The people who plan on vacationing in beautiful Barbados for the first-time are usually more anxious than excited. Aside from the fact that it would be an unfamiliar place, they are too excruciatingly worried about the money they’d have to spend to enjoy the thrill of the anticipatory excitement of going there. Luckily enough, there are always traveling secrets to all vacation hot spots around the world. This article will provide an array of useful information and tips that will help any person plan and enjoy a trip to one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

Money and Cost of Goods. The currency in Barbados is the Bajan or Barbados dollar and is equivalent to US $1.98. Be guided accordingly: items and services here do not come cheap and are, give or take, pretty much equal to their prices in America.

Traveling. Upon arrival at the island’s airport, simply walk out of the terminal with luggage in hand towards the buses, taxis and shuttle transportation lined outside. The easiest way to go is to pre-arrange the services of a shuttle going to and from the hotel of choice. Taxis can run $20-60 depending on how far away the destination is, and shuttles would charge $5 (do not pay more than that) for surfboard bags and other over sized items. If a rental car is preferred, take note that it would cost around $50-60 a day. Don’t forget that the steering wheel is on the ‘wrong side’ of the car.

Dress. Do not think that just because it is a beach paradise that a person can don his swimsuit anywhere the whole day. Swim wear is reserved for beaches and beach bars. Casual wear is the preferred, appropriate clothing in most places here, except at night, or at dinners. It would be best if the material of the clothes is lightweight and ‘breezy’.

Barbados Travel Hotels. There is wide array of hotels and other accommodations to choose from on the island. The crux of the matter is how much money is going to be willingly spent on one. A popular choice, of course, is the cheaper lodging available. Bargain hotels are usually nice enough and have three-star rankings. The staff is guaranteed to be warm, hospitable and helpful. There are some that would feature a pristine beach out front for customers to conveniently enjoy. Like majority of these bargain hotels, everything is all-inclusive. This means that all meals, beverages, gratuities, and non-motorized sports are part of the deal.

It would be interesting to note that breakfast and lunch are served in a buffet style, and snack is likewise conveniently served in-between. People can choose whether their dinner would be in a buffet style or a 5-course one in the dining room, which requires a reservation of course. The hotel staff will inform guests whether or not their dining room is booked and allow guests to go in and see if there are cancellations during the day.

Here are some other noteworthy travel tips:

(1) check the weather before any journey so you will have an idea as to what to bring, and how to pack;

(2) make use of traveler’s checks if there are any. If they somehow get lost or stolen, remember that they can still be usually replaced within 24 hours almost anywhere in the world by most banks and service establishments;

(3) never leave valuables in the hotel, unless a safe is requested;

(4) refrain from using the hotel room telephone because they can be extremely expensive. It would be better to use a cell phone or a phone card.

Source by Joel Owens

It was February 21 when I unknowingly relocated to the Italian countryside to hideout from the Corona Virus. At the time, this hadn’t been my plan because I was engaged in other activities. I had spoken with some friends and students about the likelihood that the Corona Virus would slowly travel across Italy. Although I had questioned whether the virus could impact Italian exportation of cheese and comestibles negatively, it was clear that I and others didn’t really believe the virus would leave much of a mark.

That same day, I heard there had been an outbreak in the Lombardy region, sixteen confirmed cases! Yet, most people thought it could be contained. There was no way that the Corona Virus would reach the Piedmont region, I thought. Most people dismissed this possibility, and many even went both to work and to school with cold and flu-like symptoms that resembled COVID-19. I was suspicious, telling myself that it must have been all in my head.

Then Piero told me I would be better off not taking the usual train to Borgomanero because infections were rising and it would be a little risky. Thinking that I was better safe than sorry, I agreed to travel with him by car. Little did I know that I would only return once to Novara to pick up the items that were necessary to get through the month! From then onward, I would be glued to the TV news in addition to the Internet news, which would arrive from sources across the world as I was interested in a wide variety of viewpoints.

Not long afterward, everyone in Italy would be required to stay home so as not to infect others or catch the virus. People could only go out to buy necessary food, to visit the pharmacy, to pay a bill, or to eat and drink at a local coffee shop or bar. Villagers in Gattico-Veruno began to get out for countryside walks in pairs if they resided together in the same homes. For a brief period, it was nice to see people out and about, returning to nature rather than travelling to neighboring towns for entertainment. As we saw the gloomy news about the victims of Corona Virus, we stopped going outside, and soon the government required everyone to produce an ‘auto-certification’, stating their exact reasons for exiting their homes or leaving their yards.

Despite my angst, the day eventually arrived to venture outdoors again, just to pay rent in America. I had called the proprietor to get an extension, but the operator who answered was clueless about all that had been happening in Italy. They needed that rent money immediately, not knowing that the virus would soon arrive in the States, too. It seemed like I existed in a sci-fi film, and my article about why people loved zombie movies became more relevant to my state of mind.

