Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Seven ways to explore the world without leaving home]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/seven-ways-to-explore-the-world-without-leaving-home/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/seven-ways-to-explore-the-world-without-leaving-home/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/27/seven-ways-to-explore-the-world-without-leaving-home/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Travel can be an escape - a chance to get away from the stress of our daily lives - but it can also be much more. Travel is about exploring a destination (new or familiar), understanding and connecting with the local culture, and seeing how people in a different place live.

Even more than the physical act of moving to a new place, traveling is about discovery, and just because you can't get away from home at a particular time doesn't mean you can't still embrace that philosophy of adventure. Here are seven ways to "travel" without leaving your hometown.
Movies
Movies can take us to other worlds - real or imagined, of this Earth or not. Next time you are suffering from serious wanderlust, pick up a movie set in a foreign land. Explore the sweeping grasslands of Kenya with Out of Africa, ride the back roads of South America with Che in The Motorcycle Diaries, wander the chaotic streets of Tokyo through Lost in Translation, or explore India by train on The Darjeeling Limited.

Public transportation roulette
Travel is all about exploring a foreign place. For most of us, that doesn't mean we need to venture far to discover a place that is new to us. I've lived in Chicago for three years, but there are still pockets of the city I've yet to step foot on. It's easy to fall into a routine and only visit the same reliable places in your hometown, but this can lead to a feeling of boredom. Spice up your daily life by seeking out new places in your own city.

Continue reading Seven ways to explore the world without leaving home

Seven ways to explore the world without leaving home originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookschicagocuisineculturalculturefestivalfestivalsfoodfood and drinkFoodAndDrinkgilmore girlsGilmoreGirlsinspirationKenyalost in translationLostInTranslationmoviesout of africaOutOfAfricapublic transportationPublicTransportationrough guidesRoughGuidesthe darjeeling limitedTheDarjeelingLimitedtravel booksTravelBookstvFri, 27 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eel, venison, and pumpkin pudding: where to get a really traditional Thanksgiving]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/26/eel-venison-and-pumpkin-pudding-where-to-get-a-really-traditi/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/26/eel-venison-and-pumpkin-pudding-where-to-get-a-really-traditi/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/26/eel-venison-and-pumpkin-pudding-where-to-get-a-really-traditi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we sit down to eat huge quantities of turkey, pumpkin pie, and cranberries, we might want to remember that this traditional Thanksgiving feast isn't so traditional. Like all traditions, Thanksgiving dinner has changed over time and has little in common with the event that inspired it.

Most history books mark the first Thanksgiving as the feast the Pilgrims had at Plymouth Colony after their first harvest in 1621, even though there had been a Thanksgiving feast at Berkeley Plantation in 1619, and various Thanksgiving feasts by Spanish settlers in Florida and the Southwest decades beforehand. Inconvenient historical facts aside, let's look at what everyone ate on that "first", most famous Thanksgiving.

No exact menu exists, but several accounts of the feast let us make a good guess at what they served, and even come up with a list of recipes. The Wampanoag tribe had saved the Pilgrims from starvation by showing them how to catch eels and gather food from the forest, so we can imagine eel would have been included. There's also specific mention of wild turkey (much smaller than today's hormone-stuffed factory turkeys), venison, and cornbread. Pumpkin pudding was also on the table. Pumpkin pie wasn't invented until years later.

If this is all sounding tasty, why not try it out yourself? Plymouth, MA, runs a series of events every November to celebrate the season. This year they sponsored National Indian Pudding Day (cornmeal with molasses, yum!) to showcase what they call "one of the ugliest, yet great tasting, bicultural culinary treats". There's also a series of dinners with traditional fare, some of which you can still catch. If you're too full to eat another bite, don't worry because they'll do it all again next year. You may also want to check out these other historic Thanksgiving places for their events.

Pass the Indian pudding, please, but hold the eel. I tried it in Denmark and I can't say I'm a fan.

