Ola's World: editor of DiverseTraveller.com the online community for women who travel, write, snap and share

Where in the world was I?

They. Whoever they are, say imitation is best form of flattery so I am flattering the Mirror online by copying their great photo idea. TEST your travel knowledge with the Daily Mirror as as will be known from now on with these virtual walls ' test your travel knowledge with Diverse Traveller.'

Each week, I'll post a photo taken whilst on my travels. All you have to do is work out where I was when the photo was taken. You'll get a clue but no prize - just the warm inner glow of getting it right.

Post your answer in the comment box below and I'll give you the answer, next week, when I post a new photo. If you would like your photo to be used, in this fun quiz, get in touch.

The photo for this week:

Clue: In Rome, a city spoilt with architectural wonders, this building is able to stake a claim as being one of its most impressive sights.To point your nose upwards is to enjoy a view of the vast hemispeherical dome, that has stunned vistors for nearly two thousand years. Natural light enters through the oculus at the dome's centre and as the sun moves striking patterns of light dance across the walls. There's many a bar less than 50 yards from the entrance, handy in winter; as I can testify having visted this building and a neaby bar last November.

 

Please provide your answer in the comment box below, there is no prize, it's all a bit of fun.

If you also want to take part in the original version of this quiz, visit the Daily Mirror website: http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/travel/where-is-mirrortravel/#ixzz1iZUdHRvM

Finding the beauty in winter

Hate is such a strong word, but it decribes pefectly my feelings towards winter, especially here in the UK.

This is the time of year, when like sensible animals I hibernate, stocking up on food, sealing my windows and doors, and making sure my take-out menus are up-to-date. Thank goodness for on-line banking and grocery shopping.

I hate the dark days; days so short of sunlight, that my mind is convinced it's 10pm when it's only 5pm; then there's the relentless cold rain, and don't get me started on the bitter ice-laden wind intent on biting off my nose.

So, every November, after another day of housr spent hugging a radiator to thaw mind and body and mind, I announce to family and friends, ignoring the eye-rolling and loud esapperated whispers of "Not again!" "As soon as I ... get that large contract / win the lottery / my megrea savings turn into a city bankers bonus, I am off; it'll be see you suckers."

But I am still here, hating the UK winter; As much as I hate the winters here, it's rare for me to travel anywhere where the winter could be colder. Yet somehow in 2010, I did. For the first time in my travels, I got caught in a Baltimore, USA, snow storm. Being far from home and crucially far from my many fashionable hot water bottles, my first instinct was to run back to the back to the warmth of hotel, but instead a funny thing happened. While trying to turn me into a snow woman, the thickening snow flurries gently dropped, covering the street and it's furniture with a soft, crunchy white blanket; I was awed by the beauty and purity of winter spread before me.

Now don't get me wrong, that was not my road to Damascus moment, all it did was to give me some insight into why those crazy people can't do without their skiing and other such winter holidays.

So, while I stiil hate Winter, I have learnt to appreciate that it's not all bad. My new found slightly positive feelings towards winter, are best ilustrated in this quote from the great Russian playwright Anton Chekov:

"Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and  look forward to the time when we may pick the friut."

Snow covered Baltimore (2009)

Is there a season you hate, if so which one and why? Has anything or can anything make you change your mind?

Introducing 'Learn@DiverseTraveller'

As part of our desire to keep Diverse Traveller relevant and useful for you, we are launching  Learn@DiverseTraveller, a number of travel writing and photography courses and workshops, to increase the number of women travel writers and photographers.

Upcoming courses

Our forthcoming workshops, starting in March 2012, will range from one day to four weeks, and will take place in central locations in London and Sheffield. We will kick off our training program in central Sheffield, with the following courses:

Travel writing (dates to be confirmed)

• Introduction to travel writing - Sunday (11 - 4.30pm
• Travel writing for beginners - 4 weeks (6 - 8.30pm)
• Travel writing for publication - 4 weeks (6 - 8.30pm)

Travel photography (dates to be confirmed)

•  Introduction to travel photography -  Sunday (11 - 4.30pm
• Travel photography for beginners - 4 weeks (6 - 8.30pm)
• Travel photography for publication - 4 weeks (6 - 8.30pm)

Register your interest

Recruiting paid tutors

As I mentioned, I am still in planning mode, a key part or which, includes recruiting, paid, tutors for the above courses and workshops. If you, or anyone you know, with experience of travel writing, travel photography and teaching adult groups, please click here for the job description for writing tutor and here for photography tutor, and / or pass on.

