Com(m)unicate - TRAVEL Vol IX Issue I

Volume IX, Issue I

Some of High School’s finest travel literature including...

Travel Tips from Mr. Troy Bollton Jose A. Hakim & Elsa Meyer

North of Santiago: The Atacama Ana Bertuol

Seoul: Four Favorites Eugene Kim

Wonders of Mandawa Francisca López

De Clara a claro Eduardo Carriazo

Madagascar: la isla al sudeste de África Antonia Ramírez

Volume IX, Issue I Travel

Volume IX, Issue I

Com(m)unícate is a bilingual publication dedicated to sharing student voice and writing of Colegio Nueva Granada.

Teacher sponsors Mr. Guzmán Julio Mr. Tangen Dr. Carriazo Editors Laura Rodríguez Eduardo Carriazo Samuel Reveiz Valerie Gleiser

Layout and Design - Chief Editor Eduardo Carriazo Images by Antonia Ramírez Francisca López Creative Commons

Writers Ana Bertuol Antonia Ramírez Eduardo Carriazo Elsa Meyer Eugene Kim Ezra Jinich Francisca López Isabel Guillermety Laura Rodríguez Rafaela Jinich Samuel Reveiz Special thanks to Mr. Iván Velasco Mr. Bradley Park Mr. Jason Boll

ONLINE ISSUE Colegio Nueva Granada Bogotá, Colombia April 2020 ISSN 2590-5317

Table of Contents Note from the editor > > > > > > 5

The Americas

Travel Tips from Mr. Troy Bollton Jose A. Hakim (transcription by Elsa Meyer) > > > > > > 6 North of Santiago: the Atacama Desert

> > >

Ana Bertuol > > > 10

Colombia’s Travel Gems Laura Rodríguez

> > > > > > 11 Viaje por Tulum Isabel Guillermety

> > > > > > 13

Asia

Africa

South Asia Middle East Europe

Visit Whistler, Canada Elsa Meyer

> > > > >

>

14

Wonders of Mandawa Francisca López

> > > > > > 17 Israel: choque de culturas Ezra Jinich

> > > > > > 18 De Clara a claro

> > >

Eduardo Carriazo > > >

19

Madagascar, la isla al sudeste de África

> > >

Antonia Ramírez > > >

22

What you Can Learn from Travel

> > >

Samuel Reveiz > > >

23

Singapore: Where Culture Meets Innovation

> > >

Rafaela Jinich > > > 26

My Favorite Destinations: Seoul Edition

> > >

Eugene Kim > > > 28

Note from the editor It is easy to say that our world is small—probably in comparison to cosmic standards— but we are also too minuscule to fathom just how big the planet Earth really is to us. No human could ever possibly know every corner of the world, but many do take advantage of the modern technologies that have given us the illusion of shortened distances to experience places that, all within the same planet, may be entirely different from anything seen before.

This issue of Com(m)unícate features travel literature. It holds the advice, recommendations, and experiences that the writers have learned from in their own travels, written in the language that will transport the reader anywhere from the baobabs and lemurs of Madagascar to the N-Tower in Seoul. True to its purpose as a bilingual journalistic magazine, there are articles in English as well as in Spanish, reporting about different places in the Americas, Africa, East & South Asia, and the Middle East.

Sit back, enjoy, and don’t be afraid to travel places, ask questions, or feel elsewhere. If you end up in an airport, naval vessel, or bus terminal, you’re not too far; we’ll be quite satisfied with our work if you do.

5

Travel Tips from Mr. Troy Bollton

L

Jose A. Hakim & Elsa Meyer

ast year, a Packers fan with a passion for teaching precalculus arrived at CNG. Beloved by the 11th graders at the time, he was given a jacket by a landslide victory in a vote within the class of 2020. In his love for exploring the world, Mr. Boll has been marking the countries he’s visited in a map he hangs on the wall behind his desk. Com(m)unícate got an exclusive interview with Mr. Bolldemort in which he details his experience with travel.

Welcome to CNG, Mr. Simón Bollivar!

J.H: What’s your favorite place so far that you’ve

gone to?

J.C.B: I would say my favorite place I’ve traveled to so far has been Vietnam in Southeast Asia just because it’s a perfect combination of history and seeing sights, like historical sights and museums and stuff like that and it’s especially more impactful for Americans knowing that we

6

had a war there and a lot of us know people or have relatives who have fought in that war but at the same time it’s also extremely beautiful and it’s got a lot of great places for tourism, tourism has really boomed, or I guess blossomed there as of late so they really didn’t have any hard feelings towards Americans or anything and it was an awesome place to be, super cheap and lots of fun.

J.H: Before living in Colombia, you lived in

Taiwan. So in Taiwan, what was the

biggest cultural difference you saw?

J.C.B: 100% the biggest culture difference was the language. Now that I’m living in Bogotá, you know I can learn Spanish a lot quicker than I could learn Mandarin Chinese. I feel like Mandarin was just so much more difficult because it was a tonal language, there are 4 different tones so you could say the same word 4 different times and mean 4 completely different things and as well as with the whole alphabet thing, they have symbols instead of letters and so going around in public was extremely difficult to navigate and understand what certain stores were selling because I couldn’t read any signs.

trip. All she could do was go to the US embassy and buy a new passport and go home. She lost everything just like that.

J.H: What destination do you think is overrated?

J.C.B: So somewhere that’s been overrated. I think anybody would tell you that Stonehenge is overrated, in England, just, I don’t know, just a bunch of stones all over a field. Yeah that’s about it, I’d say everywhere else in my mind has lived up to the hype but it’s all about perspective.

