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Turkey, being the gateway to Europe and Asia, played a huge role in the trading of goods for many years prior to the growth of modern travel. Back then, places like The Spice Market in Istanbul were where all the action was. This is where the spices from Asia were traded for items from Europe. If you’re heading to Istanbul for a holiday, this is one of the city’s must see tourist attractions.

This particular market is the second largest roofed bazaar in Turkey but it is most likely the biggest spice market in the whole world. This is where traders from all over, even from far away countries in Europe, go to trade different spices. Unfortunately, now other products are being sold here, but it is still considered the spice capital of the country.

Roaming the shops will introduce you to spices you have never even heard of. You will see them almost flowing over the sacks where they are stored. It is these exotic spices that bring a lot of flavour to food, especially in the region. Lovers of Turkish food know that part of the allure of the cuisine is the balanced mix of spices that come together in your mouth to create that wonderful taste.

The biggest spice market in Istanbul is the perfect destination for those who love food, and you might even run away with a pack or two of spices. Here you can see the product, smell, and touch it. You are making history, going there like people have done for the past 350 years.

In its history, the market has not changed much, selling spices and other products that came from all sides of the world. What surprises many visitors is the fact that the sellers and the items are not all from Turkey. Given its role as a place to trade goods, the spice market was opened for exactly this purpose. The advantage is, you will find almost every spice in the world and you can easily fill your suitcase to bring at home. Moreover, you get to bring home stuff from everywhere without having to fly there. So if you ever wanted Russian caviar or Chinese tea, this is the place for you to go.

To visit the spice market is not that difficult because it is in Istanbul. Moreover, most tours will get you there, or you can arrange your own rental car, which is better for families or bigger groups.

It is important to have local currency when you are coming over, though Euros or dollars might be accepted, your bank might charge hidden fees. So in order to avoid being scammed, keep your card in your wallet.

Moreover, if you are visiting the spice market, opt for sellers whose products are loose and not pre-packaged. This is to be sure that they are fresh and of great quality. You can also experience the place like people back then.

The spice market in Istanbul should never be skipped during a trip to Turkey. Imagine strolling around the biggest indoor market for spices with the scents mixing in the air. Under this roof, products from all over the world can come together to shower you with their wonderful smells and tastes.

Helping other people in need is important. In fact, scholars like Mark Snyder, Gild Cary, and some of their colleagues found that the most important factor for volunteerism is an altruistic interest in other people. However, there’s no clear explanation for the psychological aspects that make a volunteer. If there’s clarity about those aspects, it will be easier for charities to attract people to help their cause.

What Motivates People to Volunteer

Volunteering your time, resources, and skills to help other people is altruism. It doesn’t matter whether you do it with a group of people who share your passion and beliefs, or in a casual ad hoc way. But did it cross your mind to wonder what motivates you to volunteer yourself? The following are some volunteering motivators that inspire people to share their time with others.

* Psychological pay off. This means you expect to get something from volunteering your time or resources. For instance, you expect to obtain career advantage, meet new people, or develop skills.

* Sociologic motivation. This inspires individuals with strong beliefs and values to share their resources and time to help others.

* Functional-Psychological motivation. This relates to the psychological needs of a person that are fulfilled by volunteering.

Main Functions of Volunteering

According to Cary and Snyder, there are 6 functions that are served by volunteerism. These functions are values, enhancement, understanding, social, career, and protective. You may decide to volunteer because you feel it’s important to assist others or participate in your community.

Some volunteers are motivated to learn from hands-on experience or understand their community even more. Others want to volunteer because they feel it will help them enhance their well-being. You may also want to be a volunteer to obtain career opportunities, like a promotion. There are social reasons as well – you can meet new friends by volunteering.

Benefits of Volunteering

When you volunteer, you feel better about yourself, you increase your self-confidence, and you feel happier and content. Volunteering also enhances psychological health while meeting like-minded people through charity works. The person’s desire to give is the main reason they volunteer. Volunteering can make you “wealthy in spirit”. However, receiving becomes a great motivator to attract people to volunteer.

