Fresh Look at Site Design
at 2:24 am on Tuesday, 30 December 2008
The designers think first of all about good-looking, pretty pages. But have you ever thought about design from the point of promotion? How does design influence on web popularity?
It is really very important. You can have a good-looking site, but what is a profit if people do not know about it?
Here are some advices how to combine design and promotion.
1 – do not use Flash intos and Flash-written sites. The search engines look for plain text, they cannot recognize what is flash movie about.
2 – frames. You should only really use frames if you honestly feel they will improve your site. If, for example, you intend to use frames for navigation, then why not think about using a navigation bar instead. If you decided to use frames, provide also non-frame version.
3 – META tags. Do not forget to write meta-tags. You write the site not only for people, but for machines also. If you wish to have visitors, you should write machine-friendly site. So use different META keywords and META title on the pages of your site. Very important: those tags should reflect the content of the page. Very good if they repeat several times on the page.
4 – Page names. Give the names to your site pages like the keywords. That also helps to boost rankings.
5 – Images. Try not to use much graphics on the pages, but if you use it, do not forget about ALT tag. Write there your keywords.
6 – Keep Outgoing Links Off Of Your Page To a Minimum. Here’s why: You want the search engine spiders to follow all the links on your homepage that lead to other pages within your site. The idea being that your entire site gets indexed and listed. However some people mistakenly put links that lead outside of their site on their main page. The danger here is that the search engine spider will hit one of these external outgoing links and leave your site before it’s finished indexing your complete web.
7 – Place style sheet and java script code in an external file and NOT on your actual web page. The less code that precedes the main body text of your page containing your keyword phrases the better.
8 – Test your site look in different browsers. You may see there some mistake.
And the most important thing – to attract visitors you should provide them really important and useful information. They do not look for good design (but this is important to), they need information. Give it and they will come back!
Good luck!
Visit this site to read more.
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An Interview with Helga Smith: Servas Traveller, Marathon Runner and Conqueror of Mount Kilimanjaro
at 9:23 pm on Monday, 29 December 2008
I had a chance to meet Helga recently at the Servas Conference that I covered in Vancouver. Once you read Helga’s story you’ll realize why she has been included in a recent book called “Women Who Rock”, featuring the stories of women who have made outstanding contributions to business, sports or community endeavours.
Originally from East Germany, Helga escaped to the West in 1963 and came to New York City a few years later. Without much help, she raised three children, completed a university degree and successfully established herself in the United States.
Helga has volunteered for a variety of non-profit organizations, inspired others to get active by running marathon races and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds to help African women start their own small businesses. Here is Helga’s fascinating story:
1. Please tell us about your background. Where are you from, where did you grow up?
I grew up in a country that does not exist anymore, East Germany. Life was not much fun after WWII and it did not improve when the communists took over in 1948. Since I lived close to West Berlin, there was the constant reminder that life can be different. In those of us, who were not willing to resign ourselves to the limitations of the communist regime, it fostered a rebellion and the urge to throw off the chains.
2. You left East Germany in 1963, 2 years after the Berlin Wall was erected. Please tell us about your escape from East Germany.
When the Wall was built it became nearly impossible to leave the country. If caught, the penalty for escaping from East Germany at the time was 6 years in prison. But I was single with no binding obligations, so I was willing to take a chance. I scouted out several possibilities and finally got onto a train which passed locked thru East Germany, stopped in East Berlin to let on foreigners and went to West Berlin before being locked again for the second passage thru East Germany to West Germany. I hid in the train and saw the border police passing by inches away from me. Destiny must have been on my side because the police did not detect me and I made it to West Berlin.
The beginning in West Berlin was not easy since I had nothing, knew nobody and the official help offered was barely enough to get one outfit to go on a job search. Well, I did get a job, found an apartment and basically was on my way.
3. A few years after you left East Germany you came to the United States, to New York City. Please tell us about the first few years in the United States.
Now that I was free to make my own decisions, the opportunity arose to come to the United States. The fact that I did not speak any English did not deter me. Indeed, it did make it a bit more difficult, but challenges are there to make us grow.
