A Special Place

I would imagine that most people have had a place, somewhere in the world and beyond their current home, where they would have wanted to live out their lives. A special place, in their mind and heart, that seemed to be the definition, the perfect picture of peace, beauty, joy, contentment and life. A place where the rat-race of daily life seemed to fade away or even become non-existent. I found such a place as this, over thirty years ago, and I would, if it were possible, move there tomorrow!
In the Summer of 1978, I was blessed to have experienced the beauty, peace and joy of Montreux, Switzerland and its people. I had spent four, wonderful days there with my college jazz band. We had been invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz festival, as well as the jazz festival in Nice, France.
Montreux sits on the southwest shore of Lake Geneva and is surrounded by the French and Swiss Alps. Lake Geneva is a large glacial lake with dark-green water that seems to stretch forever in either direction. Looking out over the lake, the French Alps rise in the clear blue sky and reflect off of the water.
There were several of us who would arise early every day, eat our continental breakfast, which usually consisted of fruit, pastry and a variety of coffee drinks, and then walk the shoreline. There's a walk way that stretches out for miles, and it's lined on one side by the lake and by gardens on the other. Montreux is an immaculately kept city: every morning the home and store owners would be seen scrubbing their sidewalks and street gutters. I could have literally eaten out of the gutter without becoming ill. We would walk for miles along the shoreline while being in awe of our beautiful surroundings and the smell of freshly baked bread, varieties of flowers and the clean alpine air.
The French Swiss are small in stature, but the men are broad at the shoulders, sturdy and strong. Everyone looks so content and healthy. They're a quiet and friendly people who always seemed to be looking out to see if we needed anything. The stores and shops are quaint, for the most part, and the food is out of this world! Our lunch and dinners, which we had to supply, usually consisted of French bread, hard salamis, cheeses, a salad and wine. Our evenings, when not performing, were spent under the influence of the best tasting, as well as most potent, beer that I have ever had. The Europeans, in general, were always surprised to find out that we couldn't handle the potency of their beers and wines. They found it very amusing.
One particular morning, after breakfast, I decided to walk on my own. I walked for quite a while, and then I stopped to sit on a bench, which was facing the lake. As I sat there on that beautiful, July morning and tried to literally comprehend what my senses and emotions were taking in, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed by the thought that what I was experiencing could have never come about by chance. In those few, amazing moments, I came to understand, somewhere deep in my mind and heart, that God exists and was responsible for this beauty, joy and peace that I was experiencing. It was a life changing experience, which I will never forget.
Oh yes, if I had the ways and the means, I would have a little villa that sits on the shore of Lake Geneva, in that beautiful and friendly city, and every morning I would walk for miles and then sit on my bench, while sipping coffee, and ponder God and His beautiful creation that surrounds me.
DB Williams
http://www.theoutsiderview.net/
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Chinese History and Dynasties - China History Facts Tour

Chinese History and Dynasties - China History Facts Tour

China, one of the four oldest civilizations in the world, has a written history of 4,000 years. The cycle of long periods of political unity (the Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties each govern for 250-300 years) are interspersed by periods of political disunity. China has gone over/through a long history of primitive society, slavery society, feudal society and semi-feudal semi-colonial society and the present socialist society.
The territorial pressure and incursions from China's north by nomadic groups, who are attracted by the wealth of the settled, agricultural civilization of China is a significant part of Chinese history. The most illustrative examples are those of the Mongols, who conquered China and established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD); and the Manchu, who again conquered China and established the last feudal dynasty of China - Qing Dynasty, which ruled China for 300 years (1644-1911 AD).
Old China's cultural continuity is mainly reflected in the evolution of the bureaucratic structure -- the civil service examination system, the scholar-gentry who sit for exams and staff the civil administration; the refinement of the Confucian classics as the basis of education and elite selection; the growth of commercial activity and the development of a unified and sophisticated marketing system over the vast, economically diverse area of China; the tendency toward political unification and reunification.
The process of dynastic formation, ascendancy, and decline is often referred to as the "dynastic cycle." The last years of many dynasties were marked by inefficient administration and corruption, when compounded by natural calamities such as flood or droughts, led to social unrest among the people. Movements and rebellions incorporating popular religious ideas took place in the last years of the Han, Yuan, and Qing dynasties, while political rebellions brought down the Tang and Ming dynasties.
Allan ChangChina Fact ToursMore information on China historical facts and the time periods of Chinese history and dynasties, please go to:http://www.chinafacttours.com/facts/chinese-history.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allan_Chang

A Virtual Tour Gallery Links to a Quietly Luxurious Los Angeles Home on South Medio

A Virtual Tour Gallery Links to a Quietly Luxurious Los Angeles Home on South Medio

