postcards from miss igorota

Chicago Hope & Smiles For The New Year

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Miss Iggy sends Hope and 2,010 reasons (and perhaps more) for you to smile in the coming New Year! This smiling fountain is one of two tower blocks at Chicago's Millennium Park designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The "Crown Fountain" showcases rotating videoclips of some 1,000 residents of the Windy City. And guess what? They actually spout water right where the mouth is!

Here's a short videoclip of the two blocks in normal fountain mode, that is, sans the smiling faces.

Miss Iggy and the Sisterhood would like to thank everyone for tagging along in our travels and adventures! Please do join us again!

Happy New Year!

Miss Iggy Loves Lucy!

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Lucy the Elephant, that is! She's a national historical landmark in Margate, New Jersey.

Lucy was built in 1882 by James V. Lafferty, a land speculator who wanted to attract real estate business and tourism in his acquired property by the shore. The idea of an elephant-shaped structure was so novel at the time that he even applied for, and was granted, a U.S. patent for his design. It served as a one-time residence but never as a hotel as some stories say.The elephant is made of wood and tin sheeting, with windows for eyes and on its sides. People can climb another set of stairs all the way up to the canopy on her back for a breath-taking view of the Atlantic Ocean.Inside the belly is a lobby with a mini-museum, which is also a place for wedding ceremonies! Imagine exchanging "I Do's" inside a wooden elephant!

Lucy eventually became a gloomy, dilapidated giant in a sandy landscape that prompted concerned Margate citizens to form the "Save Lucy" committee. Through the help of volunteers, Lucy again became an elegant elephant that will continue to delight kids of all ages.

Bonjour from Cannes, French Riviera

noreply@blogger.com (The Becky) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Blue skies lined with so many 'jet streaks' .
Miss Iggy at the corner of Quai Laubeuf and Quai St Pierre.

A few weeks back, Miss Iggy found herself frolicking along one of the most best-known cities in the sunny French Riviera--Cannes. The verdict? Miss Iggy says 'Mabango!'(smells good)

Best known for hosting its annual Film Festival, Miss Iggy wandered around the festival complex and easily spotted favourites.

no point hiding under your sheets. the sun is shining, and the beach beckons. ahh. :)

Miss Iggy and women in media

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:22:00 +0000

Suosdei from Phnom Penh!
We have been very busy on this side of the planet, but Miss Iggy would like you to know that she's still fine and kicking. She attended the just-concluded international conference on women in radio and television that I organized. It was a chance not to be missed, to meet and interact with media women from 25 countries.

Miss Igorota listened to women from different countries talk about issues affecting women. Although there are cultural differences in the manifestations, she was surprised to learn that these issues are the same all over the world. For examples, women and child trafficking in India, domestic violence in Nepal and also the US, reproductive and sexual rights and female genital mutilation in Cameroon, women in conflict in the Philippines and Palestine, and so on.

Attending the conference, Khmer Iggy was amazed at the experiences shared by the participants, and made her think about how media is being used to improve the portrayal of women and to put forward women's agenda. Surely, the media women in Cambodia who participated in the conference benefited greatly from the experiences shared by other media women and collected support from them to improve their capacities in reporting and mainstreaming women's agenda through international exchanges.

This is the official photograph of the conference participants. Can you spot where Miss Iggy is? Click here for a larger view.

Margate Beach

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:52:00 +0000

About 10 minutes away from Atlantic City down the Jersey Shore is the city of Margate which Jersey Iggy visited for the first time last September. She wanted to see a lovely elephant there!

Beach Patrol to Snow Patrol

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:11:00 +0000

Jersey Iggy got to beach-comb during the final days of summer last September in Atlantic City.

Now that autumn is nearing its end, Jersey Iggy is bracing herself for the transition from sandy shores to snowy streets.

Today's Forecast: Sunny & Cher

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Famous celebrities' handprints welcome you at Resorts Atlantic City's "Entrance of the Stars," where you can indirectly be hand-in-hand with such stars as Cher, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, Donna Summer, Jerry Seinfeld, and many others.

Click here to see more famous handprints from there!

Absolutely Absecon

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Back in August, Jersey Iggy beheld the Absecon Lighthouse, located near the north end of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It is said to be New Jersey's "second tallest lighthouse" with a height of 169 feet.

