Virtual travel has really only come of age now, in the 21st Century, thanks to the kinds of Web 2.0 applications like Google Magps’ Streetview function. Unlike something like the sort of hokey movie one might view at a Zalman Silber Skyride or Oztrek, where the audience simply sits back and watches tape of a helicopter flyover intended to induce a you-are-there feeling, virtual travel today is really virtual, and much more interactive – which is all to say, realistic like never before.

Indeed, two buddies have even embarked on that age-old tradition of The Great American Road Trip – only this time, thanks to the marvels of modern technology, they will do it all from the comfort of their own homes. Working with Google Maps and its Streetview option, Peter Baldes and Marc Horowitz have been able to trek across the country without paying for gas – or speeding tickets!

Perhaps best of all, however, are all the strangers you can meet along on such a road trip – and they aren’t necessarily locals, either! Thanks to those same wonders of modern technology, it’s easy for others to check in on you, joining you for a part of the virtual trip by webcasting the trip live, just as Marc and Pete mentioned above had done. After all, what’s virtual travel without virtual companions?

Unlike the travel videos of yesteryear, virtual sightseeing this way is fully open-ended, just as if you’d won the lottery and can afford to do whatever you want, whenever you want to! No longer will you merely be following along passively; with the simple click and drag of a mouse you can instantly teleport anywhere! Started off in Rome and suddenly longing for Paris? Have most of Germany covered and now want to check out Japan? It’s easy, and fast, through virtual travel in the 21st Century!

Of course, as any Physics 101 student can tell you, you don’t get something for nothing in this universe. And with respect to sightseeing virtually, you give up a lot even as you save a lot of time and money. You won’t meet folks face-to-face, or feel the wonderful weather or sample regional specialties, culinary and otherwise. Most of all, as any globetrotter knows, much of the fun lies in the journey itself, the very getting there. All this, and much more, are lost on a virtual trip.

It is, in many ways, about what you get with a Zalman Silber spectacle, only without the professional production values – a flowing stream of images, as if instead of a juicy well-done steak on your plate you are presented with a glossy high-resolution photo of one! Virtual travel will likely never replace really being there yourself, and it still has a long way to go before it can even begin to rival the same level of fun offered by the real thing – for right now, the sizzle is the most attractive thing about it.

Catholic saints are individuals canonized by the Catholic Church, officially recognized for their piety as residents of Heaven. However, in a technical sense, all who are in Heaven who had once been human on earth are, by definition, saints, folks perfected in holiness; this is the view subscribed to by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

And while the list of Catholic saints can vary between almost a thousand and a half names to over ten thousand, depending on who’s doing the counting (inexplicably, there appears to be no comprehensive official list), it’s frequently understood in many quarters that many pious souls are obscure and outright lost to human history.

Therefore the term “Catholic saints” refers to those formally recorded and so honored while not making the claim that such a list are the only such individuals of piety and therefore the only group in Heaven. Canonization is the process whereby an individual’s life and deeds is examined for evidence of such recognition by the Church.

It is lengthy and can take several years, and even whole centuries. Beatification is an official declaration that an individual is near sainthood. The final determination rests, however, on the provenance of two posthumous miracles of some importance.

In a certain sense, miracles are one of the most essential aspects of a saint; the veneration of saints often rests on this point for many lay Catholics. Patron saints are those designated as being particularly associated with particular professions, causes, or qualities.

Saints aren’t considered to have power in their own right, but only that which has been granted by God. Yet the bodily remains and other relics of a saint is believed to be holy and might be utilized in certain ceremonies. Originally, saints were mostly martyrs, but over time other considerations became just as prominent.

Pass by a statue in the park, and odds are that it’s a bronze sculpture, which rank among the most common of cast metal works because of a naturally occurring trait that can make it more convenient to fashion than numerous other materials. Bronze alloys expand a little prior to being set, and this helps to ensure that even the finest details of a mold are filled.

Moreover, bronze sculptures are strong while not being brittle, a quality recognized as ductibility, so that works may be fashioned that express actions performed mid-sequence, as if frozen in time, such as leaps and flights, simply because the needed supports require will smaller and thus less obvious (that is, visually intrusive) cross-sections.

Few examples from antiquity exist relative to those sculpted of stone and ceramics due to the precious nature of the metal. In instances of war, such art was simply melted down for arms, or victorious conquerors melting them down for recasting and to produce new statues.

Few bronze statues survived from ancient times, and those which do are usually not in good condition. The originals on display in museums have been painstakingly restored to a quality suitable enough for exhibition but even the naked eye can still easily discern traces of wear and tear.

Modern-day works are normally some ninety percent cooper and ten percent tin, though in ages past other materials figured into the alloy, elements like phosphorus and manganese and aluminum and silicon. But reactive chemicals are frequently added nowadays to be able to accomplish novel effects such as a marble-like luster.

