Culture
Cultural facts, history, traditions, events, festivals, foods and more from a location.
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Time+Place: A Steam Train Trip in Wales for a Thomas the Train Fan
Several years ago, we took a trip to Great Britain. Our kids were pretty young at the time (almost 3 and 4 years old), so when planning our itinerary, we tried to keep in mind activities that would not only entertain them, but also be fulfilling for us. When we saw the numerous Steam Train trip options throughout Britain, we became very excited. A day on a train was the perfect way to see the country side as well as keep any Thomas the Train fan engaged! There’s nothing more historic than taking a steam train in Great Britain, the birth place of the railway! It’s hard to believe this…
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On Location: Salmagundi West, Vancouver – A Whimsical Shop for the Curious
I’m not sure if it was the trumpet soldered to the exterior window gates or the vintage magic poster hanging out front– but I was already sold that this was definitely the shop for me before I even stepped inside! Salmagundi West is located in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is part antique store, part gift store, and full of curious fun! Upon entering the shop, my husband sighed, “I think Mom will be here for awhile.” Both kids entered with fingers out ready to explore. My first instinct was to harp my motherly phrase, “no touching kids,” but then I looked up and read the sign…
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Type+Place: Pike Place Market
I have yet to be at the Seattle Public Market when there wasn’t hoards of crowds. Last weekend, it wasn’t any different– in fact, I must say it was actually worse. My guess is it had to be because of the weather. Unlike most grey, drizzly days in the Northwest, the sun was out and couldn’t have been shining any brighter. Spring was in the air and everyone was enjoying it! Despite the crowds, there’s nothing like a visit to Pike Place Market when in Seattle. The fresh fish, flowers, veggies and more are a sight to see, but if you look beyond the vendors there is also fabulous typography.…
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Time+Place: Van Gogh’s Provence
While I was in art school, I had the chance to travel through Provence. As art history facts and art techniques swirled through my head, I peered out at the surrounding landscape and paused for a bit… This was Van Gogh territory, and it was easy to see. The colors, the landscapes, the sites, it looked exactly like his signature work towards the end of his life. I had such a fun time finding the exact spot, or close by, where Van Gogh possibly stood while he painted his famous paintings. Once home, I assembled them in an album side by side. It’s great to see the comparison, see how…
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Culture: The Art of the French Cheese Plate
There’s nothing more artistic than a French cheese plate served after a delicious meal. You’re guaranteed a gastronomical treat of flavors and textures you’ll never forget. Although I’ve had a variety of cheeses all my life, I never experienced a true French cheese plate until a lovely evening dining at Le Bistrot du Paradou, in the South of France. It was hard to top our Provençal meal, but the cheese selection we enjoyed definitely delivered. Since this experience, my husband has become a true cheese fanatic– the stinkier, the better for him, but he’ll never refuse a creamy goat cheese either. After picking his brain, and finding this wonderful website,…
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Palette+Place: The Colors of La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Many times you hear people describe a location or place as being quite “colorful.” The first thought I have when this is said is that this place is full of a interests, excitement and potentially eccentric… Rarely do I interpret this to mean, literally, there is lots of color. Well, La Boca in Buenos Aires changed that for me. La Boca is truly a colorful neighborhood filled with bold bright hues everywhere you look. Located along the Riachuelo river, at the “mouth” (hence the name), this spot can’t be missed. The brightly painted doors, windows, trim, shutters, sidings and more playfully play with the everyday life of hanging laundry, light…
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Pattern+Place: Computer History Museum, Silicon Valley
It’s hard to believe some of the beginnings of computer technology as we know it today happened in my own “backyard.” I grew up just blocks away from the famous garage of Hewlett and Packard… and of course, Steve Jobs was not far away in Mountain View dreaming up a simple to use computer with his pal Steve Wozniak. Recently my family and I headed to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California for an afternoon outing. This museum is a must see for any computer geek, of course… but for me, I couldn’t get over the great patterns of all the vintage hardware and circuit boards. Rows and…
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Textures+Place: Weeping Walls in Zion National Park
Nature is full of surprises. Although I’ve seen a relatively good sampling of National Parks in the United States, once again, I was humbled by another phenomenon I had yet to experience… a weeping wall. The Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, Utah is a path that winds along the North Fork Virgin River. As you begin the trail, to the left is the river, with a the steep canyon wall just beyond, to the right, another steep wall. As you continue down the trail, the canyon continues to narrow– ending in another trail, appropriately named, The Narrows. Along the way, I kept looking at the canyon wall to my…
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Culture: Chowda – The Best Soup in New England
After a red-eye flight from the West Coast, we arrived in Nantucket on a foggy May morning. The weather felt like very late Winter for us Californians, although to someone from New England, it must of been rather pleasant. My luggage had not arrived with me… we were tired, weary and in desperate need of some good comfort food. What we needed was a nice big bowl of chowda! New England Clam Chowder is one of those dishes you must order when in any of the Northeastern states. It’s a tradition. When my steamy, creamy, thick bowl of soup arrived– I could see why. This was not just any soup……
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Wanderlust Bookclub: Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder and the Amazonas Theatre
Although I have not traveled to Manaus, Brazil, when I read Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, I felt immediately transported to this exotic city, located at the convergence of 2 rivers and the gateway destination to travels on the mighty Amazon. Ms. Patchett’s writing drew me into a city filled jungle bugs, unbearable heat, and third-world conditions, yet, glaring out with irony and wonder was the majestic classic colonial opera house, the Amazonas Theatre. With a glistening gold leafed interior and Verdi classic being sung, this opera house seems to be quite a contrast to it’s neighboring world of the jungles of the Amazon. State of Wonder is the story…