This family quote has haunted me through all my years of training and I suspect that I am not alone. In case you are reading this and have no idea, where this quote came from, let me give you a bit of information. The saying “Winning isn’t everything … it’s the only thing” has been attributed for more than 45 years to the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers football team, the man named after the Super Bowl trophy; the great Vince Lombardi. News flash: never said; what he did say is that “winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.” The misquote comes from a Hollywood production starring John Wayne and Donna Reed titled “Trouble Along the Way” (Warner Brothers 1953) which was filmed in black and white and was a story in which Wayne plays a coach and a single father with a daughter. at a private Catholic university and Donna Reed a child-minded social worker. In the movie, a game is played while Donna Reed and the girl are in the stands watching a scene. The scene changes between shots of the Duke pacing the sideline barking plays and firing up his team, then a couple of priests waving the school colors and finally Donna Reed and the girl who appears to be about 10-12 years old. old. Donna Reed is commenting to the girl that she hopes the children are enjoying the game and giving everything or something like that, when the girl responds with the line … “well, you know what father (so-and-so) always says .. . “Winning is not everything, it is the only thing.” This phrase comes from a Hollywood production of the mouth of a fictional character of 10 years. Somehow, this phrase was attributed to Vince Lombardi (some say due to his religious affiliation with the Catholic Church) and spent the rest of his life until his last days trying to correct that mistake with sports commentators and writers.

I suspect, like many others, that this kind of thinking, that winning is the only thing, has dominated the way many coaches and parents view sports competition, and when our children, our school team or we are not winning at all the competencies. then there must be something wrong. Is it possible that something more is being gained that at the moment neither I, the father nor I, the coach, can grasp in my moment of temporary setback? It is the notion of winning all the time that is so ingrained in our society that we do all kinds of things, even ignoring our higher sense of ourselves to achieve it. Sometimes we are willing to do “whatever it takes” even if it means not doing the right thing. Confused yet? Of course it is because, sadly, once we eliminate the “winning is everything” mentality, we are forced to look elsewhere for the true purpose of these competitions. By looking, the answer I have discovered is not in my head. It is truly in the heart with a capital H, and I’ll get back to that in a minute.

If you look at winning and losing as a whole, the fact is that every time you step on a field your chances are 50/50. This is a simple truth, the world as we can perceive it, is made up of a set of opposites, hot vs. cold, up vs. down, win vs. lose, etc. everything in creation is a world of duality. In fact, you cannot experience one without the other. Imagine living alone with daylight? Just darkness? One complements the other. Without pain, this is not joy. Without an opponent, we cannot play the game. So how do we operate in this world of duality? Also, where do we put our attention to succeed rather than fail? Also, more specifically, how do we participate in competitive sports? The answer is in our higher sense of ourselves. There is a large part of us that knows how to take all of this duality and see it for what it is and what it is not. We are much more than winners or losers in this game! In fact, we are the creators of our own destinies. And depending on how we notice and observe the workings of our own thoughts and the feelings they create, we can see the good in both winning and losing. We can experience both the good and the bad of winning and losing, and not forgetting our true selves. This is not a new concept, the eastern forms of competition have been teaching it for thousands of years; they even refer to their sports as “arts” as in martial arts. The objectives of which are not to annihilate or destroy opponents, but to honor, respect and love them. The realization that without an opponent the artist has no way of demonstrating the skills he has mastered. The competition is based on both opponents showing their best, giving 100% and enjoying the opportunity to compete. It is not in winning or losing, but in competing that the athlete / artist is able to demonstrate their level of mastery. Vince Lombardi’s correction of the famous misstatement “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” It has a very subtle but powerful distinction of winning is the only thing. That distinction lies in the power of our attention and intention. Why participate in an activity unless you do the best you can? Our intention should always be to do our best to win or succeed, however, if on a given day we do not get the result that we would prefer, we should not take it personally. We do our best, learn from our mistakes, and just get better as we grow. I have a personal motto that goes like this: “Make it personal, don’t take it personal.” What I mean by that is that I want to do the best I can, I want it personally to be my business to give all I can, while at the same time, I remember that whether I succeed or fail, it is not a problem. true reflection of who I really am, it is only the result of the best of my efforts at that time.

I can remember several times in my coaching career and in my career as a parent when my son and I learned lessons during his days as a peewee football player. One season, he was drafted into a team that failed to win a game. He would complain on our trips home and at one point he told me that he didn’t want to play anymore. I understood his pain, having been there as a coach and player, but I also knew that it would be valuable to continue and fulfill what he had committed to do. After much discussion and persuasion on my part, he agreed to finish the season and just do his best no matter what the score was in a given match. His team never won a single game in the regular season, but lo and behold, a little miracle happened. When it was time for the playoffs, his team was able to triumph in the two biggest games of the year. That’s right; they won the semifinal and championship games. I took the opportunity to point out to my son that if he had quit, he would have missed being a champion. We also discuss how you never really know how things might turn out if you keep your commitments and your word and just do your best.

