VIA DOLOROSA

The Beauty of the Via Dolorosa
As seen by the great artists

http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Galleries/Beauty-of-the-Via-Dolorosa.aspx?source=NEWSLETTER&nlsource=11&ppc=&utm_campaign=Bible&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_term=yahoo.com.ph

What is the Via Dolorosa? You've seen the Stations of the Cross in every Catholic Church you've ever visited. But what are they all about? Sometime around the 15th Century, a tradition developed in which believers - particularly on Good Friday - would retrace the steps that Christ took to Calvary.

If you visit Jerusalem today, 14 stations are marked along the "Via Dolorosa," Latin for "Way of Grief" or "Route of Suffering." Let's take a walk down the Via Dolorosa through the eyes of such great artists as Michaelangelo, Van Dyck, El Greco, Mantegna, Caravaggio and several whose names history has forgotten, but whose masterpieces still inspire us today.

The artwork above is Station 14: Lamentation Over the Dead Christ (1490) by Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506) on display today in Milan, Italy at the Panacoteca di Brera museum

Jesus is Condemned to Death

Station 1: Jesus is Condemned to Death. We all know the story of how Jesus was tried so unfairly -- but before he was presented to Herod and then Pontius Pilate, he was mocked, reviled, brutally beaten and given a faded purple robe, a crown of thorns and a reed as a royal scepter. In this painting by the great artist Caravaggio (1571-1610), whose full name was Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Jesus is about to be scourged, His back torn by the Roman lashes.

Jesus is given His cross

Station 2: Jesus is given His cross. Jesus was mocked by Herod, rejected by the crowd demanding the release of a murderer, Barabbas, then condemned to die by Pontius Pilate. He was made to drag a rough wooden cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Only a week before, the crowds had rejoiced and hailed Him as the Messiah during His "Triumphal Entry," throwing down their coats and palm branches before Him. This classic artwork, "Christ Carrying the Cross," was painted in 1580 by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1541–1614), the great Cretan painter known to the world simply as El Greco.

Jesus falls for the first time

Station 3: Jesus falls for the first time. No one seems to be able to remember the name of the artist who portrayed our Lord stumbling under the weight of the cross in painted tiles. This 100-year-old mosaic is part of the Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of the Assumption church in Claremont, California.

Jesus encounters Mary, His mother

Station 4. Jesus encounters His mother. As He struggles under the heavy burden of the cross, our Lord spots His distraught mother in the crowd. This artwork is part of the Stations of the Cross in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, Connecticut. Regrettably, the artist of this 100-year-old watercolor is unknown.

Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

Station 5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross. Exhausted from His ordeal, abandoned by His disciples, Jesus struggles to carry the cross - but cannot. So, the Roman centurion in charge orders a visitor from Cyrene, Africa, to help. Mark 15:21 says Simon was the father of "Alexander and Rufus." Both are mentioned later by Paul in his Epistles as leaders of the early church. The artist of this painting is unknown.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Station 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus with her scarf. The Bible does not mention Veronica, however tradition says that she was a follower who could not contain herself any longer and came to His aid, wiping his face with her scarf. Some say she was the woman healed in Matthew 4:20. Her scarf was said to bear Jesus' image -- but unlike the Shroud of Turin, has not survived to modern times. It is believed to have been destroyed in 1527 when Rome was looted by mutinous troops of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This bas relief carving and painting is one of the Stations of the Cross at the Catholic Church of Glanmire Parish in County Cork, Ireland.

Jesus falls a second time

Station 7. Jesus falls a second time. The biblical account does not detail just how many times Jesus stumbled, however tradition tells of three separate times when He fell to the ground under the burden of the cross. This wood carving is by an unknown sculptor.

Jesus sees the faithful women

Station 8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem. The biblical account tells of how the women who had followed our Lord throughout His ministry were among the few who were faithful throughout His terrible ordeal on Good Friday. The Bible does say that the Twelve Disciples were afraid - with only John the Beloved Disciple standing with the women at the foot of the cross. This sepia-tone print is taken from a 19th Century printer's engraving. The engraver's name is not known.

