It was standing room only, but I found a seat among the several hundred international media in attendance at Tianguis 2013 in Puebla, Mexico. The cameras flashed constantly as the VIPs made there way across the stage and sat down much to quickly. “Photo!” One photographer called, which prompted a similar chorus of dissatisfied shutterbugs waiting to get a better shot of the VIPs, who all eventually stood up. The flashes went wild.

Tianguis 2013

Attendees to Tianguis 2013

Tianguis is an annual event in Mexico that invites travel agents (the folks who make your travel plans and suggest options), tour operators (the folks that put together tour packages so you can get a great price while they take care of all of the details) and travel writers, like myself (who encourage you to travel).

I admit, I never come to these events to listen to these VIPs give speeches, even if attempt to appear to be interested. After all, I know exactly what each is going to say. They will talk about gratitude for our attendance, about all the wonderful culture only available in Mexico, great food and great people, beaches and luxury and a bunch of other things Mexico promotes.

Really, Tianguis

I love Mexico and have visited dozens of times, but really Tianguis is all a bit of gobble-de-gook in an expensive dog and pony show. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s true. The good news is that I really do love Mexico (you probably do, too) and Tianguis is ultimately about celebrating Mexico with the people that try to promote it. I suppose I could have just written what the VIPs said.

Instead, I thought I would write about a nice surprise, Puebla. Puebla is Mexico’s fourth largest city of about two million people, but has a great old town area with an equally great zocolo (town square usually next to a cathedral). Just take a look at some of these great photos

I will be writing more about Tianguis and Puebla in the coming days, but wanted to make a story that introduced Puebla while keeping Tianguis in its proper place, appreciating it for its real value of celebrating Mexico.

So if you fancy extending your stay – and who wouldn’t? – make sure you check out some of the big events coming to Dublin in the New Year.

If you’re a music lover, don’t miss the dulcet tones of singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran as he charms the crowds at Dublin’s O2 Arena in January. Famous for his unruly mop of orange locks and a diverse style that somehow combines soul, folk and rap, catch Ed as he makes heart-wrenchingly beautiful sounds with his guitar, rich vocals and timeless lyrics.

Another big name to grace the O2 Arena stage in January is Two Door Cinema Club. The local lads from Bangor and Donaghadee in County Down have only been a band since 2007, but have wasted no time in making themselves heard. This popular indie rock outfit has shot to mainstream success, snatching Irish Album of the Year in 2010 for debut album Tourist History, and claiming the No.1 spot for second album Beacon in the Irish Albums Chart. Catch them on 19th January at the O2 Arena.

If you’re planning to make a night or two of it, you’ll find a number of accommodation options throughout the city from budget-friendly Travelodge hotels and airport digs to swanky four and five-star residences.

Another major highlight in Dublin’s New Year calendar is the Heineken Cup tie, which sees local club Leinster battle it out against Llanelli Scarletts on the rugby field. This is set to be a hard-fought match and promises plenty of atmosphere, both during and after the game, when the cheer will no doubt spill out into the local bars and pubs.

If you’re heading to the game, it’s well worth arranging a stopover. Check out the Dublin Rathmines hotel – it’s just a couple of miles from the stadium on the southern fringes of the city, with easy access to the major road networks. If you’re planning to drive, for big ties such as Leinster vs Scarletts it’s often worth parking a short distance from the ground and travelling the rest of the way on foot, as this makes getting away after the game much easier.

Corfu by the sea

Everyone Needs a Vacation

With our weather increasingly unsettled and the prospect of getting a week of sun slowly slipping further from our radar, the only chance of soaking up some much needed vitamin D would be to travel abroad. It doesn’t take too much persuasion to convince the Brits that they need to travel to one of our European cousins to enjoy some sun, but the possibilities of where to go and stay are simply endless. Turkey is a great option with Dalaman holidays proving popular with tourists. The turquoise coastline boasts some outstanding scenery, and with all sorts of activities on offer it’s a fantastic family all-rounder.

A Corfu Vacation

Other great destinations are of course the Canaries, and the Balearics. Greece is another favourite with Corfu hitting the spot time and again for those looking for a great escape. If you want to book Corfu vacations, you will be lucky enough to find that as with the many other popular destinations, there are a whole host of packages, resorts and accommodation types on offer.

