Discover the Beauty of Belo Horizonte City

Belo Horizonte (‘beautiful horizon’ in Portuguese) is Brazil’s third largest metropolitan area. However, unlike most South American cities, Belo Horizonte city does not focus primarily on tourism and attracting tourists, which makes it a relatively peaceful and quiet city that is neither overcrowded nor too noisy. Belo Horizonte city benefits from excellent climate, as a result of its elevation and the surrounding mountains.

There are a lot of things to be seen and done in Belo Horizonte city. In spite of its fairly recent history as a metropolis, Belo Horizonte is a leading cultural center, with many universities, museums, libraries and sports centers. If you are interested in culture and architecture, you should know that Belo Horizonte city is home to a great number of significant cultural landmarks. Brazilian contemporary architecture is expressed in various buildings, from churches, cathedrals and museums to soccer stadiums, universities and campus buildings.

As far as entertainment is concerned, tourists to Belo Horizonte city are presented with a wide range of options. The city’s entertainment opportunities are so diverse and varied that they can meet even the most demanding tastes and preferences. Brazil is said to be the country where there is fun for everyone, and Belo Horizonte city is no exception to this rule. For art lovers, there are a lot of theaters, museums, photography, art and sculpture displays to see, most of which are hosted by the Palacio das Artes. The International Theater Festivals organized in Belo Horizonte city every two years is a very popular event that attracts many tourists, both Brazilians and foreigners.

Everyone has heard of the famous Brazilian carnivals, the kind of events that take a distinct form that no other festival in the world has. As you can imagine, Belo Horizonte city has its own carnival, and this is the time when most tourists travel to Brazil. The Belo Horizonte carnival is everything you could expect from a Brazilian carnival, that is enjoyment, parades, costumes, masquerading, samba dances and competitions, and a whole lot more.

The hospitality of the country is proverbial, and this is yet another strong point of Belo Horizonte city. There is a lot more to this city than just carnivals, artistic and cultural productions or sports events. The city’s nightlife is not to be overlooked either. In fact, Belo Horizonte city nightlife is among the most exciting in Brazil. The famous Savassi region is home to the best of the city’s nightlife, as well as to some of the finest restaurants in the city, where you can try both traditional and international cuisine.

In conclusion, Belo Horizonte city is an attractive tourist destination, and for good reason. The city may not be as popular as other metropolitan areas in Brazil or in the world, but it is certainly worth visiting. However, before packing your bags and heading for the beautiful Belo Horizonte, it is advisable that you learn everything about the city that might interest you as a tourist. A good Belo Horizonte guide can be found online, together with testimonials of people who have already visited this South American city. A complete Belo Horizonte guide will provide you with reliable information on hotels, means of transportation, flights, shopping centers, restaurants, bars (there are a lot of them in Belo Horizonte City!), cultural events, sightseeing, and so on. And to your convenience, such a comprehensive Belo Horizonte guide can be found online.

Loose Green Tea

Genmaicha

Genmaicha is the Japanese name for green tea combined with roasted brown rice. While sometimes referred to colloquially as “popcorn tea,” because of a certain amount of popped rice, Japanese varieties do not contain any actual corn

Processing
Genmaicha is a blend of bancha green tea and Genmai (roasted rice grain). The proportioning of tea to rice is important, the more aromatic Genmaicha teas have a higher amount of rice. Other blends are known including Matcha and Genmaicha. The tea should be infused with high temperature (not quite boiling) water, but let it only infuse for 30 seconds. Use approximately 5 grams of tea for each deciliter of water.

Popularity
A very common beverage in Japan, Genmaicha can be drunk late into the evening without disturbing sleep. The tea is said to help digestion and is often served after a meal in Japan. Genmaicha is a modest source of vitamin B1 and, like bancha and hojicha, is low in caffeine.

Flavor / Aromoa
The flavor of Genmaicha is a melange of green tea and roasted rice. The roasted aroma of genmai in tea has the effect of lightening the bitterness of the lower-grade sencha. The brown rice gives the tea a nutty flavor. Like green tea, genmaicha should be prepared using hot, but not boiling, water.

Green Sencha Leaf Tea

Over three quarters of all tea produced in Japanese tea gardens is Sencha, a tea selected for its pleasant sharpness and fresh qualities complementing a leaf of high uniformity and rich emerald color. Historically prepared by roasting, today Sencha is steam treated before further processing with hot-air drying and finally pan-frying.

Regions
Most regions make a number of kinds of Sencha, which are named according to the kind of processing used. Needle leaf Sencha is processed in Shizuoka and in the Yame region of Fukuoka. In other areas, including Kyushu, the comma-shaped leaf form is processed.