Jesus falls for the third time

Station 9. Jesus falls for the third time. The biblical account is clear that our Lord had difficulty in the long trek to the hill called Calvary. This beautiful wood carving is from the Stations of the Cross at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Jesus is stripped of His robe

Station 10. Jesus is stripped of His robe. The Bible tells of the soldiers at the foot of the cross gambling for His seamless robe. Crucifixion was a dehumanizing, brutal means of execution. The condemned were given no dignity - and allowed to suffer, lingering between life and death for as long as a week, according to historical accounts. This watercolor was painted by French artist  James Jacques Tissot (1836-1902).

Jesus is nailed to the cross

Station 11. Jesus is nailed to the cross. The brutality of crucifixion defies human imagination. Here, the Lord's hands and feet are pinned to the cross with rough iron spikes. This bas relief sculpture is part of the Stations of the Cross at Ludwigskirche (St. Ludwig's Church) in Darmstadt, Germany.

Jesus dies on the cross

Station 12. Jesus dies on the cross. Bearing the sins of the world, the Son of God looks out at His tormentors and says, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Then, the sky darkens, the earth trembles, the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the Temple is torn in two - and the Lamb of God dies. This carving has been one of the Stations of the Cross for more than 100 years at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque, Iowa.

Jesus' body is removed from the cross

Station 13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross. It is over. This dramatic oil painting is by Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669). The artist put himself into the painting as the mourning figure in blue, penitent and shaken with suffering, helping remove Christ's body.

Jesus' body is laid in the tomb

Station 14. Jesus' body is laid in the tomb. The faithful women and the Disciples are assisted by Nicodemus and place His body in a new tomb in a garden nearby donated by Joseph of Arimathea. This painting, "The Lamentation," is by the Flemish master Antony Van Dyck (1599-1641) and is on display at the Palais des Beaux Arts de Bruxelles museum in Brussels, Belgium.

He is risen! Allelujah!

The Resurrection of Jesus. Although not traditionally part of the Stations of the Cross, the Resurrection is often included as a fifteenth station signifying the triumph of good over evil, of life over death and of hope over despair. After years of official atheism in Russia, this masterpiece is again on display in a place of prominence at the State Russian Museum in Moscow. It is "Appearance of Christ to Mary Madgalene," painted in 1835 by the Russian master Alexander Ivanov (1806-1858).

MY THOUGHTS

Here's a picture of Sta. Veronica that has been in my family for ages.

Why is Holy Week not the same dates every year?

Why is Holy Week not the same dates every year?

1)The first thing to remember is that you are using the Moon calendar ... based on the phases of the moon.

2) Jesus died on Nisan 14, when the Jews celebrated the Passover (Exodus 12:11,18, Leviticus 23:4, 5; Numbers 8:3, Esther 3:7, Matthew 26:19)

You have to realize that Nisan 14 is nothing more than 14 days after the new moon nearest to the spring equinox (No matter if it's before or after the vernal equinox)

3) The spring equinox falls on March 20 each year.

4) The New Moon occurs every 30 days

5) Remember, 14 days after the New Moon nearest to March 20 ... No matter if it's before or after March 20.



Now let's practice...

Take for example the spring equinox of 2010 and 2011 and the new moon ...


New Moon of 2010 before and after the equinox or March 20:

New Moon (March 15, 2010*) - the visible New Moon over Jerusalem was on March 17, 2010 -

Equinox (March 20, 2010*)

New Moon (April 14, 2010*)


Note that the New Moon nearest to the vernal equinox is the New Moon of March 15, 2010 ...

Ones the Jews have determined the closest moon to the vernal equinox ... they count 14 days from that point (the new moon)... taking us to Nisan 14.

In 2010, the 14th of Nisan fell on March 30, 2010 (Remember the days begin in the afternoon until the following afternoon).


Let's look at 2011:

New Moon (March 4, 2011*)

Spring Equinox (March 20, 2011*)

New Moon (April 3, 2011*) - the visible new moon over Jerusalem is on April 4 -

*Astronomical new moon


As you can see, the new moon nearest the vernal equinox is the one that will fall on April 3, 2011. If we count 14 days from the visible new moon over Jerusalem... it will take us to April 17, 2011.



