Naptime: History and Practice of the Spanish Siesta

For Americans who visit Spain, the concept of a siesta, or a midday nap may seem very strange indeed. Americans are known for living fast-paced and very hectic lives with little, if any downtime. However, for those who embrace the concept of a siesta there are many rewards. The practice of taking a siesta extends back in time a long way and is woven into the Spanish culture.

 

The Definition of La Siesta

Technically the term La Siesta means a 15 to 30 minute uninterrupted rest. However, in Spain and other parts of the world a siesta usually means that shops and businesses close down from around 2pm through 5pm and bars and restaurants close from 4pm until 8 or 9pm.

 

Roots of a Siesta

It is very hot in Spain, especially in the afternoon. Traditionally a siesta was taken by Spanish field workers in order to get some shelter from the blazing afternoon sun. Other countries such as South America, Africa and the Philippines also embrace the concept of a siesta to escape the sun and heat.

Modern Day Siesta

Even with the modern day siesta, employees and business owners return ready to work well into the evening hours. Since very few people actually get enough sleep in America, a siesta may be a practice worth considering. Even though shop and restaurant owners are not out in the hot sun, and many have air conditioning, they still embrace the concept of a siesta. Part of this has to do with the fact that they like to have a very long lunch and spend time with friends and family. Spanish families still gather at lunchtime to enjoy each other’s company and some down time. Spanish businesses also stay open later at night, and Spanish people tend to be very productive well into the evening thanks to their siesta. If you visit Spain, you will find a buzzing nightlife and people well up in age still up working and milling about the streets.

 

Is the Siesta Being Threatened?

While a long workday and late nights with friends and family is customary in Spain, many residents are no longer taking traditional siesta to compensate for the longer hours and late nights. As with many Americans, the younger generations in Spain now see the siesta as being unproductive. With this mentality, the siesta is becoming somewhat of an endangered institution in some parts of the country.  With many multinational companies moving into Spain, businesses are eager to capitalize on as long a workday as possible. A Spanish citizens’ advice group states that Spain’s office hours should end early to compensate for the fact that fewer people are taking. Recent studies show that Spaniards sleep one hour less than other Europeans, a fact that did not show up until people started to abandon the siesta. Many long time supporters of the siesta are not so eager to let the cultural practice disappear. They claim it is healthy not only physically but also emotionally and strengthens family ties.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a home educator and freelance writer. She recently wrote an article about how to learn Spanish in a short amount of time.

Christmas Traditions in Sweden

Family traditions and culture are never seen more clearly than they are during the Christmas season. Christmas in Sweden is marked by a number of historical traditions and festivities that are still widely practiced today. It is always interesting to study these traditions in light of our own and enjoy the many different ways that Christmas is remembered.

 

Counting the Days

Most homes have an Advent calendar and children usually have their own. The first Sunday in the month of December is known as Advent Sunday. Families begin to count down the days until Christmas using an Advent calendar; children are especially fond of these calendars. Although there are many variations of this calendar, most have a flap for each day that opens up with a Christmas picture inside and a treat, usually chocolate.

 

Special Gifts

Families and friends usually exchange thoughtful handmade gifts that they either make themselves or purchase at the Christmas Market. Gifts of candy, ornaments and other special favors are wrapped and sealed with special sealing wax. Many people include a heartfelt verse or note with their gift.

 

St. Lucia’s Day

St. Lucia is known as the patron saint of light, and most Christmas festivities begin on St. Lucia Day, December 13. Traditional celebrations begin with the oldest daughter dressing early in the morning, before anyone is up, as the “Queen of Light.” She puts on a beautiful white dress and a crown made of woven leaves and candles. She visits each family members bedroom and sings “Santa Lucia,” while she delivers coffee and sweet breakfast treats.

 

Christmas Tree

Unlike many people in America who get their Christmas tree weeks before Christmas, Swedes get their trees just one or two days prior to Christmas. Homemade ornaments and figures of Christmas gnomes are used to decorate along with lights.

The lights are turned on the tree after dinner. Tomte, a tiny Christmas gnome, much like America’s Santa Claus, delivers Christmas presents. He comes to each house in a sleigh that is pulled by a goat.

 

Christmas Day Meal

The Christmas meal is served around midday and a common tradition involves dipping bread into an iron kettle containing broth. This practice is a reminder of times when there was very little food to go around, and many people were hungry. However, this is quickly followed by a large meal with dried fish, ham, pork sausage, spiced breads, herring salad and boiled potatoes. The meal is followed by a wide variety of sweet treats including pudding, pies and cakes.