Armed with an ‘auto-certification’, hand sanitizer, and respirator masks, we hazarded out into the sunny open air. Few people were around. First, I tried to get money from the bank that was closed. Then I tried two ATM machines that weren’t working. Still hopeful, Piero and I went to the local post office in Gattico-Veruno where a kind young man, possibly in his forties, came out to help me use the ATM machine that was still refusing to accept my card. Next, I wanted to load an Italian debit card inside the post office.

There was another masked woman in line who feared contamination. We were the only ones waiting, following the national decree to keep space between one another. One of the clerks in his late fifties to mid-sixties seemed grumpy, probably because it was unfair that he had to work when most others were at home. It was certainly risky for him to be there. Both of the clerks said that the internet was not working correctly, and there was no telling how long we would have to wait. They recommended that we go to another post office.

Discouraged once again, Piero and I went to the neighboring village of Bogogno, a cute little town that reminded me of a painting by de Chirico because there wasn’t a soul around. I couldn’t help think about how I would like to stay there for an extended period. Too bad it was that the virus had invaded the country, making it impossible for tourists to enjoy such magnificent beauty! How could it be that such a small village could be exposed to a harmful virus? I asked myself. If only God, who is represented in countless churches across Italy, heard our prayers!

Inside the Bogogno post office, I found a gracious woman in her mid-sixties who was wise enough to wear latex gloves to handle money. She was working behind a glass partition with a little hole at the bottom through which cash, debit cards, and papers could be passed back and forth. Maybe she was relieved that I, too, was wearing gloves and a mask. She efficiently took care of the transaction while carrying on a delightful conversation with me. I was amazed by the way she could provide excellent, friendly service while not wasting time. I didn’t forget to wish her health and safety although one hesitates to say such things that might be understood by some Italians to bring bad luck.

As I exited the post office, a stranger was about to enter. He was moving so fast, without a mask, that I jumped back for fear of contagion. When he realized that we had to keep a distance, he also distanced himself. Piero was waiting for me outdoors in the distance as was required by law. Hastily, Piero and I made our way back to the car, me thinking what a shame it was not to be able to enjoy such a delightful village.

We did not stop anywhere that I can recall on our way back to Gattico-Veruno. I just took a deep breath and looked for police that might question us. It seemed spring had begun as there were plenty of flowers adorning the houses and gardens. The landscape looked serene while the dark, heinous Corona Virus lurked somewhere out there, unbeknownst to us.

Source by Laura Gail Sweeney

Last fall my little brother, who has been battling cancer was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. His caregiver called the family to tell us he had only a few days to live. My 83-year-old Aunt had been helping support him during his illness was not able to travel to see him. My other brother also had health issues and could not make the trip. I am 63 and was laid off a couple years ago. Finding a high paying job when you are over 60 is difficult. I drive Uber to make ends meet so my budget is very limited. He is my brother so I made an emergency trip to Ohio to see him one last time and represent the family. He lingered for a while and passed away on November 10, 2020.

My sister-in-law called in January. She wanted to have a birthday party for my Aunt who would be turning 84 on May 1. Even though I hadn’t paid off my trip to see my brother, I agreed to fly back to Ohio for her party. At 83, we don’t know how much longer she’ll be with us. Life is very uncertain during a pandemic and she’s in a very high-risk group. The gathering would give us a chance to celebrate her life and grieve my brother.

I purchase a ticket on Frontier Airlines on January 11, 2020.

I had hoped to only stay 1 day for the party but had to book for 3 days to get the less expensive ticket. I wouldn’t be able to drive for Uber on those days. I would take a big hit on my income that week. My income loss coupled with the cost of the trip would be over $1000, but family is important. It would be good to see them again.

Reports started coming in from China regarding the Corona virus. They had locked down 500 million people, more than the entire population of the United States. On January 31, President Trump blocked travel from China. The news got progressively worse and I started worrying about traveling in an airplane with a highly communicable disease ravaging the country.

On February 27, Frontier alerted me that they were cancelling my original booking presumably because they didn’t have enough passengers to make the flight. They wanted to reschedule my flights. I called to tell them I didn’t want to make the change. I wanted to wait and see if I could schedule a shorter trip so I wouldn’t lose 3 days of work. Frontier said they would issue a voucher good for 90 days so I could reschedule later.

The first US citizen died of Corona Virus on February 29. The infection was spreading rapidly. I thought it would be prudent to wait to reschedule. On March 17, the California Governor announced a stay-at-home order. Other states across the country quickly announced their own stay at home orders. Frontier eventually stopped flying completely during the month of April. I could not reschedule my flight even if I wanted to.

On April 3, the Department of Transportation ruled that airlines must refund customers if their flights were cancelled. Many airlines were not complying so the DOT issued another warning on May 12, 2020. This was unprecedented.

I have not worked since March 17. The government has said gig workers like me would be able to get $600/week but that has not happened. I have had no income except the $1200 stimulus check for 3 months. I contacted Frontier and asked them to refund my $336. They haven’t provided any services nor could they because they weren’t flying when my flight was scheduled.

Frontier has refused. Not only won’t they give me my money back, I only have until June 2 to schedule a flight with them or I lose my money. They will get to keep $336 for doing nothing at all.

