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The first is the city’s annual festival in honor of Barcelona’s patron saint, the Virgin de la Merce.

This is a week long celebration in late September characterized by events of all types. Most notable are its parades of giants (the parade consists of huge wooden giants controlled by operators on the ground) and the festival’s regular competition to build the largest human tower. In some cases, the human towers, people standing on top of people, can reach as high as 50 feet.

The festival also includes many sporting events including a swimming competition across the city’s harbour, and, like any good festival, it includes imbibing vast amounts of alcohol such as the Catalonian champagne Cava. The culmination of all the festivals events is the Correfoc. This is the race of fire where devils race through crowded streets while playing with fire, fireworks, and with the people themselves.

The Festes del Merce is a truly hot time to mark the end of the long hot Catalan summer.But Barcelona doesn’t end its festivities with the end of the summer.

As the temperature in the region moves from hot to cool, so does the citys entertainment. Barcelona is well known for its admiration of Jazz and Blues. Its International Jazz Festival is one of the largest, and the longest running, in all of Europe and brings to the city the very coolest of international Jazz and Blues artists.

The festival takes place between October and December of each year and attracts the best musicians from all over the world. In addition to providing an outstanding venue for music, the festival also provides workshops and classes for aspiring Jazz artists and often includes advice or suggestions from some of the top talent at the festival.

Barcelonas festivals are but a few of its principal attractions. The citys location on the Mediterranean Sea, its overall 21st century spirit, and its world-class art and architecture make it a compelling destination for any visitor at any time of the year. In the middle of all the festivities, visitors should make a point not to miss the Picasso Museum, the Joan Miro Park, the imposing Catedral La Seu, the central promenade of La Rambla, and, of course, the waterfront itself.

Of particular note, visitors should be sure to visit the buildings of the revolutionary architect, Antoni Gaudi. Both the Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia are spectacular monuments to his unique modernist vision.

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Going to the Bahamas means trying new things. One of the greatest things to try are the foods. There are a great number of special island foods that it wouldn’t be a Bahamas trip without. Don’t be boring and just eat a cheeseburger. Not only is that something you can get at home, but it costs a whole lot more than the foods of the island.

Since it is an island it is no surprise that island cuisine is one of the best foods you can get at the Bahamas. Food is a favorite topic there. If you go to their local college you’ll find that they only offer a hotel and restaurant management degree.

Students just love to go to the Bahamas for school. What could be a better location? With so many people going to school and vacationing there, the Bahamians do find it necessary to import the food that they do not have access to locally. Remember that cheeseburger? That is one thing that has to be imported at a great cost.

There are some very popular foods in the Bahamas like conch, grouper, and the spiny tail lobster. Those are all local, and there are other popular ones thrown into the mix. These include things like chicken, lamb, goat, and pork. The smaller local restaurants are the best places to taste these delightful treats. The larger ones are very tourist focused and won’t give you that true island flavor.

Of course, the main food the Bahamas island is the queen conch. Though this is a great cuisine, there is a problem with the disposal of conch shells all over the beach. Many find it to be an aphrodisiac and it is used in many dishes.

There are oh so many different ways to prepare conch shells. It can be chopped, marinated, put in lime juice, in salads, and as a fillet. You will also find it in chowder, fritters, chow mien, submarine sandwiches, pizza, and a whole lot more. You can make it a challenge to try and eat conch a different way for each day of your trip.

If you’re not into seafood that probably doesn’t sound very appetizing to you. Most meats are imported, but there are some chickens on the islands. You will love to eat Chicken souse. Be careful, you’ll want an overview of the ingredients to be sure there are no surprises.

You will also love the drinks that the Bahamas island offers. Kalik beer is one that is brewed locally. Enjoy this beer chilled with your favorite meal. Rum is another favorite drink. This is flavored with everything from coconut to bananas.

No matter what food you choose to eat at the Bahamas, you’ll be glad you tried some of that favorite local flavor. Of course, you have to get there first! Stop dreaming and book that vacation!

One of my favorite quotes from Hunter S. Thompson is “Civilization ends

at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not

always right at the top.”? I feel the same can be said for those who

venture into the wilderness.??

WorldNomads.com’s roving medical and adventure expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD shares these practical tips to help you enjoy the North American wilderness from the top of the food chain.

Adventurers who enjoy hiking, tramping, cycling, climbing and outdoor pursuits should always be prepared for conditions they cannot control.? You can run into stronger,

nastier and faster animals than yourselves… and it’s vital to know what to do.



Perhaps the most frightening animal to outdoor adventurers is the

bear.? I have a very healthy respect for bears of all types.? Common

sense should be used by those traveling through bear country and all

bears should be considered dangerous.

Bear safety when you are camping:

• Avoid camping in known bear feeding areas or movement routes
• Keep garbage away from your campsite and do not camp in areas with garbage
• Sleep in a tent and keep a flashlight inside
• Keep sleeping bags partially unzipped for a quick get-away
• Strongly consider carrying pepper spray or if properly trained, carry a firearm
• Store food properly and keep it in bear-proof containers or hung in a tree, away from you
• Cook and store food? at a site away from your sleeping area
• Try to change clothes after cooking and leave them with your food, away from your sleep area
• Do not keep food, trail mix or energy bars in your tent or pockets when you sleep

When you are hiking or traveling:

• Make lots of noise while moving so a bear is aware you are approaching
• Do not rely on bear bells alone to produce adequate noise
• Be aware of wind direction; an “upwind” bear cannot smell you
• Heavy forested areas, rushing water, rain or fog can all act to decrease sound transmission.? In these places be extra loud
• Do not approach bears or any wild animal too close, especially not for a photograph or “better view”
• If you observe signs of bears in the area (tracks, droppings or fresh prey carcasses) consider them to be close by
• Avoid berry patches, elk grounds or streams with spawning fish because bears like to eat there

