Watching TV Journalists On Election Night In The USA

Posted on November 12, 2016 by jaynezak

Watching TV Journalists On Election Night in The USA

“Accepting that life is insane, that bad things happen to good people and that you can find the courage to be grateful for the good in every situation and still move forward is hard (even terrifying), but heroic.” Richie Norton

They were expecting the first female president. After eighteen months of constant TV coverage, it was almost going to be over. As the results became clear, a sort of shocked, glazed expression came over the newscasters’ faces. All the polls were wrong. The nation was much more divided than people thought and the journalists missed that point. It appeared that the media was unaware of how unhappy and afraid many people in this country were. As the night wore on, it seemed that they had never entertained the possibility that the Republican nominee could win. Therefore, many of us who watched, read and listened to them for eighteen months, were unprepared as well.

The media had a clear anti-Trump stance. For the first time, I knew who the media would be voting for. The coverage of the fighting, name calling, birth places, taxes and emails had overshadowed what turned out to be the main issue of the campaign for the voters. Change or more of the same?

The 2016 election has exposed the desperate need for political reform in this country. I found myself stuck with two dismal choices. There were many rational reasons not to vote for Hillary Clinton – staggering health costs due to Obama care, corruption, economic insecurity, and pro war views. I had more reasons not to vote for Trump.

Trump voters were not all crazy racists haters. They were loyal, no matter how inarticulately they said it. They were also people who wanted change. They wanted to change the power structure in the Democratic and Republican parties.They didn’t care what the media was saying.

There is a reality here. In their eyes, the educated, elite, traditional politicians were unable to give economic security, avoid terrorist acts, find a health care program that works for everyone or stop Isis. The time was ripe for an outsider to come in with passion and force as it has happened throughout world history. The media in their elite complacency missed that.

I am a Democrat. I’m a little fearful of what is to come. But a President’s to do list doesn’t always match up with what gets done. We don’t know whether the worst will come or not, but we do know that this election brought out the worst in people. We need to find a way to remember the principles of this country and the Constitution. At this moment in time, it is best to support the process and call on our highest instincts to unite us.

Fly safe,

JAZ

Things I Have Learned In Israel

Posted on November 9, 2016 by jaynezak

Things I Have Learned In Israel

“Israel is slightly smaller than New Jersey. Moses in effect led the tribes of Israel out of the District of Columbia, parted Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, and wandered for forty years in Delaware.” P. J. O’Rourke

Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world. It has the highest rate of entrepreneurship among women and people over 55 in the world.

Israelis love to surf.

The first antivirus software for computers was created in Israel in 1979.

Eilat is a southern Israeli port and resort town on the Red Sea, near Jordan.

Its beaches are noted for their calm waters, like Dolphin Reef. Eilat is known for snorkeling and diving.

In regards to its population, Israel has the highest ratio of college degrees, museums and start-up companies.

Since 1951 all homes, residential buildings and industrial buildings in Israel are required to have bomb shelters. The shelters are the architecture of an existing threat and come in all shapes and sizes. You must enter a shelter as soon as you hear a siren.

If you are in Israel the week of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashonah) everyone from the taxi driver to the salespeople and the pilot will wish you Shana Tova. It means good year. Israeli Arabs and Barack Obama will wish you Shana Tova.

The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth. Period. People can easily float in the Dead Sea due to its unusually high salt concentration. It’s almost impossible to dive into it.

Motorola developed the cell phone in Israel.

Voicemail technology was developed in Israel.

Israeli banknotes have braille markings on them.

Rosh Hanikra or Hanikra (Hebrew: ראש הנקרה, Arabic: رأس الناقورة, Ras an-Nakura) is a geologic formation in Israel, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Western Galilee.

It is on the northwest border of Israel and is a few meters away from Lebanon.

A white chalk cliff face opens up into spectacular grottos.

The cable car down is one of the steepest in the world. I’m glad I did not know that before i went.

Israel has two official languages: Hebrew and Arabic.

Israel published more books translated from other languages than any other nation in the world.

The food in Israel is a combination of North African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Eastern European. Foods you have to try include Falafel, Hummus, Schwarma, Shakshouka and Labneh.

Ice cream is everywhere and pistachio seems to be a favorite flavor.

Israeli breakfast is one of the best things about Israel. It is usually served buffet style with an array of European, Israeli and Mediterranean dishes.

It is the biggest breakfast buffet I have ever seen. There are fresh, seasonal, usually dairy, healthy and unhealthy choices.