In existence since 1857, the light that shines from its tower no longer serves as a navigational aid, but visitors can still climb it for a small fee and view the historical exhibit at the mini-museum in the replicated 1925 Keeper's House down below.

Jersey Iggy couldn't help but notice how the nearby casinos have dwarfed this lighthouse! (Effectively defeating its purpose)

Happy Birthday, Gingmaganda!

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:41:00 +0000

Miss Iggy joins the sisterhood in wishing Gingmaganda, our bus-chasing, pinkophile correspondent in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines a very happy birthday today!

Until they invent a "Magic Bus" that can fly you to places beyond your wildest dreams, this bus is for you!

Let's Hear It For New Yoooork!

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:32:00 +0000

Jersey Iggy is celebrating with Yankees fans all over the world and cheering "Hip-Hip-Hideki!" (as coined by Sreisaat for World Series MVP Hideki Matsui) as the blue-and-white pinstriped team from New York won the 2009 World Series in the brand-spankin' new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. This is their 27th time winning it, the last time was in 2000. Here's Jersey Iggy outside the entrance to a sporting goods store which proudly displays the Yankees logo.

Inside is the most coveted official Yankees World Series shirt:

Fortuitous Faery and Sreisaat were Facebooking each other like crazy as the monumental Game 6 was airing on Wednesday night, New York time (Thursday morning, Cambodia time). At the big moment when the Yankees struck out the Phillies and won the World Series, Sreisaat's electricity went out. Strike out...Lights out! :P

Here comes... Khmer Iggy and the bride!

noreply@blogger.com (Sreisaat) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Oh, and the sister of the bride, too!

Aren't they all lovely?

The wedding was held on November 1 and 2, also the first two days of the Bon Om Tuok (Water Festival) in Phnom Penh. So while about 2million people (according to the papers here) gathered at the riverside to watch the boat-racing competition, Khmer Iggy, R and I were witnesses to a fairytale-like Khmer wedding.

Traditionally, Khmer weddings last for three days and are done at the bride's home. Nowadays, the ceremony is shortened to only one day. Our landlord's daughter's wedding, however, was held for two days (may kaya sila). Despite the shortened ceremony, it is still rife with elaborate rituals, costume changes (not only of the bride but also of the groom, their attendants, and their parents), and not to forget the food and merry-making!

Here are some of the photos that we took:

These dancers represent the devadas (or deities, similar to apsaras), who performed a dance ritual representing their enchantment with the beauty of the new couple, and to personally cleanse and purify the bride and groom to bring them good fortune, beauty, and grace for the rest of their lives.

Following the dance ritual is ka'ak sak, or the hair-cutting ceremony. Another symbolic ritual representing a fresh start to their new life together as husband and wife. Family and friends take turn to symbolically cut the bride and groom's hair and give them well-wishes.

Bang chhat opok-mdei, honoring of the parents. A traditional song is played as a reminder to the couple, especially the bride, of the hardships of child-raising, and of parental duty that they will be facing in the future.

I forgot what this ritual is called... married relatives and friends of the bride and groom take turn to give advise and blessing to the couple and present them with something.

The two-day ceremony ended with a lavish dinner reception at Mondial Center, a popular wedding reception venue in Phnom Penh. It was fun! The reception area was full of guests, all-smiling and happiness written all over their faces. A 7-course Chinese-Khmer meal was served and it was sumptuous! The drinks were overflowing and Khmer music was blasting. Khmer Iggy wondered though that, despite the yummy-licious food served that night, rice was served last.

Looking at the bride and groom, Khmer Iggy thought that they look too young to be husband and wife that they seemed to be more like the homecoming King and Queen, don't you think so too?

the circus is in town!

noreply@blogger.com (Princess Ody) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Back in September, Vienna Vixen Iggy happened to pass by a huge tent in front of the Vienna City Hall and was delighted to see that it's a circus!

Circus Roncalli has been performing for more than 30 years with its first show in Bonn, Germany on May 17, 1976. It started with Bernhard Paul, an Art Director who got bored with his job and decided to follow his childhood dream. Together with André Heller, he founded Roncalli.

Circus Roncalli has been setting up tents in various German and Austrian cities, as well as other European cities like Copenhagen and Brussels. Miss Iggy was impressed when she found out that not only does Roncalli entertain the kids of all ages in its audience but also brings smiles to children in need through a close cooperation with UNICEF.

