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Day, Hot Food, Hot Time In Guza - In
Sichuan ~ by Satina Anziano - On Friday afternoon Tsering Ji stopped
by my campus apartment to ask questions about the English lesson.
This tall young woman with the long face and graceful moves is a rarity
among her classmates. She actually wants to learn English.
As she was leaving, she told me that the class would be having a hot pot
luncheon in Guza town on Saturday, and I should join them at 10:00 a.m.
May/04
How I found my perfect retirement home in Quito: a three bedroom house for $20,000 - The first thing I noticed about Quito was the absence of bugs. They always come after me before my wife Lorna, and when I didn’t see any, I was encouraged about our decision to visit this place. We were looking for a retirement home... We have read with great interest Gary Scott’s articles in International Living. We were intrigued by the prices, and by the descriptions of the countryside and the people. We did some research on our own, and the more we looked, the more we liked what we saw. by Vern Henshaw How To Disappear In Six Easy Lessons -Hiding Out In The Walled City Of Cartagena - For professional reasons I read all the books on 'disappearing,' how to become a fugitive, vanish, jump ship, go away, and not be found. Most of them are rubbish. One failing they all have in common is telling the 'disappeared' what location to go once they jump ship. Most of them mention Costa Rica. Disappearing in Costa Rica is like disappearing in Beverly Hills, and almost as expensive. No one disappears in Costa Rica, except perhaps the Costa Ricans that you invest money with. If I were seeking a city where I could live without being found it would be Havana, Cuba. Cartagena would be a second cousin, a slightly poorer choice, but it would certainly be on my list. - by Roger Gallo Hunting for Loch Ness properties in Scotland - Hunting for Loch Ness properties in Scotland - Real Estate In Baja - A Birthday ~ by Allan Weisbecker - Deep dusk now and as the beach fire and revelry in front of my campsite attracts the assorted wave-obsessed misfits, bohemian athletes, stoned idiots and former and current outlaws who have settled at or are passing through lower Baja, my 49th birthday party is starting to have the feel of a tribal gathering. March/04 In
The South Of France - Wine
Country ~ by Will Sullivan -
Great article about traveling and living in the south of France. Will visits
some old friends in the south of France who have settled down in a small
town and are living and working in the wine business. If you've thought
about what it would be like to live in the south of France read the above
article. Oct./03
In
Siam With Passion II ~ Relocating
To Thailand ~ By Tomy Gunn - Tomy Gunn moved to Thailand two years
ago and has been living in the "Land Of Smiles" and learning what life
is like for an expat in Thailand. Find out how "Western Influences" have
changed the lifestyles of the Thai people and Expats. Learn about what
makes Thailand so attractive to so many people and what an everyday routine
is like for an expat in an Asian country that is very open to the outside
world. July/03
In
Wellington ~ Adventure
In New Zealand ~ By Varoon Anand - Varoon is an old friend though we
never see each other anymore. He is originally from India, spent loads
of time in Panama and is now off living in New Zealand where he has been
exploring and having what I imagine is a very good time. Anyway, check
out the above article; hope to have more articles from Varoon in the near
future. Aug/03
Ireland’s wild wild west - Ireland’s wild wild west - “To hell or to Connaught.” So was Oliver Cromwell’s offer to criminals and other unsavory characters in the 17th century. At the time, popular opinion probably would have been in favor of the former. Today, Connaught, Ireland’s wild west, is indisputably the country’s most picturesque region. This is the Ireland of postcards, the Ireland you have pictured in your mind before ever stepping foot on the Emerald Isle. by Kathleen Peddicord Istanbul, Bucharest, Warsaw...three cities in five days - by Elizabeth Bonner, "Last month, you heard about our travails and travaux as we repaired, restored and renovated the Chateau d’Ouzilly, our place in France. But life is not all work and no play, and so last summer, my husband invited me to accompany him on a flying tour of three Eastern European cities, Istanbul (in its European guise), Bucharest, and Warsaw. While my husband worked, I gave myself up to the pleasures of tourism." Italy In Winter - From Rome To Venice ~ By Matthew Atlee - Traveling around Italy in the winter, so I'm told, is a great idea because the summer crowds are gone and you have a greater opportunity to see the art and history of the country. The weather is cool to cold but the sites are great and the food is even better. If you've always wanted to go but were afraid of the crowds, you should try Italy in the winter. March/03 Kabul,
Kabul ~ Living
In Afghanistan ~ by Brandy Bauer - It’s just past midnight on a Thursday
evening, and the party is going strong. A generator pumps artificial light
into the green-walled restaurant, where about 50 people sit smoking and
chatting animatedly. Beer cans litter the tables, along with leftover Bratwurst
and pistachio shells. And despite the fact that many of the patrons–UN
workers, employees of non-governmental organizations–have a strict curfew,
no one seems headed for the door. June/04
Kangding
- On
The Road To Tibet ~ by Satina Anziano - Going to church on Sunday.
Now, what could be more ordinary? Well, for me, the nearest church
means a trip to Kangding, and a trip to Kangding is far from the ordinary.
'Kangding' is what the Chinese now call it. Dartsedo, the meeting
place - of two rivers, and of traders - is what the Tibetans have always
called it. Closed off until recently, few westerners have heard the
call of her river and the rugged beauty of her mountains. April/04
Kathmandu, Nepal - Expat Haven Or Paradise Lost? Part One - Photos & Essay by Robin Sparks Reporting on the Expat scene in Kathmandu - I've been to plenty of third world countries, but nothing prepared me for Kathmandu. Many of those who went in the 60's and 70's, stayed put in Kathmandu's mystical mountain-bowl setting. There was the legality of hashish (now illegal), the incredulously low cost of living (one can live on as little as $500 a month in a palatial home with servants), spiritual mysticism, a welcome attitude towards foreigners, and the quaint, innocent ambience of a country that was until the early 50s shut off from the rest of the world. La
Jolla B&B In Mazatlan - South
Of The Border ~ by Miles F. Porter IV and Mary E. Staby - Harry and
Bunny Eyer's La Jolla Pension in Mazatlan, Mexico, is a focal point for
a quiet revolution under way in restoring the city's Centro Historico district,
with much of the effort coming from a growing number of American ex-pats.