The Catholic Church celebrates Easter on the Sunday following the full moon of the new moon nearest to 20 March or vernal equinox.

This year the full moon will fall on April 18, 2011. So the next Sunday is 24.

So the Holy Week will run from April 17 until April 24, 2011.


PD: The Passover kept of by modern-day Jews is set to coincide with the astronomical new moon, not the visible new moon over Jerusalem, which may come 18 to 30 hours later. Also, most Jews today keep the Passover on Nisan 15, not on the 14th as Jesus did in harmony with what was stated in the Mosaic Law. The Memorial or Commemoration of Jesus death kept by Jehovah's Witnesses is set to coincide with the new moon over Jerusalem.

MY THOUGHTS

All that math!  Doesn't matter why - I guess!  More important is how you view holy week and what you do about it.

SOMEWHERE TO GO DURING HOLY WEEK

Kuh's Tagaytay hideaway
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo The Philippine Star Updated April 16, 2011 12:00 AM 0 comment to this post

When life in the city gets somewhat too suffocating, some stars usually hie off to, if not foreign shores (Hong Kong and Bangkok are favorite destinations), Boracay to unwind, never mind if the faces they bump into are the same ones from Manila they are running away from.

Tempo’s Ronald Constantino is right.

“The perfect place to be during the Holy Week is Metro Manila,” said Ronald who is packing his things for a post-Lenten holiday “somewhere” with STAR contributor Bibsy Carballo. Hola! “Everybody goes out of town and Metro Manila is all too suddenly quiet and peaceful, no traffic and no ‘intrigues’ since TV is off, so it’s ideal for meditation and soul-searching.”

But where does Kuh Ledesma go to relax, recharge and renew herself on weekends and during the Lenten Season? 

Yes, to her own Hacienda Isabella (named after her daughter) in Tagaytay City which is only more than an hour drive away. The place has been consistently receiving rave reviews for its tasteful, unique and rustic style, laid-back ambience and impeccable service (the buffet offers food for all kinds of palates).

“During Holy Week,” Kuh told Funfare, “an option of healthy organic food will be available aside from the Hacienda’s best-sellers.”

The Hacienda is open to guests.

“We accept walk-ins for special breakfast, lunch or dinner,” added Kuh.

More than the gustatory delights, Hacienda likewise offers “food for the spirit” at its daily Bible classes and inspirational talks conducted by Kuh herself and other speakers who are Bible teachers.

(Note: For reservations and inquiries about the Holy Week package, call 726-6485 and 721-1936, or mobile phones 0920-9539488 and 0917-8139065.)

Holy Week events at Kamay ni Hesus

And if you happen to be at the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, Quezon, here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s schedule of activities for the Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday, April 17 — Commemoration of Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem, morning and afternoon Masses, and Estacion General (Via Crucis at Grotto);

• Holy Monday, April 18 — Morning and afternoon Masses and stage play Biglang-Bigla Isang Umaga;

• Holy Tuesday, April 19 — Afternoon Mass, and continuation of stage play;

• Holy Wednesday, April 20 — Morning healing Mass and afternoon Mass, and continuation of stage play;

• Maundy Thursday, April 21 — Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Washing of the Feet, Holy Communion, Procession, Benediction, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament;

• Good Friday, April 22 — Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, Communion, Procession, and continuation of stage play;

• Black Saturday, April 23 — Continuous veneration of the Image of Crucified Christ and continuation of stage play; and

• Easter Sunday, April 24 — Eucharistic celebrations.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare.)

MY THOUGHTS

I've never been to Kuh's hacienda. I can't really say if it's a good place to go or not. But it's near enough to risk it. We took a risk at Sonia's and it was good.  We risked going to Nature Spa and have gone there 2x already.  We risked eating at this quaint italian restaurat in Tagaytay.  I can't remember the name but I can still remember the taste of their excellent pasta and how tranquil you feel eating under the trees with all those glittering lights. 

I'd say it's worth checking out Kuh's place.

I've been to Kamay na Hesus and I will never dare those stairs again.

VOLUNTEER VACATIONS

Volunteer Vacations
For the Thrifty Traveller
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/volunteer-vacations.html

Volunteer Vacations, are they for me? If you like experiencing life without all the tourist hype and love to get your hands dirty, then I would say yes they are.

