Through modern wrought iron gates, across the wide shallow moat and along the gravel drive which curved slightly. The island enclosed by the moat is quite large, comprising some four or five acres, mostly wooded gardens. The moat was first constructed in prehistoric times by our brythonic ancestors (in an archaeological excavation about sixty years ago the skeletons of two men, buried in sawdust, with mosaic rings on their arms, were found). DNA tests in isolated communities show that the genetic descendants of the brythons are still among us. The Roman’s built a villa within the moat, and in the subsequent two thousand years the residence has been rebuilt and rebuilt until its present manifestation – plain Regency of 1812, faced in stucco and painted cream. A venerable cedar tree obscured with a verdant veil my first view of the house.

See photo: http://afroml.blogspot.com/2006/03/recumbent-effigies-in-south-aisle_05.html

In front of the house the moat widens into a lake, and because the building is so close to the water’s edge you had to walk right across the front and down a slope before you could look back and get a complete view of the main facade. Rising three floors, the top storey had an open loggia with a rooftop terrace behind (Pevsner says this arrangement was put in after a fire destroyed the attic rooms in the 1950s – a familiar fate of country houses lit by candles). There is a legend that inside the house is a secret hiding place next to one of the fireplaces, and that a recusant priest taking refuge in this hole suffocated with the heat and smoke, his skeleton being found years afterwards.

At some point a landscape gardener had widened the moat in front of the house so that it became an ornamental lake. In the subdued light of a late February afternoon the water looked as mysterious as Dozmary Pool. A discarded oar, looking forlorn, acted as a reminder of summer boating sessions.

To the side of the house were the stables, in substantial Victorian brick. The main house had a small coat of arms on the front facade (just below the loggia) but the stables had a massive crest on the front, denoting the pride felt in the horseflesh within. In an echo of Rupert Brooke the stable clock said ten to three.

A crest is not the same as a coat of arms. Arms (which are regulated by the College of Arms in London) are worn on a shield, whereas a crest is a device worn on the top of a knight’s helmet. This crest featured a regardant lion (ie looking backwards) holding a crowned head (a decapitated foe whose head was thrown to wild beasts?).

Looking into the Tackroom you could see saddle pads, saddles, bridles, whips (stood up in a traffic cone), feed supplements, cleaning materials.

Horseshoes on a stable window sill, all carefully pointing the right way (lest the luck should run out). Horseshoes are regarded as lucky because they are made of iron, which is supposed to repel evil. They also have seven nail holes, which is a lucky number.

Across the lane was the church, built of ironstone, a Saxon foundation but rebuilt over the ages.

The Poor Box was carved from a single slab of wood, with the date 1639, and the inscription: This is God’s Treasury cast one mite into it (was this a reference to the widow who cast one mite, her entire wealth, into the Temple treasury?).

Recumbent effigies in the south aisle. Two stone knights (and another one in the chancel). Obviously knights are mounted on horseback, so horses must have been kept at the hall since at least the middle ages.

Effigies of knights usually show the feet resting on a dog or a lion, but one of these effigies showed puppies either side of the head. It was a worn scultpure, but you could make out the worn shape of a puppy. He was a man who liked dogs!

Outside the church the countryside fell away in gentle slopes.

Personal blog http://www.afroml.blogspot.com

Okay, guys: listen up! I am here to tell you what women want for Christmas. You probably already know it, but you don’t understand it. What am I saying? Well, those little ads that have been mysteriously popping up on your dresser, on your workbench, or plastered to the windshield of your truck did not get there by accident. Somebody who wants you to pay close attention to what she really wants put it there. You don’t think the wind blew it there do you? Oh, please! Let’s go down the list and find out what your lady really wants for Christmas. I abbreviated everything for clarity and to be concise. That means the 27 items she really wants are condensed to just five. Get it?

1. Jewelry – You had to ask? What woman doesn’t want something shiny to wear on her fingers, around her neck, her wrist, her anklet, her belly button…Okay, I’m not talking custom jewelry either. I’m talking about something that will retain its shine in all weather conditions and can be counted in the number of karats it possesses. You can count on it setting you back at least through the following June, probably as late as Thanksgiving…

2. Chocolate – Milk chocolate just doesn’t cut it, fellas. Better for you to pick it up by the brand: Peregina, Godiva, and Richart are a few that come to mind. Yeah, get her the little stocking stuffer Santa chocolates too. She’ll think that you are being real sweet!

