Xoonco

Archive for November, 2009

• Body and Health Care in a Hot Tub

  Monday, November 30th, 2009

  One of the best winter skin and body treatments is a soak in warm water.  This relaxes not only your muscles and your mind, but your pores as well.  All of the cells of one’s body will feel the benefit of a warm soak, and the hot water serves to release toxins, and to rejuvenate new growth.  Stress melts away, and as long as soaking in a tub is advised by one’s doctor, this is a wonderful way to increase the overall health and function of one’s immune system.

  Toxins get released through your pores and through the releasing of tension, and again, this hot water soak will drastically reduce your blood pressure, so consult with your doctor if you have any cardiovascular conditions.  Sometimes many people enjoy the benefit of alternating between hot water soaks and cold soaks, which is particularly great for speeding up the healing process for chronic joint pain or injury.  And although sitting in cold water is not as comforting, the time spent between the hot and the cold should be as close to equal as possible, ten minutes in the warm bath then ten minutes in the cool is the optimum amount of time.  One of the aspects of this kind of hydrotherapy is that it allows you all the benefits of the heat, but keeps the body from overheating.

  Some doctors recommend doing this as a cycle of three, always ending with the cool soak.  The affects of this alternating are longer lasting than just the warm soak.  It is always good, should you choose a hot tub instead of a sauna, to moisturize your skin following these kinds of treatments, as the water can sometimes serve to dry it out a bit.  Finding the perfect hot tub is not as daunting a task at one may think, simply locate the spa of your dreams on line at choosehottubsdirect.com.  The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and will help you decide which model is best for you, and then be ready for the benefits of a nice hot soak, a great night’s sleep, and the relief from the tension of the daily grind.

• Great Jewelry Deals in Udaipur

  Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

  Arrived in Jaipur very late and checked into a hotel. I had only one day to explore, and I really didn’t find too many points of interest. I sure I’m wrong about the place, having jet-lag and being sick, I guess wouldn’t make me an expert about this place. I did enjoy the expensive rickshaw tour!

  So, basically, I used the Internet and did some planning for later the latter part of my trip. I found out that both the memory card in my camera and my back up card, both have nasty viruses on them. I couldn’t upload the photos off the cards and the virus software on one of the computers isn’t working! Ouch.

  Udaipur was my next stop and after looking into a particular hotel and I booked it online. It had a nice view at an excellent price. I went into town to explore and I purchased a nice pair of green linen pants and a long-sleeve shirt, the color of brown. I really appreciated the jewelry here too. Apparently, the silver and gold is of good quality and can be purchased at a very reasonable rate. I checked out the current silver price and I’d say that I feel I got a really good bargain, almost at cost, I’d say.

  I was advised that I need to bargain when I find something I like and figure out how much I think it’s worth, or what I think the price should be. Once I have this price in mind, then I can start to bargain. If the seller won’t drop to my price, then I don’t buy it. That way, I’ll feel never being ripped off. Remember, sellers, old or young, are very smart and won’t sell if it’s not worth it to them. I’ve tried this tactic every-time now when I shop and I nearly always get the item I want at the price I want, I’ve even got it for less than what I thought!

  I’m still feeling a little sick, so I went back to my hotel in Udaipur to get some rest. Later, I manage to get out and see the Monsoon Palace, which has been built on top of a mountain and as the name suggests, it’s for when the rain comes, because it never floods there, I also think it was for protection too, because it’s way the heck up there.

• Three Rivers Festival in Fort Wayne

  Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

  Manny and James were headed to the Three Rivers Festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They had never been there before, though James’ cousin had and told him it was incredible. James and his cousin had an uncle that lived there and James had only visited him once before. Generally his uncle would come to James’ family’s house for the holidays and that was the extent of their annual visits. So, when James asked his uncle Tom if it would be all right if he visited for a few days and brought a friend, his uncle was more than pleased at the idea.

