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By Glenn Rigby

Chile is a country in South America, and is made up of mountains, volcanoes, lakes, fjords, inlets, peninsulas, and desert. Chile also controls the world-famous Easter Island! Santiago is Chile’s national capital and largest city, located in the country’s central valley.

There are many great things to do and see in Santiago, and I will highlight a few of these:

* Mercado Central
Santiago's colorful Mercado Central, housed in an 1872 wrought iron structure, has a fruit and vegetable market as well as a buzzing fish market where an assortment of glistening fish is packed onto the tables. Mussels, oysters and clams sit in buckets among an unidentifiable variety of crustaceans and tentacled creatures. The fishmongers demonstrate their skill at gutting and filleting amid a cacophony of frenzied buying. The best time to visit is at lunchtime when a delicious sampling of the wares can be enjoyed in the happily chaotic atmosphere of the central hall.

* Cerro San Cristobal
Cerro San Cristóbal is a 2,752ft (860m) hill jutting out of the city and on a clear day affords magnificent views of the surrounds and across to the Andes. The easiest way to the top is by funicular, but there is also a teleférico (cable car), bus or a path leading up from the bottom through the forested slopes. There are many walkways and at the summit is the 70ft (22m) high statue of the Virgin Mary to mark where the Pope held a mass in 1987. There is also a small zoo, picnic sites and an outdoor swimming pool. The cerro is situated within the Santiago's biggest open space, Parque Metropolitano, and is a peaceful place, an escape from the never-ending noise of traffic in the city below.

* Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art
Spanning 4,500 years and about 80 pre-Colombian civilizations of South America the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art) is a fascinating place to spend a few hours. Located in the old Royal Customs House, the exhibit displays are well lit and beautifully arranged throughout four rooms set around a central courtyard. The collection provides an informative insight into the cultures of the Incas, Mayans, Aztecs and other once proud civilizations of the continent, illustrating their artistic diversity.

« Traveling in Morelia | Main | UAE-Oman Border Conflict »

By Kayla Allen

The United States isn't the only country in the world with tumultuous elections. While the Democrats and Republicans were going at it in the US, Venezuelans braced themselves for their presidential elections, which promised to be eventful.

On Saturday, November 25th hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans showed their support for the leading presidential challenger, Manuel Rosales, stopping traffic on a main highway in the capital and vowing to vote the current president, Hugo Chavez out of office on December 3rd.

The crowd marched from different locations and converged on a highway shouting, "Dare to change!" and waiving their national flag. After reaching their destinations they continued their protest by dancing to Venezuelan folk music and chanting slogans against current president, Hugo Chavez. The size of the protest only furthered the belief that the election was going to be a tight one.

Divided along class lines, Venezuela has become increasingly polarized, with the wealthy backing incumbent, Rosales, the poor backing Chavez and the middle class being pulled in both directions. Rosales has warned that voting for Chavez again would be tantamount to voting for totalitarian government patterned after Castro's Cuba while Chavez has called Rosales a flunky of the US Empire.

Fraud had been a key topic for each candidate both making statements warning against the possibility with Chavez even threatening to shut down a couple local TV stations who he believed would try to sway the vote by reporting false polling results.

The loyalty of both candidates' followers had Venezuelans stocking up on necessities, fearful that the election’s outcome might prompt street protests and violence.

In the end Chavez's loyal followers, those who have benefited from his policies favoring the poor, like turning Venezuela's oil (5th producer in the world) into education, healthcare and subsidized food and housing, outnumbered Rosales' supporters.

While there was much name-calling, fear and more than 125,000 soldiers and reservists deployed to safeguard the balloting, the violence that some feared never materialized.

With his victory Chavez took another opportunity to promise Venezuela an egalitarian society, extol socialism as "love" and to call his victory a blow against the devil, George Bush. These kinds of speeches are what have many fearing that even with all of Chavez's social reform that what he will succeed most in doing is dividing his own country even further.

« Travel in Mexico | Main | Travel to Honduras »

Falamos a mesma língua? By Alexa Boyce

Many people wonder what the difference is between learning Spanish in Latin America vs. learning it in Spain. The answer is: there isn't one, except a few slang words and general accent differences.

Perhaps the more interesting question is: what is the difference between Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese? When I was in Spain studying Spanish, one of my classmates was a Brazilian named Roberta who claimed she could not understand a word of European Portuguese. In fact, very few people who attempt translation between the two are able to avoid even the most basic mistakes. Despite obvious similarities in grammar and vocabulary, most native speakers of one branch will need some formal study in order to understand the other. "The two languages are not mutually intelligible to any practical extent," states Wikipedia.

In my experience, those who speak Spanish and Italian have an easier time understanding each other than those who speak different forms of Portuguese. Roberta recalled for me once a story that she was speaking with some Euopean Portuguese and attempted to relate that she had to call her mother. Unfortunately for her, the Brazilian Portuguese word for "to call" translated closer to "to have intercourse with". Needless to say, that caused a slightly awkward moment.

Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language in the world, and is a major or official language in at least 20 countries. Portuguese is officially spoken in Portugal and Brazil, obviously, as well as in African countries such as Mozambique, Angola, Sao Tome e Principe and Guinea- Bassau. It is also the co-official language (along with Chinese) in SAR in Macau and Tetum in East Timor in Southeast Asia. With the exception of Brazil, they all speak European Portuguese.

