Feature Post – Page 2 – WANDERLUST FAMILY ADVENTURE

Cape Ann Road Trip – Massachusetts

November 16, 2017 Joseph Candora Feature Post, Historic Sites, Massachusetts, North America, Road Trips, Scenic Drives, United States

Cape Ann on the north shore of Massachusetts contains the towns of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Considered Massachusetts’ second “cape” it is full of beaches, shopping and other attractions.
We headed down from our home in New Hampshire and as it was about lunch time as we were passing J.T. Farnhams we decided to stop and get some takeout. Farnhams is one of three iconic fried seafood restaurants in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Woodmans and the Clam Box are the other two. Woodmans is the inventor of the fried clam but all three have wonderful fried seafood.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Food in hand we made our way to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. We enjoyed our fish n chips and seafood platter before exploring the park.

The park was the site of the first group of settlers in Gloucester in 1623.

We proceeded down the cor-niche in Gloucester stopping at the memorials to the fishermen and their wives on the pedestrian walkway.

After driving along the cor-niche we took a right leading us to the Eastern Point Lighthouse at the entrance to Gloucester Harbor. There are two lighthouses here the main one on shore and one out on the long breakwater reaching out into the harbor.

We passed through the shops and restaurants in downtown Gloucester on our way to our next stop Rockport. In Rockport we explored Halibut Point State Park.

Last on the itinerary was photo ops at some of the beaches in Rockport catching the pounding surf during a very windy day.

New video by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A beautiful sunset capped a wonderful day.

Ação de Graças (THANKSGIVING)

November 15, 2017 Rita Aguilar Feature Post, Uncategorized

Ação de Graças é um feriado nacional importante aqui nos Estados Unidos, onde é celebrado toda última Quinta-Feira do mês de Novembro. Assim como o Natal e Pascoas são celebrados em países de maioria Cristã (como o Brasil e Portugal, por exemplo), no Dia de Ação de Graças somente serviços essenciais são mantidos. Comércio, Industria, Institutos de Educação, Governo etc são fechados para que os trabalhadores possam passar o dia com sua família.

O que torna Thanksgiving o mais relevante feriado nacional, é que diferentemente de outros feriados tipicamente religiosos, no Dia de Ação de Graças pessoas se reuniam para lembrar agradecer a pelas suas bençãos, independente de crença religiosa, isso torna esse feriado o mais guardado, o mais viajado e respeitado por todos os americanos, sejam eles Indus, Cristãos, Muçulmanos, Ateus, Budistas etc.

ORIGEM

Diz a historia que, em julho de 1620, 102 ingleses deixaram a Inglaterra fugindo perseguições religiosas a bordo do Mayflower, desembarcando em Plymouth, Massachusetts. Naquele ano, segundo a historia, apenas 40 dos 102 colonos sobreviveram um inverno rigoroso mas no ano seguinte, no outono de 1961, depois de uma colheita productiva, esses colonos fizeram uma grande festa, e convidaram Indios que os ajudaram desde sua chegada. Para essa ceia, todos se reuniram ao redor de grandes mesas, patos e perus foram mortos, tambem foram servidos milho e peixes e todos deram Graças a Deus pela boa colheita de milho naquele verão.

Foi apenas em 1863 que Abraham Lihncon oficializou Thanksgiving como feriado nacioal, e atéhoje, tradicionalmente na Ceia de Thanksgiving não pofe faltar Peru assado e pumpkin pie (torta de moranga).

TURISMO

Thanksgiving é tradicionalmente o feriado que registra o maior número de turistas que viajam de carro ou avião. Geralmente as estradas são muito policiadas, principalmente ao fim do dia onde se teme que muitos podem viajar embriagados.
Geralmente as pessoas que vão viajar tiram férias nessa semana, e tentam encontrar os melhores preços de passagens nessa alta temporada. A maior parte das empresas, escolas etc são fechadas um dia antes, na quarta-feira, para que as pessoas possam viajar or fazer compras, cuzinhar e se preparar para receber os parentes e amigos.

Thanksgiving é tão importante que é muito difícil ’escapar’ das expectativas da família e amigos nesse dia. Não há muitas opções para aqueles que não tem tanta conexão com esse feriado ou cuja família está longe, como é o caso de muitos imigrantes. Muitos voluntariam para trabalhar nesse dia no caso de funções essenciais, (como eu fiz por muitos anos, trabalhando no dia de Thanksgiving para evitar o jantar na casa da família da ex-sogra).

Muitos turistas visitam Plymouth, MA no dia de Thanksgiving, onde podem visitar uma réplica da embarcação “Mayflower”, e por uma taxa, podem entrar e passear no navio. Mutios tambem podem visitar uma fazenda onde atores fazem a encenação de como era a vida dos colonos no século XVII

Tão importante quanto a última Quinta-Feira do mês de Novembro (Thanksgiving) é o dia seguinte, a última Sexta-Feira do mês de Dezembro, conhecida como Black-Friday. Black Friday simboliza o início da temporada de compras.

