City Guides & Information

This is a group of Nilotic speaking people found on the North West Kenya. Due to there increase in population, some have also crossed over the Tanzania border and settled in the Serengeti. Traditionally, they are nomadic pastoralists and they move from place to place in search of water and pasture for there livestock. The livestock is mainly cows and goats. A man’s worth is counted by how many cows he has. Today, there mode of living is changing due to lack of enough grazing fields. Most have embraced agriculture and trade as a means of livelihood.

In a Masaai community, the central unit of governance is the age set. An initiation ceremony did once every 15 years or so initiates one to the next level of manhood. Boys from a very early age are shown how to be able bodied men who protect there families and the community at large. They go through ritual beating as a way of testing for courage and endurance. Girls follow after there mothers and help around the house with the chores such as milking cows, coking, cleaning and looking after younger children.

For the Masaai, a person is only regarded once alive. The dead are thrown away to be eaten by scavengers. A body that is not eaten by the scavengers is deemed to bring a bad omen to the community. They therefore adorn the corpses with animal fat and blood to entice jackals and hyenas. Burial was only reserved for dignitaries such as the chief and Laibon. The Laibon was the people’s prophet and the link to God, Engai. They are monotheistic.

A part of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow even serves as the capital of the state. Located on the banks of Gomti, it has a unique identity, a little different from the rest of the Indian cities, yet, perfectly Indian. Famous for its urbane manners and mannerisms, Lucknow has well maintained its culture. One ruled by the high profile and pompous Nawabs, the city still has a strain of the lavishness.

Structures from the Nawabi days and the Raj era are dotted all around the city. Living since ages, Lucknow has become a bit congested and might overwhelm a stranger to town. However, the magnificence and splendor that it holds is sure to make good for the same. Founded by a scion of a small time dynasty, Nawab Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk, the city soon rose in prominence and became huge enough to be regarded as the largest and most prosperous city in the country. The glory was well maintained even during the time of the British. Sometime around the nineteenth century, the Times of London is said to have compared it with the illustrious Rome. It was during the Nawabs that Lucknow developed a taste for arts like poetry and dance.

The rich past has left a lot of cultural and architectural wealth for Lucknow. Buildings from the Nawabi era and structures of the British still remain an attraction for visitors to the city. One of the finest examples of Islamic architecture is the Bara Imambara. A massive structure, it is a tomb of the Nawab. The labyrinth is particularly interesting and can keep one occupied almost for a day. The La Martiniere College here is worth visiting for the sheer fact that it is one of the oldest running schools in the country. The building is a marvel in itself and has been featured in many Indian movies. The Jami Masjid is an attraction for its massive structure and yellow sandstone majesty. One of the finest in the country and the largest in the city, the mosque exudes immense artistic value. The Lucknow Residency is one site one should not miss when in Lucknow. The ruins of the once glorious building now stand as a testimony to the bloody demise of the British from the country.

Tourists can’t move out of Lucknow without shopping here. It is an absolute paradise for shoppers. Undoubtedly, it is the Chikankari and Zardosi works that make the best buys here. When it comes to eating, Lucknow is best known for its Moghlai and Awadhi cuisine.

A visit to Lucknow can only let you know the wealth it has in its winding streets and crammed bazaars. A maze of many odds, the city offers a unique and enchanting world to explore.

Only a short ferry ride from Hong Kong, Macau is a popular destination for gamblers and tourists alike. What most people overlook, however, is that there is more to Macau than its gambling scene. There are other activities which also prove to be enjoyable for tourists:

1) Bungy Jump from the Macau Tower
The highest observation point in Macau, Macau Tower provides spectacular views of the city. In addition to this, it also houses the world’s highest bungy jump at 233 meters. The bungy jump is a must for thrill seekers! Other activities available include the Sky Walk and the Sky Jump.

2) Be entertained by Cirque du Soleil’s Zaia
The Venetian Macau houses the theater of Cirque du Soleil’s Zaia. Combining dance, acrobatics, and special effects, this 90-minute show will surely dazzle and impress young and old alike!

3) Watch the world go by at the Senado Square
With its Portuguese architecture, Senado Square is reminiscent of the squares, plazas, and piazzas in Europe where people sit in cafes and people watch. Numerous shops are located at the Senado Square which also make it a shopper’s paradise.

