You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December, 2007.
No matter where in the world you travel, make sure to challenge yourself. Try a new activity, taste a different food dish, make an effort to speak to the locals, take a road less travelled. Just get out of your comfort zone and do things you didn’t think you could do.
A few days ago I read the post 50 Things I Learnt This Year at My Life With IT and became inspired to make my own list of some of the things I’ve learnt. So, here it is.
This year, I’ve learnt:
1. To live more in the moment.
2. To work smarter, not harder.
3. To get over my Starbucks coffee addiction.
4. To avoid time traps (like checking my email way too often or just surf the Internet without any specific reason).
5. That I feel better when I only eat vegan food.
6. To accept people as they are and not try changing them. The only person I can change is me.
7. To get rid of so called “energy takers” or “energy vampires”.
8. That the best way for me is to follow my heart and do what “feels right”, even if it’s not the most logical thing to do.
9. To travel lighter (I used to pack way too much clothes when travelling).
10. To see challenges as opportunities.
Some of all the zillion things I want to learn next year:
1. To speak French fluently.
2. To get better at Portuguese.
2. More HTML, so I can create my own blog and website.
3. PhotoReading.
4. Surfing.
5. Stepping out of my comfort zone more.
The Thinking Blog 1st anniversary giveaway is in its final round. From today you have five days to vote for the best Ruff PC review. My Fujitsu Siemens Amilo A1650G is quite worn out by now and a brand new water resistant laptop would have been a perfect Christmas present. Usually I’m pretty lucky when it comes to contests, but you can’t win them all.
I remember the first thing I ever won, a white cute teddy bear at the amusement park Liseberg when I was 7-years-old. I still have it in my room at home. In 9th grade I received 4000 SEK in an essay contest and a few weeks later I won a Greece guidebook for island lovers in a slogan contest.
In high school I won Adobe Photoshop in a photography contest, and in January 2006, I was lucky to get the runners up prize of Vega’s Winterboost containing Echinacea, Propolis and Vitamin C from Healthy Soul. A couple of months later I won two great books in Newbie-Writers memoir contest. In September the same year I won a fabulous Refresh and Revive Pamper Day at Nutfield Priory’s Health and Leisure Club in Surrey. This year I won a cool iPod shuffle thanks to Travel Rants blog-a-thon challenge.
I wonder who will take home this price. To place your vote, just go to The Thinking Blog.
Hanoi from the Sofitel © Neil Ta
A few years ago I had a dream about Hanoi, I knew where I was because I saw a sign saying Hanoi. I believe all dreams mean something and I remember I thought the dream must mean that I should travel there… although I didn’t even know anything about the city. I even went to the library to lend a book on how to learn Vietnamese. Later I realised the dream probably meant I will travel to Hanoi someday, not that I have to make it happen within the next few months. Below are some phrases I learnt before I decided to give up on this impulsive idea. But since then I have always been very curious about Hanoi, just as curious as I am about Bangkok, Sydney, Rio and Buenos Aires.
Hello (to an older man) = Ong
(to a younger man) = Anh
(to an old woman) = Ba
(to an older woman) = Chi
(to a younger lady) = Co
How are you? = Bac co Khoe Khong?
Well, thanks = Cam on binh thuong
Thank you = Cam on
Goodbye = Tam biet
Where’s the bathroom = Cau tieu o dau?
Yes = Da (ya in north)
No = Khong (khum)
Excuse me = Xin Toi
I want/need = Toi can/toi muon
I don’t dream about travelling especially often. Since my Hanoi dream I have only dreamt about Chile, that I was walking out from a hotel in East Village in New York a rainy spring day, and that I was meeting some friends in Finsbury Park in north London. I wonder what will be next. Maybe Australia. When I lived in London last year, my flatmate’s friend who is a palmist said that I will travel in Australia, and Brazil and Ecuador in the future. He also said I will be going to California and San Francisco for short periods. I remember he spoke about my past life as well. I doubt it, but according to him I was living on a vineyard in south France during the 1800th century, followed by a life as a painter near St. Petersburg in Russia. Who knows what’s true?
