Through Foreign Eyes

Lakaw is a journey is a step is a move. I love to travel around the world and this is my travel and travel gadget site. Welcome and Enjoy!

Visit the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois

0 comments | Saturday, October 11, 2008

I had the opportunity to visit the Art Institute of Chicago a week ago after I had my passport renewed at the Philippine Consulate. The Art Institute (Museum) and the Consulate office are both located on the same street, Michigan Avenue, and only a couple of blocks away from each other. The first time I was in Chicago last year, I never had the chance to see what's inside the Institute. Finally, I had the time to be awed by its collection of arts.

The Art Institute of Chicago is divided into 3 different levels. Each level is further divided into hall galleries. The lower level houses the Paperweight Collection, European Decorative Arts, Architecture and Design, Thorne Miniature Rooms, Photography.

The First level has the Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Collections. It also has the American Collection of Paintings from 1700 to 1955, the American Sculpture, Decorative Arts, Furniture and American Modernism. Everything about Asia (Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan, Korean) is also in the first level.

The Second level houses the European galleries, Prints and Drawings (Northern European, Southern European, French, British).

As much as I enjoyed the ancient collections, I also admired the modern art, which includes nearly 1,000 works of art by artists from Europe and the Americas. There were Picasso's Old Guitarist, Matisse's Bathers by a River, Lachaise's Woman (Elevation), Brancusi's Golden Bird, O'Keeffe's Black Cross, New Mexico, Orozco's Zapata, Wood's American Gothic, Magritte's Time Transfixed, Hopper's Nighthawks, and Ivan Albright's Picture of Dorian Gray.

Masks and figural sculpture from Africa were very impressive. The Art Institute’s collection of over 80 African ceramics is the largest in an American art museum.

The visit was worth it. I took some photos inside the museum (oh, I was actually approached by one of the guards for taking pictures with the flash on). Taking photos is allowed but without the flash. I apologized for not reading the rules.

Here are few of the photos of the collection:

Labels: USA Blogging, World Travels

posted by talk

at 10/11/2008 09:59:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Romantic beaches in the world

1 comments | Thursday, September 25, 2008

If you intend to boost your relationship or marriage, take a vacation to the world's romantic beaches. The sunset walk along steamy shorelines is a sure way to invite romance into your all-too-normal affair.

Natadola Beach, Fiji - You will love it here. It is the most beautiful white-sand beach in Fiji. Natadola's lush beauty and variety of recreational activities, from snorkeling to horseback riding, draws vacationers from around the world.

Culebra Island, Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico's Culebra Island is situated 20 miles (30 kilometers) off the northeast coast, has beautiful beaches and plenty of sun, but it's also an old pirate hideout loaded with virtually undisturbed treasures. There are no luxury resorts, elegant restaurants, discos, movie theaters, casinos, museums or boutiques.

Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas - Pink Sands Beach is the place to go for natural beauty, elegant resorts and most importantly, three miles of perfectly pink sand and gentle waters. The ocean is ideal for swimming - warm throughout the year and generally calm, protected from the rolling waves of the Atlantic by a coral reef.

Larvotto Beach, Monte Carlo, Monaco - Perhaps the single most decadently glamorous beach in the world is Monte Carlo's Larvotto Beach, where women may go without their bikini tops, but wouldn't dare to be seen without their jewels.

Do you know of other romantic beaches?

Labels: World Travels

posted by talk

at 9/25/2008 08:29:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Upside-down houses around the world

0 comments | Sunday, September 21, 2008

Just like the U.S. economy, things are going upside down. Even houses are built upside down in purpose to depict the economic downturn. Would you believe that?

Nah, I am just kidding. These upside-down houses were built purely for fun, for tourist attractions; created by the upside-down minds. LOL. [more photos after the jump]

Where could you find these upside-down houses? Photos of them abound online. And they are just everywhere.

Here is one. The 'Upside Down House' in Trassenheide on Usedom Island, northern Germany. The house of an entrepreneur from Poland is part of the project 'The World Upside Down' that should allow visitors a different view of every day items.

Here is another one located in Poland in the tiny village of Szymbark.

This is Norman Johnson's Upside-Down House in Central Florida.

The "Upside-Down House", designed in 1959 by James Morris and Robert Steedman, the Scottish architects, holds a prominent place in Edinburgh's recent architectural history.

