Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Feb 4, 2012, 6:55 pm
One of the most memorable experiences that I had in Montreal wasn't the Jazz Fest (sorry Cubano) or the impressive art and foodie scenes. I was actually blown away by "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From The Sidewalk to the Catwalk" at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.  I expected to spe...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 20, 2012, 10:41 pm
The sheer force of passion and pain that pushed through Etta James' voice transcended genres, eras and cultures. She was known as a singer's singer who could sing rock, r&b, blues and jazz with equal ease but Etta earned the title of blues diva long before the term became popular.  She believed in ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 12, 2012, 5:36 pm
Montreal is an art-loving city. That's part of the European flavor of this town. Museums, art galleries and public art fill every block. But Montreal also hosts lots of theater, fashion, concerts and fashion so you almost need a separate visit just to view the art. Rushing about from place to place,...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 5, 2012, 12:56 pm
It's the new year and I can't think of a better place to kick it off than Peru.  The country that invented ceviche holds a special place in my heart but I quickly discovered other Peruvian dishes to love as well. Stepping into the steaming South American heat is a welcome relief to Chicago winter w...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Dec 23, 2011, 6:58 pm
May the season bring you joy, peace and the warmth of family and friends. If you're really special  (and have some canned mackerel lying around) you might just be granted a visit from Fufu, the Christmas Cat.
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Dec 17, 2011, 11:26 pm
Cesaria Evora evoked the longing and melancholy of Cape Verde's morna like no other singer. The island nation of Cape Verde is located miles from the West African coast and centuries of isolation and frequent emigration by the small population helped develop the national music of yearning called ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Dec 9, 2011, 7:33 pm
Sunset is my favorite time of day. I love the drama of the changing sky and the pretty colors that spread across it. Of course, the best sunsets are always over water so I've compiled some of the most memorable sunsets of my island travels. My all time favorite is this stunning sunset over Hilton He...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Nov 29, 2011, 5:37 pm
I'm a huge music fan so although I don't follow them every week, I can never resist even scholocky music reality shows like X-Factor. But I was totally thrown off guard last week not by the music but by front runner Melanie Amaro's accent. After two months in the competition, intense emotions final...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Nov 19, 2011, 5:54 pm
Montreal is a true foodie destination, you won't be able to take more than a few steps without spotting a chic cafe, gourmet restaurant or specialty food shop. This vibrant city entices with lots of flavors and dishes but my most memorable sensory experience was at the legendary Jean Talon Market. L...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Nov 8, 2011, 11:07 am
It's November. Which translates as cold in Chicago, which means the imminent arrival of snow, wind and misery. So how do I cope?  At the beach, of course. I traveled to Nassau over the weekend and spent hours at the beach soaking up the sun and sea as fortification for six months of freezing te...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Oct 27, 2011, 7:59 pm
Kaua'i is an island that boasts several taste highlights that are a must for any visitor. You must try Hanalei poi, you must nibble a Pukka Dog and you must sample shave ice.  Now JoJo's is the place that will usually top shave ice lists or maybe Halo Halo but I didn't get a chance to go to either....
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Oct 15, 2011, 10:48 am
Kaua'i is a topographically diverse island filled with gorgeous canyons, lovely beaches and sweeping mountains. You have to experience all of these aspects to really get the complete picture of Kaua'i and one of the most adventurous options is to go mountain tubing. I love mountains and I love be...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Oct 7, 2011, 10:16 am
In Kaua'i hula, like all aspects of traditional Hawaiian culture, is taken very seriously.  It's not about pretty costumes and elegant moves but about the meaning and purpose behind them. The colors, patterns and style of a dancer's adornments all reflect an aspect of their background and training....