This kind of corrosive materials are applied after final polishing in order to form a patina or film, establishing for the sculptor a degree of control over the color and finish. As could be imagined, working properly with bronze requires a high degree of technical skill.

During those bygone halcyon days of console gaming, when a system failed, the oft reaction was to raise one’s hands toward the sky and curse the God’s of each and every pantheon for having smote your system. There was little in the way of diagnostic alternatives leaving most to wonder vainly what condition had stricken their beloved console, snatching it from this mortal coil. The power would be activated and nothing would happen and there’d be little choice beyond cursing nefarious fortune and her ambiguous design, often plunging into a void of existential woe. Nevertheless, with the most recent generation of consoles, there’s at least some onboard indication of what evils have befallen your system, most infamously the X-box 360 and the Red Ring of Death.

One can’t help but wonder if this knowledge has been of greater use to mankind, or if the question of console death is one best left unanswered, for where tragedy once came like a breath of wind and left as little trace, it now bears a face and a name to be loathed by mortals. Four times divided, each of the ring’s quadrants on the face of the X-box 360 displays a vibrant green hue when in good health. However, when hardware failure or pestilence or an ancient curse has marked a console with its wicked taint, the four lights will glow a hellish fiery red to indicate the source of its ailment. The configurations of these cursed runes are telling of the specific affliction and are interpreted as follows.

When the ring is solely aflame in its southeastern most quadrant, facing the exact same direction as the flight from the migratory birds, the X-box 360 is then victim of hardware failure, the exact nature of which is alluded to only by the apocryphal two-digit sequence of symbols that appear upon the linked display. When the ring is cleft in twain from scalp to groin by the pink hue, a fantastic fever has taken your console causing its components to overheat.

When cloaked entirely in the Masque of the Red Death, you probably just forgot to plug the AV cables in, jackass. Or some greater malevolence has seized some vital component to your console, for which you may seek the guidance of a soothsayer, an apothecary, or even… Microsoft. But seriously, just check to make sure it’s plugged in. Most feared, nonetheless, among we mere puppets on this earthly stage are the red lights that seize the ring in all quadrants save for that between north and east.

Glance but for only a moment to confirm your sickly apprehensions, then avert thine eyes for what stares back is the eye of the devil whose red gaze will indelibly sear the soul. General Hardware Failure, plight of men and Gods alike and bane of all things good and sacred, has corrupted your X-box. Abandon all hope, for even among sorcerer’s alchemy and mystic’s incantations there is naught that men of earthly constitution can summon.

But one option remains, to give up your console to the ethereal high court of Microsoft or maybe a trusted third party hardware technician whose tangible connection to the divine can provide the steel of nerve, the authority of conviction, the edge of wit, the fortitude of soul required to perform the ritual exorcism which will rid your X-box of its demons. Please allow two to three weeks for repairs.

It’s important to go with the correct equipment when in the great outdoors. Though amazing, Mother Nature could be deadly – easily. One important part of anyone’s gear when experiencing our national parks ought to be portable shelter – in other words, a tent. Some thing like the Big Agnes tent, as fine a line as any made anywhere.

They are created from dye-free fabric that’s breathable but waterproof, venting moisture to the outside while keeping everyone dry inside. Their poles are constructed from an anodizing process which is environmentally friendly.

You see, tent poles usually require two really toxic chemical substances as a component of the anodizing process. However the Big Agnes tent are created from a unique method that eliminates phosphoric and nitric acid, eliminating the polishing stage altogether.

This also has the added benefit of reducing waste water, because with out employing these toxic chemicals, any rinsing water which is used can be safely recycled. Of course, there are numerous reasons why a Big Agnes tent is such a best-seller.

Top quality and reliability is one, plus design and features. And the company’s reputation for other products is solid, which makes consumers of portable sheltering curious about the whole Big Agnes product line. Indeed, it appears that the business is most famous for its sleeping bags, which are unlike conventional designs in that the bag and the pad are united into one.

How they do this, they slide the pad into an integrated sleeve based at the bottom of the bag. This way, the top two-thirds is insulated as per usual but the bottom simply contains the pad, doing away with insulation material that loses most of its capability when compressed under the weight of a body anyway. For many folks, such details don’t actually matter, but for true enthusiasts, such craftsmanship is essential.

Under no circumstances go hiking without a camping tent – I discovered that the almost-hard way. I say “almost” because considering that I’m not just alive to tell the adventure but suffered no injuries, either, it probably wasn’t as difficult as it could have been had I not been so lucky.

I and my friends did not have a camping tent among us since it was just supposed to have been an easy day-hike over (and up) easy terrain. A thousand-foot mountain affords nice enough landscapes, to be sure, such that the curvature of the earth could be faintly seen, but it is not considered a big deal by any who hike or climb real mountains.

