Design Destinations Magazine Winter 2022 Issue

Winter 2022

HOTEL VILLA SOLIGO

Surrounded by Wineries and Heritage

VARANASI

The Spiritual Capital of India

WHAT LIES BENEATH An Underwater Journey

METEORA, METSOVO & ZAGORI The Other Side of Greece

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WHAT’S

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Antonis Iordanoglou

is a Travel specialist & General Manager at My Odyssey Travel (Athens office) and he is designing rare and unusual trips in Greece for sophisticated travelers. He is also the creator of www.thegreektraveller.com travel blog. He was a travel writer, cartographer, and journalist for over 20 years. He worked as travel writer and travel editor in chief for the biggest Greek newspapers and travel magazines. He has written many travel guides, books and apps for the unexplored Greece and for the Greek islands and he has created maps for many editors (including the National Geographic Magazine/Greek edition). He has a university degree in Mathematics, a six months training in navigation at the US Navy and a credit in Graphic Design.

Bill Scott

is an international travel photographer based in Salt Lake City, USA

who has visited over 100 countries. Whether it is a top tourist destination like the Maldives or somewhere off the beaten track such as Burundi, he finds there is always something fascinating to photograph. By building trust and a relationship with people Bill is able to put his subjects at ease and capture them in their normal routines and daily life. Although he often enjoys directing a subject to create an image, he says the real magic happens when a great story, beautiful light, and the opportunity to work like a fly on the wall all come together. You can see more of Bill’s work on Instagram @billscottphoto

Scotty Graham is an American Photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia for the past 27 years. He is an avid traveler having explored more than 85 countries in his "short" lifetime of 60 years. Before becoming a Photography Educator, Scotty worked as a Helicopter Pilot and a SCUBA Instructor. He currently teaches High School Photography at the Jakarta Intercultural School. Scotty's next assignment will take him to New Delhi, India where he will continue to educate young photographers at the American Embassy School. You can see more of his work on Instagram: @scottygraham1 or his website: www.scottygraham.com Scotty is a frequent contributor to Design Destinations Magazine whose images have graced several covers.

Kamil Pietrzak

is a travel photographer based in Warsaw, Poland. Tamil is

also a skydiver and loves to capture images that defy gravity. He also capture images of extreme sports. You can see more of Kamil’s work on Instagram @kamilpphotos

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CONTRIBUTORS

DESIGN DESTINATIONSWinter 2022 Photo by Elena Mozhvilo

DESIGN DESTINATIONS MAGAZINE Winter 2022

Editor-in-Chief & Founder Franz E Buchhalter Managing Editor Cynthia P. Howland HOTEL VILLA SOLIGO

Surrounded by Wineries and Heritage

Design Destinations Magazine is owned

by Buchhalter International Group. Inc. 9121 SW 140th Street Miami, Florida 33176 info@buchhalterig.com

VARANASI

The Spiritual Capital of India

WHAT LIES BENEATH An Underwater Journey

METEORA, METSOVO & ZAGORI The Other Side of Greece

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Our Cover: Meteora, Greece Photo:Antonis Iordanoglou

Welcome to our first issue of the 2022 Design Destinations Magazine! We are so happy to be able to bring to you more amazing destinations, interesting articles and tips for travel.

In our Winter 2022 issue we feature Varanasi, a city in India famous for its production of silks and brocades woven with gold and silver thread-work. A renowned carpet-weaving center is discovered in Bhadoi. Wooden toys, bangles made of glass, ivory work, and brass ware are also produced in Varanasi and the city is host to numerous religious festivals. Bill Scott takes us on a journey of this fascinating city.

The underwater sea life is mysterious and beautiful populated by colorful corals, plants, and many fishes, turtles, seahorses and whales and sharks, It is a world that few have had the opportunity to explore. Scotty Graham, a frequents contributor to Design Destinations Magazine shares with us in this issue his images of the underwater life in the article “What Lies Beneath”.

We are also featuring a very special journey to the lesser known part of Greece, Meteora, Metsovo and Zagori. These three amazing places are located in the northern part of Greece.