Dec./03
Lasting impressions: Paint Gauguin's France - Take your own guided tour of the best retirement destinations - Travelers Bulletin Board Leaping into Sai Gon ~ Stepping Behind a New Lens ~ One Year of Opening Senses to an Array of New Stimuli - At the age of 23, Emma Trenorden applied for a year-long assignment in Vietnam as part of the Australian government’s overseas aid program. Emma says,"Living in a new place is like stepping behind a new lens. This new lens opens your eyes to the colors and shapes of a new place. You never know just what that unknown will hold for you, but at least you can be sure that it will present doors to new discoveries for you." June/02 Let It Be London ~ Clubbing For People Who Dance and Love To Dance – London Clubbing – The first time Mei-Ling McNamara went to the UK was in 1996. Since then, she has scarcely looked back. Mei-Ling says, “Music and dancing has always cast a certain spell over me; it is emotive, active, and incredibly creative. London clubbing is my expression, my joie de vivre.” Mei-Ling and her boyfriend were discovered in a London club and invited to join a dance troupe for a clubbing promotions company. “Anyone who tells you London is not the capital of hedonistic pleasure, of nocturnal wanderings and requited dreams, has never indulged in its world-renowned, adrenaline-charged clubbing scene. But, London Clubbing is a way of life that you won't write home about. So, if it must be, then let it be London. Life in Argentina ~ Not Taking Into Account The Devaluation Or Political Situation ~ By Jaime Russell - Jaime Russell is married to an Argentinean and has spent the last couple of years in the regional capital of Jujuy. She writes about her experiences in Argentina and points out how different things are in the interior of the country from the troubles in Buenos Aires. Argentina has become a very popular destination for Latin Americans and Europeans. The country has a lot of bargains for those who know where to look: real estate in the south being one of the most popular areas for investors. If you just want to get a feel for Argentina the above article will get you started. April/03 Life in Amsterdam: On vases, first drinks & decorated bikes - I find that it's better to let people get their fascination with Amsterdam's seedier side out of their system right away. After a few hours of red light tourism, during which they stare at bored, scantily clad women sitting beneath red lights, they're ready for something new. Then I get the chance to show them what Amsterdam is really like. You see, there's a lot more to the Netherlands and the Dutch people than prostitutes & pot. Here are a few things you should know if you're considering a move here...by Kate Robbins Life In Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil - “A Jewel In The Rough” ~ by Shane Jackson - For those that don’t know (I didn’t), Minas Gerais is a state in Brazil that is rich in history and natural resources. Many may have heard of the historically preserved cities Ouro Preto or Diamantina famed for gold, silver, diamonds and other jewels found only here. Many have not heard of the national parks and beautiful mountain ranges of Minas Gerais. It’s primary population center is Belo Horizonte, a major center of commerce, agriculture, and industry. I think it is the third largest city in Brazil. Jan/04 Life In Chile ~ Learning The Fine Details Of Survival ~ By Jon Steele - This is a very fine article about living in Chile. Get all the details about what you should and should not do. Find out about how people spend their time and how they socialize with one another. From Santiago you can go either to the mountains and ski or to the coast and swim. Viña del Mar and Valparaíso are beautiful towns on the coast: make sure you visit Pablo Neruda's house in Valparaíso. Chile physically feels very much like California, but without all - well you know. Six months in Chile and six months in the States might be just the thing for someone who wants to get away from it all part of the year. May/03 Life
In The Dominican Republic ~ Quite
A Change After The UK! Part 1 ~ By Malcolm Couch - There are
a lot of people who have asked me lately about what's it like to live in
the Dominican Republic, and from what I understand from those who know
the country well, it is a little tropical paradise with all the good and
bad that you associate with living on a small Caribbean island. The parties
are great, the people friendly and the beaches beautiful. There's always
the problems of traffic and electrical cuts but that's par for the course.
Everyone tells me that in the end you have to love the place just for its
sheer spirit. June/03
Life
In The Dominican Republic ~ Quite
A Change After The UK! Part 2 ~ By Malcolm Couch - This is Part
2 of a series of articles that will give you all the details you need to
move to and live in the DR. This time we learn about food, dancing and
sports as well as visas and shopping. The DR is not only becoming a popular
tourist destination; it is also becoming home to many people from the U.S.
and Europe. If you like sun, beaches and parties, go to the DR. July/03
“Limitless potential & unfettered capitalism” the new Budapest, a land of opportunity - "In the past 10 years, central Europe has metamorphosed from a travel frontier and Cold War relic to a thrilling part of plain old Europe. Hungary, like the Czech Republic & Poland, is a member of NATO and by 2004 is expected to be part of the European Union. The rusty old infrastructure is being modernized at a pace unheard of farther west. A telecommunications zealot in Budapest once told me this work was easy, because the phone system was 40 years out of date, so rather than slowly improve the existing wires and equipment, everything was replaced with the newest technology.” by Ken Layne Living
And Teaching In Colima, Mexico ~ A
Place To Rest ~ By Jurgen Klemann - In the last article that Jurgen
Klemann wrote for the magazine, he ended his world tour and was living
and working in Mexico. This article picks up where the last ended and lets
you know what it's like to to spend time in beautiful Mexico. Teaching
at a local university and playing sports and enjoying his students, you
get the feeling that ending up in Mexico for a while might just be the
right move to make. July/03
Living
In Caravaca De La Cruz In Murcia, Spain ~ The
Beauty Of Spain ~ by Hugh Phelan - If you are thinking of living abroad
for the first time, I can't think of a better country to start with than
Spain. Great people, great places and great food. The above article describes
what it feels like to arrive in Spain for the first time without any presuppositions
- the best way to arrive in any country. Nov./03
Living
In Chile ~ Part
II ~ By Jon Steele - This is the second article in a two-part series
about living and working in Chile. Can't say enough about what a nice place
Chile is to live in and how interesting the people are to socialize with.
If you travel by bus to the north of Chile look for the sculpture of a
hand rising up out of the desert and if you head south make sure to visit
Torre Paine National Park. There are also the mountains above Santiago
where you can go skiing and the vineyards of the central valley. For the
expat Chile offers everything you could want. June/03
Living In North Yorkshire - In The North Of England ~ by Eric Hooton - Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, Stonehenge and Big Ben are some of the places people think of when traveling to England becomes part of their vacation plans. These are all wonderful places and well worth visiting; yet some of the most beautiful and authentically “English” parts of England have to be the Yorkshire Dales. This includes the East and West ridings, or counties, of Yorkshire, and the largest county in England, the county of North Yorkshire. Dec./03 Living
In Sardinia - Between
Africa And Europe ~ by Emma Bird - It was 10.15pm on a hot summer evening
in Sardinia. I had arrived on the island five days previously and had just
finished my second lesson teaching English to a small group of adults in
a private language school. All 10 of them patiently waited for my boyfriend
to show up, refusing to let me hang around in the dark by myself. Then
he rang. He was going to be another 45 minutes because of traffic problems.
