The live music on the island of Tenerife offers to music lovers and performers a scene that is distinct and found no where else throughout Europe.  Many of the bars and the luxury hotels Tenerife visitors spend their nights in will have live music scheduled every day of the week.  Many of the live performers of the cabaret shows are extremely talented and are becoming more popular shows for the locals, as well as those traveling.  Many well known artists perform on the island such as HollieBourne , Eddie Hastings and Charlie Hodge.  Many local performers make a living singing the covers of these artists, with Neil Diamond a favorite of many musicians on the island.

Many of the bars on the south side of the island, present performers who sing along to pre-recorded tracks, and although they have quite a following many musicians and those who love and appreciated live singers accompanied by live musicians the northern side of the island offers much more.  A few full rock bands though, have been playing out in the south recently, such as Soundchaser.  Few of the band perform their own tunes though, most are cover bands playing the popular hits of rockers such as Dire Straits, AC/DC and Santana.  A wider variety of clubs have been opening recently that offer everything from reggae music to funk and jazz.  One of the better clubs in the southern part of the island is Las Galletas, which does hire only live bands and is a great place to have some food, watch the sunset and listen to the music.  Another popular spot isVai Moana , which not only has a stage, but houses a variety of artworks, murals on the walls and a large aquarium.  This is such a great venue that many of the northern bands will travel south in order to perform here.

As stated, the northern side of the island is the best place to be for jam sessions and live shows.  Many festivals happen in this area as well, such as the Tenerife Wind Festival.  In its 7th year, this festival occurs every July and has a line-up that includes more than fifty bands and artists.  Along with the performances, there are many classes and seminars offered, as well as the promotion of the protection of theenvironment and ecological issues.  One of the larger venues that schedules the more famous international acts is the Tenerife Auditorium.  Past shows include Van Morrison, Jethro Tull and Chick Corea.  In all, Tenerife offers a diverse selection of styles and shows and is a wonderful vacation spot for music lovers throughout the world.

Sitting in the Mediterranean Sea between the coasts of North Africa and Spain are the Balearic Islands of Formentera, Ibiza, Menorca, and Mallorca.  Although similar, the histories of the islands are as varied as is the individual personalities that have developed over the years.  The maritime traditions throughout the islands and the farming history have resulted in some of the most delicious dishes and cuisine in all of Spain.  From the olive and almond tree orchards, to the cheeses, and the meat dishes created with the various species of foul and livestock such as the Balearic hog.  The chefs and the locals on the islands take advantages of all the resources on the islands, and those found in the sea.  These locations and all that is offered from the natural world has been influenced through the years by the many settlers coming from other parts of the world, such as France, Great Britain, Rome, Greece and Arabia.  All the cultures have left their individual marks on the now famous cuisine prepared on all the islands.

The most famous item that was first created in the Balearics, was not of Spanish chefs but of the French.  A general of one of the French armies was not fond of the local fare and ordered that a sauce be made for him using just eggs and oil.  What was created was first called Mahon Sauce but is now known throughout the world as mayonnaise, a condiment found not only in the restaurants of the Ibiza resorts and the luxury Mallorca hotels, but throughout the many restaurants in all countries.  The almond and the blossoms of the almond trees are a staple ingredient in the cooking of the traditional recipes on the islands.  The blossoms are dried and are used to spice various appetizers, and dishes.  The shrimp caught in Mallorca and the lobsters found of the coast of Menorca are two of the seafood items that separate the islands and are coveted throughout the Mediterranean.  All of the seafood prepared on the islands is notable, and is one of the best locations in the world for Paella, chili made with lobster and all variety of sausages and spiced and herbed meat dishes.  This is just one of the aspects that have led to the popularity of the islands.

There are two museums in the Rajasthan state of India, Udaipur, that attract art lovers from around the world.  Those traveling to the city in search of the experiencing the many aspects of Indian culture, heritage and history that is found illustrated through the artwork in these museums stay in one of the many Udaipur five star hotels.  One of the museums is quite famous throughout the country of India, and is becoming internationally recognized is the Bhartiya Lok Kala.  This museum contains some of the most brilliant works of the folk artists of Rajasthan.  The items are a rare and interesting collection of everything from puppets and dolls, masks and clothing, instruments, paintings, and sculpture.

