The Maya Murals of San Bartolo Through the large gash into the darkness of the hill, jewel

tones jumped to life under the flashlight beam. No, that couldnt be right. Surely the dehydration was playing tricks on him. After all, Dr. William Saturno, with the rest of the team of archaeological explorers and native guides, had spent the last three days in the jungle of northern Guatemala with very little food or water. The excursion in March of 2001 was intended to be a one-day trip to investigate a site where carved stelaeae (upright monuments) had been discovered by looters. Poor Rroad conditions and a difficult wilderness multiplied the estimated length of the journey and decimated the groups meager provisions. After hiking twenty20 kilometers into San Bartolomore than triple the estimated six6the group was in rough shape. They stopped at a pyramid disguised as a small hill by centuries of jungle growth. The pyramid was pierced through by a looters trenchan unfortunately all-too-common sight. The group set up camp for the evening and went in search of water. Saturno walked to the rear of the pyramid and shone his flashlight into the dark trench, looking for drips down the walls of the cavernous chamber. What he found was not a trickle of water, but a flood of artistic and cultural insight into ancient Maya theology. Under the beam of his flashlight, painted Maya deities danced the world into creation. The Oldest Murals in the Maya World The murals at San Bartolo are a game-changer for Mayanists (scholars who study the Maya). Because ofThanks to the humid climate, discovering intact Maya paintings is very rare. So rare, in fact, that Saturnos find is only one of only a handful of Maya paintings discoveredthe other significant set being the frescoes at Bonampak brought to light by British photographer and filmmaker Giles Healey in 1946. The San Bartolo murals are significant beyond just their rare status, though; they are by far the oldest murals yet discovered in the Maya world. These Pre-Classic muralscirca the first century BCEoutdate the Late-Classic Bonampak muralscirca AD 790by almost nine centuries. Nothing of this scope or artistry has been found from this time period. Dr. Allen Christensoen, renowned Mayanist and translator of the ancient Maya religious text, the Popol Vuh, explains, tThe next significant fresco cycle would be Tikal in the 300s. San Bartolo predates this by four or five centuries. The biggest significance of these murals, however, goes beyond just their age. The murals give something visually that, up until their discovery, was only known in word: they depict the complete visual description of the creation of the world in Maya theology. While carvings and other records explained the creation story, the San Bartolo murals provide a complete and, concrete description of the creation in sequence. Art as Living Ceremony To appreciate the theological significance of the murals, a brief understanding of Maya theology is helpful. Maya theology is cyclical:; the world is re-created on a daily basis as it sinks into the underworld every night, and is reborn into this world at dawn.

Formatted: Centered

Comment [1]: BonnieB 3/6/14 11:15 AM Italics suggest this was his thought.

Formatted: Font: Times New Roman Italic

Comment [BB2]: Confirmed name spelling: http://www.bu.edu/archaeology/people/saturno/ Comment [3]: BonnieB 3/6/14 11:15 AM Miriam-Webster suggests that the plural for stela is stelae or steles. Will you verify this? *Yes, the plural should be steles or stelae. Cara Gillespie Comment [4]: Thomas 3/11/14 2:00 PM Normally twenty would be 20, but since we have six its not. Do we prefer numerals or spelling out? Comment [BB5]: confirmed plural spelling in MW. Comment [BB6]: It seems he was better known for photography, so if we need to choose between photographer and filmmaker, photographer could be better. http://peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/mayamurals-bonampak (other sources refer to him as a photographer) Comment [BB7]: confirmed date: http://peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/maya-muralsbonampak Comment [BB8]: confirmed: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5738/ Comment [9]: Cara Gillespie Mar 12, '14, 10:51 PM Its unclear which time period this is referring to in this sentence. Comment [BB10]: spelling confirmed: https://www.litencyc.com/php/members/showprofi le.php?contribid=53999 Comment [BB11]: spelling confirmed: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/47011 8/Popol-Vuh Comment [12]: Thomas 3/11/14 10:41 AM Visually depict? Comment [BB13]: confirmed: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5738/ Comment [14]: Thomas 3/11/14 10:46 AM Theres a modifier issue here. To fix it, you could put, To appreciate the theological significance of the murals, one needs a brief understanding of Maya theology. Of course, I inherently hate using the third-person one, so I would recommend a rewrite of this sentence.