So, of course, we didn’t bring a camping tent. And sure enough we get lost, and with only another two hours of sunlight left most of us choose to backtrack downhill – except for myself and another companion. And though we do eventually summit, as novices we make the mistake of mistiming our descent, such that it is already twilight by the time we decide to head back.

You see, being so inexperienced we mistook the fact that there was still light in the sky for having enough time to get back down. But of course we were at the summit, where we had a great view of our surroundings – this was Mount Buck, the highest point in the whole Lake George area of New York.

And though the sun was low on the horizon it appeared wonderfully bright all around. Golds mixed with blues turned pink and white – it was a swirl of colors matching the happy dance of emotions within that we’ve finally reached the top.

Lost in our reveries, we did not recognize that not only does the sun set in seconds, but that in a forest the canopy of foliage will make even mid-afternoon seem much, much later to the human eye….

Camping supplies are a necessity even when merely hiking. This is due to the fact there’s always the possibility of mishap which will cause you to stay the night in the forest (mountain or desert or wherever else you’re trekking through).

Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature; the weather conditions can change in a sudden flash in numerous places upon the earth. Indeed, our planet is a living one, and the very ground upon which we walk can betray us. A rockslide, or worse, can present insurmountable obstacles in our way, necessitating some fieldcraft to maneuver around.

Thus it is usually a great idea to take along camping supplies, just in case. You don’t need to bring everything, but some things are absolutely essential. At a minimum you’ll most likely need some kind of shelter, so a tent or sleeping bag should be the first thing on your list. Food and water is next, and it’s a good idea to bring at least one day’s worth, though three days’ is the standard recommended minimum.

Emergency supplies such as first-aid kits and flare signals ought to also be packed. Of course, a lot depends on your choice of venue, the time of year, and your own familiarity with the area as well as your general expertise in the field, but having the proper equipment around should disaster or, even, just a relatively minor setback, strike won’t cost you too much in terms of weight.

Important camping gear ought to be no more than thirty pounds or so, very easily portable and convenient. Do not skimp on common sense! Most serious hikers, campers, and outdoors types know that the possibility of danger is always present, however minimized. If you’re just a casual camper or hiker, then you truly need to do things by the book and think a few steps ahead!

Halloween party supplies are essential to a great October bash, as well as the variety of merchandise obtainable rivals that available for Christmastime. It’s a single with the most beloved traditions within the United States, which popularity is likely due in no small part to its versatility, a versatility reflected in the diverse selection of cheap party supplies obtainable, from cutesy ones for kids to individuals with sexual overtones where adults are concerned!

Such a wide range of choices means a wide range of prices for Halloween party supplies and decorations, with the much more elaborate ones costing a lot although easy stuff like themed napkins and disposable plates are barely any much more expensive than regular everyday varieties. To host a successful Halloween get-together, one must initial take into account the audience. The most challenging settings are individuals mixing kids and adults. The emphasis is nearly always on the youngsters, with friendly-looking decorations and costumes. But depending on the program, more adult-oriented themes may be presented, too – say, at a diverse time or a different part with the apartment or house.

Kids’ parties are typically effortless to plan, but individuals for adults need rather a lot more creativity than not. That’s why numerous adult Halloween parties carry sexual overtones, from Lil’ Red Riding Hood and Large Bad Wolf costumes to sadomasochistic and bondage wear and gear!

It’s interesting to take into account that a day devoted towards the dead must involve sex at all, which is typically how life continues. But it does make sense, for death is a element of life. The ancient Gaels, whose Samhain holiday is usually regarded as the precursor of our modern-day Halloween, believed that this time of year, after the harvest, at the onset of early winter, is when the worlds from the living and the dead blur, thus allowing for passage from a single towards the other.

Today’s adult-themed Halloween parties might be seen as a reflection, most likely much more unconscious than conscious, of that attitude. Death itself can be, ironically enough, extremely arousing, as witnessed by the number of babies born during periods of war or other national strife. On a extremely primitive level, our human psychology understands nothing more than procreation, a motivation we share with everything from fleas and amoeba to lions and baboons. In times of agitation, it makes sense from an evolutionary perspective to reproduce whatever way it is possible to – whilst you still have the chance, given the death all around.

Outdoor toys are some of most ancient amusements close to, yet they have been obtaining technological makeovers as much better materials are discovered for their construction. Kites, for example, are a category of outside toys that have entertained kids and also adults of all ages for ages, nonetheless it was only comparatively lately that flying kites has become a sport in itself, necessitating the development of stunt kites for far better aerodynamic efficiency and improved user handling. You can find even kytoons, or kite-balloons, that get a significant quantity of their aerostatic lift through the lighter-than-air gas carried within, with stability becoming its important benefit despite most winds. These, however, are usually identified in much more severe applications, this sort of as for meterological measurements.