4) Sample the famous Portuguese Egg Tart
This pastry is basically a flaky pastry crust with an egg custard filling that is sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Available in most bakeries in Macau, the Portuguese Egg Tart is a must-try.

5) Shop until you drop at The Venetian
With the hundreds of shops that line its Grand Canal, a trip to the Venetian can already keep you occupied the entire day. Restaurants and cafes are aplenty and both indoor and outdoor gondola rides are also available.

You deserve to have a break in life. Why don’t you come, explore, and have fun in the Windy City of Chicago? It has a lot to offer that it alone can give. It is the home of the White Sox and blues music. Add to that the Navy Pier where sea-loving hobbyists love to gather for ship exhibits and a nightly fireworks display.

Chicago is the top tourist destination in the Midwest. The Millennium Park showcases music and arts, landscape designs and architecture plus a lot more. When you plan to stay in Chicago for pleasure, business or for any other reason, make sure you have vital information about the city ahead of time. It is advisable to search the Internet for this information. Chicago is rich in arts and music but its cuisine is definitely world-class, too.

Try getting brochures on Chicago after you have made your research on the Internet about this fabulous destination. In choosing a hotel, find one that is nearest to your itinerary. That way, you can easily find your way back. Do not forget to ask for the location of the nearest hospital. You can even inquire about the nearest church. Determine ahead the free amenities the hotel has to offer. If you are into staying most of your time inside your room, check if they have WiFi, iPod dock, TV and DVD player, or a book and DVD library. For the cuisine, aside from the restaurant menu, get information from other sites for local and international cuisine. Don’t forget to ask if there’s free breakfast and bottled water, or if they offer communal breakfast or room service meals. Get information on the limitations of checking in or checking out time. Try to get an estimate of the size of the room, especially if you are traveling as a family. Make sure that the hotel’s facilities are child-friendly and there are enough fire exits.

A boutique hotel Chicago can offer you typical hotel services and amenities. Booking is not a problem because contact is possible through the Internet, fax, landline, or cellular phone. What makes a boutique hotel Chicago special is its unparalleled theme concept. This theme concept allows you to choose a room of your dream. The themes may be sailing, garden setting or a Victorian era motif. The furniture and design for each motif will surely bring you to another world. Try a boutique hotel Chicago and you can’t go wrong with your choice.

If you are planning to fly to Chicago, it would be best if you book a Chicago hotel that is near the airport for your convenience. There are many Chicago hotels located near the airport so you won’t have trouble choosing something that fits your needs and budget.

Traditionally a Christian festival, Carnival welcomes the excuse for a party and to use up food before lent begins and the run up to Easter. Lent is a time of fasting which lasts for 40 days, in representation of the fasting that Jesus passed in the desert. It’s not known with much clarity about the appearance of floats, masks and costumes, but Barcelona and specifically the seaside town of Sitges make the most of this aspect!

In Sitges, there are many parades and official acts accompanied by traditional foods and drink. The idea of “Carnaval” is embraced by all of society, with small children preparing in schools for the arrival of “Carnelstoltes” which roughly translates as “King of the Crackpots” and is the King of the festival! Carnelstoltes visits schools in Sitges and travels around with his Queen on the Thursday or “Fat Thursday” and it’s traditional to eat Spanish Omelettes and sweet breads known as “coques/cocas” which are decorated with candied fruits and pine nuts, for example.

Sunday evening is a lavish ceremony known as the Debauchery Parade and despite technically being winter, everyone fills the streets for the parade and costumes are just as skimpy as you might find on the beaches of Ipenima! Sitges is a favourite resort for gays, so many of the elaborate floats are filled with fantastic costumes worn by drag queens and it’s a great party atmosphere.

The following Tuesday, there is the end of the celebrations with the final Extermination Parade, where are huge sardine is taken to the beach and is buried, signifying the beginning of the fasting and the end of the party week. Barbeques are often lighted on this evening with fish, meats and just about anything else you can imagine, too.

Barcelona city also organises are festival route which closes off some of the city’s main arteries for traffic and generally has a pretty decent following with many nationalities being represented on the floats, music from their respective cultures blasting out as the parade crosses town. This is a larger scale operation, but it struggles to reproduce the fantastic atmosphere in the neighbouring town of Sitges. Sitges also has a beautiful beach front and is easily accessed from Barcelona city – just a 20 minute train ride away. If you’re visiting Barcelona during Festival week sometime soon, be sure to include Sitges on your itinerary!