  James and Manny got into town a bit early and enjoyed the fourth of July fireworks celebration in the city. Shortly after that, they noticed all of the Fort Wayne hotels filling up quickly and wondered why. The fireworks were over. Uncle Tom laughed at this and told the boys that the people were arriving to attend the Three Rivers Festival. This surprised both Manny and James who expected it to be huge but not that big. The festival was going to begin the next day, which was a Saturday, and it would last for nine days. James wondered if it would change his life and Manny laughed at him. James was prone to over dramatizing most events and exaggerating the significance of them. Still, though, he had to wonder.

  The next morning the boys awoke with a sense of wonder that equaled that they experienced as children on Christmas morning. Uncle Tom led them to the main festival area and they didn’t stop all day. They spent a good deal of time looking at the juried art exhibit and were impressed with what they saw. James wondered if he should buy one to bring back to his mother for a gift. Manny was more interested in the festival food than the art though both of the boys seemed to Uncle Tom like they were eating all day. The following nine days were a great thrill and something new happened each day. There were parades, music, great food, and an enormous crowd of people. Manny had a great time and returned home to go on about his business. James however, felt his life had been changed by what he all he did and saw.

• Buildings of Marbella Spain

  Monday, November 23rd, 2009

  Marbella Spain has transformed over many years from a small fishing village to a now well visited vacation destination for the rich and famous. This quaint town is filled with many buildings of interest that are tied to the many people that have come, gone and stayed in this beautiful town. Town Hall stands out as having some notable history for this village. The Chief Magistrate, Juan de Pisa ordered this building to be constructed in 1568. It was built with a forged iron balcony to host the authorities while watching the festivities being held in the square below. Inside the building, located in the Commission Room the Mudejar Arms are placed. The Temple, inside the Hall of Justice has a painting of Felip the Seconds’ many shields.

  Ermita De Santiago is the oldest religious building in the city. It was built in the 15th century after Marbella was conquered. It is a very simple, one box shaped room, building. The Santisima Trinidad Convent is another house of the spiritual in town. It used to take up a whole block up Viento Street to the Church Square. It has a Gothic style Chapel inside among some columns. The Monks that stayed here helped at the Bazan Hospital.

  The Hospital de La Encarnacion or De Bazan sits on a street of the its own name. It was built over 3 Arab homes in the 16th century and has quite the mix of Mudejar,  Gothic and Renaissance designs. It was orginialy the home of Don Alonso de Bazan who was mayor of Castillo and the on going administrator of the city. It is currently used as the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings. It is considered to be a great collection of engravings as far a the critics say. So come and stay a one of the luxury hotels. Marbella has a few of them to accommodate many VIPs from all over the world.

• The Thriving City of Baltimore

  Monday, November 23rd, 2009

  The twelfth largest city in the United States is Baltimore, Maryland.  Along with this distinction, the city has the reputation of being one of the most charming, the most well-established and one of the most desirable locations to either move, or to vacation.  One of the many aspects that has made this city what it is today, is the continued concern and care of the residents, all working towards a great and a beautiful quality of life.  The people of the city have a long reputation for working hard.

  In the Baltimore, plumbing, farming, railroad, and shipping companies continue thrive, as well as the ship builders, the service workers and the artisans and musicians who set up their wares in the street markets.  When you work hard, the quality of your time off is precious.  The cultures and the economic lives has influenced this amazing development throughout history, and as in the cities of Chicago or Manhattan, the roots that people hold to their own neighborhoods remain secure and strong.

  This has helped to preserve the cultures, their traditions and their belief systems, even in this ever-changing, modern world.  The geographical location has served the city as well.  Having harbors along the Chesapeake Bay helped to solidify the city as a major port for international trade and commerce throughout the extensive history of the shipping industry.  This ease of the waterways had far reaching benefits, from Pennsylvania to Vermont, farmers and merchants brought their crops of wheat and tobacco, for shipping out of the city of Baltimore.

