TND West

“Let’s take the Palace on Wheels!” Tammy just about shrieked in my ear as she read about the special luxury train from Delhi that goes through Jaipur. This from the gal who refused any of the luxury hotels Jaipur has available to opt for, well, we were not sure. Well it would not be to tomorrow anyway, and I thought, it is just a train, let us spend the money on good food and a golden Buddha to take back to our friend Lola back in Los Angeles. “You know, I think my old high school wrestling coach was from Jaipur. I wonder if he’s here?” That was years ago Tammy said, as we sipped relieving cold beer at a little bar. We were waiting for chapati and samosas and (bravely we thought) a fish curry, for a little respite from all the hub bub that is India.

“You never told me you wrestled,” said Tammy. “I was terrible,” I said. “But it kept me away from home during the long winters in Cleveland. Maybe I should ask the bar tender if he ever heard of Mr. Pravati.” the bar tender looked like a wrestler, low to the ground, thick shouldered. what are the chances. “Hey, Bub, I used to know this guy who was from Jaipur, taught wrestling in the USA. A Mr. Pravati. Ever heard of him?” The bar tender looked at me for a moment, swabbing the inside of a bar glass with a white towel. “There are many Pravatis here, it would be hard to know. But I did know one gentleman who wrestled, but he went to Korea to coach, and no one has ever heard of him.” Just them the food came out all at once, the kitchen doors exploding open, and the silver plates were quickly placed before us. I looked up to see an older man, trim and thick necked, handing us silver ware. As soon as I saw him, I knew it was Mr. Pravati.

No matter which side of the team one is one, be it in the sales department or on the marketing team, one can not do well without the other.  The marketing department will communicate with sales teams as to what it takes, to help them understand what is necessary for success.  Through valuable sales training, and using the skills of organizational development will understand the different levels of courting and collecting new customers and/or clients.  When the steps are well known and practiced, and when the teams are knowledgeable about the various aspects and materials that work specific to their products, this creates an operation that is both effective and efficient. 

Potential clients are usually not concerned with just how long a company has been in operation.  The exception to this is when they may be comparing one’s company with another, and when all other aspects measure up the same, the deciding factor may be the length of the life the business has lived so far.  In this case that may cause a client to go one way or another, but what is more important to most people in general, is the relationship that one creates. 

If the salesperson has fostered a trusting relationship, the factor of the age of the business is a mute point.  When considering marketing and advertising, it is generally believed that the stress should be on that aspect of good business.  A one line sentence in regards to how long one has been in business is sufficient.  What makes a company different from the rest is what will lead to future clients and successful returns.  Clients need to know good reasons that one’s product or service is the best possible option.  If these are outlined in the marketing campaign, the salespeople will have an outline, a tool that will help them to confirm that yes, this company is different, this company is the one for them.

Our five-star Jaipur hotels will put you in the lap of luxury in one of India’s most unique cities. Jaipur is a beautiful urban center, whose unusual city plan is based on a mandala. This gives the streets a very uniform look, with clean lines, and appealing designs. It also is structured so that the citizens walking the city will walk along its mandala lines and find an newly-attuned sensation that they are walking according to their own divine purpose. It’s a heady intention, and certainly adds an aura of graciousness and calm to the place. One will sense it on the streets, and in our hotels there is enormous grace and hospitality. These things are our specialty, and we offer these along with all the usual fantastic features that give our accommodations the five-star designation. You will be sure that we have met the highest standards of the industry, and there are a surplus of extra amenities to keep you happy while you’re here, and make you want to come back.

Jaipur has a lot to offer the savvy world traveler, with tours and sights that will keep the whole family occupied. There is a vibrant night life, and a lively local culture that adds a very lovely rhythm to the place. There is also a local art scene that has been gaining in reputation during recent years, enough to suggest that it is not a short-term trend, but one that will continue to grow. Galleries show classical and contemporary art by artists all over India, with an emphasis on Jaipur culture. Last July, the very famous Dhrupad singer, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar graced Jaipur with a recital. He performed at Samanvai Art, a local gallery that has done exceptional things for visual culture in Jaipur.

Samanvai Art showcases works in all media by contemporary artists in India, showing work by both established and emerging artists who contribute to the national and international art scene. They also act as host for other gallery shows, performances, and lectures on art and art history. For the Dhrupad event, they were fortunate to be able to host Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, who is the living inheritance of Dhrupad music, following in a line that has been unbroken for 20 generations. The idea of this musical form coming together with visual art in Jaipur is a remarkable cultural event, and portends great things for the future of art.

