Florida Culture for the Week of December 14, 2015 by Josh Garrick
NOW to Dec 22 – Dickens by Candlelight
ALAS! Tavola is closed.
Sometimes the unexpected brings the greatest joy. One of the best meals I had in St. John's, Newfoundland this summer was at Tavola. It was at a meal hosted by Destination St. John's (thank you!), and since I hadn't done any restaurant research before coming to Newfoundland, I didn't know what to expect. But as with all the meals we ate in St. John's, I was delighted and surprised by the excellent food, warm interior, and great conversation.
There are so many benefits to spending vacation time in big cities, from the cultural exhibitions and top restaurants, to shopping up a storm and eyeing off amazing architecture. However, sometimes vacations in busy destinations can lead travelers to feeling like they really need some fresh air and strenuous exercise to counter-balance the chaos.
Danielle Corcione graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey in May 2015. She studied abroad in Bangalore, India and Prague, Czech Republic. Now, she is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
As a child of the 80s, I hum Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Duran Duran songs while I’m cooking, can instantly remember the smell of the ditto machine, pegged my jeans, wore Out of Africa-inspired outfits, devoured John Hughes movies, and couldn’t wait to get Back to the Future.
Let’s be honest – a book with the title How to Live an Awesome Life is a no-brainer, as who doesn’t want an awesome life? But let’s delve a bit deeper, and see why you need this book, and what author Polly Campbell means by living an awesome life.

Emeka Ukaga is a junior dual-degree student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota, but also has close ties with Nigeria because his parents are from there; Emeka’s a dual-citizen. He has a strong passion for global studies, and because of that is also pursuing a minor in French and certificates in International Engineering, Western European Studies, African Studies, and Global Studies.
With the soccer world cup and the next Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has been getting a lot of press. Whether you’re a fan of Neymar, Havianas or speak a bit of Portuguese – Rio has much to offer. A short overnight flight from the east coast of the United States, Rio de Janeiro offers visitors sightseeing, culture, cuisine, scenic views, and endless vistas. From the top of Corcovado to the bottom of the highly populated favelas, Rio is filled with life.
Florida Culture for the Week of December 7, 2015 by Josh Garrick
TONIGHT -- Dec 7 at 7 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic presents Bach’s Brilliance
In an All-Bach program that literally bursts with brilliance, the talent of the Philharmonic’s new Maestro Eric Jacobsen will join with the Orchestra’s beloved Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois as she takes on Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2. This concert will be performed at The Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Call 407.770.0071 or visit Orlandophil.org
A Note from ChristaD, Education and the Rainforest Editor:
This post was written by Kailini C., a high school student from the Gunston School in Maryland. Kailani is a participant in the 2015 Amazon Workshops Student Field Reporter Project which enlisted the help of several students to share their 2015 Amazon experiences with us. Over the coming months, the Education and the Rainforest posts will feature Kailani's words, photos, and reflections – giving you a student's perspective on travel to the Amazon and its educational impact!