Earlier I mentioned a Hollywood movie that produced a very dangerous and unrealistic concept. Hollywood has also produced some amazing and wonderful stories to inspire us as well. I recently saw “Friday Night Lights” another movie about soccer. This is the highly competitive game of Texas high school football. The best part was the locker room scene at halftime of the “big game” when coach Gary Gaines starts talking about “Being perfect”, the team’s context for the season. It begins by telling the players to forget what’s on the scoreboard, to forget about winning, and to get back on the field to do their best, to give their all for each other, and to do it with love. in the heart. and a feeling of joy at playing. He tells them how much he loves each of them and shows them what he hopes they have learned … If they play the game to the best of their ability, and for the right reasons, the final score is not their reward; the feeling with which they leave will be. We are all looking for the answer, we find it in our Heart with a capital H for this real answer. In football or in the game of life, if we play our best, giving our best and loving what we do, there will only be winners and champions no matter what the scoreboard says. Playing the game for all the right reasons is the key.

Finding and understanding the right reasons to compete was and is the biggest challenge I face on a daily basis, regardless of the task. I live in this world of duality and by nature; I prefer only half of what constitutes my perception of reality. I just want to win, I just want happiness, etc. The problem is that the more attached I am to what I want, the more attached also to its opposites. Reality is a double-edged sword. The answer to this riddle is not to be attached, but to play the game with the heart and not with the head. You see, it is your head and your ego that see and experience duality and it is your head that creates the preferences based on all the information that it has collected during a lifetime of life in this world of opposites. It is your head that will take winning and losing personally; your heart, on the other hand, will go with the flow feeling the joy and love of simply playing the game. It is love that brings you back to the game, over and over again, whether you are winning or losing. In other words, love isn’t everything … it’s the only thing. Winning is a happy by-product.

A few years ago, while I was an assistant coach at the high school level; I was listening to our head coach talk to the players at halftime of a college basketball game. He told them that to be winners they would have to work hard, play smart, have fun, and do it together. I found it to be very good advice. And as I listened to him talk about these ideas, it dawned on me that before anyone wanted to commit to all the hard work it takes to win, something else should be present as well. The reason we become true winners and champions in sports and in life is mainly that, in addition to committing to hard work, smart play, fun, etc. – we have to truly love what we are doing.

If we love what we’re doing, it’s so much easier to push yourself, bounce back from losses, and show up to play the game over and over again. It turns out that when you examine the mindset and heart of true champions (whether in sports or in life), what you see and hear from them is how much they love it. Whatever the “it” is for them. All great champions have this as the basis for participating in their chosen endeavors. All great people have learned to play the game from their heart and simply use their head as a compass, a tool to navigate to success. This is the most valuable lesson that sport and competition have taught me. This is the most valuable lesson we can teach our young athletes. “Winning is not everything, it is loving what you do that means everything.”

SoBe, as its residents call it, or South Beach Miami for the rest of us, sits between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and includes all of the Miami Beach islands south of Indian Creek. South Beach Miami’s transformation from farmland to vacation paradise began today in the 1910s with the construction of the Collins Bridge, which was the first land link between the Miami mainland and the beaches. In 1926, a hurricane destroyed most of the new area, but now there are about 40,000 residents living in South Beach, and many more residences are second vacation homes.

Before Miami Vice hit television screens in the 1970s, South Beach was actually a very poor and undesirable area with a shocking crime rate which is undoubtedly what inspired the Miami Vice theme. Today, however, South Beach Miami is a world away from that den of iniquity and is one of the richest, most desirable and prosperous commercial areas favored by celebrities, fashion designers, business moguls, sports enthusiasts and tourists. Miami offers a year-round vacation climate, and even if it rains, there are countless activity options for you and your family to keep busy during your vacation.

South Beach Miami is a major entertainment destination with more than 150 nightclubs, countless restaurants, fashion boutiques, and hotels that make the area popular with American and international tourists. Here you can choose from luxury boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts or budget hostels that make the resort available to everyone, including students on a budget and budget-conscious families can now also enjoy amazing vacations filled with fun and safety. in South Beach.

Fashionistas and shopping enthusiasts can choose from glorious and unique selections at Lincoln Road Malls, which stretch along the beach between 16th Street and 17th Street in an east-west direction. South Beach Miami is a place where new fashions are showcased and where you can be the first to try, buy and wear it. Shopping malls are packed with trendy boutiques, galleries, and small intimate restaurants that cater to all tastes.

Clubbing fans can head to Washington Park and Washington Avenue, one of South Beach’s most well-known and cosmopolitan areas. Washington has some of the largest and most popular nightclubs in the world, including Cameo and Mansion, as well as elegant shops and boutique hotels. It can be an art that wins admission to the best nightclubs in Miami – you need to practice spreading the somewhat enthusiastic doormen and always have a plan B ready for action! You will soon perfect your technique, but be prepared for a rejection or two. Admission is between $ 20 and more than $ 100 and can include a line that requires several hours of patience to access the hottest nightspots frequented by celebrities.

