Glaze Forward

Any careful, or even careless, glance through the streets of any heavy urban area in the major cities of the U.S. can reveal a wide range of architectural styles.  Although most cities won’t begin to compare to the history and varied traditions in old cities in Europe, there are some changes to the architectural landscape that are arising from time and perseverance.  The styles of the cultures that inhabit the spaces are becoming more ingrained with the new designs, as are innovations that quote older traditions and styles.

Traveling through the cities of the Americas, one will surely notice that the trend is not a new one, and that there are places where many cultures meet, and have been meeting for a long time.  It is enough to make a curious architecture student want to learn Spanish.  Even though there are plenty of Latin influences in the large cities where the states border Mexico, as well as in any city with a large Latin population, the mix between the so-called old world and new worlds are much more visible in Latin America.  The place where four cultures come together in Mexico City is not only an aesthetically dizzying space, it also brings into focus just how long these uneasy conversations have been going on.

Although the ideas of cultural exchange and transculturation may be new to the academy, they are a part of everyday life in many places, and there are visual reminders of this on every corner.  The largest urban centers in the dozens of nations that make up the Americas are all visual maps that show various layers of Indigenous, Latin, and European influence.  All of these layers tend to walk over and paint on each other, and occasionally there are moments of breakthrough, when living roots are revealed, and a local history is told for the first time.  The new migrations add more levels of complexity, and traveling the Americas and looking at the architecture alone will take lifetimes.

One can certainly spend time exploring on their own, or make it formal and enroll in art and architecture programs.  Taking time to stop and notice the way this plays out in one’s own city is a very auspicious beginning however.  Looking at the everyday with a new lens can open up unimaginable doors, and lead to some startling observations.  It’s also never a bad idea to learn another language.  Being skilled at Spanish translation can be helpful in many fields, and it’s also often helpful to fellow travelers, trying to make sense of things.  As beginning architects, most students are themselves fellow travelers, marking the signs of culture and territory, and the great trajectories that lead from a here to a there.

If you want to see true wilderness in a mostly undisturbed setting, then you should consider heading up to Canada and exploring the region around Banff in Alberta. In addition to unique shopping, historic sites, and fine dining, the region is home to multiple national parks that encompass lakes, mountains, glaciers and hundreds of species of wildlife.

There is nothing like wandering through a national park and happening across bighorn sheep, deer, and elk. In more secluded areas you might catch a glimpse of a coyote, wolf, or bear in the distance. There are also numerous species of birds and reptiles as well as ground squirrels and marmots to spot. You can choose from various trails and scenic drives that will showcase the wildlife and stunning scenery of the area.

When planning the trip there are several things you need to remember. You will likely be flying into Calgary International Airport, so make sure you arrange for a car or shuttle to get you from Calgary to Banff . Depending on the season, the hotels and inns in Banff can be full, so be sure to book well in advance. You will also want to plan out which park or parks you plan to visit as there is no way you can hope to see it all in one visit.

Vacations are supposed to be about getting away from it all. They provide an opportunity for individuals and families to step outside of normal, every day life and the stresses and anxieties that build up over time. The problem is that heading to a foreign country and putting oneself in unfamiliar situations and environments is incredibly stressful in and of itself. The goal then becomes to design a trip that is as worry-free as possible, in order to reduce the stress involved in traveling.

A good way to accomplish this is to purchase travel insurance before leaving one’s home country. There are numerous companies and policies available. A little bit of research will turn up options like Reliance travel insurance and provide an overview of the benefits of this insurance to not just leisure travelers, but also to students, international business workers, missionaries, and even immigrants.

Travel insurance will include a number of protections for policy holders. This starts with regular travel issues like transportation delays or cancellations, lost baggage, and missing travel documents. It usually includes a significant portion of health insurance coverage for emergency treatment and medical evacuation. It may even have provisions for terrorist acts or hijacking scenarios.