3. To the Islands! Okay, time to splurge. Go all out and book that early February vacation to Paradise. You know you will need it by time that the 17th measurable snowstorm plasters your driveway. Oh, by the way, no matter how much she thinks that the kids should come along, make arrangements with your parents to come and spend the week at your house. If the kiddies come down with the flu at least they will be in a familiar environment with adults who will spoil them rotten!

4. Spa Membership – This one gets tricky. If you give her a spa membership, she will say that you think she is getting fat/old/wrinkly, etc. You’re walking in dangerous territory, men! Better yet, make sure that it is a place where her friends already hang out. Tell her you want her to have regular quality time with her girlfriends. She won’t buy your pitch, but she’ll join especially when you present her with the other gift that she wants: chocolate.

5. Stuff For Her Minivan. You know how hard it is for you to summon up courage to drive the family van, right? Especially after driving your Dakota all week. Who wants to be caught driving that thing? She does! This is where you really have to die to self: give her spark plugs and spark plug wires for Christmas and leave it at that. Just kidding. Better to find the name brand auto parts she really wants: floor mats, seat covers, pet pads, etc. All the frilly little things that make her vehicle, well, her own.

Are you still not sure what she wants? Then just look. That advertisement on your workbench is open to the page for the item she wants… the one with the big, red circle around it. So, just get it and leave it at that. If you do, you’ll be singing, “peace on earth and goodwill toward men” in no time. Merry Christmas!

Matt Keegan is a madcap auto enthusiast and contributing writer for
PitStop Auto Parts, a seller of discount auto accessories including

Catco converter and

Taylor wires for your motor vehicle.

One of Denver’s better kept secrets is what a great place it is to shop.

We now have five terrific shopping malls and it seems that another opens every week.

So, if you will be visiting Denver anytime soon and love to shop, don’t miss …

16th Street Pedestrian Mall and the Pavilions

This pedestrian-friendly mall features dozens of outdoor cafes and restaurants, as well as independent food vendors. It is also home of the Pavilions, which has more than 50 shops and restaurants, and entertainment venues including a Virgin Records Megastore, NikeTown, Barns and Noble, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and a Hard Rock Cafe.

Cherry Creek Mall

Cherry Creek Mall is is a lavishly-appointed shopping center boasting a total of 160 shops, restaurants and services. It is, without question, one of Denver’s premier shopping destinations. This world-class shopping center features renowned stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Foley’s, Tiffany & Co., and Cartier.

Cherry Creek Mall — 1st Ave. and Cherry Creek North Blvd.

Park Meadows

This mall is located in Lonetree – about 17 miles or 25 minutes southeast of the downtown area. Park Meadows features 160 retailers and restaurants. Stores in this mall include Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn Kids, Ann Taylor, The Disney Store, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and The Cheesecake Factory.

Park Meadows — 8401 Park Meadows Center Drive, Littleton, Colorado

Flatiron Crossings

Flatiron Crossings Mall is about 30 minutes northwest of the downtown area. It is set in an innovative architectural expression of the Colorado Flatirons and prairies not too far away. This mall’s anchor or major tenants are Dillards, Foleys, and Nordstrom’s. Other shops you will find there include American Eagle Outfitters, Apple Computers, Borders Books and Music, Coach, Coldwater Creek, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Flatiron Crossings Mall — One West FlatIron Circle, Broomfield, CO

Colorado Mills

This is one of our newest shopping malls. It’s a 200-store center featuring the best names in manufacturers’ and retail outlets, including Off 5TH Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Gap Outlet, Last Call Clearance Center from Neiman Marcus and several great entertainment venues.

Colorado Mills – 14500 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, CO

Pick a mall, any mall, and you’ll find shopping in Denver provides both fun and variety.

You can learn more than will help you enjoy your stay in Denver at my web site. Just go to http://www.best-denver-vacation.com.

Douglas Hanna has lived in the Denver metro area for more than 30 years and is an expert on both Denver and Colorado. He is also the author of more than 100 ezine articles on a variety of subjects.

Some risk takers may have learned of the term “offshore sports betting” by now, but many may not be entirely clear on what it indicates. A foreign betting website inherently operates outside of the rules of any single state or alternatively it can also mean an internet based betting website which situates its servers inside the boundaries of a country in which world wide web based wagering isn’t currently proscribed. To sum up therefore, it can be identified as a gaming internet site operating outside the national territory of the gamer. Machine-accessible gambling web pages are governed via three administrations. These are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA).

