This installment of Three Things is courtesy of Shelley Kekuna, Executive Director of the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association.

1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that people at Ka’anapali or Ka’anapali Resort do for fun?

Answer:

Ka’anapali is a diverse vacation destination that can appeal to any kind of traveler when it comes to activities. Not only have we been rated as a top beach in the world, which lends itself to multiple water activities, but the mountains behind us are also rich with things to do.

The beach is generous with sand, snorkeling opportunities, paddling canoe, stand up paddle, surfing, embarking and disembarking of luxury catamarans for snorkeling, whale watching (within season), dinner cruising or a cocktail sunset cruise. When the Humpback Whales are not visiting (May 15 – December 15), We have parasailing, jet skiing and small craft fishing. All of the activities mentioned can be accessed from the shoreline.

Ka’anapali is located at the foot of the West Maui Mountains, which has ziplining, quad riding and lots of fantastic hiking. A helicopter ride over the West Maui Mountains reveals the intricate network of natural fresh water flow that is captured at the top of the mountains, considered one of the second wettest places in the Hawaiian Islands.

Culture is also a big component of the Ka’anapali Beach Resort. Once a place rich in Hawaiian history, many properties offer cultural classes and ways to learn of this history over and above a simple hula lesson.

2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Ka’anapali?

It’s difficult to name just one thing when it comes to Ka’anapali’s mystery and secrets so I will list them below:

A. Ka’anapali Beach Resort is the original master planned resort in the Hawaiian Islands. After it was developed, it became the benchmark for all other self contained resort destinations.

B. Ka’anapali is rich in history because Historic Lahaina (1 mile away) was once the original capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, prior to well-known Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Because of Ka’anapali’s location, there are significant pieces of history and legends that center around this special location on Maui.

C. Ka’anapali Coffee, grown in this region on the side of the West Maui Mountains is the largest commercial coffee production in the United States and is shipped all over the world.

3. Question: What has Ka’anapali contributed to the world?

Regional Hawaiian Cuisine! While not the only birthplace in the Islands, HRC is available at all of our F&B outlets, expensive or otherwise. We continue to welcome global visitors and make them aware of the beauty of the culture through the amazing cuisine, which has change the way the world prepares food, by mixing traditional and inclusive combinations of flavors from a variety of cultural influences.

Ka’anapali has taught the world that it is possible to mix culture, recreation and community in a world class setting. Ka’anapali, Maui is an exotic location with a unique eco system and rich culture that you can experience without leaving the US.

The post Three Things About Ka’anapali appeared first on Traveling Archive.

A highly educated ethno-historian and archaeologist, she received her Bachelor in Business Administration from the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey; she first worked as a banker, before her true calling caused her to leave the business world.  She pursued a second Bachelor’s in Anthropology with a specialty in Archaeology and also took her Master’s in Ethnohistory, both from the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán; ultimately, she got her Doctorate in History, awarded by the Centro de Investigación de Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social.

Marina’s true love and her gift lay in the cultures of her native country and she revels in finding a way to share them with the world. Her contagious fervor for history and culture may well have filtered down to her from her grandfather, Porfirio Aguirre Dircio, a renowned archaeologist, who made the discovery of a remarkable turquoise-encrusted funeral mask, which was acquired by the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City; some dozen years ago, a scientific study was performed on the artifact and it was determined that the mask itself was likely from 300 AD and the decorative turquoise stones were likely added in 900 AD, cementing the validity of his find and his name.

Among other inspirations, it was her grandfather’s appetite for knowledge regarding the Spanish traditions of 19th century Mexico and its history and culture that imbued her with her fervor; it was because of his influence, she says, that as a child, she painted her bedroom with a cosmos reflecting pre-Colombian art. She is quick to point out on her guided tours, the abundant, colorful murals, painted by artists who may not even be able to read. She underscores that their fiery spirit is entrenched in their artistic output and she tries to convey that zealousness to her groups. “It is very important to me to share this vibrant artwork, in these magical villages.  Art lives in people as well as in artifacts and I want to convey that concept on my tours — by experiencing historic city or village centers, going to charming restaurants, visiting private studios and artists’ ateliers, and in every way we can, soaking up the local culture.”

Marina says she has had hundreds of participants on her tours, and many, many are repeat customers, so enthralled are they with her insider-y and informative excursions and by her infectious warmth and kindness. With the tour size restricted to 16 (so that the group fits comfortably in a minivan, which is about as a large a vehicle as she and her driver like to take into small towns with narrow streets), the groups are intimate and collegial. And her journeys are priced extraordinarily reasonably, always including centrally located hotels (with breakfast—and the amenities that she knows are vital today, including Wifi) and some additional meals, transfers, museum admissions, and so on. Participants are free to dine most evenings on their own and, of course, gratuities and incidentals are not included.

