Historic Jamestown Virginia

Historic Colonial Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Virginia (downtown) * http://www.history.org/
In this very pristine historic living history town costumed actors bring to life the incendiary passions of the Revolution on the streets of Colonial Williamsburg so that the future may learen from the past. While you can do historic Williamsburg without purchasing a ticket, they highly encourage it and emphasize that its a must (though I didn’t have any problems without a pass). I didn’t bother with one because I only went in the evenings and late afternoons - maybe that’s why. If you’ve got it, buy a pass to help support this wonderful project. General admission passes include access to a variety of Historic Area buildings and exhibits, the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and regular daytime programs. Some offer discounts on evening performances and other perks. Bus transportation is included in your Colonial Williamsburg admission. Access to as many as 20 to 40 Historic Area buildings and exhibits (depending on season and operating schedules), such as the Capitol, Raleigh Tavern, Great Hopes Plantation, all historic trades sites (wheelwright, blacksmith, silversmith, milliner, wigmaker, etc.), all gardens, and all original 18th-century exhibition sites (the Courthouse, Gaol, Magazine, and the homes of Peyton Randolph and George Wythe), along with admission to Revolutionary City®. Check Colonial Williamsburg This Week for openings. Also includes Capitol tour, orientation tour, regular daytime programs*, and viewing of the movie classic Williamsburg—The Story of a Patriot. Plus, free parking at the Visitor Center and use of Historic Area shuttle buses. ($37/adults; $18 for ages 6-17)

Colonial Williamsburg is the historic district of Williamsburg, Virginia and consists of many of the buildings that existed from 1699 to 1780 that formed the colonial capital of Williamsburg and a thriving pivotal point of the historic triangle (Jamestown and Yorktown). It was once the center for Government, education, and culture in the Colony of Virginia. As a historical re-enactment village, its meant to be an interpretation of a Colonial American city with exhibits including dozens of authentic and accurately-recreated colonial houses, shops, and activity grounds including the Raleigh Tavern, the Capital building, the Governor’s Palace, and Bruton Parish Church. The Historic area is located just east of the College of William and Mary that was founded at Middle Plantation in 1693 just prior to the establishment of the town as capital of Virginia. the restoration and recreation of Colonial Williamsburg, one of the largest historic restorations ever undertaken, was championed by the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the patriarch of the Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., along with the active participation of his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, who wanted to celebrate the patriots and the early history of the United States.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/20/08, 5/21/08, and 5/22/08.

Captain George’s Seafood, Jamestown, Virginia

Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant * 5363 Richmond Road | Williamsburg, VA 23185 * (757) 565-2323 * http://www.captaingeorges.com
A legendary enormous seafood buffet with some of the freshest and most delicious seafood available. They have four locations - one in Myrtle Beach, SC; and three in Virginia. I visited the Williamsburg, Virginia location on 5/20/08. Captain Georges was started in 1978 by George and Sherry Pitsilides who wanted to provide fresh seafood in an all-you-can eat buffet featuring more than 70 items. Their menu often consists of She-Crab Soup, New England Clam Chowder, Snow Crab Legs, Steamed Spiced Shrimp, Prime Rib, Fresh Broiled Salmon, Seafood Casserole, Steamed Clams, Steamed Mussels, Norfolk Special, Fried Scallops, Fried Trout, Fried Shrimp, Baked Imperial Crabmeat Supreme, BBQ Ribs, Hampton-Style
Crab Cakes, Stuffed Mushrooms, Broiled Chicken, Oven Fried Clam Strips, Captain’s Own Deviled Crab, Manicotti, Stuffed Clams, A Variety of Fresh Broiled Fish, Clams Casino, Oysters Rockefeller, Hard Blue Crabs, Fresh Baked Breads as the main courses with just as many vegetables and sides and desserts offered. The food was fabulous as was the service. Rating 5 stars out of 5.