Skate DVDs
Bling
Video Dayz
G-Spot
Elementality Volume One
Surf DVD’s
Blackwater: The Story of a Place Called Teahupo’o
The Dungeon Keepers Retrospective: A Red Bull Big Wave Africa
O’Neill Planet Surf: Episode One Maldives Boattrip
London has something for every taste, budget and personality. Exclusive shopping equals Bond Street, Sloane Street, Conduit Street and Burton Street, Jermyn Street is known as the gentlemen’s shopping strip, Beauchamp Place, Walton Street and Pont Street offer good boutiques for the ladies, and Kings Road is often considered as one of the trendiest places to shop. Chelsea is also less touristy than Oxford Street.
Walton Street, Fulham Road and Brompton Road near South Kensington tube station boast many individual designer shops and boutiques whilst Regent and Oxford Street have high street labels such as H&M and Top Shop, and large department stores like Selfridges. Oxford Street does have good shopping (especially Zara near Marble Arch), but I prefer Kensington High Street because the area is nicer and it’s usually less crowded.
One of my favourite places to shop is Ledbury Road and Westbourne Grove where you can find clothes by many young British designers. The most beautiful shop is, in my opinion, Paul Smith’s shop at Kensington Park Road near Notting Hill Gate. I also like the Mayfair area, especially Stella McCartney at 30 Bruton Street and Marc Jacobs at 24-25 Mount Street.
For more funky and hip street wear, go to Carnaby Street and Kingly Court in Soho. Kingly Court is located between Kingly Street and Carnaby Street and the nearest tube station is Oxford Circus.
Let’s not forget Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, or Liberty on 210-220 Regent Street near Oxford Circus. The clothes for women are designed by, for example, Vivienne Westwood, Acne, Marc Jacobs, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten and Hussein Chalayan. Although I rarely can afford everything I want to buy, it’s a lot of fun to just browse through the designs and try on different outfits. No one says you can’t try, but not buy! What I like most about Liberty is the ground floor where they sell all my favourite skincare labels - Aveda, REN, the French brand Nuxe and Kiehl’s - and fragrances from Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Agent Provocateur, Kenzo, Paul Smith and Comme de Garcons. Apart from this Liberty also sells nice scented candles in different shapes and colours, perfect to brighten up your room a cold winter day.
Nick Vaux, marketing intern at Truphone, shares some great and useful information with us today. Read on to see what he has to say about their new Facebook application:
Truphone, a new type of mobile operator that gives you free and low-cost calls on your mobile, have released a unique application for Facebook that allows Facebook friends to call each other for free.
The ‘Call Me’ button is a great if you’re travelling because it allows you to keep in contact with your friends and family from anywhere in the world for free and is available to all Facebook users. You can set the button to ring your:
- US cellphone
- US landline
- Other world landline (choice from 40 countries worldwide)
Anyone can use it - simply set up an account on Facebook, and add the application to your profile. Your Facebook friends can then call your phone for free.
http://apps.facebook.com/truphone
Making a call is simple: if your Facebook friends add the Call Me Button to their wall, they go onto your friends profile, click on their ‘Call Me’ button, and you’ll be connected to your friend’s phone of choice. That’s it!
You can also add the Truphone Call Me button into your Facebook email attachments , on wall postings or on Facebook groups and discussions groups.
If you do have any questions, check out our page: www.truphone.com/facebook, watch our video or visit the mobilevoipforum.
Visit http://www.truphone.com/ to find more on how you can save money on your mobile.
In November, I wrote about the Big Giveaway by The Thinking Blog and from today you have 5 days left to Vote For the best Ruff PC Review. The entry with highest votes will win a spanking new RuffBook Tech. So read through the entries, pick a favourite and place your vote.
Anyhow, since it’s Christmas time I’ll wish you a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!
Schöni Wienachte und e Guets Neus Jahr!
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!
Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Ετος
Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo!
Souksaan wan Christmas Sawatdii Pimaï
If you happen to spend the holidays abroad, check out Translations of Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in many languages and impress the locals with your new language skills.
Columbus Circle © Kevin De Ridder
The Columbus Circus mall is located just across Central Park. The Shops at Columbus Circle range from fashion and accessories to health and beauty, books and food. I’m pretty sure you can find a favourite. I can recommend:
AVEDA - Terrific hair and skin products made out of green ingredients. Many samples to try.
Face Stockholm - This Swedish cosmetics company sells high quality products made from only natural ingredients. Very helpful staff!
Crabtree & Evelyn - Luxurious bath and body care, fragrances, accessories and gourmet foods.
Elixir Juice Bar - Delicious smoothies and tasty nutritious wraps, salads and soups.
