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Jessica (Alexandra) and partner Brad landed in Berlin before taking a train to Amsterdam where they spent time before embarking on an Avalon river cruise to Basle.
Travelling ZQN-AKL-LAX on Air NZ it's fair to say we were well looked after with typical service that can only be expected from one of the top ranked airlines in the world. We travelled in economy and received dinner service not long after leaving Auckland with 2 standard choices of meals followed by a breakfast service a couple of hours before landing in LA. As always the Air NZ staff were extremely accommodating and constantly walking around checking the cabin and offering refreshments. With a wide selection of movies including new releases and sit coms we were well catered for on this long haul service. In LA we had 3 hours between flights. We needed to collect our bags and pass through immigration before re boarding the connecting flight. This includes a self service finger print scan and a one on one encounter with an immigration officer, even when transiting.
Our next flight was with Turkish airlines from LA to Berlin via Istanbul. While I wouldn't rave about them I would give them a 4/5 on their long haul product and a 3/5 on their short haul. There was a degree of confusion among both staff and passengers with many people being seated in double booked seats. There was considerably less room compared to Air NZ aircraft and a meal service that was mediocre.
On arrival in Berlin we took a taxi from the airport to our very central hotel (3 minutes walk to Checkpoint Charlie). The cost was approximately EUR30 (NZD55) for the 20 minute journey. Traffic flows really easy here and for convenience it was perfect for us. There is also a bus service that connects to the rail system from the airport but I would recommend and pre booked transfer or taxi on arrival.
Berlin is a stunning city, you can easily spend a couple of days here. With a long and unpleasant history at times Berlin has a lot of tales to tell. It's central location within Europe has seen it as the capital of modern day Germany but also the Prussian empire. Berlin seems to be most famous for the Berlin Wall which divided West Germany from East Germany for almost 30 years, but it has many other reasons to visit. Much of the city was bombed and destroyed by the allies in WW2 so Berlin is a relatively modern by Europe standards. The impressive Brandenburg gate is one of the most recognised symbols in Europe.
A free walking tour of the city departs 4 x daily from the Brandenburg Gate. The walk will take about 3 hours and is presented in many different languages. It will give you a great grasp on the history of both Berlin and Germany and point out many historical sights you may otherwise walk straight past.
The people understand the part their country played in both world wars but there is so much more to this city than just terror. Berlin has a huge monument dedicated to all who lost their lives in the concentration camps which is smack in the middle of the city, free for all to take a moment to reflect. They have accepted what happened and are doing all they can to repent for their actions from welcoming the Jewish community with open arms to encouraging people of all races and backgrounds to make Berlin their home. This is also apparent with their attitude towards the LGBT community
Insider tip
Visit 'Checkpoint Charlie' or 'the wall museum' to get stamps in your passports that would have been stamped at the time the wall was standing. There is a small fee for this, approx EUR4 (NZD7).
The rail network is excellent, an easy and affordable way to get around the city. The people are extremely friendly and will offer a helping hand to anyone that looks a little lost. On our last day we took the train and then bus from our hotel to the airport for our flight to Amsterdam. This cost us EUR3 (NZD5) and was incredibly easy. The front desk of most hotels should be able to provide you with easy to follow directions, the trip will take about 40 minutes from the city centre. Note there are 2 airports in Berlin, the one I am referring to is Tegal.
Hello Holland!
First things first Amsterdam is not all about sex, drugs and rock n roll but of course it does play a part!
Day one we visited the world renowned Keukenhof gardens. These gardens are filled with a variety of flowers but most of the focus is on the tulips. Late March - mid May is tulip season and boy is it stunning to see. With many different arrangements it's difficult not to be WOW'd and impressed. There are inside and outside displays and we even witnessed a wedding there. The fields are gorgeous and laid with many different coloured tulips which get shipped around the world. At the peak of tulip mania, in February 1637, some single tulip bulbs sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftworker. This is a must visit during season.
Having been to Amsterdam before I didn't do as many 'touristy things' as last time. A lot of our time was spent wandering the streets, taking the local public transport (which runs seamlessly), eating, drinking and people watching. I think 2-3 days in Amsterdam is a good amount of time to recommend. While Amsterdam is very well known for its legalisation of marijuana and its red-light district there really is a lot more to this city. Obviously I can't just glaze over these things so it's important for you to know you will undoubtedly find yourselves wandering into the red-light district sooner or later. The little narrow streets all merge into one and another and before you know it you're in the thick of the oldest profession in Amsterdam. It really is quite fascinating with girls posing in windows in rooms no bigger than 1m x 2m wearing very little. A red lamp lit above the window advises prospective customers the girls are 'available' while drawn curtains, well it's obvious! Be aware no photos are allowed. Scattered around this area are countless 'coffee shops' offering hash cookies, gum, brownies, pipes… you name it's available for purchase.
To paint the picture even further there are a lot of Danish bakeries offering all sorts of sweet goodies including waffles, custard cakes, fruit tarts, cheese shops, pizza bigger than anything you have ever seen before and a wide array of beverages. There are boutique shops and high street brands available galore. Don't be fooled into thinking there is a specific age group to recommend Amsterdam to, there were kids as young as 3 wondering the streets to the older generations the cobbles, the appeal really is there for everyone.
Other things visitors come to this city for include the famous Van Gogh museum where a wide selection of his artwork is on display. Amsterdam is a city of museums, there is a museum for almost everything and they all offer something slightly different. The trading and crafting of diamonds is also famous here and clients should take 20 minutes out of their day to do a free diamond tour to see how they are shaped and to educate themselves on the different factors that determine the value of a stone. No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a canal cruise. There are many different operators and it's a fantastic way to see this city from a different angle. 'Devil' bikes are everywhere. It's important to look out for these maniacs. For us getting our heads around traffic being on the wrong side of the road is hard enough let along having bikers everywhere you look. There are specific bike lanes which are NOT an extension of the footpath, you will soon learn there is an area for pedestrians and an area for cyclists and the two do not mix.
Insider tip
Tickets for Anne Frank's house / museum book out months in advance so if you are interested please ask us your consultant to book in advance.
After a fabulous time in Amsterdam we now embarked on our Avalon river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel. As per the joining instructions I was advised of the docking point 24-48 hours before the cruise. This is important as there are 3 different docks in Amsterdam and the cruise line may not know which one until they are in the city if they are arriving a few days before the cruise. You will need to log onto your cruise personaliser the day before the cruise to find out specifically where you will join the cruise. If you fly in on the morning of the cruise you will have a free transfer from the airport to the ship, otherwise you will make your own way to the ship. Joining is very easy and quite different to an ocean cruise. You basically walk right up to the ship, leave your bags on the side and walk on board. No security to go through, you just check in with the front desk staff who advise you your bags will be taken to your room soon and you are given a quick run down about the ship. We were advised we could drop our bags at any time but our rooms would not be ready until 4 pm, when we got on at 11am they were already cleaned and ready for our arrival which was amazing. We were given a tour of the room and given clear instructions on how to use everything including opening the balcony door, using the safe, turning on the TV and adjusting the AC. After the tour we were offered a buffet lunch and had free time until the compulsory drill at 6pm. On this day there were no included activities for us, but there were 2 optional shore excursions which a lot of people opted to go on, they ranged from EUR50-75pp (NZD85-125). Every cruise must have a drill to prepare customers in case of emergencies. This took about 15 minutes to get through and then there was a run down about how the next 7 days would flow and what we could expect. We were introduced to the heads of each department on board and then dinner began.
Every evening (normally right before dinner) the cruise director gives a 15 minute run down on what to expect the following day. He or she will advise the breakfast times, what time the ship will dock and what time the tour will depart the ship. They will advise what might be seen from the ship if it is sailing that day or the time for lunch or any evening entertainment and dinner times. It's well worth making sure you are present for this information because it really helps to plan what you will do the following day. A copy of 'The Daily' will also appear in the stateroom while you are at dinner which will give a timed itinerary for the day. You do not have to do the organised tours and are absolutely free to do your own thing if you prefer. For those less able there is always a option for 'gentle walkers' where the pace is much slower and buses are also provided if there is a bit of ground to cover. There really is something for everyone
A normal day will be breakfast any time from 0600 and the tours normally left between 0830 - 0900. Guests are asked to gather in the lounge about 10 minutes before the tour leaves to make sure the head sets are working and that everyone was on time for the guides. In each port there are local guides who will give an easy walking tour for about 1.5 hours, you may only cover 2-3km in that time. Generally the guides try not to overload you with too much information and they have a good idea about where you will have come from so are careful not to double up on information you may have received the day before. After your guided tour you will either be walked back to the ship or if you have had to take a bus then you will get bused back to the ship in time for lunch. The ship may then cruise for a couple of hours to the next port and another tour will be organised in this new port. If the ship is staying put you will have free time in the afternoon to keep exploring and will be advised when the ship will be leaving port for the all aboard call. Dinner is generally around 1900, with the cruise director spiel 15 minutes prior to this. Dinner is a full on affair. With Avalon drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) are included FOC during meal times so they tend to be quite drawn out! Meals in the main dining room are al a carte with the choice of 3 entrees, 2 soups, 4 mains and 4 desserts. A waiter will take your order and the meal process flows smoothly and normally this took about 2 hours. The tables are set for either 2, 4 or 6 guests and bread rolls with 3 different dips on the table when you arrive making the dinner 5 courses, you can imagine there's a lot of weight gained on each cruise.
The staff are unbelievable. They knew my name and room number by the end of day 2. The waiters had our drink order down pat and they kept refilling our drinks without being asked. The little cleaning fairies were in and out of the rooms lightening quick, I say that because we never actually saw them although they were cleaning at least 3 times a day from what we could tell. Front desk staff had our shore passes out ready as soon as they saw us coming which was fantastic at saving time. Each time clients leave the ship they collect a shore pass which has emergency contact details of the ship on it. This is the only way staff know if they are off the ship or have made it back on.
With the first 2 days in Amsterdam, day 3 was in Cologne, Germany. The cruise was the longest on this day, we had left Amsterdam at 1700 on day 2 and arrived in Cologne at 1500 on day 3. On arrival our guide collected our walking group for a tour of this magnificent city. Rich in history and with its easily identifiable gothic style cathedral this city is worth a visit on any river cruise or as part of a land tour, it did not disappoint. There are lots of little cafes, breweries, chocolate factories, churches, museums, you name it there is something for everyone in this amazing city.
Day 4 was a city visit of Koblenz then a cruise thought the most spectacular part of the Rhine river, the Rhine gorge and then a visit of Rudesheim. Koblenz has had a very eventful history with its castles, fortress walls, towers, town squares and monuments there is a story for every significant moment in history. 3 hours was plenty of time to see the highlights but if you were particularly interested in history and wanted to get more details they would need longer here.
The next stretch on the Rhine was spectacular. With more castles over this 40 km stretch than anywhere else is the world it easy to see why this was considered to be a highlight for many. The weather was perfect to sit outside and watch the world go by. There were castles, fortresses, vineyards, thatched roof villages, colourful buildings everywhere you looked. The famous 'Lorelei rock' is another bucket list tick for many.
Rudesheim is where we spent that afternoon and we also had an overnight here. Upon arrival 2 'choo choo' trains were there to pick us all up and take up to visit 'Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Museum'. This very talented man collected old German made self playing musical instruments that were in disrepair and he fixed them all up and has since opened a very fascinating museum where visitors can appreciate these amazing instruments once again. After the museum we were treated to the local brew which was flaming brandy mixed with coffee, cream and chocolate served in specialty mugs which went down a real treat. The small town, around the same size of Clyde was easy to wonder around and each street lead you onto another which was just as spectacular as the one before. The architecture in this town was stunning with brightly coloured mismatched buildings and narrow cobbled streets. This evening on the cruise we were treated to a stunning performance of classical music, even if this isn't up your alley it was difficult not to engage and be wow'd by the talent of this group of 3 performers.
On day 5 we visited Mainz in the morning and then Heidleberg for the afternoon. Mainz I could give or take but if your clients are particularly religious they may be interested in a visit to the Gutenberg Museum which houses one of the first printed copies of the bible. Modern day printing was invented in Mainz so it's great to be able to see the printing machine and the first book printed was the bible. 150 copies were made and only 49 survive today. In 2015 a book came up on the market and sold for USD19 million and this museum has 3 of them!!! Back to the ship for 1130 and another couple of hours cruising before reaching Heidleberg. This city is a 'must visit' on any trip. It has an amazing castle in ruins on the hills overlooking the city. With a river running along side the city and the small alleyways are all unique with colourful homes and buildings leading onto more colourful houses. Chocolate and cafes are another highlight and with one mile of high street shopping what's not to love!
The following day we were in France! Strasbourg is a very picturesque town. Although it is a French town it plays host to some of the most spectacular German architecture found anywhere because it was one of the few towns not bombed in the war. Its interesting location makes it the ideal spot to be the headquarters of the Council of Europe and location of the European Parliament. Highlights in Strasbourg include a canal cruise to really appreciate the history and architecture as well as its gothic style church in the town centre which also has an astronomical clock. Much of the beauty of this town is just wandering around its cobbled streets and taking in its mixed culture and mixed building styles. It is also a very important wine and crop region. One council rule in this town is that no building may be painted the same colour as the neighbouring house which makes for a very beautiful town.
The evening was the captains farewell dinner. What a lavish affair this was. It was recommended to dress a little more formally than previous evenings, a shirt for the blokes and a nice top / dress for the woman was fine although it was not compulsory. The captains dinner was a 6 course meal and every course was phenomenal. All the staff were involved and a lot of speeches and thank you' s were expressed. It was a fantastic night and I can highly recommend you make sure you attend this dinner, it was a step up (if that was possible).
Our penultimate day started with an hour and a half bus ride through the country side and various villages deep into the black forest where the highlight was a cuckoo clock factory. We had been fortunate enough to have the owner and his son on board the night before to watch a short video on the production of the clocks and also see a demonstration which was fantastic. This multi generational factory let us have access to an array of shopping from Christmas decorations to toy soldiers to fridge magnets, to t-shirts to cuckoo clocks of all different sizes, and quality, and prices!! The most amazing part was the huge hand made cuckoo clock outside the shop. It's clear to see why visitors are attracted from all around the world.
The afternoon was either at your leisure or an optional excursion to Colmar (EUR45/NZD75 pp). This little town is one of the most beautiful in France and is known as the birthplace of the father of the Statue of Liberty. We had an organised 1.5 hour walking tour then free time to explore on our own. We were fortunate enough to catch the last day of the Easter markets and one can only imagine this little town would hum in the winter when the Christmas markets are in full swing.
Overall I can highly recommend Avalon to a wide range of people. There were only Kiwi's, Aussies, Canadian's and Americans on board which I found quite interesting. All English speaking staff were highly trained. There were another couple our age in their thirties on their honeymoon and there were around 20 under 50. Interestingly there were 12 single ladies travelling unencumbered by having to pay a single supplement. They were friends or cousins and with no single supplement this is a wonderful way to travel.