Some people are going to complain about whatever they can but to me, you can find joy in anything.

J.H: Who has been the most interesting person

you have met so far?

J.H: When have you been most scared while J.C.B: The most interesting person I’ve met so traveling? far. I would say just because of the relationships J.C.B: My scariest moment while traveling… we’ve made. Now he’s one of my best friends, great question. Maybe just losing my phone his name is Sasha, I taught with him for 2 years once on a trip, in Taiwan. He’s but I still had from Iowa but my passport and he’s originally wallet so I was from Bosnia. He okay. I do know was a refugee a friend who who came to the was in Cambodia U.S. in the early and she had her 90s because of purse strapped the civil war that on diagonally was happening on her shoulder in Serbia and and two guys Bosnia. He and drove by and cut his family went through a lot, but we remain the strap and stole her purse. Her purse had super close friends, we talk to each other over her phone, her wallet, her passport, and her video chat probably like every other week apartment keys, so in the blink of an eye, she and we travel together a lot and we plan on lost everything. She was in Cambodia, she was continuing to keep our friendship. traveling with a friend and it ruined her entire

7

I’m starting to learn Spanish. To know more Spanish would be awesome but Spain has a ton of diversity as well and it’s still a part of Europe so you’re right there to travel to all the hotspots in Europe.

J.H: Do you prefer traveling alone?

J.C.B: I prefer a pack. I am not a lone wolf, but that’s just my personality, I love being with other people and having a good time but I know there’s plenty of people out there who love doing solo travel.

J.H: What other destinations do you have next

on your list?

J.C.B: So far I’ve only been to Colombia. That’s the only country I’ve been to in South America so my goal is to eventually hit every country in South America, or as many as possible.

J.H: Finally, what has been the biggest cultural

difference you’ve noticed in Colombia?

J.C.B:The biggest cultural difference in Colombia has been the ‘no dar papaya’ attitude. You know, as an American, I feel like we’re pretty uptight in a way, you know, we’re in line, we follow the rules, and people get mad, or in trouble with law enforcement if you break the rules. Versus here in Colombia, a lot of rules can kind of be interpreted in different ways and they can be bent quite a bit, so yeah. When someone gets pickpocketed or their backpack is stolen, that’s happened to teachers here, the Colombian

J.H: What’s your best piece of travel advice?

J.C.B: My best piece of travel advice. Invest in good travel equipment, whether it be a backpack or the right shoes or the right clothes, have some little gadgets and stuff that just make traveling easier. Download Netflix and have that ready to go on your phone and have a book or a kindle.

Anything you can do to make traveling more convenient because there’s definitely a lot of downtime. Having an awesome backpack has response would be ‘no dar papaya.’ That kind been really helpful. Don’t be afraid to spend of makes me cringe, because you’re defending money on high-quality stuff. the person who stole your stuff, you know what I mean? Like oh, it’s your fault, you shouldn’t J.H: Out of all the places you’ve visited, which have been there in the first place. That’s like

would you like to live in the most? you’re not placing any blame on the person J.C.B: Which would I like to live in the most? I who committed the crime. think Spain would be cool, I mean now that

8

The Americas Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Canada

9

Chile

North of Santiago

T

he Atacama was like Mars. Beige, sun-burnt sand covered endless ridges. It was as if someone had crinkled the Earth’s surface, but forgotten to smooth all of it back out. Above all else was the wind. At the top of the food chain, it whisked grains of sand kilometers from where they had spent the night. Sand drifted through twisting caves and over winding, jagged hills — even over the white walls of the town of San Pedro. Built firmly into the ground, San Pedro had learned to breathe despite living enshrouded by oxygen-deprived air. Its residents, Chileans, were built like their town, taking advantage of the greater amount of red blood cells that populated their blood to overcome the altitude.

After all, the Atacama, like its inhabitants, rarely cries. The week of Chile’s independence day, September 18th, was especially lively. Schools were closed. Large Chilean flags were raised outside of people’s houses and little ones were placed on top of their cars. The sound of the cueca filled the streets and the smell of lamb and choripanes permeated the town’s walls.

But tourists were the main reason its residents stepped outside of their homes. Scattered over the irregularities of the dusty stone streets, men sold copper pots anWd trinkets, a reminder

10

By Ana Bertuol

of the mining that marred the Atacama but strengthened Chile’s economy. The men were accompanied by women and children holding onto llamas and an assortment of colorful, striped pants and blankets characteristic of the Atacama and the neighboring Peru and Bolivia.

Most people, however, remained indoors, shielding themselves from the glaring sun.

But while the land and its people had adapted to life in the driest climate on Earth, no person could become accustomed to what it meant for the sky. During the day it was on the darker side of sky blue, having no trouble filling in any gaps where clouds would have been poised. When the sun escaped behind the mounds of sand, however, darkness blanketed the sand, only interrupted by the occasional gusts of wind and the vast array of stars.

The stars. The cool air invited tourists and the residents of San Pedro to venture out of their homes to be greeted by the bright celestial bodies. The stars populated darkness, but they were cradled by the milky light of thousands of others, overall a beautiful site.

Colombia

C

Colombia’s Travel Gems

By Laura Rodríguez

olombia is perhaps one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world. The diverse gastronomy, flora, fauna, and peoples make for a unique atmosphere. In past decades, most of Colombia has been torn apart by civil conflict; yet in 2016, a peace treaty was signed that heavily demobilized the country’s most dangerous armed groups, which has allowed tourism to flourish.

