Independence Day(the Fourth of July)

Have you ever heard "Independence Day?"

I didn't know much in fact, but I have joined the celebration some times. Then now I need to study for it. I found a video on the History Channel, if you also don't know about it, it's maybe a good resource.

• Fourth of July History (History Channel)

According to resources online, in 1776, the United States of America won the war with the Great Britain, and spread the declaration of Independence. After 1777, people celebrate the indemendence every year, and the festive tradition has begun.

If you are on the way of your travel in the United States, please visit some supermarmets. They have a lot of celebration stuff like flags, cakes, cookies and snacks. If you go some glossery stores, maybe you can find "fireworks." They also have them as descount price now.

The tradition of the fireworks started in 1777. Now people enjoy the fourth of July celebration everywhere in the United States. According to online resources, fireworks with Washington Monument, scycrappers in NY, Lake Michigan, and Golden Gate Bridge are terrific.

In your traveling areas, I'm sure you can encounter the special moment at the Fourth of July night. Please access to the city homepage near you online, and figure out where it happens in your area.

I'm trying to find some songs related to the Fourth of July, but it was difficult because I thoguht it was a traditional day. I know the famous march"Stars and Stripes Forever," but it's very orthodox. However, this is very familiar.

"Firework" by Katy Perry (2010)

Me too, I'm in the United States now. I'm trying to get a Firework place, and if possible, I'll show you some short clips here.

Summer vacation is not very long, please enjoy your precious days with some special experiences.

Vacation

Here is one of the most famous vacation song. It's called "Vacation."

 "Vacation" by Connie Francis (1962) 

I know this song, but today, I for the first time read the lyrics. When the elder generation listens to the song, they excite when the letters "V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N" comes. I asked about this song to my office friend years ago. Then the co-worker told me, "I don't need a vacation, but I need weekend clubbing." Is that the time?

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I'm not sure how many people have already enjoyed this vacation. I think a lot of people use the Internet for planning.

I found an interesting article on Wall Street Journal.

• On Orbitz, Mac Users Steered to Pricier Hotels

I think a lot of people read this article. It seems the system recognizes mac users, and indicates different result on their sites. It's a shocking thing for every travelers. I'm wondering how many the same problems happen on the Internet.

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Many people imagine about "beaches" for summer vacation. Recently, media inform about tsunami debris from Japan. Beach people sometimes talk about it. In British Colombia(Canada), Alaska(US), and Washington(US), some bigger tsunami debris has already washed up the beaches. Professionals still can't grasp how much totally will come. The peak of the debris will be from this Fall.

This is a topic from Los Angeles area. There are a lot of bottles, cans, and plastics are on the beach sites. According to some surfers who clean beach, mostly the debris are from own lives now at least.

Some people live near beaches have hobbies to collect drifts and beach things. In California, Florida, and Hawaii, some retired people sweep beaches with detectors early morning. They try to find "coins" and traveler's things.

I found this video on Youtube. I'm wondering how many people can find these tiny stuff on the beaches. It's an interesting hobby, isn't it?

Some years ago, I bought a guidebook about Honolulu. I read about this topic. I have ever tried. Some years ago, when I visited to California, I encountered this kind of guys in Santa Monica.

Recently, especially, the gap year travels have changed very much. To add some activities such as town and beach cleaning and conservation of forests and nature, some colleges and schools in the world accept them as volunteer activities, and they give some points. Therefore, some companies have plans to help people in the world.

In addition, in Canada, Australia, and Germany, student travelers can try to work and learn their culture a lot. It's called "Working Holiday."You need to get a visa for it. When you are there, you can work, learn at schools, and try your favorite activities.

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Here is a Kindle book for backpackers. In fact, I was looking for a book before I read. However, I can't find it. This is the substitute. It has some fundamental topics for backpackers.



I put "Kindle Fire" here, but maybe you have others like iPad, iPhone, nexus s or something. You can get Kindle apps here, find books yourself, bring on your travel.


Gap years are just a moment in your life, but it may be a good chance and experience for your long future.

London "Love" Games

Well, that Bruno Mars's song was very pure, wasn't it? When you encounter a person somewhere, you may interested in the person. If you feel like being with the person, it's great. If the place is London this summer, please buy something a small and reasonable christmas decoration in London, and try to keep your love by Christmas this year at least.

For this year, there is a olympic games. I can't guarantee Harrods and Selfridges start decorating from the end of July. However, there are some Christmas shops that anualy open!

June 27 was just 30 days before the olympic games. This is a video from the official YouTube Channel. This is just a review for the games.

London Summer Olympics 2012 - Intro

In the video, Elizabeth Tower, formerly called "Big Ben" is. I'm wondering how many people visit there, and enjoy the atmosphere in London this summer. Recently, with "Sherlock Holmes," "Harry Potter," etc., London is always hot. Travelers can try "Baker Street." After trying London Eye, take a tea break near the Thames. If you feel a little tired of the urban atmosphere, Windsor Castle and Brighton Beach may be good places to visit.


London's Love Games. Hugh Grant is one of the handsome actors from UK. Love stories starring him have a lot of london views. However, It's sorry, the book shop in "Notting Hill" was closed last year.

If you are interested in, please try Visit Britain. It has a lot of resources for travelers. It also has some ticket information. It depends on your living areas, you can buy or gift some ticket online before you travel.

The Holiday

From this post, I'll write once a week around Friday. When I have time, I'll write some extra posts. 

Did you watch the music video below? Green Day's "Holiday" is a little irony with the words, but the real holiday should be happy.

Normally, "Holiday" means Christmas season in the world now. I remember a film named "The Holiday."