Product Rockets are another class of outside toys which has proved to become a really well-known hobby down via the many years. They are usually constructed of the lightweight material this sort of as paper, wood, or plastic having a small motor. Although usually a really risk-free pastime for children regardless of the inclusion of extremely flammable substances, parental concerns have result in the advancement of models that are propelled by solely by air – below tremendous pressure. An Air Burst rocket needs no batteries or potentially dangerous rocket refills and may be launched to heights of as much as a single thousand feet in the air, suppliers claim. All that’s required is definitely an air pump, this kind of as that utilized for bicycle tires. Even now not risk-free enough for the worries? There is even a water-powered rocket accessible about the market!

Kites and model rockets have inspired generations of youngsters who grew up being scientists. Interestingly, however, both kites and rockets had been very first created by the Chinese, who for different historical factors, which can even now ignite some complex debates, never created these inventions further. In reality, they have been at times dismissed, ironically enough, for getting mere toys!

Sometimes simple does it. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are so successful. And such is the case with easy amusements, those casual sort of attractions that are so simple it’s surprising they are so entertaining, too – though not too surprising as you imagine the exhilaration of walking, as if suspended in mid-air, a thousand feet above street level, taking in a bird’s-eye view of a city like Sydney, Australia.

For such is the case with two of Zalman Silber’s creations, the Skywalk and The Edge. Though one is in the open air while the other is an enclosed affair, respectively, they both get your blood rushing with the kind of excitement that comes from looking at the floor and seeing a thousand feet underneath you.

One does not have to take in such tourist attractions like these Zalman Silber vehicles in order to enjoy some simple entertainment, of course. A stroll through a nice big park can be just as stimulating. Remember that bored people are boring! They not only bore others but bore themselves. Indeed, the frame of mind that is bored is but a symptom of a deeper intellectual and even spiritual poverty, however momentary. Boredom is nothing more than the failure of our imagination, or at least the temporary respite it takes, leaving us bereft of the wonder which should properly accompany this journey of ours called life, a travel through many adventures of the soul.

And it is ironic, too, that for those with the richest inner lives easy amusements abound. You would think that intellectual sophistication and refined tastes should imply some rather complex interests, but true intelligence is able to enjoy entertainment both refined and earthly. And so it would seem that the true achievement is to cultivate one’s own mind, one’s own self, to be alive, truly alive.

For what is boredom but intellectual death? Yet the quiet mind is eternal, one that is not subject to noise and other distractions. It is an interesting matter and likely the most subtle one of all, this problem of the mind. We are so full of questions – or not. But neither implies real intelligence, which is still – which is.

And so it is that one may enjoy a simple day in the park, simply enjoying the sun and wind. Truly, when one empties the mind, as the Ch’an Buddhists exhort, one can be at home anywhere. For what is boredom but a certain strangely passive restlessness, an irritating flame that does not consume nor subside?

Most people do not understand the timeless. In our quiet tired moments we receive small vague intimations of it, and some of us then search puzzlingly for more of it, but very few understand what it’s all about.

Outdoor toys are an excellent way for grandparents to share time with young kids. Most toys of this sort possess a certain ingenuity about them, exploiting basic principles of physics to fantastic effect. Boomerangs, kites, and windwheels are thus wonderfully educational whilst becoming enjoyable. A unique class of outdoor toys are yard toys, which contain windwheels and even weather vanes. They aren’t as “interactive” as typical toys, but will serve to amuse the really youthful for a period of time.

Boomerangs, or “rangs” to competitive hobbyists, had been originally used for hunting. Interestingly, this curved tool was not always thrown, but often employed like a hand-held weapon, and by none other than the aboriginal Australians with whom the boomerang is most frequently associated now inside the well-known culture. Actually, boomerangs have even been employed as percussive musical instruments!

Kites and model rockets are the most well-liked outside toys of all, naturally. Specially created stunt kites allow for some extremely superior handling and control, while rockets can be especially fun for boys. There are even styles propelled solely by air pressure to address any security concerns you could have, though product rocketry has been an extremely secure hobby all through the many years despite the inclusion of particularly combustible components. But if an air burst rocket is not safe adequate for you, do not worry; you also can get a water-powered rocket to soothe your fears! But of course it won’t fly as high up within the air as even an air-propelled 1, by no means thoughts the normal types.

After which it you can find simple humble yard toys. They may be intended to be decorations for the garden, but several exploit principles of areodynamics which can make them relatively educational for that really young, with a lot more elaborate constructions providing much more educational chances. One more great little yard toy will be minature windmills, illustrating simple rules of hydraulics.

