Happy Holidays

The holidays are upon us and we are all busy celebrating. I hope everyone enjoys their time with friends and family this holiday season. Happy holidays and I will see you all in the New Year!!!

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Part II

La Boca is the most picturesque of all neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. By the late 1800´s it was the harbor of Buenos Aires. La Boca means “the mouth”, as it was the mouth of the river Riachuelo, consequently, it was the entrance of all vessels coming from Europe.

This extravagant zone is completely different from the old and the modern Buenos Aires. Romantic stories say that tango was born in La Boca, that prostitutes, mafia, sailors, immigrants lived there, giving a huge variety of personalities. At any time of day you will see Tango dancers on the streets and see them performing while you are eating in almost every restaurant.

A typical or even particular feature of La Boca is that all houses are full-color painted. The reason might be that the immigrants used the remaining paints found in the nearby docks to decorate their humble buildings, made of metal, with balconies

 

The famous 100-meter street “Caminito” (also the title of a typical argentine tango), is the soul of La Boca. A handcraft fair alongside Caminito during the week-ends and holidays is an odd offer for visitors.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Our next stop on the trip was magnificent Buenos Aires – the Paris of South America, the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after Greater São Paulo.
Buenos Aires is divided into many barrios, which means neighborhoods. Each one of them has something special to offer and has an important story that identifies the spirit and characteristics of its citizens.
I’d like to highlight just a few, which you cannot miss:

First of all it is the Center of the city with its famous Avenida 9 de Julio - the widest avenue in the world, running roughly 1 kilometer (0.62 mi). It has seven lanes running in each direction and is flanked on either side by parallel streets of three lanes each. Although we crossed it several times, it was a real challenge every time we did it!

Just a couple of blocks from our hotel was the Teatro Colón, the main opera house in Buenos Aires. Acoustically, this theater is considered to be amongst the five best concert venues in the world. We were lucky to get on the one hour guided tour to see this incredible famous Opera House. The tour is an hour long and is outstanding, well worth the price and the time it takes to tour through. It reminded us of the Opera Garnier in Paris. You won't find Chagall’s work in Teatro Colon, but there are allegorical ceiling frescoes painted by Raúl Soldi.

The next district not to be missed is Recoleta, a high class residential and commercial district and one of the most elegant neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Recoleta is known as the Little Paris in Buenos Aires. Its French style residences, large gardens, squares, fashionable hotels, museums as well as the restaurants and cafes give this area a distinctive and special profile.

The Cemetery of Recoleta, founded in XIX century by the Recoletos (a religious order) is considered one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, similar to Pere Lachaise in Paris, or Arlington in Washington D.C. It's a virtual city of the dead. The famous and the infamous live in mini-mansions with doors and windows. They say that "it is easier to get into heaven than to get into Recoleta". They have a tomb here that cost over a million dollars. They have Evita (Peron); they have sad stories of premature burial. You can see the best of it with a tour guide.
In the heart of Recoleta is Floralis Generica. It is very huge aluminum and steel flower is positioned in the middle of a water feature in one of the green areas on United Nation square. The
petals of the flower open at sunrise and closes again at sunset.

 

150 meters away from this flower, across elegant Libertador Avenue, is the el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes -The National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA) of Argentina, which holds in its permanent collection priceless works of art by Argentine artists, as well as works by European masters such as Titian, Goya, Rembrandt, Gauguin, Pissarro, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Degas… Unfortunately, we had only one hour for this Museum.

Puerto Madero, a contemporary neighborhood in Buenos Aires, with its reach history and luscious landscapes, deserves a special visit from you.
The history of Puerto Madero is fascinating, having originally been the main port of Buenos Aires, now Puerto Nuevo, moved for economical reasons and was left abandoned for over a century. In the 90s a magnificent renovation took place. The old red brick warehouses were refurbished into luxurious offices, residences, 5 stars hotels, banks, movies, restaurants and pubs. One of the most interesting places in this district is the Puente de la Mujer (Spanish for "Women's Bridge") - a rotating pedestrian bridge (to learn what is a rotating or swing bridge go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_bridge)
And of course, La Boca – the birthplace of Argentinean tango, but I will leave that for next time…

 

Iguazu Falls, Brazil - Argentina

The next place we visited on our trip to South America was Iguazu Fall.