"The Holiday"(2006)

It's a christmas love comedy. In this film, two couples try to exchange their partners. It's maybe a little interesting for the International couples because there are two culture between US and UK. They, naturally, have some gaps for their communications. Personally, I'm wondering the scenes Jack Black tricks Kate Winslet in the film. Were they on the screenplay, or just his ad-libs. Jude Law and Cameron Diaz are also a gap couple..?

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"But wait, why... holiday topic is here in June?" Did you think so?

In fact, for Christmas, people in UK start preparing from August. I think you know about "Harrods" and "Selfridges" in London. They start their Christmas decorations from the end of July.

Here is an news article from AFP last year,

"Harrods and Selfridges launched their Christmas decoration sales on July 28, the earliest ever with an impressive 149 days to go until December 25, while Hamleys announced its predictions for the top Christmas toys one month ago." (AFP Saturday, 30 July 2011)


AFP News: Christmas comes early to London's top stores (30 July 2011)
BBC News: Harrods and Selfridges open London Christmas displays (29 July 2011)

"Christmas Comes Early to London's Top Stores" 

by LiveAuctioneersACN(5 Aug 2011)

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This year, London Olympics occurs in London in August. Then a lot of people come from the world. I think they also can enjoy very early Christmas in these stores.

Without this, people celebrated Queen Elizabeth's jubilee in June. Did you know the bigben, one of the most famous places in London,  changed the name to "Elizabeth Tower." Now the tower has a little trouble. Time has passed a lot since it's built. It's becoming a learning tower.

According to some news sources, "London is the hottest city in the world in 2012." Maybe it's difficult to find hotels and hostels in London near the London Olympic games. Please check earlier than you think, and try to fly!

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Sometimes people talk about summer affairs. Friends who encounter on the way of trips are always shine. Are you satisfied with your partner? On this summer vacation, please find out about your partner again and purely love.

Here is one song from Bruno Mars.

"Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars (2010)

Anyway, "love" is everywhere. Don't be speeding, keep your heart, and trust your partner.

Travel Stuff: Hard Lock

When I tried my first backpack travel some years ago, I visited Southern California. I stayed a youth hostel. It was a good place, and a lot of backpackers came and went.

One thing I worried about was the security. My place was good because my hostel prepared lockers for all visitors. When I put my stuff there, I noticed I completely forgot about my lock. I didn't bring. I asked where to buy at the reception and went out to buy it, but the supermarket didn't have it. Then I had some expensive stuff such as my laptop(I needed to do my homework).

Guys on other beds were strangers for me. I was a little nervous. Finally, I brought all my stuff and got out to museums. My backpack was really heavy to bring, I couldn't but change my plan. It was very sorry. The problem was a very very tiny thing that I didn't have my lock, but I couldn't enjoy almost all day long.

When I went to a drug store near a museum, they had a combination lock. I bought it, and felt quite easy. When I was back to the youth hostel, other guys were on their bed, and talked about "clubbing." I could join, and got out with them.

If I didn't get the lock, I might not went out. I thought I doubted other guys very much, and I couldn't enjoy clubbing at the night with them.

This basic lock is very stable. If you are in USA, and now preparing for your travel, please check this on Amazon. They have other travel stuff also. Maybe it's a good chance to buy with other your needs.

Different from my strong lock, my feeling was getting better and better, and be a little crazy at that night. The lock unlocked my window, and the friendship between dorm guys could be more stable. It's just the way of the "combination lock", right?

(PS: After that night, next morning, I was completely drunken. I didn't remember the combination number, and tried to cut the lock with some DIY tools. It was a really "hard lock."

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Maybe many guys plan to travel sooner or later. When your holiday begin? For everyone, good summer comes, it's very nice :-)

And now, this is not the hard lock, but a hard rock.

"Holiday" by Green Day

This is a holiday song, but which? What a hell is going in the world?

Update: Fruits

Hey! Monkeys! (Ooouch, it's me..!?)

I rearranged "Save the Bananas." Now they have some fundamental information for backpackers. I'll add some more tips and images in the future. They will be easy to understand.

Bananas - mostly travel belongings related
Melons - mostly shelter and money related
Peaches - mostly friendship and human relationship related

I'll add one more in the future. Now I'm preparing for "Lemons."

For links, I'll rearrange with tables, and make them as one.

Thanks!

(PS: I'm busy, after today, I'll update or post around once a week.)

(Blogmaster is not an English speaker. If you find mistakes, please comment it below. I'll fix them, and others check them.)

Music: California

This is a test use. I'm trying some functions on Blogger now.

Summer vacation comes. If students try the gap year trips, they may visit California. California is one of the special place for people. Especially, Southern California is a mecca of world backpackers.

Now I just put some new and old songs having something words about California. Please check these out!!

"All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow (1993)

"Californiacation" by Red Hot Chill Peppers (1999)

"Hotel California" by the Eagles (1977)

"Santa Monica" by Theory of a Deadman (2006)

"Tonight Tonight" by Hot Chelle Rae (2011)

"Ventura Highway" by America (1972)

"Someone To Call My Lover" by Janet Jackson (2001)

"California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & Papas (1965)

"San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie (1967)

"Have A Nice Day" by Stereophonics (2001)

There are more and more California songs. If you have any favorite songs for California on your music player, please comment below :-)

Thanks!!

Start Blogging

I just started blogging. Now I'm wondering what kind of information backpackers want. If you are a backpacker, please comment for this blog :-)

Now I'm thinking about Guestbook. If a lot of people want, I'll put on the blog.

I'm not an English speaker, please comment if you find mistakes. I'll fix them.