAAAAAAAGHw/G1w-3A3l3Fo/s1600/hyenas-laugh-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_qi_7wp0NI/U2gNGL7L-RI/AAAAAAAAGHw/G1w-3A3l3Fo/s1600/hyenas-laugh-2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stewardess! Anymore of that brand X vodka!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Make use of the free booze</strong> - Cocktails, beer, pick your poison and indulge. Most people spring for the wine. I go straight for the hard stuff. Vodka and coke. Because alcohol plus altitude equals sweet drunken slumber. Of course you could end up dehydrated & awake looking like a wild animal. Therefore red wine and Tylenol might be easier and a little classier. Just wake me up at dinner service.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3L4h6-cHHOY/U2lfMUj065I/AAAAAAAAGIs/i-saWI0uxOQ/s1600/Bridesmaid2-photos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3L4h6-cHHOY/U2lfMUj065I/AAAAAAAAGIs/i-saWI0uxOQ/s1600/Bridesmaid2-photos.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class can kiss my ass!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<strong>Self medicate</strong> - When booze doesn't equal snooze, have something else on hand just in case. If you've got some left over oxycodone from that time you had your tooth pulled, then go ahead knock yourself out -literally. Otherwise, spring for some over the counter sedatives because sometimes ear buds don't drown out the screaming kid kicking the seat back. But drug induced sleep suits most everyone. </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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWLGdBHvnBs/U2gM8adn4KI/AAAAAAAAGHs/epfJIdQ2nz0/s1600/plastic+bag+on+a+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWLGdBHvnBs/U2gM8adn4KI/AAAAAAAAGHs/epfJIdQ2nz0/s1600/plastic+bag+on+a+plane.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If he farts, will that bag inflate? And who's going untie <br />
his Ziploc bag when it's time to visit the loo?<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The right attire to retire - </strong>Don't own a hooded sweatshirt or an eye mask? Well you can still cocoon up in airline blankets. Additionally they cover up trouble spots for example a drooling mouth, a swollen gut and the general drunk-off-plane- booze ugly face) Because using a storage bag doesn't conceal these things. So hoard a couple of blankets and get your cocoon on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6S1Cuzc0ngc/U2lc4vzxaQI/AAAAAAAAGIE/PffPPDq9vIQ/s1600/Soul+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6S1Cuzc0ngc/U2lc4vzxaQI/AAAAAAAAGIE/PffPPDq9vIQ/s1600/Soul+plane.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that your feet or did you order the vegetarian meal </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Free your feet with caution</strong> - I once sat next to a 10, but when he took his shoes off I wanted to throw-up. I know you want your dogs to breath but no one wants to see or smell your hammer toes. If you take your shoes off and people start to clear their throats, assume the worst. Bring fresh socks that you can change into because planes are air-conditioned and your little funk buckets will freeze. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egW4trS8MFc/U2lgePmY0XI/AAAAAAAAGI4/la6Kv6UOh_E/s1600/soul+plane+neck+pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egW4trS8MFc/U2lgePmY0XI/AAAAAAAAGI4/la6Kv6UOh_E/s1600/soul+plane+neck+pillow.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neck pillow can keep your head stable and your slobbering contained to your chin </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Protect yo' neck</strong> - Invest in a neck pillow it will offer your head some "roll over" real estate, and if you're in an aisle seat, it can potentially keep you from head bobbing into the aisle and being slapped in the back of the head by a passing penis. I'm jus' saying.... </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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-HRNTSg21Y/U2lmIx83yVI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/xSUAYuZ4X6U/s1600/Dancing+on+the+plane.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-HRNTSg21Y/U2lmIx83yVI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/xSUAYuZ4X6U/s1600/Dancing+on+the+plane.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm just waiting for your head to swing into the aisle.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Getting the window seat in an exit row is like winning the lottery in economy class. And</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> regular window seats are a sweet snatch. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With that said, if you have a seat preference, go online the day of the flight to see if you can change your seat assignment. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If all else fails grab a aisle seat. You'll have a easier time unwinding and there might be an extra seat to stretch out on.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now sit back relax and enjoy the ride!!</span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOYMMW8eTpE/U2lmOYJJLVI/AAAAAAAAGJc/nXttFUFTmxw/s1600/soulplane-godfrey-snoop_1085713680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOYMMW8eTpE/U2lmOYJJLVI/AAAAAAAAGJc/nXttFUFTmxw/s1600/soulplane-godfrey-snoop_1085713680.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-26810955956538145522014-04-23T19:46:00.000-04:002014-04-23T19:46:54.305-04:00Experience Poverty ..in Luxury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkb45P2ZNME/U1g-SyivKNI/AAAAAAAAGGM/gQ5HZC58geI/s1600/African+mkukhu2big_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkb45P2ZNME/U1g-SyivKNI/AAAAAAAAGGM/gQ5HZC58geI/s1600/African+mkukhu2big_1239.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.emoya.co.za/p23/accommodation/shanty-town-for-a-unique-accommodation-experience-in-bloemfontein.html" target="_blank">Emoya Spa & Hotel</a> make Luxuriating in poverty a guilt-free experience. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Can someone
tell me what this about?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At first
Glance, I thought this was the set for Beyond Scared Straight – South Africa. I
quietly thought yea, this is a pretty shitty place to end up because shantytowns
are horrible places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And then I
saw the video? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I thought; is this
even ethical? </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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzRIm-4aJrM/U1g8t72O87I/AAAAAAAAGGE/lTyRDcFXJKk/s1600/Affrican+shanty6big_1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzRIm-4aJrM/U1g8t72O87I/AAAAAAAAGGE/lTyRDcFXJKk/s1600/Affrican+shanty6big_1260.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emoya's make shift shantytown, seen here, has heated floors and internet Wi-Fi!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I think of dream vacations for an African
safari the idea of cozying up to a oil barrel of flames just outside of my ultra
plush corrugated metal shack like the real poor folk of South Africa does not
come to mind.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEz3fz4W9MQ/U1hLnIDpyHI/AAAAAAAAGG4/XQccCERIGvg/s1600/Africa+Shanty+TT_SLeon+467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEz3fz4W9MQ/U1hLnIDpyHI/AAAAAAAAGG4/XQccCERIGvg/s1600/Africa+Shanty+TT_SLeon+467.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sierra Leone - I have visited shantytowns and there is nothing luxurious about them. Most times you want to be sure your vaccinations are up to date before going inside one.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And although nothing
captures those special moments and creates genuine memories quite like poverty
housing. The lack of sanitation, the disastrous hygiene conditions, and water born diseases that
really puts the stamp of authenticity on shanty town living scares the fuck out
of me and is not to be mocked ! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/R5vhgHbr0e0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Emoya gives you a tour of the grounds! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The YouTube audience is disgusted. Proof of that is in the comments section. </em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>One person suggested that the </em><a href="http://www.emoya.co.za/p23/accommodation/shanty-town-for-a-unique-accommodation-experience-in-bloemfontein.html" target="_blank"><em>Emoya Spa & Hotel</em></a><em> owners kill themselves. </em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>While other suggested more subtle things like hoping that their children get cancer (ouch)</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
I've heard of themed accommodations when traveling but some people take shit
way to literal and beyond too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is mockery. </span>As a
black American I would be scared to death to stay here thinking that it was a
trap and they would Solomon North me back into a pre-apartheid like era. <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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDQxrKByWXs/U1hJOjnJrNI/AAAAAAAAGGk/VKyExaYn0dQ/s1600/TT.SLeon+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDQxrKByWXs/U1hJOjnJrNI/AAAAAAAAGGk/VKyExaYn0dQ/s1600/TT.SLeon+187.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a very real Shanty in Sierra Leone. This pic was taken during my travels in 2009 if you cannot see the date stamp I so lazily did not edit out!</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<br />
Furthermore, If I had the dire misfortune of being one of the millions of South
Africa's actual shantytown residents, I think I would burn this bitch down to
manicured land these rat bastards unceremoniously built it on. Cancel my reservation and my apologies to the wildlife. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4alpQSbiKm0/U1hJxMS63sI/AAAAAAAAGGw/OcqkKBFWrzY/s1600/TT.SLeon+452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4alpQSbiKm0/U1hJxMS63sI/AAAAAAAAGGw/OcqkKBFWrzY/s1600/TT.SLeon+452.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are very real Shantytown residents. <br />
Sierra Leone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-18159076478748279472013-12-17T23:48:00.001-05:002013-12-17T23:48:41.413-05:00Lesser Known Holidays That Deserve Pay.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
If you are not a fan of holidays, then that's too bad because the next two months are wrought with some major ones like Christmas, New Year's, MLK, Chinese New Year's & Valentines. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QFYCM8wYpY/UrEgQ-3TtEI/AAAAAAAAGCE/etauepHkdl0/s1600/paidinfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QFYCM8wYpY/UrEgQ-3TtEI/AAAAAAAAGCE/etauepHkdl0/s400/paidinfull.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
But did you know that there are a few lesser known and yet intriguing ones coming up as well? How do you I know this? Because i was cruising the paid holiday calendar at work. So for those of you who cannot legitimately observe religious holidays without being blasphemous or sacrilegious. Here are a few that you can propose be added to the Paid Holiday schedule.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You can thank me later.........</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VB8hkV0lZyA/UrEfl471pjI/AAAAAAAAGB8/kyPPE0mGLrQ/s1600/hangover+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VB8hkV0lZyA/UrEfl471pjI/AAAAAAAAGB8/kyPPE0mGLrQ/s320/hangover+bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">owning a fleet of these buses almost guarantees instant wealth. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<strong>Festival Of Sleep Day - January 3rd -</strong> Who hasn't experienced the 48hr hangover, post New Year's. And after all the energy spent closing an entire 365 days, the third day of the new year is usually full of the walking dead still recovering from alcoholism, sleep deprivation or simply lying about being sick because they are still on vacation in bumbafuck. So why force them to use a sick day? They should really called this "Pick Up The Pieces" day. <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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1k6fc4XJ7DM/UrEXVqLStCI/AAAAAAAAGBI/QJ1YiBVZQn4/s1600/floras+green+thumb.wordpress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1k6fc4XJ7DM/UrEXVqLStCI/AAAAAAAAGBI/QJ1YiBVZQn4/s400/floras+green+thumb.wordpress.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Houseplant Appreciation day - 1/10</strong> - The name alone explains why you can't possibly show up to work on this day. How can you appropriately show your undying affection, if you are not side-by-side to your beloved potted perfection of greenery? (medical marijuana aside) After all, it offers you a immediate source of oxygen from the polluted life you live. And not being there to say thank you? - well that's just selfish.....</div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0y5JeCwOL8s/UrEeAox3GhI/AAAAAAAAGBo/83b-0MNh5Yk/s1600/opposites.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0y5JeCwOL8s/UrEeAox3GhI/AAAAAAAAGBo/83b-0MNh5Yk/s320/opposites.png" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<strong>Opposite Day - January 25th -</strong> Well what's the opposite of being at work? Boom!! They say this holiday may date back to president Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s'. So if it good enough for a president then damnit who am I to oppose? </div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gx9Lx5ivEb4/UrEXklifsTI/AAAAAAAAGBU/ghWkSqkFhgg/s1600/spilledmilk+road+to+rationality+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gx9Lx5ivEb4/UrEXklifsTI/AAAAAAAAGBU/ghWkSqkFhgg/s200/spilledmilk+road+to+rationality+blog.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
<strong>Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day - February 11th - "</strong>Today is the day to recognize that sh*t happens." Well I couldn't have said it better myself! Sh*t happens everyday and still I and millions of others manage to make it to our jobs - and on time. So give us a little friggin' well deserved credit here and make this a paid holiday. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_uANY54nX4/UrEX4CcGp-I/AAAAAAAAGBY/4NRGLrIx9Mw/s1600/suicide+hotline+cartoon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_uANY54nX4/UrEX4CcGp-I/AAAAAAAAGBY/4NRGLrIx9Mw/s400/suicide+hotline+cartoon.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<strong>Singles Awareness Day - February 15th</strong> - "You can celebrate and enjoy the fact that you are unattached, by spending time in online dating sites, swapping gifts and spending time with other single people", is how they say this holiday <strong><em>should</em></strong> be celebrated.<br />
<br />
And if that isn't depressing enough, they declare this shitty holiday just after Valentines day - on purpose. As far as I'm concerned this holiday would give the suicide hotline a marathon day of work. And well, making those suicidal calls from work can bring down productivity so - stay home! </div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4JIZLo3RFA/UrEhy37ydII/AAAAAAAAGCY/8MiH7e2aq1E/s1600/fairy-godmother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4JIZLo3RFA/UrEhy37ydII/AAAAAAAAGCY/8MiH7e2aq1E/s1600/fairy-godmother.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Tell A Fairy Tale Day February 26th</strong> - Most of us spend a good portion of the day doing this anyway. So instead of wasting all those colorful stories on people you will only lie to again tomorrow, take a day off today recoup some karma points.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So there you have it kids! And there are dozens more out there. So have a great New Year. I would tell you that there will be another entry before 2014 but that would be a fairy tale. And that holiday is two months away. <br />
<br />
Be good and if you can't be good .....then dammit be good at it!<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
#quittheratracein2014<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-41159994460570316362013-06-19T23:43:00.000-04:002013-06-19T23:43:45.973-04:00Can We Talk About The Indians In The Room?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0hSl0PF3Q8/UbI_XvuyetI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/3P5Egukdsy8/s1600/indo-african_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0hSl0PF3Q8/UbI_XvuyetI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/3P5Egukdsy8/s400/indo-african_500.jpg" width="400" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/east%20indians" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">As a handsome young, Indian commuter & I discussed the severe winters in the NYC Metro area, he said that he considered moving back to the year-round tropical weather of his own country in fifteen years time. "<strong><i><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">India Tropical?"</span></i></strong> really? </span><br /><br /><u2:p></u2:p><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';"> When I told him that I too considered "expat-ing" abroad, in East Africa, perhaps Tanzania, he jumped in excitedly and said, "<em>Really? That's where I am from!" <b><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">Habari Gani!</span></b></em> He then proceeded to talk to me in perfect Swahili.</span></span><br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwUwcztQu5U/UbJs9xYbEqI/AAAAAAAAF4g/rQTmQYwoom0/s1600/IndianTanzania.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwUwcztQu5U/UbJs9xYbEqI/AAAAAAAAF4g/rQTmQYwoom0/s400/IndianTanzania.jpg" width="253" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Tanzania 2007 Richa Adhia -<br />
Her victory ignited an ethnic debate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">Many people are aware of how the entrails of colonialism in Africa, left behind large numbers of Germans, Dutch, & French to name a few. And although many of these groups left en mass, as African countries began gaining their independence; those who remained now consider themselves to be Afrikaners, a separate ethnic group of non-indigenous Africans. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'Times','serif';">But by what name do we call the Indians of Africa? How many people know about the Asian population that settled in Africa, beyond South African borders? Ethnic Indians can be found throughout sub-Saharan Africa by the hundreds of thousands. And their presence however small, is still noteworthy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZexDcz72oo/UbJWXNN52sI/AAAAAAAAF3A/kEiPL-FH9S8/s1600/Indianembassy+TZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZexDcz72oo/UbJWXNN52sI/AAAAAAAAF3A/kEiPL-FH9S8/s400/Indianembassy+TZ.jpg" width="400" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know that Tanzania has an Indian Embassy?<br />
<a href="http://mynrination.com/Modules/NewsArticleModule/newsdetail.php?mainnews=203&news=18" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But what brought them to Sub-Sahara Africa in the first place? Indentured servitude, the British, and the early scramble for African development play a prominent role. For example, when Britain commissioned the construction for the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1896, the project brought over 30k Indians to Sub-Saharan African for work over a 30 year period. <br /><u1:p></u1:p><br />However, this doesn't explain <span style="background: white; color: black;">why</span><span style="background: white;"> when</span> work related contracts ended, or when dictators, like<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"> <span style="background: yellow;">Idi</span></span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> </span><span style="background: yellow;">Amin</span> expelled them after having a dream in which "<em><b>God told him to do it</b></em>", (sure blame God) still many of them chose to stay behind. One reason seems to have had much to do with what the British began doing - enterprising</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDXSF-owsn0/UbJha2tgy8I/AAAAAAAAF3c/iNunPpiuIqs/s1600/IndianRwandan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDXSF-owsn0/UbJha2tgy8I/AAAAAAAAF3c/iNunPpiuIqs/s400/IndianRwandan.jpg" width="400" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://in2eastafrica.net/indian-community-in-rwanda-marks-harvest-day/" target="_blank">Source </a><br />
Asian-Africans - Rwanda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">During the 1900s' Indians in Kenya held significant economic strength & political positions over indigenous Blacks. In 1905 a merchant named <b>Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee, </b>became one of Kenya’s first Indian politicians. He also founded <b>The African Standard - </b>Kenya's first newspaper, which is still in circulation today. And did you know that by 1948, 183 of Uganda's 195 cotton ginneries were Indian run? Indians also largely controlled the trade in Zanzibar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Presently, East African countries like Tanzania</span> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">not only ha</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ve</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> an Indian embassy but</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> have</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">had former beauty queens of Indian descent</span>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Zambia Mozambique and Rwanda also have thriving Indian communities. And </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Zanzibar is the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, of the band Queen</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUeAvZabTXA/UbJpf48EmsI/AAAAAAAAF4A/aClfC6t8pbw/s1600/indianwedding_mombassa26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="449" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUeAvZabTXA/UbJpf48EmsI/AAAAAAAAF4A/aClfC6t8pbw/s640/indianwedding_mombassa26.jpg" width="640" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://magnusbogucki.com/photography/weddingday_mombasa/" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
Mombasa a coastal region in Kenya is a popular wedding destination. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Over the following decades, Indians amassed a comfortable amount of wealth, owning properties establishing businesses and cornering commercial trade markets in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bend_in_the_River" title="A Bend in the River"><span style="color: purple;">A Bend in the River</span></a> written by Indian-Trinidadian author, V.S Naipaul, is said to have best described the experience of the Indian population in Sub-Saharan Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
Like most Africans, these Southeast Asian descendants speak several languages; English, one or two ancestral Indian languages (i.e. Gujarati) and of course, the national language of the African country they are from (i.e. Swahili). Historically, Indians have moved throughout the world in search of work, for centuries. They can also be found calling home to a number of Caribbean countries like Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname & Jamaica. <br />
<br />
Take a look as writer/director Steve Sander's tells the tale of these trans-continental Indians or "Indian-Africans" in a documentary called <a href="http://youtu.be/XFI0_fsCZHQ" target="_blank">African Raga</a>. And the next time someone of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indian descent tells you they can't wait to visit home, be sure to ask "where" exactly home is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dY5CsZV5EAo/UbJtDnTT1aI/AAAAAAAAF4s/ApcVALkUfno/s1600/indian+men+of+Kenya+railway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dY5CsZV5EAo/UbJtDnTT1aI/AAAAAAAAF4s/ApcVALkUfno/s640/indian+men+of+Kenya+railway.jpg" width="640" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-8554007492886682202013-05-16T18:42:00.000-04:002014-10-09T17:51:30.756-04:00Cartagena; The Black Colombians Y'all<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong> Cartagena; Colombia's "African" Coast. </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I once saw a Shakira video (you know, her hips don't lie) where she's home, in Colombia doing something charitable. Nothing odd about that. However, what I did find interesting, was that everyone around her was black. And I thought, <strong>"<em>Is this really Colombia she is in or am I missing something?"</em> </strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRdFyliaANE/UXAzBDzVuRI/AAAAAAAAFwc/w22k2uB0Qgk/s1600/IMG_1599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRdFyliaANE/UXAzBDzVuRI/AAAAAAAAFwc/w22k2uB0Qgk/s640/IMG_1599.jpg" dua="true" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Obvio" </span><br />
