VidMama

John’s Moving to Fremont, CA

With the economy where it is and the housing market crash and all that, it seems like everyone I know has been moving away for a new job. My friend just told me he would be moving to Fremont, CA. I was like OK where is that. I mean California is replete with town after town after town, I hear the name Fremont, I think of California but I have no idea where in Cali it is. I looked it up on a map and was pleasantly surprised that Fremont was further north than I had anticipated it was. It is actually in the Bay Area, on the south side of the bay below Oakland.

I am sorry he is moving but to the Bay Area is so cool for him. I know he will love it there and he is very excited to be moving there with his new position managing hotels Fremont. And i am going to love the fact that he has moved there because I now have an excuse to go there and someone to stay with.

I was looking on the net at stuff about Fremont and it looks like a really beautiful place. These is an old mission there one of the missions built centuries ago as part of the mission system up the coast of California. A short drive to the south and you would be in San Jose and to the north and across the bay is San Francisco. What a location to be in with the proximity to all that the Bay Area has to offer.

Well now I am going to start alerting friends that John is moving to Fremont, CA and start to put something togather to mark his departure from here. A surprise party is what I am thinking, where and when will need to be worked out!

Tags: Bay Area, hotels Fremont, old mission, San Jose

Gypsy Punk NYC

There are always too many things to see and do in New York at any given moment.  It’s one of the most exciting places in the world, and every generation lives up to its name and continues to contribute to the city through their works, thoughts, and deeds.  It’s a wonderful place to get out of the usual routine and get caught up in another one.  The city has an energy that’s contagious, and it’s possible to do dozens of things in one day.  There are always interesting things happening on any one city block, but for when your time is short, and you need to be able to get around quickly in New York City, car hire is simply a very sensible idea.

It’s fantastic to be able to get around on your own terms, and your own timetable.  Of course, driving here isn’t for the timid, and you’ll need to have a good understanding of how the bridges connect to the boroughs, but once you have a few basics down, it can be easy, and even fun.  Having your own transportation means you can begin your morning at a Brooklyn café, and visit a friend in Astoria before noon.  For those who are simply wanting to see as much as they can of the city, it’s a great way to get around and see fantastic events that you can only find in New York.  If you like Gypsy music from the Carpathian mountains in the Ukraine, but feel that its old world sensibilities could use a heavy dose of punk rock fusion, then you’re not alone in New York City.

The spectacular band, Gogol Bordello formed here in 1999.  Its front man Eugene Hütz hails from the Ukraine, and left as a refuge from Chernobyl.  He works with Russian violinist Sergey Ryabtsev, and Yuri Lemeshev on the accordion, with a host of other musicians to play a kind of music they call Gypsy Punk.  It mixes the Romany roots with reggae, ska, flamenco, and anything else they feel like to make a kind of musical alchemy.  Their shows have all the surface gloss of any good punk show, but underneath this there a shamanic energy that drives crowds into states of trance, driving out their demons without them knowing about it, in a spectacle not seen since Dionysus wondered if the wine was any good.

Tags: Carpathian mountains, Gogol Bordello, New York City car hire

Recovering From Mistakes in Bombay

I’ve read and been told so much about this cosmopolitan, easy going, affluent city of Bombay that I’m really very excited to arrive at the home of Bollywood!  The airport is far out of town, I took a commuter train in. I was laden down with heavy bags, but sticking to the ‘women only’ section made maneuvering so much easier due to the fact not too many women travel. The section was virtually empty. Plus, this would make it easier to get off at the right station, but unfortunately, the book I was reading was really very good and the windows were hard to see out of, so I realized too late that I missed my station. It only took me about two hours extra to return to the correct station.

After about 2 hours searching Bombay Central for my driver, I realized that he probably didn’t wait for me. Luckily, I remembered the name of the hotel and I walked, all 5 bags in tow, in the searing heat, to my hotel. It was one of the Bombay India hotels that most of the locals here knew of, so it wasn’t hard to get directions. I could’ve taken a taxi, but I have this weird thing about me, it’s kind of stupid, but it I mess up somehow, with anything, then I take the opportunity to make my mistake memorable so I will never do it again. Weird, I know, but it works. I never repeat a mistake again. But, there’s plenty of opportunities to make new ones!

