Monday, December 31, 2012

Travel Tips: Documenting #1

This post is related to my old post "How to keep your plan?"

Now a day, we have a lot of tools to keep our memories. In the movie "On the Road,"one of the heroes   always had a notepad, and recorded what they do on the way. Now you have the best video and photo taking tools named "smartphone" and "tablets"

These years, smartphones are developed very well. Especially, after Apple released iPhone, and Google released Android(Free OS for mobile phones), they have become very convenient.


Here are things people felt heavy in our ancient time :-)

Taking Photos / 8mm Films

We needed to wait to print after our travel. We needed to order to develop all photos at once. For 8mm Film, people needed to edit. They needed very expensive equipments. We needed a lot of time when we share with friends.

Sound Recording

We needed to bring a small voice recorder with small tapes. They sometimes went wrong and broken. The speed of recording and playing were not stable. They didn't always remind us the impressions on the travel.

Notetaking:

Notetaking is always with notepads and pens. Naturally, we can annotate for our writings, attach a lot of items directly onto the journals or diaries. However, it was very difficult to share with friends.


From Now On:

For all of these, we needed separately to have things such as a camera, film camera, camcorder, tape recorder, voice recorder, notepads, pens etc. These were a lot stuff on our travel, weren't they? Now we can use just a small smartphone on our hands, and it solves all the problems.

Well, now I'm talking about "Documenting." I introduce what we should do.

"Documenting" is very easy. In fact, everyday, we do. You may keep your diary for years, and record what you do on your work on your journal. You also keep your housekeeping book. These are also your documenting.

One very different thing about documenting on your travel is that you have your specific purpose/theme for travels. For example, if you have a vacation now, you think what you want to do. Maybe they are that you visit snow resorts, or you enjoy your reunion.

Here is what to do:

1. Taking photos

You can use your smartphone and take photos for all your interests. This includes very small ones. If you like the wall clock on your hotel room, you just take it. If you find some local candies or materials, you just take it. It's the simple way to remember everything.

2. Taking videos

If your smartphone has video functions, use it as possible as you can. Cameras on your phones are not always the best qualities, but you can record some important things called "impressions" at the moment. You record your favorite things with your comments. You can also take your comments and your friends' thoughts about the travel.

3. Notetaking with Cloud Apps

If you have some apps such as Evernote and OneNote on your phone, you can take notes for everything even your phone is offline. You can sync all notes when you are in WiFi Hotspots. Also you can upload all your materials such as videos, photos and audio on the same cloud service. (For audio, normally, smartphones have voice recorder functions, you can record and keep them on the same ways.)

Recently, there are some software such as Day One(for iPhone), Quick Office Pro, Office Suite Pro 6, etc., they can sync with cloud drives such as Dorpbox, Box.com. Sugarsync, and SkyDrive. We can use the same format such as Microsoft Ward and Open Document Format(ODP). They are also can read with desktop applications. If you don't have anyway to sync, or don't have the internet line. You can keep your memos on your phone.


Or, For More Current People

You can use Social Network Services, such as Google+, Facebook, Socl, Instagram, Foursquare and Pintarest to update your things. You can share all things you do on the way your travel. However, I don't recommend to update about your travel on SNS because it means your house may be "empty." If you live alone, it's a good signal for thieves.




New Year's Day has already come to some countries. In some countries, people are just enjoying their new year moment. Maybe these are good ideas to document the first scenes in 2013.

This song was included U2's album "War," released in January 1, 1983.

"New Year's Day" 
by U2 (1983)

Rarely, I try to read blogs written by other people. This is an example. An Asian person visited Germany, Denmark and Sweden. She took a lot of photos, and attached small memos and thoughts for them. She was inspired by the sturdy live of German people, design of IKEA and the fine costless lives. After she was back from her travel, her life was completely changed. Before her travel, she kept a lot of waste stuff in her room. Now she have a very clean room. She rearranged her room, and cleaned all the messes. Originally, her travel was for her vacation. However, gee.., she found one her fundamental.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Holiday!

First, why I wanted to start this blog is just I wanted to know what blog was. I was wondering what kind of people came and went. Still I'm thinking about the way how to know about them.

Now one thing I thank is that this blog constantly has some visitors :-) There are many blogs in the world, and most of them are sleeping on the Internet. This is not like those.

I wrote a lot of things, and maybe a lot of people read these posts. I'm not sure how much these information are useful. If you take advantage of these, I'm happy. Especially, if you use for this holiday travel, it's nice!

Thanks for your coming!

Happy Holidays & New Year!



(Regularly, I'll keep updating posts in the future too. However, I may shift to a website because, at least, here, nobody comments for my posts, and I have some materials like photos, videos, and images. "Website" may be better than this blog. When I decide it, I'll tell on this.)

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Christmas Trees (Extra)

I went to Los Angeles. Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the United States. There are a lot of luxury shopping malls, and also a lot of Christmas displays.

During I went down to downtown, I found a place to sell Christmas Trees in a corner of the block.



This place is near the Venice Beach at the big cross. Then I needed to get other cities. I was hurry. I didn't stop there. However, inside the famous Big Blue Bus, I saw some cars with big Christmas Tree on the passenger seats.

If you read this blog with images, you can see the palm trees behind the Christmas Trees. It's something like Southern California, isn't it?

"Little Saint Nick" by Beach Boys (1963)

Christmas is the world event. However, this year one more big one is in Peru. In ancient time, people in Peru, called Mayan, used their special calendar. It called "Mayan Calendar." This calendar ends soon on Dec. 21.

Now many people think about the meaning. Will it be the end of the world, or come the new age? To think about the meanings, it's maybe a special gift from the ancient Mayan people, isn't it?

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Holiday Notice

Update(12/12): This Los Angeles' Metro' s Holiday service has specific time. This free hours starts from 9pm on both 12/24 and 12/31. These are until 2am on through on midnight.

I also need to be careful :-)



'Day Trip' is one of the fun for everyone. Naturally, we have desires to have a break. However the tragic jams are always our worries.

I wrote these before the thanksgiving day. However, please check once more!

In fact, Christmas is a big day in the world because many of them believes new or old testaments. Without wolves in the cities, people tend to stay with their family. Especially, in small towns in the United States, public services stops for the traditions because people won't go out.I live in a small town. I really suffer from this inconvenience.

