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The Granddaddy Dogwood Trail of Knoxville

There is a popular alternative-country band famous today, well–famous to those who love the genre, not big time famous like Elvis Presley and his mansion, Graceland of Memphis, but famous in the smaller Nashville way.  This band is called the Old Crow Medicine Show and one of the lines in their songs refers to pickin’ a barrel of Dogwood flowers.  I had never known the significance of the line until I booked a room I found on this site, www.hotelsknowxville.com. Now, Nashville isn’t Knoxville, but the vegetation is the same and what I learned, is just what a Dogwood flower is.

In Knoxville, Tennessee the Dogwood tree is celebrated in many ways.  One of those ways is to be found in the Dogwood Arts Festival that runs each year during the last three weeks of April.  This timing of the festivsl is not random.  It coincides with the blooming of these trees.  A few years ago, a tour was added to the calender of events, a calender that includes art, live music shows, and Southern home style, good for the soul kind of cooking.  This tour is called the Granddaddy Dogwood Tour,  and is a celebration of some of the oldest Dogwood trees in the city.  One of the main characters included on the tour is a Champion Black Oak, an oak that was standing before the Civil War and and oak which has a trunk measurement of eighteen feet around.

The tour continues on a trail through the city, noting the different trees on the different street corners.  I took this tour and not only was it a great way to see the city of Knoxville, I understood why the blooms of this tree made it into a Tennessee band’s song lyrics.  This is a fascinating concept for a tour.  New York offers a similar tour, a tour of trees.  In this day and age, when so much of the old is destroyed to build up the new, it is nice to know that, just as trees still stand in Brooklyn, New York…so too, do they still stand in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Tags: Old Crow Medicine Show, the Granddaddy Dogwood Tour, www.hotelsknowxville.com

Seattle Loves Hendrix

After my visit to Snoqualmie Falls, which is located about 40 minutes away from Seattle by bus, I wanted to go see the Jimi Hendrix memorial. Getting there took a lot longer than expected, I had to change buses 3 times, but it was well worth the trouble. (Thank goodness for the travel directory!) The memorial, which is located in Renton, is very impressive. I could see lip marks on Jimi Hendrix’s image of his face. There were a lot of messages written around the monument commending Jimi for his work to promote peace, love and freedom; it seems that a lot of people not only loved him for his music, but for his beliefs.

I returned back to downtown Seattle and headed to some bars. I really like how many Microbreweries are here, their pub like qualities made me feel at home. I stopped off at the Pike Brewhouse, which is located underneath the Pike Fish Market, it was just like being in an English pub and the beer was really good. I walked back to my hotel, which I booked online just before I arrived here, I found my Seattle hotel, at this site and I got a great deal on my room because I booked it online. I took a quick shower and grabbed a short nap, then headed back out to Seattle Central.

There are a few museums there, the Space Needle and the Experience Music Project. I bought tickets for the EMP and that place is wicked cool, I loved it. Especially the Jimi Hendrix exhibit, which was very extensive and informative. Plus, they had a great collection of Hendrix memorabilia, like the costumes he actually wore on stage, his smashed guitars and many other items. I also liked the exhibit that showed the evolution of the guitar, there were hundreds of models showing the changes since its inception.

My ticket to the EMP also got me into the Science Fiction museum, which is right next door, but I’m not much for science fiction, so I wasn’t to interested in the exhibits. Needless to say, I didn’t stay long. The Space Needle was next to that, so I thought I’d check it out and maybe get some lunch. The revolving restaurant is at the top of the Space Needle and since I purchased a ticket for the observation deck, I also got to have lunch. The view would have been amazing, I’m sure, but it was a pretty cloudy and foggy day, so I really couldn’t see much. My lunch was good though.

It was time to go back to my hotel and pack, I’ll be catching a flight to San Diego at 7pm.

Tags: Jimi Hendrix memorial, Seattle hotel, Snoqualmie Falls

Colbert Mukwevho, South Africa’s Bob Marley

South Africa is an amazing country.  It has a rich and complicated history, and has been witness to some of the most remarkable revolutions of the past century.  There are magnificent museums dedicated to the history of apartheid and the liberation of South Africa, as well as museums celebrating the best in African and international art.  It is a land with great natural wonders, exquisite beaches, and a wine country that is worth writing home about.  It has seen the birth of many fascinating intellectuals and artists, and continues to attract some of the most creative minds in the world.  It also has some of the world’s best hotels.  South Africa is a delightful place for the discerning world traveler, and our hotels are designed to offer a hospitality that is like none other on the planet.

