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Connoisseurs of fine beers will tell you that the true taste of Guinness can only be appreciated fully in Ireland. Equally, dedicated lovers of French vintages will swear that their favourite wine must be drunk in its namesake region.
Each wine-growing region of France takes great pride in its unique product and, of equal importance as the grape, the light, soil quality and precipitation have a significant effect on the wine produced. A region that has become intimately associated with a particular type of wine, such as Chardonnay, provides the best possible conditions for the grape to flourish.
For newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs alike, there are several preferred destinations when it comes to sampling the great vintages of France. These are all readily accessible through providers such as Flights.com.
The wine culture of Burgundy predates the Romans, and the church’s involvement in winemaking in medieval times has given us names like Chambertain, Pommard and Meursault, which were religious orders. Two of the most popular grape varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are grown prolifically in the region around Beaune, a small town that makes a great base for exploring the region and sampling all the various wines on offer.
Bordeaux is France’s top wine-producing region with over 8,000 producers and vineyards covering 115,000 hectares. Here you can find many of the most exalted estates, such as Cheval Blanc, Haut-Brion and Mouton Rothschild, where some of the world’s most expensive vintages are produced. Part of Bordeaux itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its neighborhood of Les Chartrons is home to many knowledgeable wine merchants.
Home to Viognier and Syrah, the valley of the Rhône river produces some of the world’s most esteemed wines and is also stunningly attractive to explore in its own right. There are numerous appellations to discover in its various sub-regions, such as the Grenache vines, which are responsible for top-quality rosés.
Couly-Dutheil near Chinon has medieval cellars that were carved into the rock of the surrounding forests. Chinon wines are, in the main, red varieties, although St-Nicolas de Bourgueil is becoming increasingly popular in the US.
Domaines Schlumberger near Colmar was established in 1810 and its cellars combine stainless steel with 19th century brickwork. There are seven grape varieties in this region of Alsace and a visit to this estate is recommended for a deeper understanding of the often subtle differences between them.
Domaine Maurice Protheau in Mercurey is centered on the 18th century château of d’Etroyes and visitors have the chance to sample rosés and whites as well as contrast reds such as burgundies and pinot noirs.
The Bordeaux region is perhaps the best place for the newcomer to start exploring the world of French wines. It is probably France’s most glamorous and certainly best-known region and there is a strong British influence due to centuries of trade with dealers based in Bristol and London. Société Duboscq is just one of the prestigious growers based here, in the Château Haut-Marbuzet in St-Estephe, and offers pre-booked visits to the cellars where you can sample its products.
A trip to France to learn more about wine production should also take in treats for all the senses. The French countryside includes some of the most idyllic landscapes in the world and each region has its own fine cuisine, which is another story.

domain: travel


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At least 47 people have died from hunger in various areas in South Sudan’s Amadi state since June, a local official said.
Amadi’s Minister of Local Government, James Abdullah, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that many people face food insecurity in the area, adding that hunger is now killing local residents in the state.
He revealed that the preliminary reports confirmed the death of about 47 people due to hungry in Aguele, Mvolo and Bahr Girinti Counties between June and July.
Abdullah said they appealed to the national government in Juba and humanitarian organizations intervene and save the lives of the hunger-stricken people.
Food security is worsening in South Sudan due to ongoing conflict, poor harvest and surging inflation with around half of the population facing hunger across the war-torn East African nation.

domain: economics


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EnviroShop Newstead is equipped with the stylish and efficient Aero DC ceiling fans. These fans are designed in Australia for the Australian climate by a Swiss-German engineering team and assembled by hand in a state of the art manufacturing facility in Taiwan.
Aeratron’s approach in designing our world-class ceiling fans was to completely rethink the shape and underlying technology of the common ceiling fans. As a result, Aeratron operates in complete harmony with the natural world with fans that stand in class all by themselves.
AeroDC’s range of high-performance CHOICE® rated designer Aeratron ceiling fans work to seamlessly blend into their environment. Utilising the body’s own natural cooling system to optimise efficiency and won’t dry your skin and eyes like air conditioning.
With a winning design in hand, we then turned to technology to help minimize fan noise and improve efficiency. We added a unique Self-Balancing System to prevent the fan from wobbling and were able to reduce energy consumption of the fans by a further 50%.
The EnviroShop Newstead features a range of thermally efficient blinds supplied by Bradleys Curtains and Blinds in Woodend. We are currently training with Bradleys to be able to provide a measure and quote service to supply high quality, insulating blinds for retrofit to our customer’s homes.


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The Crystal Wisdom Healing Oracle by Judy Hall
Tranquil and sustaining, chrysocolla encourages you to remain serene and strong during change or challenge. Dissolving destructive emotional programming, it increases energy assimilation.
Self-understanding: You have infinite capacity for forgiveness. Love yourself: if you cannot accept yourself, you cannot give love or accept the love of others. To heal your emotional black hole, connect to the universal love that is inside you – it never runs out. You can then give love out to the world and receive it in a never-ending flow.
Divination: Forgive yourself. Accept with equanimity what you cannot change. Let go of hurt and rectify situations that can be healed. Be magnanimous. Remain impartial and speak your own truth, but recognize when to keep silent. Magical rituals may keep you chained to the past. There may be past life traumas to heal around being a woman.
Healing Insight: Bitterness and self-doubt have no place in well-being. It is good to nourish your body with self-love and gentleness.
CHAKRA: cleanse and activate all
TIMING: Taurus, Gemini, Virgo
SOUL PATH: loving and valuing yourself

domain: literature


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George Bassman Piano, Vocal, Guitar Sheet Music: 1 items found
Complete 1922 Vocal Score. Composed by B.G. DeSylva and George Gershwin (1898-1937). Arranged by George Bassman. Masterworks; Piano/Vocal/Chords; Vocal Score. P/V/G Composer Collection. 20th Century; Broadway; Masterwork Arrangement. Softcover. 48 pages. Alfred Music #30898. Published by Alfred Music (HL.322151).
Usually leaves our warehouse: Within 3 to 5 business days

domain: artistic


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Bay Street is located in a family-friendly area of Beaufort that travelers like for its island views and restaurants. Beaufort is home to 55 hotels and other accommodations, so you can find something that's perfect for your stay.
You can choose from 28 hotels and accommodations within a mile of Bay Street, including these picks:
While you're in town visiting Bay Street, you can discover the sights within a couple miles of the area.
You'll want to browse the exhibits at Beaufort Museum and Lowcountry Estuarium. While you're exploring, swing by Thomas Hepworth House, St. Helena's Episcopal Church, and Pick Pocket Plantation to learn a bit about the area. You might spend a leisurely day outdoors at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and Cypress Wetlands.
University of South Carolina-Beaufort and USCB Center for the Arts are both worth a visit while you're checking out the area. Port Royal Skateboard Park is also located 3.1 mi (5 km) from Bay Street, and The Sands is 4 mi (6.4 km) away.

domain: geography


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What happens when autofiction meets doom metal? That’s the question Lee Klein poses in his new book Neutral Evil ))), inspired by a visit to a Sunn 0))) concert in Philadelphia in early 2017. As the book’s narrator takes in the concert’s atmosphere, he ponders questions of family, safety, and aging — a fascinating glimpse into a particular headspace surrounded by a fascinating sonic space.
Michael J. Seidlinger’s new novel Dreams of Being is simultaneously a haunting story of depression, an ode to delicious food, and one of the most unsettling takes on the creative process I’ve read in a long time. In telling the story of the bond between a novice filmmaker and an expert in sushi, Seidlinger has created a fantastic book on isolation and frustration; even better, it’s a memorably immersive read. I spoke with Seidlinger about the book’s genesis, its literary lineage, and more.
Sometime in February, Alexandra Naughton met up with Amy Berkowitz at a cafe in San Francisco to talk about the re-release of Berkowitz’s book Tender Points (an incredible and extremely readable lyric essay on the topic of trauma and chronic pain) by Nightboat Books.
The pair sat at an outside picnic table in San Francisco, before the reality of the pandemic hit the United States, and discussed what’s changed since Tender Points was first published in 2015, zines, the roles of trauma and disability in literature, what Berkowitz and Naughton are working on these days, and the birds in their immediate surroundings.
Exacting and lyrically prescient, Cynthia Atkins’s Still-Life With God presents God as gods, as sun, moon, and stars, yes, but also as God encompassing all aspects of the self: selves created and molded into whatever form we desire. This collection finds Atkins finding faith and spirituality in unusual places and things, in and within inanimate objects, like Cracker Jacks, the Internet, and a medicine cabinet. Here God is a shock jock, an alibi, and imaginary friends. Employing beautiful concisions suffused with allegory and metaphor, Atkins offers poem after delectable poem, the sweetest of candies with dark and satisfying centers. Atkins guides us through a journey in search of the divine in all things, whether embodied by our bodily wreckage or the machines of our madness. Moreover, Atkins is skilled at depicting the chaos and joy of human existence, simultaneously. Still-Life with God delights in all contradictions.
JD Scott‘s new collection Moonflower, Nightshade, All the Hours of the Day is a quietly devastating powerhouse of a book. Scott’s characters grapple with horrific traumas; they also encounter immortal chinchillas and globe-spanning malls. These are stories that occupy familiar spaces but also tie in with mythic resonances; the end result, then, is a book that feels both familiar and subtly groundbreaking. I talked with Scott via email about the genesis of their book and finding the balance of the quotidian and the revelatory.
In this stunning debut, award-winning Canadian writer Souvankham Thammavongsa lays bare the plights of people living in the margins in 14 singularly impressive stories. Most of the stories in this collection center on the lives of Lao immigrants, taking a leaf out of the life of a writer who was born in a Lao refugee camp in Thailand before emigrating with her parents to Canada.
What does May have in store for us, as far as books are concerned? A number of essay collections from some of our favorite writers, for one thing. Throw in some suspenseful novels, a welcome debut, and a book with an introduction from one of our favorite musicians and you have a combination for some terrific reading. Here are some of the books that caught our eye this month.
There’s so little to be happy about these days that when something comes along that sparks some joy we cling to it like a life raft. The Tiger King didn’t do shit for me but I couldn’t put Sam McPheeters’ book Mutations down. I tore through it in a day and a half, skipping meals and work along the way. I doubt I would’ve read it any slower if there was no plague outside my door or if we had a human being for a president, it’s that good.

