I Love Italian Travel – Carnevale Season In Calabria

Calabria forms the foot of the Italian boot. This region is in the heart of the Mezzogiorno, the south of Italy. Who would expect to find an Albanian Carnival here? Who would expect to find an African Carnevale here? Keep on reading to learn about some of the most distinctive Carnevales in all Europe.

San Demetrio Corone is a village of fewer than four thousand people in Calabria that faces the Apennine Mountains and the Ionian Sea. It was founded over five hundred years ago by Albanians who were fleeing an Ottoman invasion. Despite the centuries the townsfolk have managed to keep their Albanian language and customs while becoming Italians. On the first Saturday of Carnival they celebrate the “Feste dei Morti.” The poor and children go from house by house collecting alms. Then they march to the local cemetery where food and drink is served surrounded by the spotlightson the gravestones. The food known as “Colivi” is made from boiled wheat and was eaten at Paleo-Christian funerals. In the nearby village of Saracena, population about four thousand, named for the Arabs who formerly ruled this part of the world, the Festa di San Leone (Feast of St. Leon) starts with candlelight procession from the church of that name accompanied by music made with traditional musical instruments. Then comes the “Fucarazzi’” (bonfire) at dusk that stays lit all night long while the inhabitants and guests enjoy the ritual food and drink.

Another Albanian Carnevale in Calabria is held in the village of Lungro many of whose three thousand some inhabitants speak a dialect of Albanian. The villagers celebrate Carnevale by parading in traditional Albanian costumes. In northern Calabria, the city of Montalto Uffugo (population about seventeen thousand) holds an interesting parade of men wearing women’s dresses. They hand out sweets and tastes of Pollino wine. Following the parade, the kings and queens arrive for a night of dancing wearing costumes that include giant heads. Actually cross dressing is a popular Calabrian Carnevale theme for both men and women as are the ancient Commedia dell’Arte farces in which Carnival is dying, surrounded by busy but hopelessly ineffectual doctors. The funeral is grotesque and ends with a huge bonfire.

The town of Castrovillari, population well over twenty thousand on the northern border of Calabria, holds its Carnival of Pollino. The women dress in intricate traditional costumes and both the men and women celebrate the Pollino wine of the region, Lacrima di Castrovillari. But there’s more. This Carnevale now includes a children’s carnival and an International Folklore Festival with Jazz concerts and several events devoted to African, Afro-American, and Afro-Brazilian culture. The times they are a’changing.

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Levi Reiss wrote or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but to tell the truth, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Check out his wine website http://www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines.

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Goddesses of Samba in Brazil´s Carnival: How are they Chosen?

Samba dancing may sound only as fun, especially for foreigners. But in Brazil, this activity is taken very seriously by amateur and professional dancers, as we will see below. Samba dancing in the Carnival of Brazil is part of our culture and somehow national identity. Just like Jazz in New Orleans, Tango in Argentina, and Salsa at the Caribbean, samba dancing is taught since the very early stages of life of Brazilians. In a natural form, every woman, (and some men too), learn how to samba dance to some extent, but are evidently not professionals. On this article, we will explain how samba-schools like Mangueira and Unidos da Tijuca, clubs, and other institutions linked to the carnival in Brazil conduct contests to discover and pick the best samba contests in Brazil.

As you have probably heard or seen, the Brazilian Carnaval became a very professional institution. Everyone involved want to make sure only the best resources are used, both material and human. A carnival parade encompasses many wings, and in one of them, as an example, only the best can join, as the “elite samba dancers’ wing”, or, as they care called in Portuguese, the “Passistas Wing”. Now how do these traditional samba-schools pick the very best samba dancers among thousands in the country, to represent the samba-school during a carnival season? Well, most of them conduct a challenging and very competitive samba dance contests in Rio and Sao Paulo.

The contests may sometimes take more than 2 or 3 rounds, and they normally happen at the samba-schools premises or famous samba auditoriums or specialized clubs. A series of criteria, like those used in health insurance in nc, are used to aid jurors select the best dancers. Just like a beauty pageant contest in the US, not only the beauty, or in this case, the dance per say is evaluated, but a series of attributes. Some of the criteria evaluated by the specialized jury include the candidates´ grace, posture, and coordination. But above all, the judging panel closely look at the “samba at the feet” criterion, or “Samba no Pé”, to use the original expression in Portuguese, which is the specific ability to dance the samba.

