A common so-called irony in life, is when a person finally gets around to taking a much needed vacation, and falls ill as soon as they are away from work.
The reason for this situation being common is easily explained. Most people, as they are preparing for a vacation, are in a hectic state; trying to tie up loose ends at work, getting packed, finding a house and or pet sitter, finding visas or passports, organizing and cleaning the house, getting the yard prepared, creating “to do” lists for people, the list goes on. When you finally set off on your vacation, your body needs a break. Your immune system has been suffering from lack of sleep and excess stress. It’s an ideal time for a virus to attack and get a solid foothold.
There’s another reason illness attacks during vacation. Often people choose a trip that is not relaxing for them.
Two years ago my wife and I went on a vacation with friends. We went cross-country skiing at a resort. The cabin we stayed in was beautiful, we were surrounded with close friends, and the weather was nice – Seemed like a recipe for a wonderful vacation. Unfortunately, our friends were far better skiers than us, and ran us so ragged we were painfully stiff for days. Also, we let loose in the evenings, and trying to keep up with our friends’ drinking proved to be a big mistake. My wife and I returned from our vacation exhausted and ill.
The way to avoid a poor vacation is to plan ahead.
- Think about what the purpose of the vacation is. If your aim is to reduce tension after a busy time at work, make sure the destination will give you the peace and calm you need.
- Take a vacation before your vacation. Take three or four days off work before your vacation begins, so that you can get organized, and begin to slow down your pace gradually.
- Get prepared, well before your vacation. If you will need any documentation (visa/passport), prescriptions, reservations, tickets, etc… get them all in advance. Nothing is more comforting than a sense of preparedness.
- Lastly, do not feel like you have to do anything on your vacation. Often there is pressure to go site-seeing, or participate in social events. If you feel like staying in the room and reading a book, that’s probably what you should do.
Mark Altman is the webmaster of soundsleeping.com soundsleeping.com – the place for free relaxing music, a website containing relaxing music, sleep-aids, stress reducing tools, relaxation advice, and an active discussion.
Colorful Spanish fiestas and festivals are as unique and diverse as the nation and her peoples. While most of the Spanish fiestas and festivals are celebrated nationally, there are many that are observed regionally, a direct result of the varied regional histories of this historic country. It seems that if there is one thing that the people of Spain all know how to do it’s party. In fact, no matter what time of year a tourist chooses to visit, there is some important celebration happening somewhere in Spain and you are always welcome to join in.
Most of the population of Spain is Roman Catholic. bviously
the major Christian holidays and observances play an important part in the life of the average Spaniard, with both Christmas and Easter playing major roles. Christmas is so important that its observations last from December 8 until January 6. There are, however several Spanish fiestas and festivals associated with these holidays that are unique to the citizens of Spain and many festivals and fiestas that are wholly Spanish traditions and not known elsewhere.
The new year in Spain brings nationwide Spanish fiestas and festivals. Celebrants gather in the streets to await the arrival of midnight. In some areas the people wear masks and elaborate costumes, creating an atmosphere similar to the Brazilian Carnivale or New Orleans at Mardi Gras. One nice tradition has celebrants attempting to eat twelve grapes during the last twelve seconds before midnight. Success is said to bring good luck. It is not that easy when you are drunk … After the stroke of midnight the party continues well into the wee hours of the morning and even more.
The procession of the Three Magi is celebrated on January 5th. It is Associated with Christmas and the Three Magi are in many ways a Spanish version of Santa Claus, the belief being that they bring presents to the lttle ones.
The Spanish Carnival may well be the largest nationwide Spanish fiesta and festival celebration in all of Spain. Taking place in mid February or early March, the festivities are marked by singing in the streets and general revelry all over the land.
In Barcelona, one of Spain’s largest cities, March third kicks off the Spanish Festival of San Medir, the patron saint of the city. Travel advisors say that this is one of the better times to visit because the people are in an overly festive mood and welcome visitors to the city with much celebration. This merriment recommences on April 23 with the Spanish festival of Catalonia’s patron saint, Sant Jordi. People from all over town come to the beach and party.
As with most of the Spanish festivals and fiestas, there is quite a bit of drinking involved.
Spanish Ferias
One week long feria is held by most cities each year. Most of these coincide with the celebrations of particular religious feasts and are celebrated with a good deal of drinking and merriment. During a feria the locals dress in traditional garb and celebrate day and night, drinking, dancing and singing. Bullfights are often held during the ferias as well.
