#China Visa appointment in Delhi

[gokitetour]

9 Beautiful Temples in China You Cannot Miss.

Some of the most exquisite temples in the world may be found in China, a country known for its lively culture and extensive history. These temples, which range from opulent old imperial palaces to tranquil mountain retreats, provide a window into China's architectural treasures and spiritual practices. We'll cover a list of nine temples in this introduction that you should not miss when visiting China. With their elaborate decorations, spiritual atmosphere, and creative designs, these temples draw tourists from all over the world. Each one of them has its own distinct beauty and importance. These temples provide an amazing trip through China's cultural past, whether you're taking in the majesty of Beijing's Forbidden City or the calm beauty of Sichuan's Leshan Giant Buddha.

 These temples are dispersed throughout the wide length of China, from the busy metropolises of Beijing and Shanghai to the serene landscapes of rural provinces, encouraging visitors to experience the nation's different regions and immerse themselves in its rich spirituality and history. Take a virtual tour with us to see some of the most stunning temples in China and learn about the cultural importance and ageless beauty of these hallowed locations. These temples will leave you in awe of the grandeur of China's ancient past, whether you're a history buff, a spiritual seeker, or just an art and architectural lover.

Here are some beautiful temples in China you cannot miss.

1. Beijing, the Forbidden City: Located in the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City, sometimes referred to as the Palace Museum, is a famous representation of Chinese royal architecture. The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-known for its imposing halls, elaborate pavilions, and lovely gardens.

2. China's Great Wall: One of the most stunning architectural wonders in the world, the Great Wall of China, is a must-see location for visitors visiting China. The Great Wall, which stretches more than 13,000 miles across northern China, offers visitors stunning views of the surroundings and an understanding of the country's rich cultural heritage.

3. Xi'an's Terracotta Army: Emperor Qin Shi Huang was buried with thousands of life-size clay warriors, horses, and chariots, known as the Terracotta Army, to guard him in the afterlife. This archaeological monument, which was found in the vicinity of Xi'an in 1974, is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and provides an intriguing look into the military might and artistry of ancient China.

4. Huangshan, or the Yellow Mountains: The Huangshan, also known as the Yellow Mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its eerie clouds, twisted pine trees, and striking granite peaks. The Yellow Mountains, which are in the Anhui province of eastern China, have long served as an inspiration to Chinese poets and painters. They are particularly beautiful at dawn and dusk.

5. Guilin's Li River: The Li River is a charming river in southern China that is well-known for its traditional towns, bamboo gardens, and karst limestone peaks. Travelers may take in the breathtaking panorama captured in innumerable Chinese art and photos by taking a sail down the Li River.

6. Lhasa, Tibet's Potala Palace: The Potala Palace is a stunning fortress-style building that was formerly the Dalai Lama's winter retreat. One of the holiest places in Tibetan Buddhism, the Potala Palace, is situated in the center of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

7. The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu, China: The conservation institution Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is devoted to the breeding and preservation of giant pandas. This facility, which is situated in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, enables tourists to see these cute animals in their natural environment and discover the conservation initiatives being taken to save them.

8. Dunhuang's Mogao Caves: In Dunhuang, Gansu province, the Mogao Caves, also called the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site close to the old Silk Road. These caverns are among the most significant cultural monuments in China since they are home to an amazing collection of Buddhist paintings and artwork that dates back more than a millennium.

9. Giant Buddha of Leshan (Leshan): The Leshan Giant Buddha is a gigantic stone statue of the Buddha that is located close to Leshan, Sichuan Province, and is carved into a cliff overlooking the confluence of three rivers. The world's tallest stone Buddha statue, standing over 230 feet tall, is a monument to the dedication and skill of ancient Chinese artisans and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 Conclusion

  The beautiful temples of China offer a captivating journey through the country's rich history, culture, and spirituality. From the iconic Forbidden City in Beijing to the serene Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, these temples showcase China's architectural marvels and spiritual traditions. For travelers seeking to explore these magnificent temples, obtaining a China visa from Delhi is the first step towards embarking on an unforgettable journey. With the visa in hand, travelers can immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquillity of these sacred sites, experiencing the timeless allure of China's ancient past. Whether you're admiring the intricate carvings of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang or marveling at the majestic peaks of the Yellow Mountains in Anhui, each temple offers a unique glimpse into China's cultural heritage and natural beauty. So, whether you're a history buff, a spiritual seeker, or simply an avid traveler, don't miss the opportunity to explore the beautiful temples of China. With their awe-inspiring architecture, breathtaking scenery, and profound spiritual significance, these temples promise an enriching and unforgettable experience for all who visit.

#China Visa from Delhi #China Visit Visa from Delhi #China Tourist Visa from Delhi #China visit visa processing time from Delhi #China Tourist visa cost from Delhi #China Tourist visa price from Delhi #China Visa appointment in Delhi

[osakagroup]

👉 𝙐𝙆 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 will help you to get 𝙐𝙆 All Category Visa Application, Submission & Appointment🎫🎟️✈️ ✅ Visit Visa ✅ Tourist Visa ✅ Business Visa ✅ Dependent Visa ✅ Work Visa ✅ Visa Extension For more information: 📲 [phone] 📲 [phone] 📧 [email protected] 🌐 www.osakaair.com #osakagroup #osakaairtravels #chinavisa #china #osakaconnect #usa #canada #uk #europe #australiavisa #australia #UKvisitorvisa #newzealand #middleeast #nz #aus #africa #ukvisa #BookAirTicketOnline #AirTicketing #india #visaassistance #travel #flights #booknow #VISA #visaservices #kerala #mumbai #chennai #delhi

[znewstech]

For US Visa, Over 2-Year Wait For New Delhi, Just 2 Days For Beijing

For US Visa, Over 2-Year Wait For New Delhi, Just 2 Days For Beijing

S Jaishankar yesterday raised the backlog of visa applications with Antony Blinken. New Delhi: Indian visa applicants require a wait-time of over two years just for getting an appointment, a US government website showed, while the timeframe is only two days for countries like China. There’s an appointment wait-time of 833 days for applications from Delhi and 848 days from Mumbai for visitor…

View On WordPress

[yiwadoxo-blog]

China 10-year Visa Ideas

https://nl.ivisa.com/china-10-year-visa

In this instance, I advise you to read our guide about how to book a flight ticket in China. If you take many trips each year, and you must do so for the upcoming few decades, you may now apply to get a China 10-year visa. So here is what you need to understand before going to China, as stated by the US State Department.

For now, the rule doesn't apply to refugees. The greater part of foreigners appear to start in Delhi. If you become caught there will surely be punishment both for you as well as the business that has hired you.

When you make an application for a Chinese visa through CVSC, you don't have to be concerned about sending it to an incorrect place. Extending the visa term would yield a lot more opportunity for industrial relationships between our two nations. You should think about all the advantages and disadvantages of getting married on tourist visa.

The One Thing to Do for China 10-year Visa

It's highly advisable to prevent visa overstays. You're advised to make sure that your visa is valid before travel. Once you get your Chinese visa, it can't be renewed.

EVUS enrollment can be found at www.EVUS.gov. Any changes need a new visa. You should apply for your visa two or more weeks ahead of time if at all possible.

Think about how much you've got to gain from an on-line course of action. That approach is really straightforward. Following that, you must pick the processing time.

Once application approved, applicant will get email authorization to go to India. In the beginning, you should set in your basic info. Initially, you are going to be asked to present your private information like name, address, passport info, and even more.

What You Don't Know About China 10-year Visa

The fundamental questions that you would ask someone once you first met. It's nothing complicated, but you want to look closely at the specifics. Despite English translations provided for the Chinese characters, you may be worried about putting in the correct object of information in the correct box, or getting the best explanation for the objective of your visit.

You may try to receive a business visa, but the quantity of bureaucratic friction involved is supposedly too a lot of hassle. Its just an office to acquire the business done. It's in a province named Qinghai.

Even though the office looks somewhat sketchy the customer service was fantastic. The optimal solution for you could best be answered by means of an immigration lawyer. You are able to get it online utilizing the services offered by iVisa, a business which expedites visas.

China 10-year Visa Can Be Fun for Everyone

You just need to be at the office by that moment. Besides, please check the web site of above diplomatic missions in advance to see whether appointment is necessary. Maybe you should travel back and forth because of work, or maybe you've got family in China, and you'd like to visit them a few times annually.

China 10-year Visa and China 10-year Visa - The Perfect Combination

Ahead of the reciprocal agreement, a visa couldn't be issued for a period longer than 1 year. Travelers with a criminal record will be asked to appear in person at the consulate in order to give biometrics. Before handling the program, you should be certain that your passport is valid and remains valid for at least the time period in which you're in China.

Choosing Good China 10-year Visa

For kids under the age of seven years it's valid for four decades. There's a section in which you want to list countries you've visited in the previous 10 decades. How much you spend will be dependent on where and how frequently you go out and how Western you decide to be during your stay.

[skatetax0]

Discover On Visa Facilitation For Applicants Inoculated With Chinese Covid

Foreigners holding diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas are still permitted to enter China. Those coming to China for work, their relations and international relations of Chinese citizens or permanent residents who come to China for reunions and visiting are included. All the Westerners told VOA Mandarin that touring without quarantine restrictions can be an incentive for businesspeople to acquire Chinese-made vaccines. Life in Guilin and at CLI has mostly returned to normal, though masks sporting continues to be fairly frequent and is required in some places. Students arriving in Guilin from different elements of China who're in possession of a green well being code aren't required to quarantine upon arrival. Upon coming into China, passengers are required to spend 14 days in quarantine at their own expense, which shall be monitored by Chinese health authorities and will take place at a delegated location. There is also a program called “Travel Card” that exhibits the history of each cellphone holder and their cities they have been in for 14 days. Normally, if https://www.chinavisa.com.tw/china-visa/ is identified, individuals who have shut contact with an infected individual will receive notification through text message. To go to Quito-Ecuador, it is very probably that you do not have to apply for a visa. Citizens of most nations can enter and keep without a visa for up to 90 days. After getting into China, please abide by China's laws on quarantine and observation. Documents required back to normal (before the COVID-19 pandemic when making use of for a visa), no need PU or TE letter anymore. No, visa facilitation solely applies to those that have been inoculated with China-made vaccines. The entry policy nonetheless requires passengers to comply with the rules/procedures as summarized and posted on this original article. Due to the fact that many foreigners left China initially of the coronavirus outbreak, there's currently a excessive demand for foreign lecturers at colleges and coaching centers throughout the nation. In-person instruction for most of the lessons for Chinese college students at our partner college, Guangxi Normal University , has resumed. However, GXNU remains to be only holding classes on-line for international college students. Uscis Office Closings Learn tips on how to apply for several varieties of nonimmigrant visas for tourists, students, enterprise vacationers and future spouses. Also, discover details about the Visa Waiver Program, and the means to get a job in the United States as a foreign employee. Embassies usually supply visa software companies, help and up-to-date information regarding visa and journey necessities. Colombia The U.S. Embassy Bogotá has suspended routine nonimmigrant visa operations. A restricted number of immigrant visa companies are available. India The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai reopened all immigrant visa providers. Embassy New Delhi and the consulates Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. Brazil The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil has resumed routine nonimmigrant visa appointments. Immigrant visa services at present are supplied however wait occasions are lengthy. Nigeria The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos are providing limited non-immigrant and immigrant visa companies. Embassy or Consulate where you'll apply to determine if the IW is available and should you qualify. However, for the Australia visa registration to obtain success, the primary points provided on theAustralia on-line visa software want to exactly match those shown on the applicant’s passport. The passport used to travel to and enter Australia should be the sameas that supplied within the Australia visa software. Nowadays, as an identification document, you should have a valid passport issued by your house country if you journey internationally. Travelling visas, issued by your vacation spot country, are thought of an important software in migration control. Ukraine Struggle Revives Controversy Over China's London Embassy A duly filled-inBank Deposit Formis to be submitted at the Bank along with the visa charges plus Baht 25.00 as financial institution cost . The Bank in flip will return the relevant portion of the Bank Deposit Form along with the Bank’s slip. These paperwork are to be submitted to the Consular Section of the Embassy along with the visa application form. Form I-131, Application for Travel Document You ought to file Form I-131 to use for a refugee journey document and seem for any required biometric companies appointment earlier than you leave the United States. If you're presently outdoors the United States, you could file a Form I-131 and apply for a refugee journey document when you have been exterior the United States for less than 1 yr on the time of filing. To make an appointment to file the Form I-131A for travel documentation at the U.S. The ePassport features microchip know-how and a host of other safety features thereby making certain that Philippine passports are just about tamper-proof. EPassport issuance can be compliant with the security requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization . The Philippine ePassport has an integrated circuit inside its pages containing data which may be important in verifying the identification of the passport holder. These embody the non-public biographical information found on the info page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the information stored on the chip. The chip technology permits the data stored in an ePassport to be learn by special chip readers at nearly every worldwide port of entry. China codified its adoption laws and regulations within the Current Adoption Law of China on December 29, 1991, which came into effect on April 1, 1992. Under this law, a Notarial Adoption Certificate was required in all adoption cases, and the inability to acquire a Notarial Adoption Certificate was prima facie evidence that no legal adoption ever occurred. Therefore, adoptions taking place after January 1981 and before April 1, 1999 are considered legitimate only with the issuance of a Notarial Adoption Certificate. Additionally, for adoption circumstances initiated throughout this period, the date of issuance of the Notarial Adoption Certification serves because the efficient date of adoption. A notarial adoption certificates certifies the authenticity of the unique adoption certificate/adoption registration certificates; and that the photocopy of the certificate is in accordance with the original. What Is The Main Function Of Your Visit To China And Which Is Probably The Most Applicable Visa Class On Your Software The eligible applicant can get a quantity of entry R visas for five or as many as ten years. All foreign nationals thinking about getting into China must apply for a Chinese visa on the Chinese Embassy in their home nation. There is not any provision for China visa software on the port of Entry. All U.S. citizens visiting China should register with the STEP program earlier than their trip. Contact your native Chinese embassy or consulate for the newest charges for long-term visas. In the latter case, the local diplomatic mission may outsource the handling of functions to a Chinese Visa Application Service Center , or a Chinese Visa Application Service Facility . The Visa Center is "a industrial service organization registered in accordance with native laws and laws and recognized by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General to deal with the daily routine work of processing odd visa applications". Chinese tourists are suggested to make use of the digital visa system. Electronic visa candidates do not want to go to a Turkish embassy in China, the process is totally on-line. In apply, China additionally provides unilateral visa waiver to Mongolia. Although the visa waiver settlement solely applies to Mongolian citizens traveling on passports for public affairs (E-series passports), all Mongolian residents, whatever the function of their journey, are eligible to apply for such passports. Short-term Nonimmigrant Employees They are issued to individuals working in companies engaged in substantial international trade or to traders who have made a 'substantial investment' in a business within the United States. The variant visa issued solely to residents of Australia is the E-3 visa (E-3D visa is issued to partner or child of E-3 visa holder and E-3R to a returning E-3 holder). Obtaining U.S. non immigrant visa is certainly not an easy process. Improper completion of a Petition for Non immigrant Worker can ruin one's possibilities of ever being allowed in the United States. I recommend that you simply contact the local immigration workplace the place you live. If you keep in Bangkok, please call 1178 for more information. I actually have seen one commenter right here few days ago stating that the Malaysian consulate supplied the letter to him. If a Thai firm require you to get a Non Immigrant B visa by yourself, then that could additionally be a dangerous firm or employer. The good company or employer will ship you the copy of company paperwork, sponsorship letter and WP3. Such education supplies quite so much of interaction between cultures, helps foster better tutorial and on-job training of international professionals and contributes to the World’s economic system in addition to that of the United States of America. A U.S. Non immigrant Visa allows foreigners that haven't any immigrant intent, to enter the United States for restricted period of time. This information was formerly discovered on the Department of State web site . While the Department of State website has been up to date and this precise article is now not obtainable, we feel it is still useful in explaining momentary visa denials and making ready for a re-application. It must be understood that we're going to not concern a visa past the class which is suitable to the aim of the applicant's travel to Thailand. Siam Legal provides comprehensive immigration providers on any of our record of Foreign visa services with aim at making certain you a hassle-free visa application in the country. Get in touch with us now and start your visa utility. Visas, Residences, Permits Hey Jason, if it’s potential, the consulate in Hong Kong ought to have the flexibility to do it. I will warn you, though, that technically you’re not supposed to have a quantity of active China visas. Don’t be surprised in the occasion that they cancel the vacationer and business visa so as to issue you a new M visa. I was accepted as an exchange student to a Chinese university which starts in September. Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who're Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The supposed length of stay in China is no extra than 180 days. Issued to those who are members of the family of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese everlasting residence and intend to go to China for household reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the aim of foster care. Applicants who have been born in Hong Kong, Taiwan or Macao who are making use of for a Chinese visa for the first time should present a copy of their passport or government-issued identification card. If the applicant has a earlier passport, she or he should submit with this with their software. Applicants who had been adopted from China who are making use of for a visa in China for the first time should present a copy of their adoption certificates, authentic Chinese passport and a copy of the us Some applicants can also need to get a medical exam and/or police verify before submitting their utility. You will be unable to get a study permit if you have a felony document – you might be asked to offer a Police Clearance Certificate as proof. Once you may have your paperwork and software kind prepared and have paid your fees, you presumably can submit your accomplished software to CIC. It is feasible in some circumstances to increase your M visa when you ask for an extension no less than seven days before the unique expiration date. This could additionally be a good option for you if the permitted duration is insufficient to cowl your journey. You must go to the native exit and entry administration to use for this extension. Taiwan does enable the employment of specialized international employees who are able to provide specialized knowledge and abilities for competitive technologies. The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits a highly-skilled skilled to live and work within the US for as much as six years. The majority of the applicants and recipients of the visa are tech workers. China Vacationer Visa, Travel L Visa Software Necessities & Varieties The information under will clarify a bit more about Chinese visas and the means to get them. If you are able to get a China visa now, please visit ourChina Visa Order Form. Travelers with passports issued by Hong Kong and Taiwan can enter Japan for intervals of as a lot as ninety days with no visa. They simply want to indicate their passports at the Japanese border. 335,000 passports issued for many who study and work abroad and journey for enterprise was a 2 per cent increase in comparability with the identical time in 2019. $450.00Orders canceled previous to submission to government office might be assessed normal processing fees. A refugee travel doc is a type of document issued to people, who are recognized as refugees, for journey purposes. Travel documents for refugees are usually issued from the countries the place refugees are in search of asylum from. Select the choice, “submitting the required paperwork and subsequently collecting your new passport/travel document by post”; Unless otherwise instructed, it is rather necessary that you choose this option to make sure that your utility can be processed. Need a quick, simple and cheap method to get a photograph you can use on your passport or visa application? For emergency passport or visa services, please contact our workplace 24 hours a day at ITS-EASY. Applicants only have to pay the payment if the appliance is successful. The fees are about 3,000 yen for a single-entry visa and 6,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa. The charges can differ depending on the individual embassy or consulate. The processing time for a Japan vacationer visa is roughly 5 working days from the day the appliance is submitted. Chinese odd passport for public affairs was used within the ends of Eighties and Nineties. The passport data was written by arms, and these ordinary passports were normally valid for 2 or 5 years. On 1 July 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China launched a trial issuance of e-passports for people conducting public affairs work abroad on behalf of the Chinese authorities. Malaysia Visa For Chinese Language South African eVisa functions are processed inside a few business days. Applicants ought to take their anticipated date of departure in consideration and apply a while in advance. No, Chinese nationals need a visa to enter South Africa even for short stays and transit. Some exceptions apply — for instance, holders of United Nations laissez-passers do not require a visa. Once the traveller is allowed entry into South Africa, they will keep up to 30 days within the nation on the eVisa. Chinese residents ought to plan their departure earlier than the eVisa ends to have the ability to keep away from points with overstaying the visa. For China tourist visa or China business visa American residents can stand up to 10 years with the chance to enter and stay in China for a maximum of 60 days on a single entry. Within 30 days of getting into the nation, expats will need to apply for a residence permit at their native Public Safety Bureau . For certain foreign nationals transiting through a China airport with out an international stopover space, you might need a transit visa to pass via immigration and get to your connecting flight. You might be able to obtain a 24-hour stay allow that is issued on the airport, however this is on the discretion of the immigration officer. Holders of D, Q1, J1, S1, X1 and Z visas must apply for a residence permit at the native PSB inside 30 days of entry into China, except the "Duration of Each Stay" on the visa is marked as 30 days. The 144-hour coverage was expanded to the cities of Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning Province on 1 January 2018. On 1 January 2019, the 144-hour policy might be expanded to the cities of Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Chengdu and Kunming. Also, ship's crew members, as properly as their accompanying family members, are not eligible for 72 or 144-hour transit. While a majority of Chinese worldwide airports don't have any extra requirements for the 24-hour TWOV, sure airports place their own restrictions mandated by the local authorities. The only exceptions to the rule are Hong Kong and Macau, that are considered as separate international locations on this context. 4 - Visa free provided that the passport for public affairs has a sheet attached on the visa page showing in red capitals "AB" and a further validity date. Be certain to explain exactly what is occurring , and tell us what internet browser you are utilizing and its version. Yes, the web site might be out there in both English and Mandarin Chinese. However, all 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa holders must answer the EVUS questions in English. From 2020, Chinese residents will be succesful of apply for a Japan eVisa on-line. GUILINCHINA.NET is considered one of the online service platforms of CHINA HIGHLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICE CO.,LTD. More...

