Articles
I ran my tongue around my lips and tasted the lingering flavor of curry and the remnants of spices from masala tea. The morning air was thick with the woody scent of incense sticks. A breeze rustled by. I stopped and took in the grassy scent of banana leaves and a faint whiff of freshly plucked flowers as I began my experience at Thaipusam in Penang.
Our 4x4 safari vehicle heaves and jolts through the deep recesses of the primeval forest. This is early March, and the dry deciduous jungle is laced with post-winter earthy shades of green. But the towering cotton and palash trees have splashed fiery red hues onto the canvas. The afternoon sun filters through the overhead canopy to illuminate the moss-ridden tract peppered with fragrant flowers and withered leaves.
Post-election confusion had this crestfallen New York voter needing an escape in late 2024. England and the U.S. have always savored a special relationship, a unique bond, so it made sense that a little British wit and wisdom would go a long way in restoring my fighting spirit. The weekend pilgrimage also gave me reason to explore my growing interest in the roots of democracy heightened by political uncertainty.
Hungary, and Budapest more specifically, was once known for its mistreatment of those with physical and intellectual disabilities. Today, however, the people of Budapest are creating a more inclusive community thanks to businesses that are breaking down social stigmas and changing attitudes towards those who were once excluded in the community.
Easter Sunday is the most joyous day in the Christian calendar. On a recent trip to Israel we had the pleasure of visiting numerous sites throughout the country that really brought the Bible to life for us.
My nephews don’t know it, but we’re engaging in a resurging travel trend: agritourism. This type of tourism involves visiting any local agricultural setting, including farmers markets, U-pick farms, and fun activities like corn mazes.
With little care as to where on the island I would go, I found a perfect apartment located in a place called Porto Torres.
Agua Fria National Monument protects nearly 500 ancient Native American homes within four distinct settlements. Between about 1250 and 1450, the high desert landscape was divided by dozens of well-worn footpaths leading to neatly-built stone homes with tiny entrances that reflected the small stature of the Pueblo who lived here. Later, the Pueblo people abandoned them, leaving behind jars, pots, utensils, and household tools. Today, items like these are precious, studied by experts, treasured by local tribes, or housed behind glass in museums to inspire gawking middle schoolers on field trips. Sadly, however, most of these clues to ancient history have been lost due to natural factors as well as centuries of looting.
Climate change is impacting the world in significant ways. We know this. But it’s impacting the beautiful islands of Indonesia, in particular...
Out of view, built into the hill above, rises Arcosanti, a prototype of arcology. Arcology, a concept coined by Soleri himself by combining “architecture” and “ecology,” is the idea that architecture can be in harmony with the landscape.