 

After Christmas

The day after Christmas is known as “Second Day Christmas” and a day for singing carols. January 5th is known as the eve of the Twelfth Night. Boys dress up like Wise Men and travel around to different homes with lit candles on a pole that is topped with a star, singing carols. St. Knut’s Day is on January 13th. Adults in the home take down the Christmas decorations while children in costumes pick candy from the tree.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer with an interest in studying other cultures. She recently wrote an article regarding how to how to learn Russian for travelling.

The Rich History of French Cuisine

In America, we have a tendency to rush through our meals, eat out and put very little planning into the execution of a meal. For the French, a meal is a total experience. It is meant to be not only a feast for the stomach but also a feast for the eyes. French food is, by nature, intricate, elaborate, and delicious and an art that is appreciated by people all over the world. The roots of French cuisine can be traced back in history a long way.

 

The Middle Ages

French cuisine dates back to the Middle Ages when French meals were served in a style known as en confusion, which meant that meals were served all at once. A meal might consist of spiced meat including beef, poultry, fish and pork. Meals were also very seasonal in nature and centered on what was available and fresh. The French were also masters at food preservation. Meats were salted to preserve, and vegetables were put in jars and salted so that they could be enjoyed during the winter months. Chefs in the Middle Ages were very concerned with presentation, as they still are today. Edible garnishments such as egg yolks, saffron, and spinach were used to add color and texture to a meal. A favorite French Middle Age dinner was a roast swan or peacock that was sewn into its skin to after cooking to make it look all together, feathers and all. Feet and beaks were coated in gold for an extravagant display.

 

Italian Influence

When Catherine de Medici married France's King Henry II in the mid-sixteenth century, she introduced Italian food and cooking practices into the French court. Not long after this, another Italian married a French king and more Italian cuisine influences were introduced. The way food was prepared and served; including elaborate table dressings were all influenced in part by the Italians.

 

The First French Cookbook

In 1652, French chef La Varenne wrote the very first French cookbook titled “ Le Cuisine Francois.” The book held many French food secrets and detailed instructions on some of the most popular French dishes of the time. In addition, the book stood as a testimony to the progressive nature of French cuisine and its strong importance in the French culture.

 

Wine

Not much can be said about French cuisine without some mention of wine. Wine is an essential ingredient to the French dining experience. At elaborate dinner parties, a different wine is served with each course depending on what is being served. The French are experts at marrying wine and food and seem to know exactly which wine will enhance the flavor of a meal or a particular course in the meal. Of course, who could forget that it was Don Perignon, a Frenchman who invented champagne.

 

Key Ingredients in French Food

The French are renowned for using some key ingredients in their fine food. You can expect to find such things as butter, cheese, brown onions, potatoes, herbs, Djon mustard, bread, garlic and turnips in a number of popular French dishes.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer with a love for French cuisine and culture. She recently completed an article about how to learn French when you plan to travel to France

Greek Superstitions: They Don’t Really Believe That Do They?

Greece lies at the southeastern edge of Europe and is bordered by Yugoslavia and Bulgaria on the north, and Turkey on the northeast. The beautiful Aegean Sea is on the east, the Mediterranean Sea on the south, and the Ionian Sea on the west. There are more than 400 Greek islands, of which 149 are inhabited. Greece is beautiful, culturally rich, ancient and full of superstitions that are still practiced by many residents to this day.

 

The Evil Eye

The evil eye superstition is common in many cultures throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey, Arabia, Greece and even India. The evil eye, also known as “Matiasma,” is one of the oldest beliefs in Greece dating back to the 6th century BC. Even the Greek Orthodox Church believes in the evil eye and calls it “Vaskania.”

The superstition behind the evil eye is the belief that people can harm you, your family, your fruit trees or even your livestock by simply looking at them with envy and praising them. If someone gives you the evil eye, it is thought that you will feel bad both physically and psychologically. To ward off the evil eye, Greeks wear a blue glass eye charm is worn. These charms hang off of their necks and wrists to confound the evil eye. It is also thought that when people with blue eyes pay you a compliment it could bring disastrous results. Garlic is also thought to defend the evil eye and some people hang it in their homes. The cactus plant is also thought to bring a measure of protection, and many Greeks have at least one cactus in their homes.