Eel, venison, and pumpkin pudding: where to get a really traditional Thanksgiving originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massachusettspilgrimsplymouththanksgivingthanksgiving dinnerthanksgiving foodthanksgiving menuThanksgivingDinnerThanksgivingFoodThanksgivingMenuThu, 26 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seven travel-related things to be thankful for]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/26/seven-travel-related-things-to-be-thankful-for/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/26/seven-travel-related-things-to-be-thankful-for/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/26/seven-travel-related-things-to-be-thankful-for/#commentsFiled under: ,

While travel as the act of discovering a new place can be exhilarating and exciting, travel as the act of being in transit can be annoying and exhausting. Long lines, delays, rude people and all the frustrations that go along with moving large amounts of people from A to B can make the physical movement involved with travel something to really complain about. But this Thanksgiving, I wanted to take a step back and think about all the travel-related things that we do have to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for the airlines.
I know, I know, we spend a lot of time griping about all the things the airlines are doing wrong. They run late, they lose our luggage and they charge us extra for everything, but without them, traveling would be a completely different experience. Thanks to the airlines, we can leave home and arrive on the other side of the world within a day - a single day. That kind of immediate access to a far off country was unfathomable just a few decades ago. Back then undertaking a long-distance journey meant days, if not weeks spent on a train or a trans-Oceanic boat ride. And for all but the rich, that kind of travel was cramped, uncomfortable, dirty, and often dangerous. So I'm thankful for the airlines, for making long-distance travel quick, affordable and safe, and for allowing us to travel the world with relative ease.

Continue reading Seven travel-related things to be thankful for

Seven travel-related things to be thankful for originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlinesalcoholamericanboozeflight attendantflight attendantsFlightAttendantFlightAttendantsfree wifiFreedomFreeWifiInternetPassportThankfulthanksthanksgivingtravelTravelingwifiThu, 26 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Macy's Thanksgiving Parade balloons: Where to see them inflate and balloon history facts]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/macys-thanksgiving-parade-balloons-where-to-see-them-inflate-a/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/macys-thanksgiving-parade-balloons-where-to-see-them-inflate-a/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/macys-thanksgiving-parade-balloons-where-to-see-them-inflate-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Starting this afternoon and on into tonight the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade character balloons will be inflated at Central Park West and Columbus Avenue on 77th and 81st Streets. The public is able to watch the process between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m. From what I've read, arrive closer to the end to get the balloons' full effects.

The balloons, that take trained volunteers to safely maneuver them along the parade route without injuring parade goers or damaging buildings, have been a Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition since 1927. Here are 10 balloon history facts from the parade history page of the Macy's website and at the website of The Band of Blue.

Also, I found a detailed video of the balloons being inflated. The video gives a clear idea about just how big these balloons are and the hubbub that is involved in the process of making them parade worthy. My favorite spot is of the police officer getting another officer to take her picture in front of one of them.


Continue reading Macy's Thanksgiving Parade balloons: Where to see them inflate and balloon history facts

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade balloons: Where to see them inflate and balloon history facts originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>family funfamily travelFamilyFunFamilyTravelhelium balloonsHeliumBalloonshistoryMacys department storeMacys paradeMacysDepartmentStoreMacysParadeNew York CityNewYorkCitynostalgiaThanksgiving eventsThanksgiving paradeThanksgivingEventsThanksgivingParadeWorld Warworld war iiWorldWarWorldWarIiWed, 25 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get out and go: Events around the world (November 25-30)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-25-30/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-25-30/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-25-30/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you're living in America, you know what's happening this Thursday. For those of you who aren't in New York to catch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, there are other awesome activities going on this weekend. If you're close and have time, then you have no excuse to get out and go!
  • Charlotte - The Carolinas Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held this Thursday, November 26. This 62th annual parade is one of the largest get togethers of Carolinians that takes place during the year.
  • Brunei - Brunei's annual Festival of Sacrifice will be held this Friday, November 27. This is also known as Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Aidiladha. Goats and cows are sacrificed to commemorate the actions of the Islamic Prophet Ibrahim. The meat is then distributed among relatives, friends and the less fortunate.
  • England - The Draught for Drought Winter Beer Festival will be held at the New Inn in Witney from November 26-29. The festival will have an extensive selection of ales, traditional cuisine, and live entertainment. The event is a benefit for the African Children's Fund's "Draught for Drought" program. The proceeds help East African communities to find sustainable ways of capturing and storing water.
If you make it to one of these events, let us know how it was, or if you know of an event that's coming up, please let us know and we'll be sure to include it in the next "Get out and go" round-up.