I took a job as a domestic, learned English as quickly as I could, made friends and a year later started working in an office. Soon after, I married an American and we had three children during the next five years. By that time my husband decided he did not want a family after all and I was single again. Life became challenging once more. To feed the children, I had to go on welfare for a while. But I also attended school, and as soon as I had an associate degree I started to work again. This time I took a job at a major financial institution and stayed with them for more than 20 years in a variety of positions. Along the way I acquired specialized computer skills that allowed me to support my children thru college. My daughter graduated from Harvard Law School and works for International Development. My son attended Fordham University and lives in New York with his Ecuadorian wife. Both of them are recognized and respected graffiti artists, famous for murals in their neighborhood, the City and around the world.
4. How and when did you hear about Servas? What countries have you traveled to through Servas? How many people from what countries have you hosted? In your opinion, what is special about traveling through Servas?
My children were still teenagers when on a Sunday afternoon hike I met a “little old lady traveling with a knapsack”* who told me about Servas. It sounded interesting, but I did not have the time or money to travel myself, so I decided to become a host and let travelers come to me. Several years later, having hosted dozens of people from many different countries, I became really eager to travel myself.
If it had not been for Servas, I do not know whether I ever would have had the courage to visit other countries on my own. But once I started, it quickly became a fascination and my urge to travel was dampened only by financial constraints and the brief annual vacation employees receive in the US. During the 20 years I have been a Servas member I have hosted hundreds of people and traveled to more than 50 countries, visiting Servas people whenever possible.
There are 15000 Servas hosts in 135 countries, and even though it may not always be feasible to stay with them or they may not be available at the time, every visit is enriching in some way. Every traveler coming into my home has something special about him or her and I will always make an effort to have a meaningful encounter.
Vice versa, when I visit people in other countries, I like to find out what their life is like, what are their concerns, what do we have in common and how can we relate and help each other. In doing so, I believe that we are fostering understanding and tolerance. Often we are inspired and motivated to take actions in peace building on the grassroots level. A network of Servas members worldwide helps in that effort.
* (Sandy Cherry was listed in the host list with that quote. She lived in California, and I met her years later at one of our national Servas meetings in Boston.)
5. Please tell us about your 3 favorite or most memorable hosting experiences with Servas.
One of my earliest encounters began in California where I met a lovely young woman from Australia who was somewhat reluctant to come to 1980s crime-ridden New York, or so it was perceived as in those days. I encouraged her to visit me and of course she loved it. Short after, she wrote to me that her parents also wanted to come to New York and asked to find a place for them to stay. Naturally I invited them into my home, even though they were not with Servas. They were in the States for the first time and instead of doing the usual sightseeing in New York, they visited a relative of a friend of theirs in the hospital, because he had nobody else who cared about him. I was very impressed by their humanitarian action and selflessness.
During the first year as a host I was not sure of what precisely hosting entailed. An elderly gentleman came to visit who had just discovered Servas and thought it was a marvelous invention. He obviously had his own agenda that had nothing to do with the Servas spirit. After smoking up my apartment for three days, I asked him whether he was going to stay with anyone else in New York. His answer was, that he liked it here and that he felt just like at home. I did not have the courage to tell him it was time to leave and he stayed another three days.
For the Millennium Forum in 2000, Servas hosts in New York were asked to volunteer hosting UN delegates of NGOs who often do not receive enough funding. I was privileged to host Muborak Sharipova from Tajikistan who knew nothing about Servas. As a sociologist, Muborak had lived the Servas spirit all her life, becoming a member of Servas was just a logical extension of what she was doing all along. We now have a close relationship and I am happy to help her in more ways than one whenever she comes to New York.
The full interview with photos is published at Travel and Transitions – Interviews
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.
Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.
“Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons”.
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Driving in Oaxaca, Mexico
at 9:43 pm on Sunday, 28 December 2008
RULES OF THE ROAD IN OAXACA
Give one example of an oxymoron. You guessed it. But just when you think you’re comfortable driving in this city, apparently without hardfast or enforced regulations, there you are, transito (a traffic cop) waving you over, giving you a ticket, removing your license plate or towing your vehicle. Watching and learning what other drivers do does not provide any comfort or assurance that you won’t end up paying a fine, perhaps with your car having vanished, or being honked at by other motorists. All I can do is offer some understanding and explanation, and the rest is up to you.
