Chamula and Zincantan

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007

I was worried that having GreenGo will sort of turn us into tour operators, but our first time taking people on a day trip along with us wasn’t that bad at all. In fact, I am much more outgoing when I feel other people are in my responsibility (even if they are not).

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Tags: culture, kids
Posted in Places»North America»Mexico | No Comments »

Weirdo Ads

Wednesday, November 8th, 2006

Our temporary residence in Israel has given us a chance to immerse into the depths of the Russian-Israeli culture. Here is what the average “Russi” sees in his every-day newspaper:

“SALE! SALE! SALE! Happy Rosh haShana! 1 kg of Ham 28.90 shekel”

Next to the optimistic newspaper title “Success”, an ad that colorfully reads “ABORTION” and reassures in small print below “Best Gynecologists”

Ambulance Yakov
FREE BURIALS
(for non-Jews in caskets & clothes)

We would send it to the “Tonight Show”, but doubt that Jay would appreciate the subtlety of Russian humor.

Tags: culture, funny
Posted in Places»Middle East»Israel | No Comments »

Salvador

Sunday, July 2nd, 2006

We flew here. It’s not like we got sick of buses, I actually almost miss the crippling pain in my back and the smell of the portable lavatory, but it was simply cheaper to fly then to take the bus. The whole plane thing, though, actually threw us off. In a night we went back to being wide eyed tourists who fall for all those little tricks the local come up with to get their money. In Salvador, it’s these colorful ribbons. I think in actuality they are supposed to be worn by believers of a religious strain, but the local beggars use them as conversation starters. “A gift. For you,” they say, and go on to explain how this is very spiritual and unique to their culture. How life here is difficult and for us might be dangerous so we should not walk down that street over there and he himself, by the way, is living on the street and has a baby, and the baby has AIDS, so could he please have some money to buy some milk for the baby. Now, what do you say to that? “I gave money to a foundation that helps kids with AIDS.” I actually just did, not even two days ago and have the pin to prove it, but my comment was met with a bank stare. Like this is going to help him even if he has the baby. I gave him the change in my pocket, and he simply turned around and left. You’re welcome. After a few incidents like this, Shurik and I decided we spoke no other language than Russian. Communicating only meant being asked for money, and it’s a shame – Salvador is very rich with African culture that we so wanted to explore and now were reluctant to. Keeping to ourselves, we still managed to see a lot. The local Capoeira artists swinging and jumping around each other in circles of clapping to the beat onlookers; the Berimbau – a musical instrument I’d never seen before; and the Baianas – women in their traditional enormous skirts.

Tags: culture, festival
Posted in Places»South America»Brazil | No Comments »

Sao Jao and Tiradentes

Sunday, June 18th, 2006

One, a town full of colonial architecture (which, by now, I had enough of). The other, a small village packed with somewhat bizarre home accessories like a female bust for your window sill or these charming TP dispensers.

Tags: architecture, culture
Posted in Places»South America»Brazil | No Comments »

Secret of the Island

Sunday, April 23rd, 2006

Chiloe, in addition to being an island which is a cool fact in itself, is known for its interesting architecture. The fisherman communities scattered around the main island and many small surrounding islands have charming wooden churches some of them being 200 year old and preserved as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Another architectural attraction are the waterfront houses on stilts. These together with the promise of fresh seafood, put Chiloe on our “must see” list. Often half the fun of seeing a place is getting there. But getting there meant a long and exhausting 29 hour ferry ride, so one can hardly call this fun.
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Tags: culture
Posted in Places»South America»Chile | No Comments »