There are more reasons now than ever to visit Chicago. Any trip through the city is inevitably likely to be much too short, getting just a taste of what the city might have to offer. For all the richness of its present, it is always infused by the spectacular strengths of the visionaries of the past, and this is certainly seen, and heard, in the blues music. While any night on the town will have at least a taste of some blues, even if it’s something heard while passing by an open door to a local club, many visitors take the opportunity to visit the famous House of Blues .

It’s part of a perfect itinerary, one that can fill out a Go Chicago Card with an evening to remember. There is a focus on the history of blues that some will find extremely interesting, as well as educational. It’s also true that any blues club in town has some debt to pay to the history of the music in the region. The history of the blues is tied to the history of the city itself. The musical form evolved through the south, and by the time it reached the upper midwest, its form was tied to the presentation, where the emphasis was on the band rather than the individual talents. Today, there’s a mix of both, and both continue to drive the form forward into the future, with solid links to the past.

There are three types of problems that occur regularly at amusement parks. These are Theme park accidents , theft, and minor injuries and illnesses. There are steps that parents can take to reduce the risk of all three.

With regards to accidents, there are a number of accidents that are the fault of the park or its attendants. There are even accidents that are unavoidable, the so-called “act of God” incidents. However, another chunk of accidents are caused by inattentive park guests as well as those that blatantly disregard safety guidelines, signs, and ride attendant instructions. Simply teaching kids — and husbands — to follow those rules will make it much less likely that an accident will occur.

Theft is a different story. However, the same precautions taken at a mall, concert, or other crowded, public space apply in theme parks. Leave valuables at home or at the hotel. Don’t carry too much cash. Be aware of the location of wallets and purses at all times. Everyone should be familiar with these types of behaviors.

As for minor accidents and illnesses, these are almost completely preventable. Drink water to prevent dehydration. Rest to prevent exhaustion. Wear sunscreen and hats to avoid sunburn and heat stroke. Have prescription drugs, inhalers, and other treatments handy. And exercise caution and alertness to avoid falling or collisions that result in bumps and bruises.

Sydney is home to numerous museums and galleries that appeal to history buffs and art lovers alike. If you’re planning a trip to the city, you’ll want to consider spending some time in some, if not all of the following sites.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales features Aboriginal art as well as classical and modern artworks. It is located in the City Centre, near the Botanical Gardens and a number of comfortable Sydney hotels .

The Australian Museum is also located in the City Centre, near Hyde Park. It is an old-school natural history museum that offers educational programs and social events in addition to providing standing and special exhibitions and collections highlight natural science, archaeology, and indigenous cultures.

The Australian National Maritime Museum is a must-see for sea-lovers. Located in Darling Harbour, the museum includes exhibitions, activities, and standing vessels that preserve the extensive maritime history of Sydney and Australia.

The Museum of Contemporary Art houses works from artists across Australia and the globe. It is located in an Art Deco-style building near Circular Quay. The Museum offers guided tours, touring exhibitions and special events as well as their standing collections. Work has begun on a $53 million redevelopment project which will increase the exhibition space by nearly 50%.

The Museum of Sydney explores the city from colonial times through the present day. Exhibitions include photographs, artifacts, and digital media presentations. Special attention is paid to the city’s convict era, maritime history, and indigenous peoples.

The Powerhouse Museum and the Sydney Observatory make us the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Powerhouse’s collection encompasses not only science, but also technology ranging from steam engines to space technology as well as costumes, furniture, decorative arts, media, and communication. It exhibits over 400,000 artifacts including the oldest operational rotative steam engine, the first steam locomotive to operate in New South Wales, and a working model of the Strasbourg astronomical clock built by a local watchmaker in 1887.

The Bay Area is in the midst of celebrating Latino films and filmmakers during the annual San Francisco Latino Film Festival , which runs through September 26th. Sponsored by Cine+Mas SF, the event brings together emerging and established filmmakers from the US, Latin American, Spain and Portugal — a total of more than 20 individual companies that share a common bond of language and culture.