According to Wikipedia, "Within the two major varieties of Portuguese, most differences between dialects concern pronunciation and vocabulary." Below are some examples:

Words for bus
Angola & Mozambique: machimbombo
Brazil: ônibus
Portugal: autocarro

Slang terms for to go away
Angola: bazar - from Kimbundu kubaza - to break, leave with rush
Brazil: vazar - from Portuguese "to leak"
Portugal: bazar - from Kimbundu kubaza - to break, leave with rush

Words for slum quarter
Angola: musseque
Brazil: favela
Portugal: bairro de lata or ilha.

This page is a very informative and comprehensive site for more information, dictionaries and translation services.

« Alone in Mexico | Main | Medical Spanish »

By Connie Marianacci

After all the terrorist attacks and threats, going to the airport has become a complete hassle. You are even advised to arrive to the airport 3 hours earlier than your flight if you are traveling international!

Moreover, where do we stand? May you take liquids on board? May you bring your contact lens solution? Toothpaste anyone?

For now, you can bring toiletry type items from home - they must be 3oz or less (travel size, basically) and fit in a single, quart size ziplock bag which you take out of your luggage and put in one of those bins through security, much like you already do with a laptop.
You can bring on other items, including beverages if you buy them after security. And yes, this means you have to pay $4 for a bottle of water but can bring your fancy moisturizer from home.

Additional information:
Current TSA situation

How to pack

« My First Experience in Morelia | Main | Great Resources »

– The Galapagos Islands - By Kayla Allen

There are many places in the world that I would love to have the opportunity to visit. Few however that I have dreamed of going to from the moment I first learned of their existence as a child. The Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador may be the one and only place in the world that makes it onto that list for me. For a small group of islands they held so much mystery and wonder for me when I was young and continue to even to this day.

I'm not alone in holding them in such high regard. Their relative seclusion and therefore great number of species found nowhere else on the planet made them perfect for Darwin to develop and research his theory of evolution. In 1959 the 97.5% of the Galapagos Islands were declared a national park and therefore protected as such.

With such a closed ecosystem it is one of the easiest places on earth to see cause and effect. Before the islands were protected as a national park, their beauty drew many colonists whose effects on species population and the island's flora and fauna is still evident today. Even before the colonists whalers and pirates had their indelible effect on the islands, depleting its number of tortoise (where the islands get their name), in some cases to extinction and also hunting the endemic fur seal to the brink of extinction.

The Galapagos Islands are now a thriving eco-tourists' dream. Fortunately measures have been taken to limit the effect of its visitors on the ecosystem. While there are some hotels located on the islands the majority of its visitors stay in ships docked on its parameters coming in for day trips and returning to their ships for meals and to retire for the evening. As the surrounding waters are also protected a good many of the tourist ships are sailboats, which, powered by wind also help to limit the mark tourism has on the islands. Eating meals aboard also provides a buffer on foodstuffs not native to the islands being fed to its wildlife. There is also a list of banned items and substances that no visitor can bring to the islands.

Some of the endemic wildlife the Galapagos has to offer:

The Galapagos Tortoise
The island's namesake is the largest living tortoise and is endemic to nine islands of the Galapagos Islands. Adults can weigh over 661pounds and measure 8.24 feet long. Although the maximum life expectancy of a wild tortoise is unknown, the average life expectancy is estimated to be 150-200 years.

The Marine Iguana
The only sea-going lizard in the world, this reptile lives on rocky coasts feeding on seaweed and can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes.

The Blue-footed Booby
A long-winged seabird it’s an average 2.65ft long and weighs 3lbs, with the females slightly larger than the males. The name "booby" comes from the Spanish term bubi, which means "stupid fellow". The Blue-footed Booby was so dubbed because it clumsiness while on land.

« Acupuncture | Main | A Letter to My Parents »

By Alexa Boyce

As of July first, 2006, Tibet and Beijing are directly connected by train. The train begins its 4,060 km trip at the Beijing West station at 9:30 p.m. and finishes the 47 1/2 hour trip in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet at 8:58 p.m. on Monday. Chinese President Hu Jintao attended a launching ceremony in Golmud for the landmark Qinghai-Tibet Railway. This is the first time that Tibet will be linked with the rest of China by rail.

China has big plans for Tibet. The central government has already poured some $5 billion into everything from highways and power plants to sports stadiums in the region, and it expects to invest an additional $10 billion by 2007. The Chinese plan on dusting off this out of the way province and including it with the industrialization of the rest of China.

Tibet is a wonderful place to travel, if a little backwoods. With an average elevation of 4,900 meters, it is often referred to as 'The Roof of the World'. It’s English name is derived from the Turkic word Toban meaning ‘The Heights’. It is here that you can visit (or climb!) the infamous Mount Chomolangma, or Mount Everest in English, and many other breathtaking peaks dotted with charming villages and Buddhist monasteries.

Lhasa is Tibet's traditional capital and the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. Other cities in Historic Tibet include, in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), Shigatse (Gzhis-ka-rtse), Gyantse (Rgyal-rtse), Chamdo (Chab-mdo), Nagchu, Nyingchi (Nying-khri), Nedong (Sne-gdong), Barkam ('Bar-khams), Sakya (Sa-skya), Gartse (Dkar-mdzes), Pelbar (Dpal-'bar), and Tingri (Ding-ri); in Sichuan, Dartsendo (Dar-btsen-mdo); in Qinghai, Kyegundo (Skye-rgu-mdo) or Yushu (Yul-shul), Machen (Rma-chen), Lhatse (Lhar-tse), and Golmud (Na-gor-mo).