The principal creator god of Maya theology is the Maize gGod. He frequently appears in Maya art in the act of creation. He exists in a symbiotic relationship with mankind. As mankindthey worships him,, he is sustained,,, and he then sustains mankind. In this immanent Maya theology, deity exists in a very interactive way in the lives of the Maya. This interactivity sanctifies every-day actions. The act of harvesting and eating maize is the very sacrifice of the Maize gGod for his people. What a Western view might see as symbolism, the Maya reality knows as active ceremony. Similarly, Maya art is not decorativethere is no Maya word for art. Visual representation is in fact a living, perpetually executed ceremony. The Murals The San Bartolo murals give a complete account of the five stages of the worlds creation, and then a scene of a kings coronation in shades of red, black, and yellow. The wWest wall depicts the creation process, and the nNorth wall gives the coronation scene. The Maize gGod is, of course, involved in the creation depicted on the walls of the temple, but in addition to him,, there is another significant figure: Jun Ajaw (Hoon-Ah-HOW). Jun Ajaw is one of the hero twins from the Maya theological text mentioned earlier, the Popol Vuh. He, along with his brother Yax Balam (Yahsh Ba-lAM), is a being of power because he transcended deathhe went into Xibalba (She-bal-BA), the underworld, and returned to this world. Literarily, he is a symbolic form of the Maize gGod. He is seen four times in the muralsrecognizable by his jaguar- spotted clothing. West Wall Along the west wall, Jun Ajaw creates each of the four layers of the universe, and then the fifth: the center. In each stage, he offers his own blood in sacrifice, represented in a distinctive motif of dagger-like flows that contrast with the elegant curling lines of the rest of the narrative. Along with the blood, he provides an additional offerings to generate creation. The offerings at each stage respectively are fish, from the sea;, deer, from the land;, turkey, from the air;, and a germinating seed, symbolic of life. Behind each scene of creation there is a beautifully twining tree intricately patterned and topped with a magnificent bird. The trees are representative of the World Treethe first tree and a symbol for creation. In the fifth and final scene, the Maize gGod creates the final layer of the universe: the center. The tree in this scene is different because the bird resting on its branches is the Principal Bird dDeity. Its presence alerts the viewer that the object it is associated with is charged with life- renewing power. This deitys appearance at the last stage seals the creation. North Wall The north wall tells a more human story. Now that the universe has been created, a kingship can be established. The king sits atop a patterned scaffold awaiting the crown carried by a bowing, well-dressed lord. The kings coronation depicted on this the much shorter north wall describes the divinity of the role of king. Dr. Saturno explains, The discovery completely changed our perspective on early Maya kings in the lowlands, and the use of creation mythology to justify their existence. The mural reinforces the understanding that the role of the Maya king is inexplicably linked to the role of a Maya creator god. The king has royal bloodthe blood of a godwhich allows him to carry on acts of creation. Where the sprawling creation scene functions asis the hearty novel, the coronation

Comment [15]: Thomas 3/11/14 1:30 PM is for them? Comment [BB16]: The descriptions of what the murals depict are accurate: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5738/ Comment [BB17]: Also written as Jun Jun Ajaw in Maya Hieroglyph Dictionary: http://research.famsi.org/mdp/mdp_detail.php?ma yaSearch=&englishWordSearch=&spanishWordSear ch=&TSearch=&TranSearch=&dateSearch=&letterSe arch=J&englishSearch=&spanishSearch=&id=416&ro otWord=Jun%20Jun%20Ajaw&display=15&rowstart =30 Comment [BB18]: spelling confirmed: http://www.famsi.org/research/kerr/articles/xbalan que/ Comment [BB19]: confirmed: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/11952 7/Cizin Comment [20]: Amanda Wind 3/6/14 11:15 AM There are so many em dashes in this paragraph already, that visually it might look better to make this one a comma, especially once we get to laying out text. Comment [21]: BonnieB 3/6/14 11:27 AM Is there a way to change this so it is parallel with the way you list the other offerings? Comment [22]: Thomas 3/11/14 1:38 PM Is this supposed to be Principle? *No, principal is correct. -Cara Comment [BB23]: checked spelling on: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5738/ Comment [24]: BonnieB 3/6/14 11:31 AM Do we need any of these descriptions? Are you saying the north wall is shorter than the west? That might be a detail we dont exactly need. Comment [25]: Amanda Wind 3/6/14 11:15 AM If this quotation has already been published elsewhere, leave the comma in. If not, remove the comma. Comment [26]: Thomas 3/11/14 1:40 PM Necessary?