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Packages can consist of the basics such as when you want to go, what airport you wish to fly from, which local resort you prefer, and so on. Then it can be modified so you can add your wish list. For instance, what facilities do you want in your hotel? Spa or children’s club? What activities you want to do while you are away? Scuba diving or horse riding? And so it goes on.

Getting Started

Then you can build your package around this information, with a little help from the tour operator where necessary, giving you the perfect resort and ready made vacation with all of your requirements on hand.

The package holiday market has been around for decades and has been mass-produced ever since. Originally it was just travel and accommodation, but over the years this has been refined and created into the modern day package with all of the add-ons that we insist on, thus creating the most cost effective and hassle free holiday. No wonder it’s still a winner.

Book an Airport Hotel

Airport hotels are perfect for business trips as you’re guaranteed to be at the airport in good time. Forget the panicked rush to the airport (and that sinking feeling when you see an unexpected accident or traffic jam) and instead sleep soundly in the knowledge that you’re mere minutes away from the check in desk. You could even use the airport hotel Wi-Fi to check-in online, giving you more time in the morning to prepare, rest or even enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel café.

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Prepare Properly

Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail, as the saying goes. Make sure that you know all the details of your trip, as making your way around a foreign country can be difficult and add more stress to an already stressful situation. Keep copies of all of your documents and ensure that you have transport booked to greet you (or know where and when to find public transport).

Insure Your Trip

Few things are more stressful than befalling an accident or injury, or being the victim of a crime. Compound this with being in a foreign place, and pressing business commitments, and you have a nightmare situation.
Be sure that your company has covered you with an appropriate level of travel insurance, that you have emergency numbers in your phone, and that you will have access to emergency funds should the worst happen.

Have a Clear Itinerary

If your trip is likely to be packed with meetings, visits and the like, make sure that your itinerary is clear and that you leave yourself enough time to get from A to B and prepare properly before each engagement.

Rushing around is stressful enough, but even more so when you don’t know your way around and there’s no-one speaking your language to help. Lateness makes a terrible impression, so avoid it by leaving plenty of time between meetings, knowing where and who you are meeting, and having clear directions and a method of getting there.
Factor in ‘Off Duty’ Time

Wherever you are travelling to it’s important to factor in some ‘off duty’ time during your trip. You wouldn’t work 24/7 at home so why do it when on a business trip? Where possible, keep ‘office hours’ and spend some time enjoying your destination – or even just relaxing in your hotel.

Start as you mean to go on with a drink in the airport hotel bar the night before your flight, before relaxing in a comfortable room with all modern comforts and facilities.

Factoring in ‘you’ time means that you can conduct your business refreshed instead of frazzled, and prepared instead of rushed – for the most effective and enjoyable business trip possible.

Politics, Charitable Contributions and the Food Pantry

In the months leading up to the election, there was no shortage of politically-charged opinions and, in this digital age, my Facebook newsfeed was overflowing with damnations and sweeping generalizations of those “greedy” Republicans and Democrats who “live off the government”. Mitt Romney was vilified for his comments about the 47% and the “very poor”. Obama was labeled a Communist and my conservative friends insisted it isn’t government’s role to care for people, it’s charity’s responsibility. Opinions aside, I had to wonder, were my liberal friends helping the “very poor” they apparently cared so much about? Were my conservative friends giving to the charities they claimed should help their fellow Americans? Sure, everyone posted politically charged status updates and self-congratulatory photos of their “I Voted!” stickers, but was there any meaningful action behind it all?

I volunteer every other week at a local food pantry. To capitalize on everyone’s current political enthusiasm, I urged friends to take a more active role in helping those less fortunate. I challenged each of them to ‘put your money where your mouth is’. Rather than post another snarky status update, I encouraged them to help those “very poor” caught in the political crossfire by donating to their local food pantries.

The Food Pantry Challenge

I am extending the same challenge to you. To maximize your donation, here are some pointers I have acquired while volunteering:

1. The food pantry is not your garbage can. Do not give them your expired food with the mindset that they should be happy for what they get. No one is happy when they get botulism. Expired food has to be thrown out, but only after the volunteers’ time has been wasted by checking each can’s date then lugging them all to a dumpster.