domain: library


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Thursday Thrift: Denim Overall Dress
Or my festival outfit go-to.
This post contains affiliate links.
Festival season in New Orleans is not like festival seasons elsewhere. Like, growing up it would be this big production to go the only close festival during the summer (it was Swedish themed for some reason). In NOLA it's like throw a stone and you'll find a festival of some sort. Unsurprisingly my favorites revolve around food so it's lucky this denim overall dress has a little give for a food baby or two.
I picked up this dress a while back from a local thrift store, Bloomin' Deals (get it?), for I don't know, less than ten bucks? It was a floor length mumu that I took in and hemmed way, way up to look significantly cuter. I feel like a librarian probably wore it every day in the '90s until I gave it new life. Which is cute, or icky depending on how you look at it.
Regardless, thrifting for shorter term trends (like a denim overall dress) can be hard to do, so having some sewing ability is helpful. Its why I look at pretty much all sizes when I go thrifting. If I didn't I'd never have this dress and we all know what a disappointment that would be.
Lipstick is the *Makeup Geek Showstopper Creme Stain in Flamenco, by the way. Honestly I was a bit disappointed in the formula of the Showstoppers (they're more like a matte liquid lipstick than a lip stain) but this color makes up for the fact that it transfers like nobody's business.
I like to pair up this overall dress with a high necked tank. It gives that little bit more visual interest to the top. This one is a super cheap option from Forever 21 a couple of years back.
Oh, and that little under-boob pocket? Totally useful for festivals. You can fit tickets, bobby pins, or other little mementos in it for easy access. This dress really has it all.
These shoes? I don't know. They felt like such a good idea at the time (they even match my coffee!) but seeing it in photo form it's a little ... meh, right? For an actual festival day I think some sparkly, sassy booties would be a total treat. Or, maybe a bit more practical, some white lil slip on Keds that I wouldn't mind getting caked in mud. It's a do as I say, not as I do moment.
Below you'll find the widget as always with a multitude of different overall dresses for you to peek at. I highly suggest looking on ebay for a cheaper option too, they look totally flooded with the things.
What is your festival go-to outfit?

domain: hobby


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Davant, LA Whole Life Insurance Quotes
Are you looking for Davant, LA whole life insurance. We can help you compare the best life insurance options in your Plaquemines area. To begin simply enter your Zip Code at the top of the page and press "Compare Options". The search engine will take you to a page listing all life insurance companies that are recommended and have proven to be reputable in Davant, LA.If you have not yet decided to get a life insurance policy, it is something that you should consider. Whether you are single with a significant other, or a family person, is nice to have a policy like this so that you can give them something if you unexpectedly depart. We never know about the future, and this can protect us, regardless of what the odds actually are. Having a life insurance policy is a guarantee that in your absence after death, the people that you care about are going to be financially okay. The question that most people ask is what type of policy is best. For some people, a whole life insurance policy is the best way to go. The following suggestions will allow you to quickly get whole life insurance quotes in Davant, LA, helping you to quickly get your policy started and active.
Why Choose Whole Life?
How Do You Get Quotes For Whole Life Insurance?
There are a couple different strategies that you can use in order to get Davant, LA whole life insurance policy estimates. For example, you may see companies that are advertising online, and you can give them a call. The same is true for any of the insurance companies that you see that are advertising in your local paper. Doing it this way, however, can be very time-consuming. That's why you need to find a website that will submit information that you provide for them to multiple companies, all for free, allowing you to simply wait for" to come in.
What Should You Expect?There are a couple of things that you should expect when you use one of these services. First of all, you are going to get several quotes just hours after this information is submitted. The remainder of the quotes will typically come in over the next two days, and this will be plenty of information for you to consider. What you are looking for is a whole life policy that is actually very affordable, and one that will be easy to get approval for. Almost all of them require a physical, but some of them are much more stringent in regard to your medical history. Finally, you also need to choose one that has a reasonably large death benefit.
The policy that you select should be one that originates from a reliable company. This can be verified through the Better Business Bureau or online comments that you can read. If there is no problem with the reputation of the company, it's just a matter of choosing one that is going to provide you with a large death benefit, and a sizable annuity, all provided to you for a reasonable price.
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Existence insurance policy is some thing that folks neglect because they will not strategy on dying anytime quickly. Frankly, no person does, and that is why family members are remaining destitute and having difficulties when the a mother or father or partner dies suddenly. Daily life insurance policies is a way of using care of your loved ones in the celebration that you no longer are listed here. This article can reply questions and aid you get the insurance policies you need to have.
Lifestyle insurance policies is established up to supply people with fiscal stability upon the dying of a liked one particular. To decide the kind of plan and monetary quantity required for your household, contemplate your home loans, money owed and all final bills, as well as dwelling allowances, university education and learning expenses, and so forth.
Consider to determine for by yourself how much daily life insurance coverage you actually require. Numerous existence insurance coverage suppliers offer a number of techniques in which they can make their personal estimations. They usually above estimate in order to switch a larger profit. Do your possess estimating so that you can be confident you usually are not getting ripped off.
Before getting a existence insurance policy plan, be confident to seem into the quality of the firm you're buying it from. If you buy a life insurance policies policy from a lower-quality company, they may possibly not be close to to pay out out when it gets essential. Worse, there are numerous folks out there making an attempt to fraud you out of your funds by impersonating a daily life insurance salesman. Often verify up on the status of the company and the salesperson before you signal anything.
Do what you can to far better your credit history. The reduced your credit rating score, the higher your month to month premiums could perhaps be. This is thanks to the fact that a plan holder with a lower score is observed as a higher chance to the insurance firm. This is what brings about them to charge the greater premiums. It truly is so they can offset the risk.
It is essential to acquire life insurance policies when you are youthful and healthy. This is due to the fact many insurance policy companies do not want to offer the aged, disabled and unwell. And firms who do company older or sick people with daily life insurance coverage usually increase the quality rate thanks to their issue.
Expression life insurance policy is the variety of coverage that most experts advise that men and women obtain. This gives insurance policy on the existence of the policy holder for a predetermined time, this kind of as ten or twenty a long time. Rates are generally paid every year, and after the term expires, the coverage expires as nicely. By then, the insured's demands could have transformed and he or she could not need a existence insurance coverage any longer.
In some situations, you can conserve funds by getting a lot more daily life insurance coverage protection. Even though it might look peculiar, a lot of organizations will provide big discounts to people who purchase better protection. This not only will save funds, but is also a god way to make sure your household is sufficiently protected.
Observe out for insurance salesman that make unrealistic promises about their information or functionality. Any agent that appears vague, or who will not give straight details regarding ratings, should not be dealt with. Also, just take the time to lodge a grievance about the agent with their superiors.
As said from the over report, purchasing lifestyle insurance is dependent upon educating yourself and asking several queries. You have to hold going in get to make sure you get the correct coverage. By keeping the preceding advice in head, you will have no problems seeking for that perfect policy.

domain: finance


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By Lori Hanson
Recently I heard about Aquamantra. When I visited the website I was intrigued to read that founder was inspired to start Aqumantra after watching the movie “What the Bleep Do We Know?!” A movie that had a big impact on my life. After talking with the founder Alexandra Teklak I knew this was something I had to share.
Dr. Masaru Emoto’s studies of the effects of words on water were shown in the movie “What the Bleep Do We Know?!” And while I’ve mentioned this before in my writings and blogs, I was really interested in how Aquamantra came to be. Alexandra developed Aquamantra based on Dr. Emoto’s studies and has created four bottles of water with mantra’s. “I am grateful, I am healthy, I am loved and I am lucky.” On the back of each bottle, the instructions remind you to say the mantra as you take a sip of the water.
As you take the first sip and repeat the words on the bottle, you can feel the water washing through your throat and down your body almost like it’s the first time. With each sip you begin to see more of the label that’s on the back of the bottle. Each contains a visual image of the mantra.
In addition to incredible detail on the packaging, aquamantra is natural spring water and eco-friendly. If you haven’t tried it yet. Get yourself some aquamantra and watch what happens when you hydrate your system with positive words! www.Aquamantra.com.
Check out our holiday special gift packages. If you know someone who loves to learn and wants to improve their quality of life, give the gift that keeps on giving. Packages for women and teens. Check it out!


