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The state of Oaxaca has been inhabited for well over 10,000 years, initially by hunter-gatherer groups which, as their populations increased, developed sophisticated systems of political and social organization, means by which to work the land and use its by-products to make clothing, weapons, vessels for storage, manufacture and cooking, adornments and accommodations. Cultures and material items evidencing their development, continued to flourish, not without change as a consequence of war, trade, overuse of land and shifts in the natural environment. The Spanish conquest which began in the early 16th century created the most profound changes in Mexico in general, as well as in Oaxaca. But Oaxaca managed to maintain much of its indigenous cultural traditions, evidenced by the fact that there are today no less than 16 distinct ethnic groups, perhaps in part as a result of its isolation from the more northern states.

The adaptation of a culture to its natural environment and external influences produces our artifacts and antiques. Accordingly, against the foregoing backdrop, and given that there has been more than one foreign influence (i.e. the Spanish, as well as the French and others), in this state with a diversity of habitats (i.e. mountains, deserts, tropical forests, fertile lowland plains and tropical climates of the Caribbean and Pacific, all of which exist in Oaxaca) one is able to find a plethora of vestiges of the past. The city of Oaxaca and environs is rich in not only in pre-Columbian ruins as well as conquest and post-conquest churches and other indicia of the history and cultures of the region, but also what we commonly refer to as artifacts of pre-history (i.e. tools, projectile points, religious and aesthetic adornments) and antiques and collectibles from the conquest era forward. I will use this distinction between artifacts on the one hand, and antiques and collectibles on the other, for clarity.

There are surprisingly only a handful of antique stores in the city. By contrast, in Puebla, 3 hours up the toll-road, there is a downtown area known as Los Sapos where you can spend a day searching for antiques in several stores within a couple of blocks of one another, and on Saturdays and Sundays in an outdoor crafts and antique market. Whether in Oaxaca or Puebla, one must be cautious. I’m told that sale and exportation of artifacts is illegal. Therefore, when you ask for artifacts in a shop, either you’ll be turned away, or the dueo will tell you to wait, and he’ll go into a back room and return with a couple of pieces. You won’t find them on display. Similarly, if you venture off into the rural areas and make the same inquiry of a campesino, you’ll often be met with a frightened or puzzled look, and comment that it’s “prohibido.” However, you may also be told in the same breath that he has something at home, and to meet him later or come to his place to see what he has, the story being that he found it while working the land. There are two caveats. Firstly, if you are in possession of an artifact, while you can register it with the authorities and keep it at home (here in Oaxaca), upon your death your heirs are required to deliver it up to the government. Secondly, beware of reproductions. Near the ruins you may be approached by individuals purporting to offer originals for sale. An industry has been built around their production and sale, and the quality is high. In Oaxaca, with its significant level of poverty, there is incentive to go to great lengths to make and market “artifacts”. The temptation is hard to resist for the collector who would likely succeed in crossing into the U.S. with pieces, especially when the “story” of how the artifact was found makes sense, and based on the price being modest.

My advice is to stay clear of anything that may appear to have a prohibition attached to its purchase or export. Remember that you are not in a society where there’s the presumption of innocence and the benefit of due process and procedural fairness. Stick to collectibles that you know you are able to export from Mexico and take home with you, or keep here in Oaxaca without repercussions. You can still find wonderful pieces easy for even the amateur collector to determine authenticity, with good vintage, patina, etc. Use your gut feeling, ask the right questions and be even more vigilant than you would be in your home environment when trying to determine the veracity of what you’re being told by a shopkeeper regarding provenance, age and use.