Spring Break and Easter are very popular times to visit Miami for everyone. Celebrities of all genres come to the International Film Festival, Winter Music Conference and Fashion Week, which are held in March. This is perhaps where the new trends are set for the upcoming summer season and being here to witness these annual events is a very special and unique experience. The weather is very pleasant in spring for beach activities, golf, tennis and water sports with temperatures in the twenties and thirties so families with children can enjoy the beaches without overdosing on their pale winter skin.

Ocean Drive is a popular spring break and tourist area that includes Lummus Drive and the famous Pearl and Nikki Beach nightclubs. Gianni Versace lived here, it can’t be bad! Popular Ocean Drive restaurants include News Cafe, Mango’s, and Clevelander, which featured and became the cool place to be seen on MTV.

A carefully selected tour to the Florida Everglades National Park is a must for all tourists visiting Miami, especially one-time visitors. This internationally renowned 10,000 island park is one of the few places in the world where you can come face to face with incredible wild animals in their original natural habitat.

Beautiful rare birds, American alligators, mangroves, rare orchids, and the naturally diverse landscapes of this park create a unique opportunity for families and anyone interested to experience something educational, real, and totally in contrast to Miami’s white sand beaches. Anglers and anglers can take guided fishing trips to catch snook and tarpon and visitors can choose to visit and experience the Everglades from a kayak, canoe, raft, or speedboat. You can organize a flight over the Everglades by helicopter or small plane, and guided hiking tours are easily organized that are of particular interest to ornithologists.

There are family adventures in the wilderness at Babcock Ranch, with swamp rides and cowboy dinners. Babcock Ranch hosts safaris with wild alligators, bison, panthers and birds and there is also a zoo in the Naples area, all Miami characteristics that make for an interesting and contrasting change of scenery.

Catamaran and pontoon cruises are popular on the Naples and Marco Islands with their unspoiled beaches or you can rent your own boat and take your group on a private cruise. Sunset cruises sail every day to tranquil spots where you can watch breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico while perhaps sipping a fruit cocktail and snacking on delicious sandwiches. You can see dolphins playing, manatees grazing, nesting birds like herons and egrets – this is the best of nature.

The fast descents and perfect greens at Miami Golf Club ensure that golf enthusiasts are not uncomfortable or disappointed and there are many more sports activities available for visitors to enjoy in Miami South Beach. The tree-lined boardwalk is always popular with walkers out for walks and for rollerblading, jogging and biking.

The attractive white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Miami South Beach offer endless opportunities for surfing, sunbathing, jet skiing, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and all other water sports, and you can always catch a game of volleyball. from the beach. In the evening, a session in one of the many world-class spas is a must, a great place to unwind after a day in the sun with a body treatment that will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for the thrill of the night. to offer in Miami South Beach.

The third article that describes in more detail part of our experience in Qatar during a Fulbright visit for 6 months.

This is one of the most difficult articles to write, although one of the most important for those planning to visit Qatar. I am not a restaurant expert, I am just providing our family’s experience. If I sound like I’m advertising a restaurant, I’m not, we just must have really liked it. To be honest, food is probably what we enjoy the most in Qatar.

Qatar offers a wide variety of food options with a wide range of costs. The first restaurant I visited in Doha was Turkey Central on Al Mirqab Street, a few hours after arriving in Doha. He wasn’t very fancy, but he was hungry enough and wasn’t so sure about future meals, since he didn’t have a car at the time. The menu consisted mainly of grilled meats and a mix of Middle Eastern salads. My host, Mohammed Alsayed, an engineer from the University of Qatar proposed a mix of chicken and beef skewers and a set of mixed salads including Taboli, hummus, green salads, yogurt and eggplant salad. The prices were very reasonable at less than $ 6 per person. The aroma of the food as it was delivered was unbelievably delicious. The food itself looked and tasted good.

This simple, low-cost restaurant became our favorite restaurant during our Fulbright visit to Qatar. We especially enjoyed their chicken kofta sandwiches which consisted of chicken kofta rolled in a pita bread with tomato sauce. Both were served hot and sizzling, and they were extremely appetizing with their flavorful flavor. There were several restaurants that have a much better atmosphere, service, and similar menu, but somehow central Turkey remained a favorite when it came to taste. So we learned to order take out only. Across the street was another restaurant, Al Bukhari, which we visited once. They are very famous for lintel soup and are worth trying.

One of the restaurants that offers a similar menu, but in a much more elegant setting, is Almajlis Al-Arabi. It has at least 2 branches, but the one we visited several times was a very short distance from the iconic Mall, an exclusive shopping center in Doha. The problem was always finding a parking space. Doha has grown a lot in a very short time and parking has become a very difficult problem throughout the city, but especially in the Malls. After a few visits to all these restaurants, we got a little tired of the same grilled skewer theme. On the recommendation of another Fulbright scholar we decided to give an Indian restaurant called Caravan a try.

The Caravan restaurant is in a square off Salwa Road. The plaza has other different restaurants, including Pizza Hut, Pandarosa, and Starbucks. After struggling with the parking problem, we venture into the restaurant, the entrance is attractive and an Indian host dressed in Western clothes leads us to our table, lights a candle, and leads us to the buffet. A large room lined with between 20 and 30 food items. The highlight of the buffet, for us at least, is a small whole grilled lamb served on a bed of rice. I tried carving but it didn’t seem to be that useful with knives and soon a servant came to save me from carving my fingers.