The Offshore Gaming Association are an unbiased “watchdog” office which keeps tabs on the current overseas sports betting trade, they are trying to also grant sports gamblers the facility to quickly distinguish honest websites to play gambling games on, without having to worry. The OSGA tries to guard client’s rights, also they don’t impose any joining charges.

The Offshore Gaming Association is an expert and impartial third party company that voices unprejudiced judgments, indicated by your observations, impartial scrutiny, discussions, insider advice and in addition imparts industry information.

The Interactive Gaming Council are a non-profit-making council. The organisation was created to allow an arena for involved parties to talk over questions moreover to move forward applicable concerns in the worldwide web-based gaming business, in an effort to establish straightforward not to mention dutiful trade rules and practises which heighten end user faith in net based gambling merchandise and functions, and to serve as the overseas betting trade’s extensive policy spokesperson and the Interactive Gaming Council also acts as a data center.

The Interactive Gaming Council has made a distinction for trustworthiness, consistency also credibility by reason of its rigid code of conduct, also its appeal for honorable business concerns. The Interactive Gaming Council regularizes offshore sports gambling via advocating a unique 10-point code of practise and charges gambling business concerns license fees to feature the council’s logo. Vexed betters may, if they desire to, disclose their misunderstandings to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The FTGA has been founded in an effort to present a standard to upgrade the policies of live sports betting businesses. The council suggest that by partnering with honorable companies, they are able to create a federation of the most honest and professional overseas gaming companies multinationally.

So, in brief there are councils who manage the conduct exercised by web based gambling and which should with luck work to ease a few of the misgivings experienced by skeptics. Internet sports gambling internet sites are consistently harmless, now that private details are not submitted and the returns and the odds are usually as balanced and fair as a standard Vegas-type wager. These sites get rid of traveling time, but still maintain the fundamental essence, but nowadays you can gamble in your house.

free online sports betting

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures is honored to have as our guest author and writer, Sally Wendkos Olds.

Sally has written about family, children, women, relationships, sexuality, psychology, health, and travel, and has authored several books.

Sally has also contributed articles to: McCall’s, Ms., New York Times Magazine, Redbook, Woman’s Day, and many other major publications.

In 1993 Sally and artist Margaret Roche trekked to the remote village of Badel located in the eastern hills of Nepal. They were the first western women to go there.

Norm:

Sally, could you tell our readers something about yourself and why you wanted to trek to Badel? How many times have you returned since your first trip?

Sally:

I had trekked in Nepal twice before with my husband, Mark, who was fulfilling a boyhood dream by going there. In 1987 we went to the Annapurna region and in 1991 to the Everest area, and I fell in love with this little Himalayan kingdom.

I became entranced by the remarkable sweetness and cheerfulness of the Nepali people. In spite of their poverty and hard lives, none of the Nepalis I had met showed bitter, hostile, or even resigned faces to the world. I wanted to learn more about them – and I wanted to learn what they could teach me. I eventually did both.

Mark, whose knee gives him trouble, did not want to go back to Nepal. Through serendipitous circumstances (which I describe in the book) I met Margaret Roche, an artist who had also trekked in Nepal several times, and we decided to go together to a remote hill village and stay with local families. We went to Badel for the first time in 1993, and we returned together three more times, plus one trip each on our own. I have now been to Nepal seven times.

Norm:

Where exactly is Nepal, as well as Badel? How easy or difficult is it to travel to Nepal and what can travelers expect once they are there?

Sally:

Nepal is a narrow, crescent-shaped country about the size of Florida, with a population of about 27 million. It lies north of India and south of Tibet, separated from it by the Himalayas, the youngest and highest mountain range in the world. It’s easy to get there if you don’t mind multi hours in the air and in airports changing planes. Getting to Kathmandu, the capital, from North America involves about 20 hours of flying time. Badel, in the eastern hills due south of Mount Everest, is reached by a 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to a small airstrip in the village of Lamidanda, and then by a three-day trek, since there are no roads into the village.

Kathmandu is a lively, crowded city of half a million. It’s full of the roar of motorcycles; the beeping of horns by taxi drivers swerving around sacred cows resting in the middle of busy thoroughfares; and men and boys trying to sell you carpets or hashish or the all-purpose nostrum “tiger balm,” change dollars on the black market, or take you for rickety rides in bicycle rickshaws.