 

The immensity of these falls makes it hard to describe. More than 240 individual falls are in a horseshoe shaped array fed by a river more than 2 km wide. The park has a trail system which enables you to view the falls from several places. There is also a boat ride that will give you a view that you'll remember. We were lucky to see Iguazu from both Brazilian and Argentinean sides. They are different, but both are worth seeing. A spectacular place – just look at couple of a hundred pictures we took! On November 11 of 2011, Iguazu Falls was announced as one of the seven winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.

 

Another great experience was the visit to Triple Frontier -the tri-border region where the borders of 3 countries meet: Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. While there are many triple borders in the world, this in particular is formed naturally by the convergence of two rivers - the Parana River and the Iguassu River.

 At the convergence of the borders, each of the three bordering countries has erected an obelisk, painted in the national colors of the country in which it is located. We saw all three countries from the Argentine side, which is most accessible for tourists because this landmark is very close to the urban area of Puerto Iguazu, less than 2 km from the center. It is dated 1903 - year of the border treaty with Brazil.

I’d like to add that there are more than 150 tri-points around the world. If you are interested in learning about them, please go to http://twistedsifter.com/2012/05/famous-tripoints-around-the-world/.

Who knows, maybe you decided to visit one of them.

 

 

Brazil

Perhaps you were wondering why I haven’t posted any new article lately.
The reason - I was on the trip visiting three very different countries: Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
It was an amazing trip and we took over 800 pictures. (We started to go through them, but it is a big job)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  

It is an impossible task to choose which one of all Rio de Janeiro attractions comes first.

Of course, we visited all famous sites:

Corcovado Mountain topped with the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer - we traveled through the Tijuca Rain Forest by cog train to Corcovado Mountain for breathtaking views of one of the world's most beautiful cities. The white statue with outstretched arms has come to be not only a symbol of the Catholic faith, but of the city of Rio as well;

Sugarloaf Mountain - two cable cars take visitors to the summit where we enjoyed stunning views of Rio de Janeiro from a height of 1,296 feet;
Cathedral - contemporary structure shaped as the coffee cap turned upside down;
Beautiful Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches - Even though the beaches are next to each other, it is easy to differentiate them by just taking a look at the Portuguese wave patterns on the sidewalk.
We admired Cinelandia Square with Municipal Theatre and Brazilian National Library, Municipality and the Higher Court.
We spent almost the whole day in Petropolis, the one of Rio de Janeiro's premier mountain resorts, located 720m (2,400 ft.) above sea level. The lovely tree-lined streets, the palaces, mansions, and museums can be comfortably explored on foot or by horse and buggy. The historic part of the city, centered around the Imperial Museum and the Cathedral, contains the majority of the monuments and museums. Tree-lined canals and large squares give the small city a remarkably pleasant atmosphere; the side streets are worth exploring just to have a peek at the many mansions and villas. If you are ever in Brazil, please do not miss this town and take time for guided tour of Imperial Palace.

Brazilian drinks and food is a separate topic –more than 20 different juices prepared from fresh ingredients at your order, delicious empanadas, and of course, Cachaça, national liquor of Brazil, it is made from distilled sugar cane. Very similar to rum, you can either purchase it aged or unaged, white or gold. The most popular soft drink produced in Brazil with a distinct apple/berry flavor is Guaraná Antartica. In some places it is considered an energy drink. To give you an idea of the popularity of Guaraná, it is the official sponsor of the Brazilian national football team (yes, they beat Coca-cola to that title).

 

 And finally, you cannot visit Rio and not eat at Marius at least once. The ambiance, in front of the Copacabana beach, the interior of the restaurant brings you in the mood of the sea, pirates, history, romance and even the toilet is a "special place" to visit!. We took a lot of pictures there, but for the best views please go to http://www.marius.com.br/2012/tour_photobolha2/.