  Suburban flight during the Depression did have effects on the city.  However with the attention that was given to restoration of the ports, of the historic neighborhoods, people began moving back into the city, searching for the vibrancy and the excitement of a city that is welcoming while being exciting, and cultural as well as working class.  One of the greatest aspects of the city is the diversity, of the people, the traditions and the cultures.

• Taxi Fare in Kerala

  Friday, November 20th, 2009

  The main areas of Cochin, Kerala are on two peninsulas, Ernakulam, the modern side, then Fort Cochin, an old colonial area. We didn’t arrive in the city until 5pm via taxi and we didn’t make plans with a hotel. We decided to stay in the modern area of Ernakulam thinking it would be an easier place to navigate. My sister and I went in to check out the first hotel, but they didn’t have rooms available, so we went back out to the taxi where Mom and Dad were with our luggage. Up until then, the taxi driver, who was wearing the local dress of white linen sarong wrapped around and folded up by tucking it at the waist, this forms the loose skirt effect, had been very cordial. He didn’t speak too much English, but as I was sitting in the front of another hotel, we exchanged English grunts, moans and groans about the traffic and it all seemed to be good between us.

  When we took the taxi from the airport, we pre-paid an amount, so not finding room at the first hotel, we told him we need to find another one. He didn’t like this one bit, he began to rant. We told him we’d pay him, my Mom pulled out money to show him that he didn’t need to worry, that we’ll pay him for his trouble. He asked, in a not so polite tone, ‘where you go?’ After about 5 ‘We don’t know, where’s a nice hotel?’ he got extremely agitated and started shouting again, ‘where you go?’  My Mom, at the end of her tether, snapped back ‘I don’t know, we just got here, we’re tired and hot, we just want a nice hotel’. My Dad stepped in, due to the way the taxi driver was talking to my Mom and said ‘Look! We will pay you!’

  Normally, in India this gesture should’ve calmed any taxi driver down, and he could’ve taken full advantage of us, but instead, the taxi driver reached into his pocket and said he would call the police! Then my Mom shouted back ‘No, I’ll call the police!’ That’s when all hell broke loose. Mom, Dad and the taxi driver all pretending to be calling the police on their cell phones. So, to prove a point, I began to run around the car, flapping my arms yelling ‘Call the police, Call the police!’ at the top of my voice. This made a crowd gather. Finally, a man came up to us and asked what was going on. We explained about needing to find a nice hotel, and this man pointed directly behind him and said that here’s one of the best hotels Kerala has to offer. It was right next door to the one we just checked out.

  So, after a quick inspection to find out if there were rooms available, which there were, we left our taxi friend and laughed at how bizarre we get while in India.

• Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash Make Jackson Famous

  Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

  I’m going to Jackson. That famous line doesn’t have near the same ring to it when read as it does when heard in the song that was made famous by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. It was written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber and tells of the trials of a couple who were passionate about each other when they got married and the fire has drained from their relationship. Each of them guesses that a trip to Jackson will rekindle their own lives and ad some excitement to their routine. And while it is never actually disclosed if the Jackson in the song refers to Jackson, Tennessee or Jackson Mississippi, both cities would be happy to lay claim. Tourists who stay in one of the hotels Jackson in either state are free to decide for themselves.

  Johnny Cash was born in February of 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. The humble southern kid was destined to become one of the most influential musicians of the 21st century. His singing and songwriting style gained him early recognition and he became well known for his deep baritone voice. His musical style covered various genres including rockabilly, gospel, blues and folk. He led a turbulent life that was full of hardships and sorrows. Much of this played out in various themes in his music.

  Cash met June Carter backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in 1954, though he was married at the time. Later, and after his divorce of Vivian Liberto, Cash proposed to June Carter while they were performing live on stage in London, Ontario. He had proposed to her many times, though June Carter, an established country singer in her own right had denied him many times. They worked well together and she was very familiar with is habits and ways. However, they couple did get married in a fever in March of 1968 and continued a great professional and personal relationship for decades. Together they won Grammy’s and other awards.