Jamba Juice - Smoothies and freshly squeezed juices of fresh pure ingredients.
Whole Foods Market - Their organic quality food is outstanding, and the buffet is a dream for vegetarians.
Borders - Books, music, movies and a café in the same store must be one of the best combinations ever.
Enjoy the second part of our Spanish slang blog post.
Dar en la diana = To get something right
¡La moto va de escándalo! = This bike goes like a dream!
La tarta está de muerte = This cake is incredible
¡Estoy que peto! = I’m totally full up!
Lo hago en un pispás = I’ll do that in a flash
¡Eres un pesado! = You are a total pain!
Me mola mogollón = That is soooo cool
Ese chico es un zumbado = That guy is crazy
Nos hemos zampado todo = We’ve eaten the lot!
Ya era hora! = It was about time
Donde hay confianza da asco = Familiarity breeds contempt
En boca cerrada no entran moscas = Sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut
¡Te voy a dar! = You’re going to get it!
¡No me des más la lata! = Leave me in peace!
Más majo que la mar salada = Incredibly nice
People visiting New York City will most likely sooner or later come to Times Square around 42nd and 47th Street. Before I came to Times Square I knew it was a famous theatre district, but I honestly didn’t know so much more than that.
Although the safety is much better today than before 9/11, keep your wallet and other valuable belongings in a safe place to avoid pickpockets. And don’t get fooled by the photographers who assure you a great picture of you with Times Square in the background. The results don’t turn out half as good as their example photos. So bring your own camera and take the pictures yourself.
I’d say skip the souvenir shops around Times Square and listen to free music in the spacious Virgin Megastore instead. Afterwards, I would recommend Asian food from Ruby Foo’s or drop by the family friendly Carmine’s for an Italian meal.
During our stay in NYC, we chose to see the Broadway musical Aida. If you rather watch the latest movie from Hollywood you won’t be disappointed either.
One of my favorite shops on Times Square is Quicksilver, I like watching the different takes on surf- and snowboard sessions on the huge screen above the store.
For happenings and things to do around Times Square, check out the online issue of Times Square or visit The Official Website of Times Square.
Santa Clara Beach © Thomas Walker
For a long time, I have been wanting to travel to Panama. If I could afford it I would definitely buy a home near a beach like Santa Clara Beach. Imagine living in a place with stunning white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see and where you can enjoy warm weather 365 days a year. Panama borders Colombia and Costa Rica, and is only hours from North America. It’s easy to understand why so many Americans choose to relocate here.
If you’re curious about Panama, read on…
1. Diversity
Panama attracts people who are looking to relocate, live, invest or retire. The city has everything you would want in a city - friendly people, attractive weather, good shopping, exciting nightlife, casinos, theatres, cinemas and tasty food. Panama’s unique cuisine is influenced by Hispanic, African, European, native Indian and Chinese immigrations. It’s not difficult to fall in love with Panama and the beauty of the land.
2. Great Business Opportunities
As the region’s most sophisticated and modern city, Panama attracts investors, bankers and traders. Development companies welcome foreign investors and the possibilities for business are extensive. And with a booming economy, political stability, excellent amenities and low prices, Panama offers a first-class lifestyle to third world prices.
3. Panama’s Preferences Towards Taxes
If you make your income outside Panama and bring it here to spend, you will not be taxed. In Panama, they don’t consider interests generated to bank accounts as taxable incomes. For many people coming here this means they never need to pay tax again.
4. Housing Possibilities
Thanks to the good taste of Panama’s architects, you can choose between gated communities, stylish accommodation in the busy part of the city, or trendy condos near the main beach Playa Blanca. The city has something for everyone.
5. Adventure
Many people who are looking for a second home abroad don’t want to spend the days at the beach. They prefer to stay active. With snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking in Soberania National Park’s rainforest, and golfing at the Summit Golf Club, there is no risk that Panama will bore you.
After realizing it’s not very easy to search and find travel blogs online, the Kango Blog created a search tool to help people find travel blogs without difficulty.Their ambition is to create the ultimate travel blog search widget on the web. Suggestions from other bloggers are probably the best way to improve this travel blog search tool. Therefore I browsed through my feeds and picked out some of my favourite travel blogs that I think should be included in the search widget results.