Pine dome-topped chests, often on a base, are easily found, often in original paint and should cost about half or less as compared with their pricing in the U.S. or Canada. But watch for the front panels with replacement paintings, mirrors and framing. They’re called “bals” and were traditionally used as hope chests, gifted upon marriage. Metal products such as galvanized milk pails, pitchers and tamale steamers are nice pieces, light for taking on a plane, but be careful respecting age. You frequently come across copper two handled cooking vessels in various sizes, which similarly can be reasonably purchased. In terms of crockery and stoneware, my favorites are the Spanish-produced grey ollas used to import liquids such as oil into Mexico during the conquest period and thereafter, and the metate or grinding stone used with elongated “mano” to grind corn into meal for making tamales, tortillas, etc. In both cases it’s quite easy to determine age and authenticity. A while back a downtown gallery had an exhibit comprised of 85 vintage metates with manos that blew me away. I’ve since started my own collection. When it comes to European furniture and North American glassware, they tend to be priced quite high. Respecting the latter, as a collector of depression glass I can state that good glassware is hard to find in Oaxaca, but does crop up from time to time. I was recently told that there was at least one glass factory in Puebla during the depression era producing pieces similar to those of the American manufacturers. More commonly encountered is the heavier glass such as the multi-liter bottles, frequently in green, used to transport and store water, mezcal and other liquids. You will likely also come across siphon type seltzer bottles in blue, pink, green or clear that were produced in Mexico. Similarly there is no shortage of other beverage industry collectibles such as tavern serving trays and other vintage advertising and other paraphernalia, used in production, marketing and consumption of alcoholic and other drinks. Of course the most common of all collectibles are those with a Catholic religious theme or content. The list goes on respecting similarities with the antiques and collectibles to which we are accustomed, differences regarding form and function, as well as commonalities and distinctions in materials used in and means of production.

Shops I’ve found with antiques are located at: Abasolo 107, Constitution 108, Independencia 300, Benito Juarez 204-B, Guerrero 506 and Garcia Vigil 304. Happy hunting!

The probability of scooping up the Euro millions jackpot is a far-off 1 in seventy six million but the probability of winning a money prize is a fairly decent one in twenty-four. If the jackpot is not won on a given lottery draw, it is carried forward to the following lotto draw that will result in an ever increasing jackpot value. New rules brought in on the 09-Feb-07 specify the number of successive roll-overs to eleven, with the jack-pot rolled down to lower value levels in the eleventh lotto draw if the prize is not won.

The Euromillions lotto or the Euro lotto, as it is commonly recognized, pools the ticket revenues of the 9 partaking European countries presenting a sizeable Euro Lottery jackpot. With the sum of countries joining the EU on the increase, this will without question will lead to even more countries partaking in the European lottery. An increase in the amount of people partaking in the euromillions will result in a prolonged increase of the already enormous Euro Lottery jackpots.

The recent regulations likewise initiated Euro Lotto Super Draw which happen twice each year plus they offer jackpots in the region of 100 million pounds. The difference with Super Draws is that the jackpot must be collected during the week of the draw; this means, when there is no ticket matching, all the numbers drawn and the top prize will be allotted to the lotto ticket bearer(s) in the succeeding winning prize level.

Each and every player must choose 5 primary numbers from one to fifty and two Lucky Star numbers from one to nine. During the lottery draw, 5 primary and 2 lucky star numbers are then chosen at random from two lotto draw machines containing numbered lottery balls.

Many people see Greece as a cheap package tour to get some rest and sunshine, but how many people who actually go to Greece SEE Greece. Greece has a rich history that goes back for over 4,000 years. The ancestors of Hellenes, which is the mainland of Greece, were explorers who travelled the Seas, both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea – covering many distances in search of new people to trade with. The Greeks settled from the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and along the coast of North Africa during their travels.

The people of Greece have always had a strong desire for independence, and enjoy their freedom enough to fight for it over the years. Alexander the Great is perhaps the most well known Greek, conquering most of the known world during the 4th century BC, with a plan to Hellenize it. In 146 BC, Greece was defeated by the Romans, and in 330 AD, Emperor Constantine founded the Eastern Roman Empire. By 1828, the Greeks in a small area of the country had won back their independence, and they continued to fight for the rest of their land. After World War II, many of the islands were returned to Greece, independence, and freedom.

The country of Greece is a peninsular and mountainous land, geographically located in Southern Europe, and characterized by more than 1400 beautiful islands. The Greece islandsattract people from all over the world to spend their vacations and holidays, and since the weather in Greece year round is full of sunshine and mild temperatures, you’ll be sure to experience the beautiful nature of Greece. With over 13,676 km of white sandy beach coastlines, and crystal clear, sparkling waters, every beach lover is sure to enjoy a trip to Greece!
Greece is situated along the Mediterranean, comfortably located between Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Greece is surrounded by the Aegean and Ionian Sea. Some of the most visited islands include Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Corfu, Lefkada and Alonissos.