During the early days of Israel, it was common on the kibbutz to have a light snack and work in the field and then have a large mid morning meal.

In the nineteen fifties, the Israeli hotels decided to incorporate this tradition in a hotel stay. You can eat like you work on a kibbutz all day long without leaving the comfort of your hotel.

Israel was the first country to ban underweight models.

Stores , businesses and public transportation close in Israel from Friday afternoon till Saturday evening for the Sabbath.

Israel is one of two countries that started the twenty-first century with an increase in trees.

The Sea of Galilee — located .212 km below sea level — is the lowest freshwater lake in the world (and the largest in Israel)

Fly safe,

JAZ

Sintra, Caiscais and Estoril, Portugal

Posted on November 5, 2016 by jaynezak

Sintra, Caiscais and Estoril, Portugal

“Some places speak distinctly. Certain dank gardens cry aloud for a murder; certain old houses demand to be haunted; certain coasts are set apart for shipwrecks”. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Sintra was the place to be for the rich, famous and royal.

There are villas, palaces and castles with a mix of very colorful architectural and decorative features.

It is about an hour out of Lisbon with a cooler mountainous climate.

Pena Palace was built by the last Portuguese Royal Family In the mid-nineteenth century.

The palace is an unusual and ornate blend of design and color.

They were not afraid to mix prints, materials or styles.

It is on the highest hill and views are spectacular.

Being from a country that does have not have royalty, (other than rock, sports and Hollywood royalty) I have used the term castle and palace interchangeably. In Sintra where they have both, I have learned that a castle is built as a defense and a palace is used more to showcase wealth. A good rule of thumb is if there is a moat it is a castle. Pena is for sure a palace.

There is nothing practical here.

You can see that National Palace with its two chimneys from almost anywhere in Sintra.

It was built as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family who resided there from the early 15th century and was in continuous use up until the late 19th century. It now belongs to the State and it is used as a Cultural Centre where exhibitions are usually held.

Sintra’s charming historic town centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Every visitor should spend some time exploring the maze of cobblestone lanes lined with quaint shops and cafes.

We head to Cascais. Cascais represents the hardest part of the Portuguese language for me. It looks French but it is pronounced Cazh Cezh with a hard C. Sometimes a word looks Spanish and it means the same thing in Portuguese, but when said, it sounds Russian. (photo – Sintra Magik Tours)

Caiscais was once a sleepy fishing village and has transformed into a favorite holiday destination for Portuguese and Europeans.

It is a nice town with cobblestone streets lined with shops, bars and restaurants. It’s not just a holiday town, there’s a resident working population which generally commutes to Lisbon – half an hour or so – so it doesn’t close down as the tourist season ends. (photo-Sintra Magik Tours)

Cabo da Roca is the most westerly point on the European mainland.

It stands on a cliff and it is marked by a monument (with many people taking photos)

and a lighthouse. ( photo – Sintra Magik Tours)

Lisbon and the surrounding area was a spying hotbed during WWll because of the country’s neutrality, the city’s strategic position by the Atlantic and the presence of all sorts of displaced European royalty.

Hotel Palacio was not only Bond’s hotel in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but Lieutenant Ian Fleming himself stayed here during the Second World War.

The Allied spies based themselves at the Palacio and the bar they frequented in the hotel, and where Fleming enjoyed a martini or three, is today known as the Spies Bar. ( photo – Sintra Magik Tours)

The Casino in Estoril was the basis for Ian Fleming’s first 007 book Casino Royale.

There is no shortage of things to do in Lisbon but if you have a few days definitely get out of the city and explore the surrounding areas. I highly recommend doing it with Diogo of Sintra Magik Tours. http://sintraprivatetours.com/ He is intelligent and very knowledgeable about all of Portugal. As you can see from all the photos of me, he is also an excellent photographer. Special thanks to Sintra Magik tours for answering all my questions and for the needed photos. It was such a wonderful, special day.

