Blue Ridge Parkway: America's country roads

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Musician John Denver made the Blue Ridge Mountains famous when he sang about them in his 1971 album. But the truth is that the beautiful mountains were famous with Southerners long before then...

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

10 things to do in New York City

This article appeared in English Now magazine.

The man who returned home

Second only to the chief, 40-year old Daouda Mbengue is the most respected man in the Lébou fishing village of Sindou. Although he speaks three languages and completed his medical degree in the capital city of Dakar, this is not what sets him apart. His two wives and their sons are considered a symbol of status in his Muslim community, but that’s not why he is admired. What distinguishes Daouda is that he returned home...

This article appeared on Destination Elsewhere, a travel writing magazine dedicated to sharing travel experiences and exploring cultures from every corner of the globe. Read full article here.

Discovering Alaska

Although the US purchase of Alaska from Russia was criticized at first, today it is considered to have been a brilliant move. The state of Alaska’s motto is, “North to the future”. It is quite fitting as more and more people are discovering the northern treasures found here...

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

10 things to do in York

This article appeared in English Now magazine.

The Eiffel Tower: birth of a symbol

Last year the footsteps of 6,230,050 visitors sounded in clear opposition to the opinions of some19th century France’s great minds. Guy de Maupassant, Emile Zola, Charles Garnier, and Dumas the Younger joined in signing a 300-person petition protesting the Eiffel Tower’s construction in 1887.

Maupassant eventually left Paris permanently so as to never have to see the “metallic carcass,” he found so unattractive. Apparently, millions disagree with his opinion of the Tower...

This article appeared on Just Landed, a pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read full article here.

Diving into the Great Barrier Reef

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

10 things to do in Perth

This article appeared in English Now magazine.

The Senegalese Tabaski Sacrifice

The Lébou people say that not knowing is bad, but not seeking knowledge is worse. Actually, they say, “Xamul aay na, laajtewul a ko raw.” My friend Astu quoted this to me as I was lamenting the cultural gaffes I had made since arriving in Senegal. I had forgotten to take off my sandals before going into the huts. I had accidentally touched a Muslim holy man who believed touching women made him impure. I had mispronounced the word for teacher and introduced my language tutor as my circumciser, much to her embarrassment.

But with those experiences behind me, I was ready to seek more knowledge and understanding. I was ready to tackle celebrating Tabaski, Senegalese-style, with Astu and her family...

This article appeared on Hackwriters, the international writers magazine, is an online portfolio of good writing including fiction, travel, comment or lifestyles. Read full article here.

Tasting new world wines

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

Park of the Orangerie

Built to impress an empress in 1804, the Park of the Orangerie and pavilion still capture the hearts of all who pass through it...

This article appeared on Just Landeda pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read full article here.

10 things to do in Minneapolis

This article appeared in English Now magazine.

Place du Bourg-de-Four in Geneva, Switzerland

Where do you find an 80-year-old couple sharing their afternoon café, a corporate businessman connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, a mother taking her daughter for an afternoon stroll, and a group gathering to study for class? The Place du Bourg-de-Four, the oldest square in Old Town Geneva...

This article appeared on Just Landed, a pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read the full article here.

Let's go on spring break

“Let’s go to Florida over the break to practice swimming.” We don’t know if this was the exact sentence spoken. But we do know that in 1935 the men’s swim team from Colgate University traveled down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to practice during their school’s spring break. From this trip, a nation-wide tradition was born...

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

Palais des Beaux Arts

Second only to the Louvre in France, the Palais des Beaux-Arts of Lille is one of the leading museums of Europe...

This article appeared on Just Landeda pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read full article here.

10 things to do in Las Vegas

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

Discovering the Saint Pierre Quarter

Before Bordeaux earned its glory from the vines, it was known for its harbor along the Gironde River. Even when its wines became famous far and wide, producers could thank the river for facilitating trades...

This article appeared on Just Landed, a pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read full article here.