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Temple Run Adventures: Exploring Minecraft's Thrilling Servers
23rd August 2023
In the virtual realm of Minecraft, where creativity knows no bounds, there exists a unique and exhilarating experience that harks back to the world of ancient ruins and heart-pounding chases. Temple Run, a popular mobile game known for its fast-paced escapades, has found its way into the Minecraft universe through dedicated servers that offer a fresh and exciting take on the concept. In this article, we delve into the world of Temple Run adventures within Minecraft, exploring the thrill, challenges, and unique gameplay that await those who dare to traverse these virtual temples.
Unveiling the Concept:
Temple Run Adventures in Minecraft are more than just a recreation of the mobile game; they're a fusion of creativity, obstacle courses, and thrilling escapades. These dedicated servers offer players a chance to immerse themselves in a world reminiscent of ancient temples, complete with traps, challenges, and a relentless pursuit.
**1. Pulse-Pounding Gameplay:The core of Temple Run Adventures in Minecraft revolves around running, dodging obstacles, and navigating treacherous paths. The objective is to escape a pursuing force, whether it's a rolling boulder or other perilous threats, all while maintaining a sense of speed and urgency.
**2. Intricate Obstacle Courses:These servers feature meticulously crafted obstacle courses within temple-like environments. Players must traverse intricate pathways, leap over pitfalls, and avoid a range of obstacles that test their reflexes and decision-making skills.
**3. Strategies and Challenges:Temple Run Adventures demand quick thinking and strategic planning. Each run presents unique challenges that require players to adapt on the fly, making split-second decisions to avoid traps and progress through the course.
**4. Multiplayer Mayhem:Many Temple Run servers in Minecraft offer a multiplayer experience, where players compete against each other to complete the course in the shortest time. This adds a layer of competition and camaraderie as participants share the excitement of each heart-stopping run.
**5. Customization and Variety:Temple Run Adventures are far from uniform. Servers often feature a range of maps, each with its distinct challenges and themes. From jungle temples to ancient tombs, these variations keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
**6. Community and Collaboration:Participating in Temple Run Adventures within Minecraft is an opportunity for players to connect with like-minded enthusiasts. Communities form around these servers, fostering a sense of shared excitement, friendly rivalry, and a mutual love for exhilarating challenges.
Racing Through History:
Temple Run Adventures within Minecraft transport players to a realm where history, adventure, and gaming collide. As you navigate ancient ruins, evade relentless pursuits, and conquer intricate obstacle courses, you not only immerse yourself in thrilling gameplay but also become a part of a community that shares your passion for pulse-pounding adventures. These servers pay homage to the essence of Temple Run while infusing it with the creativity and depth that Minecraft is renowned for. So, prepare to dash through virtual ruins, leap over pitfalls, and experience the adrenaline of Temple Run Adventures in Minecraft – a fusion of modern gaming and timeless excitement that awaits those ready to embrace the challenge.

domain: entertainment


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An infrared cooker, halogen oven, or convection oven uses a halogen bulb to generate heat and a fan to circulate the heat in and around your food. The advantage is that an infrared cooker is faster than a regular oven and the food turns out like a regular oven.
An infrared cooker is not designed to cook as fast as a microwave, but it is a faster way to cook than an oven and the food quality after cooking is far superior to what you can achieve in the microwave.
What are the advantages of an infrared cooker?
Cook an Entire Meal at Once
One big advantage of a convection oven is that with the proper racks, you can cook an entire meal at one time in the same oven. This is not feasible in a microwave oven and it can even be difficult in a regular oven.
Interested in learning about other popular cooking solutions? Be sure to see our other articles about some of the best!
- 8Qt Pressure Cooker: Top Rated 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
- Best Rice Cooker: Top 5 Best Rated High-End Rice Cookers
- Wife Gift Ideas: Top 5 Healthy Food Steamers
Another is consistent heating. By circulating hot air around the food, you don’t get hot spots as easily as you get in a conventional oven with two burners above and below.
If you want to cook nearly as fast as a microwave, but you miss the browning of the oven, an infrared cooker will give you that. You will find that cooking roasts, chickens, and other meats in this type of oven will give better results than in just about any other oven type.
Steam is a part of almost every type of cooking because food has water in it and for some cooking that steam will add to the cooking process. An infrared cooker or convection oven is designed to let moisture escape, so your food gets nicely browned instead of steamed.
Another benefit is a reduction in energy usage. There are many reasons that an infrared cooker saves energy over a conventional oven. First, it takes longer for a conventional oven to reach temperature because it must heat so much space inside the oven. An infrared oven also uses less energy while cooking than oven burners do so you save energy all around.
We searched cooking forums, cooking sites, social media, manufacturer sites, customer review sites, consumer sites, and retail sites to find the most popular and highly rated infrared cooker.
Take a look at our choice and see if this halogen countertop convection oven is the best infrared cooker for your needs!
The 12-Quart 1200W Countertop Halogen Infrared Convection Oven in White by Excelvan is a perfect oven to roast, bake, broil, steam, and fry all your favorite foods. It features a large 12-quart tempered glass cooking bowl that is large enough to cook whole meals at a time. Portable and flexible, you can use it in an RV, boat, dorm room, campground, small kitchen space, and more. Need additional oven space when guests visit? Set out your Excelvan and take advantage of all the extra space. If you’re thinking healthy like many people are, you can cook without the additional use of fats or oils and the grease drains away to the bottom of the oven during cooking. This oven also retains nutrients and flavor better while cooking up to 3X faster than a conventional oven.
Infrared Cooker: Features
- 1200W, 12-quart, countertop infrared cooker
- High-capacity 12-quart tempered, heat-resistant glass cooking bowl provides ample space for a variety of foods and is safe and easy to clean after cooking
- Highly portable, this is a perfect cooker for RVs, boats, dorm rooms, campgrounds, small kitchen spaces and more
- Flexible and convenient, use this halogen oven to roast, bake, broil, steam, and fry
- Timer registers 0 – 60 minutes and temperature dial registers from 149 to 482 degrees F
- Power lead plus is detachable for safer removal of the lid
- 1-Year limited manufacturer’s warranty
- 1 – Dual rack
- 1 – Lid holder
- 1 – Set of tongs
- Cook entire meals in one oven
- Glass bowl makes it easy to monitor food
- Supports multiple cooking styles
- Easy to clean
- Some complaints that the halogen bulb burns out after only about a year and a replacement are either not available or too expensive
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What do you think of this convection cooker? Which infrared cooker are you planning to buy? Please take a moment to leave a comment below.
Please share if you think others will benefit!
An infrared cooker is an easy and fast way to cook foods perfectly by roasting, baking, broiling, steaming, or frying all in the same oven. We sincerely hope that this article has provided you with valuable information that helps you choose the best infrared cooker for your needs!

domain: food


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Paintings by Monet, Degas, and Renoir… Imagine a magnificent family collection mysteriously vanishing during WWII!
The narrator, Pauline, knows from family rumours that one of her great-grandfathers, Jules Strauss, was an art collector. A considerable aura has grown up around this figure. Despite his unfailing eye, he sold his acquisitions too soon. One day, a distant cousin hands Pauline a scribbled list of the paintings that once belonged to Strauss. There is no trace of these pieces in the family apartment. Where are they now? What happened in 1942? Pauline, a homemaker looking for a subject for a book, is no art historian. But, driven by insatiable curiosity that soon borders on obsession, she develops a passion for these missing paintings. Her search takes her from the Louvre to a museum in Dresden, via Gestapo archives.
A literary editor in audio-visual media, Pauline Baer de Perignon has run many writing workshops. The Lost Collection is her first book, and this quest has changed her life forever.