scene functions as an epiloguemaybe even a teaser trailer for the sequel, for the future when t. The humans, through their deified kings, will be able to carry on the godly action of creation. San Bartolo Today Archaeologists finished excavation of the actual mural chamber in 2010, but conservation is still on-going. Environmental conditions are continuously monitored to ensure the safety of the artwork. Additionally, the portions of the wall shattered by the looters were left in fragments on the ground, and archaeologists are still piecing thesese fragments together. It is a complicated and intricate high-stakes puzzle, but the reward is something unseen by human eyes for over a thousand yearsa pretty exhilarating thought. The murals are catalogued and documented using digital imaging and scanning. From there, artistic reproductions are made. Artist and archaeologist Heather Hurst has drawn and painted the bulk of these recreations. Though the site is not open to the general public, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University currently has an exhibition called Storied Walls, which includes photographs and reproductions of the Mmurals. The museum is open seven days a week, and admission is $12 per adult. A Rare and Universal Gift The staggering reality of this discovery cannot be overstated. Dr. Christenson attests,: Theres been nothing like this before. There were little bits and pieces that you can piece together, but nothing that actually showed the entire sequence of creation with the creator gods, and its done in polychrome! Maya art may seem confusingeven illegibleto unaccustomed eyes,, Bbut the powerful beauty that Mayan artists created can be universally accessible. Dr. Saturno sees this power of connectivity as central to the arts importance. He explains, I think the most important aspect of the discovery for those unfamiliar with the Maya is that it instantly communicates their incredible artistry and humanity. You don't need to know much about the Maya to recognize its beauty, and once you are told the story it conveys and how long that story has endured, you can feel a connection with a foreign people that you didn't have before. The discovery at San Bartolo is not just for archaeologists. As Dr. Saturno suggests, the beauty of the art is an open doorway to understanding. For the visitor who steps inside that doorway, just aslike Dr. Saturno stepped into the pyramid at San Bartolo, a change of perspective is guaranteed. www.sanbartolo.org www.peabody.harvard.edu

Comment [BB27]: http://news.nationalgeograp hic.com/news/2012/05/120510-maya-2012doomsday-calendar-end-of-world-science/ National Geographic news says the full excavation was done in 2011.

Comment [BB28]: confirmed https://peabody.harvard.edu/node/16

Comment [29]: Amanda Wind 3/6/14 11:15 AM There should be a comma after endured (if it hasnt already been published in print).

Possible Title Carnegie: a Cultural Legacy (note: I just dont want to forget the idea)
The Carnegie Legacy

Comment [AW1]: The pull quotes, photo credits, and urls should all be organized at the end. Comment [BB2]: It might be good to have an introduction or intro kicker before jumping into Carnegies background. Formatted: Centered Comment [AW3]: Even if this is a name commonly used for Carnegie, it doesnt fit the rest of the text. Comment [TR4]: I dont know if this section really fits in your topic of the different halls. Maybe instead you could move this info to the introduction, i.e., introduce the topic of the different halls by introducing Carnegie himself. Comment [BB5]: I always thought the saying was out your mind to so does hand work too?

Robber Baron and Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie not only made gifts of these his halls and libraries around the world,; he played many roles in his lifetime. He was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, but immigrated to America with his family at the age of 12twelve12. He worked hard and became expert at whatever he put his hand to;: he went from telegraph operator to becoming one of the wealthiest men alive at the turn of the twentie20th century. Carnegies rise to the top taught him many things. He learned the value of the public library because he didnt always have access to the private librar iesys of the time. He saw how sheer determination and savvy investing could take him places, so Carnegie took to investments and never looked back. Even at the expense of extreme working conditions for his blue-collar workers, Andrew Carnegie made sure his investments were on track for making money. But later on in his career, he embraced the idea that his wealth would do him no good if he held onto it and began his life of giving away every cent he made through gifts and trusts, leaving nothing to his posterity. There were thousands of direct recipients in the form of libraries and music halls built across the United States and abroad. Picture it:. New York City. Tickets to a concert at Carnegie Hall. You walk through the renovated main levels with a sense of awe for all the history breathing within this space. The season line up is variedwith childrens concerts, local orchestras, and, for its season opener in October 2014, the Berliner Philharmoniker will honor the hall. Carnegie Hall is not merely a poster child for its history but a modern day epicenter for cultural enhancement within the community through music education and various performances. www.carnegiehall.org What a shining gift and treasure. But did you know there are other music halls and libraries around the world that bear the name of Carnegie? The Other Carnegies: Where are they now? The first Carnegie building was a public library built in 1883 in his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland. And the rest is history. But is it?

