Sexy Savanah

posted by Savanah on Sep 30

Many businesses are realizing the essential relevance of providing excellence customer service to customers, while there are others that have incorporated it into their overall philosophy and have practiced it from day one. To a customer who is walking into a business for the first time, the length of time that it has been concerned with the quality of service it provides is unlikely to be given much consideration by them. With this in mind, and as long as business is active, it is never too late to begin practicing excellent customer service. Steven Barbarich does not need coaching to realize the importance of great customer service. Nor does he practice it simply for the increased sales it helps to incorporate or the repeat customer advantages associated with it. Barbarich insists on providing quality customer care because he has been on the consumer end of less than adequate service and respects his own customers too much to let this happen to them.

Providing excellent customer service is something that does not occur simply when the purchase is being made. It begins with first contact with the customer and does not end until it is assured that the customer is pleased and satisfied with the purchase. To ensure this, there are many practices that businesses can put into place. One of the easiest is to provide employee training on customer service skills and incorporate it into the position requirements. In today’s increasingly global market, cultural diversity awareness and training can also play an extremely important role in the quality of service a business is able to provide to a consumer. Maintaining high professional ethics and offering quality products or services is another easy way to help ensure customer satisfaction. Ultimately, a happy customer will make a purchase and when appropriate become a repeat customer. This is reason enough to care about the well being of an otherwise stranger.

posted by Savanah on Sep 29

Companies doing business globally should first find a consulting firm that takes an integrated approach in analyzing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the anti-corruption polices. Consultants that consider all issues and requirements that may be triggered, which includes the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements and obligations under the securities laws and the anti-money laundering laws. They should have lawyers with depth of experience in successfully dealing with the full spectrum of embargo laws and export controls that may be triggered by your international dealings.

The consulting firm should have a team with which to help you comply with the FCPA, the Anti-Bribery Convention and any and all anti-corruption regimes. There work should provide global solutions for you company facing the challenges of an ever increasing complex regulation and intensified global enforcement.

They should also excel in cross-border collaboration. Whether a Europe-based company is conducting FCPA due-diligence for a merger transaction that spans multiple jurisdictions or a U.S. Issuer responding to an RFP in the Middle East, which involves an Asia-based service provider. The consulting firm should have strong capabilities and nice cohesion that will enable them to bring their team members’ collective insights that regard all cultural matters, legal issues and political risks.

The consulting firm should provide assessments and audits of internal controls that will detect and prevent potential FCPA violations, identify the ‘red flags’ and conduct pre-acquisition due diligence to minimize the successor risk liability, they should establish protective measures that incorporate anti-corruption related contract provisions and obtain opinions released from the U.S. Department of Justice. Then need to counsel you on the guidelines for business courtesies concerning gifts and entertainment to not only foreign officials under the FCPA, but the local laws as well. Therefore, non-U.S. Based and U.S. Based issuers, public and private companies, boards of directors, individuals and audit committees in diverse industries, such as yours, will be well equipped and well informed concerning the FCPA and be of compliance.

posted by Savanah on Sep 28

I have been experience a lot of back and shoulder pain and tension lately. The changes at work have been tough lately. A lot of lay offs, rearranging of the work force and re tooling the line. Everyone is so stressed out I think they are going to crack. I certainly hope the economy picks up soon cause I don’t think we can take too much more of this too much longer with out everyone blowing up.

I have been looking into ways in which I can manage to this stress better. Working out and learning some yoga have helped out a lot but I still have the sore neck and back. I was doing some research on hot tubs and spas and what I was finding out seems to be what I am looking for.

Soaking in a hot tub or spa, also known as hydrotherapy, has many health benefits for a person. Simply soaking in hot water is helpful to the body. The heat dilates the blood vessels and thus increases blood circulation. This helps the body in elimination of toxins which are stressful to the body. Also soaking in a hot tub the action of the jest messaging sore muscles and joints can release the tension in the muscles and therefore release the pain in the joints and musculature there.

