Aug/090
Opera Glasses: A comedic Review of Shear Madness
Chances are, you have heard of Shear Madness, perhaps from a friend, or relative, and are considering attending a performance. My recommendation is that you should not attend, unless you would like to feel physical pain, and suffering from extreme laughter. However if you feel like you cheek and stomach muscles are in healthy enough shape, you may be able to endure this marathon of laughter. Opera glasses are very necessary for a performance of this type.
The stage is set to take place at a unisex hair salon. The usual gossip takes place. As in real life, for some reason, people seem to think they need to share their utmost secrets with their hairdresser. So many funny lines take place as well as an intriguing storyline. The people acting are extremely believable characters. You have the snapping gum pretty hairdresser with a gorgeous figure who is an airhead, the brightly colored clothing character played by the homosexual hairdresser (fabulously played by John McGivern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when I attended), a high class society woman, policemen and the different clientele that comes in. Of course, one man is a hunk which makes John McGivern's character giggle with glee.
Shear Madness is truly an evolutionary play; this is because it is always changing! What I mean by this, is that many of the words that are spoken in the play are not actually in the script but rather are given as improvisations by gifted comedians, in fact, much of the things talked about in the play focuses on current local and world news, you will never know what to expect. One of the things I found most amusing about this performance, is that many times, actors are caught off guard by the other actor's improvised lines, and you see them trying to contain their own laughter. For this you will surely want to bring your opera glasses as not to miss a beat!
Shear Madness is very much an interactive play. As you attend, you will find that performers will periodically ask the audience for their opinions about the developing story. Many in attendance will shout out their answers which often vary wildly. This aspect alone will make this play unforgettable in your mind. If find that your seat is in the first few rows, be prepared, as you may find yourself as centerpiece of a joke. Remember, that all jokes are just in good fun.
Aside from the typical chit chat you find in a beauty parlor, Shear Madness' plot turns to a murder mystery. The person who is killed is always the same; it is the owner of the parlor. The owner lived above the parlor prior to being murdered, and you will see that any of the characters potentially could have been the murderer. You will be working and trying to figure out who the murderer is; your opera glasses will help you to not miss any subtle hints.
Here is where Shear Madness gets fun. The owner of the salon is the one that is always murdered in this play, but the killer will vary from performance to performance, based on clues presented. Also the audience, based on the clues chooses who the murderer must be. This may sound odd, but is a very funny development. Many (like me) see the play over and over so that they can see the different endings!
This play is often called the longest running, or second longest running non musical performances. Many critics have given this play wonderful reviews, because of the witty comedy and wonderful performances, which is why of course; this play has been around for so long.
Opera glasses are always a crucial element in attending any performance, but especially this one. If you don't bring your opera glasses, you are sure to miss moments, clues and laughs. Make sure you have a pair in hand before you walk out the door to go.
Aug/090
Iceland Travel Tips
Sitting between Europe and North America, Iceland is a mountainous, North Atlantic island. Although this land can be quite harsh, it is certainly a country of natural majesty and austere beauty. Eruptions of lava, geysers, hot springs, fissures and glaciers make Iceland seem untouchable, but it is a very popular tourist site. Settled in the 9th century, by the Nordic and Celtic people, Iceland has an ancient history. A Norwegian Viking, by the name of Ing?lfur Arnarson, originally settled on what is present day Reykjavik, or Iceland?s capital.
Of all the tourist attractions, one of the most famous, and certainly the most popular, is the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Some people actually think they are only visible during the winter months, but actually, you can see them all year long. The Midnight Sun is another tourist favorite. Occurring in Scandinavia during early summer, the Midnight Sun means just what it says?the sun is visible at midnight. Its opposite, the Polar Night, occurs in winter.
At some point in your vacation, you will most likely spend some time in Reykjavik City, Iceland?s capital. It is one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world, and the nightlife is vibrant. The variety of pubs, bars, cafes and dance halls is endless, and live music is becoming a trademark. In fact, there is at least one concert on any given night. The assortment of local craft shops and Scandinavian designer stores making shopping an adventure, as does the Kringlan shopping mall.
