Apr 30
Robert NickelTravel Tips Travel Tips
The United States is home to many amazing things like the Grand Canyon, Walt Disney World and Yosemite National Park. Simply because of the country’s history, there are people of all different ethnicities, nationalities, lifestyles, tastes, beliefs and occupations in the US. The diversity of landscape and livelihood alone would be reasons for unusual things to appear along the highways, but the mix of cultures and beliefs has added a whole no level of weirdness. There definitely a higher than average accumulation of odd attractions in the United States, so if you are planning a road trip it might be fun to include a few on your itinerary.
The Oxen Statues
In Three Forks, Montana there is a restaurant in a building that is fashioned to look like a covered wagon. The Prairie Schooner diner is popular with locals for its home style cooking, but the two massive oxen statues that appear to be pulling the covered wagon restaurant are what attracts those driving by. Each time the cashier inside the establishment sees people looking at the oxen, she pulls a lever that releases fluid in such a way that the oxen look as though they are relieving themselves.
Precious Moments Chapel
In case you are not familiar, Precious Moments are a series of small porcelain figurines depicting children with angel wings doing various activities. The figurines are most famous for the stylized eyes on the faces, as they are tear-drop shaped and very sweet looking. The owners of the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri have painted scenes from the bible on the walls and ceiling of the chapel in the Michelangelo style of the Sistine Chapel. The kicker here is every character from the bible is depicted as a Precious Moments child.
Prehistoric Forest
In Marblehead, Ohio there is the opportunity to visit a dinosaur park. No doubt there are many so-called dinosaur parks in North America, let along the United States, however at this one there is the added pleasure of pretending to ‘kill the monsters’. When guests visit the park they can take a tram ride to view the dinosaur statues and are given a toy rifle and instructions on ‘killing the monsters’.
Marfa Prada Store
If you happen to be driving through Texas, just 150 miles south of El Paso is the Marfa Prada Store. Now, before getting your Prada buying hope too high let us tell you the store is closed permanently and even if it were open, none of the contents are for sale. Additionally, the 20 genuine Prada shoes inside are just that – shoes, not pairs of shoes. They are all single left foot shoes, which accompany six genuine Prada handbags. The Marfa Prada is proclaimed by a nearby sign, as a permanent art project that is specific to the site in which it sits.
These are just four of the hundreds of odd, weird, unusual, unique, even interesting attractions along the back-roads and highways of the United States. Visiting these places is a great way to catch a glimpse of the odd hobbies people have. What may be mundane or outrageous to use, may be wonderful and exciting to someone else. To each their own.
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Apr 30
Robert NickelTravel Tips Travel Tips
Louisiana is a state in the southern region of the US, most famously known for its largest city of New Orleans. The so-called Bayou State garners a lot of stereotypes, some of which are accurate and others are pure fiction. Here, we will venture to shed some light on fact and fiction surround the stories of Louisiana.
1 – Contrary to popular assumption, New Orleans is not the capitol city of Louisiana. Baton Rouge is.
2 – The state was named after Louis XIV, the King of France at the time the region was claimed by Rene-Robert Cavelier.
3 – The original Louisiana Territory stretched from Mobile Bay all the way up to what is now southwestern Canada.
4 – The motto of Louisiana is “Union, Justice and Confidence”.
5 – The official languages are English and French.
6 – The climate of Louisiana is humid subtropical, not tropical monsoon as is widely believed.
7 – Louisiana is the only state in the US that does not have counties. Civil districts are called ‘parishes’.
8 – The term used for divisions of area within Louisiana harkens back to French colonial days when a parish priest would be responsible for a particular unit of land and its people.
9 – Louisiana is the only state with a significant population of Cajuns.
10 – Cajuns are descendants of the Acadian French who were driven out of Canada.
11 – The confederate Louisiana Native Guards was the first American army to have members of African descent.
12 – The city of Rayne is known as “The Frog Capitol of the World”.
13 – Louisiana has the second largest population of African Americans in the US.
14 – As of 2005 the per capita personal income in Louisiana was $30,952 – 41st in the US
15 – The seafood industry supports 16,000 jobs in Louisiana.
16 – Louisiana was the first state to offer the option of a covenant marriage, in which the couple must show cause for separation if a divorce is wanted. In a traditional marriage there is a six month no-fault period.
17 – It is illegal to marry your sibling, aunt, nephew, niece, uncle, or first cousin in Louisiana.
18 – Same-sex marriage is illegal in Louisiana.
19 – Of those claiming to have religious affiliations in Louisiana, 90% are Christian.
20 – The Magnolia is the Louisiana state flower.
21 – In 1990 the Diatonic Accordion was made the official Louisiana state musical instrument.
22 – In 1917 the first Tarzan movie was filmed in Louisiana.
23 – Louisiana is second highest producer of sugar cane in North America.
24 – The state is also the second highest producer of the sweet potato in North America.
25 – The state of Louisiana has the largest concentration of crude oil, natural gas and petrochemical production facilities in the Western Hemisphere.
26 – Louisiana has the longest coastline of any US state.