The jury is normally composed of experienced samba dancers, choreographers, former “Drum Queens” and important personalities in the Samba community. Number of candidates may vary and range from 20 up to 50, in famous contests. Some of the samba dancers come from very simple background, and they see these contests as a great opportunity to project themselves within the carnival community and media in general. Many of them, after winning these contests became authentic Carnival Queens, Muses, actresses and models. Tatiana Pagung, one of the all time Samba Dancers in the Carnival of Brazil, started her professional life winning several contests. Shayene Cesario, former Carnival Princess in Rio and this year´s Carnaval Queen, won Rio de Janeiro contest mainly because of her great samba skills and impressive beauty.

Rio hosts several contests, and one of the most important samba dancing contests is the Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and Princess competition promoted by the city´s official tourism body, called RIOTUR. This contest is always held on October and is extremely concurred. This year, more than 30 candidates took part of the competition and all major contenders displayed excellent samba routines. So next time in the Carnival of Brazil, try to visit one of these interesting contest-shows in the pre-Carnival period. Maybe you will learn how to dance the samba too!

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Andre Skowronski is lover of the Brazilian music & partner of http://www.brazilcarnival.com.br . He created the 1st local site in English entirely devoted to Rio´s Carnaval culture, containing exclusive photos, samba glossary, muses directory, news & Rio Carnival guide.

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Things To Do In Memphis Tennessee

There is a song in the 90’s by a singer that loved Memphis, it goes like this, “Then I’m walking in Memphis, walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale…Walking in Memphis, but do I really feel the way I feel.” The singer must have really enjoyed the city, and so would you, since you’ll know in a bit why the place is such a big attraction. Read more »

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Fishing in Nosara, Costa Rica

One of the many enjoyable activities available in Nosara, Costa Rica is sport fishing in the Pacific Ocean. There are many popular varieties of fish that are commonly caught off the shores of Nosara, Costa Rica including Yellowfin Tuna, Black and Blue Marlin, Red Snapper, Sailfish and Dorado aka Mahi Mahi. If you enjoy a fine dining experience with your catch, there is no better place to fish than off the shores of Nosara, Costa Rica. These are the fish that are usually served in the most exclusive restaurants and nothing tastes better than cooking your own freshly caught gourmet verities. Read more »

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Chartering your own Yacht – Newport Beach is Hot!

Ever wanted to really have the best time on a yacht with a itinerary? Why not hire a Newport Beach Yacht Charter with a crewed yacht charter for the voyage, you can do just that – and more – while taking turns at the helm and seeing the sights of your specially prepared destination. How amazing could it be?

Unlike most other ocean yacht excursions, a crewed charter yacht from Newport Beach can allow you to be more independent and make more choices about your trip. How about choosing an itinerary filled with activities you prefer, instead of going along with the crowd! You can even decide to go “off the grid” and head in a new direction, with the many unique adventures available. Read more »

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While the recent global financial crisis has seem to taper off, perhaps it is hopefully that by 2010, more companies will be hiring either on a part time or full time basis as their confidence gains momentum in the markets. The need for job opportunities is a grave priority for the whole world to go back to a sense of normalcy. Enabling people the opportunity to seek gainful employment restores their sense of confidence and normalcy in their spending on goods and consumables. This expenditure is necessary for companies to remain solvent, aside from being operationally efficient.

Countries have also done their part in moving the jobs market through increase in infrastructure spending. The repair of roads, bridges and the construction of buildings and schoolhouses create a demand for jobs. These are the necessary stimuli to keep the economy going and ensure that any recession may be thwarted. At any rate, there are still jobs available, albeit temporary jobs for those interested to earn some money. For some places like Sweden here are some things you should know about:

- For non Swedish citizens, you need to get a work permit to work in the country. If you are working for more than 3 months, you need to get a residence permit.

