Volunteering: Neo Colonialsim or Mutually Beneficial Cultural Immersion?

The term "Neo -Colonialism" has been used quite frequently recently in relation to volunteering. Those that argue that volunteering is a new form of colonialism hold that the volunteer, self-serving, condescending, and lacking in any applicable skills or knowledge of the local culture, thinks nothing of sauntering off to Kenya or Cambodia with the arrogant notion that they can somehow "help". This is the quintessential image of the volunteer; the gap year student, starry eyed and full of youthful confidence, inexperienced but "willing-to-try-anything", indulging in the self-appointed mission to "make a big difference in the lives of the less fortunate while having a life changing experience". Indeed, this image is perpetuated by the international volunteer-abroad agencies profiting from the patronising idea that the mere presence of the volunteer in the host community is somehow going to "make a big difference". In this context the argument for volunteering as a form of Neo-Colonialism can certainly ring true.

However, how universal is this stereotype? Without a doubt, within the world of the fee-charging volunteer agencies it may be common enough to encounter this type of volunteer, but outside of this bubble I wonder is the volunteer not a little more conscientious? After all, voluntourism is no longer a new concept. For over a decade now, large scale international voluntourism has been taking place and while initially there may have been an underlying superiority in the attitude of the volunteer towards the host community, I would question the assumption that the majority of those that engage in volunteering these days (at least those outside of the pay-to-volunteer world) think that they are going to make a huge difference in the lives of those they will encounter during their work. I think there is a general shift in the global perception of volunteering from the antiquated view that volunteering is about going forth into the world to "help" to the more realistic view that volunteers are participating in cultural immersion, and while doing so endeavouring to assist those that are working to improve their own standards of living.

Not only is the attitude of the volunteer changing, but that of the host project also. From my experience working with grassroots projects, co-ordinators are becoming more aware of the limited ability of the volunteer to help with the long term development of the projects. There are, however, benefits to the host project from accepting a volunteer and these benefits are very similar, I would argue, to those of the volunteer. People sign up to volunteer primarily in order to immerse themselves in the rhythm of life of another culture, to understand how people in the developing world live, the struggles they face, the successes they enjoy, and hopefully to assist in any way possible in the development of their host organisation. The host organisation benefits from these interaction also, if only through exposure to the alternative views, beliefs, tolerances and experiences of the volunteer. If undertaking volunteer work is an act of colonialism, immersion of the volunteer within a very different culture surely helps to dispel any initial inadvertent feelings of superiority on the volunteers part and helps to spread understanding of world cultures on both sides.

There are countless statements on the internet declaring that volunteering is not an act of altruism and that it is the volunteer themselves who benefits more from the work they carry out than the host community. Both of these statements are true. And so? Does that mean that because the volunteer is benefiting from their period spent within a foreign community that it is somehow a shameful act of exploitation, as would be implied by the label "neo colonialist"? And even if the volunteer is the party that benefits most from this interaction, does this undermine any benefit that has been enjoyed by the host community?

There are negative consequences involved in an unconsidered undertaking of volunteering, however there are undoubtedly advantages on both sides too, if not for the development of the project, at least in the benefits derived from mutual understanding and sharing of skills and experiences. Perhaps the problem lies within the word itself: Volunteering. Maybe, instead, we could use the phrase "cultural immersion". This would remove the possible patronising connotations and reflect more honestly the nature of the experience for both parts; the mutual benefits derived by the interactions between representatives of two very different cultures and peoples.

Visiting the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa Iowa

I have an addiction to most things motorcycle. When I learned there was a motorcycle museum, and the National Motorcycle Museum at that, I headed for Anamosa, Iowa.

The National Motorcycle Museum opened in 1989, and in 2012 moved to a large space right off U.S. Highway 151. It doesn't look like much from the outside, since it is a converted Walmart, but it's the inside of a museum that makes the difference.

There is dedicated motorcycle parking out front, enclosed in cement barriers with motorcycle-sized gaps, to prevent people from filling it up with cars. There isn't a discount in tickets for riders though. I asked. There are a variety of stickers and patches, so you can prove you were there.

Inside is a small gift shop and desk where you pay to get into the museum itself. The large space in broken up into exhibits, some walled off and some separated only by space. With over 300 motorcycles on display there is something for everyone. The one machine that caught my attention was the steam powered motorcycle, with the boiler between the rider's legs!

Wandering around, it was hard to follow a specific path. One of Evel Knieval's Harleys (in an un-crashed state) was on display, as well as a Captain America chopper from Easy Rider. I had seen another one of these in another museum, but this one also had s certificate from Peter Fonda, saying it was authentic. Since only one of the two copies made for the movie survived, this is a unique piece of American Motorcycling history.