Was the way 12yr old Joanna responded when we asked if she can dance Champeta. . </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</h3>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I hadn't previously planned to visit Colombia, but an
airfare deal further stoked my intrigue. Three days later, the
ticket was booked and I began scouring travel websites for
information on Cartagena, the coastal region of Colombia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And I found plenty.... however many websites kind
of failed to mention one very important detail about this coastal
city. But the truth was about to hit me harder than a sock full
of nickels to the face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwCnGvb8Ti0/UTaHr7IuUDI/AAAAAAAAFn0/2GFVLefAKDY/s1600/IMG_1629%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwCnGvb8Ti0/UTaHr7IuUDI/AAAAAAAAFn0/2GFVLefAKDY/s640/IMG_1629%5B1%5D.jpg" height="480" jsa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">This is on an Island about 20 minutes by row boat off off the mainland. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">They call it La Boquillita or "Little Boquilla" is waterlogged throughout most of the island. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Did you know that the population in Cartagena is
predominately Black? As well as the cities of Cali, Baranquilla
and Choco. I'm not going to lie to you folks I arrive in most
countries with few expectations - but I honestly was not
expecting that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sure I'd heard about the oftentimes
unmentioned legions of Afro-Latinos in places like Ecuador, Mexico, Peru,
El Salvador, Belize and Nicaragua to name a few. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But to be in a country, in which the free world rarely
focuses on, much less admits to the presence of such a staggeringly
large population of African descendants, outside of North
America made this trip, by far, one of the most humbling
I've taken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctaBUzq9Cw4/UTaIYs7APSI/AAAAAAAAFoA/XTfZmGqCdyU/s1600/IMG_2016%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctaBUzq9Cw4/UTaIYs7APSI/AAAAAAAAFoA/XTfZmGqCdyU/s640/IMG_2016%255B1%255D.jpg" height="480" jsa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">These are the guys at Mt. Totumo (the mud volcano). They are part of a collective that maintains the grounds and upkeep for the volcano and it's visitors.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In any case, I spent several days touring
and learning about the history of Africans in Cartagena. And
perhaps, to overstate the obvious, it was in many aspects, extremely similar to
the difficult plight of Africans in America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Did you know that more African
slaves were brought to South and Latin America than North
America? Ten fold. Many coastal cities in these Caribbean countries had
ports which were the drop off point for cargo of</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">all kinds</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">including the human kind. </span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4PCRt6S4g0/UTaIrisJqXI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/lmh6IBWS9Iw/s1600/IMG_1872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4PCRt6S4g0/UTaIrisJqXI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/lmh6IBWS9Iw/s640/IMG_1872.jpg" height="640" jsa="true" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> La Negra </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A fundamental difference however, is that in many
Latin-American countries, including Colombia,
colonial governments tried like hell to wipe out any trace of the
black population through race mixing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And you would believe that it worked, until you are in the middle
of a population that looks, well, exactly like yourself . </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The failed tactic however, led to
the marginalization of an entire population based on the color of
their skin, and according to the locals, much of this
marginalization still exists today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KID35H6gU4/UTaIw7ebtQI/AAAAAAAAFoY/pc1blOOhC78/s1600/IMG_1596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KID35H6gU4/UTaIw7ebtQI/AAAAAAAAFoY/pc1blOOhC78/s640/IMG_1596.jpg" height="480" jsa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joanna's little brother (left) and cousin (center). They made their own video after a quick iPhone tutorial. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">However this could have also had a huge affect on the way I
experienced this beautiful city. During my visit, I walked the streets
daily, of what is regarded as an extremely dangerous city, in the day as well
as the evenings .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> In areas like Getsamani, San Diego &
Bocagrande, I met people and made connections, never once
feeling any of the danger that I was strongly advised of beforehand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Cartagenians were friendly, hospitable and generally went about
their business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VGFNaSHzkc/UTaI1taUW4I/AAAAAAAAFog/2liOw4MP6ws/s1600/IMG_1873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VGFNaSHzkc/UTaI1taUW4I/AAAAAAAAFog/2liOw4MP6ws/s640/IMG_1873.jpg" height="640" jsa="true" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Inside the Carneceria (meat market) section of "El Mercado." The atmosphere is lively. This gentleman wanted to know what a local girl was doing with a tour guide? Then he caught on.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfcXVqcsqq0/UTaLIUs3CYI/AAAAAAAAFok/ZUZUnbVsna0/s1600/IMG_1773%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfcXVqcsqq0/UTaLIUs3CYI/AAAAAAAAFok/ZUZUnbVsna0/s640/IMG_1773%5B1%5D.jpg" height="480" jsa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Palenqueros </span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Is not only used to describe the woman above, it is also used to
describe the language she would speak and the accompanying culture. It
is also thought to be the only Spanish-based creole in Latin
America. The language has strong roots in the Kikongo language
spoken in Congo and Angola - both countries of Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
Some scholars believe it may have been the main language of African slaves
across Latin America. The lady above may not be an authentic
Palenquero but she's reppin' the presence of a disappearing
culture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iExmRHxYn3w/UTaMA1-RM0I/AAAAAAAAFpI/SiKuoxXSmXM/s1600/DSCN4597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iExmRHxYn3w/UTaMA1-RM0I/AAAAAAAAFpI/SiKuoxXSmXM/s640/DSCN4597.jpg" height="640" jsa="true" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the only way to La Boquillita - by "Water Taxi". </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Oftentimes I was mistaken for a local girl by tourists and
Colombians alike. But not always..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><i>"Morena,”</i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">they called out. </span><i>"De
donde tu eres?</i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Or</span> <i>”La
negra, que es su pais?"</i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I was shocked because as sure as I had blended in, I very
much stood out. And yet I noticed how</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Cartagenians let their guard down & embraced
me. </span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I used their curiousity as a segue
to my own inquiries and also as an opportunity to make new friends! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bass8DS4yh4/UTaLPqi1_0I/AAAAAAAAFow/oEN-kDvKRZ0/s1600/IMG_1641%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bass8DS4yh4/UTaLPqi1_0I/AAAAAAAAFow/oEN-kDvKRZ0/s640/IMG_1641%255B1%255D.jpg" height="480" jsa="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In this photo, Henry, Elias and me are travelling by boat through the community to head back to the open water that will return us to the mainland. The only thing that separates these houses from the water is a small bit of elevated ground. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> It was romantic to hear the call of cocks, chirping crickets, barking dogs, and laughing children throughout this slow row. Neighbors call out to you when you pass by offering a friendly "Buenas!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I was emotionally conflicted, envying the simplicity but not the conditions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jLf4roFQ0dA/UT-zUka8zMI/AAAAAAAAFpk/P_M6hExptJ8/s1600/DSCN4596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jLf4roFQ0dA/UT-zUka8zMI/AAAAAAAAFpk/P_M6hExptJ8/s640/DSCN4596.jpg" height="640" psa="true" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span a="undefined" c="4" class="short_text" closure_uid_722208641="36" id="result_box" lang="es" ud="null"><span class="hps" closure_uid_722208641="103" ud="null">El</span> C<span class="hps" closure_uid_722208641="104" ud="null">apitán, Elias</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I lounged on the beach at Bocagrande drinking cervezas
with local shop owners and their friends while other tourists got
haggled by vendors. I ate lunch at the table with the resident
families in Boquillita while other tourists isolated themselves in cabanas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And I was occasionally asked to take photos with other
tourists, who didn't realize that I too was a tourist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGVBJc9UIhE/UT-y5d9zD7I/AAAAAAAAFpY/oP9pi2iXCGw/s1600/DSCN4605%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGVBJc9UIhE/UT-y5d9zD7I/AAAAAAAAFpY/oP9pi2iXCGw/s640/DSCN4605%255B1%255D.jpg" height="480" psa="true" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Perhaps I let my guard down too low considering the country's
overall reputation.<br />
But I casually disappeared into the ebb and flow of the city without any
harm coming to me.<br />
Who knows maybe the combo of common sense, street smarts, and brown skin is
what saved my ass!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway why would I hold back? These people were exotic and yet familiar, hospitable
and peaceful. Their culture, those colors, the foods many of which were typical
island traits. Within just a few short days, I had gladly assimilated
into a culture that seemed so foreign and yet jarringly familiar to me. Who
knows, maybe that's the magic of Cartagena!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Have you ever visited a country that was nothing like it's presumed reupation?</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>...and did anyone believe you?? </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFGblUA82OQ/UT-zKSjcBqI/AAAAAAAAFpg/CGI_xgbWig8/s1600/DSCN4618%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFGblUA82OQ/UT-zKSjcBqI/AAAAAAAAFpg/CGI_xgbWig8/s640/DSCN4618%255B1%255D.jpg" height="480" psa="true" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-20069856441012911952013-04-08T20:54:00.003-04:002013-04-12T13:44:00.066-04:00Hiking, Snake Charming and Vodka Shots - Spring Has Sprung<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Conquering Cold springs - Mt Taurus trail</span></b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXd8jd3NzGQ/UWMCrrs41mI/AAAAAAAAFtU/tMP8dIv3WHw/s1600/Cold+Springs+Crew1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mta="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXd8jd3NzGQ/UWMCrrs41mI/AAAAAAAAFtU/tMP8dIv3WHw/s640/Cold+Springs+Crew1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ain't `fraid of no mountains!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't you just hate those people!? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You know, the kind that own backpacks and hiking gear, puffy vests and bikes n whatnot? The folks that get a crew of people together and as soon as the weather breaks, they wanna climb mountains and shyte! Puhleeease! You know what I'm talkin about?! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><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;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJFrIHXZNzc/UWMzV_u7VKI/AAAAAAAAFuM/RLVW5a5K61c/s1600/ColdSprings002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mta="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJFrIHXZNzc/UWMzV_u7VKI/AAAAAAAAFuM/RLVW5a5K61c/s640/ColdSprings002.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Walking through the quaint village of Cold Springs on out way to the trail head </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well count me as one of THOSE people! Because the onset of warm weather gets into my bones and sets off the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Boone" target="_blank">Daniel Boone</a> spirit in meh! So we gathered our crew, some of the finest outdoors men and women of New York city and shot up north to Cold Springs NY to scale the face of Mt. Taurus and Bull Hill.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><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;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxba7dz6Xzw/UWMzVfAVNeI/AAAAAAAAFuI/90iJubTU1Pg/s1600/ColdSprings+crew004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mta="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxba7dz6Xzw/UWMzVfAVNeI/AAAAAAAAFuI/90iJubTU1Pg/s640/ColdSprings+crew004.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That there, on four legs is <b>Smity,</b> our resident pitbull watching as we scale the dilapidated stone structures on the trail </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know what some of you <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highfalutin" target="_blank">highfalutin</a> folk are thinking <b>"Sounds like a horror movie waiting to happen?!</b> and <b>"Hell Nah! I don't do woods"</b> and of course "<b>Why that hell would i wanna walk for 4 hours</b>?" Well then, I can truly say that, it sucks to be you! Because you have no idea how much a spring hike with 15 amazing people and one extremely lovable pit bull can be ! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQfm-2In2Yg/UWMzWobkCTI/AAAAAAAAFuY/IYz1in4afAg/s1600/Coldspringscrew003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mta="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQfm-2In2Yg/UWMzWobkCTI/AAAAAAAAFuY/IYz1in4afAg/s640/Coldspringscrew003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountain is full of copper head snakes but I have no idea which kind this is </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We saw wildlife that came to greet us along the trail. And while many of the ladies took off at speed that Usain Bolt would be envious of, yours truly picked it up with a branch and then one of my peeps picked it up by the tail. (I'll admit sniffing fresh air for too long can make you do some crazy shyte) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-co4wwjETdu0/UWNiEi8J-YI/AAAAAAAAFv0/sa8WrOD1pK0/s1600/ColdSprings008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-co4wwjETdu0/UWNiEi8J-YI/AAAAAAAAFv0/sa8WrOD1pK0/s640/ColdSprings008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawny leaves the Hudson behind her</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We encountered a pond of hundreds of the horniest frogs doing the nasty - it was a froggy-orgy and they could be heard across the mountian. Somebody commented that if you ain't you making noise then you ain't doing it right! That would make these frogs pros!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwUzoWbmZ0o/UWNU12JOFXI/AAAAAAAAFus/2mokksgeMo4/s1600/coldsprings+004+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwUzoWbmZ0o/UWNU12JOFXI/AAAAAAAAFus/2mokksgeMo4/s640/coldsprings+004+.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a froggy affair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>The Facts</b>: Mount Taurus is part of the <a href="http://www.nysparks.com/parks/9/details.aspx" target="_blank">Hudson Highlands State Parks</a> department. It's a scenic six mile hike classified as moderate with regards to the difficulty level. The best part? Well not only is Mt Taurus an hour's drive outside the city, but you can also get there on the Metro-North @ Grand central Station, for about $26 round trip. And Hiking is<b> $free.99! </b>which is always in my budget.<b> </b>That's right folks <b>everything </b>costs less outside of New York City.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgXc-biZi5w/UWNb72MkgWI/AAAAAAAAFvE/c6Egms2Vf1A/s1600/ColdSprings4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgXc-biZi5w/UWNb72MkgWI/AAAAAAAAFvE/c6Egms2Vf1A/s640/ColdSprings4.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I mean you haven't really lived until you've gone hiking for no gotdamn reason!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For those of you who secretly harbor the desire to run about buck wild in the woods or for visitors looking for a little slice of New York's other beautiful parks this is a great day trip. You can be there by 10:am and back in the city by 6pm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Follow the link below to get more info as well as a short video of Mt Taurus trail so that you have an idea of what to expect. <a href="http://hikingcampingtrails.com/mt-taurus-and-breakneck-ridge-day-hike/" target="_blank">http://hikingcampingtrails.com/mt-taurus-and-breakneck-ridge-day-hike/</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yELG6FVWvSU/UWNcFXB9ZqI/AAAAAAAAFvY/7CZZg4sFZ50/s1600/ColdSprings2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yELG6FVWvSU/UWNcFXB9ZqI/AAAAAAAAFvY/7CZZg4sFZ50/s640/ColdSprings2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sweat! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mt Taurus has an incline of approximately 1400 hundred feet. And the weather was perfect at a balmy 54 degrees. For some of us, it turned into a strip hike as people shaved off layers the further along we got.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We started off loading up on Gatorade and fruit, trail mix and power bars; a set of walkie-talkies, and a "<b>No- Man-Left-Behind-Attitude. </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBXtJYR9C-M/UWNh8wmh3rI/AAAAAAAAFvs/LgIsZU_Z5Y0/s1600/ColdSprings010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBXtJYR9C-M/UWNh8wmh3rI/AAAAAAAAFvs/LgIsZU_Z5Y0/s640/ColdSprings010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the summit of Bull Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once we reached the summit, we ate our lunches, drank coffee and did a few celebratory shots of vodka and rum! All while taking in the amazing view. We headed back down following the trail markers and throwing snowballs, swinging on tree vines and climbing massive trees. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eFAr2Gbp-8/UWNibSWK4MI/AAAAAAAAFv8/sokOGUzliFk/s1600/ColdSprings009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eFAr2Gbp-8/UWNibSWK4MI/AAAAAAAAFv8/sokOGUzliFk/s640/ColdSprings009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent about one half hour here jumping from structure to structure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sngBaJM71vU/UWNjtApnpRI/AAAAAAAAFwM/EJE2ydYZPDU/s1600/Coldsprings011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sngBaJM71vU/UWNjtApnpRI/AAAAAAAAFwM/EJE2ydYZPDU/s640/Coldsprings011.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the guys got a little adventurous and the girls eventually followed behind. Less I reminded everyone that I only had three band aids and one alcohol swab. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8PA_nfT4rM/UWNUegLiIoI/AAAAAAAAFuo/2E7ILFSP5gk/s1600/ColdSpringsCrew001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8PA_nfT4rM/UWNUegLiIoI/AAAAAAAAFuo/2E7ILFSP5gk/s640/ColdSpringsCrew001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was definitely the best Spring hike yet</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What about you! Do you have any adventures planned for spring? </b></span></i></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-28320936370885830882013-02-25T13:26:00.000-05:002013-02-26T09:47:55.484-05:00How to Do Manhattan's Times Square on $35<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V11t_OptYz8/USujgvQtnaI/AAAAAAAAFgA/7Qx0PaSrgps/s1600/IMG_2782%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V11t_OptYz8/USujgvQtnaI/AAAAAAAAFgA/7Qx0PaSrgps/s640/IMG_2782%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It has occurred to me that people come to NYC "ballin" on a budget. Don't be ashamed I do it all the time!<br />
And still I manage to have an amazing time. So in honor of all you thrifty travelers, dirty backpackers, and gap year broke college kids, here's a quick "How To" on doing Manhattan Times Square for about $35 bucks!<br />
<br />
SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS....... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6UkqKH09iSc/USubA08I-vI/AAAAAAAAFco/9TyOBCVGFPU/s1600/IMG_2831%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6UkqKH09iSc/USubA08I-vI/AAAAAAAAFco/9TyOBCVGFPU/s400/IMG_2831%5B1%5D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Head to Barcelona, a $5 shot bar on 8th and 54 and ask for the knight rider. They will pump the 1980s' theme song while you gulp down your shot. They have over 100 shots to chose from inclding ones where they set the bar on fire - literally.<br />
If you drink 100 shots within one year, you get to create a shot and name it. It's kind of like build-a-bear but with alcohol! don't worry if you're too drunk too remember your name, they keep a running list with your name and your dereliction<br />
<br />
<strong>$5 each</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjbedriRy_o/USua6TpghnI/AAAAAAAAFcg/2LDdCG-9Irw/s1600/IMG_2872%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjbedriRy_o/USua6TpghnI/AAAAAAAAFcg/2LDdCG-9Irw/s400/IMG_2872%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Pet the pretty horsey of the hottest policemen men in NYC - the mounted squad. They love taking pics so don't be scurrred! And they are some of the biggest flirts (not the horses) So ask for a business card and tell them you may need some "saving" later. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
<strong>$free.99</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZIy7-L_3q0/USuaWYyHOdI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/ty5nZXByt60/s1600/IMG_2874%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZIy7-L_3q0/USuaWYyHOdI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/ty5nZXByt60/s400/IMG_2874%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
Ditch the corny character drawing and instead, get some face claymation to take home. Who tha fugg wants to carry around a poster of themselves with a warped head? Instead have this guy etch I Love New York into your face and date stamp it! Throw that ish in your pocket and keep it moving!<br />
<strong>$5</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkivOPy7EG8/USue8jd73JI/AAAAAAAAFeM/K0ssZt_MwyY/s1600/IMG_2808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkivOPy7EG8/USue8jd73JI/AAAAAAAAFeM/K0ssZt_MwyY/s400/IMG_2808.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No seriously these leg warmers deserve a whole half hour of questions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpwWhBii1mI/USubweN4LWI/AAAAAAAAFc4/Ximbm5hDTv4/s1600/IMG_2809%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpwWhBii1mI/USubweN4LWI/AAAAAAAAFc4/Ximbm5hDTv4/s320/IMG_2809%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup those are fox faces on his knees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Casual convo with a real NYer</strong> - Ask this guy who makes his leg warmers - he's got about a dozen and matching coats. And he will model them for you, plus give the story on how they came to be! Two words thrift+store.<br />
<br />
<strong>$free.99</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O_1iy3y8P0/USua0kK2ucI/AAAAAAAAFcY/CwKzOTz8CTU/s1600/IMG_2865%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O_1iy3y8P0/USua0kK2ucI/AAAAAAAAFcY/CwKzOTz8CTU/s640/IMG_2865%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Character Assault </strong>- Run up and randomly punch papa smurf in the nose or solicit Hello Kitty for her kitty - cuz you know it's hard out here for a cartoon pimp. <br />
