Year of the Dragon

                                        

Chinese communities across the world celebrated the first day of their New Year yesterday, January 23. This is the Year of the Dragon, and it is consider the luckiest sign in the 12-year cycle of the animal zodiac in the Chinese calendar.

The Chinese New Year festivities traditionally last for 15 days. It begins on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar and ends on the date of the full moon. 

                                                "QONG XI FA CAI"

                                                

Brasov

Brașov is a good starting point for trips around Romania. I arrived at the main train station after a 10-hour journey train ride from Timisoara. Luckily the hostel that I stayed at is located not too far from the Old Town. The hostel is actually a huge house with lots of amenities, and a backyard for barbecue. 

The Black Church is the most recognizable building in Old Town Brasov. It was built by the German community, and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the city. The Black Church (Biserica Neagră) got its name after being blackened by smoke from the 1689 fire that almost destroyed the entire city.  It measures 65 meters from the floor level to the highest point which is the bell tower. History suggested that there were supposed to be two bell towers. Unfortunately, the city was only able to build one because it was lacking in funds. 

The Council Square (Piata Sfatului)  is one of the finest central squares in the country. In the center of the square stands the Old Town Hall, now home to Brasov's History Museum. You'll find the renaissance-style Merchant's House (now it is a restaurant), and the archway of the Orthodox Cathedral. In late summer, the Golden Stag (Cerbul de Aur) music festival takes place here. Situated in the heart of old medieval Brașov, and lined with beautiful merchant houses, the Council Square, known to the Saxon population as the Markplatz, is a nice place to rest and soak surrounded by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains.

Built between 1400 and 1650, part of Brașov's defensive fortifications can still be seen today, though most was taken down in the 19th century to make room for the city's expansion. With a stream running along Dupa Ziduri Street on the west side of the wall, you'll catch a glimpse of the 15th century White and Black Towers. However, one cannot tell which is which as they both seemed to have the same color. Looking down from the White Tower is Graft Bastion, one of the original surviving bastions. Follow the city wall southeast, you'll find Catherine's Gate which was built in 1559. It is the only original city gate that survived the test of time, and it is used as the main entrance to medieval Kronstadt at one time. Nearby is the classicist Schei Gate.

Not too far from there is Colegiul Andrei Saguna (a Romanian college). St Nicholas's Church dominates the Schei District. With a mix of Byzantine, Baroque, and Gothic styes, it features a slender tower and four corner towers. It is surrounded by protective walls with large wooden gates. The enclosure shelters a small old Jewish cemetery.

 Brașov is the seventh largest city in Romania. Although relatively small in size, it packs with lots of history, culture, and attractions. If you like, you can join a free guided tour daily at 6 pm which begins by the fountain at the Council Square. I took the tour, and I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-hour walking tour guided by Loana, a volunteer for a non-profit organization tour company. 

And lastly, don't forget to take a walk through the world's tinniest street in Brașov, Strada Sforii.

Year in Travel

I would like to take the opportunity to wish all my readers A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR as we move on to 2012.

2011 has been a pretty good year in travel. While major airlines are punishing us with steep increase in prices and fees, budget airlines are increasingly popular among travelers with the no fuss and frill attitude. They have certainly give major airlines a run for their money. Today there are almost 50 low cost carriers in Asia alone, and they amount close to two hundred from around the world. With a little time and homework done before you head to your next destination, you'll find that there are still a lot of good bargains out there. 

Accommodation is another factor to think of when travel. Budget hotels, hostels, and home-stays are getting trendy these days. They are not just affordable, but most have their individual character and style. Travelers have the chance to know other travelers, and share their experiences. Recently I found a site, CouchSurfing which provide a platform for people to connect, foster, and immerse into other cultures by encouraging users to provide and benefit from free in-home lodging. 

Years ago when someone offered a cigarette to a stranger, it seemed like an icebreaker for a conversation. But today, it's no longer a norm since most people are pretty health conscious, and they know the effects of nicotine. But I find that food can be a hot conversational piece in the new millennium. Where is a good place to eat? What food should I try while here? How do you make this? All these can bring any conversation to a whole new level. 

I am pretty adventurous when it comes to food although I have to cautious you not to eat any cooked food that is not hot. A friend of mine got a bad stomach pain after eating a cold fried chicken when in Guatemala. It all ended well after he took some Tums with ginger ale.

Iceland is in almost every list for best places to visit in 2012. I have booked my flight to Reykjavik next March, and I am very excited to find out what makes this city tick despite its extreme cold weather. Panama and Nepal are also on my list. I wish I have more free time, and deeper pocket to travel but I am not complaining with the bad economy these days.  We are working harder than ever before although it doesn't seem that way. We are more careful with our finances but everything is going up, it doesn't really make any difference anymore.  

But if we spend time to chart our course, I believe we can still afford to travel at least once to a dream destination of our choice in 2012.

Happy Holidays in New York City

Happy Christmas in London

Comfort food for the long cold winter months

                                                                    Yong Tau Foo

                                                                 Pork's blood jelly soup

                                                                        Goulash soup

                                                                      Garlic soup

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

I was so excited that my friend was able to get tickets for us to see 'Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark' broadway show last summer. All the hoopla surrounding the show's troubled preview period, and the sudden departure of director, Julie Taymor had made me wanted to see the show even more. With music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge, I was expecting a high octane entertainment summer blockbuster.

"No camera," said the usher as me and friends walked into the auditorium. All eyes were focused toward center stage with striking visuals of the web slinger and his nemesis and the blinding windows of Manhattan's skyline in red. 

Visually, the show was stunning. Street blocks flipped and unfolded as the actors weaved their way from one street to the next. There were scenes of the Brooklyn Bridge with the subway train running above, and not forgetting the Chrysler building arching up toward the audience as Spiderman and the Green Goblet  battled out on top of the iconic building.

Choreography of the fight scenes was another interesting element. The acrobatic aerial stunts and flying dazzled the crowd. Spiderman even dropped into the aisles, and showered the audience with his spidey confetti for fun.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the music score. The ballad "Rise Above" and the duet "If the World Should End" were good, while the rock songs just splattered like flat tyre at best. A friend complained that the show reminded her of an over-budget high school play at the second half of the first act. Two Korean ladies were sleeping at each other's shoulders in front of me.

"‘Turn Off the dark’ is a pop-up Pop-Art opera with a bit of rock ’n’ roll circus thrown in,” Bono wrote by e-mail in response to questions. Pop-Art? Rock 'n' Roll? Or Broadway Musical? It sounds like Mr Bono is as confused about the direction of the show as the 'Where's the Beef?' lady. 

After a record-setting investment of over $70 million, months of delays and previews, I think Mr Bono and the producers 'still haven't found what they are looking for'. 

As for my evening with my friends, we left feeling lousy.