Archive for the ‘Films’ Category

Merida, Mexico- Recommended Literature & Film

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

The area just outside of Merida serves as a remarkable example of the history and culture of this vast county called Mexico. Evidence of the deeply rooted Mayan traditions and history can be seen everywhere, from the pyramids to the people and the flavorful cuisine. Add to this the exquisite natural beauty of a region long known for it’s lush jungles and hidden cenotes and top it off with a Spanish colonial flavor- from the architecture and the narrow streets to the palatial haciendas to the festive music. Step back in time…

TO READ

Escape To Mexico- An Anthology of Great Fiction, Edited by Sara Nickles

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The Lacuna: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver

Mayan Cuisine-  Recipes From The Yucatan Region by Daniel Hoyer

Foods of the Maya: A Taste of the Yucatan  by Nancy Gerlach

Mayan Cooking: Recipes From the Sun Kingdoms of Mexico by Cherry Hamman

A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya by Linda Schele

Star Gods of the Maya; Astronomy in Art, Folklore, and Calendars by Susan Milbrath

The Fall of the Ancient Maya; Solving the Mystery of the Maya Collapse by David L. Webster

Chronicle of the Maya Kinds and Queens; Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya by Simon Martin

Maya Cosmogenesis 2012: The True Meaning of the Maya Calendar End-Date by John Major

TO SEE

Apocalypto- Mel Gibson’s take on the fall of the Mayan Civilization

Frida- starring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina & Antonio Banderas. Directed by Julie Taymor

Like Water For Chocolate, based on the best selling novel of the same name. Critically acclaimed example of Mexican storytelling at it finest.

Bali-Recommended Literature & Film

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Long referred to as “The Island of the Gods”, Bali is a natural paradise. With a culture deeply rooted in tradition, spirituality and the arts, Bali provides a perfect backdrop for many books and even a few films.

TO READ

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

A Little Bit One O’clock: Living with a Balinese family  by William Ingram

A House In Bali by Colin McPhee

A Short History Of Bali: Indonesia’s Hindu Realm by Robert Pringle

Night of Purnama  by Anna Mathews

The Last Paradise  by Hickman Powell

Revolt in Paradise  by K’tut Tantri

Dancing Out Of Bali by John Coast

The Painted Alphabet by Diana Darling

Green Mangos & Lemongrass: Southeast Asia’s Best Recipes From Bangkok to Bali by Wendy Hutton

TO SEE

Eat, Pray, Love staring Julia Roberts

Road to Bali starring Bob Hope & Bing Crosby



St. Petersburg, Russia- Recommended Literature & Film

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

St. Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg, Russia is is gem of a city, rich in history. From Tolstoy to Dostoyevsky the contributions the great      Russian writers have made to literature are second to  none. The city shaped each of them as writers and St. Petersburg’s  magical appeal is evident throughout many of the classic’s pages. Below are a few recommended classics  inspired by St.  Petersburg or written by authors born in St. Petersburg.

Literature

Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Brothers Karamazov- Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Anna Kerenina- Leo Tolstoy

The Man from St. Petersburg- Ken Follett

Eugene Onegin- Alexander Pushkin

The Fountainhead- Ayn Rand

Speak, Memory- Vladimir Nabokov

Films

Irony of Fate

White Nights

GoldenEye

Brother

Onegin

Please let us know if you have any to add to the list!

Marrakech, Morocco- Recommended Books & Films

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Below is a list of some classsics that will help get you acquainted with the exotic culture surrounding Marrakech. The following novels and movies serve as an excellent guide to the area and will provide you with a glimpse of life in and around Marrakech.

LITERATURE

The Drifter’s- James Michener

Hideous Kinky- Esther Freud

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles

Lulu in Marrakech-Diane Johnson

FILMS

The Man who Knew Too Much

The Sheltering Sky

Babel

Casablanca

Marrakech Express