« High Maintenance | Main | Tibet and Beijing »

By Alexa Boyce

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that seeks to alleviate illness by inserting and manipulating needles into 'acupuncture points' on the body. This system stirs controversy over its efficacy in modern medicine, but it has been widely used throughout Asia for at least the last 5,000 years. Some scholars believe that Chinese acupuncture has been in use since the 1st millennium B.C.

Perhaps acupuncture has derived from traditional bloodletting as a form of medicine. The specific points and what they are used to treat varies, though this practice was regulated under Chairman Mao during the Cultural Revolution. This is known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Those acupuncturists who did not follow TCM because they used techniques passed through families or from master to apprentice were outlawed. Many of them emigrated to the United States, bringing with them the West’s first taste of traditional Chinese medicine.

The basic concept is that illness is a disruption in the homeostasis of "systems of function" in the body. These systems are often associated with, but not directly related to a specific organ. The belief is that this homeostasis can be restored by modifying the activities of the systems through needles, pressure and heat.

Acupuncture is called 'pseudoscience' by some, as the points used can vary, and often cannot be completely reconciled with current biomedical knowledge. Diagnoses in TCM are made by taking the left and right radial pulses at three levels of imposed pressure and analysis of the tongue coating, color and the absence or presence of teeth marks around the edge. Other forms of acupuncture employ additional diagnosic techniques. In many forms of classical Chinese acupuncture, as well as Japanese acupuncture, palpation of the muscles and the hara (abdomen) are central to diagnosis.

« Buenos Aires - First Impressions | Main | Buenos Aires - Continued »

By Alexa Boyce

There is usually a local dialect associated with each country or region, but that of Egypt is understood universally in the Arabic world. This is due to the large number of movies and television shows that are filmed in Cairo. In fact, Cairo boasts the third largest film industry aside from Hollywood here in the United States and Bollywood in India.

Some countries caught on more quickly than others to the advent of cinema in the early twentieth century. Egypt was one of those countries. By 1917 there were 80 movie theaters in the country. "Laila" by Stephen Rosti, widely considered to be the first 'Egyptian' film, was released in 1927. When sound was introduced in the 1930s, this new media really took off.

Today, there is an ongoing struggle between conservative Muslim censorship and the liberal media. This website has some really good articles on both the history and modern state of Egyptian cinema.

« Surf in France | Main | French Culture - Film Review »

By Alexa Boyce - Costa Rica is not only a great place to learn Spanish; it is also a great place to go experience eco-tourism and some of the most pristine nature scenes in the world. From the cloud forest to the palm-lined beaches, Costa Rica's national motto of 'Pura Vida' rings true. Over 25% of Costa Rica's geography is protected wildlife reserves. One of the most popular brands of eco-tourism in Costa Rica is birding, due to the wide variety of colorful native birds.

There are approximately 850 recorded species of birds in Costa Rica, which is one-tenth of the world's total. That's not bad for a country that is slightly smaller than West Virginia! Birding is so popular that people take guided tours for the sole purpose of viewing and possibly photographing these exotic birds. Fortunately for them, Costa Rican birds are not shy. You can expect to see many dozens of species on any given day. There are four major “avifaunal zones”: the northern Pacific lowlands, the southern Pacific lowlands, the Caribbean lowlands, and the interior highlands. The areas range from very dry in Guanacaste (northern Pacific lowlands) to one of the richest freshwater avifaunal ecosystems in Central America in the Tempisque Basin.

Amidst all the colorful and unique birds to be found, it is surprising to find that the national bird is the brown and grey yiquirro, a relatively uninteresting robin with red eyes.

« Travel Guatemala - Semana Santa Traditions | Main | Learn Italian through Italian Films »

By Alexa Boyce - Al Ain was designed as a garden oasis city, and therefore attracts thousands of tourists each year who are looking for resorts and hot springs spas. However, the city stages a wide variety of social, cultural and business events. The city is home to a number of leading academic and medical facilities, which makes it a focal point for educational, research and medical meetings and conferences. Al Ain is also a hub for sports excellence in the country, especially domestic and international events organized by Al Ain Sport Club. In addition, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) organizes annual sporting events, including the Al Ain dune driving competition and Al Ain Aerobatics Show featuring the FAI World Grand Prix. The latter attracts participants and tens of thousands of spectators who pour into the city to enjoy the dare devil acrobatics stunts. These and other activities organized by governmental authorities in Al Ain city, have helped position the city on the world tourism map. I recently came across a listing of fun events that are coming up in and around Al Ain, and I wanted to share them with you.