Is Frontier profiting from the pandemic? I would have definitely taken the trip if there wasn’t a highly infectious pandemic. They were shut down in April, it was impossible for me to even use their services if I wanted to. I feel I should be entitled to a refund. Their representative, Lulu Zaldivar tells me they will not refund my money. They claim that even though they cancelled my original flight and tried to reschedule, it was me who cancelled the flight and am not eligible for a refund under the Department of Transportations order.

Do you think this is fair?

Frontier Airlines at (801) 401-9000

About the author: David Berger is a 63 year old Uber driver. He lives in San Diego California and hasn’t had an income since the California stay-at-home order on March 17

Source by Dave Berger

We all hear the term “global warming” all the time. During recent months I have started to read travel stories how the permanent ice cap of Mount Kilimanjaro is melting, how ski resorts in the Alps are going to be closing permanently due to lack of snow fall, how glaciers are melting in the Arctic, how increasingly more frequent and severe weather disturbances are disrupting tourism, and on and on the stories go. Some of these stories even exhort us to go now before some of these scenic places will be transformed or gone forever. Climate change has now become an issue of concern for global travelers.

Travel, of course, has environmental consequences. Long-distance travel involves the creation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, airliners are some of the most intense pollutants in existence today. In addition, wherever we go, we consume food and other services, and we create waste. So what to do?

As far as airplane emissions are concerned, there are actually a few concrete things we can do. There are ways of offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel by means of purchasing trees that will be planted to offset these emissions. At Trees for the Future, your US$40.00 will actually pay for the planting of 400 trees which will help offset greenhouse gases. You will also get a Global Cooling Certificate and bumper sticker. On their website you will also see a list of partners, including lodges and bed and breakfasts that are powered by renewable energy sources.

The Rainforest Alliance actually offers a variety of information to eco-savvy travelers. They also offer a sustainable tourism certification to tourism establishments which is based on methods for reducing the consumption of water, energy and other resources, and to improve the management, handling and disposal of waste. They even make a toolkit for best sustainable tourism practices available for small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry.

On their website, the Rainforest Alliance also advocates a number of simple eco-friendly behaviours that we can all try to follow:

o Support local economies by seeking out locally owned lodging and dining establishments, locally grown food and locally manufactured products and crafts.

o Patronize green hotels whose managers have programs that save water and energy.

o Stay on hiking trails. Clean up your own mess and dispose of waste properly. Keep a distance from wildlife.

o Travel by mass transit as much as possible.

o Avoid vehicles with two-stroke engines such as jet skis, scooters and certain boats, which are enormously polluting.

o Be culturally sensitive to local customs, greetings, dress codes and food habits.

o Treat others with the same respect that you would ask for in your own community.

Other eco-certification programs for tourism operators and tips for eco-savvy consumers include the following websites:

– Terra Choice

– Green Globe 21

– Environmental Choice

– Green Seal

– The Global Ecolabelling Network

– The Climate Neutral Network

Another interesting website is Future Forests: it advocates a “carbon neutral” lifestyle, in order to neutralize our impact on the environment. Future Forests have been proving people with a variety of environmental gifts since 1997. You can dedicate a tree, for example, for $10.00. You can even plan carbon-neutral weddings with Future Forests.

One neat thing about their website is that they offer a really cool carbon emissions calculator that allows you to calculate your anticipated flying or driving emissions. I thought let’s check this out, so I entered some assumed data for a flight from New York City to London, England.

Instantaneously I found out that this flight would produce 1.22 tonnes of CO2. The calculator also tells me if I dedicate 2 trees I can make this flight carbon neutral. Alternatively I would be able to supply 2 energy saving light bulbs to a small community in the developing world. Both options would be £30. I also checked their carbon emissions driving calculator. If I travel 400 km (250 miles) every week in a car with an engine size between 1.4 and 2 litres, I would generate 4 tonnes of CO2 a year, which would take 5 trees to offset.

In addition to planting trees, you can also purchase “carbon offsets”. A “carbon offset” is actually an investment in a project or action with the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Offset projects come in many varieties and may include tree planting or reforestation, building retrofits (i.e. installing more efficient heating/cooling systems) or wind power projects.

According to the Better World Club’s website, this is the way it works: you can book a flight through Better World Travel – Members and get a free carbon offset for their US domestic flight ($11 value.) If you book a flight through the Internet, another travel agency or airline, send them a tax-deductible donation to offset the CO2 emissions from your flight. ($11 for domestic flights or $22 for international flights.)

So the good news is there are indeed ways of counterbalancing the environmental impact that we all have, even while we travel.

Source by Susanne Pacher

You will wish you were a poet to describe the beauty that Mauritius enshrines once you set foot in this glorious island; the same way I did when I saw the many natural marvels on Mauritius, the island that, according to ancient myths and legends, is said to have been created before Heaven.

Well, while geologically, this is not actually true, legend has it that some 8 million ago, Vulcan, the blacksmith and god of beneficial fire, set to create this tropical paradise-like corner of our planet. Everybody who has been there has to admit that in this particular case his fire was incredibly beneficial indeed. Moreover, he doused the forges thoroughly, so there is no need to worry about them coming ablaze again. You are absolutely safe.