Get out and go: Events around the world (November 25-30) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerbruneicharlotteenglandeventsfestivalget out and goGetOutAndGothanksgivingWed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New website, PublicEarth, shares hidden gems from around the globe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/new-website-offers-hidden-gems-to-travelers/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/new-website-offers-hidden-gems-to-travelers/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/25/new-website-offers-hidden-gems-to-travelers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The new website PublicEarth may still be in beta, but it's already showing plenty of promise for travelers looking to find hidden travel gems and inside information for their next trip. The idea behind the site is that it is set up in a wiki format allowing contributors to share their experiences and favorite locations with others in a unique and interesting format.

PublicEarth is the brainchild of Duncan McCall, an avid adventure traveler who has explored the far corners of the globe. While on those travels, he would often meet up with other adventurers, and swap stories over a few beers, sharing tips and secret destinations. Those conversations proved invaluable in getting the most out of those journeys, and upon returning home to the U.S., McCall wanted to come up with a way to create that same experience for travelers everywhere. PublicEarth was born from that idea.

The website's concept is simple. The plan is to combine "location searching and place discovery" with well designed and easy to use tools that make it simple for travelers to not only sift through the content, but also share their own experiences as well. With nearly five million places already in the system, it is clear that the concept is already resonating with travelers, who are contributing as much as they are reading.

Continue reading New website, PublicEarth, shares hidden gems from around the globe

New website, PublicEarth, shares hidden gems from around the globe originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-traveltraveltravel sitesTravelSitesWed, 25 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Quarter million animals sacrificed at Hindu festival]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/quarter-million-animals-sacrificed-at-hindu-festival/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/quarter-million-animals-sacrificed-at-hindu-festival/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/24/quarter-million-animals-sacrificed-at-hindu-festival/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hinduism is generally thought of as a vegetarian religion, one that respects animals because in the cycle of death and rebirth, we've all been animals at one point or another. But Hinduism is an ancient and complex faith with almost a billion adherents, and there's such a diversity that virtually no common thread can be found in all methods of Hindu worship.

Nothing proves that more true than Gadhimai Mela, a fair that takes places once every five years in southern Nepal to honor the goddess Gadhimai. Tens of thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India have gathered to offer animal sacrifices to the goddess in return for blessings. One man who prayed for a son at the last festival had his wish granted, and this year reportedly sacrificed 105 buffaloes.

Animal rights campaigners protesting the festival have had no success. The Indian pilgrims came all the way to Nepal because animal sacrifice is illegal in India, and they're not going to be stopped. The BBC estimates that a quarter of a million animals, from pigeons to lambs to buffaloes, will be sacrificed. Local tanners and butchers are doing a brisk trade, as are the illicit stills set up to entertain the pilgrims. Six people have already died from drinking illegal home brew.

This isn't the only animal sacrifice in Hinduism. It's been popular in various times and places in the Hindu world and there are numerous references to it in holy texts, including a horse sacrifice in the famous epic the Ramayana, shown here.

Quarter million animals sacrificed at Hindu festival originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal sacrificeAnimalSacrificehinduhinduismTue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shake it like a Tahitian]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/21/shake-it-like-a-tahitian/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/21/shake-it-like-a-tahitian/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/21/shake-it-like-a-tahitian/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


In a language that's mostly all vowels, a bit of interpretive dance helps communicate one's deepest thoughts and feelings. Sad? Lower your eyes. Fierce? Scowl and posture. Happy? Shake it, baby. Travelers have been awestruck by Tahitian dancers ever since they first landed on these dancing shores. The bearded missionaries of long ago secretly loved it and today's MTV backup singers wanna steal these moves but ain't got no rhythm.