I relayed this back to the students. For the next 30 seconds a frantic
conversation ensued between them. Then it was decided. “Tu vieni con noi,”
Milena told me, taking me firmly by the arm and marching me towards her
car, a white Fiat 500, now 44 years old but still going strong. “You come
with us.” No ifs or buts. We would go to the local pizzeria en masse, have
food and drink and Mario would collect me there. July/04
Living in “Strange and wonderful” Budapest - Living in “Strange and wonderful” Budapest - Budapest, where the living is increasingly pleasant...and still very cheap - "The best arrangement I ever had in this city of 2 million was living a block from the river off Szabadság Bridge, just west of the Hotel Gellért on Bartók Bela. It was an elaborate, dusty three-bedroom apartment with 18-foot-tall ceilings and a living room the size of a fine restaurant, and I got the luxury of walking across the Danube each morning on my way to work. I shared the place with two colleagues, for a total of $160 a month. On warm spring nights, we would open the huge windows to the street below, an endless circus of squeaking trams and honking Ladas, and let the Danubian breeze flow through while we conjured the ghost of Bartók and let his spooky Gypsy string quartets play through the boom box. On $800 a month, I lived better than I have in San Francisco, New Orleans, or Washington on $3,000." Living
Large In Buenos Aires ~ Argentina
~ by Mark McMahon - At the moment it doesn’t take much to live large in
Argentina. Since the currency was devalued, just having dollars enables
a nice standard of living. You get three times more bang for your buck
than you did in 2001. And they do know how to live here. With a long tradition
of dining out and great ingredients (especially if beef is your thing)
you simply can’t go wrong in restaurants here. Dec./03
Living
Like A Native In Morelia, Mexico ~ All
The Details ~ By David Wix - Nice article on moving to Morelia, Mexico.
The town is one of the oldest colonial towns in Mexico - its known as the
most aristocratic of Mexico's colonial towns - and you can see the colonial
history in the giant 17th century aquaduct that runs through the town as
well as the classic colonial architecture of Morelia's houses and public
buildings. If you decide to escape the city and travel through the countryside
of the province of Michoacan of which Morelia is the capital, then you
will treat your eyes to green mountains and beautiful lakes. Go now! Aug/03
Living the Life on the Island of Rhodes ~ Driving you Crazy - Driving on Rhodes - Ron Ferguson says Greece supposedly has the highest rate of traffic fatalities of any European country. This article is about how to not become one of them and other driving related facts. To begin with you have to bear in mind that unless you understand the culture and thinking of Greek drivers you have little chance of anticipating their moves. So let's begin with some simple facts .... Sept/02 Looking At Real Estate In Bangkok, Bali & The Philippines - Looking At Real Estate In Bangkok, Bali & The Philippines - I then went to Bangkok, a hot and crowded place, but my favorite city in this part of the world, probably even ahead of Hong Kong. Poor planning got me there in the middle of the Thai New Year, which meant everything was shut down for a week, and I didn't get a chance to see a lot of property. On the other hand, the whole city goes wild with a water festival; you walk down any street and after five minutes you're completely soaked from squirt guns and buckets of water thrown at you, day or night. It's great fun. Bangkok reminds me of L.A. without the social problems. If you're thinking of living in the Orient for a while, this is the place. - Doug Casey looks for real estate in the Orient. Looking
For Something A Little Different? ~ Journey
Thru Hungary ~ By Steve Phillips - Funny little piece about having
your teeth done in Hungary. Of all the countries in the former East bloc
Hungary seems to have come out of the gloom of communism with some luck
and success. The people are considered some the most beautiful in Europe
as well. Take the train to Budapest. July/03
Los
Santos ~ The
Heart Of Panamanian Carnival ~ by Matthew Atlee - Los Santos Province
is the center of Carnival in Panama. For most of the year the Province
is quiet and uneventful, but as Carnival time gets closer the people and
the atmosphere of Los Santos begin to slowly heat up and this was why I
wanted to visit Los Santos right before Carnival. The capital of Los Santos
is the small town of Las Tablas, a very traditional Spanish town with a
central plaza, the church and government buildings surrounding the small
square park where people talk and the hot breezes from the nearby countryside
blow through the large shade trees. Feb./04
Lunenburg & Mahone Bay: superb property finds in Nova Scotia - In addition to real estate in Nova Scotia this page includes information by International real estate expert Robert Fordi on how to own a piece of the next European Riviera & his extraordinary real estate picks. Maya Still Life -Puerto Morelos In 1984 ~ by Jeanine Lee Kitchel - We stumbled onto Puerto Morelos quite by accident in 1984 when my husband and I were criss-crossing Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, searching for a place that felt like home. While standing on a jungle road sixty miles south of Cancun waiting for a bus that surely didn’t exist, we watched a small, rusty Honda round the corner from Highway 307 and like magic, glide carefully in front of us to a slow, deliberate stop. Dec./03 Memories Of Cuapa - Passing Through The Interior Of Nicaragua ~ By Benjamin Murphy - Passing through a landscape rich in mysticism and stories is what you often find when you travel in Latin America. The surreal is an everyday occurrence and it makes traveling an exciting experience. Crying trees, mountains with donkeys on top of them and glowing statues of saints are all part of people's everyday lives. Feb./03 Merida,
Venezuela - In
The Venezuelan Andes ~ By Christopher Hyland - Nestled in a valley
in the Andean range of Venezuela lies a medium-sized city named Merida,
with slightly over a half million inhabitants. Known as the city
of gentlemen, the city boasts many attractions and is the second largest
tourist destination in Venezuela, after Margarita Island. July/04
MiraMar Offshore Convention, Panama City, Republic of Panama, September 13 -17 - Spend a wonderful 5-day working vacation in the heart of Panama City side the Panama Canal. Learn from the leading professionals on offshore financial planning and international investing on how to protect your estate and earn higher interest rates on your money than ever experienced before. This five-day getaway is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on you. Speakers to include: Carlos Varela ~ Panamanian Attorney, focusing on Panamanian Corporate Law, IBC’s, & Foundations; Richard Kilborn ~ focusing on offshore asset protection and financial planning as well as Panamanian Residency; Alex De Janon ~ General Manager of Sterling Financial Group corresponded with Bear Stearns & Company; John Haines ~ Director of Fortress Management discussing investment in Real estate here in Panama; Gary Bustin ~ Canadian CPA discussing certain tax issues in Canada. Mismaloya-Yelapa,
