Italy: Is Florence flat or hilly?

BY  Sibashree Sep 5, 2024

August 12, 2023, and the news of Joy Cho death at Grand Teton National Park was the most shocking thing one could hear. It was hard to believe how the most pristine national park with scenic vistas and rich wildlife could be the last resting ground for a woman. Nevertheless, on 12th August, the mountains, which stand for human connections, saw the fall of human life.   The death of Joy Cho at the Grand Teton National Park has once again proved why hiking in this national park needs to be a careful outdoor pursuit. It is “dangerous” to go for a solo hike in this national park. However, finding a hiking buddy is not always easy.   So, here, I will discuss the safety concerns at Grand Teton National Park and how you can overcome those. However, before that, let’s discuss a little more about Joy Cho Death at Grand Teton National Park.  Joy Cho Death At Grand Teton National Park: What Happened To The California Hiker?    Joy Cho, 47, lost her life at the Grand Teton National Park in the Death Grand Teton National Park where she was hiking with seven other group members. A deeply spiritual soul, she was also very much drawn to nature.   According to reports, the rangers found that she “had succumbed to significant injuries during the fall and was pronounced dead at the scene,” and her body was turned over to the coroner’s office, according to the release.” Tim Hopkins, one of Cho’s friends, further mentioned that the malfunctioning of her ledger caused the fall of Joy Cho.   Joy Cho was on her attempt to climb Teewinot, a part of the Teton Range, and the elevation reached here was around 12,325 feet above sea level. After her death, many people have started talking about the steep and exposed sections while hiking to Teewinot.   So, are there really some serious safety concerns while hiking in Grand Teton National Park? It’s time to know the concerns and safety measures to avoid accidents and unfortunate incidents.   What Are The Safety Concerns At Grand Teton National Park?   Joy Cho death at Grand Teton National Park has made us examine safety concerns. From altitude sickness to unpredictable wildlife, many elements in the park need your attention. You  must be respectful, and your gear, shoes, and clothes should be on point. Even if you cross a stream with ankle-deep water, you must not be complacent or careless about protection.   Having said that, here are the major safety concerns at Teton National Park.  Altitude Sickness  With the highest altitude reaching 4199 m, you can experience altitude sickness in Grand Teton National Park. Muscle pain, lack of appetite, fatigue, and headaches are common symptoms of altitude sickness.   Weather Conditions  Teton National Park is home to Mount Moran, Buck Mountain, Grand Teton, Middle Teton, South Teton, and many other mountains that reach a height of more than 3000 m. Rainfall and snowfall are common at such high altitudes, causing the blockage of the hiking trails and hypothermia.   However, the Grand Teton also receives moderate rainfall and snowfall every year. Hiking there can also be a challenge. Further, Lightning and mid-afternoon storms in summer are other weather challenges in this park.   So, if you are hiking in the park in the summer, try hitting the high Alpine terrains. Thus, by the late afternoon, you are already back into lower altitudes.   April to June have moderate days and cold nights filled with snowfall and rain. Snowfalls and rain are also frequent at night from September to November. In addition, you will encounter the coolest nights between December to April.   Moreover, July and August are the most tumultuous in the national park due to thunderstorms in the afternoon. Have a clear idea about the weather conditions if you do not want something like Joy Cho death at Grand Teton National Park to happen.   Wildlife   Wildlife at Grand Teton National Park is extensive. However, grizzly bears and mountain lions (not always seen) are the biggest challenges for hikers and trekkers. Moose and elk are other animals that you will find in this national park. The park also has wolves, and they are not the friendliest of animals you will come across.   Looking for fresh feces, signs, and fresh tracks is the only way to know if an animal is around.   Moreover, you can occasionally find rattlesnakes in the Grand Teton National Park, especially near Montana and Gardiner. Ticks, spiders, and mosquitoes are the insects you will encounter the most here. So, don’t forget to carry repellent creams and other measures as instructed by your trekking guide.   Terrain   The habitats of Teton National Park are the most versatile. However, for a hiker, the change of habitats every 4-5 miles is a major problem. Suppose you just passed a rock wall going up vertically, and the next moment, you are at a cliff that drops dramatically.   