I know that most people associate the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania with that incredibly destructive battle that occurred during the Civil War and of course also with the famous Gettysburg Address that was delivered by President Lincoln following the battle to honor the fallen soldiers, however from now on I will have to associate the city with falling in love. That’s a pretty odd combination of associations I know, but hey Pat Benatar said it best, love is a battlefield. Anyway, it all happened in one of the Gettysburg hotels, oh wow, did that add a certain element of intrigue to the whole story? Well, it shouldn’t that’s not actually the most significant part, though I will say that it was a great hotel and the accommodations and additional offerings were fabulous.

It turns out that I was in Gettysburg as part of a special field trip for school that some of the honor school students were able to take part in. Oddly enough while we were there I noticed that Travis, another student in the program, was looking particularly attractive and I started to develop a slight crush. The reason this was odd is because I had never thought of Travis in the romantic sense, nor had I ever thought he was particularly attractive. So, naturally when I started to feel and think that he was I wondered what on earth was going on in my head.

Then, on our last day in town we were having lunch at a place called Dunlap’s Restaurant, and Travis and I ended up sitting right next to each other. Oh, on side note, it’s actually a great restaurant. I had the grilled chicken sandwich and Travis had a mushroom and Swiss hamburger. I think everyone really liked their food and it was a super friendly atmosphere. Anyway, we started talking about some of the things we had seen and we just started making jokes and laughing and then suddenly it felt like we were the only two there. Afterward my friend Rene told me that everyone noticed the connection that happened between us and they all thought it was surprising. Travis and I started hanging out a lot after that and it just seemed natural that we started dating. I still don’t understand it, but I don’t’ really care.

Dunlaps Restaurant in Gettysburg is a post from: AffairBoard

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The words, “Roadside Attraction”, make me think of a book I read years ago, by Tom Robbins –”Another Roadside Attraction”.  It was a book that left me feeling a bit strange, as though I had walked through a carnival of freaky things, but for some reason those “freaky things” felt normal.  It was the normalcy that made me feel strange.  Well, that is the feeling I left with after visiting what is known as the original “Roadside Attraction of Florida”, Gatorama.  This is a trip I was not intending to take, but a friend of mine had come to my hotel in Tampa,  and offered a road trip that I would never forget.  How can you possibly say no to an offer like that?

So we headed out, just a short trip from Tampa actually, took about an hour.  And when we pulled into the parking lot I had to question just what it was that I had gotten myself into.  Alligators?  Come on…I mean I know they are all over the swamp lands of Florida, and so to have a park dedicated to them made sense.  But the truth is that they scare the life out of me.  They are too prehistoric and have too many teeth for my comfort.  However, the park was crowded with naturalists and photographers, so I decided to push those fears away and enjoy this day…I was “in Rome” and I was fulling prepared to “do as the Romans do”.  This is the largest breeding facility for captive ‘gators’, and there where many shows throughout the day, with alligators performing in their own ways with their trainers, much scarier than the seals bumping beach balls in Sea World, but fascinating none the less.

There are also many other animals throughout the park such as peacocks, bobcats, and crocodiles.  The love of the animals is all around.  We stopped for a bit of lunch, some Florida barbecue.  I had made my way through my second rib when my friend asked how it was…I said, “Delicious!”…he said, “BBQ Alligator ribs!”  This is where the strange kicked in.  It was a bit like going to the zoo and then eating a lion or an orangutang for lunch.  Images of brightly faded carnival paint and dancing elephants popped into my head.  I mean, it was a park for ‘gators’ and I had just eaten a ‘gator’.  It was bizarre, and yet it was so normal.  So if you’re the type that cherishes the bizarrely normal, or the normally bizarre, take a little drive outside of Tampa on your next trip.  You will not be disappointed in this…another roadside attraction…

A Visit Just Outside of Tampa: “Gatorama”, An Original Florida Roadside Attraction is a post from: AffairBoard

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There is a heady mix of culture and history in Singapore, and the influences of the multiple cultures that have passed through here over time are visible in the architecture, art, and the cuisine.  Some culinary experts suggest that food is one of the most important ways that a culture performs itself, and the identity of a place is in its foods.  In Singapore, the Indian food reflects a long relationship between that country and this island city state, and there are amazing histories that twine together here in Singapore’s Indian restaurants.