#台胞證

[ferryloan1]

Chinese Language Embassies In No Less Than 20 International Locations Announce Eased Visa Policy For Receivers Of Chinese Vaccines

Travellers “should abide by China’s relevant laws on quarantine and remark after entering China,” Zhao said, including that China was prepared to hold out mutual recognition of vaccination with other nations. First, there is uncertainty as to the manufacturers of vaccines that qualify as “Chinese-made”, because the Notice is silent on that. Nonetheless, as of the date of this briefing notice, 4 domestically produced vaccines are accredited in China, together with these produced by Sinovac, Sinopharm, CanSinoBio, and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products. At the same time, China’s restrictions spotlight the inadequacies of its vaccine rollout, which has been sluggish compared to these of the United States, Britain and different nations. Australia lets in just some hundred of its citizens and everlasting residents each day, while Japan has barred the entry of overseas employees and students since late December. The restrictions have hampered the operations of many companies, separated households and upended the lives of thousands of worldwide college students. Global firms say their ranks of foreign workers in the nation have dwindled sharply. Foreign nationals who plan to visit China need to use for China a brand new visa with the closest China embassy, consulate or China Visa Application Service Center. More than 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have already been offered to residents in China and about 100 million Chinese individuals have already been vaccinated in accordance with the the statistics from the China National Health Council on April 21, 2021. I want to emphasize that the Chinese model of the well being certificates for worldwide vacationers is a document issued to Chinese personnel who've performed nucleic acid exams or received inoculated with Chinese vaccines. Mutual recognition means mutual confirmation of the effectiveness of the exams or vaccination. For another related matters, they have been coated in the press convention yesterday. Foreign nationwide and their members of the family visiting the mainland of China for resuming work and manufacturing in varied fields need only to offer the documents required before the COVID-19 pandemic when making use of for a visa, without PU invitation letter. Consulate General Of Lebanon In Big Apple Colombia The U.S. Embassy Bogotá has suspended routine nonimmigrant visa operations. A limited variety of immigrant visa providers can be found. India The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai reopened all immigrant visa providers. Embassy New Delhi and the consulates Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Advance travel planning and early visa software are important. Foreign nationals should meet sure character necessities to enter Australia. The utility contains questions concerning the traveler’s felony report. Depending on the nationality selected, the application form will routinely update and adapt to the ETA or eVisa request. Travellers can apply from their house or office or even on the go from their mobile phone. You ought to never journey with out checking your visa requirements. Official visas permit you to do diplomatic work as a consultant of your country abroad. Some of probably the most generally issued official permits are diplomatic visas, but some countries additionally provide service and courtesy visas. Brazil The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil has resumed routine nonimmigrant visa appointments. Immigrant visa companies presently are supplied however wait occasions are long. Nigeria The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos are providing limited non-immigrant and immigrant visa providers. Germany Scholar Visa Requirements 2021 Always verify the latest rules with the Chinese authorities before you travel. The Invitation Letter ought to cowl personal information of the invitee’s name, gender, date of delivery, journey schedule of arrival & departure date, visiting places and inviter’s name, contact quantity, tackle and signature or related information about the company. Consular legalization applications filed by Chinese citizens can be submitted on to the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.K. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International airport and proceed to immigration, the place your passport shall be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge. The “Period of Stay” signifies the continuous period of authorized stay within the Philippines which commences from the date of arrival in the Philippines. This might lengthen beyond the interval of validity of the visa, depending on the date of arrival within the nation. The Consular Officer could require further proof or paperwork from applicant to discover out the child’s citizenship, id, or eligibility for registration of birth under Philippine laws. An additonal service charge of $10 per doc might be charged for requests for expedited launch. The Apostille streamlines the whole authentication process of documents for use overseas ensuing to extra comfort, less cost and processing time for the applicants. Before Apostille, a Philippine document for use overseas wants a Certification by the relevant government agency or workplace, Authentication by the DFA and Authentication by the Embassy of the nation of destination. A travel doc is a certification or identifying doc containing the description and different private circumstances of the bearer, which is issued in lieu of a passport and legitimate for one-way, direct travel to the Philippines. A travel doc is issued to a Filipino citizen being sent back to the Philippines or who must urgently journey residence however is unable to totally adjust to the requirements for the issuance of a daily passport, on the time of emergency. Applicable passport fees (non-refundable), payable in cash or cash order made payable to "Embassy of the Philippines" (or "Philippine Consulate General", if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General within the U.S.). Death certificates or cancellation of the family registration indicating the date of dying, issued by the native Public Security Bureau. All notarized documents must have an English translation, and be connected to a certificates stating that the English translation is in conformity with the Chinese authentic. Complete an software and submit all relevant documents to the Notary Public Office . China Tourist Visa, Journey L Visa Software Necessities & Forms The majority of international nationals require a tourist visa (also often recognized as an "L visa") to enter and go to mainland China, although a couple of nationalities are granted visa-free entry. To avoid the tedious bureaucracy when making use of in person, many people obtain a visa through a tour operator or visa agent. Some nationalities are entitled to long-term multiple-entry visas that permit travelers to visit China for stints of 30 to one hundred twenty days all through the period of the visa. Note these are not residence permits and don't grant any proper to reside or work in China. Citizens of the US, Canada, Argentina and Israel can acquire vacationer visas with a validity of as a lot as ten years, Brazilians and South Africans are eligible for tourist visas legitimate for up to 5 years, whereas citizens of the UK can get tourist visas lasting two years. Chinese citizens ought to plan their departure earlier than the eVisa ends to be able to avoid issues with overstaying the visa. The eVisa system eliminates the necessity for travellers to go to local consulates to acquire a visa. It has primarily been introduced to make it easier for individuals to journey to South Africa for tourism or enterprise. There are several varieties of visas that the South African Government provides relying on the particular causes for which an individual or group intends to visit the nation. Travellers are, therefore, advised to go over the different varieties of visas that the South African authorities presents in order to determine which one is true for his or her journey needs. Employers would want to assist you in converting this into a brief lived residence allow for the length of your contract in China or a maximum of 5 years. Your passport or another travel doc, valid for at least six more months from the date of entry to Taiwan. Selecting the Taiwanese diplomatic mission where you will submit the visa application to from a dropdown menu. Tourist visas are typically issued to candidates who intend to go to China for sightseeing, visiting family or associates. Application is a fillable PDF and should be typed, then printed and signed. Applications MUST be printed single-sided and signed in blue or black ink only. Please observe direction in Visa Application Guide to avoid delays.. Forms Of Nonimmigrant Momentary Visas Mexican candidates are topic to the same necessities as professionals making use of for H-1B status including the LCA requirement and Immigration and Naturalization Service petition procedures. There is an annual limit on the number of employees who could be granted H-1B status by the INS. There can be a particular fee charged to employers, in addition to the regular INS submitting payment, which must accompany most H-1B petitions. Effective December 17, 2000, this extra charge is $1,000. An particular person who comes to the us as an H-1B employee isn't required to keep up a residence exterior of the us throughout his or her approved H-1B stay. H visas are issued to short-term staff in the United States. From November 29, 2016, all holders of Chinese passports who additionally maintain 10-year B visas are required to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System earlier than traveling to the United States. This requirement may be extended to other nationalities sooner or later. U.S. nationals could stay indefinitely in American Samoa. To enter, they have to present a U.S. passport, or apply online for an digital authorization providing a copy of their start certificates, identification card, itinerary and a fee of US$50. H-2A. Temporary agricultural workers coming to the us to fill positions for which a quick lived scarcity of U.S. workers has been acknowledged by the us Applicants should be aware that no visa guarantees entry into the United States. They have a residence outside the united states as well as different binding ties that may guarantee their return at the finish of the visit. By contrast, B-2 visitors can request an extension simply because they wish to. The subsequent stage, if you're between 14 and seventy nine years old, shall be to schedule an interview at your local EU Embassy or Consulate. All fascinated candidates from the Dutch Caribbean should apply at U.S. Check out the variations between F-1 visas and M-1 visas and the means to apply. When you fill out your application, you'll get an ESTA utility quantity. Use this quantity to check the standing of your utility if it has been accepted to journey to the U.S. The processing fee is $4.00, and if you're permitted, there is a further $10.00 authorization cost. Noncitizens employed within the United States may have a U.S. tax obligation. Digital Visa Replace System Evus Frequently Asked Questions Citizen born in Tunisia, Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Cameroon, and you plan to travel to China with an American passport, the foundations are a bit completely different. You can submit the letter of invitation as a printout or copy. If you've visited China before, then you want to present a copy of the earlier Chinese visa. Any international nationwide planning to be legally employed in a Chinese or overseas company/business inside Mainland China must have a Work Visa. If you’re able to develop your business, or you've questions about a specific country, full the shape. Other letters to watch for embody “C” for chuányuán, or crew, “L” for lǎowài, or foreigner/tourist, and “G” for guòjìng, or transit. All electronic photograph submissions should be taken inside the final six months against an all-white background. It must present a full frontal view of your head, face centered in the middle, the tops of your shoulders, and show a neutral (non-smiling) expression with eyes open, mouth closed, and ears visible. You could not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear aside from spiritual functions. In common, a Germany short-stay visa fee is EUR eighty whereas a long-stay visa is EUR seventy five. However, you should check it out since there are some visa charge exemptions for a number of categories of applicants. Proof of Financial Means – which is a doc that proves you have the amount of cash to finance your self throughout your deliberate stay in Germany. This could be a latest bank statement that exhibits you've sufficient funds to spend at least 45€ per each day spent in Germany. If proof of proprietor financing isn't potential, the applicant can submit a proper declaration of a 3rd one who is keen to finance their journey and stay in Germany alongside with proof of their financial means. Application Form – duly completed with right and sincere solutions that adjust to the data within the other required documents. Schedule Of Charges The Embassies and Consulates have the right to request a client to provide additional supporting paperwork or request the applicant to attend an interview. 2 Clients could make inquiries to the Application Center via its web site or by telephone. No matter what the circumstances are, it isn't inferred that the Application Center has made any promise or assurance, nor does it bear another legal responsibility for the answers to clients’ queries. Should you be remaining with ACC for longer than 6 months, the ACC workers in Beijing will assist you in having your visa renewed during your keep. You can also apply for a re-entry visa in Beijing if you want to leave China within your visa’s legitimate interval. Since the regulations keep changing, please double-check the Chinese Consulate web site for updates to this info. Chinese nationals at the moment are eligible to get the South Africa e-Visa in a number of easy steps. To get the South African electronic visa, Chinese candidates want a valid passport, a debit or credit card and an email address. When finishing the form, the applicant must choose the type of Taiwanese visa they require relying on the purpose of the go to, whether a student visa, vacationer visa, business visa, work visa, or other visa choice. 台胞證 that each one residents who are eligible for a visa online should maintain a passport a with a minimum validity of 6 months from the intended date of entry to Taiwan, containing between one or two clean pages. An permitted Taiwan eVisa for tourism is normally processed rapidly and sent to the applicant by way of e mail, eliminating the necessity to visit a Taiwanese visa in person to submit an embassy utility. All nationals of The People’s Republic of China holding valid 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visas who journey to the United States on a passport issued by the People’s Republic of China must adjust to EVUS requirements beginning on November 29, 2016. Please remember that should you get an L visa, we have absolutely no management over what visa students are literally issued. On our part, the invitation letter lists all students as just that, and ideally they should now be receiving an X2 visa. If that's not the case, as long as they've a valid entry visa for China, the small print may be fastened after arrival in Beijing. Orders cancelled previous to submission will be assessed CVSC’s service charges. Malaysia Visa For Chinese To apply for the Indian visa as a Chinese citizen, appicants should fill within the online utility kind, which contains a few basic private, passport, itinerary, and safety questions, that take solely 15 minutes to complete. Afterwards, the required documents must be hooked up and the online visa fee cost must be accomplished via a legitimate debit or credit card. Starting on November 29, 2016, U.S. immigration laws would require that all People’s Republic of China passport holders carrying 10-year B1/B2, B1, or B2 visas will need to have a sound EVUS enrollment before traveling to the United States. Third parties will have the power to check the EVUS status for individual vacationers and for a complete group of vacationers. Third events may also be able to evaluation accomplished functions, update unpaid or permitted applications, submit payment for candidates, and view cost receipts. The traveler is responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of all info submitted on his or her behalf. We anticipate that the overwhelming majority of EVUS enrollments might be processed and accredited within minutes. We're a passionate team of one hundred avid vacationers who like to share our data of China with these in search of a extra genuine journey experience, extra ... The original letter of admission issued by an educational unit working within the People’s Republic of China, and a copy. Medical insurance coverage valid throughout the keep in the Russian Far East.

