Happy 50th Birthday Jamaica!
Ernesto lost its steam overnight so today, Jamaicans are focusing on marking 50th years of Independence from Britain and celebrating big wins at the London Olympics. Our medal count's now up to 2 golds, silver and bronze. There's no better way to celebrate than with this fabulous birthday cake that was featured recently in one of our local papers, The Daily Gleaner. [caption id="attachment_9571" align="aligncenter" width="417"] Happy 50th Birthday Jamaica[/caption] From the Jamaican Gleaner --- As we approach our country's…
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Olympics: Never Mind the Jeux Sans Frontières, It’s All about the Money, Stupid
If you can’t beat ‘em, confound them! That seemed to be Danny Boyle’s mantra as he unleashed his fantastically whimsical, crazy-mad, nostalgic bells-and-whistles-of-a-British-history-lesson to an astonished world at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London. Remember Beijing? So pristine, dignified, awesome and, well, staid? There was no way that ‘Great’ Britain could even come close to matching the jaw-dropping spectacle, precision, and spending power of the Chinese, so why even try? That seemed to be Boyle’s attitude as he…
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Ernesto Threatens Jamaica50 Celebrations
Ernesto, the latest storm to form in the Atlantic, is reportedly heading towards Jamaica. It could hit between Sunday and Monday. Since news about Ernesto surfaced, we've had our eyes on the Olympics, Jamaica50 Independence celebrations, which kicked off at Jubilee Village on August 1, and weather reports on Ernesto. If it hits, as predicted, and no one can predict with certainty the path of any storm, it could make for one memorable 50th anniversary celebration. Not only are we…
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Happy Emancipation Day Jamaica!
Emancipation Day, August 1st, marks the day slaves in Jamaica and the former British colonies in the Caribbean, were finally freed. On July 31, 1834, the eve of the day they would taste freedom, many slaves traveled to the tops of the country’s mountains so they could greet the sunrise and the dawning of the new chapter in their lives. At daybreak, scores more crowded into churches across the island to give thanks. But they weren’t truly free. The ending…
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Jamaica50 Giveaway
As you probably know, on August 6th, Jamaica celebrates 50 years of Independence from Britain. Jamaica50 events that have been going on all year both here, in Jamaica, and internationally will culminate in a grand celebration on Independence Day. You can join in the celebrations by participating in InsideJourneys’ Jamaica50Giveaway. It’s the first contest I’ve run and I’m pretty excited about it. Entering is simple. Here are the mechanics: Answer any one of the five questions below through the comment…
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New York City: Library Way
New York City is full of little gems waiting to be discovered. Truthfully, though, we become so dazzled by the lights, mesmerized by the skyscrapers or are in such a mad rush to get from one place to the next that we miss some of the more obscure jewels that are in plain sight. One such jewel is Library Way, a two-block long stretch of 41st Street between Fifth and Park Avenues that is a celebration of the written word.…
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Menorca, an Island of Contrasts
Menorca is the second largest of the Balearic islands, and is ideal for the family seaside holiday, with a climate that offers 315 days of sunshine a year. Life is slower and more peaceful on Menorca, compared to the highlife offered by the entertainment bars and clubs of Majorca and Ibiza. Not many people know that Menorca has almost as many beaches as the two combined combined, so visitors are spoilt for choice. The south coast offers a number of…
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New York for Kids
New York City is a great place for kids. Before my nieces and nephews got to the age when they didn’t want to hang out with me anymore, I’d plan a range of activities and let them choose which ones they wanted to do. Here are the ones that never failed to amuse, educate or surprise them, and entertain their somewhat slightly jaded auntie. Sony Wonder Technology Lab: Hands down, Sony Wonder is one of my favorite places to take…
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China’s Terracotta Warriors Visit New York City #TPThursday
China's Terracotta Warriors have been dazzling the world since they were discovered accidentally by a farmer in 1974. Now several of them, along with artifacts and treasures dating to 221 B.C.E., are on view at Discovery Times Square until August 26, 2012. [caption id="attachment_9421" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Terracotta Warriors - Pottery[/caption] Standing more than 6 feet and weighing 600 pounds each, the soldiers were created 2,000 years ago to protect Qin Shi Huangdi, China's First Emperor, in the afterlife. Qin, who…
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Manhattanhenge 2012
Everyone was excited about yesterday's Manhattanhenge the twice yearly (May and July) phenomenon during which the sun sets in perfect alignment with the east-west grid of certain New York City main streets: 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th Streets. This year's Manhattanhenge dates are May 29th and July 12th and 13th. Yesterday, with its beautiful sun, promised to make up for May's dismal rain. To say I was excited would be an understatement. My niece and friends had planned to…
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