Comment [RF6]: I wonder if this could go towards the beginning since it gives the readers some background and why they should care who Carnegie was. Comment [RF7]: Or maybe a slightly more specific event type (concert, opera, show)

Comment [BB8]: I like the visual here, but the switch to present tense in this paragraph also changes the tone of the piece. Comment [TR9]: This section is a good, short reference to the main one, to remind the readers that they have heard of this hall before. Comment [T10]: Im not sure if its the separation from what precedes it or the period when I expect an exclamation mark or something else, but I read this with a hint of sarcasm or insincerity.

Jackson-Nava 2 Of the 1,689 Carnegie public libraries, only the earliest ones had a music hall funded in conjunction with its the library. Many of these libraries and halls around the world have dwindled into obscurity, only to be condemned and torn down. Yet some of these cultural centers have been saved by their communities and continue to fulfill cultural and educational needs in outstanding ways. We will take a glimpse inside the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall of Carnegie, Pennsylvania; the Carnegie Hall of Lewisburg, West Virginia; the Carnegie Library of Ballinger, Texas; and the original Carnegie library in Dunfermline, Scotland. Making a Difference Carnegie, Pennsylvania The Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall is best known to its patrons as the Carnegie Carnegie. It provides the community with a library,, and also offers music education and performances, andas well as other cultural activities throughout the year. , but Oone unique aspect of the Carnegie Carnegie for the interested traveler is its Civil War Room. The Civil War Room houses unique historical treasures, and thousands of patrons visit annually. However, the Carnegie Carnegie is in critical need of repairs. As this location receives financial support from local and visiting donors, it can continue to be an enriching cultural destination. www.carnegiecarnegie.org Lewisburg, West Virginia
The Lewisburg Female Institute was destroyed by a fire in 1901, which led to Dr. Robert Lee Telford, then Ppresident of the school, to contact Andrew Carnegie to ask for funding. Not until Dr. Telford was able to get James Laing, a trustee for the school and native of Dunfermline, Scotland, in with to meet Mr. Carnegie did they receive funding to replace the building. No expense was spared with the new structure. A bowling alley, a laundry room, and a chapel had becaome part of the school, in addition to the necessary classrooms. On August 5, 1902, Telford wrote that they had received the money. Again let me express the profound gratitude we feel and shall ever cherish toward Mr. Carnegie for his generous aid, without which the school could never have been rebuilt.

Comment [T11]: Consider using them.

Comment [T12]: Consider shortening to just glimpse.

Comment [TR13]: What is this heading for? Comment [RF14]: I think when you put this into InDesign this will be more clear with Make a difference as a header and the location as a subhead

Comment [T15]: This transition feels a bit abrupt. Do you know if theres a cultural activity tied to the Civil War Room that you could mention to aid the transition?

Comment [T16]: Did he write to someone in particular or was he writing about his gratitude for the money? Formatted: Font: Book Antiqua, 11 pt Formatted: Font: Book Antiqua, 11 pt Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: 0 pi Comment [AW17]: This doesnt seem to fit here since we already talked about what was done with the funding. Formatted: Font: Book Antiqua, 11 pt

Jackson-Nava 3
Through the years, the buildings uses continuously transformed until it was on the brink of demolition, only to be saved by the efforts of area residents who organized the not-forprofit Carnegie Hall, Inc., which serves four surrounding counties in West Virginia. Tourists will find a pleasingure with an array of art exhibits and performances to enhance their trip to the Mid-Atlantic region. www.carnegiehallwv.com
Comment [T18]: I believe continually is closer to what you are meaning. Comment [RF19]: Are you saying that tourists can take part in such activities. Or just a general appreciation that education is occurring?

Ballinger, Texas
A gift of $12,500 from Andrew Carnegie to the city of Ballinger made it possible for this beloved library to be built and opened in 1911. While it has always been used as a library, it also served as an Army-Navy Club during World War II for the cadets from the Harmon Training Center, a flight school for the United States Army Air Force. The struggles of the war took their toll on the town, and the library became neglected until 1975 when the Ballinger Bicentennial Committee worked to restore it. At this time, the Carnegie Library of Ballinger had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its future within the community and giving it a rightful place in U.S. history.