Popularity
Sencha is the tea most likely to be offered in a Japanese household or restaurant. The higher grades of Sencha are available outside Japan

Flavor/Aroma
However, the flavor, color and quality of Sencha varies, depending not only on origin but also season and leaf processing practices employed. Later harvests of Sencha have more astringent qualities, a more robust flavor and generally less aroma.

The earliest season Shincha (first month’s sencha harvest) is available in April in the south of Japan, and prized for its high vitamin content, sweetness and superior flavor.

Gunpower Green Tea

Chinese gunpowder tea is a green tea from the Zhejiang Province in China. It takes its English name from the fact that each grey-green leaf is tightly rolled into a tiny pellet, “exploding” into a long leaf upon being steeped in hot water.

Gunpowder tea production dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) but it was first introduced to Taiwan in the 1800s. Although the individual leaves were formerly rolled by hand, today most gunpowder tea is rolled by machines (though the highest grades are still rolled by hand). When buying gunpowder tea it is important to look for shiny pellets, which indicate that the tea is relatively fresh.

Gunpowder tea is exported to the Maghreb where it is used in the preparation of traditional North African mint tea. The Moroccan tea ritual is at the heart of any social gathering, from an informal visit to a neighbour to lavish soirees with dignitaries. A minimum of two cups need to be drunk as not to offend the host.

Gunpowder tea production dates back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 – 907) but it was first introduced to Taiwan in the 1800s.

When buying Gunpowder it is important to look for shiny pellets, which indicate that the tea is relatively fresh.

Jasmine Tea
Jasmines are widely cultivated for their flowers, enjoyed in the garden, as house plants, and as cut flowers. The flowers are worn by women in their hair in southern and southeast Asia. Some claim that the daily consumption of Jasmine tea is effective in preventing certain cancers. Many species also yield an essential oil which is used in the production of perfumes and incense.

Jasminum sambac flowers are also used to make tea, which typically has a green tea or Oolong base. The delicate Jasmine flower opens only at night and is plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed. They are then stored in a cool place until night. Between six and eight in the evening, as the temperature cools, the petals begin to open. Flowers and tea are “mated” in machines that control temperature and humidity. It takes four hours or so for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavour of the Jasmine blossoms, and for the highest grades, this process may be repeated as many as seven times. Because the tea has absorbed moisture from the flowers, it must be refired to prevent spoilage. The spent flowers may or may not be removed from the final product, as the flowers are completely dry and contain no aroma. They simply add visual appeal and are no indication of the quality of the tea.

Kukicha Twig Tea

Kukicha, or twig tea, is a Japanese blend of green tea made of stems, stalks, and twigs.

Kukicha has a nutty, slightly creamy flavour. It is made of four sorts of stems, stalks and twigs of Camellia sinensi. For best results, kukicha is steeped in water between 70 to 80 C (155 – 180 degrees Fahrenheit) during three minutes (otherwise, like all green teas, the result will be a bitter, unsavoury brew).

Uniquely flavourful, kukicha is also one of the preferred teas of the macrobiotic diet. Kukicha can also be added to juice to make an excellent children’s drink. Kukicha is a powerful anti-oxidant and is very low in caffeine, in fact the lowest in caffeine of all traditional teas.

White Peony Tea

White tea from the Fujian province of China. White Peony, known locally as Pai Mu Tan, is a delicate tea made from tea buds collected and withered prior to opening. The latest medical findings suggest that white tea may be a more effective cancer fighter than even green tea. These findings have brought white teas to a much wider audience.

Modern-day white teas can be traced to the 18th Century Qing Dynasty, a time when they were harvested from ordinary tea bushes. White teas differed from green teas in that their processing did not incorporate any steaming or pan-firing. The teas were simply shaped, and allowed to wither. The resulting leaves were thin, small and did not have much silvery-white hair. It wasn’t until 1885 that specific varietals of tea bushes were selected to make white teas. The large, silvery-white leaves of the Silver Needle came into being in 1891. And the production of White Peony began around 1922.

White Silver Needle Tea

White Silver Needle Tea is chiefly produced in Fujian Province in China with only limited or negligible production outside and more commonly just known as Yinzhen. Amongst white teas this is the most expensive variety and the most prized as only top buds are used to produce the tea. Most Yinzhen is made from the Da Bai or Large White tea tree race, however there are exceptions such as the big bud teas from Yunnan.