• Ideal Ibiza

  Monday, November 16th, 2009

  Phil and I arrived in Ibiza bright and early with the sneaking suspicion that we really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. We spent the next few days being lazy, lazy around the pool, lazy with our walking Playa D’en Bossa and lazy about exploring the wild night life. We lost our laziness at the Club Pacha. It was Flower Power night and we became one of the crazy people you hear others talk about the next day. The whole party was crazy, so we just fit right in.

  The club was decked out with these great decorations and everyone there played the part and dressed up. The music was a great mix of hip-hop, hippy and club music. Later on as the party became crazier, we decided to head on out before people started to notice we were only posers.

  The next day, after sleeping till 1pm, we headed over to Formentera where we spent the whole idyllic day swimming and being lazy once again beach side. Despite the crowds, this place was a beautiful island. While we were there, being lazy on the beach, we struck up a conversation with these dudes from the Czech Republic who were a total riot. We ended up meeting them later that night back at Ibiza. We all got into Amnesia and did what the name suggests, we forgot to be humble and behave, instead we went total crazy again. That’s what I truly loved about Ibiza, you can go ape crazy and you fit right in.

  We left our marvellous 5 star hotel Ibiza around 5:30am the next morning, with no sleep and felt like we never needed to go back, because we had the ultimate experience and we don’t think we’ll ever be able to top it. Nothing will ever compare, everything will now pale, well hopefully not everything, but pretty much.

• Billy Bob’s Country and Western Club in Fort Worth Stockyards

  Thursday, November 12th, 2009

  Candice has been a preschool teacher for the last seven years. She has always been dedicated to her students and loves her job. Meanwhile, her income has never been high enough to afford many life luxuries, though this was a sacrifice she was willing to make to pursue what she considered to be her true path as a teacher. She was also greatly respected by her peers and her superiors, which meant a lot to her. Therefore it was not a great surprise that when she one teacher of the year for her county her coworkers, students and administrators all wanted to do something special for her. They knew that she had family in Fort Worth, Texas that she was close to but had not seen in a while. They took a vote and decided to pay for her plane fair and three day reservations in one of the Fort Worth luxury hotels.

  Candice was absolutely surprised and amazed when she was presented with this gift, which occurred at the party that followed her official recognition by the county. She could not believe that they pitched in for such a nice gift to her and was also touched by the thoughtfulness of it knowing that she greatly missed her sister. When she arrived in this great Texan city it had change a great deal since the last time she had been there. It seemed much larger and more cosmopolitan and her sister Tiffany laughed and said it must have been Candice that changed because her city was the same as it ever was and didn’t change for anyone. Candice thought that must be a typical Texan response but soon felt quite at home when Tiffany took her to her favorite nightclub, Billy Bob’s, in the Stockyards. This large country and western dance floor was originally constructed as barn and it held on to some of its original style, which contributed to its charm. In between its early days as a stockyard barn its current manifestation as the dance club the building has also been a department store and an airplane manufacturing plant. Candice loved places with history and always had a good time in this club.

  She also asked to go to the Jubilee Theatre where she had actually performed once many years ago. Although Candice had never lived in Fort Worth, she did spend two summers there when she was a teenager and one more in her early twenties. Spending time with her sister was a great experience and also brought back some fun memories. She always had a nice time in Fort Worth and though she was extremely happy with her school and the small in Wisconsin in which she lived, part of Candice wanted to move to Fort Worth to be closer to her sister. She didn’t tell her co-workers when she returned to work, but she had secretly begun looking for teacher openings in Fort Worth.