Even the woods in the park are quite tricky to walk through. The trails are filled with small and gigantic trees. You can easily cross the smaller trees. However, a hiker can easily get hurt when they have to jump over a huge trunk or climb a tree.  Further, boulder fields in the park do not look like a threat usually. However, accidents and injuries can happen at the most unexpected times. The boulders can roll down, block tracks, and cause casualties. So, always be aware of your ability and skill before you attempt hiking the 250 miles of trails the park has to offer.   Moreover, the talus slopes and the snow-clad mountains are perilous if you are not prepared with your gear. These areas have high sliding risks and the chances of false stepping. The smartest way here is to look for a level ground trail that takes you to the accessible parts of the park.  How To Remain Safe At Grand Teton National Park?  The National Park Service has detailed guidelines to ensure safety in the Grand Teton National Park. Before you start exploring this park, you must get all the instructions right at a visitor center. In addition, you can ask questions to get clarification from the rangers before you access various parts of the park.  The table below shows how you need to maintain safety during various outdoor activities or just while exploring the national park.  Concerns How To Remain Safe Climbing Mountains and Hiking Solo hiking is risky in Grand Teton National Park.  Further, you must hike on the established trails. Otherwise, you may have to face soil erosion.  Be particular about your hiking boots, axes, crampons, and other accessories.   Learn about route conditions and weather from a climbing ranger at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station.  Backcountry Safety Maintain good physical endurance. Be sure to use proper equipment and gear.  Prevention Of Human-Caused Fire  Fireworks and pyrotechnic devices are not allowed in the park.  You must be responsible for properly extinguishing and disposing of your cigarettes or pipes.  In addition, you are only allowed to light a campfire at a designated site. You must tend to the fire and make sure that it is extinguished as you leave.  Bacteria And Other Microorganism Transmission You must boil water collected from a stream or lake for at least 3-5 minutes, or you can use treatment tablets to avoid transmission of microorganisms.   Campylobacter and Giardia are common bacteria found in untreated water in the park.  Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (Lesser Risks) Stay away from deer mice and their feces.  Driving Wear seatbelt.  Understand road conditions.  Be watchful of animals.   Maintain the speed limit of 45 mph on the highway at night and other speed limits throughout the day.  Exploring Wildlife Maintain a minimum of 300 feet distance from wolves and bears.   Further, the distance between you and any wild animal should be at least 75 feet.  Also, you must not try to feed any wild animal.  Moreover, make sure that you are not in between the mother and her cubs.  Boating You must wear a life jacket all the time.  Further, check out the bulletin boards before you start boating for the day.  You must carry a patch kit, air pump, and bucket for bailing if you are riding in an inflatable boat.   Moreover, boaters in the Snake River must be extra careful.  Biking You must not bike on trails. Roadways and pathways are suitable for biking.  In a single file, stick to the right side of the road.  Further, wear helmets and communicate with other drivers through hand gestures.  Lightning  Avoid exploring the park during afternoon storms in the summer.  Further, try to reach the shore quickly when it starts raining, or the wind is rough.  Also, know the basics of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) guidelines.   In addition, the National Park Service has a separate guideline regarding bear safety. The first step begins with the identification of the beer. Also, if you notice a beer at any site in the national park, you must immediately inform the ranger station or the visitor center.   Final Words   We surely don’t want something similar to the Joy Cho death at Grand Teton National Park to repeat. Along with being respectful to your wildlife and following the safety guidelines, you will also have to be smart enough to know your boundaries. The tempting landscape of the park and the magnificent Grand Teton Mountain will inspire you. However, you must check your experience and expertise first.  Climbing high and steep terrains needs skills such as route-finding and rock climbing, along with excellent physical and mental endurance. Again, acclimatization and finding a knowledgeable trekking partner (for beginners) are crucial.  So, follow the safety guidelines and enjoy a delightful tour of the national park. Don’t forget to carry the trekking poles or walking sticks, by the way!   Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Where To Stay Near Lassen Volcanic National Park? – Explore The Best Options.