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Sep 27, 2011, 7:13 pm
Being fly translates into any language. It doesn't matter if you rock an edgy salwar kameez in Mumbai or a hot samba skirt in Sao Paulo, fly is fly.  And right now I'm fly in Korean because my current fave t-shirt showcases a cool chick with a Korean phrase, above. Besides the vivid cornflower blu...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Sep 21, 2011, 2:52 pm
It's that time again. No matter that the sun is still shining in Chicago and the temps haven't dipped to their customarily frigid levels, it's the season to travel to one of my favorite islands. There are very few places that can match Jamaica's stunning beauty but what I love most of all is the isl...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Sep 8, 2011, 6:29 pm
Last week, the world lost a wonderfully illuminating spirit and the last living link to the Delta blues. David "Honeyboy" Edwards was a legendary musician and beloved Chicago blues icon. There ... can get slow, but it ain’t going nowhere. You play a low-down dirty shame slow and lonesome, my mama...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Aug 30, 2011, 2:09 pm
The first time I glimpsed the dots bubbling underneath the ocean on the left, I thought I was hallucinating. I had sailed a jerky, sun-scorching hour to get to the whale shark reserve of Isla Contoy on the Yucatan Peninsula and needless to say, I wasn't in the best mental state.  The dreaded sea-se...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Aug 21, 2011, 9:21 pm
I love the sun. It's no coincidence that much of my traveling takes place in climates where the sun blazes nonstop. Nothing encourages exploration and adventure quite like a sunny day, as long as you're equipped to handle it. Besides sunscreen and sun glasses, I always pack sun hats for any tropic...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Aug 10, 2011, 8:01 pm
You can't go many places in Canada and not be greeted with a reference from the classic children's book,  set in Canada's Prince Edward Island, Anne of Green Gables.  But I was surprised and delighted to spot bottles of  raspberry cordial at Montreal's Jean-Talon Market. In a pivotal scene in t...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Aug 4, 2011, 5:22 pm
Montreal is a city that vibrates with quirkiness. You'll see evidence of this everywhere from the edgy public art to the funky fashion. I'll have posts on both of those things but another quirky example that really struck me was the prevalence of circus arts. I know that this is the city that birthe...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jul 29, 2011, 11:15 am
Topping 764 feet, Montreal's Mount Royal is the highest point in the city and the best place to grab panoramic views of the city.  Bikers, hikers and walkers fill the trails, as this is one of the most popular green spaces in Montreal. The mountain is surrounded by a lovely park landscaped by Frede...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jul 25, 2011, 9:55 pm
The spirit of Montreal  is vibrant and eclectic. It grabs you immediately and inspires you to explore this lovely and complex city. Although Montreal hosts scads of festivals, the one that truly embodies its free-spirited vibe is the Mount Royal Tam Tam Festival or Les Tam Tams Du Mount Royal. Tam ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jul 19, 2011, 10:27 pm
It's been awhile since I updated my blog because I'm afraid all of Montreal's joie de vivre wore me out!  Actually it was  the back to back trips three weeks in a row but now I'm back. I have lots of images and experiences rummaging around in my mind and one of the most memorable was sampling p...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jun 30, 2011, 1:00 pm
I know I just got back from Mexico and I haven't blogged the details about my whale shark adventure yet but it's coming. In the meantime, I'm off to Montreal to cover the world's largest jazz festival as well as dive into the European charm of this Canadian city. I'll be checking out the Montreal Mu...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jun 28, 2011, 6:42 pm
(Warning: do not read on an empty stomach.) Mexico's regional cuisine offers a rich and varied tasting experience, it goes way beyond tacos and Margaritas.  One focus of my visit to Playa Mujeres was to document the traditional foods and Villa Del Palmar supplied lots of examples.  The state o...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jun 21, 2011, 7:20 pm
I love the vibrancy of Mexican culture and whenever I visit, I always find a favorite spot to chill out and observe. Typically, it's a local cafe or a bench at a sprawling market. This time, thanks to the beauty of Playa Mujeres and the hospitality of Villa Del Palmar, my hang out was the bed above....
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jun 14, 2011, 2:39 pm
This week I'll be exploring the pristine sands of Playa Mujeres, Mexico, courtesy of a media trip sponsored by Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort. I've visited this region of the Yucatan Peninsula many times before but I'm excited about trying a new adventure--swimming with whale sharks!  Look for ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jun 9, 2011, 1:54 pm
Kaua'i is filled with so much history and culture that it can feel overwhelming. If you can look past the stunning vistas and awesome natural wonders, you'll discover the rich heritage of the Hawaiian people. With 10 miles and 5 million years of history, I knew that hiking the Koloa Heritage Trail w...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - May 31, 2011, 3:01 pm
As a born and raised Chicagoan, I’m pretty persnickety about what passes for essential Chicago tourism. Yes, the Magnificent Mile is pretty but  this glitzy stretch crammed with designer shops really doesn’t define the Windy City or its sensibilities.  So I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 th...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - May 24, 2011, 1:33 pm
Purple has always been my favorite color. To me, everything looks and tastes better when it's purple. So I was thrilled to discover that two Hawaiian staples glow with  a lovely violet hue. Poi, or mashed taro root, plays a major part in any truly Hawaiian meal but the Hawaiian sweet potato, called...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - May 12, 2011, 10:41 am