Canada's sugar shacks

While you may be tiring of the cold winter weather, there is still one thing to look forward to before the season ends. The Quebecois tradition of visiting sugar shacks in February, March, and April is not to be missed.

The cold Canadian winters often last a full six months. As winter days add up, all eyes turn to the maple tree. The arrival of warmer days softens the sap within the maple trees, which means it can soon be harvested. The sap is made into maple syrup and other maple treats. The Quebecois look forward to this time of year when the sugar shacks open. Here they serve traditional rustic meals with maple syrup and fresh maple candy. This tradition began in the1850s and continues today...

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

Garde Hill watching over Marseille

Around 620-600 B.C. Greek-Phoenicians landed here with in hopes of trading at Lacydon Creek, now the Old Port of Marseille.

At this time, the coastal area was occupied by the Ligurians, who were preparing for a very special occasion. The timing of the Greeks arrival coincided perfectly with the coming of out of the king’s daughter, announcing her eligibility for marriage. The visitors’ leader Protis, or Pytheas the Greek, was invited to attend the festivities.

A lavish banquet welcomed the Ligurian warriors vying for the princess’ hand. The grand finale of the meal would come when the princess entered the room bearing a glass of wine to offer to the warrior who had won her heart. History tells that she made her choice from all the warriors and presented the glass and her life to Protis, who was allegedly as handsome as a Greek god.

The princess and Protis were soon married, and her dowry included the area now known as Garde Hill. The princess had made an excellent choice in Protis and the small town of Massalia thrived, the beginnings of Marseille...

This article appeared on Just Landed, a pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read full article here.

10 things to do in San Francisco

This article appeared in English Now magazine.

British New Year's Eve

The stroke of midnight which will ring in 2007 is quickly approaching. Are you ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve as the British do?

First, you should know the interesting history of New Year’s Eve. In 153 BC the Romans added the months of January and February to their ten-month calendar. They established January as the first month of the year. It was named after the god Janus, which means door in Latin. The god Janus had two faces, allowing him to look both forward into the new year and back into the old year. New Year’s Eve celebrates crossing the door from the old year into the new...

This six-page article appeared in English Now magazine's Travelogue.

Parc Floral du Phoenix

Nice’s Parc Floral du Phoenix welcomed 260 000 visitors last year, making it the third most popular attraction in the Alpes-Maritimes region, according to the Observatoire du Tourisme...

This article appeared on Just Landeda pan-European mobility portal working with a wide network of local country managers and international partners. Their website had over 6 million page views in 2005. Read full article here.

Out and about: Roman theatres of Lyon

Within the walls of Roman theaters your imagination brings to life the poets sharing their hearts, gladiators fighting to death, and musicians composing their song in the place where you stand.

Although now one of Lyon’s most recognized features, the Roman theaters of Fourvière remained largely hidden until 1980, five years after the completion of the neighboring Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilizations. Beauty lies in the fusion of rich history and contemporary architecture, ancient and modern culture, knowledge, and research housed here. The unique theaters host the live performances of the summertime Fourvière Nights festival...

This article appeared in The Anglophones magazine, a bimonthly publication produced for Anglophones residing in France and Geneva.

Parlement de Bretagne

After being conquered by the Romans, then later the Francs, the Grand Dukedom of Brittany was officially integrated into France in 1532. At this crucial time, the city of Rennes came forward to serve as the administrative center and the head office of the Parlement de Bretagne (Parliament of Brittany). This ruling city has suffered two losses by fire, but the spirit of Bretagne survived and thrives...

This article appeared on Just Landed. Read full article here.

Place du Capitole

Have a seat in one of the lively cafés decorating the Place du Capitole and take a look around. Since the 12th century, the passion of Toulouse pours from this very place. From here, the streets weave deep into the tapestry that makes the “Ville Rose,” named for its dark pink, brick buildings...

This article appeared on Just Landed. Read full article here.