Antonis Iordanoglou becomes our private guide and shows us one of his favorites places to explore when visiting Greece.

Hotel Villa Soligo, located in the UNESCO Heritage area of Prosecco Hills in the northeastern part of Italy. This Palazzo that was recently renovated is one of our newest selections for a trip to Italy that not many people have traveled.

We always appreciate your support and thank you for your readership.

Go and see the world!

Franz E Buchhalter

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & FOUNDER

HOTEL VILLA SOLIGO

Hidden in the Prosecco Hills, Italy

By Franz E Buchhalter

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Hotel Villa Soligo Surrounded by Wineries & Heritage Hidden in the hills of northern Italy is Hotel Villa Soligo, a beautiful Palazzo that recently was renovated to its original design with the amenities and fitted with all the conveniences of today. The property is surrounded by wineries and beautiful manicured gardens. Guests staying at the small boutique hotel will find comfort, excellent service and a will enjoy an amazing culinary experience under the supervision of celebrity Chef Tino Vettorello.

Vettorello works with passion and, as an artist of taste, wisely doses the elements of the a Venetian tradition and

Italian cuisine. This elegant palazzo features 38 exquisitely designed accommodations, a Spa and a wine cellar where guests are invited to tastes the regions best selections.

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hotel Villa Soligo is an ideal setting where to celebrate a wedding, The hotel is also the ideal starting point for visiting the seaside resorts of Veneto. Venice, Treviso, Verona, Padua, Cortina D’Ampezzo, and Jesolo, are all easily accessible by car from the Villa Soligo hotel and can be visited in one day.

For more information visit: www.hotelvillasoligo.it

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Mapping your Greece Journey with an Expert In Meteora, Metsovo & Zagori - Greece

By Antonis Iordanoglou 16

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“ T h e m o u n t a i n o u s a re a f ro m Meteora to Metsovo and Zagori is a paradise for the sophisticated traveler, full of world-famous dramatic landscapes, UNESCO protected Byzantine monuments, untouched forests, mountain lakes, stunning gorges, and beautiful rivers, traditional villages with stone houses and old customs, superb local gastronomy, and unexplored routes.”

Antonis Iordanoglou

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“Most travelers to Greece flock to the stunning Greek islands and enjoy the ultimate civilization of the sea and the sun in the eastern Mediterranean. Some also travel to a few popular mainland destinations, which are featured in every travel guide and website. The rest of mainland Greece and the mountains (especially Northern Greece) is less visited, largely unknown to most travelers, and full of surprises of beauty and astonishing landscapes. This part of Greece is the most exotic and my most beloved one. And this is what I always suggest to My Odyssey's most sophisticated clients.”

“Do you want to take a spoonful from an ocean of beauty? You can start planning a seven-to-tenday trip to the below destinations and discover the soul of the genuinely unrevealed Greece.”

“Meteora has a unique landscape, with rock pillars sculpted by prehistoric rivers and crowned by mystical monasteries; they truly deserve their name, which means 'suspended in space.' During the spring and autumn is the best time to visit Meteora and the monasteries and search for their secrets among the rare byzantine frescoes, the unique architectural structures on the top of the gigantic rocks, the old monks' paths through dense forests, small rivers, and ancient stone bridges, and also unforgettable dramatic sunsets in front of Mount Koziakas. Not far from Meteora, the spectacular valley of River Acheloos (one of Greece's most significant rivers) is a beautiful and almost "not at all" visited area. A forest covered with dark fir trees, crystal clear creeks full of wild trout and, small quiet villages, where life goes untouched from the modern times. In the village Kafeneia (small coffee shops and tavernas), the traveler is always a

guest, invited to sit down with the locals, drink "tsipouro" (local spirit from grapes) and "mezedes" (tidbits) and learn their stories. Don't be surprised if an invitation is extended to follow them home and enjoy a traditional spinach pie cook on an open fire.”