2. Staples like oil, flour and sugar are rarely donated and always needed and appreciated.

3. When donating mixes (like instant potatoes or muffins) ones that require only water are preferable to those that require milk, oil and/or eggs, which are often precious commodities.

4. No prep, easy-open, shelf stable foods are ideal for children who are home alone and cannot prepare their own snacks. Ideas include low-fat pudding cups, trail mix, beef jerky, easy-open fruit cups, 100% juice boxes and peanut butter cracker sandwiches.

5. Laundry detergent is not covered by food stamps and is always needed. Any kind is helpful; laundry pods are easily portable for those who do their laundry outside the home, while liquids and powdered formulas allow people to use less, stretching the bottle over many loads.

6. Give regularly. After the holidays, donations drop dramatically. It’s heartbreaking to look a child in the face during the summer and apologize because you have no cereal for her breakfast this month.

7. Many kids living in poverty are not afforded the luxury of a birthday cake. Consider making birthday packs for your local food pantry. Include a disposable aluminum pan for baking, cake mix, frosting, candles and a birthday card. This is a great service project for classrooms, workplaces, scouts and kids earning volunteer hours for graduation, confirmation or bar and bat mitzvahs. Every child deserves a happy birthday.

8. It is true that some food pantry recipients are there because of their own bad choices. However, many of these recipients have children. Do not avoid giving simply to punish people for making bad choices. In the end, it’s their kids who end up suffering.

9. A fair number of recipients are the elderly who have outlived their savings and can no longer work. Incontinence products, Tucks pads and denture products are always needed.

10. If you’re a vegetable gardener, share your bounty or plant a few extra plants for your local pantry. Fresh produce is a rare treat for many of these families.

11. Don’t forget the animals! In this economy, many families must surrender their pets and shelters are overflowing. A donation to your favorite (preferably no-kill) shelter is a great way to help our furry friends. Cash is ideal but if you don’t have any to spare, inquire about other needs they may have like old blankets. Animals have no voice…they are depending on you!

Helping Others: It’s Easy

It is my sincere hope that some of my friends, and you, accept my challenge. It’s very easy to flaunt one’s holier-than-thou, pious political beliefs on Facebook during election season but talk is cheap. The real measure of one’s convictions—and the only way to enact real change—is the willingness to follow through with action and help fill up your local food pantry.

Jennifer Rhodes is a writer and teacher whose big mouth and complete absence of sound judgment make her a liability in most professional and social situations even when inviting others’ charitable contributions to a food pantry.

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Greece: A Paradise

Greece is a fantastic destination for holiday makers or travellers to visit. The numerous islands and mainland Greece have many sights to see and activities on offer. With beaches, nightclubs and historical sites, Greece’s rich history and warm sunny climate make it a paradise that has something to please tourists of all ages and interest.

Travel to Greece
Flight times to Greece are around 4-5 hours from the U.K., with tour operators such as Thomson, offering flights or package holiday deals. Different types of holiday are available, all inclusive is a great way to travel as food and drink is to hand at all times and there is no need to worry about finding the best restaurants or shops. Self catering apartments and bungalows are also easy to find throughout Greece. Some people prefer to travel half board with some meals provided and the opportunity to go out and try local restaurants in the evenings, this option is also well catered for by hotels around the country.

Food and Drink
Greece has a great selection of food and drink available, with specialities such as slow roasted lamb with feta cheese, tomatoes and onions a great Greek dish to try. Ouzo the famous Greek drink with an aniseed flavour and potent alcohol content is a favourite among some locals. Greece has a diverse Mediterranean menu with olive oil and other fresh ingredients being commonly found in dishes.

Sights to See
The sites to see are vast with Greece’s history providing some truly awe inspiring sites. The Parthenon mounted high atop the Acropolis in central Athens is a favourite site for tourists. The theatre of Dionysus can also be found here, on a hill to the south of the Acropolis. Along with these historical sites are Greece’s many beautiful harbours, bays and beaches. Myrtos Beach, voted the best in Greece on several occasions, is renowned all over the world for its white sandy beach and clear blue green waters. All around mainland Greece and its islands ancient ruins and areas of unspoilt natural beauty can be found.