· Tall Al Ain - Al-Sad (April 19-20, 2006) Car and Motor Bike Championship that takes place on the dunes of Al Ain.
· Al Ain National Museum (All Dates) A must-see for tourists, different events going on all year round.
· Hili Fun City (All Dates) is the largest theme park in the Gulf Region and contains more than 40 rides and attractions.
· Al Ain Ice Rink
· Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium
· Heat 4 of the UAE International Class 111 6 liter Powerboat Championship (April 21, 2006) Venue: Mina Seyahi, Dubai.
· Middle East Aquaculture and Fishing Show (April 22-25th, 2006) Hall 8 (DWTC).
· GARDENEX: Middle East Flower and Garden Show (April 22-25, 2006) Venue: Dubai International Exhibition Center.
· Middle East Poultry Show (April 22-25,2006) Hall 8 (DWTC).
· “Maktoum Cup” Traditional Rowing Race (May 5th, 2006) Venue: Dubai Creek.
· Middle East Toy Fair (May 22-24, 2006) Showcase for toys, baby products, games, books & gifts. Venue: Halls 5 & 6 (DWTC)
· Dubai Summer Surprises (June 21-September 1, 2006) Fun family and children oriented events. Venue: All around Dubai.
· Halal Dubai 2006 (September 11-13, 2006) Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai

« Bordeaux Facts | Main | Marbella Tour - Celebrity Homes and Restaurants »

By Dana Heffernan – Guest Blogger

When my husband and I chose the Riviera Maya for our honeymoon, we were looking for a place to get away to and relax after a hectic year of wedding planning. We were pleasantly surprised by the interesting day trips available to those staying in the Riviera Maya and Cancun. We chose to take two day trips: Chichen Itza and Xel-Ha.

Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city about 2 hours west of the Riviera Maya. You get there by tour bus and the day's activities will vary with each tour company. On our tour, we spent the morning at Chichen Itza, stopped for an authentic Mexican lunch and swim and then headed back to the Riviera Maya. You can take a guided tour of the main ruins of Chichen Itza or walk around on your own. I recommend the guided tour as there is now information posted at any of the ruins. However, do take time to explore as much of the ruins as you can. The city is actually several square miles and the ruins give you a picture of life during the height of the Mayan empire. The big attraction at Chichen Itza is the main temple. Usually, you are allowed to climb to the top. The view from the top of the temple is fantastic, but it is not for those afraid of heights. There is no railing at the top platform, so you do have to watch your step. During the spring and fall equinox, a celebration is held at Chichen Itza and the temple is closed to climbers. However, visitors during the equinox can stay until dusk for the celebration and to see the sun cast a "serpent" on the temple. The "serpent" only appears during the equinox due to the position of the sun and the geometry of the temple stairs. It gets very hot at the ruins and there is very little shade, so be sure to bring sunscreen, some type of protection for your head and water.

Xel-Ha is an ecological water park that is south of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. You can spend the day at Xel-Ha or have a combined tour that visits the Mayan ruins at Tulum in the morning and the Xel-Ha in the afternoon. Xel-Ha offers a variety of activities from tubing and snorkeling down the river into the inlet to kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling in the inlet to swimming with dolphins. There are also rope swings and cliff jumping spots. Since we had been to Chichen Itza, my husband and I did not go to Tulum but spent the entire day at Xel-Ha. If you like the water and enjoy snorkeling I would recommend spending the entire day at the water park. We had a wonderful day there. The fish are friendly and have the most beautiful colors I have seen outside of the Great Barrier Reef. I would highly recommend Xel-Ha and Chichen Itza if you have the time while you stay in either Cancun or the Riviera Maya. They are both worth the trip!

« Machu Picchu | Main | Chichen Itza & Xel-Ha »

By Beth Klemick

Did you know...that there are 10,000 chateaux in Bordeaux?! Bordeaux wine is named for the city and has been produced there since the 8th century. This city is known as the wine capital of the world. But did you also know that Bordeaux is one of Europe's military space and aeronautics research and construction centers? It is also a university town, with four universities devoted to natural science, medicine, liberal arts, and political sciences and law. Quite a city to check out!

« The European Union | Main | Bordeaux Facts »

By Elizabeth Gregory

The ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru has been on my "must see" list since I was little and first saw the pictures of it. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to finally see them. In all honesty, pictures do not do them justice. Going from Cusco, it is about a 3-4 hour train ride. Why so long? You're actually going around the bases of the huge mountains in the Andes. There are different classes of trains which range in price and comfort. My train was the "backpacker train" and was pretty basic. Although I must admit it reminded me of an old version of what the orient express train must have looked like in its heyday (complete with small crystal chandeliers overhead and drapes on the windows).

After exiting the train, you walk a little ways to a bus that takes you up the mountain where the ruins are. Up steep switchbacks you climb until you reach the top. There you will depart from the bus and hike to the entrance. When I went, it was rainy out and we were up in the clouds practically.

Once inside, the views were spectacular. The grass was so green and alpacas were sitting on the lawn just enjoying the peacefulness. Although the tour group itself was rather large, the leader was very informative and kept the tour interesting. The ruins are quite extensive and it's hard to believe that this was once an entire city perched on a mountain.

I absolutely loved this experience. It was one of the most magical, breathtaking combinations of natural and man-made beauty I have ever seen.

« Flamenco Dance Show | Main | Telenovelas »

By Beth Klemick

The Mediterranean Sea separates Europe from Africa and forms the boundary for more than a dozen nations (22 to be exact!), including Spain, France, Italy and Greece. The Mediterranean was the cradle of modern civilization, and much of that past is still preserved today. The mild climate makes for perfect beach weather, and the sky blue water is most inviting. The best time to visit is in the fall and spring. Beware in August; there are many vacationing Europeans and crowds galore. In my travels to date, I have explored, relaxed and indulged in some of Spain's and France's Mediterranean cities. Here are some brief facts and impressions.

