September 30, 2011

Guanajuato, Mexico: Jardin de la Union/Union Garden; things to do

Jardin de la Union/Union Garden in Guanajuato, Mexico


The spectacular Jardin de la Union/Union Garden square and garden dates back to colonial times, when it was the center for street markets and traditional festivities. It is lined with a neatly trimmed canopy of Indian laurel that is so dense it looks as if it is just one gigantic tree. Cafes, restaurants, and shops surround the garden, and mariachi bands entertain.

Jardin de la Union/Union Garden in Guanajuato, Mexico
Jardin de la Union/Union Garden in Guanajuato, Mexico


More things to do in Guanajuato.

More ideas for exploring Canada and Mexico.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 28, 2011

Guadalajara, Mexico: Tlaquepaque; things to do

Tlaquepaque  

7 miles/20-minute cab ride SE of downtown Guadalajara.

couple relax on a bench in Tlaquepaque, Mexico
couple relax on a bench in Tlaquepaque, Mexico


Pronounced “tla-key-pah-key,” this town’s name is an Indian word meaning “over the hills of clay.” Tlaquepaque is famous for its pottery and blown glass--handcrafts that have been passed down through generations of residents—but a wide range of handcrafts is displayed in the many galleries. Beautiful old mansions on the main shopping street (closed to traffic) have been transformed into attractive shops, galleries, and restaurants. The main square, Jardin Hidalgo, is filled with flowers and mature trees and surrounded by churches, bars, and a market. Designers and decorators come here from all over the world in search of blown glass, ceramics, furniture, paintings, fabrics, and antiques.



More things to do in Guadalajara.

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image c2011 Greg Vaughn

September 26, 2011

NYC: Everything Frosted; restaurant review

Everything Frosted  

105½ Mosco St., Chinatown, 212-227-9828. Tu-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-3.

cupcake selection at Everything Frosted in NYC
cupcake selection at Everything Frosted in NYC


Climb the unpromising steps up to Everything Frosted to find a counter filled with cupcakes. Flavors include the usual as well as the more exotic—green tea, black sesame, pink champagne. Special occasion cakes are also available.



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image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 23, 2011

Guadalajara, Mexico: Take a ride in a calandria cab; things to do

Take a ride in a calandria cab in Guadalajara, Mexico


The charming calandria horse-drawn carriages have been touring people around Guadalajara’s historic City Center since 1912. They were named for their original bright yellow color, which brings to mind a lark or a "calandria" bird. Now most of the carriages are white. Passengers board at stage stations downtown, then ride by colonial buildings, parks, squares, and mansions. Drivers relay the rich history of the city (most do not speak English). At one time there were 200 carriages, but now only 50 remain--they’ve been replaced by buses.

horse-drawn calandria cab in Guadalajara, Mexico
horse-drawn calandria cab in Guadalajara, Mexico



More things to do in Guadalajara.

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More ideas for exploring Canada and Mexico.

image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 21, 2011

Portland, Oregon: Powell's City of Books; things to do

Powell's City of Books 

1005 W. Burnside St., (800) 878-7323, (503) 228-4651. Daily 9-11. 

interior of Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon
interior of Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon


This mega-bookstore is the world’s largest new and used bookstore, and it seems to thrive even during these times when, sadly, bookstores are closing in great numbers. Powell's City of Books has four stores holding tons of used books and is always looking for more; bring yours used books to sell. In addition, the store has the world’s only three-door elevator. Be sure to pick up a store map when you arrive . . . just in case.


Powell’s Books for Home & Garden 

3747 SE Hawthorne Blvd. M-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-8.  This branch also has really great gift items.



More things to do in Portland. 

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 19, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; How to get reservations for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

How to get reservations for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany


You can visit the Oktoberfest beer tents without a reservation. If you do this, plan to arrive as early as possible, especially with a large group. During the week, arrive no later than 2:30 p.m.; on weekends, go in the morning. Otherwise, you run the risk tents will be full, and if you don’t have a seat, you won’t be served any beer. If you do decide to reserve, this must be done directly with individual tents.

Oktoberfest gate in Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest gate in Munich, Germany
 

Probably the best thing for out-of-towners to do is to purchase an Oktoberfest package. Viator offers one that includes a tour of the grounds, a ride on the creaky Ferris wheel (on a clear day you can see the Alps), and a reserved seat in a tent with beer and food. Seating on my tour in 2010 was reserved from noon until around 5 p.m. and included two litres of beer and half of a roasted chicken per person (drink and food is a mandatory purchase with tickets to the tents). Iain, our English guide, whose Mick Jagger-blue eyes almost exactly matched his blue-and-white shirt, said he had been attending Oktoberfest for 10 years and informed us that “we’ve got serious beer drinking to do.” We were cautioned to be sensible and not to become bierleichen, or "beer corpses”—a term that refers to passed out drinkers, NOT dead drinkers. As our group got ready to board the Ferris wheel, he told us that the weather that day was “fur”--or was it “farn”?—when a warm wind comes over the Alps and everyone gets headaches and aggressive and drunk. He said that on this kind of day you “can see for crazy miles.”