However, in the urban area, there are some special services. For example in Los Angeles, the days before holidays on Dec. 24 and Dec.31 Will be free ride.

If you travel now in the world, please take care of your plans.



In fact, now I'm on a travel for my things. I can find a lot of holiday information around the city. If I can take some photos between my things, I'll post the holiday atmosphere.

Next week, we face the end of the Mayan calendar. How do we survive for this? We should think about future world.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Hanukkah(Jewish Holiday)

Christmas Dat is one of the holiday in the world. Christian people celebrate it every year. One of the best part of the Christmas is the gifts. Some people thinks how to get a lot of gift. That's true. If you have a lot of gift, you may have a lot of family members and relatives. Anyway, the family reunion is the most important gift for them. If they have good relationships, they can get a lot of god's gifts.

On the other hand, there are some more traditional days in the world. One of them is "Hanukkah." This is for Jewish people. For the historical things, please check History Channel, "Origins of Hanukkah."

If you watched TV show "The O.C.," Seth's parents are Jewish and Christian. Then they celebrate "Christmahhah." In the story, his ground mother visits the family, they talk like the tradition from the dusk of the Hanukkah day.

According to the Internet, these are not traditional things, but they have "Hanukkah Gifts"(like Christmas Gifts) "Hanukkah Songs"(like Christmas songs), and "Hanukkah Bush"(like Christmas Tree).

When Hanukkah Day comes, Jewish people lights candles on Hanukkiya. Children plays with tops named "Dreidel." They have some special food like Buñuelo and Sufgabuyah(they are similar with donuts including fruits jams).

In the United States, one of the most Jewish concentrate place is Manhattan, New York. There may be a little different atmosphere in this season.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Santa's Travel

There is one famous person who travels in the world once a year. His name is "Santa Claus." He is a very special guy because he can travel all around the world for 24 hours. Especially, kids are wondering how Santa Claus travels. NORAD solves the question.

Every year, North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD) tracks Santa Claus on Christmas Day, and show the progress on their Homepage.

For this year, the homepage starts on Dec 1.
This site is a little attractive for travelers. It has a lot of quick fix games. They appear one per a day. Therefore, people who visit it, everyday try a new games. It's good for killing time.

Where does the Santa Claus live? The answer is also mysterious.
In fact, a lot of countries insist about the Santa Claus such as Finland, Norway, Sweden, etc. They are a kind of the Arctic countries. In addition, some places have Santa Villages such as Hiroh, Hokkaido(Japan).

This year, still you don't have any plan for the vacation, Santa Villages are maybe one of good ideas.

Wait.. If people visit Santa Village on holiday, there is no Santa claus!?

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Travel Tips: Cloud Computing

When people travel, many people take photos. Some people write their journals. They make friends, and exchange their contacts. These are common ways for memories.

However, also many people loose these happy memories because of wildfire, tsunami, quakes, computer crash and so on. Old days, people needed to give up for these. Now people can use "cloud drive" to keep the memories.

Many people already have tried these kind of cloud drives. Some weeks ago, I wrote some processes to plan your travel. Also these web apps can keep your memories.

On your travel:
  • You can upload a lot of videos on Youtube, Vimeo and so on.
  • You can print photos from Picasa/Snapfish, and send them to your home.
  • You can write your travel journal online with your blogs, Evernote, or OneNote.
  • You can store your favorite sound on cloud storages like Photos and Videos. 
After your travel, you can rearrange all of them as one big memory with your computer. You can print all. You can write a digital book for other travelers. The most important thing is that you can keep all things for your future on the cloud.



Jack Kerouac, who is the writer of "On the Road," used a lot of journals on his travel. According to some internet sites, he wrote "On the Road" with his travel journals.

If Jack Kerouac is the current generation, he may use iPad to write and keep them on iCloud. He may keep photographs and videos on Photo Stream :-)

I think everyone can be next Jack Kerouac with cloud computing. If you loose everything on your travel, you can recover with web apps.

"On the Road" (2012)

Here is one film. "On the Road"(2012) is open December 21 in the United States. Sal, Dean and Carlo are good friends in New York. By sheer chance, they decide to travel together with Dean's girl friend, Marylou. Sal aims to be a writer, and write the progress of the travel on his journal. They go across the United States, and experience a lot of fortunes. If you watch this film, Sal and Dean's crossroad of their lives are very impressive.

In youth time, everyone feels some sweet and bitter moments. You must remind such the moments, and force to think about your life.

Garrett Hedlund, is the mysterious Dean Moriarty. He shows some "knacks" in the film. Kristen Stewart is Marylou. If she is not in the story, it may be a little broody. Sam Riley is the writer, Sal Paradise. He is a little shy and reasonable.

Maybe, you long to be a backpacker when you watch this.



Personally, I have already watched this at a film festival. I remember a lot of guys who passed by. They grow with their generation, and be gentlemen. For me, it was a little sweet bitter chocolate.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Holiday Begins

From now on, Holiday season comes to the world. Without thinking about religions, there are a lot of holidays in December. One of them is the Christmas Day.

In Christian countries, people prepare to celebrate Christmas Day some weeks before. Especially, in European countries, Christmas Market is very popular, and people enjoy shopping for their Christmas. This Christmas Market has started in Dresden in Germany. Now people can see everywhere in the world.

One of the impressive fun is the lighting of Christmas Tree. Originally, Christmas tree started in Germany. After several centuries have past now, the culture still alive, and becomes more and more popular. In Rockefeller Center, NY, today, November 28 is the day.
The ice skate rink in the Rockefeller Center has already opened. Walking on the Manhattan, you can hear Christmas songs with the fantastic lights. If you are travel there, it will be an unforgettable experience.

"Unforgettable" (1991)
by Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole

Some days ago, the president Obama went shopping for the Black Friday, and bought 15 books for his daughters. However, a few days ago, he referred about "Fiscal Cliff." This is a big problem for people who live in the United States because the tax increase is quite a lot. How will it work for the world travelers?

New York suffered from Hurricane Sandy. The damage is very huge. The professionals says, the climate change causes it. Recent news related to COP18 informed the temperature will raise more than 4C/7F until 2060 in the worst case. What do you think about this?

On your travel, be critical is very important. If you find the answers, it's good!

Please try to ask yourself, and think about the future world with your eyes.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thanksgiving" comes here in the United States. Thanksgiving is a special day for American people. They are back home, and enjoy the weekend with their precious family. Therefore, it's a holiday!