Some cities celebrate the Spanish fiestas and festivals of San Fermin (also known as Sanfermines) all over Spain and it is one of the largest festivals you’ll find in the northern regions of the country. The most famous aspect of the celebration is without a doubt the Running of the bulls in Pamplona. This spectacle (one which must be seen… but not necessarily participated in) takes place at the launch of the week-long festival on July seventh. Many travelers visit the city intending to join in the run and report that it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of their lives. Caution is recommended, however, as every year there are participants in this event that do not live to tell about it later…
(I run it two years ago traditionally drunk, and saw an Australian fellowmate got hit by a Bull 10 feet away… It happens because one of the bulls turned back and attacked. Usually, the bulls are to scared to think about anything but running).
One of the more interesting fiestas is the August celebration of La Tomatina, the Tomato Festival. Taking place in Bunyol, near Valencia, the celebration of La Tomatina begins the last week of August with the main event, a massive “tomato battle” happening on that Wednesday. The tomato battle is exactly what its name implies, a fight in which the participants (typically everyone in town, locals and visiting tourists alike) throw tomatoes, shirts and other objects at one another.
La Tomatina is world famous and attracts many visitors each year. As such, the city had to develop a set of rules governing the tomato fight. Relatively simple and intended to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all, the rules are as follows:
No bottles or items which could cause an accident
No tearing Tshirts
Tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown
Be careful with the lorries which carry the tomatoes
When the second banger is fired, tomato throwing must cease
(Couldn’t see for a day after a direct hit from a tomato, my shirt was gone immediately and a girl near me had to fight to have her’s left on. Don’t count on the locals to follow the rules, and no one will enforce them. Fight for your own life with a tomato in each hand and don’t bring anything of any value to the fight.)
Following is a list of the major ferias of Spain. Plan to visit a city during a Feria and feel what does it means to party!
Castellon (La Magdalena – the week before, of, or after Las Fallas)
Valencia (Fallas – March 10-19)
Seville (April Fair – Sunday after Easter for two weeks)
Jerez de la Frontera (Feria del Caballo – falls in May – date depends on Easter)
Madrid (San Isidro – May 1-30)
Granada (Corpus Christi – First week in June)
Alicante (San Juan – week of June 24)
Badajoz (San Juan – week of June 24)
Burgos (26 to 29 June), Algeciras (June 27-July1)
Pamplona (San Fermin 6 to 14 July)
Santander (San Jaime – week of July 25)
Valencia (San Jaime – week of July 25)
Huelva (Colombinas – August 1-5)
Vitoria (Virgen Blanca – August 4-8)
Malaga (August 14-25)
Almeria (Virgen del Mar – August 25-31)
Bilbao (Semana Grande – August 19-26)
Murcia (September 11-20)
Albacete (September 9-16)
Salamanca (September 12-22)
Valladolid (San Mateo – week of September 26)
Logrono (San Mateo – week of September 26)
Zaragoza (El Pilar – week of October 12)
Jaen (last week in October)
Madrid, Seville, and Valencia all have short ferias lasting about three days each at the end of October
Ofer Shoshani has been working for the last 5 years as a professional journalist, writing about finance, economy, travel and people. The Spanish / Latin culture soon became one of his favorite ones and for some years he lived and wrote from Spain, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, USA, Israel, India & Thailand. His book Siesta time: A new horizon for humanity is about to be published soon.
Currently he writes for bespanish.com bespanish.com – Free English Articles about Spain.
Thousands of Western Washington residents in the United States fly to Mexico every year for vacation.
That is why I was stunned to see an article in USA Today (7-5-07) on the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. Five facts make Benito Juarez interesting and dangerous:
1) It serves a metropolitan area of 20 million people, more than three times the size of Washington State’s 6.5 million population.
2) It is the ONLY airport in Mexico City.
3) It has two runways that are so close together that modern jets cannot use them simultaneously.
4) During peak periods as many as 62 planes take off and land per hour, which is more than the airport’s official capacity of 54.
5) Plans to build another airport to serve the capital were canceled in 2002. Apparently machete-wielding residents revolted against the low price the government offered the residents in exchange for the land on the planned site.
About 763,000 Americans fly into the Mexico City airport every year, according to USA Today.
Compare the takeoff and landing conditions in Mexico City’s only airport to Sea-Tac International Airport that serves the Seattle Metropolitan Area of 3.3 million residents and ranks as the 15th largest metro area in the United States. Seattle does not even rank among the top 90 metro areas in the world.
Sea-Tac International Airport has two runways.
Mexico City has experienced extraordinary growth in the last 75 years, growing from a city of 1 million in 1929 to a metro area of 20 million today.
Mexico City ranks as the second largest metro area in the world today. Only Tokyo is a larger metro area with 35 million. New York-Newark ranks third with 18.7 million.
I have never flown to Mexico but I will avoid Mexico City’s only airport when I do.
It reminds me of what President Ronald Reagan said when the press chided him for not spending more time working in the Oval Office. “People tell me that hard work never killed anyone,” replied Reagan, “but I figure, why tempt fate?”
