What can I do to develop a deeper appreciation for travel?
I have enough money to take a somewhat decent trip every couple of years. I can buy a $600 plane ticket (give or take) and stay in modest but comfortable accommodations for about a week. I feel like I'm a pretty typical traveler in that way. In the past few years, I've been to Puerto Rico, Montreal, and Spain (Madrid and Barcelona). I enjoyed my trips to varying degrees, but often, I felt stumped as to how to make the most of each trip. I loved Montreal because it was peaceful and pretty, and we lucked into perfect weather. I hated my trip to Puerto Rico because after one historical tour of San Juan and a trip to a modest rain forest, I was totally out of things to do. (No offense if you're from Puerto Rico; I don't mean it was an awful place. I just hated my trip.) Spain was in the middle. I enjoyed touring the royal palace and exploring Toledo as a day trip, but I got very tired of walking around trying to think of things to do in Barcelona. Please note that I am presuming that the problem is largely with me, not with the places I'm mentioning. I want to be one of those people who gushes, "I LOVE travel," or at least, if I am going to travel, I want to get as much out of it as I possibly can. What do you suggest? I like (but don't love) museums, I have a decent appreciation for great weather and natural scenery, and I like trying new restaurants, but I get tired of paying so much money for food by the end of a week. Tell me how I can pimp my trips a little? (You know, as in "pimp my ride." I mean, make the most out of them. :-))
Other - Destinations - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
First of all, don't feel guilty because you do not enjoy travel as others do. We are all different beings and enjoy different things. Yet if you want to travel and find that you are not hitting the right spot or activity, sit down, take a piece of paper, make two columns; in the left list all what you really enjoy in life and in the right column list what you don't care for or dislike. Then look in the library and on the web at travel guides and find the places which match your interests. Now look for organizations which support your specific interest areas; you'll find many offer trips also contact a good travel agent dealing with group tours. Travel with other people who have the same or similar interests most likely will enhance your enjoyment.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
what to feed live crabs held in a large pen for future sale?
what to feed live crabs held in a large pen for future sale?
I am a 73 year old retiree who has taken upon himslef the challenge of benefitting 12 poor live crab fishermen in a somewhat minus 3rd world environment. A life time small business entrepreneur I have no trouble with the sales and marketing end of the program. It's at the supply end where I am a true grenhorn, having never held a crab in my hands much less eaten one. (burt then if I set up a ladies panties factory I would not excatly whear them, either). In all my past projects I have made a keen effort to learn as much as possible about the product, the production end, the business end..etc. I face the reality that sources of good professional information on live blue and red crabs (UCIDES OCCIDENTALES & CARDOSSONA CRASSUN), are somewhat lacking. I have been drawing informatikon from fishermen, and peope who have been making a living selling crabs (a truly valuable source of sorts but with great limitaitons, as they draw exclussively from empiric observations and assumptions). I fish in Nicaragua where crab fishing is somewhat artisanal and for subsistence (to eat some for daily and neightbors need). In the case of Cardosona Crassun (blue crabs) the most common fishing method is to place a pice of a poisonous tree branch and when the crab comes out to sek food at night, the eat the branch and die. Later they pick up what they need to eat and maybe sell a few and wind up killing indiscriminently. We use my improved versio0n of PVC tube traps placed on the mouth of their burrow. When they come out of the trap, it's an extension of their hole and when they open the trap door and advance the door shuts and they get caught. It's a simple effective method, albeit if it took us much time and money to fine tune the trap. These crabs are notorious for eating just abut anything on their way. Thus we put them in a pen for nearly 2 weeks, to clean their stomachs, release the stress of being grabbed and placed in a crowded bag (often for 3 full days without water and food), and fatten them and strengthen them. The 2 week period is arbritary, from hearsay of alleged crabs experts. We plan to flush clean the pen's floor 4 times a day on the theory that they feed of the floor where they elaso excrete and do not discriminate as to what they eat off the floor On the reasonable assumption that crabs (or humans for that matter) are a reflection of what they eat, we want to prevent as much as possible their eating their own excrement. (In Venezuela, not surprisingly, these blue land crabs are called "shit eating crabs"). Now I turn to a professional chat sorce to see if I can make some basic queries and get valuable informaiton: 1. We use cut up pieces of coconut meat fro two days to clean their stomach. The fat in the coconut will literally give crabs the "runs" and thus theri stomach is cleaned. Then we change the diet fo broken kernekls of dry corn whnich presumablywill fatten them and strengthen them (the later I do