 

To all of you...

As the Tristate area is dealing with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, my thoughts are with those who lost their homes during the course of the last few days. May you have the strength and the courage to rebuild!

Costa Rica

Quite a few of you talked to me recently about vacationing in Costa Rica.
Since now is a good time to make your reservations for the best time to go to Costa Rica (December-February) I would like to share with you the information I just received from www.vacationtogo.com:

Costa Rica is a haven for travelers who love nature and outdoor adventure. The Central American country is tucked between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, and roughly a quarter of its territory is preserved as a national park or conservation area.

Hummingbirds and butterflies hover at hibiscus flowers, howler monkeys bellow from the treetops and iguanas may lounge in the sun not far from your poolside chair. You can swing through forests on a zip line, take an easygoing boat ride down a wildlife-rich river, or snorkel along pristine beaches.

Below are suggested several properties in Costa Rica. They include traditional hotels and a few all-inclusive resorts, where the upfront rate includes meals, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, entertainment and many activities.

Budget Beach Escapes

Allegro Papagayo- It's built into a lush hillside in Guanacaste, on a series of terraces that lead down to a black-sand beach. Guests will find a large pool, a supervised kids' club, live evening entertainment, three restaurants (buffet, Italian and Tex-Mex), four bars and recreation like volleyball, beach soccer, billiards, kayaking and sailing.

Occidental Grand Papagayo- Guests can lounge in the shade of trees that line the beach -- where non-motorized water sports are covered in the resort's all-inclusive pricing -- or spend time by the pools, in the fitness center or spotting wildlife on the grounds.

Romantic Getaways

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo -- This 6-star retreat in Guanacaste occupies a peninsula edged by two long, golden beaches. On the south side, Playa Blanca is an active spot with complimentary snorkeling and kayaking. Playa Virador on the northern edge has a more tranquil atmosphere and is near the kids-free "quiet pool," one of four pools on-site. Accommodations include secluded Canopy Suites nestled into the hillside, offering views of jungle and the Pacific Ocean below. Some suites and villas have private plunge pools.

Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens -- Surrounded by rain forest, this inland, 3-star boutique property in Arenal is comprised of 50 freestanding casitas, starting at 855 square feet. Each boasts a private garden with outdoor shower as well as a terrace with a Jacuzzi for two and views of the volcano. The open-air spa allows guests to enjoy treatments amid the sounds of birds, flowing water and the tropical breeze.

Family Vacations

Hotel Riu Guanacaste-- Family-friendly features at this large, all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste include a children's pool, playground, a daily activities program for kids ages 4 to 12 and roomy two-bedroom, two-bath suites. It's a 5-star property on Matapalo Beach with windsurfing, snorkeling and kayaking gear for guests, plus beach volleyball, a gym, day and evening entertainment, three specialty restaurants and buffet-style dining with on-the-spot cooking stations.

Barcelo Langosta Beach-- Archery, tennis, a playground, gym, dance classes, volleyball court and daily entertainment programs for kids and adults are among the offerings at 3-star Barcelo Langosta Beach, an all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste. Guests can dine in the buffet restaurant, at the snack bar or, for an additional fee, in the a la carte restaurant.

I would like to add that if you prefer more active vacation and want to see Costa Rica from coast to coast I would sagest tour with www.caravan.com.

The Fall Foliage in November

Are you looking for some of the best vacation places in the US to experience the fall foliage?

The fall foliage in the states, roughly speaking, starts as early as mid September and ends as late as mid November.
Traditionally, places such as New York State, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine in New England, as well as Wisconsin and Michigan in the Midwest experience the fall foliage first.
If you’re planning a late fall foliage vacation and are wondering what the best destinations in November are, here it is a list of some of the best places to see fall foliage:

Arkansas: If you’re looking to enjoy a late fall foliage vacation, the state of Arkansas is probable one of the best places to travel for leaf-peepers. For instance, the majestic Ouachita Forest has many great spots for watching the leaves turning color.  One of the best places to see fall foliage within Ouachita National Forest is Little Missouri Falls recreational area, near Glenwood Arkansas.