Mauritius holidays are like beautiful dreams: fluffy, a bit blurred and delicately intoxicating. And; of course, extremely enjoyable.

The very first thing that pleasantly surprises holidaymakers on their arrival to Mauritius is the pure air: very clean, fresh and pollutant-free with a very pleasant light smell of the sea. You breathe it in and immediately become slightly inebriated. Then you see the beaches; dazzling white fine sands and turquoise shades of crystalline waters. It’s no wonder Mauritius was recently awarded with World’s Best Beach title. Here you can leave all your cares and troubles behind and swim in the glistening sea lagoon protected by a large coral reef. These three elements: sea, sand and air, are usually enough for you to quickly forget your day-to-day worries and start living the dream.

But if these are not enough to convince you or persuade you into booking Mauritius holidays, there are the mountains with lush green tropical forests if you venture further inland, you also have small uninhabited islands off the coast to explore, some of which are nature reserves with biotopes teeming with interesting creatures and animals.

Scattered across the island you will also find cosy restaurants or taverns offering an original mixture of cuisines and playing live sega, the lively music that is typical of the island, a lively expression of the authentic Mauritian way of life: joyful and vibrant. Mauritius also offers an abundance of activities you can take part in. The list of these could go on and on, so I’ll only mention a few of the most popular ones: scuba diving at the colourful coral reef, snorkelling in the shallow transparent lagoons, going deep-sea fishing and taking submarine rides.

Yes, I wished I were a poet on my last Mauritius holidays, but I now have the feeling that even if I were one, words would fail me anyway.

The last piece of good news about Mauritius is that English is more or less the official language on the island and most people speak at least some of it, with French Creole being the other non-official more widely-spoken vernacular. Hence no need to use your arms to make silly gestures to make yourself understood. In Mauritius the language, just like its beauty (and pretty much everything else) easily flows.

Source by Susan Crown

Sam’s Fun City is centrally located in the center of Pensacola and most excellent known as being a water park with various water games as well as points of interest designed for your children. Besides, Sam’s Fun City is also an amusement park with 20 rides. Sam’s Fun City was granted with two International Awards for “Best New Family Entertainment Center” in 2001 as well as was named “Top Family Center on the planet” by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Furthermore, this is one of the most excellent destinations designed for entertainment, cheer, amusement, and rest with a reasonable price in Pensacola. So that why don’t you and all your family members arrive here to relish your marvelous vacation in Pensacola. Furthermore, the City could be the most suitable location for people who wants to arrange fantastic activities for instance any type of party, anniversaries, friends and family reunions, and so on. From my practical experience and even observation, I would recommend Sam’s Fun City for your personal list locations-to-go on your own holiday. This specific spot is really pleasant and exciting being here. Actually, I needed an enjoyable experience here and appreciated the birthday celebration of my young cousin with my children; today I’m hoping to look at the park once again if I have another opportunity. Just what exactly get this to spot interesting like that? I want to tell you which funny and interesting activities that Sam’s Fun City has.

Arcade games on the gulf coast

Crossroads Arcade is definitely the name pertaining to an area in Sam’s Fun City where you can take pleasure in all arcade games. Truthfully, having a wide range of arcade games, this specific spot is probably the best one designed for activities inside Pensacola. Visitors could certainly receive redemption tickets to cash intended for prizes, shoot pool, and also play a complicated game of pin-ball. More particularly, you and your other tourists can begin to play competitive game for example the Blue Angels water race game or challenge the other person with an adrenaline pumping game of Laser Tag arena.

Sam’s surf city water park

As I stated previously, Sam’s Fun City is recognized as an amusement park and also a water park. Therefore, it is possible to select whichever region that you would like or both of them. Sam’s Surf City will be the water park section that has been voted Greatest Water Park in Pensacola for 2008. This park is certainly appropriate for family with over fifteen exciting slides, a 750-foot limitless river, and a couple kiddie play pools. These pools were created mostly for the kids under the age of 12. Therefore, it is possible to make certain you are having fun in the protected and enjoyable location for an entire family. The particular waterpark provides to you the feeling that you’ve never had before. Additionally, your young ones have the ability to explore the slides, pair up, and also go on larger slides without keeping an eye on them also much. Visiting Sam’s Fun City is one of the most interesting things to do in Pensacola.

The dry park for rides and attractions

If you sick and tired of a large number of active games within water park region, it is possible to visit the dry park for relaxing your head relaxingly. The dry park is actually divided into four distinct sections: Kart City, Terry Town, Yester Ville, and Western Ville. This excellent park supplies a wide range of 20 rides for instance Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Park Train, Scrambler, and so on. You could find those interesting rides in Terry Town. Kart City includes Fun City Expressway, Pensacola’s finest family go – kart track, as well as the Big fun City Grand Prix style slick track. Western Ville offers the 18 – hole miniature golf class labeled as “Play in the Movies”. Within Yester Ville, adults will be able to discover their past moment favorites such as Antique Cars, Jitter Bug Swinger. Some of those very special activities will thrill friends and family of every age.