Let’s start with the premise that this particular local government employee isn’t paid all that well, and therefore has limited “resources,” in the multiple sense of the word. I’ve been told he earns about 6,000 pesos per month, and also that he earns about 2,000 pesos per month and therefore relies on making his wages “on the street.” Keep this is mind, or search for your own statistics. One thing for sure is that he probably earns less than the average Oaxacan (about 65,000 pesos annually according to most recent statistics)…not like the law enforcement officers we know who retire in their fifties with good pensions to then start a second career in the security field.
I’m convinced that no one knows the traffic laws and that whatever is being enforced is done so haphazardly or on a whim. The point is that even when you think you’re doing the right thing or know the law, you may still be pulled over, fined or bear the wrath of irate motorists. What follows is a smattering of assistance for would-be Oaxacan drivers, constituting acceptable driving practices, not necessarily the law…nor what will keep you out of trouble. But over the past fifteen years I’ve only been pulled over three times…once for a u-turn in a major intersection, another time for driving without plates, and recently for simply not knowing what to do in the middle of a weird-looking intersection with even stranger traffic signals (to date not a single fine).
Keep in mind that frequently lanes aren’t clearly or at all marked, and lights aren’t always working, at least for one direction of traffic. When you see two or more transito directing in an intersection, do not assume that they’re working in unison. I recently saw one officer clipping his fingernails while apparently directing traffic.
WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY?
Many intersections don’t have yield or stop signs, or lights. Most up and down big streets have the right of way, as do most major cross streets, but it’s a matter of learning over time which street is which, what constitutes a big or major one, and even once you’ve done so, being cautious upon entering every intersection because you don’t know if the other guy knows. At traffic lights, green has the right of way, but not immediately. You’re probably accustomed to driving in a jurisdiction where there’s a delay of a second or two between the other driver getting the red, and you getting the green. No so in Oaxaca. Before proceeding, edge out carefully to see how many drivers will be speeding through the red. They say that semforos (traffic lights) are suggestive only, so at times there will be drivers stopping and then proceeding through a red. Though illegal, this is not an uncommon or unaccepted practice…it just happens, and I bet those going through reds in this context get into less accidents than drivers proceeding immediately upon seeing a green, or those going through unmarked intersections.
TURNING
You’re not supposed to turn right on a red after stopping if it’s safe to do so, unless there’s a sign with an arrow. Breach this one and you’ll be honked at more than for going through a red! Sometimes right lanes are reserved for right turns only, so watch for them, or understand why the guy behind you is honking when you obey the red light…there’s probably a green arrow somewhere telling you to turn right. The car on your left might also want to turn right. Regarding left turns, the same holds true. But more often there will be two or three lanes of traffic wanting to turn left, including you…but before making your left turn, ensure the driver to your left also plans to turn left, and not go straight. Buses seem to be allowed to turn whichever way they want from whichever lane they’re in, and because they’re bigger than you, be careful, if you can see them through their exhaust. Unless you plan to turn, the safest place to be and to avoid angry motorists is the middle lanes. On occasion you might even happen upon a far right lane reserved for left hand turns! But wait. Beginning in May, 2006, road “improvements” on the main east-west thoroughfare in the city, Nios Héroes de Chapltepec, started to reach completion. Instead of there being the usual left hand turn lanes, we now have, a block before an intersection, traffic signals directing you to veer to the far left hand side of the roadway, cutting across oncoming traffic lanes. Then, when you reach the intersection where you want to turn left, there are additional traffic lights. It’s hard to explain the concept, the chaos and the danger to both drivers and pedestrians. Think of it as driving along a North American roadway, and then all of a sudden you have to become a British driver, but just for a block and a turn. The government has placed officers at these new intersections to familiarize drivers with these new lanes, which is admirable…but when these instructors of insanity are gone, after the powers who be decide that Oaxacans are now familiar with the grid pattern, what happens to non-Oaxacan drivers, such as tourists. Will Hertz then double its insurance premiums?