In February of 2019, 393,329 foreign visitors arrived to the country. Its many attributes are popular, not only to foreign visitors, but also national tourists who seek opportunities to get to know the country that was lost to them for so long. Much of Colombia’s magic lays in its varied and picturesque towns, and magnificent habitats in which these reside: the seven-colored sea, the magnificent mountains, or the Not-So-Plain plains. Here are some of Colombia’s travel gems:

Guatapé, Antioquia Guatapé is located in the department of Antioquia, and is best known for the colorful houses that fill the town with vibrancy. This little town is perfect to stop by on your way to the city of Medellín. Guatapé offers a wide range of food, from the traditional bandeja paisa to the fresh assortment of delicious grilled fish caught from the surrounding lakes. There’s a plethora of activities, such as kayaking, hiking up El Peñol, or having a snack in the town’s rainbowstyle Plazoleta de los Zócalos, where you’ll want to join in on a number of local activities.

While you’re walking up and down the

cobblestone streets, you’ll encounter the friendly townspeople that will tell you about how special this place really is.

San Andrés Island The island of San Andrés is located just off Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Perhaps the best part about this magical place, is the unrivalled seven-colored sea that surrounds it.

On the island, one can not only see

El peñol, famous for its 649 steps to the top.

Colombian culture through music, language, and sports, but also the caribbean-style energy that the residents offer. They speak a mix of Spanish, English, and the native tongue, Creole.

While you walk along the sandy beaches you

11

will hear women asking you if you’d like braids, or you’ll pass by one of the best restaurants, The Islander, a Jamaican-style, seaside restaurant that offers a delicious tropical salmon.

Francesca’s restaurant on the other side of the island offers breadfruit and savory muelitas de cangrejo, crab claws. The beaches in San Andrés are truly enjoyable because of how clean and clear they are, just like the streets at night that breathe safety and amusement. You can spend the whole time cruising around the island in a golf cart, visiting the commercial areas, or the cultural house that offers insight on the integration of African, European, and Colombian culture.

Real, that give way to a a natural viewpoint overlooking waves of cloud-covered coffee fields in the region. Lastly, one of the most amusing experiences is just 44 minutes outside the town: it’s the botanical garden that offers hikes that show off the area’s tree and bird life, and majestic butterfly garden.

Barichara, Santander Barichara has been widely known as the prettiest town in all of Colombia, or at least by my family. It was also once in the running to be the country’s capital, but was defeated by what is now Bogotá. If you’re interested in history, this is the place for you: Barichara depicts an abundance of Spanish-style architecture from what colonial times looked like 3 centuries ago!

You’ll find colonial churches such as Catedral de

Salento, Quindío The town of Salento is located in Colombia’s fragrant coffee region. Coffee has been the backbone of the country’s culture and economy because it is such a characteristic Colombian product. This is why when going to Salento one must visit coffee farms, where the locals teach you the process of making coffee and exporting it; you can also get the chance to to be part of this process by weaving coffee-picking baskets and using them yourself on sight.

In addition to this, Salento, like Guatapé, is full of colorful houses. These lead to a long Barichara, Iglesia de Santa Bárbara, Capilla de mountainous staircase, called El Camino Jesús Resucitado, and stone-carved cementeries where important Colombian political figures and aristocratic families reside. Just like in Salento, one can take a hike up a royal path, but this one leads to another town called Guane, home to the Archaeological and Paleontological Museum of ancient fossils from the Guane tribes.

Lastly, you can’t miss trying one of Santander’s delicacies, savory hormigas culonas... But you’ll have to go to see what these are!

12

Mexico

Viaje por Tulum

E

By Isabel Guillermety

n la península de Yucatán hay un municipio que recopila lo más bello de México: cultura, comida y costa. Este lugar mágico es Tulum. Entre una comida de tacos al pastor, un paseo a los sitios arqueológicos Mayas, y un baño de sol y mar, Tulum definitivamente ofrece todo tipo de actividades para todo tipo de visitantes.

Las pirámides Mayas son definitivamente uno de sus atractivos más populares. Éstas estructuras maravillosas se han conservado bien desde sus años de apogeo en épocas precolombinas, y tienen vistas hermosas de los alrededores por estar ubicadas justo al lado del mar. Aunque el calor abrasador cocine a cualquier persona, visitar las pirámides es una experiencia memorable.

Tulum también tiene una gran variedad de

cenotes, unos pozos naturales subterráneos formados naturalmente con agua de ríos por erosión, de diferentes colores y superficies. Este fenómeno solo se ve en la península de Yucatán, y en Tulum particularmente se encuentran bastantes. Los cenotes contienen la riqueza y elegancia de diversos ecosistemas. El agua cristalina, las rocas que los rodean, las plantas que se entrelazan entre las rocas y el sonido sereno de la naturaleza le dan una magia muy especial a cada uno de ellos.

En Tulum es primordial disfrutar de la gastronomía local en su fusión con los abundantes frutos de mar. En el centro de este precioso municipio se puede encontrar una variedad extensa de comida, incluyendo pescado fresco, mariscos, tacos y hasta platos internacionales. ¡Con seguridad comerá bien de lo que se le antoje!

Existen también muchas opciones de entretenimiento, como visitas a sus parques acuáticos. Por ejemplo, Xel Há y Xplor ofrecen una experiencia emocionante y muy mexicana a través de actividades extremas y/o relajantes.