Never afraid if you get hungry and thirsty

When you are in the water park location and feel hungry as a result of taking part in a great deal, don’t overlook to prevent by Snack Shack to get a gourmet grilled hamburger or simply Nathan’s Hot Dogs. Sam’s Fun City is also the place where home to Bullwinkle’s Restaurant, situated in the Crossroads Arcade, exactly where travellers might get scrumptious treats for instance hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, corn dogs, salads, as well as pizzas. Specifically in the summertime, you can purchase a pizza buffet which has many varieties of pizza for you to enjoy. Furthermore, the Bullwinkle’s Restaurant also provides refreshing Pepsi products and Dipping Dots Ice Cream which help you not to get thirsty anymore following your challenging and even thrilling amusement. From my very own discover, I’m able to say to you that the pizza’s flavour is very refreshing like it is created freshly right now there. So just be along with your mind at peace if you intend to arrive here just for entertaining or maybe planning celebration.

Source by Skadi Nguyen

Duval Love is a former Offensive Lineman who graduated from UCLA and played 11 years in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals and made the Pro Bowl. I was honored when he agreed to meet with me to answer some questions for the website.

Who did you idolize in the NFL while growing up?

Well, I was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and a Minnesota Vikings fan. It’s kind of funny that I wasn’t really a Rams fan. I liked the Cowboys because the offensive line would do that little pause and go up, so I was immediately attracted to that. I was a huge fan of Harvey Martin, Too Tall Jones, Randy White, and Pat Donovan and those types of guys. I always liked linemen. One of my favorite players was on the Miami Dolphins, Dwight Stevenson. He always kind of catered to the linemen. Growing up, I always watched the linemen and as I was getting older I wanted to see if I was reaching 6’2 or 6’3. One day, if I got that tall, I’d be able to play in the pros.

From High School to College to Professional, who was the one person who had the biggest impact on your life?

I’ll tell you the biggest impact is my dad. There’s no doubt about it. To see where he came from and the way he works and what he taught me is amazing. He didn’t go to school, just had a sixth grade education from the south. I’m the only child and my dad’s been there every step of the way, good or bad. I’ve got to take my hat off to him. My parents have been married 45 years and they’ve been real supportive through the good times, bad times, getting into the pros, the Pro Bowl and being indicted. I mean they’ve always been there. I have great parents and my dad’s always been there. He’s been like my big brother and a dad. He’s never let me down. He’s my role model.

A 10th round draft pick makes it. How often did you remind your teammates of this?

First of all, when I got drafted in the tenth round, I was devastated. Everybody was like, “Oh you got drafted!” and I felt like, “Tenth round. WOO. Let’s take off the zero and make it a one.” But you know, after you look back, I was fortunate enough to get drafted but I had my work cut out for me. It seems like in my life I have to do things the hard way. Nothing comes easy. I don’t have that luck of things just dropping in my lap. I always have to do things the hard way.

They had four Pro Bowlers on the line and three adequate back ups. My chances where slim-to-none and slim had just walked out. I lay on the bed that night looking at the roster and I thought, there is no way…I was in the gutter. Then I went to camp and I worked my butt off. Hudson Houck was my line coach. He’s one of the best line coaches in the NFL. He’s the Miami Dolphins line coach now. He had recruited me to go to USC as line coach so we had some history together. He drafted me in the tenth round. I worked hard. I got cussed out every day and I made the team. I was shocked and dismayed but I made the team.

To back up, when I went to Ram Park there was a guy named Ray San Jose. Ray stood out in the parking lot and as you got out of your car he’d call you over and say the head coach wants to talk to you. That meant you were gone. You were cut. And so I remember that final cut, getting out of my car, Ray standing there, bless his heart. I was thinking, “Man if he calls me over there, it’s over.” I took one step, two steps. He looked at me, I’m looking at him. I took a step closer. “Are you gonna call my name or what?” He gave me the old thumbs up. “You made it.”

I walked in the locker room with my chest high and I then saw my lockers because the lockers for rookies were put in the middle. You get these little fake lockers in the middle of the locker room and when they take them down, that meant you were out of there. So I named those lockers “Death Row” because one by one, they were picking you off and you were gone. And mine had a little piece of tape that said Love 67. Then I saw my locker was right next to Jackie Slater with my name on for real and then I knew I was there to stay. I stayed there seven years.

So then you went on to Pittsburgh where you made your first Pro Bowl?

Yeah, I played 7 years for L.A. 1985 to 1991 and then I went Plan B free agency to Pittsburgh. It was Bill Cowher’s first year. Chuck Knoll had retired and Bill Cowher got the job. (Former Defensive Coordinator for Kansas City) Interesting story is you never know who’s looking at you. When I was with the Rams, we played Kansas City in Germany and we were over there for a week. Coach Cowher was the Defensive Coordinator and he had noticed me because we were scrimmaging ever day. Over there in Germany, some guys, no wives, no girlfriends, we were drinking a lot. I was still single. A lot of guys didn’t practice because they were hung over and every day I came out and practiced. Swinging away, fighting, no matter what I did the night before. I came out and I was hustling because I knew I needed to make the team and I wasn’t as secure so I had to go out and bust my butt. And Coach Cowher noticed me and said, “Who’s that guy with the fight?” Every day he comes up with his lunch pail and he’s working his butt off and he noticed me.”