Ed Bagley is the Author of Ed Bagley’s Blog which he Publishes with Original Articles on Current and Past Events, including Analysis and Commentary on Lessons in Life, Movies, Sports, Internet Marketing, Jobs and Careers that are intended to Delight, Inform, Educate and Motivate Readers. Visit Ed at . . .
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I’ve written a great deal on Chile but I’ve for the most part concentrated on Santiago and the major outlying areas. In this article I’ll concentrate more on the beach and coastal areas.
I frequent these areas just about every single weekend and had, for a time, planned on building my cottage near the coastal areas. I can say there’s still a great deal of readily available land for purchase in the coastal areas also.
Prices for a lot range about $3500 to $7500, depending on the size and locations desired. In my ebook on Chile, I have specified some websites you can go to look at that have photos of available land lots and surrounding areas. These areas are very attractive and rustic. The kind of places, where a small cabin would make one feel so cozy and at home in the environment.
The coastal areas of Chile have a lot to offer anyone who is thinking of living there. The most popular area or city is Viña Del Mar. It’s the most popular beach or coastal town due to the fact that, it has a casino, which makes it the central focal point. People travel for miles around to go to the casino and this is where the Chilean elite and well to do play. It’s very common to run into local tv personalities at the casino and Saturday’s are the best for casino action. The casino hotel itself almost rivals the MGM in Las Vegas, in terms of luxury.
If you’re not a gambler that’s ok also, because Viña Del Mar has a wealth of shops, restaurants and waterfront activity for any and all to enjoy. Right next door to the casino is a large city park where you can rent scooters, bicycles and more for the kids, if you’re looking for a bit of romance, then try a “Victoria”, which is a horse drawn carriage ride around the city center.
Right behind the casino is the carriage stand, where you and your loved one can take a slow ride down one of the side streets that is parallel with the ocean. You can ride and see the waves and the sunset.
Going into the main part of downtown Viña, you will find tons of street vendors selling anything from oil on canvas paintings of seascapes, to handcrafted leather items and more. There’s much to see and do and there are more small curio shops then I’ve ever seen in my life in Viña. If you’re looking to collect unique and rare items, this would be the place to start.
Now as far as accommodations, the cheapest places are called “residenciales”. These are old family houses where you can rent a room for a very low price, you won’t find luxury but it’s cheap and clean. One of the best places can be found at:
Residencial Blanchait
Avenida Valparaiso 82-A
Viña Del Mar
Singles USD 20.00 – 25.00
There’s fine dining in Viña but if you want something fast and simple there are tons of cafes and fast food type of restaurants. Fine dining is great but this city is one with people on the move who don’t always want to take the time to enjoy a fine cuisine. Everybody’s coming and going at all times of day and night. The city is not as lit up as Las Vegas but believe me when I say it has the same feel, the same energy and the same excitement.
During the month of February, the Viña Del Mar International Song Festival has been held each year since 1970, lasting all of six days. The venue for this major event is the Quinta Vergara amphitheatre, and it’s organized in three parts: the first is the international competition, which traditionally has around ten countries taking part; then there is the folk section, with performers coming from all over Chile; and finally the international show, sprinkled with international stars, and the ever-hopefuls who wish to win over the demanding audience, and let me tell you, Chilean crowds are very tough to please when it comes to entertainment.
Many american cruise ships are starting to make regular stops now in Viña Del Mar which is quickly making it a very international city. One of my other favorite cities is Valparaiso. Valparaiso is only ten minutes by car from Viña Del Mar and it’s considered a historic city. This city has the same protection as that of Prague; nothing in this town can be changed. It all must be preserved exactly as is.
Valparaiso is more or less a historical monument, the whole city! It’s very old but this is its charm and character. A real treat in Valparaiso, is a ride on an ascensore. The city of Valparaiso has been called “The Vertical City” because it was built on large hills, and so the city is truly divided. The shops and stores are in the lower part of the city but the residential living is in the hilltop areas, and to get from the hills to the lower part of the city you can take an ascensore.
That is, basically a large elevator car that takes you from the upper to the lower part of the city and vice versa. It’s only a couple hundred pesos for the ride but it’s a thrill you’ll always remember and cherish. The ascensores where first built and put into use sometime in 1883 and then there were over 83 working units throughout the city giving the townspeople access to the lower parts of the city.
Now there are only 15 working units left. It’s amazing to see these little boxes going up and down tracks built into the sides of hills. They work just like old time elevators in that they use a counterweight system to provide the lift. It’s highly suggested if you plan on coming to Chile you make this one of the things you want to experience.
If you want more info on them you may want to get your hands on my eMag, that’s free at my website. Valparaiso has always reminded me of a European city, due to its architecture and styling. Narrow, cramped cobble stoned streets, give a definite air of old world European charm.