Because of the long relationship between the cultures, some of the best Indian food in the world can be had here, and some would even suggest that some of the best Indian restaurants are, in fact, here.  It’s certainly worth investigating.  There’s a lot to investigate in Singapore, in fact, and Little India is one of the liveliest neighborhoods here.  The Indian population living in Singapore is estimated to be around 7-8%, and has a measurable influence on the local culture.  The population grew at the beginning of the 19th century, when immigrants moved here to work for the military, build roads, clear out swamps, or perform other kinds of very hard physical labor.

Today it’s one of the most active parts of town.  With a splendid sense of visual appeal, there is always a delight for the eyes in this neighborhood.  There is plenty to see in Little India, with small local shops, department stores, and food stalls.  It’s a great place to find spices so you can create your own masterpieces back home.  But let the locals do it while you’re here; it’s fantastic.  One of the most overwhelming times to come would be Sunday night, right around dark, because everyone comes to gather in the main part of town, and it’s a flurry of social activities.  If you like crowds, and if you like doing ethnographic work on mixed populations in the diaspora, then this is your time to look sharp, because there is a tidal wave of people.

The Delicious Culinary Options of India is a post from: AffairBoard

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Whether it is Fall break, Spring break, Christmas break or Summer vacation, if you have kids or are traveling with kids you are well aware of the fact that at certain times, they just need to be entertained.  Figuring out what will hold their interest may be a challenge, although in the city of Baltimore you have options.  Located close to many an excellent Baltimore restaurant is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum.  This is a place where adults can relax because the kids will be thoroughly captivated.

The museum is located in the center of the nightlife district, which may seem a bit off, but makes for the perfect day with the family as the the restaurants are plentiful–good for the adults, and the museum is great–good for the kids.   The museum is housed in what used to be the Fish Market Building.  This is a place where creativity and education walk hand in hand.  Most people tend to stay at the museum for a few hours, but this can really be an all-day event as there are so many exhibits, and there are cafes located throughout the museum that serve food for the sustenance necessary to keep up with, and to fuel the young ones.

And that sustenance, those young ones will need, as located within the museum is an exhibit entitled “KidsWorks“. This is a dream come true for many children, a three story jungle gym.  Amazing for an adult to look at, and incredible for a child’s eyes.  Too much in one place, the kids will be thrilled.  All of the other exhibits are positioned around this giant structure.   Parents are encouraged to climb the jungle gym, and most times they do find it necessary as their children can get off the gym at any level, and it may be nerve wracking trying to locate them.  But no fear, as climbing through the hoops and crossing the rope bridges and going down the slides may seem a bit exhaustive at first, this is one place where chasing after your child, is actually fun.

“KidsWorks” at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore is a post from: AffairBoard

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One the historically rich areas, located close to Midtown district containing many of the Manhattan business, hotels and restaurants is the form stomping grounds for the most unsavory and downright characters that color the past history of New York.  This is Hell’s Kitchen and I stayed here for a few nights with my friend Robert.  Robert has lived all over the city, and each time I visit, I encounter a different aspect and a different vibe than before.  Due to Robert’s bohemian nature, I learn a bit more each time I go.

At one time the home to many of the Irish-Americans and the members of the various, notorious Five Point gangs, this is now becoming quite a funky and unique neighborhood.  There are boutique stores for dogs on every corner it seems, many different choices of restaurants offering food from different ethnic communities, along with a vast array of interesting and varied shops.  When one visits Hell’s Kitchen one really must take a walk done Eighth Avenue.

This is close to the Port Authority and is one of the busiest streets in the neighborhood.  Again, the variety of shops and merchants is overwhelming, from discount stores for hardware and electronic supplies, to gift shops and clothing boutiques.  The area is also known to be one of the best places in the city to find small, out of the way–a bit hole in the wall in nature, restaurants and bistros.  For some friends of mine who tend to take “food tour vacations” this would be the perfect destination.