PARKING
You’ll learn to double park, even though you loathe those who do so and create the traffic backlogs. Sometimes tranisto blows his whistle, sometimes he starts giving you a ticket, or removing your plate, and sometimes he does nothing. Pick your spots, keep a passenger in your car who knows where to find you, and be quick. The vehicle you’re blocking will on balance be patient, since the driver was probably double parking an hour earlier. When parking close to a corner, the key is to do so on a street where cars can only turn in the other direction so there’s no chance of you getting clipped. You’re not supposed to do it, but most often it’s overlooked. However, if you’re close to the corner of a street onto which bus traffic turns, watch out because the bus won’t be able to make the turn, and transito will do whatever he can to remove your vehicle. Don’t worry much about barely making it into a parking spot, because Oaxacans seem to have a knack for getting out of small spaces. Watch for driveways since sometimes they’re pretty hard to see. In parking lots, take note of early closing hours.
SPEEDING
I don’t know the city speed limits, nor do the vast majority of Oaxacans. Topes (speed bumps) will dictate your speed, as will the driver behind you. Regarding the former, sometimes they’re marked and sometimes they’re not. Notice the number of repairshops for tires and springs, and signs for alignment and balancing. Attack the topes slowly, and if possible on an angle. Highways often have speed limits marked, but gauge your speed as you would in the city. While the toll-road warns of radar in operation, the only place I’ve ever seen it is on the road from Acapulco to Mexico City. However, you can be pulled over without radar, the fine is very stiff, you’d better have cash on hand, and recall that there’s no presumption of innocence.
AND REMEMBER
In Oaxaca to get a drivers’ license there is no road test or eye exam. You either take a written test or pay someone a bit of money as a bribe, a very common practice.
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Alvin Starkman, M.A., LL.B., is a resident of Oaxaca, Mexico, and together with wife Arlene operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast, a unique bed and breakfast experience in the heart of Southern Mexico. Mr. Starkman received his Masters degree in Social Anthropology from York University in Toronto in 1978, taught for a few years, and subsequently began attending Osgoode Hall Law School, becoming licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986. Until 2004 he was a partner at Banks & Starkman, Barristers & Solicitors, specializing in family law, with employment law, personal injuries and commercial litigation rounding out his practice. While a frequent traveler to Oaxaca since 1991, it was not until he ceased practicing law that he took up permanent residence in the state capital. In his spare time Mr. Starkman takes small groups of up to 4 people to tour the craft villages, towns on their market days, ruins and other sites depending on his clients’ specific interests; writes restaurant reviews and articles about life and the rich multiplicity of cultural traditions in O |
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Dubai Hotels
at 8:51 pm on Sunday, 28 December 2008
Dubai is a perfect destination for family holidaying. The city hosts the world’s richest horse race, million dollar lotteries, international tennis, golf tournaments and month-long shopping festivals. It sports the world’s tallest and most lavish hotel – the Burj Al Arab, shaped like a billowing sail – perched on an artificial platform in the sea. Some the places noteworthy to mention are Creekside park, the Bird sanctuary, Wild Wadi Water park, an indoor ski resort, and The Gold Souk.
Here is a slew of other places and sites to see: Mina A’ Salam at Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, The Fairmont Dubai, Grosvenor House Dubai, Ritz-Carlton Dubai, Hilton Dubai Creek, Shangri – La Hotel, Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Le Meridien Dubai, Hatta Fort Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, JW Marriott Hotel Dubai, Traders Hotel Dubai, Sheraton Jumeira Beach Resort and Towers, InterContinental Dubai, Towers Rotana Hotel Dubai, Dusit Dubai, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Sofitel Dubai City Centre, Sheraton Deira Hotel and Towers, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, Hyatt Regency Dubai, Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai, Ibis World Trade Centre Dubai, Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien, Movenpick Hotel Bur Dubai, Taj Palace Hotel, Le Meridien Fairway, Coral Oriental Dubai, Capitol Hotel, Four Points Bur Dubai, Jumeira Rotana Hotel, Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Concorde Hotel & Residence, Le Meridien Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments, Palm Tree Court & Spa, Pearl Residence, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, Regent Beach Resort Dubai, Regent Palace Hotel, Park Hyatt Dubai, Chelsea Tower, Orchid Hotel.
