Leave it to the News to Give Me Great Ideas for This Week's Fast Five!

 Man, the news in the winter is weirder and more entertaining than it is most of the rest of the year.  Here we go!

1.    Dandong, China.  This seems like a normal city in China.  It sits in the south part of Liaoning in the Northeastern part of the country.  About 2 million people, with high rises and so forth.  Doesn't seem to be anything abnormal going on here.

But throw in the beginning of that end of the Great Wall, and a tedious border with North Korea, and all of a sudden; you have something interesting.

In Dandong, you'll find a lot of North Korean culture because of that border.  Remember, not everyone has the same relationship with that country as we do, so they have trade.  They have minor amounts of travel.  There's a bridge that goes across the waterway to North Korea.  You can buy North Korean products and food there.  You can eat at North Korean restaurants.  Everywhere you look, you see flags from both North Korea and China.  It's pretty eerie for us Americans.  North Korea is a country we are not allowed to visit.

So, if you want to take a look at North Korea, this could be for you.  If you like to travel to off the beaten path places and do things like walk on the beginning of the Great Wall; this may be for you.

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/living-dandong-chinas-dangerous-city/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303754-d3158299-Reviews-North_Korean_border_at_Dandong-Dandong_Liaoning.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-25452941

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/dandong-china-north-korea-gateway

https://www.travelawaits.com/2976659/forbidden-peek-into-north-korea/

2.    Skiing in Bulgaria.  Bet you snow bunnies never thought of that, and if you did, good for you!  With mountain ranges like Rila, Pirin, and the well known Balkans; they've got some hills and in the winter; they've got snow!  Bulgaria is hoping to really start cashing in on some tourism, and this is one of the ways that they are.  Skiers are starting to arrive from all over the world.

You can vacation at great resorts at Bansko, and Borovets, and more, and have a great time.  They have varied runs for all levels of skiers and everything you might find at your other favorite ski resorts.  Throw in the fact that it's still a bit exotic and isn't real expensive, and you've got a great find.

So, if you're a winter person; check out skiing in Bulgaria.  You won't regret it.

https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/bulgaria/

https://www.ontheluce.com/whats-it-like-skiing-in-bulgaria/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/guide-to-skiing-in-bulgaria

https://www.weski.com/en-us/guides/skiing/bulgaria/highest-mountains

https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/bulgaria-ski-holidays/

3.    The Aurora Borealis in America.  I went a couple of years ago to Iceland in January, because I wanted to see the northern lights.  Since then, I've seen them all over where I live in the northeastern United States.  I'd heard of sightings in Canada and Alaska for years, but never saw anything in my neck of the woods.  

Recently, as in the last couple of years, there have been several times that geomagnetic storms have allowed people way farther south than normal see the northern lights.  There are a couple of sites where you can follow the daily predictions for the storm event nights.  Winter is the perfect time for viewing in general.  Dark and cold seem to really bring those lights out.

So, check your websites and see what's predicted for your area.  If you have a clear night and the heavens have a geomagnetic storm; you could see some great lights!

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-viewline-tonight-and-tomorrow-night-experimental

https://www.aurorasaurus.org/

https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast

https://www.softservenews.com/

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/advice/northern-lights-us-2024/

4.    The great snowpocalypse, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, 2026.  Less than two months.  Over 18 feet of snow.  When I saw all the videos on Instagram, I sent them to my friends reminding them that if they thought they were having a bad day; it could be worse.  Some of them were AI, but some of them were the real deal.  They all were pretty dramatic.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is a remote area off the east coast of Siberia.  It hangs out into the Pacific Ocean nearly in the Bering Sea.  It gets cold there and winters are harsh, but wow.  It hasn't seen this much snowfall in over 100 years.  The most amazing part was that I saw several videos of people sliding down massive drifts and tunneling out of buildings as though it was almost entertaining.  What a resilient people.  And don't forget; they also have 29 volcanoes on that peninsula.  Most of those are active, even if they aren't erupting right now.