I found my hotel and as soon as I got into my room, I immediate took a cold shower to cool down. I must’ve looked a wreck to the staff of the hotel. Afterwards I set out to explore Bombay and let me tell you, it does not disappoint!

Tags: 'women only' section, Bollywood, Bombay India hotels

Ethan Azarian, Singer-Songwriter and Painter from Austin, Texas

In the country of Texas, in the city of Austin, one would really have to go out of their way to not run into someone extremely talented or artistic.  The city has long been known for the music scene, and the visual art scene is becoming just as popular, with eccentric and innovative artists living throughout.  Many make their starts literally on the city streets, setting up their work along the populated Avenues, near the famous bars, music venues and Austin luxury hotels.  One such resident of the city moved from Vermont in the late 1980′s, and this is none other than Ethan Azarian.  Ethan grew up in an artistic family, raised by a father with an off-beat and quirky sense of the visual arts as well as the world of music.

Tom Azarian, also known as Tom Banjo, creates film strips, animated and set to his own music.  Each one is child-like in nature, direct and without unnecessary elements, and backed by incredible talent for drawing and painting, and a fine tuned skill in musical composition.  Although Tom Banjo does not live in Austin, he is well known throughout the artistic and the music communities of the city and regular travels in order to perform and to visit his son Ethan.  So the songwriting and the talent for the visual arts is a world that Ethan was born into and grew up surrounded by.

Like his father, he can appear whimsical with both his paintings and with his music, but then out of nowhere one will be hit with some that is poignantly and emotionally moving.  His first band in Austin was call the Hollywood Indians, and he became notorious back in the 80′s through his rambunctious antics on stage, and fliers for the shows that were very “in your face” and confrontational, however again just as his father, this was done with a sense of playfulness and style.   Ethan is still performing throughout Austin, and has had many gallery openings over the years.  He is one of many talented characters in this, one of the best towns in Texas, and one of the most creative and inspirational cities in the United States.

Tags: Austin, Austin luxury hotels, Ethan Azarian, Tom Banjo

Paul McCarthy in Spain

Malaga, Spain is, of course, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, whose developments in an art form he would call Cubism grew out of his interest in African art.  Southern Spain has a lot of cultures influence its own culture, and it’s certainly been influential in the old and new world in terms of art and new developments in science and philosophy.  The Mediterranean paradise has a complex and rich history, and it’s well on its way toward constructing a new future for itself.  It’s a pleasure, then, to visit all its complexity in the present time, and to discover your own Malaga, Spain.  Hotel accommodations here are really quite splendid, and speak to both convenience and style.

Our hotels are fantastic choices, and offer you some of the most sumptuous lodgings in all the land.  There are a host of amenities that speak to old and new world sensibilities, and we have something special to offer guests of all ages.  A beautiful night’s sleep, and a magnificent meal, and you’ll be ready to explore the city that inspired Picasso.  Today, you can certainly see plenty of Picasso’s work, and an enormous array of his prints all over the city, and you can also see contemporary artists like Paul McCarthy.

His Brain Box Dream Box at the Contemporary Art Center of Malaga was his first solo exhibition in Spain, and it’s a wonder why it took so long.  He was born in the U.S., and his most famous works have been made while he’s been living in Los Angeles, and the work is very famous all over the world.  It’s combination of double entendre and pop iconography speaks to an ironic and distant attitude, one that is particularly modern.  The show in Malaga is something that would appeal to pop and post modernists from all over the world, and is a nice entrance into Spain by this fascinating artist.

Tags: Contemporary Art Center of Malaga, Malaga Spain hotel, Paul McCarthy

Taking the Family to Columbus, OH

We had a great family trip to Columbus, OH in August. It was a great time for everyone. The kids had heard of the water park there, the Fort River Rapids water park and have been pushing to go. When they first started bring it up we felt the need to stall them for a little while, letting then get a little older, our feeling it would be a better experience over all.

We headed up toward Columbus one morning. It is about a 4 hour drive from were we live. Packing the car carefully with snacks, toys and games to keep the kids occupied we were hoping for an uneventful drive and it was. Arriving in Columbus mid afternoon and checking into our Columbus luxury hotels we had made it there in good time and with out incident.