There are about 18 four and five star hotels around Jumeirah. A room costs between $100 and $1500. Near Dubai airport, there are three to five star hotels with room charges around $90 to $300. Bur Dubai has 28 hotels of two to five stars. Cost per room is between $77 and $640. Deira has more two to five star hotels with rooms costing between $70 and $225. Dubai Desert has two five star hotels with room rent costing around $200.
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Dubai provides detailed information on Dubai, Dubai Hotels, Cheap Flights Dubai, Dubai Jobs and more. Dubai is affiliated with Egypt Travels. |
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Country Breaks – A Relaxing Alternative.
at 2:39 am on Saturday, 27 December 2008
For many the end of the summer period and beginning of autumn is the perfect time to start thinking of a short break before the long winter months settle in. With the main summer holidays of June and July seeming like a distant memory the need to recharge the batteries can lead to many of us exploring the various short vacation options available to them. To many the term “short break” is synonymous with “city break”. Be it going to a show in London or sampling the nightlife in European cities such as Prague, Amsterdam and Barcelona – the options with city breaks are almost endless. However, perhaps the one downside is that short holidays in a city can often lead to you being more exhausted than when you set out for your break in the first place…
During the summer months one of the main problems with city breaks can be the fact that all the local attractions can be packed to the rafters with tourists. Literally, bus loads of people descend on small areas like plagues of locust – meaning queuing becomes the order of the day. Another downside is undoubtedly the fact that major cities are expensive, which can leave you paying over the odds for inferior goods and services. Combining these problems with the organisation of flights, getting to and from airports, battling through traffic and navigating the local public transport – it quickly becomes easy to see why a city break can leave you somewhat less than refreshed.
It is perhaps due to these tiring schedules that more and more Briton’s are exploring the joys of a quiet rural retreat. Providing a wonderful contrast to the hustle of the city, country breaks allow you to set your own pace enjoying the stunning landscapes, quaint villages and excellent hotels that the UK has to offer. Whether you fancy a visit to historic buildings, walking in glorious gardens or perhaps a winding cycle through the countryside, one thing you are always guaranteed is to return back to work well rested and full of vigour.
One of the advantages of living in a relatively small country such as the UK is that you are never too far away from the countryside. Even residents in major cities such as Manchester and Glasgow can find themselves in fantastic locations such as Loch Lomand or The Peak District in under an hour. Despite the UK being such an urbanised nation there is an abundance of top quality and unspoilt rural areas that provide excellent destinations for country breaks.
One such area is the Lake District, which is located in the North West of England and is officially the countries largest national park. Seen by many as the quintessential country retreat, the area gets its name from the large amount of stunning lakes that fill the area and provide a stunning foreground to the majestic mountain landscape. Perhaps as a result of the national park status the area was granted in 1951, the Lake District has maintained much of its traditional charm of small towns, welcoming inns, sumptuous bakeries and quaint craft shops. It is this preservation of times gone past that has ensure that the pace of life is slow – making it an ideal getaway for those looking to unwind. For further details on the area and the multitude of activities that it has to offer try visiting http://www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk.
On the eastern side of northern England, rural Yorkshire has always been a popular retreat for those looking to escape to the solitude of the rolling hills and moors. Television shows such as “Heartbeat” and “All Creatures Great and Small” have ensured the area has grown in popularity with those seeking the quiet life. The Yorkshire Dales – a national park since 1954 – is famous for it lush green valleys and limestone rock formations, which provide excellent backdrops for relaxing country walks. The area really is a haven of unspoilt beauty and a visit can almost feel like a step back in time. The informative website http://www.yorkshire-dales.com has an array of information regarding things to do and see in the area and the Yorkshire based short break specialist http://www.superbreak.com has various hotel deals in the area.
Finally, the Scottish Highlands is renowned the world over for its breathtaking scenery. This is perhaps most evident in the North West Highland region of Assynt which boasts some of the most rugged and dramatic landscapes in the British Isles. The unique combination of ancient mountain landscape, vast moorlands, spectacular cliffs and utter solitude proves a powerful magnet to many seeking the ultimate in rural escape. Unfortunately, the remoteness of Assynt make it perhaps not ideal for 2-3 day breaks but areas such as Aviemore in the Southern Highlands offer a more practical solution to those wanting to venture into the highlands for a country break.