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Private tastings in an old cellar are the best way to meet these two significant culinary traditions of Metsovo.“ “Secret routes in the town lead to excellent manors of the 18th century neighboring Greece's most important art galleries. At the same time, on your stroll, you can meet locals wearing their traditional costumes as part of everyday life, walking on the cobblestone streets with their shepherd's sticks and talking to each other with the old idiom of the Vlachs, a language very close to Latin! Not very far from Metsovo, but totally off the main routes, lies the stunning lake at the source of the Aoos River. In the winter, the blue water sinks into the white, snow-covered landscape, and in the summer, it is draped by the foliage of the dense riparian forest, a perfect place for a pick-nick or a mountain bike exploration. The foliage of the dense

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“A narrow road goes through the mountains north of Meteora to Metsovo. Most of My Odyssey's knowledgeable and cultured clients have heard about Meteora but little about Metsovo, a lively mountain town in Epirus with diverse history, vivid traditions, and customs.

Metsovo is located on the magnificent slopes of the Pindus range at 1000 meters; Metsovo is full of tiled-roof stone houses where wooden porches stretch out across the amphitheatrical pitch. It is home to Greece's biggest benefactors of the 19th century and famous shepherds who produce exceptional cheeses; smoked "metsovone" is one of the tastiest ones. The metsovone cheese goes perfectly well with the dry red wine made for centuries in Metsovo. Katogi Averoff winery continues today the production of these delicate and limited edition wines.

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riparian forest, make it a perfect place for a pick-nick or a mountain bike exploration, drapes it. The beech forest gives way to a grove of first to the north of the lake, on the boundary of the Pindus National Park.”

culture, and history surrounded by nature of unparalleled beauty. Zagorohoria preserves masterfully constructed stone houses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the villages connect some of the most beautiful and perfectly built stone bridges of the Balkans. Most of the villages were constructed in a circle, surrounded by cobblestone alleyways, while in the center, sits a square with a large plane tree, a fountain, a church, and a traditional coffee shop. The architecture of Zagorohoria is a source of inspiration and education for architects worldwide.”

“Most of the few travelers who reach Zagori visit Aristi, Papingo, Vitsa, and Monodendri, but in the central part of

“A small, narrow, and “full of turns” road traverses the mountains to the west of the lake and leads to Zagori. It is not the fastest road to reach Zagori from Metsovo, but it's the most interesting and the one which crosses vast, eternal, untouched forests and creeks, home of the Brown Bear of Pindus range; a jaw-dropping landscape!

Zagori is a vast mountainous area, home of the famous Zagorohoria villages, masterpieces of architecture, 26

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the Zagori area lay some pretty lesser-known small villages. We can find authentic handmade savory pies, grilled meats, local spirits, and wine in these villages. We can also meet locals who will gladly lead us on a mushroom hunting journey or take us to hidden Byzantine chapels with magnificent frescoes and art treasures. Or help us explore the small old stone-paved paths connecting the villages that lead to the stunning Vikos gorge, a gigantic schism in the earth, a realm of eagles, rare medicinal herbs, and steep vertical rocks. The "Skala of Vradeto's" path starts in the charming village of Kapesovo. In the village square, you will find a small shop known by the locals as "Sterna." Here, you can taste a

delicate homemade lemonade and sour cherry juice; a wide variety of local sweets, pastries, and homemade jams. Meet a hospitable, smiley Thoukididis family, who most likely will share with you stories, legends, and myths passed on from generations.

To discover unknown gems of mainland Greece and the Greek islands, visit My Odyssey travel at www.myodyssey.com Antonis Iordanoglou is Travel specialist & GM at My Odyssey Athens office. Travel author of the book series “Unexplored Greece” For more information on this tour or other exciting programs in Greece visit www.my-odyssey.com 27

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WHAT LIES BENEATH An Underwater Journey Photos by Scotty Graham

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VARANASI THE SPIRITUAL CAPITAL OF INDIA Photos by BILL SCOTT

Photos: Henry Wu

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Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River's sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and dating to the 11th century B.C., Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. Kashi, its ancient name, was associated with a kingdom of the same name of 2,500 years ago. During the Muslim rule during the middle Ages, the city became an important center of Hindu devotion, pilgrimage, mysticism, and poetry contributing to its cultural importance. Several other major figures of the Bhakti movement were born in Varanasi, including Kabir and Ravidas. In the 16th century, the Mughal emperor Akbar built two large temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu in the city. The city later successively

became a part of the Benares Division in the Ceded and Conquered Provinces, the North-Western Provinces, and the United Provinces, and after India's independence of Uttar Pradesh.