Los fanáticos del circo o de un buen espectáculo

13

tienen la opción de visitar el Cirque du Soleil, aproximadamente a una hora hacia el noreste de Tulum, donde el circo canadiense presenta Joyà en su primera carpa permanente en Latinoamérica.Además de todo esto, ¿qué mejor que poder disfrutar de la belleza natural de las playas de Tulum? Se puede decir que son gran parte de lo que identifica a este municipio, y afortunadamente, todavía se pueden disfrutar al menos durante la temporada invernal de México. Últimamente, las playas de de la Riviera Maya no han estado en condiciones óptimas ni para visitantes ni para locales, debido a una infestación severa de sargazo, una especie de alga marina, que se acentúa durante el verano mexicano (de aproximadamente seis meses), debido a su reproducción acelerada durante este tiempo. Trae consigo un olor intenso a azufre, y aún peor, hacen que sea imposible sumergirse en el mar. Este fenómeno ocurre debido al cambio climático y la contaminación del Golfo de México, pues la temperatura más tibia del mar y los nutrientes adicionales del agua de escorrentía ayudan a que se reproduzca fácilmente, causando concentraciones indeseables de esta planta, que a su vez remueven gran parte del encanto de las hermosas playas de la Riviera Maya. La buena noticia es que se puede disfrutar de todo que Tulum tiene que ofrecer sin necesariamente causar demasiado daño al medio ambiente. Existen agencias de viaje y hotelería que promueven el ecoturismo en esta región, porque no es necesario contaminar de más o dañar el ecosistema para poder tomar unas vacaciones relajantes en el místico, diverso e impresionante municipio de Tulum.

14

Canada

Visit Whistler, BC

O

By Elsa Meyer

f all the beautiful places with a fascinating history, Whistler, Canada is one of the most interesting. The city is full of gorgeous mountains, dazzling ski slopes, and perhaps the most famously, the Whistler Olympic Park.

Whistler is most often known as one of the sites

of the 2010 Winter Olympics, although it has other claims to fame, like how it is the home of the Squamish Native Canadians and some of the best Canadian ski slopes.

The town is usually more populated during the winter months, but the summer is just as captivating due to the numerous activities

offered. The entire town is built like one large ski lodge, and most of the hotel prices rise significantly in the winter months —my specific hotel room’s price went up almost 75% from July to December—. There’s still lots to do in Whistler and each new adventure always ends with a wonderful surprise.

The Olympic Park is just like one would imagine it: huge. Even almost 10 years after it was conventionally used, it is usually raging with tourists, especially since it is one of the only Olympic Parks that is still used as a tourist attraction today. This is the tragic case with many parks after the games are over, the athletes and cameras are gone, and the spotlight is off. The multi-million dollar arenas are not often repurposed and typically do not receive acceptable maintenance. The fates these arenas face are never good; they are usually abandoned, trashed, and even demolished. The Olympic Parks in Rio de Janeiro, for example, have been abandoned and used as dumping grounds for

trash. They were built at such a high cost to the Brazilian people, and today are seen as nearly valueless. Luckily, the Whistler Olympic Park has been fortunate to follow a different fate.

The Park has a few exhibits. The first, the Visitor’s Center, talks about the history of the arena, and what each part was built for and when. There is a gift shop and cafeteria, which is obviously very appealing for tourists. After that, there is a modest hike up the ski jump slopes. The stairs up to the top are scary for those afraid of heights, but the view from the top is priceless. At the top, there is a room which shows the highlights of the ski jumpers who went down in history on those slopes.

The view is breathtaking and a perfect reward for the very high-altitude hike just endured.

The hike down is also gorgeous, and the various plaques which tell about the history of the trail make it all the better. There is also a large version of the Olympic Rings, as well as views of cross country skiing and rifle shooting that have a large history under them.

The town of Whistler is far away from mainstream Canada. It is only a few hours from Vancouver, yet it remains relatively unknown except to the skiers of the region and the ultimate Olympic fans. But Whistler is a hidden gem in this way. The tourists it receives get a very genuine Canadian experience, with the culture of the region taking hold of the traveller’s heart.

The gondolas, the hikes, and even the bungee jumping make Whistler an experience unlike any other. Added to the rich history of the region and the very fortunate fate of the Olympic Park, Whistler is one of the best places in the world to travel for anyone looking for an adventure.

15

South Asia, Middle East, & Europe India, Israel, France

16

India

Wonders of Mandawa

By Francisca LĂłpez

W

hen talking about traveling to India, Mandawa is not often mentioned. It is not exactly what you picture when thinking about this huge country filled with large beautiful markets, religious temples, and people dressed in bright colors. Mandawa is a hidden gem in the district of Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, India.

Its beautiful, traditional havelis and the fort definitely make it a place worth visiting.

Mandawa lies between Jaipur and Bikaner, but it is extremely different from both of these major cities. It is a small, quiet town with a small population of approximately 25,000 people.

The town is part of the Shekhawati region also known as the “open art gallery�, characterized by having over 2,000 havelis, traditional Indian mansions or townhouses, which are more than 200 years old but have been maintained

carefully and are still in amazing condition.

The intricate arches, stunning frescoes, and magnificent paintings set these houses apart. Some of the most recognized havelis in Mandawa are the Gulab Rai Ladia, Jhunjhunwala, Goenka, and Murmuria. The distinctive architecture and art of these houses is meant to keep Indian history and culture alive, with exquisite depictions of Hindu deities and other mythological creatures and ideas, historical events such as British colonization, and traditional Indian designs.

