Archive for the ‘Variety’ Category

Travel Attire – Making good choices might improve your flight experience!

Monday, June 9th, 2008

Grumpy Traveler

My husband can be a pretty grumpy traveler, but even he, with a few moderations to his attire, can be a happy traveler.  He had to stop wearing his lace-up shoes through airport security, for one thing.  But here are a few more tips to help make your flying experience more palatable.

I have a great deal of respect for the Frommers’ people and their travel advice.  Recently, the travel site gurus ran a piece on what NOT to wear when flying.  The advice is simple, yet comprehensive.  It’s great advice for anyone who hasn’t quite figured out that, yes, Virginia, no matter what they taught you in school about being non-judgmental, on a plane, you will be judged by the clothes you wear.

Read on . . .

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Alberta’s Love Affair with Wheels: As long as it rolls, there’s an event or a place to honor it!

Monday, June 9th, 2008

Harley Davidson

Albertans have an extreme passion – they love their wheels.

Car wheels, motorcycle wheels, train wheels, farm machinery wheels – as long as it rolls – Albertans will pay tribute.

Here is a quick look at just a few of the events and museums in the province that might be intriguing to all those wheel fanatics out there.

Classic Black Car Headlight by Sheree Zielke

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Sheree Zielke

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July 4th – Independence Day Fireworks in New York City!

Saturday, June 7th, 2008

M&M Statue of Liberty Guy

With millions of people, all eager to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s best Fourth of July fireworks, where does a visitor – or for that matter – a local New Yorker go to catch the show? 

It’ll be my first visit to New York during the 4th of July, and I wanted to do this visit up right.  I have already done Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day – so I am expecting great things from New York City on Independence Day.

But I am glad I did the research first.  Here’s what I discovered about how best to enjoy the Fourth of July in New York City. 

Read on . . . 
 

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Philadelphia, a Sunken Ship, Treasure, and a Boy Pirate? Oh my! Count me in!

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

Gargoyle by Sheree Zielke

Okay, count me in.  I’m hooked.

When I began my initial research into Philadelphia, I wasn’t expecting to find, of all things, pirates.  But lo and behold, yes, indeedy, matey, I am on my way to see pirates.

Or rather what is left of them. This July.  On a day trip from New York City.

I have decided to ignore pre-arranged babysitting tour company all-in-one tours, and arrange the trip myself on the Amtrak train.  It’ll save my husband and I a bundle of money.  And I am a sucker for the unexpected.

So, the pirate exhibit in Philly was a most delightful unexpected surprise.  I can hardly keep my timbers from shivering.

Read on . . .  (more…)

New York City? Try a day trip to Philadelphia! It’s easy!

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

New York City Double-Decker  Bus Tours by sheree Zielke

We are off to New York City in a few weeks, but we’ve been there lots of times.  And, while we LOVE the Big Apple, we are adventurous travelers.  So, it’s time to step out of our comfort zone once more.

The “City of Brotherly Love,” – that’s Philly, for those of you not in the know, is just under 2 hours away, by train.  This historical hub of the USA sounds very intriguing.

But how to get there?  And what to do?  And how long do you have to do it?

Read on . . . (more…)

Shoot People While Traveling, But Do So With Respect!

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Boy with Dad by Sheree Zielke

 

A man ran up to our table at the local farmers market, and boom, he and his camera were in my granddaughter’s face.  No preamble, no “Hi. How are you?”  No nothing.  Just wham, bam . . . you get the picture (pardon the pun).

I was stunned.  It was all I could do not to grab the guy by his camera cord and demand that he erase the picture.  He stupidly bobbed his head, mumbling something about how he “hoped I didn’t mind,” but I knew he wasn’t asking permission.  He was just reacting to the look on my face. 

He scuttled away like the vermin he had proven himself to be.

Do you photograph people this way?  If so, you are WRONG!  And worse, you are a coward.

As a photographer, I am very opposed to this grab-and-run style of thievery.  In my estimation, it is a type of violence, a rape, if you will.   Without some form of permission, be it a slight nod of acceptance or a full model release, modern day shutterbugs should NOT be zooming in on people, and taking their photos.

Here are some suggestions to ensure you remain civilized when shooting photographs of strangers.  Read on . . .

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Malaria? Alberta has mosquitoes but they don’t leave parasites behind!

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

Malaria? 

It’s a word I have heard, but I never really spent much time thinking about it.  That is until I began researching Belize (I am tripping there end of August).

I thought Malaria was prevalent only in far away countries like Africa and India, not the Americas.  But I was wrong.  Malaria is also common in South and Central America.

Yikes, I thought, what do I do?  Read on . . .

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Are you using Flickr? How about Picnik?

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008



Boardwalk to beach on South Padre Island

Originally uploaded by Hadassah28


I just started using a feature on Flickr called, “Picnik.” It is so handy and so much fun to use, that it stunned me.

You can make any changes you want to your uploaded photographs. And the best part? Picnik is so user-friendly, with its helpful tabs, explanations, slider bars, and undo options.

This is one great site!

Cheers,
Sheree Zielke

Looking for wild exciting times? Visit Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city!

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

Horses and Wagon

Alberta embraces the simpler life, and some farms (like Sprout Farms) offer wooden wagon rides pulled by draft horses.   It’s one way to spend a summer day in Alberta, but the Edmonton area has so much more to offer.  Here are some suggestions of things to do, when you travel to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton.

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An Alberta Visit: Be Prepared to Meet at least one Sheep!

Monday, May 19th, 2008

Rocky Mountain Sheep

Alberta is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I should know. I live here. Yes, I travel to other parts of the world, and I do so frequently; I would go nuts if I didn’t. But I love traveling in Alberta, too.

Alberta is home to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Two of the most visited ski towns are located here, too: Jasper and Banff.

Travelers along the mountain highways will often be treated to the sight of flocks Rocky Mountain sheep (yes, they look like goats – but they are sheep).

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