“Wherever we went, Marina knew all the locals, even the mayor, and so you share a very welcoming experience, and you also travel to places where you are the only tourists!” So remarked Anne Frej, a veteran — along with her husband, Bill — of several of Marina’s tours; the Frejs are seasoned global citizens, having lived overseas for nearly 30 years, while Bill was a diplomat working for the US Agency for International Development. As a veteran traveler, Anne’s comments are all the more weighty, as she acknowledges what a special experience it is to travel with Marina. “Needless to say, in any foreign country, it’s always best to travel with a native. Because Marina is both an anthropologist and a historian, and is knowledgeable and passionate about the cultures of Mexico, her commentary is rich and detailed. Additionally, she puts an enormous amount of effort into her trips, picking out ideally situated hotels, making perfect suggestions for restaurants, and taking the group to interesting artists’ and craftsmen’s workshops.”

The Frejs will be taking off again with Marina in the fall, when she leads a trip specifically designed for the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, which is offering a singular journey, México Mágico: Magical Mexico City, created specifically for the Friends of the Folk Art. This is but one of Marina’s custom-crafted excursions which she designs for groups with very particular interests — in addition to her regular offerings — working closely with an organization and catering to its members’ unique interests. (Marina also does private tours for as few as four, or even two, people.) One such recent trip was for the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, which focused on architecture and church design.

Monroe Warshaw, a New York City-based drawings dealer, recently did back-to-back trips with Marina and has signed up for yet another this fall. “Marina manages to time her trips to take in so many interesting, fascinating local festivals — like the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) — in Oaxaca. It is a spectacular event, with the entire town remembering deceased loved ones, and characterized by joy, not sadness.” Indeed, the Day of the Dead is a colorful, carnival-like happening, with residents preparing for it weeks ahead of time — with all of the town creating souvenirs, costumes, masks, and religious artifacts, for use in the festival parade, for sale, for show.

Among Marina’s upcoming journeys for the fall and into 2018 are the following:

Querétaro & San Luis Potosí (Sept 28-Oct 6)

This tour, which Marina refers to as “nine mystical days,” focuses on the magic of the indigenous people in Mexico’s ancestral culture. Tequisquiapan, a mere two hours from Mexico City, is becoming a popular weekend getaway destination.  It features architecture that is an unusual blend of colonial and indigenous styles and its cobble-stone streets are dotted with interesting shops offering native jewelry, various wicker-work items, and folk art. Home to Bernal’s Peak, the largest monolith in México (and the third largest in the world), is the Pueblo Magico, Villa de San Bernal, which also has charming shops selling dolls and handsome woolen products. Xilitla, surrounded by an exquisite rainforest landscape, is home to the Nahuatl and the Teenek, both indigenous peoples who still practice many of their traditional ways; it is also home to the 80-acre Las Pozas sculpture garden. San Luis Potosí, steeped in history, played a seminal role in the Mexican Revolution, and is rife with exquisite colonial architecture, parks, and an active cultural scene. Real de Catorce, once a thriving silver mining town in the high desert, is now a “‘ghost town” with a population of around 1,000; it continues to be a pilgrimage site for the Huicholes and is thought to be a place of power with a spiritual energy.

Oaxaca and Puebla for Day of the Dead (Oct 27-Nov 4)

Oaxaca is a unique, lively colonial city where two major cultures come together, the Mixtec and the Zapotec, both inspirational.  Oaxaca is rich in the native alebrijes, fanciful, colorful creatures, traditionally papier-maché, but here, they are carved from wood.  The city is rich in flavored mezcal and heady with the aroma of chocolate. The local markets sell brightly-hued textiles and the shops and pushcarts will feature countless artifacts and trinkets relating to the Day of the Dead… even black-and-white marshmallow-like candies. The trip also includes visits to some remarkable architectural sites.

Carnival in Chiapas (February 6-14, 2018)

Chiapas is alive with rainbows of pigment everywhere — and it pulsates spirituality and culturally, and is graced with wonderfully warm citizens. “The first time I visited Chiapas, I fell in love with it,” comments Marina. “Since then, I have been showing all the unique places in the area to my tour participants.  I love sharing this region.” The tour takes in four archaeological sites with incomparable beauty: Edzná, Palenque, Bonampak, and Yaxchilán. Carnival is experienced in four indigenous villages: Zinacantán, Huixtán, Tenejapa, and San Juan Chamula. In addition, there are museums to visit that specialize in textiles, traditional medicine, archaeology, and history. Among other highlights is the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, a stunning colonial city, as well as a visit with a family in the Lacandona jungle, providing an opportunity to learn about lives that are likely diametrically unlike yours.

The Monarchs (Feb 24-Mar 4, 2018)

This is perhaps Marina’s most popular trip—and it is not about kings and queens. In early fall, each year, millions upon millions of Monarch butterflies leave southern Canada and the United States and head to the central highlands of Mexico, traveling well over 2,500 miles.  After their November arrival, they winter in Mexico and turn around in March, and return north by July.  In order to protect the butterflies, the region in Mexico that the Monarchs call home for several months has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Four generations of Monarchs are involved in a round-trip migration.  This trip includes a visit to three different sanctuaries at the famed Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a trip to the colonial city of Morelia, visits to five pueblos mágicos, experiencing their architecture, textiles, and flavors.  There are also visits to Lake Pátzcuaro, the Paricutin Volcano, and to local folk artists.