#台胞證

[osakagroup]

𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 will help you to get 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙖 All Category Visa Application, Submission & Appointment

 Visit Visa Tourist Visa Business Visa Dependent Visa Work Visa Visa Extension

For more information: 

[phone] 

[phone] 

[email protected] 

www.osakaair.com#osakagroup #osakaairtravels #chinavisa #china  #osakaconnect #usa #canada #uk #europe #australiavisa #australia #𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙖visitorvisa #newzealand #middleeast #nz #aus #africa #ireland #BookAirTicketOnline #AirTicketing #india #visaassistance #travel #flights #booknow #VISA #visaservices #kerala #mumbai #chennai #delhi

[bbcbreakingnews]

China ‘threat’ won’t Biden admin’s Indo-Pacific strategy

NEW DELHI: In 2009, India and US began their first official-level dialogue on China and the Asia-Pacific. The Indian side was represented by Gautam Bambawale, then joint secretary in MEA and the US by the assistant secretary, Kurt Campbell. Over the next couple of years, Campbell and Bambawale explored the growing convergences in their respective foreign and security policies for this region. “That dialogue, the first of its kind between the US and India, set the stage for the 2015 Vision Statement between India and US,” said Bambawale. The Japan-India-US trilateral grouping began under their watch, which later became a summit-level exercise. Kurt Campbell is due to be named the Indo-Pacific coordinator by US president-elect Joe Biden, and in that role, is likely to oversee the Biden administration’s approach to China and building up the Indo-Pacific policy. While Campbell may have started the ball rolling in the first Obama administration, the second Obama administration did not give that measure of importance to the “pivot” or “rebalance”. For instance, the US gave China a pass over the PCA verdict on the South China Sea in 2016. Campbell’s successor in the State Department, Danny Russel, stopped the East Asia dialogue with India as well. But in the past four years, the Trump administration sharpened the US view of China, effectively tearing up the conventional belief that a prosperous Beijing would inevitably be a more liberal China. As China doubled down on socialism under Xi Jinping, its aggressive moves in the region became a greater cause for concern. The US has taken to sanctions, a trade war, visa restrictions and 5G bans, openly challenging the Chinese regime. The pandemic in 2020 only intensified the open opposition between the US and China. In its dying days, the Trump administration this week lifted the curbs on diplomatic contact with Taiwan, something that may have been fraying, but had been maintained as the proverbial fig leaf. This week, the Trump White House also declassified its Indo-Pacific strategy as well as the notes of the former deputy national security adviser, Matt Pottinger. However, it seems fairly clear that Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy will not be very different from Trump’s. As Campbell and Doshi say in an essay in Foreign Affairs this week, “A strategy for the Indo-Pacific today would benefit from incorporating three lessons from this episode of European history: the need for a balance of power; the need for an order that the region’s states recognize as legitimate; and the need for an allied and partner coalition to address China’s challenge to both. Such an approach can ensure that the Indo-Pacific’s future is characterized by balance and twenty-first-century openness rather than hegemony and nineteenth-century spheres of influence.” Campbell will find many familiar faces in New Delhi, as will the new CIA chief, William Burns. In addition, the possible appointment of Ely Ratner possibly in the Pentagon as rumoured, and Rush Doshi in the National Security Council to head China policy, would be a sign of reassurance in New Delhi. For many looking in at the Biden administration, Campbell may also balance John Kerry who, as Biden’s special envoy on climate change, could be tempted to make concessions to China, as many Indian analysts have feared, particularly as climate change is sought to be part of the new National Security Council. Meanwhile, Washington insiders say Ely Ratner’s appointment may make up for the new defence secretary’s lack of Asia (read China) experience. India is invested heavily in the Indo-Pacific, the trilateral and the Quad — an investment that has only intensified in the past couple of years. Campbell’s appointment would ease some of the apprehension in this part of the world that the new US administration may be softer on China.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/01/14/china-threat-wont-biden-admins-indo-pacific-strategy/

[bigyack-com]

Six Senses Appoints Bryan Gabriel as Chief Commercial Officer

Six Senses has appointed Bryan Gabriel as Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, Bryan will oversee the group’s sales and marketing department, implementing the most effective ways and systems to support the brand’s expansion.

Bryan was most recently based in Atlanta working as Head of Commercial - America for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), a position he held since 2016. He worked with IHG for 15 years and began his IHG journey as the Director of Sales and Marketing at InterContinental Jakarta, before moving to Singapore and then Bali to take on area director roles.  In 2011, he oversaw the opening of Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island as GM, before moving to Shanghai to support the brand management team for IHG Greater China.  In 2014, Bryan relocated to Delhi to take up the position of Director of Commercial for IHG South West Asia. See latest Travel News, Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: IHG, Six Senses, CCO. Headlines: Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Plummet to Below 3,000 Per Day  What Does Tourism Mean to Conwy, North Wales? Interview with Mayor  Thai Airways Launches Promotion for Royal Orchid Plus Members  Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi Upgrades Rooms and MICE Facilities  FlyArystan to Launch New Routes, Expand Capacity from Almaty, Kazakhstan  Finnair Extends Suspension of Flights to China; Reduces HK Service  SAS Extends Suspension of Flights to China  Air Astana to Launch Flights to Mumbai, India  HK7s and Singapore Sevens Rescheduled  Quay Hotel & Spa in Deganwy, North Wales - Interview with Brid Collins  Royal Thai Air Force Orders Six Airbus H135 Helicopters  CWT Appoints Laura Watterson as SVP - Global Talent & Rewards  Yee Pin Tan Joins Six Senses as Head of Design  Boeing Forecasts Southeast Asia to Need 4,500 New Airplanes Over Next 20 Years  Bombardier Completes Strategic Exit from Commercial Aviation  British Airways to Launch Flights Between London Heathrow and Newquay  Six Senses Appoints Bryan Gabriel as CCO  Piotr Madej Joins The Andaman Langkawi as GM  Sustainable Inspiration from Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones in North Wales  PNG Air Orders Three ATR 42-600S Aircraft  Japan Airlines Joins Amadeus NDC Program  BBAM to Convert Three Boeing 737-800s into Freighters  John Woolley Joins The Ritz-Carlton Bali as GM  French Navy to Operate Four Airbus H160 Helicopters  British Airways Extends Suspension of Flights to Beijing and Shanghai  Air France Extends Suspension of Flights to Beijing and Shanghai  Welsh Wine from the Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard - Interview with Colin Bennett  Vietjet to Launch Three New Routes to India  WTTC's 20th Global Summit to Take Place 22-23 April in Cancun, Mexico  Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo to Open Renovated Rooms on 29 March  2019-nCoV - Arbitrary Restrictions and Blanket Travel Bans Cause Confusion  China and Mandarin Airlines Make Further Changes to Cross-Strait Services  Premier Inn to Add 735 Beds to Scotland Portfolio in 2020  Valentino Longo Wins North America's Most Imaginative Bartender Competition  Aviation: Slower But Steady Growth in 2019  Three Countries to Participate in Singapore Airshow 2020 Flying Displays  2019 Worst Year for Air Cargo Since End of Global Financial Crisis in 2009  Korean Air to Sell Land and Assets  ibis Styles Hotel Opens in Bekasi, Indonesia  Air France Takes Delivery of Airbus' 350th A350  United Airlines to Buy a Flight Training Academy  Bombardier to Double Size of Service Centre at London Biggin Hill  LA7s to Take Place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles 29 Feb - 1 Mar  Singapore Airshow 2020 Still On; SAALS Cancelled  IHG Signs 61-Key InterContinental Resort in Khao Yai, Thailand  Fusion Suites Opens in Vung Tau, Vietnam  Aeroviation Expands Flight Training in Singapore with DA-20 Simulator  CWT Appoints Nick Vournakis as MD - Global Customer Group  SEHT Aviation Donates Six SH40-10 Headsets to Aerobility  China Airlines Adds 2019-nCoV Service Information Centre to Website  Four Seasons Resort Lanai Appoints Bradley Russell as Resort Manager  Leading Yachts of the World Appoints Anthony Brisacq as CEO  Second Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo Starts Accepting Reservations  Korean Air to Launch Passenger and Cargo Flights to Budapest, Hungary  Aviation: Alliance Established to Investigate Use of Blockchain in MRO Chain  SAS Closes Sale of Beijing and Shanghai Flights Until 15 March  North Face 100 Thailand Attracts Over 4,000 Runners from 20+ Countries  Hong Kong Air Cargo Renews IOSA Registration  Swiss-Belhotel to Open Over 2,000 Rooms in 12 Hotels in Indonesia  Elena Nazarovici Joins The Sanchaya Bintan as Director of Sales  Amadeus Joins Mastercard's City Possible Network  Asia Pacific Airlines Carried 375.5m Int. Pax in 2019  Thai Airways Reduces Flights to Mainland China  Cebu Pacific Cancels All Flights to Hong Kong and Macau  Batik Air Takes Delivery of First Airbus A320neo  Fiji Beat South Africa to Win First HSBC Sydney Sevens  Maldives Rejoins Commonwealth  Korean Air Making a Difference to Orphans in Tondano, Sulawesi  Qatar Airways Becomes Official Airline of Paris Saint-Germain  Polish Air Ambulance Service Orders Two Learjet 75 Liberty Aircraft  Vietnam Airlines Makes Changes to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Flights  Football: Pictures from Ascot United FC vs Egham Town FC  Aerobility - The British Flying Charity, Interview with Mike Miller-Smith MBE  ANA and SIA Sign Joint Venture Framework Agreement  Dusit Signs First Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam  SkyWest Orders 20 Embraer E175 Jets  SAS Suspends All Shanghai and Beijing Flights  Kuala Lumpur Int. Airport Trials Single Token Journey Technology  Air Canada Suspends All Flights to Beijing and Shanghai  Korean Air Sets Up Emergency Response Team; Suspends Select China Flights  Mark Radford Joins Trenchard Aviation as VP Business Development  CWT Appoints R. Thompson as VP Global Internal Communications & Culture  Vietjet Launches Daily Flights Between Hanoi and Bali, Indonesia  WTTC Moves April's Global Summit from Puerto Rico to Mexico  Andy Flaig Joins Wyndham as Head of Development South East Asia / Pacific Rim  Air Astana Reports 2019 Net Profit Increase of 461%  NASA Orders Three Airbus H135 Helicopters  Hahn Air Simplifies Distribution of Corporate Shuttle Flights  Sydney 7s to Take Place at Bankwest Stadium on 1-2 February  Russia's Sirena Travel Signs Multi-Year Retailing Deal with ATPCO  Shell to Use Airbus H160 for Offshore Transportation  ANA to Operate International Flights Out of Haneda T2 and T3 from 29 March  CAL Group Makes Changes to Inflight Services on Taiwan-HK / Macau Routes  Philippines Suspends Visa Upon Arrival Service for Chinese Nationals  UK Visitor Arrivals Spending Up 19% in October 2019  Todd Probert Joins CAE as Group President, Defence & Security  Six Senses Appoints Mark Sands as Vice President of Wellness  Air France and Sata Azores Airlines Start Codesharing  Norwegian Implements New Hand Baggage Policy  AirAsia X Launches KL - Taipei - Okinawa Flights  First Boeing 777-9 Begins Flight Tests  Accor Commits to Global Elimination of Single-Use Plastics by 2022  Etihad Receives EASA Approval to Train Boeing 777, 787 Pilots  Jeane Lim Appointed GM of Grand Park City Hall Hotel in Singapore  Whitbread Opens First hub by Premier Inn Hotel Outside of London's Zone 1  Delta Enhances Travel Experience for Pets  All Blacks Sevens Make History in Hamilton  Air Canada Becomes Official Airline of Cirque du Soleil  Pictures from Ascot United vs Hanworth Villa  SHOW DC Hall to Give Bangkok's MICE Industry a Significant Boost  IHG Signs First voco Hotel in New Zealand  OYO Signs Global Distribution Agreement with Sabre  Hong Kong Cancels Chinese New Year Carnival  NAC Orders 20 Airbus A220 Aircraft  IHG to Launch Customer Insights Portal for Large Enterprises  Cathay Pacific Reports December 2019 Traffic  Duetto Appoints David Woolenberg as CEO  Phuket to Host Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) 2020 in June  Sabre and Accor to Create Unified Technology Platform for Hospitality Industry  Groupe Couleur to Manage RWC 2023 Official Travel Agent Selection Process  Two Senior Global Marketing Appointments at IHG  ANA Begins Autonomous Electric Bus Trial at Haneda Airport  China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines Cancel Flights to Wuhan, China  Rosa Wong Joins Hotel Alexandra HK as Director of Event Management  Four Seasons Madrid Now Accepting Reservations  UK Military Flight Training System Orders 4 More H145 Helicopters  Sabre Forges 10-Year Partnership with Google  Accor Expands Pullman Brand to Rotorua, New Zealand  Korean Air Reveals More Details of New SkyPass FFP  Airbus to Produce A321 Aircraft in Toulouse, France  Cornelia Mitlmeier Joins Four Seasons Dubai as Resort Manager  Hotel Alexandra Appoints Daniel Chan as Executive Chef  SITAOnAir Acquires GTD Air Services  Boeing Hoping for 737 MAX Ungrounding in Mid-2020  1.5 Billion Int. Tourist Arrivals in 2019; UNWTO Forecasts 4% Increase in 2020  Hong Kong Airport Handled 71.5 Million Passengers in 2019  Ascott Opens First Citadines in Osaka, Japan  Thai Airways Appoints New Chairman  Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit to Take Place 9-10 Feb  PATA Forecasts Over 971 Million Int. Visitor Arrivals into Asia Pacific by 2024  Green Light for Garmin G5000 Avionics Upgrade on Learjet Aircraft  Four Seasons Silicon Valley Installs High-Tech AI Gym in Select Rooms  Assistance Requests for Airline Pax with Intellectual Disabilities up 762%  Accor Opens Mercure Resort in Vung Tau, Vietnam  Vietjet Launches Flights Between Dalat and Seoul  FlyArystan Reports First Year Load Factor of 94%  Amadeus Looks at How Technology Will Shape Airports of the Future  CALC Signs Purchase Agreement for 40 A321neo Aircraft  Daniele Polito Joins Four Seasons Seoul as Boccalino's Chef de Cuisine  Charlotte Svensson to Join SAS as EVP and CIO  Airbus Helicopters Appoints Head of External Communications  Ascot: Pictures from Matchbook Clarence House Chase and Raceday 2020  Mövenpick Resort Opens in Cam Ranh, Vietnam  Sky Bridge Delivered to Final Position at HKIA  Airbus Performs First Fully Automatic Vision-Based Take-Off  Manchester Signs Tourism Collaboration Agreement with New York City  CWT Appoints Scott Hace as Vice President - Enterprise Strategy  United to Launch CRJ550 Shuttle Service Between Washington and New York  Perth Airport to Upgrade T1's Aerobridges  Thomas Krooswijk Appointed GM of Four Seasons Marrakech  American Appoints Brian Znotins as VP of Network and Schedule Planning  Pools - World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Chile 15-16 February  British Airways to Refresh First and Club Lounges at Chicago O'Hare Airport  Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways Expand Codeshare  Onyx Signs Second Amari Hotel in China  Air Canada's First Airbus A220-300 Enters Commercial Service  Hyatt Signs Regency Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Bangkok to Host 30th Global Summit of Women in April  One Championship Appoints Jonathan Anastas as CMO  IHG Signs Deal for 1,200+ Rooms in Thailand; First Hotel in Chiang Mai  HK's Airport Authority Appoints Ricky Leung as Executive Director  Trenchard Makes Donation to Aerobility - The British Flying Charity  Chu Yuet Hung Joins Four Seasons Hangzhou as Director of F&B  Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Down 14.2% in 2019  Hotel Ritz Madrid to be Rebranded by Mandarin Oriental  Sabre Appoints Karl Peterson as Chairman  Muralilal Armugum Joins Aloft KL Sentral as Director of F&B  Traxof to Automate Talent Acquisition of Airbus' IM Organisations  Vie Hotel Bangkok Selects Organika Products for Renovated Spa  Europ Assistance Opens Office in Bangkok, Thailand  Gulf Air Partners Etihad Guest  Team GB Selects British Airways as Official Airline for Tokyo 2020  Emirates Targets Chinese Travellers with Trip.com MOU  Thailand: Did Strength of Thai Baht Affect Number of Arrivals from UK in 2019?  What Does TAT Have Planned for Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) 2020? Exclusive Interview  Seaplanes in Thailand? Interview with Dennis Keller, CBO of Siam Seaplane  Future of Airline Distribution and NDC - Interview with Yanik Hoyles, IATA  Cambodia Airways Interview with Lucian Hsing, Commercial Director  HD Videos and Interviews  Podcasts from HD Video Interviews  Travel Trade Shows in 2019, 2020 and 2021  High-Res Picture Galleries  Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News  Read the full article

#0aprtravelcreditcards #0interesttravelcreditcards #0travelcards #0travelcreditcards #0travelmoney #0traveltrain #1travel2000 #2travel2egypt #2traveldads #2traveldialindicator #2travelindicator #2travelinsurancepolicies #2traveltogether #2travelersgarrettsville #2travelingangelsstory #2travelingdogs #2travelinglovers #3countiestravelnews #3newstravel #3travelbloggers #3travelcreditcard #3travelsim #3travelsimeurope #3travelswagger #3travelerscardtrick #3travelersregisteratahotel #3travelingsalesmanriddle #3travellingabroad #4traveldethleffs #4travelfriends

[ofsparksandwings]

Sensing

Jan 1, 2017 – Of Vietnam, from Nom Khiaw, Laos

And now I exhale. Before a 1,000 foot looming karst that plays hide and seek in the mist of the Laos cloud forest, I embrace the rainy day while I sit on the thatch-roofed porch of my well-appointed bungalow at the interstices.  These spaces in between, neither of this world nor outside it, not attached to past or future, breed reflection like no other.  

Preceded by a particularly immersive weekend meditation retreat, this travel experience, more than most, has allowed me to almost watch the ebb and flow of my reactions as a detached observer.  I always find that displacing oneself from the familiarity of home conjures feelings of every extreme.  The elation of a strong, steaming shower, after days without, can be replaced with shocking swiftness by the devastation of a boat trip to a coveted landscape cancelled due to unseasonable rain.  Just as mercurial was the titillation I felt, on Christmas Eve in Vietnam, when my hotel staff performed a hilarious choreographed version of Uptown Funk in Santa suits – too soon followed by a sleepless night because India’s bureaucratic and labyrinthian e-visa website threatened to thwart my ability to gain entry in the country where I am committed to deliver a youth arts project in just 2 weeks. 

However, I am no longer surprised when such unabashed joy erodes the moment another travel aspiration is dashed. I’ve ventured far from creature comforts often enough to realize that my daily happiness on the road is inextricably linked to the management of my expectations.  And so I secretly hoard my hopes, like one does their vices (whisky under the bed or sweets in a hard to reach cookie jar).  And instead I strive to absorb each travel experience like a sponge – neutral and receptive, as open to saturation as I am ready to be wrung out to dry.  

Hanoi boasts more cafes than Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland combined.  And one of our favorites was the Notes Café. Visitors are invited to leave messages on pastel sticky notes that wallpaper this three-story, 10-by-10 sliver, in the centre of town.  On mine I wrote, “live every day like a traveler” by which I mean to savor every sensation like it’s the first time you’ve ever encountered it.  

A lofty goal, but one far more easily achieved when a routine day includes the blood-curdling squeals of a giant pig as Hmong tribesman try to tie it, alive, to the back of their moped; the ubiquitous smell of fish sauce, cigarettes and singed flesh; the glories of a woman’s firm hand kneading all of your worries from between your toes; the taste of a liquid hot coconut pancake bought on the street for a quarter; or the hourly site of a mother tenderly picking lice from her child’s hair on the sidewalk, their family’s “dirty laundry” laid bare, the way it seems everyone lives their lives in this part of the world – in public, proud and shameless.  Perhaps it’s why all their café chairs face outwards, where an endless array of stimuli abounds.  Weddings are held in open downtown patios; men can get a shave or a haircut on every street corner; electrical wires hang in exposed, tangled webs draped from block to block; and cyclists ride past, dwarfed by enough wares to fill a whole floor of a department store.  I envy such candor.  We could all learn from their honesty.  And I think such transparency lends itself to much deeper compassion.  

