Places To Go Before You Die, by Caroline (Newsom) Wigmore

[cwigmore]

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Budapest, Hungary: a place rich with art and culture
For this week’s feature location in “Places to go before you die,” I have chosen the ancient location, Budapest, Hungary.

The name ‘Hungary’ may evoke an image of poverty and destitution for travelers, which is not actually true of the country.
Budapest, the country’s capital, is a vibrant city, full of enormous museums and impressive architecture.

One of my best friends was born in Hungary to missionary parents, and lived there on and off throughout her childhood. Her invitation for me to visit brought me to Budapest when I was in high school and marked the first of my overseas voyages.

I most distinctly remember the streets in Hungary as being very busy and jam-packed with small cars that park on the sidewalks to conserve travel space in the city’s narrow streets. Street vendors have stands where they sell their art, jewelry and produce. Enormous, elegant fountains dot the streets, and ancient statues seem to protrude from almost every building.

Castles are common and are often used for mundane purposes such as city’s businesses. An example of this would be when I visited an agricultural organization that met in an ornate castle.

I would suggest visiting any art museums here, as some of the most impressive art I have ever seen has been in the museums of Budapest.

The food is unique, making use of the spice “paprika” in many of its dishes. The food most comparable to Hungarian food may possibly be Indian food.

The language is Hungarian, which is thought to be around 3,000 years old. Many Hungarian natives speak at least some English, which makes things a little easier on an English-speaking tourist.

It is always courteous when traveling to a non-English speaking nation to learn at least the basic words, such as “please,” “thank you,” “yes,” “no,” “hello,” and “goodbye.”

[hollyhansen]

well, golly, Im'a have to visit Budapest.

[cwigmore]

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For this week’s feature location of “Places to go before you die,” I have selected Upper Michigan.

Upper Michigan, often called the UP, is all that a traveler could hope for when it comes to breath taking scenery. Lake Superior’s waves break against jagged cliffs under charming, old lighthouses, and the lake reaches to the horizon, just like an ocean.

My husband and I went to Calumet, MI on our honeymoon in August, thanks to some good friends who allowed us the use of their cabin (or their “camp,” as they call it up north) positioned right on the edge of Lake Superior.

When standing on the shore and looking out at the water, it seems silly to call such a gigantic body of water a mere lake.

It’s very satisfying to hold an almost perfectly round stone in your hand that has been rounded by the powerful tides.

Upper Michigan tends to be a chilly, snowy part of the country (exceeding the snowfall in Minnesota), but has summers that cater to campers, bonfires and lake swimming.

Calumet features unique, old buildings with deep, red stonework that is unlike anything I have seen elsewhere.

In the history books, Calumet will probably be remembered for a tragic incident involving a copper miner’s Christmas party when an unidentified man cried “Fire,” after which 73 men, women, and children were crushed to death as everyone attempted to escape the building, but were prevented by a door that didn’t open outward.

The local museum tells of this event that changed the course of history for the town and also is the reason why doors all across America are now required to open outward.

Calumet, along with other small towns in Michigan are quaint and inviting, offering good food, gift shops full of copper art, and scenic campgrounds.

[cwigmore]

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For this week’s feature location in “Places to go before you die,” I have chosen Australia, a country so full of extremes that every kind of traveler can find their niche. This article also has an online feature at http://www.herald-journal.com.

One of my first and favorite impressions of Australia was the beauty of the purple trees that covered the hills. I never succeeding in finding out what kind of tree it was, as the locals found the tree to be rather common and not a thing of interest.

There were a lot of snakes and small lizards that would show up on walking paths, outdoor tables, and other surprising places. The locals weren’t disturbed by their presence, simply removing unwanted creatures and carrying on.

The Sydney Opera House is a must-see. This floating theatre was among the 20 selected finalists in the 2007 “New Seven Wonders of the World” project and is among the most famous performing arts centers in the world.

The culture had strong British influence historically, and a lot of the vocabulary is the same. For example, a “boot” in England and Australia means a car’s trunk, and a “jumper” is a sweater.