Processing
The very best Yinzhen are picked between March 15 and April 10 when it is not raining and only using undamaged and unopened buds, however lower graded Yinzhen may not be strict on all of these attributes. Yinzhen tea is considered to be good for health, as it is extremely low in caffeine. According to the researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, white tea may be used to fight cancer as well as acting as a deterrent.

The tea is nowadays mostly grown in the Fujian Province and there are generally two major producing counties, Zheng He and Fuding.

Tasting and Brewing
This tea is best prepared with below boiling water (at about 75 degrees Celsius) and produces a slightly viscous glittering pale yellow color with evidence of floating white hairs that reflect light. The flavor and fragrance should be delicate, light, fresh, and slightly sweet. Steeping should be for slightly longer than other white teas, up to 5 minutes, and the amount of tea to be used is usually higher. There are few parallels to be drawn as the taste is not similar to any other teas but Bai Mu Dan.

Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate is a species of holly native to subtropical South America in northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil and Bolivia. Yerba Mate has a characteristic mature flavor which is somewhat sweet, bitter, withered leaf like, and alfalfa-like. This is also called the fat burning tea. It comes from South America and has been consumed there for eons.

The yerba mate plant is a shrub or small tree growing up to 15 meters tall. The leaves are evergreen, 7–11 cm long and 3–5.5 cm wide, with a serrated margin. The flowers are small, greenish-white, with four petals. The fruit is a red berry 4–6 mm diameter.

Cultivation
The plant is grown mainly in South America, more specifically in Paraguay, Northern Argentina (Corrientes, Misiones), Uruguay and southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná). The Guaraní are reputed to be the first people who cultivated the plant; the first Europeans to do this were Jesuit missionaries, who spread the drinking habit as far as Ecuador.

When the yerba is harvested, the branches are dried sometimes with a wood fire, imparting a smoky flavour. Then the leaves and sometimes the twigs are broken up.

Researchers at Florida International University in Miami have found that yerba mate does contain caffeine, but some people seem to tolerate a mate drink better than coffee or tea. This is expected since mate contains different chemicals (other than caffeine) than tea or coffee.

From reports of personal experience with mate, its physiological effects are similar to (yet distinct from) more widespread caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, or guarana drinks. Users report a mental state of wakefulness, focus and alertness reminiscent of most stimulants, but often remark on mate’s unique lack of the negative effects typically created by other such compounds, such as anxiety, diarrhea, “jitteriness”, and heart palpitations.

Charter Bus- the Key to New York Site Seeing?

With its plethora of famed sites, its busy streets peppered with top fashion stores, chic bistros, offices, and its unique atmosphere that has cities all over the world trying to reproduce, it is no wonder that New York City is regarded as one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities on this planet. The Big Apple takes you to places that no other city can offer.

Aside from the city’s mind boggling skyscrapers that do indeed live up to their title, the city that never sleeps offers much more. Without leaving the United States, New York City can whet your appetite with a taste of every country in the world in just a couple of hours with quick visits to Little Italy, Russia, Brazil, China Town, and the Barrio- not to mention the surrounding neighborhoods that can show you the best of all cultures ranging from Greek to Caribbean. Its bustling streets during the day and its breathtaking lights that glisten against the night sky are among the list of things that all people should encounter during their lifetime to keep in their memories forever.

The Empire State Building, a legendary colossus photographed more than any top supermodel, is seen by millions in photographs, movies, and postcards all over the world. Built during the Depression, it grew at an impressive rate of four and a half stories per week and its total of 102 stories were completed in a short 14 months. An outstanding symbol for the city of New York, it comes with no surprise that tourists from all over rush to visit the building when site-seeing. Each year, 3.5 million people, come to take an elevator (the real determined ones actually take the stairs) that climbs up more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere until they reach the 86th floor observatory. The glass observatory, which was opened in 1931, offers awe inspiring views of the city and elsewhere with its panoramic views from the sky. The observatory is open from 8 a.m. to midnight – allowing tourists to catch the breathtaking city at night with its twinkling lights.

Central Park, another of New York City’s major attractions, isn’t exactly something that seems like it would fit into such an urban place like New York City, but the park, which has been around since 1855 and receives 25 million people each year with open arms, has taken its stand and proven that nature still has a place in the city. Central Park was founded in 1855 by wealthy merchants and landowners who wanted New York to have a park that compared with the ritzy parks of Paris and London. The area that was chosen for the park -843 acres of swamp and muddy terrain- has come a long way since the 1800s. The zoo, which was founded in 1871, quickly became the public’s favorite. The zoo still remains a favorite today, however, the park has much more to offer, including: concerts, ice skating (during the winter), gardens and a pond, roller-skating, yoga, basketball and other sports, tours, horseback riding, fishing, and even cross-country skiing.