Volunteerism and altruism is about making worthwhile and meaningful opportunities for individuals where it’s possible to make a change. Volunteers can help co-construct and co-produce experiences they involve themselves in. The more you help, the greater experiences you will get from volunteering your time, skills, and resources.

Bottom Line

Volunteer work provides growth and opportunity for you to learn something new and find your purpose. It also encourages socialization with like-minded people, other volunteers, beneficiaries, and the staff. There are so many reasons to volunteer like a true altruist.

When John Denver wrote the lyrics of his hit song Take Me Home, Country Roads people who didnt have a clue about West Virginia somehow figured that the state was almost heaven. And if you follow this 3-day guide to exploring the sights and flavours of West Virginia, who knows if you might have a taste of almost heaven yourself. Time to take a road trip into new territory.

Start the journey with a sumptuous homemade breakfast at the Ledge House Bed and Breakfast at Harpers Ferry before heading out to see the historic sites of the city such as the Jefferson Rock or even John Browns Fort. If the Ledge House is packed, you can always head out to Stonehouse and make it as your starting point.

By the time youre hungry for lunch, try out the tuna nicoise salad served with tantalizing quail eggs at the Bistro 1840. Dont forget to wash the meal down with the iconic English IPA served at the Mash Brewing Company. Dont like ales? Maybe the Sour Peach Shenandoah Saison in Charles Town should quench your thirst.

In the afternoon, stop by the Bloomery Plantation Distillery before capping the day with a dinner at the Redbook Restaurant where youll be treated to a really fantastic meal. Calling it a night means heading upstairs to your room at the Hillbrook Inn & Spa.

Day 2
 
On the 2nd day, start off with a Sunday European brunch in Shepherdstown. Feast on their oysters on a half shell, an assortment of terrines and pates, and a selection of only the mouth-watering sausages and sauerkrauts you could ever imagine. Explore the old-time merchandise at OHurleys General Store before heading out for lunch.

Grab the pate du campagne at Bistro 112 for lunch and wash it off with craft beers from Town Run Community Pub. Youll love the house-made pate. At dinner, try the pappardelle with mushrooms, fontina, sage, and cream before retiring to your luxurious suite at the upscale Bavarian Inn. Alternatively, you can feast on a big slab of steak complete with gorgonzola butter before calling it a night.

West Virginia is home to the countrys very first spa town. Sample the Almost Famous Cream of Crab at Taris in Berkeley Springs. Once your tummy is filled, its time to indulge and allow yourself to be transported to other-worldly experience at the bathhouses of the Berkeley Springs State Park. Make sure to check out the very same bathtub that George Washington used 250 years ago every time he and his family head out to this scenic and idyllic town.

In the afternoon, drive up the winding hill of the city to see the famous Berkeley Castle and get ready to be mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the scenery overlooking the town. Check out the Star Theatre, too, and partake in classic hot-oil popcorn. Cap your 3-day journey with a seared rare tuna roulade prepared by Chef Damian Heath at the Lot 12 Public House.

If you can allot a week exploring the sights and flavours of West Virginia, then that would be even better. But if youre pressed for time, then this 3-day guide should help you get started.

Not a lot of people go to Turkey. In fact, Turkey can be considered as one of the underrated countries to visit since they offer so many historical and cultural sites that aren’t even talked about on travel websites. So to stay away from the norm, here’s an article about Turkey’s “Cotton Castle” called Pamukkale.

First things first, what is Pamukkale? Literally translating to “Cotton Castle”, Pamukkale is a bunch of white terraces with water spilling from their rims. It’s white because of the kind of rock that has formed from the flowing water that passes through which is called travertine.

Aside from its picturesque and unique landscape, Pamukkale is also unique in history. During the Roman Era, this place was known to be a spa to many and on top of the terraces, there was a city called Hierapolis. Hierapolis was a thriving city all throughout history until it was abandoned in 1300 AD. It has experienced many renovations over the course of its life due to natural calamities.