Sense-making

Jan 1, 2017 – Of Vietnam, from Nom Khiaw, Laos

Another favorite aspect of travel, for me, is sense-making.  It was three days before we learned that the balloons cryptically sold at every Hanoi bar were filled with shisha (a flavored smoke enjoyed in Hookah clubs around the world).  The same amount of time was required to realize that the amplified chant which woke us every dawn was communist propaganda emanating from the loud-speakers of their garbage trucks.  Conversely, the donut ladies and shoe repair boys were a much quicker read.  Not two minutes off our airport bus, we were accosted, unawares, by a woman in a triangular straw hat who popped free TimBits in our mouths.  This seemed like a friendly welcome, but it turns out the same ruse happens every 15 minutes in Hanoi. So, we learned to keep our mouths closed when we passed them to avoid the pressure to buy more.  Just a minute later, with our sore-thumb status confirmed by our rolled suitcases, a sharp-eyed, young male bent at my feet and proceeded to glue the sole of my shoe, near the toe, where it had begun to detach.  While I reached for a 5,000 dong note (30 cents) to thank him, he had already grabbed his needle and mismatched thread, ripped my sneaker off my foot, and continued to repair the undamaged heel. Then, he asked for the equivalent of a whopping $10 for his unsolicited 2 minutes of labor and mismatched gold scar which he left on the treasured shoes that I’d bought on my last adventure, in Colombia.  We settled on a buck, and I chocked it up to a great tale.  Now, I’m just hoping that I’ll get them polished in Kenya then stolen in Paris so I’ll eventually collect a story from every continent.  

There are sensations I count on as sort of traveler’s homing-devices in every part of the world.  Rooster wake-up calls, unidentified prickly fruits, chromatic bird calls, steaming street food, traffic chaos, and smoky sunsets.  Then, there are those unique to certain regions.  And I have to confess that Asia’s tickle me most.  The constant waft of Buddhist incense.  The colorful light that paper lanterns lend to almost every setting.  The gorgeous silks and embroidered textiles that line the markets like flags attesting to the efforts of the women who have toiled over these precious pieces.  And then, of course, the delectable food that no amount of Delhi belly can deter me from trying.  There is noodle soup, sticky rice, hot pots, curry, sweet iced coffees, teas, and fried bananas to name a mere few. My mouth is watering as I write.  So much so, I think it’s time to break for dinner….

Travel Lessons

Jan 5, 2017 – Of Vietnam, from Luang Prabang, Laos

Certain insight can be revealed about a culture through one’s own eyes.  The art nouveau propaganda posters that abound in Vietnam act as souvenirs that loudly scream of their unabashed hatred for the US during the “American War”, as they aptly call it.   Conversely, a crowd of children yelling in a public park turned out to be a game of Tug of War – an ironic demonstration of their more peaceful present times. Thoughtfully restored French colonial structures and fresh baked baguettes at every café infer a certain reconciliation with their former imperialists.  As did our experience on Christmas Eve, when we accidentally happened upon thousands of locals singing Silent Night in front of a jumbotron outside St Joseph’s Cathedral, where several hundreds more attended the service.  Though a vestige of their colonizer’s religion, the profound sincerity of their adopted faith gave us chills.

Other truths have to be gleaned from more deliberate research.  Hanoi’s impressive Women’s Museum (an institution I wish existed in every nation) taught me that females have been leaders in Vietnam for centuries (politically, militarily, scholarly and otherwise).  Perhaps influenced by the history of numerous matrilineal tribes, women seem largely respected and included in Vietnamese public life – not only relegated to domestic responsibilities as we’ve observed more in places like India and Morocco.  Of course, along with this has come grueling physical and low-paid labor, in sweat shops, on farms, and everywhere on the streets where you see them carry burdensome wicker baskets dripping with vegetables or chickens or toys, balanced by a mere bamboo pole that rests on their probably thickly calloused shoulders.

But I always learn the most interesting things from my direct interactions with locals. Hanoi is not without its hipsters. Microbrew culture is budding. Latte art and mojitos are easy to find. And the trendy Tadioto Bar was certainly the best example.  This dimly lit, art-gallery-slash-20-seater drinking hole hosts Vietnam’s artsy literati types, along with the few foreigners who can find it.  The 27-year old manager, who did not look a day over 16, returned to his hometown to swap philosophical banter with his clientele after a grad school stint in Wisconsin as a poetry major.  And we were privileged to a long chat with him once the place had emptied.  He spoke about a small but thriving educated class, eager to study abroad.  He criticized the hypocrisy of the blatant consumerist values he perceives in Vietnam while it remains a Communist state.  His female companion, (an actual 16-year old far too big for her britches, sipping tea amidst her adult peers while home on holiday from her New Jersey prep school), added that many of her compatriots were quick to capitalize on the ease with which a clever person could make good money in her country.  And when we asked about the danger of dissent (like we’d previously observed in Cuba, for example), they shared that because many “revolutionary” thinkers can relatively maintain the comfortable lifestyle they want, within the current regime, their objections remain more ideological than action-based because their need to make waves is not great enough. Of course, such a conversation is merely a glimpse of their political reality, and received only through the lens of a few select opinions.  However, it still added much richer hues to the picture of Vietnam that I had before my visit.

Tours and Chores 

January 6, 2017 – Of Vietnam, from Luang Prabang

While I travel primarily to gain cultural insight, not all of my travel choices have such lofty intentions.  I am also hungry for new experiences and certainly allow myself to indulge in occasional not-to-miss attractions along the way.  In Vietnam, one of those was HaLong Bay, where thousands of mythically shaped karst mountains hold court in the South China Sea, like creatures out of a horror film.  One can’t avoid sharing this World Wonder with 2,000 other travelers who dot the coast in orange-sailed junket boats on any given day.  And whether you want to or not, you are shuttled through an action-packed itinerary that includes a cave trek, kayaking, and a cooking class. Not a bad combo at all, but the constant demands on our minute-by-minute behavior had me wondering if they’d dictate when I could pee or even breathe too.  Such guided programs do, however, offer some surprises.  And while I dreaded the visit to a cultured pearl farm, for fear of aggressive sales pressure, I was astounded by the lengths to which our species manipulates nature to mine it for the tiniest gems.  After a test tube baby-like breeding process that mixes a dead oyster’s shell lining with organic flesh, they inject this into a living mollusk in the hopes that a drop will fuse with sand and other solid ocean matter to produce the coveted pearl.  Of course, it only works 3 out of 10 times, and then only 10% of those pearls are “perfect” sellable specimens.  So, with a 3 % overall success rate, it’s no wonder this laborious process reaps such expensive jewelry.  I was left wondering who ever thought up such craziness and why, but that’s a disorienting state in which I often find myself as I travel, and I invite it.

At the end of our two-day tour, we were mildly disappointed with the overcast weather that never lifted. But, for the most part, this only meant one less screen saver shot than we’d hoped.  And, of course, that is never a real reason to travel.  Meanwhile, the shrouded look did lend its own magic, and I still feel very grateful to have seen this one-of-a-kind landscapes.

Insights

January  9, 2017 – Of Laos, from Siem Reap, Cambodia

There are few places that can surprise anymore. Facebook, Instagram, the Amazing Race, our intrepid friends’ travel slideshow parties, and much cheaper, easier flights than ever before mean that at least someone somewhere has told you/showed you about nearly every place on earth.  And though Laos is far less traveled to than most spots, surely some of our adventurous buddies had already ventured there.  However, we’d resisted looking at their photos, or others, as much as possible prior to our trip.  So, the country’s fifty shades of green, which barely resemble the same number that paint BC’s Sea to Sky corridor, were wonderous to discover.  

The design sensibilities of the tribal weavers, the Buddhist temple-builders, and the interior decorators of Luang Prabang’s stylish cafes constantly exceeded our expectations.  And the unwavering calm, clear-eyed joy of the Laotian people continued to amaze us while we failed to witness an exceptional case by our tenth day there.  

But most shocking was the 100-year-old film, Chang, that documented daily Hmong life, deep in the Northern jungle, in a way that has not been rivalled before or since.  It follows a loving family of four, in a scant stilted home, who lived at times in harmony and at others in discord with a host of creatures that surrounded them.  Chickens, pigs, goats, giant lizards, pet baby bears, and howler monkeys they counted as friends or food.  But leopards, tigers, cobras and a full herd of 400 elephants threatened them daily. It’s difficult to say what astounded us more - the boldness of this courageous filmmaker, or the preposterousness of this family’s efforts to outwit their far fiercer foes.  Even more strange is the fact that the film is virtually unknown, and went entirely missing for almost 65 years until its recent rediscovery.  So, while part of me wishes to keep Laos’s secrets amongst the few who are willing to go there and see for themselves, it would certainly benefit the study of Mekong’s indigenous people, and perhaps the anthropological understanding of other aboriginal cultures if this deserved film were to receive global circulation. However, for now, it is only available in the most quaint and romantic bike/walk-in theatre ever, each night at 7:30, in the garden of one of Luang Prabang’s most chic hotels – popcorn, beer and all.  

We were granted another privileged and intimate peek into Laos culture when we took a slow boat up the Nam Ou river with our guide Wong, whose story spoke volumes about his people.  Wong was born in a remote Northern farming village, the middle child of 11 siblings – the boys outnumbering the girls by only 1.  Raised by parents with a strong value for education, Wong woke at 3 am, from the age of 5, to have enough time to steam rice for his “lunchbox” and then walk a whopping 3 hours to the nearest primary school, only to study from 7-1 and then repeat the whole journey home, every afternoon, before dark. Wishing to improve his access to learning, Wong chose, of his own volition, to become a monk at the age of 11, which meant that he had to move to Vientiene, 600 kilometres from home, to study at a temple school there.  He generously shared that he cried non-stop for his first 3-days, but his homesickness abated when he soon began to make close friends.  It was 7 years before he even once returned to his village, but his parents did make the long bus trek, once per year, to see him.  

At 18, again by choice, Wong incurred a self-imposed fast, during which he remained in his room for 8-days of contemplative meditation, to determine if the monastic life was truly for him.  He emerged spiritually strengthened but physically weakened, and his retreat was followed by a 6 days in the hospital.  But his resolve to seek further university study and to one day marry caused him to disavow celibacy and asceticism.  Most Laotians follow Therevadan Buddhism which allows for men and women to enter and exit monastic life (unlike the Dalai Lama’s Mahayana branch which requires a lifetime commitment), so Wong was not alone in his life transition.  More than half of his childhood mates also left the monkhood and he sadly lost touch with all of them.  His desire for love has not yet panned out either.  He confessed to his discovery of Lao whisky and beer when he nursed a broken heart after his first love ended because he could not abide a possessive or jealous girlfriend.  But his career aspirations did successfully lead him to complete degrees in English and Law.  He also acknowledged that he knew he could be much more effective as a lay person, providing legal counsel to people in villages like his own, because many hill tribe people are not Buddhist and are thus less receptive to Buddhist monks.  

So now, he has reached the arduous internship phase that his country requires of all bureaucrats.  And this means that he must work full-time, without pay, potentially for several years, until he passes a very demanding exam to qualify as a legal officer. Meanwhile, he has to work weekends to pay for his living expenses, which is why we found ourselves scrambling into a limestone cave, swimming in jungle waterfalls, passing gargantuan 10-inch amphibious millipedes en route to a jungle waterfall, and kayaking cavernous river valleys with our charming guide who taught us so much.

View from Two Wheels

January 10, 2017 – Of Laos, from Siem Reap, Cambodia

Life is always observed most vibrantly for me from a bicycle.  This slower two-wheeled pace, though faster than walking, still allows for careful observation of the people, places and things you pass along the road. And rather than to simply watch it, you are truly in it, moving as so many others do in the world, by human-powered pedal.  Our Laos trip covered 300 k in 4 days, a manageable distance that still enabled us to cover some real ground.  

Slipping towards and away from the Mekong and then Nam Ou waters, we were hugged by stunning views at every turn.  But a few sights stand out in particular, for better or worse.   -Triangular-hatted women working impossibly green rice fields, just like you might mythically imagine in any rural Southeast Asian scene.   -Formerly-adorable, brown and black decapitated goat heads, on sale at the side of the road for god knows what culinary purpose.  -Straw roofs covered in drying river weed to prepare one of our favorite Laotian treats, kaiphen, a scrumptious nori-style roasted greens served with sticky rice.

-Another seemingly unnecessary gas station, no less than every 10 k (5 times more prevalent than guest houses, for sure).  We figured this gave the residents of the tiny villages en route a way to fill up their motor bikes without having to travel too far, but the infrastructure for these fossil fuel beasts seemed incongruous amidst the primitive nature of the surrounding communities. -And Hmong tribal children honoring their New Year celebration (Pei Mei) in incredibly festive traditional dress. 

But the worst blight to our senses were the series of imposing dams which the Laos government has hired China Energy to build all over the country. I don’t think that there is any edifice that serves as a greater physical manifestation of humanity’s raping of Mother Earth than a giant concrete dam.  And the thoughtless red spray-painted numbers scrawled across hundreds of families’ homes, slotted for demolition, were a stark reminder of the displacement such projects incur.  Even more tragic is the fact that Laos is overdeveloping its hydro power for its population’s needs.  So, it plans to sell it to its neighbors.  Little beautiful has been built in the name of greed and these Mekong scars are no exception.

Massage Dynamics

January 10, 2017 – Of Laos, from Siem Reap, Cambodia It seems unfair that the aches and pains gained from a one-week bike tour could be so instantly and cheaply alleviated at your destination.  But Luang Prabang is, indeed, the perfect landing spot for saddle sores, throbbing quads, and nagging shoulder injuries.  The full menu of body treatments is available there (foot, Thai, Swedish, hot stone, or head massages).  And we availed ourselves of all of them.  When I pay a pretty penny for this luxury at home, I think I take for granted the true preciousness of the exchange.  But somehow, when such bliss is doled out for less than $10 an hour, I am struck by the intimacy and privilege of having a complete stranger come into such close and loving contact with your flesh.  Usually these are wordless encounters delivered by nameless people, which should not seem so touching (pardon the pun).  However, the Laotian touch moved me.  And because some of my former foreign masseuses have so mindlessly dialed it in (checking Facebook as they annoyingly rub the same 4 inches of my calf for ten minutes), I know the difference when I feel it. Such a blessing.

Post-massage bliss:

Expat Reflections

January 11, 2017 – Of expats I met along the way, from Kuala Lumpur

So, I’ve taken to waiting to record my travel thoughts until I reach each subsequent country – letting the tastes of Vietnam marry before writing about them in Laos; weaving the lessons from Laos into a story once I’ve arrived in Malaysia.  And so it is here, in an Aussie style coffee shop in Kuala Lumpur, complete with its chalkboard menu scrawled in trendy font and wistful songstress tunes, that I sip a flat white and continue my reflections from Luang Prabang.  And oh, how I love to let these foreign place names tickle my tongue.  My next destination is my favorite – Kaliyampoondi, the Indian village where we will lead our youth arts project.  And if the piece we create with the kids there is anywhere near as musical as its name we’ll be in great shape!

Throughout the journey we’ve met a host of ex-pats, (living and working in these countries).  And I’ve become increasingly interested in understanding the dynamics of their lives abroad.  So, since it is during this phase that I am the guest of my KL-based friend, Lisa Sauer, (the most intrepid traveller I know , with only 3 countries left on the globe unvisited) and her husband Jeff, I have been able to gain a keener insight into this topic. As someone who has had at least temporary residence in 7 countries, I am sensitive to the rewards, challenges and ethical quandaries that foreign living can pose.  And each of the characters we’ve met on this trip have handled these in quite disparate ways.  

Harps was a brawny Aussie who served as the virtual impresario of Nong Khiaw – a hostel owner and an expert on everything from the best river guide, to the coolest locals’ New Years Eve party, to the cheapest beer in town.  He was already three sheets to the wind when we met him, at around 6 pm on December 31st, which added several hues to his usual colorful delivery.  And he tipped us off to the riverside ritual, where locals floated banana leaf boats decorated with flowers, candles and incense to send their new year’s intentions down the Nam Ou.  

We gratefully joined in, then later saw him at the town’s midnight bash, participating in a traditional Laotian dance (that oddly resembled American square dancing) while the mayor and his wife provided “musical” accompaniment with completely tone-deaf karaoke (seemingly the only kind in Laos, as I documented on the attached sound file recorded in Luang Prabang two days later).  Harps seemed fairly well integrated into the culture, but was also quick to criticize several locally-run outfitters who he warned were out to fleece tourists. Interestingly, we met one such local competitor the following day, and this charming 32-year old bar/hostel/travel agent owner had similarly controversial things to say about foreign business owners (though, respectfully, without naming names).  So, these two simple exchanges revealed volumes about the tensions that arise with ex-pat ownership.

I was made aware of another ex-pat conundrum in Siem Reap, Cambodia when I checked out a yoga studio in the town’s tourist hub.  Paul was the South African owner of Ahimsa Yoga.  And while the Sanskrit word ahimsa translates as non-harm, his demeanor was anything but harmless.  When I inquired about the class style, schedule, etc. I was barraged with an uninvited litany of complaints about the LA hard-body divas who come to his classes thinking they have nothing to learn, the phony instructors who have commercialized yoga world-wide, and the foolishness of the scantically-clad co-eds that prance through his studio as well as the Siem Reap streets and then complain when local Buddhist men (not accustomed to seeing a women’s knee or shoulder in public) harass them.  I took that as my cue not to return for the sunset flow class and chalked it up to another angry escapee, seeking refuge from the discontent of home only to swap it for frustrations of another ilk.