After check in we grabbed some lunch, changed into our swim suits and headed to the water park for our first afternoon of wet and wild fun! The kids had a great time at the park. Sliding down the water slides over and over again, I would have thought the activity would have gotten boring but no it was as much fun for them the first time as it was the one hundredth. Swimming splashing and playing they were having a great time and burning up a lot of energy. The next day at the water park was just as active. I wish I had half the energy the kids do. Bouncing and floating in inner tubes seemed to be the game of the day, perhaps over the water slide after so many times up and down it the day before.

The kids slept like rock that night and we were able to get a little time to relax to ourselves with the way they wore them selves out. We spent the next day at the park and then started to head back home. A great family vacation for everyone!

Tags: Columbus, Columbus luxury hotels, OH, water park

Mid town Manhattan

New York is a great city. i know everyone says so, but it is true! The city is vibrant, energetic and fascinating. There is just about everything you could want or need right there in that city! When we visit New York City we choose hotels New York USA and look for a mid town location. Mid town works best for us because in the evening we like to take in a Broadway play or the Opera or a classical music performance. Mid town is a good location to be close to all this and from mid town it isn’t difficult to get to lower Manhattan or up town either.

Lower Manhattan is full of fun and interesting neighborhoods, this is the oldest part of the city. Ethnic, arts and various cultural neighborhoods await your exploration and with easy access by public transportation by bus or subway there is no excuse not to take a trip down. In nice weather there are a lot of place where eating out doors is possible. I love a meal and people watching combination and can find that without effort along the streets of lower Manhattan. For shopping, local art, people watching and seeing some of the cities historic side lower Manhattan is the place.

We generally head up town when we are looking for a day at the museums. With the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection and the Guggenheim Museums all just about next to each other it makes for an day of museum going unparalleled in the world. Someone could spend a week alone in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With hundreds of galleries and thousands of works on display it is a challenge to figure out what to see first. It always seems that heading to the right off the main rotunda is the way we go, into the Egyptian collection. There is enough in that part alone to keep a person looking all day!

What ever your looking to do there is easy access to what you want to see in New York City from mid town.

Tags: Eygptian collection, Guggenheim Museums, hotels new York USA, Lower Manhattan, new york

Singapore Street Festival

Visiting Asia is always an exciting proposition, and there are many splendid adventures ahead of you.  There are an infinite number of variations in geographies and cultures here, and luxury hotels are a wonderful way to see the new city of dreams.  Depending on your tastes and desires, you can enjoy tropical weather, deserts, beaches, or lively cities with fascinating attractions.  When you begin to daydream about the events ahead of you, you’ll love the way the possibilities start to spell themselves out for you, as well as collecting tips and tidbits about each place as you start to talk to friends and family about your upcoming vacation.  Our hotels are splendid accompaniments to each urban and natural area, finding the best of each and bringing it to the hotel, so that you can enjoy a sense of splendor when falling asleep and waking up.

There are always fantastic attractions in each of Asia’s major cities, and there’s certainly something for everyone to enjoy.  Some of the finest events in Asia are street fairs and festivals, and these happen all year long.  One of the most exciting, surely, is the Singapore Street Festival.  This exciting event happens every Summer, and for a few weeks, the young people take over the city-state, and demonstrate their talents to the dazzled spectators.

The festival was started by Annie Pek, who saw the enormous potential for exciting street art in Singapore, where a barrage of visual and performance arts could happen in the streets, giving the locals and tourists the opportunity to see what the kids were up to these days, and also to give the young people a chance to express themselves in a large, and organized, venue.  Remembering her youth, when performing in the streets was part of the lifestyle, and observing the restlessness among young people of every generation including this one, she started to put together the Street Festival, and the theme for 2009, Electric Youth certainly earned its title

Tags: Electric Youth, luxury hotels, Singapore Street Festival

The Polynesian and Japanese Influence on Oahu and Kaui History

Travel to Oahu is a fantastic way to spend your time in Hawaii.  The beautiful beaches are perfect for the surfer and the lounge artist.  The exquisite food is perfect for the amateur foodie and the experienced epicurean.  The rich history is perfect for the history buff and the lifetime student.  Perhaps this history is the reason why Ohau is such a great island to visit.  For instance, its beginnings  are quite mysterious.  There is no known record of who first settled the island.  Historians suspect people from Tahiti or Marques Island landed there and began building a life in 200 AD.  With such long and thick roots into the history of the island, it is not surprising that the Polynesian influence still maintains such a strong hold over the society today.