Around the room were other Indian, Thai and even Arabic dishes. Everything looked and tasted good. But the tasty flavor of the lamb remains etched in our memory. The most popular of the sweets in Doha is Omm-Ali. It seems that different countries are fighting for Omm-Ali’s property right, but the name supports the Egyptian claim on this delicacy. The buffet was 25 QR per person. I don’t think this is less than a $ 25 buffet in the States.

There are many other smaller restaurants on Salwa Road, near the Plaza where Caravan is located. The ones we tried for breakfast were Syrian and Lebanese restaurants selling falafel, hummus, Foul (beans), aubergines, and other traditional Arabic breakfast delicacies.

Qatari society is a very closed society. It is very difficult to be invited to a Qatari house, but we managed to experience the closest we can get to a Qatari kitchen in a restaurant on the Corniche overlooking the gulf called Bulhambar. We ventured there without references. It was a perfect winter afternoon with a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Walking along the Corniche, near the great symbol of the Asian Games, it is hard not to see that building. It is only a few years old, but it is decorated with traditional Qatari rugs and photographs of old Qatar. This is the first time we have seen Qatari workers in a restaurant. The location and authenticity of the environment is priced at 100 QR ($ 35) per person. It is a free buffet. All food has Qatari names that are difficult to decipher. The food was very delicious and mostly consisted of different types of meat (chicken, lamb, beef, fish) packed with rice and cooked very tender. The elegantly seasoned rice captures the full flavor of the meat. The experience was excellent, but we don’t venture there very often.

Although several American restaurant chains such as Pizza Hut, Chilli’s, Applebee’s, Pandarosa are in Doha, we were not in Qatar long enough to miss the American food chain. Prices at American chains are slightly more expensive than their prices in the US Starbucks was the only American chain we have frequented to load up on caffeine. A decent cup of coffee can easily get you to QR 25. Famous Doha hotels, including the uniquely shaped Sheraton and the Ritz Carlton, offer very stylish Western dining experiences. I loved the salad bar at the Ritz with the elegant smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail and sushi bar.

Suffice it to summarize this article by the fact that I have gained 15 pounds in my period in Qatar even though I was exercising during the same period.

If you’re planning to take a trip south to the great state of Texas, let us talk about lodging for a minute. In such a large state, there is no shortage of hotels, motels, and of course the ever popular B & Bs. Hotels will serve in a pinch, to be sure, but these larger chains lack the charm and character that allow a bed and breakfast in Texas to serve as a bridge to the colorful history of the Lone Star state. Take a look at the following three reasons to opt for this quaint form of southern hospitality.

1. Southern hospitality says it all!

Everyone knows that everything is bigger and better in Texas, and the hospitality factor is no exception to the famous rule. In fact, the very definition of Texas, or Texas, is “friendly.” And as the southernmost state in the south, you will experience the picturesque charm often associated with the region. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the friendly, slower-paced culture than to stay in accommodation run by local residents who know the area. Most bed and breakfast owners in Texas stay in the same house and prepare the food. There are also added perks that you generally won’t find in a larger hotel, such as sweet tea, homemade quilts, free Wi-Fi and parking, and old houses with beautiful architecture and a host of other amenities. The key is to find a smaller town, like Brenham, Cat Spring, or Nacogdoches. Or even bigger cities like Austin, Houston, and San Antonio will have B & Bs that feel like a cozy little town.

2. Connection with the past.

Many homeowners in Texas have a strong and proud connection to the history of the area in which they have settled. Many of these houses that serve as profitable lodgings act as a bridge between the past and the present. With homes in Texas dating back to the 19th century, many B & Bs retain the original woodwork and furnishings. Staying in one of these gems can give you a fantastic insight into what life was like in Texas. Washington County especially is known as the birthplace of Texas and cities like Brenham, LaGrange, and Washington-on-the-Brazos boast accommodations that truly focus on giving the visitor a window into the past.

3. Stay informed of local events and festivals.

Almost every small (and large) town in Texas has at least one unique festival and a dozen interesting attractions and stellar restaurants. The key is to be aware of these attractions. Since most bed and breakfasts in Texas are run by locals who are integrated into their communities, these lodges are great places to get information. Plus bonus points for the traveler who reserves a home conveniently located near the city’s attractions. This can save you some time if you are within walking distance. Some B & Bs in Texas will also offer discounts at local attractions in the area. Some people are surprised to learn that Texas has parts that are famous for their wine, like the Washington County Wine Trail. Wine cities are especially good at offering benefits related to wineries and wine routes. For more information, check with your local chamber of commerce or visitor bureau for recommendations. Some great festivals to look out for include the Burton, TX Cotton Gin Festival, the annual Round Top Antiques Fair, and of course the famous Washington-on-the-Brazos Independence Day Festival.

