One for the Road: LP Cities

by Erik Olsen on

I hope to get my hands on this fine
new book out from Lonely Planet so I can review it for our readers, but in the meantime, y’all might be interested just
to know about it. Yes, Lonely Planet, ye of the ever useful, sometimes too heavy, guides to everywhere, has assembled an
all-new coffee-table sized compendium called The Cities Book, that
takes a close and visually-pleasing look at the world’s 200 best cities.

Of course, one man’s
"best" is another’s "worst" (i.e. Bangkok), but you can usually trust the sensibilities of the LP
folks, and it is they who have put this thing together…along with the help of dutiful readers who contributed
comments based on their own whims and experiences. One thing: it ain’t cheap ($50). But that’s probably because they
have filled the book with many vivid photos from their extensive photo catalog. You know you want it. Well, you CAN
register to get your hands on a free copy over
at the Guardian…but you’ll have to do so lickety-split, the deadline is March 30.

Dead Sea Float

by Erik Olsen on

There are some who say you  haven’t lived until
you’ve floated in the Dead Sea. I’m not so sure. I was in Israel for my honeymoon several years ago, and we
stopped off to do a Dead Sea float to see what the hullabaloo was all about. The hullabaloo, dear friends, smells bad.
Yes, despite all of the proclaimed therapeutic effects of Dead Sea water for your skin and sprit, the simple fact is
the water smells like rotten eggs and well, other stuff that I can’t quite remember, but which I think have something
to do with garbage.

Now, all that said, floating in the Dead Sea is also fun. It is. The salt content in the
Dead Sea (really a big salty lake…well, a big SHRINKING salty lake) is so high, that the water is more dense than
regular water. That means when you put your body into it, you actually don’t sink as far down into the surface. That is
a very interesting experience, let me tell you, to have your body "elevated" a few inches higher in the water
than you are used to. Makes you wonder a bit whether Jesus was just a really light guy and maybe they were talking
about the Dead Sea when they said he walked on water. Dunno, just a thought.

And since we’re on the subject
of the Dead Sea and floating and health, well, here’s
an article about that very subject.

American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s a little something
to test all the so-called brand loyal American Airline frequent fliers out there. Show of hands for all those who have
been to the American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum in Fort Worth, TX?
I suspect not many. American has been my airline of choice over several years now though I’ll gladly take flight on Ted
or some other craft provided there is a significant rate difference and even through all the take-offs, flights, and
happy landings I never knew the C.R. Smith Museum ever existed. Cool thing is you needn’t be a part of their rewards
program to spend a day learning the history of commercial aviation or viewing the various other exhibits. Anyone with a
fragment of interest can check out the museum on Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5:30pm. One of the latest exhibits showcases
past Oscar winners like Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed, who have flown with American Airlines in a series of vintage photographs.

Celebrating Josephine Baker

by Adrienne Wilson on

In celebration of the magnificent Josephine Baker’s 100th anniversary, Black Paris Divas and Discover Paris are
hosting tours that provide a glimpse into Ms. Baker’s time spent in the city – where she moved to from the United States
in 1925. I may not be a huge fan of taking tours on my trips abroad, but I’m a very big fan of the woman known as being
one of the first black female entertainers to break through racial prejudice in both Europe and the US. Beyond her racy
acts where she would dance on stage in bananas and make the audience ache from laughter she was a civil rights activist
and military woman in WWII. In my eyes she’s just a spectacular human being and it just tears me to pieces that I won’t
be able to jump on the bandwagon for this great opportunity to explore Paris and the Dordogne Region of France this
coming May 29 – June 5, 2006 in honor of the late Josephine Baker.

Check
out Black Paris Divas for additional details including cost and itinerary.

Survival International & Baka Beyond

by Adrienne Wilson on

Survival International is an organization that has long helped tribal
people defend their lives, land and determine their own futures. Together with a group of Baka musicians from the Cameroonian rainforest they are hoping to spread the word
internationally about the forest dwellers who are being overlooked and persecuted by local and global organizations.
The Baka’s music is apart of everyday life where the villagers are often woken by women singing
"Yelli" to bring animals from the forest for successful hunting. When they bathe in the river there
seems to be music too. The opportunity to witness Baka Beyond during their upcoming
tour in April-May is one that shouldn’t be missed. Come for their intricate sounds, learn of the people, their
situation and lend your hand in their struggle.

As of right now all tour dates are solely in the UK,
beginning April 30 in Westonbirt. For a full tour listing click here.