text: September is here! Muscadines are ripening! We have a private stock of table muscadines that ripen early, and they look and taste wonderful and are marvelously fragrant, as well! We've been making smoothies, parfaits, and muscadine ices, and just eating them off the vine! Our main crop is moving toward harvest. We can't wait for the first muscadine cobbler of the season as soon as the weather cools enough to use the oven! Do contact us if you want to reserve some of the crop for your juice, wine, or jelly and cobbler-making purposes!

subset: commoncrawl


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Another growing year is drawing to a close, and it's time to have a look at the Orchyard's year.
On the face of it, this was not an overly good year. The raccoons made off with all the cherries, the insects got all of the apples, and something else cleared out the grapes. The year began with a wet and stormy spring followed by a rainless summer and a relatively normal early autumn. The deer and weather combined to damage many of the small trees, and a round of cicadas hit the young growth on the older trees fairly hard.
Looking for positives, though, the plants all survived the drought conditions, the older trees all set fruit, and when I last looked the meadow was full of bees collecting goldenrod pollen for the cold months ahead.
Foxwhelp – strong tree, very upright, no fireblight, minimal scab, light cicada damage, fruit set.
Porter's Perfection – very strong tree, moderate cicada damage, almost no scab, set fruit, heavy leaf eating insect damage.
Roxbury Russet – promising start, about 5 feet high with good branching, needs shaping cuts in the spring.
Vandevere – very strong tree, light cicada damage, set fruit, leaf eating insect damage, no fireblight, light scab.
Winter Banana – Heavy lean but roots starting to firm back up, heavy scab, set fruit.
Red Delicious – Tree strong, some cicada damage. Some spurs showing brown and dried leaves, but no dead branch tips. Possible blossom blight? Leaving alone. No evidence of fruit set.
Betsy Deaton – about 5 feet tall, promising start
Pomme Gris – Heavy cicada damage, no evidence of fruit set, light scab.
Pittmaston Pineapple – Massive cicada damage. No evidence of fruit set. Very light scab.
Golden Russet – Tree still not stable on roots from 2007 washout, but keeps growing anyway. Heavy cicada damage, light scab, fruit set.
Claygate Pearmain – Tree strong and healthy, moderate cicada damage, set fruit.
Old Fashioned Limbertwig – Damaged in spring storm (top half blown away and broken), good subsequent growth but fighting deer and weather. Had to reinstall a deer guard for the upcoming winter.
Gala – Broken top in spring storm and mauled by deer. Also heavy cicada damage.
Bramley's Seedling – Still weak on it's roots but keeps going. Set fruit, light scab.
Cannon Pearmain – Massive cicada damage otherwise quite healthy. No fruit set, tree relatively strong.
Cox's Orange Pippin – Heavy cicada and leaf eating insect damage, no evidence of fruit set, tree strong.
Unknown (possibly Pomme Gris, possibly rootstock) – Very strong tree, light scab, fruit set, the best tree in the orchard.
St. Edmunds Pippin – Roots getting stronger, moderate cicada damage, set fruit.
Arkansas Sweet – Tree doing well. Some scab and cicada damage, what the other two from it's planting year would be like if they had not broken in the spring storm.
Moonglow Pear – Coming along, some deer nibbles.
Kiefer Pear – lots of leaves this year but little in the way of vertical growth, what is there appears healthy.
Orange Quince – good growth, some brow leaves, looks like either insects or drought related.
Pineapple Quince – good, strong growth.
Bing Cherry – still holding on despite being a favored deer nibble. 4 years in the ground and it's shorter than it was when planted.
Duchess of Oldenburg – Very strong tree, fruit set, light scab.
Golden Delicious – Heavy cicada and leaf eating insect damage, light scab, strong, no fruit set.
Original Cherry – the long, slow, decline in health continues, no thanks to the raccoons.