An adventurous backpacking trip to Europe can be the international trip of a lifetime and one to add to your bucket list. I was undecided when the idea was presented to me, but it didn’t take long for me to change my mind. Some seasoned travelers promised me backpacking is the only way to go, especially if you’re looking for beautiful nature, a melting pot of culture, world-famous sites, and a whole world of adventure. There are few time restrictions when backpacking and they are unmatched when compared to other ways of traveling. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy hiking in Europe, but here is a sample of our route that has worked for us.

1. London

Our first stop was Heathrow Airport because it is connected to public transport that will take you safely to some very famous places. Our first stop was Buckingham Palace and it was even better in person than any image or video I can convey. The royal family home is as amazing on the outside as it is on the inside. We missed the iconic changing of the guard, but I heard it’s spectacular. Be sure to add it to your “list while in London” as well as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey. They also have historical significance and are a must-see during your walk through the city.

2. Paris

Trust me on this. Paris, known as the City of Love, is impressive. Take the Eurostar underground train from London to Paris. The very idea of ​​traveling under the English Channel is incredible. There is so much, so much to experience here. How about the one and only Eiffel Tower? My wife and I enjoyed a picnic lunch (cheese, wine, and French bread) from outside, but my fellow travelers paid for a ticket to get a bird’s-eye view from the top. Either way, get a photo or two because seeing this iconic tower in person was, to say the least, surreal. We could have stayed on the lawn forever, but when they came down from the top, we went again to see Notre Dame Cathedral and the Montemartre art district that features the Sacre Coeur Basilica. The architecture alone is amazing. Whether you appreciate art or not, these landmarks will impress you.

3. Rome

This is truly the best place to backpack. It’s packed with ancient history and cultural landmarks that look like postcard photos, only better. I have read about many of the places this eternal city has to offer and the fact that we were experiencing it personally was truly captivating. It takes a while to get there, but it’s worth the train ride. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, so take your time and spend some extra time here, if your schedule allows. One of the must-sees (actually, they are all must-sees) is the Colosseum. Walk, experience the historic architecture, and go back in time when the Romans sat and watched gladiators fight in the same arena. So I recommend visiting the Pantheon, The Vatican, to pray and contemplate Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. If time permits, go to the Trevi Fountain and throw in some coins for good luck. Tradition says that one coin is for love and the other to guarantee that you will return to Rome again. I wish I had time to talk about the different restaurants. Our policy was to eat where the locals do and live by the old rule, “When in Rome”, do what the Romans do. We did not have a bad meal.

4. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre translates to five small towns on the western coast of Italy that look like a colorful boutique of buildings. The towns are Monterosso, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola and each one is an individual wonder. I can’t speak a word of Italian, but it didn’t matter. My senses were able to absorb all the culture and personality that is on offer here. We were amazed by the unique natural cliffs in their National Park that conveniently surround the five cities. It has to be one of Mother Nature’s best creations. It’s perfect for backpackers who don’t always like being in the crowds of big cities. We boarded a train with a day pass that allowed us to travel between these picturesque towns as many times as we wanted. You also need to buy a walking pass. Staying overnight is probably a good idea. There are a variety of overnight accommodations that offer restful, comfortable and affordable sleep. Cinque Terre is a place I will go back to maybe without my backpack next time and stay a bit longer.

5. Berlin

Germany is fascinating and never fails to impress me. The sightseeing opportunities and landmarks are steeped in history, architectural wonders, and even castles. This European country is like no other and the landscape is almost like stepping back in time through an eclectic collection of modern buildings. For example, the famous landmark of the Brandenburg Gate, which was once a symbol of the division of the country, is not considered quite the opposite, unification. The dark granite pillars create a labyrinth of walking tour and is the perfect place to take pictures. The most disturbing but emotional place we visited was the underground museum that shows the plight of the Jews when the Nazis were in control. Talk about a challenging time. But Berlin also has a modern and much lighter side. There are some trendy neighborhoods to explore, really interesting locals to meet, and delicious food to sample. I ordered the vegan cuisine with Vietnamese noodles which was delicious. We then took a walk around a closed airport runway that is now open to the public. There’s a lot to do and see, but the common denominator of Berlin is that no matter where you go, whether you’re backpacking or not, the sky’s the limit for incredible sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences.

There is never enough time to explore all of Europe in one visit, so don’t expect to do it. But I recommend planning where you want to go and leaving plenty of room for a few unexpected stops along the way. Europe is one of the most interesting continents in the world, and especially interesting when you have your best friends and a backpack.

As a certified travel agent for four decades, an international airline employee, researcher, writer, teacher and photographer, travel, whether for business or pleasure, has always been an important and integral part of my life. Some 400 trips to all parts of the world, by road, rail, sea and air, involved both worldly and exotic destinations. This article focuses on the Atlantic islands of the Bahamas, Bermuda, Greenland, Iceland, the Canary Islands, and Madeira.

The Bahamas:

Nassau, in New Providence, offered an immersion into British colonial life with its architecture, beaches, and landmarks such as Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle, and the Queens Staircase.

Paradise Island, connected to the causeway, was a crescent of beach-lined hotels, like the ocean-themed Atlantis Bahamas Resort, but a pocket of history, tucked away down a narrow street, was the French Closter, a century-old Augustinian monastery. XIV dismantled and imported. of Europe by William Randolph Hearst.

