If I ever met Bill O’Reilly, I’d like to ask him about his travels.

His observations about the world just seem so astute.

He just discovered, apparently, that Amsterdam has long taken a liberal stance on drug use and prostitution.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t based any of his analysis about that stance on facts.

But a viewer from Amsterdam decided to set the record straight in this video:

Community Connection:

Check out this article from our archives about Amsterdam:

10 Things to Do In Amsterdam Besides Smoking Pot

Feature photo: earcos

Photo: divya_

First, some background.

The United States’ diplomatic presence in Cuba (if that’s not entirely a contradiction) is not to be found in an embassy or a consulate, but in a pseudo-consulate semantically distinguished as the “United States Interest Section Havana.”

Occupying some choice real estate along Havana’s ocean front, the Interest Section’s professional purview is a bit different from that of your typical embassy or consulate (you can read all about what they do–and what they don’t do–here). For one thing, the building itself became a tool for communicating US propaganda to Cuban people during the Bush administration.

Three Januaries ago, the Interest Section installed some snazzy new technology: an electronic ticker board, much like the electronic news spools you see in Times Square. The board was inaugurated on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, broadcasting the message: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up” (a rather crude appropriation of King’s message, if you ask me).

The message was changed periodically, and though the Interests Section says the billboard’s purpose was to display “news and information,” critics–notably, El Comandante himself–pointed out that the line between news and rhetoric was a little bit blurry.

In fact, the messages were so annoying to Castro that he had an installation art work erected to obscure the billboard from the public eye. The flag poles in the photo above– all 138 of them–prevented passersby from glimpsing the US’s messages. Castro even had competing billboards (not electronic–after all, 2006 was the Year of Energy in Cuba) put up, protesting US involvement in Cuban affairs.

Anyhow, earlier today, the Financial Times reported that the US quietly turned off the ticker recently, with little fanfare from either side. The fact that the US didn’t announce the ticker’s demise and that Cuba didn’t gloat about the dimmed electronic billboard clearly signals a detente, according to journalist Marc Frank.

Citing a “Western diplomat,” Frank wrote:

“’That they turned off the ticker is important – and that nobody has noticed is significant, too…. The Cubans could have howled victory – but [they] said nothing, indicating they are serious about improving relations.’ The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some local contact may have resumed already. Easing of travel restrictions for US and Cuban diplomats in each other’s capitals was expected soon.

It appears the standoff about the US mission – an attraction for tourists and a symbol of relations with the Bush administration – is winding down. The Cuban government took the billboards down soon after Barack Obama took office. There have been no marches past the building since Raul Castro took over from his ailing brother Fidel in February last year.”

Many individuals and advocacy groups who hoped for a speedier thaw in US-Cuba relations have criticized President Obama for what seems to be a deliberate pacing in bilateral negotiations. But it’s steps like these–which seem so little–that will ultimately lead to change in the decades long freeze between the US and Cuba.

Photo: Oscalito

The status of Puerto Rico is one of the most complicated, confusing, and fascinating political arrangements in the world.

Puerto Rico, formerly a Spanish colony, was ceded to the United States in 1898 as a consequence of the Spanish American War. For several decades afterward, the status and identity of the island were in limbo as the United States and islanders attempted to arrive at a viable political arrangement that would satisfy the interests of both parties.

The result was a strange compromise in which Puerto Rico became a commonwealth, or “free associated state,” of the US. The status granted some–but not all–of the benefits of US citizenship and left many Puerto Ricans wondering what, exactly, being a commonwealth meant.

It’s an issue that remains the focal point of politics on the island, with referenda being held every few years to determine what islanders want their status to be. There are those who favor statehood, others who favor complete independence, and still others who would be content to let the commonwealth continue as is.

Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that the US House of Representatives approved the island’s proposal to allow Puerto Ricans to hold a new referendum to vote on the island’s political future. Under the proposal, titled the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009,

“[v]oters would choose between keeping the island’s commonwealth status, adopted in 1952, or to opt for something different. In the latter case, a second plebiscite would let them decide whether they wanted statehood, independence or independence with a loose association to the United States.”

Though no date has been scheduled for a vote, anxiety about the potential referendum is already high. The last referendum was held in 1998.