But there are motorcycles from other countries also on display. German and Italian, and of course Japanese machines that caught the attention of the American rider. Beyond the motorcycles themselves, the walls are covered in posters, signs and pictures commemorating events, machines and the history of the motorcycle in America.

Outside the exhibits, the National Motorcycle Museum hosts several events a years, including swap meets and bike shows. While this increases the crowd, it also increases the things to see, with classic motorcycles from the midwest appearing for bike shows, or just being ridden in to enjoy the event and company of appreciative fellow motorcyclists.

The best description of what the National Motorcycle Museum tries to accomplish comes from their website - The national Motorcycle Museum exhibitions are designed to help you get a solid grasp of casual motorcycling and racing as well as a taste of American motorcycle culture.

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Kenya: A Tourism Destination of Choice

With its diverse cultural heritage, Kenya is one of the most interesting destinations to visit around the world. The people are warm, friendly and welcoming. There are over forty ethnic groups in this country which are all unique in various ways and live together in peace and harmony.

We have the Maasai, Samburu and the Turkana who still have their cultural practices and beliefs intact. The Maasai especially have their red trademark 'shukas' (type of square clothing wrapped around the body) which they adorn as their attire, and the maasai 'morans' (warriors) whose dance moves are characterized by very high leaps in the air. These three ethnic groups are semi-nomadic. The Samburu and Turkana women adorn beaded necklaces around their necks and large round earrings are hung from their earlobes. These decorations are not only meant for beauty purposes but are also used to show a woman's rank in the society i.e. different age groups of the females.

A most spectacular view is one of the Seven Wonders of the World at the Masai Mara Game Reserve- the wildebeest migration, the wildebeests and zebras migrate to Kenya in the months of July and October. They cross the Mara River which runs along the reserve where some of the animals are caught by crocodiles which lie in the waters waiting for a moment to present itself for them to have their meal.

Sample the big five-lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard at Tsavo National park. The Kenyan coast has a lot to offer; the historical sites of Fort Jesus, Gedi Ruins, the old town of Lamu, sandy beaches, coral reefs among others. The snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya are an amazing and breath-taking site to behold.

The Great Rift Valley is home to lakes Nakuru, Baringo and Bogoria. Lake Nakuru is famous for its pink masses of flamingos which feed on the algae which grow in this lake. On the other hand Lake Bogoria is well known for its hot springs and geysers, and the large numbers of lesser flamingos. The lake is also home to the Greater Kudu, a shy type of antelope with long spiraling horns.

Visitors in Kenya are both international and domestic, they engage in diverse kinds of tourism ranging from cultural tourism, adventure tourism, beach tourism, ecotourism, and agritourism. Activities to participate in at various attraction sites in Kenya include but are not limited to: balloon safaris, game drives, camping, mountain climbing, hiking, bird watching, sunbathing and boat rides.

Good marketing strategies put in place by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), tour operators and agents have made Kenya a most important travel destination in the world.

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Venues in Central London for All Occasions

London is the capital of England and many aspire to hold special and memorable events in the astounding venues in Central London. Aside from this, it is also one of the world's most beautiful and luxurious places to be in. London is a prominent city with known expertise in the field of art, entertainment, media, and tourism. This is exactly why many tourists are visiting this fabulous place and many dream of exploring what London has to offer. Aside from this, London is the perfect destination for one to hold events and special occasions. It will surely be an exciting and fulfilling experience!

Venues in Central London

There are also many venues in Central London that attract visitors. London has various and diverse tourist attractions that are busy all year round. Furthermore, many international visitors come to experience its world famous services, making London the busiest city in all of Europe.

Looking for Venues to Hire

Different events and gatherings come to take place in one or more places or venues. It has become an embedded thinking and culture of many people around the globe that success is ensured in any special event, party, or gathering of any occasion held in one of the venues. However, these occasions are not exclusive to the rich and powerful. Likewise, there are various venues for hire in Central London that are open to people who can rent the place or venue for an affordable price.

Many of these locations offer great service and top level quality of accommodation and atmosphere. Whether you are holding a private or corporate event, the unrivalled sceneries and world-class experience offered by the many places is totally worth the experience!

Oftentimes, corporate executives and businessmen are searching for great venues where they can hold their conferences. It is challenging to find a perfect place that is especially exclusive. Although this is the case, there are numerous venues in London that are specifically for these conferences.

·The CIPFA Conference Centre, which offers 5-star level of service for executive meetings, seminars, and dinners is highly recommended and patronized by many businessmen.

·There is also another venue in Central London that is very famous and is a highly acclaimed place for conferences. It is the Hamilton House located in Mabledon place, London which has boardrooms, meeting areas, and comfortable seating couches specifically designed for long meetings, seminars, and conferences.