<strong>$1 each</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIJ-9pJ5TMA/USujl4SKW-I/AAAAAAAAFgI/YqqMIPc8HDI/s1600/IMG_2796%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIJ-9pJ5TMA/USujl4SKW-I/AAAAAAAAFgI/YqqMIPc8HDI/s400/IMG_2796%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ditch the dogs - authentic NYC street meat is a halal truck - gyro and shish kababs get the job done and don't give you diarrhea.<br />
<strong>$5</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7mfO_IF7-8/USumv19zy2I/AAAAAAAAFh4/PyJkQFCMLTE/s1600/IMG_2707%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7mfO_IF7-8/USumv19zy2I/AAAAAAAAFh4/PyJkQFCMLTE/s640/IMG_2707%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<strong>Street meet</strong> - head over to the Red Stairs and meet other tourists. Take pics and get authentically elbowed by New York commuters. Because yes, you are always in the fugging way!<br />
<strong>$free.99</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_mj5ms8XBqE/USulDPTpegI/AAAAAAAAFgc/GHz3Fhqiieg/s1600/IMG_2718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_mj5ms8XBqE/USulDPTpegI/AAAAAAAAFgc/GHz3Fhqiieg/s400/IMG_2718.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>So you think you can ride</strong>? well then, grab a bike @ <a href="http://www.bikerentalcentralpark.com/" target="_blank">bike rental central park</a> and opt out of riding through Central Park. Instead, hit the streets and see how long it takes before you hit someone or someone hits you. <br />
<strong>$12 for 1 hour</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7u5rG5Fxf78/USuiR7aoUZI/AAAAAAAAFfw/tUvU0hKn5jI/s1600/IMG_0736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7u5rG5Fxf78/USuiR7aoUZI/AAAAAAAAFfw/tUvU0hKn5jI/s400/IMG_0736.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
<strong>Brokeback Sing-a-long</strong> - Request a song from this guy then sing along. He won't ask you for money. He just really needs the practice - Pay this guy.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong> $1</strong></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBx4oBsl29A/USuh9lwa4hI/AAAAAAAAFfg/kAlw8ErZ8Ys/s1600/IMG_2868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBx4oBsl29A/USuh9lwa4hI/AAAAAAAAFfg/kAlw8ErZ8Ys/s640/IMG_2868.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't pay this guy! <br />
<strong>$0</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIiy0luhXg/USukzvgFq6I/AAAAAAAAFgU/I2eBL_7JdX4/s1600/NYC2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIiy0luhXg/USukzvgFq6I/AAAAAAAAFgU/I2eBL_7JdX4/s400/NYC2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Support Medical Research</strong> - Some people want to travel and see the world, while others are just trying to make it through the damn day. Not an advocate for medical marijuana? No prob there's a guy 3 blocks down that needs money for beer. Cheers!<br />
<strong>$1</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCFtMNx1Vt8/USulIQ5TPrI/AAAAAAAAFgk/hMdVtvZYtZ0/s1600/IMG_2807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCFtMNx1Vt8/USulIQ5TPrI/AAAAAAAAFgk/hMdVtvZYtZ0/s640/IMG_2807.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
There you have it kids - the $35 midtown round up. This is your trip and it is what you make of it. You didn't come here to eat McDonald's and get ripped off at the <strike>wack</strike> wax museum. You came here to do New York -right. Whatever you want to see, smell, or touch is within your reach for less than you think. Just ask the right people. And if you are not sure who those people are, well then, you've come to the right place.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Is there anything you always dreamed of doing when you come to New York?</span></strong></div>
<br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-31911940695110971922013-01-21T13:00:00.000-05:002013-02-18T14:47:58.278-05:00Dear East Africa - Safari Park and Hungry Lions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">....Turns out that those rifles on the park rangers were not just "accessories," they mean to shoot sh*t out here!"" </span></strong><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0u2zEhpIvs/TqM0dr4EU6I/AAAAAAAABxU/cLilGWT1I40/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0u2zEhpIvs/TqM0dr4EU6I/AAAAAAAABxU/cLilGWT1I40/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Buffalo with his feathered companion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Dear Kenya - Who lets people into a REAL safari park alone and in the dark?!</strong><br />
<br />
OK so we <strike>lied</strike> to park rangers to enter a national safari park full of wild animals who have free range over several thousand acres of land. But we had driven for two hours in a rented hunk of junk that smelled like a bag of armpits, and we were not about to turn back. <br />
<br />
Therefore we had no one to blame when we found ourselves alone and surrounded by a pack of lions inside Nakuru National park waaaay after dark.<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9wqKieV8wI/TqMzAn9RLUI/AAAAAAAABxE/mVQycwEzfPk/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9wqKieV8wI/TqMzAn9RLUI/AAAAAAAABxE/mVQycwEzfPk/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When your tongues is that long, you don't let anything go to waste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Dear Nakuru - You treat people like animals! </strong><br />
<br />
...but in a good way! Like Nairobi National Park, Nakuru also allows visitors to tour the safari park in their own vehicles at their leisure. However when we arrived, the park had just closed. After the long drive, there was no way we were heading back to Nairobi. So we devised a plan.<br />
<br />
I pulled out my iPhone & googled lodging inside the park, while my friend, Moshi, explained the situation to park rangers, I texted my findings and within 20 minutes, we convinced rangers that we had reservations at <a href="http://www.sarovahotels.com/lionhill/overview">Sarova Lion Hill Lodge</a> or <a href="http://www.lakenakurulodge.com/" target="_blank">The Lake Nakuru Lodge</a>.<br />
After reviewing our documents & collecting our fees the head ranger told us, "<strong><em>Whatever you do, stay on the main path</em></strong>." <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJnoPHp6rhM/TqM03z6JMMI/AAAAAAAABxk/UMpH2hum0s4/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zJnoPHp6rhM/TqM03z6JMMI/AAAAAAAABxk/UMpH2hum0s4/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of the baboons came close to the roadside<br />
out of a mutual curiousity. Some hopped onto the car hoping for a treat or possibly to mangle us to death. Don't be fooled. These darn things are deadly and have been known to shred lions to pieces! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The sun had set and a shroud of darkness fell upon the entire park. The car headlights could barely cut two feet into the thick brush on either side of the main road. Could anyone save us if something went wrong?<br />
There were no lamp posts, no concession stands or rangers patrolling the park after hours. To the animals, unaccompanied tourists cruising in the dark are <strike>idiots</strike> "meals on wheels," and you are <strong>never, ever, ever</strong>, supposed to exit your vehicle.<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EO6igoebs0/TqM1-isQ4dI/AAAAAAAABx8/8yTyNZc8AQU/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EO6igoebs0/TqM1-isQ4dI/AAAAAAAABx8/8yTyNZc8AQU/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning at the watering hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Dear Nakuru - The yellow brick road is filled with maneaters!</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
We had no idea that the park covered over 116sq. miles (guess I should have Googled that) but we did know that at 10 miles per hour, this was the longest drive in the dark ever! As we crept along the grovel road, I could hardly contain my excitement. Had they really just allowed us to enter a park full of man-eaters after hours <strong>AND</strong> in the dark <strong>AND</strong> un-accompanied at that? Of course I was hoping to see some action. But I was not ready....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0wfEt7UMcpo/TqQx85sCikI/AAAAAAAABzE/LoP3j37uPOk/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0wfEt7UMcpo/TqQx85sCikI/AAAAAAAABzE/LoP3j37uPOk/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are huge, dangerous, scary and vegans </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div>
The first flicker of light came from the bushes. </div>
<div>
<strong>Me: </strong>Is that an eye in the bush?"<br />
<strong>Moshi:.</strong> "No it looks like a bicycle reflector,"<br />
<br />
Clearly he was more scared than I to think that someone would be peddling through a safari park on a <a href="http://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/cruisers" target="_blank">shwinn cruiser</a> in the damn dark. Then suddenly, as if on cue, a massive Cape buffalo broke through the dark and rushed across the road disappearing into the brush. Had we been driving any faster, there would have been carnage! But what the heck spooked a 2000lb buffalo? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfBHKPgGr68/TqM9jFhjK0I/AAAAAAAAByc/PIZ5juSU7BE/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfBHKPgGr68/TqM9jFhjK0I/AAAAAAAAByc/PIZ5juSU7BE/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Thompson's Gazelle was on to my paparazzi act. There is typically one stud with a harem of females.<br />
This holds true for zebras and other game animals. Bachelor males hang out in packs waiting for their turn to....knock boots with ladies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Dear Nakuru - So what you mean is, this is like, a REAL safari Park?</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
We were 3 miles in, and trying like hell to stick to the <strong>main road. </strong>I rolled down the window to read direction posts, trying to find the first lodge. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea. I cracked open a brand X beer and kept my eyes peeled. That's when I saw it.<br />
<br />
<strong><em> "Is that a body in the road?" </em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<br />
As the car crept closer the high beams revealed the hind parts of a male lion walking casually in the middle of the road. He turned back, gazed into the headlights, licked his chops and kept his stride. I fumbled for my camera and as the flash went off, the lion dashed into the bush. Still in awe I would've been satisfied if that had been our last animal sighting... but it wasn't.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1BUw471hXM/TqM3nE8jsdI/AAAAAAAAByE/vj_P6_ujfXo/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1BUw471hXM/TqM3nE8jsdI/AAAAAAAAByE/vj_P6_ujfXo/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian Herons practicing for the Lake Nakuru talent show.<br />
This was one area where you're allowed to exit your car and walk about. but being in flip flops surrounded by 3 inches of bird poop and mud - that ain't gangsta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Dear Lake Nakuru - The truth hurts, especially when you lie!</strong><br />
<strong></strong> </div>
<div>
After several more miles<strong> </strong>we found <em><strong>Sarova Lion Hill Lodge</strong></em>. We passed a Maasai tribe performing a tribal dance for the guests and headed for the front desk. We told the receptionist that we had a reservation booked from several months ago. "We are completely full, we have no <strong>availability.</strong>" she said, without even opening the reservation book. "You cannot have a reservation here." <br />
She was harsh, she was stern, but most of all - she was absolutely right. We got back on the road.</div>
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdtLpw4PJNY/TqQl9neGcZI/AAAAAAAABy0/PiEgkx5y9lI/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdtLpw4PJNY/TqQl9neGcZI/AAAAAAAABy0/PiEgkx5y9lI/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+282.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young safari goer is shown the terrain by his doting dad.<br />
In Swahili <strong>POA</strong> means "I'm cool"<br />
In response to the question of "Mambo"which means "What's up?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Dear Lake Nakuru - I think I just peed on myself...just a little:</strong><br />
<br />
We crawled along Simba Road looking for light or any sign of civilization. We were getting anxious and started to believe we were lost.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong><em> "Jezus is that another lion?!" </em></strong></blockquote>
The high beams hit the back of a lioness walking in the middle of the road. She looked back into the head lights and then plopped down in front of the car. The road was too narrow to go around her without running into the bush. Then, I heard a low roar. It sounded like a lion hacking up a hair ball.<br />
<br />
I turned to my window and was greeted by a full-maned male lion walking alongside our car; a female followed closely behind. As I tried despreately to close my window, two more lions leaped across the path in front of our car while the lion sitting in the path didn't budge a muscle. <br />
<br />
<br />
Was this really happening? Were we were caught in a hunting pattern and surrounded by the entire f*ckng cast of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King" target="_blank">The Lion King??</a> We revved the car engine and tried to trip the car alarm.... This never happens on T.V. and then the random thoughts began.....<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>How's my family supposed to explain that I was mauled and eaten by Mufasa in Africa?</li>
<li>I cannot believe they let us drive into a friggin safari park after dark, and alone!! </li>
<li>This only happens to white people</li>
<li>Was this no-frills beer and rice cakes gonna be my last meal?</li>
<li>Do my bra and underwear match?</li>
</ul>
<br />
I'm scared, certain I've just lost control of my bodily functions and I'm about to run wheels on Simba's mom, yo!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QfBVYrYNrI/TqHoBsd1WrI/AAAAAAAABvM/S9tDiETGw1c/s1600/DSCN0572%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QfBVYrYNrI/TqHoBsd1WrI/AAAAAAAABvM/S9tDiETGw1c/s640/DSCN0572%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Nakuru Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<strong><br />Once we arrived at <a href="http://www.lakenakurulodge.com/video-tour.html" target="_blank">Lake Nakuru Lodge</a></strong>. Another park ranger brought us to the reception desk where we were warmly greeted.<br />
<br />
"Hello Diane, we are so glad you could make it. We have been waiting for you." <br />
<br />
< <em>I had no idea who Diane was but once I realized she had a reservation I quickly assumed her identity </em>> <br />
"The rangers told us told that you were on your way. We didn't think you were coming." We grabbed cups of fresh fruit juice from the tray they presented. "Your room will be ready shortly we just need your passport information." <br />
<<<I <em>realized I would be heading back to the lion pit & gulped down a second cup of fruit juice</em>>>><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Nakuru - Saved by the race card? In Africa?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71Zj6CfcP0g/TqHxcX1k13I/AAAAAAAABwk/MxgYqpn_id8/s1600/DSCN0452%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71Zj6CfcP0g/TqHxcX1k13I/AAAAAAAABwk/MxgYqpn_id8/s640/DSCN0452%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Zebra suite. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The jig was up! I was not the supposed guest. "I'm sorry we have no<strong><em> availability,</em></strong>" said the receptionist. We spent 20 minutes insisting they had somehow lost our reservation. After several side conversations (in Swahili) between staff members, we knew we had a situation. Then the safari guide that greeted us at the gate jumped in and began talking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcZyqMTLP5s/TqQnLEgGs1I/AAAAAAAABy8/KpPEBOo50qM/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcZyqMTLP5s/TqQnLEgGs1I/AAAAAAAABy8/KpPEBOo50qM/s400/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+257.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Gumba - the safari guide who<br />
ensured that I had a warm bed inside the lodge<br />
He was generously tipped for his quick thinking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*<strong> <em>"Come on you guys, give them the room. It is late and also obvious that the other guest is not coming." You are going to send them back into the park at this time of night? It is not right. If they were white people surely you would've have accommodated them</em></strong>."<br />
<br />
And <em>Boom</em>.....15 minutes later, we ended up in the Zebra suite... and how sweet it was.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9jh4fKCFT0/TqHxyOghhJI/AAAAAAAABws/SQWmhwy1T5Q/s1600/DSCN0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9jh4fKCFT0/TqHxyOghhJI/AAAAAAAABws/SQWmhwy1T5Q/s640/DSCN0575.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What did you expect?<br />
I mean c'mon who doesn't have a cell phone nowadays!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After a tasty buffet and a double dose of rum & coke, The staff members advised that we retire early to prepare for our 5a.m safari adventure. We obliged, although clearly we had already had all the adventure we could stand for one night! <br />
<br />
Being hunted does wonders for your confidence. <br />
<br />
Now, when I'm in an uncomfortable situation I repeat these words to myself,<strong><em> " You been surrounded by lions, son! You culda died being ripped to shreds by an effing pride. This sh*t right here, this is nothin'! I am man-eater-flee-er.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Shake it off and man up tha f*ck up!!!"</em></strong><br />
<br />
Aksante sana, sana, Nakuru!!!<br />
and thanks also to simba and his effing clan!<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HyYYR8qGI3s/Tv3pcWKD1LI/AAAAAAAACCw/4a9a0eK-RQU/s1600/DSCN0569%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HyYYR8qGI3s/Tv3pcWKD1LI/AAAAAAAACCw/4a9a0eK-RQU/s640/DSCN0569%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entrance to the Lodge - The lodge accomodates 163 persons at a time </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5R9x9NdJ2RA/Tv3t6ZCW9fI/AAAAAAAACDI/6vM3LxvqZWI/s1600/DSCN0563%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5R9x9NdJ2RA/Tv3t6ZCW9fI/AAAAAAAACDI/6vM3LxvqZWI/s640/DSCN0563%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zebra making way for our vehicle. They are skittish and will stampede in seconds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6mz0t0Q0RM/Tv3stpJZbUI/AAAAAAAACC8/wURrfhlLySw/s1600/DSCN0608%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6mz0t0Q0RM/Tv3stpJZbUI/AAAAAAAACC8/wURrfhlLySw/s640/DSCN0608%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nakuru Lake where hundreds of thousands of flamingo's flock to annually.</span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com1Lake Nakuru National Park, Nakuru, Kenya-0.39114 36.095781999999986-0.645192 35.773058499999983 -0.137088 36.418505499999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-78401536790957896322013-01-14T01:00:00.000-05:002013-02-05T20:54:30.561-05:00Cartagena - Dear Colombia <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span id="goog_806027954"></span><span id="goog_806027955"></span><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxBDHCI4xN4/UNEBjp8TxXI/AAAAAAAAEvI/6dQBMx065Ms/s1600/la+bandera2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxBDHCI4xN4/UNEBjp8TxXI/AAAAAAAAEvI/6dQBMx065Ms/s640/la+bandera2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At first I was like, " why is he all in my Kodak moment?!"<br />
Then he let go of the flag and I realized my ungrateful a$$ would've been launched into the horizon if he hadn't.<br />
Thanks random stranger who helped me escape death by flag! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yup I did it again. Short changed everyone on my gift list so that I could get on a plane and split during the holidays. And this time there are no apologies. I bought you all back liquor, coffee and candy - and myself ( and that's given the country's reputation) so we're basically even.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br />
<strong></strong><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpK4swg1ELs/UONheSOLzRI/AAAAAAAAFFA/5qI8k_QX6W0/s1600/IMG_1695%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpK4swg1ELs/UONheSOLzRI/AAAAAAAAFFA/5qI8k_QX6W0/s640/IMG_1695%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Cartagena style home. Balconies are revered around here. From a balcony you can people-watch<br />
with friends over beer and cigarettes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprised? Don't be. By now you should know my Modus Operandi. Pick a place where I don't belong and and have <strike>the time of my life</strike> an educational experience and share it with you. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So enough about 2012 grudges, let's get to it - shall we?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...Cue the Damn pics</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Colombia</strong> - Where are the cocaine cowboys you promised?</span><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0q4j3t5QvU/UND-yTujHfI/AAAAAAAAEt8/RAC0_M2e_DE/s1600/DSCN4588%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0q4j3t5QvU/UND-yTujHfI/AAAAAAAAEt8/RAC0_M2e_DE/s640/DSCN4588%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Me</strong>: Hey baby I'm digging your tribal markings can i hold your spear.<br />
<strong>Him</strong>: Hey sweetness come here let me whisper sweet tribal nothings in your ear.<br />
<br />
No but seriously, These two represent why, historically, Cartagenians look more black than anything else.The Afro-Colombian <a href="http://www.afrocolombiany.org/african-origins-of-afrocolombians.html" target="_blank">population has its roots</a> in many West African countries like Mali, Guinea Bissau, & Sierra Leone. For more info, visit The National Museum of Colombia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite every negative, death provoking thing folks had to say about visiting Colombia, I strapped on my backpack and hopped on that plane. Thanks Jet Blue for having dirt cheap, direct flights that screamed "Get on the gahtdamn plane!" And thank you Colombia for returning me unscathed, completely sun-drenched and with many, many memories! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately though kids, I didn't do anything fun like getting kidnapped by a drug cartel, to count cocaine bricks, butt-naked, in the jungle. Nonetheless, I had a great time. </span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Cartagena</strong> - <strong>You're far more than the drug riddled reputation that proceeds you?!</strong></span><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVtpafj1yEY/UNIDXH1pjwI/AAAAAAAAEyI/fqi53k1mdz8/s1600/Colombiana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVtpafj1yEY/UNIDXH1pjwI/AAAAAAAAEyI/fqi53k1mdz8/s640/Colombiana.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
Palenqueros</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian sociologist Pierre van den Berghe described Cartagena as “perhaps the most African city in the Spanish Americas.” in his autobiography "Stranger in Their Midst" <br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a matter of fact, you were once one of the most desirable coastal cities in the Caribbean because of your rich history - literally and figuratively speaking. Cartagena de Indias was established as a Spanish colony in the 16th century. And because of Cartagena's geographic positioning, it was also a targeted port for the African Slave trade and numerous battles. Which explains a few things.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Cartagena - You put the "L" in Lock down!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6bI99yksdE/UNuJLbOWPCI/AAAAAAAAE3U/Bjli_wOmGZc/s1600/IMG_1959%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6bI99yksdE/UNuJLbOWPCI/AAAAAAAAE3U/Bjli_wOmGZc/s640/IMG_1959%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now the site of the popular Cafe Del Mar and known as the best place to grab a beer and see the Cartagena sunset.<br />
