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December 30, 2004
Khafre Pyramid Reopens
Here is a sight to look forward to!
"CAIRO (AFP) - Khafre, the second-largest of the three Great Pyramids at Giza, outside Cairo, is to reopen on Saturday after being closed for nearly two years for repairs and restoration, the Supreme Council of Antiquities said.
Workers have removed graffiti inside the pyramid, located on the Giza plateau, repaired cracks and cleaned the walls of salt residue, the council said..."
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:51 AM | Comments (3)
December 27, 2004
Swimming During Quake
We're really sad for the tsunami tragedy. It's probably the biggest natural disaster we've ever seen in our adult lives.
One of the good, but painful things about traveling is that you have an emotional connection to more places.
We had advised a friend to spend his Christmas vacation in Phuket, and, luckily for us, he didn't take the advice. On a personal level, hearing about the snorkelers bashed against the rocks was the scariest thing. Probably because we'd played in those very same waters and for me at least, there's the excitement/foreboding of being underwater in an alien environment. It's kind of a nightmare come true.
Anywyay, here's the best first-person account of what it was like to be in the water at the time of the tsunami. You have to be registered with the Washington Post to read this story, but if you aren't already it's worthwhile. They have some of the best coverage of international issues, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and have avoided some of the jingoism and poor reporting that the NYT has been plagued with the last few years.
Posted by insideoutmag at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2004
Are you Taking Pictures?
Don't forget about our travel photo contest while you're traveling this holiday season. If you're not traveling, look through your photos because the deadline of our photo contest is approaching!
Photo editor Alex Robinson has chosen the theme “Faces of the World” for this photo contest. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to participate but you do need to read our submission guidelines:
- JPG format only.
- Maximum size should be 1,000 pixels on the longest side.
- One photo per e-mail, and a maximum of five pictures per participant.
- Include when and where you took the picture.
- Be sure to include your full name, mailing address and phone number.
- Please don’t superimpose text on the photo with copyright information, etc. You retain all your rights, but we’ll include the photographer’s name in a standardized way.
- Send photos to photos@insideoutmag.com by Jan. 15.
We’ll show the pictures at one of our Travelers Happy Hours in early spring and have some cool prizes for the best photographers. Good luck! See our past winners here.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:57 AM | Comments (3)
Christmas Traditions
I'm back in San Francisco after a few days away visiting family. Seeing my uncle, aunt and cousins visiting from France made me think of things my family used to do for Christmas in Provence.
I knew about the 13 desserts and some Christmas traditions but found that About.com gave a very good explanation on Provencal traditions. Although we never followed these rules so strictly, we always had some of these dishes in our Christmas menu.
Here is a description, if you're interested in giving your Christmas dinner a little Provencal touch:
"In Provence, the season actually starts on December 4th, St. Barbe's day. Children wrap wheat or lentil seeds in a damp cloth so that they germinate. The tiny seedlings are transplanted and then placed in a sunny window to grow. The plants portend prosperity for the family during the coming year and are used to decorate the crèche as well as the table for Christmas Eve supper.
A week before Christmas the Santons will be unpacked and placed on the mantel or on a table. A little stable with the Holy Family is added and then the table is decorated with the plants. The theaters in many of the towns stage little plays, called presepi in which all the characters (represented by the santons) of the crèche play a part.
On Christmas Eve, before leaving for Midnight Mass, the family gathers for the gros souper which celebrates all the things the family is thankful for, yet maintains a religious symbolism. It is composed of seven meatless meals, which represent the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mother. The table itself is set with 3 white tablecloths and 3 candles, representing the Trinity. The St. Barbe's wheat also decorates the table. Before sitting down to the table, the oldest member and the youngest member of the family walk around the table 3 times carrying a fruitwood log. It is blessed with some of the vin cuit and then placed in the fireplace. After the souper, the Treize Desserts (13 Desserts) are served. This also has a religious meaning, representing all those present at the Last Supper. Before leaving for Midnight mass, the thirteen desserts are set on a clean tablecloth at another table ready for neighbors, beggars or the souls of the ancestors to taste while everyone is at church. The leftover wine is poured on the fire, the log removed, wrapped and put away until next Christmas.