Every two-bit hotel in Tahiti puts on a decent dinner dance show for the tourists, but when the natives start dancing for the natives, things get hot fast. I caught this little show at an official awards ceremony on a hot white sand beach on Bora Bora. Sit back and enjoy, and just ask yourself, can you shake it like a Tahitian? I didn't think so.

Shake it like a Tahitian originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachbora boraDancedancersdancingmovesMTVsexyshake itShakeIttahitiTahitianSat, 21 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive video: inside Virgin America's "Stay Golden" launch]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/exclusive-video-inside-virgin-americas-stay-golden-launch/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/exclusive-video-inside-virgin-americas-stay-golden-launch/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/exclusive-video-inside-virgin-americas-stay-golden-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



See what it's like to be on the inside of a Virgin America launch event. Full interview with Branson after the break.

Continue reading Exclusive video: inside Virgin America's "Stay Golden" launch

Exclusive video: inside Virgin America's "Stay Golden" launch originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FLLFloridafort lauderdaleFortLauderdalelaunchRichard BransonRichardBransonSFOStay GoldenStayGoldenStephen GreenwoodStephenGreenwoodVideoVirgin AmericaVirginAmericaw hotelWHotelFri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Inside Virgin America's "Stay Golden" launch event (photos)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/inside-virgin-americas-stay-golden-launch-event-photos/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/inside-virgin-americas-stay-golden-launch-event-photos/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/inside-virgin-americas-stay-golden-launch-event-photos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


I looked around and tried to absorb what was unfolding before me.

VIP's and Virgin employees mingled on the patio of the beachfront W Fort Lauderdale. Nearby, a reality TV crew set up a shot for a new series about the lives of Virgin America flight attendants. Lights and loud music infiltrated the senses. It was a perfect backdrop for television, even though it didn't quite feel like reality.

And in a sense, it wasn't reality; but merely a splash of Richard Branson's reality.

Then, somewhere between the gold-suited synchronized swimmers, the beverages sprinkled with gold, and the musical performance from Santigold, it hit me: Virgin America is dedicated to (and very good at) one thing. They design brilliant experiences... and in their world, there's no such thing as overindulgence.

Continue reading Inside Virgin America's "Stay Golden" launch event (photos)

Inside Virgin America's "Stay Golden" launch event (photos) originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BransonFLLFort LauderdaleFortLauderdaleLaunch PartyLaunchPartyLAXLos AngelesLosAngelesPartyRichard BransonRichardBransonSan FranciscoSanFranciscoSFOVirginVirgin AmericaVirginAmericaW HotelWHotelFri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Midwest turns Wild West : Bull riding for the whole family]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/midwest-turns-wild-west-bull-riding-for-the-whole-family/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/midwest-turns-wild-west-bull-riding-for-the-whole-family/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/midwest-turns-wild-west-bull-riding-for-the-whole-family/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In northwestern Ohio where the land is flat, flat, flat and family farms dot the landscape in a scene of bucolic sedateness, the Midwest turns wild west on Saturday nights from October through May. Off State Rte 29, between the Indiana border and Celina, a town with a population of 10,000, is Mack Arena, a non-descriptive rectangular building that one might blow right pass without noticing. Only the white corral-style fencing around one end of the building says animals. Looks can be deceiving. Inside, excitement and a dose of danger crackles. Who knew?

The clues to the wildness inside the industrial corrugate structure start at the dirt parking lot where a pungent odor of animals and leather waft over the assortment of pickup trucks, trailers and cars that gather here every Saturday evening. The announcer's voice can be heard over the crowd's din of shouts of encouragement and awe.

The yellow sign near the door touting, "Beware of Bull" is more of a welcome mat than a warning, however.