Today, in many cities without urban areas, their public services are limited, or closed. In fact, Christmas Day also, most of public services will be limited, or closed.

These are a little problem for many travelers. However, many countries have similar special holidays. You need to check before your travel. If you are on the travel, this may cause a serious problem. You may not come back from highlights. If you stay at your hotel, I recommend to stay peaceful near your hotel. If you have a car, you are a lucky guy!

Anyway, today, even my favorite Starbucks shop closes at 5pm. We can see how people think this thanksgiving day is important.



Yesterday, the President Obama choose a "pardon" turkey. It's a recent tradition of the president family. How the turkey think? "Oh, I'm a happy guy?"

"Holiday for Strings" by David Rose (1942)

November 15 was the new years day for Islam countries. Soon Hanukkah will come for Jewish people. After these, this world has the end of Mayan calendar, Christmas, and New Years Day. 

If you are on the travel, please enjoy the culture with the traditions. It must be a good experience for you.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Travel Tips: Homepage Errors

I'm originally not an English speaker. I still have troubles when I write English. I need a double-check when I publish these posts. However, I usually find a lot of mistakes, and correct these information after I post them. (Especially, when I drink, sometimes I make terrible mistakes on this :-))

It is not only my problem, but all the people in the world have it. Recently, some troubles came up with "Google Translate" because people in other language cultures tend thoughtlessly to use the function when they translate.

For example, one website related to Nara, a famous Japanese sightseeing place, used to be terrible. It had guides for some languages, and the English language guide was from the kind of translate functions. Therefore, they had a lot of wrong information. They closed it once, and rebuilt it.

Similar cases happen all over the world. Before you travel on this holiday, please check your plan. You can contact with your travel agency. Also you can check with some guidebooks such as "Lonely Planets." If you find some different information for the same highlight, something wrong may happen for it.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Black Friday Trip

Next week, the thanksgiving day comes for the people in the United States. Do you know what people call for the next day? The answer is "Black Friday." On Black Friday, retail stores start selling products with huge discounts. This is the beginning of the holiday season in the United States.

This year, the Black Friday is on November 23. What should we prepare for the line?

1. Protection Against Cold

Normally, people need to line outside the retail stores. If you want to buy some rare products, you may need to line for more than 2 days. Then you need to care about the weather. Especially, in Northern states of the United States, there is already frozen cold. You should have warm outers, coats and blankets. For the location of the stores, you may have a stove for camping, and keep warm.

2. Food and Water

If you stay overnight, you may need some food. In downtown, pizza parlors may deliver your favorite pizza for you. If Starbucks is near, you can get a cup of hot coffee. However, if you don't have the place to get, some snacks such as chocolate, candy drops, cheese, and beef jerky are good. They are high calorie snacks, and you can keep the energy to line. Also don't forget water. Water is one of the most important thing in the human body. If you have a thermos, keep some warm drinks in it

3. Killing Time Materials

Naturally, you can use your phone to play games, tweet and listen to music. However, if you line for a very long time, you may run out of the battery. Therefore, some good old day materials are useful such as books, magazines, board games such as chess with magnets. The new Kindle(Paper White) is also good. It has the light. You can read your favorite books even at night. If you bring a game machine, you may need a spare battery.



Anyway, these are some ideas. You can try yours too. Some years ago, seemly my friend went with sleeping bag. It's something like a survival in the city jungle. The situation is similar with backpackers, right?

"Back In Time" by Pitbull (2012)

The holiday shopping season is also the time of "waste." Check the holiday catalogues! Every product claims and screams, "Baby, my sweet baby." Which do you pick up? All of them? or one of the highlights?

Backpackers also always need to care about money. If you spend all money for waste, you can't keep your travel. Don't be beaten by the seduction... but, keep your life warm!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Travel Tips: How to Keep Your Plan?

What should we do when we start traveling? It's a difficult problem for us. There are some good apps remember a lot of things for us, and keep them on cloud online, our phone and computers.

  Evernote:
Evernote is an application integrated with desktop computers, smartphones and web. It has the useful clipper, then you can keep all useful information on the same application, and rearrange when you plan your next trip. Also you can use this on your travel. You can keep photos with your notes and opinions.
(This is not a cloud storage. If you need to keep big files, this is not the right application. Or, you need to pay for the extra storage such as Dropbox.)

  OneNote:
This application is similar with Evernote. You can keep your ideas in one notebook on your devices. If you have your Microsoft Account, you can keep and manage on it online too. You can keep your photos on SkyDrive, and also put on your OneNote from your phone. SkyDrive has 7GB storage for each user. (You can use with Microsoft Account online. If you are a Windows user, it's including with Microsoft Office. For Android and iOS users, you can download this from the apps store. For Mac OSX users, Microsoft still doesn't release the apps, but you can use on SkyDrive.)

  Google Apps:
You can keep all your need on your Google Drive. You can share some folders with your friends, and keep your photos and videos also. You can also plan with Google Docs. Google Drive has a 5GB storage for each user, you can keep everything on it. (In China, Google Apps is not a good way for your travel because it withdrew from China in 2010, and still sometimes connection problems happen.)

  iCloud:
If you use iTunes, you have this account. You can use iCloud Calendar, Reminder, and Notebook to keep your information. Especially for Mac & iPhone users, it's useful.



Here are something:

Calendar:    
Without Evernote, they have calendars on the account. You can manage your schedule on your vacation on the calendar apps.

Task List/To-Do:     
You can make a check list on these applications. You can plan what you should do for the "X" day. You can create a document for this.

Storage:   
You can keep your files for your plan. For Evernote, you need to care the monthly limit. iCloud doesn't have a storage without iWork and iPhoto users and iPhone users.

Search:   
Evernote has remarkable search functions. Even the letters are handwriting, it can pick the letters from the images. You can search letters from your documents on Google Drive.

Email:    
Without Evernote, they also have email accounts. You can collect the information from your friends in the world, and keep them with a tag or a folder for your travel.



Many people in the world use these "multipurpose" applications. Therefore, they are standard. They may not have the useful tools for sharing, but, personally, you can use wherever you travel.

If you only want to share your information, you can use SNS such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. However, I'm sure travel plan is always based on your interests. Especially, you are a backpacker, you need your way to keep your plan.



What people feel on the way of the travel? Many of them feel, "I'm small." That's true. How our daily task impact to the world? However, all the small things make the huge history like Newton's Apple. Don't forget about it.