There are hundreds of Islands, all owned by Greece but many unpopulated. The islands that are used by tourists come in many different characters and flavours catering from young peoples holidays, through family and young children to older and retired people, choose your island well, it will be the choice between one persons nightmare vs. another’s paradise!.
Next time you visit Greece, take time to study the Greek food in the shops and restaurants.

You might find there are many of the local food you have never heard of. Spend longer look at the menu and ask the locals what they eat, a great way to discover new food. As well as tourist food, they also have many delicious recipes worth sampling. Even the famous Greek Salad is different in many areas of Greece and is often eaten every day.
Many believe that wine was invented in Greece, its well worth sampling many of the local brews, if the thinking is true, they have more experience than anyone else in the world!

Finding accommodations in Greece is not difficult, and you have many options to choose from. There are the typical Greek hotels, along with villas, apartments, rooms, hostels and camping available for people travelling in Greece, with ‘island hopping’ a favourite amongst many people, young and old alike!.

So next time you’re planning a trip to the ‘Greek islands’, research your trip and include some of the many other sites and experiences that can be found in this ancient land.

For more information, please visit Travelling to Greece

Phil Edwards is a writer and traveller and author of Travelling to Greece, The Sixties and Health and Fitness

With spring in the air and winter soon disappearing now is the time to store out the winter cloth or bring away one’s flip flops! It is furthermore the thing to revivify or reanimate even if it be your self or possibly the condo. Aromatic Scented Candles are a lovely tactic to usher in a new and improved season. It can be time to put away those pumpkin spice or perhaps pine Sweet-smelling Scented Candles and embrace its bouquets of the season. Flowery or perhaps fruity bouquets are what you should smell at present. Since there’s both breeze coming through the windows the Aromatic candle incense will float in one’s condo. They are also awfully charming when the person is having fun through out the summer months. Once the bash is starting to move outdoor, putting pool 1 to your beautification is a certain fire approach to add farther aura. swimming Scented Candles come in so loads of appearances and it sizes, nonetheless my most popular are the new floral figured candles. Floating various bigger pieces within a swimming pool or possibly an duck pond take back memories of cotillions or fabulous meetings of days gone by. Votive 1 will occasionally be put to use in the spot of Placing candles. Make certain to operate the votive candle from of their metal box so that it may drift properly. Click here for more information on scented candles

By the summer months allowing people to satisfy outdoor and reside garden candle care might often vary. Of course pool 1 employed outside is fantastic but nevertheless, what occurs Once there is a breeze or better yet what occurs as there is a substantial whiff? The candles blow out & out and out. It will probably get extremely disturbing, therefore for those gusty outside nights candle holders are also ideal. candles holder turn out in tonnes of shapes and measurements just like every one of the alternative candle. Me personally like the ones that include various crystal appearances as these give just off a different luminosity. The candles holder creates a boundry for one’s Scented Candles keeping them on & blissful. One message of advice then again, once obtaining candle holder for utilization in the outside, make certain that there are also no cutouts, otherwise people are back to square one with one’s 1 going away faster than birthday 1 at a 5 year olds b-day bash! These will work in the inside or perhaps calm nights though not if these is any whiff? Another option on all these after hours is to use electronic candles.

Some time ago I noticed these odd shaped colourful bus-type vehicles in the streets of Toronto, and I was wondering what they were. I caught a second glimpse and I saw “Toronto Hippo Tours”, and I realized that these buses carry sightseeing passengers not just on the streets of Toronto, but also in the waters of Lake Ontario. Considering that this form of intermodal transportation is definitely unconventional, it just recently came to me that I should do an interview with this company and go on one of the vehicles myself.

They are definitely funny looking vehicles with a rounded snout, bright painting saying “Ride the Hippo”, and an entry at the rear where you board walking up a set of retractable metal stairs.

Today I met with Drew O’Gilvie who is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Toronto Hippo Tours. Drew used to be a Director of Sales for Delta Hotels and obviously has a lot of tourism-related marketing experience.