So, if you thought you were having a bad day, imagine how you'd feel with that, even though a tiny smidge is AI.  Enjoy that snow the way the Siberians do.

https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/snow-buries-kamchatka/

https://www.dw.com/en/russia-snow-apocalypse-kamchatka-photos-pictures-snowstorm-victims/g-75580716

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2026/01/21/russia-snow-2026-photos/88281213007/

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TdDe5GoSzUI

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c8e5901727zo

5.    Paris has a cable car and it's called C1!  What's the big deal you might ask?  Overall, it's not.  Porto has one, as does London, Gibraltar, and most of Switzerland.  However, this wasn't a gimmick.  Paris wanted to extend their public transit, but in the area that was designated; they couldn't dig more metro or build more tracks for trains.  There was a bus, but they wanted something else.

Paris is always trying to extend their public transportation amidst their sprawling metropolis, so they did something easier than tunneling or fighting residents and zoning boards.  They built the longest urban cable car in Europe.  It's nearly three miles long and takes 18 minutes to ride from one end to the other.  It's part of the mass transit system in the city and so far it's been a success.

Sure there have been some complaints about the potential for people to look through windows and stuff, but there will always be complaints with change.  Lots of people are using it, and the city is already considering making more.  You can ride it for the price of a metro ticket, so all aboard!

It's on the Creteil Route from Pointe du Lac to Villeneuve-Saint-Georges and it has five stops and connects to Metro Line 8.

https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/greater-paris-frist-urban-ropeway-cable-c1-opened/

https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/paris-europe-longest-cable-car-location-b2886104.html                                            

https://www.dw.com/en/france-the-metro-of-the-skies/video-75455821                          

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqP4QipFCkc                         

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20251228-public-transport-takes-to-the-skies-in-greater-paris-with-first-urban-cable-car                           

There you have it.  Some things from the news on this week's fast five!  Hope you enjoyed it!  If you'd like to see what I'm up to right now, check out my YouTube Channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon."

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025                     

Keep adventuring!  Like & Subscribe!  Enjoy winter!

Some Cool and Some Weird Stuff on This Week's Fast Five!

 As I travel whether it's abroad or at home, I find some great things that strike me as odd or weird.  Here we go!

1.    The fake foreign cities of China.  You didn't read that wrong.  I'd never viewed China as a life sized version of "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" but there it is.  There's not one, but several of these themed cities.  They aren't a theme park.  They are cities, and people live in them.  Why?  imagination I imagine.

Most of the residents of these cities tend to be part of China's Nuveau Riche and apparently, they find it a lot of fun.  In a lot of the cities, like the Jackson Hole, Wyoming clone; most people have their vacation home.  They don't live there full time.  In fact, sometimes when you show up; there are barely any people there.  It's an odd cross between eccentric and ghost town.

I found this one odd.  In my lifetime, it seems as though people in China have been cut off from the rest of the world, but it's also reportedly the rich who have homes in these cities.  Chinese rich travel.  I'm not sure what it's really about.  I've also heard that people who can't afford to travel the world visit these cities for their vacations.  A window to the outside world when you can't afford to go and see it?  Maybe.

Anyway, it's an oddity.  I found it interesting.  Can outsiders visit?  Yes, we can.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/chinas-fake-cities-eerie-replicas-paris-london-jackson/story?id=36525453

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/chinese-fake-cities/

https://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/experiences/news/i-visited-chinas-fake-european-villages-what-i-found-amused-me

https://www.vagabondjourney.com/what-happens-in-chinas-western-replica-towns/

https://www.islands.com/1839143/china-replica-surreal-city-cities-paris-london-wyoming-jackson-hole-fake/

2.    Katz's Deli, Houston Street, NYC.  I love a great story, a great home town spot, and most of all, the rhetoric that comes with famous people visiting your business in New York.  Katz's Deli is one of the longest standing deli and restaurants in the city, and there's a plethora of reasons.

Location is the first one that honestly comes to mind.  It's on one of the widest streets in town.  It's in the heart of NYU.  Everyone who's anyone has been there.  The movie "When Harry Met Sally" filmed one of the film industry's most famous scenes there.  But let's be honest; it's mostly about the fabulous sandwiches!