Founded in the 18th century by the Shekhawat Rajputs, Mandawa quickly became a very important outpost for trade routes connecting China and the Middle East. For this very reason, it quickly became inhabited by rich merchant families who lived in havelis and ordered the painting of the walls. The grandeur of the havelis represented wealth and were a symbol for these elite families. Thakur Nawal Singh, Rajput ruler of Mandawa and nearby village Nawalgarh, ordered the construction of the Mandawa fort in 1755 to protect the outpost from foreign armies and possible invaders. This attracted more merchant families which led to the construction of more havelis. Over the years, the merchants slowly started to leave the outpost in order to go to bigger cities with more trading opportunities. Most of the havelis were left uninhabited.

Nowadays, the fort and many of the havelis have been converted into heritage hotels that still conserve the charm. Walking around the village you can see the beautiful colors, walls, and arches. By looking at the images you can learn about Indian culture. For example, the fort is covered with images of Lord Krishna, a Hindu deity. The havelis also have ceilings and walls

17

that show other deities such as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Carvings and paintings portraying deities and mythological figures can be found in temples, such as the Thakurji Temple (dedicated to Lord Krishna) and the Raghunath Temple.

Finally, the town also hosts a main bazaar which, though much smaller than the markets and bazaars in many big cities, still conserves the traditional Indian market charm and has many products that are specific to that region. In this market, the local artisans’ craftsmanship is represented through their handmade products such as colorful leather shoes, and fabric work.

Mandawa is a place rich with history that reflects many of India’s distinctive features.

It is dotted with beautiful mansions and townhouses, and encounters with locals are enjoyable. It captures the essence of the country by having beautiful architecture, culture and amicable locals but it is a tranquil place perfect for people who are looking to experience and get to know Indian language, religion, food, customs, art, and architecture in a unique way.

Israel

Israel: choque de culturas

I

By Ezra Jinich

srael, un país cuya sola mención genera controversia. Sin importar a quién le pregunte, va a tener una opinión acerca de este país, y la razón: su importancia cultural.

El territorio es hogar de los sitios más sagrados de las tres religiones abrahámicas: el islam, el judaísmo y el cristianismo, además de lugares

18

de importancia para religiones menores, notablemente para la fe Bahaí. Durante milenios, lo que hoy en día es la tierra de Israel ha formado historia desde las épocas mesopotámicas: fue territorio fenicio, formó parte de Persia, la Antigua Grecia, y del Imperio Romano; se vio disputada entre los califatos árabes y reinos cristianos durante el medioevo, hasta fue conquistado por el Imperio Otomano

desde el renacimiento, y después de la Primera Guerra Mundial llegó a ser colonia británica, antes de independizarse en 1948. La mayoría de los grandes imperios europeos han dejado su marca en Israel, y esto es evidente hasta el día de hoy. Caminando por Jerusalén, entrando a la ciudad antigua, se pueden ver los varios tipos de arquitectura de que han tomado forma en la ciudad a través de los tiempos. Uno puede ver edificios construidos por los romanos y por los griegos. Hay ruinas de los templos judíos, donde se pueden ver los restos de la arquitectura de las épocas de los reyes Saúl, David y Salomón.

Uno ve los mercados de la ciudad en el típico

estilo persa –con la mercancía esparcida por los estrechos caminos y sobre los tradicionales tapetes persas– las iglesias cristianas construidas en el medioevo, y, al salir de la ciudad antigua, los edificios más modernos, construidos por británicos e israelíes, imitando los estilos arquitectónicos de Europa moderna.

No necesariamente son todas ciudades antiguas, pero sin falla tienen aspectos de todas las

que la gente hable en árabe, que los letreros de las calles estén en árabe, y que se vea una gran cantidad de mezquitas. Tel Aviv es una ciudad donde las culturas de Israel se contrastan, y conviven las unas con las otras.

En Israel, el legado de los distintos grupos étnicos-religiosos que han dejado su marca allí han forjado su propia cultura a través de milenios, y debido a movimientos migratorios desde África, Siria, el sudeste asiático, y judíos de todas partes del mundo hacia Israel, su cultura es una mezcla única de tradiciones árabes con tradiciones europeas, una combinación de moderno y antiguo, y una serie de contrastes, que se epitomizan en las características culturales y hasta físicas de la identidad del israelí.

France

De Clara a claro

By Eduardo Carriazo

culturas que han formado la identidad israelí. En Tel Aviv, la ciudad más grande del país, el centro del casco urbano es como cualquier ciudad moderna de Norte América o Europa. Tiene rascacielos de oficinas, donde están ubicadas las compañías israelíes e internacionales del sector Hi-Tech, tiendas, centros comerciales, cafés y restaurantes. Caminando hacia el sudoeste de la ciudad, comenzará a encontrarse con trazos de la cultura árabe del medio oriente, latiente en Israel aún hoy en día. Se topará con mercados persas y restaurantes árabes, hasta llegar al puerto histórico de Yafo, un área de Israel distintivamente árabe, dónde es común

M

uchas experiencias en la vida pasan por casualidad. No se sabe qué las causa, pero cuando pasan traen un particular sentimiento de complicidad con el universo, como pasó con algo tan ordinario como una clase de español y un jardín botánico en París.

Un día de lectura independiente en la clase de Clarita las patas rosadas de los axolotl de Julio Cortázar se abrieron paso hacia los rincones más recónditos de mi memoria. Estuve tan cautivado por la especificidad de las descripciones de París en ese cuento que no sentí el más mínimo significado o importancia en la infame

19

pedagogía metódica del Teacher’s College que Clarita implementaba religiosamente en sus clases. Procedí, en cambio, a imaginarme lo que sería recorrer L’Hôpital, el Jardin des Plantes y ver a los decrépitos leones en su jaula, o presenciar la metamorfosis de la ciudad del invierno a la primavera—comparable, según Cortázar—, con la cola de un pavo real.