27 – The town of Jean Lafitte was named after a famous pirate, and was an avidly used hideaway for pirates.
28 – Portions of the Mississippi River that run near New Orleans, lie below sea level.
29 – The highest point in Louisiana is the summit of Driskill Mountain, at a meager 535 feet.
30 – In Louisiana, it is illegal to gargle in public.
31 – Breaux Bridge is widely known in Louisiana as the “Crawfish Capitol”.
32 – The longest bridge that runs over water – in the world – is in Metairie, Louisiana. It is 24 miles long.
33 – If you steal an alligator, the Louisiana State Police will put you in prison for up to ten years.
34 – According to an article in the 2011 Louisiana Law Review, an offender is 2.6 times more likely to be given the death penalty for killing a white person than a black person.
35 – The Superdome in New Orleans is the world’s largest enclosed stadium.
36 – Louisiana is home to 6.5 million acres of wetlands.
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Apr 29
Rob AthertonTravel Tips Travel Tips
Each year, holidaymakers and visitors travel to the popular location of Sharm el Sheikh from United Kingdom. They come to take it easy by the beach or swimming pool. Some want to scuba dive and other spend hours snorkelling on neighbouring coral reefs. There are enough tours to be had for visitors to Sharm and without doubt one of the more desirable ones is an excursion to Egypt’s capital, Cairo.
Cairo is home to the world famous Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx but the day excursions to Cairo offer much more than simply these age-old monuments. From Sharm el Sheikh, day-trippers can either get to Cairo by road or air. Either way, its an early start with road trips leaving at roughly two in the morning and flights at close to five in the morning. It makes for a long day ahead but it is definitely worth the effort.
Itineraries may vary on trip to trip but in general starts off with a visit to the Cairo Museum or to give it’s correct title “The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo”. All of the morning is spent at the museum and it is packed with some popular pieces. Some of the more outstanding pieces are those which were discovered in the tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamen including the famous gold and blue death mask. There are also several items of furniture and ornaments and one thing that is noticeable is how well the colours are preserved in many of the items bearing in mind they are thousands of years old. Having said that there is too much to investigate in the museum which means travellers and tourists have to pick and choose the areas they want to go to.
After leaving the museum, the tour group is taken down to the Nile for lunch aboard a river boat. There is a fair selection of food and for entertainment there are also dancers. On the other hand, you can easlily observe the Cairo skyline pass by as you sail up and back to your starting point.
Next are the Pyramids of Giza. Looking at lots of photos, you can be forgiven for thinking the Pyramids are in the midst of the desert but that is not the situation. The Pyramids and Sphinx are basically on the edge of Cairo. It is extremely hard not to be astounded the minute you get up close to the Great Pyramid thanks to the actual size of the it. You’ll be able to have a good amount of time here to stroll round the Pyramids and there are no shortage of people attempting to sell you a broad assortment of souvenirs or rides on their camels. There are ample opportunities for photographs prior to the tour coach drives you a bit further down to the Sphinx. Just as before, you will be given the chance to purchase a variety of souvenirs and there are further photograph opportunities. However, the Sphinx has not worn nearly as well as the Pyramids which means you can not get as close to it. It is late afternoon as the group leaves Cairo’s most notable tourist sights but there is still time for a couple more visits.
The first of these visits is at a perfume shop where your are invited to try a few of the a large number of scents the shop stocks. From here the tour bus starts off to travel back to the airport with one remaining stop en route. Papyrus is the paper like material produced by the historical Egyptians from the pith of the Papyrus reed. It was used to write on but today, it is a frequent tourist souvenir, in most cases with pictures of ancient Egyptian gods and similar images. At the Papyrus shop, there is a wide range of Papyrus available and tourists can also enjoy a display of how modern day Papyrus is created.
The excursion bus departs and the excursion to Cairo is over. The tour party now heads back to the airport for the flight back to Sharm el Sheikh or the road journey. The day outings to Cairo from Sharm are quite tiring but are excellent value. For visitors staying in Sharm el Sheikh, it is a fantastic way to watch many of the attractions of Cairo without actually staying there.
Although many visitors travel to Egypt for a beach holiday, Cairo is fast becoming a lot more popular as a destination for a excursion or slightly longer stay.
Apr 29
Kate HughTravel Tips Travel Tips
There are some discussions best left to private places, and admittedly toenail fungus is one of those topics. There are more people than you may think who get this fungal condition. If you ever develop any type of fungus growth on your body, then you really have to see a physician or treat it with non-prescription medication. Neglecting to administer treatment to toenail fungus will result in a lot more problems including nail loss. Yes, you can develop toenail fungus on the nails on your fingers, too. Higher humidity with dim light boosts the development of this fungus, and that is the reasin it is known as toenail fungus. One more good reason for containing the spread is due to its being contagious.