This portion of the fortress was heavily manned with cannons, arms, a bunker and a prison </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing says "back the hell off my island" quite like a cannonball in your a$$ and a <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADSA_enUS390US390&biw=1311&bih=565&tbm=isch&tbnid=5DQiWDfNg-tzSM:&imgrefurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/8292676/Gabriel-Garcia-Marquezs-magical-mystery-tour.html&docid=IO9QuPMmfIT-9M&imgurl=http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01814/Gabo_row_Marquez_C_1814870c.jpg&w=460&h=287&ei=IRHqUPbBKIj00QHhxIHwCw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=236&vpy=87&dur=86&hovh=177&hovw=284&tx=124&ty=109&sig=113394382822136853873&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=226&start=0&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:97" target="_blank">statue?</a></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's gotta be tough being famous for violent drug trafficking organizations, but Colombia was thugging, long before the drug trade. Did you know that Cartagena is a UNESCO world heritage site, because of it's "Walled City?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yup under Spanish rule, a seven mile fortress was erected around the city complete with cannons and manned by military force, to keep out pirates and pillagers trying to stick Cartagena for their</span><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=paper" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> paper</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I mean the Spaniards stashed so much loot in Cartagena, that the wall was rebuilt several times due to numerous attacks by the French and English..... But they didn't stop there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
<table align="center" 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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccur5l-NHOo/UNuM16-Cu3I/AAAAAAAAE4k/_E7XZreEeWA/s1600/IMG_1830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccur5l-NHOo/UNuM16-Cu3I/AAAAAAAAE4k/_E7XZreEeWA/s200/IMG_1830.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idiot savant in the tunnels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also built <b>Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, </b> another artillery armed fortress to stash their riches and wipe out intruders ransacking the island. Inside this massive fortress is a maze of dark, narrow tunnels that yours truly ran through like a refugee. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I found my way out I was sweating bullets and scared to death. I was later told that only few people have the courage to follow the tunnels to the furthest point. And only idiots do it <em>alone</em>. I guess I win twice! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FOolB0dQ_E/UNZ5GUm9csI/AAAAAAAAEzs/erVS4wGUvBY/s1600/IMG_1819%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FOolB0dQ_E/UNZ5GUm9csI/AAAAAAAAEzs/erVS4wGUvBY/s640/IMG_1819%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive scale of <strong>Castillo San Felipe de Barajas</strong> is a clear indication that they were not playing games<br />
when it came to protecting the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Colombia - Pass the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pass_the_Dutchie" target="_blank">dutchie</a> pon de lefthand side! Damn I love your street meat</strong>.</span></div>
<div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmJdT6eT_gI/UNo0-Eh7iZI/AAAAAAAAE1U/FeYiz7fTmsY/s1600/IMG_1868%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmJdT6eT_gI/UNo0-Eh7iZI/AAAAAAAAE1U/FeYiz7fTmsY/s640/IMG_1868%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camerones, Carne, Pollo guisado, Sancoche, and no matter what Caribbean country you visit, that burnt rice on the bottom of the pot is a delicacy and goes by many names. Don't believe me? Ask any <strike>coconut </strike>Caribbean person. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What magical brujeria do you put in the food? I love it like a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZimx1wHYcs&noredirect=1" target="_blank">fat kid loves cake!</a> Y</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ou are a city of pure carnivores! Finding a Carniceria (butcher's market) in Cartagena is like finding porn on 8th ave in Manhattan. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 10pm I could be found lurking in the streets exchanging pesos for miscellaneous food packages from street vendors.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colombians cook in a style similar to many Caribbean Islands, also using many of the same staple foods (yucca, yam, plaintains etc..) soaked in and seasoned with a blend of flavors that got me off every time. Come to think of it, eating Colombian food is pretty similar to watching porn..I'll stop there. </span><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEuhtFj0i1Q/UOTCCBmXwjI/AAAAAAAAFL0/easyVTKFcrQ/s1600/DSCN4625%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEuhtFj0i1Q/UOTCCBmXwjI/AAAAAAAAFL0/easyVTKFcrQ/s640/DSCN4625%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew I had a problem when I awoke each morning excited about what I was going to put in my mouth. Scandelous!<br />
.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when a food truck rolled up around the corner from my hotel I was on it! Corn Arepas filled with eggs, cheese and ham with a beverage called Avena. Five minutes and $2 later, I was belly full and back in stride. Later I hopped on motorbike across town to the local outdoor market <strong><em>"El Mercado"</em></strong> on the edge of town and proceeded to stuff my face with whatever yummy goodness was in those pots . </span><br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you visit the Cartagena, be sure to ask for the <a href="http://www.southamerica.cl/Colombia/Food.htm" target="_blank">Bandeja Paisa</a> - the traditional dish.</span></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Colombia - Pink vodka and cow eyes - lunch is served?</span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table 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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYpQ56g24J4/UNzbPUkZPCI/AAAAAAAAE7M/fqmb5WJNIR0/s1600/IMG_1884%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYpQ56g24J4/UNzbPUkZPCI/AAAAAAAAE7M/fqmb5WJNIR0/s640/IMG_1884%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, if you season and stir-fry them pupils, I'll eat those too!<br />
Go ahead, judge me, but I'm sure some of you have put far worse things in your mouth... I'm jus sayin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>El Mercado</strong> is one stop shopping. Here you'll find everything from exotic local foods to sneakers and cigarettes. They also sold bottles of pink </span><a href="http://www.sparklingnuvo.com/nuvo_drink.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NUVO</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? - you know, in case you want to get drunk off of pink vodka, right before buying chickens gizzards and cow hooves?! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I entered the carnecieria inside El Mercado the sweet smell of unidentifiable dishes turned into this (points below) I was intrigued however I quickly lit a cigarette to get the smell out of my stomach! But hey, it's gotta start somewhere before it makes it to my mouth - the food I mean!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HUGImmw5xBQ/UNzgV21VkQI/AAAAAAAAE8s/8sEn3yYHHws/s1600/IMG_1881%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HUGImmw5xBQ/UNzgV21VkQI/AAAAAAAAE8s/8sEn3yYHHws/s640/IMG_1881%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing goes to waste. And I know I ate these hooves, I just can't recall when and where! Probably after i drank the NUVO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Colombia</strong> - I took a dirt bath in Volcano Totumo, and you know what? It didn't suck!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RYKmdWh2dw/UNECW9ZH6yI/AAAAAAAAEvY/QNMKfcaOlFs/s1600/DSCN4736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RYKmdWh2dw/UNECW9ZH6yI/AAAAAAAAEvY/QNMKfcaOlFs/s640/DSCN4736.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud bath with lunch of fresh fish = <strong>$30 </strong><br />
Tips for the people who took photos & bathed the mud off of me =<strong>$6</strong><br />
That awkward moment when you look at your photos and realize that the biggest boobs in the<br />
photo belong to a man = <strong>priceless</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then my ADHD kicked in, and I immediately wanted to mud wrestle the guy with the man boobs! What was it like being submersed in mud? It was pretty much the complete opposite of my <a href="http://9to5newyork.blogspot.com/2012/07/turkish-delight-dear-eurasia.html#!/2012/07/turkish-delight-dear-eurasia.html" target="_blank">Turkish bath in Istanbul</a> .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't freaked out by the fact that we were completely buoyant and had quite a time trying to balance ourselves in the mud. Nor was it the fact that there was mud smeared all in my honey pot (read: va-jay jay). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't even about the couple behind me, who (oddly) began to rub mud on me? (feeling on my tender cocoa morsels) But I think it was the camaraderie of it all. Yea, something about taking a dirt bath with 20+ strangers brought us together in a way that I never want to experience outside of that mud hole.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<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;"><div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ImaPIhCGC9k/UNIDrm1A9rI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/puw5rVrPp2E/s1600/DSCN4628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ImaPIhCGC9k/UNIDrm1A9rI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/puw5rVrPp2E/s640/DSCN4628.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Los jovens de Isla Boquilla. </strong><br />
Camera shy? I asked them to smile, instead they posed for A Rockawear ad.<br />
My little paisanos, seen above, were introduced to iPhone video making. And they knocked it out the box!<br />
check out their video below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wqIQTvEQrv4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Colombia - Who orders drinks at the bar? Pshh - they just buy the whole damn bottle!</span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-wITiQnG-k/UOTOffeVbeI/AAAAAAAAFO0/YQQ48oryeCs/s1600/The+wall.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-wITiQnG-k/UOTOffeVbeI/AAAAAAAAFO0/YQQ48oryeCs/s640/The+wall.bmp" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurants that you will want to try when visiting Cartagena are;<br />
Kreyolle - traditional dishes prepared in a fine dining style with delicious sangrias<br />
La Mulatta - trust me when I say Mm mmm mmm </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering Obama's secret service men went balls-to-the-wall in this city, of course I too had to find out what Cartagena's nightlife was like. So my local cutie took me out for date night and it did not disappoint! The Getsemani area is the perfect place to introduce visitors to Champeta. Unofficially, Champeta is what you do all-night-long under the influence of Colombian rum and an amazing band! Officially, Champeta, along with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vallenato" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vallenato</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbia" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Cumbia</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, is "La musica de la tierra Cartagena," and is rooted in Cartagena's strong Afro roots. The sound and accompanying dance is kinda what happens when African-rumba, Salsa and Calypso get together for a <strong><em>Ménage à trois</em></strong>. Four hours and a bucket of sweat later, there are empty bottles of rum everywhere, and somebody might be pregnant. Splendid I tell you!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UT_4HI4aIgI/UOTEnWSD7BI/AAAAAAAAFNg/6NYdONJEmP4/s1600/DSCN4597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UT_4HI4aIgI/UOTEnWSD7BI/AAAAAAAAFNg/6NYdONJEmP4/s640/DSCN4597.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comandeered by captain Elias (red &wht shirt) we headed to the island of Boquilla<br />
about a 20 minute canoe ride from the popular Boquilla beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1201978905"></span><span id="goog_1201978906"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually the band leaves, and you realized that you just danced for 4 hours straight. Then at three in the morning, you stumble out into the warm, tropical air & sober up during a walk to the park. You sit on a bench to "make nice" and soon enough the moon aligns with the stars, you pull in close to each other, he says something perfect and leans in for a kiss ....then suddenly you here this... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>"Tess! Holy sh*t that's Tess!"</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDxx3Y5pz50/UNztMHXIRlI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/CD3N8-UBZWs/s1600/IMG_1645%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDxx3Y5pz50/UNztMHXIRlI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/CD3N8-UBZWs/s640/IMG_1645%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just beyond the Puerta del Reloj entrance. <br />
The "Tinto man" walks around city with hot coffee and cups in tow. He also has cigarettes for sell.<br />
This is a profitable hustle - I'll be putting this on my list of gigs I could do if this <a href="http://9to5newyork.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=28#!/2012/07/turkish-delight-dear-eurasia.html" target="_blank">shit hits the fan</a> in America </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Immediately, your date stares at you with accusing eyes, as you look around in bewilderment, trying to figure out who tha' fugg just screamed out your name at 3 in the morning?! Soon you realize, that of the drunk dudes approaching, one of them is another tourist you met, in passing, the day before (coincidentally a cock-blocking *ss New Yorker?!) . And at that moment you wished that a cocaine cowboy would appear and wipe this <strike>douche</strike> dude off the face of the fugging earth.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, now where were we?</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Colombia - Cat calling is so much more romantic here.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uq93zyC3AMw/UONiBOdFF4I/AAAAAAAAFFI/NBsSLobliNY/s1600/IMG_1698%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uq93zyC3AMw/UONiBOdFF4I/AAAAAAAAFFI/NBsSLobliNY/s640/IMG_1698%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>La reina, morena hermosa, la morena de mi suenos</strong>..... and that was just from the fruit guy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some say that the Colombian accent is the most beautiful of all Latin speaking countries, which is really helpful considering how expressive they are.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not aggressive, but they are certainly not shy. (sin verguenza) and extremely healthy for one's self-esteem. Cartagena, if this is how you Holla at women in the street, then the "pillow talk" in this town must be crazy. Which leads me to my next point.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Colombia - </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Never trust a big butt and a smile.... </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHcF--Z3pEM/UNuRna9gqHI/AAAAAAAAE58/wMLjFn8zROs/s1600/DSCN4621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHcF--Z3pEM/UNuRna9gqHI/AAAAAAAAE58/wMLjFn8zROs/s640/DSCN4621.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear it must me something in the water around here.<br />
In the famous words of <strong><a href="http://youtu.be/N6blgjF6UkU?t=3m48s" target="_blank">Bell Biv Devoe</a></strong> - You'll fall in love and you'll be screaming demon - Woo!<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...Or you could end up </span><a href="http://youtu.be/g1V3XSHr_Yg?t=49s" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">losing yourself</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the jaw-dropping beauty of these people. Just ask President Obama's secret service men. But in their defense, Cartagenians are ridiculously gorgeous people. I mean on a scale of 1-10 the average person (women especially) is a 7.5 - and that's on bad day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean these people look like they bath in sunshine and rainbows, pick their teeth with unicorn horns and sprinkle stardust on their skin. Sure this sounds like overkill, however, I can easily see how a man accidentally wanders over to an ATM machine with a "Lady of the evening," not that I saw that happen... several times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J55EyX2t_5Y/UNuRdGSAQwI/AAAAAAAAE50/vc3uSKBqCtQ/s1600/DSCN4622%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J55EyX2t_5Y/UNuRdGSAQwI/AAAAAAAAE50/vc3uSKBqCtQ/s640/DSCN4622%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So I overheard Colombian <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?start=132&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADSA_enUS390US390&biw=1366&bih=589&tbm=isch&tbnid=kszPycLc6IF2WM:&imgrefurl=http://hollywoodtattletale.com/2012/04/07/pharrell-williams-goes-green-hair/&docid=0cR2HtmQ3jGheM&imgurl=http://hollywoodtattletale.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/pharrell1.jpg&w=520&h=658&ei=HATiUOH4OMvv0QG044GoDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=1&sig=100656961538997174371&page=5&tbnh=141&tbnw=124&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:36,s:100,i:112&tx=56&ty=67" target="_blank">Pharrell Williams</a> and his friend discussing that, it is very dangerous to fall in love with someone who doesn't speak your language. Really? <br />
And here I was thinking that it saved you from having useless arguments? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Colombia - The streets is talking @ </strong>La Ventana Denuncia. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW3dxdmfYCI/UNuIr_6rJyI/AAAAAAAAE3E/2fPe_kAG1T8/s1600/IMG_1688%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW3dxdmfYCI/UNuIr_6rJyI/AAAAAAAAE3E/2fPe_kAG1T8/s640/IMG_1688%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cartagena was not the place to piss people off during the Inquisition days. They believed in persecution and death to anyone who practiced brujeria (witchcraft).... even if they couldn't actually prove it. You need only be suspected or accused by a disgruntled neighbor, a jilted lover, or somebody you owe $20 to. If they slid a note past that window, then you could be next in line for a tortuous death.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It just wasn't safe for a single girl back then. Let too many married eyes linger on you in your pum-pum shorts and their wives would have your ass burned at the stake! Which makes me wonder if this had anything to do with the amount of convents in Cartagena. Chances are, it was probably safer to be a nun than a floosie.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MXarP0Bhng8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Colombia - You forced me into language submission - Espanol solamente!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cartagena taught me that we so often take language skills for granted. As much of a tourist hub as Cartagena is, English isn't as widely used as you might think. So, brush up on your Spanish or download a translation app for your smart phones. You can thank me later. Also utilize the GPS map on your phone because every corner in Cartagena looks similar to the next and asking for directions ain't easy if you don't speak the language. Now kids, pack you bags and get the fugg outta dodge for 2013...because you know I will! </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Colombia - You had me at<strike> hello</strike></strong> hola</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whqca4NmQ7I/UNzn3kQbRSI/AAAAAAAAE98/L7kajoTSEHg/s1600/IMG_1661%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whqca4NmQ7I/UNzn3kQbRSI/AAAAAAAAE98/L7kajoTSEHg/s640/IMG_1661%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I drank your rum, canoed through your mangroves, did your nightlife, made some international connections and really came to love your city. I cannot see any reason not to return. The people are as warm as the weather, and still there is so much more to see in cities like Cali, Santa Marta as well as others. My dollars stretched along with my affection for this island paradise with a sordid past and extremely bright future. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BGAWFtBui50?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Henry tells us why you need to come see his city!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What are you waiting for?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img height="77" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 374px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 14934px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com2Cartagena De Indias (Distrito Turístico Y Cultural), Bolivar, Colombia10.471074298061275 -75.4612982318359410.408620298061274 -75.541979231835938 10.533528298061276 -75.380617231835942tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-58579162841585504352012-11-20T17:39:00.002-05:002012-12-05T21:49:19.089-05:00Celebrity Spotting's in the City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Oh New York for all the crazies you produce, every now and then you throw a girl a celebrity bone - or two! Check out these celebs spotted in New York City streets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njKWURLTC3s/UKwCn7wWPjI/AAAAAAAAEq8/ryiKF9umW6M/s1600/DSCN4545%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njKWURLTC3s/UKwCn7wWPjI/AAAAAAAAEq8/ryiKF9umW6M/s640/DSCN4545%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Who doesn't love an angry girl with pink hair! Personally I have no comment on Nicki Minaj's American Idol rant on Mariah Carey. I applaud anyone who wears lace front wigs all-the-time. I understand those things itch like the dickens! Like wearing a wool thong. And then they gave her not one but two American Music Awards. Who says bad behavior isn't rewarded?</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72BT6um7u8g/UKwC2S38NdI/AAAAAAAAErE/T2OT7gD5cI8/s1600/DSCN4534%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72BT6um7u8g/UKwC2S38NdI/AAAAAAAAErE/T2OT7gD5cI8/s640/DSCN4534%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Oprah was totally gracious signing dozens of autographs before hopping into her chauffeured Maybach and fleeing back to "Rich-beyond-belief Ville. It's no wonder you're worth billions you reciprocate the adoration poured on you by your fans. <br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTp97lvSUZE/UGY8RbVW7mI/AAAAAAAAELo/FHjTrFzd0XA/s1600/DSCN4361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" kea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTp97lvSUZE/UGY8RbVW7mI/AAAAAAAAELo/FHjTrFzd0XA/s640/DSCN4361.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I told her she was hot, she told me I dropped my sweater and then we went our separate ways.<br />
Kerry Washington was at GMA promoting her ABC series "Scandal" where she plays a professional problem solver. Well if she hadn't told me that I dropped my sweater, it would have been lost forever - problem solved! Damn she's good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
OK folks till next time. Keep it lose and Keep it tight - whatever that means! Happy Thanksgiving! </div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-71074984976184085612012-10-29T23:17:00.000-04:002012-11-03T16:05:27.515-04:00Dear Coney Island - Mermaid Memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">New Orleans may have Mardi Gras but Brooklyn's got Mermaids? </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOGWsD0ZaP0/UCa50OFYOaI/AAAAAAAADgQ/w2VrXIYju_M/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOGWsD0ZaP0/UCa50OFYOaI/AAAAAAAADgQ/w2VrXIYju_M/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+085.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Once a year, hundreds of thousands of people pour out of the Stillwell Ave subway station in Brooklyn New York, and turn Coney Islnad's shoreline into a cross between the cast of <a href="http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls_drag_race/season_4/series.jhtml" target="_blank">The Little Mermaid </a>and <a href="http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls_drag_race/season_4/series.jhtml" target="_blank">Ru Paul's Drag Race</a>. This is how Coney Island has celebrated the beginning of the Summer season, since 1983.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afJhJ2K-Oxc/UILmWYskJ5I/AAAAAAAAETQ/DultUkFOtds/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afJhJ2K-Oxc/UILmWYskJ5I/AAAAAAAAETQ/DultUkFOtds/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Not only was Coney Island, at one point, an actual island. But it was also considered a major resort destination. It was kinda like the "Hamptons" of the early 20th century but within an amusement park. However, this ain't the Coney Isle of yore. It has changed quite a bit over the years, still it manages to sparkle - in one way or another.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5THCn61eIZw/UInyZzeq50I/AAAAAAAAEes/RLY1-YJvAus/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5THCn61eIZw/UInyZzeq50I/AAAAAAAAEes/RLY1-YJvAus/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+146.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - A few months ago, I washed ashore from being abducted by your queer Mer-People, during the annual Mermaid Parade.. And I am forever changed. And by "changed" I mean slightly traumatized. I don't know exactly how long I was gone for but I resurfaced <br />
