Travel Videos: Happy New Year

Enjoy this inspiring, uplifting greeting/ad.

http://fly.aa.com/happyholidays/?WT.mc_id=aa22100

Sights to See: Laying of the Wreaths, Arlington, Virginia

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held,
your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell,
the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell . . .

Merrill Worcesterthese, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, donated 4,000 wreaths for Arlington graves in 1992, and he's been donating several thousand more every year since. See more in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYAneQMvEuw

You can sponsor a wreath next year for $15 through
http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Sponsor-a-Wreath.html

Misc.: Hong Kong at dusk

At the website below, place your cursor at the top of the photo. You will notice it is 6:10 PM. Bring the mouse down slowly over the photo without pressing the button on the mouse. Do not right or left click. Night appears, the lights come on, and at 7:40 PM it's dark!

http://61226.com/share/hk.swf

Things to Do: ARTWALK, Mazatlan, Mexico

On this self-guided tour, participants not only get to walk the quiet back streets of the old town, but they gain access to some of the beautiful historical buildings and even to a few homes. I met an artist who paints cats and also saves them from the streets, keeping the kitties in a sort of mini-kennel in her studio/home. Among my favorite stops: the colorfully renovated old structure that houses the Casa de Leyendas Bed & Breakfast; a small complex of shops with an inviting cafe in its courtyard. Artwalk is relatively new, now only in its third year, with 24 sites and more than 41 participating artists.
ARTWALK http://www.artwalkmazatlan.com/ . First Friday, 4-8pm, Nov-May. Free.

image c2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: The Pickle Guys, NYC

The new guys on the block, this pickle shop opened in 2001. Choose from seven types of barrel-cured pickles plus pickled vegetables. All pickling is done on premises. A list of historical synagogues in the neighborhood is posted at their website.

The Pickle Guys 49 Essex, Lower East Side, (888) 4-PICKLE, (212) 656-9739; http://www.nycpickleguys.com/. Sun-Thur 9-6, F 9-4.

see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckBRoCfSOZ8

Travel Videos: Indian turban wrap, Jaisalmer Fort, India

Ever wonder how an Indian gentleman wraps a turban around his head?

http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/photo-of-the-day-indian-turbans

Good Eats: Economy Candy, NYC

Here since 1937, this old-time candy store is stuffed with penny candy, dried fruits and nuts, and assorted halvah, but modern delights such as gummy brains and chocolate eyeballs are also on the menu.
Economy Candy 108 Rivington, Lower East Side, (800) 352-4544; http://www.economycandy.com/.

image c2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Cafe Vida, Pacific Palisades, California

As busy and crowded as a bee hive, this popular little spot has seating indoors and out. The extensive menu offers many organic items, and eggs—breakfast is served all day--are cage free. Especially tasty items include a tuna melt, a Mexicali veggie burger, sweet potato fries, and green lemonade (sounds weird—the green comes from spinach--but is actually very good). You can skip the macaroni and cheese—it looks and tastes like it came out of a box. Oh, yeah, and celebrities like it here, too. I spotted Hilary Swank dining in the sun when I lunched here a few weeks ago.

Cafe Vida 15317 Antioch St., (310) 573-1335. B-D daily; $-$$.

Good Eats: Pok Pok, Portland, Oregon

Superb versions of Thai street foods such as fish-sauce chicken wings (a must-order), mild curry noodle soup, and spicy steak salad are on the exotic seasonal menu at this popular venue--a casual ramshackle collection of indoor and outdoor venues. When available, a whole fish special to pick at with chopsticks is a prime choice, and grilled boar collar—a delicacy—is appreciated by gourmets. Any vegetarian dishes are either vegan or can be made vegan. An excellent whiskey bar operates inside.

Pok Pok 3226 S.E. Division St., (503) 232-1387; http://www.pokpokpdx.com/ . L M-F, D M-Sat; $. No reservations.

video:
http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/09/pokpok_owner_and_weiden_kenned.html