The Textiles of Oaxaca & Chiapas / Reflections in Diversity: Exploring Culture through Textiles (June 16-26 and July 14-24, 2018)

Due to an anticipated high demand for this new experience, Marina is offering two tours next year with a focus on clothing and textiles. Both include visits to Oaxaca and Chiapas; the visits to these two cities will be similar, save that the festivals experienced with each tour will be different.  There will be marketplace and gallery visits, trips to two distinctly different colonial cities, with a focus on textiles, dyes, spinning, and weaving styles — and each visit will include a hands-on experience, so that participants will have an opportunity to actually weave a personal textile. Villages that are but a few miles apart often have vastly diverse and very particular cultures, reflected in the colors and styles of their clothing and textiles. And on the other hand, as Marina points out, “Although they live hundreds of miles apart and belong to two different cultures, Zapotec and Mayan, have many similarities in their textiles; the differences will be in the way they create their own worlds through their designs.”

In Marina’s words: “Even though the women spend hours and hours working at home weaving masterpieces of high quality and sublime beauty, most of these pieces are sold for almost nothing. Your valuing the pieces and the time it takes to weave them is a great opportunity to give to the ladies hope and strength. They will be able to continue to preserve a treasure that has been in danger for generations.”

THE DETAILS:  marinainmexico.com; 011 52 (999) 923 0870;

ma********@ho*****.com

Marina Aguirre de Samaniego
Calle 74 A no. 484 B between 55 and 57 / Col. Centro, Mérida, Yucatán / México

The very reasonably priced Marina in Mexico Tours are usually nine to eleven days; they range in approximate price from US $1,300 to $2,000 and include all lodging (based on double occupancy); breakfast in the hotel; transfers to and from the airport; in-tour transportation; and some meals.  However, participants should plan on the additional cost of most meals, gratuities, laundry, phone calls, and miscellaneous.

© Ruth J. Katz 2017  All Rights Reserved

The post Marina in Mexico: An Insider’s Guide to History, Culture, and the Arts appeared first on Traveling Archive.

We called ourselves “the first people,” and pointed to the Pacific Ocean as our first home. Many elders today say that Chumash means “bead maker” or “seashell people.” The Chumash Indians were able to enjoy a more prosperous environment than most other tribes in California because we had resources from both the land and the sea.

As hunters, gatherers, and fishermen, our Chumash ancestors recognized their dependency on the world around them. Ceremonies soon came to mark the significant seasons that their lives were contingent upon with emphasis given to the fall harvest and the storage of food for the winter months. During the winter solstice, the shaman priests led several days of feasting and dancing to honor the power of their father, the Sun.

Our Chumash ancestors lived in large, dome-shaped homes that were made of willow branches. Whalebone was used for reinforcing and the roofs were composed of tulle mats. The interior rooms were partitioned for privacy by hanging reed mats from the ceiling. As many as 50 people could live in one house. With platform beds built above the ground, the Chumash used the area under the platforms to store personal belongings.

Our people distinguished themselves as the finest boat builders among the California Indians. Pulling the fallen Northern California redwood trunks and pieces of driftwood from the Santa Barbara Bay, our Chumash ancestors soon learned to seal the cracks between the boards of the large wooden plank canoes using the natural resource of tar. This unique and innovative form of transportation allowed them access to the scattered Chumash villages up and down the coastline and on the Channel Islands.

As the Chumash culture advanced with basketry, stone cookware, and the ability to harvest and store food, the villages became more permanent. The Chumash society became tiered and ranged from manual laborers to the skilled crafters, to the chiefs, and to the shaman priests. Women could serve equally as chiefs and priests. Chieftains, known as wots, were usually the richest, and, therefore, the most powerful. It was not uncommon for one chief to hold responsibility for several villages. The son or daughter could inherit this position of authority for the Chumash community when the chief died.

The Chumash villages were endowed with a shaman/astrologer. These gifted astronomers charted the heavens and then allowed the astrologers to interpret and help guide the people. The Chumash believed that the world was in a constant state of change, so decisions in the villages were made only after consulting the charts.

In the rolling hills of the coastline, our Chumash ancestors found caves to use for sacred religious ceremonies. The earliest Chumash Indians used charcoal for their drawings, but as our culture evolved, our ancestors colorfully decorated the caves using, red, orange, and yellow pigments. These colorful yet simple cave paintings included human figures and animal life. They used a technique of applying dots around the figures to make them more distinct. Many of the caves still exist today, protected by the National Parks system, and illustrate the spiritual bond the Chumash hold with our environment.

As with most Native American tribes, the Chumash history was passed down from generation to generation through stories and legends. Many of these stories were lost when the Chumash Indian population was all but decimated in the 1700s and 1800s by the Spanish mission system.

Development of Missions and the Central Coast

In 1769, a Spanish land expedition, led by Gaspar de Portola, left Baja California and reached the Santa Barbara Channel. In short order, five Spanish missions were established in Chumash territory. The Chumash population was eventually decimated, due largely to the introduction of European diseases. By 1831, the number of mission-registered Chumash numbered only 2,788, down from pre-Spanish population estimates of 22,000.