Spain's Costa del Sol is one of the most popular haunts for vacationing tourist. What I enjoy most about this coastline are the miles of sandy beaches. Marbella is southern Spain's answer to St Tropez, but nothing beats Puerto Banus, just west of the town. This is the place to be pampered yacht-side, watch the world go by or window shop at one of many fashion boutiques or the El Corte Ingles. For nightlight there are many alfresco bars, clubs and discos to party at until dawn!

The French Rivieria became a fashionable resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was particularly popular with the British upper class. Initially it was a winter resort, valued for its mild winter (but is never warm) and later became a summer resort. Nothing exudes glitz and glamour better than the French Riviera: Cannes, Monaco, Nice, but the beaches are less than desirable; instead of sandy the beaches are mostly pebbles and are more or less forced to rent chaise lounges.

« St. Patricks Day Celebrations | Main | Mediterranean Coasts »

By Elizabeth Gregory

Speaking from my own personal experience, I can tell you that even though dinner shows can be touristy or cheesy, they can also be amazing. One particular dinner show that comes to mind is a Flamenco dinner show that my husband and I attended in Madrid. This was the first time he had been to Spain. We had walked past the place that declared the inside was a replica of "La Alhambra" in Granada and there was a lot of advertising proclaiming the "best flamenco show in Spain". Although I had been to the real Alhambra, I had a sneaking suspicion that the inside of the venue wouldn't really be an exact replica, (just like the castle in Disney World isn’t an "exact replica" of the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany) rather something loosely based on the Alhambra. I thought it would be something fun to do one night and so talked him into it. (Not an easy task since my husband is not one for musical extravaganzas). I didn't mention it to him, but I had my doubts that it would be too touristy or unauthentic. However, we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed a wonderful cultural evening of music, dance and food.

The meal was several courses and consisted of traditional Spanish food like paella. The costumes were amazing and featured several styles of Sevillana dress. The music was varied in emotion from peppy, to sad, to seductive. The audience surprisingly was pretty varied from locals to tourists, families, couples, pretty much everyone. By the end of the show, the performers and musicians received a standing ovation and came back for 2 encores. We did not leave until almost 2 hours past when the show was supposed to end. It was great!!

I found a great website that allows you to book flamenco shows in Spain on-line: Spanish Fiestas. We attended the show at Torres Bermejas in Madrid. I highly recommend it!

« Professional Development for Educators | Main | Mexican Architecture »

By Beth Klemick

As a traveler, I have no patience for packing or spending hours trying to find the best airfare. For those of you who prefer to shop around, here are some general tips. To begin your research and get an idea of fares to your destination, hit all the big travel website: Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire or Priceline to name a few. Once you find the airline(s) flying to your particular destination check out the airline’s website. Best to search and book online if you decide to go with airline directly as you will likely find better rates or discounts online verse speaking with an agent. Check back to websites frequently as rates may change daily, even hourly. And please READ the fine print, some websites for online bookings charge extra fees and have hidden costs that in essence make the "deal" you found not so hot. If at all possible, be flexible, most often the best deals are ones with multiple connections and/or and atypical flight times/hours. Remember this is just some simple advice, I wish there was a science to finding great deals, but mostly it is hit or miss. So, take a deep breath, get comfortable, dive right in and happy airfare hunting.

« Connie in Vienna | Main | Professional Development for Educators »

It's Spring Break time, and many students don't want the typical alcohol-soaked experience. So what can you do?

If you didn't give yourself enough time to find a volunteer placement, why not immerse yourself in language and culture? AmeriSpan offers language immersion programs that can last from a week to much longer. If your friends are going to Cancun to party, you could always go to Cancun too, only your experience might be much different. Travel sites for students like STA and Student Universe usually have great deals, so check them out and do something different on your Spring Break.

« Paczki Day in Poland | Main | Italian Inventions »

By Elizabeth Gregory

A few vacations ago, my husband and I decided to take a drive up to Montreal for a short getaway. I had heard good things about the city, and everyone that I talked to absolutely loved their time there. Although I had been to Canada (in the Rocky Mountains and at Niagara Falls), I had not been to a big city there before. I was impressed with the diversity of the city (especially when it came to dining out). Below are some of the sights that we really enjoyed.

• The underground city – lots of shopping and dining underground. Pretty neat in my opinion. Montreal in some areas is a city on top of a city.
• The Biodome – This is mainly a combination of an aquarium and a zoo featuring different climate environments from around the world. My favorite were the penguins.
• Montreal Botanical Gardens – I'm sure beautiful in the spring. Unfortunately, we were there during the first week of November and it was freezing outside. We did see some nice indoor exhibits though.
• Old Montreal – walk around in this part of the city and you'll almost swear that you're in Paris. Good restaurants and a nice view of the waterfront. The buildings are beautiful too.
• Hike up Mount Royal – this is how Montreal got its name. Montreal means Mount Royal. It's a nice hike (uphill mind you) and the view from the top is spectacular.

« Winter in Spain | Main | Paczki Day in Poland »

The 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy end on Sunday, February 26. Let's take a look at the medal counts as of today.