That's what Gadling found out a few weeks ago when we came upon the bull riding as an unexpected pleasure of Saturday night's entertainment--just two hours from Columbus. The allure of the wild west in the Midwest pulled our station wagon into the mix of vehicles.

Continue reading Midwest turns Wild West : Bull riding for the whole family

Midwest turns Wild West : Bull riding for the whole family originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbudget-travelbull ridingBullRidingCelina OhioCelinaOhiocowboysfamily funfamily travelFamilyFunFamilyTravelMack ArenaMackArenaMidwestwild westWildWestThu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin America launches SFO/LAX to Ft. Lauderdale!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/18/virgin-america-launches-sfo-lax-to-ft-lauderdale/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/18/virgin-america-launches-sfo-lax-to-ft-lauderdale/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/18/virgin-america-launches-sfo-lax-to-ft-lauderdale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Greetings from 35,000 ft! Right now, we're onboard Virgin America's inaugural flight from San Francisco to Ft Lauderdale, which touches down in the Sunshine State at 3:30 PM.

Today's expansion marks the tenth destination for Virgin America and the first connection from the Golden State to the Gold Coast. In celebration, Virgin America has brought along a handful of winners from their "Stay Golden America" competition, and will be donating $1 to budding entrepreneurs for every tweet containing the tag #HelpVirginUnite.

Gallery: Virgin America - SFO to FLL inaugural flight


This afternoon, there will be a tarmac reception from Richard Branson and CEO of Virgin America, David Cush. The event will conclude with a launch party hosted at the W Ft. Lauderdale - where Gadling will be posting full event coverage and getting the down-low on Virgin America's expansion plans.

Be sure to track our feed for updates, photos, exclusive interviews, and reviews of the entire Virgin America experience.

Update: Check out our full coverage of the event - Article / Photos & Exclusive Video

Virgin America launches SFO/LAX to Ft. Lauderdale! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CaliforniaDavid CushDavidCushFLLfloridaft lauderdaleFtLauderdalelaunchRichard BransonRichardBransonSan FranciscoSanFranciscoSFOVirginvirgin americaVirginAmericaWed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get out and go: Events around the world (November 18-21)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/18/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-18-21/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/18/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-18-21/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/18/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-18-21/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It's time to look at the festivals and events happening around the world, and this week has a particularly international selection of happenings. If you're close and have time, then you have no excuse to get out and go!
  • Mexico - Birders will unite in the Yucatan Peninsula for the Yucatan Bird Festival from November 19-22. For the 8th consecutive year, the festival offers a wide range of field trips, exhibits, conferences, and a "birdathon." Objectives of this annual festival include promoting the rich diversity of bird species found in the Yucatan and developing a conservationist culture among tourists and tour providers.
  • California - The California Surf Festival celebrates awareness and support for surf history preservation this weekend from November 19-22. It is an international event destination bringing people from all over the world to Oceanside, California, to experience surf culture through films, music, art, photography and interaction with those who embody the culture as well as highlight the surf community of California.
  • Amsterdam - The International Documentary Film Festival begins this Thursday, November 19. The film extravaganza will present over 300 documentaries over the course of 10 days, ending on the 29th.
  • Israel - Shalem Dance Festival will begin this Thursday, November 19 in Jerusalem. Over 50 Israeli and guest dancers perform in original contemporary dance works. This year's highlight will feature contemporary dance ensembles from Africa. The festival ends on the 21st.

  • India - The Mim Kut and Pawl Kut Festival will be celebrated this Friday, November 20 in Mizoram. Celebrated in the last week of November or the first week of December, the festival celebrates the completion of the harvesting season.
  • Helsinki - This year Helsinki's Chocolate Festival has a larger "box," as it is held at Wanha Satama fair centre November 21-22. The festivali celebrates the diversity of the sweet stuff. Choco-connaisseurs share their sweet wisdom about the impact of chocolate on health, wellbeing, history of chocolate, production and variety.
If you make it to one of these events, let us know how it was, or if you know of an event that's coming up, please let us know and we'll be sure to include it in the next "Get out and go" round-up.

