GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 8

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time for another week of random picks from the bloggers here at Gadling. Saddle up, simmer down and go solo on the slow train if you must.

5. Albertan Cowboy Culture: Where’s the Real Old West These Days?:
When my mind conjures images of cowboys on the open range or prairie searching for the type of things cowboys go looking for I don’t imagine them in Canada. This could just be me, but thanks to Martha the cowboys in my daydream have a new home in Alberta. Some are a little commercialized and others a bit more authentic, but you’ll have to read further for the details.

4. Why Trains Suck in America:
I’ve never taken a train in America. Have you? Ever wonder why so many Americans don’t? See why Neil thinks train transportation is basically dead in the U.S.

3. The Best U.S. Cities for Singles:
It’s summer time in the city and you’re single. Find out which city has the most singles and mosey on over to find your better half. That’s if you don’t like being single for the summer and all.

2. A Canadian in Beijing: Reverse Culture Shock:
Goodbyes and readjustment can be a tough job to tackle after a long excursion abroad. Ember hasn’t been home long and already she is back on the road touring with her band. Check out this last post in her series and find out where you can keep tabs on her future jaunts.

1. The “Wonders of the World” Votes are in!:
The world has made its final decision and the new seven wonders of the world are…

Gigapixel Photographs by Scott Howard

by Justin Glow on

Scott Howard spent two days in 2005 taking almost 200 photos from an area near the Adler Planetarium to create this gigantic image of the Chicago skyline at night. Using a piece of software called Zoomify, the images were then stitched together and packaged in a Flash project that allows you to zoom in — waaaaaaay in — on any part of the image.

He used the same technique on two more stunning locations: Sydney, Australia, and Machu Picchu in Peru. Impressive! [via]

Photo of the Day (6/2/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on


I like yellow, but this gas station found in Lima, Peru was painted in too much yellow. The opening lyrics to Sesame Street popped into my head thinking it might be Big Bird’s house and those poor guys in black and yellow… I’m usually one for the company and team colors, but again my eyes are screaming Peru! Way to be on the lookout caffeineguy.

Photo of the Day (4/21/07)

by Grant Martin on

My reasons for picking today’s shot out of Peru as captured by viscidleigh on Day 9 in Puno’s Plaza Mayor are many. First off, the mysterious woman delivering or selling what must be one tempting dessert reminds me of a doll I once had as a child that uncle brought all the way back from South America. Also, I love the fact that we can’t see her face and that the photographer seems sooo close behind as if sneaking up to nab one of the delicious jello looking treats. Another thing that strikes me is how clean the streets look.

If you’d like to see your mysterious person, dessert, and urban vacation travel photo work featured on Gadling, be sure to place them in our Flickr pool

Heal the Earth Equinox Gatherings

by Jamie Rhein on

Now, if I lived in Southern California, here’s where I’d head on Wednesday, March 21. At the Big Bear Discovery Center in the San Bernadino National Forest in California, there’s an event my 5-year old (and I) would jump at the chance to go to. The Spring Equinox Celebration combines nature and Native American culture in a day long event of story-telling, crafts, animals from Moonridge Animal Park and two EarthHEALCeremonies. The ceremonies are in conjunction with Gathering of Elders in Titicaca, Peru, also with an aim to heal the earth, both spiritually and environmentally. The mix of nature and peace is appealing to me, particularly since it provides a thematic approach to activities geared to parents and their caregivers. The Big Bear Discovery Center is a prototype for an urban forest center operated in partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and volunteers of the San Bernadino National Forest Association. There are other urban forest service visitor’s centers around the U.S. This one was the beginning.

The Gathering of Elders, March 19- 23, is a convergence of indigenous tribal elders who will be taking advantage of the timing of the Spring Equinox of 2007 to bring healing and peace to the world. Somehow, 2007 is a significant year having something to do with 500 years of darkness and bringing the Eagle and Condor together. If this is true, I hope the elders are able to turn the tides. At any rate, it’s comforting to know that the various indigenous groups are watching the earth’s back. The event in Peru is also something non-indigenous folks can go to. Although these particular earth healing events are connected to the Spring Equinox, there are other events throughout the year. Here is a weekend I came across in Vermont that will be the end of July.