with nipple pasties <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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChekFsUMmwA/UILm7VFG-HI/AAAAAAAAETY/AVjTB6KDQzU/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChekFsUMmwA/UILm7VFG-HI/AAAAAAAAETY/AVjTB6KDQzU/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+090.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never seen a Japanese- Geisha Mermaid. <br />
But then again I've never seen a 4-legged starfish...well actually<br />
he does have one more leg....wait wait is he a Seahorse? I'm so confused</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
However, before I lost all consciousness, I recalled Surf Avenue was swamped with sailors, sirens and thousands of painted bodies dripped in sequins, glitter, gold and of course, nipple pasties.<br />
Hell, after a few drinks, I'm sure I also saw Puff the magic dragon, the Loc Ness monster and Popeye.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1396142280"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9y3O4GNLzys/UIR24ojXllI/AAAAAAAAEVw/aKAuM3VFjRc/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9y3O4GNLzys/UIR24ojXllI/AAAAAAAAEVw/aKAuM3VFjRc/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+054.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_409050323"></span><span id="goog_409050324"></span><br />
Like many of you, I was thinking; This must be a pretty amazing beach, if there is a parade in it's honor right? But, Oh Coney, you're riddled with dilapidated rides, mediocre beaches and a boardwalk that makes the Jersey Shore look classy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66fbncgnJQA/UI6ry22H6dI/AAAAAAAAEi4/z9GJ4fGLjxU/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66fbncgnJQA/UI6ry22H6dI/AAAAAAAAEi4/z9GJ4fGLjxU/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Add to that, water which looks like the run-off from the spin cycle against the back drop of tenament buildings. I mean I wasn't expecting a Caribbean shore line but I guess I figured mermaid's had higher standards. Still, even way beyond prime, you are still so dear to the hearts of many Brooklynites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjwM7N4AIVo/UI6hc3Sre1I/AAAAAAAAEhs/vJJCV005OFo/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjwM7N4AIVo/UI6hc3Sre1I/AAAAAAAAEhs/vJJCV005OFo/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+126.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - you take this costume sh*t very seriously. I've been to the Village Parade on Halloween in New York and I've seen some pretty creative stuff. But given the warm weather and the theme of this parade, there seemed to be a severe lack of actual material for these costumes. There was however, no lack of imagination. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q5IoAOU49F4/UI6sGsKIoyI/AAAAAAAAEjI/DrN4anIVQ0M/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q5IoAOU49F4/UI6sGsKIoyI/AAAAAAAAEjI/DrN4anIVQ0M/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+138.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - the availability of alcohol on your boardwalk made it that much easier to observe some of the more <strike>scary </strike>sketchy characters. Unfortunately kids can't drink, so many of them just crouched down, low, in fear. Which is what I did until I found Corona's and cotton candy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6z77AHFKuUs/UIYPUUK8KRI/AAAAAAAAEdI/tizZItK70Qw/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6z77AHFKuUs/UIYPUUK8KRI/AAAAAAAAEdI/tizZItK70Qw/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+154.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - Who released the queer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken" target="_blank">Kraken</a>? Like this gent, there was no shortage of awe-inspiring costumes, as an array of colorful characters sashayed down the planks. I even considered where I could purchase a few of the outfits I saw...and then eventually, I stopped drinking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3w5gQiZA9HA/UIR4NPMmTyI/AAAAAAAAEWI/-9G8QbRTAGw/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3w5gQiZA9HA/UIR4NPMmTyI/AAAAAAAAEWI/-9G8QbRTAGw/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+079.JPG" unselectable="on" width="456" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - I saw pirates, crustaceans, colonial women and women who were just plain ole topless - which is legal in New York. But can you please explain to me: What does Jesus have to do with this? I'm just saying, not that the son of God isn't welcome at all occasions. But unless he is here to turn beach water into wine, then I think this borders sacrilege.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMGVk2ljP7c/UIUqcrmboDI/AAAAAAAAEZw/DT0mvGhBLc0/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMGVk2ljP7c/UIUqcrmboDI/AAAAAAAAEZw/DT0mvGhBLc0/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - Ever feel like the odd man out? Well i did! Because nobody told me to me that the dress code was "half naked." I was so overdressed in jeans and a T-shirt. But seeing all this skin just made me want to get butt-ass-naked, strip the scales off a fish and drape myself in seaweed, seashells and a spanx body suit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iDi_8yKrTQ/UIUqShAJzAI/AAAAAAAAEZg/FABpbejDPdQ/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iDi_8yKrTQ/UIUqShAJzAI/AAAAAAAAEZg/FABpbejDPdQ/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+042.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<strong> Dear Coney Island</strong> -What I like about your Mermaid-mardi gras is that everyone and anyone could strut in your parade - they just need to register. Doesn't matter if they are from Brooklyn or beyond. There is also contest for best costume. I imagine first prize would be two tickets to much nicer beach? Jus' sayin<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu8kxbp7L9E/UIUq6o9A7EI/AAAAAAAAEaA/E5-jPbddXmk/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu8kxbp7L9E/UIUq6o9A7EI/AAAAAAAAEaA/E5-jPbddXmk/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+047.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Dear Coney Island - Yes the Mer-people were nice folks. They treated me well enough that i would return and stuff my face with boardwalk food while gawking at the participants who didn't seem to mind one bit, my open mouthed staring. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCPBS8QBWAw/UI65wDQphXI/AAAAAAAAEnE/qCJn_9pklco/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCPBS8QBWAw/UI65wDQphXI/AAAAAAAAEnE/qCJn_9pklco/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Would I participate? I love themed festivals, and I can tell you that I certainly wouldn't rule it out. And considering mermaids live for about 300 years, I've got plenty of time to think about my costume.<br />
Well kids, I've still got some sand and seaweed in my crotch to rinse out. So, thanks for joining me! And now.... look at the rest of the damn pics!<br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPQxMGJHAq8/UI6Zf6r8t4I/AAAAAAAAEgY/lkfInhxcxxU/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPQxMGJHAq8/UI6Zf6r8t4I/AAAAAAAAEgY/lkfInhxcxxU/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+067.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mermaids have families too</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqu3dPD98W4/UI9BpEMCzDI/AAAAAAAAEpg/-oeisAfYFWM/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqu3dPD98W4/UI9BpEMCzDI/AAAAAAAAEpg/-oeisAfYFWM/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+155.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<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;"><h2>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IUybQCMWJs/UI61ta3uHlI/AAAAAAAAElo/ldvJqa9DUew/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IUybQCMWJs/UI61ta3uHlI/AAAAAAAAElo/ldvJqa9DUew/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+092.JPG" width="472" /></a></h2>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Dear Coney Island</strong> - I don't know who "knocked up" this mermaid. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">But I think she came on shore looking for child support</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxIeNn0B45U/UI8_qzm7VhI/AAAAAAAAEpI/_RBX7s3tBwQ/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxIeNn0B45U/UI8_qzm7VhI/AAAAAAAAEpI/_RBX7s3tBwQ/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+087.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3UH1dkkxnE/UI9B-qpKszI/AAAAAAAAEpw/nRqyuYb-YkI/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3UH1dkkxnE/UI9B-qpKszI/AAAAAAAAEpw/nRqyuYb-YkI/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+050.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4dPIMj9sPI/UI9B6zGoS6I/AAAAAAAAEpo/EVJrmzXMqHk/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4dPIMj9sPI/UI9B6zGoS6I/AAAAAAAAEpo/EVJrmzXMqHk/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+048.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-66729643097378296662012-10-11T17:09:00.001-04:002012-10-11T17:09:33.634-04:00They See Me Rollin......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer is officially over, but that doesn't mean the end of outdoor activities. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yqh3GeC4TEw/UGTIDI5lwHI/AAAAAAAAEGo/t3__mYLBEM4/s1600/DSCN4447%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yqh3GeC4TEw/UGTIDI5lwHI/AAAAAAAAEGo/t3__mYLBEM4/s640/DSCN4447%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know that many New Yorkers never actually take advantage of the plethora of activities in their own backyard? While many locals may be shaking their heads in disagreement. Just know I'm not talking about throwing away $300 on bottle service at some stuffy night club. I'm talking about <em>real</em> activities folks. And for a <em>really</em> good price.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So me and my PIC (partner in crime) Baby G, always comment that one day, we will rent bikes from those guys who advertise on the corners of 59th & 6th ave. So that we can ride around New York's famous Central Park.</span><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3S78U4Dx7U/UGTIXzq-LdI/AAAAAAAAEGw/63GVs0DOFYw/s1600/DSCN4479%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3S78U4Dx7U/UGTIXzq-LdI/AAAAAAAAEGw/63GVs0DOFYw/s400/DSCN4479%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The guys at Sayat Bicycle rented us bikes with baskets, helmets and bike locks included.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did I mention they posed for this pic?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the help of discount coupons from Living Social.com, we were able to rent two bikes for two hours at grand total of $30USD, which is outrageously <em>well-priced</em> for anything New York! Don't worry if your are sans a coupon, because you can still negotiate the same price - just ask them.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nt0HAmZbdI/UHXvGpxhWNI/AAAAAAAAEPs/I68W4qHGDCM/s1600/DSCN4460%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nt0HAmZbdI/UHXvGpxhWNI/AAAAAAAAEPs/I68W4qHGDCM/s640/DSCN4460%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Central Park, now sprawls over 843 acres of green space, and it is a national historic landmark. Amongst it's many perks, it includes a zoo, performance spaces, athletic fields, playgrounds, skating rinks, swimming pools, a carousel and of course the bike trail full of muscles spandex and skin skin skin!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bike trail begins at 59th street and Columbus circle and extends beyond 110th street. The trail is semi challenging, but so very scenic. Determined to get nowhere fast, me and Baby G, raced around the park like maniacs, knocking over runners, small children and having several near death experiences with the oncoming traffic within the park. If you haven't been on a bike in a while getting reacquainted is more fun when the chances of mangling yourself are high!</span><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gnnr40HnDTw/UHXzl_ehudI/AAAAAAAAEQo/01k41DpRxCo/s1600/DSCN4473%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" nea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gnnr40HnDTw/UHXzl_ehudI/AAAAAAAAEQo/01k41DpRxCo/s640/DSCN4473%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Taking in the views. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">The price of just one of those apartments overlooking the park could probably </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">subsidize the cost of educating a small country for several generations </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond it's beauty, this park has history. Did you know that prior to Central Park's completion in 1873, it was originally home to some 1600 people, mostly poor Irish and English residents, as well as freed African Americans living in</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Village" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> makeshift villages</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, after declaring eminent domain over the space, in 1857, and evicting those folks, the city purchased the land for $5M. Sounds like a lot of money right? But consider the fact that a humble penthouse in midtown can start at that price. So I'm thinking $5M for 700 acres ain't bad for New York.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHZstcIcWrs/UGTYZwzCl8I/AAAAAAAAEH8/AOSwdS9c0lY/s1600/DSCN4437%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHZstcIcWrs/UGTYZwzCl8I/AAAAAAAAEH8/AOSwdS9c0lY/s640/DSCN4437%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We peddled past quite a few hansom carriages as they are plentiful in the park</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...and expensive</span>. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to that during the construction of the park, more than 18,500 cubic yards of New Jersey topsoil had to be imported into the park because, New York soil wasn't fertile enough to nourish the floral and fauna that was also brought to the park. So to all you New Yorkers who say you could<strong> NEVER</strong> live in New Jersey, surprise! You already do! and you're reveling in their <strike>shit</strike> soil with every park visit! Cheers!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQTbvDQA6GU/UHXz1Nv5AFI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/COzU5SZAtqs/s1600/DSCN4467%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" nea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQTbvDQA6GU/UHXz1Nv5AFI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/COzU5SZAtqs/s640/DSCN4467%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">At $30 for 30 minutes You can take a gondola ride around central park's ponds</span> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, After Baby G and I got the <em>spastic cycling</em> out of our systems, we actually slowed down for the next hour or so to take in the views and travel of the beaten path. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You are not required to stay within the park so you can get adventurous. Stop at the Metropolitan Museum of Natural History or heckle the people who unscrupulously make-out on the lawn. Or perhaps you just want to crash a nearby bar for happy hour. Go for it! They provide bike locks with the bike rental and helmets for all you derelicts who like to drink and bike! </span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Happy Trails!</span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-250f8o_IsTo/UHXzs9WnoPI/AAAAAAAAEQw/UwJlBnlVru8/s1600/DSCN4440%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-250f8o_IsTo/UHXzs9WnoPI/AAAAAAAAEQw/UwJlBnlVru8/s640/DSCN4440%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-54498369667983508222012-10-08T23:51:00.003-04:002012-10-10T18:06:52.017-04:00Cut The Crap View the Pics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I traverse these streets daily, and still cannot believe some the outrageous things I see. Some of you may be asking yourselves, Where do you find these people?" The answer is, they find me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I just want grab tourists by their long lens cameras and say, "This is not what New York is about!" But proving it can be a challenge because these brights lights can blind just about anyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But if you see these people, Do-Not-Pay-For-A-Photo! Grab your daughters and tell them that this is what happens when you drop out of school to chase pipe dreams or to follow fledgling musicians. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TY0324bOFMY/UGYwRsMcOKI/AAAAAAAAEJA/1UDpuMqliLY/s1600/DSCN4376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" kea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TY0324bOFMY/UGYwRsMcOKI/AAAAAAAAEJA/1UDpuMqliLY/s640/DSCN4376.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked never looked so shocking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move over Naked Cowboy, because Geriatric Cowgirl is gaining popularity. Some of you may be disgusted, while others may be intrigued. It's all in the details, and by that I mean the pasties! Who am I to judge I'm just sharing folks. Gawd I'd hate to see what's under those hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side bar>>>Is it me, or do these two ladies bare a striking resemblence</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34vM_ieolow/UCar4QfATPI/AAAAAAAADfc/-kt4QXYZBXQ/s1600/DSCN3452.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34vM_ieolow/UCar4QfATPI/AAAAAAAADfc/-kt4QXYZBXQ/s400/DSCN3452.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really don't know what the fugg Arnold Schwarzenegro does. But he is always shirtless and doing it! When asked, "What is it that you do?" He smiled then flexed his pecs. Guess that means he's for hire as a <strike>prostitute</strike> personal trainer?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gpCG09BzME/UGYwgzpPq4I/AAAAAAAAEJI/ehD_VN_k2oc/s1600/DSCN4176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" kea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gpCG09BzME/UGYwgzpPq4I/AAAAAAAAEJI/ehD_VN_k2oc/s640/DSCN4176.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calvin Klein, the original loincloth of Native Americans. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to small pox and the bubonic plague, who knows what else the white settlers may have given the Native Americans. I can't prove it, because I wasn't there, but I'm almost certain that tighty-whiteys and dress socks were not on that list...I'm jus'sayin</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjvT4W9fLOM/UGY2QdR2-3I/AAAAAAAAEKc/wTEvIjJRo5o/s1600/DSCN4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" kea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjvT4W9fLOM/UGY2QdR2-3I/AAAAAAAAEKc/wTEvIjJRo5o/s640/DSCN4371.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried, dyed, and laid to the Side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James brown is rolling in his grave right now. Listen this look barely worked for the godgather of soul, and he was a super-fuggin-star. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZg2xMo-5W8/UGY4B_eNU_I/AAAAAAAAEKs/OJs4HHEvzes/s1600/DSCN4421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" kea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZg2xMo-5W8/UGY4B_eNU_I/AAAAAAAAEKs/OJs4HHEvzes/s640/DSCN4421.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 70s' called and Jimi Hendrix wants his Easter suit back!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the reason why dress-down fridays are being revoked all over corporate America! Becasue some people take things to far. He spent all his money on a new suit and now he's spending all his time looking for a new job.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-30337569695878346662012-09-23T09:19:00.002-04:002012-09-23T18:13:37.895-04:00Move Or Get Mauled <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Migration is logical - right?</span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9uZoJEAoK0/UFj6hpAlBCI/AAAAAAAAEBI/eA_yHtr4JVQ/s1600/DSCN3374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9uZoJEAoK0/UFj6hpAlBCI/AAAAAAAAEBI/eA_yHtr4JVQ/s640/DSCN3374.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Met this Senegalese vendor in Rome. He has been in Italy for over 3 years. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Globally, species are born, hard coded from buffalo to butterflies, to know that movement is detrimental to survival. They are driven to move in order to live. It makes them stronger if they survive and more prepared for the challenge of moving again.<br />
<br />
They don't hem & haw over whether it's the right time, they simply follow instinct. Those who get mauled to death by predators, were caught still eating, still drinking or still resting - in short, stagnating and contemplating their next step and ran out of time. <br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuFD37QqAsk/UFj6Z-Ub04I/AAAAAAAAEBA/XVle_k4TYGg/s1600/DSCN2118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuFD37QqAsk/UFj6Z-Ub04I/AAAAAAAAEBA/XVle_k4TYGg/s640/DSCN2118.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bicycle guys of Manhattan are almost, always from other countries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Like me, many of you are curious to know, what it would be like to travel the world? To migrate from the place you've always known to places you always dreamed of going, and possibly putting down some temporary roots. Take a year off and migrate. <br />
<br />
Perhaps you have contemplated busting into your boss's office to have a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJQKyti6klQ&feature=related" target="_blank">Dave Chappelle moment</a>.<br />
Afterwards, you shore up your dirty back-pack nest egg, say goodbye to everybody who told you that you're outta your fugging mind and hop on the first thing smoking into the global grid - right?<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NbL2AQ-f6I/UFj6jfZbAeI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/MDPyElSWVwc/s1600/amadou3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NbL2AQ-f6I/UFj6jfZbAeI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/MDPyElSWVwc/s640/amadou3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amadou, a Senegalese vendor, has been in New York for more than 8 years</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
You start your world tour on Khaosan Road in Thailand, ride elephants in Bali, dance your ass off at <a href="http://www.tomorrowland.bhttp//www.tomorrowland.be/homehttp://www.tomorrowland.be/homee/homehttp://www.tomorrowland.be/home" target="_blank">Tomorrowland</a> in Belgium, climb mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, smoke your cares away in Amsterdam at the Tulip festival. And finally when you barely have two nickels left to rub together, you return home with some exotic rash, a distaste for the use of deodorant and a blog full of memories.<br />
<br />
Welp, here's something else you may have realized immediately after that genial thought occurred: What the fugg am I going to do when I get back. And who is going to hire a nonconformist defector?<br />
<br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEyd6o1G-bI/UFj6WTqSOuI/AAAAAAAAEA4/lQrcuVZkZpY/s1600/RSCN4112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEyd6o1G-bI/UFj6WTqSOuI/AAAAAAAAEA4/lQrcuVZkZpY/s640/RSCN4112.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have an idea of what you want, once the globetrotting is through<br />
or this could be you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't let that stop you. You are not the first and you will never be the last. Besides if your current circumstance was satisfactory, then your basic instincts wouldn't instigate such a drastic change. Chances are, you are in danger of being mauled to death by the passing of time.<br />
