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NYC erects statue honoring WWII VJ Day kiss

Actual 1945 photo and 2010 statue

If you’ll be in New York City,  join in on the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. While many activities marked the victory during August, WWII officially ended on September 2, 1945.

The city’s famous focal point, Times Square, now features a giant 26-foot statue created by sculptor Seward Johnson, based on a Life photographer’s famous sailor-nurse kissing scene photo on what was called VJ Day, marking Japan's surrender. You can’t miss it if you’ll be near 44th Street and Broadway.

In mid-August, the city put on its annual Kiss-In on Times Square, and thousands of kissing couples showed up by the statue to imitate the historic moment. The participants ranged from young GIs just back from Iraq and Afghanistan, all the way back to WWII veterans who were actually there on the Square celebrating on that joyful day.

Spain: Las Vegas Gambling Resort For Madrid PDF Print E-mail


Remember the 1941 Tyrone Power movie, “Blood and Sand”? It was about the gory sport of bullfighting in Spain. By a strange coincidence, the title could fit a new enterprise starting soon in Alcorcon, a Madrid suburb.

The Sands Corporation, now with casinos in Asia, as well as in Las Vegas, is reaching across the Atlantic to build a casino resort in Spain. In some twisted interpretation of the old movie title, you could say new blood for the Spanish economy is being provided by the Sands.

To be called EuroVegas, and is expected to open within four years. During and after its construction, the casino resort will bring many thousands of local jobs to Spain.

 
Adults Only Seats: AirAsia Offers No-Cry Zone PDF Print E-mail


AirAsia has started a program to relieve some economy passengers of having to deal with little children fussing and crying in seats next to them on long-haul flights.

The adults-only sections of eight rows in economy class near the front of the aircraft will be for AirAsia X schedules including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Australia and Nepal.

Peaceful flights in sections without kids under age 13 will have an extra price add-on that ranges from $11 to $35.50. Passengers who pay for the privilege to be in the Quiet Zone will have softer lighting and more legroom.

However, experienced fliers in the cushy seats can’t be guaranteed that some of the more frisky, aisle-roaming young passengers won’t invade their peaceful section. If you’re planning to fly to the Far East or need more information about the airline, go to airasia.com.my

 
New York, NY: Offering Lower Hotel Room Prices PDF Print E-mail


The posh Manhattan hotels, with their big rooms and bigger prices, won’t be offering any bargains this coming season. The average per-night room rate will continue to be $300 a night. However, some new boutique and teeny-room hotels there are coming up with more competitive prices.

The Manhattan branches of some of the national budget chains are offering prices to appeal the economy-conscious traveler. For example, the Best Western Plus President at Times Square lists prices starting at $120. The Holiday Inn Express on 36th Street has listed prices starting at $199. Nearby is a brand new Hyatt Place, with prices beginning at $195.

For those travelers who want the Manhattan aura without the traffic, pollution and mean streets, there’s the New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Room prices start at $55, and include two free buffet dinners.

 
Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Notre-Dame Basilica PDF Print E-mail

 
Rome, Italy: Graffiti and Cats at the Colosseum PDF Print E-mail


The 2,000-year-old scrawls on the walls don’t say winning gladiator Lanceus Armstreus used performance enhancing nectar of the gods. However, they do reveal new clues to what fans of the famous sports stadium wrote all those centuries ago.

Recent restoration efforts at the Colosseum have resulted in uncovering of First Century tunnels that haven’t been seen in at least 60 years. Workers found the walls scrawled with explicit graffiti and writings dating all the way back from the earliest years. Some of the graphic artwork would make the scrawls on modern bathroom walls look tame in comparison.

Another interesting feature of the Colosseum is that it’s a traditional feral cat sanctuary. Of the estimated 300,000 stray cats roaming the streets of Rome, at least several hundred make their permanent home in the Colosseum. City volunteers care for the feeding and health of the stadium’s thriving cat colony.

About visiting hours, tours, fees and other information, go to the-colosseum.net/idx-en.htm

 
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