My Recommended Travel Blogs
Everything Everywhere Travel Blog
Destination Essentials - Select World Travel
For more information about the travel blog search tool, check out the Kango Blog’s post Search for Travel Blogs.
Are you in love with Australia? If not, you might be after reading the 16-page feature ‘Australia - 50 ways to fall in love with the continent’. Thanks to Tourism Australia and Singapore Airlines, this supplement is available in Travel+Leisure India’s December 2007 issue. Another reason to get your hands of copy of the magazine is the “Ask the Aussie Specialist” column where chosen Aussie Experts replies to reader’s questions about vacationing in Australia.
Few people are aware of the health risks related with extended travels. During long flights and long car rides, even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs. To minimize the risk, use special socks aimed to prevent blood clots or deep-vein thrombosis - a possible cause of death.
AmesWalker.com offers Microfiber Travel Socks that help prevent leg swelling and discomfort, improve circulation in legs and encourages blood flow in the legs.
For more information, visit Ames Walker.
The Empire State Building © Danie Pratt
For some reason I’ve always loved city views, especially at night, and the sight from the Empire State Building is my favourite so far. We were lucky when we got there, only had to wait in line about thirty minutes before we could take the lift to the 86th floor at 448 m.
The Empire State Building is located on 350 Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets, open from 9.30am - 23.30pm every day.
Are you curious about Australia? If so, check out the videos by Lonely Planet at Western Australia TV.
Tourism Western Australia has also put together an online guide with all the WA Highlights including Sun, Surf and Sea Life, Outback Adventure, Forests and Flowers, People and Lifestyle, and Free Things to Do in WA. Not to be missed!
Check out these great videos from Webcastr.com
Untracked: Dreamcatcher TGR athletes enjoy some off time in British Columbia before charging the area’s legendary mountains.
Untracked: Morocco The crew travels to Morocco interacting with the local culture as they make their way up into the atlas mountains.
Untracked: Seward TGR takes an amazing crew of new school backcountry jibbers to the pristine, ocean-view mountains of Seward, Alaska.
Pull: Camp Pendleton Colin Harrington, Danny Harf and others ride at San Diego’s Camp Pendleton Marine Base.
Credit: www.webcastr.com
Lotus Mind+Body Spa in Needham, Massachusetts, is one of greater Boston’s top destination day spas and serves as a peaceful retreat for stressed minds and tired bodies. The centuries-old Southeast Asian and Eastern Europe inspired beauty routines guarantee the optimal spa experience.
The treatments include refreshing water rituals, relaxing massages and reflexology, acupuncture, facial rituals and energywork. Since Lotus’s opening this past July nearly one third of its clients have been men and the spa also offers couple treatments. Each of Lotus’s massage therapists have been trained by world-famous masters in the arts of Thai Yoga Therapy and Balinese Bodywork.
Visit Lotus Mind+Body Spa for more information.
Every day between 5.30am and 1.30am, about a half a million of people pass through Grand Central Station located at East 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Opened in 1913, it’s one of the most beautiful and original railway stations in the world. I’ve always been fascinated by airports and railway stations and Grand Central Station is one of the better, if not the best. Even if you don’t have any travel plans, you can come here to just admire the building - the beauty of the place is a real contrast to the busy atmosphere.
The shops in Grand Central Station range from health and beauty to clothes and accessories. Apart from Aveda, Origins and L’ Occitane in Lexington Passage, I love Penzeys Spices and Li-Lac Chocolate in Grand Central Market. Their chocolate is expensive, but one or two hand-dipped truffles are just enough to satisfy the occasional chocolate craving.
Don’t miss a walking tour though the terminal or book a private guided tour through Grand Central’s website.
Before leaving, stop by The Campbell Apartment at Vanderbuilt 15. I can also recommend a savoury Italian lunch at Cipriani Dolci.
SAS recently introduced the A class-ticket, a ticket that is available for purchase until departure and guarantee a seat in Business Class. These last minute tickets are offered on all direct flights from Stockholm or Copenhagen to Bangkok, Beijing, Chicago, Dubai, New York, Seattle, Tokyo, and Washington DC. The A Class-tickets are especially aimed at business travellers who need to schedule important meetings with very short notice.
I just found this great program that offers discounted hotel rooms in New York City the night between Sunday and Monday. Room rates are reduced by 20-30% combined with upgrades to a better room category, complimentary breakfast and more.
Visit NYC Sunday Stays for more information.