1. Please tell us who came up with the idea of creating a company with a bus that floats? How long has the company been in business?

Geoffrey Lind founded Toronto Hippo Tours 5 years ago since he wanted to bring the “duck concept”, the famous amphibian vehicle tours in Boston, to Toronto. Last year the company had 25,000 passengers and we expect to far surpass that number this year. Rather than calling ourselves a sightseeing company, we consider ourselves an “urban safari”, a true urban adventure.

2. How many Hippos are there? What makes them special?

We currently have 2 vehicles in operation with a 3rd one that was just recently completed and is just waiting for final licenses, a complicated process that involves federal and provincial authorities and safety checks. The vehicles are Canadian-designed and built, based on a school-bus platform. Contrary to other places, they are not recycled WWII or Korean war amphibian vehicles. They are carefully safety-checked and greased every morning. We affectionately call our 3 amphibian vehicles Harry, Happy and Henrietta, our newest addition.

3. Please tell us about your route and your schedule. Are the tours narrated?

The Hippo tours are 1.5 hours long and spend about 1 hour on land covering the major Toronto sites, all professionally narrated by a tour guide who is also licensed in first-aid. We run tours from the beginning of May to the end of October every hour from 11 am to 6 pm.

4. Please tell us about the prices. Is it possible to book the vehicles for a private outing?

Prices are very reasonable at C$35.00 per adult, or C$30.00 for seniors or students, and C$23.00 for children 12 years and under. The vehicles can also be chartered and are frequently rented for special occasions both by business organizations and private individuals for birthday parties. At C$500.00 per outing, which holds 40 passengers, this can be an extremely affordable special event.

5. Please comment on the special training that your captains and tour guides receive.

Our guides are certified in St. John’s Ambulance and CPR, and are all restricted engineers. They undergo strict testing with government authorities as marine captains and they have to obtain licenses to become school-bus drivers for operating the vessel on land.

After interviewing Drew, I had a chance to actually sample the Hippo experience myself and I got on board, plunking myself down right behind the Captain, who in this case was a sporty-looking lady by the name of Catherine. We had another tour guide who competently and entertainingly mentioned the major sights along the way and cracked some dry jokes in between. Another guide by the name of Dan also accompanied us. He is just finishing up his road licensing and has already completed the marine portion of the licensing process.

The vehicle passes through the streets of Toronto at a very leisurely pace. Our route included major sites such as the Royal York Hotel, Union Station, Yonge Street with the Bay, the Eaton Centre and Dundas Square. We then headed over on Elm Street and down on Bay Street past Old and New City Hall. I particularly enjoyed the gargoyle story about Old Toronto City Hall, where a famous architect took revenge on Toronto city counsellors who criticized him for his cost overruns by depicting their likenesses as ugly gargoyles. We then headed up University Avenue past Queens Park (the provincial government buildings) and on to the University of Toronto campus.

From there we snaked our way down through the Garment District, admiring all of Toronto’s loft conversions and condo developments past the CNE grounds (the Canadian National Exhibition grounds) to a ramp near Ontario Place, where we were getting ready for THE BIG SPLASH – the Hippo’s entry into the water.

It sure was a weird feeling, being on a bus whose windshield is all of a sudden fully submerged by water. But the vehicle straightened itself out pretty quickly and we started chugging slowly into the waters surrounding Ontario Place. “Happy the Hippo’s” top speed is about 5 knots, and the vehicle has a single engine that propels the bus’ transmission on land as well as the propeller in the water. At 20 tons it’s a pretty heavy vehicle and a special ramp had to be built to give it access to Lake Ontario.

We took a little spin over off the west end of the Exhibition Grounds where we had a good look at Toronto’s only wind turbine (we are finally making baby-steps towards greener energy production….) where we turned around and headed back towards Ontario place.

While Dan was driving during the water portion of the trip, Catherine, the other captain, and I stood at the back of the vessel and had a great conversation. Catherine is a former insurance sales expert and after being laid off she went into a completely new career – first as a Hippo tour guide, and she has also become a fully certified and licensed Hippo captain. Catherine also knows lots about fixing the vehicle and doesn’t mind getting her fingers greasy when she performs maintenance duties on the bus on a daily basis. In her off -months from November to April Catherine does some cool things, such as volunteering her services to an animal conservation area to protect sloths in Costa Rica, or travelling extensively to Cuba. As a matter of fact, Catherine is a pretty cool and interesting individual herself and I will be doing a follow-up intereview with her in the near future.

