Tips For Writing a Travelogue By Payal Sinha Travel writing is quite a popular genre.

People take the help of the travelogues to know about a particular place before deciding to visit it. Travel writing generally gives detailed information about the attractions of a place so that people get tempted to go there on their vacations. Hence, writers involved in travel writing should follow some specific rules to make their travelogues more appealing and interesting to the readers. Research about the Place Before writing about a particular destination make a thorough research of it. If you are able to go to the place then it gives you a first hand experience about it. You could find for yourself what the place is all about. You could even ask the local people about its legends and other information related to that place. You could tour all over the place and find out for yourself all its hidden secrets that would attract a tourist bent on having fun. Hence, you could build up quite a reliable picture in your travelogue. But, if you live quite far away from the place in question, then you must rely on other resources. First and foremost you should look up all the available information related to the place. You could look up books available in the library or you could serf the net. If you find some pictures of it then it could also help you a lot in your write ups as it would give you a clearer idea about the looks of the place. So, one must always do a thorough research and present a complete knowledgeable database for the readers. Give a Photographic Description Writers are artists. They present a picture through their words. Hence, show your artistic talent here by describing the place in such a complete manner that the reader actually visualizes it. Spin a beautiful picture so as to make the reader want to visit that place. If you could get a picture of it then you can take its help to give an apt description. So, giving a photographic description will make your travelogue that much more appealing. Highlight the Various Attractions In travel writing highlighting the various attractions is of paramount importance. The first thing that attracts a person to a particular place is its various appeals. A place may be very beautiful in its scenic beauty but until and unless it doesn't give us any other attractions in the way of sports or any other thing, few people will be tempted to visit it. So, include in your travelogue all the available attractions of that place so as to lure maximum number of visitors to it. Mention the Ways and Means to Reach the Destination You have done your job of enticing the reader to visit the place with your travel writing. But, if the reader does not get the adequate information regarding the ways and means of reaching that destination then s/he may drop the plan to visit it altogether. Therefore, always try to include the various means by which one can easily reach the place. You could give the information regarding the airline details, train details, or any other detail that you deem necessary. Name a Few Good Hotels Once a person reaches her/his destination then s/he may have trouble locating all the good hotels in that place. So, you could help your readers out of their bewilderment by naming a few good hotels for their benefit. And while you are naming the hotels then make sure that you choose hotels for all the economic classes. Hence, you could mention some star hotels for the rich and the powerful. Good hotels for the middle class segment. And some cheap lodgings for the lower middle class people. Thus, your travelogue would help people from all segments of the society and will be greatly popular in its effect. Mention Some Out of the Way Tourist Attraction To give your travelogue that specific edge you should try to include some out of the way tourist attractions. These tourist attractions could be anything from a visit to the local winery or some bargain or elusive items sold at the local market. So, do your homework properly if you want to excel in travel writing. Give Some Cultural Background Giving some cultural background of the place makes your travelogue richer in its content. People like to know the background and culture of a place they are planning to visit. It gives them a distinctive idea of what to expect from that place. It also helps them in their choice of clothes, accessories, etc. So, do remember to include this little bit of information in your travel writing. Mention Some Dos and Don'ts of the Place And lastly mention some dos and don'ts of the place so that a person does not make a cultural mistake there. Say a person is planning to visit the Middle East. Then s/he should wear very decent clothes and reserve all the affectionate behavior for the private. Again people should avoid asking for beef in a Hindu country like India or pork in a Muslim country. Hence, knowing the dos and don'ts of a particular place makes a person abide by all her/his etiquettes while fully enjoying the sights and sounds of that place. We hope that you will benefit from these tips and become a good travel writer yourself. Friday Van leaves Blessey at 6:30 Friday morning. (So be here earlier.) Take I-10 East out of New Orleans. Continue on for ~140 miles.