The Australian magazine The Age recently ranked the world’s cities in WiFi-friendliness. If you want to surf wireless, here are the top 10 cities.
- Seoul
- Singapore
- Tokyo
- Hongkong
- Stockholm
- San Francisco & Silicon Valley
- Tallinn
- New York City
- Beijing
- New Songdo
The risk of getting bored in NYC is not big. For first-time visitors I would recommend anything of the following… the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Central Park, Broadway musicals, an early morning at the top of the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, Times Square…
… a walk through South Street Seaport at 19 Fulton Street, admire Brooklyn Bridge, a stroll along the classic film-kiss walk (Brooklyn Heights Promenade) by the East River…
… funny copies and good food in Chinatown, the clubs in Greenwich Village, a comedy show in East Village, eating out in Lower East Side, people watching in the Meatpacking District, visiting some of the 350 art galleries in Chelsea, hear Woody Allen play with his jazz band at The Carlyle a Monday evening…
When your feet are tired from too much walking, stop by Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Lincoln Center at 1972 Broadway. The magazine section just next to Starbucks on the highest floor has lots of good magazines you can browse through with no obligation to purchase.
Whenever you visit NYC, I’m pretty sure you will find something in your taste.
6 Dec - Marché de Noël in Arras, France Christmas market with different specialties.
1-23 December - Christmas Market on the square Campo San Stefano in Venice.
25 November-30 December - North France’s biggest Christmas Market in Amiens.
1-30 December - Christmas Market in Riga, Latvia on the Dom Square in the Old Town.
31 December - New Year at Times Square, New York
31 December - New York Midnight Run
31 December - Alternative New Year’ Eve at Jivamukti Yoga School, New York. Meditation and chai tea instead of fireworks and champagne.
31 December - New Year Celebrations along the river Limmat and Lake Zürich in Zurich, Switzerland
31 December - The New Year’s Party at Copacabana in Brazil attracts millions of people.
31 December - New Year’s Eve in Sydney
31 December - New Year’s Eve Party in Melbourne
According to the yearly Country Brand Index, the world’s most attractive tourist countries are:
1. Australia
2. USA
3. UK
4. France
5. Italy
6. Canada
7. Spain
8. New Zealand
9. Greece
10. Japan
Other categories include History, Outdoor Activities, Beach, Natural Beauty, Value for money, and Nightlife.
Even if Fribourg can seem old-fashioned, this city in central Switzerland does have a modern and cosmopolitan feel. Thanks to Fribourg’s universities, many students from different countries live here. During our stopover we met English, French, German and Italian speakers (from Ticino).
Although we enjoyed the city, our favourite moment was when we walked along Rue des Alpes. This street goes parallell with Rue de Romont and Rue de Lausanne. Unlike those Rue des Alpes has a lot of traffic, but the view of the hills and the countryside in the distance almost made me wish I lived here.
Fancy escaping the cold winter for some well needed sun and surfing? Check out the sites below for surf schools, surf camps and surf tours around the world.
EUROPE
England
Denmark
Germany
Spain
Berria Surfschool, Oceano Surf School, Urban Surf San Sebastián
Lanzarote Calima Surf, Surf School Lanzarote
Fuerte Ventura Homegrown, Natural Surf Camp, Surfer Dream
France
Hossegor Chill and Surf, Guethary Surf Camp, Moliets Ski & Surf Camp, Hossegor Surf Camp, Koala Surf
Portugal
Peniche Surf Camp, Sagres Natura, Algarve Surf Camp, Surfivor Surf Camp, Careca Surf Camp, Wave Tours
AFRICA
South Africa African Surfaris, Sudden Rush, Jeffreys Bay Surf
Morocco Morocco Surf School
ASIA
Indonesia
Java G-Land Jungle Surf, Symbiosis, G-Land Surf, Heaven on the Planet, Aman Gati
Sumba/Manggudu Mr. Davids
Bali Kima Surfari, Pro Surf School, Rip Curl School of Surf
Sumatra Wavepark, Mentawai sanctuary, Katika Surf Safaris, Mentawai Surfcats, Simeulue Island Adventures
Philippines Sagano Resort
Sri Lanka Mambo Surf Tours
Fiji
Nagigia Nagigia Surf Resort
Lalati Lalati Resort
Viti Levu Tavarua
Samoa Sa’ Moana Resort, Salani Surf Resort
Tonga Ha’ atafu Beach Resort
Papua New Guinea Surf Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
GoodVibrations Surf Camp, NZ Surf Tours