Deciding to do this now it is time to prepare a place of the hot tub to be installed. On the back of the house is a large covered porch. Right out the Acadia door would be the perfect place for the hot tub. With easy access in and out of the house so I don’t have to go too far in the cold weather. I will be easy to run the necessary electrical line to that spot of the porch. The only challenge will be the plumbing. Not really my ball of wax so I will contact my plumber friend to take a look and see what the solution to this will be.

posted by Savanah on Sep 28

One of the most cited factors inhibiting economic development is corruption. It increases income inequality, reduces the welfare of societies, impedes economic and political growth and reduces trust in political institutions.  All over the world, policymakers struggle with the creation of anti-corruption policies. This task is daunting because if the anti-corruption policies fail, then corruption will be viewed as an in solvable problem. A problem where interventions will do more harm than good. All policies, whether or not they deal with corruption, need to have a high probability of effectiveness before other countries will risk the implementation, but where is a venue to test it?

One way to test if the anti-corruption policies are sound is an approach to use the scientific process to analyze the effect policy has on individual behavior before the policy is implemented on to the world. This utilizes scientific tools to develop policy. One experiment proposes to investigate three different types of corruption: bribery, patronage and nepotism. Also investigate three different policy interventions: improved transparency, sanctions, and enhanced civic awareness, both in Pakistan and in the U.S. Means to test these policies are underway with the first two pilot projects, one at Rice University and the other at the Institute for Business Administration in Karachi, Pakistan.

Corruption is viewed differently from culture to culture, so the success of an anti-corruption policy will be reliant upon the underlying culture. Basically, the same policies might fail in one culture, but succeed in the atmosphere of another. Generally when a policy is formulated, policymakers will make decisions without knowing the outcome. This scientific approach, a better understanding of what policies will cause corruption to proliferate and what policy will stop corruption dead in its tracks. With this inexpensive, low consequential environment that will demonstrate just how and when anti-corruption policies will be effective.

posted by Savanah on Sep 25

I love coming home after a long day at the office and soaking in my hot tub! The relaxing benefits of this are immeasurable, releasing sore and tight muscles. The bubbling hot water washing away the stresses of the day.

Soaking in hot tubs is called hydrotherapy for those in the business of health and healing. They say the three main healing ingredients in hydro therapy are the heat, the buoyancy in the water and the massaging action of the water jets. The three together create an experience that is both healthy and quite relaxing. I have read that regular hydrotherapy can provide benefits that are both physical and emotional. I am amazed that something so pure and simple as water can accomplish this for us.

Soaking in my hot tub relieves my aching joints in cold weather, relaxes my strained muscles from over working them, puts me in a deep state of relaxation and thus giving me a better nights sleep. I have also noticed the number and frequency of headaches have decreased significantly since I began regular soaking in hot tubs. I understand this is due to the dilating effect the hot water has on the vascular system. The warm water massaging the body also releases endorphins and these naturally reduce your stress levels. I have also seen that the National Foundation for Sleep has stated that soaking in hot water such as a hot tub or hot bath before retiring to bed will make you fall asleep faster and have a better nights sleep.

I would never willingly give up my hot tub. Since I have had one I get much better nights sleep. I am able to relax and unwind more quickly after a stressful day in the office and have a general sense of just feeling better overall.

posted by Savanah on Sep 21

Beautiful crisp clear dry and blue sky, it must be fall in New York. After the damp and humid summer the clear crispness is so very welcomed. I like to visit New York in the fall for the fall foliage, a spectacular temporary display of color going on as far as the eye can see. The rolling hills of the Hudson Valley to the Adarondack mountains to the north the state becomes ablaze with color after the first nights of frost.

Staying in a five star hotel New York city i am preparing for a driving trip into Connecticut along the Long Island Sound up to Darrian Ct. to visit friends today. It is a beautiful day and should remain clear and nice till evening. Driving to Ct is always enjoyable, seeing the only colonial homes and villages that dot the area. Some of the earliest European history on this continent occurred here and near here. Spending the day in CT will be a nice change of pace from New York City.