Mississippi: North of Mississippi, Holly Springs National Forest is one of the most popular places to see the fall foliage in early November. One of the best spots within Holly Springs National Forest is the Wall Doxey State Park, which is centered on a lovely spring lake. Apart from being a great spot for seeing the leaf color change, Wall Doxey State Park is just 30 miles of Memphis Tennessee.

Alabama: Leaf change color begins to show in the mountains of North Alabama also in early October, although colors will be at their peak in early November. The cities of Huntsville AL and Decatur AL are within a short distance of some of the best places to see fall foliage. For instance, the Joe Wheeler State Park is just 30 miles west of Decatur, and offers the perfect spot for enjoying other activities such as fishing, boating and hiking. Then, you have the Monte Sano State Park which is just 5 miles east of Huntsville, AL.

Georgia: The Chattahoochee National Forest, located north of Atlanta in Georgia, is one of the best places to see fall foliage. For instance, Brasstown Bald Visitor Center boasts an observation deck that offers great views to see the fall colors. Driving along the Russell-Brasstown Byway is another way to experience the fall colors, and the best thing is that this scenic highway also offers plenty of historical landmarks to see as well as natural attractions such as cascading waterfalls and rocky cliffs.You can find more details about all national forests at http://www.fs.fed.us/

P.S. I really appreciate feedback from my followers and would like to thank the readers who sent in comments to previous article.

Discovering Columbus

Before telling you about today’s topic I’d like to answer to someone who asked me when the blog started: it started September 2011. I also would like to say that I appreciate this person’s comment and am very glad he/she is enjoying my blog and finding it useful.

A couple days ago, I came to Columbus Circle and something unusual caught my eyes– the Columbus monument was surrounded by some structure and I so people climbing stairs inside this structure. On the structure I read "Discovering Columbus".

It's the latest creation by Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi, turning the Columbus Monument into a piece of conceptual art. A new exhibit is allowing people to view a statue of Christopher Columbus as if it were right inside their living room.

Most New Yorkers can only dream of an apartment like this - spectacular views of midtown Manhattan, an iconic work of art in the living room and prime Columbus Circle location.

The living room is 27-foot by 30-foot and complete with couch, lamps, television and coffee table - wrapping around the statue, situated atop a six-story column at one of Manhattan's busiest intersections near Central Park.

The spacious room with contemporary furnishings is so authentic looking it is easy to forget you're standing on top of a huge monument in Manhattan. The room has pink wallpaper, designed by Nishi, and features small illustrations of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Mickey Mouse, cowboys and other pop culture images. Burgundy drapes hang on large picture windows. Visitors can sit on the purple couch, at the foot of Columbus, and watch a flat-screen TV tuned in to CNN.

Up to 25 people at a time can enter the living room by using the stairs inside the scaffolding and enjoy a rare opportunity to see the 1892 marble figure of the great Italian explorer up close. Since 70-foot climb from the ground floor could be a problem, an elevator is available for those who can't climb the stairs.

Although not everyone is enthusiastic about the artwork, I want to add that Nishi, who is internationally known for transforming historical monuments by surrounding them with domestic spaces, said the aim of his piece is to put the viewer at eye level with the statue. "Discovering Columbus" is his first public art project in the United States. His other works include "Villa Victoria," a temporary functioning hotel around a statue of Queen Victoria for the 2002 Liverpool Biennial.

Visitors can reserve free advance passes to "Discovering Columbus" through the Public Art Fund's website at http://ev6.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=CC&linkID=img-aeg&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=&format=grpMenu

Entry to this exhibition is by timed ticket only, and each visitor must present his or her own pass to enter. Each pass is valid for the date and time indicated and grants access to the exhibition for up to 30 minutes.

So, if you are a New Yorker or planning to visit New York between now and November 21, try to “Discover Columbus”.

