As another summer draws to a close, many who were fortunate enough to take a vacation find themselves reflecting on their experiences. If you’re looking for something different next time, consider the idea of immersive or ‘slow’ vacationing
What is Immersive Travel?
Immersive travel involves spending a significant period of time—usually two or more weeks—in a single location. This contrasts sharply with the typical “hit and run” style of traveling, where you rush from one destination or attraction to another. Instead of ticking off tourist sites, immersive travel encourages deeper engagement with the destination, enabling you to better appreciate and understand the local culture and lifestyle.
Who is Immersive Vacations Best For?
Immersive travel is ideal for individuals, couples, and families with flexible jobs, such as academics, public school teachers, remote workers, and digital nomads. It provides a break to the rigid schedules of traditional vacations. Additionally, if you’re able to give up or rent out your residence while you’re away, it can help offset the costs, making this form of travel more affordable.
Why Choose Immersive Travel?
There are numerous reasons why immersive vacationing may be a good alternative. These include the following:
Leisurely Exploration: Rather than cramming multiple well-known places to visit into a short period, immersive travel lets you explore a city or region at a relaxed pace. This slower approach offers the luxury of time to uncover lesser-known attractions (and spontaneous opportunities) that are often missed in a typical world wind travel itinerary.
Local Experiences: Staying longer in one place gives you more opportunities to shop at local markets, try new foods, and interact with locals. Visiting public markets, for example, opens up opportunities to select fresh and different ingredients, and attempting to prepare selected dishes from the local cuisine at your temporary digs allows you to engage with the culture in a deeper manner. Instead of the “hit and run vacation,” where dining is confined to restaurants, another benefit of this approach may lead to a healthier diet as you include a greater variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and wholesome ingredients.
Avoiding Crowds: With more time on your hands, you can visit popular attractions during quieter times, avoiding the rush of peak tourist hours. This not only makes the experience more enjoyable but also allows for deeper, more meaningful engagement with the places you visit.
Authentic Connections: By spending extended time in a location, you’re more likely to form connections with locals. This can lead to a better understanding of the place’s culture and language, fostering richer, more memorable experiences.
Potential Drawbacks
Although immersive travel offers many benefits, it’s not without potential drawbacks:
Accommodation Issues: Staying in a place for more than a few days often means opting for accommodations like an Airbnb, apartment hotel, or home exchange. With these arrangements, there’s a risk of encountering less-than-ideal living conditions. For instance, you might end up in a noisy environment—imagine neighbors renovating their apartment next door, roosters crowing at 5 a.m., or dogs barking through the night. These inconveniences can be frustrating, especially during a long stay.
Predictability vs. Adventure: Some travelers prefer the predictability of resorts and cruises, where most aspects of the trip are managed for them. Immersive travel, on the other hand, involves a level of unpredictability and requires a willingness to adapt to new environments and situations.
Solutions to possible challenges
To mitigate potential downsides, it’s important to spend more resources (esp. time) engaging in strategic planning. Start by thoroughly researching online reviews of your possiblr accommodations. If there are only a few reviews, it might be wise to pass and find a place with a more established reputation. Additionally, consider reaching out to the owner or landlord and asking detailed questions about the space, amenities, noise levels, and any other concerns you might have. In some cases, doing a short trial stay before committing to a longer period can also help you assess whether the accommodation meets your needs. These steps offer more control over your trip, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Wrapping up
Immersive travel can transform your next vacation into a richer, more meaningful experience. By slowing down and spending more time in a single location, you’ll have the opportunity to engage deeply with the culture, form authentic connections, and enjoy a more leisurely exploration of your destination. Although there are potential challenges, careful planning and a bit of flexibility can help you make the most of this approach to travel and vacationing.
Image credit:
Painter Alex Colville
Title: To Prince Edward Island, 1965
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-08-17-at-11.19.30 AM.png10101532Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-08-17 22:29:492024-08-17 22:30:08Time to Consider Immersive Vacations
Correctional facilities have four main objectives: ensuring community safety, deterring crime, rehabilitating inmates, and punishing those sentenced to incarceration. Although jails and prisons are not intended to be comfortable, they must respect universally accepted standards of humane treatment.
To address these issues, it’s important for those who care to utilize unbiased reporting mechanisms, media coverage, academic research, and activism.