Sneezing

Greek superstition says that if you sneeze, someone else is speaking about you where you cannot hear. If you are curious and want to find out who it is, you can ask someone around you to give you a 3-digit number. Count each digit down the alphabet. When you hit the last letter, this is the first initial of the person who has been doing the talking. If you know a lot of people with that initial, you may have your work cut out for you.

No Empty Pockets

Greeks believe that money attract more money. Because of this belief, they never leave their pockets, wallets or purses with some money. They do not take all the money out of their bank accounts either. When they give gifts of wallets or purses they always put some money in them first.

 

Overturned Shoes

In some areas in Greece, overturned shoes are thought to be an omen of death. If your shoes are turned upside down, it is imperative that you turn them right side immediately and say “Skorda,” which means garlic in Greek.

Knives

When someone asks for a knife, Greeks do not pass it directly to their hand. They believe that if the other person takes if from their hand that they will have an argument. Instead, they place the knife close to the other person and allow them to pick it up.

 

Superstitions have long been a part of the human race and have been passed on by generation to generation. While many people will just laugh at a superstition, others take them very seriously. There is no doubt that many of these interesting Greek superstitions, that have survived the test of time, will persist well into the future.

 

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a homeschool mother who values teaching her children about other cultures, languages and traditions. She recently wrote an article about how to learn Spanish.

Wedding Bliss Around the Globe

Weddings are a grand affair no matter where they are held. All across the world different cultures have protected and incorporated long-standing traditions into their wedding ceremonies. Here is a look at three intriguing wedding traditions from three supremely beautiful countries.

Weddings in Portugal

Portugal is a culturally rich country that lies on a narrow corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Residents and visitors enjoy a temperate climate, historical relics, rich art styles and captivating scenery.

Fairytale unions are popular in this southwestern, European republic. Endless gardens, lush valleys, mountaintops and pristine beaches are home to some of the most beautiful weddings in the world.

Although visitors come from far and wide to be wed in scenic Portugal, resident weddings are full of culturally significant traditions. When a local couple marries, the priest covers them with his stole as a symbol of the joining of souls. After the wedding, both bride and groom walk through their town for everyone to see. Candy and flowers are tossed at the bride and groom as they exit the church.

Weddings in Slovenia

Situated between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Slovenia has an incredibly diverse landscape including countryside, mountains, vineyards, lakes and coastline on the Adriatic. Neighbors to Slovenia include Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia. Known as Europe’s greenest nation, this country with just over 2 million has over half of its landmass covered in dense forests.

Many historic castles and mansions offer wedding halls for those looking for a truly unique experience. Idyllic outdoor venues are not hard to find. During the warm summer months, couples use the expansive landscape as a beautiful backdrop for their momentous day.

One of the most popular places for a Slovenian wedding is at Bled Castle, an elegant, historical structure located on top of a rocky cliff overlooking the pristine resort area of Lake Bled. Grooms be aware, if you plan on wedding at Bled Castle it is customary for you to carry your wife up the 99 stairs to the top!

In traditional Slovenia weddings, there is an unveiling ceremony. The bride’s veil is taken off, and a red carnation is placed in her hair. This signifies the transition from maidenhood to married life. During this same ceremony, a red carnation replaces the groom’s white boutonniere.

Guests arrive at the home of the bride early in the morning on the wedding day and take part in Slovenian wedding games. The most popular game “ Kidnap the Bride” involves the groomsmen kidnapping the bride and taking her to various taverns throughout the town. The kidnappers leave clues along the way and when the groom finally finds his bride he must pay a ransom for her return.

Weddings in Andorra

Tucked neatly between the borders of France and Spain there lies a tiny, but breathtakingly beautiful country called Andorra. This European prize full of slender valleys sits high in the Pyrenees mountain range. Virtually untouched and unspoiled architecture, culture and countryside form one of Europe’s oldest and smallest countries with roots stretching as far back as the early 800’s.

Venue options are plentiful in this tranquil principality. For those wishing an outdoor affair, there are lush meadows, elegant pine forests, rambling brooks or snowcapped mountain peaks to consider. Simple and elegant Romanesque churches dot the landscape, stony bell towers reaching towards the blue sky.