Fly safe,

JAZ

My Top Ten Desserts In The World So Far

Posted on November 1, 2016 by jaynezak

My Top Ten Desserts In The World So Far

“I am starting to think that maybe memories are like this dessert. I eat it, and it becomes a part of me, whether I remember it later or not.” Erica Bauermeister

When the mood for dessert strikes, I am there. I consider it a necessity not a choice to try desserts when I am traveling. There isn’t a problem in the world that a good dessert can’t make feel a little better. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

Pastel de Nata – Portugal

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Baklava – Greece

Red Velvet Cupcakes – USA

Semolina Halva – Turkey (nice with fresh fruit)

Black Sesame Ice Cream – Japan

Malva Pudding (poeding) – South Africa

Sweet Sticky Rice With Coconut Cream and Mango – Thailand

Dulce de Leche – Argentina ( on ice cream, cookies, cake, bread)

Fresh Acai and Tapioca Ice Cream – Belem, Brazil

Mango Pudding – Hong Kong

Fly safe, JAZ

Finding Fernando Pessoa In Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on October 26, 2016 by jaynezak

Finding Fernando Pessoa in Lisbon, Portugal

“I’m nothing. I’ll always be nothing.I can’t want to be something.

But I have in me all the dreams of the world.” Fernando Pessoa

I was looking on the internet for interesting things to do in Lisbon and there was a tour with Lisboa Autentica http://lisboaautentica.com/en/ of Fernando Pessoa’s Lisbon. Fernando Pessoa was a famous writer and poet in Portuguese speaking countries. Seeing a city through the eyes of its artists, writers or chefs is always the way I want to see a city.

I started reading the Book Of Disquiet and realized that I was reading something amazing. The story is hard to describe. It is a fictional autobiography which deals with the meaning of life and the quest and topics that go with that. The poetic language in which he tells his story is brilliant. A great book to me is when I read it and think that I feel the same way. This made me very interested about who Fernando Pessoa was in Portugal.

The tour was available on my first morning in Lisbon. It was going to be my introduction to the city. I jumped in a taxi and headed to the Cafe Brasilia in Chiado, a heavily touristic area.

Many of Pessoa’s poems were written in coffee shops – at Brasileira in Chiado or in Terreiro do Passo’s Martinho da Arcada. There is a bronze statue of him at his favorite table outside the Cafe Brasilia.

The tour guide turned out to be a person who had put his soul into learning about Fernando Pessoa. Fabrizio Boscaglia had come from Italy to the University of Portugal where he received his PhD in Philosophy. He was part of the group of researchers who digitalized Fernando Pessoa’s private library and wrote his doctoral thesis about him. I was introduced to Fernando Pessoa through the eyes of someone who’s passion and enthusiasm for his writing had led him to this path.

As we walk the cobblestone streets of Chiado we pass the book headed statue in front of the place of his birth and the “office” where from the Book Of Disquiet worked.

Fernando Pessoa not only wrote under different names, he created different characters or personalities for them. He called them heteronyms. (heteronomonos) I think they were fragments of his personality. These poets he created were also some of the great writers of Portugal. They had their own birth dates, life stories, jobs, astrological charts and literary style quite different from each other. Many of them wrote incredibly beautiful poems. Pessoa who started a literary magazine also critiqued them. Some he liked better than others. There were at least seventy-eight heteronyms and probably many more.

We walk passed the beautiful Manueline Church, Opera House and Theatre as Fabrizio tells us about his life.

Fernando Pessoa moved to Durban, South Africa when he was five years old with his mother’s new husband who was with the consulate. He lived there until he was seventeen. I had just returned from South Africa so I can picture him there.

We continue near the places that Pessoa used to meet his lover Ophelia and the bars where he drank with his friends.

Fabrizio saw my interest and offered me the “advanced Fernando Pessoa tour” usually given in Portuguese. I was in. What better way to understand Fernando Pessoa and see Old Lisbon than with someone who cared so deeply about him.

We meet a few days later in the Alfama district of Lisbon, which is a maze of beautiful narrow uphill streets.

The city’s poorest residents, dock workers and sailors once lived there. It is now gentrified and trendy but still charming. There are several historic buildings and churches and one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon is here.

The Thieves Market -Fiera De Ladra happens every Tuesday and Friday. It is a flea market full of junk and treasures. A market had been in that spot had since the seventeenth century.

Fabrizio continues to tell me stories and little known facts about Fernando Pessoa as we navigate the picturesque streets as he once did.

Casa Fernando Pessoa is the house where Fernando Pessoa lived. Outside is a café with quotes from his poetry. Inside is a museum with his private objects, interactive exhibits, a small bookstore and a library.

One side of the library is dedicated to Fernando Pessoa books. Fabrizio shows me the book he published and is about to publish another one. The other side is a poetry section with books of poems from all over the world.

Fernando Pessoa published one book of poems in his life time called Mesagem. He died a penniless alcoholic.