In August, two significant observances highlight critical issues within their respective countries’ prison systems: Canada’s Prisoners’ Justice Day on August 10 and Black August throughout the month. Both events call attention to poor prison conditions and advocate for reform and justice in this branch of the criminal justice system.
Historical Context and Significance
Prisoners’ Justice Day, which started in 1975, commemorates the unnecessary deaths of prisoners (by suicide) in Canadian prisons. It serves as a platform to spotlight poor conditions, policies, and practices within Canadian correctional facilities and advocate for prisoners’ rights. This day often involves direct actions, including hunger strikes, and advocacy efforts (both inside and outside of Canadian prisons) aimed at drawing attention to prison conditions.
Black August, which began in 1979, is a month-long event in the U.S. that honors Black political prisoners and commemorates significant events such as the birth of George Jackson and the Attica Prison uprising. This observance features educational events, commemoration ceremonies, and advocacy efforts, focusing on racial and systemic injustices within the American correctional system.
Importance of Recognition
Both Prisoners’ Justice Day and Black August emphasize the ongoing struggle for prison reform and justice. Common challenges in both Canadian and American prison systems include bureaucratic inefficiencies, resource limitations, and systemic issues that complicate efforts to implement effective reforms.
For example, in Canada, overcrowding has led to significant strains on healthcare services and increased violence within facilities. In the U.S., racial disparities and inadequate conditions often exacerbate the difficulties faced by inmates, as evidenced by high-profile and periodic riots in both state and federal facilties.
Conclusion
Recognizing Prisoners’ Justice Day and Black August is crucial for advancing prison reform in both countries. These observances bring attention to the struggles and contributions of prisoners and activists, underscoring the need for sustained education, engagement and meaningful reform.
Prisoners, as some of the most marginalized individuals in our society, deserve our attention and action to improve their conditions where they are warranted. To support these efforts, individuals can engage in advocacy, support reform organizations, and participate in awareness campaigns to promote systemic change.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-08-08-at-5.16.41 PM.png506876Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-08-09 12:51:322024-08-09 12:51:32Recognizing Canada’s Prisoners’ Justice Day & United States’ Black August
When I think of a bar with character, I imagine a venue that is more than just a place to grab a drink. It is usually a venue steeped in history, sometimes filled with eclectic décor, and buzzing with the energy of its clientele, servers, and occasional performers. But what does it really mean for a drinking establishment to have character?
Bars can be categorized in many ways—dive bars, speakeasies, tiki bars, train station bars, and more. Although each type may have its own charm, they can often feel generic. A bar with character, however, stands out due to its unique and authentic atmosphere, historical significance, unpredictability, and the types of entertainment that occur in these environments. Acts in these settings are often not what you’d typically find in a bar. They tend to be more eclectic in content and performance style, with some offering an interactive experience. Patrons range from professionals to street people down on their luck.
Consider Grossman’s Tavern, on Spadina Rd. in Toronto’s Chinatown. There was a time when on any given Friday or Saturday night, in addition to up-and-coming blues musicians, you might encounter jugglers, fire eaters, and stand-up comics, transforming the bar into a lively variety show. Performers would pass the hat after their acts, reminding patrons of the precariousness of many an entertainers’ life.
In Denver, El Chapultepec, once a beloved jazz bar in the LoDo neighborhood, was renowned for its vibrant mix of musicians and music lovers. The back room with its pool table encouraged friendly competition. It was a venue where you could be surprised by an impromptu performance from a well-known headliner, who was playing elsewhere in town, who dropped in to play a set with house band, and try something new and eclectic.
Similarly, CasaMad/Casa Antoine in Turin’s Quadrilatero neighborhood welcomes guest musicians, adding an element of surprise to every visit. You never know who might show up to the venue with a mike, portable speaker, and a makeshift playlist and serenade the crowd at the outside tables or walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, making each night unique and memorable.
Bars with character are more than just places to drink; they are urban cultural hubs where stories are told, customers can have fun, and memories are made. They offer a sense of community and a touch of the unexpected, making every visit a new adventure.
