Gadling

An article in yesterday's New York Times neatly dove-tails with Neil's Infiltrating North Korea post on Arts and Culture. This coming February the New York Philharmonic will be performing in Pyongyang. North Korea invited them. Perhaps Neil's visit so impressed the higher ups, i.e., "Who is that incredibly tall American who takes pictures of food and traffic women? He's so polite, so charming, so interesting. Are there more like him?" that they decided to bring in more. Probably not, but it's a thought.

The Philharmonic's visit is no small feat. It's more than just getting a large group of people with their instruments on an airplane. This is diplomacy at work. Despite the differences countries have politically, it's hopeful that all will work out if the artists among us have the chance to share their talents around the globe. While the New York Philharmonic is in Pyonyang for their concerts February 26, 2008, they'll also meet with conservatory students to give instruction. What a fascinating opportunity for both sides. Neil would probably vouch for that.

This week's issue of Science is devoted to coral reefs, specifically the dire condition they're in and the dangers they face. Not sure if anyone else here reads the magazine as religiously as me (give me a shout-out if you do), but they do a great job in highlighting the fast-eroding plight of the world's coral.

Did you know that global warming, disease, and humans have already destroyed 20% of the world's coral reef? At the same time, coral generates $30 billion annually through tourism and fisheries. And it's predicted that the rest of the reefs may collapse in two decades.

Indeed, coral is one of the most overlooked victims of climate change--polar bears are just more cuddly, what can I say. But I think they're finally showing up on the international agenda. I'm still conflicted whether tourism will help preserve these wonderful underwater paradises. What do you guys think?

(The Science articles are behind a subscription wall)

Having traveled pretty extensively over the last few years, I've had the opportunity (read: been forced) to taste some truly delicious -- and truly disgusting food. My reservations and weak stomach aside, I've always at least tried some of the local fare, even if it was called "Birds Nest White Fungus" or involved sauteed reindeer.

Along the way, I had the opportunity to take some shots of the exotic fare and in hindsight I'm glad I suffered through some of the tough dishes. Though they may have not been the most appealing at the time, they are definitely memories that will resound in my mind -- and gastrointestinal system -- for many years to come.

Here's a heads up for next year since the day has passed. Still, since this is a month of holidays, I didn't want this one to go unmentioned. December 12th is one of the most important holy days in Mexico and much of Latin America. The Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day is when people honor Mexico's patron saint, the Lady of Guadalupe. She appeared in the 16th century to Juan Diego, a poor farmer in Mexico, and is thought to have been the Virgin Mary. His apron with her image on it remains.

Along with many church celebrations, processionals and ceremonies in Mexico and the U.S., December 12th is when hundreds of people make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, thought to be on the site when Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared. Inside the church, the tilma (apron) that belonged to Juan Diego is on display. Several million come here every year for mass and to see the icon. By the looks of the crowds in this YouTube video, it's quite the place to visit.

Here is another video from a church in New Jersey that begins to celebrate the feast day the Sunday before the 12th. There is an interview with the priest about the celebration's significance and footage of the happenings. And, here is an article from today's Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky that also provides an overview about how this celebration is important to people who have immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and those with Mexican heritage.

The photo was taken by Chantel Foster during the Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day procession in Albuquerque, New Mexico and posted on Flickr.

How's this for wacky news: An Icelandic teenager managed to convince several officials that he was the president of Iceland, and even was scheduled for a call with George W. Bush on December 1 until he was found out at the last moment, as this recent article reports. The boy posed as Iceland's president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, and called the White House using a number given to him by his friends.

But showing their usual lack of humor, the police did not find it funny, and took the actual president in for questioning around the time that the fake call was meant to happen. Once the clever teen was discovered, he was questioned as well. However, no further action appears to have been taken.

I'd like to know what this teenager said to get through to the president. No doubt, it was more intelligent than the old "Hello, is your refrigerator running .... " gag.

A couple of months ago, my cell phone bill came to $150. Ouch. Turns out I don't have a very good long distance plan, so texting and leaving tipsy messages for my friends from my vacation was a little pricey. Still, I guess I can't really complain -- a 22-year-old man working in the oil fields in Northern Alberta received a shockingly high cell phone bill -- for $85,000! Good grief! That's a house, not a phone bill. I'm surprised that phone bills even get that high.