- Preference for those who want to work in Sweden are foreigners already living there, citizens of the European Union Nations, and Swedish Citizens

- Those who will work in Sweden for the first time must apply at the Swedish embassy of their country and it is the migration board of Sweden that will decide whether you should be granted a work permit for prevera

- There are several categories of jobs in Sweden. Some of them are the following: IT and Telecommunication, Engineering, Marketing and Advertising, Sales and Purchasing, Banking and Financial Services, Insurance, Financial Administration and Auditing, Human Resources, General Management, Administrative Support, Law, Manufacturing, Building and Handcraft, Transportation and Logistics, Research and Development focusing on Science and Scientific Research, Health, Medicine, Social and Fitness, Media and Information, Design and Architecture, Education and Training, Security and Protective Services, Tourism and Accommodation, Land, Sea, Environment and Veterinary Services, Fine Arts prevera and Cultures.

- There are a lot of summer jobs available in Sweden and the country pays one of the highest salaries in the European Union.

- There are organizations that do have international traineeships that may offer jobs in Sweden and other countries as well. One such organization is AIESEC which has this international traineeship exchange program since 1948. Sweden was one of the original founding members of the organization.

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Interested in Sweden? It’s the land of the vikings, true. But trust me, there is more to Sweden than just the vikings. Check out more about Sweden history and culture including available jobs in Sweden, their holidays, hotels and even Sweden airlines here! http://www.swedenhistory.net/

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Where to Find the Best Places in Northeast Florida

Everyday is a wonderful day when you are having vacation in Florida. Sceneries are spectacular and there are a lot of them to enjoy. Whether you submerge yourself into the sea with pristine beaches or get yourself in one of the tourist spots, you will have all the exciting moments of your life. Now, I can tell you three seaside charms you can find in Florida; take time to read it below;

Amelia Island. Between the Intracoastal Waterway’s tidal marshes and Atlantic’s sugary beaches is an island secluded not far enough and offers first class restaurants, well-maintained golf courses, beautiful beaches and good places to stay. Amelia Island has been a perfect getaway for every tourist who is looking for a place to retrospect, for lovers who want some privacy while enjoying love everyday, for family who want to live a life of peace for days and for people who simply want to experience the beauty of nature and witness the every passing moment in serenity. Read more »

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Travel to Hawaii

Are you researching possible places to have a vacation? Have you considered Hawaii? Hawaii is a beautiful place to spend any amount of time. Read on to find out more of what you can do in Hawaii.

Perhaps you are looking at Hawaii as a romantic getaway. Whether it is for a honeymoon or any other romantic occasion, or just because – Hawaii can be a great time for two people to spend quality time together. It is beautiful, scenic, and secluded. For those of us not luck enough to be a native, Hawaii seems like a tropical paradise.

The islands are all very beautiful. Just like in any other beach vacation there is a lot of basic things you can do together cheaply. Spending time on the beach or in the water can be romantic and fun. If you are active you can take advantage of the water and beautiful weather and participate in some water sports. There are so many to choose from including kayaking, sailing, waterskiing, surfing, boogie boarding and snorkeling.

Your nights can include starlight walks on the beach, fine dining, luaus and enjoying some of the islands traditional entertainment. There are plenty of resorts to choose from on the various islands and each one has entertainers or shows to enjoy during your stay.

I think it is pretty evident that this is a great place for romance. That does not mean it is not also a great place for families as well. There are many family activities that you can do here as well including learning about the rich history of Hawaii and exploring their unique culture.

It does not really matter where you stay on the island. You can certainly find wonderful ways to explore the island’s culture and history. There are plenty of cultural centers on the island including educational tours that you can take to learn more about island life.

Water sports can certainly be carried over into a family vacation. You can either participate in group activities, such as sailing or kayaking or you can take lessons together for water sports which you are not proficient in. While there you should learn at least one water sport that you did not know before. Scuba diving is a great choice because of all of the beautiful underwater creatures you could see. it is best to use protective anti wrinkle eye cream when spending a lot of time in the sun like this.

Hawaii is certainly a beautiful place, a trip which for many is a chance of a lifetime. It is a great choice for families and couples alike.

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Pamela Kazmierczak is an expert in the wedding industry. Visit her website Wedding Ideas today, http://www.wedding-planning-101.com and learn more about planning your own perfect wedding. Planning on visiting Hawaii, check out Hilton Hotel Hawaii – http://www.wedding-planning-101.com/hilton-hotel-hawaii.html today to learn more.

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