North America
Photos by Eric Mohl
Mexico’s Surprising Port City
PORT AUTHORITY
Puerto Veracruz in southern Mexico has survived Spanish conquistadors, a little-known US invasion and plays host to what many consider to be the second largest Carnaval celebration in the world, hot on the heels of the epic festivities in Rio de Janeiro. Spend a few days here and this port city reveals even more surprises.
72 Hours of Summer
A tolerance for summer in the city usually reaches a saturation point for most long-term New Yorkers by August first. By mid-month, when I was personally ready to throw in the towel, a generous invitation came from a yogi sister that sent me on my way to Nantucket. Six hours out of New York City’s Port Authority, I arrived by bus in Hyannis, then on the Hy-Liner ferry to meet my friend, Chef Gillian at the Long Wharf landing. We headed out of Nantucket Town proper, to an expansive waterfront estate and Gil’s New England cottage. The night sky was calm and expectant, but tranquility ruled at her Polpis Harbor home, making me thank my lucky stars.
From Gritty to Green
When Detroit, the Motor City, morphed into Motown, the automotive capital of the world became Hitsville, U.S.A., as the phenomenon of the pop-soul sound was unleashed on the world. Today Detroit is on the cusp of a 21st-century transformation, as urban agriculture puts down roots in this post-industrial landscape, a fertile oasis spawned as a result of foreclosed homes and bulldozed lots in a downsized city. A new breed of visionaries, innovators, artists and creative entrepreneurs have infiltrated Detroit’s neighborhoods to populate its sometimes gritty streets and partake in the strong communities throughout the city not to mention acres upon acres of space.
Charm Makes a Come Back
Rhett Butler was not exactly being cynical when he made up his mind in Gone With the Wind to leave Atlanta. “I’m going back to Charleston, back where I belong,” he said. “I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn’t something left in life of charm and grace.”
PROVIDENCE - less is more!
A Round-Up of the City’s Best
Your mom always said that first impressions count. When I hailed a taxi at Amtrak’s Providence, R.I. station the striking neoclassical dome of the State House beckoned in the night sky. Would the smallest state’s “creative capital” (as it’s billed) meet my expectations?
A Date With Nature
The term “Eco-Tourism” can trigger fear in many travelers. Sure, we all want to protect and celebrate the beauty of Mother Earth. But don’t worry, you don’t have to live in a tree house, drink rainwater and eat wild berries to enjoy nature on your vacation. Puerto Vallarta integrates an unspoiled environment with cosmopolitan sophistication, creating the perfect introduction to eco-friendly tourism. This unique destination allows you to explore the “green” through day excursions and still sport your little black dress at night.
LA Local: A Tale of Six Neighborhoods
Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills—it’s all quite glamorous. It’s also your typical LA story. As a new resident of Southern California, I owed it to myself to dig a bit deeper. What I discovered is that the real stars of Los Angeles are the many vibrant neighborhoods it boasts beyond Tinseltown.
When most people think about New York, they think of Manhattan, or maybe even Brooklyn. But there is another borough that is worth checking out: Staten Island.
Staten Island may share the "718" area code with Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, but it distinguishes itself with its own unique history, culture, attractions and food. Its tree-lined streets are home to approximately 450,000 residents, and at sixty square miles, this little piece of suburbia in the city is the least densely populated of the five boroughs. Staten Island residents voted to secede from the city and become independent in 1993, but did not succeed in seceding!
An hour from Little Rock lies a gem of a city, the Ouachita Valley land of peaceful waters, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Steeped in history and exuding an inviting southern charm, it's home to horseracing, the baths, and the blues. Blushing when in festival mode, this small city shares the wealth of her natural resources with nature lovers, health seekers, racetrack fans, and lovers of the arts.
