Culture
Daily life
-
Norwegian Fabric Factories
Ever wonder how your favorite sweater is made? I visited a couple fabric factories called “fabriken” while visiting Norway. The first one located in Salhus, just outside of Bergen known for making long underwear and other wool knits and the other Darle of Norway famous for their intricately designed vibrant and colorful knits and sweaters. It was amazing to see how fabric is made as well as visiting the factory store, exercising with the employees on break and having lunch in the cafe. I encourage everyone to dig deeper into a country’s culture .... go factory direct and support the locals not just tourist traps.
-
Quadrille dancing: St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands
What is it about dancing that stirs the soul? It’s fun, that’s what!!!! One cannot help but tap the feet, sway the hips and clap the hands rhythmically to the beat. A couple years back I visited St Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the first time and fortune smiled after meeting and seeing the traditional quadrille (folk)dancers. Dancing…..music In general has always been a means of joy and uplift to many people in history and quadrille is no different. Basically it’s very similar to square dancing with its’ origins coming from 1700 France using St Croix ‘s traditional Quelbe music which originated from African slaves. The dance made popular in English society was brought…
-
Easter and the Traditional Bolantes of Luzaide-Valcarlos, Spain
I first hiked the Camino de Santiago Camino Frances route in Spain in spring of 2018. Due to a large amount of snow on the upper Pyrenees route I was forced to take a lower alternate route which runs thru Luzaide-Valcarlos, in the Navarre region of Spain. As I came around a corner down into the small town I was initially looking for cafe for a quick breakfast before continuing on my journey as I was having coffee I heard music and the jingling of little bells. I quickly finished up and rushed outside only to see colorful ribbons and bells on local dancers passing in a parade. I had…
-
Salzburg, Austria
How could I sum this amazing city in one word “su·per·ca·li·fra·gil·is·tic·ex·pi·a·li·do·cious” !!!! Yeah it was that good! Made more famous for the film The Sound of Music, this amazing little city was one of the best places I have visited. Salzburg is definitely one of my favorite things. Normally I would explore on my own but I decided to take the cheesiest tour I could find, yes one that includes all the filming locations for the movie “The Sound of Music”. Fun fact most of the city residents have never seen the movie. The tour did not disappoint, there was singing, and oooing and awwwwing in many languages. This tour ends in the heart…
-
What is your style ?
How do I look?