Varanasi is famous for its silks and brocades with gold and silver threadwork. A renowned carpet-weaving center is found at Bhadoi. Wooden toys, bangles made of glass, ivory work, and brassware is also produced in Varanasi. The city is host to numerous religious festivals throughout the year.

Boating down the Ganges River during sunrise is one of the main attractions in Varanasi. And the city is also known for its ancient food culture that is still alive today.

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DEFYING GRAVITY Photos by Kamil Pietrzak

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A BREATH OF THE SEA

CAVIAR

Caviar, also known as caviare, consists of saltcured roe of the family Acipenseridae. The name caviar comes from the Persian word khavyar meaning egg. The word caviar spread throughout the world after it was printed by the English in a text in 1591. Caviar refers only to the roe from wild sturgeon from the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. However, it is described as the roe of other sturgeon fish species in some countries, such as salmon, steelhead, trout, lumpfish, whitefish, or carp.

This delicacy began reaching the tables of aristocrats and nobles in Greece as early as the 4th Century B.C. Aristotle recorded the widespread appreciation for sturgeon in his early works. After increased trading between the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus, it became more popular. Caviar is considered a delicacy throughout history and enjoyed as a garnish or a spread.

The main types of caviar are Beluga, Sterlet, Kaluga hybrid, Ossetra, Siberian sturgeon, and Sevruga. The rarest and costliest is from the Beluga sturgeon that swim in the Caspian Sea, in Iran borders between Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan. Beluga caviar is valued for its soft, extremely large (pea-size) eggs. It can range in color from pale silver-gray to black. It is followed in popularity by the small golden Sterlet caviar, which was once reserved for Russian, Iranian and Austrian royalty. Next in quality is the medium-sized, light brown to rich brown Ossetra, also known as Russian caviar. Others in the quality ranking are the gray Sevruga caviar, the Chinese Kaluga caviar, and the American Osetra. The Siberian variety with black beads is similar to Sevruga and is popular because of its reduced (5 years) harvest period, but it has a higher brine content than other types.

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The Guinness World Book of Records states the most expensive caviar in the world is Almas, from rare Iranian Albino Beluga sturgeons. “Almas” means diamond in Russian, and with white pearls and a price tag of $34,500 for 1kg, you can see how it gets its name.

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Photo: Tyaler Nix

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Photo: Robert Anasch

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BELUGA

KALUGA

OSETRA

Beluga caviar is caviar consisting of the roe (or eggs) of the beluga sturgeon Huso huso.

The fish is found primarily in the Caspian Sea, the world's largest salt-water lake, which is bordered by Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. It can also be found in the Black Sea Basin and occasionally in the Adriatic Sea.

The Kaluga is a large, freshwater sturgeon whose caviar is said to closely match the taste of Beluga caviar.

Kaluga eggs are smooth and have a lightly salted buttery flavor.

Ossetra (also Oscietra, Osetra, or Asetra) caviar is one of the most prized and expensive types of caviar (eclipsed in price only

by Beluga caviar). It is obtained from the Ossetra sturgeon which weighs 50-400 pounds and can live up to 50 years. Ossetra caviar varies in color from deep brown to gold and slightly smaller than beluga caviar, osetra sturgeon eggs are brown to golden in color.

STERLET

SIBERIAN

SEVRUGA

Sterlet caviar is a variety harvested from Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus)—which is native to rivers that flow into the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, and the Sea of Azov. Sterlet roe has small and delicate eggs that range from light to dark gray. The flavor is mild, subtly sweet, and buttery.