BLACK FRIDAY

O Mês de dezembro é um dos mais comercialmente ativos, principalmente aqui nos Estados Unidos onde festivais, feriados (como Hanucà, Natal, Réveillon, etc), celebrações, festas de fim de ano o costume é trocar presentes, que vão de simples lembrancinhas até os brinquedos que se tornam ’febre’ entre as crianças e pesadelos aos pais que deixam para última hora e não conseguem encontrar mais esses brinquedos.

Empresas e comércio usam e abusam da “Black Friday” para atrair consumidores. Por exemplo, muitos esperam ansiosamente pelos comerciais, anuncios e propagandas principalmente, grande promoções oferecidas pelas lojas para o dia de Black Friday. Como a competição é feroz, a mairia do comércio mantêm segredo sobre suas promoções, apenas revelando no dia de Thanksgiving.

Algumas lojas abrem suas portas exatamente meia-noite de quinta para sexta feira, isso faz com que filas enormes comecem a se formar nessas lojas ainda na quinta-feira. Consumidores passam horas na fila, em uma noite tipicamente muito fria, para conseguir comprar os produtos mais atrativos das promoções, que na maioria são produtos eletrônicos como TV, Computadores, Tablets com descontos de até 80 ou 90%. Muito comum são as brigas, empurra-empurra, e caos dentro das lojas quando as portas se abrem, pois geralmente, por exemplo, o estoque daquela TV de 65 polegadas que estava a venda por menos de 100 dólares se acaba em 5 minutos ou menos.

How to adapt to life in another country?

November 7, 2017 Rita Aguilar Feature Post, How To, TIPS, Trip Preparation

Our ancestors have done it. Perhaps someone you know has done it too. But what does it really takes to pack up and start a life in a new country? And how to be successful?

1. ESTABLISH A GOAL AND KEEP FOCUS.

Every year thousands of people migrate for different reasons. The issue of refugees that flee their home country seeking asylum are a different topic all together and I will not attempt to cover here. I’m only talking about those who decide to leave their birth country in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

I see too often individuals arrive here in the USA thinking that they know the reason they moved (improving their fluency in English; pay up bills and recover from financial difficulties and to invest for their future in their home country, and so on), however, as time goes by, many fail to resist the temptations of a capitalist culture and they end up postponing their return.

Whatever your goal is, stay focused and the results will speak for themselves.

2. PLAN

Once you know exactly what you want to accomplish, take a significant time to plan. Are you going alone? What language is spoken in that country? What visas, permits and documents will be necessary?

a. Planning and execution will take time. While you are preparing, try to learn as much as you can if the country’s language if it is different than yours. This is a very important step that will facilitate everything else.

b. Research and verify that you meet all the visas and entrance requirements to avoid surprises.

c. If you are relocating through employer or work, ask questions, check the accommodations they are arranging, research school district, talk to other employees that have relocated before. You might not get all answers but don’t leave your future and that of your family completely in someone else’s hand.

d. If you are going on your own, make sure you have enough money for general expenses (such as accommodation, , transportation, food, season clothing, documents such as driving licenses, professional licenses, and so on) and for those unexpected circumstances.

e. Enlist the help of a reputable and experienced travel agency. Make sure to ask questions and understand the entire process, from packing, documentation, the trip, arrival, customs and immigration. Do some research online as well.

f. Purchase tickets well in advance to ensure a reasonable price.

g. Before boarding, make sure you have at hand all documents necessary to go through immigration and customs. Ask questions and don’t make assumptions. Follow all the directions given by the travel agency, the airline personnel at boarding, during trip and at arrival.

3. YOUR NEW HOME

a. Go with an open mind. It usually takes about three months or more so that someone feels totally at ease in a new environment, so don’t worry if you’re still feeling homesick or anxious after two months. You’ll only have a good idea how life will be in that place after you’ve been there for a while. Do not press to feel comfortable at the beginning.

b. Make sure you have someone you trust in your new destiny and that you always have enough money to leave the country. It’s never good to feel trapped. These two things will set the scenario so that you slowly go to become comfortable.

c. Find a job involving interaction with other people. This will help you get used to the new environment and learn the local language faster. The sooner this happens, the better you’ll adjust. Changing country with a job in Vista is a wise attitude, but, if that’s not possible, this should be your first priority.
However, you do not necessarily need to be hired: You can also move to study. Working or studying, you will keep in touch with the locals, practise the language and learn the culture of the country. Besides filling your pockets, of course.

d. Make friends who speak the local language. So you will have the opportunity to practise and you can integrate more rapidly into the country. If you think you don’t speak the language well enough, you can do some language courses, where you will meet other immigrants from the whole world. Do not be intimidated, learning a new language is difficult and most cultures are accustomed to foreigners who are not incredibly fluent in their language.
If you believe that you are fluent enough, you can also find a boyfriend, which would be a great way to learn the language and your idiosyncrasies, as it will help you.