An Andorran wedding is an extraordinarily elaborate affair full of music and dancing. Traditionally, Andorran brides place flowers in their hair, each flower with its own distinctive meaning. Guests often throw flowers at the bride and groom after the ceremony. Historically, Andorran women do not take their husband’s name.

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer  and a homeschool mother who enjoys researching and writing on different cultures. She writes for various websites including Transparent Language.

Eating Well: Living Long

Extensive study has proven that if human beings lived up to their full physical potential that they could easily live to be 120 years old. The secret to living to this ripe old age, warding off disease and maintaining a healthy mind lies, researchers say, in what we eat. According to the U.S. surgeon general, 1.8 million of the 2.2 million deaths in America each year are diet-related. What if you could actually slow down the aging process, feel younger and prevent disease by making a few lifestyle changes? This discovery, in fact, is nothing new. Cultures around the world bear testimony to the fact that lifestyle is the strongest indicator of health and how long a person will actually live. Here is a look at two populations of people that are examples of the relationship between eating well and living long.

People of Okinawa

The Okinawan islands are a group of 161 islands that are in the East China Sea. These people suffer from Western disease less than anywhere else in the world. Elderly people are active, there is not such thing as retirement, and there exist a large number of people over 105 years of age. Heart disease, stroke and cancer are almost unheard of. Studies have been done on these people since 1975, and they almost all point exclusively to the connection between longevity and diet. Okinawans truly believe that diet is medicine and base much of their meals around staples such as sweet potatoes, leafy greens and whole grains. They also consume moderate amounts of fish, pork, rice and soy. This nutrient dense diet provides a plethora of vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants necessary to fight aging and disease. This healthy group of people consumes remarkably little sugar or refined foods of any type. In addition, Okinawans get plenty of exercise and practice stress reduction techniques.

People of Hunza

The Hunza valley lies in the mountains of northeast Pakistan and is home to about 20,000 extremely healthy people known as the Hunzakuts. The people living in this lush valley enjoy freedom from disease and long and active lives. The Hunza diet has been studied for decades by researchers who are amazed by the number of elderly Hunzakuts who not only look thirty years less their age but also act thirty years less their age. Virtually untouched by the modern world until the 1980’s the Hunzakuts ate a traditional diet of local foods. Their traditional diet is organic vegetable-based, and they consume a great deal of fruit as well as whole wheat and lentils. Meat is eaten only in small amounts and is not processed as in America. Glacier water and herbal teas are also part of the traditional diet. Unfortunately, with western infiltration, processed foods and sugar have come to the valley and with them heart disease and cancer. However, Hunzakuts that still live off of the land are healthy and live long productive lives.

While there are other factors that come into play when discussing longevity such as toxins, stress and heredity, diet appears to play a critical role in not only the length of one's life but also the quality of that life. These two extraordinary groups of people serve as inspiration to anyone seeking a longer and healthier life.

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a Biblical Health Coach and a Metabolic Typing Advisor with a keen interest in nutrition. She enjoys studying other cultures and languages and frequently writes for such websites as TransparentLanguage.

The Evolution of the English Language

English, as a language, was surely not born overnight as no language is. Over the period of thousands of years, modern English, as we know it today, blossomed. Modern English spawned from Middle English, which grew from Old English, a combination of European dialects including Old Danish and Middle French. There have been many historical influences on the English language through the years brining it to the point it is at today.

Invasion of Britain and Old English (450 – 1100)

During the 5th century Ad, three tribes, the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes sailed from Denmark to Britain. At this time, people in Britain spoke a Celtic language. When the invaders arrived, the Celtic speaking inhabitants moved into Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Germanic tribes that invaded Britain spoke a similar dialect, which eventually became known as Old English. Although Old English was not at all like the English we know today, over half of our modern, commonly used words have Old English roots.

Middle English and William the Conqueror (1100-1500)

When William the Conqueror invaded and conquered England in 1066 he and his people, the Normands, brought a language similar to French with them. This language became the official language of not only royally but also the business class. For a time, the lower class in the country spoke English while the upper class spoke French. It was not until some time later that English became the dominant language once again. However, over the years, it had absorbed a strong French influence. Most of us would find Middle English incredibly hard to understand.

Early Modern English and Classical Learning (1500-1800)

As the Middle English period ended, there was what has been called the Great Vowel Shift in the English Language. Vowels were pronounced shorter and shorter. This was partially due to the fact that British people had more contact with different people around the world and because of classical learning associated with the Renaissance. More and more words and phrases were entering the language at this time. With the invention of the printing press, there was also a common language in print and grammar became standard. The first English dictionary was published in 1604.