Not until 1300 AD did it actually become ruins. However, as the years passed, the city of Hierapolis, or at least its memory, was never lost on Turkey. The ruins were converted into a tourist spot where visitors can see an amphitheater, the Nymphaeum fountain which distributes water all over Hierapolis, and a wide expanse of how life was back in the Roman Era.

In 1988, Pamukkale was considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together with this title comes preservation of the place’s ruins and culture. The hotels that were built were demolished as to respect and keep the area as it is. There were also pools that were closed for public use and instead, artificial ponds were created so they will all turn their attention there. As of today, Pamukkale enjoys a good number of tourists that reach around two million every year.

So how do you go to Pamukkale?

Pamukkale is found in Denizli Province in the southwestern part of Turkey. You can easily go here by booking day trips from Aegean resorts or by simply renting a car and driving over. There are amazing sea views and coastal scenery on the Turkish coast. It’s well worth the trip. Other sea view holiday ideas can be found on this post. If you’re coming from Antalya and Marmaris, the travel time is around four hours. If you are traveling from Kusadasi, it only takes three hours. There is also public transportation available and you can take the bus from Denizli’s bus station. 

Since you will be visiting water terraces, it would be best to bring a change of clothes and wear a swimsuit before you even go to the place. This makes your trip less of a hassle. At the same time, you won’t be able to wear shoes once you walk up the formations because it’s a way to avoid erosion and making the waters dirty.

The best time to visit Pamukkale is actually when there are not many people so that you will enjoy its serenity and the waters reflections of the sky. Since the bulk of tourists go by the afternoon or at lunchtime (the long drive makes this so), it would be best for you to already stay in Pamukkale the night before and just go there in the morning. You can also go there as early as 6 am and start wading in their pool at around 8 am.

Are you thinking about visiting South Korea on your travels? Seoul is a great travel destination. There are so many fun and exciting things to do on a vacation or extended trip. If you are wanting to know more about the countrys rich culture and history, it is a must for you to explore the Changdeokgung Palace.

The Changdeokgung Palace is located in Jongnu-gu, Seoul. It is known to be one of the five grand palaces that were built by kings of the Joseon Dynasty between the times of 1392 to 1897. It is also known as the East Palace or the Prospering Virtue Palace.

It’s one of the must-see tourism attractions in this wonderful Korean city. You can stay nearby or in the centre of Seoul in fantastic hotels, which have wonderful facilities and connectivity. These travel accommodations offer a great base for sightseeing. Although there are very few self catering houses or apartments like in other popular holiday destinations around the globe. The reception staff or concierges at these hotels will recommend the Changdeokgung Palace and provide directions and tips on visiting.

The palace was burnt so many times. First was in 1592 during the Japanese invasion and was reconstructed by King Seonjo and King Gwanghaegun in 1609. The second time was in 1623 after a revolution was led by King Injo. Amidst the attacks and political revolt, the Changdeokgung Palace continued to be repaired and reconstructed maintaining its original design.

In the present day, the palace still has 13 buildings standing and 28 pavilions in the gardens, which includes the secret garden that is now called Biwon. The garden has a lotus pond, pavilion, trees, flowers and a beautiful landscape. The secret garden was forbidden and was for private use only of the king. It was originally called Geumwon (forbidden garden) and Naewon (inner garden), but it was popularly known to many as Huwon (rear garden). Even high officials were not allowed to enter the garden without permission.

The palace has the largest of all palace gates called the Donhwamun Gate. Originally built in 1412, the main palace gate is a two-story wooden structure. It is so big it sort of looks like a pavilion. In the palace you can also find one of Seouls oldest bridges, the Geumcheongyo Bridge, which was built in 1411.

The palace is home to Seouls National Treasures, such as the Injeongjeon Hall or the throne hall, Daejojeon Hall (the empress or queens room), Seonjeongjon Hall (officials hall where meetings took place), and the Nakseonjae (kings bedroom). The Huijeongdang Hall was originally the kings chambers but it was too small to host gatherings. The Juhamnu pavilion or Kujanggak was where the royal libraries stood.