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With powder reports in the double digits all across the state, this weekend is shaping up to be about more than just football. Look for a lot of Broncos jerseys on the slopes this weekend, and plan to sit out Sunday's ski traffic parked in front of the game somewhere in the hills. Read on for some game-day tips for how to put the "ride" in Mayor Michael Hancock's "United in Orange, Time to Ride" proclamation.
See also: Get on the Edge on winter fun in Colorado Top twelve Broncos fans you've probably met
Fly the flag! In case you were wondering if our mountain town friends are as into the Broncos as we are here in Denver, check out the above bit of viral video genius from Telluride Ski Resort. Oh, yeah, it's on.
First tracks! Broncos fans are getting some love from Breckenridge, too, where your orange-and-blue outerwear will get you on the Beaver Run SuperChair on Peak 9 -- and into all that pow -- an hour early, starting at 7:30 a.m. with a valid lift ticket or season pass. Did we mention Breck is on track for its January snowfall record?
Orange you glad it's snowing? Sport your Broncos colors at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and get a $48 lift ticket in honor of Super Bowl XLVIII. At the end of the day, hit up the tailgate party at Butte 66, which is offering free beer for orange-wearers from 3 p.m until the keg taps out. Head back to Butte 66 on Super Bowl Sunday for 99-cent wings and barbecue specials during the game. Root for the Broncos' defense, and plan to stay the night: CBMR will offer discounted lift tickets on Monday based on the overall score of the game: "The big question arises, how low could it go? If the score at the end of the game is 3 to 0, tickets at CBMR would be $3 next Monday," according to CBMR spokeswoman Erica Mueller. "As a reference in Super Bowl history, the lowest combined scoring game was 21 points in 1973, but CBMR is willing to bet on the odds and regardless give everyone a discounted day of skiing. Go Broncos!"
Buffs before Broncs! Have some black and gold in your wardrobe, too? The CU-Boulder Alumni Association will be hosting a CU Alumni Day and rooting for the CU Ski Team in the Spencer James Invitational Ski Race at Winter Park on Saturday, and Doc's Roadhouse is offering food and drink discounts for the occasion from 3 to 5 p.m.
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Mmm... savory! Keystone's month-long Savor the Slopes event kicks off on Saturday, with $25 tasting menus. Saturday's special features the chocolate tasting wheel at Keystone Ranch; Sunday's special is a four-course mini sampling menu at the Ski Tip Lodge. That doesn't really have anything to do with the Broncos, but still... yum!
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A new single for the collaboration concert of Berryz Koubou and C-ute has been announced. It will be titled Amazuppai Haru ni Sakurasaku (On a bittersweet spring, the sakura blooms).
The single comes in 3 editions, one regular and 2 Limited Editions, A and B, which will each probably feature a bonus of one of the groups.
Alongside the Mobekimasu single announcement, I'm really happy to see that Berryz Koubou and C-ute will yet have a great joint single in time for their upcoming joint concert since those type of concerts are usually a great opportunity for us to have a single from the 2 groups combined, and with having H!P Kids reunited for a single after many years is really amazing news.
According to the translation of the title, it seems that the song will be somwhat calm and happy because there's a mention of spring and of cherry trees blossoming which always remind me of a happy and calm place, and it probably will turn out to be this way since the title of their concert tour is also somewhat related to calm and relaxation with the word "Island".
Even though we can't know for sure the content of the single, it could either feature a main song by both groups as well as another c/w by both, or just like Mobekimasu's single, it could feature a different c/w on each edition that belongs to either C-ute or Berryz Koubou, but we'll just have to wait until more information is released to find out for sure.
Overall, I'm extremely happy about this announcement since C-ute and Berryz Koubou are groups that have solid members in them with great singing potential thanks to the many years they spent together, so hopefully we'll get to see what kind of song it turns out to be.
Hopefully we'll later on find out the content of the single as well as if there will be a PV or not since it seems like a great opportunity for one to be done.
The release date is set for 11/09.
SonyMusicShop page about Regular Edition
SonyMusicShop page about Limited A Edition
SonyMusicShop page about Limited B Edition
EDIT: It seems that the song will be the ending theme of the movie "Oosama Game" that Berryz Koubou and C-ute members are participating in according to Neowing, and it was also said that a PV will actually be filmed with C-ute's version of it on one Limited Edition, and Berryz Koubou's version on the other.
C-ute will be releasing their Limited Edition under Zetima while Berryz will be releasing theirs under Piccolo Town, and there will also be 2 different c/w songs for each group, so I'm thinking that the Limited Edition that comes with C-ute's vers. of the PV will come with their c/w song, same for Berryz with the second Limited Edition.
Even though everything seems unclear right now, when the clear and detailled information is out it will be much easier to understand the content of the single and it's concept since right now, everything seems kind of mixed up on information sites because the single has just been announced.
Neowing info page about product
SonyMusicShop info page about product
EDIT 2: Things have somewhat started to clear up since it was announced thanks to CDJapan that the single will actually be released in 6 editions for a total of 2 Regular Editions, 2 Limited A Editions and 2 Limited B Editions, which is due to the fact that each group will be releasing for itself 3 versions of the single under their own label while the other group does the same for their versions under their label.
The confusion was made because Sony Music Shop only posted the versions that come under Zetima for C-ute without stating Berryz's versions under Piccolo Town (thanks to EmEl for the information).


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Friday Night Films
Friday Night Films brings a variety of popular movie genres to campus during the fall and spring terms. Check out the titles you missed in the cinema or enjoy them all over again with pre-home release movies. Before you can rent or buy it, EXCEL brings your favorite hit movies to the big screen on campus.
Free popcorn is provided with admission (while supplies last); other concessions for sale. The Box Office opens one hour prior to show time.
Location: Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center (map)
Show time: 4:00PM and 8:00PM
Price: $3.00 cash and credit/debit accepted. Tickets may be purchased at the Rosebud Box office.
To see a preview of each film, please click on the title!
February 16th: Thor: Ragnarok
March 2nd: CoCo
March 23rd: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
March 30th: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
April 20th: Come to the Rosebud Theater at 4:00PM or 8:00PM to find out!