Apparently, Piotr Staniaszek thought that he could use his cell phone as a modem for his computer and, since he was holed up in a shack in the middle of nowhere by himself, spent his time surfing the net and downloading movies.

Bell Canada, his provider, has agreed to reduce to the charges to $3,400. Still. That's pretty steep.

We've written posts about dastardly roads before. (Martha's, Justin's , Willy's, Mine) Many are windy, narrow ones that snake around mountains. One of my worst stretches of road, I've decided is I-75 between Lexington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. I drove along a several mile unlit portion of the highway after dark, not once but twice (!)this past weekend.

A relative of mine died earlier in the week, and with the funeral south of Hazard, I corralled my daughter into this impromptu road trip. With a full day of things that needed to be done on Saturday, we left Columbus at 5:30 PM for a night at my aunt and uncle's house in Lexington, Kentucky in order to make it to the Sunday funeral. No problems until we reached south of Florence. Northern Kentucky is fairly populated with many exits. There is a sense that people are tucked in their homes not too far away--plus the road is straight and easy to follow. Then, about the I-71, I-75 split with I-71 heading to Louisville and I-75 continuing to Lexington, the scenery changed and I began to wonder where every one went. It didn't help that it was pouring rain, and the road, from what I could see of it, started to have curves. Each curve seemed to come up at the last second before I needed to turn the wheel to not go careening off into a field or forest. I don't know which; I couldn't see.

Catherine recently talked about finding love at the airport and the popularity of online social networking to meet someone while hauled-up at the airport.

But, if you want to skip the whole courage building process to approach the hottie you saw whilst boarding, or want immediate interaction with not one, but plenty of singles looking for in-flight spice, Central Europe's low-budget airline Sky Europe will organize a speed-dating session for you mid-air. "Come with a bright smile and look forward to a great trip", I had to laugh when I read that in its list of guidelines.

So far the Sky Dating service has been offered on Sky Europe flights to Italy, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands. It works like any other speed-dating service: you get 5-minutes with every person signed up and results are emailed 3 days post event. Unfortunately, you can't sign-up for it on a spontaneous whim, you have to register for it in advance.

If you want to travel especially to meet someone, you can get the Sky Date package to a European capital. Trips are normally 1-3 days, your accommodation is taken care of and city tours will be organized, all with the idea of getting you hooked to someone on the trip. According to a recent article on MSNBC: on the last Sky Date flight - which combined speed-dating with overnight hotel stay and guided city tour, three couples were formed by the end of the trip.

Hmmm. Excuses for being single are running out way too fast! :)

Are you one of the many Americans that still don't have a passport? Shame on you. But being shamed by some random travel blog on the Internets is the least of your worries, especially if you plan on re-entering the U.S. by land, ferry, or small boat.

According to USA Today, those re-entering after January 30th "must carry either a passport or a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship such as a birth or naturalization certificate."

I'm surprised this is just now happening. You'd think having the correct documentation is common sense, but I'm sure they've had people show up with things like a Macy's card and a picture of their uncle in front of the Statue of Liberty trying to get across. What? This doesn't prove anything?

Turnaround time for passports ranges from four to six weeks, so get a move on it.

I've recently been in touch with a Serbian anthropologist who studies the Gypsies there. Chatting with her has given me an intriguing glimpse into everyday life and culture of these mysterious folks.

She mainly focuses on their reproductive behavior. In short, they have lots of sex and kids, and in general put less investment into each offspring. In biology, this is known as classic "r-strategy." In comparison, most humans practice (I would hope) k-strategy, which is to say, you fritter away your working life saving up for your kid's college tuition (high parental investment).

The Gypsies there are essentially forced to pursue this counter-intuitive strategy, because of high infant mortality rates. They also happen to be one of the most marginalized Gypsy groups in Europe--many drive these Citroen cars that are stripped down to just wheels and the engine, and go scrounging for scrap metal. The good news they've managed to maintain a rich culture, by marrying only within their clan and stressing their oral tradition (particularly in poetry and music).

The backdrop is dramatic--a country quickly recovering from the 1999 bombings, and moving away from its communism roots towards lucrative privatization, with GDP growth this year at 7% compared to 2% in 2003. They've even been thinking about EU membership. But like everyone else, Serbia has forgotten about the Gypsies.

Here's a BBC slideshow.