If you see a bear:

• Allow the bear to see you are there. As a human, you are not one of their favorite meals
• Avoid sudden movements or yelling
• Do not climb a tree or attempt to run
• Do not stare at the bear or make eye contact; look to one side or the other
• Do not attempt to hide
• Avoid standing next to objects such as tree stumps, bushes or things
  
  which will cause the bear to think you are anything but “human shaped”
• Speak to the bear in a clear, calm voice to allow the bear to identify you as human

If attacked:

• Do not run, climb trees, fight back or scream
• Do not hold out an arm to ward of an attack
• Drop to the ground and cover your head, in a fetal position
• Curl into the smallest ball you can make yourself
• Interlock your hands behind your head, covering your ears and use your elbows to protect your face
• After you think the bear has left, try to move as little as possible while looking around
• Try to see which way the bear went and travel in the opposite direction

If you are attempting to carry either a firearm or pepper spray, ensure

you are properly trained to use these items.? Fatal accidents can

result from improper use or inadequate training.

Tips for avoiding other animal attacks

• Avoid sudden movements around animals
• Never pet an unknown dog
• Never pet or kiss an animal, avoid petting them on the head
• Do not reach into animal cages
• After preparing food, wash your hands before touching an animal
• Never leave children alone with animals
• Do not try to take food or toys from an animal
• Do not try to separate fighting animals

Perhaps the greatest danger from an animal attack or bite comes from

the initial trauma of the bites or scratches.? After the initial blood

loss has been controlled and first aid has been rendered, there should

be concern for infection.? Often times, antibiotics are indicated

following an animal bite, especially wild animals.?

Rabies is always a

concern and victims of animal attacks should speak with their health

professional immediately about treatment or prevention following a

bite.? Frequently, stitching or tightly closing an animal bite will

only serve to trap dangerous bacteria in the wound.

Finally, after being bitten, do not forget to check the status of your last tetanus shot.

Bear scare gadgets

Before hitting the trails in North America, you might like to whack these into your hiking pack…



Bear pepper spray

Bear bells

Further reading about?

Bear attacks



Surviving a mountain lion attack

?

Unless you have been hiding under a rock recently, it should be fairly common knowledge to realise that the once booming property market in Spain has been experiencing a fairly dramatic slow down as competition hots up from some of emerging areas of Europe.

Indeed in the North Costa Blanca with its beautiful towns of Javea, Denia, Moraira and Calpe, the particular area where I live and run an Estate Agency, Spain has been guilty of “shooting itself in the foot” by allowing such issues as “land grab” to become major concerns to potential buyers, particularly in the Comunidad de Valencia.

It has also reacted very slowly to some of the dreadful publicity that this has generated by the media and has taken far too long to sort out individual cases.

The North Costa Blanca, along with many other coastal resorts has seen massive over building of apartments, townhouses, bungalows and villas with the Spanish clearly believing that North Europeans will continue to flood the area in their droves.

The reality is that Spanish property is simply not as cheap as it used to be. In the towns of Javea and Moraira for example, villas, apartments, bungalows and townhouses have been built by the hundreds and this has had a dramatic effect on the investment market in particular as it is now very difficult to make short term gains due to the number of properties that are for sale.

However, Spain and in Particular the Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol is now a sophisticated modern country offering a very high standard of living and quality of life within a politically and economically stable environment.

Education, healthcare and communications are excellent and are combined with a superb climate, lower crime rates than Northern Europe and a native population that are welcoming and willing to share their country. So with this in mind, towns such as Javea & Moraira should be expensive places to live, ranking alongside those in the UK and Germany.

Forecasting any property market is difficult and a consolidation of house prices had to happen especially when you consider that Spanish salaries are not too different to what they were in 1997! Sooner or later the gap becomes too big as many Briton’s will remember from the late 1980’s.

This does not mean however that there has or will be a crash. It simply means that a period of realignment is needed as property prices stabilise and remain static for a period. This can also be a good thing, acting as a spur to better building and encouraging areas such as the Costa Blanca to heed the lessons of the past from other areas of the country.

Irrespective of short term investment pitfalls, the fundamentals of Spain will remain solid. The wonderful climate, stunning scenery, quality infrastructure and proximity to the UK will ensure that Spain will always be one of the top destinations of expats. The towns of Javea, Moraira and Denia are a good example of some of the stricter planning laws now in place.

Apartment complex’s can only be built 4 stories high and local town hall’s are committed to preserving green areas. This all helps make the Costa Blanca an ideal location for a holiday home or permanent re-location. In fact, in a recent survey carried out by Barclay’s bank, the number of Brit’s owning a property abroad is forecasted to double from 2.2 million to 4.4 million over the next decade of which 30% will head to Spain.

These purchasers will be buying into a life style, and the benefits of picking an area such as the Costa Blanca are self-evident as there is no doubt that the area offers a secure, long term future for property owners.

As in any country, the buying and selling of property is a serious business, particularly that property markets are rarely stable for long. But as a buyer who carries out proper research and purchases through the proper channels using reliable lawyers, then you should be able to sit and watch short term fluctuations whilst enjoying the fruits and life style of a great long-term investment.

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Spring Flowers Digital Scrapbook Layout

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Spring Flowers Digital Scrapbook Layout

Swirly Digital Scrapbooking Layout:

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Swirly Digital Scrapbooking Layout

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