Its easy to get to the Changdeokgung Palace as it has been recognized by UNESCO Committee as part of the World Cultural Heritage List in December 1997. Palace tours are closed on Mondays and tickets for the tours are limited to a hundred each tour. Fifty tickets are sold online and the remaining 50 tickets are sold on the day at the ticket office.

If you happen to be travelling with a family that has a baby, they have 8 strollers available for rental. Most of the tours are free for children aged 6 and below, people with disabilities and men of national merits. Jongno residents can take advantage of a 50% discount just as long as they are able to show an ID. They also offer interpretation services for foreigners who want to learn more of the palaces history.

The Great Wall of China is the countrys most famous tourist attractions. Its probably on the top of your itinerary on vacation in China followed by a visit to the Forbidden City. But there is an unusual tomb that many foreigners have not even heard of. Its the mausoleum of Tian Yi, an imperial court eunuch.

About Tian Yis Tomb

Thousands of eunuchs like Tian Yi served during the Ming Dynasty. Nevertheless, the Chinese Emperor Wanli rewarded him with a royal tomb for his distinguished service. Over the years, the place has been looted and forgotten. Fortunately, it has been rediscovered and serves as a window to Chinas imperial past.

Unlike other Chinese tourist spots, you wont encounter a crowd in this place. If you will come visit the place, chances are youre the only ones there. Before it was open for public viewing, the mausoleum was closed and used as a school. Tian Yi was not royalty but they surely gave him a tomb fit for one.
  
What to See

The tombs wall carvings are well-preserved and one of the wall shows various big animals carved in stone. You can see two giant statue versions of Tian Yi. One shows him as a soldier while he is dressed as a scholar in the other. You have to walk through the Divine Path gate in order to reach his final resting place.

There is also a museum that demonstrates how the ancient Chinese do castration. There is a display room there that shows four human-like statues. One of them is lying down, obviously the volunteer for the eunuch position. One of the figures is holding him down while the other one is holding a tray. The third figure is the surgeon who will cut the patients genitals. A cabinet nearby shows the grisly tool they use in the operation.

The museum also features the mummified remains of a eunuch. No one knows his name but he is probably a monk based on his appearance. The mummy was discovered in 2006 but it is highly unlikely that its Tian Yi.

Location and How to Get There

Travel information for the Eunuch Tomb and museum. It is around 20 kilometers away from Beijing. You can visit the place any day you like as long as its between 9 AM to 4:30 PM. The exact address is 80 Mishikou Street in the Shijingshan District. You can take the train but you have to get off at the Pingguoyuan station. You have to pay a small entrance fee to get in.
     
Its a tourist attraction that many would rather skip. Its not exactly a place where you bring your family especially little kids. Its not that youre messing with their impressionable minds but get ready. They will ask a lot of questions that you rather not answer. It is a reminder that once upon a time, poor boys had to undergo castration just to serve royalties. On the other hand, if youre a history buff with macabre tastes, you need to go here.

There are many ways by which the family can spend quality time together. And if there is one thing that can get everyone in a household beating to the same rhythm, then that would be music. Here’s how you can make family life more fun with music.

Take note of the musical interests of everyone in the family

Everyone in your family may love music, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you share exactly the same musical interests as the others. You may love pop and rock while others may prefer reggae and blues. Still there will be those that go for heavy metal and punk while there will be those that prefer the classics as well as ballads. To make music more fun for everyone, you will have to consider their musical interests.

Cultivate the musical interests of kids

What better way to make family life more fun with music than getting your kids into music early in their lives. It may look more like kids’ play but they are actually busy at work. They tend to learn a lot of different things using a variety of musical instruments. For younger babies, musical instruments help develop their brains a lot better, providing the necessary stimulus for sensory development. Now, if you can combine your child’s playfulness and his or her natural talent for music creation, then you can actually create a mini concert for the whole family to listen to. It may not yet be worthy of a slot in your favorite reality TV show, but they sure can bring the whole family together.