The modern day towns of Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria were carved out of the old Chumash territory. The town of Santa Barbara began with Spanish soldiers who were granted small parcels of land by their commanders upon retiring from military service. After mission secularization in 1834, lands formerly under mission control were given to Spanish families loyal to the Mexican government. Meanwhile, other large tracts were sold or given to prominent individuals as land grants. Mexican authorities failed to live up to their promises of distributing the remaining land among the surviving Chumash, causing further decline in the Chumash population.

By 1870, the region’s now dominant Anglo culture had begun to prosper economically. The Santa Barbara area established itself as a mecca for health seekers, and by the turn of the century it became a haven for wealthy tourists and movie stars. Around 1880, the region began to establish itself as an important hub of agriculture and horticulture. Most of the Chumash who remained in the area survived through menial work on area farms and ranches.

The post Chumash History from the Perspective of the Chumash appeared first on Traveling Archive.

This installment of Three Things About Naples is courtesy of  Italian National Tourist Board.

1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Naples do for fun?

Answer:

The word CULTURE has a special meaning in Naples. It stands for collecting and illustrating the great heritage of the city. This heritage is made of many historical, artistic and archaeological sites, but moreover it is characterized by a modern spirit that gives the opportunity to create and re-create. Unlike cities in which art is stored in museums, Naples’s distinctive mark is its folklore (folklore): people living and working among the artistic beauties of the city. Naples also means “to live the city.” Our culture, customs and traditions have always been alive during the centuries. Locals enjoy the natural beauties of Naples: its sea, its hills, its mild weather, its tantalizing regional cuisine, its colorful street life, its  wonderful panoramic  landscapes, and its spirit.

2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about  Naples?

Answer:

Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground) is popular for both locals and tourists. Forty meters below the characteristic and lively streets of the Historic Center of Naples, you find a different world, unexplored, isolated by time, but deeply connected with the world above. It’s the heart of Naples, and the place from which the city was born. To visit it is to travel to the past, a world 2400 years old. Every historic epic, from the foundation of Neopolis, to the bombs of WWII, has left its mark on the walls of the yellow tufa stone, the soul of Naples, and the stone with which the city was built.   Naples is a city of exceptional beauty, a city of art, but few know the underground reality of the city. Naples Underground is the most famous and fascinating guided tour underneath the city of Naples. Guides will take you on a journey through centuries of history, from the ancient Greeks to modern times, unveiling the “womb” of Naples from an archaeological, historical, anthropological and geological point of view.

3. Question: Share some aspect of what  Naples  has contributed to the world.

Answer:

Pizza is Naples’ gift to the world. Baker Raffaele Esposito from Naples is often given credit for creating the first such pizza pie. The word pizza was first documented in AD 997. Unlike the wealthy minority, Neapolitans required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. Pizza, sold by street vendors or informal restaurants, met this need. The early pizzas (known to the world as Pizza Napoletana) consumed by Naples’ poor were prepared with simple and fresh ingredients: a basic dough, San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, a splash of olive oil and some salt with no cheese, basil and fancy toppings. The pie was then baked in a wood burning oven made of volcanic stones from Mount Vesuvius.

Italy unified in 1861, and King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889. Legend has it that the traveling pair became bored with their steady diet of French haute cuisine and asked for an assortment of pizzas from the city’s Pizzeria Brandi, the successor to Da Pietro Pizzeria, founded in 1760. The variety the queen enjoyed most was called Pizza Mozzarella, a pie topped with mozzarella di bufala, San Marzano tomatoes and green basil. (Perhaps it was no coincidence that her favorite pie featured the colors of the Italian flag.) From then on, the story goes that particular topping combination was dubbed Pizza Margherita.

Neapolitan-Style Pizza Making Wins UNESCO Heritage Status

The art of Neopolitan pizza-making, was recently added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO says the designation is meant to safeguard and raise awareness about forms of cultural heritage — often passed down from generation to generation — before they die out. The Naples-based Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (True Neapolitan Pizza) will only issue its trademark to restaurants that follow even more stringent guidelines. But the result should be a pizza for the senses with “the flavor of well-baked bread. The slightly acidic flavor of the densely enriched tomatoes, mixed with the characteristic aroma of the oregano, garlic or basil ensures that the pizza, as it comes out from the oven, delivers its characteristic aroma.”

Pepperoni and pineapple lovers are out of luck. The association says only two kinds of pie are authentic: marinara pizza with tomato, oil, oregano and garlic and margarita pizza with the addition of cheese and basil.

Pizzaiuoli can take it to the next level by stretching and tossing the pie in a doughy display of acrobatics at international competitions.

Neapolitan pizza has a thin crust. The edge of the crust, when baked, grows larger. It looks like a bicycle tire.

When news of the UNESCO recognition broke in Naples, pizza-makers handed out free slices on the street to celebrate, according to the BBC. Two million people had reportedly signed a petition supporting the piazzaiulo application.

“After 250 years of waiting, pizza is humanity’s heritage, its intangible heritage,” Neopolitan pizza maker Enzo Coccia told the BBC.

Famous Neapolitans

Antipope John XXIII: Pope

Giovanni Bernini: Sculptor, architect

King Victor Emmanuel III: King of Italy

Domenico Scarlatti: Composer

Enrico Caruso: Opera singer

Aldo Ciccolini: Italian pianist.