Late Modern English and the Great Vocabulary Expansion (1500-1800)

As the English language became modernized, more and more words were added. New words came from the Industrial Revolution and the British Empire, which covered a large portion of the earth’s surface, absorbed many foreign words from other countries.

Types of English

The colonization of North America resulted in a new and highly distinct form of English. While some British expressions have been preserved, there have also been Spanish influence, French influence and West African influence on our language, as we know it today. There are many varieties of English around the world today including, Indian English, Caribbean English, Canadian English, Australian English and New Zealand English.

About the Author: Susan Patterson is a freelance writer who enjoys studying culture and language. She writes for a variety of websites and is presenting crafting an article on how to learn Russian for travel purposes.

Moorea - The Most Beautiful Island in the World

Although Moorea is only twenty-five minutes by ferry or seven minutes by plane from Tahiti, it is worlds apart from the hustle and bustle and seemingly never-ending traffic in Papeete.  The renowned travel expert Arthur Frommer has referred to Moorea as “the most beautiful island in the world”. 

A volcano formed this heart shaped piece of paradise in French Polynesia between 1 ½ and 2 ½ million years ago.  Now it is only second to Bora Bora as one of the most popular island getaways in Tahiti.

A lot quieter and considerably less touristy than its neighbor islands, Moorea is what romantic vacation dreams are made of.  If you ever dreamed about visitng a tropical paradise with azure blue ocean waters and a crystal clear blue sky you could have very well dreamed about Moorea.  Between its eight towering mountain peaks are vast expanses of fertile valleys and spectacular palm-fringed beaches line its shores.  Throughout the year the temperature usually hovers around a very pleasant 85° F, so every day seems like summer.

Most of Moorea’s beauty is easily accessible by foot, car, motorbike or bus.  If you are going to Moorea for the first time you may want to follow the sixty mile long Circle-Island Road that circumnavigates the island in order to get better acquainted with its friendly residents and lovely villages.

Along the route you’ll pass by Belvedere Overlook, also known as Roto Nui.  Should you stop at this particular overlook you will be rewarded with a dramatic view of Opunohu Bay and Cook Bay in the distance, and a verdant valley below.

If you’d like to learn about the Tahitian culture visit the Tiki Village Cultural Centre.  There you will learn about traditional weaving, the ancient art form of tattooing and wood carving along with some of the secrets about how to grow Tahitian black pearls.  The best days to visit the Tiki Village Cultural Centre are Friday or Saturday because that’s when they open the earth oven.  Should you visit on either of those days you’ll be able to enjoy a scrumptious Tahitian buffet and enjoy watching traditional hula.

You also should not miss swimming and snorkeling in one of Moorea’s tropical lagoons.  If you have a more adventuresome nature you could also enjoy taking a trip offshore to go swimming with the humpback whales.

Of course, if you just want to kick back and do nothing you can take your pick from many of Moorea’s stunning beaches and just spend the day relaxing and listening to the surf kiss the shore.

Aside from its beauty Moorea is known for succulent pineapples.  If you crave one of these tropical treats you can stop off at one of the pineapple plantations, pick one up and ask to have it opened.  While there you could even help the locals harvest the fruit and follow the harvest through the processing plant.

If you’ve been wondering how to learn French you can practice by talking with the locals while on vacation because Tahiti’s two official languages are French and Tahitian.  Keep in mind, though that most of the people who interact with tourists also speak English, so you shouldn’t have any problems communicating if you’re just beginning to learn the language.

As far as spending money is concerned, the French Pacific Franc (XPF) is the local currency.  However, most vendors accept Euros or U.S. dollars.  Credit cards are also widely accepted.

Should you visit Moorea you will probably agree with most other tourists and locals that it is, indeed, the most beautiful island in the world.

Ibiza – The Party Capital of the World

Would you like to do some really serious partying?  Would you love to hang out with the “beautiful people”?   Then on your next vacation you should consider booking reservations for the Spanish island of Ibiza.    Its joyous crowds, pulsating energy, rapturous music and state-of-the-art clubs make Ibiza the party capital of the world.  If you’re there at the right time of the year you’ll also get to party with celebrities and world renowned DJs.