Photo credit:
Photographer: Tomros
Title: Courtney leading the troops at Grossman’s.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/52622619487_d2b7e7e3c6_w.jpg267400Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-08-04 07:43:042024-08-04 13:49:35Bars with Character and Characters
Time to Consider Immersive Vacations
/by Jeffrey Ian RossAs another summer draws to a close, many who were fortunate enough to take a vacation find themselves reflecting on their experiences. If you’re looking for something different next time, consider the idea of immersive or ‘slow’ vacationing
What is Immersive Travel?
Immersive travel involves spending a significant period of time—usually two or more weeks—in a single location. This contrasts sharply with the typical “hit and run” style of traveling, where you rush from one destination or attraction to another. Instead of ticking off tourist sites, immersive travel encourages deeper engagement with the destination, enabling you to better appreciate and understand the local culture and lifestyle.
Who is Immersive Vacations Best For?
Immersive travel is ideal for individuals, couples, and families with flexible jobs, such as academics, public school teachers, remote workers, and digital nomads. It provides a break to the rigid schedules of traditional vacations. Additionally, if you’re able to give up or rent out your residence while you’re away, it can help offset the costs, making this form of travel more affordable.
Why Choose Immersive Travel?
There are numerous reasons why immersive vacationing may be a good alternative. These include the following:
Leisurely Exploration: Rather than cramming multiple well-known places to visit into a short period, immersive travel lets you explore a city or region at a relaxed pace. This slower approach offers the luxury of time to uncover lesser-known attractions (and spontaneous opportunities) that are often missed in a typical world wind travel itinerary.
Local Experiences: Staying longer in one place gives you more opportunities to shop at local markets, try new foods, and interact with locals. Visiting public markets, for example, opens up opportunities to select fresh and different ingredients, and attempting to prepare selected dishes from the local cuisine at your temporary digs allows you to engage with the culture in a deeper manner. Instead of the “hit and run vacation,” where dining is confined to restaurants, another benefit of this approach may lead to a healthier diet as you include a greater variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and wholesome ingredients.
Avoiding Crowds: With more time on your hands, you can visit popular attractions during quieter times, avoiding the rush of peak tourist hours. This not only makes the experience more enjoyable but also allows for deeper, more meaningful engagement with the places you visit.
Authentic Connections: By spending extended time in a location, you’re more likely to form connections with locals. This can lead to a better understanding of the place’s culture and language, fostering richer, more memorable experiences.
Potential Drawbacks
Although immersive travel offers many benefits, it’s not without potential drawbacks:
Accommodation Issues: Staying in a place for more than a few days often means opting for accommodations like an Airbnb, apartment hotel, or home exchange. With these arrangements, there’s a risk of encountering less-than-ideal living conditions. For instance, you might end up in a noisy environment—imagine neighbors renovating their apartment next door, roosters crowing at 5 a.m., or dogs barking through the night. These inconveniences can be frustrating, especially during a long stay.
Predictability vs. Adventure: Some travelers prefer the predictability of resorts and cruises, where most aspects of the trip are managed for them. Immersive travel, on the other hand, involves a level of unpredictability and requires a willingness to adapt to new environments and situations.
Solutions to possible challenges
To mitigate potential downsides, it’s important to spend more resources (esp. time) engaging in strategic planning. Start by thoroughly researching online reviews of your possiblr accommodations. If there are only a few reviews, it might be wise to pass and find a place with a more established reputation. Additionally, consider reaching out to the owner or landlord and asking detailed questions about the space, amenities, noise levels, and any other concerns you might have. In some cases, doing a short trial stay before committing to a longer period can also help you assess whether the accommodation meets your needs. These steps offer more control over your trip, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Wrapping up
Immersive travel can transform your next vacation into a richer, more meaningful experience. By slowing down and spending more time in a single location, you’ll have the opportunity to engage deeply with the culture, form authentic connections, and enjoy a more leisurely exploration of your destination. Although there are potential challenges, careful planning and a bit of flexibility can help you make the most of this approach to travel and vacationing.
Image credit:
Painter Alex Colville
Title: To Prince Edward Island, 1965
Recognizing Canada’s Prisoners’ Justice Day & United States’ Black August
/by Jeffrey Ian RossCorrectional facilities have four main objectives: ensuring community safety, deterring crime, rehabilitating inmates, and punishing those sentenced to incarceration. Although jails and prisons are not intended to be comfortable, they must respect universally accepted standards of humane treatment.