Plan to stop at the Alabama Welcome Center. Here we will look at the geological map of Alabama. In Mobile take exit 20, merge onto I-65 North toward Montgomery, Ala. Continue on for ~173 miles. In Montgomery, go past the I-85 interchange while staying on I-65 North. Take North Blvd (152) east for several miles to US-231. Follow US-231 North for about 10 miles to Wetumpka. Wetumpka - Stop 1: As we come into Wetumpka, look for the intersection with Breezehill St. Turn right and then immediately turn left onto Wilson Street, which parallels US-231. Travel N past Emerson Street and watch for a CVS pharmacy on the right. Look for new outcrops behind these businesses. Here we will familiarize ourselves with metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont geological province and, noting the topography to the east, discuss why the metamorphic foliation here is oriented the way it is. (Our lunch stop is at the north end of Wetumpka, past 170 on left - Hog Rock BBQ.) From Wetumpka to Elkahatchee Creek - Stop 2: Several miles north of Wetumpka, state highway AL-9 forks right off of US-231. Take AL-9 North to the right. Continue on for ~30 miles. Look for the intersection with AL-22. At this intersection take AL-22 to the right and travel east for approximately 7 miles, watching for road 259. Take sharp right onto 259 (Fish Pond Rd) and proceed south for approximately 1/2 mile; turn left just before bridge. Here well meet a representative of Russell Lands Co. (property owner). Walk (or drive?) approximately 100 meters down the road to the exposure of Elkahatchee quartz diorite. Return to 22 and drive NE 2 miles to Alexander City. Upon entering Alexander City area, a left at the first major intersection (280 & 22) will take us to a Wal-Mart on the right. Here we will, as quickly as possible, shop for food and supplies. To Cheaha State Park: Take 22 East/North for ~13 miles. Take 49 North to 281 and follow signs to Cheaha State Park. Check in at "The Country Store" if before 5 pm; if after 5 pm, go on to either the primitive site (down hill past main park entrance) or to the semi-primitive site (if gate is closed, wait for security and follow loop past lookout tower to semi-primitive area on left). Saturday To Pyriton/High Fall Branch - Stop 3: Back track to 49 South and turn right onto 31 at sign to High Fall Branch trailhead; stay to right (onto road 12). Go through Pyriton and turn right and proceed to parking area. This is the site for the field mapping exercise. After completing the field exercise Saturday, we will return to Cheaha campsite if ~4:00-5:00, or make another stop in the Pyriton area if time permits. [Alternate Shorter Route CLOSED? - Exit the state park through the main entrance and turn right onto 281 South (towards Talladega). Follow 281 until it dead ends at Adams Gap Trail Head. Turn left onto dirt/later paved road and follow to stop sign. Turn left. Look for High Fall Trail Head on the left. Turn left and travel up the road to a parking area (~300-400 m).] Optional Stops Backtrack to the Pyriton vicinity and look for Highland Rd, which crosses the railroad tracks; follow any dirt tracks west. In his area of low topo, the Hillabee meta-greenstones are poorly exposed. This was once an area of active sulfide mining, including Fe, Cu, Zn etc, in stratabound deposits. Look for old spoil pits etc. -Or an easier stop on the way back is to return to Cheaha, but go past the main entrance and enter via the road to the lake & lower campgrounds Erin phyllite outcrops along the road next to the lake. Sunday After showers (optional), breakfast and packing up camp, we will travel via AL-49 South to AL-9. To Stop 4:

In Lineville take AL-9 south. Travel south for approximately 14 miles until reaching the community of Millerville. At Millerville, bear to the right to take AL-148 west toward Sylacauga. Continue west on AL-148 for approximately 9 miles to the top of a ridge (Bull Gap). To the right and left will be an exposure of the Cheaha quartzite and further along outcrops of Erin slate. To Lay Dam - Stop 5: From Bull Gap continue west on AL-148 for approximately 11 miles to Sylacauga. From here, take 21 South for 5 miles to Stewartville. In Stewartville, take county road 41 west (right), then bear left toward Weogufka. North of Weogufka, 41 will become 29; follow to stop sign in Weogufka and turn right towards Unity. At stop sign, turn left and take county road 55 to Lay Dam at Coosa River. Phyllites of the Lay Dam formation outcrop west of the river, along 55 just south of the dam. To Mitchell Dam - Stop 6: From Lay Dam, continue west on county road 55 to a T-intersection; turn left and follow road to next T and turn left onto AL-145 South, then a short way to I-65 South. Travel 7 miles south on I-65 to exit 205; follow US-31 South to Cooper, then just south of Cooper look for AL-22. Travel east for a few miles to Mitchell Dam.

On the west side of the river on AL-22 there is an old quarry and outcrop of the Mitchell Dam amphibolite. A better outcrop is on the east side of the river, where 22 cuts through a roadcut; park down the road on the right.

To Jordan Dam - Stop 7:

Continue east on AL-22, turn right onto 27; follow this south to 21; this will become 231; just as 231 becomes a 4-lane highway, there is a right turn to Jordan Dam. Follow this road, bear left and eventually turn left onto the dirt road for "downstream river access"; at the base of the hill, stay left through the hair-pin turn that leads to a parking area. Mylonitic gneiss outcrops here below the dam; garnetiferous schists are weathered to saprolite in the hillside. This is also our lunch stop.

Return to I-65 South via US 231 south to North Blvd; Estimated arrival time @ campus is 8:00 pm (or later if we stop for dinner). Please help unload and clean the van.

