Writers, editors, photogs, and bloggers share tips, leads, ideas, news, gripes. PR reps/journos ISO press releases/trips, see also "PR/Marketing." Opinions stated are not necessarily those of Tripatini.
What do you wear to Seven Magic Mountains?
Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation located in the Nevada desert, and the weather can be quite hot and dry. Therefore, it is recommended to wear comfortable and breathable clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, and sandals or sneakers. You may also want to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. It's also a good idea to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. While there is no strict dress code, it's important to dress appropriately for the weather and…
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This trip is limited to 10 writers (no spouses) so sign up early. It will be a great trip including:
Temecula Creek Inn
Smooth Jazz event & dinner at Thornton Winery
Iron Chef Cooking Adventure at Baily Restaurant
Hot Air Balloon Adventure
Too much to list here, see the itinerary at http://ifwtwa.org/mediatrips/temecula1.html.
Early registration ends 2-28. Regular registration ends March 15. Be sure to check this out.
Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW)
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)
New York Travel Writers Association (NYTWA)
Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
As he notes with the Ethiopian water pumps, "anything of value will be stolen". Especially aid money (how did the Haitian elite get so wealthy?).
Let those cruise lines keep docking, and "work with local people to show them how to develop working relationships with the cruise lines so they can earn their own money either working for the company or providing tours or selling local (as opposed to Chinese-made) crafts."
Check out this opinion piece: "To Heal Haiti, Look to History, Not Nature"
There is so much money rolling into Haiti right now it's creates its own problem. Everyone is talking about sustainability. Help should also be sustainable. The cruise lines should offer passengers an opportunity to go ashore and help. I don't mean help digging out collapsed buildings. Leave that to the pros.
I think the cruise lines should a) be bringing suppliers ashore for local residents. b) they could organize an on-going relief project to help a nearby village(s). That means clearing land for a new medical centre and school, providing a fresh water source, school supplies, any maybe some sort of Habitant for Humanity type projects to help rebuild modest homes/shelter for people. and C) then start to work with local people to show them how to develop working relationships with the cruise lines so they can earn their own money either working for the company or providing tours or selling local (as opposed to Chinese-made) crafts.
Years ago when the famine was sweeping Ethiopia, people in my part of the world adopted villages. They built schools and dug wells. Our NGO people wanted to install these great electric pumps that cost thousands of dollars. The village elders said no. Anything valuable would be stolen or break down. Instead we provided dirt cheap little pumps made with recycled bike tires that cost less than $3. People had to pump, but in the underdeveloped world there is no shortage of labour or time, so it worked.
Feel good initiatives can do more harm in the long-term. If we spent a little thought we could actually change a century of neglect and do good and not just help people now, but elevate future generations so that Haitian parents don't have to sell their children into slavery.
1. An AP story today about the controversy of ships visiting Labadee:
Without This, We Don't Eat
2. Surely by now you've heard of Arthur Frommer's controversial call to action this past weekend:
Shouldn't the Federal Government Charter Several Large Cruise Ships...
Thoughts?