Totò: Actor

Vittorio De Sica: Actor, film writer & director.

Francesco Rosi: Film director

Vincent Gardenia: Actor

Antonio Di Natale: Soccer player

Valeria Golino: Actress

The post Three Things About Naples, Italy appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I feel like I’ve made it home… but in a strange way. The welcome at the airport lobby, the nauseating drive through the hills, the exhaustion of climbing up only two flights of stairs to my new living area (I like to blame it on the 10,000 ft. elevation), walking up to the roof and seeing patches of clear stars between clouds, waking up to the constant sound of dogs barking and car horns honking through the window, the smell of freshly baked bread from the panaderia up the street, and the long awaited taste of chifles (plantain chips). Since I left this beautiful country I have been excited to return, but I had no idea I would feel so at peace being back. From the first sight of the city lights to the familiar taste of chifles my heart has become so full of joy! I feel at home… and I love it.

The past month being back has been full – full of making new memories in many places which feel like home. Although many of the places and sights are familiar from my previous time here, the beauty never ceases to amaze me. Ecuador has so much to offer in every realm of scenery: stunning snow capped mountains, lush green jungle life, vibrant old churches and buildings in colonial Quito, free flowing waterfalls, and breathtaking volcanic lakes hidden behind rugged farmland. Besides these experienced in the past few weeks, Ecuador is home to a coastline with beautiful beaches and the infamous Galapagos Islands.

After spending almost five months here in the past couple years, I have had the opportunity to venture to most of the well known “must sees” of Ecuador. As I return to many of these magnificent sites or even walk in the nearby park, many different memories come flashing back. I remember the friends I played soccer with at the park, the meals shared at the nearby almuerzo place, conversations in local coffee shops and the laughter and games played at the hostel in the jungle. In remembering, it’s easy to get stuck in comparison or more easily to dwell in the sadness of missing the people I made these memories with. Without rejecting the natural feelings of melancholy, I also have to recognize the blessing and joy of remembering these past experiences shared together. How sweet is it to be back in various places where I can remember joyous times of community and growth? I am so grateful for each one of these people who come to mind: my host mom and extended family, my cohorts and staff from last spring, and my team members and staff from Extreme Nazarene.

It is a joy to be able to create new memories with the students I am with now and to adventure to new places. As much as I love returning to the familiar, Quito and Ecuador always has more to discover. Not only do I have more waterfalls and cities to see, but I always have more to learn of the culture and people who have welcomed me in.

Although pictures never show the full magnitude of a moment, here are some of my favorite shots to hopefully give you a glance into some of these places I have found a home in.

I sense God’s presence so strongly here. I know God is here and I feel so at rest in Him. The sights and sounds bring back memories of many hours spent soaking in God’s presence on a similar rooftop last summer or long walks up the same jagged sidewalks praying over the city with friends. The surrounding beauty of the hills and architecture remind me of his presence in creation. I am overwhelmed with joy and peace. My brother’s words ring through my head, “God’s presence is found right now, not in the past or future. So live in it – soak it up!”

“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.”

Flashback: A New Life in Ecuador (early Feb. 2017)

The past two days have felt like a week in the amount of excitement and joy held in them. The hours spent in fellowship with the staff and my cohorts makes me feel like we’ve known each other for many months. I am so grateful for how welcome and loved the staff has already made me feel.

I am humbled to be here… to feel at home. I can’t wait for the many days to live and grow with this community in God’s presence.

And the last few weeks have been full of learning moments: learning how to breathe walking up and down constant hills, how to shop in a foreign grocery store and fruit market, how to take public transportation, how to dress in layers with the back and forth sunshine and rain, and learning where the best and cheapest panadería is located.

Los gotitas – “little droplets.” Every Tuesday and Friday morning a friend and I have the privilege to volunteer at a Extreme Mission Daycare. This organization provides childcare for parents who recycle to earn a living. They noticed many young children ages 0-5 had nowhere to go but to be alongside their parents in the dumps during the day. With little to no expectations I walked through the door Tuesday morning and before I could say “Hola” I felt tiny arms embracing my legs. The next four hours were full of laughter and play with about 15 kids. I was surprised how many words or phrases the children taught me after only two days. Although we don’t have a specific project they want help with, I look forward to being able to help care for the children.

Learning to Listen (late Feb. 2017)

I have been at a loss for words recently. The honeymoon stage of the trip has ended and the rhythms of living in a new country have set in. As soon as my house full of new friends became comfortable and familiar, change swept in. I still can’t believe it has already been a week since I’ve moved in with an Ecuadorian family. I am humbled to have been so quickly and lovingly accepted by mí mamá and mí hermana. This week has been full of awkward moments, conversations in Spanish, storytelling to missed friends, and great Ecuadorian food: empanadas verdes, leche con fruta, sopa de chancho, and fresh fruit juice.

I love talking to people. I love sharing who I am, my opinion, my story. After being here only a week, there have been so many instances where I haven’t been able to say what I want to say simply because I don’t know how. It’s true. I am at a loss for words. As frustrating as this may be I am learning how to listen… and listen well. I am recognizing how often I open my mouth to spill my opinion when all that is needed or wanted is an open ear. Understanding a culture begins by listening. When I stop and listen I hear the flapping of the towels drying on the clothesline, the Spanish music of a novella playing in the house, the honking of gas trucks outside, the crackling of fried empanadas, or the shouting of street vendors selling their goods.