It has always reminded me of Paris, and once you’ve walked down the streets you’ll feel the European influence too, even some of the street names are French. There are several good cafes that are French in name also. One place I can recommend for cozy eating with Euro flair is the Le Filou De Montpellier Café. Stop by and get a sandwich and a cup of tea, you’ll be glad you did.
There’s also Casa Museo, the museum for Pablo Neruda, a great Chilean writer. This is definitely a cultural event and worth seeing. The Brighton Hotel is a great place to stay that also has a lounge with lots of excitement! There are all types of places to find action in Valparaiso.
Just try to get here before June which is the rainiest month for this area, and when it rains it truly pours!
So now comes the big question; is this a good place to potentially live in? The answer is yes it is. Rents are cheap here and that‘s because there are no modern buildings here, remember Valparaiso is a historical city, so there’s no new building going on.
Do keep in mind though; it’s a bohemian lifestyle here in the real sense of the word.
The apartment buildings are old and Chile is a country that is only interested in what’s new and seemingly modern. Most do not wish to live in an older building, as I’ve said in my previous writings. Landlords find it difficult to rent older buildings out. This is why rents are so low here but this is not the case in all places. No, in some parts of the city the rent is high, because you’re living near the ocean. Overall, for the right person, this can be an ideal situation though.
There’s very little work in Valparaiso. Most work in Santiago and commute everyday. It’s just a little over an hour from Santiago to Valparaiso and Viña Del Mar and for many this is the only way to make a living. But due to the fact that cruise ships are making regular stops here and the casino is the big draw, I suspect a persona can make a great living teaching casino personnel English.
There are also smaller areas that are all along the coast, that make great hideaways, and places to live. If you have a car, I’d say take a drive down the coastal highway to Con Con (pronounced, Cone Cone). This is a great coastal town. Sleepy, rustic but with real spirit, several hundred apartment complexes line the ocean with the only thing separating them from the sand is the two lane highway.
Don’t be alarmed if you happen to see so many Greek styled apartments in this area. That’s normal. Remember what I said about Santiago being an eclectic and diverse city? The same is true for the coastal areas also. You’ll swear that you’re taking a drive in Greece when you see the stylings and the color schemes of the apartments and that’s one of the things that make Con Con so interesting. It almost seems to be a misplaced city.
Whether you’re going to this area or coming back from it you will pass Edelweiss. It’s a Swiss restaurant that has a breathtaking view of the ocean and nearby cliffs. Stop and soak up more Euro styled culture at this great restaurant and have a piece of cake and coffee. Check out the menu for other traditional Swiss and German dishes. The best time to go is around 4pm, any later than that and you risk running into the early evening crowd. Just look for the large Swiss flag and you’ll know you’re there.
Ah yes, you’re wondering now, what’s the average rent for a place in Con Con right? Well it averages around $375 give or take, depending again on how new or old the building is. Always expect to pay more if the building is newer and as I have said in my past writings, you don’t want a newer building.
Here in Chile, the newer apartment buildings do look all modern and such but they are oh so small space-wise. The older buildings have way more character and are alot more spacious in size. Again, go to my website and download a free copy of Global Living and check out the pictorial on Valparaiso and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
My only complaint, and the reason why in the end I chose to start building my cabin elsewhere, is that the airport is very far from the Valparaiso-Viña Del Mar area. From the airport, these areas are almost two hours away. So I thought to myself, if I arrive from traveling and have been on a plane for ten hours, I don’t want to spend an additional two hours in a car just to get home.
So I ruled out building near the beach and coastal areas but I love them so much that I spend just about every weekend in these areas. My friends like to go to gamble at the casino (they’re gambling addicts, but that’s another story in itself) but I like to explore and look around or find a good place to eat.
If you love photography, then these areas are a photographers dream! Even if you’re not a great photographer, take lots of pictures anyway! You’ll be glad later you did. There’s no way you can come to any of these towns and not leave with a good feeling. I personally, doubt one can come here and not entertain the idea of moving and living there.
Don’t think for a moment you can’t live and make it in any one of these cities or places, because chances are with a bit of resourcefulness you can. There’s nothing like staring out over the cities from a hilltop and enjoying the lights and the sound of the waves hitting the shores.
It’s then that you’ll realize, just as I did, there’s so much the world has to offer, and that there’s a place for everyone. You just have to find your place and make it your home. Who knows, maybe the beach areas of Chile will one day become your new home.
About The Author
Jon Steele has been splitting his time living in Chile, Europe and the US for the last 3 years. He has several ebooks on living the “Global Lifestyle” and how to make and generate an income while living abroad. He can be contacted at mailto:steel-industries@email.com steel-industries@email.com or drop by his website at travelogue.uk.tt” target=”_new travelogue.uk.tt