For any tourist visiting New York City, The World Trade Center site is definitely a must see. The site, once home to the beloved and missed Twin Towers, shows tourists the destruction that occurred on September 11, 2001, first hand. The sacred site cannot be walked in, but can be seen through fences and is accompanied by photographs of the former Twin Towers and of the present day site. As an event that will stand out forever in our nation’s history, it is a site that has to be seen and remembered for a lifetime.

It’s hard not to want to visit New York City, with its ever so enticing and provocative buildings, parks, museums, restaurants, and streets. With so much to see and so much to do, the sheer excitement of just being in such a thrilling city can be overwhelming, and a lot of tourists may make the mistake of not planning enough. Sure, money is something that is always necessary, and a camera is almost never forgotten with so many photo opportunities that await you in this wonderful city, but a lot of tourists make the crucial mistake of not planning transportation. This mistake can inevitably lead to a horrible chain reaction of headaches and what can be worse while traveling – a large loss of time.

Yet, aside from economical values of taking the bus when visiting New York City, peace of mind is also very important. Parking isn’t easy in a city with a population of 8,085,742 people. Finding a place to park could take an hour or more depending on what neighborhood you are in, and what could be worse is having to park in a zone with meters. Having to worry about putting a quarter in the meter every couple of hours and be a pain the you-know-where, and even the worry of whether or not your car is still in one piece or stolen can ruin anyone’s day. In addition, driving in New York City isn’t a Sunday drive through the park and can be one of the most stressful hassles a person can encounter. With the never ending traffic jams that would lose a race to a slug on any given day and road rage from other drivers, driving in NYC can easily become a person’s worst nightmare. More importantly, a recent statistic has shown that riding a bus is 91 times safer than riding in a car (a train is 15 times safer) which can be an important factor if traveling with a family or even for an individual.

The growing power of women in politics

Another strange milestone has passed in my odd, but colorful life. The new president of Argentina, Cristin Fernandez-Kirchner, the wife of the incumbent and outgoing president, was elected as expected. And once again, by happenstance rather than design, I was physically in Argentina.

I have always been interested in politics. In a much younger life, I was actually going to follow my dream and ego and become senior senator from California. That ambition was cut short on the realization that a foreigner, lack of funds, and the anathema of being played by someone else’s strings did not lead to a senate seat.

Nonetheless, much of my life – such as being in Argentina on a crucial election in its history – was being “in the right place” for potential historical events.

I was similarly in Warsaw, Poland, in June, 2003, only a few days before that country voted to join the European Union. At the same time, NATO had chosen to move some of its operations to Poland, and President Bush paid an official visit. People constantly asked me whether I was a member of George Bush’s team, since he had arrived just days after my flight. Nothing could have been further from the truth with the beginnings of the war in Iraq just a few months earlier! I strictly went to Poland that summer to relax, teach a few classes, and see historic places like Krakow. It ended up being a fascinating election!

In November, 1992, I was in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Capital Hotel to watch Bill Clinton and wife Hillary revel in his victory. Nearly a year earlier, when I had barely moved to the southern town and knew little about Bill Clinton other than that he was a minor governor of a minor state, I was outside Arkansas’ historic state house when the candidate first made his announcement. Again, seeing, and later meeting the candidate and President were fortunate, but not by design. The invitation to the Presidential Ball in Washington after Clinton’s formal Inauguration came about through friends both in Arkansas and New York and California.

I was also in Munich, Germany in July,1990 on business. As luck would have it, one of the greatest celebrations was held in Berlin during my sojourn, the concert and celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Although I was far in the south of Germany and could not take the time to travel to Berlin, the celebration was transmitted across the world, and people everywhere joined in the spirit of nearly half a million people physically

Top Ten Travel Destinations For 2008

10. Antigua, Guatemala

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has charming cobble stone streets, active volcanoes, and enough charm to make you contemplate ripping up your return ticket home. This former capital was the political and economical center of Guatemala for over two hundred years before being decimated in 1773 by an earthquake.

9. Beijing, China

Playing host to the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, Beijing is sure to be a hot destination this year as it shows off all it has to offer to the world. This three thousand year old capital boasts such sights as the impressive Tienanmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and the Forbidden City. In addition, the Beijing Zoo is world class complete with panda bears and Bengal tigers. If that wasn’t enough, a day trip to The Great Wall is feasible as it is only a two hour car ride from downtown!