___________________________________________________________________________________ February 13, 2010. Bagets composed of (from left to right) Bryan, Mackey, Awin, DJ and TH went to Manila to have a day off. We went to a children mode and acted as students as if we are having a field trip. We arrived at LRT Buendia Terminal and had our lunch at KFC. Our first stop was at Star City. We arrived there at around 12:00NN but to the surprise of the noobish promdis, Star City opens at 2:00 PM. The group decided to stay at the Mall of Asia. As we are killing some time at the mall, we met Gibo Teodoro, a Philippine presidentiable. In the photo: Awin with Gibo and TH, Bry and DJ at the background. We treated ourselves in a fine-dining ice cream hub Sebastians. As far as I could remember, its DJs treat. Soon after were done eating, the group rolled out to Star City. It seemed that we were really not so lucky that day as the venue is full of real bagets having a real field trip. You just cant drop a needle that day! We got a hold of ourselves unlimited rides ticket but the line was so sick. Its way too long and we cannot afford to wait since we were budgeting our time. To conclude our stay at Star City, armed with our thick faces, we recorded an MTV album! There is a booth there in which the by-passers can see your MTV live. We had some group numbers and solos. This is the song line up: Seasons in the Sun, Wherever you Will Go, More than Words and Your Love.

After having the album with us and after watching it, all I can say is It rocks! and at the same time, sucks! Realizing that many people are passing by while we are recording our album. LOL! A promised treat was set to come true that night. DJ led the group to Greenhills Shopping Center to treat us in a fine dining restaurant. The group chose Penang, a Malaysian Restaurant. We were so spoiled and we ate as to what our tummies could take! Thanks DJ for the treat, Awin for the laughs, TH for the great finds and Bry for joining the fun! I would also like to thank myself LOL Join Karen Davila this Saturday (October 3) on Wonder Mom, as she tells the story of Rhea Guevarra, a first-time mom who almost lost her life when she had to give birth to her child in the middle of storm Ondoy at Kingsville, barangay Mayamot, Antipolo. Karen will also unveil stories of women who survived and have painful experiences about Ondoy. She will also relate stories of other Filipinos who have shown compassion to victims by being part of relief operations such as the Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN and the efforts of non-government organizations. Watch different stories of survival, bayanihan and heroism this Saturday (October 3) on Wonder Mom, 9:45 AM, on ABS-CBN.

Typhoon Ondoy started with strong rainfalls night on September 25 2009. Many under-estimated its strength. Unexpectedly, downpours began that may compare to a month rainfalls. Many were stranded along the way but what the saddest happening when missing persons and death arises. Personal Story: We were about to rescue some of our friends In Timog area of Quezon City when we were being trapped by the floodway along the Philcoa area to Quezon City Circle. The water went up till I could walk no more..We decided to go back but there were no means of transportation but to walk. But on the way back home, cars were already driven away by the flood and people were screaming to be rescrued..We were just lucky that our area was little higher so we could go home safe. When we turned on the TV to watch news, it was announced and aired that affected areas are : COMMONWEALTH VILL., OLD BALARA, FILINVEST I & II, VISTA REAL, BATASAN HILLS, MAPAYAPA I,II,III and its neighboring Villages,... AFFECTED AREAS : Quezon City, Taytay Rizal, Marikina City, Ortigas Extension, Pasig City, San Jose Del Monte, Montalban Rizal and more in the provincial areas of Luzon. A lot of people died and some are still missing. Many homes have gone wasted. Reports that missing people tried to escape the flooded area but were trapped in the middle of the sea like flood in the vicinity of Marikina and Rizal.. The Government tried sending rescues but were also trapped by the bumper to bumper traffic. It was flooded along the way.. With all these, it showed that our country is not ready to face these kind of disaster due to its lack of facilities and rescuers are being outnumbered by the affected areas.

Continue reading at NowPublic.com: Typhoon "Ondoy" Attacked Manila | NowPublic News Coverage http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/typhoon-ondoy-attacked-manila#ixzz1VpNmjdtz

Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Jorge B. Vargas Museum & Filipiniana Research Center, located at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, houses the collection of art, stamps and coins, library, personal papers and memorabilia of Jorge B. Vargas which he bequeathed to the university. It is under the management of the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters. HISTORY Jorge B. Vargas (1890-1980) was the countrys first Executive Secretary, having served this position during the Commonwealth period.

On March 1, 1978, Mr. Jorge B. Vargas donated his collection of art, stamps and coins, his library, personal papers and memorabilia to his Alma Mater, the University of the Philippines.