Mexico ~ Traveling
In Mexico ~ by Bill Moake - The first time I saw Mismaloya beach on
the Pacific coast of Mexico there was nothing on it except a few palapa
(thatched-roof) huts selling cold beer and hot tamales. Now it's is covered
with high-rise condos, hotels and fancy restaurants, thanks in part to
publicity from films like "Night of the Iguana" and "Predator" which were
shot in the area. Feb/04
Montreal's summer festivals on the cheap - Montreal's summer festivals on the cheap - Budget Travel. More On San Cristobal - Teak & Noni Plantations - Visiting The Bocas Del Toro Teak & Noni Plantations - Caribbean Water Front Land In Bocas Del Toro For $6,300 An Acre That Yields A 20-30% Cash Return. Jim Swann, Co-founder of International Real Estate Digest visited Bocas del Toro and is favorably impressed. "Though a large portion of the plantation land is set aside for growing crops, some of the land can be used for buildings, including a residence. All of the plantations in the Bocas del Toro area have waterfront." Feb./03 Mountain biking expeditions in San Miguel de Allende - Microbrews in France - On a recent trip to San Miguel de Allende to study Spanish, we discovered a whole new adventure. John Kay, an American who now runs La Puertecita. Hotel high atop a hill in San Miguel, takes groups of five to seven on mountain biking expeditions through the countryside near San Miguel - Micro-brasseurs have made their way into a city where wine has reigned for thousands of years. Eight microbrew pubs have opened in Paris for those looking to avoid the standard pilsner-style European beer. Musings on Living in Jakarta - Musings on Living in Jakarta - Jeannie Fairfax writes, "I live in a distinctly Indonesian neighborhood, or, "kampung." And, although bordering Jalan Sudirman, one of Jakarta's largest, most important thoroughfares, here in "Ben-Hill" (Bendungan-Hillerman) I can safely wander the curving, crooked paths day or night and feel far away -- in another world from the city." And with keen wit and intuitive observation she tells about the push cart vendors selling fruits, vegetables, dinners, houseplants, herbs, and about other people who make noise in front of her house. My
Florence ~ But
Not At First ~ by Victoria Lucia - To study abroad or not to study
abroad? I wrestled with this question on my way to class, in class, and
before I fell asleep, only to find that no matter how many times I weighed
the pros and cons, the pros emerged victorious. Florence had a reputation
for being alive with culture. There would be churches, museums, pasta,
debonair Italian men, and enough wine to fill the Grand Canyon. Feb/04
MY
LITTLE WORLD GETS SHAKEN ~ Pavones,
Costa Rica ~ by Allan Weisbecker - For a natural born skeptic like
me, living here at Pavones - at the end of the road at the bottom of Central
America - has been a revelation in many ways. Like the moon thing. Dec./03
Nectar Of The Gods ~ Wine On Corfu ~ by Janet Darbey - The huge hornets, bright yellow and black striped minature helicopters, buzz around the huge black wooden vat outside the taverna. The air is thick with the smell of ripe fruit and the flowers in the pots that surround the car park area. The village atmosphere is one of happiness and celebration, hard work and old traditions that go back to ancient times. Jan/06 New Year's in Madrid: Red underwear, a dozen grapes and great $25.00 meals - Spanish police seized two vans from the Basque separatist ETA that were full of explosives reportedly headed for the year 2000 celebrations in Madrid. They also swiped 17 bottles of sparkling wine from my party as we entered the capital's Puerta del Sol in the first hour of the year 2000. by Ken Layne. Non Stop Erotic Bingo -Out And About In Sao Paulo ~ By Philip Blazdell - Sao Paulo is an enormous city and you can do just about anything at anytime in Sao Paulo. But the problem in Sao Paulo is always whether or not you will be able to arrive to the place you want to be: the traffic jams are truly nightmarish. And if you are in the middle of a nightmarish traffic jam, then you might take a quick turn and end up anywhere. But that's the fun of Brazil. Jan/03 Northeastern
India - Destination:
Guwahati ~ by Rajdeep Bhattacharjee - Exploring India is always an
experience of a lifetime and it may not be possible for one individual
to cover the whole Indian subcontinent during lifespan. As many of us travel
to experience and share some of the unique locations, I am trying to experience
India’s northeastern region, which is still a mystery and is least explored.
Jan/04
Nova Scotia: From a Brit Perspective - Moving To Nova Scotia - Living In Nova Scotia - So where is Nova Scotia, most would ask. Well it’s a quick five hour flight from the UK, three from Iceland and a mere two and a half hour ferry trip from Maine in the States. Resembling rural England but with forests, it lies on the eastern seaboard of Canada, much like an island connected by an umbilical cord to the Motherland. The climate and seasons are much like the UK but with slightly more extreme temperatures, not at all what most imagine the Country to be. Nov./02 Offshore Opportunities 2001 Conference ~ Panama City, Republic of Panama ~ October 3-7, 2001 - Shhhhh, too - International Living and The Sovereign Society have organized this three day all inclusive conference to show you how you can manage your money safely and privately in the Americas’ most sophisticated offshore haven. Top legal, financial, tax, asset-protection, and real estate experts from around the world reveal their secrets for building wealth, reducing taxes, protecting your privacy, and living well overseas…in the Republic of Panama. Join others in Panama and learn how you can take advantage of this country’s sophisticated and private banking infrastructure to guard your hard-earned wealth and reduce your tax burden. On The Pacific Coast Of Panama - Traveling Through The Mountains And Beaches Of Panama ~ By Matthew Atlee - It's Summer in Panama and everyone is headed to the beach. Very soon Carnival will be here and people will let loose and enjoy the freedom that comes with Carnival. The Pacific Coast is the place to go for Carnival in Panama. If you are headed to Panama for Carnival go to Los Santos and visit the beaches at Pedasi or Venado. Better yet, drive to the interior of Los Santos and find a small village in which to enjoy the summer breezes and strings of Christmas tree lights that blow across the streets of Los Santos during Carnival nights. Anyway, enjoy. Feb./03 On The Road - Budoia To Budapest - For travelers who miss the pre-EU border checks and passport stamps as souvenirs, a trip to the edge of the Balkans should satisfy their nostalgia. On a recent spur-of-the-moment, 5 day soggiorno intended to just explore the northeast corner of Slovenia, we decided to keep on going. Budapest isn't that