May 29, 2012

Reads For The Road: Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh

by Lindsay Shapka in Book List, People, Culture

Hoping to write a compelling thesis on urban poverty, first-year graduate student Sudhir Venkatesh walked boldly into the middle of Chicago’s most notorious housing projects one afternoon determined to gain some insight.

His boldness — meant to impress his professors — instead impressed a gang leader named JT who, attracted to the idea of being written about, befriended Venkatesh giving him unprecedented access into the gang’s world.

For almost a decade, JT allowed him to observe as the gang operated their crack-selling business, evaded the law, made peace (or war) with the neighbors, and rose or fell in the gang’s complex hierarchy.

Gang Leader For A Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to The Streets gives an eye-opening view of an “outsider looking at life from the inside” (pg xvi), and tells the story of the complicated friendship that developed between two men who — though they have ambition in common — are from completely different worlds.

Quinceanera: Celebrating a Girl's Coming of Age on Her Fifteenth Birthday

by Lindsay Shapka in Culture, People, Travel

Sweat was running down the faces of the guests, dressed in their best clothes, fanning themselves with newspapers and napkins. Nobody seemed to care though, tonight was a night to celebrate.

It was Jenny’s fifteenth birthday, her Quinceanera, and we were crammed into a hot, stuffy hall in Ojo de Agua, Honduras waiting for the celebration to begin.

There were hundreds of pale pink balloons hanging from the rafters and an arch of even more balloons, and streamers hung over the doorway. Fifteen fluffy looking cakes sat on display at the front of the room, unaffected by the heat, and a DJ dressed in a brown tweed jacket (he must have been sweltering) was quietly setting up in the corner.

A hush suddenly went over the crowd and turning towards the door, I saw Jenny for the first time. She was standing under the arch on the arm of her father and was dressed in a long pink gown.

Glowing with excitement and pride, she took an enthusiastic step forward into the room.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

It was time to start the party!

What is Quinceanera?

In Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America and South America, Quinceanera is a major rite of passage for all females. Literally meaning ‘one who is fifteen’, this celebration marks the transition from childhood to women-hood.

Traditional ways to celebrate Quinceanera

Though all 15th birthday parties in these cultures will vary, there are some pretty cool traditions that, from my research, seem to happen fairly consistently.

Ceremony Of The 15 Candles
The birthday girl hands out 15 candles to the people she considers to have been the most influential in her life.
Changing Of The Shoes
The girl’s father, or a close male relative, exchanges her flat shoes for high heels to mark her transition from child to woman.
The Last Doll
Either part of a ceremony or simply on display, this doll is another symbol of the last moments of childhood.
The Dress
Traditionally the colour ‘pink’ represents purity and so the dress is usually an elaborate pink ball gown.
Makeup
This celebration was meant to be the first time that the birthday girl wore makeup (not often reality in this century).
Choreographed Dances
There are special dances, usually involving 15 people, that are performed throughout the evening. A girl’s Quinceanera was traditionally the first time that she danced in public.
Gifts
They might be in the form of religious blessings, toasts, or physical objects like tiaras, flowers, and sceptres.

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May 22, 2012

Reads For The Road: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

by Lindsay Shapka in Book List, Culture, People, Travel

If you haven't read The Alchemist yet, then you need to get yourself to a bookstore immediately, and if you have read it, then you should probably read it again. Yup, it's that good. But, not only is it that good, I find that the message you take away from the book changes depending on the stage of life you happen to find yourself in.

You might read Paulo Coelho's story and realize that you need to pack your bags and go on an adventure immediately or come to the realization that you have everything that you want right in front of you, you just hadn't realized it yet!

“…when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it”

— "The Alchemist" page 24

This enchanting story follows a shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels to the Pyramids of Egypt in search of buried treasure. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself a king, and an Alchemist who give him guidance on his journey.

What begins as a search for worldly goods, ends up turning into a meditation on the importance of listening to our hearts and the transforming power of giving in and letting destiny guide you to your dreams.

An absolute must-read.

“‘Why do you tend a flock of sheep?’

’Because I like to travel.’