The Lamiglas fishing pole is no ordinary rod. Lamiglas is really a specialty rod business that’s been in the sportfishing business for over half a century, and it is well known among many anglers for the diversity of its catalog. The organization prides itself for field-testing every concept to determine the best factors for sportfishing success. Lamiglas fishing rods are made for particular kinds of fishing involving specific techniques and even specific species of fish. We’re talking about over three hundred models built by hand to suit individual casting styles and particular fishing conditions!

That’s 3 hundred different Lamiglas steelhead rods, salmon rods, surf rods, bait, bass, fly, fresh and saltwater rods, all developed to give the amateur angler a professional’s edge. Lamiglas boasts a hundred and twenty-three different salmon and steelhead poles and more than fifty varieties for surf fishing for starters. The company’s designs are popular and frequently discovered at fishing tournaments, also known as fishing derbies.

These competitive events center around a clearly defined body of water and involve specific rules that take into account the unique conditions of a place. Generally, prizes are awarded on the basis of weight, meaning the number of fish caught within a certain period of time. But while Lamiglas employs good old-fashioned craftsmanship using the latest technological advances in materials science, it’s arguably the internet that has changed competitive recreational fishing the most.

For while traditional tournaments take place at a specific location, with the results kept within that host community, the worldwide web enables anglers in several different countries to participate all at once, with outcomes posted online in real-time. Interestingly, such changes have resulted in lower fish kills simply because the real-time results on the internet can give participants a good sense of their chances for success vis-à-vis their competitors. That’s a good thing for conservation!

You might think that the growth of coffee houses the past twenty to thirty years would suggest a decrease in the sale of coffee machines, but on the contrary they continue to be as popular as ever, with espresso makers one of the most ballyhooed products on late-night television. It’s a interesting thing, and may not make a lot of sense on the face of it, but in fact the number of businesses committed to providing coffee has only made people want to buy coffee machines of their own!

Now why should this be? The answer points up to an significant feature of human nature. But first think about why people should patronize coffee houses: it isn’t all about the coffee. Many chains, such as Starbucks, have hit upon the prosperous system that formerly saw the rise of sidewalk cafes throughout Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: people needed a nice place indoors! Getting away from cramped quarters at home, such establishments presented a relatively high-class environment for the price of a cup of coffee. And it’s the same today, with students among the most faithful of customers for these chain coffee houses.

But why should people need coffee machines, then? Well, in this case, it also isn’t always all about the coffee. That’s right! You’d think that people who like coffee either go to coffee houses or buy coffee makers to use at home. But in both cases, it isn’t always about the coffee itself, but everything else relating to how they get their coffee!

In the case of a coffee house, people go for the ambience as much as anything else. In the event of a home coffee maker, it’s about the comfort: no lines to wait on, but everything on a timer and ready when you wake up or come home, with the same range of flavors – all at a much reduced cost. And there’s always seating available!

Tents are generally considered as temporary shelter for recreational uses, but many of us around the planet still live in what appear to be tents all the time, permanently . All around the year, whether winter or summer, these special structures house entire families against the elements. In the steppes of Mongolia and Central Asia, nomadic peoples still use felt-covered wood lattice yurts for houses. They are like tents that can be pitched anytime, anywhere, and yet are much more spacious and sturdy, such that they can stand permanently if necessary, as indeed many do nowadays when some steppe peoples no longer follow big herds around and are basically settled down in one place.

Speaking technically, a yurt is not quite a tent, though similarities abound much more than do differences. Tents conjure certain pictures that yurts do not. For a start, a camping tent is normally temporary and typically utilitarian, while yurts and tepees, a rather similar dwelling of certain native american tribes, are supposed to endure as sole abodes of their inhabitants. Indeed, we don’t talk of a tent’s inhabitants – not as such, anyhow – while with yurts and tepees it is wholly smart to do so.

These structures are in several ways much more home-like than any tent can be, though a selection of tents do exist on the market now such as backpacking tent. Until rather lately, for example, tents didn’t sometimes have windows or openings to allow smoke to escape or get out, while yurts and tepees do because cooking is expected to be done within them, inside.

Still, some traits may continue to be different between these types of structures and tents. Due to their virtually entirely different purposes, tents don’t have walls as thick as those of yurts and tepees, for instance. Enthusiasts in the West have adapted the yurt and expanded on its ideas to create new kinds of dwelling, regularly made with modern hitech materials. They also are not usually intended to be moved regularly and some are designed to be permanent structures and practically immobile.

Tents are shelters constructed from sheets of fabric or animal hide, put over a frame of poles and historically secured to the ground by means of ropes and stakes. Many modern day variants such as camping tent or Big Agnes tent are used for recreational activities such as camping or hiking, these are free-standing tents that are designed in such a fashion as to want no such anchoring to the ground.