C l a s s i c S i b e r i a n C a v i a r, sometimes called Baerii caviar, is extracted from the Siberian sturgeon (acipenser baerii). It is fine-grained caviar recognised for its pure, elegant flavour and exquisite length, which is both fine and clear. Grain colors range from black/grey all the way to black/brown tones.

Sevruga caviar is one of the highest priced varieties of caviar, eclipsed in cost only by the Beluga and Ossetra varieties. It is harvested from a variety of critically endangered sturgeon fish species, which are known for their small, grey colored eggs.

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TYPES OF CAVIAR

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BEST WAY TO ENJOY CAVIAR

Synonymous with luxury, caviar is both prized and misunderstood. Because it's so expensive, people don't want to waste it—but they also often don't know how to serve or eat it properly. The majority of caviar comes from three types of sturgeon: Beluga, Sevruga, and Osstreta. If the eggs come from a type of fish other than sturgeon, like salmon, it's not really caviar—it's roe, the generic name for fish eggs. The finest caviar should taste neither fishy nor overly salty. When buying, look for shiny, fine-grained egg globules that are sturdy and unbroken.

doesn't freeze until it's below 28 degrees, so you can store it in the coldest part of the fridge to get it as icecold as possible without it actually freezing, which can affect the texture of the eggs.

Avoid metal bowls and utensils, which may impart a metallic taste to the caviar. Choose servers and utensils made of glass, bone, tortoiseshell, wood, plastic, or to be truly traditional, mother-of-pearl or gold.

Best served simply, possibly alongside toast points or bland, unsalted crackers. Some people even like to eat it straight out of the tin the caviar came in to get the true, unadulterated taste of the fish eggs.

Fine caviar should be served very cold in a non-metallic bowl nested inside a larger bowl filled with ice. Caviar 86

Photo: Steffen Maximilian

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BEST TRAVEL GADGETS FOR 2022 Photo: Mantas Hesthaven*

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As we began to explore the world again, we identified ten must-haves when packing that suitcase. These practical items will make our travel more manageable, convenient, and much more accessible.

We include a pocket translator, a mini umbrella, a pocket charger, and a digital scale in our list. And as we are now spending more time doing online meetings, we also included a lighting device to make our "FaceTime" brighter, and let's face it, who doesn't want to look better? Most of these items are easily accessible, and you can find them in many online and electronic stores. Prices may vary, so check various vendors—safe and practical travels.

1 Pocketalk Converse in 82 Language in this sleek designed with a touchscreen that provides a text translation for clarity. A simple one-button translates instantly recognizing text, written words and signs. Enjoy the opportunity to converse in different languages while traveling.

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The Davek Mini Umbrella The DAVEK MINI is our smallest, most compact umbrella. This incredibly convenient umbrella fits in literally any compartment, from a handbag or clutch to your pants pocket. The stylish Mini is the perfect "just in case" umbrella, hardly noticeable when it's not in use. Keep it with you always—never be caught without an umbrella again. Measures less than 7 inches when closed. Pocket-sized protection, with style to spare.

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Power Pod Key Change Charger With the Power Pod you never have to worry about your batter running low or being stuck not able to make a call in an emergency.

The perfect size to stick on to the purse, backpack or with your house keys. Compatible with all leading mobile devices.

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READY TO HIT THE ROAD?

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Xenvo Pro Lens Kit for Smartphone Take Your Mobile Photography to the Next Level. The perfect companion to expand your smartphone camera’s natural capabilities.

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The PhotoStick Mobile Never lose a photo of your travel because you damage your mobile device or lost it. With the PhotoStick you can save your precious images in one stick that later you can transfer to your computer. The PhotoStick Mobile 2.0 is the size and inexpensive solution to back up photos and videos on your mobile device and free up space by safely remove them.

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Portable LED Ring Light The Portable LED Ring Light clips on top of your phone or tablet to provide compact convenient light for your selfies, videos, foodie pictures and more. Features adjustable brightness (4 levels) for any occasion. Works great with most front and rear cameras.