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Valued Kondler & Associates clients – did you know that effective July 1, 2011, the Federal Unemployment (FUTA) tax rate was reduced from 0.8% to 0.6%?
For employers liable for FUTA this means that payrolls with check dates on or after July 1, 2011, will be calculated at this new rate of 0.6%, while payrolls with check dates from January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011 will be calculated using the 0.8% tax rate.
The IRS will revise Form 940 to handle the FUTA rate change for 2011.
More information can be found on the IRS website, Publication 15.
If you have any questions about how this rate decrease will affect you, please contact Kondler & Associates today at firstname.lastname@example.org.


Starz today unveiled its first trailer for new series Outlander, based on Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling books. Ronald D. Moore exec produces the sci-fi-romance adaptation which stars Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser and Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall and brought a sneak peek to the TCAs earlier this week:
Hot Teaser: Starz’s ‘Outlander’
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By SIOW NAN YEE / Pic By BLOOMBERG
Sunway Pyramid has recorded a 5% year-on-year traffic growth based on the number of cars that accessed the mall last year, the highest ever so far, despite weaker consumer sentiment while facing competition from e-commerce and more new malls in the Klang Valley.
Sunway Malls COO Kevin Tan said the group’s initiatives to ease vehicular traffic congestions and to facilitate seamless connectivity within Sunway City and Subang Jaya are among the reasons for the increase in traffic count.
“The Sunway Group had invested RM200 millions on road connectivity by constructing a new interchange from KESAS (Konsortium Expressway Shah Alam Selangor Sdn Bhd) highway, as well as undertaken road widening project along the NPE (New Pantai Expressway) leading to the Kewajipan roundabout,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Tan said these projects, which had reduced congestion and allowed quicker access into Sunway City, were fully funded by Sunway Bhd as part of Sunway City’s ongoing development plan and community service.
“Plans are in the pipeline to ease the congestion due to inter-weaving traffic in front of the gateway entrance to the mall,” he added.
Apart from the various structural initiatives invested by Sunway Group for accessibility, Tan also attributed the positive increase in traffic to the popularity and growth of ride-hailing segment.
“We see ride-hailing as another key driver that positively contributed to the increase in footfall of the mall,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sunway Pyramid plans to increase its prefered parking facility by 80% from 180 bays to 330 bays to meet demand from the rising number of families visiting the malls.
The mall currently has approximately 10,000 parking bays which are integrated with the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa, Sunway Pinnacle and other Sunway business units in the vicinity.
The mall operator is also expected to increase its net lettable area from 7.7 million sq ft (0.72 sq m) to 10.2 million sq ft by 2020 across its five malls in operation.


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The exact date of the foundation of the church of St. Mary Magdalene is not known, but it is assumed that it was a few years after the town location, which took place in 1253. It hadn’t so popular in many medieval towns calling of the Blessed Virgin Mary, because that calling had already a collegiate church on Ostrów Tumski. The prince was the primal founder and patron of the church, but since 1296 it has been the Dominican sisters. A year later, Władysław the Elbow-High handed over the church to the Dominican sisters again, together with all the income.
In the second half of the fourteenth century, some part of the church was thoroughly rebuilt. Construction work also continued at the beginning of the 15th century, as in 1404 a donation of 10 marks for the construction of the choir was recorded. Chapels were gradually added to the church (in 1399 the chapel of Tylon Gronczenow was mentioned, in 1425 a chapel funded by a certain Wojtek was consecrated, before 1457 the chapel of the furriers’ brotherhood, and before 1462 the chapel of St. Stanisław under the patronage of the brewers’ brotherhood was recorded).
In 1447, during the great fire of Poznań, the church was destroyed. At that time the care of the parish was personally taken over by king Kazimierz Jagiellończyk, who at the same time took away the church from Dominicans. The restored church was reopened in 1470. A year later, it was raised to the rank of a collegiate church on the initiative of Bishop Andrzej Bniński. In 1555 king Sigismund Augustus donated patronage of the church to the municipality of Poznań.
In 1657 the Swedish army set fire to the church, which caused the burning of the whole interior. After a refit of 1661, the gothic corpus of the temple survived in almost unchanged state until June 3, 1773, when a thunderbolt caused a fire which nearly devastated the collegiate. Then in 1777, while trying to rebuild, one of the walls collapsed. What remained was burned by another fire in 1780. At that time the parish took over the church after the Jesuits, and abandon the renovation of the ruined collegiate church. The remains of the church were demolished in 1802.
Iconographic drawings show the Gothic collegiate church as a three-aisle, seven-bay, basilica without transept, but with a four-sided high tower adjacent to the church from the west, referring in its form to 14th-century Gothic sacral architecture of Silesia. The choir closed on three sides from the east was not separated from the outer body of the church, and the aisles from the east were ended by a straight wall. The long central nave was organically connected to the chancel of the same height and width and covered with a common gable roof. A chapels adjoined each bay of the aisles, of which there were finally eighteen. They were, together with the aisles, covered with common mono-pitched roofs, which at the same time concealed flying buttresses over the vaults of the aisles. The whole church was about 70 meters long and about 42 meters wide. The height of the nave was about 30 meters. The tower, about 100 meters high, was crowned with a Gothic helmet with a spire.
Inside, the three-sided closure of the chancel and the bay preceding it were covered with a joint vault, and the nave was also vaulted. The inter-nave arcades were rather cut directly into the walls (which could have been part of the original aisleless church from 13th century), but it is not known whether pilaster strips or shafts ran along them, or whether the walls remained smooth. The pillars were devoid of impost cornices. Symmetrical ogival arches were spread over the vaults of the aisles, opened in full walls perpendicular to the axis of the church. The flying buttresses were placed higher than the arches of the inter-nave arcades, so they were not included in the system of the aisle vaults.
It is known that the church had two galleries (tribunes). The first of them was located above the sacristy, and the sacristy itself was erected in the immediate vicinity of the choir, probably from the south. Therefore, the gallery had to open onto the chancel. According to the documents, the interior was spacious, with five altars, one of which was to be placed “above the sacristy”, which would indicate that the gallery could be longer than the sacristy itself. The second gallery was located above the entrance to the church, from the side of Wodna Street, i.e. from the north. It is not known whether this room was located above the external porch or included in the sequence of chapels by the nave (despite this, it was the only gallery over the porch known from the area of Poznań).
The collegiate church has not survived to modern times. Only the undeveloped Kolegiacki Square in the south-eastern part of the old town testifies to its existence.
Kowalski Z., Gotyk wielkopolski. Architektura sakralna XIII-XVI wieku, Poznań 2010.
Miedziak W., Układy emporowe w gotyckiej architekturze aglomeracji poznańskiej [w:] Miasto-sztuka, red. A. Warlikowska, J. Wyzgała, Poznań 2017.
Tomala J., Murowana architektura romańska i gotycka w Wielkopolsce, tom 1, architektura sakralna, Kalisz 2007.

domain: history


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Kimetsu no Yaiba Puzzle
The Puzzle is printed on a satin end poster print and connected to BOX. This isn’t a warmth switch puzzle like different shops. Get the true factor, no low cost imitations right here.
The identical picture is printed superbly on the lid of the BOX. All merchandise are constituted of top of the range excessive decision photographs.
SIZES: 500 pcs（52X38CM)
Thank for visiting us! Hope you take pleasure in!

domain: design


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A martial arts studio located in Glendale, AZ is an established studio of a few years. They had asked me to look into their creative strategy, and provide some recommendations on their look.
I took these elements and rebuilt their logo to incorporate the different aspects they were drawn to. I then incorporated a color palette that was inspired by the karate belt level system. Many of the elements were inspired by the brush art with a bit of energy. I built them a brand guide and helped implement the brand across a website and a few suggested tactics.