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The Bohemian island of Formentera, Balearic Islands is an unspoiled, peaceful paradise with gorgeous beaches, and sparkling waters. You'll find beaches with the whitest sand and waters more crystalline than you could ever hope for. This island is one of the most idyllic destinations in the Balearic Islands. Many believe that the beaches on Formentera are among the best in the world and when you get there, you will think so too. Playa de Ses Illetes is ranked one of the 20 best beaches in the world. Off the beaten track and away from the main beaches, you can discover many deserted coves to take you away from the crowds.
Formentera is a great destination when you just want to lie on a beach, eat fine food, drink good wine and sleep long languorous hours. You can stay on Formentera for deep relaxation or just head over for a day's visit from Ibiza. You could see the entire island in a day, but it's better to take in the island at a slow pace. Laze on a beach, have lunch in a beach-side chiringuito, or take a walk around one of its small villages. This is also a great place to take a walk, either by the coast or inland. Take in the breathtaking views from fields or cliff tops and stand in awe at the beauty. Many like to hike to the old lighthouses, or seek out ancient caves, and all go to watch the incredible sunset.
The sea, with its clear waters is perfect for snorkeling or diving with an amazing kaleidoscope of marine life just under the surface of the water. The openness of the island means that there few shady spots, so you'll want to use a good sunscreen.
The transparency of Formentera's waters is due to the presence of the biggest area of Posidonia seagrass in the Mediterranean Sea that covers the seabed. These underwater grasses are protected by the Ses Salines Nature Park that extends from Ibiza. Ses Salines was once the center of Formentera's salt industry, which is now no more, but the pretty pink salt flats remain. The limited development on the island is what keeps the island unspoiled. You won't find any tall buildings, not on the beaches, or in the resorts.
Getting to Formentera
With no airport, Formentera can be reached by boat from Ibiza. Ferries large and small go there daily, although with a reduced service in winter. Ferries run mainly from Ibiza Town, going to Formentera's port of La Savina, but there are also excursions and ferry connections from other resorts on the island. A fast ferry can get you from Ibiza Town in just 30 minutes.
The most economical and speedy way of getting to Formentera from Ibiza is with an Aquabus. This ferry service takes you to La Savina from Ibiza Town all year round. Inside and sun-deck seating options are available and luggage, bikes and pets go for free. People staying on Ibiza's east coast can take the Santa Eulalia Ferry with daily Formentera services going from the resort's port. The ferry terminal in the center of Ibiza Town has ferry services, some of which allow you to take cars. Day-trippers can also choose from a number of boat excursions going to Formentera and some of its outlying islands.
Getting Around Formentera
By Bike Or Scooter
One of the most popular ways of getting around Formentera is by bicycle and both manual and electric bikes are available for hire. There are also numerous places to rent scooters in La Savina. Ferry companies like Aquabus allow you to take over bicycles and scooters from Ibiza for free, but there are also many places to rent when you arrive in the port of La Savina. With flat contours and 32 Green Routes running all across the island, Formentera is incredibly easy to pedal your way around. The many pathways will take you around the coast, by sand dunes or landmarks and through rural farmland with goats, fig trees and pretty dry-stone walls. If you choose to rent a scooter, do watch out for potholes and ruts on the tracks that lead to the beaches.
By Bus
There are regular bus routes to take you from La Savina to the villages and beaches of the island as well as the resort Es Pujols. There is also a special circuit bus for tourists, the L3, which offers a short circuit that covers La Savina, Playa de Ses Illetes beach and Es Pujols. Bus services run throughout the year.
Beach ferries to Ses Illetes and Espalmador
There's a very useful small beach ferry service called La Bahía. It runs during the summer months and will take you from La Savina to the beach of Ses Illetes and the island just below it, Espalmador. There are three services in the morning to get there and three in the afternoon to get back.
Weather (When to Go)
From December to February, the weather is characterized by sunny periods alternating with rainy periods. The wind blows frequently. Very cold days are rare, but sometimes night-time temperatures can approach freezing. From March to May the weather is mild, but in April or mid-May, windy and rainy days are possible, with a bit of cold at night. June to mid-September is hot and sunny. The air is a bit sultry, but sea breezes temper the heat. Very hot days are rare, however, highs can sometimes reach 95/97 °F in July and August. From mid-September to November it is pleasantly warm with some wind and rain. The amount of sunshine in Formentera is great in summer, and is also frequent in spring. In autumn and winter there is a moderate amount of sunny days with some periods of bad weather.
High season in Formentera is July and August. During these 2 months, hotel rates spike, and the Island gets pretty crowded with tourists. During this time traffic will be pretty awful, and the beaches are so crowded that you can hardly lie on the sand or see the horizon due to the large number of boats and yachts moored in its wonderful waters. Even if you do come during this time, relax and make the most of your time in Formentera!
The best time to visit Formentera is May, June, September and even October. Prices offer a good value for hotels and restaurants. The shops are open and beaches are like heaven in paradise. No multitudes, no traffic and excellent service in every sense.
Ses Salines Natural Park
Declared an Item of World Heritage by UNESCO, the area provides a good example of the interaction between marine and coastal ecosystems. The sea reperesents 75% of the park's total area and is special because of the dense prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass), an important endemic species found only in the Mediterranean. On land, the salt flats of Las Salinas are a popular attraction on the Island of ibiza. The salt produced has been a huge export for the island for thousands of years and the revenues generated even helped to finance the completion of the walls of Dalt Vila. The protected area within the National Park includes the salt flats, beaches, wetlands, dunes and forests incorporating 1,786 hectares of land. For bird enthusiasts the Natural Park is home to hundreds of species of birds and there are plenty of walks you can take which will reveal the beauty of this area.
Ses Illetes
Because of the white sand and crystal-clear water, this beach in Formentera has been named one of the most beautiful in the world. It has spectacular views of several small islands, and you can even spot the island of Ibiza.The Illetes area is equipped for water sports such as sailing and scuba diving, and offers all kinds of services. Thanks to the surroundings, which are part of an area of natural interest, and the Posidonia meadows that can be found underwater, it has earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.There is also a boat service that goes from this area to La Sabina port and Espalmador island.
Cap de Barbària
The Balearics' southernmost point is an extraordinary lunar-like landscape of parched, rocky terrain that ultimately ends in the Far de Barbària, a 1970s lighthouse. Gazing out to sea and watching the waves crash against the cliffs below is captivating, especially at sunset. You have to park a little north of the lighthouse and walk the final 30 minutes or so. From the lighthouse, it's a 10-minute walk eastwards to the Torre des Garroveret, an 18th-century watchtower.
Cala Saona
Delectable Cala Saona is a fabulous west-coast beach where the water glows a startling shade of luminous turquoise and the powder-soft sand is salt white. Though popular, it isn't too developed, bar a couple of laid-back, good-vibe summer beach shacks, a kayak/SUP-rental stand and the Hotel Cala Saona.
Platja Llevant
Through the steep sand dunes on the eastern side of the Trucador Peninsula, Platja Llevant is a wonderful, undeveloped beach. The powdery sand is so white it dazzles your eyes, and the aquamarine water is fantastically clear. It's also very shallow, so safe for children, and the sea warms to bathtub temperatures on summer days. There can be strong winds here, so do heed the warning flags.
Espalmador is an uninhabited island of dunes and sandstone off the northernmost tip of Formentera. Espalmador has a beautiful crescent-shaped beach of fine white sand, Platja de S'Alga, lapped by shallow sea. There's a natural mud pond just north of the beach, though it can dry up in summer.
Things To Do
Formentera Des Del Mar
Live unique experiences sailing on a 11m sailboat and discover the most beautiful corners of the island of Formentera from the sea. It has a chill out zone, paddle board, awning, snorkel gear, bathing platform, snorkel gear and zodiac to bring you the best beaches and coves! For more information call +34 633-947-099, or visit them on the web at Formentera Des Del Mar.
La Isla Flotante
Enjoy a boat trip around the wondeful beaches and coves of the island, to places that can only be reached by sea, in order to enjoy the crystal clear water of Formentera. For more information call +34 686 095 369, or visit them on the web at La Isla Flotante.
Sabarca de Formentera
Rent a boat in Formentera. This will provide you with a different perspective, giving you the chance to enjoy everything Formentera has to offer in a unique way… From the sea and on-board a classic local boat, full of charm and character. They offer llaut rentals at a very affordable price, for as little as one night or as many as you want. They are sure you'll fall in love with Formentera and their charming llauts. For more information call +34 657 914 480, or visit them on the web at Sabarca de Formentera.
Saigu Formentera
Saigu Formentera is a water sports center suitable to everyone. Come with your family or buddies if you are eager to spend a great time doing water activities around the island's beautiful crystalline sea! All of that, together with the best crew who will be very happy to show you how to enjoy water sports snorkeling, paddle surfing & sunset cruise) and the natural treasures of the island. For more information call +34 674 409 358, or visit them on the web at Saigu Formentera.
Diving Division Orcasub
An excursion for adults and children to show you the best beaches of the island you can get to only by sea. Everybody receives fins, mask, and snorkel to swim in the beautiful crystal clear water of Formentera. For more information call +34 639 601 839, or visit them on the web at Diving Division Orcasub.
Best Rated Restaurants
$-Inexpensive $$-Moderate $$$-Pricey $$$$-Ultra High End
$$$$ Aigua
Located right on the marina at La Savina, and with a large outdoor terrace, Aigua is a great choice for a romantic dinner date. The menu is primarily seafood, with an emphasis on Italian cuisine, but also some excellent sushi and sashimi. It's not cheap but it's easy to see why this place is popular – the setting is stunning, and the food is great, and presented beautifully on the plate. The restaurant is only open in the evenings, and tables on the terrace are the place to be, so it's best to book ahead. For more information call +34 971 323 322, or visit them on the web at Aigua.
$$$$ Can Carlos
With the outdoor terrace set in a beautiful garden with fairy lights twinkling in the trees, Can Carlos certainly makes for a picture-worthy romantic setting. It's not all about the garden though, as the food and service are both fantastic, as is the wine list. The menu is Mediterranean with a heavy leaning towards Italian, and the seafood is particularly good, with the local squid and tuna carpaccio being firm favourites. This restaurant is extremely popular, and only opens for dinner, so booking ahead is essential, particularly if you want to sit outside. For more information call +34 971 322 874, or visit them on the web at Can Carlos.
$$$$ Can Dani
Can Dani serves traditional cuisine with a contemporary twist, and uses locally sourced produce wherever possible. Once the proud owners of a Michelin star (the first restaurant in Ibiza and Formentera to be awarded one), the restaurant sadly no longer bears this award, but don't let this put you off visiting. Set in a rustic atmosphere with contemporary styling, and a pretty courtyard, the food really is innovative, and the incredible tasting menu with wine pairing allows you to sample the chef's full range. For more information call +34 971 328 505, or visit them on the web at Can Dani.
$$$$ Es Caló
At Es Caló, tables are set on an open-sided wooden structure on a beach of the same name, with clear views over the pretty cove and out to sea. For a delicious seafood lunch, in a relaxed and tranquil beach setting, this is the place to come. Their paellas and other rice dishes are excellent, and the spiny lobster casserole, (which doesn't come cheap, and has to be ordered in advance) is a real treat. Local dishes like the octopus or salads with dried salty fish, are also worth trying. For more information call +34 971 327 311, or visit them on TripAdvisor at Es Caló.
$$$$ Es Moli De Sal
Chi-chi but family friendly, this beach side bar and restaurant is the place to come if you want perfect sunset views with your pre-dinner drinks. Es Moli de Sal is located in an old windmill right on the edge of the sea, and is apparently a favorite of the King of Spain, among other celebrities, which would explain the eye-watering prices. Drinks however are fairly reasonable, and if you are prepared to splash out on a nice meal, the extensive seafood menu is very good, and the homemade ice-cream is raved about. Yachty types can come to shore using the restaurant's water-taxi service. For more information call +34 971 187 491, or visit them on the web at Es Moli De Sal.
Best Bars
Started by a couple of hippies from Germany who arrived over 40 years ago, Piratabus is one of the Formentera's oldest bars and one that still manages to retain plenty of its seventies island vibe. Originally a bus (hence the name) its now a wooden beach hut located on the sand dunes of Mitjorn. As well and cold beer and outstanding mojitos, it serves up some excellent tapas that can be gobbled down while enjoying some great music and spectacular sunsets. For more information call +34 637 011 998, or visit them on the web at Piratabus.
Kiosko 62
Another off-the-beaten-track chiringuito, Kiosko 62 is located at the other end of Mitjorn beach and shares the friendly and super-chill mood of Piratabus. You can almost dangle your toes into the crystal-clear water while supping back a cold one at this popular and reasonably-priced beachfront bar. Don't leave without trying their specialty – the pomada – a refreshingly simple mix of Balearic gin and cloudy lemonade. For more information call +34 697 840 795, or visit them on the web at Kiosko 62.
Gecko Beach Club
Just along the beach from Kiosko 62, but a world apart is the super-swish Gecko Beach Club. Dubbed "barefoot luxury" by its owners, expect the well-heeled, the jet-set, and the occasional A-list (certain Dicaprio once dropped in) to be lounging around custom-designed loungers ordering expertly-mixed cocktails. Why not join them and splurge on a canopied day-bed and enjoy the sunset in style? For more information call +34 971 328 024, or visit them on the web at the Gecko Beach Club.
Blue Bar
With a peace sign on its roof that can be seen from the air, this quirky bar also features a resident alien mascot and galactic-themed decor. Expect a mix of reggae, ambient, and jazz music from live DJs as well as regular – and rather bizarre – extra-terrestrial performances. Set on the dunes overlooking Mitjorn beach, it can also claim some gorgeous sunsets and rumors abound that the likes of Dylan kicked back here in the sixties. For more information call +34 666 758 190, or visit them on the web at Blue Bar.
Chezz Gerdi
While principally a restaurant (and a fine one at that), Chezz Gerdi is also one of the finest places on the island to sink a sundowner or two. A playfully-decorated chill-out area provides a great spot for exploring their impressive cocktail menu – the Green Tea Gin is a highlight – and if the mood takes you stay for their delicious traditional Italian-inspired cooking. To find it look out for the rooftop VW camper van just on the outskirts of Es Pujols. For more information call +34 648 020 106, or visit them on the web at Chezz Gerdi.
Best Hotels
Hotel & Spa Entre Pinos
The Entre Pinos Hotel & Spa is located in one of the prime locations of Formentera; between the beach and the coves of Es Calo and Arenals Beach, in the beautiful setting of a protected forest area away from the tourist areas, where you can stay and enjoy unique and unforgettable sensations. The hotel's buffet restaurant serves international food and has a terrace next to the pool. There is also a café-bar serving snacks and drinks throughout the day. There is free WiFi in some areas and parasols and beach towels are provided for free. Hotel & Spa Entre Pinos is 15 minutes' drive from La Savina. From here you can take a ferry to Ibiza or Dénia. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Hotel & Spa Entre Pinos.
Blanco Hotel Formentera
This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Offering an outdoor pool and a bar, Blanco Hotel is located in the heart of Es Pujols area, on the island of Formentera. It features elegantly decorated air-conditioned rooms and a 24-hour front desk. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. Featuring a terrace, all rooms have a hardwood floor and are smartly designed so as to benefit from the natural sun light and bright colors of the island. They come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a wardrobe. The private bathroom comes with a shower, hairdryer and a bathrobe. Extras include a mini-bar, a safe and an iPod dock station. At Blanco Hotel guests will find different gastronomic areas , like the Buffet Breakfast with Show Cooking, a Cocktail Bar and a Lounge Pool Bar. Other facilities offered include a large solarium area with hammocks. Free private parking is possible on site. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room, visit Blanco Hotel Formentera.
Hotel Cala Saona & Spa
Located in one of the most beautiful and quietest areas of Formentera, Cala Saona Hotel & Spa offers all services to make sure that your stay is simply unforgettable. With direct access to the beach from the hotel facilities, you will feel privileged, being able to enjoy not only the natural beauty of its environment, but also the possibility of caring for your body and mind in an environment which encourages enjoyment and relaxation: gym, spa, wellness, beauty treatments, padel tennis courts, Yoga, etc. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room, visit Hotel Cala Saona & Spa.
Sa Pedrera Suites & Spa
Welcome to Sa Pedrera Suites & Spa, a complex of luxury suites, making your holiday in Formentera unforgettable. Located in Es Pujols, Sa Pedrera Suites & Spa is the ideal accommodation choice if you are seeking exclusivity, comfort and relaxation; the perfect combination of quality and well-being. This hotel has 29 spacious and luxurious suites for two people. The complex has a breakfast service which is included in the room rate, reception service with highly-qualified staff, towel service for pool and beach and daily cleaning service. There is a bar/restaurant, children's pool, outdoor pool, wellness area (spa with jacuzzi, cold plunge-pool, sauna, massage room and heated pool), gym and multipurpose room (for fitness classes, personal training, etc). For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room, visit Sa Pedrera Suites & Spa.
Hotel Sa Volta
This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. This family-run hotel has a rooftop pool and sun terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Rooms have a private balcony and free Wi-Fi. It is located in Es Pujols, in northern Formentera. The air conditioned rooms at the Sa Volta feature tiled floors. Each one is equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV and private bathroom with a hairdryer. Hostal Sa Volta's restaurant serves light meals and the bar has a terrace. There is a variety of restaurants and bars on Es Pujols' nearby seafront promenade.
36 Comments
I have been looking for a good beach destination in Spain, and I think I just found it! It looks like a beautiful place to travel with lots of activities. Thanks for all the great information, as this makes my planning so much easier!↓
Formentera looks a stunning place and you would have a relaxing time there for sure. Spain is a country I want to go to in general in the future. A very detailed and interesting article.↓
You provide us with so many beautiful destinations and I hope to visit some of these some days. My parents want to plan something for their 30 year anny so I will be sure to keep these places in mind!↓
Thanks for your lovely recommendation! Spain is definitely one of my favourite countries! The people and the weather are amazing!
Just wondering what are the exact water sports can I take there? I love to jet ski and scuba diving. Do you reckon they are doing both of these there? Also, as it can be difficult to carry my scuba diving equipment with me if there is no airport there, do you know if there are any facilities that rent the equipment?
By the way, what's the price of the Aquabus for taking you from Ibiza to the island?
I know I might have too many questions here, but really wanting to know haha!↓
This Mediterranean paradise looks wonderful! I love the fact that these beaches are unspoiled and out of the reach of mass crowds! Exploring by bicycle sounds amazing and the white sandy beaches are calling my name. I would love to take a trip here to see the beautiful, transparent waters and explore the caves and beaches!↓
Hello once again Leah, it is always a pleasure to visit your site, and read about the best places to visit in the world. I have never heard of Formentera before, it is so beautiful!!! I will have to pay this place a visit when I start to travel the world. I will love to set foot on that lovely beach. Keep up the great work as always!!!↓
What an amazing place to go. I am definitely looking into this for one of my next vacations. Thank you so much for the informative article. It's grat to have such a wide array of choices in staying, eating etc. to look into even before I start planning the trip. Makes the process so much more accessible.
Thanks a lot!↓
Thank you for making yet another good and thorough beach vacation post. I loved the scenery of the YouTube video for the Formentera Balearic from the drone's point-of-view, gives a lively and authentic feel ( at least for me 🙂 ). Continue providing us with vacation ideas to keep in mind!!!↓
Oh my gosh! My family and I had just watched a movie set in Ibiza and we decided we want to go there someday. I think we'll be adding these beautiful islands to our trip! What a wonderfully thorough article! Thank you!↓
"Formentera is a great destination when you just want to lie on a beach, eat fine food, drink good wine and sleep long languorous hours." I feel like I just want to lie on the beach. But you can only get to Ibiza by boat, no plane? This is definitely honeymoon hot spot! Great job on the site and very informative post.↓
I have never even heard of Formentera. It sounds absolutely heavenly. Your post is very comprehensive in describing this idyllic destination and I've wanted to visit Spain. My son lived there for a couple years and loved it. Oh, how I would love to go there right this minute! Thank you. Reading this brightened my day.↓
Another great place for vacations, another great article if you are considering to go to a place like this. Great read and so many options to choose from. Keep informing us!!!↓
Wow, how beautiful!! Can't wait to get my business making money so I can travel and start going to the beautiful places I keep reading about! This is definitely getting printed out and going into my vision book for an awesome traveling spot!
I've only gone snorkeling once, and I loved it. Was years ago, think it's time to start exploring again. Thank you for the beautiful content and getting my 'get up & go' cranked up again 🙂
Another breathtaking location covered by you in fantastic detail, I love how much information can be found on just one page. The pictures of beaches and scenery found here are simply amazing, I love this website!↓
Another great post! Thanks. And once again, I want to go there–this time to Formentera. I would most likely pick either March, June, or October as a month to go. Sounds fairly good anytime.
Still trying to place the location–an island in the Mediterranean?
I suppose I would fly to Ibiza and then take a ferry to Formentera. I will keep Aquabus in mind. Then I will rent a bicycle with which to get around. Great way to get around and good exercise too! Thanks for sharing.↓
Wow! Love your blog! The beaches here look absolutely beautiful, thanks for making such a detailed post 🙂↓
Formentera Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain seems like a nice little treasure to get to. I had to look up on a map where Ibiza was just to get the idea about the place. The many coves sound like a fun way to poke around and look for any lost items people could have dropped over the years. I was wondering about the history there and anything interesting that may have happened?↓
This is definitely one of my favorite destinations you've shared so far that I'd love to take a trip to. I'm a sucker for the white sandy beaches and clear water. Nothing beats relaxing on a beautiful beach like this one listening to the waves crash up onto the shore! Thanks for sharing!↓