<br />
And upon your return - if you do return - perhaps you'll be unsure about what you want, but absolutely certain that you'll break out in hives at the thought of returning to a desk job.<br />
Here are <a href="http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2011/11/22/wanderlust-careers-top-7-jobs-for-travel-lovers/" target="_blank">a few careers</a> where your nomadic skills and lack of deodorant make you prime candidates for certain companies. Also check out<a href="http://www.braintrack.com/career-planning-guide/articles/matching-passions-to-careers-for-travel-lovers" target="_blank"> this link</a>. Some of these careers may even send you back out into the world!<br />
<br />
<strong>My Top Five picks</strong><br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Wine Importer - cultivate your palette then pimp your skills globally.</li>
<li>Excursion programmer/Trip planner - Put together packages for places you've already been. </li>
<li>Freelance Travel Writer/Travel guide writer - Let the world in on what you have learned from your wanderlust</li>
<li>English as a Second Language/ ESL Teacher - it's not as easy as it sounds. But getting certified to teach ESL can get your foot into many domestic & international doors. </li>
<li>professional vagabond - I'm not sure how you will get paid for this one, but if you figure it out, email me immediately!</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you suggest other careers or companies for returning global drifters?</span></strong></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-26716289778957258332012-09-15T12:52:00.001-04:002012-09-17T09:14:56.937-04:00Groupon can take me to Africa?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Who would use a </span><a href="http://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-to-down-under-answers?c=all&p=18" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Groupon</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> coupon to go to Africa?"</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdVkDddwb6g/UD1fclmZWsI/AAAAAAAADzA/ct99IP8GkFk/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdVkDddwb6g/UD1fclmZWsI/AAAAAAAADzA/ct99IP8GkFk/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+262.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1946489492"></span><span id="goog_1946489493"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">have been looking for mid-level budget package deals to Africa. And I am horrified at my findings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Planning my own adventure, is the way to go. But traveling with family members who have expectations can complicate things. That's where the travel agency comes in and my money goes out the window.</span><br />
<br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kms_XzcyHCc/UETmQbmPXeI/AAAAAAAAD0w/-TvIhsAAgp0/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kms_XzcyHCc/UETmQbmPXeI/AAAAAAAAD0w/-TvIhsAAgp0/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+206.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone Zebra in Nakuru National park - Kenya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is not my first Africa rodeo folks. And these " Packages" can stomp a several thousand dollar mud hole into your savings account. Holy sh*t you say? - Holt sh*t indeed my friends. But this pre-packaged tour, is going to hurt way more than my pockets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You see, I am a rehabilitated chronic spender. And this "purchase" could send me spiraling into the relapsed-chronic spenders version of a crack house with a dirty mattress and a smart phone buying shoes online.</span><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3fZxZ-dNxg/UEU4Ij0-UoI/AAAAAAAAD2M/ct4azTCBrRQ/s1600/TT.SLeon+515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3fZxZ-dNxg/UEU4Ij0-UoI/AAAAAAAAD2M/ct4azTCBrRQ/s640/TT.SLeon+515.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whites sands beach of River No.2 - Sierra Leone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The problem is, if I say no, I stand to disappoint. But if I say yes, I will probably be harboring a grudge for the next 6 months. Neither option is acceptable. That's when groupon came up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When a friend told me about these all inclusive safari packages that groupon was offering to South and East Africa, I laughed. And then, I said something snarky like, "Who the heck would use a groupon coupon to go on a safari in South Africa?" </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFLNJ5aewo0/UEU2JSK4y1I/AAAAAAAAD2E/hkepKR7hsEk/s1600/TT.SLeon+329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFLNJ5aewo0/UEU2JSK4y1I/AAAAAAAAD2E/hkepKR7hsEk/s640/TT.SLeon+329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No seriously, who does that? I will tell you who; <em>travelers who question having to fork out $4-$6 grand for 6 days of regimented, mediocre touring</em> - that's who!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"<em><strong>But it's Africa!"</strong></em> you say, "<strong><em>a once in a lifetime adventure</em></strong>!" Well folks, I digress, This doesn't have to be your only international escapade, simply because of the <em>presumed</em> restraints of a mid-level budget.</span><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg2qhPgcdUs/UEzwuDLzs7I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/fPurO_hcIrM/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg2qhPgcdUs/UEzwuDLzs7I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/fPurO_hcIrM/s400/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+307.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lodge in Naivasha - Here, you can take a walking tour of the grounds where hippos, <br />
zebra, giraffes and other animals roam freely just behind the compound. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In my experience, it really depends on what you're looking for. Sure there is a vacuum of information out there for "do-it-yourself travelers." But websites like </span><a href="http://www.traveldudes.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Travel Dudes</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, for travelers by travelers works as a great alternative for mindful folks looking to minimize costs without sacrificing a good time. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPjiFs7K86M/UFJ-qCLDoQI/AAAAAAAAD8g/1bWNX7PAUxc/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPjiFs7K86M/UFJ-qCLDoQI/AAAAAAAAD8g/1bWNX7PAUxc/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not to discount the need for professionals who can alleviate certain concerns unforeseen or otherwise. But if you knew that you could do more with your budget (with a little leg-work) would you do it yourself?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've also used </span><a href="http://www.airbnb.com/info/how_it_works" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">AirBNB </span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to find a great guest house in Tobago. No sooner than I dropped my bags off at </span><a href="http://millersguesthouse.com/about-us.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Miller's Geust House </span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> ,Winston, the owner introduced me to the other guests and I was whisked off to a local dinner party. From there I spent the next four days with an amazing group of locals and travellers.</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1pihFDuC1qE/UEzw3SLXlXI/AAAAAAAAD3g/8kDhaVOyjJw/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1pihFDuC1qE/UEzw3SLXlXI/AAAAAAAAD3g/8kDhaVOyjJw/s400/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping inside the safari Park at <a href="http://www.sarovahotels.com/lionhill/" target="_blank">Sarova Lion Hill Lodge</a> in Nakuru.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All I'm saying is, weigh your options. If you're an adventurous solo traveler who's not afraid to do your homework to save hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars, then you can hit the international travel circuit as often as you like. Sure, you might say that I'm a tightwad-dreamer - but I'm not the only one....And I hope some day you will join us... And the world will be as one. </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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJmgwTLckQI/UFJ-w56nwQI/AAAAAAAAD8o/rBlk8d_JfAk/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJmgwTLckQI/UFJ-w56nwQI/AAAAAAAAD8o/rBlk8d_JfAk/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> This lodge in Naivasha gives their guests private tours of their grounds. Where they allow you to walk as close as possible to the animals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I love giraffes....... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ONNO3HchFs/UFSqfHIXZYI/AAAAAAAAD_I/0kWY7ns7GTQ/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ONNO3HchFs/UFSqfHIXZYI/AAAAAAAAD_I/0kWY7ns7GTQ/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+314.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">....They just don't love me back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Staring at the baby giraffe that got away from my clutches </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...not my finest moment, but so exhilarating.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Still not convinced? No problem. Below are a few suggestions for these <strike>crooked-ass travel</strike> agencies, but also for YOU's, the traveler. Think of them as demands. Ask for them, insist on them, and if all else fails buy a fugging Groupon coupon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>WOULD ANY OF YOU USE A GROUPON COUPON TO TRAVEL ABROAD? OR WOULD YOU RATHER USE A TRAVEL AGENT?*</strong> </span><br />
<br />
<u><strong>My Africa Tour Package Wish list</strong></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrF8dj7D1G8/UEzwRtLGhvI/AAAAAAAAD3A/wMJf784GEFI/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrF8dj7D1G8/UEzwRtLGhvI/AAAAAAAAD3A/wMJf784GEFI/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWwppFI9kco/UFKS6jCSKKI/AAAAAAAAD-A/nvIQAY_0H-o/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWwppFI9kco/UFKS6jCSKKI/AAAAAAAAD-A/nvIQAY_0H-o/s320/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+235.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You paid how much to come see me?!<br />
..and you call us stupid animals?" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
F<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">irst class, non-stop flight on anything that doesn't have the words American or Continental in the airline name. However if non-stop is not optional, then no more than a 2-4 hour layover. A great option is </span><a href="http://www.emirates.com/us/english/index.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Emirates,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Having flow with them, I can assure you that their economy feels less like Guantanamo Bay and more like the back of a modern SUV</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All meals included - ALL - for the length of my stay. Several of which should be at local eateries. Whether that means goats milk and cows blood in a Masai camp or Nyama Choma (BBQ) and banana rum at a local eatery in town, i want local fare baby! </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Feeling obligated to tip transport drivers. If the agency gets a commission from my purchased package then so should the drivers. However, I will gladly tip the safari park ranger for not letting my ass get chomped to pieces by a hyena. </span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next, don't put me in a 2 1/2 star hotel and then tell me it's 5 stars by Africa standards. If you promote it as four stars then that's what I'm expecting. Not an adult hostel with a continental breakfast. I've seen the hotels in Africa and they are very first-world modern. So no cutting corners with my money!</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Give me some options - if you are going to strip me of $3-$6 grand, at least take me to two countries. African countries are, sometimes, within a few hours drive from each other. I have travelled by car from Kenya to Tanzania within hours. Even pulling over to pee next to livestock, (not my classiest moment folks). Then pulled over to to eat; pulled over by extorting policemen; and pulled over again to pee once more. Still arriving in less time than it takes to drive from NYC to Virginia. So take me to Uganda, The Gambia, Botswana Zanzibar -please!! Chances are I will never spend this type of money again on a trip.... but treat me right and I might recommend you to someone else!</span></li>
</ol>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGmnBqC3RCQ/UEzwe-fMAKI/AAAAAAAAD3I/YY4XU2Q8zX0/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGmnBqC3RCQ/UEzwe-fMAKI/AAAAAAAAD3I/YY4XU2Q8zX0/s640/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+321.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman in Lake Nakuru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<u></u><br />
<em></em><br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-68901906290733452102012-08-24T12:14:00.000-04:002012-09-03T11:25:44.917-04:00I Fink Your Freaky and I Like You A Lot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">NEW YORK! CAN YOU JUST BE NORMAL FOR 5 MINUTES?!</span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6e662tviiE/UC_DYfaWg3I/AAAAAAAADlY/VCKds6hDEjI/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6e662tviiE/UC_DYfaWg3I/AAAAAAAADlY/VCKds6hDEjI/s640/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+132.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So if you stand still for too long in Times Square someone is bound to ask if you will take a photo for them. Which is cool because it gives me the opportunity to ask travelers "<em><strong>So how do you like New York City!?" </strong></em></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W61_w1IvWRI/UDA0WB9ud8I/AAAAAAAADm4/nrdlZ95NbXw/s1600/DSCN3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W61_w1IvWRI/UDA0WB9ud8I/AAAAAAAADm4/nrdlZ95NbXw/s320/DSCN3324.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what conversation took place between him and his barber before this <br />
happened?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The answers are endless ranging from "<em>It smells</em>" to "<em>I want to die here</em>" Once I was even told, "<em>I came here to have my baby</em>" (literally folks she was pregnant) But the number one reason given to me by travelers is....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"<strong><em>Because it's New York"</em></strong> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Therefore when someone (Non-American ) asked me how I felt about New York, a plethora of politically correct answers came to mind. But what came out was "<strong><em>Because in New York you can be who you want to be 25 hours a day 8 days a week.</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGYK-ICrDcM/UDeClb5i-OI/AAAAAAAADvg/xHqwXxt5nDg/s1600/DSCN4106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AGYK-ICrDcM/UDeClb5i-OI/AAAAAAAADvg/xHqwXxt5nDg/s400/DSCN4106.jpg" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">In his defense when I first noticed "Bikini man" several months ago in Times Square</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">he was wearing a leisure suit and riding </span><a href="http://www.bonthronebikes.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/i/minx-16-girls-bike-pink-freespirit.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">this bike. </span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> I don't know what happened, but I can tell you that </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">this is not the only bikini he owns now. Maybe he was just smoking with this dude......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7XoELNrPAM/UDeIqk7yi3I/AAAAAAAADws/QKSeL3uZ9l0/s1600/NYC2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7XoELNrPAM/UDeIqk7yi3I/AAAAAAAADws/QKSeL3uZ9l0/s400/NYC2.JPG" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Earning money for recreational activities is a breeze.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Getting your friends, who also partake in your cipher, to keep their clothes on is the tricky part</span> .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I mean where else can you see Mormons and <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pum%20pum%20shorts" target="_blank">pum-pum</a> shorts walking side-by-side? Let's face it, New York is not in any danger of losing its cultural diversity. Not only is it encouraged, we pride ourselves on freedom of expression. </span></div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdcOkc9Tepc/UDA1486kRkI/AAAAAAAADnw/5fzbq4K9YiE/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdcOkc9Tepc/UDA1486kRkI/AAAAAAAADnw/5fzbq4K9YiE/s640/015.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jews, Gentiles, Mormons, and the damned, we all share an equal love for flip-flops! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">NYC is home to more than </span><a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/locations/current_nyc_productions.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">60 film and television productions</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> many of which you can attend for free. And we have over a dozen Disney characters roaming the streets throughout the day. </span></div>
<br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi4OnfKiZwc/UDA1nzdMaMI/AAAAAAAADng/6URVklDw0Q0/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi4OnfKiZwc/UDA1nzdMaMI/AAAAAAAADng/6URVklDw0Q0/s400/135.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is not the Disney character I was referring to, but she will do.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mICR8rZbzF0/UDeCRxHD8ZI/AAAAAAAADvY/OVHwVAKYwG8/s1600/DSCN4196%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mICR8rZbzF0/UDeCRxHD8ZI/AAAAAAAADvY/OVHwVAKYwG8/s400/DSCN4196%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ah yes, Tiger flanked by Minnie </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjDq8W80TDM/UDA1hiB1yVI/AAAAAAAADnY/DfSuBha9EvE/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjDq8W80TDM/UDA1hiB1yVI/AAAAAAAADnY/DfSuBha9EvE/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nikki Minaj extremists</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04kMuYGNmCo/UDA06bcWcvI/AAAAAAAADnA/J-2U88wOEvc/s1600/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04kMuYGNmCo/UDA06bcWcvI/AAAAAAAADnA/J-2U88wOEvc/s400/C.I+Mermaid+Parade+023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mermaid Ave in Brooklyn's Coney Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I mean doesn't every state have pirates and Greek gods travelling by subway? <span style="font-size: small;">How else are you going to find a date in New York! </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">Other options are simply <em>becoming</em> the person you want to be with. Yes, dressing in drag takes all the guess work out of the question of: "What are you looking for in a woman?" </span><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3DQfA-i5Q4/UDeCw0fTQiI/AAAAAAAADvo/zL5v_Q-9QpI/s1600/DSCN2557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3DQfA-i5Q4/UDeCw0fTQiI/AAAAAAAADvo/zL5v_Q-9QpI/s400/DSCN2557.jpg" width="300" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Where the guys look better as girls than the girls look as girls - did you get that?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sojust to reiterate my point, go ahead and be who you want to be in New York - we won't judge you! But don't come crying to us in the 25th hour when you look like this.... </span><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXqPDIS0h7o/UDeI3LJDdCI/AAAAAAAADw0/6OJ8EFBKyf4/s1600/DSCN2328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXqPDIS0h7o/UDeI3LJDdCI/AAAAAAAADw0/6OJ8EFBKyf4/s640/DSCN2328.jpg" width="480" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.. So get your sh*t together ok - becasue you asked for this! Or stay the</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">fugg outta this city if you can't hang homie!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-19757885175912296562012-08-21T19:18:00.004-04:002012-09-22T11:51:09.656-04:00Ballers, Big Mouths and Makeovers?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwiVIsJxE50/UDQHJZGTAZI/AAAAAAAADrU/308VZGBQOr8/s1600/DSCN4154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwiVIsJxE50/UDQHJZGTAZI/AAAAAAAADrU/308VZGBQOr8/s640/DSCN4154.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York Knicks Amar’e Stoudemire makes his rounds in New York </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I hope the way Amare effortlessly spins that ball is some indication of the new moves veteran player Hakeem Olajuwon taught him out on <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/sports/basketball/knicks-amare-stoudemire-learns-from-hakeem-olajuwon.html?_r=2" target="_blank">Hakeem's ranch in Katy, Tex</a>. Although we're looking forward to Amare having a better season, he came to NYC to promote his new children's book “STAT: Home Court. The book is geared towards teaching children about handling bullies using your wits..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJJoYmfyuUE/UDQHMByfpkI/AAAAAAAADrc/9VcG8ZYTQjQ/s1600/DSCN4158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJJoYmfyuUE/UDQHMByfpkI/AAAAAAAADrc/9VcG8ZYTQjQ/s320/DSCN4158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And speaking of bullies........<br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwt-aUkhiPA/UDQL7inj_BI/AAAAAAAADsU/hqEGLHelGWE/s1600/DSCN4169%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwt-aUkhiPA/UDQL7inj_BI/AAAAAAAADsU/hqEGLHelGWE/s640/DSCN4169%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yea, well, she's not such a bully. Perhaps motherhood, age and the improved quality of lace-front wigs has softened this radio and TV personality who is famous for her big-mouthed tell-all personality. No matter <a href="http://www.wendyshow.com/blog/" target="_blank">Wendy</a>, you've kept it real with us and we'll continue to support you and those midgets that you're smuggling in your dress. - you are my friend in my head.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4zqafvHmrg/UDQMNnW_DSI/AAAAAAAADsc/6_FcPAp-4r4/s1600/DSCN4175%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4zqafvHmrg/UDQMNnW_DSI/AAAAAAAADsc/6_FcPAp-4r4/s320/DSCN4175%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And let's not not forget the Chris Powell, fitness expert and the trainer on NBC Extreme Makeover<br />
helped Jervez Hall "Bring sexy back" by shedding 280 pounds. The fact that Chris is extremely easy on the eyes, is an extreme motivator. Who wouldn't do squats for that smile?<br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILMIpiMaK44/UDQSdjgJzSI/AAAAAAAADts/hWS7skXN_dc/s1600/DSCN4117%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILMIpiMaK44/UDQSdjgJzSI/AAAAAAAADts/hWS7skXN_dc/s640/DSCN4117%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Powell flashes his expert smile. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srdWgl6gQyg/UDQWEBl38nI/AAAAAAAADuc/-qSMv6Iv6qc/s1600/DSCN4138%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srdWgl6gQyg/UDQWEBl38nI/AAAAAAAADuc/-qSMv6Iv6qc/s320/DSCN4138%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Robin, Chris and Jervez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-48689404143669401102012-08-14T18:52:00.001-04:002012-08-18T20:12:21.325-04:00All In A Day's Work? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I walk 10 ten blocks to work everyday. Regardless of the weather. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I do this in order to offset the potential damage to my figure from sitting on my ass all fuggin day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm no health fanatic, I just have no money to buy the next dress size up or to spend on a gym membership that i will never use. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the real truth is that my <em>self diagnosed</em> ADHD would wreak pure havoc on me and scare the sh*t out of my coworkers if I didn't exercise off this manic energy. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Cue the New York City streets</em> - There is typically so much activity on my route that I am completely calm by the time I hit my cubicle - no meds necessary. And here's why.</span><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJMMCqu5VZU/UCrJH-pvO4I/AAAAAAAADh8/7Na5mXZ7LOs/s1600/volleyball2.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJMMCqu5VZU/UCrJH-pvO4I/AAAAAAAADh8/7Na5mXZ7LOs/s640/volleyball2.BMP" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might miss three time Olympic Gold medal winner Misty-May Treanor<br />