Back on land we passed by Harbourfront and headed back up towards the famous Royal York hotel. Shortly after we made a quick turn left and headed back to the Hippo Tours parking spot at 151 Front Street, just a tiny bit east of the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre (formerly called the Skydome), Toronto’s multi-purpose stadium with the retractable roof.

Catherine and I had a chance to catch up for about 10 minutes after the tour was over, and we briefly talked about doing a language study trip to Cuba, something that Catherine was interested in. I shared some information with her since I have had the opportunity to study Spanish at the University of Havana earlier this year.

It seems to me that Catherine is a bit of an adventurer and I am really looking forward to catching up with her to find out more about her new, unconventional lifestyle that went from corporate sales to being a road/lake captain for 6 months of the year, and doing some other cool stuff in the months between..

Thanks again to Drew and the whole crew at Toronto Hippo Tours for spending their time with me and for giving me the opportunity to explore Toronto on a bus – on land and on the water…….

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

“Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons”.

The article with photos is published at Travel and Transitions – Interviews

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While many guests of Asheville NC cabin rentals come here for mountain getaways that are back to nature, a tour of the public art on Asheville’s Urban Trail is recommended highly for anyone who hasn’t seen it.

The Urban Trail, featuring more than 30 bronze sculptures and plaques by a diversity of mostly local artists, begins and ends at the center of downtown Asheville at Pack Place. The walking tour covers 1.7 miles and takes most people about two hours to complete.

The works are presented in five eras: The Frontier Period, The Gilded Age, The Times of Thomas Wolfe, The Era of Civic Pride, and The Age of Diversity. Started in 1991 by a handful of citizens who had a vision for downtown revitalization, The Urban Trail marks its works with pink granite markers in the sidewalk.

The works include tributes to the era that produced some of the oldest buildings now used as Asheville NC cabin rentals: bronze turkeys and pigs marking the old Buncombe Turnpike, a busy route livestock drovers traversed in the 1800s.

Commemorating other parts of history, bronze musicians stand before the Asheville Civic Center. A giant iron commemorates the triangular Flatiron Building. An art deco monument honors the history of transportation next to Market Street, the citys last remaining brick street. A medicinal herb-inspired bench and metal sculpture pays tribute to former Asheville resident Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D., the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. And these are but a few of the artistically inspiring and highly educational pieces of art along The Urban Trail.

The Urban Trail is often called Asheville’s “museum without walls,” and a must-see attraction that is very convenient to Asheville NC cabin rentals.

More information and tour reservations are available at 828.258.0710 x108 or online at www.ashevillearts.com/trail.php.

My top five isn’t the one and only list, it has my favorite places for skiing holidays in Europe. Other people could nominate Chamonix, Avoriaz and Tignes-les-Brevieres however these resorts represent my favorite snowboarding fields.

1. Neustift Austria ” With some of the best year round skiing conditions and Austrias biggest glacial skiing resort Neustift is great for those traveling with family and friends. The main benefit of the area is the Stubai Glacier which covers over 100km of fantastic snow sure skiing runs.

2. Wengen, Switzerland ” This beautiful ski resort exudes charm from the moment you arrive. It’s an easy going place; with many of the ski pistes having gentle runs leading up to Grindelwald.

3. Flims Laax Falera, Switzerland ” Is famous for its 3 connected mountains: Flims, Laax and Falera making up one of the most popular skiing areas in Switzerland. It is more for the intermediate skiers and beginners, with over 130 miles of slopes to satisfy all skiers.

4. Verbier, Switzerland ” With its four fantastic valleys and over 240 miles of slopes, this is a resort more for the experienced skier looking for a challenge. Exploring its off piste and moguls are just some of the things that make it worth your visit.

5.Les Deux Alpes, France ” Brilliant for all standards and infamous for its combination of summer and winter skiing with an excellent snow record. It is one enormous skiing resort where you’ll feel at ease.