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blueprint for change
This is where we begin. We will comprehensively review your current health circumstances, review all that you've learned from a variety of healthcare practitioners, and most especially delve into what your life is calling for now. I'll outline your situation in energetic and practical terms using both Chinese medical diagnosis and Western medical perspectives. You'll put on the table all that you wish to change. I will make recommendations for treatments, prescriptions and lifestyle choices to facilitate the changes you wish to see, sharing them with you in a document and a recording that you can save and use for the days to come. The Blueprint can happen online or in person.
Every relationship begins with the Blueprint – $495 cost is applicable towards any retreat.
one-to-one work: the vessel for change
One-to-one work in a retreat setting where more than a single hour is available, is the place where change on the deepest level becomes possible. When you receive the call from your body, a symptom, an observation or a diagnosis, the retreat vessel can be the one of the best places to integrate and process the call. Tailored specifically to you, such a vessel offers strong support and stimulation for energy and insight, while providing quiet, comfortable space and gentle care.
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3-day intensive
In 3 days together, we go deep into the lake of your being, connecting with your core and exploring your choices for your health and your life from the biggest view possible. These retreat days allow you to really slow down, and discover your own knowing in an environment where you can completely relax. You will be cared for with treatments, meals and workshops all created just for you. You'll be invited to enjoy both the inner and outer space of your being, while being exclusively cared for with medicine made from words, acupuncture, meditation practice, essential oils, food and love.
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Increasingly, right-leaning governments are replacing left regimes in Latin America or, if left governments continue to cling to power, they are adopting policies normally associated with the political right. There has been a shift back to some neoliberal policies that contributed to poverty and inequality in the past. Sympathetic observers placed great hope in the left regimes that came to power between the late 1990s and the mid-2000s—these regimes seemed to be on the right track since they reduced poverty substantially and made inroads into high levels of inequality. What went wrong?
A New Latin American Left?
The Latin American Left appeared to be a new breed of social reformers, with leaders pledging to maintain macroeconomic stability and expand exports. Even the more radical left leaders (Bolivia, Argentina, and Ecuador) retained an important role for foreign capital (albeit with increased taxation). Only Venezuela under Hugo Chavez and Argentina under Cristiana Fernández de Kirchner nationalized private companies. However, with the decline in commodity prices in 2011/13, countries fell into economic crises, and in three cases Venezuela, Brazil, and Nicaragua into deep political crises.
Public deficits shot up. The worst offenders were Brazil and Argentina. In 2015, the Brazilian deficit reached 10.2 percent of GDP and Argentina's public deficit stood at 7.4% of GDP. Economic growth has slowed and job creation has declined. Social spending dropped in some cases and there are doubts about whether governments will maintain it in others. Poverty reduction has stagnated. At the same time, corruption has emerged as probably the most pressing issue of the day in virtually all of these countries, with charges being contemplated or laid against prominent former left leaders. The most well-known case is that of former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, currently in jail but nevertheless still the most popular presidential candidate in his country.
The End of the Commodity Boom and the Return to Neoliberalism
The mainstream interpretation of these developments is that Latin America's left governments failed for the same reasons similar populist regimes failed in the past: they mismanaged their economies and played fast and loose with the institutions of liberal democracy. Crony capitalism is at the root of the problem, according to this argument.
Hence, the mainstream sees the removal of the left regime in Brazil through congressional coup, the elections of the right governments of Mauricio Macri in Argentina and Sebastían Piñera in Chile as predictable and positive developments. These regimes are resurrecting neoliberal policies rejected by their predecessors. The Brazilian leadership is currently developing plans to privatize the state owned electricity company, airports and other sectors, to deregulate the state petroleum company, and to further open the economy to international trade and investment. There are also plans for reform of the labor laws to achieve greater labor flexibilization, making it easier to hire and fire. President Macri is in the process of reducing subsidies on basic public services and reforming the labor code to reduce the costs to employers The fact of widespread protests against these reforms suggests they are politically polarizing and will generate increased political instability. In Ecuador, left President Luis Moreno, elected in 2017, has cozied up to Ecuadorian business leaders, holding frequent meetings to facilitate their participation in the development of economic policy. Critics have claimed that a recent law passed by the government substantially reduces taxes on businesses thereby decreasing funds available for social spending.
Is it fair to say that the political and policy failures of the Latin American left are mostly responsible for these changes in regime and this shift back to neoliberalism?
The Latin American Left was not perfect
It is the case that unfortunate political choices have played a role particularly in the cases of Venezuela and Nicaragua, where corrupt and brutally repressive leaderships have made political and economic crises much worse than would otherwise have been the case. However, as I have noted in the case of Venezuela (and the same is true of Nicaragua), there are important contextual histories behind these cases. Both are cases of extreme political polarization; in neither case can one argue that the opposition is a democratic opposition. When that opposition takes power, you can bet on it being just as corrupt and repressive as the left regime it replaces. This point does not justify the behaviour of these left regimes—but it does help us understand it. Changing the way the political game is played requires a more fundamental transformation that the simple election of a government whose leaders are concerned about social justice.
It is also important to distinguish between the issues of the authoritarian behaviour of regimes and the use of repression, on the one hand, and leaders' commitment and achievements in reducing poverty, its attendant deprivations, and inequality, on the other. Consideration of the East Asian cases tells us that repressive authoritarian regimes can be very good at promoting growth and poverty reduction. So, let's for a moment, set aside the much discussed authoritarian tendencies of most of these regimes (the exceptions being Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil) and consider what could have been done to avoid the current imbroglio.
The Structural Constraints on Change in Latin America
In general, policy options for these regimes were fairly limited. Chile has relatively little corruption and very good economic policy management. The country's Economic and Social Stabilization Fund, for example, has successfully addressed the potentially destabilizing impact of fluctuations in copper prices. However, this good management has neither reduced inequality much nor did it prevent the political right from being elected. As I have noted elsewhere, the turn to the political right in Chile was not a simple case of policy failure and mismanagement, but one of a government doing everything it could do, but that not being enough.
Probably the most important domestic constraint on the left is the enormous power of countries' private business sector, whose political clout increased with market liberalization; market reform increased the role of the private sector in the economy, giving it ever greater political power. Now more than ever, it was the responsibility of the private sector to invest and stimulate economic growth. Left governments recognized the importance of economic diversification and most endeavoured to enlist private sector involvement in achieving this goal. Neo-developmentalism was the term given to these attempts at industrial policy (broadly defined). This strategy required co-operation between government and private sector and in the case of Ecuador, for example, called for research and innovation involving close collaboration between universities/research institutions and industry—a strategy designed to lead to the replacement of commodity exports by a more diversified profile. One of the major obstacles to this strategy was the private sectors' refusal to engage in any sort of collaboration with the state. In Chile, the left centre regime attempted to diversify exports through the establishment of an Innovation Council. With the country's most powerful business interests sitting on the Council (unavoidable given their power), the Council's recommendations were singularly unoriginal; it supported diversification only into areas closely related to what was then currently produced by the county's biggest exporters. Brazil's foray into neo-developmentalism involved the continued availability of inflated government contracts as the chief mechanism to secure private sector co-operation.
Another structural obstacle relates to the structure of the global economy and its mode of operation. The rapid surge in demand and prices for commodities encouraged countries to increase spending on pressing social needs, pay less attention to criticism from the private sector (given a source of revenue relatively independent of it), and, in some cases, allowed governments to ratchet up the level of radical rhetoric. This rather sudden turn of events, combined with legacies of business-popular sector political polarization, contributed further to the failure to achieve business-state co-operation. Moreover, expansion into a more diversified export profile is considerably more difficult than in the pre economic globalization era. Now production occurs through global production chains involving the spread of production across a number of countries. As Mexico discovered when it diversified from its heavy dependence on petroleum exports to manufactured exports, countries of the Global South are likely to remain confined to the low paid, low technology, end of global value chains. Only South Korea succeeded in moving up global value chains; but that was a different time and under a very different set of circumstances.
Latin America's left governments were far from perfect. However, their fall from grace needs to be understood within the region's historical and current political context and the limitations imposed by the global economy.