So my name came up on Plan B when he became the head coach of Pittsburgh and he said, “I want that guy on my team.” I was the first guy he signed as the head coach of the Steelers. So the story is you never know who’s watching you. If I decided to take a couple days off because I was too drunk or had 3 or 4 girls the night before, you know. But I came out swinging away every practice, no matter how many beers I was pounding in Berlin because that’s what I love, football. I made an impression on him. I had a great 3 years there. I went all pro.

What one moment do you remember the most from the Pro Bowl?
The one moment was that our center made it, Dermontti Dawson. I called him up and he was two doors down from me. I said, “Hey, what are you gonna wear?” And he said, “What do you mean?” and I said, “I don’t know what to wear.” He said, “Man, we’re in Hawaii, put on your flip flops and wear shorts and your tank top and go down there,” and he hung up on me. I was nervous. Dan Marino, John Elway, Emmitt Smith – all of these great players and now I was one of them. It was kind of hard to imagine myself as one of them sitting in the same room, we’re all Pro Bowlers. It was my first one so I was excited.

So I went down there…I was nervous and I couldn’t talk. I felt like I was tripping over the carpet. I sat down and I said, “Be still.” I was shaking and all the great players came in and I was one of them. I mean hell, you know. It was a great moment. I finally made it. All that hard work had paid off. You know working out 3 times a day, running at 9 o’clock at night, paying the price, all of the things I needed to do. I’d run at 9 o’clock at night when I lived in Laguna Niguel. I’d work out at 6 o’clock in the morning then at noon and after my son went to bed I went out and start running at 9 o’clock, 6 or 7 miles every night. I was in great shape. A lot of nights I didn’t want to run but I was determined because I wanted to be the best. I’d be running and sometimes I’d be crying because I’d be so mad at myself, I’d be like “I don’t want to do this.” I’d start acting like a big baby and I was crying thinking, “There is nobody else running this time of night. I’m the only player in the NFL that’s running this time of night up a hill that’s paying the price. I’m paying the price.” I’d visualize myself. “I’m gonna be in Hawaii. I am gonna be in Hawaii.” And I’d just visualize that when I’d run up those hills I’d think, “This is why I’m running, because I want to be in Hawaii. I want Pro Bowl by my name.”

Being a UCLA graduate, what is your opinion on whether kids these days should stay in college or be allowed to take the money and enter the NFL early? In particular, the Maurice Clarett situation that happened.
I think Maurice made some mistakes, obviously. He probably should have stayed in school. Now his reputation is ruined and he’s not as good a football players as people might think. For a while, they thought he was a really good running back and all a sudden now, his stock has really dropped. He might not even get drafted. It’s hard to say. When you’ve got that type of money out there it’s hard to say no. Especially for some of these guys that don’t come from a lot of money. You just have to make the right choice. Of course you need your education. You can always come back. But if you’re good enough and you’re able to go in the first round, and you have $10 or $15 million sitting there when you sign your name, it’s hard to say no. I don’t think anyone can answer that question unless you’re put in that situation. You have to make a wise choice.

Steroid use has been the big negative issue surrounding Major League Baseball over the last year. As a professional athlete, what’s your opinion on this issue?

Obviously Steroids are illegal and you shouldn’t use them. Obviously some players have and I think it’s obvious. You can tell who the players that have used them are. Some guys use them to enhance their performance so they can play longer. They might not have the God given ability to play so they need to do all they can to make sure they are able to compete with other people. Especially if you’re a young player behind a guy who’s, for example, is hitting 45 home runs and you know he’s on steroids and you’re sitting there hitting 10 home runs and you’re going to be in the minors. It’s a tough call. You want everyone to be on a level playing field. Steroids are bad and can’t be a part of the game. They just cannot and I think the long term effect you’ll see are guys dying at an early age. You can’t really run from it.

What’s your favorite NFL team now?

My favorite team? That’s a good question. Honestly I like the Steelers because I played for them. I used to cheer for the guys I knew but as I’m getting older, all the guys are retiring pretty much. I’m just a football fan in general so I cheer for them all.

Favorite Coach? Bill Cowher still?

Yes, because he coached me. I always wish him well. You know, I like to see the Steelers do well. 15 and 1 last year. It’s hard to have a season like that and then you lose in the playoffs. You do everything right, you know you’re 15 and 1. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

After football, what’s your favorite sport to watch?

I love basketball. I’m a huge Lakers fan. Shaquille O’Neal fan. I’m a little disappointed he got traded. Unfortunately, he and Kobe could not get along. It just disappoints me as a Lakers fan that the two egos could not put that behind them and just play basketball. They had a great thing going on. It’s a horrible season. It’s hard for me to watch them. I know Jerry Buss will turn that thing around because I don’t think he likes to lose.