The slower pace of life in this new home has not been easy, but has been much needed. I am beginning to greatly appreciate the ease of how things are done: the slow paced walks with the dog or the leisure of preparing food. So often I go into activities or tasks with the mindset of completing them, never once stopping to listen in the middle. Sometimes it means listening to my own emotions, yet other times it means listening to the needs of others, the Holy Spirit, or others’ advice. Listening is not easy and has challenged me to become more humble, more patience and more disciplined.

This beautiful culture has much to say. May I learn to take the time to listen.

Slowing Down (April 2017)

We made it through this week of exams and final papers and are headed to back to the jungle… well half of our ‘equipo’ anyway. The other half left this morning to the Galapagos until we switch places. At the end we all head to the beach for a final few days as a debrief. There’s a lot to look forward to yet my mind keeps turning back reflecting on the past two and a half months, let alone the last few weeks of adventures. We traveled to Baños (no, not to the bathroom) to go white water rafting for a day and swing “off the edge of the world.” I also had the privilege of showing my parents a snapshot of Quito and my life here. The blue skies, sun, mountains, and stars, all decided to say hi for a few days and it was so beautiful. After living here for almost three months, I forgot some things weren’t normal the first week I was here. I loved reliving the excitement of crossing the streets or getting a taxi, watching my mom’s face light up buying a piece (ok. maybe three) of ‘suave’ bread for 25 cents, walking through mountains of seemingly never ending fruit stands in awe, climbing up one block and being out of breath, or ordering a huge almuerzo for only $2.50. Although the setting was so different to be with family, I loved spending time with my parents exploring.

The past month has been full of laughter being back in the apartment with friends. Clear skies led us to sleep on the roof a few times. April fools started a war of pranks in the house. Coming back to the apartment feels like home. This last weekend I came home one evening by myself and as I opened the taxi door, I immediately heard, “Schmannie!!!!” (my nickname from my house). Walking up the stairs I heard laughter and singing coming from the roof where a huge group of friends were roasting s’mores and dancing. I am going to miss this. The departure date is quickly approaching… and I wish I could stop in time. I want to treasure these next three weeks together without avoiding the fact the semester is ending. I can’t believe this semester is ending so soon.

Beauty Everywhere – May 2017

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless therefore stand in awe of God. – Ecclesiastes 5:7.

This verse kept ringing through my head this weekend as I had the privilege of wandering and exploring a tiny part of the Amazon jungle called Misahualli. I am still trying to soak in the reality that I just spend three days in the Amazon jungle. It felt like a dream; the landscape of Tarzan coming to life. I witnessed a beauty I had never seen before in so many different ways. Nature full of new sights: unique birds, trees, insects, landscapes, and colors.  The lushest, most abundant green was everywhere I looked. I understand how it is so green as every few hours we would find ourselves stuck in a warm pouring rain.

Not only did I find beauty in nature, but I saw beauty in people. The unity in people from differing backgrounds and nations working together, learning from each other, and helping each other. The peacefulness in an elderly man leisurely whistling as he biked his cart down the street or the joy of watching friends hysterically laugh in the back of a truck in the pouring rain. Our group has talked about how there is something about the jungle which allows you to be fully you. An openness and vulnerability was created as we were forced into new experiences. It’s hard to hide your true self when you are in the middle of something you are deeply passionate about. I found so much beauty in seeing people’s personalities, joys, passions, or values portrayed as they were fully present in a moment. I saw someone dance wildly in front of everyone to lead music for children, someone working hard to stir cement without complaining, someone encourage another in their fear or weakness, and yet another faithfully stand by a friend in pain. You can’t hide your sweat and stink after even a day in the jungle and I am so grateful for these moments of truth. It was so beautiful watching people be who God created them to be.

True beauty does not always appear beautiful at first sight. Sometimes you have to search for beauty amidst the struggles and pain. We had the privilege to work with missionaries and hear a part of their stories and passion for this community. Although they have started a thriving Christian school, a farm to help provide jobs, and a girls’ home, they continue to pursue more for this community. It was so amazing to see how God is present and has been working in this community. Not only did they talk about previous progress but they talked about their past and current hardships with full honesty. They were not shy in expressing how they were really doing and at first I was taken aback. I became easily discouraged and saddened when I heard how hard it has been for one family in particular. Deep within these struggles and frustration I saw a beauty in their honesty of what they were going through, their humility to ask for prayer, and their perseverance for the future.

It is easy for me to come back from the jungle completely taken by the beauty of nature and the amazing experiences. I was also reminded of the reality that many people are hurting and struggling there just like anywhere else: youth falling to worldly influences, broken families, or lonely missionaries. But amidst this pain, God’s presence was evident. Above all, I think all these experiences and emotions helped me glimpse a tiny bit more of God’s beauty. God is helping me understand better his great compassion for his children, his creativity and design in nature, his power to enable those who feel weak, and his purpose for every single person’s life. All I could do was sit in awe.

