have I mentioned librarything.com? it's cool. I've just started adding to it, I'm not sure how it will grow as I don't buy books (I've got a huge library that stores all my books for me!). I've just been adding what I've been reading lately. I've started adding books I've read in the past that I think are cool. You can search my library on the sidebar.
fun stuff.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
playing with google earth
Google earth uses satellite images to create maps. Here are some very awesome examples:
This is a map of Oaxaca with a few key points on it - like the main square, and a couple hotels. Google Earth is so much fun.
Here is a cool shot of Angkor Wat in Cambodia:
Funny, I have a friend who doesn't like ruins, he says "Ruins are just piles of stones" and thus he dismisses them as boring. Angkor Wat is considered "ruins" - not a pile of stones at all but a living breathing organism in many ways. Buddhist monks still care for the statues and give offerings at their feet. The sweet scent of incense burns your nose in the long hallways of the main temple. This image is only of the main temple in the Angkor complex. It is perhaps the largest archaeological complex in the world, and it is stunning, spiritually overwhelming, a true wonder.
This is a map of Oaxaca with a few key points on it - like the main square, and a couple hotels. Google Earth is so much fun.Here is a cool shot of Angkor Wat in Cambodia:
Funny, I have a friend who doesn't like ruins, he says "Ruins are just piles of stones" and thus he dismisses them as boring. Angkor Wat is considered "ruins" - not a pile of stones at all but a living breathing organism in many ways. Buddhist monks still care for the statues and give offerings at their feet. The sweet scent of incense burns your nose in the long hallways of the main temple. This image is only of the main temple in the Angkor complex. It is perhaps the largest archaeological complex in the world, and it is stunning, spiritually overwhelming, a true wonder.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Mexico in less than 4 months
It's done. I've booked the time off and we have our plane tickets in hand. We fly to Mexico City on Jan 15 and then onward to Puerto Escondido! We'll be staing at my mom's house - have a look it's pretty amazing.
We'll be in Mexico City for a few days, I've never been and Darren was there for only a couple days but he was doing business - trying to get paperwork for transporting a bus to Nicaragua and lamenting his lack of cash. Of course, I have been obsessively researching it, trying to find the best neighbourhood to stay in - either Zona Rosa or the Centro Historico. Anybody been there? have any comments to make? I'm leaning towards the Centro, because many of the attractions are there. Including Templo Mayor which is an Aztec temple right in the centre of the City. The zocalo, or main square is the second largest square in the world, second only to Red Square in Moscow. I'm looking forward to the Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Park. The National Art Museum will also be a highlight - I love the Mexican muralists, Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siquieros (rumoured to have been the one who ice-picked Trotsky). I also love Frida Kahlo's work (check it out here). Kahlo's work has been a big inspiration for Liane, a friend whose art adorns almost every wall in our house.
SO the big question is where to stay. The first choice for the Centro Historico is the Hotel Catedral - only $63US a night for a junior suite. It's a block from the Zócalo, right behind the cathedral, you really can't go wrong. or can you? Zona Rosa is the main tourist area, which has a lot of advantages. Usually I'd like to be on the outskirts of the tourist area, close enough to the amenities but far enough to not feel like I might as well be at home because everyone is Canadian/American. I want to be where the culture is different, why pay all that money to get away to basically be around others just like me? I might as well stay at home and get a hotel in White Rock. Since it is our first international stop with Elray (that's what he is calling himself these days), I'll be more cautious and stay closer to the tourist area.
We are going to spend the bulk of our time in Puerto Escondido. I was there over 15 years ago and it was a ten day party, I don't think I saw daylight the whole time. We'd get up late in the day, have dinner, watch the sunset and then spend our nights dancing at El Tubo until 5 or 6am. My memory of the place is blurry at best, although I do remember lovely beaches and a really hot surfer guy named José.
We will also make a side trip to Oaxaca, hopefully. Right now there is serious unrest, with teachers protesting in the main square every night- a travelblog entry from Sept 10 makes the point: Day 70 - Oaxaca - where the teachers are revolting. By January things should settle down. I hope. Oaxaca is a lovely colonial city with lots of charm. I'm sure it's changed since I was there, but it should still be an interesting aside from beach life. Las Golondrinas comes highly recommended, I have to find out if the beds are as hard as one reviewer mentions. My mom (and just about everyone) prefers a softer sleeping surface. It seems to be such a charming place from the photos though. Otherwise we may need a suite - having a kid means your hotel is more than a place to sleep at night. It is also a refuge during the day, for lunch, a nap or just to play.
So that's the plan. Pretty cool. Now we just have to figure out car safety and we'll be set. If you have ever heard of someone using a Tote n go for a carseat let us know how it worked. The online reviews are pretty contradictory.
We'll be in Mexico City for a few days, I've never been and Darren was there for only a couple days but he was doing business - trying to get paperwork for transporting a bus to Nicaragua and lamenting his lack of cash. Of course, I have been obsessively researching it, trying to find the best neighbourhood to stay in - either Zona Rosa or the Centro Historico. Anybody been there? have any comments to make? I'm leaning towards the Centro, because many of the attractions are there. Including Templo Mayor which is an Aztec temple right in the centre of the City. The zocalo, or main square is the second largest square in the world, second only to Red Square in Moscow. I'm looking forward to the Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Park. The National Art Museum will also be a highlight - I love the Mexican muralists, Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siquieros (rumoured to have been the one who ice-picked Trotsky). I also love Frida Kahlo's work (check it out here). Kahlo's work has been a big inspiration for Liane, a friend whose art adorns almost every wall in our house.
SO the big question is where to stay. The first choice for the Centro Historico is the Hotel Catedral - only $63US a night for a junior suite. It's a block from the Zócalo, right behind the cathedral, you really can't go wrong. or can you? Zona Rosa is the main tourist area, which has a lot of advantages. Usually I'd like to be on the outskirts of the tourist area, close enough to the amenities but far enough to not feel like I might as well be at home because everyone is Canadian/American. I want to be where the culture is different, why pay all that money to get away to basically be around others just like me? I might as well stay at home and get a hotel in White Rock. Since it is our first international stop with Elray (that's what he is calling himself these days), I'll be more cautious and stay closer to the tourist area.
We are going to spend the bulk of our time in Puerto Escondido. I was there over 15 years ago and it was a ten day party, I don't think I saw daylight the whole time. We'd get up late in the day, have dinner, watch the sunset and then spend our nights dancing at El Tubo until 5 or 6am. My memory of the place is blurry at best, although I do remember lovely beaches and a really hot surfer guy named José.
We will also make a side trip to Oaxaca, hopefully. Right now there is serious unrest, with teachers protesting in the main square every night- a travelblog entry from Sept 10 makes the point: Day 70 - Oaxaca - where the teachers are revolting. By January things should settle down. I hope. Oaxaca is a lovely colonial city with lots of charm. I'm sure it's changed since I was there, but it should still be an interesting aside from beach life. Las Golondrinas comes highly recommended, I have to find out if the beds are as hard as one reviewer mentions. My mom (and just about everyone) prefers a softer sleeping surface. It seems to be such a charming place from the photos though. Otherwise we may need a suite - having a kid means your hotel is more than a place to sleep at night. It is also a refuge during the day, for lunch, a nap or just to play.
So that's the plan. Pretty cool. Now we just have to figure out car safety and we'll be set. If you have ever heard of someone using a Tote n go for a carseat let us know how it worked. The online reviews are pretty contradictory.
Monday, September 04, 2006
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