Resulta que no un año después nos enteramos de que ese mismo verano estaríamos viajando rumbo a China. Nuestra clase de mandarín, dichosos porque ya no habría una visa Schengen entre nacionales colombianos y territorio francés, aprovechamos la escala de doce horas en Charles de Gaulle para recorrer las calles que innumerables ciclistas, corceles, cineastas, aristócratas, y revolucionarios alguna vez transitaron.

La omnipresente publicidad de Hermès, Le Coq Sportif, Estée Lauder o Lacoste no nos perdió de vista nunca, pero nuestro grupo sí pudo perder su camino dentro de la ciudad. Ninguno era francés, ni comprendía la lengua romántica que fluía sin esfuerzo aparente de los habitantes de la ciudad, entonces optamos por convertir el imprevisto en una oportunidad de conocer más de la ciudad mientras que nuestros supervisores coordinaban el transporte de la delegación de vuelta al aeropuerto.

No había interrupciones en la densa construcción del centro de la ciudad; cuando acababa la terraza de un café empezaba el toldo de la siguiente.

Anduvimos varias cuadras de la misma escena hasta que noté un patrón diferente en el muro de una edificación. La placa a unos pocos pasos leía Bibliothèque Saint-Geneviève, y a pesar de no entender francés, desencadenó en mi mente algún desconocido proceso por el cual ese día de clase con Clarita salió de entre los abismos

20

más profundos de tantas memorias perdidas en mi vida. La adrenalina de tal recuerdo limpió la incomodidad del calor y la incalmable sed de mi mente. Recordé, entre demasiadas otras trivialidades, que allí encontró el personaje en un diccionario que los axolotl eran anfibios

mexicanos capaces de sobrevivir sequías en África. Enseguida dimos con el Jardin des Plantes, y luego de haberme quedado observando la placa de la entrada en estupor por más tiempo del que una persona en nuestra condición lo hubiera hecho, llegó el transporte que nos sacaría de aquella ciudad.

Vi el arco del triunfo, la torre Eiffel, la ópera de París, y la pirámide del Louvre, pero también viví una protesta de inmigrantes africanos, conocí en la espontaneidad de nuestro desvío a los compañeros de viaje que terminaron por convertirse en grandes amigos, y recorrí los caminos que otorgarían a Latinoamérica la victoria en el Tour de France, que marcaron la historia de mi propia vida, y que alguna vez inspiraron un gran cuento en tal gran escritor.

A f r i c a

Madagascar, South Africa

21

Madagascar

Madagascar: la isla al sudeste de África

By Antonia Ramírez

A

pesar de ser un país en desarrollo, viajar a Madagascar es una experiencia muy valiosa. El sistema de transporte aéreo es muy ineficiente, ya que la mayoría de vuelos son atrasados o cancelados.

Sin embargo, siempre está la posibilidad de viajar en tren o bus. Esto le permite al viajero vivir el país y su realidad desde una perspectiva interna.

Los viajes son largos y las carreteras angostas, pero el destino final siempre vale la pena. Desde la llegada a la capital, Antananarivo, más conocida como Tana, se ve la realidad de un país subestimado y olvidado. A pesar de esto, el país ofrece mucho más de lo que se puede ver a simple vista. Entre la cubierta de casas que caracteriza a la ciudad sobresalen sus pocos edificios, de los cuales el antiguo palacio de la reina Malagasy es el

22

más concurrido. Asimismo, aparte de ofrecer una historia y monumentos cautivadores, Madagascar tiene una biodiversidad impresionante. La mayor parte de las especies de lémures en el mundo reside en el país, tiene una población inmensa de camaleones y gecos, además de sus famosos árboles, los baobabs. Sus más de veinte metros de alto y dos de diámetro los hacen verdaderamente enormes. Ramas aparecen únicamente en la copa, con tan solo algunas pocas hojas.

A unas pocas horas de bus, se puede ir de una selva húmeda y tropical a un desierto árido. La Isla tiene una vida endémica impresionante.

En cada región natural del país se pueden ver varias especies de lémures. Estos primates son bastante peculiares, algunos tienen colas largas y rayadas. Otros son muy pequeños y nocturnos, otros saltan de árbol en árbol y cuando tocan el piso se desplazan como si estuvieran bailando. Son muy curiosos y observadores: lo que más resalta en su cara son unos ojos grandes, redondos y amarillos. Por otro lado, los gecos y camaleones no son tan fáciles de encontrar: están escondidos entre las hojas y muchos se camuflan entre plantas con colores exóticos. Pero esto no es todo: el país también alberga una cultura llena de bailes, música y una pasión por el fútbol. Los niños se la pasan jugando fútbol, la mayoría

desarrollarse y avanzar, los pobladores están deforestando y quemando muchas de las zonas en las cuales esas peculiares especies endémicas viven. Por esto y muchas otras razones es importante conocer este país junto con todas sus maravillas antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

South Africa

sin canchas ni zapatos, con balones totalmente destruidos por el uso. Ninguno de estos factores importa ya que son absolutamente felices jugando. Así hasta en los lugares más remotos, se ve la felicidad que la gente siente con lo poco que tiene. Los habitantes son descendientes de una mezcla entre migrantes del sudeste asiático y sudafricanos. Así, los malagasy tienen una mezcla de dos culturas muy interesantes que culminan en idiomas, tradiciones y una población realmente única.