One of the basic symptoms of toenail fungus is a discolored nail. It may look to be yellowish or white in color, and others often think they just have dirt underneath their toenails. But keep in mind that this growth is on the nail bed, and any attempts to clean it will not be effective. That inability to clean the discolored nail is something you should bear in mind. You can clean and scrape but the stained look of the nail won’t disappear. Left untreated, you will observe your affected nail eventually become very dark in color. The clever thing to do at any point is to make use of an over the counter toenail fungus drug or even see your physician.
You are going to shortly find yourself having more problems to deal with if you ignore the infection. Drastically thinner nails is extremely common with a large number of people, but not everybody has that happen. However, there are people who experience the opposite with an increase in nail thickness. In any case, the toenail will become weaker and can begin breaking off here and there. Of course pretty soon the entire nail will most likely fall away, which is extremely undesirable for anyone. The affected nail will noticeably begin to smell awful as the infection develops underneath the nail.
Toenail fungus can develop to the point where it becomes severe and causes genuine discomfort. What makes it difficult to see instantly is the fact that the fungus begins to amass and develop underneath the nail. What occurs is the fungus begins metabolizing the nail because it is consuming the keratin protein found in the toenaail. Bear in mind that the fungus favors dark areas so it can develop well. As far as what may possibly cause it, tight shoes worn all the time as well as substandard nail care. In addition, some toenail fungus sufferers may experience an unusual skin pH that adds to the growth of this fungus.
Generally, you could arrest toenail fungus from becoming serious in the first place through proper hygiene and nail care. Since the fungus is a communicable condition, you have to be careful in places like public saunas and steam rooms at health facilities and similar places. But you can easily and quickly take drugs orally or apply it topically to the infected nail.
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Apr 29
Howie HolbenTravel Tips Travel Tips
The world is full of exciting and wondrous places to visit and things to do and see. If you do not want to deal with the hassles of planning a vacation yourself, gay vacations are an excellent option for leaving the planning to the professionals and simply enjoying your trip, while having life-changing experiences. Best of all, depending on where you wish to travel, LGBT tours can be taken any time of year.
Brazil is one of many popular gay travel destinations. Travelers to Rio de Janeiro will find Christ the Redeemer and breathtaking views atop Corcovado, or can spend the day at one of the famous beaches, such as Copacabana. There is also great shopping and non-stop nightlife for visitors looking for a bit of urban fun during their stay.
For a different type of urban adventure, there is also the vibrant city of Sao Paulo. Visitors will find a lively LGBT scene, which is rumored to be the largest LGBT club scene on the planet. You will also find exceptional Brazilian cuisine, museums and upscale shopping.
If a European vacation suits your style, gay vacations to Spain are an excellent choice. The city of Barcelona is widely considered the most LGBT-friendly city in Europe, and there is positively no end to things to see and do. There are the breathtaking buildings by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Granada’s Alhambra and the world-famous Guggenheim Museum located in Bilbao. Ski trips to the Sierra Nevada range are also popular options for gay vacations, especially around the areas of Malaga and Torremolinos.
If you would like to experience local life, there are often village fiestas taking place. While these celebrations are usually religious in nature, they are often quite fun and sometimes continue long into the night. After a long day of exploring, or a long night of partying, settle into a sidewalk caf and watch the people pass as you take in the atmosphere.
Of course, there is much more to Europe than the vibrant country of Spain. France is another hot destination, where visitors can take D-Day tours through Normandy, visit the castles of Loire, go wine tasting in Burgundy or spend their entire vacation attempting to see and do all that Paris has to offer. And then, of course, there is London, which is a perfectly decadent destination for gay vacations.
While in London, travelers will discover that there is really no better city for easily and conveniently taking in a wide variety of sights in a relatively short time. Visitors should definitely see Big Ben, cruise down the Thames, take a ride on the London Eye and tour St. Paul’s Cathedral, as well as – of course – stopping by Buckingham Palace. After a day of touring this beautiful city, travelers might want to take in a show or might be happy to hear that the best LGBT clubs in the UK can be found in London, such as The Shadow Lounge, Fire, Ruby Tuesdays, Heaven and more.
If your ideal gay travel destination involves ancient ruins, sun-soaked beaches and indulging in local food and drink, the Mediterranean might be your ideal destination for solo trips or gay tours. In between visiting the vast array of historic sites, visitors can haggle with sellers in Athens markets or enjoy the exceptional beauty of Crete. Of course, if open-air markets are not exactly your cup of tea, Athens also has a variety of upscale boutiques and shops.
Egypt is a land of hypnotic rolling dunes as far as the eye can see, blazing pure blue skies and history nearly as old as modern civilization itself. This unique gay travel destination promises plenty of adventure and memorable experiences. Standing on the Giza Plateau, beholding the majesty of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza, you are sure to enjoy seeing sights that hearken back to some of man’s earliest days.
There are many exciting options for gay vacations throughout the world. Regardless of whether you choose solo travel to a tourist hot spot, or choose to take part in gay tours that explore exotic destinations, you are sure to make new friends and lifelong memories during your travels.
Tours to destinations suggestions penned by Howie Holben. His company, Spirit Journeys, is a gay tours enterprise. Spirit Journeys advances spiritual gay vacations all over the planet.
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