far. The following are some road tips gleaned from making a 1500 km. odyssey into, around, and out of the Magyar Zone. Opening A Business In Rome ~ One Expatriate’s Observations ~ by Sarah Yeomans - My first impression of Rome was that it was a lawless land, where you could make up the rules as you went along, as long as it didn’t attract the attention of the occasionally alert police officer or government official. Everything around me seemed to reinforce this impression, from the “creative” parking solutions, such as parking on a curb, to the seemingly helter-skelter methods of immigration control. Sept./04 Paradise Found? - The Expatriate Scene In Xcalak, Mexico - We sat around a table under a palapa with Darrell, his fishing guide, Mike from Minnesota, and Stephen, an American expatriate from Sweden, who vacations here once a year for “the quiet and solitude.” Miguel popped open five Sols behind the open-air bar. I looked around and thought, “Is this real?” - The cerulean Caribbean lapped at the scalloped edges of a bleached-white beach, dotted with inward leaning palm trees, and best of all, no people. There in the middle of paradise, the hours ambled by. Stories were told. Palm fronds crackled in the breeze, pelicans landed on the pier and took off again, and the smell of the hamburgers Miguel was grilling filled the air. Paradise Patagonia ~ Real Estate At The Top Of The World ~ Real Estate In Southern Argentina - Absolutely astounding photography in this very informative article on Patagonia. Each page gets better and better. The land of southern Argentina is unspoiled and amazing... the real estate is as good as it gets. If you want to escape the world's madness, it is difficult to think of better spot than Patagonia. Nov./02 Patagonia,
Coffee, Tea, Maté ~ An
Exchange Student's Escape ~ By Abby Consadine - The history of Patagonia
is rich with stories and mysteries. The gaucho's who populated the region
in the 19th century were some of the fierces fighters ever, and they lived
off a land that gave little. The massive wave of immigration that brought
thousands to Argentina from Europe at the the end of the 19th century also
changed Patagonia: there were Welsh communities and German communties that
mixed with the local population, but kept most of the traditions of their
homelands. These communties are relatively unchanged up to the present
day. The desert in the south is endless and traveling across this landscape
you feel as if are standing still rather than progressing forward. The
above article gives a little glimpse into how people live in Patagonia
and what they do to pass the time away in one of the most remote regions
known to man. June/03
“Passion
Of Rome” - Semester
Abroad ~ by Nicholas Pellicani - Rome has been called the Caput Mundi,
or Capital of the World. While its present day relevance has diminished
of late, it still conjures up images of Julius Caesar inspiring, elaborate
papal processions, and Mussolini yelling from the balcony. A semester
abroad allowed myself the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful piazza’s
and feast on the world’s best food, but I was not prepared for the impression
one magical night would leave on me. It would be a calm, modest,
yet deeply spiritual night shared by thousands, which would forever make
Rome a part of me. April/04
Practicalities and Idiosyncrasies of Life in Madrid - When you come to live in Madrid - the burden of cultural adjustment will be upon YOU and there will be significant changes to which you will have to adjust. Spain is a western country with attitudes, habits, and a standard of living that is broadly speaking, the same as in Britain and the US. This doesn't mean that you won't need time to get used to the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of your new surroundings, though. Prague, “City of a Hundred Spires” - A quarter the price of Berlin or Paris and equally as charming - Now is the time to buy. The only hitch for foreigners is that you need to be a legal resident to purchase property here. (The laws on legal residency are currently vague, but will probably smooth out when the Czech Republic approaches membership in the EU.) There is, however, a loophole around the residency requirement. You can form your own company, and the company can then purchase the property for you. Prime Paris Real Estate, 33% OFF! - Prime Paris Real Estate, 33% OFF! - In the morning, you can go to bakery just across the street for croisants straight from the oven and then buy fresh-cut flowers from the street market for your table, stop at a café for coffee or pastis. You might stop to chat with your Australian or Spanish neighbors, look over the shoulder of an oil painter, or give directions to a lost tourist. Progreso
And Merida, Yucatan - In
Mexico ~ by Jan Morgan - Jan and her husband moved to Xalapa, Mexico
from Chicago, where he was a firefighter and she a writer. Since
her last article Jan and her husband have decided to move from Xalapa
to the Yucatan Pennisula. Find out what life is like in the towns of Progresso
and Merida. The above article will give you great details about what is
needed to move to Mexico and what Progresso and Merida provide for the
expat. April/04
Progreso ~ Mexico ~ Yucatan - Progreso ~ Yucatan: One Couple Finds Paradise - We found out that Progreso was THE place to spend summer vacations for the wealthy of Merida and Mexico City before Hurricane Gilbert 13 years before. There were many grand old houses along the malecon that just needed some TLC to breathe life into them. The beaches were pleasant, as were the onshore breezes in the afternoon. The people were a delight. During that brief stay we found cheap flights advertised between Merida and Mexico City, only 4.0 hrs. From SMA and we began to think we could make this work for a vacation home. Nov./02 Property Picks: A cottage in the Greek Islands…a 7-acre country estate in Costa Rica…a house on the Indian Ocean for $90,000 - My favorite Greek Island. Dazzlingly white-stucco villas and all those pretty traditional village houses with their sapphire-blue shutters are an indelible image of the Greek islands. It’s no wonder that visitors dream of living here. Yet the Greek islands aren’t at all overrun with foreign buyers. Why? There are two reasons: The first is the climate. Despite all those enticing picture-postcard images, the Aegean doesn’t enjoy endless summer. Come mid-November, many islanders set sail for the mainland. Those who haven’t left are battening down the hatches and preparing for four months of storms, rain, and disrupted ferry schedules. Entertainment is almost non-existent, and there’s very little to do except develop an Ouzo habit. by Steenie Harvey Property Picks: An Irish pub in Kinsale... castle apartments in Yorkshire… Normandy farmhouses... the best Caribbean deals - A pub in one of my favorite Irish towns. The Spaniard Inn, in Kinsale, County Cork, is for sale. This is not a quiet little family pub in a sleepy town. It's a bustling place in one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. I spent an evening drinking