Saturday, October 09, 2010
Nelson Mandela Invites You To Travel to South Africa and Enjoy The Beauty of His Country
Message from Nelson Mandela { "I believe that South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased, but when you combine the natural beauty of South Africa with the friendliness and cultural diversity of our people, and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa's most splendid wildlife, then I think even the most scrupulous critic would agree that we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land. I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to come and see for yourself the splendour of South Africa. I know that my people will be delighted to welcome you and I think you will be enchanted by their warmth and hospitality. I am equally sure that you will enjoy our culture, our cuisine and the warmth of our people." } Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, 1994-1999
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Brasil Wants to Grow Civet Coffee Which is the New Gold Standard in Coffee in Indonesia and Philippine
With Civet Coffee claiming hight prices in places such as Japan and south Korea, more and more people want to get into the business mostly made possible for this cat-like nocturnal animal called the Civet. Eating the ripest coffee beans which end up being digested through its natural acids, the civet enjoys these nightly forages and its droppings or dung are now prized in the coffee world export.
Brasil which is one of the main producers of Coffee in Latin America wants to start producing civet coffee for export. It wants to tap into this great source of income from consumers who are willing to pay top prices. Coffee connoisseurs have justly remarked that the civet coffee has created a gold rush in these two Asian coffee producers. Now it is time to differentiate between the real deal or the real mccoy.
How did the phenomenon get started? It got started mostly in the Cordillera region of the Philippines and the rest of Asia where this elusive, nocturnal animal is present.
"Costing hundreds of dollars a pound, these beans are found in the droppings of the civet, a nocturnal, furry, long-tailed catlike animal that prowls Southeast Asia’s coffee-growing lands for the tastiest, ripest coffee cherries. The civet eventually excretes the hard, indigestible innards of the fruit — essentially, incipient coffee beans — though only after they have been fermented in the animal’s stomach acids and enzymes to produce a brew described as smooth, chocolaty and devoid of any bitter aftertaste.
As connoisseurs in the United States, Europe and East Asia have discovered civet coffee in recent years, growing demand is fueling a gold rush in the Philippines and Indonesia, the countries with the largest civet populations. Harvesters are scouring forest floors in the Philippines, where civet coffee has emerged as a new business. In Indonesia, where the coffee has a long history, enterprising individuals are capturing civets and setting up minifarms, often in their backyards.....
Read the rest of the article at Nytimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/world/asia/18civetcoffee.html?pagewanted=2&ref=general&src=me)
Brasil which is one of the main producers of Coffee in Latin America wants to start producing civet coffee for export. It wants to tap into this great source of income from consumers who are willing to pay top prices. Coffee connoisseurs have justly remarked that the civet coffee has created a gold rush in these two Asian coffee producers. Now it is time to differentiate between the real deal or the real mccoy.
How did the phenomenon get started? It got started mostly in the Cordillera region of the Philippines and the rest of Asia where this elusive, nocturnal animal is present.
"Costing hundreds of dollars a pound, these beans are found in the droppings of the civet, a nocturnal, furry, long-tailed catlike animal that prowls Southeast Asia’s coffee-growing lands for the tastiest, ripest coffee cherries. The civet eventually excretes the hard, indigestible innards of the fruit — essentially, incipient coffee beans — though only after they have been fermented in the animal’s stomach acids and enzymes to produce a brew described as smooth, chocolaty and devoid of any bitter aftertaste.
As connoisseurs in the United States, Europe and East Asia have discovered civet coffee in recent years, growing demand is fueling a gold rush in the Philippines and Indonesia, the countries with the largest civet populations. Harvesters are scouring forest floors in the Philippines, where civet coffee has emerged as a new business. In Indonesia, where the coffee has a long history, enterprising individuals are capturing civets and setting up minifarms, often in their backyards.....
Read the rest of the article at Nytimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/world/asia/18civetcoffee.html?pagewanted=2&ref=general&src=me)
Volcanic Ash Causes European Airports Cancellations From UK 's Heathrow, France's Charles de Gaulle to Russia and Denmark
U.K.: All airspace closed until at least 0000 GMT (8 p.m. EDT Sunday).
Ireland: All airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Monday.
France: Closures have been extended to the southern half of the country. Northern airports are closed until 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Germany: All airspace closed until 1800 GMT (2 p.m. EDT) Sunday.
Austria: Airports closed until at least 0000 GMT (8 p.m. EDT Sunday). Overflights above 12,000 meters (39,000 feet) are allowed.
Belgium: Belgian airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Sunday.
The Netherlands: All airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Sunday.
Switzerland: Airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Monday. Planes using instruments can fly across Switzerland as long as they stay above 36,000 feet (11,000 meters).
Italy: Airspace in northern Italy closed until 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Spain: Twelve northern airports are closed until at least 1400 GMT (noon EDT) Sunday.
