Not Central America, but close. This picture was actually taken just outside of the center of Roseau, the capital of Dominica, when I was visiting the Caribbean island during Christmas 2006; a holiday season full of steel drums, reggae music and fried plantain. Much less developed for tourists, Dominica is one of the Caribbean islands that doesn’t boast flocks of foreigners lounging on sandy beaches, cocktails in hand. Instead it’s referred to as the Nature Island and high on the list of hikers, scuba divers and other outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
Carnival celebrations around the world
Vibrant music, zesty dancing, bright colors and more fun and absurdity than a lot of people can handle. Carnival anyone? For the pre-Lent partying season our minds tend to automatically think of New Orleans and Rio, but the event is in fact celebrated around the world. A few places to spice up a dreary winter before Lent kicks in:
Dominica: A small and happy island almost hidden in the Lesser Antilles, Dominica is not to be forgotten during Carnival season. Here, the local Creole expression, More Fete Less Twaka (more party less talk), rings true. Soca competitions, a Carnival beer garden, some street jams and a Miss Dominica Pageant. What more could you want from an early winter Caribbean vacation?
Munich: The Munich Carnival, or “Fasching,” is often referred to as Germany’s “Fifth Season,” when the local population truly lets loose. People crowd the streets, pretzel vendors run abound and beer runs freely. Think Oktoberfest but with confetti, masquerade balls and elaborate parades.
Venice: This year’s theme, Sensation: 6 sensations for 6 neighborhoods, says it all. Venice has been enjoying its celebrations for centuries, and through the years it has evolved into a well-known time for wild festivities. The main feature: masks. If you don’t have your own, not to worry, there are plenty of mask makers throughout the city ready to take your order.
Rijeka: Croatia’s biggest carnival was once one of the most important in Europe. Around 150 carnival groups from a dozen different countries attract over 120,000 visitors. One of the days is designated as children’s carnival, attracting 6,000 little ones. And don’t forget to check out the Zvoncari groups: men dressed up in animal skins, complete with horned masks, frantically dancing to the eerie sound of clanging bells.
Goa: India might not be the first place you would expect to find Carnival, but introduced by the Portuguese who ruled Goa for over 500 years, the celebration is still enjoyed today. Although primarily a Christian event, the Goa Carnival has absorbed many Hindu traditions, making it an extravagant event a true sight for the eyes.
Independence days and elephants
I’ve whipped out my International Calendar to see what might be left to tell about November before it slips away from Eastern Standard Time in a few hours. What I see is a whole lot of independence days and a slew of other politically geared occasions.
- Nov. 1–Antigua-Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1980.
- Nov. 3–Dominica gained independence from the UK in 1978. Panama gained Independence from Colombia in 1903 and Micronesia gained independence from the U.S. in 1980.
- Nov. 9–Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953.
- Nov. 11–Poland gained independence in 1918; Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
- Nov. 18–Latvia gained independence from Russia in 1918; Morocco from France in 1956.
- Nov. 25–Suriname gained independence
- Nov. 28–Mauritania gained Independence from France in 1968 and Albania gained Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Panama gained independence from Spain in 1821 and East Timor gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
- Nov. 30-Barbados gained independence from the U.K. in 1966
Other than these, Tonga has had Constitution Day (Nov. 4); Russia, Revolution Day (Nov. 7); Brazil, Republic Day (Nov. 15); and Vanuatu has had National Unity Day, (Nov. 29)
My favorite happening of the bunch of events that occurred this month, though, is the Surin Elephant Round-Up in Thailand.
Theatre at Sea Cruise: Top-Notch Actors and the Amazon
Lately, I’ve been thinking I ought to go on a cruise. Geek Cruises perked up my interest. So did finding out I could get credit to renew teaching certification on another. Here’s the cruise of cruises–possibly the right combination of reasons to take in some luxury, see the world and have a wonderful time being entertained by the best.
Regent Cruises has an intriguing option for taking a vacation and maximizing a holiday experience. Theatre at Sea Cruise (a venture between The Theatre Guild Broadway and the cruise line) involves traveling 1,000 miles of the Amazon in Brazil (plus trips to Barbados, Puerto Rico and Dominica) with stars like Edward Asner, Patricia Neal and Eli Wallah who put on plays at night–one at the 1890s Manus Opera House. From what I read, the cruise on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner (February 21-March 4) sounds like the line between audience and actors are blurred. The actors don’t disappear between the times the curtain goes up and down. Instead, the after the play parties are for everyone. The thing I also like about this cruise is that Brazil is an integral part of the experience. Along the way, the tour takes in ports beyond just the usual beach and shopping fare–there are two stops at indigenous villages, although I do wonder what the people in the villages think when a bunch of tourists traveling by luxury liner descend on them.
If you are looking for luxury and creative energy that crackles, this might be it. When I opened the email from The New York Times Ticket Watch expecting to find discount tickets to a show on Broadway, I sure felt energized finding this offering instead. If someone can swing this, I say, go for it. If you can’t make this one, how about the Around the World Tour on the Queen Victoria in 2009?
Hand Laundry Around the World
When searching for an image for my post on travel washing machines, I saw several shots of people doing laundry the old fashioned way–by hand. Here is one of them.
This shot, posted on Flickr, was taken by abrinksy in Udaipur, India. There is something about laundry that makes people get an urge to whip out their cameras. Here are other photos that caught my eye…
Taken in Vietnam by Agnguyen2682. I love the images of clothes paired with the plants and the girl in yellow.
This one is in Dominica. The photographer, herzchen points out the woman is even hanging up a teddy bear.
Here’s making another use of a hot tub in Iceland. fuzzypika
In Ghana, West Africa. I wonder what Stig Nygaard stood on to take this picture.
By sainthelenfire in Feng Huang China. This shot is at a canal.
Taken by Dey in Nepal. I’m always struck by how plastic bowls can look so bright in certain environments.
Taken at at Amani Baby Cottage in Uganda by Danny Summerlin. The criss crossed white lines appealed to me.
Hanging laundry in Croatia. I like the way taf captured the angles, the light and the shadows.