"All The Small Things" (2000) by Blink-182

When we travel, the plan is always too much. Don't squeeze a lot into your day, but keep a few interests for the plan is the best. If you don't want to miss the highlights, please check some tours for the highlights. It may reduce your mess and time to plan.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Weather Matters

These weeks, I was busy for my things. During then, The Hurricane Sandy came to the East Coast. The Election in the United States happened in the terrible condition. I watched a lot of damages on TV, and I remember some films. They might predict these terrible weather and conditions before it happened.

"The Perfect Storm" (2000)

This is a fishermen's movie based on the real story. Glouceter is a small fishing village in Massachusetts. People peacefully live, but they worry about their life because of the poor hauls. One day, Billy and his fellows decide to get the ocean, and meet a huge storm.

"The Day After Tomorrow" (2004)

"Climate change may cause the Ice Age." Seeing the melting and broken ice in the Antarctica, Jack indicates it to the government. However, they ignore Jack. One day, some strange weather come up in the world. It was not a usual happening, but just the beginning of the nightmare in the world.



Anyway, when people travel in the world, "weather" is the biggest matter. It causes flight delays. Also you feel thirsty and cold for it. Please care about weather when you go out. If you plan to picnic in the mountain, you may get lose there for it.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Post Delays

This is from me, Blogmaster.

I know in NY, the skate link was opened for this winter. My friend told me some scarecrow festivals(harvest), In Scandinavia, some traditions for gods. In Japan, it seems some autumn color festival is on now. In Switzerland and Germany, it seems that Christmas Market starts soon.

In fact, I don't have time to update for some weeks. I'll start again around 2nd week on November.

Anyway, everyone has "midterm" now, right?

Thanks :-)

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Travel Tips: Election

UPDATE: This is not only for the United States local, but for international. If your election happens with the members, please replace the poll to the supporter's meeting. For cases, I corrected some(10/10).

Next month, the Presidential Election happens in the United States. Many people go to the election. Now many Americans think about who is the best guy for the winner. Also, in Venezuela, last Sunday was the polling day for the election. "Election" is one of the most important events as a citizen of the country, right?

However, if we go to the polling or meeting, it takes time. It's a little trouble some. However, it's also a good chance to try a tiny journey around you.

Preparations:
  1. Smartphone, or camera
  2. Water & Towel
  3. Memos for a few places that you want to try
You can put these things into your small backpack.

I recommend to get out by foot or by bicycle because the polls or meetings are normally near your house. Therefore, your small journey happens before, after or both before and after your poll or meeting. You check the memo, walk around with your smartphone, and take photos if you find any favorite moments on your small journey.

You can stop at a park, a cafe, a beach, a shopping mall or everywhere you want. Also you can take a train or a bus.

Maybe you can walk through a autumn colored leaves in a park. Maybe, you can find a nice cafe near the poll. Maybe you can take a fantastic photo.

When all your journey is done, you must have some photos. You print them, and name them. Then it's your work of the day. You can email them, put on your blog them and so on.



When we go out, we can find a lot of strange things. Maybe some of them will be treasures for you, and some of them are just the jokers.

"The Joker / Everything I Own" 
by Jason Marz (2006)

Anyway, the chance of the small journey is everywhere. This song is from the movie named "Happy Feet." If you feel happy for all things when all your journey is done, it may be the sign of the next happy feet for you.

(I'm sorry about this poll and meeting issues. It's a little complicated, but at least I have a lot of visitors from North America and European countries including Russia.)

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Cheers for the Harvest

Oktoberfest 2012 has ended. Anyway, when people drink beer, they becomes easy and happy. My old roommate who is from near San Francisco was also so. He told me about San Francisco a lot, also told me what kind of things he likes. I'm not sure where he is now. Anyway, if people comfortably drink, all can be happy.



Now the Oktoberfest has already done. If you want to enjoy more and more, how is this movie?

"Project X" (2012)

This movie is a kind of party movie. Some high school students plan a party, but it goes crazy. "Project X" is by the director who shot "The Hangover." If this really happens, maybe very crazy... no, it's disgusting... no, fantastic!



By the way, North America was freezing cold this weekend. Normally, annual events are influenced by the climate of the countries. In the United States, Thanksgiving is the end of November. However, Canadian Thanksgiving Day is October 8. People thank for the harvests, and start preparing for the long cold winter.

"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" 
by Marvin Gaye (1971)

Thanksgiving is one of the seasons which we can enjoy the nature. Falling leaves make people a little sentimental. If you live in suburbs, you may find some autumn colored scenes with the fresh air. If you have a holiday, driving is one of the best ways to enjoy the harvest season.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Oktoberfest: Keep on Going

Oktoberfest is still on going. How many people enjoy and how much glasses?

Well, here, I introduce some words express "cheers" in languages.

  • Cheers! [English]
  • Bottom Up! [English]
  • Prost! [German]
  • SkĂĄl! [Scandinavian]
  • Salud! [Spanish]
  • A votre santĂ©! [French]
  • Salute! [Italian]
  • Kanpai! [Japanese]
  • Gan Bei! [Chinese]
  • Gun Bae! [Korean]

All of them are difficult to pronounce. For me, Without English, Japanese and German, all of them are unfamiliar words. How many did you know?



I'm not sure what kind of games you do when you are drunken. They are different from countries. When I lived with a guy from near San Francisco, I played "Beer Pong" with him. We bought cans of beers, and a lot of cups.

Beer Pong has some local rules. We did like this.
  1. Pour beer into a cup.
  2. Place it on the center of the table.
  3. Throw a pingpong ball
As the result, if the ball is into the cup, the other guy needs to drink a the cup of beer. If it doesn't reach the cup, the turn comes to the other guy.

In fact, "Beer Pong" is one of the world class "SPORTS!"

See this:
They have the official rules, and official products. You can try to the world!



Well, drinking makes a kind of good atmosphere for people. However, if you drink too much, it may cause serious problems with friends. Anyway, everyone feel good is the best!

"Why Can't We Be Friends?" 
by Smash Mouth (1997)

Recently, everyone thinks about drinking with nightclubs, but the chances are not always there. You can try a garden party. You may have a chance to drink wines in wineries. Don't be crazy only for the music. If you have a partner, he or she may want an atmosphere. You have to select what to do with TPO.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Travel Stuff: Memory Card #2 - SD Card

In New York, the 50th New York Film Festival has begun. People think film festivals are a little expensive events. However, normally, many of them has some individual tickets, and the packs. Viewing a new films, and talk before your friends see them!