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Flightelf -5KM Range Drone The 4K camera with the EIS (Electric Image Stabilization) technology reduce blurriness at the maximum, Take photos and record every precious memory in 4K Ultra HD Clarity, provides you incredible clear and stable video and picture quality; besides, also has an electric camera, which allows you to use the remote and/or the app to wirelessly adjust the camera angle so you get the perfect view.

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Benjilock by Hampton The all-new BenjiLock TSA fingerprint padlock has arrived.

Equipped with advanced technology to provide fingerprint accuracy, security, and convenience — the versatile padlock designed with the modern traveler in mind.

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Bucky 40 Blinks No Pressure Travel Eye Mask Get better sleep no matter where you are with a Bucky Sleep Mask.

40 Blinks Sleep Masks will give you the ultimate comfort you need with deeply molded cups that allow you to blink freely. Blockout Shades are perfect for blocking out all light and getting the best sleep possible.

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Camry Digital Luggage Scale Engineered with the latest generation of sensor technology, the Camry Digital Luggage Scale provides ultra precision to ensure accurate weighing. At only 3.2 ounces, this scale is easy use and convenient to pack along on your trip.opportunity to converse in different languages while traveling.

11 goTenna Mesh GPS Device Meet the sleek, lightweight device that pairs with your smartphone, and keeps your group connected when venturing off grid. Send text & GPS locations without cell or wifi. Works with any iOS or Android smartphones.

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ALICIA’S CORNER Alicia C. Diez

PREPARING FOR TRAVEL – FOCUSING ON SUSTAINABILITY AND CREATING A POSITIVE IMPACT. We are all so excited about traveling as more and more doors open to the world! As we continue to return to our normal routines, we have longed for the prospect of travel, places to visit, people to see, foods to eat, and special moments to experience. Not only can we be thrilled about our trip, but we can also get excited about the preparation for our journey and those items to buy for our amazing trips – items which benefit not just us, but our fellow beings and the planet.

Swedish Stockings I love stocking and opaque tights in beautiful colors and patterns to make a fashion statement or to add a little fun, especially when traveling. A basic travel outfit could have new looks with a simple change to one of the variety of stockings you pack. After all, they takes up no space! One thing that I not thought of was the impact the hosiery industry on the environment until I came across Swedish Stockings. Each year, two billion pairs of tights get tossed out because of runs and rips end up in landfills!

Swedish Stocking set out to change the industry and make tights from recycled plastic bottles. Twenty-four of them are used for each pair off tights, using a sustainable process that is 100% emission-less. Their aim is to ultimately be able to turn the old stockings into new ones, but in the meantime, they are taking used and discarded ones to create furniture!

Just think, buying beautiful hosiery for your fashionable trip could mean helping the environment. www.swedishstockings.com

Matador Over the past two years, there has been increased travel to visit/revisit our national parks, to spend time outdoors, and, as a result, to pursue various activities like as hiking, climbing, mountain biking and even camping. One necessary element for these activities, as well as weekend getaways, family escapes, visiting far off places such as Machu Picchu and Mount Kilimanjaro – is a great bag. More importantly, make it a bag manufactured by a company committed to practicing sustainability in all aspects of the brand.

Matador believes in sustainability, and it is truly part of their brand culture and an obligation, not a marketing ploy. Even their headquarters uses renewable wind energy! Their bags are lightweight and durable, 100% vegan and free of animal products and they select material and hardware suppliers that employ eco-friendly and ethical practices to ensure that the products are as sustainable as possible from start to finish.

Their product line has something for everyone, whether it’s a backpack, duffle bag, crossbody bag, laptop bag, or toiletry bag. I know that I am interested in the camera bag! www.matador.com 92

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Houdini Sportswear Skiing is an activity enjoyed almost year-round by traveling to the northern or southern hemisphere, so skiwear could be on the list at any time. Check out Houdini. Their plan is to become 100% circular. Houdini Sportswear is all made from either recycled or recyclable fibers, or renewable and naturally biodegradable fibers, but never a mix as that would negate their ability to be recycled or compostable.