8. Northern Ireland

A perfect trip for first time travelers, Northern Ireland offers the history and beauty of the rest of Europe minus the language barrier. The Mournes Stone walls are a perfect getaway from the busy cities and make for a fantastic spot for hiking. Whether your exploring the amazing Dunlace Castle or the mysterious Beaghmore Stone Circles, save some energy for a pint at the local pub after the sun goes down!

7. Quebec City, Canada

With it’s skyline dominated by the one hundred year old Chateau Frontenac, the city of Quebec is as charming as it is French. First settled by the French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1553 Quebec later became a part of the French Colonial empire. Some argue that Quebec is “More French than France,” and it’s difficult to disagree. Whether your strolling down the narrow picturesque streets of the Quartier Petit-Champlain along the St. Lawrence River or eating crepes in a cafe on a brisk October morning it’s difficult to imagine that you are somewhere other than Paris. If you’re looking for a European experience without the long flight Quebec is for you.

6. Cairo, Egypt

The legacy of the Ancient Egyptians is alive today through engineering masterpieces such as the Great Pyramids as well as the fermented masterpiece we now call “beer.” While in Egypt the pyramids are a “must-see,” but Cairo offers much more to travelers than that. Take a morning to shop and explore the Khan El-Khalili bazaar which has changed very little in the last 700 years. If bargaining for goods isn’t your cup of tea, hire a guide to and see the sights of this historic city from a boat on the Nile. Cairo is rich in religious history and offers stunning attractions to explore covering Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

5. Luang Prabang, Laos

For those looking for something exotic but not overwhelming Luang Prabang is the ticket. This UNESCO World Heritage City is situated on the Mekong River in central Laos. Whether your are enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the street markets or taking day trips to the exotic Kuang Si Falls a trip to Luang Prabang will cleanse your mind and invigorate your being. This is the perfect stop if you are going to, or coming back from a trip to Wat Phou. With Laos emerging as a popular vacation destination now is the time to go!

4. Salta, Argentina

Located in the Lerma Valley of Northern Argentina, prepared to lose yourself in a world filled with fantastic wine, Spanish colonial architecture, and unmatched charm. For thrill seekers, you can para glide from Mount Bernardo or white water raft in the cool currents of the Juamento River. For those looking to unwind, Salta has many vineyards to visit and hiking trails to enjoy. This a perfect trip for a two week getaway during winter months in the Northern Hemisphere.

3. Kotor Bay, Montenegro

Montenegro has now gained independence from Serbia and is leveraging it’s natural beauty to win over tourists from every corner of the globe. With black mountains crashing into the sea this corner of the Adriatic delivers magnificent scenery uncontested anywhere else in the Balkans. If you get your fill of seeing the fjords from a birds eye view, take time to explore the city of Kotor and the picturesque deserted fishing village – turned resort – called Sveti Stephan. This relatively unknown gem will blow you away, like it did for me!

2. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul has served as the liaison between East and West for centuries, it’s time for you to connect yourself with this great city. A perfect vacation for 2008, the sights are many, the foods are amazing, and the dollar is still strong here. Lose yourself in the crowds of the Grand Bazaar or in the beauty of the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque and bring yourself back at 5 Kat.

1. Serengeti Plain, Tanzania

Trade in your Planet Earth DVD box set for the real thing because the Serengeti brings the experience of high definition animal watching to a entirely new level! Here giraffes, lions, and elephants are as common as knock off Louis Vuitton hand bags sprawled out on the sidewalks of Rome. The inner child in you has always wanted to sport a khaki safari outfit and a pair of binoculars, so let loose and make 2008 the year you made the trek to explore the world you dreamed about as a kid.

Hopefully this list has inspired you to get out and explore new places and experience different culture. Like any top ten list there are always worthy places left off. In 2008 seek out new thrills and let the natural and man made beauty of this world make a profound and lasting impact on you. I encourage you to post your opinions and begin lobbying for you favorite locations in 2009!

Cheers!

Learn Spanish in Argentina and Get the Most of Bariloche in Winter and Summer

If you travel abroad to learn a language, choose to learn Spanish in Argentina and enjoy the incredible destination of Bariloche. I had the opportunity to learn Spanish in Argentina and I have visited Bariloche two times already. During my both stays I found two different cities, one during winter and another during spring.

Fully covered with snow, Bariloche in winter receives thousands of visitors that come to practice ski in internationally renowned resorts. Learn Spanish in Argentina and enjoy trips to Mount Cathedral, the most visited ski resort. Go further and amaze yourself with Mount Bayo as you learn Spanish in Argentina. This mountain is steeper and fully equipped for professionals. All ski resorts count with cable cars that will take to the top of each peak; the picture of Bariloche from above, all covered with whiteness, is just astonishing. Learn Spanish in Argentina and reach the top of the hill, where you can enjoy a hot chocolate with croissants or have lunch in one of the many incredible restaurants built on the solid rocks.