After a gorgeous rest in our gorgeous rooms, you’ll feel a sense of rejuvenation that is the perfect state of being in which to experience this marvelous place.  Whatever city you happen to be staying, there are multitudes of attractions that will appeal to guests of all ages.  One of the most exciting things about South Africa in recent years is the new evolutions in world music.  It has a beat that truly cannot stand still, and sees rich talents from all walks of life.  You may not have heard of Colbert Mukwevho before, but once you do, he’s difficult to forget.  He’s a reggae performer from South Africa who is a cultural icon and hero to many of the young people here.

He sings in Tshivenda, Tsonga, and English and is one of many talents to rise from the villages in South Africa.  He counts his inspirations in the teachings and lessons of his musical family, which continues with his talented son Percy.  His story is a fascinating and harrowing one, coming from a town in Transvaal province, and seeing his family torn apart in the worst days of apartheid.  His voice has often been compared to Bob Marley, and the message is very much the same.  He has released over 20 albums, and recently recorded for the TVEP, the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Program which deals with domestic violence and AIDS issues in South Africa today.   His music has the same liberatory potential as some of the best Jamaican reggae, and the still relatively young Mukwevho has an important role to play in the career that still lies largely ahead of him.

Tags: best hotels South Africa, Colbert Mukwevho, English, Victim Empowerment Program

Menorca Summer Festivals

Menorca is one of the four largest and most internationally known Balearic Islands that are located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Spain. The other three islands Majorca, which is also the largest, Ibiza, which is well known for its party and club scene, and Formentera, which is the smallest of the four and known for its quiet and seclusion. Menorca is the second largest of the four major islands and is often spelled Minorca. It derives its name from its slightly larger neighbor Majorca. This as well as all of the Balearic islands is a popular tourist destination, and is known for its great beaches and scenic views. Many of the luxury hotels Menorca are located on or near one of these beaches and provide great views and fabulous accommodations for its guests.

Menorca is not heavily populated and its close to 90,000 residents are accustomed to tourists and generally friendly, helpful and supportive. There are many natural and manmade landmarks that enhance the cultural experience of the island. It is well known for its megalithic stone monuments, and they are an extremely popular tourist destination. These testify to the prehistoric inhabitants of the island and place it in a great historic significance. The island is also well known for its many summer festivals. Summer is typically the highest volume tourist season on all of the islands, many people from around the world are attracted to the great festivals and celebrations that occur in Menorca every summer. Music plays a prominent role in the society of Menorca and some of the music festivals are the most important on the island. The International Opera Week is a great celebration of musicians and singers from all over the world. It also draws an international audience and contributes to the global recognition of Menorca’s cultural expression. There is an organ festival in Mahon, which is also world known and extremely popular. The summer music festival is a great celebration and features great food and music.

Tags: Festivals, International Opera Week, luxury hotels, Menorca, organ, Summer

The Saga’s of Singapore

This morning I took a walk outside of one of the 5 Star Singapore Hotels where I stay when visiting the city and I noticed that the  Saga Tree was in bloom. I remember as a child, I loved the Saga trees when in bloom because of their bright red seeds.

Now as a biologist, I have a better appreciation and a best understanding of the Saga Tree. The leaves have 2 to 6 pairs of side stalks, each with 9 to 15 pairs of leaflets. ‘Pavo’ I’ve found means peacock and I think the leaves are rather pretty. The tree sheds its leaves seasonally. In Singapore, they shed their leaves every 6 to 8 months, so it’s leafless period is very short. After the leaves fall a flower will appear on the long stalks shooting out the end tips. These are the faintly scented blossoms which reminds me of the scent of orange blossoms back home. The flowers will open gradually from the base upwards and the petals are a nice creamy yellow and then they turn to a dull orange.

The pods of the Saga tree are curved and green, but don’t coil until they begin to split whereupon they also turn blackish.  The seeds are bright red, hard and heart-shaped. The word ‘Saga’ has been traced to the Arabic for goldsmith.  In India and Sri Lanka, the seeds of this tree have been used as units of weight for fine measures, of gold for instance. It’s been suggested that the seeds of the tree were the basis of the very earliest of such systems. What more delightful counters for the primitive and bloody mind than these hard, red, heart-shaped seeds.