It is perfectly possible to visit some of the most exotic, and beautiful places in the world without spending a fortune and enjoying a holiday that makes a difference as part of your frugal living plan.

By taking a working vacation, you help could be helping a very good cause or just helping the local economy and all on a shoestring budget.

By volunteer vacations, I don't mean a placement for months at a time, but a short break, from a weekend to two weeks, either short or long haul, where, for the cost of a little work, the overall expense is reduced, in some cases drastically.

There is the added advantage that you get a much richer experience of the place you are visiting than the tourist on an often overpriced package holiday may do.

Does this all sound a little risky? - Not at all these days, there are many specialist travel agents well experienced in providing volunteer vacations, with all the safety precautions taken into consideration and checked out before hand.

It does require a little thought and planning on your part, though. Obviously, there's no point in volunteering to dig ditches if you have a back problem, or volunteering to do something you really wouldn't enjoy. After all this is meant to be a holiday.

Also, it does help if you have a specific skill. But that doesn't necessarily mean eight years of medical school or a degree in horticulture, just being fluent in English is a sought after skill, for instance.

How to find volunteer vacations.

There are lots of websites out there that can find you the perfect frugal living vacation; here is a selection of some of the longer established organisations:

The Earthwatch Institute (www.earthwatch.org) specialise in environmental placements. They have teamed up with Travelocity (http://leisure.travelocity.com) to offer grants to qualifying volunteers, which could cut the price of your vacation even further.

Global Vision International (www.gviusa.com) is a very well organised site; it has sections for U.S., U.K., Irish and Australian volunteers.

They specialise in placements of one week or more, and at any one time have over 100 different projects to choose from.

These are mainly long haul. The support given to volunteers by GVI is excellent, and they are on hand to help 24 hours a day in the unlikely event that you run into any problems, however minor.

The volunteer has to organise their own airfares, insurance, and in some instances, transfers from the destination airport.

United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org) again specialise in long haul volunteering vacations. Again they have hundreds of projects to choose from. They also have a useful section on obtaining sponsorship, which can help cut the cost of your vacation even further. Their fees do not include airfares.

Cheap Tickets (www.cheaptickets.com) have a volunteering option where it is possible to take a few days out of a leisure holiday to take part in a volunteering opportunity. They also have options of taking a few days out in the U.S. to help with different projects in a range of areas. This is useful for planning short breaks.

Own Country Holidays

Depending where you live, there are any numbers of country-based charities offering vacations for volunteers, for example:

The American Hiking Association (www.americanhiking.org) offers opportunities to mend trails, provide visitor facilities - ideal for outdoor types.

The National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) offers a range of activities in the U.K., from painting lighthouses, to stewarding in Stately Homes. If history is your bag, then these are excellent.

MY THOUGHTS

Sounds promising. I may not go for camping or backpacking but I might just go for a volunteer vacation.

SAVING ON VACATIONS BY CAMPING

Camping Holidays
For The Perfect Cheap Vacation.


Camping holidays, are they for you? Well you either love or hate camping, there doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground.

Many of us first experience camping when we are children, going away with mum and dad or with the local kids club.

It was all high jinx; scary stories and waking up in a damp sleeping bag and you may be wondering why as an adult would you want to do that again.

Well things have changed over the years and camping holidays are now a little less basic and with a little effort are great fun for the whole family.

If you want to get away from it all and your budget is tight, frugal camping holidays could be the perfect solution.

What are the choices for frugal camping holidays?

There are plenty of different places you can now pitch your tent, it all depends on what sort of camping experience you are looking for. For instance there are:

* Get away from it all sites - these can be basic with just a shower block and toilet facilities. But they are great for being in the middle of nowhere where you can truly enjoy the countryside and get away from all of life's hustle and bustle.

* Seaside sites - If you enjoy being by the sea or want to have a family beach holiday then these sites are perfect. They normally also include some sort of onsite family entertainment centre where the kids can play and the adults can have a lively drink or two.

* Trekking - if you really want to see the countryside and are into some serious walking then trekking with your tent on your back and visiting specially allocated small trekking camping sites could be for you. These sites attract the adventurous types and you could find yourself sitting round campfires in the evening swapping stories with other trekkers.