If you have the chance to learn Spanish in Argentina and visit Bariloche during summer you will encounter a different landscape but as attractive as the one found in winter. During spring and summer the image gives a sudden turn, now landscapes are fully covered by colorful and varied flowers. Learn Spanish in Argentina and go around natural paths among pines and woods that are excellent to practice mountain bike or just to stroll and relax. As you learn Spanish in Argentina take your time to discover the natural species that flourish in Bariloche, including the Arayan, Cypress and Cohiue trees. Flowers are found everywhere, roses, lilies, lavender, geraniums and many more.

Learn Spanish in Argentina and take a boat trip around the large Nahuel Huapi lake, a distinguishing feature of the Bariloche landscape. Its deep blue waters are surrounded by high peaks and mountains and rocky coasts. Besides practicing water sports as you learn Spanish in Argentina, you will learn about the legends and mysteries of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. One of these legends affirm that a huge monster, similar to the Lock-ness monster, lives submerged in under the dark waters. So if you enjoy adventure and mysterious regions, Bariloche is definitely the best place to learn Spanish in Argentina.

Learn Spanish in Argentina is a wonderful experience, you can make lot of friends in the incredible discos and pubs full of young people that come from all over Argentina. It is a tradition in Argentina that after finishing school, students travel to Bariloche to celebrate their achievement. So while you learn Spanish in Argentina you will find students from every province of the country coming during summer or winter vacations, giving you the perfect opportunity to know people from every corner of Argentina and get to know different cultures and customs in just one place.

Whatever the season you choose to learn Spanish in Argentina, Bariloche will always surprise you with diverse and fun activities during every month of the year.

Why Learn Spanish In Cusco, Peru

A few of my thoughts over my experience in Cusco to learn Spanish.

When you first arrive to this amazing city you’re initially blown away with the colonial and Quechua architecture, some of the best examples of the two cultures mixing (or should I say colliding?) in all of Latin America. Of course, it’s a Latin American city and like any good Latin America city there’s the incessant honking from the taxis and the exhaust fumes that can make you want to head for the hills but…good thing you can do just that!

I had arrived to Cursco to learn Spanish for 4 weeks and from the first day I knew there were lots of other things to do besides learn Spanish. On my walk to school in the morning I gazed down at the Plaza de Armas, over the tops of the buildings saying to myself that this city is breathtaking (literally! especially considering the altitude and the fumes from cars). Then as I turned to the corner I purchased for about .30 cents, two glasses of fresh-squeezed orange juice. I get it “to go,” meaning in a plastic baggie with a straw.

When I arrived to the school every morning ready to learn spanish, I would always find something new and interesting. The colorful textiles and the way the city is nestled into the surrounding mountains. Probably the most remarkable aspect of Cusco is its setting. You can easily escape the city and be on top of the world at Sacsayhuaman, pronounced Sexy Woman by gringo and local alike, in a mere 5 minutes. Up there you step back hundreds of years. You can take a horseback ride near the ruins or just stroll around taking in the impressive sites.

It takes a while to learn Spanish, after a week I was surprised to meet with students that had supposedly left Cusco but had fallen in love with the city and ended up staying much longer than just to learn Spanish. They said they’ve tried to leave several times but the city has seeped into their bones. This place is not just all alpacas and cuy (the delicacy of Cusco – fried guinea pig). This place is just plain old fun. With a nightlife that rivals the major capitals of Latin America, there is always something happening at night. Many of the bars and clubs stay open until 12:00…in the afternoon that is; great to learn Spanish, not! The relaxing couch bars offer jazz, some bars offer live music, most clubs have DJs and sweaty dance floors. On most nights in Cusco you can meet people from all over the world that are there to learn Spanish, tour and even Peruvians making our experience to learn Spanish much richer.

I would like to focus on some issue, even though I went to learn Spanish, that where completely different than in my home country. Forget culture shock, how about showers that shock! Not bad shocks, just quick nips. I learned to only touch the electrical tape after a few showers since they use electrical heating devices to warm the water. Also, don’t flush the toilet paper or in the case of the apartment I was in, you can’t flush the toilet …at least not without it making horrible shrieking whirly noises. The person in charge of my appartment had spent waiting for the plumber since last week to fix the toilet. He said the plumber had promised to come at 7pm. I guess they had meant 7pm some time in November after my deadline to learn Spanish in Cusco!!

