Travel Scope – Hotels, Airports, Flights

AlJazeeraEnglish asked:

In the first of a new series Al Jazeera’s Divya Gopalan attempts to understand the real Mumbai by taking a culinary journey through its Street Food.

Krinda

Ross Bainbridge asked:




Christmas, no matter how it is celebrated, brings together family and friends to celebrate Christ’s birth. Being predominantly Christian, Jamaica celebrates Christ’s birth and lends its own distinct flavor to Christmas.

Traditional Christmas carols are also sung in the tropical islands in the same way these are sung in almost all countries. Yet to give it a Jamaican flair, a lot of the popular Christmas carols are re-recorded in reggae rhythm. Reggae versions of popular Christmas carols are now acquiring popularity the world over.

Perhaps the most important sign that marks the Christmas season in Jamaica would be the food. Bakers and homemakers start baking Christmas fruit cakes using mixed fruits marinated in wine months in advance, and rum made from locally grown sugar cane. Sorrel, Jamaica’s Christmas drink, is also prepared using sorrel sepal, cinnamon, cloves, sugar, orange peel, and white rum. Served over ice, sorrel is served all over Jamaica during the Christmas season. Celebrating Christmas day in Jamaica is a whole-day feast starting with ackee, salted fish, breadfruit, fried and boiled bananas, fresh fruit juice, and tea. Because of the hearty breakfast which can go on until before lunch, Christmas dinners are served in the early afternoon. Roasted chicken or duck, stewed ox tail, goat curry, ham, rice, and peas are the usual offerings.

Johnkano celebrations, a pagan ritual introduced by African slaves that highlight masked dancers and musicians are also celebrated in some of Jamaica’s rural areas. A lot of houses are painted, and homeowners hang new curtains and western Christmas decorations such as wreaths, tinsel, and Christmas lights. Santa Claus, a western Christmas concept, also adorns houses and shop windows. This is despite the fact that Jamaican houses do not have chimneys where Santa usually descends! In some rural communities, Santa Claus delivers his gifts riding a cart pulled by donkeys.

Ross Bainbridge asked:




Holidays in Jamaica include Christian holidays as well as Labor Day (May 23), Independence Day (6 August), Emancipation Day (1 August), and National Heroes Day (18 October). These holidays provide an opportunity for tourists to experience the true essence of Jamaica through its varied culture and active nightlife. Jamaica also observes public holidays, including Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, Christmas Day (Dec 25), and Boxing Day (Dec 26).

Although, it feels like holiday time all year round in Jamaica, public holidays are great for embarking on a tour to the Caribbean. Many Internet sites and directories list the holidays and anniversaries that are celebrated in Jamaica. Some may also be found listed in the various travel guides and local newspapers and journals.

With its balmy weather, Jamaica is more of a year-round destination. Nevertheless, it has a distinct High Holiday season running roughly from mid-December through mid-April. Hotels charge their highest prices during this peak winter period, when visitors fleeing cold north winds crowd the island to enjoy the sun-basked beaches.

The off-season in Jamaica (approximately mid-April to mid-December) amounts to a summer sale. On the whole, hotel rates are cut at a startling twenty to sixty percent. Some package-tour charges are lowered by as much as twenty percent of the original, and individual tour airfares are reduced from five to ten percent. Additionally, airline seats and hotel room rates are favorable when bookings are done in bulk for family tours or for large travel groups.

The curse of Jamaican weather, also called the hurricane season, officially lasts from early June to late November. Satellite weather forecasts usually give ample warning so that safety measures can be taken. Although, the advantages of off-season travel outweigh the disadvantages, there are drawbacks to summer travel.

Jamaican hoteliers save their serious repairs and their major renovations until the off-season and hence, the services are often reduced during this time. Not all restaurants and bars in the resorts are fully operational. The number of staff personnel is also considerably sized down. Thus, although holiday time is a good occasion for starting a Jamaican vacation, all the other aspects should also be considered before taking up any tour package.

Bernadene

GLOWlad asked:


Today potential strikes were announced at UK Airports, including on the date of my departure to Japan, 17th January. I then tried to re-arrange my flight, but was told by travel agent and airline that this wasnt possible. I dont know what to do. The airline say they wont know if my flight is cancelled perhaps even on the day before my holiday! That isnt good enough! I would then have to cancel my hotels, train journeys etc at the last minute costing me hundreds of pounds in penalties, and causing immense stress and disruption

Please please please, is there any way out of this awful trap? Ideally Id like to rearrange to flight now, or cancel it, again, my airline/travel agent insist I cant do this without losing ALL my money. Please help!

John W Ellis asked:




Package holidays are looking like a better option since the volcanic ash cloud closed British airspace. As your holiday is purchased as one package from a tour operator, you won’t be out of pocket should you not be able to take your holiday due to the volcanic ash cloud.

What is a package holiday
A package holiday is when you buy all the separate bits of your holiday in one. So you don’t need to purchase a flight, accommodation and transfers separately, they are all purchased as one holiday – or a “package”.