Labels: Where on Earth, World Travels

posted by talk

at 9/21/2008 02:05:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Tourist attractions in Germany

1 comments | Saturday, September 13, 2008

Germany is a country with a rich history. It is also one of the oldest countries in Europe. That is the reason why it has so much to offer for tourists to see and visit. No wonder it is one of the world's tourist destinations.

When I visited Germany few years ago, I had the best time of my life traveling the three of the four largest cities in the country -- Cologne, Berlin, and Munich. Cologne (which is one of the art and culture capitals of Germany and Europe), is so enchanted with its historic churches and cathedrals. The most popular cathedral in Cologne is the Kölner Dom. The cathedral remains the tallest Gothic edifice in the world and is an essential part of Cologne Germany history.

Did Eau de Cologne originate from Cologne? Yes. The perfumed water was first created in Cologne during the 18th century by an Italian merchant who had moved to Germany to make his fortune.

Munich, Germany is the third largest city in the country and one of Europe’s most richest cities. There is the city where I ended up walking aimlessly looking for a cheap hotel to stay. The cheapest hotel I found was the closest to the train station, which was a bit weird for me. Most hotels that are near important facilities are normally priced high. I was just lucky, I think.

When you are in Munich, visit the famous Theatinerkirche cathedral and the Bavarian Opera House, a classic theater. If you happen to be in Munich in the middle of September to the beginning of October, you'd surely enjoy the Oktoberfest. There will be all sorts of fun - singing, drinking, and dancing!

Berlin is probably the most famous of the four cities, being the capital city. The city prides itself with the abundance of institutions of higher learning, the economic facilities, and so many centers for the arts.

Things to see in Berlin?

- Charlottenburg Palace: home of the first Prussian King
- Potsdamer Platz Arcades: shopping center containing over a hundred modern stores
- Visit countless museums
- Sure, don't miss to visit Berlin Wall and understand the history behind it

To those planning to have their trip to Germany, it will be one whole bunch of fun and excitement. There are so many attractions to see and most of the time, for tourists, there are just too little time to see them all. Plan ahead and stay longer in Germany.

Image credit: rinascente.tripod.com

Labels: World Travels

posted by talk

at 9/13/2008 10:53:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Travel to the most endangered places

0 comments | Monday, August 25, 2008

THE GLACIERS OF EUROPE
Where: The Alps

CENTRAL AMERICA'S CLOUD FORESTS
Where: Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica

THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES
Where: South Florida

ARCTIC POLAR BEARS
Where: Northern Manitoba Coast, Canada

THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO
Where: Tanzania

Labels: World Travels

posted by talk

at 8/25/2008 04:21:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

See the World

0 comments | Saturday, August 02, 2008

I wanna see the world. Every bit of it. Every magnificent thing there is to see. I wanna see the world with my two eyes. I wanna travel and experience nature's wonders and enjoy man's creativity through the structurally-amazing man-made structures sprouting just about anywhere on Earth.

I have been to quite a few countries already but I wanna see the world more!

What about you? Which country would you like to visit? Which city have you been craving to be in? What would you like to see before you die?

Labels: World Travels

posted by talk

at 8/02/2008 08:41:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Summer road trip recommended

0 comments | Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Portions of the vast fields patterned with black cows, patches of waterholes every now and then, rugged terrains devoid of vertical objects except for the catenary power cables that line the sideways of the highway - the Nebraska terrain is a graphic description of what deprivation of structural development is all about. The radio hiss is reminiscent of an ailing snake about to die in the middle of a sterile land, unable to detect the tiniest free FM radio frequency around. "Smoke gets in your eyes" graces the rather flavorless local AM radio station; a yesteryear song that I had last heard when a Filipino friend got drunk and boxed by hoodlums for grabbing the microphone inside a karaoke slash ladies-dancing-topless bar.

My Ukrainian friend Val calls the Nebraska moment as the wild, wild, west endless torture for road trippers. Deprived of an iPod (how could we have missed that), seeking a radio signal becomes a necessity, and when finally something is detected, it only permits a short relief and then retracts to the silence that kills. Just when our smiles reach the ears and we begin to sing along, the bliss is cut short again by the sound of static behind the next bend. Crap, Val says. Damn, I say.

