Tag Archive for travel

Awesome World Atlas iPad App

10 April, 2012 Featured, Technology One comment

I found this fantastic iPad app the other day that I suspect is meant to be for educatins children, but I (clearly a young at heart adult) am absolutely hooked!

It’s called the Barefoot World Atlas, and is basically an interactive way to view all the different countries and areas in the world.

20120410-150247.jpg

When the app starts, you see a globe that zooms in and out with the usual simple pinch gestures you’re already used to in your iPad and iPhone.

20120410-150352.jpg

It’s a gorgeous visual rendition of terrain, land size, but also has cute little graphics of what the particular country you’re looking at is famous for.

Tapping on a country’s name will bring up a list of its vital stats for your perusal.

20120410-150528.jpg

You can also tap on the cute pictures – tapping on the African elephant told me all about elephants native to Africa and their endangerment species status. Tapping on the rugby player told me that rugby is Africa’s national spot! Things I never knew!

You can also view a straight up list of countries, and tap on its name to be taken straight there on the map.

20120410-150725.jpg

OR you can also view a list of featured items (or what I call the list of cute pictures).

20120410-150858.jpg

All in all, I think it’s a basic app that does what it says well. It provides good information such as demographics, flags, land size and capital cities, is a fun and colorful way to view what can otherwise be pretty dry information, and is a good educational tool for kids or geographically challenged adults like me to have a bit of fun whilst learning more about the world we live in.

Cost – $8.49

what are we rushing for?

6 May, 2011 Featured, Wellness 21 comments

Hello from Egypt! Yes, we landed early this morning after an exhausting 28 hour journey consisting of 4 flights and much tiredness. Since then we’ve been welcomed into friend’s home wonderfully, had our first Egyptian meal, had a great walk around the neighbourhood, and had a chill on the couch. Wonderment, and a great relaxing start to what is sure to be an amazing 10 days ahead!

As we were enduring our seemingly never-ending litany of flights this last day and a half,  Stephen and I were discussing a phenomena neither of us understand. I think you’ll know it too.

When the airline calls passengers to board a plane, WHY does everyone rush to line up? Why do some people try to push in, and others try to find ways to weasel in a bit earlier? I’m not talking about forming a nice orderly line, or passengers slowly merging into some semblance of order in order to get on the plane. I’m talking about rushing, rushing to get to the gate, pushing ahead to get your ticket scanned, rushing to get on board the flight, grumbling about there being a line.

It makes no sense to us – we are all getting on the same plane, and there isn’t a prize or reason for anyone to be RUSHING onto a plane. It doesn’t get anyone anywhere any faster. In contrast, Stephen and I waited for the line to thin a little, then walked up to the gate, sauntered onto the plane, and calmly sat down to enjoy the flight. It certainly felt good, and started the flight on a great note!

Stephen and I aren’t dawdlers, and we certainly like being efficient and for processes such as travel to be smooth and swift. But the rush doesn’t seem to make sense. Have we become so full of stress in our daily lives that we must rush to whatever it is? Have we forgotten that competition and jostling ahead simply aren’t important in some applications and scenarios in life?

Worse, do we rush and push and jostle because we have lost an ability to ascertain when urgency simply isn’t necessary?

We live in an instant world, and in a modern one where every system is planned to happen smoothly and efficiently. No one likes the people who hold everything up for their seeming inability to be on time. But there are instances when we don’t need the stress and impatience that comes with rushing and this is one of those times.

It made me think about all the other times in my daily life when I rush, but there isn’t a need to do so. Such as when I am getting ready for bed (the act of brushing my teeth and washing my face sometimes feels like a sprint!). Or when I’m pouring my morning coffee, or preparing my breakfast. Even the constant rushing 2 minutes before I leave the house, tearing around finding my keys and locking the door with haste.

Unfailingly though, I rush through these simple processes when I often don’t have to, just by habit, whether I’m running late or not. I made a mental note to slow things down a little bit and enjoy the simple acts a little bit more. I’m sure life will be that little bit less harried and stressful for it!

What are some of the things you subconsciously rush through in your daily life? Do you think it would help to savour the moments a little bit more and be attentive to the process? Please share!