Freeport, on Grand Bahama, featured its colorful International Bazaar, consisting of some 100 shops and restaurants, and Lucaya Beach.

Bermuda Islands:

Bermuda, also a British crown colony, was toured in three areas.

Hamilton, the first, provided a base at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club for exploration that included its colorful Front Street, the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, and pink sand beaches.

The Royal Naval Dockyard consisted of numerous locations including the Bermuda Tram, Clocktower Center, Bermuda Clayworks, Bermuda Rum Cake Bakery, Dockyard Glassworks, Bermuda Arts Center, Frog and Onion Pub, Craft Market, and Bermuda Maritime. Museum.

And St. George, in the East End of the island, promoted the absorption of the history of the area through its King’s Square, the Church of San Pedro, the National Trust Museum, The Deliverance, a life-size replica of the ship of the 17th century transporting supplies to the Jamestown colony in 1610 and Fort St. Catharine.

Greenland:

As the world’s largest island, situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, Greenland was sparsely populated, rocky, covered with tundra and huge glaciers, and in some cases perpetually covered in snow. There were few air gateways other than Iqaluit in Canada, Reykjavik in Iceland, and Copenhagen in Denmark. Internal air service was provided by rotary-wing aircraft.

Aside from an aborted trip from Reykjavik to Narsarsuaq in the south, which required an immediate return to Iceland due to sub-minimum weather conditions, the almost continent-sized island was visited on two other occasions.

The first, the Cape Dan settlement in Kulusuk, was accessed by turboprop flight, landing on a gravel runway, and followed by an escorted tour, conducted only in German, of native everyday life, including the colorful houses, the rocky outcrops on which they were built, the community tent and kayak on the floating crystal blue lake in the center of the community.

The second, Kangerlusuak on the west coast, was reached after a flight from the Canadian territory of Nunavut. The modern Hotel Kangerlusuak, inspired by Scandinavian decor, served as the base from which sightseeing excursions to the Russel Glacier, via ATV, and local area coverage were made. Due to the summer season, the thick curtains blocked out the light that was perpetual almost 24 hours a day.

Iceland:

Several trips were made to Iceland, whose terrain and topography were otherworldly, with black volcanic lava, hot springs, geysers and waterfalls.

The Loftleidir Hotel, located at Reykjavik Domestic Airport, served as a base for walking tours of downtown, which included Hallgrimskirkya, its basalt-inspired church; Four-wheel drive to the massive Gulfoss waterfall and towering geysers; and flights to Heimaey in the Westman Islands, many of whose structures were built on the lava excreted from the last volcanic eruption.

The islands of the eastern Atlantic:

The trips to the Eastern Atlantic Islands covered two large groups: the Canary Islands and the Madeira Archipelago.

Tenerife:

A drive from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal de La Laguna in Tenerife, the largest of the Spanish Canary Islands off the West African coast, revealed the World Heritage-listed city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the first example of an unfortified city whose grid served as a direct precursor to settlements in the Americas under Spanish rule during colonial times. It consisted of about 1,470 buildings, of which 627 were preserved public and private classifieds dating back to the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and mid-20th centuries with a mixture of Mudejar, neoclassical, modernist, rationalist and contemporary architecture. .

Other places of interest included the Municipal Market, the Town Hall, the Currency Exchange, the Captain General’s Mansion, and the San Francisco Sanctuary and Convent.

Garachico, reached after a short drive, provided the opportunity to sightsee at Castillo de San Miguel. Icod de los Vinos, which was reached after another sector of a short path, included El Arbol del Drago, the Convent of San Marcos and La Casa del Drago for the tasting of local wines.

Aside from a tour of the Botanical Garden in Puerto de la Cruz, a virtual buffet lunch featured selections such as Catalan rosé wine, tomatoes stuffed with tuna salad, and Andalusian potato and sausage salad; baked chicken in a wine sauce, roasted potatoes, potato and cauliflower croquettes; seafood paella; cream cakes, puff pastries and assorted ice creams; and coffee at the Hotel Tenerife Playa, overlooking the black sand beach nestled in a cove and its waves crashing:

Madeira:

The center stage of the second group of islands in the eastern Atlantic was Madeira, offering a unique and quintessential Portuguese experience after a circuit from Funchal, on its south side, through 600-meter-high pine-clad mountains shrouded in mist. , clouds and occasional drizzle. , to Sao Vicente, by its north.

The highlight here was a two-kilometer, 12-minute descent on a wooden “cestinha” sled. The sleds themselves, originally used to transport goods from higher mountain locations to lower villages, were recently converted to carry passengers with the addition of seats. Navigated by two “carreiros”, who directed and controlled the wicker slide for two passengers provided with a padded seat and a platform for the feet, they were initially pulled forward by two ropes and then alternately crowned in two steps aft, depending on the angle. as they raced down the steep paved streets amid daily car traffic, often crossing busy roads. Its speed was reduced by progressive horizontal orientations of the wooden sheets to induce friction.