Why is buying the separate pieces of your holiday a problem.
Buying your flight from one company, and accommodation from another isn’t normally a problem -however if you can’t make it to your chosen destination because one of Iceland’s volcanoes, such as Eyjafjallajokull, has done its worst you will lose your holiday. You should get your flight costs refunded, but your accommodation costs will be lost. It’s not the fault of the accommodation provider that you couldn’t make it to your destination, so they can’t be expected to refund your money.

How will a package holiday be better
Booking your holiday as a package means that the company you booked your holiday through is responsible for getting you to your destination, providing your accommodation, and then getting you home again. So if you can’t get to your destination because of any volcanic ash clouds lurking around, you’ll be able to get all your money back – or rearrange your holiday for another time.

Why is a package holiday the better option since the volcanic ash cloud
Package holidays have always offered you the same security against failing to get to your destination, nothing has been changed. The difference now is that people are more aware of this security. Up until the ash cloud, it was assumed that flight would always leave “more or less” on time. The ash cloud has changed this thinking, which is why it’s wise to consider a package holiday for your overseas break.

Why book your holiday as separate pieces rather than a package
It has become more popular in recent years to put together a holiday yourself. The good old internet has made finding accommodation in far flung places much easier, so you can get more choice. It can also work out cheaper to book your accommodation separately, as the tour operator who puts your package together has to make a profit.

Hatem A asked:


For a week the Iceland volcano caused a huge disruption in worldwide air traffic. Many people were stock. Many lost most of their cash. Business was interrupted. Medical operations were canceled. Airlines lost billions, among other things. This was all caused by a God made blockade for only one week.

What should the Palestinians in Gaza say, when they have been under a man made blockade for 3 years now. People have not been able to travel for nearly all that period. Most basic supplies to the Strip have been stopped including building material and school books. Many have died waiting on permit to leave for treatment. Hundreds of businesses permanently shutdown. Well off people became poor. Students could not finish their education abroad. Nearly 50% unemployment rate. That is not counting the total lack of security and being under continuous threat of another Israeli destructive war. All of this punishment because people participated in democratic elections and voted for a party that the US and Israel do not like.

What is worse? The one-week God-made blockade? Or the 3-year man-made blockade? Whatever happened to humanity?

Happy A asked:


Help me edit this note!!! It’s only a few lines long. ?
Hello. Could someone please help me edit this note so it sounds more professional?

To North Sydney Girls High,

I wish to request permission for my daughter, _________, Year 10, to take leave on the 11th December 2008 for overseas travel to Canada. I apologise that we were incapable of organizing a more convenient flight time. The reason for her travel is because hasn’t been to Canada in 10 years and her grandparents are ageing. This will be the last opportunity she may get to see her grandparents before graduation.
I would also like to inform the school that she will be returning to Australia on the 5th February 2008, which will be nine days after school begins. I am aware of the necessity for students to return on the first day for year meetings, to receive individual timetables, etc, but another time could not be scheduled. I am apologetic for the disruption.

Yours Truly,

_______________

Mother
————————————–…

Feel free to add some HARD words in so it sounds more professional.
Also feel free to change the whole note into your own language or whatever to make it sound more professional. I don’t care what is edited in the note. As long as it sounds more professional!
err okay. Nope. I’m not the parent. I’m the kid.

Roxie

LD22 asked:


Hi there,

My housemates and I were recently informed by our letting agents that they need access to our house for building work.

The work requires 5 bedrooms to be evacuated (the house is 8-bedroom/8-person occupancy) for 12 days (they are plastering/knocking down walls etc.) and for there to be intermittent power cuts as well as throughway access to the rooms (which are on the higher floors of the house).

The letting agents thought our lease was ending earlier than it in fact was, so they have given us no notice about this work.

I have successfully requested compensation from this letting agents (and the landlord they represent) once before when due to building work we had no kitchen access for 2 weeks. This time, however, when I met them they were far more pressurizing and awkward – they were asking for ‘verbal agreements that we were “happy with the work to take place”‘ and so forth and using scare tactics where they claimed if we tried ‘asking for too much from the landlord we wouldn’t get anything’. So I am now unsure about how to proceed.

I was wondering particularly the two following things:

1) what compensation can we claim – I currently am inclined to ask for a full rent rebate for the period of the building work, as well as around £40-£50 compensation per night of building work for each of the tenants that have to evacuate their rooms so they can pay for a B&B/hostel etc. Is this a feasible amount and should I ask for more given there will be other costs such as travel/food/change of plans (some housemates are working in london and will have major disruption at having to come back to move their possessions).

2) Should we be careful about agreeing to letting the building work proceed? I was worried that if we say it’s ok for them to do the work, they will later claim we agreed to their requests and have no basis to claim compensation. Also I was wondering the legal position if we refuse to, or are unable to, empty out all the rooms in which they want to do work?

Thanks very much

Joice

homero_is_a_pimp asked:


1. The Prophet Muhammad had knowledge of life beyond Mecca because he was
a. exiled to Persia before his conversions.
b. well-read and well-educated as an Arab scholar.
c. a merchant and had traveled.
d. a judge who frequently arbitrated disputes.
e. a traveling scholar who moved between cities teaching.