Germany 9 gold, 10 silver, 5 bronze
USA 8 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze
Russia 8 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze
Austria 8 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze
Canada 6 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze
Norway 2 gold, 8 silver, 8 bronze
Switzerland 4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze
Sweden 4 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze
Italy 4 gold, 6 bronze
France 3 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze
China 2 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze
South Korea 4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze
Netherlands 3 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze
Finland 5 silver, 3 bronze
Estonia 3 gold
Czech Republic 1 gold, 2 silver
Croatia 1 gold, 1 silver
Australia 1 gold
Ukraine 2 bronze
Japan 1 gold
Belarus 1 silver
Bulgaria 1 silver
Great Britain 1 silver
Slovakia 1 silver
Latvia 1 bronze
Poland 1 bronze

« Women Solo Travel | Main | Valentines Day »

Heavy snow fell from Maryland to New England over the weekend, making it difficult for many air travelers to get to where they needed to go. There really is no "best" time to fly because inclement weather occurs throughout the year. So what can you do to try to deal with flight delays and cancellations? I've done a little research and found these tips:

Take morning flights. I've found that booking morning flights means a lower liklihood for delays and cancellation, and that's generally because of the effects of inclement weather as the day goes on. If you book a morning flight, it might also be easier to get a seat on a flight leaving later that day.

Attempt to reroute connections. If you find that your connecting flight is facing delays, try to change your flight prior to that connection. This isn't always easy, of course, but if you check the weather in your connecting city before you leave for your airport, you might be able to avoid a long delay or cancellation.

Take care of your lodgings ASAP. If you find yourself unable to avoid a layover, make your calls for accommodations right away. This works if you find your connecting flight being cancelled or delayed as well. You'll have better odds finding lodging if you call ahead rather than if you wait until you get there.

Pack smart. It seems obvious, but make sure to pack your valuables and any medications you will need in your carry-on luggage. If you've already checked your bags and experience a delay or cancellation, you may not be able to get to it (it may not even be in the same city as you!), so make sure you keep what's important with you at all times.

Some Travel Links:
Independent Traveler (includes lots of great travel tips)
Flying in Europe (information on flight delays and/or cancellations in Europe)
FAA (information on flight delays and cancellations in the U.S.)
Canadian Weather Office (information on flight delays and cancellations in Canada)

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By Sue Lavene

My first solo international travel experience was to Cancun in 1991. What allowed me to decide to make the trip alone rather than wait for a travel companion was: a. I had the extra money; b. I had the time off from work; c. No friends were available at the same time and d. I had the intense, deep-rooted desire to do it. I knew from the bottom of my heart that this type of travel "spoke" to me like nothing else and that I had to experience it - back then I told myself, at least once - in order to prove to myself that I could do it. And you know what? It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable, life-altering experiences I had ever had and I was extremely proud of myself for taking that plunge into the unknown.

Here are several tips to get you thinking about going it alone because believe me, it’s so worth it!

1. Pre-planned packages
Going with a tour operator or through an agent who makes all or some of the travel arrangements for you, such as language or cooking classes with lodging, etc, allows you a feeling of safety and security, around which you can plan your days. Especially when embarking on this adventure for the first time, it's a good idea to have some structure in your day and then, you can be as active, not in the physical sense, - or not – for the rest of your day as you wish. At least you wouldn't have to face arriving and saying to yourself "okay, now what?!?".

2. Establish a routine.
At least in the beginning of your trip, try to establish a routine either first thing in the morning or at some point during your day in order to ground yourself from the start. In other words, if at home, you enjoyed a morning stretch, took a walk or listened to music, try to recreate your routine in order to try to acclimate to a new environment even if you have to modify somewhat to fit your new surroundings. For example, on a recent solo trip to Guatemala, I brought several favorite books and my journal with me to several lunches in order to ease myself into my new surroundings which is something I often do at home for inspiration.

3. Create a home away from home.
Similar to the idea of establishing a routine, is setting up photos of family/friends/pets, candles and other momentos/trinkets of your life back home in your hotel room or whereever you are staying. Of course, ideally they would be lightweight and easy to pack/travel with. This will allow you some calm and grounding during your initial few days in the new country.

4. Frequenting local businesses
If you haven't been somewhere before, it is often disconcerting to be amongst unfamiliar surroundings, though this is also one of the beauties of travel. To allow yourself to find familiarity, it is helpful to go to the same locally run female-friendly restaurant or shop, for example, several days in a row. Often times, the staff will recognize you and strike up a conversation with you.

5. Eating alone
This topic often makes people uncomfortable to imagine eating alone especially if you aren't accustomed to doing so even at home. This definitely takes some practice – perhaps you can practice at home before your trip – though is well worth it to still be able to enjoy the local fare despite the fact that you have no one with whom to eat your meal. When I first started eating out alone, I found that if I had something to do or read during my meal, I was able to enjoy myself without a companion. Some examples: You can bring along a good book or two, a travel journal (to jot down your day, ideas, your meal, etc) or postcards (that you can send to friends and family or why not to yourself as well?).

Some additional resources that have helped me on the road as well as inspiration prior to planning trips include:

Books:
A Journey of One's Own: Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler by Thalia Zepatos
A Woman’s World edited by Marybeth Bond
Gutsy Women: Travel Tips and Wisdom for the Road by Marybeth Bond
Gutsy Women: More Travel Tips and Wisdom for the Road by Marybeth Bond
More Women Travel: Adventures and Advice From More Than 60 Countries a Rough Guide Special
Nothing to Declare: Memoirs of a Woman Traveling Alone by Mary Morris
(This author's solo trip around Latin America)

Websites:
Women Travel Tips
Journey Woman (a very fun site!)
Independent Traveler (includes a message board)
Fodors
Student Travel

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It was recently released by the The EIU that Oslo, Norway has replaced Tokyo, Japan as the world's most expensive city. When searching for the least expensive cities in the world, I found some information from the Cost of Living Survey by Mercer Human Resources.