Get out and go: Events around the world (November 18-21) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdambirdcaliforniachocolatedanceeventfestivalfilmfilm festivalFilmFestivalget out and goGetOutAndGohelsinkiindiamexicomizoramsurfsurfingWed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wild West Shows in France]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/wild-west-shows-in-france/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/wild-west-shows-in-france/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/wild-west-shows-in-france/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's no secret that the French are so totally obsessed with all things American. One day they're thumbing their noses at us and the next, they're waving American flags, dressing up like cowboys, dancing the Texas two-step and pretending like it was the good old 1870's. Indeed, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Maybe it's not the reason you came to France, but if you ever do max out your quota of impressionist art or vibrant chateaux gardens, consider the following Franco-American spectacles:

Le Country Rendez-Vous Festival
This boot-kickin' country music festival takes place every July in the fair town of Craponne (pronounced: Crap + Own). Over 35,000 country music lovers don their best imitation cowboy gear and drive their Peugeot's like wild Nevada mustangs into the green hills of the Haute-Loire region of France. I hear they even start speaking French with Texas accents. The event is sponsored by France's Radio Country Club which you can listen to with much amusement online.

Disney's Buffalo Bill Show
The French obsession with the wild west can be traced back to Buffalo Bill's original Wild West Show that came to Paris for a limited run in 1889 and then happened to sell out every night until 1913 (kinda like "CATS" in the 1980's). Disneyland(R) Resort Paris (née EuroDisney) has tapped into that long ago love affair with a twice-nightly Buffalo Bill show featuring a real herd of American bison tearing up clouds of dust upon the fields of Champagne. Expect lots of lasso tricks, fancy riding, and thunderous gun battles of exploding blanks all whilst eating your Disney dinner. Note: vegetarian menus are available, just like in the real Wild West.

Continue reading Wild West Shows in France

Wild West Shows in France originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CarponneCountry MusicCountryMusicDisneyEuroDisneyFranceLa CamargueWild WestMon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The paniolo cowboys of Hawaii]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/parker-ranch-and-the-paniolo-cowboys-of-hawaii/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/parker-ranch-and-the-paniolo-cowboys-of-hawaii/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/16/parker-ranch-and-the-paniolo-cowboys-of-hawaii/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

photo courtesy of yark64/FlickrPaniolo is the Hawaiian word for "cowboy" (though the literal translation of the word really means "sitting"), and the paniolo culture has thrived on the islands ever since 1809, with the arrival of a 19-year old sailor from Massachusetts named John Palmer Parker. As Parker passed along the islands on his way to China, he decided to jump overboard and try his life as a marksman on the Big Island, thus beginning a 200-year cowboy tradition that has lasted in Hawaii since the rule of King Kamehameha I.

Word of Parker's ranching abilities got around to Hawaii's King Kamehameha I, and the king asked Parker to round up the wild cattle roaming the hills of Waimea, a town well-known for its paniolo history. Since then, Parker became a close companion to the king, eventually marrying into the royal family and building what would become one of the largest cattle operations in the United States. By the 1920's, Parker Ranch was a 500,000 acre estate that held the biggest herd on the planet.

In order to tend the ranch's vast land, Parker hired Mexican cowboys called vaqueros, who taught the Hawaiian cowboys important riding and ranching techniques. The original paniolos of Hawaii are a dying breed, though, as more and more Hawaiian ranchers apply modern techniques as opposed to the ones brought by Parker 200 years ago.

Continue reading The paniolo cowboys of Hawaii

The paniolo cowboys of Hawaii originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hawaiikulamauipanioloparker ranchwild westWildWestMon, 16 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Venice hosts its own funeral]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/14/venice-hosts-its-own-funeral/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/14/venice-hosts-its-own-funeral/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/14/venice-hosts-its-own-funeral/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Venice is dying. At least, according to Newsweek it is. The population has been shrinking so rapidly (it dropped below 60,000 this year) that the mag predicts there won't be a single full-time resident in the city by 2030. A city that sees millions of visitors per year, an average of 55,000 per day, won't be home to a single person. Yeah, I'd call that a dead city.