Guinness there just a few months ago, surrounded by a crowd of Irish and Australians who found work in the town as sailing crew and boat designers. The Spaniard is a narrow and usually crowded pub, established in 1650. The asking price is IR£1.6 million. Turnover last year was IR£500,000. (This observation and much more) Property Picks: Banana groves in the Canaries... three holiday homes for less than $50,000… your own Irish island - Barcelona is a marvelous and exciting city. When I first came here, I intended to stay only one year. That was 35 years ago. I now specialize in renting houses and flats to expatriates who work in banks and consulates. Rent in Barcelona at the moment is very high, but the center of Barcelona is one of the best places to live in Spain. You could certainly do very well buying properties in the city center and renting them to the increasing number of expatriates and travelers who come here every year. (This observation and much more) Provence And Corsica ~ Inexpensive And Beautiful ~ By Adrian Leeds - Great article about how to travel through Provence and Corsica on little money. Summertime is coming to Europe and now is the time to plan your trip to Corsica and Provence. The mountain towns and beautiful beaches and the food and the people. Only two months to July so start planning. May/03 Puerto Varas, Chile - The perfect spot for a warm winter mountain hideaway - I’ve been traveling to Chile for the past 30 years. And I lived there for more than a year back in the 1970s. This country is a great, but often overlooked, place to start a business, live, or retire. Chile, in fact, has had the fastest-growing economy in the Western Hemisphere over the last 15 years. But because it started out so low on the economic ladder, it’s still got a way to go. This means there are great opportunities here right now for real estate and other investments. by Justin Ford Quebec…“Je me souviens”—what? - Upper and Lower Quebec are connected by stairways down the face of a cliff—one is called l'escalier de casse-cou, or Break-your-neck Stairway—and an expensive funicular. Walk - The towering wedge-shaped roof of the Château Frontenac, a hotel that looks like a caricature of a Loire château, dominates Upper Quebec. Gloomy and baronial inside, it is still the only place to stay, though not to eat. Renting month to month in sunny, southern Europe - Renting month to month in sunny, southern Europe - inger in beautiful Italian cities like Rome and Florence. Portugal is another good bet for a longer stay—winters here are mild, trains go everywhere, and you can do a lot of exploring from an Algarve base or the Lisbon coast. Resonant, Lonesome Donegal: Travels in Dunfanaghy, Ireland - Donegal, the wind-swept and rugged northernmost province of Ireland, is arguably also Ireland’s most beautiful region. A stark and serene beauty pervades the barren fields and rocky hills that make up the majority of Donegal. The author writes, "Legs aching from the hilly ride, a firm wind tearing through the clear autumn sky, I saw an impressive feature of the Celtic past -- one of the high, rounded ‘Viking signal-towers’ utilized in the 8th century to watch for maurauding Norsemen. All alone on the edge of the world, with the waves pounding off of the black crags and no sign of human existence save for this one forgotten tower, I felt supremely at peace with the world." Return To Paris - Adventure In Paris ~ by Hugh Phelan - The only thing that distracted me from the severe pain in my back was the excruciating pain in my shoulders. Matters were of course compounded by the fact that I barely knew were I was, wasn’t sure if I was pronouncing the name of the place I was trying to get to properly and even if I was, I had no idea how to get there. Life underneath the city was proving difficult. March/04 Rhapsodic Bohemia... where you can become a homeowner for less than $4,000 - Real Estate & Life In The Czech Republic's Bohemia - Cottages to restore start at just $3,700. Some are admittedly ramshackle but you can find simple homes in good condition for crazy prices. RIS Agency has an exceptional bargain at a village called Zanicary, near the old silver-mining town of Kutna Hora. Just 50 miles from Prague, this 100-year old cottage is 1,300 square feet and was restored 10 years ago. Priced at $8,300, it has wooden beams, a cobbled courtyard, and a 3,300-square-foot garden. Another good buy in the same region was a 2,700-suare-foot family house on land of 8,500 square feet. This was $15,000. - From The Best Of International Living - April/03 Robin Sparks Looks At The Expat Scene In Bangkok - The Expat Scene In Bangkok - One woman says that although she came here for her job, she has grown to love Bangkok. "This weekend I ate in the best restaurants, partied in some excellent clubs, took a new dress design to my tailor who will work from my sketches, ate durian, and cruised the klongs in a water taxi on Sunday with friends. We found a temple and offered up our wishes on wax tablets. Where else can you get all that?" July/02. Sacred
Mountain Sanctuary ~ An
Indonesian Resort ~ By
Sylvia - Well, what can I say, it's Bali and my mind races to the people,
the beauty, the peaceful green setting. Sacred Mountain Sanctuary is located
in the highlands of Bali. The resort offers a perfect enviroment for meditation
as well as trekking into the nearby mountains. The resort has become a
favorite within Indonesia earning a silver medal in the Tri Hita Karana
Award Competition - an award for hotel excellence. Remember, if you make
a reservation through the above article and you mention that you saw the
resort on Escapeartist.com you will get 15% off on all room-rates. Aug/03
Serbian Real Estate ~ Emphasis Belgrade - Real Estate in Belgrade - Richard Forrester of invest-in-serbia.com has compiled and analyzed data from the largest real estate agency in Belgrade. Last week, the most expensive area of Belgrade was Vracar, near the Stari Grad [Old city] which could cost you as much as 1750€ per square meter. In some of the outlying suburbs, say, for example, Barajevo, Ritopeku, Bolecu, prices for residential space can go for as low as 250€/meter2. June/02. Seoul Diary - Living & Working in Seoul, Korea - "So, before long, I found myself on a Korean Air 747 soaring over the Arctic, on the way to teach at a private school that I had never seen or heard of before. Though it didn’t seem so at first, moving to Korea turned out to be one of the best career moves I ever made." David Ritchie supplies readers with information about living and working in Korea. He lives and works in Seoul. He writes the “SeoulTalk” column for Seoulscope, the city’s entertainment magazine. His 16 published books include Will America Survive? (Cambridge India, 2000). Sex
In The City - Dubai
Style ~ by Scott Sutton - Dubai remains a bastion of ‘liberalism’ here
in the Middle East; the place is hated by ultra conservatives (of which
there are but a few) but flocked to by increasing numbers of foreigners—including
Americans. Perhaps what happened on New Years Eve is one of the reasons.