In 1983, the University of the Philippines laid the cornerstone for a building that would house Mr. Vargas collection, originally displayed in a private museum located in the premises of his residence at the Kawilihan compound in Mandaluyong. The transfer of the objects to the Diliman campus began in 1986. The museum building was formally inaugurated by then President Corazon C. Aquino on February 22, 1987.

A center for Philippine art and culture, its main thrusts are research, exhibition and education.

COLLECTIONS The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection consists of oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, drawings, and sculptures. It enjoys the unique distinction of being the only art repository in the country embracing the entire range of Philippine artistic creativity from the 1880s to the 1960s.

Among the collection are works by late 19th century artists such as Lorenzo Guerrero, Simon Flores, Juan Luna, and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo. From a later period include paintings done in the 1930s and 1940s most notably by Fabian de la Rosa and Fernando Amorsolo. There are also artworks by Jorge Pineda, Vicente Rivera y Mir and other artists which were referred to as belonging to the Amorsolo School. The collection also boasts of modernist works such as those of Victorio Edades, Juan Aralleno, Diosdado Lorenzo, Vicente Manansala along with contemporaries who were active in the 1950s.

The Museum collection also comprises of outstanding works by women artists, recognized masters of semi-figurative art, UP graduates of the 1950s and 1960s and editorial drawings, cartoons, and caricatures. It includes sculptural pieces of Guillermo Tolentino and Graciano Nepomuceno, among other sculptors.

Through this collection, Vargas Museum aims to contribute towards the appreciation of the countrys artistic heritage and to foster an awareness of the history of Philippine art.

THE MUSEUM The building of the museum was formally inaugurated in 1987, almost nine years after Mr. Vargas bequeathed his collection to the University of the Philippines.

The multi-level architecture was designed to support the museums diverse functions. It has a bookshop and space for the museums community arts program and a caf for the museum and the universitys visitors.

The Ground Floor. This is the main access to the building. Its front lobby serves as the main reception area with stairs leading to the other levels of the structure. This floor features areas for changing exhibitions. The Lobby, hosts temporary exhibitions, lectures, meet-the-artist sessions, book launchings, poetry readings and music recitals and concerts. Another area designated for changing displays on the west side of the building is the West Wing Gallery that stretches the whole area of the western portion and also covers the back side of the building. This area is designated for major solo exhibitions or group shows of contemporary artists. The Second Floor. Visitors will find on this floor The Main Gallery of the museum where the exhibit of the permanent art collection is displayed. On occasion it hosts special exhibitions such as those touring from abroad or local collections that require ideal conditions for display. The Third Floor. This level houses the archives, library and the Vargas memorabilia. It also has an exhibition space called The North Wing Gallery where photography and mostly contemporary art are exhibited. The South Wing Gallery holds thematic exhibitions of the permanent art and archival collections. Technical and artistic support services personnel curator, researcher, specialist and staff also hold office in this level.
The Basement. This is the Vargas Museums activity center where workshops and community arts programs are held. c_rafts | Mark Salvatus FILED UNDER COMMUNITY, CRAFT, FLOOD, MANILA, MARK SALVATUS, RAFTS, SURVIVAL, TYPHOON

c_rafts Mark Salvatus 17 June 17 August 2011 GF West Wing Gallery The Jorge B. Vargas Museum presents c_rafts by Mark Salvatus. The exhibit will open on 17 June 2011, Friday, 4PM at the GF West Wing Gallery of the museum. c_rafts examines personal stories, collective memories and survival in times of calamity. Salvatus, who used to live in Espaa in the Sampaloc area, departs from his encounters and experiences of Manila floods. Focusing on the ravage of typhoon Ondoy that hit Metro Manila in 2009, it probes the ties between the public and the private, survival and threat, game and play. Rafts made out of everyday objects make the viewer re-think perceptions on fear and doubt in relation to the instinct of surviving a disaster. Through these objects, multiple layers of relations and functions are crafted and constructed, further exploring the idea of consumerism, security, urbanism and everyday politics.