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St. Augustine, FL

It seems like yesterday some of us were complaining about hot weather, and now the fall is in full effect. However, if you’d like to get back to summer and see a very old and interesting town, I invite you to St. Augustine.

St. Augustine is the nation's oldest city and it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's most charming. 

Known as the "Ancient City," Saint Augustine is nestled between North East and Central East Florida and is conveniently located near Jacksonville, Orlando, and Daytona airports. North Florida's year-round mild climate is perfect for strolling St. Augustine's delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, bars, unique shops and bed-and-breakfast inns.
Stroll down St. George Street - many visitors enjoy the many shops along the street and the ambiance. Take a Scenic Cruise aboard the Victory III--a fun and inexpensive way to see St.     Augustine from the Matanzas River with plenty of opportunity for dolphin sightings.  
   
Keep in mind that there are no better views of St. Augustine and the sea than from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The 219 steps will take you 165 feet above sea level. Constructed of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron, the lighthouse is St. Augustine’s oldest brick structure and was completed in 1874.
If you do not feel like walking take the Old Town Trolley Tour, highlighting the best St. Augustine Attractions, with 22 stops and more than 100 points of interest. 
I’d like to mention some of them:

In the heart of the walking historic district you’ll find the Lightner Museum. It opened its doors in the1880's as one of Flagler's hotels, Hotel Alcazar, with what was at the time the largest indoor swimming pool in the world! Its architecture is amazing. The building features soaring ceilings, and enough marble to refill a quarry.

Villa Zorayda located at 83 King Street looks like a red castle! Personal Guided tours start at 10:00 AM - last one is at 4:30 PM. On-your-own guided tours with ear phones are also available - very cool. The tours are about 45 minutes. Walking into the longtime tourist attraction is a bit like entering a scene from the Arabian Nights, designed to look like a portion of the fabulous Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain. The castle features a 2,400-year-old Egyptian rug woven from cat hairs. You know the Egyptians revered cats! Brass fixtures hang in every room. Peacock brass lamps, a tree of glass, statues, paintings and Flemish, Chinese, Moorish, Italian, English and Burmese furniture are scattered throughout the house. Tiled floors, carvings and arches reflect the influence of the Alhambra.

A quick drive from the Old City over the bridge is The Alligator Farm, which also has monkeys and a bird rookery. It is a great place for young and old alike!

Fort Matanzas - a Spanish "outlook" fort that was built between 1740 & 1742 on Anastasia island about 16 miles down A1A South near Crescent Beach. There is no admission charge for the site, the eight minute video or the five minute boat ride to the fort. It is an "interactive fort" where one is allowed to climb up to the roof on a wooden ladder so children of all ages love it.

Sun, fun, history and mystery—St. Augustine has it all!

 

 

 

“Monet’s Garden” at the New York Botanical Garden

If you have never been in Giverny, France and do not plan a trip anytime soon, you might consider visiting “Monet’s Garden” at the New York Botanical Garden for a taste of what you are missing. Organized by Paul Hayes Tucker, the Monet scholar, it is not a painting show, though it does include two representative garden-inspired Monet canvases. 

Claude Monet was a keen gardener and once reflected that perhaps flowers were the reason he became a painter. This exhibition explores the legacy of his idyllic garden in Giverny by transforming the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a floral masterpiece of diverse plants, bold colors, and dramatic design. Monet’s most famous subjects, water lilies, many of them the varieties he grew, are featured in the Conservatory Courtyard Pools.

 Two Monet’s works painted at Giverny --one which has never been publicly exhibited in the United States--are on display in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library’s Rondina and LoFaro Gallery.

Also on display in the Ross Gallery are Seasons of Giverny, photographic portraits of Monet's iconic garden revealing the beauty of Monet’s garden as it exists now.

“Monet’s Garden” at the New York Botanical Garden runs through Oct. 21.

While the admission fee is $20 during the week and $25 on weekends, it includes admission to all gardens and open buildings, and includes using the tram, which runs throughout the garden (easy on - easy off at any of the designated stops).