Incarceration should neither be life-threatening nor life ending for inmates. Meanwhile, globally, prisons face numerous challenges, including overcrowding, poor food, inadequate healthcare, and violence from both correctional personnel and fellow inmates.
To address these issues, it’s important for those who care to utilize unbiased reporting mechanisms, media coverage, academic research, and activism.
In August, two significant observances highlight critical issues within their respective countries’ prison systems: Canada’s Prisoners’ Justice Day on August 10 and Black August throughout the month. Both events call attention to poor prison conditions and advocate for reform and justice in this branch of the criminal justice system.
Historical Context and Significance
Prisoners’ Justice Day, which started in 1975, commemorates the unnecessary deaths of prisoners (by suicide) in Canadian prisons. It serves as a platform to spotlight poor conditions, policies, and practices within Canadian correctional facilities and advocate for prisoners’ rights. This day often involves direct actions, including hunger strikes, and advocacy efforts (both inside and outside of Canadian prisons) aimed at drawing attention to prison conditions.
Black August, which began in 1979, is a month-long event in the U.S. that honors Black political prisoners and commemorates significant events such as the birth of George Jackson and the Attica Prison uprising. This observance features educational events, commemoration ceremonies, and advocacy efforts, focusing on racial and systemic injustices within the American correctional system.
Importance of Recognition
Both Prisoners’ Justice Day and Black August emphasize the ongoing struggle for prison reform and justice. Common challenges in both Canadian and American prison systems include bureaucratic inefficiencies, resource limitations, and systemic issues that complicate efforts to implement effective reforms.
For example, in Canada, overcrowding has led to significant strains on healthcare services and increased violence within facilities. In the U.S., racial disparities and inadequate conditions often exacerbate the difficulties faced by inmates, as evidenced by high-profile and periodic riots in both state and federal facilties.
Conclusion
Recognizing Prisoners’ Justice Day and Black August is crucial for advancing prison reform in both countries. These observances bring attention to the struggles and contributions of prisoners and activists, underscoring the need for sustained education, engagement and meaningful reform.
Prisoners, as some of the most marginalized individuals in our society, deserve our attention and action to improve their conditions where they are warranted. To support these efforts, individuals can engage in advocacy, support reform organizations, and participate in awareness campaigns to promote systemic change.
Bars with Character and Characters
/by Jeffrey Ian RossWhen I think of a bar with character, I imagine a venue that is more than just a place to grab a drink. It is usually a venue steeped in history, sometimes filled with eclectic décor, and buzzing with the energy of its clientele, servers, and occasional performers. But what does it really mean for a drinking establishment to have character?
Bars can be categorized in many ways—dive bars, speakeasies, tiki bars, train station bars, and more. Although each type may have its own charm, they can often feel generic. A bar with character, however, stands out due to its unique and authentic atmosphere, historical significance, unpredictability, and the types of entertainment that occur in these environments. Acts in these settings are often not what you’d typically find in a bar. They tend to be more eclectic in content and performance style, with some offering an interactive experience. Patrons range from professionals to street people down on their luck.
Consider Grossman’s Tavern, on Spadina Rd. in Toronto’s Chinatown. There was a time when on any given Friday or Saturday night, in addition to up-and-coming blues musicians, you might encounter jugglers, fire eaters, and stand-up comics, transforming the bar into a lively variety show. Performers would pass the hat after their acts, reminding patrons of the precariousness of many an entertainers’ life.
In Denver, El Chapultepec, once a beloved jazz bar in the LoDo neighborhood, was renowned for its vibrant mix of musicians and music lovers. The back room with its pool table encouraged friendly competition. It was a venue where you could be surprised by an impromptu performance from a well-known headliner, who was playing elsewhere in town, who dropped in to play a set with house band, and try something new and eclectic.
Similarly, CasaMad/Casa Antoine in Turin’s Quadrilatero neighborhood welcomes guest musicians, adding an element of surprise to every visit. You never know who might show up to the venue with a mike, portable speaker, and a makeshift playlist and serenade the crowd at the outside tables or walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, making each night unique and memorable.
Bars with character are more than just places to drink; they are urban cultural hubs where stories are told, customers can have fun, and memories are made. They offer a sense of community and a touch of the unexpected, making every visit a new adventure.
Photo credit:
Photographer: Tomros
Title: Courtney leading the troops at Grossman’s.