The manuscript for the Book Of Disquiet was found in a trunk after his death along with many other unpublished works.

Pessoa is so important to modern Portuguese culture that he is buried in the 500-year-old Jerónimos Monastery, one of the most important buildings in all of Portugal, under a simple memorial.

I highly recommend taking the Fernando Pessoa tour with Fabrizio. He speaks so passionately that you become absorbed in the story. It is not often that you find a tour guide so educated in a subject and with such a unique perspective. He is also a really nice guy. It was an honor to see Lisbon with him.

Fly safe,
JAZ

Street Art In Lisbon -Portuguese Pavement

Posted on October 22, 2016 by jaynezak

Street Art In Lisbon – Portuguese Pavement

“Where utility ends and decoration begins is perfection.” Jack Gardner

If you read my blog, you know I am a fan of street art. Lisbon is no exception. There is very interesting urban art but there is also calcada portuguesa .They are street tiles painstakingly laid down by hand in a variety of mosaic patterns throughout the city. It started in the mid nineteenth century and can be seen in the historic parts of Lisbon.

Fly safe,

JAZ

Apologizing For Trump All Over The World

Posted on October 18, 2016 by jaynezak

Apologizing for Trump All Over The World

“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.” Søren Kierkegaard

As Americans traveling in Europe we do apologize often for our behavior. But we may have outdone ourselves with Trump. Trump represents the America that the world hates. He embodies the worst anti-American stereotypes: vulgar, violent, cash-obsessed, racist. I recently returned from Europe and the Middle East and found myself on the Trump Apology Tour. They are just baffled by how we have this Republican candidate.’To be a potential leader of a nation of immigrants and be anti-immigration and xenophobic plays into other countries fears.

The world seemed to like Obama. Traveling in 2008 was fun when it came to politics. Since the rise of Trump, you can’t really travel out of the US without a barrage of political questions.

In South Africa, I was often asked who do you think is worse Zuma or Trump? We’ve never competed with corrupt, dictator types before for unpopularity. “Why is Trump so popular with Americans?” asked the man at border control in Jordan. Are they allowed to ask that while holding your passport? As usual, I immediately have to distance myself from the Donald. ”No Idea. It’s terrifying.” He smiled and stamped my passport.

America is no stranger to embarrassing exports but we may have outdone ourselves with Donald Trump. They feel that what started as a bad joke might become a reality. Europeans are definitely feeling that now they have a reason to act superior.”What do you think of Trump?’ they ask. What I think is that Trump destroys everything I do as a traveler to make an impact on how people see Americans.

Fly safe,
JAZ

Things I Have Learned In Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on October 14, 2016 by jaynezak

Things I Have Learned In Lisbon, Portugal

“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.” Pascal Mercier, Night Train to Lisbon

Lisbon is known to be built on seven hills: Castelo, Graca, Monte, Penha de Franca, S.Pedro de Alcantara, Santa Catarina and Estrela. It makes the capital of Portugal similar to such cities as Rome, Istanbul and Moscow.

The views are crazy good from different parts of the city. My hotel was at the top of one of the hills because I was always walking up the wrong street to get there and having to walk down and up again. Walking the streets of Lisbon is a definite workout.

Lisbon’s superb natural setting, spread across seven hills facing the Tagus River, offers a network of terraces from which to contemplate the beauty of the city. They are called “miradouros” or viewpoints, they’re usually located at the highest points of each hill, and all have spaces to sit and rest. Some even have cafes serving snacks and light refreshments.

I’m usually not a fan of getting lost but I didn’t mind in Lisbon. There are interesting streets that I would have missed.

The Barcelos Rooster is considered to be the unofficial symbol of Portugal. The story varies but it has to do with a roasted rooster getting up from the table and declaring a falsely accused religious pilgrim innocent. It is carried for good luck. I buy every country’s good luck charms.

In Lisbon, there exists one of the oldest bakeries that makes Pastel de Nata. It’s located in the neighborhood of Belem. The Antiga Confeitaria de Belém is a favorite of locals and tourists alike.

The tarts here are called Pastéis de Belem and served plain with cinnamon and sugar toppings.

Lisbon has its own Cristo Rei (Christ the King statue) – a Catholic monument overlooking the city, standing on the left bank of the river. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The statue commemorates Portugal’s survival of WWII.

The Jerónimos Monastery was constructed in the Portuguese Manueline style. The Monastery was commissioned by King Manuel in 1501 and took 100 years to finish. The monks role was to pray for the King’s eternal soul and give spiritual help to navigators and sailors leaving to explore the world.