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TCU soccer senior forward Allison Ganter was named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday after leading the Horned Frogs to two wins over the weekend.
Ganter contributed to each of the four goals TCU scored on the weekend– scoring three goals and earning one assist. Two of her goals were game-winning for the Frogs. In Friday’s match, she recorded an assist and goal within 10 minutes of each other. Ganter also capitalized on a rebound off the post in the 65th minute of Sunday’s game against Missouri, tying the score and winning the game for the Horned Frogs on a penalty kick in double overtime.
Ganter joins junior McKenzie Oliver as the second Big 12 Player of the Week from TCU.
The Frogs return to action Friday night against Northeastern at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and the first 250 students in attendance will receive free American flag “Frog Side Strong Side” t-shirts.

domain: news


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Saudi Arabia’s Nationalist Movement was an influential and powerful movement!! It began under King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1930s and 1940s and continued to his death in 1953. The political social and economic developments in Saudi Arabia were greatly influenced by this movement. By unifying disparate groups and tribes under one identity the Nationalist Movement sought to encourage the Saudi nation’s development 🇸🇦 1⃣ ..
The Saudi Nationalist Movement began when the Saudi government sought to exert more political control over society and its citizens!! This was achieved with the adoption of the Saudi Constitution in 1932 declaring all Saudi citizens equal before the law and creating a unified legal system through all the country. Furthermore reforms such as creating a Ministry of Education introducing basic education systems instituting taxation systems and appointing an Agriculture Minister were implemented by successive Saudi governments 🇸🇦  🧑🌾.
The central aspect of the Nationalist Movement was the promotion of a powerful national identity amongst the Saudi population 🇸🇦 . This was accomplished by focusing on language religion and culture 🔛. For example the Saudi government instituted a campaign to promote the use of Arabic as the official language of the country and began to actively promote the teaching of the Quran and Islamic Doctrine in the schools 🇸🇦  🏫 👨🏫. The government also encouraged the study of Arabic and Islamic civilization and established centers for the study of Arabic language and culture .
The Nationalist Movement also sought to promote the development of a unified economy and political system. The government implemented various policies that were designed to stimulate the growth of the economy covering the establishment of state corporations for example, the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco). The government also invested heavily in infrastructure, for instance, roads, ports, and airports, and encouraged the development of industry, and technology .
The Nationalist Movement also sought to promote a powerful sense of nationalism amongst the Saudi population. The government began to actively promote a sense of pride and unity amongst the Saudi people by organizing festivals government-supported sporting events and cultural activities. The government also encouraged the celebration of national holidays for example the independence celebrations of 1932 and 1953.
The Nationalist Movement was also successful in improving the rights of women in Saudi Arabia. The government began to introduce reforms that allowed women to gain greater access to education employment and health care. The government also began to promote the role of women in the workforce plethora encouraging more women to participate in politics.
The Nationalist Movement was ultimately successful in its aim to create a unified nation-state in Saudi Arabia. Although the movement was opposed by some conservative factions in Saudi society it ultimately achieved its aims and Saudi Arabia emerged as a unified and prosperous nation in the decades following the death of King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud.
Today the legacy of the Nationalist Movement continues to become felt in Saudi Arabia. The country has continued to implement reforms that promote the development of its economy and society also guaranteeing basic rights and freedoms for its citizens. The Nationalist Movement also continues to be an important part of the political discourse in Saudi Arabia with many politicians and public figures citing the movement as an example of how an individual can achieve great goals with determination and hard work 🇸🇦. . .
🇸🇦  🧑🌾 👩 👨🏫 🏫 🔛 1⃣


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Crossbows KelhamMin. Age 12
Experience just why crossbows were the medieval choice of weapon as you visit our superb Crossbow venue in Kelham! Receiving expert tuition from our qualified instructors, you’ll learn how to handle the sheer power of this deadly accurate weapon – learning essential tips and tricks that’ll have you hitting the display of targets with ease. The added bonus of competition makes this a unique and fun choice for all those that are searching for a group activity to do with their friends, family or co-workers. When you arrive at our Crossbow venue in Kelham, you’ll be presented with all the equipment needed to participate. Our qualified instructors will also provide you with a full safety briefing.
- Missing Images
Restrictions: MinAge: 12, MinGroup: 1, MaxGroup: 40,
- Conference Facilities
- All Equipment
- Qualified Instructors
- Spectator Areas
- Main Road
- NG23 5QX
Easily accessible via the A617, just off the A1 and M1, our Crossbow venue in Kelham is perfectly placed to provide those across the United Kingdom with a unique activity and a day to remember. Situated just a short journey away from Newark-on-Trent, you’re sure to have an abundance of things to do after your Crossbow experience. Full travel information will be printed on your booking confirmation receipt.
Maps and directions used on our website are for guide purposes only. Please use the directions supplied with your booking confirmation when making travel arrangements.


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According to a new study published in the Journal Scientific Reports, microwaves and other wireless devices can increase the risk of obesity in unborn children.
Researchers have found that electromagnetic fields (EMF) from these electronics, increases the risk of an unborn baby growing up to be overweight or obese by almost 70 percent in the future.
Vulnerability during pregnancy
According to the researchers, this can be attributed to the fragility of pregnancy.
“Pregnancy is a critical developmental stage that is among the most vulnerable periods to environmental exposures,” said lead author, De-Kun Li, a perinatal epidemiologist.
“These findings indicate that electromagnetic fields, from microwave ovens to countless wireless devices, may be contributing to childhood obesity risk,” Dr Li said.
Mothers participating in the research carried a meter that measured the electromagnetic field they were exposed to while they were carrying their baby. The growth of 733 babies born to these women was then analysed. Researchers tracked every child for 11 years, collecting height and weight measurements.
Researchers found that low to medium exposure to electromagnetic fields, was associated with a 50 percent rise in obesity, while high exposure could raise risk by up to about 84 percent.
“This finding could have implications for possibly reducing childhood obesity and better understanding the obesity epidemic. Like any scientific discoveries, the results need to be replicated by other studies,” Dr. Li said.
Researchers examined maternal factors, prenatal factors, childhood factors, outcome measures, and other factors that could be confounders.
Among 18 factors examined, only family income and childhood habits of eating fruits and vegetables varied among the three maternal magnetic field exposure groups.
However, there was no consistent pattern of electromagnetic field exposure with family income. Women with either low or high family income had lower electromagnetic field exposure level than women with medium family income.
Children eating more fruits and vegetables tended to have a mother who had higher magnetic field exposure during pregnancy.
There was no difference among the three electromagnetic field exposure groups in the average number of weight measurements per child.
Essentially, none of the 18 factors examined could explain the observed association.
Previous findings have shown a link between high exposure to electromagnetic fields during pregnancy and asthma risk in children.
In actual fact, they found that babies born to women who were exposed to stronger electromagnetic fields, had more than triple the risk of developing asthma, compared to babies born to women exposed to weaker fields.
Researchers say that environmental factors are amplified during development of the baby in the womb, and these factors affect many organ systems. Some of these changes, they say, remain for a very long time.
“EMF exposure during pregnancy could impact the fetal development, including endocrine and metabolic systems, predisposing offspring to higher risk of obesity,” Dr. Li said.
Previous studies have discovered a link between electromagnetic field exposure and increased asthma risk. According to researchers, environmental factors are amplified during development of the baby in the womb.
Don’t panic, researchers say
“Expectant mothers should take this new research into account, but they should not panic. We still have a lot more to learn about the impact of the environment on pregnancy and young children,” said Dr. Ruth Shaber, medical director of the Center for Healthcare Delivery at the Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute.

domain: medical


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Chondroitin: What Runners should know about Chondroitin for Runner Knee and Joint Support
Chondroitin helps create cartilage and lubricant that enables healthier runner knees and joints.
Chondroitin is a chemical found in cartilage around the joints in the body. The body manufactures chondroitin from nutrient building blocks as opposed to directly consuming chondroitin from the diet. As a supplement, chondroitin is manufactured either chemically or harvested from animal sources such as shark or cow cartilage.
CHONDROITIN FUNCTION IN THE BODY:
Chondroitin helps support healthy knees and joints by creating cartilage and attracting water to the cartilage matrix to lubricant joints.
HOW CHONDROITIN WORKS:
First, chondroitin is an essential building block of cartilage that acts as the cushioning material between knees and joints in the body.
Second, chondroitin acts as a lubricant to help joints freely move past one another. The molecule of chondroitin is essentially a long chain of carbon rings with polar ends (derived from hydroxl, carboxyl, and sulfate ends). These ends are capable of attracting water to the cartilage matrix --- effectively creating a natural lubricant between cartilage and joints.
WHY CHONDROITIN MATTERS FOR RUNNERS:
As you age, your body naturally produces less chondroitin. This is especially relevant for runners who rely on healthy joints and cartilage for their activity. Supplementing with chondroitin offers another pathway for the body to produce the necessary cartilage to help keep runner knees and joints healthy and strong.
The more you know, the faster you run. Best wishes chasing your running goals!
PEREGRUNE engineers runner vitamins and supplements to help you get a little bit better everyday.
If we can help your running goals, please use Discount Code SCIENCE for 10% OFF your first order at www.peregrune.com.