showing off her bling for me. <br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I mean where else can I see three time Olympic Gold medalists strolling the street of NYC looking flawless before 8a.m? And of course the teenage dream-team. I imagine they go back to highschool and say things like, "Yeah but did you win an Olympic gold medal over the summer, becasue I did bishes!" </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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FWTFds9au0/UCua7GLjEdI/AAAAAAAADjc/6_6fXZ0_m48/s1600/DSCN4085%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FWTFds9au0/UCua7GLjEdI/AAAAAAAADjc/6_6fXZ0_m48/s400/DSCN4085%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The American Gymnastic teen-age dream team.<br />
The eldest member is only 18yrs old. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nd if that's not enough for you. Then I'll just get my side burns trimmed by celebrity stylist Tabitha Coffey, while she curses me out about just how fuggin filthy American hair salons are? </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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cB_XYq7KwVY/UCrK5qSvKEI/AAAAAAAADiI/ygrg2cK3Z3c/s1600/DSCN4050%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cB_XYq7KwVY/UCrK5qSvKEI/AAAAAAAADiI/ygrg2cK3Z3c/s400/DSCN4050%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Australian hairstylist, salon owner, and television personality Tabitha Coffey<br />
takes her skills to the streets of NYC<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TajznJ1dJsk/UCuio_GX_bI/AAAAAAAADkM/cF2ZhCfNl6s/s1600/burglary+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TajznJ1dJsk/UCuio_GX_bI/AAAAAAAADkM/cF2ZhCfNl6s/s400/burglary+016.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or Robert Pattison talking about cereal and unfaithful girlfriends<br />
during a morning interview?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if if you're still not impressed, well dammit, might I add that we shut streets down so that woman in scantily clad bathing suits can dance with santa-fugging-claus! </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right kids we've got Christmas, in the summer, in New York City!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Soooo what! No one really cares that it's the middle of August and Santa Claus has on that hot azz suit in 85 degree weather. When you are one of the baddest cities on the planet you set trends you don't follow them. Hell, you can even make it snow! Yes, that <em><strong>is</strong></em> snow blowing off the top of Radio City Music Hall. </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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhAwhSp6RvM/UCrNY2oPbSI/AAAAAAAADiY/j97T2YMJUGo/s1600/DSCN4067%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhAwhSp6RvM/UCrNY2oPbSI/AAAAAAAADiY/j97T2YMJUGo/s640/DSCN4067%5B2%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Claus flanked by the world famous rockette on 6th Ave.<br />
And they manage to whip up some Santa hats for about 40 school kids? Damn we got juice sohn! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So while I sometimes get nauseous and enraged at the amount of tourists that I must elbow through, (and sometimes gut punch). Add that to the number of homeless people and city workers that I step over. Plus the thousands of people & moving traffic I dodge through daily, en route to work. And I can tell you that New York city streets, at times, really is the best medicine</span>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-60738103389889705592012-08-05T12:43:00.001-04:002012-08-18T20:06:59.863-04:00Where The Hell Is New York Going?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7E39X7idclA/UB5gwb4BX-I/AAAAAAAADY8/7o9VJdGW6G8/s1600/DSCN1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7E39X7idclA/UB5gwb4BX-I/AAAAAAAADY8/7o9VJdGW6G8/s640/DSCN1430.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If what you see is a man that infuriates you because he makes tax free money by hustling tourists - <br />
then you are probably an overworked New Yorker that needs a vacation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
.....Yes comfortable yet unpretentious.<br />
<br />
These are two words that you never...ever....ever hear used to describe The Empire State. And that's likely at the core of why so many tourists flood New York City streets on holiday, while residents flee to anyplace that is the total opposite of New York.<br />
<br />
<strong>So New York, where the hell do you go for vacation?</strong><br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HGJbwjAwUw/UB5hWBL13EI/AAAAAAAADZU/VpG-OJ75wqs/s1600/DSCN2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HGJbwjAwUw/UB5hWBL13EI/AAAAAAAADZU/VpG-OJ75wqs/s400/DSCN2008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Times Sq. - All packed up and no where to go?<br />
Many Nyers begin to feel this way and opt for short trips outside of New York for a much needed change of scenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
CBS news reported that between <a href="http://cnsnews.com/news/article/escape-new-york-high-taxing-empire-state-loses-34-million-residents-10-years" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2000-2010 NYC</a> lost more than 3.4 million residents due largely to tax inflation. And many of them moved to Florida. But how many of those people were just disenfranchised New Yorkers who'd had enough of swinging on vines in the concrete jungle?<br />
One wonders, could this mass exodus have been avoided by simply traveling more for vacation?<br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_80NuoSILo/UB5mIXF0r6I/AAAAAAAADaE/FXx52HpJgvE/s1600/DSCN1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_80NuoSILo/UB5mIXF0r6I/AAAAAAAADaE/FXx52HpJgvE/s400/DSCN1774.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escape to Central Park.<br />
A green space where New York goes to connect with nature and like it or not<br />
with thousands of other NYers.<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Readers know that I move mountains to flee New York for vacation. And I dont even live here! This city is ratchet. Therefore any opportunity to temporarily change your surroundings should be taken very seriously. Even as a 9-5er, NYC is a continuous sensory overload. It's a circus where you begin to feel like an underpaid clown jumping out of a Volks Wagon Beetle (aka commuter transit buses and trains) <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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eH6s5NFeCO8/UB50LpI1TCI/AAAAAAAADbA/QQbODhV1kao/s1600/DSCN1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eH6s5NFeCO8/UB50LpI1TCI/AAAAAAAADbA/QQbODhV1kao/s400/DSCN1835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Need to pass out? Don't care who's watching? <br />
You know it's time to go, when parks become vacation destinations. <br />
I hope he doesn't leave with anything he didn't come with, and everything he did come with will hopefully still be there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
But again I live in the suburbs where i enjoy a yard full of various birds that come to snack on the unidentified berry tree in the yard and various woodland creatures roam the bushes amidst the cry of crickets. A city where silence is sound and the neighbors invite you over for chili and a dip in their pool. Where grass and trees are not limited solely to dedicated green spaces. And the taxes are considerably lower. Yea I like that ish. <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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58JFU_UoBZA/UB5g54WIu0I/AAAAAAAADZM/GC-JhwvOhFM/s1600/DSCN1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58JFU_UoBZA/UB5g54WIu0I/AAAAAAAADZM/GC-JhwvOhFM/s400/DSCN1734.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the nest<br />
Baby Red-breasted Robin in the yard out for a flying lesson. <br />
I nearly got pecked to death by his mother and for good reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Could it be the limited 14 day vacations. or is it the $1500 in rent? Figure if you make $50k taxed at around 22% (or whatever they drain your for in NY) plus the daily cost of living in NY and you can pretty much conclude that New York is broke.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, an Internet search of New York travel agencies returned more than 2000 results. There are even specialty agencies geared for students, back-packers, luxury and LGBT travelers. Want an agency that specializes in <a href="http://www.oneworldretreats.com/" target="_blank">Asian meditations</a> retreats, or <a href="http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/planning/babymoon-destinations/" target="_blank">babymoon</a> destinations for expecting parents or perhaps Safaris in Botswana - well we got that! And with so many agencies willing to work within almost any budget, again one begins to wonder:<br />
<br />
<strong> "Where the hell is New York going on vacation?"</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
I tried over a dozen combos of that phrase on an Internet search and you know what i found? Nothing!<br />
Every returned search was an advisory of what travelers<em><strong> to</strong></em> New York should do. But nothing on where the city residents go to relax and recoup. I know they vacate. You have to or you might end up looking like this and working at<u><a href="http://www.ripleysnewyork.com/" target="_blank"> Ripley's Believe It Or Not</a></u> on 42cd street. <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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdEzHA2DVGk/UB5j7dLp_SI/AAAAAAAADZs/JQ8hXFw0iJE/s1600/DSCN3343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdEzHA2DVGk/UB5j7dLp_SI/AAAAAAAADZs/JQ8hXFw0iJE/s400/DSCN3343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a nice guy he allowed me to take his pic.<br />
But then again when you look like this i guess this kind of request is normal?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Yes living and/or working here can make you do strange things. It will have you in purple velvet sweat pants and a dinner jacket doing the "I need a vacation dance" like this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCobhzXtqFg/UB5lnVYb2oI/AAAAAAAADZ8/2XwbmOjCkkI/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCobhzXtqFg/UB5lnVYb2oI/AAAAAAAADZ8/2XwbmOjCkkI/s400/009.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Hell, you might begin seeing strange illusions, like men parading around in their tighty-whiteys with cowboy hats and holding paper dolls. I mean sh*t can get wild here. Eventually, you stop wondering if you're mind is playing tricks on you and just accept that you've become a character in a never ending version of The <a href="http://www.ringling.com/" target="_blank">Greatest Show on Earth</a>.<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwDSrIFjjHo/UB548KVqq7I/AAAAAAAADb8/yf0amrnLHg8/s1600/DSCN3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwDSrIFjjHo/UB548KVqq7I/AAAAAAAADb8/yf0amrnLHg8/s320/DSCN3497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The naked cowboy shows a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Stanley" target="_blank">Flat Stanley</a> how he gets all the ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
If you become enraged instead of fascinated at the sight of celebrity athletes doing a cookie promo during a news segment, because the gathering crowd slows down your commute to a cubicle at 8 in the morning. Then you probably need to find a travel agent.......<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZy1eZCFWZY/UB6O97JjNLI/AAAAAAAADdQ/1OAC5DApRFY/s1600/DSCN2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZy1eZCFWZY/UB6O97JjNLI/AAAAAAAADdQ/1OAC5DApRFY/s400/DSCN2285.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus Williams and Shaquile O'Neal makes chomping on cookies with unidentifiable<br />
cream more interesting...but it still ain't healthful.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
.....And please find one fast before you become a statistic.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EByjzTDKZo/UB6OU6rOWGI/AAAAAAAADdI/DIHNxLJumBA/s1600/DSCN1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EByjzTDKZo/UB6OU6rOWGI/AAAAAAAADdI/DIHNxLJumBA/s640/DSCN1640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-60098438221884317592012-07-27T07:05:00.001-04:002012-08-15T16:01:31.382-04:00Turkish Delight - Dear Eurasia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw-QOjabeXw/T_THeMownYI/AAAAAAAADGs/PbyboBtQgvk/s1600/DSCN0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw-QOjabeXw/T_THeMownYI/AAAAAAAADGs/PbyboBtQgvk/s640/DSCN0006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Sultanahment AKA "The Blue Mosque"</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First let me say "Sorry" kids for the 5 week hiatus - i mean it is summer time. That time of the year when I question whether anyone is reading this <em>ish</em> anyway? But mainly I've been thinking "has it been long enough for me to contemplate fleeing the country again?" I mean I haven't seen the Pyramids of Giza or any of those other seven wonders..... Anyway while I'm here robbing Peter to pay Paul for the next round trip ticket - you can just look at the damn pics</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLyI-vmleig/UA84m3lc4PI/AAAAAAAADT0/0BezEVcfSQE/s1600/DSCN4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLyI-vmleig/UA84m3lc4PI/AAAAAAAADT0/0BezEVcfSQE/s640/DSCN4168.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Me not in front of The Sultanahmet</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure... I know some of you are saying <em>WTF Turkey</em>?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rest assured I have heard it all before. and I have also been clearly informed that " <em>You go to places where black people don't go</em>?" While others simply ask, "<em>do you just spin a globe and go wherever your finger lands</em>?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right. While that may have worked for Eddie Murphy in <em><a href="http://youtu.be/Q2zR-NddnOU?t=37s">Coming to America</a>, </em> I on the other hand, like many of you, have a handful of vacation days and are grossly underpaid!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still these narrow minded <strike>people</strike> statements do not keep me from boarding planes to far flung places to discover more about life outside of the<strike> bubble</strike> USA.</span><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4uZdQBeqGo/T_ilOC1OF0I/AAAAAAAADIA/YfPoFCJTLks/s1600/DSCN0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4uZdQBeqGo/T_ilOC1OF0I/AAAAAAAADIA/YfPoFCJTLks/s640/DSCN0075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of New City Istanbul, from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Sapphire">Istanbul Sapphire Tower</a>.<br />
Think Empire state Building conservatory deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Besides it's kind of sexy to say on a date "<em>Oh you mean this scar" Well I got that while exploring a beach in Sierra Leone." </em><strong>Or in social circles "</strong><em>The last church service I attended was at the Vatican in Rome."</em> Honestly,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> folks can't figure out if you're an airline stewardess, an NGO worker or just delusional on <a href="http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/bath-salts-drug-dangers">bath salts</a>. And that kind of confusion is always intriguing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not just passionate about enhancing my cultural experiences by actually going out fearlessly into the world. I'm thinking beyond that. So that when the sh*t hits the fan (for the umpteenth time) in corporate America and jobs start disappearing again <strike>to India</strike> offshore. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can easily pull a <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1061512,00.html">Dave Chappelle</a> and flee to some country who's name only comes up in the BBC news. There I will successfully hustle mangoes & beaded jewelry on street corners until Obama fixes <strike>sh*t</strike> America. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, with that said, here are a few of the top reasons why I dig Istanbul, Turkey and would return.... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul....</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>You're kinda like an old man on Viagra</strong></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryA82oLU638/T_pIXgR7ftI/AAAAAAAADKQ/uwquTW6DP_4/s1600/DSCN0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryA82oLU638/T_pIXgR7ftI/AAAAAAAADKQ/uwquTW6DP_4/s640/DSCN0390.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Walking in the Kumkapi section up the street from my Hotel</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> the Best Western Amber</strong> </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Istanbul is the cultural heart of Turkey as well as it's largest city. It may also surprise some to know that it was deemed a historical European city by the United Nations and </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was named the 10th top tourist destination in 2010. Which is why i was totally surprised at the number of clubs tucked away throughout the</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> city and it's young hip crowd. They even have an entire area devoted to debauchery - Taksim square... *sigh*</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Residents will tell you that the city’s population swells somewhere between 8 to 12 million people. Yes this place is packed tighter than the Puerto Rican day parade. But it doesn’t feel hostile. On the contrary, the city and its people are friendly, liberal and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inquisitive</i> …but we’ll get to that later. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul....You're more secular & liberal than I gave you credit for</strong></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7xWgQ42xLQ/UAn6gSD_T_I/AAAAAAAADRY/3aIycHc1mmk/s1600/DSCN0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7xWgQ42xLQ/UAn6gSD_T_I/AAAAAAAADRY/3aIycHc1mmk/s640/DSCN0100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Taksim Square on a Saturday night. Kinda of looks like Times Square but the further in you go</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>it begins to resemble the the East Village</strong></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good news you can totally wear your <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pum%20pum%20shorts">pum pum shorts</a> in Istanbul. This is a semi-conservative Muslim country. So don't worry about being stoned to death or clapped with a Koran. They know you internationals are <strike>lose</strike> liberal with your appearances. And more importantly, Turkey like many other developing nations, likes those <em><a href="http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+greenback&qpvt=green+backs&FORM=DTPDIA">green backs</a></em> so bring your money and your<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=batty+riders"> batti-riders</a> but I would advise you to keep it classy or they might think you're a lost prostitute. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the heart of the Sultanahmet sight-seeing area, there is a park frequented by the locals and although this is a Muslim country I can tell you that when the mosques sounded the call to prayer, I didn't see too many people <strong>stop drop </strong>and<strong> roll</strong> onto prayer mats....I'm just saying</span></span><br />
<br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aD2JTnpd5J8/T_nDB3jzaOI/AAAAAAAADJc/JcAWSwP5P54/s1600/DSCN4133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aD2JTnpd5J8/T_nDB3jzaOI/AAAAAAAADJc/JcAWSwP5P54/s640/DSCN4133.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the main floor of the Hagia Sophia </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul....I found Turkish Baby Jesus!</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes he was etched on a wall with some Islamic graffiti and Byzantine emperor dudes?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the Hagia Sophia, a number of Istanbul's mosques were former churches but of course when power was seized from one empire to the next, they just kind of "added-on" instead of completely destroying everything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The result? Jesus etched into a wall with Byzantine emperors above an Islamic pulpit (Mimbar) underneath pimped out Ottoman Empire chandeliers and huge Islamic relics hoisted on high. Kinda like my childhood home where my mother furnished the house with whatever <strike>free sh*t</strike> she could find. Nonetheless, she like the Hagia Sofia, kept it eclectic & classy . </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhX4vSu8l7U/T_nCQRbIebI/AAAAAAAADJM/HCdvfBRatII/s1600/DSCN4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhX4vSu8l7U/T_nCQRbIebI/AAAAAAAADJM/HCdvfBRatII/s640/DSCN4151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hanging at Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofaya) with Turkish baby Jesus </span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Pssst! Doesn't Turkish baby Jesus look like </strong><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a></strong><strong>? </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes I know I'm going to hell in a hand basket - but guess who's coming with me?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul......I also found Medusa</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrDO9VPBP3s/T_pLXnikvEI/AAAAAAAADKs/65ZVe3mKHMk/s1600/DSCN0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrDO9VPBP3s/T_pLXnikvEI/AAAAAAAADKs/65ZVe3mKHMk/s400/DSCN0176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The head of Medusa surrounded by water in the Cistern</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes her head was planted in the Basilica Cistern in the Sultanamet trying to scare people. I wouldn't look at her though because on a scale of 1-10 I'm already a "3" so I can't afford to take any chances.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul....So much eye candy so little time.</strong></span><br /><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMg3s8Xc7ZI/T_pPloRVsCI/AAAAAAAADLM/y9KAoF_ST7c/s1600/DSCN0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMg3s8Xc7ZI/T_pPloRVsCI/AAAAAAAADLM/y9KAoF_ST7c/s640/DSCN0003.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Okay they are not really all that cute but trust me...click those friggin links below</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and the truth shall set you free.</span></strong><br />