Sweden: Airspace closed except to and from the northern city of Kiruna until further notice.
Denmark: Airspace is closed until at least 0000 GMT (8 p.m. EDT Sunday).
Finland: Airspace closed until 1500 GMT (11 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Norway: Authorities have lifted air travel restrictions in most parts of central and northern Norway, including Trondheim and Tromsoe. Airspace in the very far north and south, including the capital, Oslo, remains close until further notice.
Bulgaria: Airspace closed until further notice.
Poland: Airspace closed Sunday. Overflights permitted above 20,000 feet (6,100 meters).
Czech Republic: Airspace closed until at least 1000 GMT (6 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Slovakia: Airspace closed until at least Sunday evening.
Russia: Russian airlines are canceling flights to various points in Europe, but Russian airspace remains open.
Ireland: All airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Monday.
France: Closures have been extended to the southern half of the country. Northern airports are closed until 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Germany: All airspace closed until 1800 GMT (2 p.m. EDT) Sunday.
Austria: Airports closed until at least 0000 GMT (8 p.m. EDT Sunday). Overflights above 12,000 meters (39,000 feet) are allowed.
Belgium: Belgian airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Sunday.
The Netherlands: All airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Sunday.
Switzerland: Airspace closed until at least 1200 GMT (8 a.m. EDT) Monday. Planes using instruments can fly across Switzerland as long as they stay above 36,000 feet (11,000 meters).
Italy: Airspace in northern Italy closed until 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Spain: Twelve northern airports are closed until at least 1400 GMT (noon EDT) Sunday.
Sweden: Airspace closed except to and from the northern city of Kiruna until further notice.
Denmark: Airspace is closed until at least 0000 GMT (8 p.m. EDT Sunday).
Finland: Airspace closed until 1500 GMT (11 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Norway: Authorities have lifted air travel restrictions in most parts of central and northern Norway, including Trondheim and Tromsoe. Airspace in the very far north and south, including the capital, Oslo, remains close until further notice.
Bulgaria: Airspace closed until further notice.
Poland: Airspace closed Sunday. Overflights permitted above 20,000 feet (6,100 meters).
Czech Republic: Airspace closed until at least 1000 GMT (6 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Slovakia: Airspace closed until at least Sunday evening.
Russia: Russian airlines are canceling flights to various points in Europe, but Russian airspace remains open.
Monday, March 15, 2010
2010 Spring Break Marked by Gang Violence Shooting Death in Mexico
Drug-related gang violence has claimed the lives of two American citizens in Mexico. The shooting death comes at the wrong time for the country that is trying to move forward after last year's swine flu epidemic. The gunmen were brazen enough to shoot to death a two American citizens attached to the American consulate in Mexico. A young couple lost their lives after attending a birthday party. Their sole survivor is their young baby who was found crying in the backseat.
For sure, spring break will be affected. Mexican tourism will suffer the consequences as Canadians and Americans are reluctant to travel to its beaches.
Parents of teens who usually go to spend their Spring Break in Mexico need to heed the warnings launched by the American consulate and other U.S. officials. There need not be more tears on this site of North America.
Our condolences go to the parents, friends and family of the deceased!
WSJ wrote, "The killings revived memories of the 1985 torture-murder of Enrique Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent kidnapped in front of the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara and later killed by Mexican drug lords who had ties to high-ranking government officials. The Camarena murder damaged U.S.-Mexican relations and prompted the U.S. to temporarily close the border to trade. It also forced Mexico to act against drug gangs, a reason that Mexican gangs have since stayed away from targeting U.S. officials. More than two dozen people, including Mexican government officials, cartel leaders and associates, were convicted in connection with the murder..."
The Juárez consulate, the biggest U.S. consulate in the world, received a bomb threat a month ago which turned out to be false, according to U.S. and Mexican officials.
For sure, spring break will be affected. Mexican tourism will suffer the consequences as Canadians and Americans are reluctant to travel to its beaches.
Parents of teens who usually go to spend their Spring Break in Mexico need to heed the warnings launched by the American consulate and other U.S. officials. There need not be more tears on this site of North America.
Our condolences go to the parents, friends and family of the deceased!
WSJ wrote, "The killings revived memories of the 1985 torture-murder of Enrique Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent kidnapped in front of the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara and later killed by Mexican drug lords who had ties to high-ranking government officials. The Camarena murder damaged U.S.-Mexican relations and prompted the U.S. to temporarily close the border to trade. It also forced Mexico to act against drug gangs, a reason that Mexican gangs have since stayed away from targeting U.S. officials. More than two dozen people, including Mexican government officials, cartel leaders and associates, were convicted in connection with the murder..."
The Juárez consulate, the biggest U.S. consulate in the world, received a bomb threat a month ago which turned out to be false, according to U.S. and Mexican officials.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)