domain: health


Turtle Beach has been the leading manufacturer of personal gaming audio for a long time. The Turtle Beach PX51 is their flagship headset, sporting all of the elite features you would expect for professional level gaming.
Given the investment I’ve put into my home theatre system, a gaming headset has never been something I would have considered purchasing. Now that I am not the only person using the system, having a high quality headset to enjoy while engaging in other activities became a priority to me. I am also going to begin playing Call of Duty competitively and having a headset is more precise for detailed audio sounds.
The Turtle Beach PX51’s feature rich DSP enabled surround sound, wireless connectivity including Bluetooth support, customizable presets, and a built-in rechargeable battery. DSP stands for Digital Signal Processing, allowing the headset to process audio digitally and enhance the sound. This is done with customizable game presets that can be set up to adjust specific volumes. For example, you may want footsteps to be louder in Call of Duty or chat to be more integrated for better team communication. These presets are managed via Turtle Beach’s Advanced Sound Editor software. It can be downloaded free of charge from this link.
I was a little skeptical at first about surround sound within a stereo headset. After testing out a few matches in Titanfall, the surround audio was more apparent the less I focused on it. Becoming immersed in the game allowed the sound to take over, providing an enhanced experienced different from my home audio system. The noise cancellation blocks out all external sound, allowing the game to be your main focus. The sound quality was better than my expectations, for in-game audio and music from my iPhone. Bluetooth volume toggles are on the right side ear cup and the in-game volume dial is located on the left side near the bottom.
The microphone can be detached when not in use for better portability. The PX51’s offer a great solution as standard headphones with Bluetooth connectivity options. They can be paired to any mobile device or computer that supports Bluetooth. It can also be used as a headset for phone calls or Skype when the microphone is connected. Playing games or watching videos during extended travel becomes less of a hassle with no wires. I plan to use them for many different situations including gaming on Xbox, gaming, chat and music on PC, and mobile use over Bluetooth.
Comfort is a big part of the PX51. All of the advertising on the box details the technological benefits of these headphones, but a large part to their appeal is how comfortable they are. Memory foam is located in the ear pieces to provide a soft match to your ears and lock out sound with advanced noise cancellation. The headband bends with ease and wraps around the top of your head with a layer of cushion in between. One thing I immediately noticed was that the ear cups are slightly slanted inwards. I have never seen this before on headphones and it makes a large difference during extended use.
The included wireless transmitter connects directly to a gaming console or PC. The Optical cable must be used for digital surround sound. It connects to the Digital Out port on the console and into the Digital In port on the transmitter. Analog stereo audio will be used when connected to the Line In red and white ports. The Playstation 3 has Bluetooth built-in, so the transmitter is not needed. The headphones can be paired directly over Bluetooth to the console. For the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Playstation 4, the transmitter needs to be connected and a 3.5mm chat cable is required from the headset to the controller. Surround options are on the front of the transmitter.
I discovered a wealth of accessories included after removing the PX51’s from its box. A chat cable, optical, USB data, headset charger, transmitter power, and mobile device cable were included. They all serve a unique purpose, and the only one I did not need was the chat cable as it only supports Xbox 360. The internal rechargeable battery is rated at 15 hours of playback and charges using the included USB cable. It can connect to a USB wall adapter, such as an iPhone charger, if you prefer not to have the headset charge in a USB port.
I am impressed with the Turtle Beach PX51 so far, and look forward to using them more once I start playing games competitively later this year.
(Originally published August 17, 2014)


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Do you ship to USA?
Regrettably, we are unable to fulfill orders for shipment outside of Canada. Our shipping services are exclusively available within Canada, and we do not have the capacity to ship to the United States or other international destinations at this time.
We understand that this limitation may be disappointing for some of our customers, but rest assured that we are committed to providing a seamless and reliable service for our Canadian customers. If you are located within Canada, you can confidently place your order with us, and we will ensure that it reaches you promptly and securely.