At the same time, there is a lack of change in this city. I’ve been denied movie tickets when I tried to pay for a 10 sol flick with a 100 sol note. You can’t even think about getting into the taxi, which costs 2 soles, with anything bigger than a 5 sol coin. Even then you sometimes have to wait around while the taxi driver finds someone kind enough to change his coin. Having a 100 sol bill is usually like having no money at all. One time, having gone out with my classmates after we learn Spanish at the language school, I was buying a hat, and gave the señora a 50 sol note and then waited around for 15 minutes while she ran all over town to get my change. Other customers had come into the store and started asking me questions about merchandise. She had left me all alone to run her business, it was great to learn Spanish!

So…I drink my OJ from a plastic bag, I get into a shower that shocks me, still waiting to flush my toilet properly. All this you ask and I can still recommend this place with a smile? ABSOLUTELY, I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to learn Spanish here for anything!!!

Just remember, when you arrive to Peru and your first impressions are of Lima, this is NOT indicative of the rest of Peru. – Happy traveling and make sure you learn Spanish, it comes quite handy!

Interview Preview: Bruce Poon Tip – Global Adventure Travel Entrepreneur With A Conscience

Yesterday I had a chance to meet Bruce Poon Tip, owner and CEO of G.A.P Adventures, one of Canada’s most successful travel entrepreneurs. You may wonder, what is he like? Bruce is the owner of Canada’s largest adventure travel company, an attractive man of about 37 years of age, dressed in casual attire and not afraid to speak off the cuff. Certainly a charismatic personality who was able to captivate last night’s capacity crowd at the G.A.P. concept store in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood.

In 1990 Bruce went on an organized backpacking trip to Thailand where he had a chance to explore the people and the country on $10.00 a day. This experience gave him the idea to create G.A.P Adventures, today Canada’s largest adventure travel company that now sells thousands of different trips and annually sends 40,000 passengers on their own small-group adventures. G.A.P has about 300 employees today, headquartered in Toronto, with operational offices in various countries of Latin America. It’s most recent endeavors are the G.A.P concept stores which have recently been opened in high-traffic areas in Toronto and Vancouver, places where travellers can research their adventure trip, get more information about their desired destination and book their once-in-a-lifetime experience supported by good advice with no sales pressure.

For his entrepreneurial savvy Bruce has won numerous awards, besides receiving an award as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Bruce has been also been honored as one of Canada’s top 5 entrepreneurs by Canadian Business as well as Canada’s 100 leaders of tomorrow. Profit Magazine named him in their 20th anniversary issue cover story as one of Canada’s Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the last 20 years. Bruce also received the Global Traders Leadership award from the government for his ground breaking ideas in exporting services.

Recently Bruce was asked by the World Bank and UNESCO to represent a team to visit the Peoples Republic Of China to lecture on Sustainable Development. In January of 2002 Bruce was the only Canadian operator invited to speak at the United Nations Launch of the Year Of Eco Tourism in New York. Bruce defied the odds once again last year by winning Canada’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as the National Citation for Entrepreneurship.

G.A.P’s additional awards include having two trips chosen among the TOP 25 Adventures in the World by National Geographic Adventure magazine, the Ethics in Action Award, the Global Traders Award and the Clean Air Commute Award for five straight years.

Although a consummate business man, Bruce Poon Tip has a conscience and he has founded his entire enterprise on the concept of sustainability and established travel practices that show consideration of natural surroundings and local cultures. By limiting the travel group size to 12 people, by taking local transportation and staying in small, locally owned hotels and guesthouses, G.A.P travelers are able to minimize their footprint in foreign communities and get maximum exposure to local culture.

Planeterra is a non-profit organization founded by G.A.P to give back. Today Planeterra raises funds for a number of community projects, international charities and an endowment fund to ensure long-term support of community development and conservation projects for years to come. Some of the community projects that G.A.P sponsors through donations include a community school in Ecuador, a foundation in Honduras to help women start their own businesses, an NGO in Costa Rica for environmental and wildlife conservation projects, a local battery recycling project in Chile, a drop-in center for street children in Cuczo, Peru, and many more. G.A.P Adventures itself also initiated a Women’s Weaving Project in Peru that taught local women ancient weaving techniques as well as natural fabric dye processes. Today all G.A.P travel groups visiting the Sacred Valley in Peru have a chance to see and purchase high quality textiles produced by these weavers, all sold at fair trade prices.