Circus Roncalli's tour:

Graz, Austria (Messeglände/Fröhlichgasse)

October 23 - November 15, 2009

Linz, Austria (Am Urfahraner Markt)

November 22 - December 12, 2009

Berlin, Germany - Roncalli's Original Weichnachtscircus im Berliner Tempodrom

December 18, 2009 - January 3, 2010

New York Public Library's Main Reading Room

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Jersey Iggy didn't have to try hard to be very, very quiet inside the NY Public Library's Rose Reading Room on the third floor. Its grandiose appearance was enough to fill her with silent awe.

The interiors exuded a solemn, church-like atmosphere with rows of study carrels for "pews."

This grand library was featured in that classic Audrey Hepburn film, "Breakfast at Tiffany's," in that scene where Holly and Paul (George Peppard) looked up his author card in the library's catalog.

And who wouldn't want to read with these elegant, golden lamps? By the way, tourists do come here, so I'm not the only one snapping away in the reading room. If you visit the NYPL, remember to disable your camera's flash. Let Photoshop do its magic with your pictures later on.

Happy Halloween!

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:37:00 +0000

They say the veil between the world of the living and those of the spirits is thinnest on Halloween. Keep your eyes peeled, lest they trick you into believing that the ghoul asking for treats at your door is just a child pretending to be one.

BOOOO!

Miss Iggy on vacation

noreply@blogger.com (The Becky) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Did Conniechiwa just wish for Miss Iggy to hop on a cruise ship?

Singapurple Iggy boarding the Norwegian Cruise ship "Norwegian Gem" for seven days of sun basking and sight-seeing in the Mediterranean. Ahh. As they inform you once the ship sails: "We are officially on vacation!"

Can you guess where she's been to? (photos in random)

Al Capone's Cell

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:21:00 +0000

Jersey Iggy saw the cell of Eastern State Penitentiary's most infamous inmate: Al Capone.

Alphonse "Scarface" Capone got his first taste of prison life in Philadelphia.

He stopped in Philadelphia while traveling from Atlantic City back to his home in Chicago in May 1929. He was arrested outside a movie theater for carrying a concealed, unlicensed .38 caliber revolver. The Philadelphia courts were rough. They handed Capone the maximum sentence: one year in prison.

Capone served eight months of that sentence in this cell. But while the Philadelphia courts tried to make an example of Chicago's famous bootlegger, the officials at Eastern State Penitentiary were nothing if not generous.

They allowed comforts not typically granted to inmates, including fine furniture, oriental rugs, oil paintings and a fancy radio. He liked to listen to waltzes in his cell.

[Information from Eastern State Penitentiary]

Ha! Talk about being a VIP! (Very Important Prisoner!)

To catch a part of the episode of Travel Channel's "Ghost Adventures" filmed right here at Eastern State Penitentiary, click here. According to that show, Al Capone while incarcerated here, was tormented in his sleep by his victim from the massacre that he masterminded.

Haunted House of Hardened Criminals?

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia has imprisoned numerous hardened criminals since the 1800's. It finally shut down in 1971 but remains open to visitors who would like to wander through the eerie cell blocks, now crumbling and empty...but are they?

Your ticket to ESP includes an audio tour device narrated by actor Steve Buscemi that guides you through the facility. At one point, the tour discussed the haunted character of ESP, sharing some hair-raising anecdotes about the place. Screams, the sound of chains dragging on the floor, just to mention a few.

Stare long and hard at this celfone image taken just above Cell Block 7. Do you see anything out of the ordinary?

Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:15:00 +0000

With Halloween just around the corner, Miss Iggy thought this would be a perfect time to show you her "ghost-hunting" photos from one of America's most historic state prisons--and also one of the most haunted, the Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) in Philadelphia which she visited last August.

The ESP is a favorite halloween haunt for people who want to put their "ESP" (extra-sensory perception) to the test. It has been featured in ghost-hunting shows such as "Most Haunted" and "Ghost Adventures." Craving for some paranormal activity in the dark? Come here for their "twilight tours," but they only have them in the summer. Other than that, this facility is open to tourists the whole year round for daytime tours, except for major holidays.

In 1965, the U.S. Federal Government designated ESP as a National Historic Landmark.

There's terror behind these walls, they say, aside from the visible semi-ruin state it's in. Miss Iggy was anxious about the tour!