Of course, if you come to Iceland, you simply must try a whale-watching tour. A natural habitat for whales, dolphins and seals, the ocean surrounding Reykjavik is ideal for catching a glimpse. Tours will generally pass by Puffin Island, too. Built in 1988, and considered to be Reykjavik?s landmark, the Perlan, or Pearl, is located under a large glass dome. This dome sits atop huge tanks, which are used to store the natural hot water for heating the city, and houses a rotating restaurant. The cuisine is divine, and the views spectacular.
If you are into Viking history, you simply have to investigate some of Reykjavik?s museums. The Sun Voyager is another stop you will want to make. It is a massive steel sculpture of a Viking ship, created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, and it is found on Mt, Esja. Make sure to view it at sunrise or sunset. Also, make the time to stop at the Restaurant Fjorugardurinn. Set up in Viking fashion and offering a customary Viking feast, this distinctive restaurant lets you to step back in time and experience some memorable Viking culture.
A very popular tourist attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. This outdoor, geothermal seawater pool is approximately 45-minutes, by car, from Reykjavik. The fluorescent blue pool, covered in steam, stays at about 104-degrees all year long.
This amazing country offers tourists a wide variety of unique experiences, and all of them delight and awe. Dramatic, striking, and eerily austere, a trip to Iceland is truly memorable.
Aug/090
Visit Chile’s Answer To The Grand Canyon
Every year thousands of tourists flock to a place with no buildings, no restaurants, and no clubs. Instead, it is a vast wasteland created by nature that draws these interested onlookers. The Valley of the Moon is Chile's answer to our Grand Canyon.
Located in the Atacama Desert, this area should be on your list of places to visit. This is an unspoiled land that not many travellers of this region have visited. But all that have come have left with a sense of awe and glowing reviews. The Valley of the Moon, or Valle de la Luna, is found 13 kilometers west of Sand Pedro in the Atacama Desert in Chile. This area is characterized by natural sand and stone formations. Fashioned by floods and constant winds these natural wonders have wondrous color and texture that makes this place such a wonderful destination. Its name is derived from its resemblance to the surface of the moon. Even NASA has taken note of this unique place on Earth, testing vehicles that would later be used on Mars in this rocky, barren landscape.
Also found here are dry lakes which appear to be different colors throughout the day. Depending on how the sun is positioned in the sky and the time of day, one can see green, yellow, red, and blue colors which give color to your surroundings. Stand on top of a sand dune and take a few moments to take in all of the natural beauty that surrounds you.
This is also one of the driest spots on the planet. Some parts of the valley have not received a single drop of rain in hundreds of years. The unique weather conditions, combined with hundreds of years of floods and winds, have created stone and sand formations which resemble sculptures, some of which have names like "Las Tres Marias." These conditions have also yielded an incredible color pallet. It is hard to believe that these colors can be found naturally on the surface you walk on. There are salt caverns and volcanoes. The Licancabur volcano is so spectacular that it can be contemplated for long periods of time. Due to the dryness, as well as the saltiness, of the land, this is considered one of the most uninhabitable places on earth. While this may sound like a bad thing, it actually envelops the area with a sense of majesty. At night, under the moon, there exists a silence which is both unnerving and magical at the same time.
A quick internet search reveals a number of ways to travel to this area. There are hotels and tours that can be booked in the surrounding region. All you have to do is make the arrangements to get there.
Nowhere else on this planet can you experience anything like the Valle de La Luna. This area's beauty cannot adequately be described in words. Do yourself a favor and perform a quick internet search of this fine area. Better yet, visit the Valley of the Moon yourself and experience this amazing part of the world. I can guarantee this is a trip you will never regret taking.
Aug/090
Experience South America by Car
Have you ever wanted to experience South America the way that the native people experience it? Native inhabitance stay off the beaten path and go places that most tourist just don't get to take advantage of. Well, you to could experience South American this way through car travel.