For driving directions, please go to http://www.nybg.org/visit/directions.php#car

The Botanical Garden is also accessible via public transport:

Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Southern Boulevard to the Garden's Mosholu Gate entrance. It is just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan! 

If you prefer the Subway take the B, D, or train 4 to Bedford Park Blvd Station. From the station exit take the bus Bx 26 east to the Garden's Mosholu Gate entrance or walk eight blocks down the hill on Bedford Park Blvd to the end (approximately 20 minutes). Turn left onto Southern Blvd and walk one block to Mosholu Gate entrance.

Falling Water, PA

On our way back from Pittsburgh to New York we visited The Fallingwater. I wanted to see this place for a long time and when I finally did, it exceeded all expectations. You can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuZ0x5Qkgzg&feature=related to get an idea of what it is like, but books, postcards and movies do no justice to this amazing architectural wonder.

Fallingwater was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1936 for Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar Kaufmann Sr. who used it as a mountain retreat for his family.

Frank Lloyd Wright was a genius and this place is a must-see for anyone interested in architecture. The view away from the house is so stunning that even if you're not an art or architecture buff you will find the place fascinating and realize what a genius F. L. Wright was.

Fallingwater is listed among Smithsonian's Life List of 28 places "to visit before you die." It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. In 1991, members of the American Institute of Architects named the house the "best all-time work of American architecture" and in 2007, it was ranked twenty-ninth on the list of America's Favorite Architecture according to the AIA. It really does feel like you could just settle right in, so very inviting is the architecture.

Pay attention to the building, of course, but don't forget to check out the amazing collection of furniture and decorative pieces (some of them gifts from Wright himself).

Visiting: There are several types of tour offered. The most common is the regular tour that features all the major rooms of the house and lasts approximately one hour.

Advance ticket purchase or reservations are essential for all tours at Fallingwater. Tickets may be purchased on-line at http://www.fallingwater.org/105 or by calling Visitor Services at 724-329-8501 daily 8:30 am to 4:30 pm ET.

The visitor's center is worth checking out: great gift shop, minimal junk, lots of real art pieces and solid design items; yummy things in the cafe, also minimal junk, lots of inside seating with beautiful views, as well as plenty of outside sitting for those preferring to eat al fresco.

The Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA

On Labor Day weekend we went to Pittsburgh, PA.  We saw several interesting attractions including Biblical Garden and PPJ complex, but the most interesting for us and definitely most unique, was the Cathedral of Learning.
Perhaps the best-known building in Pittsburgh and the second tallest academic building in the world after Moscow State University, the Cathedral of Learning is a 42-story building used by the University of Pittsburgh. Dedicated in 1937 and a registered historical landmark, the building features classrooms, offices and libraries as well as the "Commons Room," a Gothic-style hallway souring four stories high, and the "Nationality Classrooms," ornately-styled classrooms designed in the style of a particular country.
You enter each room through a gigantic, heavy, wooden door - notice the details on the doorknobs and the doors themselves - amazing. Then each room is a treasure of art, history and culture. Be sure to look at the ceilings - many are decorated.
These 28 rooms, and the Commons Room that located in the center, are beyond description- they have to be seen to be believed (the University has received room reservation requests from seven additional Nationality Room Committees which are in various stages of fund raising and room design). Of course, I cannot tell you about each of them, but just would like to mention my favorite ones. 

The Indian Classroom is modeled on a typical 4th-9th century AD courtyard from Nalanda University, a Buddhist monastic university in Nalanda. The room depicts a classroom courtyard at Nalanda.

The Israel Heritage Room - the elegant simplicity of a 1st-century Galilean stone dwelling or house of assembly inspired the design of this room. Stone benches, patterned after those in the 2nd-3rd century synagogue of Capernaum, provide student seating. The oak entrance door panels bear the Ten Commandments carved in Hebrew. A scroll fragment in the rear case replicates the Dead Sea Isaiah Scroll segment. Ancient wine jars flank the scroll.