If you were ever planning a nice little day swim across the Tasman from New Zealand to Australia it just got shorter…by about one stroke.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Fiordland a week ago apparently twisted the southern island so far out of shape that it actually moved about one foot closer to Australia, says a New Zealand news source. Every year, the island drifts about one-third of an inch westward, but this is giving it about a thirty-six year boost. The earthquake was the biggest in New Zealand after eighty years.

No, it probably won’t make your inter-island travels any cheaper, but at least the South Pacific just got a foot cozier.

Here’s the video from the quake:

Feature photo: Stormy Dog

Feature photo: Daquella manera; Photo: Arturo de Albornoz

Is it media saturation that’s causing PR firms to go bigger and bolder with their tourism clients’ ad campaigns?

First, there was the Best Job in the World, a clever and controversial contest to attract attention to Queensland.

Then, there was the NEXT Best Job in the World, a similar campaign (which, it should be noted, folded without explanation shortly after it was launched).

And now, there’s Nova Scotia’s ad for a product that has nothing to do with Nova Scotia at all.

In fact, the product–the Pomegranate NS08, a cell phone, translator, coffeemaker, harmonica, and electric shaver– doesn’t even exist.

So what’s the connection?

According to this article by Susan Karlin in the tech and engineering magazine, IEEE Spectrum:

“…the Pomegranate exists only in a YouTube video and a Web site designed to draw you to another Web site… the “Come to life” initiative in Nova Scotia…. The idea is to rebrand a rustic vacationland as a bastion of innovative minds, creative businesses, and a balanced quality of life.”

Karlin reported that in the first six months after the launch of the ad campaign for the fake product, more than 1 million visitors from 198 countries clicked through the site, and of these, 64% continued on to the Nova Scotia site.

Though Karlin went on to say that local businesses in Nova Scotia have reported an uptick in new clients, one has to wonder whether the campaign will ultimately be effective in increasing tourism.

What do you think? Will these types of flashy, over the top ad campaigns result in a flood of tourists, or are these PR firms risking backlash from an audience who is tiring of gimmicks? What’s the craziest ad you’ve seen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Community Connection:

Read more of Matador’s coverage of the Best Job in the World. Craig Martin takes A Closer Look at The Best Job in the World in this article, and looks at the environmental impact of the contest.

Photo: YamilGonzales

What’s happening in Honduras?

Good question.

In the US, at least, we’ve moved on, captivated by the Sotomayor Supreme Court confirmation hearings, former Liberian president Charles Taylor’s insistence of his purity and innocence in the war crimes case being heard against him at The Hague, and the rumblings that US Attorney General Eric Holder may appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration’s CIA interrogation practices.

Oh, and then there was that early week bit about the CIA’s naughty habit of lying to Congress (repeatedly. Since 2001… at least).

So excuse us if we’ve forgotten about Honduras (and Iran… but we’ll get to that later).

But we shouldn’t be so quick to put the Central American situation out of our minds.

According to the Latin America Working Group, “The situation in Honduras has only escalated since last week.” Remarking on the military’s role in the current political standoff, LAWG continued:

“Civilians in the streets of Tegucigalpa and throughout the country side continue to face brutal repression by military officials. Civil liberties remain gravely affected, including freedom of the press.”

Meanwhile, the Americas Society reported that “an inch, but not a mile” has been gained in the executive branch, thanks to negotiations between the elected Zelaya administration and the imposed Micheletti administration, which are being mediated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias. The organization indicated that curfews have been lifted and the threat to imprison Zelaya has been reconsidered if the deposed president returns, as he has said he intends to do.

To continue following developments in the country, visit the Americas Society’s Resource Guide to the Crisis in Honduras, which provides links to primary sources, news, and multimedia, produced both in the country and outside it.

Community Connection:

Clueless about what occurred in Honduras? Check out these articles from our archives:

Honduran President Ousted in Military Coup

Photo Essay: Honduras After the Coup

To Coup or Not to Coup?

Honduran President Attempts to Return to Country; Military Prevents Plane from Landing

Photo: aloha73

As if we didn’t already think they were cool enough– you HAVE applied for their Antarctica photography contest, right?–our travel buddies at World Nomad have us swooning with another dream contest.