Now I add some information for my old topic. This is about Memory Card. Which do you need?

Normally, people use SD cards for their phones, cameras, and equipment. They are very small, and reasonable. However, here are some notes when you buy.

1. The Shape

"SD card" has three kinds. One is the common standard size, one is miniSD, and one more is microSD. If you don't have any equipment that has miniSD or microSD slots, you don't need to think about this, and just need to buy a standard one. If you have both phone and PC/Mac and you need to use different sizes, some SD cards are with the adapters. You may select them for your equipment.

2. The Class

"Class" is for the speed to write on the disk. If you buy a disk and check the package, you can find the class descriptions on it. If you use only for a photo function, normally the salesperson recommend "Class 4" cards. If you take also HD videos, you have to buy, at least, "Class 6." (This Class depends on your equipment also, please check the install guides or instructions once and select the right one!)

3. The Capacitiy

If you mainly want to take photos, I recommend to use "4GB." It has enough capacity to store your photos. You also can burn for a DVD. It's a good size to keep them. Now free online storages provided by major providers such as Google, Dropbox and Box.com are mostly up to 5GB. "4GB" does not exceed them. For Videos, I recommend "16GB" or "32GB." You can take 1 to 4 hours videos as HD.



New York is one of the world biggest cities, and it has a lot of places to visit. You also have a lot of chances to take photographs there such as in the Central Park, Statue of Liberty, and Manhattan. One of them is "Broadway", and the electrical bulletin boards are very famous.

"New York, New York"
by Frank Sinatra (1980)

For backpackers, it's difficult to find the broadway musical ticket? Yes, in fact, it's very very expensive. One good way to find a cheap ticket is "to wait." If they have a lot of empty seats on the day, they may release them for reasonable prices. Especially, this is for students, if you have both student card and ISIC card, please try to get the ticket booth and talk. They may have the rush tickets for you. (This is different from the productions and the intentions. I can't guarantee they have, or not.)

Monday, September 24, 2012

Oktoberfest: Digressions

Oktoberfest is the one of the world famous beer fests. Naturally, people are "unlimited." I'm wondering how much beer is drunken by a person in the festival.

I've got a link from my friend in Munich:
You can also try some international versions of the homepage on the upper right link.



This is a kind of digression. 

The Russian president Vladamir Putin likes "beer." Russia is the "Vodka" country. People like drinking it very much. Especially, the end of cold war term, drunken people were one of the problem, and media informed it outside of Soviet Union. Vodka is one of the important domestic industry in Russia. Manufacturing companies are a little unsatisfied with his images with beer.



I think beer is one of the staple food for students. If you are in the student dorms or live with some roommates, you may invite friends and have heavy parties.

Sometimes, "Coming of age" is topics with liquors. Please enjoy them and learn your "limit" that you break and throw out. Then you can always be happy to drink them. Especially, from now on, there are some interesting events like Halloween. Don't try the Guinness records, and save your lives!

(Recently, the Guinness released the newest version of the world record book. I'm wondering how many beer related records are on the book?)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Oktoberfest (Munich)

Oktoberfest comes soon! It's the world famous and well-known beer fest in Germany. In fact, I had some beer crazy friends in Germany. They always drunk with sausages and potatoes. Naturally, they tended to be fat!

According to the Oktoberfest website, originally, this big festival started in 1810 for the marriage of Prince Ludwig. Then People in Munich was invited for the festivities, and enjoyed it. Now in 2012, it's the most famous beer fest in the world, and more than 5,000,000 people join it. This year is the 179th party for the beer funs. 
In Germany, a lot of small breweries are brew beer for communities. If you visit there, you may find your favorite tastes.

This festival in 2012 is from September 22 thru October 7.



They are not the real Oktoberfest scenes, but you can check a kind of crazy atmosphere in this movie.

"Beer Fest" (2006)

IMDB introduced about this, "Two brothers travel to Germany for Oktoberfest, only to stumble upon secret, centuries-old competition described as a "Fight Club" with beer games."

It's a funny stupid comedy movie. I watched this years ago. This has some unbelievable scenes. How to shot it? Some teams compete in the Oktoberfest and try to figure out themselves...? no... their instincts? or.. something like that :-)



I think "beer" is a miracle drink. When I can't eat my dinner, I rarely drink one can of beer instead of my meal. It's maybe a little strange, but it has vitamins, amino acids, carbohydrates etc. People call beer "liquid bread."However, don't drink too much!

"Cheers(Drink to that)" by Rihanna (2010)

"Is drinking a culture that everyone enjoys everywhere in the world?" In fact, the answer is NO. In Islam countries, liquors are strictly prohibited. In addition, they can't eat pork for the lesson. If you are not an Islam, you are happy to enjoy. For Islam people, possibly, Oktoberfest is a kind of hell. Also if you are in the Islam area, please take care of others when you drink. It's a manner of backpackers.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Tous au Restaurant (France)

This is an extra post.

If you are traveling in France, it's very nice news here. French restaurants have decided to join an event named "Tous au Restaurant." According to Reuter News, it called "Everyone to the Restaurant" in English. This event is from Sep 17 through 23.
In France, about 1,200 eateries signed up and provide their dishes with discount prices. Some five star restaurants also joined this festival. If you have a good fortune, you can eat with about 50% discounts.

For this event, please check their homepage,
In fact, from September 23, in Munich, the world most famous beer fest called "Oktoberfest" is taken place. If you are travel through Germany from France, maybe, it's a good chance to taste both.



On your travel, maybe you have a lot of experiences. In some countries, people can drink liquors when they become age 16. Especially, European countries, the age tends to younger. In the bars. you may find some cute girls or boys.

"Tout, Tout Pour Ma Cherie" 
by Michel Polnareff (1969)

"Falling love with you." It's a common thing. However, it's difficult to inform about it. France is a passionate country. The kisses in the new year moment sometimes become topics in the world. How is the next seat of your table? Is she cute? Is he handsome?

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Travel Stuff: Money

Money is one of the most important things when we travel. If we run out of money, the travel is done.

Now people have a lot of ways to get money.