Comment [BB20]: I checked online to make sure this was Air Force and not Air Corps. Comment [T21]: Consider shortening to the war took its toll. Comment [T22]: Keep had been if it was on the register before 1975, but use was if 1975 was when it was placed on the register. Comment [RF23]: We could consider removing this quote to help shave down the word count. Plus, it does not seem to have a large connection with your overall topic Comment [T24]: Consider revising to When asked what the biggest contribution to the community is.

Sources: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgb02 When asked what is the biggest contribution to the community, the librarian, Ruth McVey said this of the Ballinger Carnegie Library: The greatest part about the Carnegie Library is the historical aspect of it. There are not many left, but we here in Ballinger can say we have one. Many Carnegie Libraries have been changed from their original state into offices or used for other things, but this one has always remained a library through and through. It's in working condition and yes, there are some things that need to be worked on, but it still stands proud, and has been for over 100 years. STo seeing this Carnegie library is worth the stop along the highway. From the wood flooring to the upstairs hall and the towering pillars along the front, the librarysits charming value shines like a beacon within the community wherein it stands. bcls.tsl.state.tx.us/carnegie_ballinger Dunfermline, Scotland The Dunfermline Carnegie Library is the first Carnegie-funded free library in the world and is prized within the community. Youths, teachers, and parents make frequent use of this historical yet functional facility. Judith Todd (parent to three

Comment [RF25]: This is a great quote! Comment [T26]: Is this capitalized or not? Match decision here with the uses in the quote.

Comment [TR27]: Are you planning on having this entire section a quote?

Jackson-Nava 4 children) explained that she uses the library not only to borrow books, but, more importantly, to share stories with her children. Another patron, Elizabeth Simpson, age 14fourteen14, mentioned that she reads so much that she couldnt afford to buy that many books. The financial efforts by the Lottery Heritage Fund, Fife Council, and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust contribute to keeping the Carnegie Dunfermline Library in beautiful working order. In fact, the library closes April 2014 for renovation and the additions of a museum and art gallery to the main structure, with the re-opening slated for August 2016. Efforts are being made to preserve the several original woodcarvings and ironwork, among other things. Because of the historical and practical value to the community, accommodations for the local residents to retain access to services haves been made by utilizing nearbyother buildings nearby. Translation: the eager traveler could see firsthand the transformation of this treasures outer surface if the latter part of 2016 cant come soon enough!

Comment [T28]: Consider using doesnt.

Where will the road lead you? Each of these halls serves its community in a unique ways and areis a preservations of history. As While you haveBy learninged more about Andrew Carnegie and his philanthropy, you can nowwill be able to see and experience even more for yourselfves by visiting these historical landmarks that are still making their mark on the lives of patrons. Many thanks to Jennifer Comins, Janice Erskine, Heather Falls, Margaret Forbes, Ruth McVey, and Corinne Zadik for their kind assistance with requests for charming photographs and information for this article. Their love for the Carnegie cultural legacy is apparent and contagious. NPR: How Andrew Carnegie Turned His Fortune Into a Library Legacy Pullout quotes by Andrew Carnegie: Code of Honor: "The man who dies rich dies in disgrace." Side Bar Quote: Bill Glennie frequent visitor to the Local History Centre As a frequent researcher of medieval Scottish History, it is pleasing to have the opportunity to record my appreciation of its extensive reference collections and facilities. I have drawn on these since my days as a local high school teacher. And it is a bit special to know Im benefiting from the first library endowed by Carnegie. [photo of handwritten comment is on the server]

Comment [T29]: Consider using affecting.

Comment [AW30]: Do we need to include this? I think it distracts from the article.

Jackson-Nava 5 Photo credits: Fife Cultural Trust: Dunfermline Carnegie Library www.fife.gov.uk/libraries

Im still a little confuse, however, with all the different sources and pull-quotes included with the main text. Its a little difficult to follow what is going to be in the article itself. If you could move all the main text to the top of the document and then have your pull-quotes, sources, etc., shown afterward, it would make it easier for the editors in the future to follow your thoughts and see what the main text will be. Overall, the article is very informative and engaging. My only concern is in the heavy quotes. I think we can find a way to incorporate them into body text and reduce the quotes to where they maintain the focus of the article and how the locations help the community, without including every detail of the quote. I really like the subject matter of the article, as I had no idea that there were other Carnegie Halls and I would expect the same of many other readers.

Comment [AW31]: Comment left by Andy.

Comment [BB32]: I feel like there is a shift in voice between Lauras voice and the voice of researcher/informant. Is there a way you can bring both together? Comment [AW33]: Comment left by Robert.