You want to travel to South America but you are worried about means of transportation when you get there. What do you do? Well, you have several options: you can choose to figure it out when you get there and travel by bus, train, shuttle, etc., or you can rent a car. Most are nervous about traveling to a new country to begin with, and then they are faced with the problem of getting around when they arrive. Some consider it foolhardy to head to South America with no transportation plan, and to just improvise upon arrival. Others see no problem with it. Those who think that it is a risk they are not willing to take will want to know how to secure a rental car before arriving. They will also worry about the driving rules and regulations of South America, but this worry can be averted with a small amount of research. It is important to think ahead and set things up early so you do not run into problems when you arrive. Many underestimate the complexity of the process, and do not know what to do when they arrive. Most important, other than car rental, is awareness. Driving in South America is not considered a particularly safe or easy task so being aware of the situation is a very big deal.
Getting the rental car is very simple and there are plenty of resources available on the internet to help you work through any problems that may arrive. All you need to do is find a website which provides rental cars to travelers. Log on to the site and let them know when you need the car for and where you would like to pick it up. That being said, you will have to provide some information to the site so that they can go through all of their procedures and hold the car for you. On the other hand, it could be a lot more difficult to arrange a rental when you arrive. Locating a rental company in an area that you are not familiar with can be a real headache and hard to find.
Finally, make sure you are always switched on when traveling by car in South America. Many roads have been partly-destroyed or damaged, or are covered in hazardous obstacles which are usually natural but occasionally are man-made. Some parts of South America have man-made obstacles to slow drivers down but they are usually not marked which leaves them hard to see, especially at night. Driving at night is never recommended because you never know what to expect on the roads in an area you are not familiar with. Day driving should be limited not only because of the hazards that will be found all over the country but also because urban traffic can be heavy and chaotic. Bearing in mind the points made above, having a car can still be more beneficial than relying on public transportation. As long as the rides are short then you will enjoy having the freedom to travel where you want when you want to.
Be sure to make it easy on yourself and book your rental ahead of time. Always be aware and careful when driving a rental car. Make sure to plan your route ahead of time and head straight to your destination. Driving around South America aimlessly is only going to lead to accidents!
Aug/090
Brisbane Hinterland
The Brisbane Hinterland, just outside of Brisbane, has many attraction to enjoy. D'Aguilar Range, with it's main access in Mount Glorious, is only twenty minutes west of the city. There are crops and antique villages at the Valley of the Lakes, and South Burnett. While here you will enjoy pine rain forests and the children will love the opportunity to encounter native animals.
Bunya Mountains: this isolated spur of the Great Dividing Range is a cool, moist region of waterfalls, green and scarlet king parrots and the remaining stands of bunya pine, a species much depleted by early timber-getters. Walk the easy 4 kilometre Scenic Circuit from the Dandabah camping area, which winds through rainforest to Pine Gorge lookout.
South Burnett: This comfortable slice of rural Queensland invites you to the historic timber towns of Blackbutt and Yarraman and to wineries along the scenic Barambah wine Trail. At Nanango or Kilkivan you can fossick for gold and find accommodation in a great Bed and Breakfast or a Farmstay property.
Booubyjan Homestead: This is a homestead, located near Goomeri, owned by two Irish brothers, the Clements. This land is open for daily tours, where you can get a close up look inside the home and and of the property.
Brisbane Forest Park: Offers pristine waterfalls, rainforest, deep swimming pools, mountain streams, forests and trees. Mt. Glorious offers a wide range of walking trails, and if you travel 10km further you will arrive at Wivenhoe lookout, which offers views of Lake Wivenhoe.
Also located in Brisbane Forest Park is the Walkabout Creek Wildlife Center. This is a freshwater creek, populated with frogs, water dragon, platypus, python and fish. Just past Samford, in the The Woolshed, you can get a realistic demonstration of life on a sheep station. Enjoy everything from shearing demonstrations to watching the native animals roam.
Daisy Hill State Forest: This is an area of eucalypt forest and acacia scrub. 25 kilometers south of Brisbane, visitors can view the koala from a treetop tower, and watch as they sit comfortable on the tops of the trees.
