Kiev: Another “New” Prague

by Erik Olsen on

Reading about parts of Eastern Europe these days it seems every rundown old town that was once under communism is
now the “new Prague”. I celebrated Slovakia as such just
recently (bit I have a couple of good friends from the region, and they assured me it was a great place…so there). And
now, from the land of breaded chicken (yummy), comes word that the new Prague is really to be found in the Ukraine. Ah
yes.
Kiev
is the new Prague.

Well, any way you slice your chicken Kiev, the fact of the matter is, the growing interest in these places is great
news for them and the world. Despite the “Americanization” of places like Prague, it is still far better to have them
become modern and open to the world than the closed-off Commie backwaters that they have been. So check out the article
on Kiev, and see if it might be worth a trip.

Family Spat Solved Through Travel

by Erik Olsen on

When you can’t get along with someone, what might be the best solution? What about a trip to
Italy? Well, that was the solution, anyway, for two brothers, one of whom writes about the experience in

this piece for the LA Times. Travel is, it seems, a bonding experience.

 

Make Tacos

by Adrienne Wilson on

In the past I have posted some pretty tricky recipes for exotic foods across the globe.  I did this
thinking perhaps many of you are pretty swift in the kitchen or could at least follow a
recipe enough not to burn your house down.  Today’s recipe isn’t as thrilling or complicated as most, but I
am surprised at the number of people who say they know how to make
tacos and then pull out a box of ready made shells!  The
horror!  I’m going to save my lecture on how learning to cook foods from another region does more
for embracing cultures than dining at your local ethnic eating spot and being a critic or ooohing at how delicious
and exotic and spicy and flavorful everything tastes.  You already know that.

Without further delay today’s recipe comes from
Mex-recipes and you’re going to bring the smells and taste of
Mexican Beef Taco’s from scratch into your home.  When
you really get good at it, you can doctor them up as you wish, but for now let’s stick to the basics.  And happy
cooking!

Luxury Native American Lodging Popping Up

by Adrienne Wilson on

These days many Native American’s are going beyond the building of just new casino’s and they
are investing that money into new luxury hotels with very Native American themes.  One
example, the Inn of the Mountain
God’s found in pine-forested mountains in southeastern New Mexico.  Your first introduction to the culture of
the Apache is through the entrance where you’ll see sculptures of gigantic Apache crown dancers.  The
interior features original Apache artwork all throughout its eight stories.  Though revenue surely comes from
the gaming industry, tribes are wanting more than a piece of their culture told by the government shared. 
They are wanting to interact and to tell their entire story for themselves. 
USA Today has further
details. 

An Oolong Search

by Adrienne Wilson on

Jeff Fuchs is beyond thirsty for Taiwan’s fabled
Oolong tea, in fact he is beautifully obsessed.  His
story blends tea tradition, fog covered tea fields, and Asian hospitality into a
pleasant cultural travel find.  Being very well written the piece made me want some tea of my own and I
seemed to be out of the good Oolong stuff, so I had to settle for Lipton.  Shucks!  In any case, take a look
at his genuine fascination for Taiwan’s tea lands.