Much business takes place on the street – and also in the many shops and in the restaurants serving cuisines from around the world. Religion too takes place in the streets, dotted with Hindu and Buddhist shrines and temples.

Norm:

I noticed you had written an article about a Himalayan Seder-Passover in Kathmandu. What was this all about?

Sally:

For about the past dozen years a group of Lubavitchers from Brooklyn (New York) have held an annual Passover celebration on the grounds of the Israeli Embassy in Kathmandu, flying over some 250 frozen kosher chickens, countless jars of gefilte fish, and scores of boxes of matzo.

Israel and Nepal have cooperated with each other since 1960, and Nepal is a popular travel destination for young Israelis, especially after they complete their military service. About 1,000 Israelis come to this seder every year, and in 1993 I was lucky enough to be able to join in.

Norm:

As many of our readers are interested in romantic destinations, could you describe some unique and romantic destinations in Nepal, and would you recommend Nepal as a romantic destination?

Sally:

I would recommend Nepal as a romantic destination for any couple who enjoy visiting exotic cultures and getting to know each other in a totally new environment.

* Those who like hiking, camping, and the beauties of nature can experience all these in Nepal. Kathmandu, the capital, offers 5-star hotels and simple guesthouses, top-flight restaurants, gorgeous Himalayan vistas, artistic splendour, and fascinating sight-seeing and cultural opportunities.

* Pokhara, in the geographic center of the country, is known for its stunning natural beauty, with a gentle climate, tropical flowers, a sapphire lake, and magnificent mountain views.

* At Chitwan National Park in the south, you can ride on elephants, go white-water rafting, see tigers, rhinos, and some fifty other kinds of mammals, as well as 400 species of birds.

* The world-renowned Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge provides luxurious accommodations and food, and a number of more modest lodges are in and just outside the park.

* Along popular trekking routes you can either camp out in tents or stay at teahouse-lodges, some of which are high-end, while others are humble. Tour agencies can make all your arrangements for any of these destinations, or you can go independently and hire your own guides.

Norm:

You are the author of a book entitled, A Balcony In Nepal: Glimpses Of A Himalayan Village. Could you tell us something about the book and what made you want to write the book?

Sally:

The book is about the way of life in Badel, a remote hamlet in Nepal’s eastern hills, and how Marge Roche and I were affected by our visits with the people there.
Through our guide, Buddi Rai, the first university graduate from Badel, we were able to meet and talk with the village midwife, headman, school- teachers, shamans, and other citizens. We learned about marriage, birth, death, and many other customs. Some of the people we met have been immortalized by Marge’s graceful drawings and water- colors, which are in the book.

At first we thought this way of life would go on forever, but now I wonder whether we may have witnessed the twilight of a changing way of life. The nine-year-old insurgency in Nepal by Mao-inspired guerrillas, has affected village life and sent many villagers to new lives in the cities. Still, some aspects of life in Nepal’s many regions without electricity or roads will probably endure for years. And once peace returns, the inherent sweetness and friendliness of Nepal’s people will, I am sure, have survived intact. I have to add here that although the rebellion has sparked violence in many outlying areas, no tourists have been targeted, and visitors from around the world continue to come to Nepal to experience its many treasures.

Norm:

As a follow up, can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

Sally:

For this book, unlike the other nine I have written, most of my research involved living in the country and observing the people and events around me. I was what anthropologists call a “participant-observer.”

Although I took a few lessons in the Nepali language before I left the U.S. most of my conversations with local people were translated by Buddi, our guide, who speaks excellent English. My sources were right there in the village. I did expand my knowledge of Nepal’s history and culture by reading scholarly books, most of which I purchased in the excellent English-language book stores in Kathmandu. Through them I learned about the Gurkha soldiers, the many different ethnic groups in Nepal, the succession of rulers, and other aspects of the country and her people. I’m happy to say that A Balcony in Nepal has been republished in India for the Southeast Asia market and is now available in Kathmandu.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while traveling to Nepal? How did you overcome these challenges?

Sally:

The main challenge was the physical one. Before every trek I trained for months. I hiked on hills and walked up and down flights of stairs (up to a total of 1,000 steps), so that I would be able to master the endless hills of Nepal. (You don’t have to be a super-athlete, however; I was 53 years old when I first went, and 70 on my last trip.)