Al hacer algunas paradas en pequeños pueblos lejos de la capital, las personas reciben a los extranjeros con amabilidad y con los brazos abiertos. La mayoría no habla inglés, pero se comunican en malagasy y sus múltiples dialectos, y francés (ya que el país fue colonia francesa). No obstante, las palabras no son necesarias para demostrar su humildad y bondad. Hay familias de 12 hijos, y una sola madre que se ocupa de ellos. Gran parte del país (70.7%) está por debajo de la línea de pobreza y vive en condiciones extremas; casas con piso de barro, sin techo y dos habitaciones para más de 6 personas además de escasez de comida y necesidades básicas. Ahora bien, para poder

What you Can Learn from Travel

By Samuel Reveiz

“T

ravel expands your horizons” is a cliché that gets thrown around a lot when discussing the topic of exploring the world.

But however overused this phrase may be, it definitely holds true. Travel can introduce you to

new perspectives on politics, social structures, health, and environmental issues, just to name a few examples. When I traveled to South Africa last summer, I had a picturesque image

23

of a nation of natural beauty, with majestic creatures roaming expansive grasslands under the watch of passionate experts; of towering cliffs by deep blue waters; of a country moving past its troubled past and finally embracing the resilient culture of the native ethnic majority.

After I experienced South Africa, this somewhat held true. I saw imposing elephants crossing wide rivers; artisans expressing their creativity through traditional South African artworks such as beaded animal sculptures; musicians

singing traditional South African gospel by the seaside. However, through the cracks of my aforementioned idealization shone very serious problems: tremendous racial inequalities in South Africa, despite the dissolution of the Apartheid in the early 90s, were rampant, as evidenced by the clear divide between the Townships and the “white” neighborhoods; the country faced grave public health concerns, facing an AIDS epidemic; and—as I noticed right away on my first day in Johannesburg— it was dangerously low on water. When I first arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport,

24

I was surprised to find that there was no running water in the bathrooms. But, after reading a sticker posted above a hand sanitizer dispenser, it all made sense.

As I stepped onto a patch of dirt off the side of the road for a rest during a long car ride to the northern area of Satara National Park, the dry ground crunch beneath me. Like the safari guide had said, the drought was fierce, taking its toll. Cape Town, a city of about 4.5 million people was about to completely run out of water, nearing what they called “Day Zero”. To postpone Day Zero, Cape Town residents restricted their water usage, cutting down the city’s water consumption by 50%. Visiting South Africa was eye-opening in that it made the distant idea of a water crisis in my own community a shockingly real possibility. I dug deeper and found that Mexico City, London, São Paulo, Melbourne, Jakarta, Beijing, Istanbul, Tokyo, Bangalore, and Barcelona are all projected to become water-stressed within a few decades. According to Vox, most of the world will not have enough water to meet yearround demand by 2040.

In this way, travel has broadened my horizons by providing galvanizing perspective on a crucial worldwide issue. Now, I try to be more deliberate in my water usage. I take shorter showers, make sure to turn off the tap while brushing my teeth, and try to not create so much dirty laundry. Every little thing counts. If we want to put off our own global “Day Zero”, we should collectively be making an effort to use less water in our day to day lives.

E a s t

A s i a

Republic of Korea, Singapore

25

Singapore

The meeting place for culture and innovation

shaped rooftop terrace where one can enjoy sports, shopping, food tasting, and museum

By Rafaela Jinich

F

rom uniquely shaped skyscrapers to colorful temples, remnants of ancient cultures, Singapore is a magical city filled with innovative technology that will blow your mind while still managing to provide immersive experiences into rich cultures and religions.

Although Singapore is a very modern country, we tend to forget that it has become the home of many different cultures that create history every day.

With new start-ups, products, companies, ideas, and places, Singapore has become one of the most modern cities in the world. It is home to the largest companies, and has the most powerful resources and tools to innovate and expand its ideas to the rest of the world.

Here are some of the sites that best demonstrate the spectacular innovation that Singapore is home to.

Marina Bay Sands You’ve probably heard of this skyscraper, as it is the city’s most famous icon. This amazing building with unique architecture and design was inaugurated in 2010. It is not a surprise that the building is internationally praised as it consists of three large towers with a boat

26

hopping. It even has a 146-meter-long pool, which affords visitors an amazing view of the whole city while taking a refreshing dip.

Sentosa Island This man-made island is filled with thrilling activities for people of all ages. You can start your day by visiting Universal Studios, where you can find rides based on your favorite movie characters. Then, you can take the cable car and cross the ocean while observing the view

of the whole city from the top to the main part of the island, where you can choose activities from relaxing at a beach club to skydiving and extreme sports.

Orchard Road Taking a walk down one of the world’s most famous shopping roads is one of the most exciting things to do in Singapore, especially for shopaholics. It is filled with fine-dining restaurants, cafÊs, beauty salons, and almost everything you will need during your stay in

Singapore. You can choose to relax and eat ice cream while walking around or to shop in one of the many stores in the area.

To Western eyes, Asian culture may seem difficult to distinguish from each other. We often see the people of these cultures in a generalized way, all following the same traditions, listening to the same music, eating the same food, and celebrating the same holidays. This is an inaccurate judgement many Westerners make when they think about different cultures from the eastern hemisphere of our planet.

With more than 45 different ethnic groups, Asia offers an extremely diverse cultural landscape.