Get in touch with questions and / or other workshop ideas

You can also contact me if you have any questions, or if you have an idea for a workshop or event, you or someone you know, would like to deliver.

Once the above are up and running we plan to offer corresponding online courses. But In the meantime, if online is your preferred mode of study, check out travel writing and photography courses offered by our affiliate MatadorU. 

Travel quote - insightful travel

"Through travel I first became aware of the outside world;

Picture: Me - relaxed by the beauty, vastness and peace of a Malysian beach (2004) 

it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming part of it." - Eudora Welty, writer

(Source: Perpetual Travel (Page-A-Day Perpetual Undated Calendars)

Travel quote: favourite cities - Chicago

"Far below and around lay the city like a ragged purpple dream, the wonderful, cruel, enchanting, bewildering, fate, great city."

- O. Henry, writer.

Picture: Birds-eye view of Chicago, USA.

Happy Independence Day!

Picture: Independence day parade in Annapolis, Maryland (2007)

Film Brent in 90sec

Although I no longer live in Brent, my fondness for the borough remains, mainly because of their dedication to promoting local arts and culture.

As part of that dedication, Brent Artists Resource, supported by The London Borough of Brent, have launched their 'Film Brent in 90 secs' competion. The winner will receive £500 and the winning film will be broadcast at the BAFTA headquarters in Piccadilly. The winner in London will then go on to compete on a national level.

You don't have to be a seasoned film-maker, as children as young as five are encouraged to take part. So if you live in Brent, now is the time to make use of that digital video recorder on your mobile phone, digital camera, or your camcorder. But before you get carried away filming the next 'King's speech', or 'Kidaulthood' remember your film must be 90 secs long with a narrative. This year the theme is Capital Tales with Brent as the background.

You can read the full Guidelines 2011 below:

I think this is a great competition, especially as it involves all residents and workers in Brent of all ages. Certainly given me inspiration to do something similar. I'll let you know more later, if I pull it off.

In the meantime, keep up-to-date with this competition, and find out more about Brent Artists Resources by:

visiting their website: www.brentartistsresource.org.uk

following them on Twitter: @brentartists and / or on

following them on facebook: Brent-Artists-Resource

Good luck!

Travel quote: Ode to the habitual traveller

  "What are the telltale sign of the inveterate* traveler? She love the act of traveling; the motion, the confusion of tickets and luggage, strangeness waiting like tickets to be opened."  Colleen J. McEloy. A Long Way from St. Louie

Picture right: Or like me hanging around Parliment, Ottawa, Canada

* inveterate: 1: firmly established by long persistence <the inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious and 2: confirmed in a habit.

Travel quote: Experiencing a city

"For me, cities are like people, with souls and temperaments of their own." - Arthur Symons, historian

Photo: The Apollo Theatre, Harlem. New York.

Jersey City prepares for Christmas

Jersey City, about fifteen minutes by PATH train or ferry from it's famous sister, New York City.

And just like it's famous sister, Jersey City takes Christmas celebrations seriously. While, Jersey City has nothing to match the grandeur of NYC's famous Macy's Christmas pagent, and let's face it who has? Jersey City prepares for Christmas in its own indomitable style, as shown in the following pictures taken in and around the city, a week before the official nineth annual tree lighting ceremony due to take place on December 2010.

All the above pictures taken in Newport.

Picture: Nativity scene outside house in Historic Jersey City

Sorry for this blurred picture taken with my iphone: Christmas tree made out of recycled bottles.

For details, including pictures, of the Nineth tree lighting ceremony visit the website of The Jersey Journal

To find out more about  Jersey City visit the Destination Jersey City website.

Share and / or send a link to photos of the Christmas decorations where you are.