After leaving the NFL, you like many others, have had your share of problems. What would you have done differently while in the NFL to prepare you for life afterward?

I kind of did everything right, it’s just after I left I made all the wrong moves. House paid for, money in the bank, cars paid for, I was ok. I just made the wrong decision trying to go into business with different people and trusting them to run the business and not know what they were doing. Assuming they could make me money, believing the false dreams and making the mistake of listening to them. If I could do it all over again, I wish I could have just took one year off, lost weight, got my knees operated on and started my coaching profession. I wish I would have done that. My wife had told me to do that but, I decided to listen to myself and go into business and I made a crucial mistake. It’s OK. I’m going to rebound from it. It’s like being on the bottom of a pool…you go all the way down and you just have to bounce up and get back to the top.

I’m sure the media has gotten their facts crossed from time to time. If you could address just on one item, what would it be?

I’m sure that there’s a lot of things out there that people have said and I haven’t really heard yet. What they say behind my back, I don’t know. As far as me giving the money to the guy, I made the crucial mistake of trusting him. He lied to me and I gave him the money and he did other things with it. I got in trouble because of that business deal. You know, I trusted one of these people who lived in my community. I was naïve and made poor judgment in trusting these guys and now I know better.

As a young adult, you set your goal to play in the NFL. Fast forward 10 years . . . what goal have you set for yourself now?

I’d like to be an assistant coach in the NFL and that’s my goal. Just to be a coach to help the young kids who come up the ranks and help them not make mistakes like I made and just be happy.

In conclusion, for fans out there that followed you from the Rams to the Steelers, watched you in the Pro Bowl, is there anything you want to say to the fans about how you’re doing right now?

You know, it’s been tough. I’m a survivor. A weaker man probably would have done different things but I know I’m stronger than that. So I just stay positive. No matter what happens I know it’s gonna get better. Just know Duval Love is a fighter who will rise to the top again.

Source by Michael Paonessa

Worldwide travel, from small town festivals around the globe to the highest mountains, are part of the coverage provided by a website focusing on all types of travel in every country on earth.

The site offers photos, stories and videos from around the world with major focus on the southern USA and all states in the country while offering international coverage.

A collection of travel stories and information are gathered into an onsite “magazine” and readers can also access pdf versions of a variety of travel books from the site’s on-line “library”

A recent addition is a store-site link to imprinted items popular with travelers. These can be ordered directly.

Site visitors can participate in an on-line travel course.

Videos cover many activities in the southern USA and numerous slide shows as well, covering festivals, drives, historic areas and tourist attractions.

Web visitors may also submit their travel stories and photos, particularly from around the world locations.

The site is updated on a regular basis and the most recent updates include vacation ideas, maps, vacation sites in the state of Alabama, Florida spots including EPCOT and Walt Disney World, Sanibel Island and the panhandle of Florida, Lake Carroll in Georgia, national vacation spots including Sea Island, Georgia and Seattle, Washington.

Global readers have provided stories and photos on the Philippines, India, Algeria, France and Thailand.

The site strives to touch on all facets of travel in a variety of locations and climates as one country may have summer while another has winter and the same climatic conditions are not worldwide.

Usually changes are made on the website as seasons change.

Beaches and outdoor activities are popular for summer while skiing, visiting museums, and cruises can be more popular for the winter.

Many of the articles and information focuses on economy travel and activities, particularly for the whole family or for couples.

Website visitors should return often to see the latest updates and travel information. Weather information may be posted from time to time as well as safety information regarding travel to certain countries or areas.

For many countries around the world tourism is a vital part of their financial growth and adds much to the local economies. Some countries are now focusing on nature tours and preserving much of their jungles and rivers as a draw for tourists.

Select links may also take the visitor to other sites providing additional information about an event or location.

Source by Wayne Ruple

In an amazing turn of events, county commissioners in two key New Mexico counties have taken giant political steps to revive the Nuclear Renaissance in this state. Concerns about the energy crisis, dependence upon foreign oil and global warming have recently led many politicians to suggest alternatives, namely nuclear energy. The record uranium price also helps bring big dollars into their local economies. Both counties are blessed with abundant uranium resources, which they are now encouraging to be mined.

What was once the world’s top producing uranium area, the Grants Uranium District has largely slumbered through the emerging uranium boom of the past three years. Stock analysts and investors discounted efforts by those uranium mining companies which have been moving their flagship projects forward, primarily Uranium Resources (URRE) and Strathmore Minerals (STHJF). In light of these developments, their opinions could soon change.

This past September, Cibola County passed a resolution supporting and encouraging uranium mining. The county clearly believes the renewal of uranium mining would provide a strong economic boost for its residents. This resolution did not surprise us. We first reported on the pro-uranium pulse of Grants (New Mexico) and Cibola County in late June 2005. The county’s head of economic development told us, “We will greet them (uranium miners) with open arms.” And then they did in both county and city resolutions which followed three months later.