1. Cash

"Cash" is the real currency. When you decide to travel, you can exchange your money to the currency of your destinations. Also you can exchange when you arrive at your destinations. However, if you bring as cash, the fee is normally expensive when you exchange. Normally, banks charge 3~10% or more.

2. Traveler's Check

Some credit card companies such as Visa, Master, and American Express issue "Traveler's Check." You can buy it also at banks in your country. It's secure than cash. You need your signature when you use it. You can exchange it at most of local banks in your destinations. If you loose it, you can receive the replacement at banks. The exchange rate between your currency and destination's currency also better than cash.

3. Debit Card / Travel Money

"Debit Card" and "Travel Money" are similar. If your card has Visa, Master, Amex etc, international brand marks, mostly, you can use it worldwide. You can withdraw money at ATM locations also. The common of these two cards is you need to charge cash before you travel. You can't exceed more than the balance. The currency exchange rates are a little bad with fees. (In some countries, debit cards are only for the domestic markets. Please check you can use or not before you travel.)

4. Credit Card

"Credit Card" is the best way to bring. You can use this like ID in some countries. You can pay after you traveled. Normally, it has a lot of special features including the insurances, airport services, discounts etc. You can pay as you like with it all the way of your travel. You can also withdraw money at ATM locations. However, it naturally has a limitation for your use, you can't use more than it. (The exchange rate depends on the issuers with their fees.)

For Debit Card, Travel Money, and Credit card, in some case, banks or issuers limit the day use. If you need to change the limitations, contact your bank or issuers as soon before you start traveling.

Recently, people can use online banking on the Internet. You may transfer your money into your card. The conditions of money are different from countries. Please check before you travels, and find out the best way to get started.



If you are a student, you can get a lot of student discounts in your destinations. Even nightclubs, they have special discounts such as "college night," "Student Night," and "Free Admission." If you are a student, you should have "ISIC Card," and your student ID everywhere you go. They are very helpful to reduce travel costs!

Here is one song that a lot of night clubs play in the United States.

"Starships" by Nicki Minaj (2012)

In some nightclubs, people can't pay by card. You need to bring some cash. Then please take care of your wallet. Also if you have a smartphone with electrical currencies, also please take care. If you loose it, you may need complicated ways between the bank or issuer in your country and you. Normally, your hotel or hostel has a locker. Or the reception may keep your precious things.

(If you are a student who tries working holiday in countries, banks in your destination have student or working holiday features. Please ask them and select the best way for your life.)

Friday, September 14, 2012

Kamehameha Highway

Update: From the next post, I'll be back to my regular pace of writing, almost once a week. Added a map(9/15)



Hawaii consists of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii islands. Recent years, some TV shows were shot in these islands. "LOST"(ABC), Hawaii-O-Five(CBS), Baywatch Hawaii(NBC) are famous.

Waikiki Beach is the most famous beach in Hawaii. This beach is an artificial beach. People brought the sand and almost entirely made it like that. According to some internet sites, the nourishment started in 1920s. The sand was from Manhattan Beach, California. Now you can start this day trip from the beach.

Kamehameha Highway (Oahu)

(Legends: A. Waikiki Beach, B. Pearl Harbor, C. Dole Plantations, D. Haleiwa, E. Kailua Beach, F. Diamond Head, G. Kapiolani Park.)

Along Kamehameha Highway by car to north, you can feel a little old days of Hawaii. This highway is through near Pearl Harbor which has the Arizona memorial museum(World War II), Dole's broad stretched Pineapple plantations, and finally you can reach Haleiwa, a North Shore town. North Shore is well-known as the big wave. When winter comes, crazy surfers get there and try the waves. Haleiwa also has some famous cafes and ice cream shops. Also if you are a surfer, you can also try some surfboard shops. It's one of the heaven of the earth.

This Kamehameha Highway is round the eastern coastline of the Oahu, and you can be through beautiful beaches, climb to the Diamond Head, and come back to Waikiki.

I recommend to rent a car. You can enjoy this round trip as a day trip. If you are planning to get there in this winter vacation, it's maybe a good idea. Please explore yourself, and find favorite shops and places.



In fact, I'm not familiar with Hawaii much. I only visited once there in my high school days to join an event with my club mates. It was a restless travel. We couldn't do anything that common visitors do. If I  have a chance to visit, I want to try this Kamehameha Highway, and enjoy the atmosphere.

"Blue Hawaii" by Elvis Presley (1961)
(From "Blue Hawaii")

Anyway, Hawaii is one of the best places to visit in the world. Despite it annually has warm weather, also snow falls in Hawaii Island. There are some astronomical observatory on the summit of the mountains. Possibly, no one can enjoy all activities just at once.

The heaven doesn't escape. Work hard, and plan the next for the joyful activities.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Fall Travels

Did you watch the Paralympics? I think their "encouragements" were really splendid. I can't swim like the blind swimmer, I can't run like the blade runners. We should praise for the Paralympians.

Anyway, I need to learn from them. I go to a local swimming pool twice a week mostly on Monday and Thursday. I'll try some more for this summer. Try tomorrow!



By the way, fall travels are really fun for people. The summer season is gone now, but the harvests come all over the world soon. When you travel a small town, you may find a lot of delicious food at the farmer's market. If you stay at a youth hostel, or condominium, you can cook local foods as you like.

This was a topic from my friend years ago. In Hawaii, condominiums are useful for travelers. They normally have kitchens, and travelers can cook each meals as they like. Just adding some tropical fruits for their pan cakes, common breakfast turn a great deal.

In Hawaii, Aloha Festival is on going now. The opening ceremony was in September 6. After this, in some places in Honolulu, exotic events will happen until the end of September. The biggest feature of the festival is "parade" in the morning, September 22. From Ala Moana park through Kapiolani park, a lot of people watch it.
I think people can walk from Ala Moana park to Kapiolani park around 1 hour. It's a good chance to walk around Honolulu, and discover some Hawaiian culture. Near Ala Moana park, there are a harbor, the International Market Place, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu Zoo and aquarium. If you have enough time, you can get the Diamond Head near the Kapiolani park.

When people visit Hawaii, one of their biggest questions is "How many ABC stores do they have in Hawaii?" ABC stores have travel stuff, gifts, and daily glossaries too. In addition, each store has different products. Just get in, and try some special stuff!