We did, however, meet several far more exemplary models of ex-pats doing genuine good abroad.  The Aussie manager of Luang Prabang’s Saffron Café, another perfectly first-world styled coffee shop, partners with a local owner.  They use only Laotian beans, roasters and staff and contribute 100% of business profits to Laos communities of need.  And Joanna was the British owner of Ok Pok Tok, a divine respite perched over the Mekong, where we stayed for two nights.  The four romantic villas are surrounded by lush gardens and adorned with top-quality textiles crafted by the tribal women they employ from around the country at the weavers coop which is located on the same grounds.  Sandra and her Laotian business partner travel widely to discover and support indigenous artisans.  From some they purchase wares in their remote communities and take on all the risk to sell them to tourists in the city.  And for another 30 villagers, they offer a home and a job on their beautiful premises.  

Inspirations

January 11, 2017 – Of Southeast Asian NGO’s, from Kuala Lumpur

Foreigners were hardly the only philanthropic folks we met either.  Local social enterprises abound in Laos and Cambodia. Friends International is an awesome organization that provides drop-in centres, transition homes, and education to marginalized youth.  It also trains street kids from both countries in gourmet cooking and then employs them in one of their 8 restaurants (in LP, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and more).  We ate at Luang Prabang’s branch, Kaiphen (named after the aforementioned riverweed snack).  And it was hands-down our best meal in South East Asia.  Laotian-style fish tacos with mango salsa, smoked eggplant puree on homemade baguettes, as well as prawn corn fritters offered us a delectable twist on local cuisine.  And I scored a funky wallet, repurposed from Cambodian magazines, at their gift shop too.

Another notable project, and one quite relevant to my work, is Phare, the Cambodian circus troupe we saw perform in Siem Reap.  Their pole climbing, silks flying, fire juggling acrobatics were astounding.  But even more impressive was the Art for Social Change aspect that similarly trained street youth in circus arts intent on creating professional opportunities for them.  The act included high-quality live music, dance, acting and storytelling as well, because their school provides a fully interdisciplinary training.  And the end product, whose narrative had a powerful social message about bullying, could easily rival Cirque de Soleil standards too.

But the most fascinating NGO I discovered is run by Fi, who sat next to me on my flight from Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur.  His company’s innovative app, AgriBuddy, is serving thousands of rural farmers to digitally track their GPS location, size, crop inventory, fertilizer needs, etc., so that they can legitimize these small businesses and act as intermediaries to arrange bank loans for growth and sustenance. All very inspiring as I embark on my next social venture abroad.

Nature of Memory

January 12, 2017 – Of Southeast Asia, from Kuala Lumpur

I find so fascinating the fleeting nature of our memory stores.  Images, senses and experiences which I have not called up in years come flooding back with the simplest triggers when I travel. Particularly with unfamiliar or infrequently encountered sensations, my brain scrambles to make associations, perhaps to ground my mind and body into my new surroundings.  The Bugs Café in Siem Reap immediately conjured up reminiscence of the ground ant coated fish we ate in Oaxaca or the larvae Geoff accidentally ingested in Thailand, when he mistook the honeycomb he was served for actual honey. The blinged-out Cambodian tuk-tuks, no-pun intended, took me right back to Northern India where we guiltily let a geriatric man bike us up an outrageous hill.  (Luckily, they are motorized in Siem Reap.)  The sweeping frenzy that is pervasive throughout Asia, to keep the constant dust at bay, reminded me of the great pride Cubans took to keep their small patches of land or front stoops immaculate.  And certain landscapes instantly harken an inventory of similar features I’ve seen before. As if my brain keeps all waterfalls stored in the same folder, Laos’ cascades brought me back to Bolivia, Switzerland, and of course the Sea to Sky highway in my backyard.  The harrowingly steep karsts of HaLong Bay bore a striking resemblance to Norway’s fjords and New Zealand’s Milford Sound.  The songs of Cambodia’s monkeys and frogs reminded me of my favorite critters’ croaks and howls in Bali, so much so that just hearing them made me imagine a distant gamelan.  And while I’d heard each of the individual auditory elements from Siem Reap’s Pub St. before, its syncopated soundscape of motorbikes, limbless beggars, men hand-churning ice cream, and house music blaring from its street bars was a melange unlike any other. Then, the crowds thousands deep, jockeying at the Angkor Wat night market for a myriad of plastic silliness, fried food or colorful local crafts, took me back to every other Asian market I’ve ever braved.  Finally, joining the armies of mostly tourists who flocked to the summit of Siem Reap’s Phnom Bhagan or Luang Prabang’s Pu Si mountain, for the most advantage view of the “best sunset in the world”, felt exactly like the lemmings we followed to do the same in Santorini, Greece or Cinque Terre.

Of course, I know that I may not be doing justice to the uniqueness of each of these places by comparing them so closely.  Perhaps, also, this need for recognition defies my ability to fully appreciate their nuanced differences.  However, I cannot deny my synapses’ tendency towards such filing.  And, admittedly, the fact that land formations and human behaviors tend towards common patterns across the globe actually both touches and comforts me.  I am, after all, the daughter of a Jew and a Catholic raised to look more for parallels than conflicts amongst ideologies.  So, I won’t resist doing the same when I step in mangy Indian street doggy doo and think that it smells like Yukon husky poop.

Visiting Giants

January 12, 2017 – Of Siem Reap, from Kuala Lumpur

As is often said, travel is about the journey rather than the destination.  But some end points are, in fact, the point.  And a handful actually do live up to and beyond all the hype.  Angkor Wat certainly tops this list.  Before we travel to various places, Geoff and I both resist seeing too many photos, particularly of hugely popular sites.  And though we could not avoid having seen a handful of images from these temples throughout our lifetime, the extent of their beauty and magnitude remained a secret until we were there for ourselves.  It is difficult to put into words the mystique of witnessing her majesty revealed as the sun rose over her five-crowned glory. That we shared this moment with 10’s of thousands of other tourists, mostly Chinese clicking their Canons at a shot a second, took nothing away from this experience I’d wished to have for my entire adult life.  

Extra surprising were the uniquely beautiful aesthetic qualities of several other temples in the region.  My absolute favorites were the four-Buddha faced pillars that serenely smiled against spotless skies at Angkor Thom.  

And as I wound my way around the creepy roots that have strangled but still preserved the stones of Ta Prohm, I felt I was in my own Indiana Jones adventure and am only grateful that they have not let more Hollywood producers co-opt this setting, to let it maintain its mystery for most.  

A numbers buff, I also adored the endless layers of wings and corridors at Preah Khan, whose hall of mirrors-like effect gave me the sensation of being embedded in an architectural fractal.

So, for those who shun the roads most travelled, all I can say is that this world wonder is certainly worth shedding a hang-up or two.  

New Realities

January 12, 2017 – Of Cambodia, from Kuala Lumpur We are all now bound to each others’ realities in so many ways. Internet, films, and other rapidly spread media images mean that many children in African can recognize Spiderman, and a good number of North American adults can identify a burka, a burrito, or a banyan tree by sight.  To me, the Buddhist Tree of Life, pictured below, represents the many intertwined branches that comprise humanity.  

These global ties help build empathy and break down “us and them” barriers. However, they also leave increasingly fewer mysteries and surprises.  This is why I relish, all the more, those rare new discoveries that travel still sometimes affords, even if the lessons are harsh.  The ubiquitous landmine music bands, in Cambodia, were a shocking introduction to the vestiges of the civil war under the Khmer Rouge – thousands of limbless, deformed, blind and deaf performers lovelessly sawed at violins, hammered on dulcimers, and pounded on drums in what appeared to be an empty government gesture to create some kind of paltry vocation for their injured citizens (funded only by the donations from tourists).  More cheerful was the realization that Cambodians celebrate their marriages in grand but casual style – up to 50 guests (in everything from jeans to gowns) gather in sprawling outdoor covered patios, over mounds of food and drink, with music blaring from giant subwoofers.  One of our drivers taught us that each guest is asked to give an ample minimum contribution, (generally equivalent to $40 USD or more) to cover the festivities cost and to set up the happy couple with several thousand dollars for their new life together.  

Solo Travel 

January 12, 2017 – Of Cambodia, from Kuala Lumpur

I’ve now been in Asia without Geoff for 4 days, and I’ve been surprised to find myself somewhat disoriented as I’ve proceeded with my trip alone.  I’ve done plenty of solo travel before, but rarely have I been “abandoned” part way through a journey.  So, even as fiercely independent as I consider myself, I cannot deny that I experienced an unsettling feeling of being untethered when Geoff first left. Of course, as a couple whose greatest compatibility lies perhaps in the way we approach travel, we get into a comfortably flowing rhythm on the road that, as my Grandpa Barron always used to say, “makes beautiful music together.”  Therefore, it has taken me a few days to get “in tune” with my new song. To do so, I gravitated to the familiar.   My first night I dropped into a hippie bar, where I shared pillowed papasan chairs with chatty foreigners, as we exchanged travel tales over margaritas.  Geoff and I crave connection with strangers when we travel, but invariably opportunities infinitely expand when you’re on your own.  The crew at the Asana Bar included a divorced American mom who’d taken her two teenage girls out of the US as fast and far as she could, so disgusted by the latest political turn there.  She’s got hardly a penny to her name, yet they plan to stay in Cambodia indefinitely, each finding ways to make ends meet (café jobs for the kids, a coop grocery gig for mom, homeschooling and more to learn from the School of Life than any American public school could ever provide.)  The coop owners were there too – a gay couple – one guy from Africa and the other from the UK, well settled into a Siem Reap groove.  I also really bonded with a French woman who has traveled the globe and worked remotely, for years, as a filmmaker and editor involving local amateurs in her work wherever she goes, and educating them in her art form.  

My second attempt to find my own wings, of course, involved a bicycle.  I rented a one speed for the day, for 2 bucks, and headed 12 k south of town to check out Tonle Sap Lake – apparently the most fish-rich lake in the world, and a point of pride mentioned by every Cambodian we met. Western ways are the norm in Siem Reap (short shorts and halter tops, beer drinking, and pop music).  But I should have known that exposed shoulders and knees (even in 35 degrees Celsius) would get me too much unwanted male attention the moment I was inches from the city boundaries.  Nonetheless, this venture let me see working waterwheels, rural villages, rice paddies, my first Southeast Asian mosque and more. My first day on two wheels instead of four served as a healthy refresher course in the mindfulness that solo travel brings.   And as I felt my uneasiness begin to settle, I slowly became moored to my surroundings – no longer untethered.

Austerity and Indulgences

January 13, 2017 - Of Transitions, from Kuala Lumpur

That I’m booked to leave for India on a full moon and Friday the 13th certainly adds to my trepidation about the unknowns that await me.  But now, as I take my 6th flight in half as many weeks, I marvel at the ease with which most travel plans flow.  That I can be walking in freezing rain in Canada one moment, and swimming under tropical sun only hours later never ceases to amaze me. And almost nothing fills me with greater glee than seeing a smiling gentleman in a Cambodian airport with a huge MISS LAURA sign in his hands simply because I sent my hotel an email ride request.  I still consider it a minor miracle every time a travel plan actually comes to fruition. And though I’m usually an optimist, I’ve lost enough luggage, missed enough flights, and arrived to enough overbooked hotels to almost expect major mishaps every time I set off on another adventure.  But the truth is, almost things actually do work out.  And my 90+% successful track record is what gives me the chutzpah to take some leaps even though they still terrify me in certain ways.

Geoff and I like to leave lots of room for spontaneity.  So, most of our rooms or internal fights are never pre-booked. But the greatest risks we’ve taken have been during our bike tours in Cuba and Laos, where there was no guesthouse info available en route.  And most accommodations were about 50-100 kilometres apart.  This was the case when we left Luang Prabang on rented mountain bikes, loaded with only 2 outfits each and a few repair tools for the week ahead.  65 k into our ride, as dusk approached, we had not seen a guesthouse for hours and we could tell form GPS that the next “town” was at least 10 k further.  This had me as thrilled as I was scared, while I peeked in the few barebones bungalows that we passed along the road trying to imagine how I might humble myself to ask a local villager if we could sleep on their floor for the night.  I’ve met several far braver travelers than I who’d almost exclusively survived this way, and I was always inspired by their courage.  So, It hardly seemed a bad last resort.  But it was also no guarantee.  However, just as dark set in, we came across the sparse Pak Nga guesthouse where we managed a comfy bed and a hot shower in a windowless room for just $3.  And again, I percolated with wonder at our fortune.

I’ve also always prided myself on such bargains.  And I sort of wear, as a badge of honor, my ability to endure the meagerist of housing amenities on the road. But on the cusp of my 2nd half century of life, with a lower tolerance for undesirable odors, a bum neck that whines without a proper pillow, and ahubby hubby with an excellent paying job and a penchant for good design, I’ve surrendered some of my low maintenance ways.  And I must admit that I’ve savored the subsequent perks along the way.  In Laos, we scored three different spacious riverfront bungalows with private balconies, daily fresh fruit and bottled water in the room, fragrant toiletries and safes for our valuables.  The comfort and security usually still only cost us less than $50 a night, so I could barely resist.  

I even got so accustomed to our new standards that I agreed to splurge, for our last 4 nights in Siem Reap, on an $80 room at the incredible Mulberry Hotel, the luxuriousness of which you could probably not book in North America for less than $500.  At any rate, accounting was the last thing on my mind as we finished every sweat and dust filled morning temple visit hilling at Mulberry’s glorious pool, surrounded by Buddhas, frangipani, and geckos while we ate complimentary spicy peanuts washed down with tamarind mojitos.  The good life is not so bad after all.

All that said, I have only 1 more night of spoiling, at my flutist friend Shashank’s home in Chennai.  When Geoff and I stayed there in 2007, we were treated like royalty with 3 multi-course gourmet veggie meals a days, a four poster bed, and a driver.  But after their place, it’s back to basics for me, where I’ll share a room with other Child Haven volunteers, sleep on a cot, take cold bucket showers and eat dal for most meals along with the children who live at the home.  And, of course, that is all just as it should be, and I plan to relish such immersive living. But of course, I hope my tangled curls, my belly and my cervical spine have not become too “soft” to handle it!

on their floor for the night.  I’ve met a few far braver travelers than I who’d almost exclusively survived this way, and I was always inspired by their courage.  So, It hardly seemed a bad last resort.  But it was also no guarantee.  However, just as dark set in, we came across the sparse Pak Nga guesthouse where we managed a comfy bed and a hot shower in a windowless room for just $3.  And again, I percolated with wonder at our fortune.

Loss

January 15, 2017 - Of Sparks and Wings, from India

This was far from the entry I imagined I would write today.  I have arrived at Child Haven International, in Kaliyampoondi. The distorted sound system of a Tamil film blares across the dirt field of the Home, no longer filled with young cricket players because they are all riveted to the screen inside their dining hall. This special form of entertainment is their treat for the occasion of today’s holiday, Pongal, Tamil Nadu’s harvest festival.  Rangoli designs adorn the concrete foundations of the campus buildings, each chalked in multi-colors to create the beautiful mandala-like designs that honor this festival.  And yet I struggle to feel festive today, despite the hugs and kisses and hand holding that every child and staff member greeted me with upon my arrival.  Because they should be showering Maggie too.  But instead, in a tragic turn of events, she is on a plane headed home after receiving the shocking news that her father suddenly died of respiratory failure on a jungle trek in Peru.  We were apart when she heard, awaiting our rides to the Home from separate friends’ places in India.  She learned over Facebook – something no daughter should ever have to experience.  I learned on a video chat with her, while long pauses and glassy eyes showed how little either of us were able to truly process this.  

Morton Winston was an exceptional man, and while we are often inclined to say that of people once they pass – with him it is entirely true.  For years, he served as the President of the Board of Amnesty International.  Maggie was raised in a family that, at times, harbored Burmese refugees; at others, spent years abroad helping the unjustly served in Nepal, Thailand, South Africa. Though little can be of solace in the wake of such a loss, I have to hope that her father’s adventurous soul would have wanted to come to rest in a place as wild and wonderous as the Amazon. Inspired by her father’s example, intrepid travel and community service have been second nature to Maggie. Morton also married into a remarkable family of women, each power house arts activists in their own right. Together, they have collected Canada Council honors, film and dance awards, and accolades too numerous to mention. Maggie always jokes about holiday family dinners, where simple “what’s new?” catch-up conversations rival Nobel Peace Prize presentations.  And in keeping with this generosity of spirit, amidst her moment of crisis, Maggie still managed to secure a fellow theatre artist, living nearby in India, who could take her place as my collaborating facilitator for these two weeks. She said she found it a helpful distraction while she could do little for 2 days as she waited for her changed flight to depart.  I am deeply grateful to her for this gesture.  I will meet Kaeridwyn for the first time tomorrow, where she lives in the intentional community of Auroville (below) – perhaps one of the most sustainable and successful of its kind in the world. Since the 70’s, this non-denominational autonomous society has grown to a thriving community of 5,000 from over 50 countries.  I relish the chance to learn about her alternative living, and to learn from her artistic expertise in physical theatre and some of her own forms of puppetry.  

How ironic though that, only two entries ago, I marveled that most things actually do go to plan.  Yet, of course, I’m now harshly reminded that this is only true except in those 1 % of times when they absolutely do not.  As I sit alone in the Home’s library, digesting this sad and sudden change of plans, wondering if I can still be of true value here, I pass the day reflecting and reading, as I will do until our project begins on Tuesday. And here, I quickly came upon several texts, left by former volunteers, which my intuition somehow knew I needed to discover.  

·       A Tagore verse: “The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough.”  

·       Gary Zukav’s Soul Stories that claims “the journey of a hawk depends on both the hawk and the wind. Sometimes the wind takes the hawk where it wants to go, and sometimes it doesn’t.  When it doesn’t, the hawk doesn’t mind.  Either way, hawks are masters at flying, always in control of their own wing and tail feathers.  This is what elegant spirts do.”  