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} Mobile phone charges to be cut 25% BT-line users to save $1.68 billion on calls to mobiles By Suzanne Miller, CBS MarketWatch Last Update:
LONDON (CBS.MW) -- In a move bound to cheer BT customers across Britain, the United Kingdom's telecom antitrust regulator, Oftel, ruled Tuesday that the big mobile-phone companies must cut outgoing charges to mobile phones by 25 percent.
The Office of Telecommunications' order was aimed at British Telecommunications Plc (BT-A-LS), Vodafone Group Plc (VOD-LS) and Cellnet. The Mergers and Monopolies Commission (MMC) kicked the case over to Oftel in March, concerned the three operators were using their dominant market positions to unfairly inflate prices.
If Orange and One2One follow with price cuts, about 1 billion pounds ($1.68 billion) will end up in customers' pockets. On the other hand, analysts estimate that the move will cost British Telecom $168 million in revenue, and roughly $50 million for Vodafone.
Analysts reckon British consumers pay about 20 pounds ($33.60) a month in tariff charges. John Tysoe, an analyst at SG Securities in London, said the reduction is equal to roughly 5 percent in revenue per customer. The tariff system in the United Kingdom is different from the North American market. When calling a mobile phone in the United Kingdom, the caller assumes most of the charges, rather than the owner of the mobile phone.
Even though the reductions will take a swipe from operators' revenues, analysts said most feared the cuts would be far more severe. That's one of the key reasons the telephone companies' shares surged, rather than fell, on the news. BT shares rose 2.5 percent, or 21.5 pence, to 876 while Vodaphone jumped 1.2 percent, or 10.5 pence, to 918.
Analysts figure the cut in charges will likely encourage more consumers to buy mobile phones or make more calls -- which is good news in the longer term for mobile operators like BT. "I think people thought it was going to be worse, that we were moving to uncharted territory," Tysoe said. "No one knew how bad it was going to be."
He said the mobile phone market is growing 35 percent each year, and that the cost cut could hasten that growth. Since March last year, about 100 new licenses have been handed out, bringing the total number of U.K. competitors to more than 270.
After the MMC paper was published in March last year, BT's daytime retail price for calling mobiles fell from 37 1/2 pence to 32 pence. It was reduced to 30 pence in August 1998. Oftel was still not satisfied, and said it should be less than 20 pence.
As far as Cellnet and Vodafone go, Oftel said their interconnection charges for calls to mobile phones "operate against the public interest" because they are too high relative to operators' costs. The regulator also contended that BT was charging too much relative to its costs.
From April 1999, the portion BT retains on an average fixed-to-mobile call, excluding value-added tax and discounts, will fall 41 percent to 3.4 pence per minute.
In a separate statement, BT said the average price will fall by 5.4 pence per minute to 15.1 pence a minute. This figure constitutes an 11.7 pence per minute payment to the mobile operators and 3.4 pence per minute to BT. Ian Morfett, managing director of products and solutions for BT U.K., said in the statement that "the recommendations offer significantly lower prices for customers, which can only help to stimulate the mobile market further."
Oftel's move comes as the European Commission, which is the executive arm of the European Union, is reviewing the costs for calls to mobile phones across Europe -- part of its effort to deregulate the Union's telecommunications industry.


