When one thinks of Morocco the idea brought to mind is usually that of the Moroccan restaurant . Dancing girls, finger foods, and a floor littered with pillows to lounge on. With that as an expectation when you’re visiting a Moroccan city like Marrakech some trip planning is in order.

If you are a foodie and like to learn to cook the local dishes. La Maison Arabe offers authentic cooking workshops. These classes allow visitors to learn not just how to fix three course meals in the local cuisine but about the local traditions and cultures that birthed them. If you’re not very handy in the kitchen but still love food don’t feel left out there are tons of places to eat and sample local dishes unlike any you can find at home. You have the option of enjoying this at world renown restaurants like La Maison or the eateries in and around Marrakech hotels .

As for dancing girls. The charms of Marrakech aren’t limited to buildings and you don’t always have to wait for sunset and nightclubs to open if you want to see dancing. Certain regions of the Marrakech the streets are lined with musicians and acrobats as well as other street performers. Where there’s music you can bet there’s dancing so follow your ears when you are out and about and you will be sure to see it.

Dining and Dancing in Marrakech is a post from: iNewsBox

No related posts.

Lost in Yonkers continues its run at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California. And while the production has been extended due to popular audience demand, it is scheduled to close on March 7 and the theatre claims it is unable to extend it any longer. This means that everyone must get their tickets as soon as possible and that the tourists staying in some of the inexpensive hotels in San Diego should also make their reservations early. Performances at the Old Globe are popular with locals and tourists alike and information on the productions and the theatre’s box office is available in many of the hotel lobbies.

Lost in Yonkers is one of Neil Simon’s popular stories of life and struggles living in and growing up in and around New York. This play has a more serious tone and temperament than many of Simon’s other works including the coming of age series known as the Eugene trilogy. The play tells the story of two brothers who have been left in the care of their grandmother and aunt in Yonkers New York after the death of their mother. Their father has taken a job as a traveling sales man to pay off the family’s debt and the two boys are left in the care of their severe and threatening grandmother.

A pivotal moment in the play is a dramatic confrontation between the grandmother and aunt, which drives a further wedge between the members of this incredibly dysfunctional family. Though the play varies from much of Simon’s more light hearted comedic works, it has been extremely popular with audiences and has received great critical acclaim. It has won numerous awards including a Tony Award for Best Play and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It also won the Drama Desk Award for Best Play and was adapted into film. The original Broadway production starred Kevin Spacey, Irene Worth and Mercedes Ruehl.

Lost in Yonkers at Old Globe in San Diego is a post from: iNewsBox

Related posts:

1. Cleavon Little in San Diego
2. There’s New Things in Old Town San Diego
3. Dramaworks Theatre Company in West Palm Beach

Conversely to what we expect of the Hawaiian Islands today, Hawaii was once ruled with a caste system akin to system India employs today.  The lowliest of the caste were the kauwa.  This caste was primarily made up of slaves and pariahs.  Though a jokey term used in passing, kahuna used to have a larger connotations for the Hawaiian society.   Kahunas were priests and the people proficient in religious and spiritual matters, which included medicine and canoes.   They were the highest caste.  In between these two is the maka’aina caste, who were, to put it colloquially “the little people,” the blue collar workers who built and farmed and were responsible for other foundational activities of the community.

The laws that ruled them were the kanawi.  If something was sacred, it meant other people were forbidden from it, or to employ the Hawaiian terminology, kapu.   The laws cover everything from eating arrangements to dietary restrictions.  For instance, women were not allowed to eat a variety of things, including coconuts and pork.  “Being green” was another natural part of their society. Strictly controlled were fishing and farming.  Death was usually applied to those who broke any of the rules.  Because many of these rules about environmental regulation were important to keeping the society secure, any rule breaking could have a disastrous result.

Hawaiians had a deep connection with this way of life, but then James Hook, the first outsider to make contact and bring Hawaii into the world’s knowledge,  came on the scene,  he landed on the Kealakekua Bay of the Kona coast. Some people who have studied the history of this time think the tribal peoples thought that Cook was actually a representative of Lono.  He was the Hawaiian’s fertility god.  The reason for this probably stems from the fact that it was Makahiki.  This was a time during the year in which the Hawaiians stopped any warring or frivolity to pay tribute to the god.  As a result, Cook received quite a welcoming from the natives.