Within Asia, Singapore has an even higher level of cultural and ethnic diversity. This country is home to people from all over the world, and has received immigrants with open arms since people can remember.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan city: out of a total population of 5.6 million, 2.8 are immigrants

who spread their culture into this region.

Singapore has become an epicenter for different cultures, a place for them to grow, mix, and create a new life in this diverse country.

The following areas are famous for showing the cultural diversity represented in Singapore.

Chinatown Chinatown is one of the most important cultural sites of Singapore. With its colourful Peranakan shop-houses and handful of historical attractions, it is one of the most interesting places to walk. It is divided into four

main districts named Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh. The heart of the city revolves around Smith Street and Pagoda Street. Not only does it offer a variety of shops with cultural items and souvenirs, but it holds an array of colorful temples open to any visitors who want to learn about the culture.

Little India Little India has become the center of the Indian community in Singapore. Here, you can find a

27

Republic of Korea

My Favorite Destinations: Seoul Edition

By Eugene Kim

bustling section of streets which will awaken your senses. The different colors and smells will keep you itching to discover every narrow street, each leading to a different temple filled with colors and culture.

T

o get to know South Korea (Republic of Korea), a country with plenty of interesting places to visit, it is best to move through public transport. Seoul, the heart of Korea, contains half the country’s population of about 25 million people. Bus and subway

Arab Quarter Also known as Kampong Glam, the Arab Quarter stations are easily accessible, and the city’s buzz is one of the best places to explore markets, never stops. You can walk through the welltemples, and fun restaurants that represent preserved palaces, feel the natural breezes, and experience unique activities, all by moving Singapore’s exotic traditions. through the country with public transport. Here are four destinations you should go to if you visit this wonderful country.

Singapore has not only become home to many different global cultures, but is creating lifealtering innovations that will help the rest of the world keep advancing. Its combination of the future and the traditional has proven to be successful in creating a beautiful city and travel destination; this city will never leave you without something new to add to your bucket list.

28

Han River Start your journey with the well-known Han River, which divides Seoul into two parts. It is certainly popular across the country, and offers

many interesting and diverse activities. To start off, there are tons of dynamic water sports to cool off or to get active. They can be found in most of the hot places in the city during the summers, and they can help save money for transportation. There are several 세빛둥둥섬 (floating islands) on the river that aid tourists who need breaks from the heat or exercise.

Moreover, they offer beautiful views that pierce the populated city. Walking and cycling along the river are activities popular for their safety (no motorized vehicles transit this area), and for the soothing breeze from the river. From camping and soccer fields to colorful waterfalls and delicious ramen from the river: everything one needs to have fun is right there!

Hanok Village Continue your journey by visiting Bukchon Hanok Village. It is another beautiful place that one must visit. It is not surprising that it was voted as a preferred place for tourism in South Korea; it contains charms that don’t disappoint.

This village is very unique in that it preserves the country’s traditional culture. The village is located in the middle of two big palaces from the 14th century. One of them is the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace

of the Joseon Dynasty, which contains the history of how Seoul became such a prosperous capital. This village will show many things that are only available in Korea; it will provide a different and special experience. Among Seoul’s iconic skyscrapers, classic wood houses have the effect of relaxing a tourist’s heart from the hustle and bustle of city life. A popular option to enrich this experience of historic tourism, traditional Korean clothes are available for rent in the surrounding areas.

Myeongdong If you’re a retail enthusiast, chances are you’ll want to include shopping in your perfect trip, and Seoul doesn’t disappoint. Myeongdong is the ideal place to go for a session of retail therapy.

Several blocks covered with stores, big and small, that lead the way to massive department stores located at the ends of the streets. The outside being very chaotic, these department stores have air conditioning, restrooms, and even restaurants, arranged in a cleaner and more organized space. There is few merchandise that you won’t find in Myeongdong. It is so popular that its scores of shoppers make it difficult to even walk! Cosmetics are the most popular products sold to foreigners, and there are stores

29

with a never-ending supply. Trucks sell food in the middle of the road to make up for the energy used by walking around, as well as arcades and VR rooms to visit if shopping gets boring. It is easy to lose track of time when shopping in Myeongdong.

Namsan Tower The last destination is the Namsan Tower (N-tower). It took particular effort to build this tower because the mountain itself where the tower was built underwent several structural modifications so this marvel of engineering could be built. Many people have found it to be a very romantic place, and it is now a famous place where people go on dates. You could either walk up the mountain or ride a cable car that lands directly in front of the tower. The top of the mountain has a breathtaking view of the whole city. At night, there are millions of lights shining right into your eyes and it is one of the most beautiful sights that can be seen in Korea.

There is a restaurant at the top of the tower but restaurants near the bottom of the mountain are more recommended because most have sold traditional Korean meat for up to 90 years, and they still carry that tradition, even twenty years

30

into the twenty-first century. Several places at the top of the mountain, including the top balcony of the tower, have fences for love locks.

Locks are sold on-site where couples can write names or promises. As the lock is hung on the fence, its keys are thrown from the mountain, in hopes of never breaking that promise or relationship. The locks became love locks as many couples visited to keep their relationship.

Even without a partner, the tower is an iconic place that will provide entertainment with its beauty of nature and structure.

These are the four most recommended places to visit on a trip to South Korea. These destinations are all located in Seoul where most events occur.

However, there is more that the country has to show besides from this city. There is a highspeed train called KTX which can run at a speed of 300 km/h and can cross the country in three hours. If you’re done with Seoul, The KTX is always an option to keep exploring the many other amazing destinations in South Korea.

“Not all who wander are lost” —J.R.R Tolkien

31

CNG