In addition to these places, London also offers other conference venues like:

· Altitude 360

· Hilton London Metropole

· Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

· Cavendish Conference Centre

· Mayfair Conference Centre

· ICO Conference Centre

· America Square Conference Centre

· Cavendish Venues

. Glaziers Hall

There are many more places and venues which also have great and commendable customer service, guest accommodation, and large conference halls suitable for executive gatherings, meetings, and conferences.

Venues for Hire for Special Occasions

Many tourists also enjoy the having exclusive parties for birthdays and anniversaries. People no longer seem to have a hard time looking for one especially since there are numerous, diverse and various venues for hire in Central London specifically designed for the celebration of these memorable occasions.

All these locations offers great ambiance for parties and fun events available. These venues are receiving great feedback from the people who rented and experienced their services.

Venues to Hire for Marital Occasions

One of the most memorable events in a person's life is his or her wedding day. It is an unforgettable and special occasion that will surely create lasting memories. This is why it is very important to choose a wedding location that is perfect! The good news is there are affordable yet quality venues to hire in London that can cater to your requests with regards to your wedding day.

During the summer, many people and international visitors desire to have or to conduct a fabulous summer party that will surely keep the heat and fun of the season! It is a good thing that there are also London venues that can accommodate these kinds of requests. These places can provide the perfect ambiance and setting to make your summer party the best party there is!

The various venues for hire in Central London attract many visitors who are looking for world-class and state of the art facilities. The accommodation one receives from them all and the services help make the experience and the occasion a truly memorable and special one for years to come!

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Prehistoric Age in Chinese History

The prehistoric age is composed of the Paleolithic age and the Neolithic Age in Chinese history. The recent archaeological findings show that earliest australopithecines lived in South China about 4,500,000 years ago, and the Homo erectus set feet on China from 2,240,000 to 25,000 years ago, including Little Dwarfs, Yuanmou Men, Lantian Men, Nanjing Men and Beijing Men, and it's the earliest track of hominids ever known.

The prehistoric culture of China had gone through four phases on the whole, which are the early & middle period of the Paleolithic Age (represented by Homo erectus living between 400,000 and 500,000 years ago), the middle & late period of the Paleolithic Age (represented by the Upper Cave Men living between 100,000- 200,000 years ago), the early & middle period of the Neolithic Age (represented by Peililang Culture and Yangshao Culture dated back to 7,000 to 12,000 years ago) and the middle & late period of the Neolithic Age (represented by Longshan Culture dated back to 4,100 to 4,900 years ago). China was in the matriarchal clan society during the early period of the Neolithic Age with no distinct social classes, and it was followed by the patriarchal clan society during the middle period of the Neolithic Age, when the gap between the rich and the poor had greatly been widened and the social divisions of labors emerged with the social productive forces greatly improved.

With the development of natural science and high-technology, a number of ancient city clusters have been discovered in the Yangtze River area and the Yellow River area in recent years, including remains of Zhongyuan City, Jianghan City and Haidai City, which fully shows that great changes had taken place in the social structure system and proves that the multi-culture had coexisted during Longshan Culture Period, with a number of ancient painted potteries unearthed from the Henan Province, the Hebei Province, the Gansu Province and the Shanxi Province. At the same time, there existed Hemudu Culture of the Zhejiang Province and Dawenkou Culture of the Shandong Province during Longshan Culture Period. The subsequent Erlitou Site of Henan Province and Sanxingdui Site of Sichuan Province are representatives of cultural essences in the Bronze Age (21 B.C.-5 B.C.).

The culture in prehistoric period is comprised of the matriarchal clan culture and the patriarchal clan culture, of which the former includes Peililang Culture, Cishan Culture, Yangshao Culture, Hemudu Culture, Majiamiao Culture and Qujialing Culture, and the latter contains Longshan Culture, Dawenkou Culture and Liangzhu Culture. Compared with the matriarchal clan society, the patriarchal society made more progress in the social productive forces, which is manifested in the emergence of bronze wares, silk fabrics and Chinese letter symbols.

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Grand Canyon Bus Tours Explore the West Rim

Visiting the West Rim and other adjacent areas can be done conveniently by taking a Grand Canyon bus tour. You can explore the attractive scenery of the national park and other key landmarks that are very close to Las Vegas. The canyon itself offers you the opportunity to enjoy brilliant colors and incredible geological formations that will have you agreeing that this is indeed the best of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The main attraction at Grand Canyon West is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge that lets you walk more than 70 feet past the rim. The bridge is shaped like a "U." It's when you stand at its apex that you get the most incredible aerial views of the surrounding area. You're also suspended some 4,000 feet over the bottom of the chasm!

The glass walkway is quite strong and can withstand winds in excess of 100 miles an hour. Engineers also designed it to handle magnitude 8 earthquakes. When all's said and done, the bridge can support up to 70 fully loaded jumbo jets. Ironically, maximum occupancy is limited to 120 people.