The stretch of 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues is known as Restaurant Row.  It reminded me a lot of the stretch of Division Street, between the Avenues of Western and Damen in Chicago.  Just one restaurant after another.  And as is the same with both of these areas in different cities in the United States, there was a time not long ago where walking the streets at night would have been dangerous.  This is not long so for Division Street, and it is no longer so for this area of Hell’s Kitchen.  It’s a wonderful place to get a true feel for all that is the city of Manhattan.

Manhattan Business Thrives on Hell’s Kitchen Restaurants Row is a post from: AffairBoard

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I have been living in Cape Town now for about 12 years. I have never been to the Mesopotamia restaurant, but have heard my friends rave about it for years. So, when my good friend came to visit me from the United States, I decided that this would be a good opportunity to check it out. I picked up my friend who was staying at one of the Cape Town South Africa Hotels and off we went.

When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we had to sit on cushions strewn on the floor. My friend was not delighted about this prospect, having a bad back and just getting off an airplane after almost 22 hours flight time. But, I insisted (I know, it was selfish of me, but I’ve planned this for a while). I did find sitting on the floor to be uncomfortable, but I put up a good front, but I could tell that the look on my friends face was that he was suffering.

Mesopotamia served a Kurdish cuisine. My friend and I have never eaten Kurdish, so we stuck it out. All the dishes on the menu had weird names which made them appear authentic. We were first served a nice selection of mezes for starters which was accompanied by a selection of Nan breads. I can’t tell you which mezes we had because I couldn’t hear a word the waiter was saying. But, I can tell you they did range from very scrumptious to not so tasty. My friend and I did enjoy the variety of different flavors and we were happy dipping our Nan in several bowls which dripped on to our clothes on the way to our hungry mouths.

Our main course was a platter with which we shared. It included a wonderful selection of chicken and lamb as well as some vegetarian sides. Most of the items on the platter was delightful and seem authentic, because it didn’t quite taste like Middle Eastern nor Moroccan, but appeared to look like either. We were delightfully full when the belly dancer came by our table and made us forget we were in pain sitting on floor cushions.

Mesopotamia in Cape Town South Africa is a post from: AffairBoard

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When making travel plans, and looking for a splendid experience in hotels, India, Mumbai specifically, has all that a globe-trotter needs.  Nestled in one of the most glorious cities in the world, our hotels provide an experience in accommodation that is like nowhere else on earth.  Combining the best in tradition, and the most cutting-edge innovations, our hotels show that hospitality still matters.  There is also an impeccable sense of design, where there is an eclectic spirit that merges graciousness with modernity, and helps to create an overall experience of beauty.  The food is also fantastic, and Mumbai generally has some of the finest eating in the world.  The cultural and geographic position of Mumbai has made it so that global influences, along with a long tradition of excellent cooking, are present.

The streets are often dreamy with the smells from residential kitchens and restaurants, and one place to try the best the Mumbai has to offer is Chetana Vegetarian Restaurant.  It stared in 1946 as a coffee and sandwich shop, and developed a reputation among the artists and intellectuals as a place to meet for lively philosophical discussions, and the menu started to grow.  In 2001, they revamped the decor and the menu to include multi-food with its Gujarati and Rajasthani delicacies, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet menu.  The results of the changes have been stunning, as the rave reviews and loyal customer base can attest.

Fans of Chetana rave about the excellent and friendly service, the range of food offered, but mostly about the quality of the food.  Quantity, it seems, is also high on the list of Chetana’s attributes, as customers regularly stuff themselves with its mouth-watering delights.  It is open every day of the year, and has earned its reputation as a dependably wonderful place to eat in South Mumbai.

Chetana Vegetarian in Mumbai is a post from: AffairBoard

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The best Menorca hotels have a splendid mixture of the old and the new.  This is why our hotels are a fantastic blend, offering the best in contemporary  and time-tested amenities, so that the traveler will be constantly refreshed.  Menorca is one of the best places on earth to refresh the body, mind, and spirit.  A true Spanish hideaway, this small island is close enough to the rest of Spain to be connected to the heart of European culture, but still far enough away to maintain its identity.  There is a tremendous spirit of hospitality here, that’s as old as the tradition of chivalry, which is also firmly in place on the island.  There is also an amazingly complex history here, with evidence of human habitation that goes back to prehistoric times.

