British reggae band, Aswad, has been around since the mid 70s.
Take a listen to one of their big hits, Don’t Turn Around.
Happy Sunday!
Soulful Sundays: Aswad
Tag: postaday
Akwantu: the Journey, a New Film about the Maroons
Akwantu: the Journey, a new documentary film by writer/director, Roy T. Anderson, a Maroon, answers the question, Who were the Maroons?
Akwantu: the Journey documents the struggle for freedom of the Maroons of Jamaica who were able to flee the plantations and slave ships to form communities in some of the most inhospitable regions of the island. Poorly armed and outgunned, the Maroons faced down the mighty British Empire led by such brave warriors as Cudjoe and Nanny. Cudjoe who has historically been described as a “short almost dwarf-like man” fought for years to maintain his people’s independence and freedom. However, Cudjoe also held the belief that the only way to secure a stable future for his people would be to negotiate a long-term peace with the British. This way of thinking, some would say eventually lead to the signing of a peace treaty with the British in 1739. Nanny, a spiritual leader skilled in the use of herbs not only managed to keep her people healthy, but safe as well by utilizing effective “guerilla warfare” tactics to defend against the vaunted British firepower. More about the Maroons.
Watch a preview here.
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More Art From Toronto’s Streets
I love art and have worked in the art world for several years. But nothing excites me more than finding art in ordinary or unexpected places, where the general public can experience it. I also love to see designs that push the envelope or shake things up a bit.
Take the Sharp Centre for Design building. An expansion of the Ontario College of Art & Design, it’s fun and whimsical and was totally unexpected. It’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but for a design school, I think it works.
I liked the juxtaposition of these two buildings. There’s nothing unique or surprising about either but there are design elements that echo in both.
I did make it to a few of the galleries on Morrow Avenue where I took these photos of the exterior of the building.
Still on Morrow Avenue, I spotted this piece.
This 500,000-tile mural at the first Trump International Hotel and Tower to be built in Canada was created from two photos of Torontonians, one taken at an Air Canada Center and the other at Roy Thompson Hall. The photos were superimposed to create the image for the mural.
The Bay Adelaide Centre, which is directly across from the Trump Tower, features an impressive public art piece which was designed by American lighting artist, James Turrell. The lights are set against what looks like granite walls. It’s pretty cool to watch them change colors – from green to pink to blue to beige, etc.
What’s the most unusual piece of art you’ve come across in your travels?
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#TPThursday: Toronto’s Street Art
Toronto’s street art. New York is considered the center of the art world but whenever I visit Toronto, it’s their art scene that I’m most interested in experiencing.
This time around, I was taken by the amount of street art I noticed mostly on the sides of buildings. Here in Toronto, graffiti is legal provided it is approved by the property owner or occupant. It must also enhance the surface it covers and add to the general community surroundings.
The city has even implemented a graffiti management program called StreetARToronto. Its mission, according to its website, is “to counteract graffiti vandalism by developing, supporting, promoting and increasing awareness of street art and its indispensable role to add beauty and character to neighbourhoods across the city.” You gotta admit, that’s pretty progressive, right?
Here’s a taste of the street art I was able to photograph.
My friend and I happened upon a rock balancing artist at work. We joined the crowd and watched as he painstakingly placed small and large rocks, and cinder blocks on top of each other without them toppling over. It was my first time seeing rock balancing done and it was fascinating. You could see the concentration on his face, like he was willing the rocks to stay in place. When he finished a piece, the tension in his facial muscles relaxed ever so slowly.
I overheard him tell someone in the crowd how centering the work was but he can’t do it if he’s angry.
This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out their website for other travel photos from around the world.
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Toronto’s Changing Facade
I’ve not visited Toronto for a while and was surprised to see how much the city has changed. There are new buildings everywhere and scaffolding seem to be sprouting up all over downtown.
Here’s a shot that captures it.
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Fast Facts About Canada
Canada was a great place to live in the 70s — it still is. And though there’s been a lot of talk in the US about Canada’s health care system, it’s only a small part of what Canada is.
Here are some fast facts about Canada:
- Canada was founded on July 1, 1867. Its population, according to the 2011 census, numbers 34 million.
- At 3,855,103 square miles, Canada is the world’s second largest country. (Russia is the largest.)
- Canada has two official languages – English and French.
- Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon. Ontario and Quebec have the two largest populations, the territories have the largest sizes but the smallest populations.
- Ottawa is Canada’s capital; Toronto its largest city. Both are located in the province of Ontario.
- Canada’s largest island, Baffin Island, is larger than every US state except Alaska and Texas. The 5th largest island in the world, it more than doubles the size of the UK and is just slightly smaller than France.