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Most people would arrive in Amsterdam via the central train station, either from a train from Schipol airport, other European destinations or one of the many coaches that bring daily visitors from many of the North Sea Ferries.

The first thing you will see on the exit doors of the station will be the now famous Amsterdam trams, boat tours a bit further on and to the right, a cycle park that must contain a half a million bikes. Three things associated with Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is in the process of building an underground train system to make travelling around the city even easier. This does mean that that on main streets and in front of the central station, building is in process, which spoils some of the first impressions at this point, but in a few years time when it is finished I am sure it will be worth it.

Carrying on up the main street from the station you will arrive at the Dam. Many years ago, it used to hold ships that came directly up the canals to trade with the city. But now it is more like a city square with the town hall and Madame Tussaud’s on one side and a the main city statue on the other. In front of the town hall you will often see street entertainers and if you wish to see the city on a horse and cart, this is the starting place for the tours. The dam seems to be a magnet for people during the summer months especially in the early evening. During the winter months an ice rink is built just in front of the town hall.

The dam is also a turning point for tourists, if you turn left you can start exploring the canal system, turn right and you can walk to Anne Frank’s house or if you continue on you will eventually come to the flower market next to the clock tower.

Anne Franks

If I had to select one place to visit whilst in Amsterdam it would be Anne Franks house. Her story has been well documented in her books and the films that have recreated her life’s story during the Second World War. However being in the house, where she and her family hid from the Nazi’s is quite an experience. A lot of the house is the same as it was then, one room still has here writing on the walls and is a grim reminder of the horrors of that time apposed on the Jews. Because the attic room is pretty much as it was, there are steep steps; those in a wheelchair are unlikely to see the entire house.

Flower Market

During certain months of the year this is a colourful spectacle, with what appears every type of tulip and bulb available. The shops are actually boats or floating platforms on the canal, which you can clearly see on the other side of the canal but au you walk the market would just assume they were normal shops.

The Canal System

It doesn’t matter where you walk in Amsterdam you going to be near a canal, but in my opinion you don’t see how pretty the canals are until you have walked 15 minutes or so away from the central station. Here you will have countless opportunities to take photos of small bridges all with cycles chained to them over narrow pretty canals. As well as the canal boat tours at the central station you will come across some more tours boats along the system but beware of the canal bus. You will see bus stops for the canal bus, but you cannot buy a ticket on board you must prepay your ticket at their main depot for the day.

Museums

Most of the art museums are together in the museum quarter. Unless you like walking it is probably a bit far on foot from the station, so a tram may be the order of the day. The canal bus that I mentioned earlier also does a canal bus ticket to take you there via the canals. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gough Museums and others have some of the world’s most famous paintings in from artists such as Monet, Rembrandt and Van Gough who are all Ditch Masters. Try and pre-book your tickets online, as it is hit and miss whether you will get in just by arriving.

You can’t really talk about Amsterdam and not mention some of the other aspects it is famous for and that is its tolerance to sex and low class drugs.

Red Light District

This is the only red light district I have walked through so I can’t compare it to anywhere else except to say it isn’t as sleazy as I thought it would be. You see normal people just going to work, elderly people carrying their shopping, businessmen and women coming in and out of the offices nearby. I am sure this place comes alive at night but during the day, it is more peaceful than I thought it would be. There are tours that will take you and around 30 other visitors around the area and explain the history of the district. In the tours you will see people from all ages including children. The sex shops have everything they sell in the window and seem to be frequented by groups of girls on their hen night having a laugh rather than sleazy men in raincoats. I think only those with extreme views would find this area offensive and if so stay away as it confined to one area of the city and you would not know it was there should you choose not to.

Coffer Shops.

This is where it is legal to buy certain grown substances to be consumed in the area known as a coffee shop. If you want to know where they are, just follow the smell.

It is illegal to buy any drugs on the street though.

I have been to Amsterdam many times now, mainly because of the relaxed atmosphere of the city and its street café culture. In the evening everyone appears to be sitting outside enjoying life and this atmosphere seem to be contagious, not to mention a certain Irish bar where I seem to be able o relax more there than anywhere back at home. It is a city with much to offer that is maybe not as pretty as some cities say in Italy, but more than makes up for it with its diversity of culture and beliefs.