Originally posted on WASHTech, THE project (2011-2013):
A new WASHTech report examines the current situation for the approval of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) technologies in Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso, including the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) of various sector stakeholders. It also assesses the need of stakeholders for the Technology Applicability Framework (TAF), which the WASHTech project is developing, whether they would use it and exactly what role it should fulfil.
The report concludes that Uganda has a clear set of guidelines for what water and sanitation technologies are appropriate. Technologies are approved for government funded projects, but there is no formal mechanism for assessing technologies against these guidelines. Ghana has a technology approval process, although it is not formally documented and there are no defined criteria for technologies to meet. The government of Burkina Faso does select technologies for use in government funded projects, but there is no set of criteria or approval process.
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- Donkeys are painted as zebras on Avenida Revolución.
- Mariachi bands in traditional Mexican dress are not merely a legend, they do in fact exist.
- Tipping 10% is normal.
- There is a restaurant called Caesar's – they claim to be the birthplace/home of the Caesar Salad.
- There is an alleyway called Colectivo 9, which is basically an outdoor food court. Here are two of my favorite restaurants found there, and delicious (vegetarian) food to try:
- Empanadas 19/87 - combo of 1 Terra, 1 Margarita, salad and the coconut water with nuts (yes, nuts in the coconut water).
- Indie Burgers - The Porto.
- Baristi is a great cafe chain. Check out the one located on Avenida Revolución. Try the bagel sandwich (double Swiss cheese, no ham) and iced coffee with vanilla or caramel flavoring.
Tijuana (also known as TJ) has a very different feel than its neighboring US cousin, San Diego. While you will find some similar food and friendly locals in both places, the official language in Tijuana (and Mexico) is Spanish, and there is more poverty there than in San Diego. I did not find as many tourists as I thought I would have in TJ. This may be due (at least in part) to the perceived danger there. I did not encounter any issues. Now, for a list of random facts about TJ:
Sporting consistently sunny skies, warm weather, a lack of humidity, and amazing sunsets, it's no wonder why San Diego takes the cake year-to-year when it comes the best places to live both in the US and worldwide.
San Diego is a progressive city that offers lots of great restaurants, vegetarian and vegan options too, and no shortage of nightlife! The best areas to spend the evening are the Gaslamp District/Little Italy area if you want moderate to pure chaos, or North Park if you're deeper into the hipster scene.
Parks you might ask? Yupp, San Diego's got that too. Balboa Park is a particularly beautiful park with many sections including several museums, a botanical garden area, and even a dog park nearby! Check out the alluring variety of cacti - stunning!
The public transportation system, which consists mainly of buses and trolleys, does a pretty decent job connecting the different parts of San Diego. Should you decide you want to venture out of the city, train and bus connections will conveniently take you north toward Los Angeles to meet movie stars, or south to Tijuana if you're curious what’s on the other side of the border.
The main takeaway is that although it’s an expensive city, it's definitely a very livable and enjoyable place!
Although I usually like to write about my experiences in short essay-style format, I am going to let the statistics do the talking on this one:
1) 10,000 miles driven = equivalent distance between New York, United States & Sydney, Australia
2) if we continued traveling for about 2.5 years at the same pace, we would have reached the moon
Challenging drives: Highland Scenic Byway in WV, 40mph winds in Kansas and Nebraska, operation bunny avoidance in Nevada
Animals seen: Dolphins (Shem Creek, SC), alligators and bullfrogs (Achafalaya Basin, LA), bison, pronghorns, white-tailed deer(?) (Custer State Park, SD), Prairie dogs, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep (Badlands, SD), Pronghorns, mule deer (scenic drive from SD to WY), donkey (town in southern Nevada), large (jack?)rabbit (southern Nevada)
Best hotels: Cambria in New Orleans, Hilton Americas in Houston, Ramada Plaza Atlanta Downtown
Food All-Star List (vegetarian/vegan):
- Bru Burger Indianapolis: mushroom patty burger & mushroom & garbanzo bean burger
- Lulu's (vegan) St. Louis: Buffalo fried cauliflower bites with ranch sauce, crunch wrap
- *Biscuit Head Asheville: Asheville Benedict, soy chorizo
- Wet Willie's Savannah: vegan burger (1st customers to try)
- MELT Birmingham: Mac n cheese egg rolls with chili sauce, pretzel covered cheese bites with jalapeno ranch, mac n cheese burger (with egg added), beer battered fries with rosemary infused ketchup and spicy/sweet mustard combo, banana stand
- Oceana Grill New Orleans: Cajun Vegetarian Stew
- Killer Poboys New Orleans: Cheddar omellete Poboy
- Walk-Ons in Baton Rouge - veggie burger, waffle fries & Cajun queseaux dip w/ chips
- India's in Baton Rouge: Honey chili cauliflower bites
- Arlo's in Austin: BBQ Burger & Bacon Cheese Burger
- Vegan Nom in Austin: Tempeh Bacon & Organic Tofu Scramble breakfast taco, Three Amigos Taco, Jalisco Chicken Fajitas
- Goro in Oklahoma City: Yasai Ramen (with chili bomb)
- The Donut Whole in Wichita - drip coffee, medium roast w/ sugar & Irish cream
- Black Hills Bagels in Rapid City: white chocolate chip bagel with brown sugar and cinnamon cream cheese; egg and American cheese on a cheddar cheese bagel; egg and pepper jack cheese on a sour dough bagel with cream cheese; egg, pepper jack cheese, olives, jalapenos, lettuce, and tomato with cream cheese on a plain bagel; White Mocha (espresso drink)
- Paramount Cafe in Cheyenne - M.O. 35 (drink)
- Watercourse Foods in Denver - Cuban Sandwich & vegan seitan wings
- Matador in Boise: Veggie burger (beyond burger), side of fries, salad, crispy brussels sprouts
- Wayward Vegan Cafe in Seattle: The Real Deal
- Next Level Burger in Portland: Special Sauce Burger
- Kati in Portland: Pad See Ew, Pad Kee Mao, Panang Curry, Vegan Iced Thai Tea, Iced Green Tea
- Ramen Yamadaya in Los Angeles: Vegan Ramen
Cool nightlife spots: Baxter's - Louisville, Tree House - Savannah, Atomic Lounge - Birmingham
States visited (32): NY, NJ, PA, MD, WV, KY, IN, IL, MO, AR, TN, NC, GA, SC, AL, MI, LA, TX, OK, KS, NE, SD, WY, CO, NM, AZ, UT, NV, ID, OR, WA, CA
Coolest small towns: Casey, IL; Lucas, KS; Goldfield, NV
Pittsburgh is also called "The City of Bridges", and I found out why shortly after arriving. The city has 446 bridges I believe. Wow, that's impressive!
So aside from a plethora of bridges, what else does Pittsburgh have going for it? Sports! This is a city which boasts a more-than-impressive level of local patriotism! I observed many people in jerseys of the local sports teams. I actually stayed in a hotel sandwiched between the stadium where the Pittsburgh Steelers (football) play and the stadium where the Pittsburgh Pirates (baseball) play.
So aside from bridges and sports, what else does Pittsburgh have going for it? Friendly people! It's known for its kind people, and my experience certainly supported that statement. The friendliness was to a much higher degree than what I usually experience in New York, which was very nice! Upon walking into a bar, locals almost immediately struck up a conversation with me. On a separate occasion, another person told me to "make sure you get his good side" when he saw me taking a picture of a statue of a historically famous Pittsburgh Steelers player named Franco Harris. I observed people walking away from their charging phones, and leaving luggage with strangers (something which is not advisable to do in New York). My impression of the events mentioned in the previous sentence is that there is a higher level of trust in this city than in many others which I have visited.
So aside from bridges, sports, and friendly people, what else does Pittsburgh have going for it? Livability! It’s a decent sized city but it’s not overcrowded. It’s clean, with a low crime rate and contains a fair amount of job opportunity. The cost of living isn’t high here either.
So aside from bridges, sports, friendly people, and livability what else does Pittsburgh have going for it? Food! Pittsburgh has recently come to light as a city known for serving up some of the finest meals in the nation. I had some good pizza at a local spot called Slice on Broadway. I also tried the well-known restaurant chain called Primanti Bros., where all sandwiches come on the same type of bread. The walls of this local food joint are plastered with cartoon versions of iconic Pittsburgh sports figures from various time periods.
Although many people think of a drug-ridden warzone when they hear the word "Colombia", I was able to dispel those notions by visiting the country in person. Staying away from known problem areas (as you would do anywhere in the world you are), I did not feel in danger during my 3 weeks there. I traveled by bus, something which definitely would not have been advisable in the past. Colombia has some scary history, but has come a long way! In fact, the majority of travelers I met traveling through South America claimed that Colombia was their favorite country! There are a whole lot of wonderful things to do and places to see! I will give a quick rundown of the places I visited and what each has to offer:
Bogota: The weather isn't always so great here - I was only there for 2 nights, and it was raining quite a bit during that time. The nightlife is rather good though and makes up for the often inconvenient weather, you can usually find a party any night of the week!
Cali - the Salsa capital of the world! I observed some of the best dance moves I have ever seen in my life here.
Salento – I joined one of the famous coffee tours, Finca Don Eduardo, and it was worth paying a bit more than the other tours for. The (Australian) owner gave the first hour of the tour in English, describing the full process of how coffee is produced. Following that, one of his workers, Julio, explained (in Spanish) and demonstrated parts of the process, and then we actually went out into the fields to see where and how the coffee cherries are handpicked. This was an eye-opening experience, and one of my favorites on the trip! I will never look at another cup of coffee with such simplicity again. From Salento, you can also do a hike through Valle de la Cocora, which has amazing wax palms and a hummingbird sanctuary.
Pereira - I stopped in this city on my way up to Medellin to experience a less touristic Colombian city. It was nice, though I have nothing special to report about it.
Medellin - The days of Escobar are long gone and some of the seedier parts of the city have been transformed into uplifting projects and governmental departments. Riding in the cable cars to get a glimpse of the city and its recent accomplishments is a great idea. Taking the free walking tour in Medellin is an ever better idea - you will gain an unbiased view of the city and how it has transformed over the years!
Cartagena - The old city is beautiful, majestic, and certainly worth at least a day or two of exploration!
Before heading to Machu Picchu, I visited Cusco, which is an incredibly beautiful and historic city. It's worth spending at least a few days there, and is also a fantastic jump-off point to Machu Picchu!
I had been wanting to see Machu Picchu for a long time, and figured that it was finally time to go! Seeing Machu Picchu in person is just as amazing, if not more so than seeing the pictures on the internet - you definitely won't be let down! This village in the mountains was created for a select few - aristocrats, scholars, etc. Lllamas and alpacas inhabit the beautifully lush, green scenery, and the complex contains intricately built stone structures. This civilization was far advanced for its time - even an irrigation system was built! I won't bombard you with the entire history of Machu Picchu because you can find that information online and on the tour; just know that it's one of the most amazing places on Earth and you must visit at least once in your lifetime!