Climate
Although

Greece

is a large country spanning a large area with its many islands, the climate is similar in most areas. The mountains are the exception to the rule and can experience cooler wetter climates than the plains or beach areas. The south of the country is also slightly hotter than the north. Greece is famed for its sunny weather and with good reason, many hot sunny days are experienced with the summer temperatures rarely dropping below 20 The islands are the most popular destinations for tourists and have a distinctly Mediterranean climate with long dry summers. The islands also have the bonus of cool sea breezes known as meltemi which visit in the hottest months. The months from April to September are the driest and warmest with lower temperatures and more rainfall between October and March to visit Greece.

Greece: A Paradise

The people watching in Thailand mesmerized me. I was in the village of Baan Nuer Wat Thea Wa Sang Karam, near Kanchanaburi and the infamous River Kwai in Thailand. I watched as the Thai people paraded around me, and their sacred temple, with candles, incense and peaceful focus. Hundred of people swarmed. Monks chanted in the background as the smell of sweet incense filled me.

As a city boy from Los Angeles in

Thailand

, there were no security forces, no crowd control officiants looming near by suspiciously eyeing the crowd. It was all so easy and relaxed. Still I was agitated by my ability to capture every moment with my camera, and its ISO craned to take pictures in the dark.

I often wonder if I am intruding. Whether the celebrations like these welcome the White guy with the enormous camera dangling from his neck, even if he is truly inspired and thinks he is being respectful. If I had to guess, I was invisible to most. I tried to stay out of their way and turned my flash off to not bother anyone. Even if I asked whether it was okay that I was watching, I had become so accustomed to the famed hospitality in Thailand that it all felt natural. I was just part of the Thailand scenery. It is the Buddhist mystique that allows for the 24-hour a day pandemonium and socially dubious qualities of downtown Bangkok and the soft gatherings in quaint towns that can reveal two worlds in Thailand.

I eventually, put down my camera and just soaked in the appreciation of Buddhist adoration in action. I just stood there admiring the large gather of the peaceful Buddhist in Thailand, near the River Kwai, in a tiny village, filled with people I will likely never visit again. The parade seemed to just continue into the night. And just one reason why Thailand is so memorable.

For more on Thailand

Buddhism: Alive and Well in Thailand

Cricketers in Stanley Park, British Colombia

Canada is such a huge country, and has so much to offer the tourist. If you are thinking of going on a holiday to Canada, take a look at our list of some of the top attractions available. You may have to spend a bit on your credit cards, but there are many ways you can save. You can earn air miles rewards on your spending and use your air miles to travel to various places for example.

Toronto Island Park

If you’re looking for a fun place to take your family in the sunshine, the Toronto Island Park is perfect. It consists of four main islands, and has beaches, children’s amusement rides, and trails. It is easy to get to from downtown Toronto, giving you a welcome break from the city.

Wild Pacific Trail

For those seeking a more rugged holiday experience, the Wild Pacific Trail, situated in Ucluelet, British Columbia, offers wonderful coastal views. One piece of advice from a former visitor is not to bother wearing a hat, as the ferocious coastal winds will blow it away.

Canadian Railway Museum

If you are a train enthusiast, or just want to take a look at a snapshot of Canadian history, the Railway Museum makes for a nice day out. Situated in St. Constant, a suburb to the south of downtown Montreal, it is an easy drive away.

Stanley Park

Another great attraction for families, Stanley Park is the third largest park in North America, and has plenty to keep young and old children occupied. The park is huge and beautiful, with plenty of opportunities for biking, inline skating, walking, running and looking at wildlife.

D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club

If you are a golf enthusiast, then why not try the D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club. Situated just outside Calgary, Alberta, it is one of the best golf courses for the price. It has a stunning view, and the greens and fairways are kept in top condition.

Canadian War Museum

For military history enthusiasts, the Canadian War Museum is a must. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, there are many vehicles on display from the wars of the past. Children will love to climb inside them and imagine being pilots, while adults may be interested to learn of the history.