After the mass, the family returns for the "Repas Gras". For this feast, assorted game, a variety of roasts and many different wines from the region are served. On Christmas day, a roast turkey or capon is served and for dessert a bûche de Noël, usually purchased from the local pâtissier is served along with the 13 desserts. After two full days of feasting, a simple bowl of l'aigo bouido - garlic soup - is served for Christmas dinner."
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate this holiday!
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:40 AM | Comments (5)
December 19, 2004
Test Your Travel Knowledge
We're suckers for a good travel quiz here at InsideOut. Not because we're good at them, but because trivia and travel are fun in their own rights, and together, they're a blast.
Test your knowledge here, the questions were compiled the the San Francisco Chronicle's John Flinn, executive travel editor.
Posted by insideoutmag at 06:21 PM | Comments (1)
December 14, 2004
Vote for Emperor Norton
The natural resource in San Francisco is definitely its people. Emperor Norton, the man behind the "don't call it Frisco" fetish in this city, was one of the richest--in his self-minted currency and personality, at least.
The boring Bay Bridge may be the Emperor Norton Bridge soon. Sure, Bay Bridge is descriptive, but Emperor Norton Bridge makes a much better story. Who would have thought that the two-level bridge that's pleasant at a distance but an abomination up close would ever have so much character?
For more check this out
Posted by insideoutmag at 10:54 PM | Comments (1)
Global Warming Underwater
Erik Olsen at Gadling posted a great article yesterday about
this island in the Maldives that was built, out of coral and sand, for people who had lost their homes on an island that has been submerged.
Today I found another water-related story and thought I would share with you.
"Coral reefs around the world could expand in size by up to a third because of increased ocean warming, according to a new Australian study which contradicts the long-held belief that global warming is destroying the reefs.
Previous research has predicted a decline of between 20 and 60 percent in the size of coral reefs by 2100 relative to pre-industrial levels because of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels caused by the greenhouse effect in ocean surface waters.
But the newly published research, by a team led by oceanographer Ben McNeil of Sydney's University of New South Wales, suggests that present coral reef calcification rates are not in decline and are equivalent to late 19th century levels.
"Our analysis suggests that ocean warming will foster considerably faster future rates of coral reef growth that will eventually exceed pre-industrial rates by as much as 35 percent by 2100," McNeil said in a statement Monday."
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:56 AM | Comments (3)
December 12, 2004
My Fair Gift List
Budget travelers like gifts too so if you're looking for gift ideas this holiday season, check out Global Exchange.
Global Exchange is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since our founding in 1988, we have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide.
The mission of Global Exchange's Fair Trade Program is to successfully market fairly-traded products in order to increase benefits for producers and consumers through economic fairness, mutual respect, and understanding, and build support for a more sustainable system of trade. We strive to pay a fair price to disadvantaged producers and to support producer-initiated efforts to improve their quality of life. In addition, we seek to increase understanding and activism of U.S. consumers about unfair trade practices and the fair trade alternative.
Their online store includes crafts, coffee, books and much more.
Thanks for the link Alex!
Posted by insideoutmag at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2004
A Trip to the Moon Anyone?
An interesting article from the San Francisco Chronicle
"Outer space could become the final frontier of tourism under legislation passed Wednesday by the Senate to regulate commercial human spaceflight.
The bill, approved by voice vote in the final minutes of the 108th Congress, would authorize the Federal Aviation Administration to issue permits allowing private spacecraft operators to blast paying passengers into space."
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:07 PM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2004
Peaceful Origami
Paper peace doves fall over southern Thailand as violence continues
"PATTANI, Thailand (AFP) - Fifty aircraft scattered 120 million paper birds across southern Thailand in a peace gesture marred by new killings in the troubled Muslim-majority region.
The airdrop, to mark revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 77th birthday, sparked a party mood across parts of the region but has drawn scorn from government critics who said it disguised a failure to end a separatist insurgency that has left more than 550 people dead this year.