May/04
Suffolk Classic Olde England, With London Within Commuting Range - Living In Suffolk - This is classic English countryside. Between golden wheatfields, streams overhung with willow trees glisten in the autumn sunlight. Corn dollies hang up in casement windows like magic charms. In market gardens, red-flowered runner beans grow on eight-foot high poles. Strings of racehorses exercise on Newmarket Heath, village greens host cricket matches, and Greene King ale—real ale—comes straight from the cask. ... from the best of International Living. May/03 Tanà - The Nights In Madagascar's Capítal ~ by RAJAONA TOKY A - Hidden behind the moistness of the night comes a town with no possible comparison, Tanà, the thousand-lighted city. From wherever you may come it’s always the same festivity; with a variety of feelings, this town has something exciting. Jan/04 The Bus To Bulawayo - In Zimbabwe ~ by Bethany Morrison - I dream of a journey; some days I dream of nothing else. I travel with a small bag and the clothes on my back. I leave my Irish home and walk to the bus stop at the end of my lane. I wait there for a bus. A Bulawayo bound bus, with ‘Zupco’ written on its cream exterior, the rust-eroded exhaust pipe billowing black smoke as it approaches. I see it coming towards me, a large tin contraption likely to fall apart with the slightest discrepancy in the flattened tarmac. March/04 The
Call Of Girona - A
Lost Treasure Found ~ by S.A. Costigan - The ancient and beautiful
city of Girona, Spain, located about 60 miles north of Barcelona, is a
desirable destination on any travel itinerary. It’s loveliness stands quite
apart from its deep history as the major Catalonian town on the Costa Brava.
July/04
The five best tavernas in Athens - The five best tavernas in Athens - Whatever else you can say about Athens (that its apartment blocks are ugly and its streets choked with cars, pollution, and merciless sun), its tavernas are certainly some of the world’s best eateries. Once you have discovered these gems, the city suddenly becomes possible. The food is prepared very simply with the freshest ingredients. The wine is cheap and abundant. Soon, you find yourself saying things like, “You know, Athens isn’t that bad after all…” by David Chater The next San Miguel de Allende - The next San Miguel de Allende - When we began writing about and traveling to San Miguel de Allende 15 years ago, it was an undiscovered gem. The same with the areas around Lake Chapala. Property was downright cheap; food and everything else was inexpensive... and few Americans lived there. But these places have changed. In short, they have been discovered by North Americans. Now roughly 10,000 North Americans live in San Miguel de Allende, about half of them year round, and there are approximately 40,000 North Americas in the Guadalajara/Lake Chapala area. The
Other Korea ~ The
Underbelly of South Korea ~ By Eileen Meehan - A short commentary on
the role of women in South Korea. What do South Korean men want and how
are they going about getting what they want? And what role do Russian women
play in this little dance? The analysis given in the above article looks
at South Korea through the eyes of the West and does a very good job of
laying out the differences of Western and South Korean worldviews. July/03
The Pros and Cons of Owning in Paris -s'il vous plaît - Glenn Cooper has been living in Paris for the past 10 years. His Paris based apartment rental agency, works closely with their US affiliate to provide visitors to Paris with a number of well located furnished apartments in the heart of Paris. Glenn writes about the Paris real estate market from properties to prices, and then tells how to go about your purchase step by step. Wait a minute. Maybe you don't want to purchase. Great deals there, too. The
Sights, Sounds, And People Of Morelia, Mexico - How
To Enjoy Mexico ~ by David Wix - More on living in Morelia, Mexico.
Morelia is the capital of the state of Michoacán and the city is
a jewel of Mexican colonial architecture. Find out about the markets and
the other sites you need to see when you visit the beautiful city of Morelia.
Oct./03
The
Turkish Island Of Bozcaada ~ A
Turkish Island In The Mediterranean ~ By Jason Jones - Jason is an
old friend who has lived in Panama, China and now lives in Kiev with his
wife. He has traveled around Russia and the neighboring countries and has
picked up a lot of great information about what to do and where to go:
one such place is the Turkish Island of Bozcaada. The Island of Bozcaada
is one of the places that Jason likes to go to in order to get away from
Kiev. The island is located in the Agean Sea and offers plenty to the traveler
who wants quiet, nice beaches and a laid back atmosphere. July/03
The Writing Women Of Bangkok - A Women's Writing Club In Bangkok ~ By Robin Sparks - Robin Sparks is back in Asia and has been spending the last few weeks getting to know a group of women writers based in Bangkok. She talks with the women and finds out how each made their way to Bangkok and what are the motivations behind their writings. Robin has also been interviewing Vietnam Vets in Thailand for her next article which will appear in our next issue. March/03 Time
In Venice - October
In Venice ~ by Suzy Fischer - We woke up on that perfect Venice October
day and went down to a breakfast of bread and coffee as is the Italian
custom. We did not know yet that it would be the most perfect of
Venice fall days, with the sun still warm, and mostly just the townspeople
left to go about their days after this summer's mad rush. July/04
Today’s best deal on Caribbean beachfront is 150 miles south of Cancun - see it now - In the early 1970s, property along the northern Mexican Caribbean, then a deserted strip of beach with no electricity, no phones, and one sorry, sand road, sold for a song. In Cancun in 1976, land changed hands for $3.70 a square foot. It now sells for 19 times that. Today Mexico’s Costa Maya is arguably the best value you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. by Jennifer Stevens Torn Between Two Lovers - Thoughts On San Francisco And Bali ~ By Robin Sparks - Robin Sparks writes about some of her experiences in Bali and what it felt like to return to the US after the bombings in Indonesia. She talks about some of the changes that have taken place in the U.S. since she left and what life might be like in Bali and San Francisco. She talks with some expats about what someone should expect when they relocate overseas: how will the conflicting demands of wanting things from home cross with the new enviroment of living overseas. Feb./03 Total
Relaxation In Mexico ~ Xcalak
~ By Mindy Nichols - Xcalak is a small fishing village located on the Yucatan
Peninsula. The people who move to Xcalak normally don't leave. Many people
write me to tell me that its a place I have to visit and after reading
Mindy's article I can see why. Down by beach and out on the sea; if you
like that kind of lifestyle than Xcalak might be the end of the line for
you. July/03
Traveling
Through Fortaleza Ceara ~ Adventure
In Brazil ~ by John Mueller - The beauty of northwest Brazil is stunning:
from desert, to palms, to lakes and finally the blue sea. Fortaleza, Brazil
is the place to go if you want to sit back and enjoy the beach and friendly
people. Find out what to look for in Fortaleza in the above article. Sept./03