I recently went there, and me and my friend had to share a sandwich, because it was so big.  That should alleviate the shock when you see the price of a sandwich.  Just remember, they have some great meats!  Also, remember that if you're picky and want to tell them how to make a sandwich; go somewhere else.  It's Katz's and they've been making great sandwiches since before any of us were born.

Remember to follow the rules, be polite, and if necessary just share a table.  If you want a real hoot; try to sit at the table from "When Harry Met Sally."  It's got a sign hanging above it to let you know which one it was.

https://katzsdelicatessen.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRdaRUOw-BUzkbySThqjxAByTPLZ83BHxxoCNUPlAQRj1v3S-a

https://www.instagram.com/katzsdeli/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNEX0fbGePg

https://www.walkingoffthebigapple.com/2008/06/walk-through-south-village-below-west.html

https://www.nyctourism.com/itineraries/see-your-city-lower-east-side/

3.    The New Year's Even Show in Dubai.  Let me put that differently; you should have watched this on YouTube.  For anyone still watching exclusively network television on New Year's Eve; stop it!  Every year I watch celebrations around the world in several spots on YouTube.

Check out this year's amazing footage from Dubai.  They love that they have the tallest building in the world, and every year this celebration gets more elaborate.  Sometimes, the end of the year gets me down and I don't go out to celebrate, because I'm old.  This gives me a little spirit and allows me to get excited about the next year.

Try it!  Check out YouTube!

https://www.timeoutdubai.com/news/burj-khalifa-2026-laser-show                           

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1755886471754239                            

https://www.livemint.com/news/world/happy-new-year-2026-burj-khalifa-lights-up-with-light-show-fireworks-to-ring-in-new-year-watch-11767198607509.html              

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zV3Vv48xww           

https://www.visitdubai.com/en/                                           

4.    An honest to God, authentic, communist commissioned, Lenin Statue, just off Houston Street, NYC.  If you know me, you'll know why this was an accidental yet exciting find for me.  I'm investigating Houston Street for my YouTube channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon," and I run across a Lenin statue.

A lot of questions run through my mind when I find something like that.  The first one was "What the hell is that doing on the lower east side of Manhattan?

This statue comes from Russia.  It was commissioned in the late 1980's and it didn't work out.  Why?  Well, because the Soviet Union fell right about then.  Long story short.  There was an apartment building constructed in the neighborhood that was called "Red Square."  The statue ended up being a part of that building.  The neighborhood is quirky and very artsy.  After the building was sold more recently, they didn't want the statue anymore.

This statue had become part of the neighborhood.  Therefore, a property a couple doors down, took the statue so that Lenin could still look out over the city.  The funny part for me is that he now lives almost over a church.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lenin-statue-at-red-square                

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60763-d7118941-Reviews-Statue_of_Lenin-New_York_City_New_York.html                     

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/10471                  

https://www.eastcoastroads.com/states/ny/nyc/houston/map                 

https://streetartnyc.org/blog/2025/12/11/visual-odes-to-nyc-on-and-off-east-houston-street-frank-ape-crash-one-fumero-and-tomokazu-matsuyama/                          

5.    Namibia is becoming extremely popular, so why?  I had to ask this question when suddenly all the travel vloggers on YouTube started to rave about their visits to this country.

Here's the long and short of it.  It's the least densely populated country in the civilized world.  It doesn't take much to get away from it all there.  It's inexpensive, beautiful, has great local food, and you can drive it yourself pretty easily.  It's full of desert vistas, navigable cities, exotic animals, and the Skeleton Coast.  It has history and culture and all with one of my favorite things; a palatable budget.

Here's the thing.  If you don't want to go it alone; it costs a lot less than most places to take a tour in this country.  There are resorts in the middle of nowhere.  There are some of the world's most innovative safaris.  There are so many options.  I've officially put it on my own list.  I would definitely check it out.