I was greeted with a variety of expressions when I visited Kaua'i. Besides the famous Aloha, which claims many layers of meaning, from hello to love, I learned that Hawaiians pour a lot of thought into saying hello. It's all about the Aloha spirit, which literally translates to sharing breath and be...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - May 5, 2011, 7:56 pm
The essential element that really attracted me to Kaua'i was its history and culture. Not the legendary beauty. Not the cliffs and canyon.  As the oldest of Hawaii's islands, Kaua'i cradles the ancient legacy of Hawaiian culture and traditions and I felt compelled to discover it.  The annual Pri...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Apr 23, 2011, 1:21 pm
You can not visit Hawaii and not sample traditional foods like Kalua pig and poi.  Food holds a significant place in Hawaiian culture and if you haven't tasted any traditional dishes, then you haven't really been to Hawaii.  All luaus or feasts, will supply lots of both of these staples. At the Ka...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Apr 13, 2011, 6:59 pm
There are a lot of things that you'll find all over Kaua'i. Rust-colored dirt, the  friendly spirit of Aloha and chickens. Chickens prance around the island like they own it and I guess when you consider their numbers and the centuries they have roamed the island, they sort of do. The scientific na...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Apr 8, 2011, 10:49 am
Just as you can't journey to New York and not sample a hot dog from a street vendor, you can't possibly visit Kauai and not eat a Puka Dog. It's a requirement. A Puka Dog is a Hawaiian style hot dog and trust me, it doesn't look or taste like any hot dog you've had before. It's a  grilled Polish sa...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Apr 4, 2011, 6:53 pm
I'm back and I'm overwhelmed. My experiences in Kauai has altered me on so many levels that I didn't know where to begin with my posts. It has  actually taken me a weeks just to mentally shift back from Kauai and more days to decide what would be my first account. In a week of cultural exploration ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Mar 17, 2011, 4:40 pm
The red dirt of Kaua'i's gorgeous coastline will be clinging to my feet as I explore the culture and history of Hawaii's oldest island, courtesy of the Kaua'i Visitor's Bureau.  I'll be covering the Prince Kuhio Cultural Celebration, a week-long festival in honor of Hawaii's most beloved monarch, w...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Mar 10, 2011, 7:27 pm
The term "Geek Chic" certainly doesn't sound appealing to me but it's the category that the creative folks at Blend Creations use to describe this hot necklace.  What's cooler than your own twitter  handle necklace? Not much.  When I saw the tweets about this piece, I immediately ordered one. I'l...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Mar 4, 2011, 7:23 pm
Visiting Puerto Rico is always exciting but this time we had an unexpected dose of excitement. The day we were scheduled to leave, Hurricane Earl arrived with gusting winds and a vicious downpour.  I've experienced many tornadoes but never a hurricane so I was a little dumbstruck. What exactly do ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Feb 27, 2011, 5:45 pm
The original inhabitants of the Caribbean region of North America were the Arawak, Taino and Carib  native peoples.  The Tainos are a subgroup of the Arawaks and are recognized as the founders of the island of Boriken or Puerto Rico.  These were the people who offered a peaceful welcome to Columb...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Feb 17, 2011, 11:02 am
The Tainos were the original inhabitants of Puerto Rico and vestiges of their culture still linger in food, music and names. We hopped on the ferry, Taino Danser, to ride over to the private Palomino Island, owned by El Conquistador Resort. The 8-minute ferry ride offers glimpses of nearby Vieques...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Feb 12, 2011, 2:55 pm
Of all of natures wonders, rain forests remain one of my favorites. I love being surrounded by lush greenery and vivid tropical flowers. It's like wading through the Garden of Eden.  So I was excited to hike though El Yunque rain forest in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. We started at the Yokahu Tower observ...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Feb 6, 2011, 9:00 pm
Today would be Bob Marley's 66th birthday. This freedom fighter, poet, musician and mystic continues to influence and encourage so many people, in so many ways, that he technically still lives. The video above is for Redemption Song, Bob's analysis of power and peace. It's my favorite Marley song,...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 31, 2011, 7:35 pm
Continuing with my bird theme, because you know, frigid January temps and piles of snow just make me think of birds. We observed this crafty critter while we were on vacation in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Notice how he just perches non-chalantly on the creamer's tip. I think he was actually whistling a p...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 27, 2011, 11:38 pm
My best friend Sheila the Bajan Beach Bunny, travels to Barbados frequently. I have been pushing for her to get a nice oceanfront house so that we can all ditch Chicago and live in the Barbados sunshine but until that happens, she unselfishly supplies me with many tales of laid back Bajan life. A fa...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 23, 2011, 1:07 pm
This is a historic Chicago weekend.  For the first time since 1941, the Chicago Bears will play the Green Bay Packers in the NFL playoffs. Although I'm not really a sports fan, as a Chicagoan I feel intense allegiance to our teams. Does that mean I'll be at Soldier Field watching the Monsters of th...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 4, 2011, 5:23 pm
There's nothing like seeing a place through the eyes of locals. It's like exploring someone elses's home; only they know the special spots and unusual spaces. That's exactly how I felt on Greg's Safari tour of St. Kitts. A fifth generation Kittitian, Greg revealed the nuances and details of the isla...
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Rosalind C. posted an article on Farsighted Fly Girl - Jan 1, 2011, 1:33 pm
It's New Year's Day and for a girl  like me, raised on the Southside of  Chicago with Creole heritage, that  basically means one thing: a heaping meal of black-eyed peas, greens (collards, turnips, mustard) and corn bread. Now gumbo usually accompanied these dishes when I was a child but that'...
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