- Canada’s highest mountain range, Mount Logan, stretches from Alaska to the Yukon. Because of tectonic activity, the mountain continues to grow at an average of a few millimeters a year. Currently at 6,050 meters (19,849 feet), it is the second highest mountain range in North America (behind Mount McKinley), sixth highest in the world.
- Canada’s 151,600 miles of coastline makes it the longest in the world.
- The border between Canada and the US, officially called the International Boundary, is 5,525 miles. It is the longest border between two countries and includes 1,538 miles between Canada and Alaska.
- Canada’s $1 and $2 coins are called the Loonie, and the Twonie. Both have the figure of the loon, a Canadian bird on one side.
- Canada has the 10th largest economy. It exports motor vehicles and parts, machinery and equipment, aircraft, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, fertilizers, wood pulp, aluminum, timber, telecommunications equipment. The US is its largest trading partner.
- Canada has a long list of famous entertainers, sports figures, authors and inventors. Among them: Alexander Graham Bell, John Kenneth Galbraith, Seth Rogen, Mordecai Richler, Peter Jennings, Lorne Michaels, Oscar Peterson, Margaret Atwood, Guy Lombardo, Alex Trebek, William Shatner, James Doohan, Justin Bieber, Wayne Gretsky, Keanu Reeves, Shania Twain, Drake, Jim Carrey, Joni Mitchell and Paul Anka.
Which of these fun facts were you surprised to learn?
Photos from Photo Dropper.
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Happy Canada Day!
Today is Canada Day, the day of Canada’s birth and for the first time in many years, I’m here on July 1st and plan to celebrate. No, I’m not Canadian but I feel a special affinity for Canada as it is here that I came of age.
It is in Canada that I learned to appreciate the changing colors of the leaves in the fall, the rebirth and flowering of plants and trees in the spring. It is here that came to I understand how to live in a multicultural and multiracial society, and to appreciate the need to respect differences. For the most part, Canada matched me philosophically, spiritually, politically and morally and, for a time, I shared in the pride Canadians feel about their country.
In addition to my many relatives who call Canada home, I have an extensive network of friends, most of whom I met either at university or after through the various jobs I held.
I learned a lot in Canada but I never did learn to love the cold — the sun was too deep in my bones — or embrace winter sports but I so love a glass of ice wine. Sometimes, I’ll even add a touch of maple syrup to my pancakes, just for old times.
I’m glad I was able to spend some of the best years of my life in Canada. It has given me wonderful and enduring memories.
photo:
motoyen
So on this Canada Day, I salute Canada and Canadians, at home or abroad.
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux.
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix.
Ton histoire est une épopée,
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Happy Canada Day!
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Staying Hydrated During Your Next Flight
We rarely think about staying hydrated while we go about our daily routines but once we board a plane for a long flight, if we haven’t been hydrating we could begin feeling uncomfortable, or worse, almost right away. That’s because the air in the cabin is a lot dryer than outside and that dry air causes our bodies to lose water.
Dehydration can cause dry nose, dry skin, and scratchy eyes. In the extreme, it can also cause light headedness, fatigue and confusion. Some people have even passed out from being dehydrated.
photo:
icethim
That’s what happened to me recently. Two hours after we took off, my nose became so dry, I kept taking short breaths thinking that would make me feel better. It didn’t. I needed water, and I knew it.
So what can you do to stay hydrated during your next flight?
Drink Lots of Water: If you have a long trip coming up, start drinking lots of water the day before and continue drinking at least a glass for each hour of your flight. With strict regulations on the amount of liquids allowed on flights, many people have had to ditch their bottled water at the checkpoint. At many airports, however, there are concession stands after the checkpoint where you can buy water and water fountains where you can refill an empty water bottle. It is not advisable to drink the tap water on the plane.
Pack a Good Moisturizer and Eye Drops: Bring a good moisturizing lotion and apply it often to protect your skin, especially your hands and face. Use eye drops to relieve your scratchy eyes.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine absorb water from your cells so you’ll end up feeling more dehydrated. Avoid them all together.
Staying hydrated during a flight is easy if you follow the steps above.
What tips do you have for staying hydrated during your flights?
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James Bond and Jamaica Mark 50 Years
James Bond, the British super agent with a licence to kill, was introduced to the world, in 1962, in the now classic thriller, Dr. No. Bond, the brainchild of the British author, Ian Fleming, was ‘born’ in Jamaica. Fleming had visited Jamaica and fallen in love with the island. In 1946, he purchased a property and built Goldeneye, his Jamaica home. It is here that he escaped, every January and February, to write the Bond books. He has been quoted as saying he doubted the books would have been written had he not been on the island.
photo:
johanoomen
Dr. No, the first of the books to be adapted to the screen, was also set in Jamaica, and was filmed entirely on location on the island.