The location is perfect, set in the city near the Chetak Circle.  This region of the city is known for the rich culture and the incredible works of art produced here.  Many from around the world cherish this area.  Due to this, the Museum began an institute to further ensure the production and the support of the local artists.  Along with the displays, there are regular musical and theatrical performances, as well as puppet shows.  The collection housed here is more than forty five years in the making.  This is one museum that should be on the schedule of all those visiting the city, and the history of the culture of the region is so vastly recognized and displayed.

The City Palace Museum is another favorite.  There is housed within the walls, one of the most remarkable collections of ancient works, sculptures, antique furniture, and books of a time long since past.  This is more so an historical museum filled with artifacts.  The gate of the museum is titled in honor of the Lord Ganesha.  Through the courtyard one will find a section of the museum that houses the ancient pieces of armor, gear meant for protection of the soldiers as well as swords, trumpets used by the armies as well as drums and other instruments.  There is quite a collections of portraits and murals, as well as coins, and Khurram’s Turban, the turban of an emperor well known and popular throughout India.  The museum is divided into various pavilions, each one with its own theme.  This too, is the perfect location for those wishing to trace a bit of the history of the cities of India.

India is second country in the world as far being the most populated.  More than one billion people live in the country and there is not one single culture, but many with the cultural and societal continuities that hold the people together.  For the world of politics and the business world, English is the spoken language, however officially, fourteen languages are recognized.  Unofficially throughout the country there are twenty-four, with more changes in the regions, more dialects.  This diversity is one of the aspects of the country that draws tourist year round and has them booking their reservations in the luxury hotels Rajasthan state offers.

There are six major ethnic groups living in the cities, there are festivals occurring year round for the seven different main religions, and countless other smaller religions, and a large number of holidays, which makes anytime of year the perfect time to visit.  Of the celebrations, the ones that are partaken in for religious purposes, and with spiritual meaning, are some of the most wondrous sights and experiences for those traveling from other parts of the world.  Regardless of which religion on practices in India, the religion is the central part of one’s life.  Close to eighty percent of Indian populations practice Hinduism.  Other religions that make up the spiritual map of India include Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam.

There is really no other place in the world quite like this country.  The creativity of the various religions and cultures has lead to some of the finest of artworks.  Every characteristic of the cities seem to be exaggerated, in the way that just seeing photos or film footage, the colors appear brighter, more vivid in the country more than others.  This country is also geographically stunning, borders by the Himalayan Mountain range and by the Bay of Bengal,  this Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea.  Just as the people of the country are diverse, so to is the terrain, another draw for travelers wishing tremendous outdoor experiences and adventures.  There is so much to this country to enjoy.

Festivals occur throughout the year in the country of India.  Tourists and locals alike participate in the events, many traveling to the cities for extending periods of time and staying in the Rajasthan luxury hotels,  in order to experience as much as possible.  Many of the festivals are colorful events such as the Elephanta Festival or festivals honoring Lord Ganesh.  Some however are quiet and celebrated without ceremony, and without pomp and circumstance.  Such is the Jain festival of Mahavira Jayanti. This is celebrated each year, on the birthday of the founder of the Jain religion, Vardhmana Mahavira.

Another festival that surrounds the founder is that of Deep Diwali.  This is the celebration of the liberation from the cycle of life and the cycle of death obtained by Mahavira.  This is a festival of the lights, similar to the festival celebrated by the Hindus ten day previous each year, the Diwali Festival.  For that Jains, the lights are a symbol of the illumination of the world that occurred during his liberation.  Most find that the best place to view the events is near the city of Junagadh, on Mount Girnar. The third festival of the Jain religion occurs only each fifteen years.  This is a ceremony of anointment center around the sculpture of Gomateshwara, and is located in Karnataka at Shravana Belgola.  The statue is cleaned during this time, using traditional substances that are considered precious.  There are sixteen such substances used including gold, rare gems, silver, saffron, milk and ghee.

The Jains practice rituals throughout the year as well, daily rituals that involve the saying of the prayer universal to all those practitioners of the religion, bowing and repeating the Navkar Mantra.  Many of the temples throughout the city contain various images and the Jains usually attend each day in order to worship those images.  The elaborate rituals involve songs, music and the offerings of objects of symbolic significance.  However, not all Jains practice the worship of objects nor attend temples.  These groups regard the temples, the structures, the sculptures, and the offerings to those as unnecessary.  The public festivals are spectacular, yet calm and peaceful and are a beautiful look into one of the cultures in the country of India.