Latter in the week we will be driving up north to the city of Poughkeepsie, New York. Poughkepsie has an interesting history as it housed the colonial capitol for a period of time. When colonists got word the British were going to began a battle for New York city the capitol was moved 90 miles north up the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie. The British began to sail north up the Hudson when they found out the capitol had been moved to Poughkeepsie. The British were surprised at the lack of resistance as the passed through New York harbor and up the river. When sailing near West Point they found out why there was no resistance. In the West Point area the river is at one of its narrowest points, only about a half mile wide, here the colonists had forged an iron chain that was run across the river just below the water line. The British ships hit the chain, tore holes in the bottoms of their ships and thus sunk the fleet with out firing a single shot. A beautiful and interesting place visiting New York city and state is always fascinating.

posted by Savanah on Sep 17

Brian and I arrive very early with suspicion and trepidation about what to expect, we really didn’t know what we were getting into when we booked a few days stay in Ibiza. We spent a couple of days lazing around the pool and walking the beach during the late afternoon, but then we explored the nightlife of Ibiza. We had no idea that we were in club heaven. We did not research whatsoever before we came here. I know that sounds silly, but that’s just how we do it, we close our eyes with a map in-front of us and place a finger down and where ever it lands that’s where we go, so far, our fingers have never disappointed us.

One Ibiza night club was one of the most craziest parties we’ve ever seen or been too. The interior of the club was fantastic, the decorations was all decked out and everyone was dressed to the hilt. The music was great! A good mix of club music, hip hop and Chill. At one point in the party,  a look alike Yoko Ono and John Lennon were being carried around the club on a bed. Someone had to tell me the significance of this, I didn’t know the reference, but everyone else seemed to understand the symbology.

The night ended, or should I say, the party ended about 7am in the morning! I forgot my camera and Brian forgot his credit card. We had to go back that night, after we crashed for the whole day, to see if someone found my camera, and the bar returned Brian’s credit card, but no camera was found. But, we had enough rest, so we headed over to Amnesia and that place was even better than the club last night. We ended up with a group of about 9 people that were a total blast. Once again, Brian forgot his credit card at the bar, so we once again, after much sleep, went back to the club the next night to retrieve the card. I still wish I had my camera to post all the fantastic club photos.

posted by Savanah on Sep 15

Sure there is lots of glitz and glamor in Ibiza, the island where the party never stops, and the fun never stops either, but Jane and I decided to organize our trip around monuments. That is right, we were interested in the architecture of the region, and brought our large format camera to record it. Ibiza car rentals are the way to go for most freedom, plus we had a computer, camera. lenses, battery back ups, tripods, lights, and of course wine for our expedition. It would be easier to hire a car than bike it around of course set ourselves to finding an appropriate subject. We want to put together a calendar and other projects of old structures and landmarks that we found interesting, and we had heard of Ibiza’s many opportunities to find interesting archaeological monuments. We got up early and had some wonderful breakfast sausages and sour dough bread washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice and a doughnut for the road. We would scout out a location and set up, have a supper, and wait for the golden hour for the best light to take our pictures. We had heard about a cathedral in Gothic style. We had discovered Catedral de Eivissa, a big stone church built in the fourteenth century, a very imposing structure that seemed to stand out against the sky. We thought we could get some nice angles for pictures. we investigated various perspectives and possibilities for the photographic process and after much observation we found a spot where we could prepare to set up and also haze some food and drink  and enjoy the clear bright day. We had some tapas plates and some nice red wine, the tapas made of grilled fish and another of roast lamb.

posted by Savanah on Sep 14

The Phoenix Suns are an NBA franchise based in the Arizona Valley. They have a long history of support and love from the local population, which is quite large and many of the players become major area celebrities. The Suns have been a solid team, and play hard and pretty respected from other teams, though they have never won the championship title. Throughout the season, tourists staying in one of the Phoenix luxury hotels enjoy watching a game, whether it is on television or live at the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix.