on blind faith on what fishermen and crab dealers have told me) 2. As with just about every other species being held in captivity for future sale, (taking for granted that hardly anything I encounter is not a novel and brand new problem) I assume some one may know and have worked on "what to feed these crabs during captity and/or what food suplement I can add to their diet (mixed wiith the corn) as pellets or whatever; to help fatten and strengthen them. 3. A key problem with live crabs i importation, whiah is done by air, is that there as high as 15% mortality rate. My target is that if my crabs are going to die at all, let gthem die in ther homeland and not waste precious money shipping them to Puerto Rico, where buyers assume the costly risk of mortality. To any and all who reads this message please share your wisdom and experience with us. Juan E. Jiménez, Jr. San Juan, P. R. 00907-4310 ronco12340@yahoo.com
Zoology - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Here are some sites that might help. The second and third pertain to other species but might still be useful One thing you can try is to introduce another detritivore to the pens, that would clean up after the crab poop. Some catfish species perhaps.
I am a 73 year old retiree who has taken upon himslef the challenge of benefitting 12 poor live crab fishermen in a somewhat minus 3rd world environment. A life time small business entrepreneur I have no trouble with the sales and marketing end of the program. It's at the supply end where I am a true grenhorn, having never held a crab in my hands much less eaten one. (burt then if I set up a ladies panties factory I would not excatly whear them, either). In all my past projects I have made a keen effort to learn as much as possible about the product, the production end, the business end..etc. I face the reality that sources of good professional information on live blue and red crabs (UCIDES OCCIDENTALES & CARDOSSONA CRASSUN), are somewhat lacking. I have been drawing informatikon from fishermen, and peope who have been making a living selling crabs (a truly valuable source of sorts but with great limitaitons, as they draw exclussively from empiric observations and assumptions). I fish in Nicaragua where crab fishing is somewhat artisanal and for subsistence (to eat some for daily and neightbors need). In the case of Cardosona Crassun (blue crabs) the most common fishing method is to place a pice of a poisonous tree branch and when the crab comes out to sek food at night, the eat the branch and die. Later they pick up what they need to eat and maybe sell a few and wind up killing indiscriminently. We use my improved versio0n of PVC tube traps placed on the mouth of their burrow. When they come out of the trap, it's an extension of their hole and when they open the trap door and advance the door shuts and they get caught. It's a simple effective method, albeit if it took us much time and money to fine tune the trap. These crabs are notorious for eating just abut anything on their way. Thus we put them in a pen for nearly 2 weeks, to clean their stomachs, release the stress of being grabbed and placed in a crowded bag (often for 3 full days without water and food), and fatten them and strengthen them. The 2 week period is arbritary, from hearsay of alleged crabs experts. We plan to flush clean the pen's floor 4 times a day on the theory that they feed of the floor where they elaso excrete and do not discriminate as to what they eat off the floor On the reasonable assumption that crabs (or humans for that matter) are a reflection of what they eat, we want to prevent as much as possible their eating their own excrement. (In Venezuela, not surprisingly, these blue land crabs are called "shit eating crabs"). Now I turn to a professional chat sorce to see if I can make some basic queries and get valuable informaiton: 1. We use cut up pieces of coconut meat fro two days to clean their stomach. The fat in the coconut will literally give crabs the "runs" and thus theri stomach is cleaned. Then we change the diet fo broken kernekls of dry corn whnich presumablywill fatten them and strengthen them (the later I do on blind faith on what fishermen and crab dealers have told me) 2. As with just about every other species being held in captivity for future sale, (taking for granted that hardly anything I encounter is not a novel and brand new problem) I assume some one may know and have worked on "what to feed these crabs during captity and/or what food suplement I can add to their diet (mixed wiith the corn) as pellets or whatever; to help fatten and strengthen them. 3. A key problem with live crabs i importation, whiah is done by air, is that there as high as 15% mortality rate. My target is that if my crabs are going to die at all, let gthem die in ther homeland and not waste precious money shipping them to Puerto Rico, where buyers assume the costly risk of mortality. To any and all who reads this message please share your wisdom and experience with us. Juan E. Jiménez, Jr. San Juan, P. R. 00907-4310 ronco12340@yahoo.com
Zoology - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Here are some sites that might help. The second and third pertain to other species but might still be useful One thing you can try is to introduce another detritivore to the pens, that would clean up after the crab poop. Some catfish species perhaps.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Why was this racist bank denying illegals aliens an opportunity for better life they found & lived?