I made the delightful discovery, while visiting an Australian amusement park, that Australian cotton candy is called “fairy floss.”

The shops have boomerangs galore, which I would recommend buying, though I never managed to throw one correctly.

If I ever go back to Australia, I would like to go on a backpacking trip where I could see more of the great outdoors than I did on my last trip. I would love to hear stories from people who have experienced rugged Australia.

[cwigmore]

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For this week’s feature location in “Places to go before you die,” I have chosen New Orleans, LA, the city known for good gumbo and great jazz.

The last time I was in New Orleans was less than a year after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the city, and yet the city was up and running, the streets were filled with the sounds of saxophones and trumpets, and the smells of great Cajun cooking hung in the air.

Though there was still much work to be done in the restoration of the city, my friends and I spent a lively weekend staying in the French Quarter, which is one of the most famous streets in the city.

“New Orleans jazz” is actually a type of music that suits a lifestyle as distinct to the city.

Funerals are thought to be celebrations, and a funeral procession is not a black hearse followed by slow moving cars, but rather, jazz musicians playing and dancing through the streets, along with the other mourners on their way to the cemetery.

Graves are often above-ground stone tombs, and are surrounded by small tokens that were loved by the deceased.

Street performers and artists add to the unusual ambiance of the city.

Performers will paint their skin and their costumes with the same color paint and pose as statues, while tourists throw them their spare change. They are often very convincing.

Children put pop bottle caps on the bottom of their shoes and tap dance for people as they pass by.

I remember walking by a street artist who was painting portraits of people on the street and hearing him yell, “Let me paint the redhead!” I was pretty embarrassed and kept walking.

New Orleans has always been a rather superstitious city, with fortune tellers on every corner. Garlic, alligator heads and other such items hang in many shop windows.

I spent some rather sober time down by the river where the levee broke. My grandmother lived in the French Quarter when she was a young artist, and it was strange to think that this city, so full of life and family history, was almost completely destroyed.

[cwigmore]

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For this week’s feature location in “Places to go before you die,” I have chosen Boston, MA, one of the oldest cities in America.
Boston is home to Harvard University, Paul Revere, and the location of a very controversial tea party. This article is featured online at http://www.herald-journal.com.

I had the opportunity to visit Boston for national speech tournaments during high school at Harvard University. Harvard is a very popular destination for tourists, hosting interesting tours periodically throughout the day of Harvard’s grounds and buildings.

I spent most of my time inside the halls of Harvard, but also found time to get out for a little bit of sightseeing.
The Mayflower replica is a must-see. The life-size replica actually sails and gives surprising insight into the past. It’s shocking to realize 102 immigrants squeezed together onto this relatively small ship on its grueling, disease-ridden, 66-day voyage to America in December of 1620.

The city is also proud of its connection with Paul Revere, who called Boston his home.
He was famous for his midnight ride to warn locals and officials that the British troops were marching to arrest them. His house has been turned into a museum, which was probably my favorite tour, as I found the details of life in that period to be particularly interesting.

During the years when the British were not our friends, George Washington led an army to victory, driving British troops out of Boston. This is why Washington is a particularly big hero in the city.

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum are probably worth checking out. This is a spot I would be sure to visit on another trip to Boston.
As far as food goes, Boston is known for great clam chowder, usually served in a bread bowl. With easy access to the ocean, the seafood is fresh and very popular.

I always think of Boston as a chilly place, with a lot of warm food, though I was only there in the winter.
Because of how close the city is to the ocean, the climate is best described as somewhere between a humid continental climate, and a humid subtropical climate.

I look forward to the next time I visit Boston and see a few more sites. Boston is one of the cities where America began, and because of this, it is a worthwhile stop for all of us.