One aspect of the culture in India that one notices immediately when traveling and staying in the Mumbai hotels, walking around the city and interacting with the people, is that many of the religions in the country are based on the concept of non-violence and anti-cruel living.  One such group that follows these ideas in an extremely rigid manner are the Jains.  Jainism was a religion that was developing during the same time as Buddhism was, more than two thousand years ago.  One belief the Jains hold is the all humans are entirely responsible for their own actions, and that every living thing, human, plants and animals have a soul that will continue on throughout eternity.  All aspects of the religion dictate that practitioners and followers act and think and live with this in mind in a respectful manner to all forms of life, the knowledge that the nature of all things is spiritual.  God is viewed as that of pureness of the souls of all living creatures.  They believe that God is within, not without, not an all knowing creator or being of supremacy, but each and all of us.  The Jains are consistent in their beliefs to the extent that all viewpoints are considered, all perspectives are valid.

The Jains are compassionate, to all forms of life, those that are human, and those that are not.  This is the central driving force behind the prayers, the rituals, and daily ways of being.  Killing of humans is always considered abhorrent and unimaginable.  There is not ever a reason that is valid, no reason that is justifiable.  This is the one religion that requires all those practicing, to be a vegetarian.  The Hindus and the Buddhists have been influenced by this aspect of Jainism and most practice this now days as well.  Many of the shelters for animals are run by people of this culture throughout the country.  Many veterinary hospitals as well, are run by the Jains.  Most are vegans, as some of the dairy industries use practices that while the animals are not killed, they are often times guilty of cruel methods.  Some sects even go to the extent of not eating any vegetables that are roots, such as potatoes, onions and garlic.  As the root of the plant is the is what gives life to the plants.  Many of those most devout, will not drink, eat or travel once the sun sets.

Officials of New York have teamed up for a four year program that will focus on the re-vamping of the parks located throughout the city.  The initiates of the project, called ‘Catalyst’, will serve to not only increase the already desirable aspects of the city that attract tourists from around the world, but will further enhance the communities that live within the city, and benefit the environment.  Following the historical planting of twenty thousands trees throughout the boroughs in one day last month, the Adrian Benepe, the city parks Commissioner, and the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, have created a plan that will revitalize the city through the support and the involvement of those living within those communities.  The support is there as over five thousand New Yorkers were out planting the trees last month, along with maintaining the city’s paths and walkways, removing graffiti and painting fences and walls throughout the parks and the neighborhoods.  Benepe is certain that this enthusiasm will continue throughout the next four years.

Four parks that sit along the waterfront are scheduled for renovation and revitalization, the East River Park, Bronx’s Soundview Park, and two parks in Brooklyn, the Kaiser and the Calvert Vaux.  Combined, these parks contain more than three hundred and fifty acres of land.  Money is being invested in the project, as well as city employees in the combined effort to not only strengthen the knowledge and capabilities of each of the parks landscaping teams, but also to strengthen the communities themselves.  The Mayor is also certain that once the project gains momentum that more public and private donors will jump on board, the banks the businesses and the top New York City hotels donating as this rejuvenation benefits all aspects of the business world and the tourism industry in Manhattan. This has been shown throughout the previous projects, to bring people together in the sense of pride being brought back to the residents of the neighborhoods, and giving them positive visions for the future and the future of the entire island.

The city of Manhattan and the people living there are dedicated to the continued developments and improvements made to the parks located throughout the city, and to the city streets themselves.  Some of those projects span one hundred years, as in the constant updating and renovations made in the park along the East River.  One such project has been happening for fifteen years, and that is the planting of trees throughout the city during April.  Million Trees NYC has teamed up with Adrian Bebepe, the commissioner for the city parks, and Gary Bagley, the Exec. Director of the organization called New York Cares.

The goal is that, within the next decade, one million trees will be planted, putting back twenty percent of the natural forests that were removed throughout the history of the city and creating not only a more pleasant atmosphere, but a more healthy one as well.  Healthy for the souls and healthy for the bodies of all those living and working in the businesses, the city streets, and the small hotels.  New York citizens are well known throughout the world, as those most willing to come together when their city or any of her people are in need of help and this occasion was no different.