Janus International Hostel, Jamestown, Virginia

Janus International Hostel * 5437 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia *
Centrally located and close to Historic Williamsburg activities, a short commute from Jamestown, Yorktown, and Busch Gardens - this International hostel is placed in a former motel where hostellers can affordably get their own private rooms that are styled after motel rooms - own bathtub / shower, king size bed or double beds, microwave, fridge, air conditioner, electronic room keys. Rooms come with linens and parking. There are common rooms, shared kitchens, and a swimming pool. Lots of international hostellers during the summer, everyone is friendly and very social. My visit was very enjoyed. Thank you. Rating 4.5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/20/08 and 5/21/08.

The National Mall, Washington, D.C.

The National Mall * Washington, D.C. * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall
In the heart of D.C. connecting the Capital building, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial is a green open-are National Park and recreational strip called “The National Mall”. It was originally conceived by Peter Charles L’Enfant during the construction of Washington D.C. in 1791. Because of its size and width, open expanse - its often the site for many protests and rallies. Most popular rallies in the area were the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedoms, a massive rally for African-American civil rights, at which Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1969 it was home to the largest officially recorded rally known as the Vietnam War Moratorium. In 2004 the Nation of Islam leader Min Louis Farrakhan was the Million Man March. In 2007 tens of thousands of Iraq War protesters converged here as well. This green strip also serves as a popular spot for picnics, walks, jogs, and kite flying. Each year several events are held here including 4th of July celebrations. In July and August there are annual Screen on the Green movie festivals. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Visited 2007 and 2008.

THE WOLF AND THE HYENA

The Hyena and The Wolf

A certain wolf was in bad temper on having missed his breakfast and was ploding his way home. On the way he sighted a middle aged male hyena trotting stoopingly. As such the wolf hated hyena for his villainous looks and being hungry he hated him more. As the hyena neared him, he passed a provacative comment saying, “Today I will not get food for an ugly animal has shown me his forlorn face. What an ill luck! Nature has created such abominable creatures and let loose on this earth.”

Hearing this highly insulting comment on his personal character and appearance Hyena retorted, “You deprived anscestor of dogs, you worthless wild cur! How dare you talk so derogatorily about the noble tribe of hyenas. Mind your business and pity your progeny of pet dogs who have willingly accepted servility of most detestable creature called man and they feed on crumbs thrown to them. Many of your tampered species lead ignominous life as stray street dogs sans shelter sans food and starve to death or die dog’s death in streets in winter succumbing to extreme cold.

Hearing this rhetoric the wolf turned mad with fury and growled, howled and groaned several times and spoke, “You debased grave-ravager, You sordid eater of carrion, you solely subsist on leftover foul food. You are a thief because you feed yourself on carcass. Companion of vultures! I feel ashamed and feel degraded in talking to an animal which exhumes dead bodies from graveyards and eats rotten flesh of moth-eaten man…

When such worthy dialogues were being exchanged, a gorgeous lion passed there taking a morning walk. Soon the wolf rushed to him and accosting him said,”Your Lordship, I have a complaint to make. I hope your Lordship has relevant jurisdiction over disputes, controversies and altercations taking place among your subaltern creatures in this jungle and it is within the purview of your Lordship to take punitive action agaist the offenders of law and violators of forest protocol. Little did lion follow this highly technical jargon but he said solemnly, “O.K., O.K., come to the point.”

Wolf said, “This hyena is highly dishonest, unworthy, idle and ugly and talks to me in an inslting manner.” To this hyena in reply said, “Sir, not me but he has started the quarrel.” Lion did not listen to hyena and said in a stern voice, “Don’t try to plead your innocence. I know you very well. You are absolutely mannerless. You come and start taking quick bites when Her Highness Lioness and I and my cubs are eating our prey. You are always an unwelcome guest at our feast. And your appearance and voice are so ominous that we get indigestion and nausea finding your tribe in vicinity at the time of eating. I always wanted to punish you but did not have any cause of action under jungle’s civil code and criminal procedure. Since I have received a verbal complait from this noble animal the wolf I can take punitive action agaist you under the provision of Jungle Act 1976, “Violent and aggressive behavior with the inhabitants of the forest which invites six months imprisonment.”