So, without further ado, I give you the world's ten least expensive cities (with links to our programs).

The World's Least Expensive Cities, 2005
10. San José, Costa Rica
9. Karachi, Pakistan
8. Quito, Ecuador
7. Chennai (Madras), India
6. Caracas, Venezuela
5. Montevideo, Uruguay
4. Bangalore, India
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
2. Manila, Philippines
1. Asunción, Paraguay

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By Sue Lavene

From time to time, our clients contact us wanting to bring along their dogs on their study abroad adventure. Looking at this request through the partial eyes of a lover of dogs, I am always stuck in a quandary as to how to advise them knowing full well that I'd probably at least contemplate the same. I mean, come on, they're our unconditional life companions! Who wouldn't want to be greeted by our faithful and furry friends with soulful eyes at the end of a long day? On a recent road trip to Cape Cod, we brought our dog along and one of the most heartwarming moments of that trip was seeing her loving face - and wagging tail - waiting for us to return.

However, forgetting for a moment our intense desire to bring him/her along, there are many issues at hand especially when traveling internationally. It is best to plan in advance for this as there is a lot to consider:

1. Airlines: Be sure to check with your airline with plenty of advance notice for current requirements including weight limitations, kind of carrier allowed, whether there’s room on your specific flights, etc. Airlines often have a maximum number of pets per flight and if all else is prepared for this endeavor, if there's no room on your flight, you have to make other arrangements.

2. Pet's Health: It is extremely important when anticipating traveling with your pet to schedule a visit with your vet to discuss whether he/she feels your pet is healthy enough to travel. You'll want a current, comprehensive check-up including double checking whether his/her immunizations are up-to-date, obtaining a copy of your pet's health record and other health documents for entry and inquiring about travel-sickness pills, etc for the flight.

The altitude, close quarters of the flight and new experience – not to mention the period of acclimation once arriving into the country - are enough to rattle even a young dog, let alone an older one. You might also want to ask your vet to recommend a veterinary colleague in your destination country in case you need care upon arrival.

One other bit of information to keep in mind is that you shouldn't travel with your pet in extremes of weather, too cold or too hot. Even if the weather is fine, a dog in a carrier in the cargo area (i.e., with passengers' luggage) waiting on the ground during a delay can get too hot.

3. Entry Requirements: Make sure you contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country at least 4 weeks prior to your trip to see what their pet importation regulations are. Some countries require a long quarantine period, other will only accept pets at certain airports while others have rigid standards for containers. After figuring out the airport you will be flying to, check on national/local holidays during which customs may be closed. You wouldn't want your pet denied access upon entry after all of your preparations. Also, when traveling within the EU, you might just need a pet passport! You should also find out how close to your departure date required vaccinations and veterinarian tests and examination are needed.

4. Pet's Emotional Health: Just because your dog is a pleasure to have around at home, it doesn't mean he/she is well suited for travel away from home. According to Pets On The Go, "Dogs that lock all four legs when invited to jump in the car or cats that hide under the bed when their carrier appears are not going to be very happy traveling to a hotel. Some pets are homebodies that prefer the comfort of their bed to life on the road." Or if your dog is aggressive, anxious or likes to bark at home, please leave him/her at home.

5. Carrier: You must consider carriers when planning to bring along your pet. Some things to think about are airline requirements, your pet's size (they should be able to sit, stand, turn around and lie down comfortably throughout the flight) and ease of carrying. Before traveling, it is very important that you introduce your pet to the carrier so he/she can get used to it before the flight.

6. Identification: Make sure your pet as well as the carrier are well marked with the pet's name (with your last name), address and phone number, just in case!

7. Your Host: This can include a hotel/motel, homestay, apartment, etc. Wherever you will be staying in your destination country, you will need to ask your host(s) if dogs are allowed. Often times, there are hotels/motels that accept pets, sometimes for an extra fee and on certain floors. However, if your dog is one that does not take to new environments too easily, you might be better off leaving him home than have him super anxious, ripping up the carpets or bed linens, biting/hurting your host, having accidents, etc. Even a usually calm dog can become mean when feeling threatened or disoriented from new surroundings.

8. Country of Origin: Before leaving home, contact your own country's state department to see what documentation is required for re-entry with your pet.

This is only some of what you need to think about before taking your dog with you on your trip. Especially if you are going abroad for a short period of time, it might be worthwhile just to find a trustworthy pet sitter and leave your dog at home in his/her own environment.

Nevertheless, if you do decide to bring your dog with you, here are some online resources on the subject to make a more informed decision:

Pets Welcome
This is a great one to check out for flight requirements from some of the larger carriers and international pet regulations by continent.

The Humane Society of the US
Always a great place to look for information!

Pets On The Go
Pet-friendly lodging

The International Air Transport Association

Pet Travel
For pet immigration and quarantine information

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

US State Department

Pet Place
An all-around fun and informative site about dogs and cats

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By Elizabeth Gregory

Just about everyone who has flown across at least 3 time zones has experienced jet lag. Supposedly it takes one full day per time zone for your body to fully adjust. This means that if you're flying from New York to Paris, you will need about 6 days to be adjusted. Not a good thing if you’re on a quick 3-4 day trip. Although jet lag is different for everyone, the symptoms of jet lag can be physical and mental.