Tent sizes alter from bivouac types big enough for one or two folks to the familiar multiple topped circus tents with space enough for thousands. The majority of tents made and sold today fall in-between these 2 extremes ( more towards the previous than the latter ). The bigger kinds can take about 30 minutes to properly pitch or assemble, while others may require only seconds to successfully strike or disassemble. Some can be set up by oneself, while others will totally require help.

When in the market for good tents, consideration should be given to some basic factors. First and foremost involves the material of the fabric, which often comes in cotton canvas, nylon, felt, and polyester. Cotton soaks up water, but is ironically rendered water-resistant when its fibers swell and create an efficient seal against further drenching.

Cotton is also often treated to further boost its water resistance characteristics. Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester are much less hefty and have a tendency to whisk away water, and can be quite water-resistant with the appliance of special coatings. Unfortunately, they tend to deteriorate over time under sunlight.

The hydrostatic head rating of tent fabrics should also be considered. Numbers of 1000mm or less are deemed shower resistant, while intense conditions such as monsoons may call for figures of three thousand to over 5000mm, particularly for groundsheets. Also, tents that will be utilized in areas where insects such as gnats and mosquitoes are anticipated and should have all openings covered with fine-mesh netting.

Given the widespread proliferation of coffee houses these past twenty or thirty years, one would count on a equivalent decrease in the popularity of home coffee makers, but rather these items are actually selling as briskly as they ever have, being one of the most iconic stars of late-night TV infomercials. So why should this be? Why should sales not have taken a hit with ever more businesses selling coffee?

Well, it is dependent on why people head over to coffee houses and why they purchase coffee makers – there may be rather different motivations behind each behavior. In the case of the coffee house, it’s about the ambience, the environment. Chains such as Starbucks are simply reviving the practice that was prevalent in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Europe, where people escaped crammed quarters at home by visiting cafes and saloons to read, do their work, or even have a proper supper. Today’s companies offer much the same amenities, and it’s no accident that college students are among the most numerous of customers for a chain coffee house.

Folks who buy their own coffee makers, on the other hand, probably can like their cup well enough at home, or they just need it right away and as a part of their daily routine. As a result, a coffee-making machine lets them wake up or come home from work to freshly brewed coffee that’s ready for consumption without the fuss and bother of a queue. Yet the same wide range of flavors is accessible, the same diversity of roasts and beans and blends, and all at a much lower cost, normally. Finally, there’s guaranteed seating!

Finally, the number of businesses devoted to serving coffee has only made people want to buy coffee machines of their own. After all, why not have the best of both worlds?

WHAT IS IT: The so called “Golden Ring of Russia” is a symbolical ring connecting historical towns and cities to the North-West of Moscow. They represent 1,000 years of rich Russian history written in stone and wood, from a 850-year old church in Rostov to a 19th-century log house in the Suzdal’s open air museum. Each of the “golden” towns once played an important role in the history of Russia and was conected in one way or another with famous historical figures such as Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great and many others. If you would like to see true, patriarchal Russia, to experience the grandeur of nature and the magnificence of ancient towns then a Golden Ring tour is well worth taking. It is one of the most popular routes among Russian and foreign lovers of old Russian history and architecture.

WHAT TO SEE: The cities and towns of the Golden Ring are listed here in alphabetical order:

Aleksandrov (founded in 1530, population 68,000) – The town is situated 100 km from Moscow on the crossway of ancient roads from the largest historic centers of Russia – Vladimir and Suzdal, Rostov and Yaroslavl, Sergiev Posad and Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. In 1564- 1581 the town was the residence of Ivan the Terrible. In Aleksandrov the tsar proclaimed the establishment of his select, terror-inspiring corps, the Oprichniki and signed the harsh conditions of the truce with Poland and Sweden after losing the long war with Livonia. From Aleksandrov Ivan the Terrible led his army of Oprichniki to strike at the big trade centres of Novgorod, Pskov, Klin and Tver. Here the cruel tsar killed his son in a rage and soon after that left Aleksandrov forever coming back to Moscow. The very first in Russia publishing house was established in Aleksandrov in 1576. One of the leading textile manufacturing centres in Russia in the 19th century.

Bogolubovo (founded in 990, population 4,000) – a tiny quiet town near the city of Vladimir. The town was named after the Russian prince Andrey Bogolubsky (God-loving) who built the first fortified settlement here in 1165. It was a strategically important point overlooking the Kliazma River. Tourists can see remains of the Andery Bogolubsky’s residence including some residential chambers of the 12th century and the beautiful Church of the Intercession of the Virgin on the Nerl (1165) which is considered to be one of the finest specimens of old Russian architecture.