The day-long low-altitude bird-bombing was designed to show unity between Buddhist and Muslim Thais and to condemn violence, according to premier Thaksin Shinawatra who promoted the bird drop.
A fleet of military and civil aircraft and helicopters, carrying 50,000 birds a time, took off just after 9:00 am (0200 GMT) to fly sorties over four affected provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla.
Thaksin's idea was enthusiastically embraced by Thais with instructions on how to fold them posted at department stores and collecting bins left outside offices. Birds were also sent from Japan, the US and China, according to reports.
Officials concerned about a litter problem offered rice and eggs for villagers to collect the falling birds, which included one made and signed by Thaksin promising a scholarship to the finder."
Posted by insideoutmag at 06:16 PM | Comments (6)
December 03, 2004
Gundakiwi, a Magalog
If you're looking for gift ideas or feel like treating yourself to some Asian goodies, check out Gundakiwi.
The new magalog (magazine/catalog) was launched by Greg Greunke, a good friend and InsideOut Travel contributor and his friend E. A. Castro. The monthly magazine includes great articles on Asian products and culture.
The Japanese doll bookmarks make great small gifts for book lovers, you can buy them
here.
Here is more info about Gundakiwi:
"We would like gundakiwi to be much more than just a stylish monthly online magazine that details life in Asia. Our goal is to feature the people, products and stories that make this geographic area among the most exciting in the world. Whether it is an interview with an up and coming clothing designer, a handy new kitchen tool or a sexy robe, we'll find it and share it with you through words, pictures and product. Each month you can be sure that we not only write the stories and take the pictures, but we've lived the experience. If there is a better way of sharing the culture and customs of a country than experience, we've yet to find it?
What we'd also like gundakiwi to be known for is great one-of-a-kind products. The products we'll feature each month will fall into the categories of Art & Handicrafts, Beauty & Style, Entertainment, Writing, Home, Food & Children's Goods. Perhaps you'll be moved by our stories to buy one or two, but that isn't our main concern.
The founders of gundakiwi are well traveled, having visited over 30 countries and finding new and unique ways of getting into trouble in about 28 of them.
About Our Name
In Morroco, stranded and with only a few Dirhams to our names, a curious and generous coffee shop owner saved us from catastrophe.
Knowing we were strangers in a stranger land, he offered to have his son drive us to the nearest money changer so we would have to return from our trip without the items that would make it a success.
While we waited for his son to prepare the families only auto, he regaled us with stories of his adventurous youth. His stories were both entertaining and inspiring.
This endeavor is named after him, in homage to the spirt and generosity that all travelers look for, but rarely find. His name was Gunda Kiwi."
Congratulations on the launch and Gambatte!
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
December 02, 2004
The Holidays Are Here!
Let's get out the Advent calendar (the ones with the chocolates inside are the best), light the candles, or whatever your traditions may be and get ready for the holidays.
All the newspapers are telling you what to buy these days but International Herald Tribune has some interesting advice on the holidays (and recommendations on where to shop in Bangkok).
They write "try putting a little Buddhism into Christmas or Hannukah. A token of Buddha's teaching this holiday season may inspire thoughts of how transitory worldly happiness can be and how necessary the ideals of compassion, sharing and generosity are."
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2004
Global Movement for a Global Issue-Today is World's AIDS Day
Since 1988, the first day of December has been World's AIDS Day. To mark the day, parades and events are taking place around the globe. So wherever you are today, be sure to check what's happening in
your area.
If you're interested in hearing more about what's being done to fight AIDS worldwide, here is an NPR show you may be interested in:
Global Health
World Aids Day
"The Tavis Smiley Show, December 1, 2004 · HIV-AIDS is at once regarded as a potentially manageable infection and the most devastating health problem facing the human race. On this World AIDS Day, NPR's Tony Cox speaks about progress in the worldwide fight against HIV-AIDS with Dr. Helene Gayle, president of the International AIDS Society and director of HIV, TB and Reproductive Health at the Gates Foundation and with Dr. Robert Scott, an HIV-AIDS specialist and chair of the Allen Temple Baptist Church-AIDS Ministry based in Oakland."
Click here to hear the show
Posted by insideoutmag at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)