At the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, Aviemore is a mecca for hill walkers as well as being a truly beautiful place that is fully accessible by road or rail. With an abundance of quality hotel accommodation the area can be visited at any time of the year – indeed the winter is usually the most busy time to visit due to the flourishing ski industry in the Cairngorm Mountain Range. For further, details on short breaks in the area http://www.visitaviemore.com has all the information you will require.
Overall, a quiet break in the country can be an excellent, cost effective way to relax for 2-3 days. The UK is spoilt for choice in terms of possible destinations – maybe its time you woke up and smelt the fresh air?
About the Author
Robin Richmond is a freelance travel writer and webmaster of http://www.travel-tips.co.uk
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What’s the oldest bar in Paris?
at 10:38 pm on Friday, 26 December 2008
French people love drinking and eating out. Paris overflows with bars, wine bars, cafés, bistros and restaurants. Tons of fun. But which and where is the oldest one?
Let’s begin by wandering down rue Mazarine from the Odéon square. Bingo? We almost immediately come on Le Procope, where a plaque affirms it is “the oldest café in the world”.
It opened in 1686, mainly to offer coffee. This beverage’s fashion had been recently imported from Austria – the Viennese got their caffeine zonks from the Turks during a lull in the Ottoman siege of their city ca. 1623.
Voltaire and… God
The Café Procope was an early favorite rendez-vous of actors from the Comédie Franaise – the national theatrical company, then situated nearby- and later, during the turbulent pre-Revolutionary mid-18th century, of Encylopaedists (such as Diderot and D’Alembert) and other non-conformist thinkers, who had – this was still during the reign of Louis XV – to be careful with what they spouted in public.
Voltaire recounts that one day, he and a host of like-minded philosophers wanted to discuss a very thorny issue around a cup of coffee at Le Procope: does God exist? They coded “God” into Monsieur Néant (“Mister Nothing) and the wrangling went on for several hours. At a nearby table sat a gentleman who had time to read his newspaper several times over. Then, out of patience, he stood up and came over to the philosophers. “Excuse me, Messieurs, you have been discussing Monsieur Néant. Could you please relieve my curiosity and tell me who he is?” According to Voltaire, the answer was shot back with no delay: “Yes, of course! He is a police spy – DO YOU KNOW HIM?”
There is a problem with the Le Procope’s claim, however. The owner, Mr. Procope, born in Palermo under the name Procoppio dei Cotelli, had already worked as a waiter at another Parisian café before launching his own! The “first in the world”? Sorry… Unless we’re talking about the earliest still extant.
But then there are other candidates.
Treasures of Paris islands
Another site to visit is Ile St-Louis, an island on the river Seine, which was built basically between 1613 and 1700.
Our first find is Les Anysetiers du Roy (The King’s aniseed liqueur makers), a restaurant located at No. 61 rue St- Louis-en-l’Isle. Our second find is Le Franc-Pinot, a well- known jazz club located at No. 1 Quai de Bourbon.
Both are indeed Procope contemporaries, and have been serving eats and drinks since they were founded in the 17th century.
A thought nags the tavern researcher, however: none before the 17th century??? Impossible!!
Fifteenth century poet Franois Villon did indeed dedicate “tout aux tavernes et aux filles” (“everything to taverns and girls.”). And a listing of taverners dating from 1457 A.D. counts some 200 full-time professionals and another hundred occasionals.
A famous tavern of the time was the Pomme de Pin (Pinecone), on Ile de la Cité (the second island in the center of Paris). It survived until the mid-1800s when Paris Prefect Haussmann razed it to make more room for the Htel Dieu hospital adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral (see: http://www.paris-eiffel-tower-news.com/paris-stories/paris- story-hotel-dieu-hospital-htm)
Remnants of the 19th Century
Hmm… Ancient Ile de la Cité looks a good place for more fieldwork.
Systematic research reveals that today’s taverns around Notre Dame all date from the 19th century period of Haussmann’s urban cleanup.