Recently an ESPN poll ranked the Suns as the 5th all time best NBA franchise. As a somewhat backhanded compliment, they have frequently been referred to as the best NBA team to never have won a championship. That’s a bit of a bittersweet comment, though it doesn’t seem to interfere with the Suns’ drive and professionalism. They also seem to have a strong penchant for bizarre and unfortunate situations or circumstances that seems to prevent them from actually achieving the championship title. The possibility of a curse has come up, but no one really believes it, right?

The Suns have also had many star players among their ranks. One of the current top players is Steve Nash who joined the team in 2004 and has become one of the crowd favorites. Charles Barkley is one of the most famous of the Suns players and he even defined an era. He was also part of an NBA finals season. Shaquille O’Neal was just recently an popular favorite and star of the team though the Suns are not likely to be his strongest career associated team. Kevin Johnson was another star player who was with the team during the Barkley era. He was also a prominent local figure, although he was from Sacramento, California, which is where he returned to live after retirement. Interestingly, he is currently the mayor of Sacramento.

posted by Savanah on Sep 14

After you’ve set foot here for just a little while, you’ll understand the mystique about Georgia, and why Atlanta is one of the world’s most lovely cities.  There is, of course, the Southern charm that is famous all over the world, but there are many hidden nooks and crannies here that reveal some of the more splendid things about the place.  There is a vibrant cultural scene here, with fantastic opportunities to see new works of art in performance or in the local galleries.  There is also an amazing music scene, with a very exciting night life.  Add to this the multitude of attractions that will appeal to visitors of all ages, with sight-seeing tours, museums, amusement parks, a zoo and an aquarium.  However you want to spend your time here, no doubt you’ll want to do it in luxury.  Atlanta hotels can offer all this and more.

Our hotels are carefully selected for their consistent track records of excellence in service and hospitality.  Style is a primary consideration here, because Southerners know that every detail matters, and the graceful little touches can add an unpredictable sparkle to any moment.  No one can make a moment sparkle like an artist.  Stan Woodard is a local artist who is making some fascinating work that speaks to the world, and from the heart of Atlanta.  His medium is primarily installation, creating visually stunning scenes that involve sense and intellect working together to arrive at new meanings through the combination of objects and their placement.

Stan Woodard also uses found objects, and they retain a central position in his art works.  Utilizing the things that are often discarded, and placing them in the limelight, is a very useful strategy to make statements about how we construct meaning.  It also points out our own mechanism for interpretation, and makes it more slippery by undermining or own assumptions about reality.  His work is very interesting and certainly very layered.  It is also very funny, injecting a healthy dose of humor into a form that often takes itself too seriously.  He is also a performer, and has done stand-up, as well as working regularly with the trip Chinese Frankenstein.

posted by Savanah on Sep 10

Where the hotel is the center of the journey, you’ll want to make sure that you’re centered in the finest lodging available.  You’ll see that when planning your trip to India, five-star hotels are the way to see the country in style.  While there are many excellent choices for accommodations here, our hotels are selected for their ability to consistently meet our high standards as well as the highest standards in the industry.  They are chosen for their consistently excellent levels of service as well as design, so that you’ll be treated to splendid hospitality in style that is truly world class. You’ll be eating spectacular meals prepared by world-class chefs who are schooled in classical and contemporary cooking, as well as sleeping in gorgeous rooms that will leave you feeling rested and replenished.

India is truly spectacular, and is one of the most fascinating countries in the world.  It is one of the longest continually-inhabited centers on earth, and has complex and mystifying layers of history in every city.  There are hosts of attractions for the entire family in each place, as well as night life that is stimulating and intriguing.  India is really much too large, with many cultures and languages and traditions, to make any kinds of general statements, but there are attempts to speak of and to a single India.  In art, there are occasionally festivals that attempt to speak to the entire nation, but more often than not the national art exhibitions speak to a plurality and a diversity, without attempting to unify all the people.  It will be interesting, then, to see how experiments such as the Jashn Osianama will fare in the coming years.

