Pan African Arts & Film Festival

by Adrienne Wilson on

Tomorrow the Pan African Arts & Film Festival will kick off until February 20, 2006 at the Magic Johnson Theatres in Los Angeles, CA. This is one of those moments I’m itching to be close enough to the city to peep some of the films, yet avoid the smog. Skip the pseudo glitz and glam of Sunset Blvd and head to beautiful Baldwin Hills. Okay, so not a likely tourist advertisement to get you there, but seriously take in some cinematic cultural pieces from all over the globe. Films from Burkina Faso, Congo, Cuba, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Belgium, and a number from the US are all scheduled over the 12 day period. Undoubtedly, this could be one of the best Black History month events to date.

Since I can’t be there, I just want make mention on two films that caught my eye. The first, All About Darfur, is a film about the 20-year conflict between North and South Sudan and how it is not primarily about race or religion. The film plunges further into the situation analyzing the difference in cultural groups, one agricultural and the other nomadic. The second film is titled HM HM out of Egypt with a 3 minute duration tells the tale of a restaurant customer that doesn’t wish to pay after eating. Completely different flicks, I’m sure. If anyone happens to catch either, do let me know if a trip should be planned for Atlanta when the festival makes its way to the south in July.

Gadling Gets Outside Props

by Erik Olsen on

I
gotta say, this was a big media day for Gadling. Here I am in the cool eve hanging
out and doing a little nighttime reading and, lo, what do I discover, but that Outside Magazine, one of, if not my
single favorite outdoors magazine (I’m also very into Nat Geo
Adventure), has ranked gadling among the best travel blogs out there. Yes. go buy the magazine yourself, or open
the one to which you subscribe, the March issue, and turn
to page 87. Under the title “Get Your Clicks” in the Best of the Blogs” division you see that name
there…yes number two…why, that’s gadling!

Now, we are delighted to be selected by such
a great magazine, and pleased as punch to be among such good company as bootsnall, gridskipper and travelpod, who also got the blognod.

The whole section in the
magazine, which, if you haven’t noticed, is NOT online yet, or else I would most certainly be linking to it, is
dedicated to a great many other travel sites that are both entertaining and helpful. Too many, really, to mention here.
So go out and get your hands on the March issue and fondle it with the same measure of loving devotion that we are
giving it…OK, don’t do that. That’s kind of disgusting.

Fossett Takes Off: Around the World in 80 Hours

by Erik Olsen on

Yesterday,
we mentioned millionaire adventurer Steve
Fossett and his grand new adventure. The hyper ambitious Fossett, who holds some 109 world  records, set out
today to break by 700 miles the 26,366-mile nonstop distance record set in 1986 by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager in a
nine-day flight.

His experimental plane, the GlobalFlyer aircraft, has a massive wingspan which he hopes
will suffice to get him around the world in 80 hours. The plane took off this morning at 7:20 a.m. from a rented runway
used by NASA’s space shuttles at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Everyone cross your fingers for a successful trip.

Africa Travel: Central African Republic & Chad

by Adrienne Wilson on

Despite the turbulent nature of some of places there is always a site to see, be it a freshly blown hole from a
land-mine (which I hope no one ever treks across) or some of the few remaining well intact natural sites. Neighboring
countries Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad are painted with few positive images, but have
a few tricks tucked up their sleeves. Tourism resources are slim and a simple google search won’t unlock the wonders of
the two countries easily, but once you pin point some major attractions in each you should be well on your way to trip
planning, provided things are stable in the country.

For Central African Republic a waterfall can be found
around the M’Baïki,
a major timber and coffee growing area which is also the home of the Lobaye people and pygmies. Chad is said to have
pretty harsh climate making he landscape a little less charming I’m sure, but every country can’t be Tahiti. Of
interest could be the capital city
of Ndjamena which is said to be a bit pricey with more live police action than COPS. Pretending this one small,
tiny issue doesn’t exist isn’t recommended but do remember the markets, artisan goodies, and bar/music scene which are
all supposed to be rather good. Click the photo to find good hotels in Chad.

Via Lonely Planet

Gem & Mineral Shows in Arizona

by Adrienne Wilson on

Glass art, gems,
minerals, semi-precious stone beads, fossils and jewelry from all over the world seems to be all the rage over in
Arizona these days. First glance at their event calendar points those in need of crafty vacations and Bead Holidays to all the right places. If your mission is only to
buy a couple of pieces before starting your real adventure in he Grand Canyon you may wish to look at this list of Wholesale/Retail Gem & Jewelry Shows around Tucson. I’m
hoping this appeals to someone out there reading because the Arizona
Tourism board obviously thought it would be something of my interest when one of their clever little ads interfered
with the page I was trying to view. Seeing that I’m writing about this now, I’m guessing they succeed in their mission.
The word has been spread and if turquoise, lapis, minerals, silver and metaphysical gets you dizzy with excitement go
to their site now. Most shows are coming to an end in only a few days.