https://africantravelinc.com/destination/namibia?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17330512687&gbraid=0AAAAAD3D1kPy4NxUCoUr7piBghF2gxAg8&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf9QH42QaR1H-kjwh2R9PSkpsUgpq64eKki49LVfnjnPBwxDiL6gTYhoCjpEQAvD_BwE             

https://www.expedia.com/Hotel-Search?regionId=3772&locale=en_US&siteid=1&semcid=US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.HOTEL&semdtl=a111798327735.b1117135006120.g1aud-2051518675148%3Akwd-264086791.e1c.m1CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf_jMANkwHwBLRJJfn-hvmZILRfFauLQHsDdo4636S_J1yumUVWB-BRoCw6EQAvD_BwE.r19a76105275fdafece8ca5e193702da24a2d5b457f0efc7f530d2bcb49e5b1393.c1.j19003419.k1.d1720095947119.h1b.i1.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1windhoek%20hotels.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11798327735&gbraid=0AAAAACTxZ9aSkalH0ooK6osN6-t-0ha56&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf_jMANkwHwBLRJJfn-hvmZILRfFauLQHsDdo4636S_J1yumUVWB-BRoCw6EQAvD_BwE&sort=RECOMMENDED&startDate=2026-01-29&endDate=2026-01-30&destination=Windhoek%2C%20Khomas%20Region%2C%20Namibia&theme=&userIntent=&categorySearch=&useRewards=true            

https://gondwana.travel/namibia?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Performance+Max+-+Namibia&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5749330042&hsa_cam=21862076571&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21868594202&gbraid=0AAAAACx0Pq2-l9x9Lg7C4Rktj5toLQYR7&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTfyK946PieNFovbIyGL6YlsyL1_OESqv1xfoe9DWr4duUkxYX0NAr2hoCyCIQAvD_BwE                 

https://thomsonsafaris.com/experience/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Safaris-NB-Top-Market-Zipcodes&utm_term=african%20travel&utm_content=rsa-experience-d1_highlights&network=g&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10217663741&gbraid=0AAAAAD_waQvH2_oMolEQCA6aAHH_64AVk&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf03NZA6NFeiPR11ieMfwld3mvUbyrL5OzkNlG12JPn49dXP_EVcckxoC9dwQAvD_BwE              

https://secretnamibia.com/?matchtype=e&device=c&devicemodel=&target=&placement=&mobile=false&creative=678449285894&adposition=&network=g&campaignid=20707957343&adgroupid=154347981585&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9003419&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20707957343&utm_content=154347981585&utm_term=trips%20to%20namibia&hsa_acc=1876330829&hsa_cam=20707957343&hsa_grp=154347981585&hsa_ad=678449285894&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-2550280861&hsa_kw=trips%20to%20namibia&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20707957343&gbraid=0AAAAACOA8KQ3vcgmvMz7yAVnzrUx_4bXP&gclid=CjwKCAiAvaLLBhBFEiwAYCNTf4EoCjlsSdVSrhUvfx_j_FAPG_VfvbsiS-suPzIrlLiboxdDwtJF1RoC-V8QAvD_BwE                 

There you have it.  There are a lot of interesting and sometimes a bit odd things out there to see and do.  I love finding that off the beaten path item that I'll never forget.  It's worth looking into.  The standard tourist attractions and hot spots are fine, but the hidden, unexplored, not overcrowded, gems are definitely worth it.

If you'd like to see what I'm doing in the meantime; check out my YouTube channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon!"

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025

Hope you find the perfect vacation destination this year and a whole lot of fantastic adventure!  Enjoy!

It's a New Year, With a Fast Five of Winter Ideas and News!

 It's January and a lot is going on here in Southern New England and New York City.  First of all, New York City is not part of Southern New England, in case you're not from here.

1.    There's a lot going on with the New York City Subways.  First and foremost, the fare for a single ride is now $3 up from $2.90.  No rider will be charged more than $35 per week up from $34 per week.  There are proportionate hikes in reduced fares as well.  There are changes in some of the buses as well, such as express buses will go from $7 to $7.25.  Keep an eye out as other changes go on with particularly the subways.  

Other changes to the subways.  The city is working to make all stations accessible.  They are also working towards having guard rail sections in every station.  This work will go on throughout the year.  I've also noticed that there are some lines having significant work done and some elevators that are being replaced or repaired.  Just be prepared.  The city is working to make the subway system better for you, not worse.