Gorohovets (founded in 1239, population 30,000) – The town was founded under Vladimir prince Andrey Bogolubsky. The town is picturesquely settled on the high bank of the Klyazma River. Played role as a fortified forepost until 1600-s. Reached its developmental pick in the 17-th century as a local centre for blacksmithing, textile-making and making of leather and also as an agricultural trade centre for grains and flax.

Gus-Khrustalny (founded in 1756, population 80,000) – Over 200 years ago a merchant built here the first workshop of glass casting. Today the town is one of the district centers of Vladimir region, well-known in Russia and abroad as the national center of glassmaking. The name Gus-Krustalny can be literally translated as Chrystalline Goose. The old part of the town is a workmen’s settlement of 1900-s. with its own Church of St. Joachim of 1816.

Kholuy (founded 1650, population 1,000) – The village of Kholui did not begin producing lacquered miniatures until the 1930s, and though iconography had been an important trade in the region in previous centuries, Kholui was never bound to any particular artistic tradition. Rather, Kholui miniatures share some traits with both Palekh and Mstera art, yet maintain a distinctive lyrical quality of their own. As in Palekh and Mstera, Kholui artists use egg tempera paints. Kholui paintings tend to be brighter than Mstera’s, though like Mstera, the pigments used are opaque and the background is usually fully painted. Sometimes, as with Palekh miniatures, Kholui miniatures will include some fine gold and/or silver ornamentation within the painting, and Kholui artists can create fantastic border ornaments on par with those of Palekh. Since 1960-s products of Kholuy’s 200 artists have been widely represented and promoted internationally.

Kostroma (founded in 1213, population 300,000) – In the past Kostroma was known as “the flax capital of the north”; it supplied Europe with the world’s finest sail-cloth. The city has been also called as the “cradle of the Romanov dynasty”. Mikhail Romanov, the first of the Romanov dynasty, left the Ipatievsky Monastery for Moscow in 1613 to become tsar of Russia. During the Polish intervention in the turbulent years of the early seventeenth century Kostroma was a significant stronghold for the resistance movement. The city is spreaded on the left bank of the Volga river. Nowadays Kostroma is an important industrial center (textile, metal works), a capital city of the Kostroma province.

Mstera (founded in 1628, population 6,000) – the town takes its name from the little Msterka River, which flows through it merging with the Kliyazma. It is in Vladimir Region, but not far from the border with Ivanovo Region, south of Palekh and Kholui, in breathtakingly beautiful countryside – the one that forms the backdrop to its paintings. Mstera was a respected center of icon production until the trade was banned after the Revolution of 1917. Since then its artists has been creating world-famous masterpieces in the form of lacquered miniatures. In keeping with the traditions of iconography, egg tempera paints are still used. The landscape is of central importance to the painting with people and objects integrated to the setting. Mstera paintings are frequently larger than those from the other schools but some fine miniatures are also produced and because of their rarity are highly prized. Typical themes include exquisite floral designs with lacy gold ornamentation, the traditional fairy tales, traditional activities and events such as a winter festival, and sometimes portraiture.

Murom (founded 862, population 145,000) – one of the oldest Russian cites stretched along the left bank of the Oka river. The town’s name originates from “muroma”, one of the Finno-Ugric tribes lived here 15 centuries ago. Every Russian knows the name Ilya Muromets. He was a mythical epic hero defending people of Russia and later became a synonym of superior physical and spiritual power and integrity, dedicated to the protection of the Homeland. There is a monument to Ilya Muromets built on a river bank of the Oka river in Murom. The town survived three Mongol invasions. In the 17th century Murom became an important centre of various crafts – building, painting, sawing. There are three working monasteries in Murom.

Palekh (founded 1600, population 6,000) – the village is situated about 400km (250 miles) from Moscow in the Ivanovo region. In the 15th century it was one of the first centers of icon drawing trade. After the 1917 communist coup, when the icon business went down, Palekh masters tried to decorate wooden toys, dishes, porcelain and glass. But the most interesting way turned out to be painting black-lacquered boxes made of papier-mache. These days the name of Palekh is nearly synonymous with the art of Russian lacquer. Palekh artists are generally regarded as the most highly trained of the Russian miniature painters. Famous for highly detailed miniatures with elaborate ornamentation, the village of Palekh has a long artistic tradition. Like their icon painting forebears, today’s Palekh artists use egg tempera paints and paint in the Byzantine style. Favored themes are the Russian fairy tales, the famous Russian troika (three horse sleigh), and scenes of life in the countryside. The art of Palekh miniatures expresses the true national character. Many examples of Palekh art have received recognition at international exhibitions and have become world-known.