• A True Taste of Dubai

  Monday, November 9th, 2009

  We take a taxi into The Palms. That was a very long taxi ride from our hotel. The Palms is this massive man-made island and every street has a water front view. We were kind of amused when we noticed the apartments located at the ends have laundry strung on the balconies drying. We enjoyed knowing that the rich steel cling to a simple life. Then we travelled through a tunnel that actually goes under the Gulf and back up to an island where a great hotel is located. It’s really huge. We weren’t allowed to enter through the main entrance, but we could enter through the back. This is where anyone who’s willing to pay $200 can swim with the dolphins, or just $100 to watch the dolphin show at the adventure park, or spend only $75 to hang around on the beach!

  We opted to read the brochure. This place was amazing. There’s a floor to ceiling aquarium, plus the ambiance and the decor was well worth the visit. Huge boulders make up the base of the island and there were many yachts and luxury boats out on the water. There were even people tubing.

  The sun was setting, so we heading back to our beautiful 5 star Dubai hotel, but instead of taking a taxi back, we decide to take the bus and we got all kinds of lost. So, about two hours of riding around on the Dubai bus system, which, by-the-way, we got to see parts of Dubai I’m sure we never would have, if we didn’t get lost, which ended up being a nice kind of tour. When we finally figured out which bus to take, number 10, we decided to travel by bus for the rest of our stay in Dubai. We really enjoyed talking with all the fellow bus riders and we got a true taste of Dubai. One we never would’ve gotten otherwise.

• Our Excitement for Going to Charlotte, NC for the Holidays is Increasing

  Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

  We are going to be in Charlotte, North Carolina this holiday season. We will be meeting some family and friend there to spend the holidays together. This plan is the brainchild of my wife. She grew up in the Charlotte area and has wanted to spend a holiday season there again ever since we were married. She has put a lot of time and effort into pulling this plan together and keeping everyone informed as to the developments as the planning progressed.

  My wife’s sister and brother along with their families will be joining us there in Charlotte as well as some long time family friends. Everyone’s connection here is that we all met in Charlotte some years ago. Over time due to jobs, spouses, partners and family we all have ended up living in various corners of the country.

  So this is the year we will all be coming together again to catch up with each other and reacquaint. We have booked a block of rooms at a Charlotte luxury hotel and organized a catered holiday dinner at the hotel for everyone on Christmas day. My wife is looking into getting tickets to a couple of different holiday concerts and events for all of us to go to as well.

  One evening we will be going to the ice rink that is set up in Uptown Charlotte. My wife says it is a very pretty park in which they put the ice rink each year. She has a lot of fond memories of skating at holiday time when she was growing up. It should be fun I have not been on ice skates in probably 30 years.

  I know this is something my wife has been wanting to do for a long time and this seems to be a good year to do it as everyone else appears to be able to make it to Charlotte as well this year. It should be a very memorable holiday.

• Dolphin Spotting on Cape Town Ferry

  Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

  Peter was exited when his parents told him that he would be going with his father on a business trip to South Africa. He didn’t understand the reason for this at the time, but his mother was going to have a surgery and undergo a couple of radiation treatment for a tumor and she didn’t want Peter to know about it or to worry with her. She had an extremely good prognosis and after discussing it with John, Peter’s father, they agreed that Sue would be in good hands and that Peter was better off not knowing. If for some reason there were unforeseen problems they would discuss this with Peter at that time.

  And so John and Peter set out for their Cape Town hotel. Peter seemed to be born the adventurous type and was content to wonder along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront while his father was in business meetings. He enjoyed the views and lunch by himself in a waterfront café and then met his father for dinner and an evening show. There third night in town John’s conscious got the best of him and while he and Peter enjoyed their seafood platters he admitted to Peter that his mother was having a medical procedure. They talked about it and Peter was okay with the circumstances, though of course he was a bit worried and wanted to talk to his mother.
  The next morning they called her before they left to catch the ferry to Robben Island. Sue’s surgery had gone fine and everything was in order. She was recovering well and happy to enjoy a bit of quite so she could rest. She ordered the boys to have a good time and not to worry about her. Later on the ferry John and Peter saw some dolphins in the water. An announcement came over the loud speaker that they were Dusky Dolphins breaching the water port side. Peter guessed that port side meant left side since that’s where the dolphins were. On the island he found a carved wood dolphin that reminded him of those they saw from the ferry. He bought this as a special souvenir for his mother and gave it to her on their return home.