Some of the best hiking trails in the world for scenery are in Hudson Valley, New York. Trail take one from river level through dense forest filed with thick under grow the of vines, berries brambles, ferns and wild flowers. Te views offered of Hudson are gorgeous. Pan aromas of the river and the endlessly rolling emerald hills across the river at the top of trails in Beacon,Breakneck and Bear Mountain you can see the tops of the tallest buildings in New York City. Streams, pond and creeks abound in the area with abundant rainfall in the area the forest is filled with wild life and an enormous variety of plants. In Beacon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/briaz/2223678948/)there are trails that take you down to the river. You pass through what feels like the forest prime evil, under a dense canopy of oak, maple, and other trees. The berry brambles are thick and make leaving the trail impossible in areas. The rocks, ground and trees are covered in deep green mosses. The landscape is lush and covered with vegetation. The trails take you to the shore of the Hudson River right where the Fishkill Creek meets the Hudson River. The river from here shows how enormous it truly is. The Fishkill Creek as it meets the Hudson is a mile wide. It empties into the Hudson at a spot were the river is a little more than a mile wide. A rocky beach juts out on the north side of the junction. Standing there you see Bantermand Island, Storm King Mountain, the City of Newburgh across the river. The beach continues for over a mile up the Hudson in this area as you like north you are looking up at the gigantic Newburgh – Beacon bridge. This bridge looms very high above the river and is more than a mile long. The beach is rocky here and full of beach glass some as old as the colonial era, pottery shards, drift wood and river worn bricks and stones. It is a fun way to spend many hours combing the beach for treasures. These hikes range from easy walks on mostly flat surfaces to difficult and steep climbs. All are worth the effort for the reward of visual beauty. All of this can be done a short drive or train ride from the best New York City hotel.

The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life not death! It is when we celebrate our own lives and the lives of those loved one and ancestors that have passed on before us. In preparation for the Day of the Dead graves sites are cleaned up and altars are cleaned and decorated with flowers and brightly colored offering and prayer papers. Feasts are prepared for large gatherings, usually thee feast are featuring favorite foods and drinks of those who have passed on before us. On the Day of the Dead the feasting and parties are held at the gravesides of the relatives and loved ones previously cleaned up and prepared for the Day of the Dead. Food and drinks are offered to the spirits of the dead and candles lit to light the darkness and help everyone see their way. These celebrations take place in Latin countries around the world. From Barcelona boutique hotels to the back alley way of poor Mexican towns. The celebrations are joyous and exuberant. There are celebrations in El Paso, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Mexico City, Mexico: Lima, Peru; Bueno Aries, Argentina. The costumes and art for the Day of the Dead is whimsical and colorful. Full of humor and irreverent reference. Shadow boxes depict skeletons getting drunk and falling down, band of Mariachis, pregnant bride with their grooms. It i a true celebration of life as it is. The parting begins as the sun is setting and goes on all night to the wee hour of the early morning. All this is to honor and please our ancestors to celebrate their lives to never forget the one before us. This Day of the Dead who will you honor? Who will you remember? How will you honor them and remember them?

When traveling to Cape Town, luxury hotel accommodations can make the trip from lovely to heavenly. With only the finest of amenities, our hotels are stunning examples of grace and stature. Treating yourself to a truly decadent experience can invigorate the mind and the senses, and no better place to do it than in the beauty of South Africa, with its rich land and gorgeous sea. Our luxury hotels offer the best in both hospitality and contemporary design. You’ll also be perfectly connected to the world at large with state of the art technologies and in-room entertainment. The dining here is also exceptional, featuring local and international recipes created by world class chefs. Your stay here will leave you rejuvenated, and ready to explore the city.

Cape Town is very lively, and rich in culture. With the long and troubled history in South Africa, there are many sights that have great interest for all the members of the family. There is also a thriving art scene, with a stunning array of galleries and museums. If visual art is particularly appealing to you, then chances are very good that you’ll run into works by one of Cape Town’s most pre-eminent artists, Norman Catherine. His use of everyday material to create unforgettable works of painting, sculpture, and mixed media are almost iconic in the world of African art generally, and South African art specifically.

Norman Catherine was born in East London in 1949, and his work features prominently in South African art exhibitions, and is also shown at an impressive number of international galleries, and is featured in many exhibitions of public art around the world. He began painting in oil on traditional canvas as well as bone and other found objects. By the 1980s, his signature style was already well-established. The visceral humor and splendid use of color make the work of Norman Catherine enormously distinctive. The subject matter is often based in the history of South Africa, and suggests allegorical and metaphorical representations of certain metaphysical truths. His stunning work is unforgettable, and worth watching out for.

The industry of the development and production of the wind turbine in the country of Denmark has been on the cutting edge of this sustainable form of energy for forty years. Nineteen percent of the electricity in the country is derived from the wind turbines that are found throughout the country. One third of the market on the global level is held by Denmark, which financially brings in billions of dollars each year in revenue. This country has always been ahead of the other countries, from the inception of the use of wind generated energy, to the technology used today in the factories that build the turbines. Now their new goal is to get the other countries of the world to follow suit.