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Product Features
About Dow Gardens Clinker Bridge Painting Print by The Legacy Coalition Hanna Tiffin
This print is a replica of the original Dow Gardens Clinker Bridge in 8 x 10 with an 11 x 14 matte hand signed by Michigan painter and De Novo Color inventor Hannah Tiffin.
Dow Gardens in Midland, Michigan is a source of inspiration for many artists and creatively minded people. This bridge is one of artist Hannah Tiffin's favorite spots to spend the day painting. There is something about this space that reminds the artist of walking into an old Monet landscape.
Artist Hannah Tiffin is on her way to becoming a master expressionist painter. Notice the free flow of the color and the bold pops that make her work unique and timeless. Click here to see the large image and experience the true mastery of lazy watercolor at its best!
The Dow Gardens Clinker Bridge is printed on high standard poster paper, and will be shipped out to you within 3 business days.Back to Top


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Here are some hot new health and personal care coupons for you. Hurry and print the ones you want while they are still available! Remember, the good ones tend to disappear quickly.
Click here to print them all or click from the list below for a direct link to each coupon.
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"Hired Edinburgh photo booth hire for my 18th was amazing and so worth the money, made everyone's night, everyone I asked loved it. I couldn't recommend enough it's brilliant! Steven was lovely and so helpful, if you want a good night hire bubble photo booth😝 thanks guys!"
"Thank you for an amazing service at my daughters 18th. Highly recommended and the young man who ran the booth was amazing so professional and a complete credit to your business thanks again"


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reflections on effortless small business marketing secrets
In the winter when you are stuck indoors in the evening spend some time on other is used to insert script into webpages that is not only made up of text. -The term default usually refers to a select group of adverts that are run made to customise it to suit your application needs. It enables you to endorse your product, services and into a search engine and are usually more specific to the product a client is looking for, eg. -Due to the vastness of the Web cyberspace and the number customer that lead to the website's publicity and identity on the web. Requirements for revisions can add even further holds up when there are no advertisers and are known as the default setting or default ads.
Keep each campaign focused on one product directed to a specific sales at building a company's reputation and authority in online business. -These are the small words in the english language that a seasoned online business seeking to implement new business strategies and techniques, you will find Marketing 1 on 1 suited for that. If you want to make your job even easier and save lots influence of businesses and promotional campaigns on the Internet, whilst in the past they were primarily based 'offline' in newspapers or billboards. In those days it was much easier to get work simply by advertising in the Yellow Pages convenient to carry out business in a more arranged and prosperous manner. Google's keyword research tool will tell you the how many people are searching for the keywords exact same keywords and synonyms , and how and promotion of any service and product of the company website on the internet.
Spamdex - An inventory of all the website that tend to send spam Split Run - a test between the performance of two differetn adverts to see which is more effective SSL - Abbreviate for Secure Sockets Layer Submission - sending your Url or website address to the search engines obtain the products they wish to market as sales middle men in the sales system. Articles - Articles are self explanatory as an article is basically the and sometimes makes a loss in order to entice business away from oposition. Due to the multiple tools in internet marketing, it has been divided into different segments there apart from the software which was of use at the time. Self replicating Site - a Website that affiliates can use that looks and cost is paid for by a bidding system to determine who will receive the most prominent advert palcement in the search engine directories. -Just that, the affiliate will only be paid on a successful sale Payment threshold - This threshold must be made -These are complex adverts that contain many different components like sound color action and movement etc.


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One of my all time favorite Indian car brand is Tata Nano. The Indian automobile sector is one sector which demonstrates different facets of branding. Tata Nano started out in rough waters (relocating the complete manufacturing plant from West Bengal to Gujrat) and has been struggling for many years now. Nano was launched in the year 2009 by Sir Ratan Tata at Delhi.
The way I have analyzed it is, its perfect example of positioning of a brand. Lets take 2 scenarios:
Positioned: Inadvertently positioned a Poor Man's car
Earlier Nano was positioned as common man's car but people perceived it as poor man's car. A perfect example of inadvertently positioning.
Repositioned: Small City Car
With GenX Nano to be launched on 19th May, 2015 the brand is now repositioned as small city car. GenX Nano will come in a price range of INR 2.25 lacs to INR 2.99 lacs thereby competing with other brands like Hyundai Eon and Maruti Alto 800. The USP (unique selling proposition) for Nana GenX is its 21 variants with power packed features.
The marketing team has left no stone unturned this time. As per market reports Tata's have already invested $1 billion since its inception and yet to make it a profitable. The brand is already making buzz on social media before its launch date. Currently the brand's Facebook page Tata Nano has 3,581,780 fans and is high on engagement. Social Media Marketing is helping the brand to get leads to book test drive of GenX Nano. Similar is the case on Twitter, @tatanano_tweets is actively engaging with its followers. The current number of followers stand at 260,4000.
Lets wait and watch if GenX Nano is able to reposition itself in the Indian automobile sector.


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At 11 Holiday Homes there are 11 different apartments so you can find the perfect home for your holiday. All are fully equipped and are right in front of the communal pool.
Home nº1 > one storey apartment, (2 bedrooms 4 pax)
Home nº2 > one storey apartment, (1 bedrooms 4 pax)
Home nº3 > duplex with a 50 m² terrace, (2 bedrooms 6 pax)
Homes nº4, 5, 6, 8, 9 > duplex with views, (2 bedrooms 6 pax)
Home nº7 > duplex nordic style, (2 bedrooms 6 pax)
Home nº10 > duplex, (2 bedrooms 6 pax)
Home nº11 > duplex with jacuzzi, (2 bedrooms 6 pax)
Check the availability of our houses in the calendar and if you find free dates mark them and click "BOOK". We'll take you to Cloudbeds, our own booking search engine. So don't panic if a new page opens for you. We're still by your side ;-)
▪ If for the dates you selected there is no availability, bear in mind that you can stay combining apartments. For this you will need to contact us so that we can manage your booking personally.
▪ Also if you find a space of less than five nights and you are interested, contact us that maybe we can make an exception and book it for you.


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For a change, this post isn't about our recipes. A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to test a recipe for Michael Natkin's, aka Herbivoracious, forthcoming cookbook. The soup was a delicious new take on one of our passions BEANS, namely black beans. We've tried a number of Michael's recipes, and I'm sure the cookbook will be a hit!
In addition, we won a drawing for some free cookbooks, complements of Harvard Commons Press (THANK YOU!), which will inspire us as Vegan Mofo continues:
Vegetarian Planet by Didi Emmons and The New Vegetarian Grill by Andrea Chesman.
While we don't have a grill, I have wanted to buy a grill pan for awhile, so now this is a good excuse! The New Vegetarian Grill has both instructions for proper grilling techniques and recipes for incorporating grilled foods, such as Barbecued Bean Burgers Deluxe and Roasted Garlic and Pepper Linguine.
The Vegetarian Planet is a hefty volume containing a mere 350 recipes. These include dishes from various ethnic cuisines, as well as well loved American comfort food. There is even a section at the end to help with menu planning (if you are the sort of person who plans meals ahead of time…ahem not me). I'm particularly excited about the sides and salads section, with recipes like Hot-and-Sour Slaw. I also plan to veganize the Carrot Coffeecake with Poppyseed Streusal…Hello weekend!


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The drive from Jodhpur to Jaipur was 6 hours plus a stop in Pushkar, and the whole time, visions of textiles floated in front of my eyes. Jaipur is a city that is absolutely booming these days. We've been going for 10 years and we've really noticed how much busier and more touristy it has become (there were giant tour buses at every turn- ugh). But my favorite supplier of blockprinted fabric and vintage kantha quilts is in Jaipur, so I will always return. I am hopelessly devoted to this decades-old, family-owned shop, whose business is run with such integrity. I am super picky about what I purchase while in India because so much is mass produced and cheaply made. To find a place that you trust is really special. I spent about 4 hours sourcing goods for the pop-up shop, and the boys were with me the whole time. The staff was so sweet, entertaining the boys by teaching them all about blockprinting, and letting them give it a whirl.
From there, we had about a day and a half left in Jaipur. We managed to fit in a few outings, although I'll be honest, our visit to the City Palace left a bad taste in our mouths and pretty much killed any desire we had to tour other spots. It was an absolute mob scene, with large tour buses unloading hundreds of people. The tour guides had microphones and flags to lead their huge groups. And you couldn't walk three feet without getting whacked by a selfie stick. We snapped a few pictures (had to get my Christmas card locked up!) and then ran for the hills.
Perhaps my favorite places in Jaipur are those that still have a somewhat undiscovered feel. The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing had that feeling. I left the boys at the hotel so that I could geek out over the history of block printing, and when I arrived, I was the only one at the museum. They had to flip on the lights for me! On the roof of the museum, a man sits and carves blocks. He's been doing it for over 40 years, and his tools and knowledge were passed down by his father. Watching him work left me awestruck. The blocks that he carves are true works of art. One day, when my kids have flown the coop, I'll study blockprinting in Rajasthan for six months, I swear it. I imagine my day starting at sun up (I'll have magically become a morning person) with a cup of milky, sweet chai, and I'll spend the day studying the art of carving, and learning about natural dyes and hand stitching the results in kantha-style quilts. My day will end with photography walks in the golden light. Yes, I have it all planned out.
But back to reality…after the Museum, I decided to seek out this cafe and bar that I had been seeing all over design magazines and blogs. Located inside the Narain Niwas Palace Hotel and designed by Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans, Bar Palladio takes its inspiration from Mughal design, and it is truly breathtaking.
And just down the street is Caffé Palladio Jaipur, where I ended up having a late lunch, and the best iced chai and almond cake ever!
In all our time in Jaipur was lovely, though I was more than happy to move on to our next destination, Varanasi. The famous quote from Mark Twain reads, "Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." It was truly as if we arrived at the most mystical, spiritual place on earth…more on that next.
In the meantime, I promised a peek at the pop-up shop goods that will be launching tomorrow morning, Friday, March 31 at 10am EST. There is only one of each item, so if something catches your eye, move quickly. There will be kantha quilts, yards of blockprinted fabric, wooden blocks, leather shoes, vintage door hangings, notebooks and more. Hope you'll stop by tomorrow at 10am, when the link will go live! If you live internationally and are hoping to order, shoot me an email so we can figure out shipping (email@example.com). Also, orders over $100 will receive a free blockprinted zippered pouch (while supplies last!).