• Home Hot Tub Inspiration Comes From Dinner Party

  Monday, November 2nd, 2009

  Janet and Troy could not believe the excitement they shared when they finally decided it was time to overhaul their backyard and in the plans include a new hot tub. They had been avoiding this decision for over a year because they thought it would time came to redesign it. They hadn’t given this much thought in recent months until last week when they were guests at a dinner party hosted by Janet’s boss. The main cocktail hour occurred in the backyard and both Troy and Janet were incredibly impressed with it. Janet’s boss had a beautiful hot tub strategically positioned off in the corner area with an inviting series of stepping-stones and deck levels leading to it. be too much work and expensive. However, to ease their eventual decision, they saved a small amount every month to be applied to their backyard when the

  The hot tub itself was incredible and everyone was impressed with the dynamic lighting features as well as the quality of the stereo system. It was amazing how with the touch of a button they were able to completely alter the mood and atmosphere of the entire backyard. There was also a fountain various massage settings that had the entire crowd impressed. Janet and Troy were envious until her boss mentioned the price she got on the tub and the ease with which she purchases it when she contacted choosehottubsdirect.com.

  When they realized just how affordable a spectacular home hot tub could be Janet and Troy knew right then that it would be an essential component of their own backyard and were both eager to get one installed. Troy had to admit that he was not looking forward to the dinner party at Janet’s boss’, though he could not have been happier or more inspired since he went. He and Janet immediately began investigating and choosing the particular features and accessories that they wanted with their own tub and were amazed at how fun the process actually was.

• Tristan Waterkeyn, Cape Town Virtual

  Monday, November 2nd, 2009

  With its magnificent beaches that are coveted by sun-worshippers and surfers all over the world, Cape Town is a glorious place to get away from it all.  It also has a fantastic night life, with some of the finest musicians in the world playing nightly.  A great deal of the evolutions in world music have their roots here, and it continues to be a place where the most talented players test their skills and their ability to innovate.  This has an infectious energy that runs through the city, so that it seems to run on an energy that is as varied and beautiful as the beating of the heart.  The best Cape Town hotels are centrally located to the best of urban life or natural beauty, and all of them offer spectacular amenities to keep your heart satisfied.

  You can find the best of the old and the new here.  Like the music, everything is in the midst of a new innovation, making for a setting that is inspiring and rejuvenating.  It is also a city with a fantastic history, where some of the most important events of the past centuries happened here, and there are plenty of museums and monuments to visit, to educate the young people about the mistakes of the past, and the possibilities in the present moment.  The present moment is very exciting here, and it seems pregnant with possibilities.  You can see this sensibility in all the art forms, where practitioners are looking for new ways of making their art, and often, being persistent artists, they find them.

  One fantastic performer who’s found an interesting angle into the whole thing, is a Cape Town artist named Tristan Waterkeyn.  He calls himself a virtual busker, crossing the digital with the intensely local.  Busking is the art of performing on the streets, and he’s been promoting himself in cyberspace, and asking for a few dollars online, the way someone would pass the hat.  It’s a spectacular idea, and he’s the exact talent to do it, too.  His mellow and lyrical style has been compared to Jack Johnson, and is really rather startling in its complexity of lyrics with the splendid simplicity of the music, and it’s easy and beckoning, just like the best street musicians.  The Cape Town artists is now heading to South America, and sure could use a dollar, if you happen to hear him playing out in the ether.  He’s worth looking for, too.