Why was this racist bank denying illegals aliens an opportunity for better life they found & lived?
Media-Newswire.com) - SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Four women and one man were arrested on Wednesday in the municipalities of Carolina, Canovanas and Ponce, Puerto Rico, for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) Office of Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) and the Puerto Rico Police Department ( PRPD ) Band Robbery Division. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a 16-count indictment, charging former Doral Bank employee Bethzaida Sánchez Crespo, her consensual partner Abigail Y. Ramos Clemente, Darling M. Rosario Sánchez, Leonardo Sánchez Crespo and Carmen A. Clemente Rosado of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Bethzaida Sánchez Crespo was also charged with the intent to injure and defraud Doral Bank of approximately $192,000. The indictment alleges that from approximately Dec.14, 2009 through April 2010, the defendants conspired to obtain access to three of Doral Bank's high-balance customers' accounts, change the mailing addresses on those accounts and request the issuance of Visa debit cards, and use those Visa debit cards to withdraw large amounts of cash and make large purchases of expensive luxury items, all with the intent to illegally defraud the federally insured financial institution of its assets. "The identification and arrest of those who try to circumvent our laws, putting at risk public safety, is one of ICE's priorities," said Roberto Escobar Vargas, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in San Juan. "ICE will continue using all its resources to investigate these crimes as well as working with our federal, state and local partners to bring to justice those who think that their illegal actions can go undetected." "The defendants used the victims' monies to pay for their car loans, residential electricity bill and cable television bill. Others bought furniture or just withdrew money from ATMs. It is not acceptable what these individuals were doing," said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia RodrÃguez-Vélez. "These defendants affected not just financial institutions but ordinary citizens who trusted their savings at a bank, while one irresponsible employee was stealing and using the victims' monies. I want to assure the public that we will not rest until the tide of financial criminal activity is turned." If convicted, the defendants face a maximum term of up to 30 years in prison for counts one and two, fines of up to $1 million, and an additional mandatory term of up to six years in prison for the aggravated identity theft counts. http://media-newswire.com/release_1133429.html
Immigration - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If convicted, they need to do the time.
