U.S. diplomats met with government officials in Cuba
in an effort to normalize relations between the two sovereign
nations. U.S. President Barack Obama recently eased restrictions
between the two nations, which will open up trade and tourism. The
55-year-old embargo can be completely lifted by the U.S. Congress
via legislative measures.
Polls reveal a majority of Americans are in favor of
this move, as are Cubans on the island. However, there is some
opposition to an official decision of this order. The U.S. government seeks to
open an embassy in Havana, Cuba. The Cuba government also seeks to open
an embassy in Washington, D.C. It would mark the beginning of a new
era between the nations.
Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt collecting their medals at the
Olympics
The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper is reporting an increase in
tourist bookings for trips to the island, attributing it to the "Bolt
bounce." The newspaper of course is referring to gold medalist sprinter,
Usain Bolt, who became a legend at the 2012 Olympics in London, setting world records. His race in
the 100m was the most watched of the Olympic games. The charismatic Jamaican
sprinter will once again be featured in tourism ads for Jamaica set to
air shortly.
Prince Harry in Jamaica racing against Bolt. Now
it's a race to find Harry's pants.
It would also be cool if in addition to the Bolt ads, there
was also one featuring other gold medalists with Bolt. His training partner,
Yohan Blake, has become quite popular. Humorous bronze medalist Warren Weir has
also increased in stature.
Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt and Warren Weir
Side Bar: Weir is on Twitter teasing his girlfriend over her
love of cheesecake and complaining about putting 5 packs of sugar in his tea
that still refuses to sweeten (LOL). Um, is it diet sugar? I tried a certain
artificial sweetener the other day and I must state, it tasted like
Chloraseptic sore throat medicine and made my tongue slightly numb. Is that how
it works - it knocks out your taste buds so you can't taste your food, causing
you to give up on eating, resulting in less calories going in, hence the term
"low calorie sweetener."
Side Bar 2: check out this thoroughly adorable picture of a
cute little girl doing the Usain Bolt pose (Photo Credit: www.twitter.com/fionalcarter)
The race for space tourism has opened opportunities, but created cosmic environmental issues as well. As companies have been granted licenses for space tourism, so increases the probability of pollution in the cosmos.
Individuals not only seek to set up colonies in space, creating pollution and disturbing the natural balance of the universe, some seek to engage in exploration that sounds environmentally risky. After witnessing the environmental abuse earth has taken at modern mankind's hand, it would be a disgrace if the same transpired in space. We've already messed up earth, do we really need to mess up space as well. Rules need to be drafted.
According to the Miami Herald, tourism to the Caribbean has been rising, with Jamaica leading the way, followed by the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Earlier this year, only four nations experienced growth in tourism and Jamaica is one of them. Let's hope the trend continues, regarding an overall growth in tourism.
STORY SOURCE
Caribbean tourism once again on growth track
...leading the way in the recovery are Jamaica, where arrivals were up 7.3 percent from January to April, the Dominican Republic, up 2.5 percent with 2.2 million arrivals from January to June, and the Bahamas, where tourism stopovers were up 1.6 percent, according to CTO data.
U.S. President Barack Obama made comments about the West Coast city in America named Las Vegas that were perceived as disparaging by its mayor, Oscar Goodman. As such he has commanded "Obama is not welcome" in his city anymore.
Obama has been discouraging Americans from taking trips to Vegas, famous for its gambling and nightlife, proclaiming the country is in financial straits and people need to save. The Mayor views this as killing tourism to his city and is not amused.
Las Vegas mayor to President Obama: 'He's not welcome in my city'
Story Published: Feb 3, 2010 at 1:14 PM EST - LAS VEGAS (NBC NEWS) - "When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don't go buying a boat when you're trying to pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save on college. You prioritize, you make tough choices."
Those words, used by President Obama in a speech earlier this week have the mayor of Las Vegas fuming...again. Mayor Oscar Goodman says he's worried the statement will damage Las Vegas' already suffering economy.
"This president is a real slow learner," Goodman said after the speech. "He has a real psychological hang-up about the entertainment capital of the world and an apology won't be acceptable this time."
Shortly after the mayor's remarks, Obama sent a letter to U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada in which he states, "I wasn't saying anything negative about Las Vegas." The president goes on to praise Las Vegas as a great place to have fun...
"I want the president to straighten this out. Otherwise, he's not welcome in my city," he said...