<br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ladies if you find yourself surrounded by a few hundred of </span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubabykstn/2506327515/in/photostream/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">these</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/26700000/Burak-z-ivit-turkish-actors-and-actresses-26722915-356-450.jpg"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">those</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in Istanbul then don't be surprised. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes it's totally possible to find love/lust in Istanbul at least every 15 to 20 minutes. Turks and Kurds are fugging gorgeous. And they will the pursue the object of their affection. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fond of olive skin, dark hair, bedroom eyes, & thick accents rolled up into relaxed-fit jeans and tees? Than this be the place. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore I reassured them that in the States, I am about a 3 in the looks department ( I did this for you) So ladies put your freak-um dress on and get ready for the influx of Turkish men at JFK. - </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're welcome.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the more conservative crowd, dust off your passport and hop on the first thing smoking out of the States. Because the USA <em><strong>is </strong></em>probably the hopeless place Rhianna was referring to where she found love. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yup I said it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul.....Turkish People Love Watermelon?</strong></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrNas9oYpZM/T_Jn00TMafI/AAAAAAAADFE/bA4yyDH4xcc/s1600/DSCN0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrNas9oYpZM/T_Jn00TMafI/AAAAAAAADFE/bA4yyDH4xcc/s400/DSCN0328.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right in addition to Harem pants, finding a street vendor selling this juicy treat on the street is as common as finding coconuts on the streets of Kingston Jamaica. Sooo no more clinging to old stereotypes. I've been abroad and now I know better.</span></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uBN6JyxAQ4/UAn_oaYLsdI/AAAAAAAADR0/yRV-kOpqgSA/s1600/DSCN0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uBN6JyxAQ4/UAn_oaYLsdI/AAAAAAAADR0/yRV-kOpqgSA/s400/DSCN0387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>.....I mean they really like their watermelon</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul... I have never been scrubbed like this before.</strong></span></div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE466OlodNE/UACdISFKabI/AAAAAAAADMs/fEABfbn-MfM/s1600/sophia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE466OlodNE/UACdISFKabI/AAAAAAAADMs/fEABfbn-MfM/s400/sophia3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>This is what I did but my version was way more sexy</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>sorry no pics</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Traditional Turkish Baths made me realize that perhaps I have never really properly washed my a$$ before? In all my years of bathing I have never had a "pat down" quite like the one i experienced at the Ayasofya Hamimi. I paraded around this house of white marble and stone like a queen - half naked but royal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was drenched repeatedly by gold plated bowls dipped into overflowing fountains. Scrubbed down by hand with a mitten then doused from head to toe in three feet of bubbles (using what I swear looked like a soapy pillowcase)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWE3VCI9QbM/UACdOcSgIAI/AAAAAAAADM0/uvXDAFyrgOM/s1600/sophia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWE3VCI9QbM/UACdOcSgIAI/AAAAAAAADM0/uvXDAFyrgOM/s400/sophia1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>I snatched this pic courtesy of the Internet and some scallywag</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>who didn't respect the Ayasofya's "No pictures'" rule</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally I was lathered and massaged down . I swear my a$$ squeaked when I slid off that platform. Is this is how royalty got down daily during the Ottoman Empire? I can definitely see how things might get a little out of hand with co-ed bathing...I'll stop there.</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">S</span>orry pics weren't allowed but my overtly graphic and slightly seedy ramble should let you know that Turkish baths are the sheeeeeit!</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Istanbul .....Please may I have some more?</span></strong><br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mumD66hoQ4c/UAGJefMypII/AAAAAAAADOE/5Bc6FNrihss/s1600/DSCN0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mumD66hoQ4c/UAGJefMypII/AAAAAAAADOE/5Bc6FNrihss/s400/DSCN0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sweet treat filled with sugary goodness and pistachios</span></strong> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What do the Turks eat....Well everything we eat of course with a bit of a kick. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course they will boast that food in Turkey is "Natural" - What? you mean as opposed to our genetically modified vegetables and 3-legged chickens in the U.S.A.? (can't knock it till you try it)</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poTrFPXlcPg/UAGKtnfJ3CI/AAAAAAAADOU/-j-FS2_pTSg/s1600/DSCN0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poTrFPXlcPg/UAGKtnfJ3CI/AAAAAAAADOU/-j-FS2_pTSg/s400/DSCN0092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Eggplant dish with beef</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Y<span style="font-family: Arial;">es you will find Kebabs, But with Istanbul's proximity to the sea you will also find a plethora of Seafood dishes for dirt cheap.</span> Veggie dishes here are great and the sticky sweet deserts are to die for. But dammit I'm American and we have this obsession with grossly large portions! Istanbul does not. I could lose 10 pounds in the first week here if I'm not careful.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Strangest thing I had was a beverage that's half plain yogurt, half water & no sugar whatsoever (and that ish is popular) Try scarfing down some kebab meat & pepper sauce then washing it down with watery yogurt... somebody pass me the purple kool-aid please</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBWmaSRZecw/UAGTuNo6ayI/AAAAAAAADPQ/4a-tH7pf0TA/s1600/DSCN4076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBWmaSRZecw/UAGTuNo6ayI/AAAAAAAADPQ/4a-tH7pf0TA/s640/DSCN4076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>Dear Istanbul...Your street meat is a little different than I expected....</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqHoWO46SL0/UAGKmh6FIsI/AAAAAAAADOM/yf2BEaVBxw0/s1600/DSCN0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqHoWO46SL0/UAGKmh6FIsI/AAAAAAAADOM/yf2BEaVBxw0/s400/DSCN0097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's 3 o' clock in the morning and you've just stumbled out of one of the many clubs or bars in Taksim square and you are <strike>piss drunk </strike>tipsy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raki_(alcoholic_beverage)">Raki</a> brandy. As a New yorker naturally <strike>I'm</strike> you are looking for a gyro truck with the finest of unidentifiable street meats right? Wrong! In Taksim square the street meat of choice is mussels? I truly wanted to blame the alcohol but this was no illusion.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Dear Istanbul...You love labels just as much as the next shallow developed country?</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><h2>
</h2>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPgNokvFytE/UAnmiMHfESI/AAAAAAAADQU/tv29TG1KjlE/s1600/DSCN4059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPgNokvFytE/UAnmiMHfESI/AAAAAAAADQU/tv29TG1KjlE/s640/DSCN4059.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking the corridors of the Grand Bazaar</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ask any of the vendors in the Grand Bazaar what sells most and they will tell you designer brands whether they are genuine or quality knock-offs Europeans and Asians come from near and far to plow throughout the bazaar's more than 4000 stores!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locals love designer jeans, shoes and handbags. It doesn't matter if a woman is rolled up in fabric (<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>tesettür,</em></strong> a headscarf and light cover-all topcoat</span>) I guarantee she's got a Prada(ish) bag dangling from her arm. High end fashion is so popular that Turkey has branched out into the Iraqi border with their labels and fashions.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Sapphire">Istanbul Sapphire</a> mall you can find all those swanky labels that my working class money can't buy. And that kind of economic elitism makes me feel right at home.</span> </span><br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBiyUi2fGSk/UAno1xf1dII/AAAAAAAADQk/Wn_ri41_Grg/s1600/DSCN0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBiyUi2fGSk/UAno1xf1dII/AAAAAAAADQk/Wn_ri41_Grg/s640/DSCN0192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Waiting on the Tram....now that i think of it, i didn't see any buses in Istanbul?</span></strong><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I hopped on the tram and made my way across town to the famed spice market and you know what I found? - Spices hundreds of spices, teas, dried fruits, nuts and thousands of other novelty pieces like this Mosaic hanging lamp. After a few jokes and some small talk with the shop guys, I snatched that up, in addition to some spices and an invite to a local soccer game extended by a sultry young Turk </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which brings me to my next point......</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;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqxHrjJaKaw/T_pIOwbjATI/AAAAAAAADKI/cEngDg4g5Sc/s640/photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One of the Turkish styled hanging lamps that I picked up at the Spice Market...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clearly there's more than just spices.</span></strong></td></tr>
<strong></strong></tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Dear Istanbul</strong>.....<strong>Shopping is a social engagement not just a transaction.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5o_lcKM8FdE/UAoCJzumNUI/AAAAAAAADSE/2HSn07opsgY/s1600/DSCN0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5o_lcKM8FdE/UAoCJzumNUI/AAAAAAAADSE/2HSn07opsgY/s400/DSCN0340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">You could be buying a bottle of water from an outdoor stand. But if you exchange more than three sentences of conversation with the owner then you will probably be invited for tea. In many shops, customers are invited to sit, smoke, drink tea and chat with no pressure to buy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6bNMRjayRQ/UBCUo20y4vI/AAAAAAAADVE/GldN0ymIEPM/s1600/DSCN4041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6bNMRjayRQ/UBCUo20y4vI/AAAAAAAADVE/GldN0ymIEPM/s640/DSCN4041.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A store owner and local Japanese tour guide explained to me why he installed cameras in his carpet store. "Some tourists (from a country which shall not be named - see 1st sentence) come here smoke cigarettes drink alcohol and purchase expensive rugs. Then once they've returned home and receive our invoices, they lie and say they were mistreated and robbed. But the cameras tell a very different story.</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-s5OefJIOk/UBCRcYIAsnI/AAAAAAAADUc/hVgPCvzznCA/s1600/DSCN0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-s5OefJIOk/UBCRcYIAsnI/AAAAAAAADUc/hVgPCvzznCA/s640/DSCN0204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_Palace"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Topkapi</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> is a palace - no joke. It spreads over a couple of acres and even includes a harem which served as a living quarters for wives and concubines....I mean what good palace doesn't have concubines?</span></td></tr>
<><><><><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></></tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Istanbul....what language do you speak??</span></strong><br />
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W60hmFgaXXk/UBJujm6t6aI/AAAAAAAADV8/GW-lYISiRmo/s1600/DSCN4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W60hmFgaXXk/UBJujm6t6aI/AAAAAAAADV8/GW-lYISiRmo/s640/DSCN4066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>At a local hookah cafe near the Grand Bazaar</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're anti-social & visting Istanbul, it is best you pretend to be a def mute.</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assuming I was African, many locals greeted me in French but they realized that I was an English-speaking American and switched languages. When I pretended to only speak Spanish they whipped out a few phrases in Espanol? These multi-lingual attacks are mainly in order to successfully turn profit. However Kurdish and Turkish are the common languages.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Istanbul.........I always feel like sombody's watching meeeeeeeeee!</span></strong></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObLJEQlorLI/UAn5LTSttnI/AAAAAAAADRI/Ld-x65Bz53E/s1600/DSCN0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObLJEQlorLI/UAn5LTSttnI/AAAAAAAADRI/Ld-x65Bz53E/s400/DSCN0385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Papparazzi!! The baby is covering for them!</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You ever have the distinct feeling that you are being watched? First, you chalk it up to paranoia. But from the corner of your eye you see a camera flash and begin to wonder - what the french is going on here? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>C<span style="font-family: Arial;">hildren are always obvious, they will stare at you mouths gaped in amazement. Other people devise covert operations like these two ladies who tried for several minutes to snap a photo on the down-low. When I realized what was happening I whipped out my camera & the tables turned! Two minutes later I was bombarded and the baby was handed over to me (and she was not happy about that)</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XO9M0cLyVKk/UAn_vymO9HI/AAAAAAAADR8/vAXw1Zp2u6A/s1600/me+n+ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XO9M0cLyVKk/UAn_vymO9HI/AAAAAAAADR8/vAXw1Zp2u6A/s200/me+n+ladies.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sweet girl, she just ain't the smiling type</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95go_B3ThIY/UAoHRDrQ5hI/AAAAAAAADSw/PcmpoXkCvQk/s1600/men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95go_B3ThIY/UAoHRDrQ5hI/AAAAAAAADSw/PcmpoXkCvQk/s200/men.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> can't even begin to explain how many times this happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but I mean dam they were cute so how could i say no</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cameras came out of everywhere. then in the crowd I saw something. A Middle aged black man and his wife. He smiled - we were both surprised to see each other. And then I heard the voice of my BFF's evil husband in my head saying.."You go to places black people don't go!" </span></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"C<em>hocolate</em> people don't come here very often," a local physics professor explained to me inside the Blue Mosque, "but we are fond of them." </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were intrigued as was I at their curiosity so I obliged and took pics with some very friendly folks</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ni09s11DhE/UBJuqcWTgXI/AAAAAAAADWE/yCcMTxBn8Nc/s1600/DSCN4170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ni09s11DhE/UBJuqcWTgXI/AAAAAAAADWE/yCcMTxBn8Nc/s640/DSCN4170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Hagia Sofia</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Istanbul.......</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was so much of you that I didn't see. For example I didn't visit the side of Turkey that extends into Asia, or spend the weekend in Capadoccia. These things coupled with what I did see ensured me that even if I land in corners of the world that I have no frigging business being in, it is completely worth leaving my little corner of the globe.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Turkey, you truly were delightful</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvtVwJxqdjs/UBJyREntxJI/AAAAAAAADXM/KXdfZQIvYA4/s1600/DSCN0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvtVwJxqdjs/UBJyREntxJI/AAAAAAAADXM/KXdfZQIvYA4/s640/DSCN0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Overlooking the Bosphorus</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqpJ2HNR-0c/UBJw886grfI/AAAAAAAADWs/YZ3xTdrlkTM/s1600/DSCN4148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqpJ2HNR-0c/UBJw886grfI/AAAAAAAADWs/YZ3xTdrlkTM/s640/DSCN4148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Plenty of tour buses</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yhfPgDR9qJs/UBJw5OBTT5I/AAAAAAAADWk/KnGopCGmwbE/s1600/DSCN0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yhfPgDR9qJs/UBJw5OBTT5I/AAAAAAAADWk/KnGopCGmwbE/s640/DSCN0305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>At the Topkapi Palace</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu-R1b7o3UI/UBJv2WtS5eI/AAAAAAAADWM/QOrNRMVmejY/s1600/street+meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu-R1b7o3UI/UBJv2WtS5eI/AAAAAAAADWM/QOrNRMVmejY/s640/street+meat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>More street meat?</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lTtM2HVjiE/UBJv-DdooGI/AAAAAAAADWU/1VhzSrkSj94/s1600/DSCN4040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lTtM2HVjiE/UBJv-DdooGI/AAAAAAAADWU/1VhzSrkSj94/s640/DSCN4040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The local neighborhood</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njuNWBXvfxA/UBJxLJdOyMI/AAAAAAAADW0/mXcEkejTUQg/s1600/DSCN0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njuNWBXvfxA/UBJxLJdOyMI/AAAAAAAADW0/mXcEkejTUQg/s640/DSCN0105.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Alleys in Taksim square</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH2htq16G1Y/UBJxWsKBCLI/AAAAAAAADW8/3eb9tYfyBMk/s1600/DSCN0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH2htq16G1Y/UBJxWsKBCLI/AAAAAAAADW8/3eb9tYfyBMk/s640/DSCN0198.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Armed Guards at the Palace...</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Is it me or does he look like a Jonas brother (you know all grown up and ish)</strong></span></td></tr>
<><><><><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> </strong></span></></tbody></table>
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlvM5J6sJkE/UBJwQRNn9oI/AAAAAAAADWc/IdQBXeiX968/s1600/DSCN4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlvM5J6sJkE/UBJwQRNn9oI/AAAAAAAADWc/IdQBXeiX968/s640/DSCN4034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Quiet streets in the morning</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7WfwbCWdiU/UBJxZ0Gb8YI/AAAAAAAADXE/Mx_Kl0-nKsI/s1600/blue+mosque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7WfwbCWdiU/UBJxZ0Gb8YI/AAAAAAAADXE/Mx_Kl0-nKsI/s640/blue+mosque.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Blue Mosque - name so for the use of more than 21,000 Blue tiles on it walls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071314453536890879.post-63663170780130910282012-06-24T20:56:00.001-04:002013-06-25T16:52:36.969-04:00The Need To Vacate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Stop drooling all over other people's travel posts and pics! And go out and see the world for yourself ! <br />
<br />
You've got your reasons for not going on vacation - of course you do. And many of those reasons are <strike>flimsy</strike> valid. <strong><em>But you look like sh*t.</em></strong> Yup most of you look like you need a vacation so bad that it makes your breath stink. And it must be torturous living vicariously through the adventures of others? <br />
<br />
So I'm getting ready to hit the airport it's been months and I've got the travel junkie itch. Eurasia is looking good, so I'm fleeing the country again bishes!<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuYE1Q0QAR8/T51sY2NoHaI/AAAAAAAACqo/Gl0U08sJzUI/s1600/IMG_4434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuYE1Q0QAR8/T51sY2NoHaI/AAAAAAAACqo/Gl0U08sJzUI/s400/IMG_4434.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strutting outside of the truck in Nairobi National park.<br />
Not a good idea if you've read Afrika 101 <a href="http://101africa.blogspot.com/2011/12/meals-on-wheels-new-years-countdown.html#!/2011/12/meals-on-wheels-new-years-countdown.html"> <strong>Meals On Wheels</strong></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Did you know that statistics show the average American works 5-10 more hours a week compared to many other developed first-world countries? <br />
<br />
And it's my opinion that Europeans & Asians (living in their respective countries) travel the most. I mean the Japanese get around more than a hunts point hooker (in a travel sense that is) Europeans also seem to account for the largest number of expatriates living abroad. <br />
<br />
Been to the caribbean lately? The Germans have been there so long that they speak patios. And I'm guessing it has something to do with the four week holidays they get as opposed to America's general policy of two weeks which is just dispicable. <br />
<br />
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPlMTtpeHzw/T51sVyEsgnI/AAAAAAAACqg/6CJV_Ei3daY/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPlMTtpeHzw/T51sVyEsgnI/AAAAAAAACqg/6CJV_Ei3daY/s640/IMG_4485.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Harass The Giraffe </u></strong><br />
Curious to know how all those documentaries on National Geographic are made? Easy! Just tell safari goers (like myself for example) that they can go into a national park unsupervised in their own vehicles and they will chase down the animals. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The source of my biased? Well the Travel Channel series House Hunters International for one. However statistically, the USA is<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings" target="_blank"> <span id="goog_525771566"></span>ranked No.2</a> <span id="goog_525771567"></span>of the top international travel destinations in the world. And let's face it people don't come from France, Italy, and Sweden to visit <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&rlz=1I7GGLL_en&biw=1152&bih=684&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=TzGbj2RulkYnlM:&imgrefurl=http://nutbush.machnitzki.com/&docid=HHR1lbqcOkfoOM&imgurl=http://nutbush.machnitzki.com/images/big/nutbush_09.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=9-a2T_SXK-iM6QGk8pXDCg&zoom=1" target="_blank">Nutbush Tennesee</a> USA. <br />
<br />
New York is the No.1 destination. But just because I live here doesn't mean that I have no aspiration to get the fugg outta this bish.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPumyDo1Wvs/T51tWpPHgJI/AAAAAAAACqw/txoX3Ppnw94/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPumyDo1Wvs/T51tWpPHgJI/AAAAAAAACqw/txoX3Ppnw94/s400/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Trying to have a Meryl Streep "</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a8Y0IbK42k" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of Africa</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" moment while overlooking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Eastern the Great Rift Valley in Naivasha, Kenya.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah it was pretty-frigging amazing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Seriously, at what point do you say "<strong><em>F*ck it - the rent just won't get paid this month...I'm going to Abu Dhabi Sohn</em></strong>!" Trinidadians do this regularly at Carnival time. Mainly because a ticket to Trinidad and the costume to "play mas"can easily consume a paycheck. But that doesn't seem to to stop the feather and sequin costumes from flowing in Port of Spain.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msOPHR65U7w/T533ryW58LI/AAAAAAAACrQ/a-PyU2WU7gU/s1600/Arusha+town1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msOPHR65U7w/T533ryW58LI/AAAAAAAACrQ/a-PyU2WU7gU/s640/Arusha+town1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Market in Tanzania</strong><br />
Make friends with locals and they will show you the town! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By now, most of you have probably blown your tax returns on swanky new summer wardrobes. But <em><strong>some</strong></em> of you just dusted off last season's threads and bought a ticket to Machupichu, or Florida or El Segundo, Or West Bumbaf*ck for all I care. But if you did that - then you did the right thing. <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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6z3S1AzS5A/T537nOeLCII/AAAAAAAACrs/eMISa7TZM_g/s1600/DSCN2942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6z3S1AzS5A/T537nOeLCII/AAAAAAAACrs/eMISa7TZM_g/s400/DSCN2942.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budget travel 12/2011<br />
Roaming through Rome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For those of you who effed up your tax return again - get ready to watch your friends and coworkers frolic off into vacation bliss- while your dumb azz crunches numbers in your cubicle - again. Life is short and paychecks are even shorter. Get with the program vacations are for vacating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XiD8AOcFnQI/T-uHeEZGhLI/AAAAAAAADEI/9KBoWzsu6WQ/s1600/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XiD8AOcFnQI/T-uHeEZGhLI/AAAAAAAADEI/9KBoWzsu6WQ/s400/NakauruNavaishaNairobi+262.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travel, becauase you never know who you are going to meet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624304479504732613noreply@blogger.com0