TRAVEL
Originally published on Wednesday, 05 November 2008
International Agenda
Travelling further afield than our fair city’s boundaries but don’t know what to do without UJ’s invaluable agenda as your cultural compass? Then fear not; worldwide events await courtesy of UJ’s International Agenda, picking out the action abroad so you don’t have to.
 | 6th – 23rd November – C.S. Ling Wild Moments Where: 2902 Gallery, Singapore. What: Photographer C.S. Ling’s first solo exhibition. Go for: Breathtaking shots of Asian wildlife. Cost: Free Expect: 24 large pieces depicting in extraordinary detail everything from cuddling Pandas to cascading waterfalls. | |
 | 9th – 23rd November – The November Basho Where: Fukuoko, Japan What: The country’s greatest sumo wrestlers meet for one of the year’s Six Grand Tournaments. Go for: Ceremonial precedence; the tournament’s a packed schedule of rituals and traditions from the Gyoji's (referee's) fan to the symbolic salt scattering before each contest. Cost: Various; seats around the Dhoyo (ring) book out quickly, so bring a cushion for the isu-seki balcony. Expect: Giant men in nappies battling out over 70 different throws, trips, forms and tricks. | |
 | 10th – 13th November – Pushkar Camel Fair Where: Pushkar, India What: The sleepy lakeside town of Pushkar wakes up for the annual camel palooza; selling, trading, riding and even racing our humpbacked friends. Go for: A unique view into Indian life as everyone from mystic men to street urchins come out to play. Cost: Free. Expect: To be offered impromtu treks into the desert and camels/horses/donkeys in exchange for your loved one. | |
 | 14th – 22nd November – Marrakech International Film Festival Where: Marrakesh, Morocco. What: The city’s famous central square, Place Djeema el-Fna is turned into an open air cinema. Go for: The impressive programs list with international contributors from as far afield as China, and a ’40 years of British cinema’ line up including everything from 1968’s ‘If’ and 1982’s Chariots of Fire. to the 2006 hit ‘The Queen.’ Cost: Expect: Free access to historical monuments during the Festival for IFFM badge holders and celebrity drop ins; festival visitors in the past have included Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Susan Sarandon and David Lynch. | |
 | 15th November – 24th December - Vienna Christmas Market Where: Vienna, Austria What: A tradition dating back from 1296 when Emperor Albrecht I established the inaugural market to ensure Vienna’s citizens were well stocked up for Winter. Go for: The incredible festive atmosphere; mulled wine, traditional fairground rides, and stalls selling traditional Christmas goods from candied fruit and spices to intricate decorations and wooden toys. Cost: Free Expect: Music; a choir performs carols by candlelight every Sunday during December’s Advent. | |
 | 19th November – Zócalo at the Hammer Where: Los Angeles, California. What: A vibrant series of programs featuring lectures and discussions on some of the most pressing topics of the day. Go for: An intellectual break from Tinseltown. Cost: Free Expect: Controversy as Political journalist and author Christopher Caldwell addresses the question: ‘What is the West’s problem with Islam?’ | |
 | 20th – 22nd November – Abu Dhabi Jazz Festival Where: Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi What: A chilled out Jazz-fest with bands playing overlooking the ocean. Go for: Free entry – turn up before 6pm on the first night and get in gratis. Cost: Dh 200 Expect: The line up includes Marwan & The Mojos, Paul Akiki, Color Of Rhythm, Afif Brothers Quartet, Abram Wilson, Anita Wardell and Larry Garner. | |
 | 21st November – Feast of Good Health Where: Venice, Italy. What: A boat pilgrimage to the majestic Chiesa della Salute church to pay tribute to the Madonna and pray for good health. Go for: The non-touristy aspect; less well known than other festivals, it has a real air of untainted authenticity as hundreds of locals cross a temporary bridge built on boats to light candles at the church. Cost: Free Expect: To be served the customary dish of castradina; a traditional mutton-based recipe. | |
 | 22nd – 23rd November - Singapore River Regatta Where: Singapore What: Skill, strength, stamina and religious ceremonies. Go for: The legend behind the ceremony sees local fishermen thrashing the water in search of the great Poet Qu Yuan’s body; today the mesmerising colours and drum beats replicate this as up to 100 Dragon boats take to the river. Cost: Free Expect: To see rice dumplings, or ‘Ma Chang’ eaten and dropped into the river to appease the water spirits. | |