Ah, but wait. Let’s take a look down an authentically quaint sidestreet on Ile de la Cité, rue de la Colombe (The Dove street).
We come at No. 4 upon the Réserve de Quasimodo, a wineshop- cum-eatery located in the old building already described in my piece titled “What And Where Is The Oldest House in Paris?”(see: http://www.paris-eiffel-tower-news.com/paris-stories/paris- story-oldest-house.htm )
The Réserve de Quasimodo pretty much ignores (although not scorning) the tourist hordes around nearby Notre Dame Cathedral. Noon and night it serves scrumptious and affordable traditional French fares, accompanied by vintner- supplied wines. It offers regular evening supper shows enlivened by oral culture (“Old Paris Stories”, “Tales from Brittany”), magicians, a “pocket theater” group, etc. Prior to that, in 1950, it was bought by Austro-American illustrator Ludwig Bemelmens, best known for his cartoons in The New Yorker and his Madeline children’s album series.
A photo from 1869 proves the place was then a wine-bar and wineshop.
A Foiled Suicide
Skipping back a century-and-a-half from then, right around 1719, we come to a legend about Cartouche, whose hangout here was the St Nicolas Tavern, a predecessor of today’s Réserve de Quasimodo. Cartouche was the ring-leader of a pickpocket gang – that’s documented, since he was executed in 1721.
The legend: Cartouche and gang were “working” the popular and crowded Pont-Neuf bridge one day in 1719, when all of a sudden a well-dressed gentleman leapt up onto the Bridge’s parapet. “Hang on, there, Sir,” Cartouche is said to have shouted, pulling the fellow back down from a clear suicide attempt. “What’s this all about?” The gentleman’s response: “I’m an honest man, indeed an honorable man, and /sniff/ I owe several people much money that I’ll never be able to reimburse…The only honorable way out is to jump into the Seine.” Cartouche: “Now, now, you just give me a list of your creditors and the sums due.” The “gentleman bandit” invited said creditors to the St Nicholas Tavern at No. 4 rue de la Colombe, wined and dined them abundantly, paid off the suicide candidate’s debts (obtaining receipts, of course) and ordered more and more wine. Then he pulled out his pocket watch, said “Sorry, gentlemen, I’ve got an appointment”, and disappeared. More librations ensued among the creditors, only too pleased to celebrate their unexpected windfall. When they staggered out onto rue de la Colombe, guess who was awaiting them. Yes, indeed: Cartouche’s gang, who quickly divested them of the debt reimbursements.
And The Winner Is….
The St. Nicholas Tavern itself pre-dates Le Procope by a wide margin.
The tavern got its name from the patron saint to whom local clergymen had erected a statue in replacement of an earlier pagan statue nicknamed (The Man with Doves).
The statue of St. Nicholas was torn down in 1792 during the French revolution. It used to be affixed above the door of No. 4 rue de la Colombe.
The tavern itself is attested here in… 1240.
We got our winner.
(article written in collaboration with Arthur Gillette)
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Philippine Travel: Cebu
at 11:57 am on Thursday, 25 December 2008
A highly urbanized and modern city which serves as the hub of growth and development in Southern Philippines, Cebu is a tropical paradise and business haven in one. Aside from beautiful beaches and all year round tropical climate, luxuriant accommodations, native and world class cuisines and vibrant nightlife all fill Cebu’s repertoire.
Today, Cebu is a 33,000-hectare metropolis of three cities and six municipalities. Its population of around one million is a mix of Filipinos with Chinese, with American and European influences. The main dialect is Cebuano or Bisaya, however English and Tagalog are widely spoken and understood.
The recently-expanded and modernized Mactan International Airport services flights from all over the world, preserving its role as the crossroads of international trade in the southern Philippines.
If you plan to visit Cebu it is best to do so between December and May when the weather turns dry. It is coolest from December to February and hottest from March to May. It starts to get rainy in July – August. Daily flights to Cebu are available from Manila to the Mactan International Airport.
Often called the “Queen City of the South” and the “Seat of Christianity in the Philippines”, Cebu is the country’s oldest city. Ferdinand Magellan first planted the cross on her shores. A rich historic past is evident all around the island, and her people are very proud of their heritage.