The best time of the year to party in Ibiza is from June until September.  During the rest of the year Ibiza reverts to being a tropical paradise, which certainly is not so bad at all.

If you are there during the party season, after you’ve spent the day kicking back at one the beach bars, watched the setting sun, had dinner and hit town to meet people and have some drinks it will be time to dance at some of the best dance clubs in the world.  If you have the tickets then bar hopping is a must because most of the popular bars aren’t too far apart.

There are 7 major clubs on Ibiza: Space, Privilege, Pacha, Es Paradis, Eden, DC10 and Amnesia.  You’ll want to book your tickets online well in advance, especially at the more popular clubs, because some of them are pretty hard to come by. If you have trouble booking tickets at these clubs you’ll be happy to know that there are a lot of terrific smaller clubs that are a lot easier to get into.   Some of the more popular smaller clubs are KMS, Martina, Grial, Blu, Boho and Bora Bora.

Most of the clubs don’t open their doors before midnight and it’s never fashionable to be one of the first to arrive.  You’ll probably want to try to time it so that you take your first steps into the clubs sometime after 1 AM.  But keep in mind that there are often very long lines waiting to get into the most popular clubs.  However, although there are no guarantees, you might be able to avoid waiting in line if you have your tickets in your hand.

Although there aren’t strictly enforced dress codes at most of the clubs, if you want to go to one of the VIP lounges or if you have the desire to rub shoulders with the rich and famous you’ll want to dress up.  You certainly won’t have any chance of gaining entrance to the inner circle wearing shorts or a sloppy dress.

Now, if you don’t want to hit the clubs you’ll still be able to party ‘til the sun rises because there are also a lot of impromptu street parties on the island.  You’re almost guaranteed to find some place to mingle and have a good time, especially if it’s between June and September.

If your goal is to party, there are several things that you’ll need to know before making your reservations.  In order to get into the clubs you will have to be at least eighteen years old, which is also the minimum age for buying alcohol.  You’ll also have to finish your drinks while you’re inside the clubs because you aren’t allowed to drink alcohol on the streets, even if you’re just going to the club next door.

Also, whatever you do, don’t pass out on the beach.  The Ibiza gendarmes aren’t exactly known for their grace and hospitality.  They are especially unkind to backpackers who try to get some sleep on one of the sandy beaches.

Hotels and apartments range in price from budget to luxury and all of them are clubber friendly.  It would be a good idea to figure out your itinerary before you leave home and then make arrangements to rent a hotel room or an apartment that’s close to the clubs that you want to check out.  So, make your plans, book your reservations, pack your bags, and get ready to have the time of your life in Ibiza – the party capital of the world.

Steve Schulman loves to travel around the world and write about some of the gems that he’s found.  Born in New York he’s spent time in some of the most exotic and exciting places on earth.  Recently he’s started a quest to learn how to learn Spanish and other languages.

The Moscow Metro – An Attraction of Its Own

There isn’t a better place on earth to learn about Russia than Moscow, and there is no better way to get around Moscow than on the Moscow Metro.  The Moscow underground railway system is second only to Tokyo’s twin subway with respect to being the “most heavily used rapid transit system” in the world.¹

Should you take advantage of the Moscow Metro you’ll be pleasantly surprised and may be overwhelmed by how beautiful the facility is.  The high-ceilinged subway stations are elaborately ornamented with beautiful works of art, marble floors and pillars, and grandiose chandeliers.  It is truly one of the few subway systems in the world that could be considered to be an attraction of its own.

Stalin had ordered the metro’s architects and artists to plan the metro so that it embodied sveltloe buduschchee (a radiant future) and svet (brilliance or radiance).  His orders were obeyed, as the stations are so brightly lit that they are sometimes compared to the sun.

The Moscow Metro was the Soviet Union’s first subway system.  When it opened in 1935 it had 13 stations and only one 11 kilometer (6.8 mile) long line.  Today the system stops at 185 stations on 12 lines and traverses 305.5 kilometers (189.9 miles).  The stations open at approximately 5:30 AM. All of them close at precisely 1:00 AM so that maintenance can be performed.  The trains run regularly and the wait is no longer than 90 seconds between trains in the morning and during the evening rush hours.

The original subway trains averaged 47 km/h (29 miles per hour). Their top speed was 80 km/h (50 miles per hour).  In comparison, New York’s subways of that era could go no faster than 72 km/h (45 miles per hour) and averaged 40 km/h (25 miles per hour).