Aug/090
The Cu Chi Tunnels of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. A destination known for its famous war with the Americans throughout the 1960's until 1975. Learn all about what life was like in the jungle with an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 70 km from downtown.
In the heart of the jungle, 200km of tunnels were well hidden from American soldiers. Originally built to protect the Vietnamese from French air strikes in the lat 1940's to 1950's, they were re-used during the 60's as a staging ground for attacks on American troops.
The American's knew they were there, they just couldn't find them. Not for lack of trying however. Agent Orange, napalm and constant bombing was used to try to find the tunnels that had eluded them. The jungle was completely wiped out and barren. It had been ruined by man, but Mother Nature's is a strong entity and with time has healed herself and it is now lush and green.
If you are lucky, you may receive a first hand account from a former Vietnamese soldier. Guides will tell you stories of their time in the war and can give you information on intimate details of the war that took place in this jungle. If you listen carefully, you can learn a great deal about history.
You will learn all about how the Vietnamese managed to defeat the powerful Americans. They fought on their home turf being the jungle and they used it to their advantage. Cave entrances were hidden by placing termite hills over top. To throw off their scent to guide dogs, they would sprinkle cayenne pepper confusing the animal. Even if the soldiers managed to find and opening, they were tiny and made for the slight Vietnamese frame. U.S. soldiers would have to blast a hole alerting any inhabitants that they have been found. With 200 km of caves to disappear in, it wasn't likely that they would be caught.
When they did manage to make their way into the tunnels, they were greeted with booby traps. False floors caused the enemy to fall into a bed of sharpened bamboo poles. Spikes were placed on the floors and traps were set everywhere. You had to know your way around the tunnel to escape injury.
There were other tactics besides the tunnels that offered the Vietnamese an advantage against the United States. Surprisingly, foot rot was a major problem with U.S. soldiers. The heat and humidity of the rain forest caused sores, rotting flesh and infection. When your major form of battle is to walk through the jungle this can be a serious problem. Instead of wearing boots, the Viet Cong wore rubber sandals made from tires. They are well constructed and durable and you can see them for yourself. If you want to try them out, buy a pair for a nominal fee.
Life was difficult in the tunnels and they lived in them for years at a time. They contained functioning kitchens, hospitals and sleeping quarters. They managed to survive underground dealing with the elements. Some rooms were very spacious, but mostly the passageways were very tight being no more than a meter high. Malaria ran rampant and the unsanitary conditions caused infection and illness. Not only did they have to deal with American bombing and fighting, they had to deal with deadly snakes and spiders underground.
Your tour will take you to all of the different types of living quarters and rooms. It is a comfortable tour and the tunnel walls have even been blasted out to make it larger and more comfortable for tourists. However, there are still some original entrances available to be explored and you will have the opportunity to go into an original tunnel yourself and crawl for 150 meters experiencing what it was like during the war.
First you will have to enter through a small hole in the ground. This is enough to make many tourists chicken out. Some people won't even be able to fit inside and will not even have the option to go. But if you can manage to squeeze through, be sure to do so. You will have the one true experience of the day, feeling what it actually must have been like for a soldier to crawl through this claustrophobic space.
During your tour you will learn little tricks like how the Viet Cong tracked U.S. soldiers by following these fascinating plants that actually pointed in the direction that people walked. As you brush by, the leaves of the plants curl in the direction that you are heading. A dead giveaway for the unsuspecting American soldier. You will try to food of the Viet Cong and you will visit different rooms that were camouflaged above ground, learning all about how the Vietnamese kept themselves from being discovered.
Once you have learned all there is to know and if you are feeling like doing your best Rambo impersonation, you can go to the firing range and fire various guns from AK 47's to automatic rifles, giving you your complete war experience.
Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels will definitely give you a feeling as to what life was like during the Vietnam War. It is unbelievable to think that these tunnels remained in tact through two major wars. One with the French and one with the Americans. If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh, they are certainly worth a visit.