Mark Salvatus (b. 1980) graduated Cum Laude from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts major in advertising. He works across disciplines and various media that deal with community, urbanism, accidental encounters and everyday cultures. Winner of the 2010 Ateneo Art Awards, he is the recipient of the residency grants from Common Room Networks Foundation, La Trobe University Visual Arts Center and the New York Art Project (Art Omi). His recent exhibitions include Stories of Dreams and Realities at Rossi & Rossi (London), Vernacular Cultures & Contemporary Art in Australia, India and the Philippines at La Trobe University Museum of Art, LUMA (Melbourne), Boat and Bridge_Net at Space Beam (Incheon) and Open House at the 3 Singapore Biennale. ART , EX HI BIT , L OBBY , M USE UM , NORT H WI NG G AL LERY (L ANDI NG ), S OUT H W I NG G AL LERY Over Rizal: Monuments to a Hero POSTED BY JORGE B. VARGAS MUSEUM  MAY 27, 2011  LEAVE A COMMENT FILED UNDER FILIPINO, JOSE RIZAL, MONUMENT, PHILIPPINES
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Over Rizal: Monuments to a Hero 17 June 2011 to August 2011 Lobby, Landing, and 3 Floor Galleries
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In commemoration of the 150 year of the birth of Dr. Jose Rizal, the UP Vargas Museum opens the exhibition Over Rizal: Monuments to a Hero on 17 June 2011, 4:00 PM, at the Lobby, Landing, and Third Floor Galleries.

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Rizal monument in Tacloban City The exhibition features the numerous monuments installed in honor of the National Hero all over the Philippines and abroad. Images from personal and institutional collections, works of contemporary artists (Denis Lagdameo, Kawayan de Guia, and Manny Migrio), film, documents and archival materials survey the various forms and styles through which Rizals image is articulated, and explores the multitude of meanings and sentiments evoked by his ubiquitous presence in public spaces as well as in the Filipinos consciousness. Coinciding with the event is the formal opening of Kris Ardeas exhibition, Enchantment of Affinities, at the 3rd Floor South Wing Gallery. Engaging in yet another dialogue exploring the complexities of the colonial encounter, Ardeas video installation uses olive oil and soy sauce as metaphors of the relationship between the colony and the empire. Illustrations and texts from the 19th century Spanish novelMisterios de Filipinas (1859) by Antonio del Canto extends the conversation to the colonizers imagination of the subjugated realm. Exhibitions run until August 2011. For more information, please contact the Vargas at 928-1927 (direct line) or 9818500 local 4024 (UP Trunkline), or send an email to vargasmuseum@gmail.com

Theres one reason to watch Rizal X of Dulaang UP. The director and choreographer is Dexter M. Santos, the same brilliant mind behind Orosman at Zafira, and who brought vitality into the Atlantis production of Spring Awakening Manila with his choreography and staging. Moreover, the cast includes some of the most exciting theater actors today such as Maita Ponce, Reuben Uy, Red Concepcion, Reb Atadero, Ynah Laurel and Bea Garcia, who can be seen in the video invite above. Rizal X will run from 20 July to 14 August 2011 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, second floor Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City from Wednesdays to Fridays at 7 pm, and at 10 am and 3 pm during weekends. From Orosman at Zafira and Isang Panaginip na Fili, Dulaang UP (University of thePhilippines) brings another musical play that will ignite the freedom loving spirit within us. In line with the 150th birthday of our National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, DUP brings Rizal X at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor of Palma Building, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City from July 20 August 14, 2011. The musical play was conceptualized, directed and choreographed by Dexter M. Santos and featured seasoned actors including Jean Judith Javier, Reuben Uy, Maita Ponce, Red Concepcion, Bea Garcia, Alchris Galura,Yanah Laurel, Reb Atadero, Natasha Cabrera and Jules Dela Paz. Rizal X is a collection of different stories that somewhat related to Rizals works and lives, presented in various media platforms and genre to make it appealing to all ages. Among the stories includes the story of Sisa as represented by three working women violated as symbolizes in Rizals Noli Me Tangere. They also shows the women that touches the life of Rizal and giving them voices to show their love to the man who talks to them in verses that won their heart and later broke it. Through the modern presentation of some scenes, Rizal X communicates to the viewers to see the irony of what is happening now compare what Rizal thought through his novels and aspirations to the future generations. Aside from the women,love and youth, Rizal X also touches on the extrajudicial and political killings, issues that concern the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), economy and jobs and many more. Giving you a new perspective about Rizal Every stories presented in Rizal X, shares a certain part of our lives; the innocent child inside us, our dreams and aspirations in life and love for nation. But of course there comes irony behind those other sides of our lives. Sometimes we remain contended on what we have and became selfish for our own happiness forgetting the fire of being makabayan and hope of the future which was told in Rizals novels. The musical play is a reminder of what we are forgetting and a bite of reality that tells us what we are doing now opposite of what we should. Catch Rizal X on July 20,21,22,27,28,29 Aug 3,4,10,11,12 at 7pm and July 23,24,30,31 Aug 13,14 at 10am and 3pm at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd Floor of Palma Building, U.P. Diliman,Quezon Cityand see the struggling Rizal inside us and let that fire of being makabayan ignite within us