They seem to have a certain affection for “As”– this one will find the winners in Australia.

It’s a country so big, so wild, and so beautiful it’s its own continent.

And even if you live there, you haven’t possibly seen it all.

That’s why World Nomads wants to hand you the keys to their van.

Here’s the deal:

World Nomads Van-Tastic contest will award seven pairs of travelers–one for each state–a round trip flight to/from Australia, keys to a camper van, $1,000 in “petrol” (that’s gas to those of you in the US), and six weeks with a digital video camera and laptop.

You’ll be charged with the task of documenting your trip– and if voters like your documentary the best, then you could win again, this time $10,000 and two Virgin Blue domestic flights. Not too shabby.

So get on over to World Nomads and get your application ready!

Community Connection:

Bummed you didn’t win the contest? Matador Trips co-editor Carlo Alcos shows you some of the coolest campervans on the road.

It could be you on that boat…. Photo: 23am.com

Antarctica is on many travelers’ dream destination list, but the logistics–not to mention the expense–of getting there are a bit daunting.

And then there’s the issue of the weather.

While World Nomads can’t help you with that last part, it’ll handle all the other details.

You just have to win their latest photography scholarship!

World Nomads, along with National Geographic Channel and Gap Adventures, will be awarding one exceptional photographer the opportunity to travel to Antarctica–all expenses paid–with award-winning photographer Jason Edwards.

In addition to winning the trip, the sponsors will set you up with a couple thousand dollars’ worth of gear from Pentax so you can fulfill the scholarship assignment: spending 11 days photographing the world’s most remote wilderness aboard Gap Adventure’s Antarctica Classic M/S Expedition, exploring the Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.

Sound cool?

It is–and there’s lots more, too (like having your images published by National Geographic).

For full details, click on over to World Nomad’s announcement, which can be found here.

Community Connection:

Want to talk with an Antarctica expert before the trip (’cause YOU are going to win that scholarship!)? Be sure to get in touch with Matador’s man in Antarctica.

Photo: BL1961

Americans, let’s face it: Our previous president wasn’t the sharpest crayon in the box.

He famously insisted that it was Sweden–not Switzerland–that has historically been neutral.

He coined more words than Webster and used many real words in combinations that can only be described as… unique.

And then, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he came up with a color-coded terror alert system: green for low risk of terrorist attacks; blue for guarded; yellow for elevated; orange for high; and red for–you guessed it!–severe threat of terrorist attacks.

In case you’re wondering, the current “national threat level,” as published by the Department of Homeland Security, is yellow, and for all domestic and international travel the threat level is orange.

But all that may be moot pretty soon. According to an article recently published by Newsweek, President Obama is “expected to create an official committee to consider modifying or even abolishing the widely ridiculed color-coded terrorism alert system introduced by the Bush administration….”

The committee, which will be comprised of local, state, and national officials and safety experts, will have 60 days to make a decision about the color-coded system’s future: modify it or scrap it completely. As one House Representative interviewed in the article said, the system “has become meaningless to the public,” and officials should “retire the fear card.”

Travelers, what do you think? Do you pay attention to the terror threat color scheme while you’re passing through airports? If the color-coded system is done away with, what should replace it? Share your thoughts below.

Community Connection:

Check out this popular post from our archives: Anti-Bush Graffiti: 25 Countries, Six Continents.

Photo via www.bullrunning.com

We hoped we wouldn’t be reporting this type of news during this year’s San Fermin Festival, especially after announcing the launch of www.bullrunning.com, a website launched prior to the 2009 bull run that provides planning and safety tips for runners.

However, the Pamplona newspaper Diario de Navarra, reported on Friday morning that 27 year old Daniel Jimeno Romero was gored in the neck and died from his injuries.

An eyewitness recounts the event in this video:

Jimeno Romero had run in the festival since he was 20.

Capuchino, the bull that killed Jimeno Romero, gored three other runners in one of the wildest runs in recent memory. A total of 11 runners were transferred to a local hospital for wounds sustained by bulls according to the newspaper.

Community Connection:

Pamplona isn’t the only city that has a bull running festival. Mompox, Colombia, home to Matador contributor Richard McColl, also has an annual bull event, which you can read about here.