As you might imagine, the filming of the first James Bond movie was a big deal in Jamaica at the time. There were almost daily reports in the local paper, The Gleaner, of movie-related news, for example the arrivals of the stars, Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, the location where filming would take place, etc.
Several locals, including the men who played Three Blind Mice, the photographer, Freelance (Miss Jamaica 1961, Marguerite LeWars), as well as the band, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, appeared in the movie but the real “star” was the island. Filming took place at different locations in Kingston, Port Royal and Ocho Rios, most notably:
- Palisadoes Airport: James Bond makes his first appearance in Jamaica at Palisadoes, which is now known as the Norman Manley International Airport.
- King’s House: In the movie, Bond goes to Government House though he actually went to King’s House, the residence of the Governor General, the Queen’s representative in Jamaica.
- Morgan’s Harbor Hotel: Byron Lee and the Dragonaires are seen playing that infectious number, Jump Up, Jump Up, at Morgan’s Harbor Hotel, which is still located on the airport road.
- Dunn’s River Falls: James Bond and Quarrel hide from Dr. No’s machine near Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios.
- Laughing Waters: Probably one of the most eye catching scenes in the movie is when Urusla Andress walks out of the sea at Laughing Waters near Ocho Rios
- Reynold’s Bauxite Terminal: Dr. No’s lair at Crab Key is actually Reynold’s Bauxite terminal in Ocho Rios
Filming on the island wrapped after about six weeks with the remaining scenes done in Pinewood Studios, London. Several months later, on August 6, 1962, Jamaica went from British colony to an independent country (More on Jamaica’s anniversary in a later post).
Dr. No was released on October 5, 1962 but didn’t have its premiere in Jamaica until September 17, 1963, it was till playing a year later.
Live and Let Die and The Man With The Golden Gun both have scenes that were in Jamaica, however Live and Let Die was the only other James Bond movie to be filmed here.
Fifty years later, Bond is as popular as ever. In November, the franchise will release its latest installment, Skyfall. I cannot wait!
Set Your DVRs!
Now, if you are as passionate about James Bond movies as I am, I’m happy to report that on July 1, Encore is marking the 50th anniversary with an all day marathon of James Bond films. It’ll start at 7:00 a.m. with Dr. No and end with Never Say Never Again. Following the marathon, every Thursday nights in July, beginning at 8:00 p.m. they’ll show other Bond films uncut and commercial-free. Set your DVRs!
Other Bond Events
‘Designing 007 – Fifty Years of Bond Style’ opens on July 6. Tickets cost £12.
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#TPThursday Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica
Traveling down a river on a bamboo raft is possibly one of the coolest experiences I can imagine. I have to imagine it as I arrived too late to make the trip. What I got instead was a mini demonstration of raft making and a lesson from a raft captain on what they have to do to maintain their crafts.
First, a little background. Rafting started with the Rio Grande River in Portland. Back when banana export was a major money earner for Jamaica, Portland farmers used rafts to move their produce down the Rio Grande to the wharf for shipment overseas, mainly to the US and other Caribbean islands. Boats taking bananas out would bring visitors into Port Antonio, Portland’s capital and rafts began doing double duty: ferrying visitors on a languid ride down the Rio Grande as well as carrying bananas to market. Over time, the idea was transported to other areas of the island that had large, navigable rivers.
How Rafts Are Made
Rafts are made from mature bamboo canes that are cut in lengths of approximately 30 feet, then lashed tightly together. Two or three layers of bamboo are tied together to form the floor of the raft, and a seat is created for up to 2 passengers. Another bamboo, cut several feet long, is used to steer the raft.
As rafts can get pretty heavy, pulleys are used to lower them into the water and hoist them back out again. A raft can last up to 6 months after which time it has to be replaced. Each captain has at least 2 rafts. Captains are trained to maneuver the raft.
Where to Go Rafting in Jamaica
Rio Grande, Portland: The Rio Grande rafting tour is the granddaddy of rafting tours in Jamaica. The 7-mile trip from Berrydale in the Blue Mountains to Rafter’s Rest near Margaret’s Bay lasts 3 hours.
Martha Brae, Trelawny: The 3-mile journey down the Martha Brae takes about an hour. If you wish, you can even go for a swim.
White River, St. Ann: If you’re in the Ocho Rios area, check out the 45-minute trip down the White River. Following the trip, your guide can take you to Mahogany Beach for parasailing and other beach activities.
Lethe, St. James: This hour-long rafting trip takes you down the Great River.
Raft trips are accompanied by knowledgeable raft captains who will explain the flora and fauna of the area or entertain you with stories while you meander down the river. If you’re interested in doing a raft trip, your hotel or cruise line can schedule one for you.
I’ll write a follow-up when I have my own rafting experience.
This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out other photo and story entries on their website.
