Giant squid on display in Paris

by Anna Brones on

If you’re in the French capital, you might want to make a visit to the National Museum of History. Hanging from the ceiling is a 6.5 meter (21.5 foot) long giant squid, perfectly preserved by way of plastination. The method for preserving cadavers first used by controversial German anatomist Gunther von Hagens, involves replacing all natural liquids with polymer.

Paris’ giant squid has been named Wheke, after the great sea monster of Maori mythology who was said to have led the Polynesians across the ocean to discover New Zealand. Wheke originally measured 9 meters when he was caught, but shrunk during the plastination process. The whole thing took two and a half years and cost 65,000 euros ($100,000). Seems like a good enough reason to get to the National Museum of History to me.

Angkor Wat video in honor of Dith Pran

by Jamie Rhein on

There are several scenes in the movie “The Killing Fields” that make ones stomach clench. Dished out in the end, though, is a sense that goodness does prevail. The movie, mostly about a Cambodian journalist, Dith Pran’s escape from that country during the rule of the Khmer Rouge is heart-wrenching.

I read that Dith Pran died on Sunday from pancreatic cancer. He wasn’t old, only 65, but what a lifetime of change he witnessed. Pran had become a photojournalist for the New York Times after his escape. He was born near Angkor Wat, so in honor of him, here is a video posted by imorgan10 on YouTube that is simply lovely. I imagine that when Pran made his treacherous journey, he never expected his homeland would become such a tourist destination.

Circus acts: One vintage and one modern

by Jamie Rhein on

After my night at the circus, I’ve thought some more about circus acts, the discipline it takes to get good enough to end up in a circus somewhere, and the countries from which performers hail. How people end up in a circus interests me. I can stand on my head. That’s about it. I’ve never been able to touch my toes and still think a split is just something you make with a banana. The other kind is out of the question.

Here’s a YouTube video of vintage circus acts. The aerial acts are similar to what we see today, but the acts with the strong man may not translate to today’s audiences. David Letterman’s stupid human tricks, maybe. Poor guy. What a heck of a way to make a living.

The second YouTube video is of a Olga and Pavel Polistovskie, two circus performers whose jobs seem a bit more fun than a cannon ball in the stomach.

Chinese restaurant food: What’s not authentic?

by Jamie Rhein on

The fortune cookie isn’t the only food that is not authentically Chinese. There are others–some I knew about just because many dishes served at Chinese restaurants in the U.S. didn’t originate in China, or if they did, have been altered to suit American palates. Most of the Chinese food I ate in Taiwan or Singapore didn’t look or taste similar to the food we pile on our plates at the China Buffet near our house in Columbus, Ohio. Although, it is a perfect place to eat with young children, unless you’re Anthony Bourdain, and, in that case, the food barely resembles food at all, authentic it’s not.

Back to Chinese food that didn’t hail from the “old country” meaning China. In this photo essay, Jennifer 8 Lee, New York Times reporter and writer of the book Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food, presents info about food related items associated with China, but they aren’t really Chinese. Broccoli, for example, is not Chinese. That broccoli-chicken dish is an American version, although broccoli has made its way to Taiwan. I imagine there’s probably an altered American/Chinese version there. I don’t recall. I was too busy stuffing my face with other dishes.

Lee also knows a lot about what is Chinese culture and not Chinese culture about other food related topics, such as food containers. Cardboard cartons for Chinese take-out were created and popularized in the U.S., but Taiwan has a love affair going with Styrofoam. Environmentally friendly habits are not Taiwan’s strong suit. I do know that from experience. The few details presented in the photo essay, besides making me feel a bit hungry, put me in the mood for checking out Lee’s book.

Cathay Pacific’s 2008 All Asia Pass

by Jamie Rhein on

If you have 21 days between now and May 15 and August 20 through December 1, Cathay Pacific Airways has the All Asia Pass that gives travelers a chance to visit Hong Kong and up to four more cities in Asia. Prices range from $1,099 with two additional cities; $1,399 for three cities, plus Hong Kong; to $1,699 for the four cities and Hong Kong. With San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York as departure cities, you could probably snag an inexpensive flight to any of them if you plan early enough.

If I were going to take advantage of this ticket, I’d head to Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia. The first three, because I’ve been to each of them and have people I’d like to visit. Cambodia is a place I’d love to go. None of them are far from each other which would help maximize my time in the countries and not going from place to place. In Vietnam, I’d head north to Sapa, a place I haven’t been and see friends in Hanoi. In Thailand, I’d spend a day or two in Bangkok and then head to a beach somewhere. Taiwan would mean revisiting places I liked when I lived there, particularly Beipu and eating all the food I’ve missed since I left. Cambodia would mean new discoveries.

But, since as with most great travel deals, the summer is excluded and that’s when I would have the 21 days to spare, I can’t take advantage. Hopefully, others can. Except for Taiwan, it’s possible to travel in the other three on a shoestring. Hong Kong is good for a day or two, but I’d head to cheaper locations ASAP.