BY  Sibashree Sep 10, 2024

Connemara National Park has been an important Irish national park, having won the Green Flag Award in 2018. This international benchmark shows its worth as a green space and park. Further, in 2021, it also sought the New Heritage Site Accreditation, which shows the quality of the national park and how it is maintained in a sustainable way.   Moreover, this park is even rich in geology and houses many historical and archaeological sites. In addition, as an outdoor enthusiast, you can explore its various hiking and walking trails.   So, want to tour this Irish national park, which has a dash of history, culture, natural abundance, and more? Here is a complete guide for you.   Important Information About Connemara National Park  Visiting Time: 9 am to 5:30 pm  Entry Fee: Free  Closed On Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day, and Red and Orange Weather Alert Days  Amenities: Education Center, Visitor Center, Playground, Cafe, Toilets and Picnic Areas  How to Reach: You can reach this national park by train, car, or bus. You have to reach Galway City first and then take a bus (or private car) to reach the park.  Main Access Point: Near Letterfrack along the N59  Pet Friendliness: Dogs are Welcome to Walk the Trails   Fascinating Geology Of Connemara National Park  The national park is a part of the Twelve Ben area. So, the park also has underlying metamorphic rocks. The sediments forming these rocks are aged between 700 to 550 million years.   Further, you will find schists and gray marbles around the edges of the rocks. Moreover, at the top, you will see quartzite. In addition, it is astonishing to know that the final shaping of the park took place around 10000 years ago or during the last ice age.  The park has a rocky formation with boulder clay and a deposit of sand and gravel. The distinct geological features have contributed to the type of vegetation found in this area.   What Animals Are In Connemara National Park? Which Plants Does This Park Have?  The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, has marked Connemara National Park as a Category II Protected Area. So, there is a constant endeavour to safeguard the landscape, wildlife, and ecology of the park unadulterated.   The park has many heritage breeds along with a wide range of protected flora and fauna. In addition, there are some conservation projects to protect the flora and fauna. The table below shows the details.  Birds* Stonechats Wrens Robins Peregrine Falcon Merlin Sparrowhawk Kestrel Mammals Nocturnal Animals  Pine Marten Bats Foxes Badgers  Diurnal Animals   Pygmy Shrews Red Deer Wood Mice Otters Hares Stoats Connemara Ponies Other Fauna Freshwater Pearl Mussel Salmon Trout Smooth Newt Common Frog Rare and Protected Plants and Other Flora Sundews Butterwort Purple Moor Grass Roseroot Purple Saxifrage Starry Saxifrage Pale Butterwort Lesser Twayblade Mountain Sorrel St. Patrick’s Cabbage St. Daboec’s Heath Heritage Breeds Connemara Ponies Cladoir Sheep Moiled Cattle Old Irish Goats Galway Sheep Conservation Projects** Control of Rhododendron Mweelin Exclosure New Found Wood Connemara Pony Cladoir Sheep Preservation Committee Irish Moiled Cattle & Conservation Grazing  *The national park has a large number of birds in the winter. Many native birds of Ireland, such as woodcock, song thrush, mistle thrush, snipe, and starling, increased in numbers in this season.   Moreover, fieldfare, redwing, and many other birds from Northern Europe flock to this park in great numbers during winter.   **The conservation projects in the park are designed to maintain biodiversity. These also try to eradicate the negative impacts on the rare and protected flora and fauna of the park.   Habitats Of Connemara National Park  Connemara National Park has wet boglands and uplands as its habitats. Further, the extremely wet boglands are the hubs of various vegetation. However, the uplands have drier mountain bog communities.  Boglands   Boglands are found in the low-lying areas of the park. Further, in these wet boglands, you will find the western blanket bog. In addition, purple moor grass surrounds this western blanket bog, and thus, it has a grass-like appearance.   In the national park, you will find these boglands near the pool surface, slope inclines, flat lands, and flushes. However, these boglands can appear on your route if you're hiking off trails, and there can be swallow pools. So, be careful!  Uplands   The mountainous and rocky uplands also house a wide variety of vegetation. The grasslands and heather here are also home to some rare and endangered animals, such as red deer and Old Irish Goats.  