This country has also managed to lower the emissions levels, down almost fourteen percent since the levels in 1990. Energy conservation is successful, as the rates have not risen, even as the population has been growing. Denmark will host the United Nations summit in December, that will focus on the climate change and the need for alternative sources of energy. Denmark has proven that a country can do all three, achieve increased growth economically, while reducing pollution and the conversation of energy.

And while Denmark is a green city, the catalyst for the production of the wind farms was the oil crisis of 1973. At that time, ninety percent of the energy of the country was from the use of petroleum. With most of their supplies coming from foreign oil sources. Quick thinking Denmark rapidly launched into action and created new plans for energy. The oil supply was reestablished however the Danes wished to remain self-sufficient, and to never again experience the fear of what the oil crisis had created. The government continued to establish controls on energy usage, and the wind generated energy was further investigated and put to use.

I tried to learn Thai some years ago. It was very difficult and have really never gotten back to learning more. The language structure was difficult for me as there is no verb congregation all verbs are present tense and the context around it denotes the time. The other difficulty for me is the tonality of the language. It is subtle and difficult to hear by an untrained ear. The same consonant sound has three tones, high tone, mid tone, and low tone. The tone changes the word completely. Two words that sound exactly the same to a western ear, are two different words to the Thai ear. Tone is everything. The language is unique in the world. Created in about 1200 the king of the newly unified Siam said his people would have a unique language, alphabet and numbering system. Based loosely on the Lao language the Thai language was born. The Thai language is phonetic however, once you learn the alphabet you will be able to read Thai easily. However that alone is a daunting task. There are 44 consonants divided into the three tones, high, medium and low. There are 32 vowels, long, short, single and compound. Four tone marks and no punctuation. One day I hope to go to Bangkok and stay 5 star hotel Bangkok and immerse myself in the learning of the language. When learning Thai you need to learn the alphabet first as transliterations of the language into other alphabets negate the tonality of the language. This is of paramount importance as I have said tone changes the meaning of a word completely. If there is a Thai temple in your area you can find monks willing to teach the language. THese belief is the more we understand each others languages the more we can understand each other and bring more peace in the world. Therefore the teaching is generally done on a donation only basis

The geometric designs of South African bead work are simply amazing! Stunning colors along with seemingly endless design patterns. I was amazed at all the art work avail for sale and show in the 5 star hotels lobby gift shops. Beads have been around for ever, well at least 30,000 years. Glass manufacturing techniques in the mid 1800′s increased the volume of beads available tremendously. Venitian glass factories produced in the millions of pounds of beads annualy for trade on the African continent. From the beginning of time bead production has been a part of every society. The adornment communicating class, wealth, occupation and religion. An important evaloution was the use of the beads for prayer and ritual. Throughout the world malas or prayer beads were strung for the clergy and lay people alike. With the rich and long history these beads have made their way around the world. Representing the very first money these objets were traded far and wide, many times going to places unknown and unintended by the creator. Much of this trading took place on the African continent giving them a rich history and the presence of beads made from throughout the world. Today beads are manufactured from every material known, paper, metals, plastics, fibers, glass, stone, wood, ceramic, clay and bone just to mention a few. Beads are made everywhere, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Japan, USA, China, Mexico and on. New techniques in cutting with lasers offer an endless variety of shapes and designs that can be manufactured with values from nearly nothing to priceless. With new process coming along the endless desire for adornment the evolution of beads will not end as long as there are people to enjoy them.

Guildford England is for the most part a quiet town located in the county of Surrey. It is approximately 27 miles, or 43 kilometers, southwest of London. And while it is quiet, peaceful and beautiful, it has an interesting history and has played a strong role in the evolution of England and its culture. Tourists staying in one of the Surrey hotels located in the town of Guildford or elsewhere throughout the county are often drawn to the historical landmarks, as well as into the city of London for an evening out.

In 1974 Guildford gained international attention and the peaceful setting of the city was interrupted by a sudden and unsuspected bombing by the Irish Republican Army. This has become known as the Guildford Pub Bombings, and took place on October 5 of that year. The bombings occurred in two pubs, the Horse and Groom and Seven Stars. Both of these venues were known to be popular hangouts for local army personnel, which is the primary reason they were targeted. Five people were killed in this tragedy and approximately 65 were seriously injured.

On a more peaceful note, the Guildford Museum is located on Quarry Street and offers not only art, but an interesting perspective and experience oriented toward the town’s history. Part of the museum is located in the gatehouse of the historic Guildford Castle, which allows visitors to take part in two major local landmarks in a single outing. The museum began as a collection of archeological relics that date from prehistoric eras. Throughout the years it has grown and expanded its intention and offerings. Today the museum houses various collections related to local history, prehistoric settlements and art. The art gallery has a strong focus on the work of John Russell, who was born in Guildford.