Started by Osian’s, the Osianama is a continuation of the larger organization’s program to develop ways of showing art work of multiple disciplines in India.  They’ve been very successful since beginning in 2000, with 12 exhibitions and several organizational arms devoted to visual art, film, and publishing, among other ventures.  The Jashn Osianama attempts to show all the various media under one umbrella exhibition.  The idea is to present work that will appeal to all of India, drawing on the example of the Mahabharata, showing work that is simultaneously entertaining and intellectual, political and spiritual.  It’s an extremely ambitious project, and it’s happening in Delhi, and well worth investigating.

posted by Savanah on Sep 10

After I found the Renaissance release of Ibiza sounds, which I had been searching for everywhere I went, I happily walked back to the Ibiza night club where things were starting to heat up. People were dancing as far as my eyes could see. Other promoters were handing out wristbands for another party, which word was the it should be ‘the’ closing party of the year. I wasn’t to sure about going there because I needed to kick it around here to watch my favorite DJ play until 4am in the morning. I only had a few hours to spare before I had to leave port. I decided that paying 50 dollars for just one hour at ‘the’ closing party of the year wasn’t worth it, besides I was tired.

My favorite DJ played disco and I got lucky enough to be with him in the DJ booth when he played. I cheered people on when he was at the decks and took pictures. My DJ was a bit nervous, but I guess for him being a new up and coming DJ, to be playing anywhere in Ibiza is a huge thing. There weren’t as many people as he was hoping there would be, but with ‘the’ closing party going on at the same time what could one expect?

After the club closed, I drove around looking for a bite to eat with my favorite DJ. I must have eaten one of the worst tasting baguettes I’d ever eaten as my favorite DJ’s mood sank and he was becoming quiet grumpy. He ended up driving me to port and bid me farewell, promising that when we hook back up in London, he’ll show me around and be in a better mood.  I boarded the ferry and took a seat, not paying any attention, I was so tired, broke and drained, but all in all, Ibiza was an astonishing place to party.

posted by Savanah on Sep 9

The day is getting away from me again, what is new. I always seem to have more to do than I can get to in a reasonable amount of time any way. Why do I do this to myself repeatedly? Would seem I just cannot learn ha ha. The pressure to do more make more produce more are ever present and seem to take over my life over and over again. Each time I get organized and feel like everything is in control and doable there seems to be another project that comes in and upsets the apple cart. Sometimes i think I need to hire an assistant then things get under control. I debate the benefit of the assistant and what they could do for me as opposed to the extra work of managing an employee and delegating the work. I suppose I would have to be more organized to hire an assistant and get the maximum benefit. But I sure could use one now to book my lodgings for my upcoming trip to Dubai.  But I will have to squeeze a little time in for me to do that myself! Booking travel and other appointments are what could be delegated, I have a hard time deciding what else as I like to keep my hands in everything and not loose focus on what is going on. I have to prepare for a meeting shortly and that is something else I could delegate the printing of the materials, drawing up the agenda and booking a meeting place and refreshments. When I give it some thought I guess there is plenty I can delegate off to an assistant, I need to learn how to let go of the control and let someone else take on some of this work so I can have time to relax once in a while!

posted by Savanah on Sep 8

I needed to find a new modality of healing to offer my clients. The modalities that I already employ, like Reiki and Healing touch massage, is doing wonders for my clients, but I would like to be able to expand my horizons. I heard about Su Jok, which is Korean meaning hand and foot, being taught in Jaipur. What I’ve read about this modality is a Professor has a belief the the blueprints of the entire body is in our hands and feet, which enable the body to be treated. I was fortunate enough to have a friend staying in Jaipur, so I managed to stay in one of the five star Jaipur hotels where he has been staying and he didn’t ask me to help with the expense of the room. I’ll have to pay him back with plenty of healing massages.

During my classes, learning Su Jok, I got to understand more of this Professors theories. Through different methods of stimulation to the corresponding areas on the hand and foot, waves of energy travel back to the affected part of the body, which brings an element of fast pain relief energizing organs and tissues to return to a normal healthy state. I learned this means, even though it’s simple stimulation between corresponding areas, my clients body will be able to heal itself without the use of drugs or invasive surgery.

I was shown that within the fingers, there are three joints, which is the same to the arms where there are also three joints: wrist, elbow and shoulder. The legs also have three joints: ankles, knees and hips. So, looking at the body, one can see from the anterior that our legs are positioned between our arms and the legs are longer than our arms, which again is similar to the hands. It was shown to me that the two shorter fingers occupy the outer position and the two longer fingers are positioned between them. The Professor sited that this is not a coincidence, we were born into this world with an innate system of healing with the use of our hands and feet. They are the manuals to access his created system, which he calls Su Jok.

When I finished with my classes, I was very pleased and ready to offer more modalities of healing to my clients.

posted by Savanah on Sep 8

One of the best summer experiences a family, couple or even an individual could have is to plan to vacation Singapore. This continually developing and culturally expanding urban center offers entertainment and cultural attractions that entice numerous guests throughout the year. And visiting Singapore is not limited to summer, though that is definitely the seasonal choice of most Western vacationers. However, it is popular and visited by people from around the world throughout most of the year.

Dining options and world cuisine are an essential aspect for many tourists’ pleasurable vacation experience. Singapore offers great food from international kitchens and is definitely one of the great places to eat. One of the local favorites that has also become extremely popular with tourists is Han’s Café and Cake House. It was originally opened in 1980 as a small counter café and food service, however, it has grown into a 17 chain business that only seems to continue in popularity growth and tourist interest. One of the attractive features of this chain is its quick service and affordability. This makes it a popular option for business workers on a quick lunch, or tourists in a hurry to get to their next entertainment or shopping extravagance. It remains family owned and operated, and the Hainansese family is intent on its mission to provide good quality and tasty food at an affordable price.

Pepper Lunch is another popular chain restaurant in Singapore, though it originated in Japan. This is another great example of a local favorite that is enormously popular with tourists. This eater is well known for its DIY steaks, which is served half grilled on hotplates. Diners flip and cook the rest to their desire and while vegetables also grill. This makes it a unique encounter and is almost as fun to experience the preparation of the food as it is to eat it.

posted by Savanah on Sep 8

In Phoenix, people celebrate the end of summer.  In many cities and towns, the summer time is the out door grilling time.  And in Phoenix, many people do grill outside during the hot months, just to keep their houses from heating up, but it is not so enjoyable to actually eat outside in the extreme weather.  So when summer comes to an end we head out side. The outdoor kitchen will finally be fired up.

When one is ready to add a kitchen in their back yard, there are a few things to consider.  It is best to start with a general idea of what you would want as far as the style of the island as this will be the starting point for the design.  And take notes on each item or appliance you would prefer as this will help one to narrow down the many options they will be dealing with.  There are usually three different designs, just the standard grill, sink, and counter-top, the L shaped design, and the U shaped design.

The last two will offer more space for preparation of food and the cooking of it, as well as space for people to hang out in.  Finding the perfect bbq grills on sale, will be the next step.  These too range from just the simple grill, to gourmet gas grills with side burners.  One can create this backyard kitchen even if one’s budget is not expansive.  Many of the simpler styles are inexpensive but still perfect for the outdoor parties.  One should consider just how much they will be using their kitchens and how many people they will be entertaining on a regular basis.  This will also help in the decision making process as to just how big of a kitchen they will actually need.  Back yard parties are always fun, and in the winter in Phoenix, most days are just perfect for them.

posted by Savanah on Sep 3

I’m a huge American history buff, so when I was offered the opportunity to take the 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg , I jumped at the chance. My dear, dear friend surprised me with airplane tickets and accommodations at one of the Virginia luxury hotels. When I arrived, my friend picked me up at the airport and drove me to my hotel. He could tell I was all excited, and when he told me the tour takes place over a few days, I was besides myself. He said, he managed to arrange for us to be tag alongs, he told me that apparently the tour is given by a different hotel where meals along with rooms were provided, but that he knows the people who put on the tour personally and arranged for us to just tag along.

The tour began the next morning, we met up with the other tourist after they all ate breakfast together. Ambrose Burnside was finally convinced to take the command of an army, which admittedly, he said that he was not qualified to lead. Nonetheless, he accepted the command to prevent it from being given to the all ambitious Joseph Hooker. Burnside understood Lincoln’s desire for a quick strike and a constant mode of combat. Burnside intended to meet all those expectations.

We first travelled to Warrenton where Burnside assumed command. We then followed his path to Falmouth and on to Port Royal, which was where the failure of the logistics train took place. We ended our first day at Lee Hill, where we got to survey the terrain that attracted Lee to deploy here.

The next day, after all the other tourist had breakfast, we went back to dealing with Ambrose Burnside and his initiatives. We got to see Franklin’s crossing where all the fighting on the south side was done on the battlefield. This is the primary Meade’s attack, Pelham’s artillery and Jackson’s defense of Prospect Hill happened. We then got to see the Slaughter Pen, it’s the site of the largest private preservation purchase in history, and Bernard’s Cabin. This was a full day exploring the open fields and on preserved battlefield land. We ended day two considering if Jackson could have countered an attack and why he didn’t attempt to drive Franklin back into the river. Very exciting stuff.

The final day, we were taken to where Burnside forced a crossing, starting at Chatham we looked at the upper crossings that were reported as being so contested by Barksdale’s Mississippians. We then crossed the river and examined the middle crossing, seeing homes that witnessed the drama. We got to understand just why assaults were so difficult to mount and why they failed. Wave after wave of Federal troops thrown in a senseless and futile slaughter against a well defended stone wall.  When the tour was over, I felt as if I actually lived the 1862 Battle of Fredrickburg.

posted by Savanah on Sep 3

I didn’t have enough time to do all the hiking I wanted to do in Australia. So, I limited my choices down to doing all Aboriginal hikes and only do three, this way, I would still have time to enjoy Sydney where I’ve booked a room in one of the Sydney five star hotels for when I get back from my hikes. I want to discover Australia the same way the Aboriginals have. Not only by hiking, but experiencing their art, myths, dance, music and of course the land itself. I want to understand this ancient land and its spirituality and pure wonder. My first hike was to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, located in the Northern Territory. This land has a huge spiritual significance for the Anangu Aboriginal people. Their creation stories tell about ancestral spirits formed Uluru, which lies in Australia’s red center like an enormous heart. I had an Aboriginal guide share the ancient tales as we walked around the rock’s base. About 30 kilometers away is another sacred site, the Kata Tjuta. I was awestruck by the steep, rounded russet domes, which were over 3,500 hectares. My second hike was the Gippsland, Victoria. It’s a rugged coastline where I could wander the fern gullies, the eucalyptus forests and the beautiful sandy beaches. This is the sacred land known as Wilsons Promontory National Park. I could trace Aboriginal trading routes that were 18,000 years old! I got to participate in making Aboriginal spears, and I watched them make baskets and canoes in the traditional way. That night, I learned where the Dreamtime touched the rugged gorges, gullies and rainforest of Woolshed Creek. My final hike was The Daintree, Queensland. It’s more than 135 million years old. It’s a stunning rainforest and the oldest rainforest in the world. I traverse the canopy of green with the traditional owners, the Wujal Wujal people. I learned about bush tucker and I got to fish for barramundi while fresh water crocs sunned themselves on the mangrove lined banks of the river. I really wished I had more time to explore all the other sacred Aboriginal sites, but the three that I did manage were splendid.