What DID surprise us was the nearly identical resolution passed by McKinley County Commissioners. Having traveled through this county and interviewed various personalities, the county-wide resolution amounts to nothing short of a miracle. That’s because the adjacent Navajo Nation, in the four corners area (New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Arizona), banned uranium mining in 2005. The city of Gallup is McKinley’s county seat. Gallup’s Wal Mart is reportedly where the Navajos do most of their shopping. More than 36 percent of Gallup’s residents are Navajo.

Even more amazing is the fact that McKinley County Commissioner Ernest C. Becenti, Jr, the gentleman who introduced McKinley County Resolution Number DEC-06-088 for consideration by the County Commission, is a Navajo. One of the primary reasons cited in the resolution was to replace the economic loss the county will suffer when the Pittsburgh & Midway coal mine shuts down in 2008. This resolution is likely to have a broad impact within the Navajo community in Gallup because it will help replace those lost mining jobs.

We talked with Mark Pelizza, vice president of environmental affairs for Uranium Resources, who told us, “We are pleased the principals of McKinley County understand the economic benefits of uranium mining.” How big is it? “The potential impact is huge,” Pelizza said, “At $100/pound and 10 million pounds U3O8 produced annually, it could bring $1 billion in uranium sales to the local economy.”

Strathmore Minerals’ vice president of environmental affairs Juan Velasquez wrote in an email, “We have enjoyed a lot of grass roots support from the folks in the Grants area, and we are heartened that McKinley County is favorable to our activities.” The resolutions should impact both companies in 2007 because they were the first to commence the required activities to obtain uranium mining licenses.

Uranium Resources has been actively involved in New Mexico since 1986, according to Pelizza, and obtained its NRC approval in the mid 1990s (recently reaffirmed by the NRC). Strathmore Minerals opened its environmental permitting office in 2005 and has been progressing through the state and federal permissions activities for two of its New Mexico uranium properties.

Over the past year, several other uranium companies became more active in the Grants Uranium District, such as Urex Energy (OTC BB: URXE), Laramide (LMRXF) and Western Uranium (WURNF). Another advanced stage junior uranium mining company, Energy Metals Corp (EMU) also holds properties in New Mexico, but decided to first develop its projects in Texas and Wyoming.

This past June, New Mexico State Senator Joseph A. Fidel, who represents one of the counties in the Grants Uranium District, told StockInterview, “The community will be very supportive of uranium mining. People will be cooperative and will react positively, when the time comes.” In June, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued LES a draft license to build and operate the first U.S. uranium enrichment facility in more than thirty years. It appears New Mexico’s time has come, and this state is back on track to revive its formerly world-class uranium mining industry.

COPYRIGHT © 2007 by StockInterview, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Source by James Finch

Let’s face it, the internet has moved from a place to surf the web to discover and read interesting factoids, run tax software or play games. Now it is a vital communication link for both businesses and family. Internet video technology is the next the next major shift in communication. These are the Internet Video tools you will soon be using. Video mail and instant messaging will be used daily by most for both business and family conversations. Think about it. Wouldn’t you rather have a face-to-face chat with your customer without leaving your office? Wouldn’t you rather smile and talk then type another email? Don’t you think your customer will be happier to see a brief video from you than read yet another email? Yes, yes and of course.

Video-mails, (emails with video in addition to text), and Video Instant messaging are the Internet video technology tools that will soon be part of your daily life. If you weren’t born with “IT blood” running in your veins or if are over 25, can you learn to use these tools to stay connected on the internet and expand your business? The answer is Yes. Let me explain what and how to use these Internet video technology tools.

Video mail is an email with a film strip that, once it is clicked on, plays a short 2-4 minute message. All of your facial expressions are displayed which by itself increases the retention of this information from 10% to 50%. Your face, your words delivered directly face-to-face have a much greater impact than reading a traditional written email. Here is where you set yourself apart from the others that are offering similar services. You become known by your potential customer.

Next: Instant messaging. You might be familiar with the traditional style, when you log the computer, a business associate would be notified that you are available and you begin communicating. However the process is awkward and time consuming… you type, and you wait while they read, and then type a response. Meanwhile your business associate has to wait until you read and respond.

Upgrade this IM with a video IM. Simply have an IM appointment to meet on the computer. Now you can have a “virtual meeting”, a true face-to-face, and real time communication with one or more colleagues. Imagine, saving you and your company the hassle and the expense of battling the local traffic and weather, airport delays, disruption of spending time from your family. With a Video Instant Message you can do your presentations, or discuss any business situation. Now with the tool of video instant messaging, you can maintain face-to-face connection to your satellite offices, co-workers or sales staff. Your Video IM could include associates from different offices or even different countries all talking together while each staying in their own office.

Using this same technology, the video instant message tool, for your family and friends will allow you to schedule a weekly family chat with your children and grandkids. Let the cousins grow together, sharing their lives even if they live thousands of miles apart. It is a Grandparents dream! The use of video Instant messaging will keep the family connected regardless of the location of residence.

These are the internet video tools that everyone will be using in the next year. Relax, they can be point and click easy. So get ready to show your face to your colleagues and friends via your computer.

Source by Dr Anney Zee