When he tried to leave the island, a storm stopped him, forcing to land back where he first moored.  Because they took him to be on par with their god, Lono, the Hawaiians did not get why a little thing like a storm could hurt him.  Tensions arouse from the situation, tensions that became a mainstay in the troubles that would plague Hawaii for many years.  In response to this misunderstanding, the islanders murdered Cook eventually.

Brief cultural history of the Hawaiian Islands is a post from: iNewsBox

Related posts:

1. Big Island Fun
2. Goa’s Early History
3. History Buff Enjoys Reenactment at Plymouth

Walking along the Singapore River, one will find not only many a Singapore restaurant, but shops, a sculpture garden, cafes and the history of the those that transformed the tiny fishing community into the metropolis that is Singapore today.  The history of the river and the people of Singapore is divided into three time periods, thePre Colonial, the Colonial, and the Post-Colonial.

Singapore became founded by a British man, Thomas Stamford Raffles.  When Raffles arrived in Singapore almost two hundred years ago, the river was home to many businessmen, fishermen and merchants, many of home are considered now to be the forefathers of the country.  During the Pre-Colonial era, the planning began for the development of the River by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Many bridges now span the river, from the simple wooden bridges such as the Ord Bridge to the modern and elegantly designed Anderson Bridge.  One of the bridges, the Cavenagh, was constructed in 1869, and is now used only for pedestrian travel.  When one walks along this bridge one will find themselves at the front door of the Empress Palace, a structure that was built to honor Queen Victoria.  Now it is home to a concert hall, where the Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs regularly.

There are many mosques and temples along the river, as well as museums.  The Asian Civilizations Museum is a journey into the various cultures that now make up Singapore society on the whole.  And should one desire a different way to experience the river, there are dinner cruises up the river on a regular basis, as well as river taxis, sight-seeing excursions and relaxing rides in bum-boats.

In both the Clarke Quay and the Boat Quay, there are many options for cocktails and dining experiences, both of which are two of the most photographed areas of the city.  Robertson Quay is also a fine alternative as the atmosphere in this area is relaxing and laid back.  In all, the river offers so much to tourists, and has offered so much to the citizens of Singapore.

The Singapore River is a post from: iNewsBox

Related posts:

1. The Colorful and Incredible History of Singapore
2. Singapore Mad Tea
3. Esplanade Singapore

The Brandery is focused on bringing together the clothing designers, their work and public interaction in the city with such appeal, Barcelona, Spain. Fashion shows, contemporary and urban, will take place twice a year, with premier show happening later this summer in July, 2009. The event will take place at the Muntjuic site, which is home to the Magic Fountain. Built in 1929, the fountain itself brings many spectators and is a beautiful backdrop to fashion. The project was an ambitious one taken by Carles Buigas that year, and with just the year to complete it, many doubted the capabilities of the designer and his crew. But with the help of 3,000 construction workers and artisans, the fountain was opened on schedule and remains to be a spectacular vision. Displays of water dancing, colors, lights and motion provide a show from a fountain like not seen before. The Brandery has gained the support of the City Council in Barcelona, as more than 250 exhibitors and fashion designers, those from Barcelona as well as international companies, will come together with a new vision. This is based on interaction with the public, fashion and brand identity, described as a circus of fashion, wherein the clothing is not the only participant. The people living day to day, in the ‘circus’ of life have influenced this idea, and the designers are hoping that the concept will give their creations personality. A personality all their own, and that the public will take notice.

The area of exhibition is the Fira, which will house not only the various stores and studios, but many cafes, 5 star Barcelona hotels, restaurants and theaters. There are four components to the Fira, The Cathedral which will house the most exclusive brand names and designers. The Loft, which will carry the most trendy and ground-breaking fashions, the Warehouse with everything denim, and the Outerspace, which is dedicated to tennis shoes, and funky street wear. Barcelona has long been known as a city famous for innovation. The goal is create a platform in Europe for contemporary designers from around the world. The Mayor of Barcelona stated at a press conference earlier this year, that he hopes the project will close a gap in the clothing industry and market. He stated as well, that other European and American designs have come into Barcelona over the years, and that the Brandery will give them the opportunity not only for trade in Spain, but on the international market as well. Open week, which runs the first week of July, will consist of parties, fashion shows and conferences that are open to all who attend.