The equipment

Keeping it frugal, simple and light to carry especially if you trekking is often the first consideration when taking camping holidays. However there are some essentials that if you travel without could ruin your entire vacation.
Sleeping comfort

You can either decide to:

* Sleep on just a ground sheet - rather hard on your back and you may end up getting wet.

* Airbed - these are comfortable and only require blowing up. However they can be heavy to carry.

* A sleeping pad - lightweight and easy to carry, these rolls provide a little comfort.

* Camping bed - these are raised off the ground like a hammock are quite comfortable but a little more difficult to carry around.

The sleeping bag you choose will depend on the time of year you are travelling. During the summer only a lightweight bag is required but it is always better to go for something a little warmer, as it is much easier to cool down than to warm up.

Cooking equipment

If you are going for the full camping holidays experience then you will be cooking under the stars. If there are only a couple of you then a single gas stove is all you will need.

They are light and easy to carry and are great for single pot cooking. If there are more of you and you are not planning to carry your equipment around with you then there are full outdoor stoves available, these are probably better if you are cooking for a family, as your menu options are greater.

However be frugal with just how many pots and pans you really need, after all you don't want to have to carry around with you heavy unecceassry items if you don't have to.

Plan your meals before you go and only take the cooking utensils you will require. To keep costs to a minimum, take your own pots and buy some cheap plastic plates etc from the cheap stores rather than from the camping store.

If you are trekking and planning to camp often then it would be advisable to buy the proper camping utensils as they have folding handles and stack together for ease of transportation.

Lighting

You will need a torch to find your way to the toilets during the night. Invest in a wind up one that will reduce the cost of batteries and can also be used forever more at home. A little gas lantern will be needed to light your tent at night. Only have one per tent and use aluminium foil to reflect the light as they can be a little dim for reading with.

MY THOUGHTS

I've had very few camping trips in my lifetime. My memories of them are not worth repeating. All I can remember is the uncomfortable, messy feeling. A tent is not my idea of a vacation. Even if it's just for one night. Maybe I should try it again. If I follow these tips, maybe my perspective (and my experience) might change.

BUDGET BACKPACKING

Budget Backpacking For The Frugal Traveller
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/budget-backpacking.html

Is budget backpacking for you? Well that very much depends on what you are hoping to get from your travels and or course just what sort of budget you have.

Backpacking is normally the realm of the teenager wanting to see the world before having to settle down to university life or getting a regular nine to five job.

However teenagers are not known for their large bank balances and so only budget travel is an option for them, and so backpacking is the most frugal option.

However I won't be ageist here and I do know of some very seasoned travellers in later years who absolutely love the backpacking life.

So it is down to either your budget or your taste in vacations that will determine if a budget backpacking trip is for you.

What is frugal backpacking?

Traditionally backpacking holidays consist of travelling light, staying in youth hostels, working for your keep and travelling by the cheapest methods possible.

It also means not staying in one place for too long with the intention to see as much of the world as possible.

If you are not prepared to sleep in the most basic of places, and not knowing where you will stay from day to day and to have to wear the same clothes for more than a few days then perhaps this type of holiday is not for you.

But just like camping backpacking does give you a tremendous sense of freedom and can be the ulitimate frugal vacation. You can pretty well do what you want to, when you want to, with no one else looking over your shoulder.

Budget backpacking strategies

Usually budget backpacking vacations are much longer than normal vacations and so spreading out your money is one of the major considerations. So to be a good frugal backpacker will take quite some planning ahead of your trip to make sure that you use every penny wisely.

Plan your budget - decide in advance how much you are going to spend on things like food, accommodation, travel etc and stick to your daily plan. If you don't, you may find yourself having to cut your vacation short. Put your frugal head on and spend your money wisely.

Plan your route carefully - find out the best and cheapest ways to travel in the countries you are visiting and remember to always keep yourself safe. Here are a few travel tips:

Don't hitchhike unless you are not alone.

Walk if you can, a five mile walk to another town won't be that much of a hardship and will allow you to see more of the country.