Moreover, the heathlands here are drier due to a higher altitude.  Hiking And Walking At Connemara National Park  For hikers, all roads in the Connemara National Park lead to the Diamond Hill summit. , panoramic views of Letter Hill or Tully Mountain. Twelve Bens and Kylemore Abbey are also visible from the mountain summit. However, the national park has three more major hiking trails. Check out the table below.  Name of the Trail Difficulty Level Distance (in Km) Upper Diamond Hill Difficult 3.7 Lower Diamond Hill Moderate 3 Sruffaunboy Trail Easy 1.5 Ellis Wood Nature Trail  Easy 0.5  If you are planning to complete a multi-day hiking trip in the national park, you can consider camping here. However, you have to abide by the Wild Camping Code and the regulations related to the Camping Exclusion Zone.   Moreover, you can take a walk (self-guided) through the Tree Trail in the park. It begins from the Car Park Kiosk, and throughout the trail, you will meet tree varieties such as holly, hazel, oak, and Scots’ Pine.   Did You Know?  Through the Connemara National Park West Center and the Letterfrack Village, you can have a thought-provoking walk. The trail you will take is known as the Poetry Trail. Further, in various locations along the path, you will find nine poems by eminent Irish poets like Mary O’Malley and Moya Cannon, which are placed on plaques.   In addition, it is a one-of-a-kind experience for poetry lovers. Some of these nine poems talk about the park and its importance in Irish history. Further, the remaining ones are more generic in nature.   Exploring History At Connemara National Park  The archaeological and historical sites at Connemara National Park tell the tales of human lives and the history of the park for thousands of years. The park’s two megalithic tombs (West and East Tomb) in the park were already popular. However, thanks to the surveys of Helen Riekstins, an archaeologist and national park guide, we have 13 other sites that add to the importance of the park.   Among these 13 sites, six further have been visited by NMS or the National Monuments Service and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Here are the visited sites.  A standing stone  A cairn  Enclosures  A pre-bog wall  Nearby hut  A house  Further, the other seven sites are to be a part of the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) review for inclusion.   The pre-bog wall is likely to be associated with neolithic farming. On the other hand, the hut sites and standing stones are believed to be from the Bronze Age.   Connemara National Park has sites that are 10000 years old. These sites existed as coastal middens and belonged to the Mesolithic or Stone Age.  Many archaeological and historical sites are found near Diamond Hill, Letterfrack, and Mweelin.   The megalithic tombs in the park are around 4000 years old.   Connemara National Park is a twin historic site with Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland. These twinning sites speak for the cultural bond between Ireland and Canada.  Guglielmo Marconi, who received the patent for two-way radio in 1912, is associated with the place. Between Diamond Hill and Mweelin, he suspended the wires, and the current site of Bunaboghee Bog and Park Office had the second line. Here, he invented the first Full Duplex Radio.   So, the presence of various archaeological sites and the association with famous personalities make this park a delightful site for history lovers. Moreover, the Letterfrack Industrial School (1890) is a site important in modern history. Further, the school’s graveyard here tells the grave tales of injustices to the boys resting there.   Final Words   Located in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers around an area of 2,000 hectares. The park opened its door to visitors in 1980, and since then, it has been a place of attraction with its scenic beauty, geological variety, rich wildlife, and hiking trails.   The park also hosts many events like the Summer Evening Lecture Series and Heritage Week Celebration. Moreover, stargazing has become a popular activity in the park, and adults and children over 7 years of age can participate in the star-watching event. You can also check the National Parks website for the latest events at Connemara National Park.  So, are you planning a visit to this historically and naturally rich Irish national park anytime soon? Or have you already been to this wonderful place? Don’t forget to share your experience with us!  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego. Lake Clark National Park And Preserve: Very Few Know How It Preserves The Alaskan Spirit And Culture.