Media-Newswire.com) - SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Four women and one man were arrested on Wednesday in the municipalities of Carolina, Canovanas and Ponce, Puerto Rico, for their alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) Office of Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) and the Puerto Rico Police Department ( PRPD ) Band Robbery Division. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a 16-count indictment, charging former Doral Bank employee Bethzaida Sánchez Crespo, her consensual partner Abigail Y. Ramos Clemente, Darling M. Rosario Sánchez, Leonardo Sánchez Crespo and Carmen A. Clemente Rosado of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Bethzaida Sánchez Crespo was also charged with the intent to injure and defraud Doral Bank of approximately $192,000. The indictment alleges that from approximately Dec.14, 2009 through April 2010, the defendants conspired to obtain access to three of Doral Bank's high-balance customers' accounts, change the mailing addresses on those accounts and request the issuance of Visa debit cards, and use those Visa debit cards to withdraw large amounts of cash and make large purchases of expensive luxury items, all with the intent to illegally defraud the federally insured financial institution of its assets. "The identification and arrest of those who try to circumvent our laws, putting at risk public safety, is one of ICE's priorities," said Roberto Escobar Vargas, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in San Juan. "ICE will continue using all its resources to investigate these crimes as well as working with our federal, state and local partners to bring to justice those who think that their illegal actions can go undetected." "The defendants used the victims' monies to pay for their car loans, residential electricity bill and cable television bill. Others bought furniture or just withdrew money from ATMs. It is not acceptable what these individuals were doing," said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia RodrÃguez-Vélez. "These defendants affected not just financial institutions but ordinary citizens who trusted their savings at a bank, while one irresponsible employee was stealing and using the victims' monies. I want to assure the public that we will not rest until the tide of financial criminal activity is turned." If convicted, the defendants face a maximum term of up to 30 years in prison for counts one and two, fines of up to $1 million, and an additional mandatory term of up to six years in prison for the aggravated identity theft counts. http://media-newswire.com/release_1133429.html
Immigration - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If convicted, they need to do the time.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Need help planning a honeymoon cruise?
Need help planning a honeymoon cruise?
Ok. Date is non-negotiable, it needs to be September 18 or 19 of 2010. MAYBE the 25 or 26. But nothing else. And really, I'd like Eastern/Southern carribean. I'm not very interested in Western. I had originally planned Carnival Victory out of San Juan 9/19. I like the itinerary. But I read some really awful reviews about the Victory, and Carnival all together, and cancelled. I've looked at Royal Carribean(Seranade of the Seas), Princess(Emerald Princess), Norwegian (which has a brand new ship, Epic, sailing around the time I want.), and Celebrity (Celebrity Solstice) But IDK what to do. The airlines are telling me to change, I have to pay $150, which means I need to find a ship that sails out of San Juan the same day (which is only Royal Carribean.) So is Royal any good? Did I make a mistake cancelling Carnival? Or is it worth it to just spend the extra money, change the airline tickets, and pick something totally different? If so, which cruise line is the best? This is for our honeymoon, so we're looking for a ship that has a lot to do on board, but also has a private/romantic feel. I'd really like to be able to have dinner just me and him rather than share a table. We're probably only getting a Balcony room, no suite, so the balcony needs to be private. And I heard Royal's balconies you can see the people above and below you while their on theirs. Really, any experiences, good or bad, with any of these ships would be GREATLY appreciated! I feel like I'm losing my mind here. PS- neither of us has EVER been on a cruise at all, so we have no idea what to expect really, or what we're doing.
Cruise Travel - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Congrats on your upcoming marriage!! Now for the cruise part.Cruises are not very private. You can sometimes find an area where you will be alone but almost everyone on board has the same access. On all ships the balconies are the same. They can be viewed from side to side as well as up and down. There is some privacy as there are dividers between but you can hear the conversations. If you are on the top balconies no one should be able to look down on you. Even if they can they have to really try. The time you're going is peak hurricane season so be prepared for itinerary changes. I think you should contact a travel agent and get brochures regarding the ships you're interested in. The agent has probably cruised and can give you advice. I've been on 13 cruises-Royal Caribbean,Princess and Carnival. Princess and Celebrity are a little more upscale in my opinion.
2 :
I cruised on The Victory a year ago and had a great experience. I've always traveled on Princess but decided to give Carnival a try. I like Princess a little better but Carnival is good. I would suggest taking a cruise that ports in St Thomas. Then take the ferry over to St John. It's very beautiful.