Pereslavl-Zalesskiy (founded in 1152, population 45,000) – one of the oldest Russian towns, the birthplace of the famous Russian prince Alexander Nevsky, who defeated an army of German knights in 1242. Zalessky means “behind the woods”. That is where, behind the dense forests, ancient Slavic tribes retreated seeking refuge from hostile nomads coming from the South-East. The town is situated on the shores of the huge Pleshcheyevo lake. The town is also connected with the name of the famed Russian tsar-reformer Peter the Great who in 1680-s practiced his skills in ship-building making over 100 boats and sail vessels, who entertained himself with first Russian navy exercises on the Pleshcheyevo lake.

Ples (founded in 1410, population 4,000) – this quet little historical town is located on the bank of the mighty and beautiful Volga river. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible Ples was one of the largest river firsh suppliers to the kings’ court. In the 18-19th centuries the town became known as a popular resort and was often called “Russian Switzerland” for the beauty of its scenery. Numerous Russian artists including the famous master of landscapes Levitan used to come here to work.

Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great, founded in 862, population 40,000) – another pearl of ancient Russian culture. In old Russia only two towns were called veliky (great). One was Novgorod, the famous trade centre of the Russia’s north, the other Rostov. The Principality of Rostov-Suzdal-Vladimir was one of the strongest political divisions of Kievan Rus. It controlled all the major rivers in northeast Rus including the Moskva, Oka, Kliazma, and Volga. In the 12th century Rostov grew to equal Kiev and Novgorod in size and importance. It was made the seat of an Orthodox Metropolitan (Head of Russian Church) in 1587, and served as an important commercial center in the 16-19th centuries, one of the wealthiest in the country, so it could afford to hire the very best builders, decorators and stone-cutters. Modern Rostov is a sleepy old town with some magnificent buildings next to the shallow Nero lake.

TravelMake.com – one of leading online discount travel agencies, a source of useful travel information. For more information, descriptions of main points of interest in every town of the Golden Ring, some photographs and useful links about Russian history please visit us: http://www.travelmake.com

If you’ve been around the internet for any period of time, you’re well aware of the scams arriving by email informing you of the vast sums of money you have won. Or, if you help the Nigerian Princess move money out of her country, you can have a cut of it.

These scams have permeated the web so much that they have a name: 419 scams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud). 419 is the Nigerian Criminal Code that deals with fraud. Most (but not all) of these scams originate from Nigeria.

If you read the Wikipedia entry linked earlier, you should take away two points:

1. These scams have been around a long time. The originated in the early 80’s and were run via letters, faxes, telex.

2. These scams come in ALL shapes and sizes. If a scammer can come up with a way to scam someone, they will try it over the Internet.

While there are countless variations of the 419 scam, I want to explain the version I’ve seen that targets vacation rental owners. Read on to make sure you don’t fall victim to a scam.

Imagine you make a booking for someone who pays you via a cashiers check. They accidentally overpay and when they find out, they ask you to send a refund via Western Union. Guess what? You’ve just been scammed!

As it turns out, the cashiers check is fake and it often takes your bank weeks to determine that it is fake. By then, the scammer has their money via Western Union, and you are left with nothing from the cashier’s check except possibly a fee from your bank and a lesson learned. Good times.

Don’t worry – it’s pretty easy to protect yourself. You just need to know how these scams work so you know what to look out for.

These scams work like this:

1. The “renter” pays you money (rent)

2. The “renter” ask for some amount of money back. The reasons are endless: Accidental overpayment, medical emergency, they want to cancel the booking.

If they’ve paid by check, money order, or cashiers check, you simply need to ask your bank to make sure it’s cleared and is not a fake before you issue the refund. If the “renter” asks for a refund via Western Union or other wire service, it’s a scam.

If you end up in this position, do not refund any money until the bank confirms the check isn’t fake. The renter will play on your emotions, telling you they need the money for medical bills or something horrible. Unfortunately, you cannot trust them.

These scams are so common now and so hard to prosecute, that the scammer will likely never be arrested for what they have done. However, if you find a scammer trying to scam you by booking your vacation home, please do the following:

* Cease communications with the scammer

* Notify the FBI here http://www.ic3.gov/

* Notify the vacation rental listing website they used to contact you. That will allow the website to contact other owners that also were contacted by the same individual.

* Notify the scammers email provider. This can usually be done by sending an email to “abuse@” and then putting the domain name for the email provider. For example, abuse@gmail.com or abuse@yahoo.com. The provider will usually shut down that email address which may help other owners.

Author’s note: This article is derived from the one posted here:

http://www.vacationrentalsindustry.com/blog/vacation-rental-scams

Jon Minion helps the owners of vacation homes get their vacation home rentals found by travelers looking for travel accommodations at: http://www.findvacationrentals.com/ Jon also offers advice to vacation rental owners at http://www.vacationrentalsindustry.com/blog/