Vasco de Gama who is buried here left from this site in 1497. There are no advance tickets so come early or be prepared to wait up to an hour. The cloisters and architecture are magnificent and worth the admission. The Church of Belem is free.

Tower of Belem is Lisbon’s iconic landmark. The Tower is located on the Tagus River a twenty-minute walk from the Monastery. It was built in the Manueline style the sixteenth century as part of a defense wall which was never finished.

Manueline style is a very specific interpretation of Gothic architectural structure and decoration only found in Portugal.The style emerged during the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521) but the name was not adopted until the 19th century.

Buying gloves at the tiny Ulisses glove shop in Lisbon is a serious experience. They have made unique and high quality gloves in the same way since 1928. Place your elbow on a cushion and have the special opportunity of getting gloves fit to your hand. They are guaranteed for life and you don’t need a receipt as they know which are their gloves.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge over the Tagus River is the longest bridge in Europe – 17, 2 km (10.7 miles) long.

Fiera de la Ladra (thieves market) is a flea market in the Alfama district every Tuesday and Thursday. A market has been in this place since the twelfth century. It is one of the oldest areas in Lisbon and so beautiful to walk around in.

Lisbon was the first city in the world to import Guinness from the UK.

Sardines are a typical Portuguese meal . I can live without them but they weren’t that bad served fresh and much larger than the canned variety.

Canned fish seems to be a common staple in Portugal and there is a lot to choose from.

Right up there with sardines, octopus is the most fished species in Portugal. It is one of my favorite dishes and I had it a lot.

Eating grilled fish in Portugal (Peixe Grelhado) is an amazing experience.

Museu Berardo is a wonderful space for modern and contemporary art in Belem.The collection owes its existence to the Portuguese businessman Joe Berardo who, in his lifetime, amassed a great number of works of contemporary art. The space houses the permanent collection and changing contemporary exhibitions.

The Gulbenkian Museum is located in a modern complex with beautiful gardens and ducks, an extensive library and a Modern Art Center.The Gulbenkian collection was mostly collected by Calouste Gulbenkian during his lifetime.

The Modern Art Center(CAM) has an extensive collection of twentieth and twenty-first century modern Portuguese art. Temporary exhibits are scheduled throughout the year of Portuguese and international artists.

Lisbon was a love at first sight city for me. It is beautiful, colorful, full of layers and character. People are so friendly and helpful and many speak English or Spanish. The city is relatively inexpensive. Portuguese seafood is a reason alone to come here. It is very easy to get around by walking, taxi, boat or public transportation. I want to return soon.

Bom Viagem
JAZ

Welcome To My New Life

Posted on October 10, 2016 by jaynezak

“Now, as we close one chapter, the pen is gradually inking up, preparing itself to write the next.” Mie Hansson

Fly safe,

JAZ

Facebook Messages From Around The World

Posted on October 6, 2016 by jaynezak

Facebook Messages From Around The World

“Can we go back to using Facebook for what it was originally for – looking up exes to see how fat they got?” Bill Maher

Facebook has given us the ability to simultaneously connect with our best friend in the first grade, our cousins all over the world, assorted friends, relatives, acquaintances and people you have met once. With the click of a button I can see that someone I thought that I had left behind long ago had a double cappuccino for breakfast.

Like all technological advances, whether it is good or bad for you depends on how you use it. I happen to love a Facebook birthday. I like waking up to see people who I barely know or haven’t seen in years have wished me a Happy Birthday. I make it a point to do the same. It has its critics. Facebook not people are remembering the birthdays. It is a step above doing nothing, They still had to type it. i can do the once a year thing. But lately I have received these kinds of Facebook messages.

Two of your friends from Viet Nam are celebrating the Autumn Festival.

Three of your friends from Mexico are celebrating Mexican Independence Day.

Am I being rude or culturally biased not to wish them Happy Autumn Festival? Am I committing some Social Media faux pas that I don’t know about yet by not saying Happy Independence Day? Will they be getting a message that says eight of your friends are from America. They are celebrating Veterans Day. Send them a message.

I’m getting the idea that Facebook loves sending notifications so we can spend more time on Facebook. There is definitely a way to manage these notifications. For me, it involves more time, on the internet to figure it out. It is just easier to wish all my Japanese friends a Happy Cherry Blossom Festival.

Fly safe,
JAZ