I also needed to be immunized against a number of diseases. And I always took with me supplies of medicines, including antibiotics against intestinal and respiratory illness, some of which I did experience. I also took out travel insurance in the remote possibility that I would need to be helicoptered out of a remote location.

Once there, as in any Third World country, I was careful about what I ate and drank, and I made sure to get enough rest after the strenuous days of trekking. For the most part, I’m happy to say that I stayed in good health and returned safe.

Norm:

Since the first time you traveled to Nepal, what changes have you noticed over the years with each of your return adventures?

Sally:

When I first went to Kathmandu in 1987, the streets in Thamel, the back-packer neighbourhood where I have always stayed, were dirt roads; now they are paved. Garbage pick-up was a matter of stray dogs and sacred cows eating from piles in the streets; now trucks come by every morning.

The number of gourmet restaurants, high-end shops, and 5-star hotels has mushroomed over the years. Communication with the outside world has become more widespread with the advent of email and the Internet, and the cities are full of inexpensive cyber-cafés. In the villages solar power has enabled the use of house lights and television sets.

One change in Badel was brought about with Marge’s and my help – we raised money to fulfill Buddi’s dream to start a library in his village, and we saw it in operation. Another change I wrote about in the book was the plastic surgery that corrected cleft lips in two village children – and gave them new smiles and new lives.

Norm:

When did your passion for writing begin? What kept you going?

Sally:

As a child I wrote poems and stories, and in college I majored in English Literature, but my real passion for writing did not begin until after my first child was born, and I began to write articles about infant care. I went on to write about women’s and children’s health, and other subjects including the civil rights movement, in which I was involved.

My first book was about breastfeeding, a topic close to my heart, since I had nursed all three of my children and found it a fulfilling experience. The Complete Book of Breastfeeding was published in 1972, has gone into three revised and updated editions, sold about two million copies, become a classic in the field, and is now being read by the daughters of the women who read the first edition. Sometimes when I have a bad day at my desk I look around my office and see the covers of the ten books I have written, and I get the confidence to go on with whatever I am struggling with at the moment.

Norm:

I understand you are familiar with some wedding venues in Vietnam. Perhaps, you could describe one or two and indicate why they are unique?

Sally:

In February 2005 Mark and I visited the city of Dalat, the “jewel” of Vietnam’s central highlands. It was a popular hill station when the French controlled Vietnam and is now a favorite honeymoon spot for Vietnamese couples.

Dalat has been called Le Petit Paris, the City of Eternal Spring, and the City of Flowers. It boasts a miniature Eiffel Tower, a beautiful lake, lush gardens, a golf club, and hotels ranging from modest to magnificent. Side trips include a tour of an emperor’s summer palace; a visit to a village populated by the Lat ethnic group; the Valley of Love, with paddle boats, canoes, and motorboats for rent on the lake; and a ride on a cog-railway train to a village with an ornate pagoda.

Norm:

What is next for Sally Wendkos Olds?

Sally:

These days I am juggling three kinds of activities: interviewing fire-fighters for an oral history project; presenting slide talks about Nepal and China and preparing one about Vietnam; and working on the manuscript of a novel that I just resurrected from my file cabinet.

Norm; Thanks once again Sally and good luck with all of your future endeavours.

Norm Goldman is the Editor of the book reviewing site Bookpleasures.com and the travel site, Sketchandtravel.com.

One of the first things you do when you are about to start planning your yearly holiday is to contact a travel agent, they know more than you do and can offer a complete package. However when thinking of contacting an agent do you contact a high street agent or do you contact a country specific agent based in the destination country?

Many people when they think of going on holiday do not even consider this as an option (destination agent). Maybe they feel more comfortable meeting face to face with a travel agent? However in reality what does this agent really know about the country if they have not been there? All they are doing is selling a predesigned package that you may not want and you see as your only option. Well wait!!! There are many on-line country specific Travel Agents such as Costa Rica Holiday UK and Panama Holiday UK that provide advice and planning of custom trips to each of the countries and are country based.

In our minds there is no comparison, use a country specific travel agent based in the country. Below are some reasons why you should use them:

1) They are based and live in the country so their overall knowledge will be better than yours.

2) They have visited the hotels and done the tours before so use their knowledge to better plan a custom made holiday for you.

3) If you have a problem while in country then they are there to help you. I am sure that your UK travel agent will not help you, and if they can what can they do, they do not know people in the hotels.

