We have just begun a new program to support the efforts of CARE USA in their humanitarian efforts and their current project assisting flood victims in Pakistan.

Information from the CARE organization taken from their website www.care.org:

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting poverty and social injustice. They place special emphasis on investing in women and girls because our six decades of experience show that their empowerment benefits whole communities.

By working side by side with communities to create lasting solutions that respect local culture and knowledge, CARE will make substantial, measurable contributions to the Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day by 2015.

A portion of sales on www.zygerimports.com will be donated to CARE. Together, in small ways, we can make a world of difference.

Happy Travels!
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We receive lots of questions about the origin of our murano glass. Every product that we offer are genuine Murano glass. But, it’s easy to be fooled. Even when we visited the island of Murano,  we found shops that were selling “knock-off” products made in China. Authorized shops in Murano display a seal of authenticity. We pride ourselves in importing our glass directly from a small local artisan producer that has continued the glass making tradition in Murano, Italy over hundreds of years.  

How can you tell if you are purchasing authentic Murano Glass online?
HOW-to-IDENTIFY-FAKE-MURANO-GLASS

Happy Travels!

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Tags: Arghand Pebble Soap, Organic Botanical Soap, Zyger Imports

Nothing like 24 hours in a cramped airplane to create a strong sense of disorientation. That’show we were delivered in Bangkok at 11:45 p.m. — tired and not sure at all where we were going. Happily most signs had English words below the Thai scripts, and most of the time the translation was accurate or at least close. We were thus able to find our wayto the taxi stand line, which took about 25 minutes to snake our way through. We had heard that Thailand was the “land of a thousand smiles,” and one was readily supplied by our cab driver. He cheerfully explained that the “meter broken” after putting our bags in the back and tucking us in. Ok, so we know better, but we were exhausted and the hotel that we were going to was supposed to be close by. We arrived within 15 minutes, and didn’t find out until the next day that the 9 dollars we paid should have actually been the fare all of way to Bangkok, 35 minutes away. In the words of George Bush, “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice. . . .can’t get fooled again.” Or something like that.

The next day we took a taxi to Bangkok and arrived at our hotel. Turns out we were 2 hours early for check-in. Uh-oh. But the hotel agreed to store our bags, and we were then thrust out into the streets of Bangkok without the benefit of a few minutes to gather ourselves in our room and develop a direction and a plan. Still feeling disoriented and jet lagged, clutching a map from the hotel, we picked a direction which we think is leading us toward the Chao Phray River. When no river appeared, we stopped on the sidewalk to discuss strategy. Here comes another native of the “land of a thousand smiles” deciding somehow that we were people he should get to know. He helpfully asks my husband “where are you going.” Sean uncharacteristically starts chatting away. Must have been the jet lag. I, not being so charmed, encourage a parting of ways. Still lost, we turn a corner and happen upon an area map. Luckily, another member of the “land of a thousand smiles” club is there to greet us. She works at the local hospital close by and this happens to be her day off. “Where are you going?” she asks. Just so happens she is also headed toward the river. My husband, who usually has a very suspicious nature, takes to the stranger and chats away with her on the way down the street, me in tow. Are you kidding?

We find our way to the “ferry” and she starts assisting us with purchasing tickets. The price, a mere 2000 Baht for the day. About $60 dollars. When we balk, she encourages us to barter (it is Thailand after all). Somewhere through the fog I recall there is a public ferry, and I couldn’t imagine it would cost that much. We wander off, even more disoriented and now feeling a bit vulnerable. Not a good place.

We find a bench by the river and sit to regroup. There is another “boat vendor” close by, but we are feeling beaten down and not really wanting to open ourselves up to be taken advantage of yet again. The trip is not starting out well, not so far. We finally summon up enough fortitude to resume our exploration, and find the public ferry. We purchase tickets for 150 Baht for the day – about 5 bucks. We ended up having a great time and felt we had learned some important lessons that would guide our stay in Bangkok. Sean agreed to stop making “friends” and we now knew to stay away from the most dangerous place in Bangkok – anywhere near a map.

Over time we even saw that people had taken to putting up fake municipal maps (matted and hung on a pole). When we heard the words “where are you going” we learned to shake our heads and walk away. We even ignored a friendly smiling Thai who told us that the public boats stopped running at 3:00 p.m. (clearly a ploy to get us on another one of the private 2000 baht boats, not this time sister.) Although as it turns out, that was true. Ah well.

We found it funny when we found this sign in front of the Grand Palace:

All of that being said, I have to add that I never felt really in danger whatsoever in Thailand. Most of the people were quite respectful and haggling and bartering is done is a very good natured way. Thailand has some absolutely beautiful areas and I woke up every day wondering what I would find around the corner. I was not disappointed and left with experiences that I could not have had anywhere else. I now consider myself a better seasoned traveler looking forward to the next adventure.

Happy Travels!

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Thailand – Should I Confess?

This was my first trip to Asia. I had heard that a lot of “not so PC” things took place there, but didn’t think that I would actually be a participant in an activity that I look back on, thinking . . . “did I really do that?”

