North America
Totem Poles of the First Nations in Vancouver Canada. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”
– Eudora Welty
Explore the history, diverse cultures and traditions of the North American countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States. North American culture reflects both the cultures of its indigenous people- the Native Americans as well as the culture that is influenced by European Colonization.
The United States is the third largest country in the world and one of the most culturally diverse countries of the world. Described as the ‘melting pot‘ of North America , amalgamation of different cultures has given shape to the unique U.S. culture.
Mexico is the most populous state of North America and one of the largest city in the world.
Canada is the largest country of North American region and covering more than half of the continent’s area.
When travel writing is your profession, adjusting to a new normal of not traveling can be tough and even downright weird. The Covid Pandemic has caused massive changes in our daily lives and it has surely affected the way we used to travel then and now. The lifestyle changes have been abrupt and too quick.
If you want to hear about what the future face of travel might look like post-coronavirus ask someone who travels for a living. That's what we did when we sat down with fellow travel journalist Helen Hatzis of Trip Jaunt. In addition to being a travel journalist Helen is known for many other things. She she was recognized as one of Canada’s Nicest Person's by Roots Canada celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. Helen also received a Governor General Award for her extensive community work over the last two decades. Hear what the future may hold for travelers and experience a taste of Toronto on World footprints with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick. * * * * * * Helen Hatzis receiving her Governor's General Award Helen Hatzis is recognised as a ‘rock n’ roll’ strategist by her peers who leads a purpose-driven life. A Governor General Award recipient for [...]
Travel journalist and Toronto-based Greek food tour operator Jim Bamboulis of Travel Mammal joins World Footprints to share the vibrant culinary scene and rich diversity of Toronto, Canada. Jim tells us that we can experience Greece in Toronto and essentially eat our way around the world in the city. Jim takes us on a special virtual tour of Toronto's Greek town and he tells us about a special opportunity he offers to help us taste a bit of Greece from anywhere. Jim also tells us how Toronto is dealing with the coronavirus and how this pandemic is affecting small business and the travel and tourism industry. *For more info about the food tours/gift bags, please visit TravelMammalTours.com. *For all how-to videos, podcasts and travel videos, YouTube.com/TravelMammal. *For everything marketing/social media related, TravelMammalMarketing.com. ****************** Jim Bamboulis has over 20 years of media production experience in the broadcast, digital and social media [...]
Anybody out there ready to hear some good news, for once? 2020 seems to be all about the bad news. I see it all the time on Facebook, TV, and even in my inbox. It seems the only thing anybody wants to talk about these days is COVID-19 and why we should all be terrified by what it brings. However, there is some good news out there! In the middle of this storm, people are reaching out to make this season a bit more survivable—particularly for first responders. I had the opportunity to talk with J.J. Bukowski, one of the founders of AZ Face Shields. This organization creates face shields to donate to first responders. In just a few short months, this organization has given away thousands of shields! J.J. told me how the idea for the organization was born and what the group has done to put a dent [...]
This mandatory pause that’s been imposed on us because of COVID-19 is very challenging; especially for those of us who travel frequently. But a fellow travel journalist, Terri Marshall of Tripping with Terri says that technology has offered us ways to feed our wanderlust at home even during Covid-19. Learn more about virtual travelling from Terri as she talks about travel choices you can choose from post the pandemic. Terri writes a lot about multi generational travel and, in fact, she told World Footprints that the first trip post-Covid-19 she takes will be to treat her grandchildren to a theme park trip to a theme park. So, as a multi-gen traveler she had some great suggestions for families who are eager to travel post Covid-19. ************ Based in New York City, Terri Marshall is an award-winning writer covering cultural travel, multi-generational travel, food, drink, road trips, cars and characters. From [...]
My greeting at YVR International Airport’s customs desk is about as warm as my farewell from Cape Town 27 hours earlier.
As I write this, the majority of the world is in isolation; the pandemic of COVID-19 has forced us indoors and away from each other.
Even an island paradise is not immune to the coronavirus as we learned from San Juan Islands' Barbara Marrett. But the virus has not significantly impacted the San Juan Islands despite the islands proximity to Seattle, Washington – a coronavirus cluster.
In this video, join Kellie Paxian as she shares her experience of traveling internationally from Cape Town to Vancouver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kellie managed to leave South Africa just before the country went into lockdown, and she joins World Footprints to discuss her journey and the contrasting approaches to the pandemic in Cape Town and Vancouver.
Two businesses in the Northeast Arkansas region are showing others what it means by "great acts of kindness" during the coronavirus pandemic. The Brickhouse Grill restaurant in Jonesboro has become a downtown community market and convenience store to help people who are affected by the problems the coronavirus has caused. The restaurant took to its Facebook page to say the restaurant was going to open a Brickhouse Bodega, a community market/convenience store, designed to help area residents and those practicing social distancing avoid the larger crowds. According to their Facebook post, the Bodega will be located inside the main restaurant and abide by all store market/convenience store guidelines currently implemented in bigger cities to protect the Northeast Arkansas residents. The Bodega’s profits will be given to an emergency fund helping the service industry workers of Downtown Jonesboro who are needing it most. These folks will also get a 50 percent [...]
Imagine a bi-partisan dinner with U.S. Senators and Representatives at the Library of Congress with leading contemporary historians and a billionaire patriotic philanthropist. Then image an evening of enlightened discussions about American history without the presence of media or political jockeying.
An expansion of the U.S. travel ban, issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, is targeting a large swath of immigrants from six countries, including Nigeria. The ban is said to affect thousands of people, and could, once again, spark discussions about the discriminatory nature of the policy.