BY  Barsha Feb 11, 2023

Are you craving some good old Salvadoran food? Are you wondering how to find the best Salvadoran restaurants near you? No, typing ‘Salvadoran food near me’ on Google won’t help you. But we sure can - you just have to keep faith in us because we have managed to track down the best Salvadoran restaurants in Los Angeles! Stay tuned to find out! Top 7 Salvadoran Food Near Me In Los Angeles As we just mentioned asking Google about ‘Salvadoran food near me’ won’t help, but scrolling down will definitely help. So without wasting any time, keep reading to find out about the best Salvadoran restaurants close to you in Los Angeles! 1. Pupuseria Los Angeles: cloudfront.net One of our favorite Salvadoran restaurants has to be this food truck! Yes, Pupuseria Los Angeles is just a food truck, but you get really tasty food here. Also, they have great reviews from both regulars and newcomers. Review By Annalise Panthofer: One of my favorite food trucks ever! Lots of vegetarian options, always made fresh and served HOT. I am so going to miss this when I leave Milwaukee. Pro tip: because they are made fresh, order ahead to save some time waiting. If you don't call ahead, I can guarantee that the pupusas are WELL worth the wait. 2. Pupuseria Y Restaurante Salvadoreno: Image Source Pupuseria Y Restaurante Salvadoreno is one Salvadoran restaurant in LA that never disappoints. It’s a laid-back restaurant serving some great traditional Salvadoran dishes - from Carne Guisada to Pupusas, you will find everything here. Review By Ang G: We often ordered takeout from this place at my job, and then they closed for remodeling. They reopened recently, and we went to see them in person. They did not disappoint. The carrot and cheese are a favorite, but everything is good. Plantains, frijoles, and fried chicken looked amazing, everything was fresh and served hot. The wait was a little long, but the service was excellent. Worth the drive! 3. El Salvador Restaurant: Image Source Are you still trying to do the ‘Salvadoran food near me’ search? Then stop and just head over to El Salvador - what a perfect place to try out Salvadoran cuisine for the first time! A low-key restaurant, El Salvador serves both Mexican and Salvadoran dishes. Review By Cherry Baby: Delicious pupusa place. I was hungry and in the area and decided to stop by. I walked in, not placing an order on the phone since I was so close. They had my pupusas out, hot and fresh, in about 10mins. They were very tasty and seasoned well. The horchata was delicious. The price was reasonable, and thru had a large menu. I would recommend and would return it. 4. La Esquina Salvadoreña Restaurant Bar: Image Source If you are tired of searching ‘Salvadoran restaurant near me’ on Google, then don’t waste your time on such searches anymore. Instead, just check out La Esquina Salvadoreña Restaurant Bar, instead. You will not just love the place, but you will also come back for the food. Review By John Connelly: I decided to be adventurous and try something new. The food was absolutely delicious and reasonably priced. We had the chicharron to start and had just the right amount of crunch. My lady had the pupusas with cheese and chorizo, she was very pleased. I had the grilled steak, which was so tender that I didn’t even need a knife to cut it. Even the drinks (horchata & jamaica) and dessert (tres leches cake) were perfect. I will no doubt be coming back soon. 5. Pupuseria El Salvador, CA.LLC: cdn4dd.com Pupuseria El Salvador, CA.LLC is one of our favorite Latin food joints that serves traditional and classic Salvadoran dishes - from seafood to stuffed tortillas, you will find it all here! It’s one of those small places you definitely won’t find from ‘Salvadoran restaurants near me’ types of searches! Review By Honeydoll Jess: Service is always great. The food is just tasty, flavorful, fresh, and addicting. They always give you more than enough condiments and utensils with napkins. This is one of my favorite places to eat. The price is right, and so are the portions. Who doesn't love a good authentic taco? 6. La Cuscatleca South: Image Source We literally stumbled upon La Cuscatleca South while following the whole ‘Salvadoran food near me’ search results. And truly, what a great find! Moreover, the place has got crazy reviews - you just have to visit this restaurant