REALLY Good Friday With Beer

by Erik Olsen on

Good Friday has passed. And the Pope is sadly no longer with us. But for those still in the
religious spirit, hhere is a great NPR audio
story to listen to.

In the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the Tarahumara Indians observe Holy Week in an unusual way. NPR’s John Burnett
shows how the annual religious drama has been affected with the addition of a a sacred social lubricant,
a corn beer called tesguino. And how during Easter Week the entire town becomes like a mixture of Animal House and
The Mission.

Listen to the NPR story

Ethics: Visiting an “Outpost of Tyranny”

by Erik Olsen on

What an interesting question is asked in this
article in the Christian Science Monitor: is it ethical to visit places that are rife with corruption, human rights
abuses and are just generally have a whiff of evil about them?

For example, what about taking a trip to a place like Zimbabwe, where strongman-President Robert Mugabe has encouraged
the takeover of white-owned farms, closed independent newspapers, and restricted political opposition. Just today
he’s in the news about the
widespread election fraud that has tainted the recent elections there. Is this a place you should be spending your
dollars? Supporting an economy that supports someone like Mugabe (quick aside: is it just me, or every time you hear
Mugabe you think of Will Ferrell in Zoolander?) is hardly the best way to show you care about what’s happening in parts
of the world.

Or, as a person quoted in the article says, “From the ground level, you’re supporting individuals who have done
nothing wrong.”

Interesting question indeed.

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Fest

by Adrienne Wilson on

When I hear about all the beautiful cherry blossoms and all the magnificent parades to be
held in our nation’s capital this weekend I can’t help feeling incredibly
jealous.  Even looking at the websites leave me feeling far from pink.  Let’s just say I’m not one of the
lucky ones who will be attending the Cherry
Blossom Parade or Sakura Matsuri this weekend.  If you do find yourself in Washington or its surrounding areas
this weekend you’ve probably already spotted some of the trees in bloom and made plans to attend the parade.

But the Sakura Matsuri, one of the largest
Japanese street festival’s held in America is not to be missed.  There will be several showcases on Japanese
culture past and present taking place after the parade on Saturday, April 9th.  Cool street performances, assorted
martial arts to take place in the arena, and hands-on traditional arts & crafts guarentee something for all. 
Don’t forget the delicious tastes of Japan as they will have fresh seafood, sushi, noodle dishes and kakigori (shaved
ice) for the kids.  Mmm.  Later on you can settle in with a nice glass of sake. Double Mmmmm. 

Travel the Midwest

by Erik Olsen on

When you think of the great places in the country, I suspect you don’t often ponder sites in the midwest. No,
usually it’s Califorrnia, Colorado, Utah, the Northeast. You know what I’m talking about.
CNN runs a feature about
a guy who’s got a show coming out where he extolls the wonders of the midwest.

Touting places like the Black Hills of South Dakota or Iowa’s Great River Road, or a scenic drive along the
Mississippi River bluffs…these actually sound like cool places. (Editorial aside: I went to the Black Hills once and
went to Mount Rushmore where I got to hike up to the top of the heads and walk around on Lincoln’s cranium. That, my
friends, was cool.) So perhaps you live in one of the middle states and know all this already, but if you don’t check
it out for some potential traevl ideas.

Tortugas: Tip of the US

by Erik Olsen on


The New York Times has

a solid piece on the Tortugas, one of the most distant spots in the continental US.
Dry Tortugas National Park is an outpost of Florida 70 miles from Key West in
the Gulf of Mexico, and it is known for being a great spot to hanng out and have a tropical holiday, but also a fine
dive spot (an aspect of the islands mentioned, albeit poorly, in the peice…although snorkeling is mentioned). The
Tortugas have a storied history,. There are some great historical sites there, and is is also the place that “Papa”
Ernest Hemingway first met Gregorio Fuentes, the inspiration for the fisherman in “The Old Man and the Sea,” when both
had been out fishing and were marooned there in a storm.