Israel Kamakawiwoʻole is from Hawaii. He loved Hawaii. This song, "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," is a very famous because many TV shows and films such as "Meets Joe Black," "ER," and "Glee" featured this music.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" 
by Israel KamakawiwoĘ»ole (1990)

In the last post, I put Jack Jonson's song. Jack Johnson is also from Hawaii.

In fact, I wanted to put a "lively" Hawaiian song, but it's not on Youtube. I couldn't find. Old songs were naturally on the Youtbe such as "My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawai'i"(1932), "Hawaiian Wedding Song"(1926) etc. The most famous song is, I think, "Blue Hawaii" by Elvis Presley. What kind of hawaiian songs do you like?

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

London 2012 is the Finalizing Term Now.

London Paralympics is now the finalizing term. According to media, the closing ceremony of the London 2012, Coldplay plays some songs. In Olympic Games, many artist performed and sang on the closing ceremony. I'm wondering what happens on September 9.



In this Paralympics, Oscar Pistrius is one of the targets of media. He was on the Olympic games also, and in this Paralympics, he was on the field.

When he was beaten by Alan Oliveira(Brazil), everyone thought it was an interesting race. According to media, many people thought the taller blades yielded the problem of the race.

Now I'm thinking about that. Paralympics Games are a little different from Olympic Games because all of participants are disabled people. Their measures of the problems are naturally different. Therefore, people can't say who is the number one of the games. Therefore, "to joy and respect each other are the most significant thing."

In my thought for this problem, it's a very glad thing for people because they cannot compete like Paralympians, but can compete like "Olympians." The technologies make disabled people as common competitors. This also is a very important for all disabled people because it means they can join as ordinary people in societies.

I think this news might make some people happy. What did you think about this?



People think everyone is disabled people for love. Even people are in love, they are always are interested in others.

"If I Had Eyes" by Jack Johnson (2008)

Disabled people also love people. Some handsome are very nice and "hand some." Kids are also curious for everything, and they sometimes lose their sites... Thinking about these, everyone is a disabled person, isn't it?

Monday, September 3, 2012

Travel Stuff: Cameras

Do you bring digital cameras for your travel? Recently, people use their "cellphones" instead of them. Then they can store your "memories" in your Dropbox folders etc.

Now things I write here is a little "classical" topic. However, please mind these if you bring a camera on your travel.



I have some digital cameras. One is on my smartphone. It has only a 2 mega pixel camera function. It's good for daily reminder, but it's not good to cut up scenes on my travel.

"Nightclub #1"

"Nightclub #2"

They are not cool. I used "night mode" with the flash. However, I can't read the letters even the brand of the beer. I also took some photos with people around there. However, it was not good for my camera's abilities.



What should we learn from these?

1. Pixels

If the camera doesn't have enough pixels, the images become very rough. Especially, they don't have flash functions, the images become too bad. If you print the photo and share with your friends, I recommend to have more than 6 mega pixel cameras.

2. Flash

My phone has a flash. I took "Nightclub #1" with the flash, but the image became like that. Naturally, my phone is not a substitute of a digital camera. I should not say anything for these problems. Now iPhone and most Android phones have fine flashes. However, I recommend you to check how your phone's camera work before you start traveling.

3. Battery

If you buy a compact digital camera for your travel. Please take care of your batteries. Mostly, you need to bring your battery charger and it's OK. If you leave from the outlet for a long time on your travel, it's good that you bring one extra.



For the batteries, I have a bad experience. I have "Canon Powershot A590IS." Why I bought this was very simple: I can buy AA battery everywhere in the world. Normally, I use some rechargeable batteries with this.

When I traveled in Los Angeles years ago, I ran out of my batteries. Then I went to "99 cents shop" to buy some Alkaline batteries, and bought. I replaced them and kept taking some photos. However, after I took only 10 or 15 photos, the batteries were gone. I also tried other replacement, but the same thing happened.

Finally, I needed to get a glossary mart, and bought some expensive butteries.

Here is one lesson: Don't believe in stuff in 99 cents stores much.

Naturally, we can buy and take advantage of a lot of stuff from 99 cents stores. However, they are not always useful. On the contrary, it may demand other expenses on our travel.



Well, now people have smartphones. Like the Prince Harry's naked photos in Las Vegas, everyone can be a paparazzi and take. Recently, Justin Bieber suffered from a paparazzi on the highway in Los Angeles, and arrested for speeding.

"Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga (2009)

Adrian Grenier, an Entourage actor, shot a documentary named "Teenage Paparazzi" in 2009. This was aired on HBO in 2010. This documentary is a little showy, but has some surfaces of paparazzi. We can understand how they think and do.

When you are on your travel, you may encounter celebrities and take their photos. However, if you don't respect their privates, they may confiscate your camera. Please be careful when you take photos.

(Without these, you may not take military related buildings, and equipments. Some of them are strictly managed. I heard a topic about Heathrow Airport in London. When a traveler just took a photo near the  restricted area, the security guard confiscated his camera for the reason. )

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Paralympics Start

London Paralympics started today. However, we can't watch the games in the United States. In this commercialism country, it's a little difficult to live.

There are maybe two kind of people. One is disabled athletes who don't want to be in front of people. and the other is the athletes actively appear their activities in the world.

In some countries, these disabled people are a lot than others. I think there are some commons for them. One is military powers such as the United States. These countries actively send troops to conflict front in the name of peace keeping activities. One of them is also the places before it was the front of it.

People know about Vietnam on the Cold War. Then they used "defoliant" for the purpose to unhide the enemies. This defoliant included a lot of dioxin that causes deformity babies. Recent days, finally the United States started the project to remove dioxin from the soil in a part of Vietnam. People think it's one of the advances of post the cold war.

After the Arab Spring, now still some countries in Middle East and Africa have conflicts. Especially, Syria is one of the extreme parts now. These areas even today, the new disabled people have born. It's a sad thing. These are maybe negative parts of the human instincts.

Naturally, if people don't have this instinct called "fighting spirits," maybe these kind of sports games also are not existed in the world.



London is one of the biggest city in the world, and also has a long history. Large cities like London are difficult to maintain towns for disabled people. Also when you travel, you may have a lot of moment that like disabled people need helps. Then please help them, save the moment, and be happy.

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life"
by Stevie Wonder (1973)

Stevie Wonder is a disabled singer. According to some news sources, he was interested in the operation which might recover his eyesites in 1999. In 2005, media informed he prepared for the operation. I'm wondering he had the operation or not.