It’s also easy to see beauty in people or places when it is expected: a close friend, a sunset, or an animal. I want to go searching for beauty: for loveliness in a seemingly rough situation, an excellent quality of an annoying friend, or a pleasurable sight of nature in the middle of a storm. What if we were to treat every person as if we were meeting a king or queen: expecting beauty and ready to accept who they are. I think we would be pleasantly surprised by the amount of beauty we would find.

Chao! – Ecuador slang for goodbye/see ya later.

The post A Return to Ecuador appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I received terrible news this Thursday morning. Bob, one of my best friends from my college years suddenly passed away. It’s hard to find humor for my column today so I apologize in advance if you were expecting the usual fun. Instead, this issue is more about “passing on”— passing on advice, passing on memories and passing on to eternity.

Bob was my classmate in my first freshman college class. We were on our road to becoming engineers. From the outset he had that air of confidence and that dry sense of philosophical humor. He was a smart kid with the numbers. But numbers were never my friends so I changed majors and our social circles swirled in other directions.

Then when I transferred to GWU in Washington DC, I saw this familiar face crossing the pedestrian lane going the opposite direction. We both stared at each other in disbelief. “Hey! Are you who I think you are?!?!” A little laugh, a nervous tap on the back and that was it. We were acquaintances more than friends. Again our “circles” did not mesh.

Several months later, I had friends with guitars and voices and we started a band. Someone mentioned he knew a guy who also played the guitar. In fact, this guy won a town talent contest playing a classical guitar piece. Of course it turned out to be Bob. From the day of our first practice together we became best of friends. He even became a relative because he married my cousin.

After college we parted ways. History passed underneath the geographical bridges of our lives. And it wasn’t until a few years ago when I visited the East coast to bury a mutual friend that I was able to spend quality time with him in his home. He even lent me his car for as long as I needed it. We talked about religion and politics and everything in between. To survive those topics means we were really friends.

Last November he was having difficulty keeping food inside his stomach. I talked to him on the phone and he was despondent but he seemed to be getting better. I told him when I got back from Nigeria that I would come and visit. But around Christmas time they said he was getting better and there was no longer any urgency to visit. I planned to go this month. So the news this morning was shocking and devastating. I will be flying to the East coast to pay my respects.

Unfinished conversations, a warm touch on his shoulder, a joke left to share, a song yet to be sung … who is the Bob in your life? Go! Call! It’s the first week of a new year. It’s a good time to tell him you care.

So long Bob. So long.

TGIF people!

Rules for My Sons

Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

[Not a joke for the most part but good practical wisdom]

1. Never shake a man’s hand sitting down.
2. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs ain’t one.
3. The man at the grill is the closest thing we have to a king.
4. In a negotiation, never make the first offer.
5. Act like you’ve been there before. Especially in the end zone.
6. Request the late check-out.
7. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.
8. Hold your heroes to a higher standard.
9. Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
10. Don’t fill up on bread.
11. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look him in the eye.
12. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be.
13. If you need music on the beach, you’re missing the point.
14. Carry two handkerchiefs. The one in your back pocket is for you. The one in your breast pocket is for her.
15. You marry the girl, you marry her whole family.
16. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.
17. Experience the serenity of traveling alone.
18. Never be afraid to ask out the best looking girl in the room.
19. Never turn down a breath mint.
20. In a game of HORSE, sometimes a simple free throw will get ’em.
21. A sport coat is worth 1000 words.
22. Try writing your own eulogy. Never stop revising.
23. Thank a veteran. And then make it up to him.
24. If you want to know what makes you unique, sit for a caricature.
25. Eat lunch with the new kid.
26. After writing an angry email, read it carefully. Then delete it.
27. Ask your mom to play. She won’t let you win.
28. See it on the big screen.
29. Give credit. Take the blame.
30. Write down your dreams.

TGIF Videos

Lost in the Fifties
Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA

Your life will flash before you with this video if you were alive during the fifties.

WATCH

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who provided this photo

The post Rules for Sons appeared first on Traveling Archive.

This installment of Three Things About Slovenia is courtesy of Aleksandra Jezeršek Matjašič of the Slovenia Tourist Board

1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that Slovenians do for fun?

Answer:

A “true” Slovenian has to do and does several things. It is expected from him (her) that at least once in his (her) life time climbs the Mt Triglav, the highest peak of Slovenia. During the spring and summer he (she) has to climb other mountains, too, and hike around the hills, forests and natural parks. In the winter time, he (she) skies in different Slovenian ski resorts. Slovenians are very sporty, they like to cycle, play golf, try different adrenaline sports such as paragliding, canyoning and rafting. They love to pumber themselves with the thermo-mineral waters therapies in different natural thermal spas and wellness centres across the country.

It is also expected that a  “true” Slovenian at least once in his (her) life time visits the Slovenian  hidden world. In Slovenia, there are over 10.000 karst caves with the mysterious limestone stalagamites, stalactites and halls. The most famous are Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves. He (she) has to visit the birth place of the elegant, amazing, world-famous white Lipizzaner horse in Lipica, too.