Part three is that you should look ahead to when you can no longer even use a metro card.  The OMNY cards will go up from $1 to $2 for a new card.  If you use a personal credit or debit card; make sure you always use the same one so that it can figure out when to stop charging you for the week.

https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/2025-changes

https://gothamist.com/news/it-now-costs-3-to-ride-the-subway-and-some-new-yorkers-are-already-angry

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/mta-subway-lirr-fare-hikes/6438701/

https://secretnyc.co/nyc-subway-2026-upgrades/

https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/MTA-wraps-up-10-accessibility-projects-at-NYC-subway-LIRR-stations--76064

2.    Times Square got a new ball.  The idea of dropping a ball in Times Square goes back to 1907, when the city celebrated electricity.  Ironically, no one thought to save the original ball for posterity's sake.  Now, all the former balls are saved.  We've been watching the previous ball since 1999, when we got the new one then for the turn of the century.  

The new ball is the largest ever, at 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing just over 12,000 pounds. It's covered in 5,280 circular Waterford Crystals and it's equipped with LED colored lights.  New era, new ball.

This ball will have a little bit of a different life as it will be dropped a second time this year to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/31/style/times-square-new-ball-scli-intl

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/new-2026-nye-ball-times-square/story?id=128703344

https://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye-history-times-square-ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss37SH3YBSg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu7yiXyXfFE

3.    Bryant Park's Winter Village.  Did you think this was just for Christmas?  Part of it was.  The shopping was part of the Winter Village's Holiday Market.  However, the rest of the village is there until March. 

For the rest of the winter you'll be able to eat and drink in the Lodge, go ice skating or participate in the bumper cars on ice.  You will be able to rent and hold an event in the Bank of America building and the igloo's will be available as well.  Just because the holidays are over, doesn't mean that there's nothing left to do at Bryant Park this winter!

https://bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park

https://www.nyctourism.com/shopping/winter-village-at-bryant-park/

https://www.nyc.gov/main/events/?permalinkName=winter-village-in-bryant-park&id=309706&sequence=6&

https://bryantpark.org/activities/the-lodge

https://bryantpark.org/calendar/event/bank-of-america-winter-village-ice-skating-rink-at-bryant-park

4.    Farm League Hockey!  Do you find Madison Square Garden and other venues terribly overpriced for hockey?  I do.  I once paid a lot of money to sit in nose bleed seats with a bar hanging in my face, leaving me to watch it on the TV screen on the wall over my head.  Heck with that.

Connecticut has two great hockey teams to go and watch.  We're home to the Bridgeport Islanders and the Hartford Wolf Pack.  I've gone to many games in these venues and I can tell you they put on a great show.  The players are talented, the entertainment is fabulous and the price is right for some great seats.  They play several times a week and it's a lot of fun in the winter months.

https://www.hartfordwolfpack.com/

https://www.bridgeportislanders.com/

https://easternhockeyleague.org/view/#/schedule

https://easternhockeyleague.org/teams/ehl/

https://www.hartfordwolfpack.com/games

5.    We've got Casinos!  Sometimes in the winter, you just don't want to spend your time outdoors, and that's when I've been known to take to the casinos.  There are a lot of Goupons and other deals in the winter time for a stay at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun and it's a great way to get away before you lose your mind in the darkness of the Northeast in winter.

These are some of the largest and the oldest Native American casinos in the country and they have so much to do and so much that doesn't have to do with gambling.  They have shows, shopping, go carts, zip lines, world class restaurants and more.  Almost all of it is inside, so it's perfect for anyone 21 and over who feels the need to get away in the winter. 

https://mohegansun.com/

https://ctvisit.com/casinos-gaming

https://foxwoods.com/

https://www.ctinsider.com/projects/connecticut-foxwoods-casino-mohegan-sun-travel-guide/foxwoods-casino-ct

https://www.500nations.com/Connecticut_Casinos.asp

https://www.groupon.com/

So, when it's cold and frustrating outside, don't hibernate.  Just make sure you find something to do that's inside out of the mess.  Here in Southern New England, we know how messy and dark winter can get and that's why we work very hard to find ways to get out and enjoy ourselves.  These are a few ideas along with a little bit of information that might help you get around.

For more ideas, visit my YouTube channel, Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon.

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025

Enjoy!