Working Titles: Perspectacles: Seeing the World tThrough the Eyes of the Everywhereist
Formatted: Centered

Geraldine DeRuiter was in Italy when she got the text message from her coworker: Were all out of a job. It was 2008, and the toy company where she worked as a copyrighter had been acquired by a larger company. At that time, her husband was traveling a lot for work, and he suggested that Geraldine tag along on his trips. She did, and one day a friend suggested that she document her experiences. Geraldine began writing about her travels as the Everywhereist. Almost five years later, she continues to share her adventures and lessons learned with her increasing number of readers. She now receives over 3,000 visits to her blog each day.

Comment [T1]: Added because was traveling and suggested wasnt parallel. Comment [BB2]: I think we just need quotes the first time.

I think my favorite trip was when we went to South Africa for a conference. We went to this resort in the middle of a wildlife reserve called Bushmans Kloof. There were animals all over, but they werent predatory animals. Every morning, they took us on a nature walk; sometimes it had a horticultural aspect, and sometimes they showed us very old cave paintings. In the evening, they drove us around in these jeeps, and we saw tons of beautiful animals that I didnt even know existed. We had two more days in Cape Town after that, and I told my husband, We are losing perspective because we literally have had people waiting on us. So we did a township tour. It was a good trip. It did what travel is supposed to do.

Comment [BB3]: Should we consider providing websites to some of these places she talks about? Comment [BB4]: Unreferenced pronoun. Who? Tour guides?

Comment [BB5]: This interests me. What does she believe travel is supposed to do?

Fifteen minutes from these amazing mansions in Cape Town, there are people living without running water, toilets, even electricity. We went into one room and it looked like a dormthere were three twin beds. A guy who lived there said, There are three families who live here. I was confused, so I asked him what he meant. He said, I sleep on this bed with my wife and three children. Then he pointed to the other two beds and said, Theres a family of five there and a family of six there. During the township tours, we saw people who had been oppressed by their government for the better part of the last century. It was amazing to see the contrasts. I think it was one of the more eye-opening trips Ive ever had.

Belfast, Ireland, was incredible. I was a teenager in the 90s and grew up with this understanding that Northern Ireland was dangerous, but the trip was a great, educational experience. We found my other favorite hidden gem while on a road trip 10ten years ago. We ended up in a little town and had no idea what it was. It turned out to be Ashland, Oregon, and they have one of the best Shakespeare companies

in the US. Picture yourself in the mMiddle -of -Nowhere, Oregon, and all of a sudden theres this cute little town with excellent theater and adorable restaurants. My husband and I were actually married there.

I would say South Africa and the townships. I mean, you have poverty in the US, but its not quite like that. Theres a degree of deprivation. You have that moment of, Gosh, we live in a country where we have everything and so much of it. This place that we live in is beautiful, and the roads are clean, and there arent animal carcasses clogging up our water supply.

The first thing I do is check the weather. Is it snowing? Is it rocky terrain? Am I going to be walking in the city? That dictates footwear, and the footwear dictates clothing. No more than three pairs of shoes: one completely comfortable walking pair, usually my converse; one slightly dressier pair that I can still walk through a city in, so a pair of boots or nice flats; and one slightly impractical pair, like sandals or heels. Then I determine the clothes. My rule isand this is kind of ridiculousI make every top match every bottom.

You know when you get something new, and youre really excited about it, and you think, I really want to take this? Sometimes you have to accept that you cant. Thats one of the hardest things for me. Another really important thing is never take something on a trip that you havent worn before. Youll find out its either a size too small or its not comfortable orand this is the worstits not actually a waterproof coat.

Theres so much stuff! Something isnt bad just because its strange and different. Sometimes its good to feel uncomfortable because thats when we learn and new experiences happen. Also, try and be amazing to everyone who you meet, even if theyre horrible. My husband is just a good person, so hes way better at it than I am. I always joke that its my Bill and Teds philosophy, Be excellent to each other.