The red seeds are considered intoxicants. I found records that in Java, the seeds are roasted, shelled and eaten with rice and said to taste like soybeans. In India, the seeds are also used in medicine. And everywhere, the seed are also used to make necklaces. As I walked back from my nostalgic leisure stroll and noticed I had a smile on my face.

Tags: Arabic, five star, hotels, Java, Saga Tree, Singapore

Doing Something Different

Going to work Monday through Friday. Eight-o-clock to Five-o-Clock. Walking the dog. Kicking it at the Dance Clubs Friday Evening. Drinking too much and needing a ride home. Sleeping in on Saturday morning. Cleaning the living room, bathroom and bedrooms. Doing the laundry. Grocery shopping for food to make next weeks lunch. Watching the Netflix DVD that just came in the mail. Walking the dog. Meeting with friends at the New York USA Hotel for drinks before heading next door to the movie theater and watch the latest hit. Eat too much popcorn. Saying goodnight to friends and head on home. Flopping down on the sofa and turning on the CD player and listen to some chillaxing tunes. Falling asleep on the sofa.

Waking up early Sunday morning with a crick in the neck. Go Jogging for a mile or so. Reading the New York Times out on the patio after taking a shower. Cooking up breakfast consisting of an Omelet, bacon, wheat toast and fresh orange juice. Calling up a few friends to see what they’re doing. Catching up on Emails. Watching some television. Walking the dog. Checking the personals for anyone interesting to date. Playing World of WarCraft online. Looking up a clock to see it’s 1:37am Monday morning. Regretting playing WoW too long. Making a ham sandwich for lunch tomorrow and going to bed only to wake up at 6am in the morning to go to work. Going to work Monday through Friday.

These are the dreams Michael has as he lays in his hospital bed on able to move, except for him pinkie finger, at the long-term care facility which he as lived in ever since he has a major Stroke. Rehabilitation helps very little. Basically, the physical therapists visits everyday do lift up his mood, but other than that, all Michael does with his idle time is imagine doing something different.

Tags: hotel, Netflix, New York, USA, World of War Crafts

Fann al Sout

Looking for a perfect five-star hotel? Dubai will graciously accommodate your travel needs. With a keen eye toward luxury and splendor, these hotels offer the best of the best in one of the most exciting cities in the world. With the splendid surroundings, with beaches and desert, and a rich urban heartbeat, there are tremendous adventures to be had here, along with recreational activities that will rejuvenate the senses.

The cultural life of the city has taken quite a turn in a new direction. With the influx of international tourists and worldly celebrities, there is a mix of old world custom and new world convenience. One can find most anything here, and if you happen to be looking for a good place to buy an electric guitar, the Fann al Sout music shop will certainly help you on your way. The word on the street here is that this is the best place for Ibanez guitars, but they do carry a very interesting selection of musical instruments. There are strings and pipe instruments, all kinds of guitars, including electric and classical, musical accessories, drums and other percussion instruments, harmonicas, and a nice supply of dj equipment, including lighting instruments. They also specialize in instrument repair and rental, and are on the way toward becoming an important importer-exporter for all kinds of instruments and musical supplies.

For local musicians, this shop is a blessing. With a knowledgeable staff and a location that is in the heart of the instrument shops in town, Fann al Sout is regarded highly among the musical artists in the city. This is no small fete, when in recent years the artistic landscape has changed, and more professional musicians are making this their new home. There are also the young who are deciding to stay and participate in the cultural life of the city. It’s a vibrant core with the energy of a scene in the making, and shops like this will play an important part in the cultural evolutions of Dubai city.

Tags: dubai, Fann al Sout, hotels, Music

Techno Singapore

For luxury hotels, Singapore puts you right in the center of many worlds, old and new, on the brink of a bright and lovely future.  With all the trappings of modern cities, and all the charms of old world comfort, there are worlds within worlds, just waiting for you to set foot here.  At the center of many different cultural spheres of influence, Singapore is truly on the cutting edge of the most unique and fascinating global phenomena.

It would be no surprise, then, to find that Singapore is a haven for experimental music.  Both in its development of new technologies and for nurturing a new generation of recording artists, it is far ahead of the rest of the world.  The techno label, Fluid Mix is one of the most interesting music labels in Asia today, looking for the newest of the new is sound and sound design technologies.  Hosting events all over Singapore, it is also the house for DJ Stingrays, one of a number of up and coming mix artists from Singapore.  Stingrays is a master of live musical improvisation, laying down large and sturdy beats to keep audiences enchanted.