Thousand Islands International Bridge (And The Story Behind The Dressing)

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:48:00 +0000

From above the Thousand Islands Skydeck in Ontario, Canada, Miss Iggy saw the Thousand Islands International Bridge which "extends from Collins Landing near Alexandria Bay, New York to Ivy Lea near Gananoque, Ontario covering a distance of 8.5 miles and provides direct connection between US Interstate Rt. 81 and Canada Highway 401."

And where there's a U.S.-Canada border, there's a duty-free shop! Guess what Miss Iggy bought as a souvenir? Well...a bottle of original Thousand Islands dressing (Vinaigrette Mille-Iles), of course! The bottle's label tells the origin of this famous dressing:

"Legend has it that the Thousand Islands dressing was created on board the magnificent steam yacht the "Louise" belonging to millionaire proprietor George Boldt of Waldorf Astoria fame. One day, while George and his wife Louise sailed amongst the beautiful 1000 Islands, Boldt requested their steward on board create a dish in honour of the area. A very special dish indeed, today almost 100 years later people around the world enjoy his creation, the distinctive legendary Thousand Islands Dressing. The diced cucumbers in it are meant to represent the 1000 Islands, or more accurately 1864 islands. The steward on board the "Louise" rose to international fame and became known as "Oscar of the Waldorf."

The "Oscar" immortalized by this dressing is Oscar Tschirky.

SM...Shopping Much?

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Jersey Iggy almost forgot about this photo from December 2008 in Manila. She was at SM "Clearance Outlet" Mall in Carriedo St., Quiapo, Manila, Philippines--close to Quiapo Church. This is said to be the original SM shopping mall branch, the first of many in a chain of department stores all over the country bearing the same initials owned by Filipino-Chinese business magnate Henry Sy.

diamonds are miss iggy's best friend

noreply@blogger.com (Princess Ody) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Euro Iggy was thrilled to explore the sparkling world of diamonds at Gassan Diamonds in Amsterdam, where she learned how a rough clear rock is turned into a shiny diamond. She got a few lessons on estimating the value of a diamond and was blinded by an array of dazzling girls' best friends!

A Thousand Isles

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:02:00 +0000

Miss Iggy felt like singing Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" song but replace "Miles" with "Isles." If Miss Iggy could "fall into the sky," it will be because of the elevator that took her up the observation deck.

Somewhere in this cluster of islands in the St. Lawrence River between Ontario and New York is an island called "The Price Is Right," named after that popular game show and was given away in 1964 by Bill Cullen.

To prove that Miss Iggy really went on top of the Thousand Islands Skydeck, she signed the guestbook. It also shows you when she actually visited the place!

finding nemo

noreply@blogger.com (Princess Ody) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Miss Iggy was amazed at this wedge-shaped museum called NEMO, which is the largest science center in the Netherlands.

At its interactive exhibits, you can discover cool things like what you'll look like thirty years from now, how to purify water, what happens when you kiss someone and how lightning and satellites work.

Thousand Islands Skydeck

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:04:00 +0000

Just before crossing the border between Canada and the U.S., Jersey Iggy decided to conquer this tower above the Thousand Islands in Ontario: The 1000 Islands Skydeck.

This observation deck goes 400 feet up into the sky and is reachable by either the spiral staircase or the more convenient high-speed elevator. Miss Iggy chose the latter, of course.

You've heard of the "thousand island" dressing, well, turns out there really is a place called "Thousand Islands"--a group of islands (1,793 in all) between Ontario and New York State along the St. Lawrence River. These islands were the inspiration for the popular condiment--the bits of pickle in the dressing were supposed to represent the islands.

Radical Rideau Canal

conniechiwa@gmail.com (fortuitous faery) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Jersey Iggy says "bonjour" from the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada....a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

This historic waterway stretching 202 kms. was originally built for military strategic purposes during the early 19th century, when Great Britain and the United States rivaled each other for control of this region.

Nowadays, this scenic length of Canadian Heritage River offers boat tours, bike trails, and more popularly--the venue for the Winterlude Festival, where it becomes the "world's second longest skating rink" at winter time.

Guess what they eat there to keep themselves warm and fuzzy? BeaverTails! Radical!

Miss Iggy admired the night lights reflected on Rideau Canal. Too bad she didn't catch the last boat tour.