Shenandoah National Park

October 20, 2017 Joseph Candora Camping, Feature Post, Hiking, Mountain, National Parks Service, North America, United States, Virginia, Wildlife

The formation of eastern National Parks was very different than their western counterparts. In the east parks were cobbled together from many disparate sources to form one cohesive whole. This makes it all the more remarkable that Shenandoah National Park has 40% of the present park classified as wilderness.

The park is long and thin with the Shenandoah Valley on the eastern boundary. This is a great place to visit as well with the wealth of historic sites in the area. Numerous Civil War battlefields are within an easy drive from the park. Running along the crest of the mountains north to south in the park is the Skyline Drive, a scenic paved road offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

As you make your way along the drive especially if you can plan on an early morning or evening trip be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife. You may see a turkey vulture calmly sitting in a tree,

A family of bears on the side of the road,

or a fleeting glimpse of a dear as he scampers away.

The Appalachian Trail also runs along the park and there are many trail heads where you can hike part of the trail. I will certainly never be an AT Thru-hiker but I can say that I have hiked at least a portion of the AT in every state with the exception of Georgia.
There are many other methods to enjoy the park besides hiking or driving such as by horse:

There are two visitor centers where you can get your passport to the National Parks stamped; The Dickey Ridge Visitor Center at milepost 5.6 on Skyline Drive and the Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center at milepost 51. There are exhibits and orientation films available and helpful rangers are at both centers to aid your exploration of the park.

Bring a picnic lunch there are seven picnic areas at mileposts; 4.6, 24.1, 36.7, 51.2, 57.5, 62.8 and 83.7 on Skyline Drive. The park can be crowded in the height of the summer season but remember that you will drop 99% of the tourists if you get 1 mile into the back-country. By all means take a trip along Skyline Drive but be sure to get out and enjoy other aspects of the park as well.

Cruise – Little Cranberry Island with Sea Princess Cruises

October 18, 2017 Joseph Candora Cruise, Feature Post, Historic Sites, Lighthouses, Maine, Museums, National Parks Service, New England, North America, United States

Sea Princess is a small boat cruise line running out of Northeast Harbor Mount Desert Island, Maine. To get to the cruise port of departure follow the directions below:
From Bar Harbor:
•Take Route 233 west out of Bar Harbor
•Take a left on Route 198 south into Northeast Harbor.
•Follow signs to marina, town pier, and/or the Chamber of Commerce.
•Turn left onto Harbor Drive or Sea Street leading down to the marina.
•Free parking in large parking lot near the tennis courts.
•Buy Sea Princess tickets at the Visitor Center located beside the tennis courts.

From Ellsworth and points north:
•Take Route 3 South to Mount Desert Island. As you come over the bridge, bear right onto Route 198.
•Follow 198 to the traffic light in Somesville and turn left (continuing on 198).
•Follow Route 198 south into Northeast Harbor.
•Follow signs to marina, town pier, and/or the Chamber of Commerce.
•Turn left onto Harbor Drive or Sea Street leading down to the marina.
•Free parking in large parking lot near the tennis courts.
•Buy Sea Princess tickets at the Visitor Center located beside the tennis courts.
Your boat is small and open topped so even in summer it can be very cool on the water.

As the boat makes its way to Little Cranberry Island you pass the Bear Island Lighthouse,

and see basking seals on rock ledges.

The highlight of the trip is a stop at Little Cranberry Island with its wonderful little fishing village. You pull up to a long wharf which is along side the working dock of the village. There are a number of cars parked by the dock probably used by the fishermen who are out to sea.

The small museum is a short stroll up from the dock. If your boat has a NPS ranger as your guide he will have the key to the museum and be able to open it up for exploration. If you are a passport to the National Park stamp collector be sure to ask the ranger for the unique passport stamp available in the museum.

A slightly longer stroll will bring you up into the small village of Isleford. On your left you will pass the small church and on your right will be the general store. They usually open for the cruise docking and will have fresh baked pastry you can purchase as well as soft drinks and snacks.

As you walk through the town you will see locals sitting on their front porch which could be a scene from just about anywhere in the country but then you think about the isolation and realize that this is a lifestyle few experience. Talk to the locals at the general store and try to get some understanding of what living on an island is really like.
Back on the boat for the trip back to Mount Desert Island keep your eyes open for the guilletmots a seabird in the Auk family as they frolic in the surf.

A trip into Somes Sound finishes your short cruise home. Acadia National Park is a fantastic vacation destination and there is plenty to do on land but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you did not get out onto the water. As far as I am concerned you cannot go wrong with a small boat day cruise anywhere in Maine.

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