Mainland Cebu is made up of five cities; Cebu, Danao, Lapulapu Mandaue and Toledo and 48 smaller towns. 167 islets and islands surround the city, most of which have fine white sand and clear blue waters. These islands are a popular destination for divers from experienced, to first-timers.
Cebu nowadays is comparable to Manila, except probably for the cheap food and the famous cebu lechon, as well as shopping at bargain prices all year round.
Places to Stay:
Alegre Beach Resort
Calumboyan, Sagod, Cebu
(032)2549800 / (032)2556388
White sand coves, restaurant and bar, conference facilities, tennis court and aqua sports facilities
Badian Island Beach Hotel
Badian Island, Badian, Cebu
(032)2536452
Seaquest Dive Center
Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, Cebu
(032)3469629
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Stay Healthy When You Travel
at 1:02 am on Thursday, 25 December 2008
The concept of budget adventure travel includes a lot of wonderful experiences, but one adventure you definitely do not want to have when you travel is getting sick. Not only are you far from your family doctor or your mother’s trusty chicken soup recipe; the very fact that you are in a foreign locale exposes you to allergies, germs, food and water you have no immunity to.
Here are a few health tips to either help you avoid sickness or help you cope with it once it befalls you:
–Wash your hands repeatedly throughout the day. This is the same advice you get at home during the winter flu season for good reason. Most germs are spread by contact; so the more often you wash your hands the less contact you will have.
–Get your immunization shots before you leave. Find out from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta what shots are recommended for traveling in what country.
–Get in shape before your trip. Start walking several weeks before your vacation. If your trip will involve just average sightseeing, your objective should be to be able to walk 3 to 5 miles without undue exhaustion. Face it; vacationing involves more walking than you ordinarily do at home, so build your fitness level so you can tolerate the increased activity.
–Treat cuts and sores immediately. Remember you are exposed to germs and conditions unlike what your body is used to at home.
–Don’t drink the local water unless you are absolutely sure it is safe to drink. Even in advanced societies, the water is just different from what your body is used to. Fortunately, bottled water is much more common around the world than it was just a few years ago. Stock up.
–Maintain high levels of cleanliness. Taking frequent showers and changing into clean clothing not only feels good, it is good for you. This is especially true in hotter climates.
–Bring along vitamins, bottled water and peanut butter. The first two are self explanatory, the latter is a tip passed onto me by a well-traveled missionary who spent a lot of time in really (I mean REALLY) out of the way places. He found that every place had some sort of bread he could eat along with peanut butter if he just couldn’t eat most of the local food. He also recommended bringing a good supply of toilet paper, but I am presuming you aren’t going into places so remote that will be a necessity.
–Carry medical identification if you have allergies or reoccurring ailments.
–Protect yourself from biting insects. This is especially true in tropical climates. Not only should you bring insect repellent, be sure to take practical precautions like avoiding stagnant water, wear long sleeve shirts and tuck pants legs into socks if you are going into a place where biting insects are a particularly bad problem.
–Keep well rested. This is often very hard to do on a vacation you are paying good money for, but it will save you all kinds of problems later. Rest up from initial jet lag and take naps if you are staying out late at night. Your body can endure a lot if it has enough rest.
–Bring along a basic first aid kit and common over the counter medicines. There is always a good chance of getting a headache, indigestion, athlete’s foot etc. So be prepared.
COPYRIGHT © 2006, Charles Brown All Rights Reserved
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Group Travel- A Comprehensive Online Travel Resource
at 3:34 pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Grouptraveldirectory.com is the best travel resource online. It’s a vital key to attainment of your desired destinations, quickly and easily. Grouptraveldirectory.com is a unique online travel portal that caters to more than 50,000 group travel planners from the multi-hued kaleidoscope of life organizing group travel tours, family reunions, student tours and sporting events.
This online travel resource provides requisite data, bequeaths links to group travel and tour packages, online cruise booking and lodging information, trip management aid and also valuable paraphernalia required for travel planners.
Group travel is an ideal mode to hook up directly with group-friendly travel companies. This can be done by using our uncomplicated database which provides quick and easy resources for the group travel.
For more information visit GroupTravel Directory
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