3 :
Planning a first cruise can be intimidating, especially if it's an important trip, like a honeymoon. I think what you really need is an injection of confidence that you're doing the right thing. I think you are, so here goes. Generally, you're not going to have a bad experience on any of these lines. The service you receive on any of them will probably be far beyond anything you've ever received on land. You can find negative reviews about any cruise line. But until you've tried them for yourself, it's best to take those reviews with a very large grain of salt. Often they come from people who've cruised many times on one line, then try a different line and get peeved because things were a little different. As a first time cruiser, I'd be very surprised if you have major complaints. My guess is that mainstream cruise lines have about a 90% satisfaction rate, and a huge percentage of those people become very enthusiastic repeat customers. That goes for Carnival, NCL, Royal, Princess, etc, etc. As far as your choice of destination, you're on the right track with Southern/Eastern. Both are considered better destinations versus Western. Dinner for two generally isn't a problem. When you get onboard, ask to speak to the maitre d. Often they will set aside a time during the day for dining requests. Simply tell him you'd like a table for two, and the staff will almost always accomodate you. I can't help with your balcony privacy issue. The amount of privacy is going to vary more by ship than by cruise line. Lines have varying ships of varying designs and ages. As far as Carnival versus Royal Caribbean, again, both are good lines and you'll have a good time on either. Carnival is less expensive and the food is probably a bit better. Royal Caribbean has newer ships on average, and their ships have some features Carnival's don't, such as rock climbing walls and Flowriders. If you do go Carnival, I would recommend a ship built in 1999 or newer. Victory is a modern ship and I wouldn't hesitate to sail on it. By the way, Carnival is considered a bit more party oriented, RCCL a bit more family friendly. As a first time cruiser, you probably won't notice many of these differences. The lines are more similar than different. There is a bit more to do on RCCL ships versus Carnival, if that's a big consideration for you. Princess is a very nice line, more upscale than Carnival and maybe a bit more upscale than RCCL too. NCL is fine, but I'd probably put them at the bottom of my personal list, all else being equal. Of course, often things aren't equal. If NCL had a nicer, newer ship, or if they had better port stops, that might bump NCL into the lead for me. Again, these lines are more similar than different. If it were me, I'd would not change my airline tickets or incur major expenses for the difference between Carnival and RCCL. I'd stick with what I'd booked with the original airfare, regardless of which line it is. There's not going to be enough difference between the two to justify all the hassle and expense of replanning the whole trip, in my opinion. If you have additional questions at any point, feel free to message me if I can help. Congrats and good luck!
4 :
You can read good and bad about ALL cruise lines. I'm taking that same Carnival cruise out of San Juan in November. I will not cruise on anything except carnival any more. Carnival has a new ship that came out last year Dream. I bet if you was to look your find as many good things about Carnival as you did bad. Same with any cruise lines, or airlines. ECT. Good luck and have fun. Look at the website below for more information on all cruise lines.
5 :
If you are flying into San Juan, you most likely are doing the Southern Caribbean itinerary. What that means is the amount of things to do on the ship is fairly mute issue since you will be on a different island almost every day.
Ok. Date is non-negotiable, it needs to be September 18 or 19 of 2010. MAYBE the 25 or 26. But nothing else. And really, I'd like Eastern/Southern carribean. I'm not very interested in Western. I had originally planned Carnival Victory out of San Juan 9/19. I like the itinerary. But I read some really awful reviews about the Victory, and Carnival all together, and cancelled. I've looked at Royal Carribean(Seranade of the Seas), Princess(Emerald Princess), Norwegian (which has a brand new ship, Epic, sailing around the time I want.), and Celebrity (Celebrity Solstice) But IDK what to do. The airlines are telling me to change, I have to pay $150, which means I need to find a ship that sails out of San Juan the same day (which is only Royal Carribean.) So is Royal any good? Did I make a mistake cancelling Carnival? Or is it worth it to just spend the extra money, change the airline tickets, and pick something totally different? If so, which cruise line is the best? This is for our honeymoon, so we're looking for a ship that has a lot to do on board, but also has a private/romantic feel. I'd really like to be able to have dinner just me and him rather than share a table. We're probably only getting a Balcony room, no suite, so the balcony needs to be private. And I heard Royal's balconies you can see the people above and below you while their on theirs. Really, any experiences, good or bad, with any of these ships would be GREATLY appreciated! I feel like I'm losing my mind here. PS- neither of us has EVER been on a cruise at all, so we have no idea what to expect really, or what we're doing.