The Slovenians love to meet with their friends, colleagues and parents for a cup of coffee or for a glass or two of amazing Slovenian wine such as traditional red teran – and talk for hours about the current politics situation and their neighbours. The Sundays are usually reserved for a lunch with the family. The plates have to be traditional and made of plants and vegetables grown in their own gardens, terraces or fields. Or at least bought from the trusted farmer.

2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Slovenia?

Answer:

The identity of the Slovenian nation is inseparably connected to its culture and the Slovenian language. The traces of the cultural creativity on the today’s Slovenian territory leads us several ten thousands years back in the history. In the Slovenian museums, there are amazing artefacts such as 60,000-year old flute, 30,000-year old needle or 5200-year old wooden wheel which is the oldest known in the world.

Slovenians are proud of its language, too. The proof of its existence take us to the  9^th–10^th century to the Freising Manuscripts (Brižinski spomeniki). The manuscripts are not just the oldest known  text in the Slovenian language, but they have wider importance, too. They are also the oldest known written proof of any language from the Slavic linguistic group.

Although the Slovenians got their own state just in 1991, they are in fact very old nation with the rich history. And a big secret how did they survived thorugh the rough history lead by different foreign masters.

3. Share some aspect of what Slovenia has contributed to the world.

Answer:

Technical legacy:

The first report on skiers of Bloke is from 1689. The skiers of Bloke are considered inventors of special skies and the oldest skiers in Central Europe. Their legacy is continued today by Slovenian ski brand Elan.

Lovrenc Košir (1804–1879) reformed the post system in Habsburg monarchy. He invented the stamp in 1835, but he never got the credit for it.

Janez Puh (1862–1914) was inventor and pioneer  in the motorcycle and automobile industry. He obtained 13 patents and made several inventions and improvements regarding the vehicles and even for the typing machines. As founder of motorcycles and automobiles manufacturing company in Graz he was one of the most significant vehicle producers in Europe, developing different types of cars, lorries, buses, military and some other special vehicles such as limousines for the imperial Habsburg family.

Baron Anton III von Codelli (Anton Freiherr Codelli von Codellisberg, Sterngreif und Fahnenfeld; 1875–1954) invented several improvements for the automobiles: an ignition device, a miniature in-car food refrigerator, rotary engine etc. But he didn’t limited himself on the cars, he also invented mechanical mower, wireless conection of different devices, high-frequency telephon, mini radio … He is considered, too, a pioneer of television technology.  He even produced and shot the film The White Goddess of the Wangora in Togo, the first feature film ever to be shot in Africa.

Herman Potočnik Noordung (1892–1929) was the first architecture in space, one of the first rocket engineers and pioneer of cosmonautics. His work was focused on the long-term human habitation of space. He is the author of the revolutionary book The Problem of Space Travel – The Rocket Motor (1928). It served as an inspiration for the International Space Station and for the wheel-shaped space station in famous Stanley Kubrick‘s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The genious ancestors are succeeded today by different individuals and companies – as Robert Lešnik, the director of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars’ exterior design, Akrapovič, the leading international company in inventing and producing the exhaust systems for motorcycles and performance cars, or Pipistrel, constructor and inventor of advanced light and zero-emission aircraft.

Cultural legacy:

Slovenia is the birth place of Jurij Slatkonja (1456–1522), who became the bishop of Vienna and in 1498 the first director (in some sources he is consider the founder, too) of the boys’ choir that is know today as Vienna Choir Boys and as one of the  best of it’s kind in the world.

In Slovenia were born the late Renaissance composer Jacobus Gallus Carniolus (1550–1591), who is famous for his motets, and Baroque composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini (1692–1770).

Maks Fabiani (1865–1962) left his home land for Vienna to became personal advisor of Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire throne, professor at the University of Technology and author of interesting architectural projects – such as noticeable observatory Urania, placed by the river Danube.

Ljubljana was the first city in  the world to establish an industrial design biennale in 1964 (BIO) and one of the first to organise a biennale of graphic arts in 1955 (Biennal of Graphic Arts Ljubljana).

Slovenians are making many contributions to the contemporary art and culture and to the philosophy, too. The most famous and notable person is Slavoj Žižek,  continental philosopher, Global Distinguished Professor of German at New York University, international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities of the University of London and critic of capitalism, neoliberalism and political correctness.

Country of powerful women:

Through the history, different powerful and famous men were attracted by the beautiful and smart Slovenian women. One of the examples goes many centuries back in the history of Europe. Barbara Celjska (Barbara of Celje; 1391/92–1451) was married to  Sigismund of Luxemburg, king of different lands and Holy Roman Emperor. Barbara was involved in politics, negotiations, administration and economy, too. Among different assignments, she was also the regent of Hungarian kingdom and the co-founder of the royal Order of the Dragon.

In the present times, another Slovenian woman is married to a powerful man and gets a lot of international interest. After the last presidential elections in USA, ex fashion model Melania Knauss (today Trump) has become the USA First Lady and one of the world’s most famous women.

Thanks to her hard work, creativity and skills, another Slovenian woman is rocking the word. Ana Roš was seeking perfection in the kitchen for years so that she was finally declared the World’s Best Female Chef.

Additional Information

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