We learned that 70% of people attending are from Bavaria (50% from Munich, 20% from the rest of Germany, and 10% from the rest of the world--with Italians and Australians making up the largest portion). In 2010, 6.2 million-plus people attended. Iain refers to this--the biggest festival on Earth—as “the beast.” While we caught our breath, he filled us in on the history. Oktoberfest started long ago, when people figured out that the best way to get rid of an excess of beer was to have a festival. Tents began appearing in 1881. Albert Einstein installed light bulbs in the 1800s in the Schot tent. “Now people pour in through the gates like beer into a stein. It’s mad, absolutely mad. Good times,” he declared, and then pointed out that Germany was created as a country only in 1871, that it is a baby compared to the U.S.—the same age as Lucky Strike cigarettes! Before we enter our tent, he tells us that amazingly everything is removed from the fairgrounds after the last day. The area becomes an empty field with roads. One of my tour mates summed it all up as “like a state fair on steroids.”


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image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 16, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; The Fun Fair at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

The Fun Fair at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany


The carnival Fun Fair has been part of Oktoberfest since the late 19th century. Thrill rides include a roller coaster, log flume, and 164-foot-tall Ferris wheel/riesenrad. A flea circus, street performers and bands, and a Budenstrassa/Avenue of Booths--with food stalls, souvenir stands, and games of chance--round out the fun.

the Ferris wheel in The Fun Fair at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
the Ferris wheel in The Fun Fair at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany



More Oktoberfest in Munich.

More things to do in Munich.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 14, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; Souvenirs of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

Souvenirs of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany


A favorite Oktoberfest souvenir is the Lebkuchen gingerbread heart. These come in sizes from very small to very big and are decorated with German phrases such as Ich Liebe Dich (I love you). They come with a ribbon so you can wear it on the spot or hang it when you get home. Note that these lightweight cookies are made to last, not to eat, and reports deem them tasteless.

Lebkuchen gingerbread heart souvenirs of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
Lebkuchen gingerbread heart souvenirs of Oktoberfest
in Munich, Germany



September 12, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; Café Mohrenkopf dessert tent; restaurant review

Café Mohrenkopf dessert tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany


Who knew? There are dessert tents at Oktoberfest! But this is the only cafĂ©-tent with its own bakery, where all of its cakes and pies have been baked since 1950. The specialty is Mohrenkopf, a small chocolate-glazed cream cake, and the Dallmayr coffee they serve is one of Germany’s best. Fresh pretzels and cocktails are also available. Breakfast is served from 9 a.m., Happy Hour is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a band begins playing at 7 p.m.

interior of Café Mohrenkopf dessert tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
interior of Café Mohrenkopf dessert tent at Oktoberfest
in Munich, Germany



September 9, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; Inside the Hofbräu Festzelt tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

Inside the Hofbräu Festzelt tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany


With almost 10,000 seats—6,896 inside, 3,022 outside--the Hofbräu Festzelt tent is one of the largest tents at the Oktoberfest. It might also be the most famous tent. Affiliated with the world-famous Hofbrauhaus restaurant in Munich, it is lively and busy all day with revelry and oom-pah bands and attracts a young crowd. It is a particular favorite with Americans and Australians. This is the only tent with a standing area, found just in front of the band.





September 7, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; Introduction to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany--part 2

Introduction to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany--part 2


The Oktoberfest fairgrounds holds 14 huge beer tents that each can seat about 6,000 people. Six of the tents are operated by the Munich breweries that provide all beer for Oktoberfest--Hacker Pschorr, Hofbräu, Paulaner, Spaten, Lowenbrau, and Augustiner. Beer is traditionally served in one-liter krugs (steins). An exception is Weissbier (wheat beer), which is usually served in tall, fluted half-liter glasses. Currently it costs about US$11 cash for one mas (liter) of beer. Each tent is a temporary structure, and each has its own unique character. Entry is free, and most tents feature food, music, and picnic tables and benches that fill quickly. Groups of two to three can usually squeeze in, but larger groups should reserve a table in advance or head for one of the smaller, less crowded tents. Learn more about the tents at Oktoberfest.





September 5, 2011

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest; Introduction to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany--part 1

Introduction to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany--part 1

In September or October; a 16-day festival starting in September and ending on the first Sunday in October.  Tents open: M-F 10am-11:30pm, Sat-Sun 9-11:30; beer served until 10:30pm.. Family day is Tu noon-6pm, with reduced prices. Free admission to festival grounds. 

The annual Oktoberfest beer bash occurs in a meadow in the southwestern part of Munich. Locals call the festival grounds “Theresienwiese” and the festival “die Wiesn.” Oktoberfest has occurred almost every year since 1810 and is the largest folk festival in the world. It is most famous for the enormous beer tents that each hold several thousand people. Each tent is hosted by a local beer maker and each has its own unique decor.

inside an Oktoberfest tent in Munich, Germany
inside an Oktoberfest tent in Munich, Germany



More Oktoberfest in Munich.

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September 2, 2011

Newport, Oregon: Mo’s Original Restaurant; restaurant review

Mo’s Original Restaurant 

622 SW Bay Blvd., 541-265-2979. Daily; $$. No reservations.

parents bearing children stand in front of Wyland Whaling Wall mural in front of Mo's Original Restaurant in Newport, Oregon
parents bearing children stand in front of Wyland Whaling Wall mural
in front of Mo's Original Restaurant in Newport, Oregon


This is the very first, original Mo’s restaurant. Situated across the street from a Wyland Whaling Wall mural, it is a popular, casual spot and is famous for its clam chowder—a version of which is available in a bread bowl. Some of the items are fresh-caught Oregon seafood—but not the mediocre over-breaded fish and chips, which are prepared from flash-frozen Alaskan cod. Better bets are the avocado stuffed with rock crab or shrimp, halibut fish tacos, or tender pan-fried fresh oysters served in-shell, and don’t miss the marionberry cobbler for dessert.



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image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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