It was our first road trip. Early that day, we packed some clothes, containers of mineral water and snatched some overnight food from the fridge, then hit the road for more than 15 hours of driving. Val and I decided to do just that, bolted the often-times dreadful weather of Brookings and headed to Moab, Utah, for the National Arches Park. We thought of lazing the weekend in a place where the season of spring is defined by a pleasant temperature, hiking, and a breeze that one could only wish that everything will last forever.

The journey from Denver to Moab changed my perception of road trips. Forget about the Nebraska part - the sceneries that transpired right before my eyes as we traversed the slopes near Denver were essentials for neo-phyte trippers to seeing the bigger picture of what road trips should be. It is not always about the annoying traffic or the come-and-go radio signal or the frequent breaks at rest areas for bathroom runs, road trips offer natural lures that are undeniable and most likely perpetual. There is richness to navigating the landscapes an inch at a time that is lacking from the ordeal of climbing into a plane and climbing out at your destination.

The more than an hour climb and descent on the mountain ranges near Denver were purely scenic. However, warnings of a six or seven-degree grade bothered us both when the weather turned sour at high altitudes. Snow began to fall, making the roads icy. We did have few little whirls from time to time. As we didn't want to wind up stranded on the side of the road, equidistant to the four corners of nowhere, Val exercised his motor skills to the fullest as our two-wheel drive car raced side by side with mostly SUVs. But it took only a couple of deep breaths for us to decide we were going no further. A quick rest in one of the towns was necessary.

Along the way, we drove between mountains of high rocks. The blackish valleys that were sprinkled with snow and evergreens that stood tall made the trek much more enjoyable. We tried to soak up the scenery from different vantage points while my camera shuttered to capture every panorama.

When we reached Moab, we had already collected adventures that we would laugh about later or remember in years to come with smiles.

This summer, I would take to the roads again for a vacation. Road trips would certainly offer the best summer. I would rather accumulate all those zillions of little bits and pieces of memories that gather as the miles wear on than to head on to the airport only to be disappointed for a delayed flight.

There is endless fun in the immense highway system interlacing the United States. So for foreign students (with vehicles), it is better to get behind the wheel and grind forward. Make your own road trip memories.

By the way, going back home simply doubles the fun.
*****
Read more of my Collegian articles.

Labels: World Travels

posted by talk

at 4/16/2008 09:48:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Visiting Delicate Arch - Moab, Utah

0 comments | Thursday, April 10, 2008

Last weekend, I had one of the best travel experiences ever. I was with my colleague/housemate/Big Brother/Ukrainian friend Val for a road trip from Brookings, South Dakota to Moab, Utah. Did I mention in my last post that it took us more than 15 hours of driving?

Utah, USA is home to the magnificent freestanding natural arches located in the Arches National Park near Moab [see map].

When Val and I decided to go to Utah, I never had hesitations and said yes, knowing I'd be seeing natural wonders in all its glory. I thought it was already time that I had to end the longing and the childhood dream of seeing the red rock formations only Moab can offer. I never regretted the decision.

The most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park is the Delicate Arch. Because of its very dramatic shape, it is the most famous of the countless arches in the park.

I've seen the Balanced Stone Arch, the Two-eyes (the North and South Window), the Double Arch, and all other naturally-formed arches, but nothing beats the Delicate Arch. Redish, made of sand-stone, curved delicately atop a mountain of rocks, the delicate arch makes people drop their jaws in awe and leaves everyone asking how it manages to stay in great curved shape for years, maybe centuries.

Have I mentioned the hiking to the Delicate Arch? Wohoho! Indeed you need to sacrifice a bit of your time and effort to see this amazing structure. It is located 1.5 mile (2.4 km) from the parking area at Wolfe Ranch. Converted to hours, that would take about an hour each way or a round trip of two hours. The trail wasn't easy as I thought it would be.

Val and I had to climb slopes most of the time. Good thing was, we were not alone during the hiking. Other tourists, young and old, were there -- just as eager as we were to see the Arch. No worries about the rugged and brushy terrain. No worries about the unmarked trail near the top [was Val lost too? LOL]. No worries about legs shakin' and sweat fallin'. I tell you, worries would vanish at the blink of an eye when you reach the peak!

The Arch cannot be seen from afar. It is hidden from sight. That makes it so very exciting for everyone.

