David Coffin - "Roll the Old Chariot"

Bees Matter to Everyone

Hal Ketchum - Past The Point Of Rescue (Official Music Video)

Italian guy sits down at a piano, blows away the whole studio audience!

WOW Beautiful New Aerial Tram La Paz

The new state of the art Tram criss crosses La Paz and there is more still being constructed. Beauty. Truly changes the pedestrian movement as this is not just a functional tourist attraction it is indeed an amazing addition to the transportation system. Well done La Paz Bolivia!

Roasting Coffee Beans PIJAO Colombia

SLOW CITIES GAIN TRACTION

Philosophy

Good living means having the opportunity of enjoying solutions and services that allow citizens to live their town in an easy and pleasant way.


Living slow means being slowly hasty ; “festina lente” latins used to say, seeking everyday the “modern times counterpart” in other words looking for the best of the knowledge of the past and enjoying it thanks to the best possibilities of the present and of the future.

All of this will result in technological opportunities, modern solutions in communication, transportation, incoming, production and selling.

At present living and managing a Slowcity is just a particular way of carrying on an ordinary life-style rather than today’s trends.

Of course this way is meant to be, less frantic, yelding and fast; but there is no doubt that it will be more human, environmentally correct and sensible for the present and future generations; the project will respect small realities in a more and more global connected world.


Slow for a better life

We are looking for “towns where men are still curious of the old times, towns rich of theatres, squares, cafes, workshops, restaurants and spiritual places, towns with untouched landscapes and charming craftsman where people are still able to recognize the slow course of the Seasons and their genuine products respecting tastes, health and spontaneous customs...." (from Cittaslow Manifesto).


For this reason Slow Food has always sought the quality of life and made those things the main source of its success and of its worldwide expansion; Slow Food, together with those cities which mirror themselves in its ideals, have built the Cittaslow international network.

In times of “fast”, of production and of pressing velocity, carrying on such a goal seems to be an utopia; many majors coming from different towns have joined together and as well as with Slow Food in order to create the Cittaslow’s huge common project.

The movement has expanded to 100 towns and 10 countries all over the world since 1999, connecting administrators, citizens and Slow Food partners. He common goal is to have mutual experiences focusing on gourmet food, incoming, services qualities and on the environment.


Excellences

The Slow Cities movement promotes the use of technology oriented to improving the quality of the environment and of the urban fabric, and in addition the safe-guarding of the production of unique foods and wine the contribute to the character of the region.


In addition, Slow Cities seek to promote dialog and communication between local producers and consumers. With the overarching ideas of environmental conservation, the promotion of sustainable development, and the improvement of the urban life, Slow Cities provide incentives to food production using natural and environmentally-friendly techniques (one method for this promotion is through the Presidia).

The designation “Slow City” will become the mark of quality for smaller communities (only those with less than 50,000 residents may apply). Slow Cities are not state capitals or the seat of regional governments, but are strong communities that have made the choice to improve the quality of life for their inhabitants.

CITTASLOW PIJAO COLOMBIA

The only town in all of Latin America or South America designated a CITTASLOW town. Pijao is a Coffee Town that services the hundreds of Coffee Farmers in their area. A beautiful town with a pace of it's own. People are friendly, helpful and care about their town. You can see the pride in their streets everyday.

PIJAO Colombia Coffee Region

Guyana Raw Country worth visiting.

Jaguar Jaguar I am sure I saw a Jaguar! Recently on a trip I recall a Czech Birdwatcher who's only reason to visit Guyana was to see a Jaguar. Well he didn't. I did. (Not this puppy). The man was incensed and wanted his money back on the tour because he was promised a Jaguar. Oh well it seems a great photo is all most of us will ever enjoy. Gorgeous cat and I am not even a fan of felines. Guyana is still worth visiting and yes they do have Jaguars.

Speaking of Chocolate

Taking time to visit the many Chocolate Festivals takes a bit of planning. Get ready for next year. The dividends are rewarding. In the mean time Online Chocolatiers are finding their way to you and bringing you the worlds best chocolate no matter where you live. Well almost.
Finding luxury chocolates has got one step closer under one roof. www.chocolatconcierge.com

Chocolate Festivals in Italy.

A treat in October is the Chocolate Festival in Florence. These Festivals are held all over Europe during the period of the Chocolate. Europeans love their chocolate so when traveling stop in at some of their finest little stops along the way. Another great Festival is held in Taormina Italy.

