Independence Days Abound: A Quiz

by Jamie Rhein on

July is an Independence Day gold mine. I was looking through my International Calendar published by the Madison, Wisconsin Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group when I saw the wealth of July flag waving opportunities.

Some celebrations have already passed, but there are plenty left where you can look for parades, speeches and possible frolic. To brush up on your Independence Day history, here’s my “Name the Country that a Country Gained Independence From Quiz ” Answers are on the read more page. You can also click on this link for more independence facts.

  • Burundi & Rwanda, July 1.
  • Belarus, July 3
  • Venezuela, July 5
  • Cape Verde, July 5
  • Algeria, July 5
  • Comoros, July 6
  • Solomon Islands, July 7
  • Argentina, July 9
  • Bahamas, July 10
  • Kiribati, July 12
  • Columbia, July 20
  • Liberia, July 26
  • Maldives, July 26
  • Peru, July 28
  • Vanuatu, July 30
  • Burundi & Rwanda- Belgium in 1962
  • Belarus, July 3 –
  • Venezuela, July 5- Spain in 1811
  • Cape Verde, July 5- Portugal in 1975
  • Algeria, July 5- France in 1962
  • Comoros, July 6- France in 1975
  • Solomon Islands, July 7- United Kingdom in 1978
  • Argentina, July 9, Spain in 1816
  • Bahamas, July 10, United Kingdom in 1973
  • Kiribati, July 12, United Kingdom in 1979
  • Columbia, July 20, Spain in 1810
  • Liberia, July 26 in 1847
  • Maldives, July 26 in United Kingdom in 1965
  • Peru, July 28, Spain in 1821
  • Vanuatu, July 30, United Kingdom and France in 1980

Photo of the Day (7/15/2007)

by Erik Olsen on

I decided to go waaay back for today’s Photo of the Day. Far back into the deepest reaches of the Gadling Flickr site to find this lovely photo from the Gasa Dzong and Kang Bum mountain, Bhutan. I actually just read a fabulous article about Bhutan and decided to search Flickr for a photo from there. This shot by BluePeak takes us back to December 2006 and reveals the jaw-dropping scale of the peaks in a place I’m told is incredible but that most of us will never see: Bhutan.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 8

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time for another week of random picks from the bloggers here at Gadling. Saddle up, simmer down and go solo on the slow train if you must.

5. Albertan Cowboy Culture: Where’s the Real Old West These Days?:
When my mind conjures images of cowboys on the open range or prairie searching for the type of things cowboys go looking for I don’t imagine them in Canada. This could just be me, but thanks to Martha the cowboys in my daydream have a new home in Alberta. Some are a little commercialized and others a bit more authentic, but you’ll have to read further for the details.

4. Why Trains Suck in America:
I’ve never taken a train in America. Have you? Ever wonder why so many Americans don’t? See why Neil thinks train transportation is basically dead in the U.S.

3. The Best U.S. Cities for Singles:
It’s summer time in the city and you’re single. Find out which city has the most singles and mosey on over to find your better half. That’s if you don’t like being single for the summer and all.

2. A Canadian in Beijing: Reverse Culture Shock:
Goodbyes and readjustment can be a tough job to tackle after a long excursion abroad. Ember hasn’t been home long and already she is back on the road touring with her band. Check out this last post in her series and find out where you can keep tabs on her future jaunts.

1. The “Wonders of the World” Votes are in!:
The world has made its final decision and the new seven wonders of the world are…

Eco-tourism in Laos

by Martha Edwards on

According to the Lonely Planet, tourism in Laos is set to soar to all-time highs. I suspect this has to do with the popularity of Thailand as a tourist destination, as people tend to reason that if they’re going all that way they should do the whole shebang. I don’t know if anyone travels across the ocean for the sole purpose of visiting Laos, but it sure is worthy of it’s own trip — which you already know, if you’ve ever been there.

Jungle treks in particular are expected to flourish, which gives some valuable income to to the country and its people — hopefully it keeps the forest from being levelled as well. The Laotian government has shown it’s commitment to Eco-tourism, so let’s hope they stand by their word.
Laos is truly unique place — rugged and undeveloped, friendly and peaceful, full of beauty, both urban and natural. It’s a world away from the bright lights of Bangkok. When I first arrived in Laos, I was amazed by so much, but what stands out is the lack of streetlights in towns (or paved roads for that matter.) We left the Indian restaurant at 9, a full two hours before the country-wide curfew, and hardly found our way back to the guesthouse because of the darkness. I was a city girl who hadn’t realized that the world got that dark at night. I wonder if it will stay like that? I hope so. We all need little reminders like that.