At the top, I couldn't help but mention the words "wow", "awesome", "oh my God" at the sight of the Arch. Val mentioned the same words, however, with the word "freakin'" preceding each of them. Finally, the 52-feet tall Arch was right in front of me!

Photos. Photos. Photos of the Delicate Arch. We need to take as many photos as we could. Imagine us exchanging our cameras all the time for picture taking. We had all the views taken, all the poses made and all the possible sides of the arch shot.

The journey back to the parking lot was easier. In fact, I was singing going down the slopes. Once in a while, Val and I had this “shouting” moment, when we just have to shout in cadence without any reason at all but for fun. People looked at us. Then we giggled in silence.

As we were about to reach our car, I noticed an unpaved road that leads to a view of the Arch. But what the heck! I liked the hiking better than getting there via a short cut. If you happen to visit the Delicate Arch, get out of your car, ready your walking shoes, and follow the trail. It is worth it.

It was really good to end the day with the Delicate Arch in mind.

****
Next post later about the other hiking trip! Keep posted.

Labels: USA Blogging, World Travels

posted by talk

at 4/10/2008 10:05:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Way of Lights, Belleville Illinois

0 comments | Wednesday, January 02, 2008

The Christmas story is brought to everyone through the display of lights in innovative presentations and activities. That is what the “Way of Lights” is all about.

It started in 1970 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who operates the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows. The “Way of Lights” is a unique exhibit that everyone must see.

In its 38th year, aside from the beautiful outdoor display of lights, the Way of Lights presents these:

Laser light show – Experience the story of the birth of Jesus through this amazing spectacle of light and sound. This will thrill visitors of all ages.

Interactive Children Village – Through activities, crafts and interactive puppet show, children will learn about the most special gift, Jesus, as well as God’s gift of making each of them special and unique.

Heavenly Photos – Children of all ages can dress in angel attire and have a photograph taken amidst a shimmery background.

Christmas Tree Display – Wander in this heartwarming display where florists and decorators from the St. Louis Metro East Area have created one-of-a-kind trees with a theme of “Christmas Through the Eyes of the Child.”

You can also find a Shrine restaurant and a Gift shop/bookstore. Each evening, area choirs perform the sounds of the season.

Make the “Way of Lights” part of your holiday tradition. The display is open on evenings till January 6, 2008 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows, Belleville Illinois.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, World Travels

posted by talk

at 1/02/2008 07:08:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Body Worlds Exhibition

1 comments | Friday, December 28, 2007

Today, I had experienced one best moment inside the Saint Louis Science Center in Missouri, where the world renowned Body Worlds Exhibit was held.

Body Worlds is an eye-opening journey through the inner workings of the human body. It is an achievement in anatomical science, a gaze at humanity in all its glory and vulnerability.

The exhibit uses real human beings as specimens to understand the human body more. But when you see the specimens displayed, you’d wonder how it was possible to do such preservation process of tissues and tendons and muscles and eyes and genitals – like it has just been done a day ago.

According to Dr. Gunther von Hagens who started Body Worlds, the technique to halting decomposition and preserving the human tissue is Plastination. The key to Plastination is Forced Plastic Impregnation. Here, the force of the vacuum squeezes the acetone out of the specimen in bubbles and to the top of the impregnation tank. When acetone is removed a volume deficit is created within the specimen. This void is filled with reactive plastics that permeate the specimen.

Body Worlds is created for people to better understand their bodies. People who have been to the exhibit resolved to stop smoking or drinking and improve their diet. Body Worlds educates people about health and persuade them to change their opinions, as well as to motivate them to think about life and how short life is.

This exhibit is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to understand your own physiology and gain new appreciation of life and respect for what it means to be human. If you get the chance to be in Missouri before it closes around February 2008, drop by and see this really amazing work – featuring 200 authentic human specimens!

EXPLORE the locomotive, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, cardiovascular, digestive and reproductive systems.

SEE the muscles, bones and tendons that help humans move.

STUDY the organs and mechanisms that allow humans to fuel their bodies.

VIEW the complex pathways of our vascular system.

GAIN a greater understanding of how human life is made possible and what it takes to protect it.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, World Travels

posted by talk

at 12/28/2007 11:22:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Christmas in Illinois

0 comments | Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Delayed.

I am so unsuccessful with flying. Every time I fly for holidays, my flight is most of the time, if not always, delayed. I am not only saying about an hour delay, but two hours or more.