4) They offer exactly the same rates as the hotels, they save your time and money!!!

5) A Costa Rica Holiday will be designed specifically to your tastes.

Above are just some ideas to help you when planning a trip abroad. Use the advice and knowledge of these country based agencies as their knowledge is first had.

Costa Rica Holiday is a UK based Travel Agency planning custom Costa Rica Holidays for people in the UK and can be contacted on 0207-193-3930.

Remember – LOCAL KNOWLEDGE _ GLOBAL SERVICE!!!

Berlin is the capital city of Germany, and is its largest city. Because the western and eastern parts of Berlin were separated from 1949 until 1989, Berlin is one of the most diverse cities in the European Union. The city is located on the rivers Havel and Spree, and is surrounded by the state of Brandenburg. Berlin has a population of approximately 3 and half million people.

The city is an important part of the expansion of the European Union, and is the cultural and political center of the country. The city of Berlin is well known for its universities, as well as its museums and research facilities. Berlin was founded in the 13th century after Germanic peoples settled on the land that was once a Slavic area.

Berlin is without a shadow of a doubt the heart of Germany, a city which defines Germany and its culture. Despite the fact that the Berlin Wall has fallen, the city is still divided, with east Berlin being a somewhat neglected part of town.

Berlin is a great city to visit at all times of the year, but the weather is best between the months of May and September. The city is very busy during the summer, but is a great time for those who love the outdoors. When it comes to attractions, Berlin is a city which has something for everyone.

Those who enjoy going to museums will find many in Berlin. Those who enjoy history will want to visit the Brandenburger Tor, which at one time was the iron boundary between east and west Berlin. It is one of the most photographed areas of Germany.

When it comes to dining, Germany has a fairly simple traditional cuisine. Most German dishes are composed of meats and potatoes. Despite this, you can find many different types of food in Berlin. Germany is a fairly expensive city where it is easy to spend lots of money.

If you use a rail pass to get around and prepare your own meals, you may be able to stay in Berlin for 50 euros a day. Those who choose to stay at mid range hotels and use public transport can expect to spend 100 euros per day.

Most restaurants and other establishments will charge a service fee, and you can tip them extra if you choose to, though it is not expected. While many large establishments take credit cards, most of Germany is still a cash based society.

Rahul viz recommends that you visit Berlin Hotels for more information.

A Barrister’s bookcase is a traditionalistic shelf that is believed to have originated in United Kingdom. Its identifying feature is a clear glass face. This glass front end is hinged at the allowing a person tailored access to ledgers and other collectibles plainly by raising the glass door. The barrister bookcase is perfect for just about anything. Barrister bookcases were frequently used by attorneys since it was necessary for them to keep on moving. Nowadays, they are also very useful, especially if one is forever moving. This is because the bookcase is closed by use of doors.. This forbids them from having to be voided on moving

Great Bookcases
Barrister’s bookcases also have the benefit of helping to protect the collectibles from debris and other foreign impurities. They offer great protection. Apart from junk, sunlight is also blockedby adding UV treated glasss. This will help in minimizing the amount and intensity of sun impacting This in turn maintains the books colour and its bindings from withering.

This special brand of furniture, despite many benifits,often are rather pricy. Fortunately, their many advantages have moved some producers to start producing replica editions and some in modern versions at very reasonable prices. Many versions have simple looks. These can fit any style.They can also be trimmed.The fact that they can be stacked together allows them to be easily used to create very interesting unit arrangements. Some can be used to create end tables, pulpits or even breakfast tables.

I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking, then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas or driving across the country. The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag, and Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. This wasn’t a short trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Why travel light? Travel simplicity. Everything is simpler when you travel light. With only carry-on luggage, we were on our way to a restaurant in Quito, while others were still waiting for their checked luggage. When we took busses our luggage was safely with us, not on the roof or in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. While others struggled down the street with three heavy bags, we had our hands free and were walking comfortably because we use daypacks or small backpacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.

There are a couple minor problems when you travel light. First, expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Second, a small bag won’t work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you can still go light. Just plan to buy a second bag at some point during the trip, to carry your acquisitions. As for the seemingly obvious issue of not having enough clothes and other things all in one or two small bags, I’ll explain below why that isn’t as big a problem as you may think.

Silk shirts weigh 3 ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and they are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. All of these weigh less than half of the typical travel choices, and take less space, yet function the same. There is no sacrifice involved here. For this exercise in travel simplicity, you even get to go shopping for new clothes.