The Ribeiro Frio Restaurant, located in the misty high-rise town of the same name and decorated with wooden walls, a beamed ceiling, a bar and a roaring fireplace, offered a post-descent espresso, and something recuperative, in one of the the small round tables with tree branches in front of the fire.

Subsequently, following the winding and hairpin mountain roads, past graduated multi-level agricultural plots reminiscent of the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia, my coach emerged with views of the pure blue sky and sea during his journey from Ribeiro Frio to Santana.

The Quebra Mar restaurant, with its modern circular dining room, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the volcanic mountain setting in Sao Vicente, serves a lunch consisting of “vinho de mesa tinto” or “red table wine. “. from the Ganita wineries; Leaky vegetable cream, crispy battered white fish, French fries and mixed green salad with olive oil; thin slices of beef in a red wine sauce with rice; and fresh fruit topped with vanilla ice cream.

A trip through the cloud-mist-covered ascending roads to the pass of the Encumenada de Sao Vicente, offering views of two seas, offered a panoramic viewpoint at Cabo Girao, the second highest cliff in the world with a vertical drop of 580 meters to the sea, and leads to Camara de Lobos, the second city of Madeira.

The time on these two eastern Atlantic islands was short, but encompassing.

Cincinnati, a major city in the state of Ohio, is a great place to live in America. This city is home to the University of Cincinnati, universities, public schools, several major sports teams, and several global companies. In addition, it has a low cost of living and offers many apartments for rent in Cincinnati at reasonable prices. Cincinnati includes about 52 neighborhoods and all of these neighborhoods have their own unique characteristics. This article describes five Cincinnati neighborhoods that offer various beneficial facilities and quality apartments in Cincinnati.

Clifton – This Cincinnati neighborhood has a diverse population with different races, ethnicities, classes, and backgrounds. The University of Cincinnati is located in Clifton and naturally is attended by a large number of students. It is also just minutes from Cincinnati State Technical Community College and Hebrew Union College. Clifton has many hospitals, including University Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Shriners Burns Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital, VA Medical Center, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Clifton is also noted for its pedestrianized streets, magnificent mansions, gas lights, and many parks. There are many one and two bedroom apartments near the University of Cincinnati. Clifton is the best option for those looking for apartments in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hyde Park – This is an esteemed Cincinnati neighborhood with walker-friendly streets, manicured lawns, German single-family homes, Victorian buildings, shops, and many wonderful restaurants. This Cincinnati neighborhood is very close to downtown and the Norwood side. Downtown Kenwood Towne, the famous shopping and entertainment area, is close to Hyde Park. Real estate in this affluent area is a bit pricey, but Hyde Park also has plenty of affordable apartments for rent in Cincinnati.

Mount Adams. This neighborhood includes many bars, restaurants, cafes, and dance floors. This is a perfect place for party goers. Mount Adams is only a few miles from many important sites such as the Irwin M. Krohn Conservatory, the Museum of Art, and Eden Park. If you plan to rent an apartment in Cincinnati, this area is a good option.

Mason: The most important characteristic of Mason is his school system. This Cincinnati neighborhood has many great schools, including Mason High School, one of the largest schools in Ohio. Real estate is not expensive here, as it is a bit far from Ohio. This neighborhood also boasts of many large commercial establishments. It also has many quality and spacious apartments in Cincinnati.

Mariemont – The Mariemont neighborhood is a great option for those looking for apartments in Cincinnati, Ohio. This neighborhood also has an excellent school system and this is the main reason many families prefer to live here. It has Tudor-style houses and tree-lined lanes. However, Mariemont is more expensive than many other neighborhoods in Cincinnati.

Paying someone else for a job, even if they have done a good job, is never something to hope for. The same goes for the Realtors of Playa del Carmen. Real estate agent fees are considered by some to be a necessary evil. Some simply cannot waste the time and resources to sell their home or buy it on their own. Most real estate agents work hard for their commission; even so, it is difficult to see thousands of dollars slip out of your hands and into the pockets of your Realtor.

Most real estate agents are paid through a commission plan that, in most cases, ends up being a percentage of the home’s sale / purchase price. Commission rate percentages will vary from one real estate agency to another, but most neighboring agents will have comparable rates. A common real estate agent fee is 5 to 7% of the sales price.

Once you do the math, you’ll find that 5-7% is a lot of money (in fact, enough for people to make their own purchases and sales despite the difficulty). However, it may be comforting to know that the real estate agent is not the recipient of the full commission amount. After paying your Playa del Carmen real estate agent the agreed-upon percentage, the real estate agent must split his earnings with the agency he works for. If there are other brokers involved in the purchase or sale, these brokers will also get a share of the sale. The agency the broker splits his commission with (usually paying 50%) receives compensation for the real estate agent’s work space, marketing, support, and other resources needed to assist in the sale.

While it is possible to find rates lower than 5% in Playa del Carmen, it can be difficult, especially in markets with a lot of real estate business and little competition between agencies (the absence of competition means little incentive to have a competitive price). Some agencies are open to negotiate prices. Here are two tips for lowering your real estate agent’s fees.

