How to be South by South Best

This is from the IFC Crossroads house folks. I thought it was pretty good. Despite the sarcasm, it’s scarily on target (not sure about the tent though).

How to be South by South Best

Backlink: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SXSWReport/~3/7iZdXLgQ7Gk/

Tour Guide: Humane Travels to South Africa

The Humane Society launched their new Humane Travel Tours this week, a program which will show people the work that Humane Society International has been doing to protect animal rights abroad. The program's first week-long trip is scheduled for this January to South Africa.

Participants will travel to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa and will stay at the Sanwild Wildlife Sanctuary in one of the two camps on the grounds. They will spend time watching the animals in the reserve and understanding their interactions. They will also get the opportunity to travel to Kruger National Park, one of the largest parks in the world, which houses hundreds of different species of animals. The journey also includes side trips to top scenic South African destinations such as Tzaneen and Graskop, home of the world-famous Blyde River Canyon.

The costs, which range from $2,500 to $3,700 a person, include meals, airport and ground transfers, entertainment, and lodging. The fees help aid the Wildlife Protection Program at the sanctuary and other local animal protection groups.

The Humane Society will run regular trips to South Africa throughout 2011 and hopes to expand in the future and visit more countries such as Bhutan, Canada, and Guatemala. 

For more information on how you can get involved visit the Humane Society Travel Tours website.

photo by: Sabi Sabi South Africa

Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/-the-human-society-launches.html

South Korean Cartoonists Cry Foul Over Edgy Simpsons Intro

theodp writes "When asked to animate a dark commentary about labor practices in Asia's cartoon industry — the edgy title sequence for the Simpsons' episode 'MoneyBART' — staff from the South Korean production company Akom raised a rare protest. Even after being toned down, the sequence created by British graffiti artist Banksy depicted a dungeon-like complex where droning Asian animators worked in sweatshops, rats scurried around with human bones, kittens were spliced up into Bart Simpson dolls, and a gaunt unicorn punched holes into DVDs. The satire, Akom founder and president Nelson Shin argued, gave the impression that Asian artists slave away in subpar sweatshops when they actually animate much of The Simpsons every week in high-tech workshops in downtown Seoul. Still, South Korean animators make one-third the salaries of their American counterparts, and Shin declined to comment on the full extent of the work his company has outsourced to SEK, a state-run animation studio of North Korea. Some argue that the Banksy sequence's gray and forlorn atmosphere more accurately depicts the sweatshop-like conditions in North Korea."

The Radar: Dublin's Green Convention Center, More Hot-Air Balloons, and South America or Bust, 2011

• The Convention Centre Dublin, which claims to be the first carbon-neutral convention center in the world, opened earlier this fall. Its 22 performance and exhibition halls and meeting rooms are stacked vertically to minimize the structure's horizontal footprint. The center can accommodate 8,000 people and its atrium offers spectacular views of the Liffey River. [inhabitat]

• While you may have missed this year's Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held earlier this month, enjoy this spirited time-lapse video of some of the action or check out photographer Bob Krist's pointers on how to shoot video at such a big and dynamic event. To find a balloon festival near you, in the U.S. or overseas, visit this directory. 

• Tour operator Myths and Mountains is revamping some of its South America offerings for 2011. Delve into rural life this coming June at the Inka Straw Bridge Festival, see traditional Peruvian artisans at work, or go birding in an Ecuadorian Cloud Forest.

Photo: Convention Centre Dublin, inhabitat.com

 

 

Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/10/the-radar-dublins-green-conven.html