More than 5,000 people were out last month, all volunteers, located throughout the city’s parks, tending to the landscaping there, while another 1,300 people planted trees throughout the city.  In one day, twenty thousand trees were planted.  In one day!  That is the number of trees that are in Central Park, an amazing feat and an inspirational one as well.  In the Bronx, citizens planted fifteen hundred trees in Claremont park.  Brooklyn’s Spring Creek Park received two thousand trees.  Staten Island was not left out, as two thousand more were planted there.  On this one day, not only were the trees planted and tended but other areas of the city were as well.  Many volunteers worked fixing up the city’s paths, spreading mulch in the gardens of the parks, and painting fences.

One aspect of the city of New York that is strange when one visits for the first time, is that metropolis is green, filled with plants and flowers hanging from the fire escape “balconies” of the apartment buildings, throughout the parks of the city, and along the streets where rows of trees shade the windows and the doorways of the NY hotels,  museums, restaurants, and shops.  The city has been home to some of the trees for years.  One interesting walk through the city is the search for the oldest tree on the island.  Although many candidates are in the running for that title as the Magnolia Tree the stands in Brooklyn, the Hanging Tree in Washington Square Park, and the White Oak tree that stands in Pelham Bay Park.  One of the traditional characteristics of the commissioners of the Parks and Recreation organization in New York is the planting of trees on a regular basis, along with the constant care of the city’s many gardens located in the parks.  This is similar to the city of Chicago’s devotion to the flowers that decorate that cities streets, and gardens located abundantly throughout the neighborhoods and park’s of the windy city.

Last month more than five thousand volunteers were brought together by the commissioner and organization called New York Cares.  The goal of the project is to have one million trees throughout the city during the next ten years.  So far, 20,000 trees have been planted last month, on one single day alone.  This is an attempt at creating a more visually beautiful city, and is an environmental action as well.  With the planting of the million, the forests of the city will be increased by twenty percent.  Hands on New York Day, brought the city together, and the communities throughout felt a spirit and a joy in the connection of not only participating in the same event at the same time, but in partaking in something that will forever affect those living and working in the city, and will inspire those traveling and touring Manhattan for the first time.  The people are bringing the forest into downtown, and the forest will breath more life into the communities, the atmospheres and the feel of this already vibrant American city.

There are many aspects that are amazing about the city, New York, USA. Hotel concierges offer up suggestions of tours and activities, but one way to spend the afternoon is to just walk around the neighborhoods and take in the history.  One aspect many may overlook is that of the oldest residents, the trees.  Many of the trees have been growing on the island long before the first European settlers landed on the shores of the East River.  In the Brooklyn borough, one tree has become quite famous.  This is a Magnolia tree that is located on the 600 block of Lafayette Street.  In 1970, this tree became a recognized landmark of the city, the only living landmark.  While the Magnolia tree of Brooklyn is most famous, it is not the oldest tree.  In Prospect Park, an area that once was a full blown forest, stands an oak tree, one of the last few standing.

However, research on the many trees in the park lands of the Bronx may turn up an older living legend.  For there are thousands of acres to discover throughout this borough of the city.  Currently the oldest tree standing in the Bronx is a White Oak.  This one dates back to the 1700’s.  This giant tree stands in the middle of a golf course in Pelham Bay Park.  Many have walked through Central Park and have the idea that the oldest trees are found within the park, and though they are older trees, most were transplanted.  There is one tree that stands along the reservoir that is believed to have been growing there before the construction of the park.  This London Plane is dated to the early 1800’s.

The two other species that are in the running for the oldest living trees on the island are located in Washington Heights and Washington Square Park.  In the Heights, stands an elm, over one hundred and ten feet tall.  Legend has it that George Washington stood beneath this tree on many occasions.  And then there is the Hangman’s tree, and Elm tree that dates back to the time in the history of New York, when Washington Square Park was the city’s location for the gallows.  This one is dated at three hundred and ten years old, and it is doubtful that any hangings really happened at the tree, many find it morbidly fascinating to wonder about.  Walking through the city is a joy for anyone, especially on their first visit as there is so much to discover about this small island, the largest city in the United States.