1. Agents who don’t have to give as much money to the agencies they work for have more flexibility in negotiating the price with you. When a real estate agent works for a company that requires 50% commission, it puts the real estate agent in a difficult position of having to compromise the small percentage that they will actually end up with. Some real estate agents are only required to pay 15% to their agencies. These are the types of real estate agents that are most likely to offer you some type of discounted price.

2. There are real estate agent services you can opt out of to save money. Marketing methods like newspaper ads are rarely the ones that end up selling a home. Telling your agent that you are not interested in such underperforming expenses saves the agency money that can then be passed on to you.

If you are still not satisfied with what you can expect to pay a real estate agent in Playa del Carmen, consider all the costs that you would incur if you had chosen not to hire a real estate agent. Remember that when you sell your house on your own you are responsible for paying for all forms of advertising, you pay for your house to appear on the list with a service, you pay for legal advice, you pay for copies, stationery and documentation. You sacrifice money and time that you could save if you hadn’t had to spend so much time selling your property or looking for a new property. Consider time lost from work and time lost with family and friends because you are responsible for being present at open houses, meeting potential buyers, reviewing inspectors, etc. If you don’t follow all the laws and present the proper documents, you could also have to pay a large amount of money in a lawsuit. All costs add up quickly.

The largest cities in Central Florida are Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, and Daytona Beach. The most popular of these is the Orlando / Kissimmee area. Orlando is the most visited city in all of Florida. The main reason is that there is so much fun in this city that it is not possible to do everything. Orlando is home to Walt Disney World, including The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and River Country. You can also visit Downtown Disney, which has great shopping, lively restaurants, and great nightlife, including Pleasure Island. Outside the gates of Disney you will also find International Drive and other great shopping venues. Full of outlet and retail stores, hotels and dinner shows, you could have a complete vacation on this street! You won’t want to miss Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The two amusement parks bring movie magic and special effects to life. Universal Studios is also home to Halloween Horror Nights, which brings the magic of Halloween every fall season. If theme parks don’t appeal to you, downtown Orlando and Winter Park are great places to see live entertainment, antique shopping, nightlife and clubs, as well as exclusive restaurants.

In just an hour’s drive, you can also visit one of Florida’s award-winning attractions – the Kennedy Space Center. See NASA’s space shuttles and enjoy activities and lessons on how space travel has evolved in recent decades. It is also located one hour northeast of Orlando, Daytona Beach. This beach is popular during the summer months and has a great promenade to walk around and enjoy the sea views. Daytona Beach also hosts Bike Week every year. Residents and visitors descend on this area to ride their motorcycles here and gather to watch old road shows and just chat with other motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s one of the busiest weeks of the year in Daytona Beach!

Central Florida is a popular place to visit and has continued to change over time to offer guests the best possible vacation destination. While many people come here to play games, millions also call it home. It is a large metropolitan area that has a world-class airport, financial districts and

other businesses that directly affect the hotel industry that thrives in this area. It takes a lot of great people to make every magical vacation happen here. So don’t overlook this city as an exceptional place to live, either. You could experience the magic all year round!

Located in western Michigan, on the shore of Lake Michigan at sunset, is the charming little town of Pentwater, Michigan. For years, you would see a common bumper sticker around town that read “Where the hell is Pentwater?” Anyone who has spent time here is sure to fall in love with the area and will return again and again, which is why the continued darkness of the city seems to be an enduring mystery. Most people in Michigan are still completely unaware of this coastal gem.

Allow me to introduce.

Visitors to Pentwater arriving from the more popular southern route are initially greeted by Pentwater Lake as the road winds its way along its northern shoreline, dotted with quaint and charming cabins, the silhouettes of fishermen, and the occasional swan or family of ducks. As the road turns right, then left, and then nears the village, the view opens onto a mast-filled harbor, lined with active marinas and charter boats, truly reminiscent of the coastal towns of Maine or Massachusetts. This is New England, but much closer to home.

The road then turns sharply north and becomes Main Street Pentwater, perfectly lined with art galleries featuring creations by local and national artisans, numerous antique shops, clothing boutiques, and restaurants with open-air patios featuring music. Live and delicious seafood. and cold cocktails. It’s always happy hour here, if not officially, at least in spirit. This is a scene to inspire Norman Rockwell himself, with the white church steeple on the outskirts of town. People drive slowly; They take a deep breath and smile, because at Pentwater you feel like you’re on vacation, even when you’re not.

Near the end of town, our village tour turns west, continues a few blocks, and then ends at the main attraction: the freshwater shores of Lake Michigan. Guests who have never been to the Great Lakes are always pleasantly surprised, and the locals born and raised here never tire of it. An endless water horizon with the most beautiful sunsets in the world, warm sand between your toes, dune grass swaying in the breeze, the sound of waves, seagulls, kites and ice cream cones; this is Pentwater, not California, not Maine, not Carolina or Hawaii, but Michigan! And after a long walk along the water’s edge, all the way to the end of the pier, around the lighthouse and back again, you’re in love with Michigan’s secret beach town. You will come back again and again.

He is waiting, on the way, to welcome you and yours this summer season.