Travels In Nice ~ One Of Europe's Great Cities ~ by Richard Robinson - In the old part of Nice there is a small shop beneath a striped awning called Cave de la Tour. Strictly speaking it is a wine vault but in fact it defies categorization. A tiny stone bar is shoehorned between vats and racks of wine, a place to sample and buy the excellent Vin de Bellet of the region. There are two or three small tables with checkered covers crammed inside, and some chairs and up-ended barrels outside, on a narrow street free from traffic. Jan/06 Trieste, Italy ~ A Friendly City Off The Beaten Track ~ by Dulcy Blattner - I'd been thinking about a visit to Trieste for years, ever since my father shoved a folder of papers in my hand saying, "I guess you should have this now." The folder contained the location of a grave in Trieste's cemetery, along with decades of correspondence between my grandfather and the cemetery's caretakers. The grave was that of my father's sister – my aunt – who died before reaching her first birthday. Jun/05 Up On The Contential Divide And Down In The Desert ~ Hiking And Discovering Panama's Beauty ~ By Matthew Atlee - If you want to explore the interior of Panama then you need to get up into the mountains and down on the deserts. There is nothing as wild as the hill country of Veraguas. You should check out the waterfalls and trails of Altos del Maria - this a good place to begin your tour of the mountains and cloud forests of Panama. May/03 VANCOUVER ISLAND - BRITISH COLUMBIA - CANADA ---an offshore island paradise within sight of the US border - Real Estate & Life On Vancouver Island - You will not be culturally deprived anywhere in the Island as you are in easy reach of three world class cities, each with a superb symphony orchestra that has hosted the likes of Luciano Pavarotti. Live theater abounds and some of the worlds most celebrated restaurants call the Island home. Who has not heard of the sumptuous high teas at the Empress Hotel or of the magnificence of the renowned Butchart Gardens? April/03 Vive la difference … in Denmark, that is: Why you should visit (and bank) here - Why you should visit (and bank) here - "Despite the high prices almost everywhere in Denmark, banking is inexpensive and completely global. I have been able to get more investments and investment services and do more in Copenhagen than through my Swiss bankers who have served me for 30 years." Volunteer Vacations - Volunteer Vacations - It's 6 a.m. in Bansko, a farm village at the foot of Bulgaria's Rila mountains. Joulia, the 20-year-old Bulgarian leading this workcamp, wakes her twelve volunteers for a breakfast comprised of banitza, homemade cheese pastries, and milk so fresh it's still warm. The dirty dozen is bleary from a late night of plum brandy and dancing in Bansko's disco. Every summer, 33,000 people leave their countries for parts unknown. Their destinations are any one or several of over 2,200 workcamps scattered over 90 countries, from Argentina to Zimbabwe. Some will work with farmers in the fields, others with children in the inner cities. By volunteering their time and money to help distant neighbors, all share the common goal of global peace and responsibility. What
To Expect When Buying Real Estate In Kiev ~ The
City Of Kiev ~ By Jason Jones - Kiev was the original capital of Russia
but after the Mongol invasions of the 13th century the power of the city
declined and the city was eventually controlled by the Golden Horde in
Mongolia. Today the city is the capital of Ukraine and has been restored
to some of its former glory. If you are interested in buying real estate
or a home there is a wide selection to chose from and the above article
will give you some ideas about what you should look out for when buying
property in Kiev. You should also remember that there are some beautiful
towns that sit on the edge of the Black Sea in the Crimea: these are but
a short trip from Kiev and might be a nice spot to buy a summer home to
compliment your home in Kiev. July/03
What
You Need To Know About Living In El Salvador ~A
Forgotten Beauty ~ By Phil Davies - El Salvador is one of those countries
that most people either ignore or know nothing about or are fearful to
visit. And then you talk to people who can talk about nothing but El Salvador
and why you should visit or move there. The country does have some stunning
spots and the economy has picked up as the political problems of the 70s
and 80s have faded. Now might be El Salvador's time. June/03
Working Around The Globe ~ Tips On How To Find Work Around The Globe ~ By Juergen Hans Klemann - Working and traveling the globe as a lawyer might be just the ticket for you if you're tired of your office, your friends, your boss. The above article gives you some ideas about how to find a job in places like Auckland, New Zealand or Colima, Mexico. If you're sick of practicing law and not doing anything else, then you might want to take your education on the road. May/03 Your Beach Business Under the Sun - Body Painting In Bahia ~ By Richard Abel - Bahia, Brazil means beaches during the day, parties at night and surfing in the morning. Some people come and never leave. One of the ways that people have stayed on the beach is with a new tanning oil product from Brazil that can be sprayed directly onto the body. Spraying bodies on the beach with tanning oil could lead to something interesting. Check this out. Jan/03 Your own, profitable, Chilean vineyard for $3,500 an acre (or less) - Last month I told you about Puerto Varas, one of two particularly good opportunities I recently uncovered in Chile. Puerto Varas would be an ideal place to have a winter house in the mountains. You could come here during the relatively rain-free months of December to April, when average temperatures are in the high 70s. The other interesting opportunity I found is property (houses and vineyards) in Chile’s fertile Central Valley, a 600-mile stretch of fruit-bearing, vine-growing land. Santiago, the country’s 450-year-old capital, sits in the northern half of the Central Valley. In this region, not only can you build your own home for a fraction of what you’d pay in the States, you can put it in the middle of your very own vineyard. Your own 3-bedroom French farmhouse, an hour drive from the Mediterranean Sea, for $71,770 - Because of a strong dollar and a long-sagging market, you can find tremendous bargains in rural France right now. For example, a stone-village house in the warm, fashion- able south, with wooden floors, beamed ceilings, and a half-timbered barn is on offer for $25,500…a two bedroom pied à l’eau on the Mediterranean: $50,240…or a six-bedroom 16th-century former presbytery in “Jean de Florette” country, near Provence: $54,950. by Cheryl Taylor Yunnan - Vacation In China ~ by Adam Geisler -Having just been blown over by an early precursor of an infamous Beijing sandstorm, my mind drifts back to a recent trip to Yunnan province. Yunnan is about as far away as one can get from Beijing on the Chinese mainland. Colorful in many senses of the word, the southwest corner of China boasts a diverse motif of people, places, and topography unseen elsewhere in the country. March/04 Zacatecas: An inexpensive gringo-free colonial city, home to one of the world’s best hotels - Home to one of the world’s best hotels - Zacatecas is one of Mexico’s best-preserved colonial cities, and it remains, for the most part, uncharted territory by North American standards. It’s also home to one of the country’s best hotels, the 5-star Quinta Real Hotel. Built around the city’s old bull-fighting arena, this is one of the most elegant and unique places I’ve ever stayed anywhere in the world. by Steenie Harvey |