[Evelyn]

The Boston Tea Party is one of many historical events and locations of America's quest for independence. The Boston Tea Party was only one of many events in America history. Many visitors to Boston walk/hike the Freedom Trail with its roots in old downtown Boston passing by 16 events with links to the America's movement to democracy and independence: Boston Common, site of the Boston Massacre, Old North Church, Paul Revere house, meeting houses and more. Old cementarys with graves of movers and shakers from the Revolution can be found there. The JFK Library is also located in Boston, a memorable stop for Baby Boomers. Another suggestion is the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum founded by an eccentric lady who filled her house with paintings, sculptures, and textiles from around the world. Stop in the tea room for some clam chowder or Boston Creme pie. Lastly, leave the car at home using the subway to traverse the city and skip the parking hassles.

[cwigmore]

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For this week’s feature location in “Places to go before you die,” I have chosen Sanibel Island, FL.

The small, 12-mile-long island of Sanibel is a desirable getaway location for those who enjoy the ocean, unique foliage, and wildlife.

The island preserves one-third of its land as a wildlife refuge. Colorful birds, dolphins, and large turtles are easily spotted in and out of the refuge.

Roughly 6,000 people populate this small island, while hundreds of thousands visit yearly to experience life on the ocean.

A friend of mine moved to Sanibel last month and said that one of the strangest things about the culture is the “hurricane parties.” The locals have parties to celebrate every time they live through a hurricane.
Hurricanes are a real concern on the island, though they are not so common as to keep tourists away.

The last big hurricane that caused major devastation to the island was in 2004, when a hurricane left almost every road blocked by trees, and water and sewer systems in disarray. Residents were forced to evacuate the island until things were in working order again.

To cope with the constant threat of storms, the island has strict building codes, and its structures are rarely completely destroyed.
My friend sends her children to elementary school on the island, but high school students have to leave the island in order to attend school.

These high-schoolers have to be ready for the bus at 5 a.m., and cross the island on a new three-part causeway bridge, built in 2007, which replaced the original drawbridge.

The island is rather peaceful, and a very popular destination for travelers who enjoy resorts on the ocean and seafood.
In the spirit of Robinson Caruso, I would love to visit Sanibel Island. It would be interesting to see how much the culture is affected by being so cut off from the rest of the state and the world.

[cwigmore]

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For this week’s feature location in ‘Places to Go Before you Die,’ I have chosen the kingdom of Denmark.

The small Scandinavian country of Denmark is ranked as “the happiest place in the world,” based on standards of health, welfare and education.

The 2008 Global Peace Index survey also ranked Denmark as the second most peaceful country in the world, after Iceland, and it was also ranked as the least corrupt country in the world in the 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index.

Perhaps Denmark retains its happiness, peace, and lack of corruption because it is so small and possibly often forgotten by most of the rest of the world.

Denmark is actually on the very top of my preferred travel destinations. My great-grandmother, who I was named after, immigrated to America from Denmark when she was 2 years old. This fact leads me to feel a sense of responsibility to visit the country and learn more about it.

The Danish accent is so unusual that I believe I have only heard it once, when I watched the comedian/pianist Victor Borge. Borge grew up in Denmark and immigrated to the US during World War II. His unique humor and distinct accent left an impression on me at a young age.

A remarkable amount of art has come out of Denmark. The charming stories of “The Little Match Girl,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Thumbelina” came from the Danish writer, Hans Christian Anderson.

The drummer for Metallica also originates from Denmark, along with many other famous musicians and composers.

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II adds to the country’s art scene with her paintings. She has hosted many art shows over the years, and critics agree that if she were not a queen, she would have had a professional career as an artist.

The queen is an interesting character, known for her chain-smoking. Her tobacco habits are known by all, though she recently decided to never again be seen in public with a cigarette, probably due to strict smoking rules that were set in place by the Royal Court. Apparently, she still smokes in private.

To encourage investment in wind power, Danish families were offered a tax exemption for generating their own electricity within their own, or an adjoining commune.

Because of incentives like this, Denmark has a record-high share of wind power.
This country seems progressive and historical, new but also old, and is a place that I would love to hear more about from people who have been there.