·       And the charming biography of Child Haven’s founder, Bonnie Cappuccino, written by her “long-suffering” husband Fred.  They opened their first of nine homes and schools (serving almost 2,000 youth in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Tibet), 30 years ago, at the ripe young ages of 53 & 60, after raising their own 21 children into adulthood (19 of which they adopted).  For their astounding efforts they have received the Order of Canada and a UNESCO Human Rights Award.  Their inspiring book’s final words read: “Glowing deep within each one of you is a divine spark.  Some of you may be skeptical, or feel you are unworthy, yet the divine spark glows.  This divine spark may surprise you as the future unfolds.  It may lead you to risk much in some wild act of compassion.  You are of infinite worth; you possess a dazzling beauty that is irresistible.  Trust this divine spark glowing in your deepest being.”

Thank goodness Bonnie trusted hers.  And thank goodness the wind seems to have been on her side when she’s needed it. Not when they found a brain tumor that paralyzed the right side of her face.  Not when one of her treasured children committed suicide.  But certainly when her second cancer surgery succeeded.  And several times, when she has managed to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, immigration nightmares, civil wars, natural disasters and more to create and sustain Child Haven’s nine thriving homes.  Bonnie was on the Air India plane that left Montreal in 1985, crashing and killing 190 people.  Only she took its incoming flight to YYZ, before those fated passengers boarded on their way to London.  The wind was with her that day.  It is hard to understand what the wind intended for those 190 others.  None of us can ever answer such questions.  I guess we can only keep flying and continue to be the master of our own wings.  

Wayfinding

January 19, 2017 Of Kuala Lumpur, from Pondicherry, India

After Cambodia, Air Asia’s wings took me to Malaysia for an extended layover before my India project began.  My whirlwind arrival reminded me that finding my way in a new surrounding is one of my favorite travel pastimes.   I landed at the Kuala Lumpur airport solo, soared through immigration, collected my luggage, scored local currency from the airport ATM, located the train terminal, successfully navigated the ticket machine, boarded the correct train, managed a station transfer without a hitch, and then walked straight to my hotel front door, all in just one hour.  My feat gave me a rush equivalent to winning the Amazing Race.  But thanks to GPS and surprisingly clear wayfinding signs, this was actually quite doable and not really as impressive as it might seem.  

For my first night, I stayed in the commercial district of Bukit Bintang, in the heart of the city just meters from the fabled Petronus towers.  On first glance, downtown KL appears nothing but a conglomeration of neon, highways and malls.  The latter rival the opulence of Fifth Ave, with marble floors, high speed escalators, and posh stores like Prada and Sephora, built in post-modern architectural style.  But no amount of polish is able to hide the same litter, sewerage stench and stray dogs that one can find almost anywhere in Asia.  

My Canadian friend and Malaysian resident, Lisa Sauer let me know that her new home is a nation rapidly striving to attain first world status, but too fast for its capacity.  Thousands of luxury high-rise condos stand empty, built over-ambitiously and without proper amenities to service them.  A government program to mass distribute Western toilets throughout the country has dramatically failed to meet its targets.  And an ever-increasing disparity of wealth keeps many still living in squalor while others enjoy every continental comfort.  Craft beer, high speed wifi, pools and tennis courts in most middle to upper class apartment buildings, quinoa and kale smoothies at Whole Foods-like grocery stores, and even flat whites at Aussie-inspired cafes are the norm in the mostly ex-pat neighborhood of Mont Kiara, where Lisa generously hosted me for my final three nights.  

Such economic imbalances trouble me, just as they do at home. But I can’t deny that a few more days of indulgence did provide a welcomed breather for me as I prepared for the intensity and austerity of India.  And I can certainly understand the appeal for many to stay in this city, surrounded by the familiar while still only a $100 flight from an endless stream of exotic destinations.  Lisa and her partner Jeff are able to spend long weekends in Bali, have Christmas holidays in New Zealand, and take quick jaunts to Hong Kong with the ease of a trip from Vancouver to Seattle.  It was a privilege to witness the full life that they’ve carved out for themselves there.  It was also a treat to discuss books, share concerns and criticisms of “the orange man who will remain nameless”, and to swap travel highlights and travails. Lisa is the most intrepid person I know. She can only keep track of the countries she has NOT visited, because this list falls only in the single digits, while the count for those hundred plus principalities that she has experienced keeps changing with history’s shifting geographical borders.  Though a rhythm-loving musician and chronic counter myself, I have resisted the urge to innumerate my own travel destinations, for years, realizing that a qualified life is always more well-lived than a quantified one. However, I learned in Morton Winston’s obituary that he always aimed to visit more countries than his current age.  And that someone as substantive as he set himself this challenge gave me permission to do so as well.  So after my own tally, I realized that Lisa’s new home marked 46 for me, leaving me close to my new 50 by 50 goal, with only 16 months to go.  If all goes to plan by then, I’ll make it to Brazil for another school project, to Nicaragua for some Spanish practice, to Australia to teach some university Art for Social change workshops, and finally to Burma, where I will sail with several of my best buds to mark my passage into the second half century of my life. But I’m also open to wherever the wind might take me…

Imprints

February 8, 2017 Of India, from Vancouver

One week after my return to Vancouver, I stare at the red faded swirls on my left palm, willing the mendhi design to last just a bit longer, in much the same way I strive to keep the lessons of my trip alive. I can still practically count the hours since 15-year old Sangitha, one of our most keen Indian students, artfully applied the henna to my limbs on my last night.  Yet, I can already feel the glow of my skin, the bloom in my heart, the sparkle in my eyes starting to dim despite my best efforts.  I remember when I attended the Dalia Lama’s 10-day Kalichakra teachings, in Dharamsala in 2007, and I finally understood why people go to church.  Between five daily hours of exposure to his wise words, 10,000 global visitors engaged in high-minded discourse at every café, hostel and momo shop, inspired to live better, be better.  I got caught up in this too.  But with every passing day after leaving his Himalayan refuge, my behavior slipped ever so subtly, and I wished I could be in the presence of his radiance yet again.  I needed the nudge that I now realize church provides for the most earnest seekers, whatever their faith.  

Like then, for two weeks in Kaliyampoondi, I easily relinquished coffee, alcohol, cursing, and even ill thoughts of others while I was immersed in my purposeful existence there.  But it took only two days home for a Canadian friend’s “us and them”ing of Americans, (the very same dangerous thinking that led “the despot who won’t be named” to implement his dreaded immigration ban), to set me off into a temperamental rage, the negative effects of which lingered for several hours.  Gone seemed the equanimity and compassion that so grounded me when I faced numerous cultural differences in India and throughout my trip.  Only a day later, a string of unnecessary expletives escaped my mouth after a simple computer glitch, as I mourned for the analog-nature of my intimate face-to-face Indian exchange. And finally, a third Saturday night cocktail, sipped only out of habit not need, had Geoff and I walking home from a dinner party on separate sides of the street over a trivial thing I’ve already forgotten.

Art is my temple.  And the privilege to witness its transformative power, despite language barriers and gaping cultural differences, is what nourishes my soul.  There is also something undeniably sacred about India.  Beneath the cow dung, beyond the open sewer stench, besides the archaic gender dynamics that still perpetuate inexcusable oppression and violence towards women, there is a palpable grace.  Just to watch the sincerity in the Child Haven kids’ closed eyes and furrowed brows as they chant their simple pre-meal prayer is to truly know this.   I was reduced to tears, daily, by similar profound expressions of spirituality. Indians also bring exquisite beauty and ceremony to every occasion, as seen in the stunning saris that Child Haven students wore for their Republic Day school dance performance.

In only my two brief weeks there, I experienced 5 state holidays and 4 additional rituals for special occasions at the Home.  Pongol is South India’s harvest festival.  And I was treated to its chromatic splendor the instant I landed.  I arrived in Chennai just prior to midnight, terrified that there would be some grave error in my visa-upon-arrival form, and that I’d have no way to get cash for a cab. I’d heard that India’s prime minister had taken 5 & 10 thousand rupee notes out of circulation to prevent black market counterfeit. Consequently, this had left the country with a currency crisis and practically no working ATM’s as they scrambled to print more small denominations.  However, to my surprise, I waltzed through immigration in a record 5 minutes (faster than YVR), and successfully exchanged my last $100 USD for 4,000 rupee (a crap rate since the Global Bank quoted 6,000, but I was happy to take anything at that point).  Then, I braved the sea of pre-paid taxi stands to secure the best deal, proceeded to be accosted by a team of drivers jockeying for the right to my fare, and chose the most geriatric of the bunch figuring he was my safest option.  I gave him the address of my friend Shashank’s posh neighborhood which he pretended to recognize.   But of course, he proceeded to stop a half dozen times for directions.  Luckily though, Pongol had most families still up at that hour, diligently chalk-painting their stoops with amazingly symmetric Rangoli mandalas.  This vibrant display of communal art-making let me know I had, indeed, arrived in India.  And she instantly got under my skin.

Detours

February 8, 2017 Of India, from Vancouver

Geoff and I stayed with Shashank exactly ten years earlier, mid-way through our year-long trip around the world.  We’ll never forget our lively discussions with his family, about art, politics and travel.  And we can still taste the epic 6-course meals that his mother and wife prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, as they did on this visit too.  That Shashank is also a world-renowned Karnatic flutist only added to the richness of our visit, as we were treated to daily rehearsals in his living room.  And this time, his ten-year old daughter Swara (aptly named after a musical note, and still in Siri’s belly last we came), was the one displaying her own virtuosity on the blues guitar.  

But sadly, it is the Skype call that I had with my dear Flagstaff colleague, Michael Sullivan, on that first morning in India, January 15th, 2007, which I most remember.  With shock and horror in his eyes, Michael revealed to me that he had just learned he had a terminal bone cancer, the ravages of which took him before we even returned home in June.  So, a mere glance at Shashank’s desktop computer made me long for my friend. How odd, then, that it was on that very same screen I read Maggie’s message about her father’s death, again on my first morning at his home, this time on January 14th, 2017.  

And so the detours began.  Maggie’s to Baltimore, and mine to Pondicherry and Auroville, to meet my new artist partner, Kaeridwyn, where we’d revise a plan that would best align with our complementary skill sets.  Of course, our sessions had been scheduled to begin on Monday, but as has seemed to become the norm on these global projects, the Child Haven director neglected to mention that Pongol celebrations continued through Tuesday evening.  To lose 20% of our scheduled 10-day engagements would have normally set me into a panic.  But instead, I seized the opportunity to pivot, explore another Indian destination, and bond with my new colleague.  That I also fit in long walks on Pondicherry’s seaside boardwalk, marveled at parades of sari-clad women in their holiday finest, visited their Ghandi statue, and enjoyed one more night in a cush b&b was only a bonus.  But I’ve come to appreciate that detours are always full of such perks.

Silverware and Other Taboos

February 8, 2017 Of India, from Vancouver Another of my favorite aspects of India is her cows, who roam her city streets, lighten her chai, and transport her people and goods.  Cows were the talk of the town during my visit, as the state had just outlawed the ancient Pongol practice of jallikattu,which is South Indian’s version of “running with the bulls”.  So, while blue Americans and their global peers hit the streets to protest the horrifically racist policies of the “man who shall not be named”, Tamil Nadu’s streets were alive with their own activists. But these were not the PETA version that one might expect (animal-lovers standing up to support the abolishment of a practice that is cruel and violent to the bull, and which kills several bold and foolish men each year).  Contrarily, the prevailing sentiment of the protesting citizens (largely university students) favored the maintenance of this ritual, as these deeply traditional people feel their government too often threatens their ancestral connections.  As I’m partial to protecting animal and human rights, I was, no doubt, very surprised to learn about the nuances of this controversy.  But I realized I was ill-equipped to understand such a complex and age-old battle.

I was born in bovine country myself.  And cow-tipping was a high school pastime for me and my friends.  But our version involved only a harmless ringing of their bells, rather than a full body topple which I’d learned some rural US farm kids preferred.  For most Hindus, cows are sacred, revered for their gentle nature and agricultural assets. Perhaps this, too, inspired me to become a vegetarian as well as an ice cream fanatic by a very young age.  I virtually started my career in the industry, with jobs in five different parlors between the ages of 13-20.  With such a shining for these adorable heffers, I also invariably took a preponderance of cow photos on my routine bicycle excursions to neighboring Uthiramerur.  Most amusingly, Indians paint the horns of these honorific beasts for Pongol, the brilliance of which lasted throughout my fortnight.  And while close sleeping proximity to animal feces is not usually something I would celebrate, I was actually comforted when a Child Haven staff first walked me to my room and I was greeted by the Home’s five dairy cows whose pen was just five feet from my door.  

Eating meat was the easiest of India’s taboos for me to avoid.  But their other eating practices took more getting used to. In keeping with the rock-hard mattress that I slept on, our meals were served on the floor of a giant chairless, concrete dining hall.  So, three times per day, I joined all 250 children, 30 staff, and a half dozen other volunteers as we ate cross-legged and with only our hands to ingest the splendor they served us each day.  The puffy rice flour dumplings, called idly, which the cooks miraculously prepared by the thousands to perfection, were the easiest to eat without cutlery.  But rice with spicy mango stew, chickpea curry, or ginger chili pesto posed tougher challenges.  And I found that tearing chapati (their rice flour pancakes) one-handed was the trickiest feat of all.  But, of course, this was essential because their lack of toilet paper meant that all self-cleaning was done with the left hand, leaving only the right free for dining.   However, whatever discomfort these new habits caused became quickly overshadowed by the children’s infectious joy and gratitude during meals.

Adapting to their dress code, though, did not come as rapidly.  Kaliyampoondi is located deep in traditional Southern India where gender roles are clearly delineated.  The public domain is largely male, and the home female.  Throughout rural Tamil Nadu, girls and boys sit on opposite sides of their school classrooms, as they did in the dining room at the home. This persists despite Child Haven’s strongly imparted Gandhian beliefs of gender equality which result in their generously funding every single child’s university tuition (male and female). However, in keeping with such contradictory divisions, we were only allowed to work with each gender in separate sessions throughout our project, and this led to a variety of interesting observations.  While boys wore short-sleeved button down shirts and tailored pants to school, and then changed into Western shorts and t-shirts for afternoon play, girls (by the age of only 10) had to wear chudigar in most contexts.  This oppressive uniform included large, knee-length, polyester shirts with baggy pants and an additional shawl (or dupita), carefully pinned to their shoulders to cover even the smallest bloom of a bosom.  Additionally, these heavy layers are worn throughout the year, which peaks to 120 Farenheit in the summer months!  And girls had to wear similarly unrevealing clothing around the home, even as they ran 800 metre dashes in preparation for their State-wide Sports Day competition, which was scheduled for my departure day. Here they are with my new buddy and volunteer, Andy Rush, as they arrive home on the new bikes that every Grade 11 child was gifted under a special government program.  

This dress code was also enforced with female volunteers at the home.  And though I am eager to honor foreign traditions when I’m abroad, it was difficult to abide, while I watched male staff and volunteers wear jeans or whatever else they liked.  Some even enjoyed topless morning runs.   However, what I found most disturbing was the community policing that the girls did with each other, as well as with the volunteers, to adjust a slight slip of the shawl or accidental exposed bra strap.  Of course, I was keen to avoid being corrected or perceived as disrespectful in any way, so I soon found myself routinely fussing with my own scarf.  And I quickly came to imagine the body shame and self-consciousness that these strictures could breed.  Consequently, it became highly evident that the boys exhibited far greater self-esteem and exuberance, as well as a willingness to improvise and be playful.  That said, I was amazed how much the girls’ confidence grew throughout our project. So, I soon forfeited my inclination to fight such bewildering practices, and recognized that my time would be better spent focusing on scalable transformative change through our arts engagements rather than on massive systemic change.

Superheroes

February 9, 2017 Of India, from Vancouver

Inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Child Haven International was founded in 1985, by Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino, the superhero couple that I previously mentioned. Their non-profit has built nine healthy, sustainable homes for almost 2,000 children and women in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tibet.   And each of these “havens” provides food, shelter, clothing, health care, educational and moral support for their residents.  Most children go on to pursue post-secondary education, and Child Haven even funds their university tuition.  The homes are fully run and staffed by locals, along with a handful of volunteers from abroad (largely Canadians).  And Gandhi’s principles of gender equality, no caste (or class) recognition, non-violence and vegetarianism, simple living, as well as respect for all religions and cultures breed a positive, life-affirming energy that I felt during every moment I spent at their homes in both Kathmandu (for a 2015 arts project) and Kaliyampoondi.  This fertile ground provided the ideal environment for our arts engagements. So, it is no wonder they resulted in, perhaps, the most impactful project for Instruments of Change, to date.

Amidst cicada and frog song, morning starts at Child Haven with the children’s 5 am wake-up bell which elicits an occasional bark from Puppy, the resident dog.  As the children are meticulous about cleanliness, they proceed to pridefully brill cream and braid their hair, wash their bodies, and press their uniforms to perfection.  These thorough ablutions are followed by meditation, non-denominational chanting, and a jog around the large grounds of the home.  Then, they queue up for their daily protein, a sweet, warm cup of soy milk, made from soybeans that are crushed, right there on the property, by the machine they affectionately call the “soy cow”.  They form similar lines to receive breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner, and this 300+ person dance proceeds with remarkable order.  

In fact, observing these young people choreograph their shared space, day in and day out, was perhaps the most moving part of my experience there.  In the spirit of simple living, each child’s entire worldly possessions (clothes, shoes, jewelry, toys, toiletries, photos) fit into one small metal suitcase. Consequently, there is little sense of “mine, mine, mine”, just like we witnessed in the Nepal home. Throughout our project, the children cooperatively shared supplies, decorations, and tools without incident. They were equally gracious about returning things promptly, in good condition and exactly where they found them.  Our limited stock of erasers presented the only sharing challenge, as they took the same pristine approach with their work as they take with their appearance.  Of course, we are always careful to dispel notions about “right or wrong”/”good or bad” art in our projects.  But habits run deep.  So, there was nothing left of our 10 inches of rubber erasers by the end of our two puppet-designing sketch sessions.  However, their diligence certainly paid off, as seen by these fanciful characters that they created.