In fact, the Polynesian influence makes up what people today call the Polynesian triangle.  It is a place in the Pacific ocean where there are 3 groupings of islands that all have some influence from the Polynesian culture.  The Hawaii islands are one of these groups, along with New Zealand, and parts of southern Asia.  Other islands also make up this grouping.  All people from these islands have a similar protoculture as New Zealand or Kauai travel will demonstrate to any traveler.  There are physical features that have a great deal of similarity among the native peoples of these islands.  They also have similarities in language, though it may difficult to hear how this is so as years of culture and tradition have created a uniqueness to each culture.

This culture became infused with Japanese influence in the 2oth century.  The Japanese original came to the island for work, though they were treated poorly due to their status as a minority.  They worked on sugar plantations.  Surprisingly, they outnumbered the native Hawaiians due to disease that knocked down the population to about fifty thousand.  This history explains their great presence on the island and the additions to the culture, from the shirts to the plate lunches.

Other islands also have just as rich and complex a history as Oahu.  Kauai travel will provide people vacationing with a great way of enjoying the island culture and its history in addition to the usual fare associated with the Hawaiian experience.  The hard part is choosing which island you want to visit first.

Tags: Hawaii, Kauai travel, protoculture, sugar plantations, Travel to Oahu

Fort Wayne’s humble beginnings

The area that is now Fort Wayne, IN was once a settlement of the Miami nation of native Americans called Kekionga. The Miami were visited by French Missionaries in 1676 on their way back from a missionary to Lake Michigan. By the 1680′s the French had established a post there because it was on a crucial portage route from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. By the late 1690′s the French had established Fort Miamis as one of a series of forts built by the French from Quebec to St. Louis. From the 1690′s on trade routes were established through out the area and the region prospered. In the 1770′s under the direction of General George Washington the Indiana territory became under the control of the United States and began the influx of population, being mainly Europeans moving westward from newly established coastal states in the east. The city of Fort Wayne, IN was finally incorporated officially in February of 1840. With the construction of the Wabash and Erie canals Fort Wayne flourished and prospered until the building of the Railroads reducing traffic on the canals greatly.

Fort Wayne is located on the Great Plains in fairly flat territory along the banks of the St. Mary and St. Joseph Rivers. These rivers converge to form the Maurnee River which flows tot eh north and west emoting into Lake Erie. With marshes and wet lands to the south and west of the city of Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne is great place for bird watching, fishing and experiencing what the rivers have to offer. Many hotels Fort Wayne will be able to help you in finding out the best places to go for wildlife viewing. North and east of Fort Wane is

Fort Wayne experiences 4 distinct seasons. Winter can be cold and snow fall can be frequent. Summers are hot and fairly humid. Spring and fall tend to be more temperated and the humidity lower.

Tags: crucial portage, Great Lakes, hotels Fort Wayne

Penang Famous for Great Cuisine

My friend Bill is obsessed with traveling. This alone does not distinguish him from a lot of other people. What is unique to Bill is that he generally chooses some of the more unique or lesser-known locations to visit. The funny part of this is that he is so well known and recognized as the world traveler in our small town, that almost any place he visits becomes the most popular vacation destination around. He has always stressed the importance of traveling and the how enriching and mind opening it is. His presence here has gone a long way in progressing the consciousness and cultural sophistication of this otherwise humble farming community. Bill’s latest journey took him to Malaysia, where he was able to enjoy a week’s stay at one of the luxury hotels Penang.

Bill has been to Malaysia before, well actually I can’t think of a country he hasn’t been to, but he has never explored its second to smallest state. He was extremely impressed with the society and spent time in the capital city of George Town. While Bill speaks Spanish, Italian and English, he does not speak Malay, Tamil or Pengang Hokkien, which are three of the most common languages used in Penang. Fortunately for him, English is also one of the most common, which helped him a great deal during his stay.

However, the local citizens were friendly enough that he said he probably would have been okay if he had to rely on the default body language and mime suggestions, which he has done in certain places in the past. If using physical suggestions to communicate it is essential to understand the customs and appropriate mannerisms of any culture as well as the meaning behind any gesture. One of the things he was looking forward to was trying the cuisine, something that Penang has become incredibly known for. While he was there he was told that people from all over Malaysia and even Singapore would visit Penang just to enjoy the culinary paradise. He was not disappointed, and eagerly waits for the opportunity to go again.

Tags: body language, farming community, luxury hotels Penang