2. One of the strengths of Islam which made it a successful universalizing religion similar to Christianity was its
a. use of a common language, Arabic, to unite all members.
b. insistence that there was only one God.
c. support for merchants and commercial values.
d. egalitarianism that transcended previous loyalties, ethnicities, or allegiances.
e. condemnation of violence as incompatible with faith.

3. The issue that confronted Muslims following Muhammad’s death and the issue which eventually split Muslims into Shi’a and Sunni sects involved
a. the toleration or persecution of Christians and Jews.
b. who was Muhammad’s legitimate successor.
c. the conversion of non-Arabs to Islam.
d. the morality of the holy war (jihad) against enemies of the faith.
e. the accuracy of different translations and versions of the Qur’an.

4. The decline of women’s position within Islamic civilization was due to
a. Islamic dogma.
b. contacts with older sedentary cultures and their highly stratified urban systems.
c. the necessities of war and holy war.
d. the high death rates of males; the increased number of women in Islamic society “decreased the value” of women
e. Bedouin traditions.

5. The first flowering of Islamic civilization
a. was intolerant toward older civilizations and their learning because these cultures were pagan.
b. grew largely out of indigenous Arabia and Bedouin traditions.
c. borrowed exclusively from the Chinese.
d. borrowed heavily from classical civilizations, but made significant contributions in its own areas.
e. was mostly imitative rather than creative.

6. Unlike the Romans in the western part of the empire, the eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire
a. was never invaded or threatened by pastoral nomads.
b. recognized the political influence of the Pope and Catholic Church.
c. continued to use Latin as its chief language until its fall.
d. became Muslim.
e. did not succumb to Germanic invasions in the 5th century.

7. As had Hammurabi’s Code (Mesopotamia), Justinian’s Code (Byzantine)
a. dealt primarily with church law and religious issues.
b. became the basic law code for his state; and influenced future law codes.
c. led to internal disruptions and faced harsh opposition.
d. greatly influenced the laws of Islam.
e. deviated sharply from previous legal traditions when it sought to create a new tradition.

8. Although Byzantine society was patriarchal,
a. Greek traditions accorded women great freedom and influence.
b. Roman traditions granted women extensive legal rights.
c. contact with Islam led the Byzantines to protect women’s rights.
d. women could inherit the imperial throne.
e. wars kept men and husbands away from their traditional societal functions.

9. All of these people and states contributed to the destruction of the Byzantine Empire EXCEPT the
a. Kievan Rus.
b. Seljuk Turks.
c. independent Slavic states in the Balkans such as Bulgaria and Serbia.
d. Western Crusaders and the Roman Catholic Church.
e. Italian trading city-states such as Venice and Genoa.

10. The first state in Russia arose when
a. nomadic pastoralists established a sedentary Jewish state.
b. Scandinavian traders set up a government along their trade route.
c. Byzantine missionaries converted Russian farmers.
d. Arabs who conquered the area established a province of the Muslim empire.
e. Catholic influences from western Europe invaded the region.

11. The period known as the Middle Ages in Europe
a. was an era in which European culture and civilization dominated the Mediterranean region.
b. was a period of isolation and stagnation for European society.
c. began with feudal kings in control and ended with the Roman Catholic church the dominant power in Europe.
d. began with the fall of Rome and ended with the decline of Europe’s feudal and religious institutions.
e. saw Christianity confined to a few lands in western Europe.

12. During the Middle Ages, effective political and military power in Europe was
a. wielded by the Roman Catholic church.
b. the domain of the national monarchs such as the King of France.
c. local in nature with regional aristocrats holding the greatest influence.
d. furnished by mercenary armies supported by the rich towns and cities.
e. shared by the peasants, urban dwellers, and the church.

13. Manorialism was characterized by all of these conditions EXCEPT:
a. most peasants were serfs.
b. manors and peasants depended on merchants for most necessities.
c. peasants were obligated to give their lord a portion of their produce.
d. the lords protected the peasants.
e. levels of productions and techno

morgan le dreamer ✿ asked:


okay so schools are being shut because of the snow, and this is what my school website says:

Message to all parents :

It is my intention to open the school for Years 10 and 11 tomorrow to allow those following GCSE courses to continue with their learning and I am doing all that I can to ensure that we open as normal to all year groups on Tuesday. If weather conditions, however, deteriorate overnight I will make a further assessment and decision by 7.00 am tomorrow morning. There is currently no information from the Local Authority regarding school transport and therefore it is important that you continue to check the following for the latest information:
Whilst I am expecting all staff to be in school tomorrow I am aware that those living in more remote areas may have some difficulty in travelling and as a result there may some disruption to the school timetable.
All students are advised to wear appropriate footwear for tomorrow. Although key paths have been cleared, we have not been able to remove snow from all areas and some may remain icy. Parents need to be aware that our caterer may not be able to produce a full menu of meals tomorrow as deliveries to the site will have either been cancelled or restricted.

Year 11 students are reminded that they should continue with their revision and ensure that they have read the revised timetable for the Mock examinations which has been posted on the school website (see below).

does this mean that only years 10 and 11 go in, or the whole school? i don’t get it?
thankyou(:

I thank you for your forbearance.

Kelcie