To draw attention to the issue, residents of Venice have organized a mock funeral in which three gondolas will pull a red coffin through the city's canals on Saturday, November 14th.

In addition to the flood of tourists who make the city nearly unlivable during summer months, other factors such as increasing home prices and a shrinking tax base, have combined to result in the mass exodus of long-time Venetians.

One of the organizers of the "funeral" says this doesn't have to be the end though. He hopes that by drawing attention to the issue, some of the problems can be addressed and new citizens will be lured to Venice. "It might be the beginning; it could even spur a rebirth. Now we just have to create a Venice [people] will want to stay in. We have to give them a reason not to leave."

[via Budget Travel]

Venice hosts its own funeral originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citizenscoffincrowdcrowdsdeathdyingdying citiesDyingCitiesfuneralgondolagondolasgondoliersitalyleavinglocalsmockovercrowdedovercrowdingresidentsstagetourismtouristtouristsVeniceSat, 14 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sacred mountain added to World Heritage List]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/sacred-mountain-added-to-world-heritage-list/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/sacred-mountain-added-to-world-heritage-list/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/sacred-mountain-added-to-world-heritage-list/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

UNESCO has just made the latest addition to its World Heritage List--Suleiman Mountain in the Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

This is Kyrgyzstan's first World Heritage Site. The mountain has been a holy spot for thousands of years. Prehistoric rock art shows it was sacred long before Islam came to the region. When the new faith took over it became a focus for Muslim pilgrims. Sick people sit in the caves on the mountainside hoping to be cured, and there's a natural rock slide that women use to promote fertility. Kids slide down it too, supposedly to make them grow up healthy, but judging from this video it looks like they're having too much fun to think about that. There's an interesting slide show of the mountain here.

There are seventeen places of worship on the mountain, including a reconstruction of a medieval mosque. The original was destroyed by the Soviets in an effort to stamp out religion in the region. Judging from the thousands of pilgrims who go to Suleiman Mountain every year, they didn't achieve much.

The mountain is right next to the 3,000 year-old city of Osh, a stop on the old Silk Road, so adventure travelers following this increasingly popular route will want to stop off and see this.

Sacred mountain added to World Heritage List originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTravelIslamMuslimspilgrimagereligionsilk roadsilk routeSilkRoadSilkRouteworld heritageworld heritage listworld heritage sitesWorldHeritageWorldHeritageListWorldHeritageSitesThu, 12 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy birthday King Wangchuck and other national holidays]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/happy-birthday-king-wangchuck-and-other-national-holidays/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/happy-birthday-king-wangchuck-and-other-national-holidays/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/11/happy-birthday-king-wangchuck-and-other-national-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Going to a far-flung destination and want to connect with the people and see something special? One easy way is through local and national holidays. These are often unique to a particular country and provide insights into its culture and history. But it can often be hard to find out what's going on next week in Tuvalu.

The Holidays Around the World blog is your answer, providing daily updates on all the major happenings. Today, for example, is the birthday of the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He abdicated last year, but his birthday is still a national holiday. The website does more than list holidays, it goes into detail about what you can expect while you're there. Today the people of Bhutan are celebrating by eating emadatse (chili pepper and cheese stew) and chang (warm beer made from barley, millet or rice). If it's anything like Tibetan chang, be careful. With the high altitudes in the Himalayas this stuff gave me the worst hangover I've ever had.

November 11 is, of course, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. The ceasefire started on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. The soldiers on both sides knew it was coming, but instead of keeping a low profile until the war officially ended, they blasted away at each other with a massive artillery barrage. People are weird. This holiday is known as Armistice Day in France, Remembrance Day in Canada, and a more general Veterans Day in the United States.

So head on over to this cool little blog, and don't forget to dance in the streets tomorrow to celebrate Azerbaijan's Constitution Day.