Virtual home tours are becoming mist-haves for selling luxury homes. Galleries of virtual home tours link to virtual home tours of luxury homes from some very good tour producers. At such galleries, you can click through tour after tour of palaces in Los Angeles, Scottsdale, South Lake Tahoe, and more.
One such home is the South Medio home on the Los Angeles page.
The first photograph welcomes you with a clean stone drive, trees with white trunks and fall colors, and clean white columns and balcony lattices. Unlike some of the ostentatiously luxurious homes linked at hometoursgallery.com, the South Medio home is understated. The front door's design is typical of the entire home: clean white, three tall inlays, and a horizontal, rectangular window of six square panes.
The photograph of the view from the balcony shows a clean tile floor, a comfortable wooden bench, a lantern-style lamp, and what looks like a sleek Jaguar, maybe the real estate agent's, parked on the street. It's a bench you wouldn't mind sitting in with a cup of coffee, tea, or a cold beer at the end of the day, in conversation with your partner. About how to pay the mortgage.
The back wall of the house consists of vast panes of glass overlooking a dark wooden deck at one end of which is a fireplace framed by two columns and a pedestal.
The bathroom is overdone. The poolroom has misplaced lights, and what appears to be a TV screen much too small.
The most interesting photograph in the South Medio home's tour shows the staircase. The balustrades are dark over sticks of white. Far below you see the shiny dark wood floor and a spidery plant which really should be removed -- or at least watered.
http://www.hometoursgallery.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Wimberley

33 Travel Safety Tips

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:
1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.
2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.
3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.
4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.
5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.
6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.
7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.
8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.
9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.
10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.
11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.
12. Do not wear name tags in public.
13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.
14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.
15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.
16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.
17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.
18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.
19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.
20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.
21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.
22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.
23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.
24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.
25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.
26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.
27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.
28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.
29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.
30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.
31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.
32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.
33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.
The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.
Matt manages the Corporate Flight Attendant Community a comprehensive resource center for business flight attendants who travel throughout the world. You can visit the community at http://www.corporateflyer.net or http://www.cabinmanagers.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

Travel Guide

Travel Guide


Who likes taking vacations? Of course, that would include approximately 99 percent of the population. The 1 percent would more than likely be workaholics that just do not like taking work along with them on vacation. And, no matter who you are, you probably like getting that travel deal.
Travel deals can come from the actual airplane flight, a hotel discount, car rental savings, cruise packages, and you can obtain travel deals from travel guides.
What are the most popular travel deals? The most popular travel deals include
1) last minute labor day deals or otherwise last minute getaway for the holiday weekend savings. You can save up to 70 percent on these last minute getaways for the holiday weekends. Usually, these featured deals include both air fare and hotel packaged-savings. A lot of times the travel package deals come with flexible departure dates from Thursday to Saturday. Of course, the travel packaged-deals expire within a limited time offer period, usually a weekend only packaged-deal.
2) Compare and save on air fare. Now you can see if you are getting a good travel deal. A lot of sites offer this option of compare and save on air fare and other flight services. Example, you can compare and save for Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year air fare flight rates. Often, you can get last minute travel deals with last minute packages from $199, United States dollars.
Other popular travel deals. Looking for a travel deal to London, Paris, Venice, Barcelona to New York, Arizona, or other popular hot vacation spots? Frequently, Norwegian Cruise Line, Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, and Continental Airlines offer hot deals on travel packages. You will find offers for travel credits, one way, round trip, pre-purchase, and other fantastic travel deals. Some popular travel deal destinations can include Atlantic City, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Francisco. Some popular international travel deals include travel locations such as Aruba, Bahamas, Cabo San Lucas, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Paris, and Puerto Vallarta.
Popular travel deal sites. You can search and find travel deals with carrentals.com, Orbiz, Delta Air Lines, Travelocity, Expedia, travel.yahoo.com, travelchannel.com, travel.nytimes.com, cnn.com, and County Visitors Bureaus. For US citizen traveling abroad, try travel.state.gov. For car rentals, you can search and find deals from $10 and up for a weekend car rental deal. For hotels on sale nationwide, you can search and find deals from 30% off. For last minute fares, you can search and find weekend air fare deals. For county visiting bureaus, you can search and find hotel discounts and gift card options. Travel guides, travel magazines, travel zoo, train travel, last minute travel, cruises, and airlines offer many appealing travel deals.
Take advantage of all the travel deal options. To do this, you may want to explore package deals, not just a particular travel deal for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacations. There are many available travel deals for many popular travel destinations in the United States and Internationally. Search all travel destinations if you are not set on one particular vacation hot spot. You will find different travel deals for various hot spots, vacation location destinations, throughout the travel holidays and seasonal travel deals as well.
Please visit http://www.hammocksblog.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joy_Bond

1st Class Eurail Travel Guide

1st Class Eurail Travel Guide


Traveling Europe on the Eurail is a great way to save the Environment as well save on gas and car rentals you'd have to purchase instead to travel around Europe. If you're planning to travel for a long time, you might want to look into getting a 1st class Eurail Pass. The extra foot room and quieter cabins provide for a more relaxing trip...especially during those late nights.
1st class passes are the normal full adult fare, although there are discounts for children and groups traveling together. In general, 1st class travel is more spacious and quieter than 2nd class travel. 1st class seats are usually larger with reclining backs and more legroom than 2nd class seats. In a typical 1st class train car, there are usually 2 seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other. In compartment car seating, the cabins accommodate up to 6 passengers which is great for group travel!
The great thing I like about traveling first class is you usually don't have to worry too much about thieves because the cabins are a little more guarded and most thieves don't want to pay for a 1st class ticket just to steal your belongings. I've traveled the Eurail a few times and I find I get very tired from exploring all day, so when I get on the train it's nice to have that extra foot room to stretch out and make the most of my sleep.
I hope you enjoy your travels to Europe and the train is a great way to not only meet new people, but see sights you might not otherwise get to do. The environment is thankful for this form of travel and with rising gas prices this option is the most plausible.
To learn more about the Eurail Pass you can visit my blog dedicated traveling on the train network of Europe.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Clark