Use local buses rather than taxicabs

Accommodation - Hostels are the cheapest option for your budget backpacking vacation; find out where they are at your destinations before you go so that you won't waste time on your trip trudging around looking for somewhere to sleep all the time.

Hostels are also a great way to meet other travellers and find out all the little money saving tips others have come across.

However there is even a better and cheaper way of finding somewhere to stay. Sites like Globalfreeloader.com and couchsurfing.com list places to stay for free.

These places are offered by local people who enjoy meeting different people and are prepared to allow them to sleep on their coach or in the spare bedroom if you're lucky. This is a great option if you want to meet local people and really find out all about the country. However be safe and always let people know where you will be staying if travelling alone.

Entertainment - The last thing you want to do on your budget backpacking vacation is to scrimp on actually doing things. So here are a few tips to ensure you get as much from your vacation as possible without breaking the bank but still being frugal:

* Invest in an international student card before you go, these cards will allow you to visit all the major museums and galleries and other major tourist attractions at a reduced rate.

Check carefully that they will cover the places you want to visit.

* Tag on the end of guided talks. I have done this many times, they hardly ever notice that you have joined their group and if they do spot you, just smile sweetly and walk away, no point in arguing.

* Drink the local brews rather than going for the big brand names. Search out the un-touristy places to drink and experience local life.

* Plan to sample the local restaurants at least once a week. There's no point travelling half way round the world if all you're going to eat is bread and cheese.

Plan a meal out once a week into your budget. The rest of the time, eat simply and make use of local supermarkets.

Budget backpacking essentials

There are a few things to make sure you pack on your backpacking vacation to make sure that you are fully prepared for your trip.

* Maps and guidebooks - these are essential to making the most of your vacation and stops you wasting time wandering around lost. Also by making sure you have them all from the start of your trip you won't have to waste any precious money

* Water bottle - don't buy water on your trip to drink instead use tap water and drinking water fountains to fill up your bottle, this can be a big money saver during your trip (make sure the local water is drinkable though). Theres no point being frugal if you're going to end up sick.

* Backup money - it is important that you have some way of accessing extra money if something unforeseen comes up. This may be a credit card of your own or borrowing a family members card that you promise only to use in an emergency. You will have to be very strict with yourself and not be tempted by that little plastic friend in your pocket.

* Telephone numbers - be prepared and know how to use the telephones in any country and what the international telephone codes are for you to contact your family.

I have often come across travelers in London looking blankly at telephones and not understanding how to use them and why the normal telephone number for their parents won't work. I have had to help out many upset and confused traveler.

MY THOUGHTS

Never done this. Who knows? One of these days. Maybe.

BUDGET TRAVELTIPS

Budget Travel Tips
For The Frugal Traveller

Budget travel planning has been something both my partner and myself have carried out for years, ever since we no longer had two incomes coming into the home.

Gone are the days of booking the first hotel we come across and usually being ripped off by their over priced rooms and add-ons.

Now we spend a little time planning ahead and discovering that there are plenty of ways to travel in style without paying a fortune. Frugal vacations need not be diffcult to organise.

Of course budget travel planning also sometimes means not going on the usual two-week holiday just because it is something everyone else does. Instead it could also mean planning lots of short weekend breaks and day trips throughout the year.

This can work out a lot cheaper as you can book out of season and gain by taking up all those weekend break deals being offered. It also places less pressure on work and children's schooling commitments.

I used to miss one week at the start of term when I was little because my parents couldn't afford to go on holiday at peak times, it was very difficult to catch up.

Watch out for those hidden extra costs

There are always things that can be easily forgotten when budget travel planning and which can throw the whole expenditure into turmoil if not careful.

Vaccinations - if you are planning to go to a country where lots of vaccinations are required before you go, it is best to check with your doctor if there are any charges for these, especially if you live in a country where the health service is not free.

These vaccination charges can mount up if the whole family need them, so it best to try and build these into your budget travel plan. Of course you could just be very frugal and decide to go somewhere else instead.

Equipment - You may be planning on going on an activity holiday where you will be expected to either have some of your own special equipment or clothing or will be expected to hire them once you are there.