Between the 1970s and the 1990s the fare to ride the Moscow Metro was 5 kopecks (1/20 of a ruble).  Since 1991 the fare has been rising.  As of January 2011 it cost 28 rubles ($.85 USD) for a one-way ride, although multiple-trip tickets are discounted up to 40%.

Each ticket is good for one trip, no matter the length or the number of transfers.  Once a passenger has entered the system there aren’t any additional ticket checks.  Therefore, a person could ride to however many stations he or she would like and can make as many transfers as they desire.

If accompanied by their parents, children under seven years of age can travel free.  On the other end of the age spectrum, Muscovite’s Social Cards have been issued by the city government since August 2004.  These free smart cards are issued to both the elderly and some other Moscow residents.  They can be used to gain unlimited free access to the Moscow Metro and the rest of the city’s public transportation system.

Although the Moscow Metro is fast, extremely efficient and beautiful, you should avoid using it during peak hours (from8 AM until 11 AM and from 5 PM until 8 PM) because people squeeze into the train carriages so tightly that they don’t leave an inch to spare.

Steve Schulman loves to travel and to write about his experiences.  Often a guest writer on travel blogs, he also enjoys writing about legal issues, how to learn Russian, and parenthood.

¹ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_Metro

The Glitz and Glamour of the French Riviera

Whether you call it the French Riviera or the Cote d’ Azur, the towns and villages that are located on the French coast along the Mediterranean Sea between Cassis and Menton are the dream spots of the world.  Celebrated in memoirs, films and novels, this long strip of land is probably more prestigious and more charismatic than any other parcel of land on earth.  The area still evokes images of long limousines, pink palaces, exotic yachts and idle millionaires of the Gatsby era.

Yet even today the Cote d’ Azur is renowned for the glamour and glitz associated with the starlets who pose on the beach during the Cannes Film Festival, the millionaire yachting fraternity which spends its time at St. Tropez and the professional gamblers who frequent Monte Carlo’s casino.

However, there is more to the French Riviera than glamour, glitz and money.  Should you venture beyond the golden sands that skirt the deep blue sea and the past the stunning scenery of the Corniche roads, there are many other less well known sites to explore and adventures to experience.

Head towards the back country and your sense of smell will be greeted by the fragrance of lavender, mimosa and thyme.    Then, explore the medieval towns in the hills.  Although many of them have been deserted others have been brought back to life by resident artisans and artists.

If you want to really savor life spend some time in an old village square while listening to the fountain gurgle, sipping a pastis and watching the men play petanque beneath the shade of a large plane tree.  Life does not get much better than this.

Although the French Riviera gets twice as much sun as Paris, the climate isn’t perfect.  On occasion it’s subject to a howling mistral wind.

However, the light does have a special quality.  Combined with the bright colors it isn’t surprising that the area attracted so many artists.  Picasso, Monet, Cocteau and Matisse are but a few of the famous artists who painted masterpieces here.  Many also left their touch on several of the buildings.  You can still find their works on display in local art galleries and museums.

Don’t expect to find any deserted beaches on the French Riviera.  Heavily populated throughout the year, the population almost doubles during the summer months.  Traffic can be horrendous in the towns, especially in July, so patience will certainly be a virtue.  In any case, the charming towns, good food and wine, beautiful scenery, outgoing people, sunny skies and sparkling sea can help put being stuck in a traffic jam into perspective.

If you love to shop you’ll find the best French couturier clothing, jewelry, crystal, silver and porcelain on the Cote d’ Azur.  The shop windows are chockablock with semi-precious stones that are frequently set in jewelry.  Attractive pottery abounds.  You’ll find anything from dinner sets to ashtrays; some plain, others abstract or flowery.

You’ll discover plenty of articles made from olive wood in the small towns behind Cannes.  You’ll also be able to purchase Provencal cotton either in lengths or already fabricated into skirts, cushions, quilts, etc.  Most of the shops in the area are closed on Sundays and Mondays throughout the year.  During the summer they could close midday and reopen later, towards the evening.

In any case, if you go to the French Riviera for the glitz, the glamour, or the beauty you won’t be disappointed

Steve Schulman travels around the world and writes about some of the hidden gems that are off the beaten path.  Originally from New York, he’s spent time in some of the most exotic and exciting places on earth.  Recently he’s began a quest about how to learn French and other romance languages