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Local - Blog Posts
Cedar - Magical Uses
Gender: Masculine Planet: Sun Element: Earth Deity: N/A Plant type: Evergreen Tree
Uses: Remove negative energy, open up to higher levels of spiritual consciousness, chase away nightmares, attract love, cocoon with your spiritual essence
Burned as incense to banish negative energy, raise spiritual vibration
Used to aid during meditation
Put inside of the pillow for a good night's sleep
For protection, keep a cedar box or animal carved in cedar wood in your home
Hung in the house to protect from lightning
Keep in pockets/wallet to attract money
A cedar stick carved into 3 prongs, placed into the ground near home protects from evil
Slow Living in Northern Thailand: Explore Wellness at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Escape to tranquility at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Discover wellness retreats, cultural experiences, and Michelin dining amid lush rice paddies. Continue reading Slow Living in Northern Thailand: Explore Wellness at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
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Traveling Responsibly: Supporting Local Communities and Cultures
Travel is more than just visiting new destinations—it’s about connecting with people, learning from their way of life, and leaving a positive impact. Responsible travel, or ethical tourism, is a growing movement encouraging travelers to support local communities and preserve cultural heritage. Here’s how you can embrace responsible travel on your next adventure.
1. Stay in Locally Owned Accommodations
Choosing locally owned hotels, guesthouses, or homestays is a simple way to support the local economy. These businesses often reinvest their earnings into the community, creating jobs and promoting sustainable development. Plus, staying with locals provides authentic cultural experiences you won’t find in chain hotels.
2. Dine at Local Restaurants and Markets
Skip international fast-food chains and savor the flavors of your destination by eating at locally owned restaurants or food markets. Not only will you enjoy fresh, authentic meals, but your money will also directly benefit local farmers, chefs, and vendors.
3. Shop for Ethical Souvenirs
When buying souvenirs, look for handmade, locally crafted products instead of mass-produced items. Fair-trade shops or artisan markets are excellent places to find unique, high-quality goods while ensuring that the artisans are fairly compensated. Avoid purchasing items made from endangered species or cultural artifacts.
4. Support Local Tour Operators
Book tours and activities with locally owned operators who hire guides from the area. These companies often provide better insights into the culture and traditions of the community. They’re also more likely to respect the environment and contribute to local conservation efforts.
5. Learn About Local Customs and Traditions
Before visiting, take time to learn about the cultural norms, history, and traditions of your destination. Respect local customs, dress modestly when required, and ask for permission before taking photos of people or sacred sites. A little cultural sensitivity goes a long way in fostering mutual respect.
6. Volunteer Responsibly
Volunteering while traveling can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to do it ethically. Choose organizations that genuinely benefit the community and avoid programs that exploit vulnerable groups, such as orphanage tourism. Focus on activities that align with your skills and contribute sustainably.
7. Reduce Your Environmental Impact
Responsible travel isn’t just about supporting communities—it’s also about protecting the environment. Travel lightly by reducing waste, carrying a reusable water bottle, and avoiding single-use plastics. Choose eco-friendly transportation options like biking, walking, or public transit whenever possible.
8. Attend Cultural Events
Participating in cultural events, festivals, or workshops is a fun and meaningful way to support local traditions. These experiences often provide direct economic benefits to communities while allowing you to immerse yourself in their way of life.
9. Spread Awareness Through Storytelling
When you return home, share your experiences to inspire others to travel responsibly. Highlight the beauty of the culture, the kindness of the people, and the importance of supporting local communities. Social media and blogs are powerful tools for promoting ethical tourism.
10. Give Back Where You Can
Consider donating to local organizations or initiatives that support education, healthcare, or conservation in the communities you visit. Even small contributions can have a significant impact when directed to the right causes.
Why Responsible Travel Matters
Travel has the power to transform both travelers and the places they visit. By choosing to travel responsibly, you can help preserve cultural heritage, protect the environment, and uplift communities. Responsible tourism isn’t just a trend—it’s a conscious effort to make the world a better place through thoughtful actions.
The Great British Pub
Nothing finer than sitting by a roaring fire, while you sip a pint of your favourite beer....
According to the Campaign for Real Ale, 21 of our finest pubs are closing every week. Shocking. A pub is like a church, the heart of the community, with barstools instead of pews.
Long Live The Local!
Are We Kissing Goodbye To The Local?
Another one bites the dust. The Jester pub, Cockfosters being demolished. 3 pubs a day close their doors for good. Pub closures have an impact on communities. Pubs have been at the heart of our culture for generations and remain one of our most valuable assets. 1 in 4 of us fall in love in a pub!
Did you see our interview with Luuk? https://magazine.keycaribe.com/people/like-a-home-away-from-home/ #curacao #interview #keycaribe #magazine #local #amazing #paradise #cocktails #vacation #travel (bij Curaçao) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmw0T_WBj19/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=152f94vmluq25
Family Room - Eclectic Family Room Example of a small eclectic enclosed family room design with white walls and a wall-mounted television in a medium tone wood floor and brown flooring.
FYI
to help make a difference in climate change and to not contribute to human and animal suffering as much as possible i:
- am vegan in all aspects - do not have a car - walk and bike as much as possible - use public transportation when i can not - use reusable bags - use reusable water bottles - use reusable utensils - use reusable containers - refuse plastic at all opportunities - buy recycled/fair trade clothing as i can - try my hardest to be zero waste - throw away NO food - recycle everything i can - switched to having all of my energy come from renewable sources - appreciate all water i use - pick up trash - buy local produce when i can - forgo produce that uses many resources - donate money to vegan and environmental causes - live a minimalistic life - get furniture and appliances second hand if possible - sell and donate things i no longer use
does that make me better than you? of course it doesn’t. but i probably am doing better than you. what the fuck are you doing for the planet? do more.
Kansas City Enclosed Dining Room Example of a mid-sized minimalist dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room design with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace
Daily Routine (9/25/17) - Strawberry Jam
If today could be defined by one thing, it would be music. I spent the majority of the day listening to Spotify while simultaneously catching up on homework. Also, I recently have been reacquainted with my beautiful guitar. I’ve been playing on and off now for the better part of 6 years, with many hiatuses in between. I haven’t play since at least over 6 months ago, but for the past 3 days now I have consistently been playing.
I want to not only become proficient in guitar again, but also play live. I’ve only ever been in a band once and we only played live once, but that doesn’t deter me in slightest. Going to the house show last week and becoming more in touch with the local music scene have inspired me to find people to jam with and hopefully play live shows. It’s always been a dream of mine to be part of a successful band. I want to get started on it now.
So today I changed her strings. The new high E string snapped when I was tightening the peg, which was quite the bitch because it was the last string for me to change. Luckily I had a few extra packets of strings, but now I have a packet without the high E string, which irritates my inner OCD. She now sounds wonderful -- like brand new. I always forget how great your guitar sounds whenever you change their strings. It really makes a difference.
With my guitar re-stringed and me consistently practicing, I’m ready to start jamming with other people. I have actually met a few people who are already interested, they just have to free up their schedules. I also am in need of a drummer. If you live in the Richmond area and want to jam, just hit me up with a PM. I’m always looking for people to play music with (starting now).
Saw this little guy hanging out in a tree