The old man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at one corner of the plaza. “When he was a child, that man wanted to travel, too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

’He should have decided to become a shepherd’”

— "The Alchemist" page 24

What Does Kosher Mean?

by Lindsay Shapka in Culture, People

The word 'kosher' gets thrown around in everyday language a lot lately, but do you actually know what it means?

According to the website Judaism 101, 'kosher’ describes a set of biblical dietary restrictions.

Contrary to popular belief, though they may recite blessings over a dinner table, rabbis do not bless food to make it kosher, and the word ‘kosher’ does not describe a style of cooking.

For example, Chinese food can be kosher if it is made in accordance with Jewish law and, on the flip side, typical Jewish food like bagels can be non-kosher if prepared incorrectly.

8 general rules for eating kosher

Only animals with cloven hooves who chew their cud can be eaten (that means no camel, badger, hare, or pig burgers allowed). Aquatic animals with fins and scales are fine, but shellfish are a no-no. Birds of prey, scavengers, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects are forbidden (Indiana Jones is definitely not Jewish).
Animals must not have died from a natural death or been killed by another animal. There must be no diseases in their organs and they must be killed quickly with a deep stroke across the throat.
There is a belief in Judaism that an animal's life (aka soul) is contained in the blood, so all of it must be drained before the meat can be eaten.
You must not eat the sciatic nerve or blood-vessels surrounding it, and the fat that surrounds the vital organs is off limits.
All fruits and vegetables are kosher but not the bugs that crawl on them so they must be carefully inspected.
Meat and dairy must never be eaten together.
Dish-ware touched by dairy can never be touched by meat and vice versa.
Grape products like wine and juice, made by non-Jews are forbidden. (This rule stems back to ancient pagan religions’ use of wine in ritual).

Why are these rules in place?

The short answer? Because the Torah says so.

Apparently though, the Torah does not actually give reasons for these rules and many adherents believe that following the rules without needing reasons shows obedience to God.

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May 6, 2012

How Buddha's Birthday is Celebrated in South Korea

by Lindsay Shapka in Culture, Travel, People

The air was thick with anticipation.

A hush fell over the crowded streets as the last light slowly disappeared behind the horizon.

Suddenly, without warning, the low, deep boom of a drum echoed in the distance. As the sound grew closer, I could feel its vibrations deep in my stomach and my pulse start to race as I gave in to the crowd’s excitement.

We erupted in cheers, as the drummer rounded the corner and the dark street came alive from the glow of thousands of elaborately painted and intricately sculpted paper lanterns.

I couldn’t stop myself from joining the people beside me yelling into the jubilant air.

Lanterns, prayers, and offerings

In South Korea, Buddha’s Birthday begins with a massive night parade filled with people in traditional, colourful costumes carrying elaborate paper lanterns that light up the streets.

For the week following the parade, these lanterns cover the ceilings and exterior open spaces of Buddhist temples all over the country. Prayers and wishes are written on thin strips of paper that hang from them, swaying back and forth in the spring breeze in rhythm with the chanting monks.

The lanterns create ceilings of pink, orange, yellow, blue, and white so thick that you cannot even see the sky. Under these rainbow coloured ceilings, Koreans in stocking feet line up, waiting patiently for their turn to enter the temples so they can place offerings of food and incense in front of gold Buddha statues.

When is Buddha's birthday?

Followers of Mahayana Buddhism celebrate the birth and enlightenment of Prince Gautama Buddha (b.563BC) from the end of April to the end of May (some celebrations last a day, a week, or the whole month). This ‘original’ Buddha — literally meaning ‘awakened one’ — was the spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.

Buddha’s birthday was by far the largest celebration that I witnessed while living in Asia.

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May 1, 2012

Reads For The Road: Somewhere Inside by Laura Ling & Lisa Ling

by Lindsay Shapka in Book List, Culture

“Should anyone from your government read this book, we want you to know that though we have unique but independent perspectives on North Korea, neither of us ever had any malicious intentions when visiting your country. We just firmly believe in the fundamental right of people to be free. ”

— p 315-316

In March of 2009, American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were violently apprehended and imprisoned by North Korean soldiers while filming a documentary near the China-North Korea Border.