Another act not to miss in Singapore is the artist working under the moniker One Man Nation.  Working in Rotterdam and Singapore, but with his roots in Singapore firmly, this electronic artist specializes in his very haunting and deeply-layered brand of musical improvisation, with the addition of wild and sophisticated live performance practices.  With three albums already under his belt, his performances are a mix of live art, where a combination of gestures and physical actions intervene in the musical landscape, forcing sound and body to speak to each other in wholly-original languages.  His shows are remarkable in their ability to provoke, lull, and wake up the listener, and are a remarkable contribution to the global music scene.

Tags: Fluid Mix, hotels, Music, One Man Nation, Singapore, Techno

Balearic Islands in England

For many years the Balearic Islands have been a popular tourist destination throughout the rest of Europe.  Many of those traveling had found getaways from the drab winter weather on beautiful beaches and in the many night clubs and restaurants.  However in the last year, the tourism industry has suffered, and many are not able to afford weekend getaways, much less island vacations.  Businesses on the islands have suffered, the best hotels Majorca, Ibiza, Mallorca, Formentera and Minorca have to offer are not filling up as they have in pasts summer seasons.  In the past, many travelers were from Germany and Great Britain.  And what happened a few weeks ago brightened their lives, and was perhaps a pretty savvy marketing and advertising campaign on the part of the tourism industry.  The Balearics came to Britain.  In the first week of May, 2009 the city of Manchester held a festival.  This event celebrated all that is beautiful about these islands off the coast of Spain.

The event was located in Albert Square.  There was traditional music being played on the streets, by bands from the Balearics such as Paco Fernandez, (http://www.pacofernandez.com/) Wonderbrass, and S’Estol del Rei.  A parade of more than one hundred participants, marched through the square in the authentic make-up and costumes of the Islands.  There were tall devils and magicians, circus and dance performers.  The festival was free to the public and included booths set up where artisans and artists from Mallorca and Ibiza showed their wares.  And of course food.  The traditional healthy dishes of fresh vegetables and seafood that are so well known on the Islands, and quite a far cry from kidney pie and pasties.  And the traditional Menorca horses and riders put on a show that is usually only witnessed in their homeland.  For those in England this was quite a treat, and will perhaps hold them until the economy makes a turn, and everyone can start traveling and living life to fullest once again.

Tags: Albert Square, Balearic Islands, England, hotels, Majorca, Manchester, Menorca horses

Banksy’s Response

New York is very well known for the street art, be it 12 year old rappers and break dancers performing on the subway trains, or the 65 year old jazz men playing in trios and quartets in the stations underground.  Classical musicians play on the street corners and drummers perform in Washington Square Park.  One year ago, a different kind of street artist came to town, and did what he was not expected to do.  Banksy, is a well known graffiti artist from Bristol, England.  His work is well known that is, for his real name and even what he looks like remains a mystery.  His work is seen on buildings around the world, very stylized and well executed, and most often politically and satirical and filled with his ironic wit.  However for his first official show in New York, he did something different.

A fake pet store was created, with the name “The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill“  Actors were hired to play the pet store employees.  And what resulted was a strange mix of animated sculptures, poking fun at the relationship humans have with their pets.  Many who traveled to the show in 2008, and managed to find a room at a best New York City hotel, were not disappointed.  One of the pieces had hot dogs dancing around and playing in a terrarium.  One piece was of the cartoon character Tweety Bird, now old and grey and sad, swinging on his swing, in the cage looking miserable.  Another piece, had a mother chicken, watching over her “young”, two chicken nuggets trying to get a packet of ketchup open.  Set amongst these sculptures, are real pet supplies, cat and dog food.

Upon being questioned about his exhibit, Bansky responded that it is his belief that New Yorkers care about their pets more than they care about art.  So he put them on display instead.  This is Banksy’s sense of ironic humor, but some New Yorkers were not pleased with the controversial tones of some of the pieces.  He said that he was just questioning ethics.  While people have pets, and take care of them by buying necessary items in pet stores, factory farming remains big business.  Many of those in the art world believe however that this may have been Banksy’s response to the fact that his pieces painted on walls of buildings, are often times auctioned off right where they stand.  Those who do purchase the pieces then have the task of figuring out how to get the walls down with the murals intact.  Banksy receives no compensation for this, so some believe that this was his way of ‘sticking it to’ the auctioneers who have been making large profits off of his work for years.

Tags: Banksy, Bristol, England, New York, paintings