The Turkish Nationality Room, opened in May 2012, is designed to represent the “main room” in a traditional Turkish house with seating along the walls, surrounding the central open area. There is an entrance gallery area separating the main room from the entrance for privacy. The gallery space is adorned with four ceramic panels and a life size scene from 1928, depicting Kemal Atatürk instructing the Turkish nation on the Latin alphabet adopted as the legal script of modern Turkey. Another major feature of the Turkish Nationality Room is a 6’ by 20’ wall mural depicting a view of Istanbul behind what looks like a picture window on the east wall of the room.

The Ukrainian Classroom is designed in Baroque style with richly carved wood and colorful ceramics. The lintel inscription commemorates Ukraine's millennium of Christianity (988-1988). The stove tiles depict festival practices and daily life. The chalkboard doors bearing the Tree of Life are surmounted by three Cyrillic alphabets used in Ukraine in the 11th, 17th, and 19th centuries.

There are several ways to experience the rooms:
Recorded tour, describing the rooms’ elements allows guests to proceed through the rooms at their own pace. Beginning with the Israel Heritage Room in 1987, each third-floor Nationality Room has its own narrated tour which can run from five to eight minutes.
When school is in session the rooms function as university classrooms, so audiotape tours are only available on weekends.
School is out of session from the end of April to the beginning of the Fall Term in September. During this time, audiotape tours are available Sundays through Saturdays.
Fees:   Adults $4; Youths (6-18 years) $2
Online : You can see images of the rooms with accompanying text and audio descriptions online. Visit http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/pages/allnr.html and choose between the first and third floor rooms.
For driving direction please go to http://www.nationalityroom.pitt.edu/directions

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Do you know what is The Great Jack O’Lantern?

There is an old Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack who was too mean to get into heaven and had played too many tricks on the devil to go to hell. When he died, he had to walk the earth, carrying a lantern made out of a turnip with a burning coal inside. Stingy Jack became known as "Jack of the Lantern," or "Jack-o'-Lantern."

From this legend came the Irish tradition of placing jack-o'-lanterns made of turnips and other vegetables in windows or by doors on Halloween. The jack-o'-lanterns are meant to scare away Stingy Jack and all the other spirits that are said to walk the earth on that night. It wasn't until the tradition was brought to the United States by immigrants that pumpkins were used for jack-o'-lanterns.

Now every October, carved pumpkins peer out from porches and doorsteps in the United States and other parts of the world. Gourd-like orange fruits inscribed with ghoulish faces and illuminated by candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season.

By the way in the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general, long before it became an emblem of Halloween.

The tri-state area’s biggest, most exciting, most electrifying Halloween event returns for a whopping 22 nights in 2012 at Van Cortlandt Manor in Hudson Valley!

See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns in this elaborate walk-through experience. Meander through an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display – all made of jack o’ lanterns! Stroll through the Tunnel O’ Pumpkin Love and emerge to the incredible sight of gourd-filled Jack-in-the-Box springing up and bouncing around. Flying pumpkin ghosts will soar above the lantern-lit path...

This event requires advance tickets and has limited capacity

The tickets are going on sale for General Public September 4, 2012

You can order tickets online https://www.hudsonvalley.org/store or by phone 914-366-6900.

The prices are:

Adults, $16, Children 3-17, $12 (Saturdays $20, $16) on line and
Adults, $18, Children 3-17, $14 (Saturdays $22, $18) on the phone (includes $2/ticket surcharge)
FREE for children under 3

Remember: all tickets are for specific day and time and are final sale.

For direction please go to http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/van-cortlandt-manor/directions.

Labor Day weekend

Symbolically representing the transition from summer to fall, Labor Day gathers friends and family together for one final weekend packed full of events and activities before students return back to school and the journey into the seemingly never ending months that end in “ber” begins.
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers, but it was first celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday and have been celebrated on that day ever since, which, luckily, gives us a long weekend to celebrate.

I’m sure many of you already have plans (as do I), but if you don’t, I would like to remind you about many interesting destination I have featured on my blog. Just go to Friend's Travel Club’s archive (provide link here) and pick something you would consider visiting.

Happy Labor Day and easy travel to all of you!