During our project, entitled Repurpose Our Purpose, we asked kids to express their feelings about their own unique value and purpose (or, in other words, their superpowers), through story and song.  At the same time, they harnessed the value of everyday objects and trash by repurposing these materials to make puppets and instruments for a final original theatre piece.  And finally, we introduced a variety of interdisciplinary collaborative activities designed to cultivate an appreciation for the power of a collective sum that is greater than its parts.  The first of these exercises asked students to identify with certain Jungian archetypal personality types (IE. Jester, Creator, Explorer, Sage, Leader, Caregiver, Innocent, Hero, or Rebel).  Then, we organized them according to their chosen type, and these became their working groups for the duration of the project.  Subsequently, they performed physical gestures that represented their Archetype’s character, demonstrated by our Boy Jesters, with their thumbs to their noses.  

They also collectively brainstormed a vocabulary of words related to the assets of their chosen superhero characters.  And while we relied heavily on the excellent translation provided by 4 helpful staff members, Ganesh, William, Johnson, and Poppy, this activity revealed that the students had a stronger command of English than we had realized earlier in our project.  Below are their own words, placed anatomically correctly, on the Body of a Superhero that they chalked on their playground.

Ultimately, each archetype group chose the most resonant word to describe their character’s superhero, and the first letter of this word became the body shape for their puppet design (IE. M for Meditation as the Sage’s superpower, and D for Dance as the Creator’s superpower).  Then, they brought these creatures to life using reclaimed cardboard, bicycle tires, scrap paper, styrofoam and newspaper waste.  Predictably, their creations were full of saturated color and ingenuity, as is everything in India.

And the designs did not divide along typical gender lines, as the sweetness of this Caregiver Boys’ heart-balloon covered puppet illustrates. These resourceful children also took the upcycling aspect of our project to a whole new level as they proceeded to cut scrap gold metallic paper into hundreds of tiny bits to make their own glitter!

To further develop narratives for their characters, we presented the children with a scenario (much like a videogame simulation), where each puppet (1 per archetype group) had to collectively pass through a series of obstacles.  However, we set the rule that each challenge could only be solved using one of the puppet’s superpowers, (referencing the idea that the whole is stronger than the sum of its parts).  So, each archetype group invented both an appropriate problem and a solution with which their superhero could “save” the day for all their peers.  The girls and boys created separate narratives, each with their own host of diverse characters.  And some of their most memorable storylines were when the Boy Sage taught everyone to meditate so they could levitate over a cold, impenetrable river; and when the Girl Creator drank a magical chocolate soy power drink after all the puppets became immobilized by the scorching sun.  Then, she led them all in a dance that revitalized their energy.  These are both, interestingly, very Indian solutions.  I was also thrilled to learn that the Boy Hero group chose Music as their super power. In their creative storyline, after the whole puppet group gets trapped in a house, set ablaze by fire, the singing hero puppet plays his guitar and the musical notes that emanate from it magically transform into water that puts out the flames. Additionally, to develop their dramatic skills, Kaeridwyn led the kids in found object animation activities.  Below, they are enacting a “fart” scene (or “susu” in Tamil).  It was, of course, heart-warming to see that adolescent poop jokes transcend cultural boundaries.  And clearly, our young-at-heart translator, Johnson, thought so too.

Here I am listening intently to the Boy Leader’s plan out their scene.

And this is Kaeridwyn directing the whole crew of boy puppeteers in their opening scene.

Over two weeks, we were allotted one hour per day with each gender group. However, the children were so invested in our project that they went over and above the call of duty, spending several additional hours writing their stories, practicing their actions, and fabricating their puppets.  This is exactly the ownership we always strive to cultivate in our work.  

We also put in our fair share of extra time, administering puppet triage and other vital work, graciously helped by Jackie, (in the back of the photo below). It was incredibly fortuitous that she and her husband, Andy (in the bike photo from Feb. 8th’s entry) happened to be volunteering during our visit, because they are, respectively, a retired music and English/drama teacher.  They supported nearly all of our sessions with their expertise and cheery presence, and Kaeridwyn and I could not believe our good fortune to have their help.

For the music component of our piece, the kids brainstormed about qualities essential for good team work.  Then, we analyzed the musicality of this language by breaking the words into rhythmic syllabic categories, according to spoken stresses (IE. Re-spect; Leading, Sharing, Kindness; Unity, Confidence, Discipline; Following; Concentration; Cooperation). These evolved into both chants and drum beats that they performed with their voices and found object instruments.  To warm-up these budding percussionists, we used stray firewood for sticks and turned their playground into a drum kit.  And for their instrument scavenging, which I’ve previously led in Vancouver alleys and Kathmandu streets, we had to go no further than the grounds of the home itself, for they had a plethora of sonorities right on the premises (10-gallon water jugs for drums, empty 10-litre bottles and beans for shakers, damaged tin plates and cups for cymbals, and giant 5-foot rice barrels for bass drums).  

A most boisterous time was certainly had by all.  And we’ve received reports that the children have continued to chant the lyrics around the home, since we left two weeks ago. Another legacy of our project has been the re-mount of their puppet show for Bonnie, when she visited just one week after our departure. Their sports director, William, had so skillfully translated for us, that he was able to hold up the fort by himself, rehearsing and directing their repeat performances.  Jackie sent me this photo of all the kids’ animated faces while they sat through the entire hour-long show for the second time.

Excitingly, the children may even get a chance to “take it on the road” if Kaeridwyn succeeds in securing them a showcase at Auroville’s Upcycling Festival in mid-March. It is this kind of sustainability that we aspire to achieve in all of our work.  But the nature of two-week arts engagements run the risk of merely serving as “hit and run” projects, particularly with communities who have little additional exposure to artistic activity, like in Kaliyampoondi where their schools’ rigorous academic expectations emphasize a STEM rather than a STEAM (Science, Technology, English, Arts, and Math) curriculum.   In fact, on top of their 6-hour school day, Child Haven kids diligently study at least 3 more hours per day.  We even witnessed those approaching state-wide exams (Grades 10 & 12), downing chai until the wee hours of the night to pack in a few extra hours of study. Academics aside, there was at least one artistic discipline with which the kids had lots of experience - dance.  That’s because they are treated to a Tollywood (Tamil Nadu’s version of Bollywood) film every Saturday night, and they’ve memorized the moves from all of their favorite scenes. So, we knew we had to end each of their puppet shows with a dance number.

What we never could have counted on, though, was the spontaneous eruption of all 250 kids in the audience, when they began to dance along, after the boys’ last piece.  The enthusiastic Director of Child Haven, Ganesh, consistently voiced how impressed he was by the efficacy of this type of arts-infused learning.  In fact, he was the one who made the final call to keep the Tollywood music blaring after the show, lending itself to what we learned was the first ever time that Child Haven boys and girls danced together in one room, at the home.  So, maybe systemic change is not impossible after all.

In addition to the meaningful encounters that I had throughout our engagements with the children who participated in our program, there are so many moments I keep returning to, now that I am home.  Showers of hugs and nose kisses from kids young and old, never too-cool-for-school to demonstrate their appreciation, as many adolescents at home would be.  Afternoons, sitting with the other volunteers, on the kitchen’s dirt floor, thumb wrestling, hair braiding, bean cutting, and playing paddy-cakes with the kids.  And 7 am theatre games with the irresistibly adorable littlest ones who were too young to participate in our main project.  

But what remains deep in my bones, after my time in Child Haven, is the profound sense that there are potent ties which bind us all on this fractured, complex planet.  This is not to glibly say that we are all one, or that our similarities outweigh our differences.  Certainly, there are gaping distinctions, for example, between the realities of the children that I work with in Canada versus those in Kaliyampoondi.  However, I cannot escape my roots, which grounded me to see connection rather than division.  I am the daughter of a Russian Jew and an Italian Catholic.  And I was fortunate to be raised in a Unitarian church, where we were exposed to the wisdom of a multitude of global belief systems, and where social justice was preached instead of religious dogma. Understandably, this inclusive approach focused my lenses to look for common ground.  Not surprisingly, a number of volunteers that have come through Child Haven over the years have also been Unitarian.  And Fred Cappuccino even spent his career as a UU minister.   The remarkable organization that he and Bonnie have built clearly responds to the basic human truth that we all need to be loved and feel safe.  And I now believe, more than ever, that the role of the artist activist is to respond to a different basic human truth - that we all want to be heard.  That we all want to express what moves us, and we want to do so beautifully.  That no matter how different our life experiences, we want to find those deepest knowing parts of ourselves that can empathize and relate to our fellow humans and then, put them into words, or dances, or pictures, or songs.  In other words, we want to connect to our inner spark, give it wings and let it take flight.

[onlevelup01]

NEW DELHI: The tourism ministry has submitted a plan to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to encourage more overseas visitors to come to India after the slide in numbers continued this year, following on from the slowdown in 2018, said officials familiar with the matter.The ministry plans to develop 17 sites to attract visitors as had been announced in the July 5 budget and consider ways of promoting tourism on “several fronts,” said one of the people cited above.“There’s a big plan in the works — the development of 17 iconic sites will be part of this,” he said. “It will be a holistic plan that will look at boosting numbers on several fronts. The ministry has already worked on the master plans for the 17 iconic sites and has held stakeholder consultations and appointed consultants. It may have come in the budget now, but we have been working on it.”The government is also evaluating representations made by the tourism industry. “Different demands of the industry are being considered, and a lot of things are in process,” said another official. “Some of the demands of the industry are also being considered by the ministry of home affairs.”Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her budget speech that the 17 sites will be developed into world-class destinations to boost the tourism sector. These include the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh; Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra; Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar in Delhi; Hampi in Karnataka; Somnath and Dholavira in Gujarat; Amer Fort in Rajasthan and Colva beach in Goa, among others.Tourist Inflow up 1.9% in First 4 MonthsIn its report for the January 2018-March 2019 period, the ministry had said it proposes to carry out the development of these sites in collaboration with other central ministries, including those of road transport and highways, shipping, civil aviation and railways.Tourist arrival numbers grew 1.9% in the first four months of this year to 3.93 million over the same period last year. In 2018, tourist arrivals rose 5.2% to 10.5 million, compared with 14% growth in 2017.Ministry officials said the Kerala floods last year and the Pulwama attack this year put the brakes on growth.“2017 was a blockbuster year but we can’t grow like that every year,” one of them said. “Kerala floods negatively impacted travel as about half the foreign tourists go to Kerala. Following the Pulwama attack, several countries issued and updated travel advisories which affected sentiment. Why would you take a risk if you are going on a holiday?”Growth is muted this year as the number of visitors from Bangladesh appears to have declined.“Short-haul destinations have a tremendous opportunity and we need to tap travellers from neighbouring countries who can come on a weekend if we get the travel costs right,” he said. “For short-haul destinations, reducing the visa cost from $80 to $25 could make a difference.”The government increased e-visa fees for most countries to $80 from $50 in June last year.Subhash Goyal, a member of the National Tourism Advisory Council, said issues such as the 28% goods and services tax on luxury hotels make India expensive.“We have to make India an affordable destination and make sure we don’t outprice ourselves when compared with Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Dubai, etc.,” Goyal said. “The overall tax on tourism shouldn't be more than 5%. The visa fee should not be more than $25. We should make an exception to the visa fee for a year for Buddhist countries. China is the world’s number one outbound market and we are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations with China next year... We could consider a waiver for the Chinese tourists too, that way we can attract a lot of Chinese travelers.”ET reported on July 18 that the ministry of home affairs had made a series of amendments in various chapters of the visa manual for India in a bid to simplify the entry of foreign nationals. from Economic Times https://ift.tt/2GNjaFG

#Blogger

[megabrocklesner1world-blog]

Wind, Rain Or Shine, Parcel Delivery by Couriers Online

Melbourne, an Australian metropolis, is an important industrial destination. Folks from all around the earth go that city all over the year for different purposes. Lying in the island continent Australia, and surrounded by the Indian Sea, the Barrier and Tasman Seas, that city is effectively associated with the remaining earth via airways and water transport. Melbourne Airport, also called Tullamarine Airport, is the principal air transit point with this city and aviation gate way of Victoria. As the 2nd busiest airport in the united states, it is variety to around 3,000 routes to Melbourne weekly. Currently it can be the freight center of Australasia, with 21 freight solutions arriving and departing as a result every week.

Several airlines fly to and from SELF PACK SHIPPING the three airports of Melbourne, linking it to another six continents. Primary routes are available from some Heart Western and Asian nations that take you to the distant place in the Southern Hemisphere. For people planning traveling to Melbourne from India, here's some information that will help in arranging their journey.

Airline Companies

Significantly more than 200 airlines operate India to Melbourne journey every day. The most popular names one of them are Air India, Emirates and Etihad, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines along with other private flights. Nevertheless, the sole primary journey to the town is offered by Air India that departs from New Delhi. Many other connecting routes are also available from the major international airports like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Guwahati and Vishakhapatnam. These routes produce a halt at two or more stops, which the main stoppages are Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and China. Offering quality solutions onboard, they demand different prices for passes and duration of the journey. The baggage limits, extra luggage charge and other requirements also vary. Passengers can check always the baggage allowances to Melbourne for different aviation organizations, on On line Travel Agencies (OTAs), before boarding.

Booking a Flight

The length between New Delhi and Melbourne is approximately 10,199 km. Airways help that cross country to be covered within 24 hours. Tourists can check always and evaluate the values of passes and journey time of different solutions on this way on various OTAs, before booking their Melbourne flights. Several choices are readily available for cheap routes, with respect to the choice of departure station. Certain airlines also provide schemes and discounts on the charges several times annually, which can be availed by travellers on a budget trip.

Where should I obtain a Removals Estimate from?

The moment you understand what your location is moving to and an idea on timescales you ought to contact 2 - 3 trustworthy elimination organizations which have connection with offshore removals. They will question to see you and house to accomplish a detailed estimate, make sure you are prepared in advance and assure you understand just what you are taking with you, what is going into storage, what is being left etc. Because of moving and shipping costs they will need to know just what needs to be transferred, decide to try and build an stock which you may keep up to date. And don't overlook to share with your removals organization of any updates!

Things a removals organization might question;

Where are you moving and what is the completion date?

What is the entry like at your present and new home?

Will persons be moving in / out on the same appointments as you and in what timeframe?

What extra solutions do you want to need? Packing support, Packing materials, storage?

Whenever you do require quotes, make sure you inquire further all the same issues and provide them with all the same information. If you crash to do this then it will be hard to evaluate the quotes like for like.

Ask as many issues as you are able to, regardless of how small or silly. You need to find out everything! Standard issues you might want to question include;

Insurance

What insurance does the organization provide, what does including and will there be any surplus?

Experience

Enquire about past offshore removals and referrals

Are they a member of any trade associations?

What qualifications / conditions do they meet?

Logistics

When will the removals staff occur and how lots of people will it include?

How long will it decide to try pack most of the belongings

Where will items be saved while waiting for shipping / transfer?

Methods

Does the organization provide customs types and information?

Will they help you fill out the types?

What restrictions are in place for said place?

Expenses

What does the estimate include? Fees, port charges, customs etc.

Can I pack myself?

Obviously you are able to pack your self, but you will require to test a few things along with your elimination staff, such as for example;

Will that invalidate your insurance?

What effects must certanly be packed in what materials?

Might they like to test all containers for contents and supplying from the stock

Will that trigger probable issues at customs in my destination place

Never pack your individual documents such as for example; passport, visas, embassy words, chequebook, driver's permits, start records, flight passes or foreign currency.