Here are some tips on how to reduce the jet lag you experience:

• Set your watch to the new time in advance.
• Try to eat and sleep on the new schedule a day or two in advance if possible.
• Only sleep on the plane if it's night at the new destination.
• Drink plenty of water.
• There are differing opinions about sleeping or staying up when you get to your destination. If you are really tired, a short power nap might help. Don't nap too long or you may feel worse.

Flyana had some interesting facts. I was stunned to find out that airplane cabin air is dryer than a desert and that meals are served at times that will increase your jetlag.

We'd love to hear any tips that you have...

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By Beth Klemick

My original blog entry today was to cover the structure of the European Union; instead I wanted to write about a more current event that occurred this past Sunday in Chile. Michelle Bachelet became the first elected female chief executive officer in Latin America. Her political rise and election as Chile's first female President is unique. President-elect Michelle Bachelet is the fifth female President in Latin America, but she is the first female in Latin American political history whose rise to power was not linked to a powerful husband. Latin America has seen four female leaders: Violeta Chamorro in Nicaragua, Janet Jagan in Guyana, and Mireya Moscoso in Panama; all three of these women obtained political influence and power via the deaths of their husbands and the political positions they held. Lastly in history, who could forget Maria Estela Isabel Peron, who served a disastrous stint as chief executive after the death of her husband, Argentine President Juan Peron, in 1974.

Michelle Bachelet is a physician and single mother of three, and she has endured much strife. Her father, who was a general in the Air Force and sympathized with Salvador Allende's democratically elected leftist government, was arrested and tortured during the Pinochet-led coup in September 1973. He died in custody then Michelle and her mother were subsequently arrested. While in exile both she and her mother were active in the Chilean opposition movement.

Michelle Bachelet will be sworn in for her four-year term on March 11. She won nearly 54% of the vote, based on a tally from more than 97% of polling stations, as quoted by the government Electoral Service.

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Write for the AmeriSpan Blog and Receive a Program Discount

If you are studying for at least 4 weeks, write for the AmeriSpan blog while abroad and receive a 5% retroactive rebate on your program upon your return.

Minimum 3 entries per week, 350 words per entry. Entries will be posted the same or the next day.

If you're interested, you need to apply to be a blogger at least 4 weeks before your program starts. AmeriSpan will select the writers, and you will be informed before you leave for your program if you've been selected as an AmeriSpan blog writer.

Check out our official site for complete details.

« World Fun Facts Part 2 | Main | Polish Cooking : Pierogies Recipe »

By Connie Marianacci
There are various options for traveling to Cordoba, and they all range in price and length.

By Plane
You can take a plane to Santiago de Chile and then directly to Cordoba from the same international airport or take a plane to Buenos Aires and then directly to Cordoba.

The difference between these two is that in the Buenos Aires option, you have to take a private bus from Ezeiza Airport (international airport where you arrive) to Aeroparque Airport (national airport) where the plane Buenos Aires - Cordoba departs.

It is actually quite easy to take the private bus from one airport to another, there are two companies available: Manuel Tienda Leon and "Transfer Express" which take about 1 hour to arrive to the Aeroparque airport.

Still, if you may choose, going through Santiago de Chile is more convenient.

By Bus
If you want to travel economically and save some money, you may go to Cordoba by Bus. There are buses leaving Retiro Station very often during the day and at night(service hours may range from 6:00 am until 12:00 am). To get to Retiro Station from the airport, you may also take the private busses mentioned above.

You can buy the ticket once you arrive to the station and you will not have a problem regarding availability unless you travel during a peak traveling date like Friday before Christmas or another holiday similar.

The buses are very comfortable; you could compare them to the first class seating at the airplane. My suggestion is to catch the bus at night so you can sleep all the way through to Cordoba. If you travel during the day it does get a little bit long.

Here is an article from the virtual tourist that gives a little bit more details that can help you:

Retiro & San Nicolas : Retiro Bus Terminal :
The Retiro Bus Terminal is the point of departure and arrival of all bus going to and from all town of Argentina! You will find there hundreds of bus companies (called "empresa") offering transportation to several destinations limited by a region or to the biggest towns of the country (Cordoba, Mendoza, etc). The tickets can be purchased in advance or the day itself (but not too late to be sure to have a seat) at the desks ("boletarias") on the first floor. They are classified by region...so go directly to the desks covering the region where you want to go. To go to the North of Argentina (Iguazu), I took "Express Singer", it was a very great company. There is also Express Tigre Iguazu. The long and night travels in a bus are very pleasant if you choose a cama or semi-cama seat. Don't worry for the food, the "cena" (evening meal with bread, cheese, ham, empanadas and a desert) and the breakfast (media luna with cafe) are included in the travel price of the ticket!!! According to the time, the bus and the company, the clean aspect of toilets on board can be different. It is better to take toilet paper with ;-) And also depending of the destination, you can received a cushion and a blanket. But what is sure, is that you will have the occasion to see minimum two films! Maybe you will not understand everything (sound is very low), but there are often subtitles (in Spanish) to help you... Finally, the bus is a really practical and cheap way to travel around in Argentina : a 1500 km travel costs between 80 and 100 pesos(20-25 euros)!!! Nearest Subte (metro-)station : Retiro than straight ahead... the bus terminal is after the train station.
from VirtualTourist.

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By Beth Klemick

If you ever have the opportunity to travel in Japan travel by rail, it is an experience not to be missed. Since Japan operates the world's most efficient rail service, travel by rail will allow you e