The last bit of advice is something that my husband told me because I have a terrible sense of direction and was afraid to venture out. He said, Lets imagine that you go and spend the whole day walking in the wrong direction, and you get incredibly lost. The hotel is always at most a cab ride away. So what if its a really expensive cab ride? All right, dont do that again. That security blanket made me a lot more comfortable. www.everywhereist.com

The Art of Eating Pansies Sunshine After Summer Fades When autumn arrives, the next thing on our plates is winter. Warm soups and fall harvest vegetables are some of the most delicious comfort foods to enjoy each autumn, but sometimes dont you wish you could bottle up some warm summer sunshine to open on the dreary days? That, my friends, is where the pansy comes in. Eating Flowers? The pansy is not only a nearly year-round- blooming flower, but it is also edible! Giving taste buds something to look forward to, pansies are like the warmth of spring and summer suns lighting across the kitchen table each morning. From pancakes to cookies to that warm autumn evening soup we all crave, delightful recipes that include pansies will brighten up autumn. Pansies are considered a cool weather bloomer, so plant them strategically for your climate, and you can enjoy their beauty inside and outdoors for much of the year. Sow seeds once the last frost hits, then once again in summer, to ensure a full fall bloom. While we might typically associate the flower with spring and summer, the pansy is happiest in spring, autumn, and mild winterproviding color and sweetness to our tables in surprising ways.

Formatted: Centered

Dessert First The mantra Eat dessert first has a delightful ring to it. And the pansy falls right in line with the best of the best foodsdesserts. With Since this flower having has a mildly sweet and sometimes wintergreen flavor (depending on the variety), many people associate its usage as a food ingredient with desserts. For a light dessert, pansies go nicely with pears since they pears are a late summer or early/autumn harvest fruit.
Formatted: Font: Not Italic

A simply delicious way to pair the two is to thinly slice the pear (arranging it as you like on a dessert plate), sprinkle washed and patted dry pansy blossoms as desired across the pear slices, and then drizzle lightly with honey across the plate to create a fragrant and sweet treat.

Jackson-Nava 2

A lovely, and not as light, dessert is the pansy shortbread cookie as seen on the blog Silver Spoon Catering. What is most surprising is how the colors are able to remain vibrant, shining through the glittery sugar sprinkling. Pansy shortbread cookies are sunshine on a platter. For the Here you can find step-by-step directions to recreate this scrumptious treat: Silver Spoon Catering: Popping Up Pansies. For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner! If you are looking to add a few extra rays of sunshine to your morning, pansy pancakes are sweet to look at and to eat. The more varied the colors of pansies you have the better for enjoying the full effect. The pansies add a soft and light splash of texture to every bite! On the savory side of the plate, pansies add a cheery flair to omelets, soups, and pastas. And thats just for starters. The possibilities for these happy little blossoms are nearly endless. Salads will never be the same again, once graced with purples, yellows, and other eye-catching colors of this flower. It will also provide a refreshing look for your spread when you entertain guests. To begin your pansies experiment, you can look for the blossoms at farmers markets, in organic sections of supermarkets, and at specialty grocery stores, but clipping pansies right from your own garden is the quickest and most reliable option for having the freshest flowers for your dish.
Comment [BB1]: I like the reminders of sunshine, but I think you have used the reference about three times now. Do you have another way of referring to this dazzling flower?

Note to Allergy Sufferersin case of allergies: As with any new food, it is important to only add small amounts of pansies to your diet until you are able to see how your body metabolizes and reacts to them.

One parting caution: if you make a habit of using pansies in your fall cooking, winter might sneak up on you before you know it! Enjoy! Potato Cheddar Soup 8 servings. 45 minutes cook time. 4 large potatoes (peeled and diced) 1 large onion (finely chopped) 2 tablespoons tbsp garlic (minced) 8 cups chicken stock

Jackson-Nava 3 2 cups milk or half and half 3 cups sharp cheddar 1 cup cheese sauce 1 tablespoontbsp. hot sauce 1 strip bacon 1 tablespoon tbsp butter

In a soup pot on medium heat, melt butter, then saut onions until transparent. Then add garlic, and let cook for a minute or two. Add your potatoes, chicken stock, milk, and bacon. Let simmer until potatoes are very soft. Add in the cheeses and hot sauce. Let cook and thicken. Then, using a stick blender or regular blender, blend up half the soup leaving a few potato chunks for texture.
Comment [BB2]: I feel like the organization of the article can be improved some. It seems to shift from being about the flower in general to a way you can use it in food, then back and forth again. Perhaps you can give us all the detail about the flower in one section and then different ways we can use it in food? Comment [AW3]: I think this can be removed while its nice to have, it doesnt connect very directly with the article at all.