Sante Spa Victoria

Just a few minutes from downtown Victoria, British Columbia, the Sante Spa Victoria is the perfect place to unwind and relax. This will be worth every penny you spend on your credit card, as you experience the most relaxing day you’ve ever had. Quite simply, it has everything you could want in a relaxing place to stay.

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Things to Do On Holiday in Canada

The old town of Talinn, Estonia, surprised me. Not that I had any particular expectation. I didn’t. But these photos of

Talinn, Estonia

, speak for themselves. I was not planning for something that rivaled the well-preserved old town of Sweden’s Stockholm. Old town Talinn, Estonia, is a compact walkable city with lots of incredible history and numerous photogenic lines making it a perfect place for photography, I would also point out that as mid-summer approaches Talinn, Estonia, the longer the period of golden light is available.

Of course, these are only some of my favorites of the Old Town, and I ended up taking well over 800 shots in only five days. So, the country has a lot to offer.

As a writer, I have stories coming about hotels, food and the fascinating Setoland, and its people, by the Estonia/Russia border. However, what sticks out mostly is the Estonian history with Russia.

As with all my photos, I shoot with a Canon 60d and a flexible 18-135mm lens.

In Photos: Old Town Talinn, Estonia

For more great photos

Just tuning in to listen to the daily news one can’t help but be struck by the bombarding array of fear associated with Muslims; the terrorist plots, the Sharia Law, and the fact that Muslims, and in particular a Muslim Woman who wears the hijab (Islamic headdress), can’t really be called “modern” as they are choosing not to assimilate. That is what I see each day while watching the news. Although I am a

modern Muslim woman

, and I am a Muslim woman who chooses to wear hijab, I can see how if I weren’t Muslim I would begin to fear “those people.” What is surprising is that on a day-to-day basis I feel no such thing from non-Muslims; I sincerely feel that the greater majority of people either overlook me completely as they are frantically trying to live their own hectic lives, or see me blend into society. I am usually just as frantic as they are, running around with at least one of my three small children in tow.

I feel I symbolize a modern Muslim Woman although I’m sure both more conservative Muslim women and the more liberal would differ. I wear hijab, pray five times a day, fast during the month of Ramadan, and I’ve been to hajj. But I also love music and movies, all different kinds of books, magazines, and blogs. I can’t really claim to be a fashionista but I do love girly clothes, makeup, and jewelry. I’ve found that through my style of dress I’ve broken many stereotypes and further have opened many non-confrontational discussions. I have had many of these conversations meander into “are you Muslim?” and the ever popular “why do you wear hijab?”

For me being a modern Muslim woman means many things. It means that I do not fear those that do not share my faith. It means that I behave in accordance to the book of God, and not try to politicize my religion. It means doing my best, although many would criticize my style of hijab and my love of fashion and material goods, and at times my libertarian style of interaction with others. The live and let live philosophy drives one only so far before being viewed as meek and overly mild. I am neither, and I hold very strong and yes at times very conservative views on certain issues, but I do feel that people deserve a certain amount of space to exist without others manipulating them or pigeon-holing anyone into a specific stereotype or belief-system. To be a modern Muslim woman, in my eyes, is to be at peace within yourself, to see how others view the world, if they are salafy or right wing. It’s being able to accept work that you do not agree with and yet you are respectful of the time and effort it took. Practicing religion is intended to bring one peace, to allow one to be devoid of prejudices and bigotries, and to allow one to remove their burdens and put them on something greater than anyone living. Peoples’ relationship with a higher being is so deeply personal and to criticize or debate the morals or ideals of anyone takes the debate outside of religion itself. That balance which allows everyone to thrive is the true state of being a modern Muslim, and from my travels and personal interactions I’ve found that there are quite a few of us roaming the globe.

Ghada was born in Cairo, Egypt and lived there to the age of four before coming to the United States at such a young age. She feels immensely blessed that she has been immersed in the traditions of a different culture, and able to tap into another world in her creative endeavors.

She finds that her children inspire her by the simplicity that they perceive the world. From that, she is able to let go of her complex views and see the world simply as it is.

For more about Ghada and her writing, visit www.ghadabedair.com rel=nofollow

The Modern Muslim Woman