     

La Paz The Past Present and Future

La Paz, Bolivia. A city to visit. Unique in it's landscape. Unique in it's people. Unique in so many ways and they are all part of the rich fabric of life. There is the Tourism area and the major boulevards, amazing diversity in food to be found as well as modern and old traditions mixed comfortably. I clearly urge anyone who has not been to Bolivia to make the trip.

Billionaires Move Islands Anywhere

This can be done. Just waiting for the first one to step forward. I put my name on the list but it was erased before the request dried. Hmmmm. Billionaires can move their islands to any part of the world as the sun sets. Pretty Kool.

Experiential Travel in Peru

Come on tell us you would not enjoy hanging off a cliff overnight, having a gourmet dinner in your pod and then breakfast on the roof ot it the next morning? This is Experiential Travel and you do not have to be a seasoned climber to enjoy it. After your night is done you just Zip Line back to the bottom of the cliff face.

TRAVELSAPIEN ENDORSES - TROIKA Operation Siberia

TROIKA - Operation Siberia. TRAVELSAPIEN says " If you are looking for a fast paced short read with twisted plot, exciting action moments, and the feel of a Siberian Winter you will enjoy this Book #6 of the Hunter Blacke Chronicles available on Amazon Kindle. Great country descriptions catch our attention right from the start.

Troika - Operation Siberia   www.amazon.com/dp/B00RJ9QMXY  

Travelsapien Endorses - Rumble On Clydesdale Street

                                                http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q1P3NAW


Life & Times. Another Era. Post WW2 Burnaby BC Canada. A rural street now plowed under the asphalt for a highway entrance. All houses are gone. The street is gone but at one time it was a beautiful little street full of young children growing up. Their stories. Their lives from a child's viewpoint. Christmas stories. Family stories. School yard stories. Laughter and tears. Great reflections that make you want to read more. Under the asphalt their spirits remain. Check it out.     

Travelsapien Endorses - Kazakhstan 'Radioactive Jane'

Another great read from Hunter Blacke. This set of books always brings into the general line of the story almost a Travelogue look at the locations. This gives the reader an inside seat on the locations where they can identify with the Operatives, Spies and Assassins. Like it as a Travel Book. Sort of.

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0AGCYY  

TRAVELSAPIEN ENDORSES - ARMENIA CAPER

 

 

Great read on Kindle Amazon. Having visited Armenia during the time this novel is set in I can attest to the fact the accuracy is amazing. As to the story I understand it is a creative licence in motion. Nice mix. I think this fits into a Travel Journal of sorts. Gives a time capsule look at a little country that went through some very difficult times. Congratulations to Armenia for making a super hero recovery.   
http://www.amazon.com//dp/B00N00Y1DE

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N8JSPMA  

The 2nd in the Hunter Blacke Chronicles just published. This one takes place in Armenia. Hunter hooks up with his old friends to unravel a plot to sabotage the games with cheating, manipulation, and deaths. Couple to this is another level of criminality with countries using the games as a cover to engage in covert Arms dealing. Throughout this mirage a new associate joins in to assist however they are very shadowy, clandestine, and brings a totally wild card to the pack. Good historical stuff included rounds out the reads as entertainment and somewhat educating about a country few know anything about. Definitely a Travelsapien recommendation to visit. Beautiful place.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NKM71RA/

 

Hunter Blacke Chronicles Book #3 Baku Oil On The Fire takes place in Baku Azerbaijan. The intrigue lies in the Oil Congress where the President is dropping the bombshell he is expelling BP and Britain from the country. This after much backdoor work was done at the collapse of Soviet Russia to position BP favorably with the ruling family. The intent is for the President to increase positioning with the Russians obtaining more personal wealth from the arrangement. Shell and some other players are not affected but BP would be a calamity for the region. Hunter Blacke and some friends all the way thwart the Oil Fixers and insure BP position is not in danger of an economic misfire.
Lots of interesting ingredients readers who travel will find comfort with.

Israel - The Land of Olive Trees

Old Time Technology still being used on small plots of land where Olives are harvested for some of the World's finest Olive oil. Israel in particular the area of the West Bank has traditionally been viewed as the birth of the Olive Tree. There is no doubt Olive Oil, if you can get it, from this country is amongst the finest in the world.