Grave-Sweeping Day In Beijing

My first year in China, Grave-Sweeping Day wasn’t an official state holiday, but this year it became a government-approved day off from work. Lee In China explains how to celebrate this holiday (thankfully, no fireworks are involved):

Today is a national holiday in China, Tomb Sweeping Day. It’s when the Chinese go to the graves or tombs of their ancestors and clean them out, to show respect for them. So they clean out the tomb, put in fresh flowers, that sort of thing.

Since I’m not Chinese this has become Alcohol Swigging Day, to be followed by Partying Your Balls Off Night, culminating in Saturday Morning Hangover.

Related: Grave-Sweeping Day in Yantai, 2006

National Geographic Live ~ Afghanistan: Voices of Cultural Preservation

NG Live! lecture and private reception - Afghanistan: Voices of Cultural Preservation * National Geographic Society * 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nglive/washingtondc/s2008/single/afghanistan.html * Thursday, 22 May 2008: 6:30-10:30 pm

This week it’s been an honor as an invited guest, coming up from Colorado to participate and join Fredrik Hiebert’s presentations of the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan, the press preview, and the NG Live! presentation and repatriation of additional national treasures of Afghanistan that were collected by Homeland Security when they stopped the illegal transport of Afghanistan’s heritage into the United States. The NG Live! presentation and discussion was available (at cost) to the public, held at the National Geographic Society. Presented was a panel discussion on many various elements of cultural preservation issues and concerns surrounding Afghanistan especially in relation to the Hidden Treasures that are currently available for viewing at the National Gallery of Art until September 2008. Omara Masoudi, the Director of the National Museum of Afghanistan discussed the hiding, recovery, preservation of the treasures and the rebuilding of the Museum after its destruction during Afghanistan’s civil war. Reza, the director of AINA, who has photo documented Afghanistan for over two decades presented some of his work and the devotion him and his organization AINA has towards the development of independent Afghan media - including some really well crafted cultural preservation episodes made for children to help teach the prevention of looting Afghanistan’s heritage. Fred Hiebert, National Geographic Archaeologist and curator of the Hidden Treasures while in D.C., was a key role in the recovery and verification of the “Bactrian hoard” - a priceless collection of Silk Road-era artifacts that are among the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan exhibit; he was commended for his work and presented much of the story of this epic of history. Photographer Steve McCurry the infamous photographer who photographed one of National Geographic Magazine’s most famous cover photos - “Afghan girl” in 1984 - showed a slide show of all of his photos (some unpublished photos) in Afghanistan he’s been photographing since the struggle against the Soviets. Shamim Jawad, the founder of Ayenda, who runs an organization in Afghanistan for improving the lives of Afghan families discussed her projects and the recently released Afghan children’s songbook. Fred Starr, the Director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at John Hopkins University moderated the evening. A surprise repatriation ceremony took place at the end when officials from Homeland Security presented and returned a collection of artifacts they recovered from illegal smugglers that were stealing Afghanistan’s heritage. They were repatriated back to Afghanistan. This week and the discussions at NG Live: Voices of Afghanistan presented that there are serious cultural preservation concerns and cultural pleas of help with Afghanistan and timing is critical. The courageous individuals who spoke this evening demonstrated many different ways they and others can take action in defending Afghanistan’s incredible history and heritage. Afterwards, a private reception at National Geographic was held where National Geographic staff, invited guests, Afghanistan’s ambassador and his wife, royal family, benefactors, and those involved with the events came together to wine and dine and network together on the things they’ve done. I had a wonderful visit. Thank you Fred. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/22/2008.