Hawaii 101: What is the meaning of Ti Leaves to Hawaiians?

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


On my last visit to Oahu, I ended up at a University Men’s Volleyball Game and, before sitting down, was handed a long, slim green leaf. I was told it was a “Ti Leaf” and I was supposed to use it to cheer for the team.

What are these leaves, you ask, and why do ti leaves in Hawaii make an appearance at major sports events?

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Your Guide To Drinking Coffee In Italy

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


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.

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10 Ways To Be Like A New Yorker On The Streets Of NYC

by Lindsay Shapka in , , ,


Are you planning your first trip to NYC? You are in for a treat — there is a reason this is known as the city that never sleeps. There is a neverending list of things to do, experience, and explore.

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How Insulting! Common Gestures That Mean Different Things in Different Countries

by Lindsay Shapka in ,


You have mastered the basics of the spoken language, have appropriate clothing, and have the latest Lonely Planet tucked safely in your bag. You are ready for all that experiencing a new culture will bring — or are you…

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12 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit The Yonghe Temple (or Lama Temple) In Beijing

by Lindsay Shapka in , , ,


Located in the middle of Beijing in China, the Yonghe Temple aka Harmony and Peace Palace Lamasery aka Yonghe Lamasery aka Lama Temple is a complex made up of a maze of elaborate arches, stunning tapestries and massive temples, opening to expansive courtyards filled with people praying and fragrant smoke filling the air from burning incense.

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Reads For The Road: "The Wave" by Susan Casey

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


I will be the first to admit that the science section of any bookstore can be a bit intimidating.

Most of the books there are by someone with "Ph.D." after their name and are written in a language that may as well be Greek to me.

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