Cruise Travel - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Congrats on your upcoming marriage!! Now for the cruise part.Cruises are not very private. You can sometimes find an area where you will be alone but almost everyone on board has the same access. On all ships the balconies are the same. They can be viewed from side to side as well as up and down. There is some privacy as there are dividers between but you can hear the conversations. If you are on the top balconies no one should be able to look down on you. Even if they can they have to really try. The time you're going is peak hurricane season so be prepared for itinerary changes. I think you should contact a travel agent and get brochures regarding the ships you're interested in. The agent has probably cruised and can give you advice. I've been on 13 cruises-Royal Caribbean,Princess and Carnival. Princess and Celebrity are a little more upscale in my opinion.
2 :
I cruised on The Victory a year ago and had a great experience. I've always traveled on Princess but decided to give Carnival a try. I like Princess a little better but Carnival is good. I would suggest taking a cruise that ports in St Thomas. Then take the ferry over to St John. It's very beautiful.
3 :
Planning a first cruise can be intimidating, especially if it's an important trip, like a honeymoon. I think what you really need is an injection of confidence that you're doing the right thing. I think you are, so here goes. Generally, you're not going to have a bad experience on any of these lines. The service you receive on any of them will probably be far beyond anything you've ever received on land. You can find negative reviews about any cruise line. But until you've tried them for yourself, it's best to take those reviews with a very large grain of salt. Often they come from people who've cruised many times on one line, then try a different line and get peeved because things were a little different. As a first time cruiser, I'd be very surprised if you have major complaints. My guess is that mainstream cruise lines have about a 90% satisfaction rate, and a huge percentage of those people become very enthusiastic repeat customers. That goes for Carnival, NCL, Royal, Princess, etc, etc. As far as your choice of destination, you're on the right track with Southern/Eastern. Both are considered better destinations versus Western. Dinner for two generally isn't a problem. When you get onboard, ask to speak to the maitre d. Often they will set aside a time during the day for dining requests. Simply tell him you'd like a table for two, and the staff will almost always accomodate you. I can't help with your balcony privacy issue. The amount of privacy is going to vary more by ship than by cruise line. Lines have varying ships of varying designs and ages. As far as Carnival versus Royal Caribbean, again, both are good lines and you'll have a good time on either. Carnival is less expensive and the food is probably a bit better. Royal Caribbean has newer ships on average, and their ships have some features Carnival's don't, such as rock climbing walls and Flowriders. If you do go Carnival, I would recommend a ship built in 1999 or newer. Victory is a modern ship and I wouldn't hesitate to sail on it. By the way, Carnival is considered a bit more party oriented, RCCL a bit more family friendly. As a first time cruiser, you probably won't notice many of these differences. The lines are more similar than different. There is a bit more to do on RCCL ships versus Carnival, if that's a big consideration for you. Princess is a very nice line, more upscale than Carnival and maybe a bit more upscale than RCCL too. NCL is fine, but I'd probably put them at the bottom of my personal list, all else being equal. Of course, often things aren't equal. If NCL had a nicer, newer ship, or if they had better port stops, that might bump NCL into the lead for me. Again, these lines are more similar than different. If it were me, I'd would not change my airline tickets or incur major expenses for the difference between Carnival and RCCL. I'd stick with what I'd booked with the original airfare, regardless of which line it is. There's not going to be enough difference between the two to justify all the hassle and expense of replanning the whole trip, in my opinion. If you have additional questions at any point, feel free to message me if I can help. Congrats and good luck!
4 :
You can read good and bad about ALL cruise lines. I'm taking that same Carnival cruise out of San Juan in November. I will not cruise on anything except carnival any more. Carnival has a new ship that came out last year Dream. I bet if you was to look your find as many good things about Carnival as you did bad. Same with any cruise lines, or airlines. ECT. Good luck and have fun. Look at the website below for more information on all cruise lines.
5 :
If you are flying into San Juan, you most likely are doing the Southern Caribbean itinerary. What that means is the amount of things to do on the ship is fairly mute issue since you will be on a different island almost every day.
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