From the top of the West Rim, you'll be able to see the Colorado River. This waterway's headwaters start at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and end in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. The river, which formed the canyon, winds through the National Park for 277 miles.

The floor of the canyon, which is nearly one mile below you, can be accessed by helicopter. The descent takes about 10 minutes. The unique thing about this flight is that it's the only one of its kind in the entire canyon. There are also opportunities to take a pontoon boat down the river.

The types of buses used to get to the West Rim are state-of-the-art. In a sense, they have to be. The last 10 miles or so of road to the rim is dirt. Some people prefer to drive themselves to the park. I suggest you reconsider. Then again, why? Coaches are fully customized for sightseeing and epitomize comfort and luxury. Plus drivers also serve as guides and from my experience are a great help in understanding what's passing outside the window.

You will appreciate the fact that there are numerous stopping points that allow you take photos. The most popular is Hoover Dam, the 700-foot structure that's responsible for managing the powerful flow of the Colorado River. Typically stops range up to 15 minutes and are primarily for photos. You will have to take a Hoover Dam tour if you are looking to spend more time at the site.

It's important that you set aside an entire day for a West Rim bus tour. These trips all start early in the morning and get you back to your Las Vegas Strip hotel by early evening. In the past I've made evening reservations after such a trip but frankly it's a full day and can be physically demanding. There's also the heat, which during the summer can easily crack 100 degrees.

Rolling Luggage From Hello Kitty - Upbeat Convenience

After you have traveled by air several times, you come to realize how similar thousands of rolling nylon bags is to your luggage. You need only gaze at the carousel after an 8 hour transatlantic flight to discover that two hundred pieces of black luggage are nearly as alike as clones - except for those few that are highly distinctive, such as the Hello Kitty line of rolling luggage. Having a bright, colorful bag bearing the friendly face of Kitty White helps you quickly separate your luggage from the conveyor.

Choosing distinctive luggage with recognizable imagery is helpful if your baggage gets lost somewhere along the way, too. Airline personnel can also zero in on your luggage if it has gone missing if the distinctive face of Kitty White is smiling in the lost and found.

Hello Kitty luggage certainly stands out from the ordinary dark, plain bags, and these bags can be considered convenient as well as upbeat. The blithe, innocent cat with her bow and short, energetic limbs also projects a mood of good-natured optimism and frisky enthusiasm. This luggage can represent your personal style and remind you to smile even during long stopovers or other complex airport situations.

Several different kinds of rolling luggage from Hello Kitty are available, including:

Hello Kitty Mini Rolling Luggage - A small, 15", square nylon cloth bag with two wheels and a 10" extensible handle. This luggage is meant to provide transport for a small number of garments. Mini rolling luggage comes in two colors - red with white polka dots, with Kitty White looking over a big red bow, named "Peeking", and pink with Hello Kitty sitting in a pink kimono, with cherry blossoms around her ("Sakura").

FriendsWithYou x Hello Kitty Rolling Luggage - A medium-sized nylon bag moving on four 360° wheels. This bag is maneuvered with a telescoping handle or carried with a side or top strap handle. Hello Kitty is not alone on this bag - amid a sprinkling of rainbows, the small white cat romps alongside the Rainbow King and Buddy Chub, a pair of characters from "Friends with You". The background color is bright royal blue, and there are four zippered pockets in addition to the main compartment with its zipper closure.

Hello Kitty Rolling Briefcase: Checkered - A container for documents and other light loads. This bag rolls along on four wheels and offers either a strap handle for carrying at your side or a 20" rolling handle to let the floor support the briefcase's weight. There are two large zippered containers that divide the interior of this 6" wide briefcase between them. The checkered pattern features grey and white squares, with occasional bows and a large depiction of Hello Kitty's face.

Hello Kitty Rolling Luggage: Checkered - A checkered bag with the face of Hello Kitty placed artistically amid a sparse pattern of bows. The bag is 21" long, with both telescoping handles and fixed strap handles. The exterior features a zippered pocket and a key ring. The interior houses a mesh zippered pocket and pink elastic strap.

Hello Kitty Rolling Travel Case: Checkered - This chest-shaped checkered case has two stout fixed loop handles 8" in diameter besides an extensible handle. Two zippered pockets are found inside the case, and a third is located on the exterior, and this outside pocket offers plenty of space for small items that need to be kept readily available.

Why struggle through airports or railway stations with suitcases that you must carry when the Hello Kitty line of rolling luggage can get you and your bags where you're going without any strain? Pulling is always a great deal easier than carrying, and the free moving wheels, straps, and telescoping handles, along with the distinctive and blithe Kitty White on every piece, will make your journey easier and much more enjoyable.

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