[bharatiyamedia-blog]

S Jaishankar's appointment as overseas minister reveals Narendra Modi's mindset on belief, acumen and management

http://tinyurl.com/y2qxnqsw Narendra Modi has saved up his propensity for shock by inducting Subrahmanyam Jaishankar into the Cupboard. When the 1977 batch IFS officer took the oath on Thursday to be a part of the NDA-2’s Council of Ministers, there have been vast expectations that he can be handed the Ministry of Exterior Affairs portfolio. Extra so as a result of Sushma Swaraj, who had been dealing with the accountability throughout Modi authorities’s first time period, had expressed her need to decide out this time. Jaishankar is just not the primary profession diplomat to be appointed as Union Exterior Affairs Minister. That honour belongs to Ok Natwar Singh in UPA-I. Nevertheless, the technocrat’s lateral entry into the best degree of presidency is a daring transfer, and the explanations behind Modi’s choice are price exploring. Jaishankar, who retired in January 2018 as overseas secretary of India (serving his time period with a yr’s extension since January 2015), is extensively acknowledged as an astute thinker, a coverage wonk and an exceptionally gifted diplomat who brings area experience and years of expertise to the desk. His dealing with of the Doklam disaster in 2017, when India stared down Chinese language bullying techniques with resolve and pragmatism, acquired in depth appreciation. Good news for Indian overseas coverage. https://t.co/5929WudHE1 — Rory Medcalf (@Rory_Medcalf) May 31, 2019 A smart and well-considered selection. Wishing Dr. Jaishankar the easiest. Challenges await, however he’s well-equipped by his undoubted skilled and mental skills to deal with them with nice distinction. https://t.co/VaK9TRpPRN — Nirupama Menon Rao, निरुपमा राउ, بینظیر (@NMenonRao) May 31, 2019 His appointment makes it evident that Modi locations a premium on benefit above different concerns. The BJP alone has 303 MPs within the Decrease Home of the Parliament. Together with NDA allies, the prime minister had 353 lawmakers to select from to deal with the EAM portfolio. This can be a drawback of lots. There should have been covert pulls and pressures on Modi and his trusted basic Amit Shah to accommodate extra names. We discover, nevertheless, that the Council of Ministers contains 24 Cupboard ministers, 9 Ministers of State with unbiased cost and 24 Ministers of State. Modi has kept for himself Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Division of Atomic Vitality and Division of Area portfolios. File picture of Narendra Modi and S Jaishankar. PTI The Council of Ministers isn’t a bloated one, and it carries the imprimatur of a pacesetter who enjoys full dominance over his celebration and authorities. Modi has clarified that BJP, within the “spirit of compromise and cooperation” will take its allies alongside, however no quantity of arm-twisting may fit as JD(U) chief and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar came upon when his celebration refused to just accept one Cupboard berth and most well-liked to not be part of the federal government. It’s unlikely that Modi will bend over to offer in to his calls for. To this context — the place allotment of berths follows a distinct algorithm than a ‘please all’ coverage — now add the truth that Jaishankar, a technocrat who has no expertise in politics and isn’t a member of any political celebration, has been made a overseas minister and a member of the Cupboard Committee on Safety. This factors to Modi’s confidence in Jaishankar and conviction in his personal choice. That is near the form of management that Modi had promised, and folks had anticipated whereas handing him an unprecedented mandate. The induction of Jaishankar into the Cupboard and trusting him with a key portfolio additionally tells us one thing about Modi’s character. For that, we have to rewind a number of days to the time when he delivered a post-victory speech on the Parliament’s Central Corridor to the brand new MPs. The prime minister, whereas providing recommendation to first-time lawmakers to navigate the ability corridors of Delhi, urged them to not be entrapped in ‘coterie’ tradition and watch out in deciding on folks to speculate their belief. He suggested them to place their religion solely in folks whom they have identified for a very long time and never newly minted companions who could appear overtly pleasant. Modi’s be aware of warning for MPs was aimed primarily at degrading the coterie tradition and complex community of patronage that outline energy broking in Lutyen’s Delhi, however it additionally provides us a glimpse into the thoughts of a person who even after 5 years at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, stays obsessively suspicious of energy brokers. That is the place Jaishankar’s appointment turns into most fascinating. This can be a technocrat whom Modi clearly trusted and developed enduring religion in his skills that began when Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, had visited China throughout Jaishankar’s tenure as India’s ambassador to the nation. The bonding that developed between the 2 deepened additional when Jaishankar, throughout his stint as India’s ambassador to the US, helped “smooth the passage” for Prime Minister Modi’s go to to the nation following a decade-long visa ban. The change in trajectory of India-US relationship coincided with Jaishankar’s tenure as India’s envoy to Washington DC and he ought to get a good quantity of credit score for the upswing in bilateral relationship and shut strategic partnership between the 2 nations. Little marvel that Modi had damaged conference to nominate Jaishankar as India’s prime diplomat in 2015 by dismissing Sujatha Singh, his predecessor. Not shocking to notice once more that Jaishankar, whose time period as overseas secretary was supposed to finish in 2017, was given an yr’s extension by the Modi authorities. In response to a Livemint article, “Modi was additionally reportedly insistent that Jaishankar journey with him on virtually all his overseas journeys previous to his retirement in January 2018″. Jaishankar repaid the belief proven by not solely dealing with the Doklam disaster with élan but additionally propagating Modi’s imaginative and prescient of India as a number one energy and a supply of stability within the Indian Ocean Area. His function in stabilising India’s relationship with China, delivering on Modi’s Act East coverage via maritime safety and collaboration with nations round Indian Ocean littoral and adopting a hawkish method in the direction of Pakistan has additionally been documented. Two issues, subsequently, are clear. One, Jaishankar enjoys Modi’s belief and two, there’s a dovetailing of imaginative and prescient between the 2 in terms of shaping India’s future as a number one energy and projection of that energy in a bipolar Asia. In hindsight, this was maybe the obvious choice however one which not many had foreseen. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function() {n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)} ; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '259288058299626'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "http://connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.9&appId=1117108234997285"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); window.fbAsyncInit = function () { FB.init({appId: '1117108234997285', version: 2.4, xfbml: true}); // *** here is my code *** if (typeof facebookInit == 'function') { facebookInit(); } }; (function () { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); function facebookInit() { console.log('Found FB: Loading comments.'); FB.XFBML.parse(); } Source link

[bigyack-com]

Vietjet to Launch Three New Routes to India

Vietjet has unveiled plans to launch direct flights between Danang and New Delhi, Hanoi and Mumbai and from Saigon to Mumbai. The Danang – New Delhi and Hanoi – Mumbai routes will commence on 14 May 2020 with five flights per week and three flights per week respectively. The Saigon – Mumbai route will operate four weekly flights starting from 15 May 2020. “We are excited to continue connecting Vietnam destinations to the market of over 1.2 billion population in India after receiving positive feedback regarding our previous two direct flights that linked both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with New Delhi,” said Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thanh Son. “With just over five hours of flight time per leg, and a convenient flight schedule throughout the week, Vietjet's newest routes between Vietnam and India will create many more trade and tourism opportunities between the two countries, helping to boost the economies of both.” With the addition of the three new routes, Vietjet will become the operator with the most direct routes between the two countries, offering five direct routes from and to India. The airline currently operates the Saigon/Hanoi – New Delhi services with four weekly flights and thrice weekly, respectively. See latest Travel News, Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: Vietjet, Mumbai, Delhi. Headlines: Sustainable Inspiration from Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones in North Wales  PNG Air Orders Three ATR 42-600S Aircraft  Japan Airlines Joins Amadeus NDC Program  BBAM to Convert Three Boeing 737-800s into Freighters  John Woolley Joins The Ritz-Carlton Bali as GM  French Navy to Operate Four Airbus H160 Helicopters  British Airways Extends Suspension of Flights to Beijing and Shanghai  Air France Extends Suspension of Flights to Beijing and Shanghai  Welsh Wine from the Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard - Interview with Colin Bennett  Vietjet to Launch Three New Routes to India  WTTC's 20th Global Summit to Take Place 22-23 April in Cancun, Mexico  Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo to Open Renovated Rooms on 29 March  2019-nCoV - Arbitrary Restrictions and Blanket Travel Bans Cause Confusion  China and Mandarin Airlines Make Further Changes to Cross-Strait Services  Premier Inn to Add 735 Beds to Scotland Portfolio in 2020  Valentino Longo Wins North America's Most Imaginative Bartender Competition  Aviation: Slower But Steady Growth in 2019  Three Countries to Participate in Singapore Airshow 2020 Flying Displays  2019 Worst Year for Air Cargo Since End of Global Financial Crisis in 2009  Korean Air to Sell Land and Assets  ibis Styles Hotel Opens in Bekasi, Indonesia  Air France Takes Delivery of Airbus' 350th A350  United Airlines to Buy a Flight Training Academy  Bombardier to Double Size of Service Centre at London Biggin Hill  LA7s to Take Place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles 29 Feb - 1 Mar  Singapore Airshow 2020 Still On; SAALS Cancelled  IHG Signs 61-Key InterContinental Resort in Khao Yai, Thailand  Fusion Suites Opens in Vung Tau, Vietnam  Aeroviation Expands Flight Training in Singapore with DA-20 Simulator  CWT Appoints Nick Vournakis as MD - Global Customer Group  SEHT Aviation Donates Six SH40-10 Headsets to Aerobility  China Airlines Adds 2019-nCoV Service Information Centre to Website  Four Seasons Resort Lanai Appoints Bradley Russell as Resort Manager  Leading Yachts of the World Appoints Anthony Brisacq as CEO  Second Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo Starts Accepting Reservations  Korean Air to Launch Passenger and Cargo Flights to Budapest, Hungary  Aviation: Alliance Established to Investigate Use of Blockchain in MRO Chain  SAS Closes Sale of Beijing and Shanghai Flights Until 15 March  North Face 100 Thailand Attracts Over 4,000 Runners from 20+ Countries  Hong Kong Air Cargo Renews IOSA Registration  Swiss-Belhotel to Open Over 2,000 Rooms in 12 Hotels in Indonesia  Elena Nazarovici Joins The Sanchaya Bintan as Director of Sales  Amadeus Joins Mastercard's City Possible Network  Asia Pacific Airlines Carried 375.5m Int. Pax in 2019  Thai Airways Reduces Flights to Mainland China  Cebu Pacific Cancels All Flights to Hong Kong and Macau  Batik Air Takes Delivery of First Airbus A320neo  Fiji Beat South Africa to Win First HSBC Sydney Sevens  Maldives Rejoins Commonwealth  Korean Air Making a Difference to Orphans in Tondano, Sulawesi  Qatar Airways Becomes Official Airline of Paris Saint-Germain  Polish Air Ambulance Service Orders Two Learjet 75 Liberty Aircraft  Vietnam Airlines Makes Changes to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Flights  Football: Pictures from Ascot United FC vs Egham Town FC  Aerobility - The British Flying Charity, Interview with Mike Miller-Smith MBE  ANA and SIA Sign Joint Venture Framework Agreement  Dusit Signs First Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam  SkyWest Orders 20 Embraer E175 Jets  SAS Suspends All Shanghai and Beijing Flights  Kuala Lumpur Int. Airport Trials Single Token Journey Technology  Air Canada Suspends All Flights to Beijing and Shanghai  Korean Air Sets Up Emergency Response Team; Suspends Select China Flights  Mark Radford Joins Trenchard Aviation as VP Business Development  CWT Appoints R. Thompson as VP Global Internal Communications & Culture  Vietjet Launches Daily Flights Between Hanoi and Bali, Indonesia  WTTC Moves April's Global Summit from Puerto Rico to Mexico  Andy Flaig Joins Wyndham as Head of Development South East Asia / Pacific Rim  Air Astana Reports 2019 Net Profit Increase of 461%  NASA Orders Three Airbus H135 Helicopters  Hahn Air Simplifies Distribution of Corporate Shuttle Flights  Sydney 7s to Take Place at Bankwest Stadium on 1-2 February  Russia's Sirena Travel Signs Multi-Year Retailing Deal with ATPCO  Shell to Use Airbus H160 for Offshore Transportation  ANA to Operate International Flights Out of Haneda T2 and T3 from 29 March  CAL Group Makes Changes to Inflight Services on Taiwan-HK / Macau Routes  Philippines Suspends Visa Upon Arrival Service for Chinese Nationals  UK Visitor Arrivals Spending Up 19% in October 2019  Todd Probert Joins CAE as Group President, Defence & Security  Six Senses Appoints Mark Sands as Vice President of Wellness  Air France and Sata Azores Airlines Start Codesharing  Norwegian Implements New Hand Baggage Policy  AirAsia X Launches KL - Taipei - Okinawa Flights  First Boeing 777-9 Begins Flight Tests  Accor Commits to Global Elimination of Single-Use Plastics by 2022  Etihad Receives EASA Approval to Train Boeing 777, 787 Pilots  Jeane Lim Appointed GM of Grand Park City Hall Hotel in Singapore  Whitbread Opens First hub by Premier Inn Hotel Outside of London's Zone 1  Delta Enhances Travel Experience for Pets  All Blacks Sevens Make History in Hamilton  Air Canada Becomes Official Airline of Cirque du Soleil  Pictures from Ascot United vs Hanworth Villa  SHOW DC Hall to Give Bangkok's MICE Industry a Significant Boost  IHG Signs First voco Hotel in New Zealand  OYO Signs Global Distribution Agreement with Sabre  Hong Kong Cancels Chinese New Year Carnival  NAC Orders 20 Airbus A220 Aircraft  IHG to Launch Customer Insights Portal for Large Enterprises  Cathay Pacific Reports December 2019 Traffic  Duetto Appoints David Woolenberg as CEO  Phuket to Host Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) 2020 in June  Sabre and Accor to Create Unified Technology Platform for Hospitality Industry  Groupe Couleur to Manage RWC 2023 Official Travel Agent Selection Process  Two Senior Global Marketing Appointments at IHG  ANA Begins Autonomous Electric Bus Trial at Haneda Airport  China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines Cancel Flights to Wuhan, China  Rosa Wong Joins Hotel Alexandra HK as Director of Event Management  Four Seasons Madrid Now Accepting Reservations  UK Military Flight Training System Orders 4 More H145 Helicopters  Sabre Forges 10-Year Partnership with Google  Accor Expands Pullman Brand to Rotorua, New Zealand  Korean Air Reveals More Details of New SkyPass FFP  Airbus to Produce A321 Aircraft in Toulouse, France  Cornelia Mitlmeier Joins Four Seasons Dubai as Resort Manager  Hotel Alexandra Appoints Daniel Chan as Executive Chef  SITAOnAir Acquires GTD Air Services  Boeing Hoping for 737 MAX Ungrounding in Mid-2020  1.5 Billion Int. Tourist Arrivals in 2019; UNWTO Forecasts 4% Increase in 2020  Hong Kong Airport Handled 71.5 Million Passengers in 2019  Ascott Opens First Citadines in Osaka, Japan  Thai Airways Appoints New Chairman  Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit to Take Place 9-10 Feb  PATA Forecasts Over 971 Million Int. Visitor Arrivals into Asia Pacific by 2024  Green Light for Garmin G5000 Avionics Upgrade on Learjet Aircraft  Four Seasons Silicon Valley Installs High-Tech AI Gym in Select Rooms  Assistance Requests for Airline Pax with Intellectual Disabilities up 762%  Accor Opens Mercure Resort in Vung Tau, Vietnam  Vietjet Launches Flights Between Dalat and Seoul  FlyArystan Reports First Year Load Factor of 94%  Amadeus Looks at How Technology Will Shape Airports of the Future  CALC Signs Purchase Agreement for 40 A321neo Aircraft  Daniele Polito Joins Four Seasons Seoul as Boccalino's Chef de Cuisine  Charlotte Svensson to Join SAS as EVP and CIO  Airbus Helicopters Appoints Head of External Communications  Ascot: Pictures from Matchbook Clarence House Chase and Raceday 2020  Mövenpick Resort Opens in Cam Ranh, Vietnam  Sky Bridge Delivered to Final Position at HKIA  Airbus Performs First Fully Automatic Vision-Based Take-Off  Manchester Signs Tourism Collaboration Agreement with New York City  CWT Appoints Scott Hace as Vice President - Enterprise Strategy  United to Launch CRJ550 Shuttle Service Between Washington and New York  Perth Airport to Upgrade T1's Aerobridges  Thomas Krooswijk Appointed GM of Four Seasons Marrakech  American Appoints Brian Znotins as VP of Network and Schedule Planning  Pools - World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Chile 15-16 February  British Airways to Refresh First and Club Lounges at Chicago O'Hare Airport  Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways Expand Codeshare  Onyx Signs Second Amari Hotel in China  Air Canada's First Airbus A220-300 Enters Commercial Service  Hyatt Signs Regency Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Bangkok to Host 30th Global Summit of Women in April  One Championship Appoints Jonathan Anastas as CMO  IHG Signs Deal for 1,200+ Rooms in Thailand; First Hotel in Chiang Mai  HK's Airport Authority Appoints Ricky Leung as Executive Director  Trenchard Makes Donation to Aerobility - The British Flying Charity  Chu Yuet Hung Joins Four Seasons Hangzhou as Director of F&B  Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Down 14.2% in 2019  Hotel Ritz Madrid to be Rebranded by Mandarin Oriental  Sabre Appoints Karl Peterson as Chairman  Muralilal Armugum Joins Aloft KL Sentral as Director of F&B  Traxof to Automate Talent Acquisition of Airbus' IM Organisations  Vie Hotel Bangkok Selects Organika Products for Renovated Spa  Europ Assistance Opens Office in Bangkok, Thailand  Gulf Air Partners Etihad Guest  Team GB Selects British Airways as Official Airline for Tokyo 2020  Emirates Targets Chinese Travellers with Trip.com MOU  Thailand: Did Strength of Thai Baht Affect Number of Arrivals from UK in 2019?  What Does TAT Have Planned for Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) 2020? Exclusive Interview  Seaplanes in Thailand? Interview with Dennis Keller, CBO of Siam Seaplane  Future of Airline Distribution and NDC - Interview with Yanik Hoyles, IATA  Cambodia Airways Interview with Lucian Hsing, Commercial Director  HD Videos and Interviews  Podcasts from HD Video Interviews  Travel Trade Shows in 2019, 2020 and 2021  High-Res Picture Galleries  Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News  Read the full article

#0interesttravelcreditcards #0travelcards #0travelmoney #0traveltrain #1travel2000 #1travelinsurance #2travel2egypt #2traveldialindicator #2travelindicator #2travelinsurancepolicies #2traveltogether #2travelersgarrettsville #2travelingangelsstory #3countiestravelnews #3newstravel #3travelbloggers #3travelcreditcard #3travelsim #3travelsimcard #3travelsimeurope #3travelswagger #3travelerscardtrick #3travelersregisteratahotel #3travelingsalesmanriddle #3travellingabroad #4traveldethleffs #4travelfriends #4travelgolf #4travelinsurance #4travelmotivators

[aminalatif]

India raises protectionism issue at G-20

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of an escalating global trade war, India has flagged concerns linked to protectionism at the G-20, the group of the world’s 20 largest economies, and stressed on the importance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the forum to resolve disputes amid attempts by the US to weaken the multilateral agency.

The demands are at the core of the seven issues flagged by India at a recent meeting of Sherpas, which has started work on putting in place a declaration for the leaders’ meeting late next month, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During the meeting, India’s Sherpa, Shaktikanta Das, has flagged India’s stand on resolving trade disputes at the WTO, where the US has refused to back appointments for an appellate body. At WTO, all decisions are taken through consensus — with dissent by even one of the over 160 members resulting in a stalemate.

Even before Donald Trump took over as president, the US has repeatedly sought to weaken the Geneva-based body and has blocked continuation of talks on issues of interest to developing countries, such as reduction of subsidies by rich nations and making visa rules easier for professionals. The US has instead sought to push a new agenda to include e-commerce and other aspects.

Das, however, told G-20 that reforms of the WTO should not be confined to current issues and members needed to go back and see how earlier commitments had been fulfilled.

“The role of multilateralism has to be re-emphasised,” said an officer, pointing to the meeting of the leaders.

India has also made it clear that there should be no attempt for a dialogue on a global value chain for the farm sector at G-20 as the issue was best left to the WTO.

At the same time, the sherpas discussed the need for global currency and monetary stability with India demanding that monetary policy actions should be calibrated and its impact on others, especially the emerging markets such as India and China, assessed.

The post India raises protectionism issue at G-20 appeared first on Watch Online Pakistani Dramas.

from Watch Online Pakistani Dramas https://ift.tt/2y85HDZ via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Watch Online Pakistani Dramas