Happy birthday King Wangchuck and other national holidays originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armisticedaychangfirst world warFirstWorldWarhimalayan mountainsHimalayanMountainshimalayasremembrance-dayremembrancedaytravel websiteTravelWebsiteveterans dayveteransdaywebsitesworld war iWorldWarIWed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get out and go: Events around the world (November 11-15)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-11-15/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-11-15/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/get-out-and-go-events-around-the-world-november-11-15/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

It's time to look at the festivals and events happening around the world, and this week has a particularly international selection of happenings. If you're close and have time, then you have no excuse to get out and go!
  • Saskatoon - The Saskatoon Fall Fair, an agricultural and livestock show in Saskatchewan, Canada, will begin tomorrow, November 11, and continue until November 14.
  • Tokyo - The Shinjuku Ootori Matsuri Festival will take place November 11-12 and 23-24. The festival attracts over 600,000 people to the Hanazono Jinja Shrine.
  • Tallinn (Estonia) - Thursday 12 November 2009 The Black Nights Film Festival combines feature films with the sub-festivals of animated films, student films and children/youth films. The event begins Thursday, November 12, and continues for a full month until December 6.
  • Boulder - The Boulder Adventure Film Festival will be held November 12-14. This gritty, raw film fest is dedicated to the beating heart of adventure and a community undertaking run by adventurers, filmmakers and artists wishing to spread the creativity, enthusiasm, and activism inherent to outdoor adventure.
  • Frankfurt - The 'Botticelli' exhibition showcasing the art of Sandro Botticelli (c. 1445-1510), whose work has become a landmark of the Italian Renaissance, opens this Friday, November 13, at the Stadel Museum and will continue until February 28, 2010.
  • Boston - The city's annual Christmas Festival of Lights will take place this Friday, November 13. The lights will be on display until January 3.
If you make it to one of these events, let us know how it was, or if you know of an event that's coming up, please let us know and we'll be sure to include it in the next "Get out and go" round-up.

Get out and go: Events around the world (November 11-15) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boticellibouldercanadachristmas lightsChristmasLightsestoniafilm festivalFilmFestivalfrankfurtget out and goGetOutAndGotokyoTue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[In Oberammergau: the most "passionate" performance you will ever see]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/in-oberammergau-the-most-passionate-performance-you-will-ever/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/in-oberammergau-the-most-passionate-performance-you-will-ever/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/in-oberammergau-the-most-passionate-performance-you-will-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now you can visit a plague-ridden era and watch history unfold. No, this is not an invitation to get busy with swine flu. Instead, head out to Oberammergau, Bavaria and witness a performance that has been carried out for centuries.

In 1633, Oberammergau's population was decimated by the Plague. The villagers were brutalized, but their spirit remained strong, and they promised to act out the events of the last days of Jesus Christ, ending in the resurrection, every tenth year. This Passion performance, sans any influence from Mel Gibson, is an extremely local affair. If you weren't born in the village or haven't lived there for at least 20 years, the best you can do is watch with the masses. The stage is reserved for the true villagers.

Half the village is engaged to assist, from acting to playing music to creating costumes - in the case of Oberammergau, that's 2,500 people out of a 5,200-person population. In what seems like a scene from The Greek Passion by Nikos Kazantzakis (who is more famous for his other book, The Last Temptation of Christ), lead roles are sketched out on a chalk board, while all of Oberammergau waits anxiously. The parts are assigned the year before. In the run-up to the performance, the cast grows its hair long and cultivates beards (not the women, of course), as wigs are not permitted.

Continue reading In Oberammergau: the most "passionate" performance you will ever see

In Oberammergau: the most "passionate" performance you will ever see originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bavariah1n1h1n1 virush1n1swinefluh1n1virusjesus christJesusChristmel gibsonMelGibsonpassionperformanceplagueswine fluswine flu pandemicswine flu panicSwineFluSwineFluPandemicSwineFluPanicthe passionthe passion of the christthe plaguetheaterThePassionThePassionOfTheChristThePlaguevillageTue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST