Visiting the United Nations Headquarters is a little like visiting 192 countries all in one locations. Located along the East River, at 760 United Nations Plaza, on First Avenue between 42nd & 48th in New York City, the complex consists of the Secretariat Building, the domed General Assembly Building, the Conference Building and the Hammarskjold Library. Although located well with the city limits, the complex is considered international territory, and, exception by agreement, is subject to the laws and jurisdiction of the United States, the state of New York, and local laws. Guided public tours of the complex are offered. Visitors enter the headquarters building at First Avenue & 46th, and start the tour with a brief familiarization of the Organization and its structure. A guide then takes you through a visit to the chambers of the Security Council, the Trusteeship Council, and […]
Read MoreThe Roman Coliseum: Birthplace of Civilization
Of all the wonderful things that I saw in Rome, and there were lots of impressive sights, the Coliseum was the highlight. It was my first glimpse of the city as I came up from the train station. I stood for a minute clearing my head and getting my bearings, and then I looked up. There was the Coliseum directly in front of me. I stood there, across the street from history, and it simply took my breath away. The Coliseum in Rome is the largest remaining monument of Imperial Rome, and is the top landmark in a city that’s full of landmarks. Built between AD 72-80, the Coliseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater and was the center of the city of Rome. It was the first and the largest (it covers about six acres) permanent amphitheater built in […]
Read MoreMaking Money: Bureau of Engraving & Printing
It’s all about the money. Always has been. Apparently always will be. At least it is at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). The BEP prints all the Federal Reserve notes (translation: Money) at facilities in Washington DC and Ft Worth, Texas. Coins are produced by the US Mint. The BEP also prints other specialty items, including engraved White House invitations, and other security documents for various governmental agencies. Free tours are offered at both facilities, and provide an overview of the steps in the money making process. I toured the Washington DC facility on a rainy mid-week afternoon. There were no lines, and even though the tour group dawdled a bit, it still only took about an hour to watch stacks and stacks of large pieces of paper become ready-to-be-spent hundred dollar bills. There is also a short […]
Read MoreThe Holocaust Memorial: Love & Anguish in Miami Beach
When you hear the destination Miami Beach, what do you think of? If you’re like me, you probably think about sun and sand, the beaches and swimming pools, lazy days and wild parties at night, and a pretty laid back, carefree attitude. You aren’t far wrong if that’s what comes to mind. Situated among all the frivolity, however, is the Holocaust Memorial, a dramatic tribute to the six million Jewish Victims of World War II. The site was designed by architect and sculptor Kenneth Treister, who was charged with interpreting the events of the Holocaust into a memorial that would honor the dead, comfort the survivors, and inform the world of this dark period of history. The Memorial opened to the public in February 1990, with a dedication by Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. It is hard to […]
Read MoreMake Mine Bordeaux
Bordeaux is city in the southwest part of France and boasts a million residents and probably just as many great bottles of wine. Bordeaux is one of the world’s major wine producers, dating back to the 8th century, and although the historic part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I think of the vines. I thought that Bordeaux wines were always red, but it turns out that’s not the case. Most of the wine produced there is red, (ranging from every day table wine to some pretty prestigious bottles), but there are also white, rosé and sparkling wines produced. I don’t order Bordeaux when I’m out for dinner, probably because I don’t speak French, and it can be a little intimidating to order a bottle of something that you can’t pronounce correctly. That was true when I […]
Read MoreChoosing the Right Hawaiian Island
A trip to Hawaii is a dream vacation for many, but choosing the islands for a vacation is only the beginning. Although the Hawaiian Islands are made up of many islands and atolls, along with smaller islets, when it comes to vacation, you’re probably talking about visiting one of the six main islands. Depending on what you want out of your vacation, frenetic levels of activity, rocking nightlife, or peaceful sandy beaches, a babymoon in Hawaii, you’ll want to choose an island that fits your personal preferences. While sharing the basics of beautiful sun, sand, and surf, each island has its own special ambiance, so be sure to make the right matchup and have a perfect vacation in paradise. Here’s a brief rundown to help with your preliminary research. Hawaii, the Big Island: This is the largest of the islands, […]
Read MoreGreen Architecture Before its Time: Frank Lloyd Wright & Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright is probably the best known American architect, with a body of work that has influenced and shaped the course of building in this country. His former home, Taliesin West (pronounced Tally-ehssen) in Scottsdale, Arizona, has become the international headquarters for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and is also open for public tours. Taliesin West was built in the mid-1930’s, and is an example of Wright’s concept of organic architecture — building that evolves naturally out of it’s location. He design and built ecological sound, sustainable architecture long before it’s current popularity. It’s no surprise then, that Wright, along with some architectural apprentices, gathered desert rocks and sand to build this showcase home that is both in the desert and of the desert. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is just another museum. Part home, part museum, […]
Read MoreThailand is on My Bucket List
I’m in the process of putting together my “bucket” list for travel destinations and experiences, and will be posting it in a couple of days. A bucket list is a list of those must-do and must-see things that you want (or need) to accomplish before you die. The expression comes from the movie The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, where their two characters created a list of things that they wanted to do before they kicked the bucket. My travel bucket list is long, and every time I cross a few things off, it seems like I discover something new to add. Perhaps that doesn’t make it a true bucket list, but it’s my list and I get to call it what I like. One of the destinations that’s on my bucket list is Thailand. Best gal […]
Read MorePez Museum Puts Candy on Display
I enjoy museums, and try to get to one on a fairly frequent basis. Art, history, science, culture — it all has appeal to me. The the thirst for knowledge, information, or just seeing and experiencing something new is always a good time for me. And then there are other kinds of museums. The quirky ones, the ones with all sorts of odd collections and exhibits, the ones that you secretly want to check out even if everyone else laughs at you. The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia may very well fall into this latter category. Created by an Austrian candy executive in 1927, Pez is an abbreviation of the German word for peppermint (Pfefferminz), the original Pez flavor. Originally the candy was sold in small tins, and marketed as an adult mint for people who were trying to quit […]
Read MoreIsola Madre, the Largest of the Borromeo Islands
Lake Maggiore, with its low key atmosphere, has an extensive network of ferry service around and across the lake. In fact, ferries have landing stages in nearly every town along the lake, making it quite easy to get most places by boat. In addition to the traditional (and slower) ferry, there is also hydrofoil service. Not only is it a faster boat, but it has more direct service, rather than stopping at all the smaller towns. The boats generally operate between 7 am – 8 pm, with a reduced schedule in the winter. Fares can be found on a chart, and have a scale based on where you want to go. Hydrofoils have a small surcharge. Our first full day at the Lake, we struck out fairly early for the Borromeo Islands. The Borromeo’s are three islands located in the […]
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