Dedicate a special time where everyone can listen to music as a family

Social science experts agree that the social function of music is inherently strong. While not absolutely necessary, you may want to dedicate a special time every day or on certain days of the week where everyone can sit down and share music together. It can be as simple as listening to one of your family member’s favorite music so that other members will also appreciate it. Or, it could be that one of you will be performing in front of the others. This can have a tremendous impact in the personal development of everyone, especially the young kids in your family.

Integrate music into various family activities

The key here is to look at the different ways by which you can integrate music in various family activities. For example, whenever we take our car for a drive, we almost always listen to music from our car’s stereo. You can list all the things that you do as a family and check how you can include music in these activities.

Making family life more fun with music is easy. Simply adhere to these tips and everyone will already feel great.

Everyone loves music. Whether it is to serve as a stress reliever or as a means to have fun, music allows us to express ourselves and creates a medium for us to understand our true desires. The best way to really enjoy music is to have fun with it. And if you’re looking for ways to turn music listening and creation into a very fun and engaging activity for you and the whole family, then you’re in the right place.

This online resource is designed specifically to help you make the most out of your musical inclinations. It doesn’t matter if you’re only fond of listening to a variety of music genres or you’re inclined on creating melodies and rhythms of your own. We have musicians and song experts that are dedicated to giving you helpful pieces of advice that will help you have fun with music.

For instance, traveling can be made even more engaging and fun with music in the background. Depending on the kind of tunes that you love, you can easily make any travel less stressful and more relaxing for everyone. This way you’ll definitely have more fun both on the journey and the destination.

It’s never too late to learn a thing or two about how to play a musical instrument. Guitars are one of the easiest instruments to play with. They’re highly portable and can give you a wide range of tonality that can make you a rock star even for a day. If you don’t like guitars, then maybe drums will be an excellent choice. You don’t have to buy a full-sized drum set. There are now portable digital sets that you can easily fold and pack into your backpack. That way you can strike those rhythms anywhere you are. The same is true with keyboards and even wind instruments. At any rate, playing these musical instruments can turn into a very fascinating hobby.

If you’ve got kids, music can be made even more fun by integrating it in their play. Games can be made extra meaningful with music playing in the background. They can learn a lot of things, too, using music as a medium of instruction.

These are just some of the many ways in which you can make music more fun. And this online resource has plenty more in store. You can therefore count on us to provide you with all the things you need to make your musical experience more enjoyable and meaningful.

Why is it that people stream to shows where bands and singers perform? Why not just stay at home and watch everything on television? It’s not crowded inside your house, you don’t have to pay for tickets, and you can hear yourself think. So what is the attraction of live musical events?

It’s The Atmosphere

There are some things video can’t capture, and that is the emotional atmosphere. On television the people performing are still not quite real, because they’re not standing in front of you. According to you they operate on another planet, which you only get to view through some kind of screen or magazine.

Thus, the atmosphere of a live musical event is so much more “realistic”. Instead of viewing from the sideline, you’re inside the picture and actually experiencing the moment. There aren’t enough video cameras that can record this experience and let you live through it. It’s just something you have to do for yourself.

It’s The People

You don’t really think about it, but such a big crowd can generate quite some energy. With everybody cheering and clapping, it falls like you become part of something bigger.

Even when the show isn’t the most brilliant performance, the energy from the people carries it till the end. Performers need an audience, just like an audience need performers.

The Music Is Loud

This isn’t something everyone is going to appreciate, but the speaker setup at a live musical event is much bigger than you typically get to use in the background. The decibels will make the hair at the back of your neck stand up, and you’ll love every moment.

Some examples of live acts

You See The True Talent Of A Performer

Some people are naturally born to perform, but others simply don’t have that stage presence. Or they might just rely too much on studio tactics to save their music.

A live musical event will separate the bad performers from the good ones, and help you decide whether it’s somebody you still want to follow.

There Are Fun Stuff To Buy

When it comes to a musical event, you can be sure there will be t-shirts, hats and all kinds of other stuff to buy. These you can take home and keep as a memory of the good time you had.

These are just some of the attractions you’ll find with a live musical event.