Monday, August 27, 2012

La Tomatina

UPDATE: Added "La Tomatina" & "Oktoberfest" above the news reel, and "Calculator" on Feel the Lemon.

The London Paralympics comes soon. It's the biggest sports events for disabled people. However, in many countries, this event is not on media, and treat minimal. Naturally, these people do not always want to be in front of people, but they are trying.

In this event, one special athlete is Oscar Pistrius. He was on the track in the London Olympics. He will come back on the field for this Paralympics too. How does he run?



Well, the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics is on August 29. On the same day, in Bunol, Spain, "La Tomatina" happens. Some weeks ago, I wrote about this a little.

La Tomatina is started in 1940s. The origin is uncertain, and there are some stories. According to the official website,
"It all began on the last Wednesday of August in the year 1945. A group of teenagers were watching the festivities and parades of the gigantes y cabezudos (carnival puppets with enormous heads) in the Town Square. They decided to try to join the parade of musicians and gigantes y cabezudos. One of the parade’s participants got angry as a result of the teenagers’ actions, and started to hit everything in his path. The crowd then also became furious, and in a twist of fate, they took tomatoes from a nearby vegetable stall and began to throw them at one another. This continued until law and order was restored and the vegetable battle had to stop."
In 1950s, this festival was through all fortunes, and banned. However, people succeeded it, and now we can watch this event every year on TV. If we want to enjoy, we can get there and join.

Here are some rules:
  1. Don't bring hard things and bottles(they may hurt people).
  2. Don't rip other people's clothes.
  3. Squash tomatoes before you throw.
  4. Keep a safe distance from the lorries which bring tomatoes.
  5. When the second call sounds, stop throwing tomatoes. 
Before I wrote a topic about "swimming goggle." For keeping eyes safety, they recommend to use swimming goggles for people who entry the tomato fights.

The festival begins in the morning, and other events are in the town. However, until the first shot sounds, people are prohibited to throw tomatoes.

All the details are on the official website below,




Now you open the official site, you can find the photo that a couple kisses in the tomatoes. The period that people can throw tomatoes is only around one hour. It may be an exciting and romantic moment for lovers.

When people hug, then they may listen to their heartbeats each other.

 "Heartbeat" by Tahiti 80 (2000)

"Heartbeat" is also important for athletes. Especially, disabled athletes might be difficult to control when they train for the Paralympic games. It's the time that their efforts become sound. Their beats will be on the lives.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Travel Tips: SNS Warning

Here is one thing you need to do:

You don't have to share about your travel information on SNS like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare etc. without your minimum needs.

Traveling the world is wonderful. You can enjoy the world cultures, and also re-discover your origin. However, now traveling the world is not always safe because everyone uses "SNS."

Naturally, you want to share your precious moments and experiences with your friends. You can also get the useful information from your friends. 

Wait... but, what does this mean?

Again, you can share with your information with SNS. Then the information that you are on the way of your travel leaks from your SNS. 

It may cause "snake thief."

Especially, if you are a popular person such that you permit everyone as a friend, you need to be care about this very much. You may have all your contacts such as your street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses on your SNS sites. 

Some internet security companies have issued about this problem as advisories. For the solution of this, you can pay for the home security service(it costs very much), or you need to control your information by yourself.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Extra: Video Making

Now you have a lot of video shooting tools. Therefore you can enjoy shooting your travel scenes with your friends. In addition, video editing tools are also free. When you buy a computer, normally it includes Windows Movie Maker(for Windows), or iMovie(for Mac).

Now I skip the instructions of these software, but many people enjoy like the video with their friends. You might watch "Call Me Maybe" by Team USA(Swimming). It's very fun. You can check on Youtube. Also Tom Daley & Team GB also tried the same kind of fun.

"Sexy And I  Know It(LMFAO Lip Sync)"
by Tom Daley & Team GB


I think it's difficult to do like this for everyone, but if you mind a song, you can make a montage video from your travel footage with the music. Do you think it's crazy? Yes, it's maybe so from some parts of the world.

Anyway, you can find a lot of friends on the way of your travel. Enjoy taking photoa and videos, and share them with your travel friends on your Facebook, Youtube and so on!

They must be treasures on your entire life :-)

Friday, August 10, 2012

British Films

UPDATE: 8/15 I totally rewrote this post. Added "London Paralympics" on the news reel above.

I'm not one of media people. It's difficult to keep the pace of writing here. If I only need to watch the games on the Internet, it's good. However, we have our daily life, right?

From next, I'll be back to the world. Our travel destinations are not only to the Britain, but other countries too. Next I'll start with "Travel Stuff."



Recently, people watch movies when they want to know their destinations. Sometimes, they reflect their customs, and the traditions.

In the Britain, films are also important. Do you remember Harry Potter scenes in London? They also have some "Nursery Rhymes." Naturally, "Sherlock Holmes" is also from London. If you are a little old traveler, you may long for the Baker street.

If you go to BFI's homepage, you can watch old footage from the end of 19th century. Here is a footage from London Olympics in 1908.

"The 1908 London Olympics" by BFI

These films are very precious heritages, and we can watch the now and then. The films include a lot of historical moment such as the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II(color).

Films shows not only the fantasy worlds, but also some noble parts of the British culture. These years, filmmakers tried to show a little noble parts.

"The King's Speech" (2009)

"The Iron Lady" (2011)

"The Queen" (2006)

"The Kings Speech" talks about a "stammer" king. The Iron Lady is about "Margaret Thatcher" a former prime minister in the Britain. "The Queen" is about the death of Diana, and sound Queen Elizabeth's behaviors.

If you want to watch a little charming part, "Love Actually" is one of them. It's a love story around the British prime minister.

"Love Actually" (2003)

What do you think? The Britain is closer to you? 

If you plan to go to somewhere for your vacation, please try a film that related to your destinations. Is your imagination correct, or different? It should be one of funs and the purpose of your travel.



In fact, the Olympic games are now on Day 14. London 2012 has a lot of medal competitions. Some of them like Boxing and Wrestling are one to one. They are just the "win or lose" conditions.

"We Will Rock You" by Queen (1977)


Swedish Rock Band "Europe" released "The Final Countdown" in 1980s. London 2012 is just a few days left. It's also now facing the final countdown. However, the countdown is also for the "Paralympic Games." After the London Olympics is done, In August 29, the hot competitions will come back to London.