Australia
Surfaris, Waves Surf School, Lancelin Beach Surf School,
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Vancouver Islands Tatchu Surf Adventures, Inner Rhythm Surf Camp, Pacific Surf School, Surf Sister Surf School, Deep Snow and Surf, Bruhwiler Surf
USA
California Surf Sessions San Diego, Club Ed Surf Camp, Eli Howard Surf School, Paskowitz, Surfari Surf, Pacific Surf School, Corky Carroll’s Surf School
Florida Nexgensurf
Hawaii Swell Women, North Shore Surf Camps, Kai Nalu Surf Tours, Maui Surfer Girls
CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico Teampaty surf camp, Baja Surf Adventures, Wavehunters Surf Travel, SafariMex, Tranquilo Surf Adventures
El Salvador Epic Surfing Adventures, K59 Surf Tours
Nicaragua Surf Camp Nicaragua, Arena Caliente Surf Camp
Costa Rica Azul Surf Camp, Green Iguana Surf Camp, Terrazas del Sol, Witchs Rock Surf Camp, Aventura Palada, Surf Outfitters, Corky Carroll’s Surf School
Panama Punta Brava Surf Lodge, Rio Mar Surf Camp, Panama Surf Expiditions
SOUTH AMERICA
Colombia El Cantil
Venezuela Zona Radical
Ecuador Casa del Sol, Finca Punta Ayampe
Brazil Sossego Surf Camp, Easy Drop, Sudden Rush, Surf Camp Brazil
Peru Senoritas Surf Camp, Penascal Surf Hotel
Chile Curanipetur, Surftours Chile
The Caribbean
Bahamas Bahamas Adventures
Jamaica Jah Mek Ya Surf Tours
The Dominican Republic Cabarete Surf Camp
Barbados Barbados Surf Trips, Zed’s Surfing Adventures
Guadaloupe Allamanda Surf Camp
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For more surfing around the world, visit Nomad Surfers, Waterways Surf Adventures, Flying Fish, Surfakademin, Xtravel and Girlie Camps.
For surf reports, web cams, swell charts, surf conditions and surf forecasts, see Swell-Forecast and Magic Seaweed.
Wanna Surf has the best surf atlas and Surfing: A Surfers Directory has loads of useful information for surfers.
Visit Sandemans New Europe for free guided tours in Europe. Their famous 3,5 hour New Paris Free Tour covers all the main sites such as Notre Dame, The Louvre, Palais Royal and Arc de Triomphe.
Other tours include London, Berlin, Munich, Amsterdam and Edinburgh.
Five Rules for Happiness
1. Free your heart from hatred
2. Free your mind from worries
3. Live simply
4. Give more
5. Expect less
I guess you’ve heard the expression “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Many people think happiness lies somewhere else. If they can just afford that trip, buy that brand new car, move into that big house in a nicer neighbourhood or update their whole wardrobe, they will get it. Of course materialistic things can bring us happiness, but a feeling based on outer things is not the lasting kind. Rather than believing your mood depends on something uncertain, stay happy in this moment. When you choose happiness each and every day, no matter what life throws at you, you will feel at ease and enjoy life more.
The next time it’s pouring, you loose your temper and complain about the bad weather, remember this quote by John Ruskin - “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”
So stay happy when you’re home, when you travel. Approach locals and smile to strangers you meet on the road. People will smile back at you.
“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be”.
- Marcel Pagnol (French Writer, Producer and Film Director, 1895-1974)
In 1986, the Slow Food movement was founded in Italy as a response to the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant at the bottom of the Spanish steps in Rome. Since then, the organisation has attracted more than 100,000 members.
“Our defence should start at the table with Slow Food. Let us discover the savours and flavours of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of fast food.” From the 1989 Slow Food manifesto
Compared to the fast food lifestyle, Slow Food encourages a slower way of life and to enjoy good quality food with family and friends.
If you live in the UK, I can recommend the Slow Food Market in Bristol which draws a regular crowd to Corn Street the first Sunday of every month.
The City of Seoul offers nine different walking tours in Seoul in seven areas covering the major tourist sights. The tours take between 2 and 3,5 hours and online reservation must be made at least three days in advance.
For more information about Korea, visit The Official Korea Tourism Guide Site.