July 2004

The Universal Forum of Culture is taking place in Barcelona, Spain, until Sept. 26, 2004. The 4½-month international festival is presenting 423 concerts and 170 musical groups plus street performances, circus, art exhibitions (including Terra Cotta Warriors of Xi’an), international markets, dance, theater and a nightly celebration. Conferences and debates will be open to the public, many with audience question-and-answer sessions. Translation services are available.

It is taking place primarily at the newly built convention center, park and marina complex.

In its third incarnation, having emerged from bankruptcy, PanAm debuted in spring with scheduled service from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port of Spain, Trinidad; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. It already was offering charters to Port of Spain.

According to government figures released May 3, a total of 317 people were kidnapped in Colombia in the first three months of 2004. That’s a decrease of 46% compared to the same period in 2003.

Visitors to Kuwait from the U.S., Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand now can obtain entry visas upon arrival rather than have to secure them in advance.

On Jan. 21, 2004, Burma (Myanmar) began offering online visas, one of the few countries in the world to do so. Visit www.visa.gov.mm. There are instructions in English. Most applications are approved and returned via e-mail within 24 hours. Travelers show a printout and pay the fee once they reach Burma.

Four people were killed when a 98-foot section of a departure lounge roof collapsed in Terminal 2E at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport on May 23 at about 7 a.m.

We returned in January ’03 from a trip to North India with Bestway Tours (Burnaby, B.C.; phone 800/663-0844). In Madhya Pradesh state we took the train from Agra and visited Gwalior, a place I had not heard of. It proved to be one of the best. We found the contents of the museum there in itself worth the trip, although the museum itself is in need of attention. Another highlight, for me, was visiting Gandhi’s museum. I was very moved by his worldly possessions in a showcase: eyeglasses, cane, sandals, a bit of clothing. . .

 We lost a driver’s license, credit cards and other documents to pickpockets in Athens in fall ’03. (Be wary on the metro!) Fortunately, we had taken with us color photocopies of both sides of each document for use in contacting credit card companies and to permit both of us to drive the rental car. Make copies to take with you; many cards will fit on a single sheet of paper.

BILL & MARY CARSTEDT
Beverly Shores, IN