 | 22nd – 26th November – Basel Tanzt Where: Basel, Switzerland. What: A celebration of classical ballet and contemporary choreography. Go for: Le Tour du Monde en 80 minutes; the late choreographer Maurice Béjart’s last work, it spans the Sahara, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, China, North and South America via colourful and exotic dances. Cost: CHF 75 - 168 Expect: To be surrounded by art; the city has the highest concentration of galleries in Switzerland. | |
 | 23rd November – Cyprus Aphrodite Fun Run Where: Pathos, Cyprus What: The annual run along the coastal town of Aphrodite’s birthplace. Go for: The Pre-Race Pasta Party, entertainment during the race, and free Post-race beer, wine, juice and fruit. Cost: 35 Euros, Fun Run: 17 Euros. Expect: Trophies and cash prizes, so if you've wiped out the competition in your own country, this one's for you. | |
 | 23rd – 27th November – The Cannabis Cup Where: Amsterdam, Holland. What: A celebration of all things marijuana. Go for: An insight into this important aspect of Dutch coffeeshop culture. Cost: 250 euros Expect: Brought to you by High Times, organisers of such classic events as the Doobie Awards and World Stoner Games, expect events, parties, club nights and complimentary shuttles between coffee shops. | |
 | 26th – 28th November – Equinox Notes Where: Delemont, Switzerland. What: International artists share traditional tales and tunes indoors and out. Go for: A proper folksy festival without the kitsch in Delemont’s old quarter. Cost: SFr25-SFr35; festival passes available Expect: To find after hours action in the surrounding streets which make up Village NOX; artists, dancers and plenty of shopping and eating options. | |
 | 1st December – 31st January – Emperor Penguins Where: Antarctica What: The austral Summer months, when days are the longest, coincide with the first chicks being hatched. Go for: A birds eye view of baby penguins in the wild. Cost: from £4000 per person. Expect: To pay more but travel less. Cruise companies like Audley travel now have dedicated packages like the Antarctica XXI fly-cruise, reducing a two-three day trip to three hours. | |
 | 2nd – 6th December – Art in Ice Where: Livigno, Italy What: An annual competition that sees teams of sculptors transform three-metre blocks of ice into art. Go for: Sandcastle inspiration for your next holiday; watch ten teams hack away at ice blocks with manual tools (no chain saws allowed) to create pure white works of crystal art. You can even vote for your favourite in the Spectators Award. Cost: Free Expect: To come back in March when the Spring sunshine starts to melt them, remodelling the shapes into totally new structures. | |
 | 4th – 7th December - Art Basel Miami Beach Where: Miami Beach, United States What: The American Sister spin-off of Art Basel held in the city’s beautiful Art Deco District. Go for: More than 220 leading art galleries from USA, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Asia will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by more than 2,000 artists, alongside a programme of special exhibitions and parties; all within spitting distance of the beach. Cost: $15 - $75. Expect: Guided tours by art critics, a video lounge in the Botanical Gardens, a spinning palm tree and an even an evil fountain. Disney it ain’t. | |
 | 7th December - Burning the Devil Where: Guatemala City, Guatemala What: Traditional Festival of Fire to purge homes of evil spirits. Go for: See the streets set ablaze as pyromaniac citizens gather combustible objects. For a greater spectacle, Antigua's Convent of Conception erects an effigy of Lucifer himself, which is also set on fire. Strange punishment for the devil… Cost: Free/ Your respiratory system. Expect: Lots of little houses made of unwanted rubbish and household junk merrily burning in the streets whilst celebrants dressed as devils chase squealing children into their houses. | |
 | 10th December - Nobel Prize Day Where: Stockholm, Sweden What: Annual Nobel Prize giving at the Stockholm Concert Hall. Go for: The crowds waiting outside to glimpse the King; and the vague hope of being swept inside amongst the great and good of the world. Cost: Free Expect: Everything but Peace; that prize is given out in Oslo. | |
 | 13th – 14th December – Little Market of Miracles Where: Venice, Italy. What: An antiques and second-hand market organised entirely by non – professionals. Go for: Books, comics, prints and collectors’ objects. Cost: Free, minus the inevitable purchases. Expect: To pop into the beautiful Church of Miracles next door, which appears to be carved entirely of pink, white and grey marble and houses a large number of early Renaissance treasures. | |
 | 21st December – Bain de Noel Where: Nice, France What: Annual Christmas Mediterranean Dip Go for: Goosebumps; the water temperature is about 15C. Cost: Free. Expect: Braying crowds and santa hats aplenty. | |
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