Over the months that they were held captive in one of the most mysterious and terrifying countries in the world, they endured intense interrogations that led to them being charged with ‘hostile acts’ and sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp.

Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s fight to Bring Her Home by both Lisa (also a prominent journalist) and Laura Ling, is an emotional, raw and honest account that gives insight into the events that unfolded, both in North Korea and America, leading to Laura and Euna’s eventual release. Told in their alternating voices, the sisters paint a fascinating picture of the mysterious, propaganda filled North Korea, the politics that played out in America, and the unique bond that allowed the sisters to send messages and comfort each other throughout the ordeal.

Back in America, the Ling family witnessed humanity at its best, receiving an outpouring of love and support from around the world, while they waited to hear news about Laura.

More surprisingly, however, is Laura’s account of the kindness, connections and humanity that she encountered in the very people who hated her country and were holding her captive.

“Laura’s stories were a testament to what happens when people are able to interact with others on a human-to-human level. When one is given the opportunity to look another person in the eye, irrespective of preconceived ideas about each other, things can often change, perspectives can widen.”

— p 208

NOTE: The quotes were taken from the hardcover version of Somewhere Inside by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling

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April 28, 2012

Your Guide To Drinking Coffee In Italy

by Lindsay Shapka in Culture, Travel, People

Italians consume over 14 billion espresso drinks each year (!) making the country’s coffee intake the highest in the world.

That’s A LOT of caffeine.

Baristas in the boot-shaped peninsula take great pride in their ability to extract perfectly flavored espresso every time, so much so that it takes 2-3 years of training before they are even allowed to work in a cafe. The average age of a barista is around 45 years and you can literally taste their 10+ years of experience in the white porcelain cup placed in front of you.

In order to fully appreciate the barista’s skill and their coffee creations, there are a few Italian coffee culture aspects that are important to know.

First of all, in Italy what we (North Americans) consider to be a "Cafe" is actually called a Bar. Though these establishments will usually serve pastries, small sandwiches, and alcohol, at least 80% of their business comes from espresso sales.

If your expectations of the Italian Bar/Cafe are to be able to sit down and spend an hour people watching as you linger over your cappuccino, think again. Unless you are in a tourist zone, where shop owners are used to this type of behaviour, you will be looked at like you are nuts.

Though Italians drink a lot of coffee, they do so in small, steady doses which involves ordering at the bar while standing, downing their drink after it is put in front of them, and then leaving. The entire process usually takes less than five minutes.

Because slamming back your drink and not sipping it slowly is the norm, espresso is usually not heated any higher than lukewarm. Beverages with milk are served lukewarm as well because overheating milk destroys the natural sweetness and silkiness of it. If you want anything hotter, you will have to request it by asking for ben caldo or molto caldo, but expect some eye rolls from your barista.

If you are desperate to rest your feet and decide to sit down at a table, expect to pay a ridiculous price for your drink — what will cost 0.80 Euros standing at the bar can cost you more than 6.00 Euros if you sit down!

When ordering your drink, it is important to remember that it is pronounced eSpresso and NOT eXpresso. (One means coffee, the other a fast train).

Though there will be little need to ever actually say that word when ordering because if you want a simple shot of espresso as your beverage, you would order un caffe — don’t worry, we’ll go over types of drinks later.

Most importantly, DO NOT think that you have walked into a Starbucks when you wander into an Italian cafe. Ordering a caramel macchiato or mocha frappuccino in Italy is the equivalent of ordering a Guinness mixed with coke and topped with a cinnamon stick in Ireland. Not cool.

Italians drink coffee with breakfast and throughout the day, but expect a lot of strange looks if you order anything other than un caffe after dinner. Their reasoning is: How can you put all of that hot milk in a full stomach?

There are a lot of different ways to drink espresso-based beverages and it can be overwhelming walking into a local bar, all eyes on you, as you struggle to pick something off the menu (not knowing much about coffee, I didn’t make it past a cappuccino when I was there).