There is also a sumptuous array of activities here, so that while one might visit the museums to get a sense of the human story as it has acted itself out in Menorca, there are also lovely restaurants, and an excellent night life, not to mention the beaches, which are simply outstanding.  If this isn’t enough, one might also pass part of the day arguing about the origins of mayonnaise with the locals here.  There are plenty of accounts that seem to suggest that mayonnaise was invented in Menorca.  Salsa de Mahonesa, or Maonesa, has a place in the written history of Menorca that dates back to the 18th century.

The usual story goes that Louis XIV sent his Duc de Richelieu to Menorca to take care of the English who were stationing there.  During the long stay, the Duc’s chef was running out of things to prepare to keep his palate curious and happy.  The chef watched the locals prepare egg mixed with olive oil, and decided to give that a try, and viola! Mayonnaise on Menorca!  There are some, perhaps many, who would argue that the French stole it from the Menorcans, and claimed it as their own.  There are others still who claim that it was invented before this story, and is simply very French.  Whatever the origin, it is also very, very good, and visitors to Menorca are in for a very special treat.

Menorca’s Mayonnaise is a post from: AffairBoard

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When building the perfect outdoor kitchen, selecting the outdoor kitchen appliances that are right for you can be as much fun as dreaming about your next meal.  There are so many options, and putting the pieces together in your imagination is exciting, but nothing compared to the way it will feel when you’re walking around in it.  There are side grills, grills with searing options, storage possibilities, outdoor lighting, and pizza ovens that will open up new possibilities for culinary adventures.

There is a versatility in grilling that most people might not suspect, until they start learning about the grill.  It’s not accidental that this primal way of cooking food has stuck around for so long, and keeps evolving to the excellent outdoor kitchens that are available today.  So something as seemingly simple as grilled zucchini becomes loaded with possibilities when the possibilities on the grill are expanded.  For beginners, though, it’s important to know a couple of basic things.

First, zucchini, like many vegetables, are composed primarily of water.  The same principles, then, for cooking meat, apply here.  Punctures and cuts in the food can let out all the flavor.  With zucchini, this is more true than perhaps for any other food, where its structure makes it very easy for the water to be released in the cooking process, which can make for a rather dry and flavorless vegetable.  However, with some knowledge about cutting, and sealing the vegetable with butter or oil, the natural flavors, and any other seasonings that you might add, can be locked in to make an exceptional dish.  The other thing to remember for grilling zucchini is, like with other foods, to only turn it once.  This gives those beautiful grill marks, and also insures a capture of flavor.  The right outdoor appliances can really give the right touch, to make for perfect meals every time.

Grilling zucchini is a post from: AffairBoard

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Ramps are the latest hottest menu items being served at Mid-Western cities. They are tender, fresh and local. The attraction might be in the mystery of the Ramp itself. The name itself appears exotic. But, they are nearly as humble like the dandelion greens which are found in close proximity to the Ramp.

Ramps are wild leeks. I have them all over my backyard. I even have them painted on my outdoor kitchen cabinets, for when the Ramp is in flower, it’s a beautiful site. The Ramp is prolific and easy to grow. It’s a bulb and part of the onion and garlic family, related to the lilies. A moist, cook, damp place is required for these bulbs. I found the Mid-Western cities to provide the best zone.

Ramps are milder that an onion, it’s kind of shaped like a scallion and it does taste like a leek, but has a stronger, tangier hint of wild chives. They will appear in early April and flourish during May. They will finish in mid-June if found further north. If you search for wild Ramps, ones not grown in backyards or by local farmers, go to areas where morel mushrooms and fiddlehead ferns can be found. The Ramp peaks at the same time these two plants peak.

When cooking with the Ramps, first trying them in your favorite stew recipe. Next make a custard, a vinaigrette and a ragouts. Puree’ them with potatoes for a spicy, tangy mash. Grill them alongside meat or fish. Serve a relish made of ramps with crayfish, it’s the best. But, my favorite menu item was a Wild Ramp and Golden Potato gnocchi with a sauce of local goat milk ricotta and morel mushrooms.  My mouth just waters with the memory of that dish. Savory, fresh, light and scrumptious.

Ramping it up is a post from: AffairBoard

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