Panda Paradise: Chengdus Research Center At Home with the Pandas Despite only being naturally found only only in south-central China, pandas have endeared themselves to millions throughout the worldquite a feat for an endangered species that numbers only in the lower thousands. Whether this is people love them because of their human-like mannerisms and expressions or their humorous associations with things such as Eats, Shoots, and Leaves or European cheese commercials, pandas lead many to countless zoos in hopes of seeing them. So why not visit them in their homeland? With so many things to see in chinaChina, many visitors leave the pandas alone until they get back to a zoo closer to home. But for the traveler whos interested in the natural wonders that China offers, the Panda Research Center (PRC) in Chengdu (sometimes called Sichuan) should become a priority. The PRC differs from zoos in that its primary purpose is the protection of pandas, dedicating much of its revenue to studying pandas and helping them regain lost footing in their population. Located in south-central China, Chengdu is somewhat out of the way of other destinations, but its definitely worth the effort. The PRC is an open - nature reserve that is home to pandas, peacocks, koi, and a variety of water birds. While the PRC is still popular for many tourist groups, the openness of the PRC center and the amountnumber of panda habitats it provides keeps even the hotspots of the reserve from becoming as crowded as many of Chinas other wonders. This openness gives visitors adequate space to take pictures or moviesvideos of adolescent pandas stealing each others food, adult pandas sunning themselves, or some of the less-regulated wildlife at the PRC fighting over food from visitors (swarming koi isare quite impressive). And while travelers can do stop at the lake to feed the koi and enjoy the surrounding gardens, the reals reason they go is for the pandas. The PRC keeps its pandas in several open-air enclosures that are separated from guests via moats and short walls rather than cages, making the atmosphere much friendlier than typical zoos. The pandas are divided by age, though at least one adult is usually left with each age group, making each enclosure feel more like a family room or nursery than anything else, especially with the human-like expressions that pandas are famous for.. Visitors can time their visits so that they get to see feeding time for the pandas, which for the adolescents usually means a mini brawl as the faster eaters tackle the slower ones in hopes of getting more food. The tackledattacked pandas let out cries of distress that most visitors would describe as adorable, and the adult pandas complete lack of concern about the growing dispute only adds to the humor of the situation. But if brawling adolescents arent enough, then youll want to check out the home for baby pandas. Visitors can pay a couple hundred dollars to hold them, feed them, and take videos and pictures with them. Because the panda cubs are sensitive to crowds, its virtually impossible to see them without paying. But the PRC does provide panda cams that you can watch in the park or on the website of

Formatted: Normal, Centered, Space Before: 0 pt, No bullets or numbering, Tab stops: Not at 6 pi

Comment [D1]: This has an ambiguous antecedent (we dont want people to think that pandas number in the low thousands because of their human-like mannerisms).

Comment [BB2]: Not sure about this hyphen, so you might double check. I am assuming this is a specific type of reserve. Comment [T3]: Thanks, theres no hyphen Comment [D4]: Is this okay?

Comment [BB5]: Im not sure you need to mention these expressions twice, unless you plan to give more detail about it. Comment [T6]: Good point. Comment [AW7]: This phrasing seems a little odd the word choice of attacked and distress contrasts uncomfortably with adorable. How about tackled (which sounds a little more playful) and annoyed cries or something like it instead? Comment [BB8]: Do you have a link? Comment [T9]: The link below has a tab for the panda cam.

both the babies and other pandas that in the park and on its website, so even those saving their money for longer-lasting souvenirs can enjoy baby panda cuteness. In addition to the black-and-white pandas that are normally associated with panda, the PRC is also home to red pandas, which look less like bears and more like raccoons. The red panda enclosure removes the barriers between visitors and pandas even further than the other enclosures do, sometimes dispensing with the fence altogether and allowing the red pandas to climb up to the walkway if they so desire. Some red pandas run along the walkway and through the legs of visitors before returning to their trees; others decide to take a nap on the walkway. For those who are lucky enough to be there when the red pandas sleepadventure onto the walkway, the guards are okay with guests petting the pandas as long as they the guests are gentle. Unfortunately, word of this travels quickly, and the masses will soon descend upon the sleeping panda and scare it away, so its important to act quickly. The PRC brings some of Chinas natural wonders right to those who are willing to take the time to venture away from Chinas manmade wonders and discover what China has had since before its civilization started. http://www.panda.org.cn/english/

Comment [ML10]: It sounds a little bit odd to have the enclosure be the one doing the removing.

Comment [JH11]: Unclear pronoun ref. Comment [ML12]: Im a little confused by the sleeping. Didnt we just say that the pandas were adventuring onto the walkway? This makes me think of pandas who are awake. Comment [BB13]: I changed the above verb from adventure to venture so if you keep that change, you might use a different verb here.