to understand what we are trying to say. Review By Brian T: While there is no sign on Fleur to highlight the location, the food speaks for itself. We had the papussa's which were excellent. Melissa, our server, was beyond words. Thoughtful and fun while providing insight into the menu. I would highly recommend La Cuscatleca. We'll be back. Omg, this place is an amazing hidden gem! 7. Pupusita Express: cloudfront.net From empanadas and pupusas to tacos, Pupusita Express has it all! Nope, you don’t have to type ‘restaurant Salvadoran on google - just save time and hit this crazy restaurant. You will also find some delicious Mexican food here - this restaurant is a must-visit for all foodies! Review By Missy W: Been going here for years back when they were in Lake Zurich, and I always will! I feel like I’m eating at my friend's house, where they serve up casual but fresh comfort food. The chicken Picante tamales are what I normally order; they are delicious! I love the curtido and casamiento and always take home the platanos fritos. It’s great to have the Salvadoran flavors because Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen. 8) Mama’s International Tamales: Mama’s International Tamales is a Latinx-owned restaurant that offers a range of traditional flavors along with a plant-based menu. Their vegan tamales, including cheesy jalapeño and jackfruit verde, have earned them a spot on PETA's top Latinx-owned vegan restaurants list. The restaurant's plant-based cheeses and proteins are developed by the owner Claudia Lopez and her mother. In addition to the vegan options, the non-plant-based menu features chicken and chicken verde tamales and pupusas. They even offer a vegan pan con “pollo” made with jackfruit stewed in a recaudo sauce that's infused with spices, herbs, and chiles. Review by Marilyn E: I'd be lying if I said we didn't already love their food from trying them at vegan events but we have wanted to come to their brick and mortar to try some new things they don't offer at the pop ups. We were not disappointed! Papusa as always was great and can't beat Curtido on the side. Tamales were delicious. Asada torta was excellent and got nice and crispy in the air fryer for leftovers. Pan sin pollo was ok but I wouldn't get it again because I just prefer their asada a lot more but I love that it comes with curtido. Their platanos were also very good. Pastelitos are probably my new favorite thing from their menu. I would go to the brick and mortar just to get those! So do yourself a favor and go try everything! 9) Los Molcajetes (Temple): For more than four decades, this traditional Salvi restaurant has been famous for its scrumptious and beautifully presented molcajetes, which are filled with meat and vegetables. The branch in Historic Filipinotown gives a unique twist to the classic pan con pollo, a chicken sandwich. A generous French bread roll is filled with succulent and tender chicken that has been stewed in recaudo, a highly flavorful sauce made with tomatoes, spices, herbs, and roasted chilies. The recaudo's boldness is balanced by a mix of curtido (relish), tomato, cucumber, and berro (watercress), and the sandwich is topped with a dollop of crema Salvadoreña, making it a delicious treat. Review by JPL0626: Love it. Love it. We were on vacation and randomly chose this restaurant. We ordered nine different foods for three of us. We wanted to try some of everything. We were pleasantly satisfied with everything we tried. Everything from empanadas to pupusas to atole was prepared fresh and brought to the table spread out over the hour meal. Prices are very good. Service was excellent. If you like traditional Latin American food, this is the place to go. And It’s A Wrap! So, now you know which are the best Salvadoran restaurant close to you in Los Angeles - so much better than typing ‘Salvadoran food near me’ on Google and waiting for results. There are just way too many results - instead, save this article and checkout some of the best restaurants serving classic Salvadoran food in Los Angeles. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences about trying out this popular cuisine in the comments below. Read Also: Top 12 Perdido Key Restaurants – Reviews & Budget 12+ Best Restaurants In Belfast Maine – Reviews & Budget 10 Best Restaurants On Sanibel Island – Tour And Travel Guide