My flight to Chicago, Illinois for my long-awaited Christmas vacation was delayed for more than two hours. I could only blame it to the bad weather. Coming to the airport, my ride was bothered by a snow storm. My friend and I had to slow down our speed as we witnessed few cars swerving to the sides and got stuck on the piles of snow.

Why should the snow storm be on this day that I am leaving? The last time I traveled, the flight was delayed due to a stormy weather as well. It was even summer that time and I couldn’t believe that Chicago could be visited by a storm on a beautiful summer month.

Writing this post while taking comfort on the hard floor of the waiting lounge of gate 7, I couldn’t help but notice the tens of people also stuck and becoming impatient of this annoying delay. Come to think of it, it is the evening of December 25th and we are all in the airport hoping to spend the few more hours of Christmas with friends and family. But as we see it now, it might not happen any moment.

What a Christmas evening it has been!

Labels: World Travels

posted by talk

at 12/26/2007 04:11:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Windy City high flyin'

3 comments | Monday, August 27, 2007

Two sleepless nights in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois was, whichever way I see it, pure fun. Okay, maybe there were few stolen naps here and there, but two straight nights of bar fun made my lately-not-so-exciting life ten years younger and sweeter.

The perfect-looking couple, Mark and Xai, had the perfect tour recipe for the new Chicago wanderer like me. As my initiation to the windy city, I was brought immediately to a Filipino-owned karaoke bar on my first night, after over four hours of road trip from Michigan. The couple knew exactly what I needed - few booze shots for the karaoke trippin' to start rolling.

It was like I was inside one of Cebu City's night bars, like I was never been away from home to start with. Seeing so many Filipinos commingling into a 10x20-meter pygmy place felt a little kooky at first instance - probably because I don't

encounter so often such a Filipino crowd here in South Dakota. Right then and there, I met few acquaintances inside the bar. There were ladies whom I found physically attractive. Attractiveness doesn't always mean just having a coca-cola, to-die-with figure. It has to brew with cute smiles, soft and tender whispers, little flirting and carry-to-the-max attitude.

I have no exact recollection how many times I had the microphone in my hand. I do recall the clapping of people around. Whether they liked my singing or they wanted me to stop was beyond my recognition that time. But who cares how I really sounded! When people are intoxicated past midnight, the ugliest could become the prettiest and the off-notes could be the most beautiful music ever created.

Fun, I had. Xai surprised me with such superb, angelic, high-pitched voice. Sexy, pretty and talented, Xai and her pretty voice could give more established stars a run for their money.

The first day ended at 5AM. Just few hours later, I was feeling the drawing force of the windy city - touring each spectacle Chicago is known for. In between rain episodes [rain pestered my trip the whole day], Mark and I quickly took pictures as if not bothered at all that our cameras would soak in the rain.

We've been to so many places in so short a time. Chicago is never that huge if you tour it by car.

I must say the most magnificent experience was the one at the Chicago Bean [others call it the Cloud Gate of Chicago]. We went there in the evening. So sensational it was that you'd lock your jaw in total amazement. Daytime might be awesome to visit the spectacle too. But the reflections of surrounding lighted buildings to the mirror-like exterior of the Bean that could only be seen when the sky turns dark and the heavens are starry, added to the already eye-catching shape of the structure.

The enormous bean offers an ever-changing reflections of the city skyline situated at Chicago's Millennium Park. I've read that it weighs 110 tons and has a final building cost of $23 million. The futuristic egg-shaped object is indeed a great work of art that no tourist should ever miss to see!

The night after the city tour was no different. Still with groggy eyes, Mark, Xai and I ventured to meet few other Filipino Americans. Most of them, if not all, were employed professionals. I was introduced to Vanessa and Chepie, two women Xai wanted me to rub eyeballs with. Mark and Xai teased me that the next time I'd be in Chicago, it would be because of their gorgeous lady "playmates".

I left the windy city full of memories to share. From the monumental sculpture to the interactive water fountains, Chicago is a 'must-see'.

Early in the morning, at around 5AM, I took a train to St. Louis Missouri for the next leg of my trip. I gave the couple a hug and promised to come back.

Chicago photo gallery 1 and gallery 2 for more.

Labels: USA Blogging, World Travels

posted by talk

at 8/27/2007 12:02:00 AM Permalink

| 3 comments