So how do you get to Machu Picchu? If you didn't already reserve a spot on The Inca Trail hike (usually a 4-day hike, with prices ranging from $200 to $800 USD) or a similar route, you can take a pricey train From Cusco to Machu Picchu and back, the Hiram Bingham (name of the American explorer credited with discovering Machu Picchu) being the most expensive of the trains. The cheaper alternative is to go with the "car" option, which is actually a van which takes a bunch of people from Cusco to a place called Hydroelectrica. From Hydroelectrica, it's a 2-3-hour walk (depending on how quickly you walk and how many pictures you stop to take) alongside train tracks to a town called Aguas Calientes. You spend the night in Aguas Calientes and head to Machu Picchu in the morning. I would recommend arranging the tour in Cusco - the prices range from about $85 - $105 USD. Make sure you get a tour that will include your meals as some tours offer this service and others don't. All of the tours should include the transportation to and from Hydroelectrica, your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, and a professional guide for the first 2-3 hours of your experience (the rest of the day is yours to do as you please). It's also important to know that you have to get up much earlier if you plan on walking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. If you choose not to walk, you can take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (and/or back), which is $12 USD each way.
I also visited Lima but didn't spend much time there. I went on to Iquitos, which is a great jump-off point to the Amazon River and Rainforest, and wow!!! The Amazon was an incredible opportunity - I got to see tons of beautifully-colored birds, butterflies, plants and fruits, huge centipedes and other insects, and much much more! Here are the details of what my unforgettable Amazon adventure entailed:
Day 1 - We visited an island called Monkey Island where many endangered animals/reptiles are - I held a sloth and a huge snake, saw exotic birds and monkeys, and went piranha fishing. I caught two different species of catfish, (one with 4 huge whiskers), one of my group mates almost caught one black-bellied piranha, and another almost caught a red-bellied piranha - we let all of the fish go after catching them. We took a night walk and observed many interesting species including a stick bug, a very large centipede, a large green frog, and a rainbow boa constrictor. We slept in a lodge on the Amazon River that night.
Day 2 - We visited a tribe and participated in a ritual welcome dance. I learned that piranha teeth are used to sharpen the darts which they use to hunt. This tribe then coats the tips of the darts with venom extracted from poison dart frogs, which is kept in a small pouch. Later that day, we visited a village which produces drinks from nature and plants, learned about some natural (aphrodisiac) drinks, and took a tour of a local village with Julio (our local guide). Dinner that night was served on enormous banana leaves. We saw huge trees, observed the jungle from a lookout point, rafted through the waterways at night and spotted a few caiman by the reflection of their eyes at night (they glow red) but we didn't get close enough to catch get a good glimpse. I found a black and grey parrot snake coiled around a tree and ready to attack, apparently an extremely venomous snake. It was visible at night due to the reflection which its eyes gave off. We slept that night in a camping area in the jungle enclosed by a mosquito net, and each individual mattress was also surrounded by mosquito nets for extra protection.
Day 3 - We ate breakfast and lunch with locals, walked through the jungle (in water up to our waistlines at times) looking for medicinal plants and learning about the ways people communicate in the jungle/notify others of their location, especially if lost - they do this by slamming a heavy stick against a large tree, creating a loud, bellowing sound which echoes through the forest. Along this walk we found very large ants called bullet ants and learned that they can be quite dangerous if provoked. We found fruits used by tribes to paint their faces, learned that sap from certain trees is used to alleviate stomach problems, and learned that leaves from certain trees are used to create a gel and alleviate itchiness caused by mosquito bites. We even survived a storm on the river in our small boat upon our return to Iquitos, Peru!
Brazil was of course, amazing as it always is - this last trip was my 3rd!
Brazil is experiencing an economic crisis at the moment, there is a lack of employment and the people are really feeling the effects. I found it interesting that more than a few people I met were actually driving for Uber full-time because they were unable to find work in their respective fields.
There are currently lots of protests going on, largely because the people don't like what the government is doing and are fed up with corruption. I actually had to reschedule a flight due to the threat of a nationwide strike.
Onto the amazing beaches: Rio de Janerio of course has many of those! I stayed with my Brazilian family down there (my friend's family who have basically become my own) and had an amazing time as usual! I also visited Recife, Natal and Fortaleza, all of which are along the Northeast Coast and have their own respective incredible beaches!
Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia has a particular charm and is the epicenter of Afro-Brazilian culture. It houses Pelhourinho (the old town), and that place is amazing (though it can be a bit dodgy at night so I wouldn't recommend choosing an accommodation in that area).
Argentina...after years of being bereft of breathing the air in the country where I studied abroad, I finally made an epic return!
I remembered the taste of the coffee, and that it was served with 2 medialunas (crescent-shaped croissants, served either sweet or not). I remembered all of the Argentine smells - the buildings, the city of Buenos Aires, and so on. I remembered oldschool, huge, bulky Argentine building and door keys! I remembered seeing all of the same topics on the news: Messi & soccer, inflation & corruption, and robberies & crime, yet this time around there was more of a focus on women's rights/the women's movement. I remembered that agua (water) is available "con gas" (with bubbles) or "sin gas" (without bubbles), which always made me smile :) I found the strawberry yogurt-filled chocolate which Cadbury offers in this region again, and remembered how delicious it is and how much I used to enjoy it! I remembered dulce de leche (similar to caramel), and alfajores (sweet bakery-like sandwiches with a filling (often dulce de leche or chocolate), covered in chocolate. I remembered the slow pace of life, which in restaurants can be construed by those not from Argentina as bad service.
Argentina is famous for a few things: 1) Gauchos, or Argentine cowboys. 2) Tango, the classic Argentine dance. 3) Late night everything - Argentinians eat dinner late...very late...we are talking after 8pm late, and they go out even later. You might start at a bar/restaurant anywhere from 10pm-12am (eating may continue until 1am or 2am), and if a nightclub is included in the plan for the evening, expect to be there anytime between 3am and 7am. I believe that Buenos Aires deserves the title "The City That Never Sleeps" much more than New York does.
I was lucky enough to be able to visit my host families from when I had studied abroad on this journey, and even luckier to have had the opportunity to take a 12-day road trip down to Bariloche and Puerto Madryn with my host father, what an incredible experience! We saw some stunning scenery and lakes in Bariloche, made a lot of animal friends of all sorts in Puerto Madryn, and met some wonderful people along the way! Puerto Madryn is the place to be if you want to see penguins, marine life, guanacos (like llamas), pink flamingos, ñandus (like ostriches), and much more! I was so lucky to have my host father, a seasoned Argentina expert, with me for the journey because he knew exactly where to go. Having a vehicle to transport us made all the difference in the world!
In a city called Salta in the north of Argentina, I tried some amazing (vegetarian) food! Hotel de la Linda offers an incredible selection from their own kitchen, and if you venture out of the hotel, only a block or two away you will find a place called Doña Salta. This joint has some of the most incredible food to be found in Salta - they are known for their incredible empanadas! You can find empanadas filled with all types of ingredients there, along with something called humitas, which consist of corn pudee and cheese wrapped in corn husks.
A couple of other random tidbits I noticed:
- At a grocery store, there was a shortage of coins, so instead of giving me back my change in coins, I was given candy!
- Argentinians often shorten the word "facebook" to "face".
- PDA (public display of affection) happens...it happens a lot...and it is excessive, so be warned. You'll be sure to see couples who appear to be in dire need of a hotel room in parks and other public areas.
- "Gauchito Gil" is the name of some small, red memorials consisting of flags and small man-made structures alongside many roads in Argentina. These were allegedly created by Gauchos/poor people in memory of the famous Gaucho named Hill.
- Many Venezuelan immigrants are in Buenos Aires working or looking for work. They fled to Argentina to escape the situation back at home, which is quite rough at the moment (especially in Caracas).
- Fernet (mint-flavored liquor) is an extremely popular drink and is often mixed with a form of soda and consumed in social settings.
La Paz was my first exposure to Bolivia and I suffered quite extensively from altitude sickness. I believe that this was mainly because I went from a low altitude to a very high one without any adjustment period. I realized that everything from going up the stairs to changing clothes becomes challenging because the air is thinner! In order to combat the effect of the altitude, people drink coca tea (coca leaves in water) or chew on the coca leaves to achieve the same effect. The coca plant also provides the body with energy and alleviates hunger. A pill called sorojpil is available at drug stores for people suffering from altitude sickness, and may be taken in cases where the coca leaves do not provide enough relief. Aside from the altitude sickness issues I experienced, I found the city to be charming and enjoyed my time there!
La Paz has 3 forms of taxis available: taxis, trufis (shared taxis), and minibuses. All of which, most travelers would find to be very inexpensive! People are happy to cram into vehicles and roam through traffic without fear of being hit by a car.
I found chulitas to be interesting. "What are chulitas?" you may ask. Chulitas are Bolivian women who are dressed in traditional attire and can be identified by their extremely colorful clothing with a circus-style (awkward-looking and also brown) top hat. I estimated about 5-10% of the visible population to be chulitas.
Perhaps the coolest part of my Bolivian experience was the Salt Flats; this was my main reason for visiting Bolivia! I had an amazing tour with Salty Desert Aventours for just $150 Bolivianos, which is just over $20 USD. We had an awesome and patient guide, were able to take incredible perspective and reflection pictures, and even had sunset on the flats and vegetarian food included in the package! It was surreal to experience how the the sky and the ground become the same entity. Words can't do it justice, and they don't have to. Pictures do, so check them out at the end of the post :)
After getting horribly burned at the salt flats, I learned some local sunburn alleviation tactics which may initially sound as ridiculous to you as they did to me when I first heard them - covering myself with slices of banana, using milk on the sunburned spots, and covering the affected the skin with slices of tomato - however all seemed to do the trick.
A few cool and different drinks I tried:
- api (a [purple] drink): made from fermented corn. Interesting taste but definitely not my favorite..nauseating after drinking too much
- mocochinchi - dried peaches left in water overnight, boiled with cinnamon and sugar, served cold.
Other random unhygienic tidbits:
- As I have found in other countries which don't necessarily have the best plumbing, paying to use the bathroom is the norm and TP goes in the trash, not in the toilet.
- Dogs are not treated particularly well - they are usually kicked out of their homes at night and forced to roam the streets until morning.
As the saying goes, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". So, I guess you really should stop reading right now..but a) that will now be impossible after I just told you to not read ahead, and b) I don't really have anything to mention here which needs to be censored.
One of the things I loved about Las Vegas was that I was able to combine the old with the new. I saw Fremont Street, which is where the action in Las Vegas used to be, but also walked around the new strip. The new strip is a lot longer than I had anticipated, so if you choose to walk this route, make sure you give yourself a lot of time, and drink some Gatorades along the way to recover! Also, not to miss is the amazing fountain show which occurs outside of the Bellagio hotel to a new song every few minutes!
I was lucky enough to get a retired taxi driver to show me around Red Rock Canyon. Located in the Mojave Desert, Red Rock Canyon is an incredibly interesting natural rock formation which looks as if someone put tape over the rocks, spraypainted over them, and then ripped the tape off, leaving strikingly odd, yet beautiful color patterns. Don't take my word for it, have a look at the picture and see for yourself.
Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.