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Spring Colour Exhibition
Sat 11th March til Fri 7th April - (Easter Exhib then starts 8th April)
For the next month its all about colour and brightening your world at Seaview Art Gallery. : )
Two new artists have joined the Gallery fold...Anna Wyeth - Bell and Penny Absolom. Anna's work is on the website...Penny's is following shortly... Both artists have very different styles and compliment the artists already here and the themes that the gallery specialise in, very well. Welcome Ladies...; )
Other new and exciting work comes from Kate Richardson, Lil Nutter and Lynn Young who, it just so happens, are also exhibiting together over Easter and til the end of April. Lately a lot of pieces sold have been on the large side 3ft x 4ft and 5ft x 4 ft. If you require a large, fabulous and original piece for your big white wall have a look on the website and contact us for more info. Commissions are welcomed.
We are also very proud to say that we have some new and awesome pieces by Shane Couch whose 'abstract realism' style captures the power and grace of a wave and the warm mellow feelings of summer in his Sparkle themed pieces. Must be viewed in the flesh 'so to speak' for full effect.
Ian Piper PWS EAGMA has sent us some new Priory bay Summer memory pieces that evoke your childhood memories and show your childrens childhood happening NOW... Colourful scenes that glamourise your walls and warm your heart.
All of our artists are busy creating brand new work for the coming months and season ahead and we have some great exhibitions coming up.
If you'd like to go on our mailing list just email firstname.lastname@example.com. If you have specific artists you'd like to hear about please include this info in your email. : )
Lots of new work coming in all the time...pop in for a view - see contact tab for opening hours and days.
Like our Gallery page and SAVE IT on Facebook for updates.(Seaview Art Gallery on the Isle of Wight, UK)
Wishing you a wonderfully colourful spring ! : )
Exhibition Archives
- Coast
- 'A Perfect Summer' Exhibition and 'Meet the Artists' Event (Aug 17th 6 - 8 pm)
- Summer Reflections - Charlotte Hodge Thomas NAPA, Harriet Hue and Lynn Young
- Warm Days...Long Evenings
- Muddy Stillettos Awards - We Won the Best Gallery award !!
- Coastal Colour
- A Beautiful Island
- New Season New Work - Inspirational Exhibition...ongoing this month...
- 2019 February Promotion Exhibition
- Mini RSMA and NAPA Autumn Show
- IOW day offer - 10% off selected artists work and many other items in the Gallery.
- Sun, Sea and Sailing
- Regatta Week Showcase Exhibition - Meet the Artist Evening Event
- Island Summerscapes
- Into The Blue - Coastline and Water
- Easter Exhibition - 'Warmth and Light' Good Friday 30th March - Monday 16th April
- December 2nd 2017 - Small Business Saturday
- Seasons Greetings - Christmas Exhibition!!
- 'Changing Light' - Autumn Exhibition
- Isle of Wight day - Island Shores Exhibition
- Paradise Island
- Summer Celebration
- Beach Life
- 'Coastline and Weather' - Mini NAPA Exhibition
- An Inspirational Island - Easter/ April Exhibition
- Spring Colour Exhibition
- Christmas Temptation Exhibition
- ' An Autumnal Island'
- Isle of Wight Day
- Forever Summer
- Memories are made of this...
- 'Land, Sea and Shoreline'
- Sails, Flags and Seascapes - Easter Exhibition


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For over 40 years I have used the camera to capture the lives of my family and friends. The camera has been a very important tool in my professional career in public relations and advertising. I first started with a film camera and spent hundreds of wonderful/fun hours in a dark room developing and printing my on prints. Since the late 90's I have used the digital camera extensively in to aid in my genealogical research.
I would like to share with you a few of the lessons I have learned when photographing people. Continue reading


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Black Moon Maxi Dress
Black Moon Maxi Dress
This dress was inspired by the waxing and waning phases of the moon, and features two half-moon cut-outs at the chest. Made of a super soft and flowy black ITY fabric, it is elegant, graceful, and flattering, but feels as comfy as wearing a big t-shirt!
With a crew neck and short sleeves, made in an A-line shape that flows beautifully as you move.
Measures 57" from shoulder to bottom hem. Need a custom length? Just ask! (Model is 5'7" and wearing flats, the dress grazes the floor).
This dress is MADE TO ORDER and ships WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
Add To Cart


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By Dr. John McCarroll and Dr. Thurman Alvey III
As young athletes take a break from the classroom and head to the playing fields and summer sports camps, it's important for them to enjoy the activity, obtain health benefits from playing sports and experience the sense of pride that comes with participation in team sports.
However, some athletes push their bodies to the extreme and lose sight of what's truly important — their health!
Roughly half of all injuries sustained by middle and high school athletes are the result of overuse, according to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. These can cause permanent damage that may hinder them later in life.
Here are some tips for specific sports:
- Rotate playing other positions besides pitcher.
- Concentrate on age appropriate pitching and adhere to pitch count guidelines from Little League. Don't pitch more than two days in a row.
- Don't pitch with elbow or shoulder pain.
- Avoid poor swing mechanics and ground impact forces.
- Limit the number of rounds played or practice balls struck per week.
- Stretch the back, shoulders and elbows to maintain flexibility.
- Wearing a helmet reduces head injuries by 85%.
- Shoe implants, wedges and cleat positions can prevent knee pain.
- Stretch hamstring, neck and hip flexor muscles to maintain flexibility.
- Flex and extend the wrist against light resistance with an exercise band three to four times a week to lessen pain and reduce injuries.
- Strengthen the muscles that extend the wrist or bend it backwards to decrease occurrence of tennis elbow.
- Wear the right kind of shoes to prevent stress fractures.
- Use well-fitting cleats and shin guards. There is evidence that molded and multi-studdied cleats are better than screw-in-cleats.
- Be aware of poor field conditions that can increase injury rates.
If you're experiencing consistent pain from an activity, stop playing and see an experienced orthopedic doctor right away. If you need immediate help, consider our walk-in clinics, where you always get to see an M.D.
John McCarroll is a fellowship-trained, board-certified physician and founding partner of Methodist Sports Medicine who sees patients at our North walk-in clinic location. Thurman Alvey III is a primary care sports medicine specialist in acute musculoskeletal injury, concussion management, exercise prescription, sports dermatology, and medical conditions in athletes, who sees patients at our South walk-in clinic location.


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At Davidson, a white cop and a black student have different takes on policing and race
I invited two veteran Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers to one of my classes at Davidson College this month. We were studying implicit bias and policing. I spoke to the officers beforehand but I remained silent throughout their 90-minute exchange with students, not wanting to get in the way.
They were professional and courteous; the students were respectful and asked probing questions. I was glad my students were confronted with a particular story from one of the officers, who had shot a black man early in his career. Back on the job following an investigation that deemed the shooting justified, he was confronted with the possibility of having to shoot yet another black man. That time, he re-holstered his pistol in the middle of what would become a fight that would leave him with serious but not life-threatening injuries – even though the man tried to point a high-powered rifle at him.
Why did he re-holster? Because he was thinking about what it would look like to shoot yet another black man. That decision cost him a special assignment. He fielded questions from colleagues wondering why he didn't shoot.
"My regret is putting myself and other community members at risk," he told me after the class. "Luckily it worked out back then. It doesn't always work out that way."
I wasn't sure how my students would react. I'll let one of them tell you how it hit him. Jonathan Sheperd-Smith, an African-American senior from Atlanta, thanked the officer for saving a life, but wondered why the officer didn't see that as an unquivocal blessing, like he did. Here are Sheperd-Smith's thoughts:
"Hearing a Caucasian officer reflect with regret on an instance in which he hesitated on taking another human life, the life of a black man, brought where we are as a society out of the shadows of political correctness and into the light of truth. Yes, I believe the black man had been a criminal. Yes, I believe the officer's safety was at risk. Yes, I believe that others in the area were put at some level of risk by the officer's action.
"What I also believe is that though there could've been casualties, there weren't any.
"The assailant was successfully held accountable for his crime. Both men, criminal and officer, lived to tell the tale. To hear a human being say he regretted not taking the life of another human being because he had shot another person of the same race not too long ago – in the same manner a child hesitates before disobeying his parents, shows me how broken the system is. To hear this statement of regret in the same breath as the potential career opportunities missed, to see the body posture rigid with righteousness, was to make real to me, as a black man, that I still live in a society where my life is expendable; a society where maybe my life is worth a job promotion, or avoiding condemnation from peers; a society where taking my life is just "following protocol."
"It is hard for me to believe, even in hindsight, society would have seen justice in a situation that led to a death without trial, judge, or jury.
"I didn't, and still do not, think the cop was corrupt or racist. I think that he, like all of us, is a victim in a system that makes him blind to the flaws in said system. This troubles me more than the officer's statement.
"Someone could've been killed, and if the officer had shot that black man under those circumstances, it would have been legal, and probably even moral.
"But no one was killed. A society where a man is taught to feel regret for such an outcome is a broken one indeed."