As another example of the innovativeness of his company, Bruce shared with us the story of how he went out to purchase the “Explorer”, the world’s first purpose-built expedition cruise ship. In March of 2004 Bruce went on an expedition cruise through the Antarctic and fell in love with the experience. He figured he need to buy his own expedition cruise ship and started looking for suitable vessels. In April of 2004 he found the “Explorer”, a historic expedition ship with a capacity of 112 passengers and a crew of 60 people. The ship had been docked in Genoa, Italy, for many months due to the financial problems of its owners. Just another 2 months later, but after many complications, G.A.P took possession of the ship. Only another 4 months later, after extensive restorations, the Explorer went on its inaugural journey and today offers expedition cruises to such unique places as Antarctica, the Amazon, Spitzbergen, and Greenland. (Incidentally, G.A.P. has agreed to sponsor our first Travel Story Contest and the grand prize winner of our contest will win an exciting adventure cruise on the Amazon in the Explorer – all thanks to G.A.P. Adventures.)

G.A.P’s innovative business ideas don’t end here. G.A.P also has a travel TV Show: Great Adventure People TV shows viewers the world – G.A.P Adventures style. The camera accompanies small groups of G.A.P Adventure travelers and follows them on unique G.A.P. adventure trips– cycling through the fascinating country of Vietnam, exploring exotic Morocco, and hiking, biking and rafting through captivating Spain and Italy. New episodes can be seen in Canada on CTV and will soon also be available in Great Britain on the UK Travel Channel.

G.A.P is a unique company, with a unique philosophy and a unique way of operating. I am looking forward to interviewing Bruce personally and to finding out how he is able to combine a successful high-growth adventure travel business with his dedication to social causes and sustainable travel. Stay tuned for some interesting insights into a brilliant entrepreneurial mind….

Talk radio: Topics not worthy of freedom of speech

Those of you who have watched Blood Diamond must be as appalled as i am (although the lifestyle the diamond smuggler, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, deeply appeals to me!)…The oil company Shell has done equally as much damage to people and rainforests..wherever gold, oil, ivory, diamonds et cetera has been found it has ment missery and great suffering for the natives!.. leaders of the Coca Cola factories in Colombia have been kidnapped, tortured and murdered..although it is in front of our eyes the whole time, we still don’t do enough about it..we care and then we forget…might refuse to go to McDonald’s after Supersize me was showing..then after a while you slip and all of a sudden you find yourself sitting there again..(did you know that McDonalds pays the IRA to avoid bombing their restaurants!)…..or you catch yourself bying IKEA furniture although you know they still use child laborers, they are just putting a middlehand between themselves and the children… and has chosen to invest in cameras spying on their employees rather than using the cameras for the security of their customers…products that you swore to bojcott sometimes still slip into your shopping bag.. sure, your not ment to smoke, drink or cross a red light..but we shouldn’t need propaganda to remind us of what is right..or?

The Green Coast of Rio De Janeiro

As a Coastal City in the State of Rio de Janeiro , Paraty (in Portuguese, instead of an “y” it is spelled with an “i”), is popular because of its beauty associated with its mountains and Ocean. But that’s not all it is famous for. Paraty has a rich history, including its use as a port for the gold that came from Minas Gerais (State in Brazil ), in the early to mid 1700’s. In the early 1800’s, the gold was running out and an upgraded rail road system made other routes to more preferable port cities. These events basically took Paraty off the map for a good 150 years.

In the 1970’s a paved road was built from Rio de Janeiro to Santos, ( City in Sao Paulo ), which began a flurry of new activity around and in Paraty. Since then the city has grown from what was primarily a fishing and agricultural area to a major tourism force. However it is important to point out that while many people visit Paraty, it has preserved much of its historical appearance. Much of its architecture dates back 250 years ago; it has cobble stone streets, an old colonial – style fort, historical churches, old colonial houses ( which in many cases have been converted to quaint little shops and restaurants). Paraty is also well renowned for its avid participation in most Brazilian holidays and Festivals. Perhaps the most famous of which is the Literary Festival.

If you like tropical Islands and beautiful Brazilian Beach scenes, you’re in luck– the mountains just beside Paraty is the place you’re looking for. It has about 65 Islands just waiting for you to experience; you’ll have to come back for a long second visit to even come close to seeing all the beaches and Islands Paraty offers. Experience Luxury tours and stay in a high class hotel if you like. Paraty would be a great place for a Romantic Honeymoon in Brazil- either a first or second (or even a third). Paraty certainly has Luxury Hotels that have comfort with a capital “C”. With all these beaches, Festivals, history, and legends of gold and precious gems,

 

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