posted by Savanah on Sep 2

I was taking a guided tour through Nepal, when one of our stops was at a Nepalese paper mill . At the time we visited they were making paper for a company which creates what’s a healing journal. It was explained to us what the purpose of the journal was. The creator of the healing journal decided that before the 2004 tsunami devastated Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka sweeping away over 200,000 souls that she was instructed by her spirit guide to record the names of everyone she had ever known, family, co-workers, friends and clients. She spent time each night listing all the people who had ever crossed her path and touched her life. She remembered significant milestones and all the good and bad memories through the years. She wrote down the names which inundated her thoughts. This experience had a profound effect on her. When she finished her healing journal, the tsunami hit.

That’s when she decided to make a healing journal available to everyone, a way for people to create a tangible way to draw deeper connections within oneself to remember each person who had significance in one’s life, and then send those souls light, love and a healing wholeness. The journals are meant to teach us that all our thoughts and intentions have a great amount of power. She then contacted a socially conscious and earth friendly company in Nepal to handcraft her healing journals.

The paper mill that I am touring is that very company. Their main objective is to provide sustainable developments which will improve that standard of living for all Nepalese. As my tour was over and we were headed back to one of the Nepal hotels, I couldn’t help think just how this woman’s healing journal, not only helped her, but is now helping a earth-friendly company which in turn is helping their community. What a wonderful story, it makes me want to see how I can have such a positive impact with my actions.

posted by Savanah on Sep 2

We left Kansas for San Antonio by rail, which took forever, but Eve wanted to do preliminary work on train travel by interviewing people on the way to their destination. She got hour of footage, mainly because it took so long to get to our destination, talking to them at their big comfortable seats and in the dining car. We flew to Paris, stayed there for a few days, and received permission to do the same thing on the rails to Spain, which was a lot of work but Eve speaks fluent French and worked hard to get her material. We decided we would need a break and thought Ibiza would be a good place to check out. We browsed the Ibiza Town Hotel and decided to check out the entire island chain known as the Balearic Island. We hired a boat and set sale, circling the entire series of islands, the turquoise seas and white beaches, the remote cliffs and harbors full of expensive yachts and sail boats, the colorful umbrellas, and the ferry to Formentera. We followed the ferry in and went ashore, to have a light lunch of grilled meats and a carafe of sangria a nice red wine and light citrus infusion was the perfect touch. Suddenly, a catamaran dropped anchor right off where we were sitting and then an inflatable boat with an out board motor brought to shore a dozen bikini clad models. It seems they were about to make a commercial, which did not interest Eve since she had done that in New York for four years. I must say I had an educational interest in these bikini clad gals, just to see how a commercial is made, you know, that’s all, and that was that as we got back on the boat.

posted by Savanah on Sep 1

Local and global have their places in our modern world but perhaps we have become too global and not local enough. Or at least not local enough in the right ways. Knowing each other as in knowing each others cultures is a wonderful thing and something made easier by innovations in these modern times. The ability to come to greater understanding for each other is a great gift of globalization. On the local side supporting local business and local farmers keeping the goods and services used as local as possible benefits all. Keep strong local economies creates individual interdependence with out the control of the corporation. This interdependence is the community we seem to be missing in these modern times. The concept of eating in season is lost today. Tomato’s are available all year round anywhere in the world where people can afford them. This is true for most fruits and vegetables today. Sometimes the produce is produced and shipped from a region where the product cannot be consumed due to it not being affordable locally. This has an enormous impact on the planet. The carbon imprint of an apple from South America to be brought to the United State in June. The awareness of the importance of local and regional production can be seen in the raise of farmers marketsaround the United States. Where in India a short walk from Mumbai Bombay hotel is a market bustling with locally produced and grown goods. These markets feature the work of local artisans and craters as well as the bounty of locally grown produce from small farmers. The increase in this is fueling the growth of small farms and cottage industries. This helps to empower people to be independent yet interdependent within the community in which the goods and services are exchanged.