You don’t have to buy new clothes, however. You don’t have to buy a scale and count ounces to travel light. Just choose the lighter alternative whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Travel simplicity is the goal, not more complicated planning.

Money replaces weight, especially in the form of a debit or credit card. Why carry two pounds of your favorite shampoo when you can simply buy small bottles as you travel. It really won’t cost much more to buy things wherever you go, instead of carrying your bathroom and wardrobe with you. Also, you really don’t know exactly what you’ll need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy what you need as you need it, and you won’t have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don’t we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during the trip?

Take a lesson from long-trail hikers (backpackers who travel a trail for months). They send things, such as new shoes, to a post office on their route, ahead of time, so they’ll be waiting for them. They also send home things they no longer need, such as a winter coat. The latter may be a useful practice for other travelers. If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.

* 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)
* 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)
* 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)
* 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)

* 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)
* Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)
* Thin gloves (1 ounce)
* Thin hat (1 ounce – honestly)
* Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)
* Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)
* Light plastic camera (3 ounces)
* Sunglasses (1 ounce)
* Small chess set (3 ounces)
* Bathroom kit (5 ounces)
* Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)

My pack weighed ten pounds, and my wife’s weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I’m not suggesting that you start counting the ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Without spending money or thinking about it too much, you can just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., so you can travel light on your next vacation.

Steve Gillman first hit the road on his own when at sixteen, and traveled alone across the United States and Mexico at 17. Now 40, he continues to travel and backpack with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. Many of his stories, plus tips and information on travel and lightweight backpacking, can be found on his websites, http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com, and http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com

Unlike your DSL internet access, cable internet is acquired through your local Cable TV provider. This usually provides internet access faster than most of the broadband services available.

This technology uses your existing cable TV lines to access the internet. You will pay an additional fee to your cable TV provider for this extra service. If you were previously using dial up internet connection, you will probably notice a huge speed increase when you access the internet.

The advantage of this broadband internet connection than other types of broadband is speed. It typically offers faster speeds than most broadband internet types such as the DSL and satellite internet.

However, your cable internet speed depends largely on how many people is subscribing in the same company. The more the subscriber, the more you will be sharing bandwidth, therefore, the slower your internet will be.

Cable internet is also slightly more expensive than DSL internet.

Since a cable internet has a high-speed internet connection, it offers many benefits, whether for personal use or for business.

Cable internet connection can give you the ability to download files and software faster than any other type of internet connection. This means you can share more files faster, like pictures to your friends and family wherever they are.

Another advantage is that you can play online multiplayer games and join small communities in virtual worlds.

With fast internet connection, you can use VoIP internet phones. This technology allows you to call relatives wherever they are in the world for little or no fee. VoIP also has built in features that your traditional phone company considers as additional features and charges expensive fees. Some additional features are the video phone calls, caller ID, call waiting, voice messages, long distance calls, conference calls and more.

With cable internet access, you can now play internet radio smoothly and high audio quality than dial ups can offer. You can also watch video streams like short online movies or music videos in the internet without interruptions in cable internet access.

You can also watch the latest sport events in the internet with this internet connection. Because it is fast, there will be no interruptions while you are watching.

Buying music online will be more convenient and cheaper than buying on your local music stores. All you have to do is go to an online music store and download your favorite music.

Download your favorite movies in the internet. With dial ups, these can take days or even weeks, therefore expensive. With cable internet, you can download full-length movies in a matter of hours.

Businesses can also benefit with cable internet access. Instead of traveling, they can do meetings using video conferencing. This feature can save them many travel expenses by just attending a meeting or product presentation to their clients. They can now easily close deals, therefore, more profit to their business.

Are you a student doing your homework? With cable internet, you no longer have to run to the public library to do all your research, the internet is a huge library itself and can provide you as much information as you want about your research. Since cable internet is fast, you can visit many websites to do your research and finish half the time than by using dial ups.

There are more advantages by using cable internet services. It can benefit your studies, businesses, or you can simply entertain yourself by listening to music, playing online multiplayer games or watch movies.

Communicating to your family and friends are also easier and much more convenient than a dial up internet can provide.

Bob Hett has extensively covered the Internet Service Provider industry as an analyst and has researched the various companies for factors based on price, reliability, support and overall quality. Learn more at Cable Internet Service