Highlights of the 2010 Festival included the Mexico-in-Film Sidebar on September 17th. In honor of 200 years of Independence and 100 years since the Revolution, the festival screened two iconic Mexican Films, Dona Barbara and Distinto Amanecer (Distinct Dawn). Thursday, September 23rd is scheduled as Brazilian Night at the Tech Museum, featuring a reception, musical performance and a screening of Lula, Son of Brazil. Throughout the Festival there were a number of After Parties & Socials at area bars. Several bars and restaurants are offering discount pricing with festival ticket stubs.

Cine+Mas SF offers special events and year-round programming to promote and recognize Latino arts, including film, performance, literary and visual arts.

If you missed this year’s event, you’ll want to mark your calendar for next year and book a room at one of the top san francisco hotels for 2011.

One of the first things you have to decide once you’ve chosen a vacation destination is where to stay. Unless you’ve visiting family or close friends, you’re most likely going to have to search for a hotel.

In Miami, Florida there are literally hundreds of hotels, suites, and motels to choose from. The city is known for two types of lodgings: the upscale high rise hotels that draw celebrities and the rich and famous and a wide range of boutique hotels. Some of the most beautiful Miami hotels date back to the city’s Art Deco period. Other boutique hotels are of more recent vintage and designed by the likes of Todd Oldham, Andre Balazs and Ian Schrager. If you can’t afford the pricier high rises and want more space than the older boutiques offer, there are plenty of the regular chain hotels that you’ll find all over the world. These chains are built on the comfort that comes from familiarity. Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt, and Marriott hotels are pretty much the same no matter what city they are in — and there are many budget hotel and motel chains to choose from as well.

Miami has a hospitality tax that adds 12.5% to the room cost and some of the hotels also include a 15% service charge. In some cases that charge will be waived if you’ve booked through the hotel itself. Some travel agents and online booking sites can also book rooms without the service fee. Be sure to read the fine print or check with the hotel directly. Parking can be an issue in the city as well, so make sure you check on whether there is paid parking, valet or garage parking if you plan to have a vehicle during your stay.

The heart of the Montreal performing arts community is the Place des Arts , in the eastern part of downtown now known as the Quartier des spectacles. The original complex was inaugurated in September 1963, with other theatres being added over the years. With the addition, in 1992, of the Musee d’art contemporain de Montreal, the complex became the undisputed center for art in Montreal.

Residents as well as visitors to any hotel in Montreal , should attend a performance at least once at one of the five theatres contained in the complex. The Salle Wilfrid Pelletier was one of the original buildings. Later additions include the Theatre Maisonneuve, the Theatre Jean-Duceppe, the Studio-theatre, and the Cinquieme salle. A new concert hall is set to be completed in 2011 to house the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. It is designed to hold and audience of approximately 1900.

The Place des Arts is home not only to the Symphony, but also the I Musici de Montreal chamber orchestra and the Orchestre Metropolitain du Grand Montreal. Other companies housed in the complex include Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the Opera de Montreal .

In addition to the contemporary art found in the Musee d’art Contemporain, the Place des Arts includes rehearsal halls, shops, and an esplanade with water cascades and fountains. The esplanade is a chief site for the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal every summer.

Have you ever fantasized about a dream vacation to Hawaii? Of course you have, don’t try to deny it. People from all over the world have this fantasy and the state is known for being one of the most incredibly beautiful and exotic locations in the United States. There are amazing beaches with beautiful sands and waters and people visit the island with an excited energy and plan to have a great time. And while they do this and are frequently on the go, many people are also surprised to discover just how calming and peaceful these shores are.

There are opportunities on the islands for personal encounters with marine life and swim with dolphin programs are extremely common and popular with many of the guests in the Hawaii five star hotels . In addition, there are great whale watching expeditions and these majestic creatures are stunning to witness as the breach the surface. All of these experiences create a renewed sense of harmony with one’s environment and love for nature. In addition, many people are surprised to discover a sudden interest in yoga or tai chi. And a morning workout on the beach is not only great for your health but also your spirit. So when you visit Hawaii, you might anticipate a wild and crazy time, but don’t be surprised if you have one of the most rejuvenating and harmonizing experiences of your life.