Houdini manufactures items that are designed for you to really look great and to last for a long time. They have jackets, pants, fleece, and sweaters for when you are ready to hit the slopes, or for every day wear. And for those who may go to the slopes once a year but still want to look like an expert, you are able to rent what you need just for the trip and then return them which is extremely helpful when you don’t have a lot of storage space. They are so committed to creating awareness of sustainability and becoming truly circular, that Houdini has an initiative for passing it forward where customers can buy and sell vintage Houdini clothes – giving new life to unused items. This is Houdini’s way to offset consumerism and waste – Houdini Reuse. www.houdinisportwear.com easy for the entire family: men, women, children and infant alike.

There is even a women’s line named Airplane, with cardigans, leggings and pullovers. Doesn’t’ hat just entice you to take a plane somewhere?

Haas Apparel by AVOCADO Yes, AVOCADO, the mattress made of naturally nontoxic and 100% certified organic materials, is now manufacturing Haas Apparel. Maintaining their philosophy of continuing to use non-toxic and organic materials, they are contributing to a smaller carbon footprint by using less energy and water in their production.

Whether you are going on a trip focusing on wellness or a romantic trip to an exotic island, Haas Apparel offers comfy items to make travel more enjoyable. Alpaca cardigans to keep you warm on a flight or in the evenings at your destination, pajamas to bring you pleasant dreams, or a hoodie and pants for a casual day of exploring, each piece has a timeless design using durable materials. They are all well-constructed and lean toward creating “slow fashion” instead of “fast fashion” which, contributes tons of discarded clothing to landfills. An immediate benefit to a new item, Haas Apparel has teamed up with City Harvest and for every purchase made, they donate one meal. www.avocadogreenmattress.com/collections/hass 93

An International Legend

Anna May Wong

Wong Liu-tsong, known professionally as Anna May Wong,

was an American actress, considered to be the first Chinese American Hollywood movie star and the first Chinese American actress to gain international recognition. Her varied career spanned silent film, sound film, television, stage, and radio. She was born on January 3, 1905, in Los Angeles, California, to laundryman Wong Sam Sing and his wife, Lee Gon Toy. A thirdgeneration American, she managed to have a substantial acting career during a deeply racist time when the taboo against miscegenation meant that Caucasian actresses were cast as "Oriental" women in lead parts opposite Caucasian leading men.

The discrimination she faced in the domestic industry caused her to go to Europe for work in English and German films. Liu Tsong's first film role was as an uncredited extra in Metro Pictures' The Red Lantern (1919), starring Alla Nazimova as a Eurasian woman who falls in love with an American missionary.

Anna May Wong appeared in several movies, small parts in film starring Priscilla Dean, Colleen Moore, and the Japanese-born Sessue Hayakawa, the first Asian star of American cinema.

Director Marshall Neilan cast the teenage Anna May in his film Dinty (1920), then gave her a first credited role in the "Hop" sequence of Bits of Life (1921), the American movie industry's first anthology film. In "Hop," Wong played Toy Ling, the abused wife of Lon Chaney's character Chin Gow, the Man of a Thousand Faces.

She next appeared in support of John Gilbert in Fox's Shame (1921) before being cast in her first significant role at the age of 17, the lead in The Toll of the Sea (1922). She played Lotus Flower in this adaptation of the opera Madame Butterfly, which moved the action from Japan to China. The Toll of the Sea was the first feature film shot entirely in Technicolor's two-strip color process.

Anna became the first native-born Asian performer to star in a major Hollywood movie. The Toll of the Sea made Anna May Wong a known, and thus a marketable, commodity in Hollywood. Douglas Fairbanks cast her in a supporting role as a treacherous Mongol enslaved person in his Middle Eastern/ Arabian Nights extravaganza, The Thief of Bagdad (1924). The $2-million blockbuster production made her known to critics and the movie-going public. A star, albeit of the stereotypical "Dragon Lady" type, was born for better or worse. Her best role in Hollywood in the early 1930s was in support of Marlene Dietrich in Josef von Sternberg's Oscar-winning classic Shanghai Express (1932).

95 Photo:Helen Mirren Master Class

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