As a preamble, and like in so many stories that are predicated by sound decision making, I need to explain the Chang Rating System that was devised by my husband and me during our trip to Thailand. As anyone who has traveled to Thailand will explain, one of the many wonders of the area is that the best food is enjoyed on the street, made by vendors who supply tourists and locals alike. Not only is the street food the most flavorful in the Country, but it’s also the least expensive. It’s also accompanied by another fun discovery – the street vendors ample stock of inexpensive beer. A street meal, made up of a chicken skewer, side dish with noodles, egg and vegetables, along with a cold frosty, will run you about 180 Thai Baht. 6 bucks. And next to the street food vendors all over Thailand were massive craft markets full of everything from fake rolex watches, hand carved elephants and rows of chairs with would be masseurs offering one hour of leg and shoulder kneading for 60 Baht (2 bucks). Now these areas are full of people, crowds becoming shoulder to shoulder by 9:00 at night. I found that as a Westerner who appreciates boundaries and a nice arm-length of distance in conversations, these circumstances could be somewhat uncomfortable. I have also learned over time that if I am going to be able to get any productive shopping done with husband in tow, it is best accomplished when he is in a slightly lubricated state. So, clearly, a little alcohol is in order.

The beer of choice in Thailand is the local brew, Chang. Which is like Budweiser’s cousin from the bad side of the tracks. Same taste, but a little more kick. Our rating system, which resulted in optimal handicraft shopping, is as follows:

Chang low – no Chang, no sale. Much grumbling and querry, “Do we need this.” This question does not bode well on handicraft shopping adventures.

Chang High – Not recommended. Could lead to poorly thought out tribal Thai tattoo applied expertly with a coconut mallet and sharp bamboo stick in a sterile road side setting.

Copa Chang – Ka Ching! Copacetic. All is well, shopping bags begin to swell. Happiness.

At dinner on our first night we met a friendly gentleman from England who was staying at the resort for about a month. We asked for his recommendations. We learned about some interesting elephant treks, cooking classes, and . . . . the fish spa. What is this? Noting our furrowed brows, our dinner companion went on about the virtues of the fish spa. Apparently there are long lines for the opportunity to have tiny fish nibble away at your feet, and miraculously do away with years worth of calluses leaving your feet amazingly smooth and supple. Furrowed brows remained. Our British friend enthusiastically offered to retrieve the before and after pictures of the soles of his feet. An offer and opportunity that we respectfully declined. And therefore won’t be available for inspection as part of our confession – you’re welcome.

The next day was the famed Sunday Market in Chiang Mai, and our hotel offered a free drop off and pick up which we enthusiastically accepted. Just to set the mood, a free, or even public paid ride in Chiang Mai, consists of a sitting cattle style in a pick-up truck fitted with two vertical benches. So we’re off.

Once in Chiang Mai, we came to the rapid conclusion that our level was decidedly Chang Low, particularly for the shopping venture at hand. We took to the food vendor area and found some amazing spicy and wonderful Thai food that we washed down with ample Chang beer. Once Copa Chang, we ambled merrily down the street until we stumbled upon, yup, the fish spa.

Honestly can’t say that I noticed a big difference in my feet, and I won’t share any before and after pix, (you’re welcome again). But I can say that it was fun to get outside of my comfort zone and to try things that I never imagined that I would. But isn’t that what makes travel so amazing?

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Pontone – A walk back in time

My favorite day in Sorrento was a complete surprise. I read plenty of guide books, watched all of the travel channelshows and thumbed through magazines before heading to the Almafi coast, but nothing really prepared me for Pontone. Or, more accurately, the hike to Pontone.

We marched past the tourist shops with the goal of working up some sweat and finding a restaurant high up in the hills that we had heard was fantastic. It didn’t take long for the crowds to dwindle and for the local culture to emerge. The street gave way to stone steps which wound up the hill past orchards and farms.

We had to stop to give way to donkeys hauling big bundles of sticks and started to get a glimpse of life as a local. The trail dwindled into a dirt path that mercifully lead us to a tree covered area that gave us some refreshment from the sun and heat. And really, walking up stone steps in the sun and heat is a challenge regardless of the scenery. Along the way we heard water in the distance and happened upon a cooling waterfall – perfect!!

The trail continued up and we were rewarded with amazing views of Almafi while in the midst of a canopy of grapes. Not so bad. Although at this point, about 1½ hours into the hike, we were hot and thirsty and ready for lunch. The town began to emerge, and we were again greeted by the sight of donkeys carrying dirt as part of a construction effort. We had some difficulty finding the restaurant we had read about (of course it was still a good way up the hill). We arrived very tired, very thirsty, and very dirty. The owners pointed us to a patio with a gorgeous view of Almafi below. We immediately ordered a cold beer – which is really at its best when drunk on a hot day after a long hike. But even better with an amazing view.

Neither Sean nor I speak Italian, so we basically did the point and hope for the best method of ordering. As we waited we started to cool down in the breeze, and relaxed to the sound of neighbors shouting to each other through windows (who needs a phone) and roosters crowing. Our meal came and we were happily presented with melon wrapped in prosciutto and a pasta primavera that were both amazing. Doesn’t food taste better when you are starving? But was it the chef . . . the scenery . . . or the hike? I suggest going and deciding for yourself.

Pontone View

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Just back from a trip to Thailand. We found some wonderful people, beautiful places and some great deals on products that we brought back. Check out the Thai Handbags on out site www.zygerimports.com. More products soon to come!

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St. Mark's Square

See more:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2008/09/02/venice-from-above/

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Tags: Photos, Venice