The Brandery, Fashion in Barcelona is a post from: iNewsBox

Related posts:

1. Phuket Film Festival 2009
2. Contemporary Art at the Devi
3. Making Visions into Realities

The smallest of the Balearic Islands just off the coast of Spain is Formentera. Formentera is south of Ibiza, about three miles, in the Mediterranean Sea. While all the islands in the chain have become quite popular over the last one hundred years due to tourism, and all have the reputation of pristine beauty and tranquility, Formentera is most definitely the most tranquil. The island is too small for an airport which leaves it reachable by boat only. This keeps the island less traveled and a much more relaxing and quiet vacation destination. And it is one of the least disturbed and altered coasts in the Mediterranean, making it one the best and most favored spots for scuba diving. The variety of underwater sites has provided many divers the opportunity to see a variety of memorable things from the large quantity of marine life to ship wrecks. There are valley and mountains, in fact the underwater landscape off this island is said to one of the most diverse and one of the most intense experiences one can witness. The water remains clear and visibility remains high just about all year long. The temperature also remains mild and consistent, providing one the opportunity for dives just about 365 days a year.

Because of these characteristics the Freus Marine Reserve is located here. And tops the World Heritage Sites list. This seclusion which proves so perfect for a reserve, is also quite conducive to humans as well. And while the parties are not the focus here as they are on many of the other islands, one can find sweet seclusion either in the water scuba diving or hiking through the mountains. There are sites and locations on land as well, the hotels Formentera support are quaint and lovely. There are lighthouses to explore on the coast at La Mola or Es Cap de Barberia. And there is no shortage of beautiful souvenirs to bring home as the island has become a haven for artists over the years. The seclusion and lack of outside influence has resulted in an interesting and uncontaminated style of work. Many artists have come here seeking seclusion and a sense of well being that brings. The beaches are beautiful, and due to the seclusion, most of the beaches are nude beaches. All in all, this is the gem of the islands and perfect for the most relaxing type of getaway.

The Beautiful Little Formentera is a post from: iNewsBox

Related posts:

1. Diving at Pattaya
2. Majorca Sailing
3. The Diversity of Mallorca, Spain

Imagine if New Year’s was celebrated by drenching family and friends with water. Imagine it as a three-day celebration instead of a one night event. Throw in some Buddhist traditions and the result is Songkran or the celebration of the Thai New Year. As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok offers the largest Songkran festivities, but the event is celebrated throughout Thailand and even in other countries.

Originally celebrated according to the astrological calendar, the dates of Songkran are now fixed as April 13th-15th. When Thailand changed their official New Year to be January 1 in 1940, Songkran became a separate national holiday recognizing the traditional New Year. Many Thais will take the entire week of Songkran as a holiday from work. Visitors who wish to experience Songkran can schedule a stay in the best Bangkok hotels, though be aware that April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand.

As a time of renewal and cleansing, Songkran traditions include the cleaning of Buddha images in household shrine or even cleaning an entire home from top to bottom. Some Thais make resolutions to do good deeds and refrain from bad behaviors, but much of the holiday is about paying respects to elders, family, and neighbors. Many people make special trips to their wat (a Buddhist monastery), brining food to the monks as well as praying.

As for the water, the tradition began as part of the cleansing of the Buddhas. People would gently pour water mixed with herbs or fragrance over the statues in order to bring prosperity and good luck. Some cities will parade the images from important monasteries through the street, allowing the public to “bath” them with water. Water was also used to pay respects to elders by pouring a small amount of water over a shoulder or

Some of the other countries that celebrate Songkran include Cambodia (where it is known as Chaul Chnam Thmey), Laos (pi mai lao), and Myaanmar (Thingyan). South Asian calendars also recognize the date, since it is based on an astrological event, when the sun begins its journey northward. These include the New Years for Tamil, Punjabi, Malayali, and Oriya.

Thailand’s Songkran is a post from: iNewsBox

Related posts:

1. Districts of Thailand
2. Bangkok in Literature
3. Phuket Film Festival 2009