Skiing vacations are a good example of this, where skiing equipment and extra warm clothes costs will be on top of your travelling and accommodation costs.

Even if you do have your own skies and clothes and plan to take them with you, it may cost you extra to travel with them in your luggage due to size and weight. Build all these costs into your frugal budget travel plan.

Luggage - make sure that you do not pack too much when travelling abroad. Too many people have been hit hard at the airport when they have to pay extra weight charges on their luggage. These costs can be high, so always check exactly what your weight allowance is before you go. Be frugal with your packing and ask yourself "do i really need all these clothes"?

Insurances - Always build in insurance costs into your budget travel plans. Lost luggage, double booking and accidents are all good things to insure your self against. Make sure you buy your insurances separate from your holiday seller to ensure you do not may too much. Also it is possible to buy insurance that will cover you for a whole year if you plan to frugal travel more than once, it works out a lot cheaper in the long run.
What types of budget travel vacations are there?

Family vacations - When you have a family your choice of holidays dramatically change from when you were single.

Now instead of wanting to sip cocktails in the moonlight, you now have to make sure that there are plenty of activities to keep the children amused so that you at least get the occasional five minutes to yourself.

Planning a vacation for the family can work out expensive but it is possible to take advantage of many child friendly vacations on offer and by comparing the deals you may even end up saving yourself some money.

Backpacking - For those of you that have the wanderlust in you, backpacking is a great way to see the world on a shoestring if you don't mind roughing it a bit.

There are many offers for student travel available and if you are prepared to work a little on these vacations you may find that accommodation costs are practically nil. Frugal living at it's best.

Working Vacations - These vacations used to be very popular in the UK during the 50's when a lot of families who could not afford holidays would spend two weeks picking hops on farms in the south of England. However these sorts of holidays are still around today and in many different parts of the world.

Whether it is picking fruit, grapes for wine, olives or helping to clear rhododendrons as part of an environmental scheme, they are all great fun, cheap and a good place to make new friends.

Camping - traditionally the cheaper way to go on vacation, where accommodation costs are minimal and experiencing the great outdoors is all part of the joy of the holiday.

Keeping this type of vacation simple and not eating out at restaurants every night but cooking your own food and making the entertainment up yourself will ensure that this holiday will remain a budget travel reality.

Vacations for singles and couples - Even if your dream is of a fairly luxurious and perhaps romantic vacation, it is still possible to make a budget travel plan that will help to keep the costs to a minimum and within your frugal budget. After all every frugal traveller knows that it is possible to still have a great holiday on a budget. You could even decide to take a virtual trip to say somewhere like Las Vegas instead. A little piece of Vegas can be enjoyed via online casinos, just keep within your budget.

MY THOUGHTS

My personal preference would be to save up and really vacation in style. It doesn't have to be the high-end hotels and resorts. But I prefer not to cook not scrimp on food when on holiday. In fact,I wouldn't mind foregoing a vacation for a year so I can enjoy the real deal next year.

HISTORY OF APRIL FOOL'S DAY

April Fool's Day
The History of April Fool's Day

By Mary Bellis, About.com Guide

In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night.

The First April Fool's Day

Then in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They sent them on a "fool's errand" or tried to make them believe that something false was true.

Poisson d'Avril

In France today, April first is called "Poisson d'Avril." French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "young fool" discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!)

April Fool's Day in the USA

Americans play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. One common trick on April Fool's Day, or All Fool's Day, is pointing down to a friend's shoe and saying, "Your shoelace is untied." Teachers in the nineteenth century used to say to pupils, "Look! A flock of geese!" and point up. School children might tell a classmate that school has been canceled. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, "April Fool! "

April Fool's Day Jokes

The "fools' errands" we play on people are practical jokes. Putting salt in the sugar bowl for the next person is not a nice trick to play on a stranger. College students set their clocks an hour behind, so their roommates show up to the wrong class - or not at all. Some practical jokes are kept up the whole day before the victim realizes what day it is. Most April Fool jokes are in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The most clever April Fool joke is the one where everyone laughs, especially the person upon whom the joke is played.

"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. " - American humorist Mark Twain

MY THOUGHTS

I know. I'm a day late. But this is not a prank. Just sharing some info.