Canada: When visiting Canada, it is suitable to leave a tip of 15 – 20 percent at a restaurant, 10 – 20 percent at a bar, and 10 – 20 per cent for taxi drivers. At establishments such as coffee shops, there is normally a tip jar by the cash register where customers can drop a few coins in the jar. For hotels, it is appropriate to tip maids at $1 – $2 per day, the concierge a small amount at check out, and room service at about 15%.

United States: When visiting the US, it is appropriate to leave 20% at restaurants, 20% at bars, pocket change at a cashier tip jar, and at a take out restaurant, between $2 and $5. For taxi drivers, it is standard to leave $2 for a $5- fare and $3 for a $10- fare. Any higher taxi fare, the tip is about 20%. For hotels, tipping is as follows: maids: $5 to $10/night, room service: about $20%, and concierge: $10 for making any arrangements such as reservations, and $5 for providing information.

Mexico: For restaurants in Mexico, sometimes the bill includes the tip. If it does not include the tip, 10% – 15% is appropriate. At a bar, 10% of the total or $1 to $2 per round of drinks is suitable. For hotels, tips include: bellmen $1-$2 per bag, concierge $5 – $10 for making arrangements, maid $3 – $5 per day, valet $1 – $2, and a taxi driver is about a few dollars.

Caribbean: For all inclusive resorts and hotels, the price will include the tip. For restaurants, it is about 10%, and bars about 15% of the total bill or $1 per drink. For taxi drivers, tipping is about $1 – $2 and more for holidays, Sundays, and late night fares. For hotels, maids are about $2 per day, valets are a few dollars, and bellmen are about $1-$2 per bag.

Europe: Many European countries do not expect tips. In France, a service charge is included, however, for really good service, it is suitable to add a 10 -15% tip. As well, it is fine to leave change at a caf. In the UK and Ireland, a service charge will be included at hotels and restaurants, however, for really great service, you can add 10%. In the UK and Ireland, people do not tip in pubs. Tipping is not expected in Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Spain; however, 10% can be added for great service. For taxi drivers, it is appropriate to tip about 10%. For European hotels, it is suitable to tip two Euros for maids and porters.

Every country has its own criteria regarding tipping. It is always helpful and prevents misunderstandings when you know what to tip so that you can have a relaxing and fun vacation. Remember, the people waiting on you work hard, and the tip you provide will likely help their family.

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In our last commentary we talked about the coastal yucatan area south of Playa del Carmen and in the area of Tulum. In this column we can focus on Playa plus the recreational activities around this flourishing beachfront Caribbean town. What began as a quiet and small Mexican fishing community, has promptly evolved into one of the best travel destinations in the yucatan. Back in the early 90’s we visited that sleepy little village and I can say first hand it is a far cry from what it is today. Popularity brings growth and change, but if you are desiring for a wonderful get-away and tons of fun, Playa is the spot.

Playa nowadays represents a Caribbean destination that has it all. From world class shopping on the renowned 5th Avenue to a number of adventure parks, first class Playa del Carmen hotels and all-inclusive resorts to night clubs and dining options to fulfil even the most critical palettes. Whether by daylight or nighttime, you should notice no lack of stuff to do in this beautiful city!

Playa is so much more than just miles away from the small Tulum hotels and eco-chic cabana resorts you’ll find further down the coast, but it still continues to be a lovely, dynamic and culturally abundant spot to visit. By daylight hours, this town presents you with some of the better people observation to be found in Mexico, regardless of whether on the wide-open yucatan beaches or on the 5th Avenue walking mall you should see a extensive range of company from all over the planet. There is so much to do and experience in this centrally located small city, being a quick ferryboat ride to Cozumel for a wonderful day trip for snorkeling or scuba or heading up the seashore 30 minutes to the city of cancun for even more options.

Playa during the day means beach days, snorkel and SCUBA tours, daylight jungle excursions, adventure theme parks, golf and great shopping. By night this town brings out the wild side in many who embark out beneath the illumination of the moon. In addition to the first class dining choices there are at a minimum a dozen night-clubs that cater to the late night dance and adventurous crowds. Commonly recognized as a fun family holiday option, Playa del Carmen is promptly establishing itself as a rival for Cancun with the dance party entertainment options. A handfull of locations you will get the urge to visit for the nightlife in this amazing place include; CoCo Bongo for great stage shows with talented music impersonators, The Blue Parrot for the fire expose’s on Friday and Saturday nights, OM Playa for a beer in comfort and La Santanera for a hip-hop dance club.

Whether by daylight or nightlife, with family, a duo or single traveler, Playa del Carmen truly offers something for everyone who is looking for a little or a lot of the caribbean in their vacation. In our next report we will go inland and observe the majesty of the mexican world and culture of Merida and the encompassing areas. There is zero shortage of fun and positive energy when it comes to expeditions on the Yucatan!

Ron Williams is an experienced adventure writer dwelling year round within Tulum, Mexico focusing in details about playa hotels along with experiences around the Yucatan Peninsula. Feel free to e-mail Ron directly if you need local suggestions or information for experiencing an incredible journey throughout Yucatan.

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There isn’t such a large range of models if you’re looking not only for looks, but also for durability. You’re not a kid, and you’re not going to use it for tricks, so what should you choose? You know what you want, but you’re not sure if what’s on the market is what you need. Just keep in mind that cheap items are so cheap for a reason, and no one is going to sell a product for less then it costs them to make. So what do you choose?

You cannot go wrong if you choose a well-known brand, solid, and good-looking. There aren’t so many options if you go for one of these, and they are quite expensive, but, hey, you deserve the best, don’t you? You’d better choose carefully, because you are going to spend a lot of time on that scooter.

The micro flex scooter is one of the best options. You can ride it in the park, or you can ride it to work, providing it’s not very far. Everybody could do with a little exercise, no matter how fit you are. The micro scooter, as its name suggests, can be easily carried in your backpack so you won’t have to look for a parking place.

One more piece of advice: don’t go to watch the youngsters practicing tricks on their scooters, when you are in the park. That hobby can become addictive, and, no matter how easy those flips might seem to you, believe me, they’re not. Once you’re hooked, there’s no other way than trying them yourself. That’s a real temptation, isn’t it?

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New era roller derby reached a national audience through the A&E reality series Roller Girls. It featured a local, all-girl roller derby league in Austin, Texas and followed the lives of the players on and off the track. While the show was oddly engaging, it was the first clue that many had that such a league existed in the first place. A sport that was never taken seriously to begin with and that was really living on borrowed time since the’60’s before fading into the lowest level of obscurity had been rediscovered and embraced by an eclectic group of young women. They had kept the same essential format, thrown in a healthy dose of burlesque camp and Varga pin-up inspired glamour and made it into their own vibrant subculture. They changed some of the nomenclature and competitive format–in lieu of regularly scheduled games they renamed the competitions “bouts” a la MMA or boxing. The result was a compelling mixture of glamour, toughness and athleticism driven by a healthy dose of punk rock “do it yourself” mentality.

Today, roller derby is a full blown worldwide phenomenon. There are hundreds of local roller derby leagues not only in the United States, but Canada, Australia and Europe. Most of the local groups similarly play up the campy retro pin-up/hot rod iconography and everyone involved sure looks like they’re having a good time. Between teams there’s a vibe of good natured competitiveness and camaraderie.

This organic rebirth and growth of roller derby is a result of young women taking what essentially was TV time filler and made it into their own distaff ‘action sport’. The community that has sprung up around it bears a striking resemblance to the skateboarding or snowboarding subculture. Granted, there are plenty of talented female skateboarders and snowboarders but they’re typically male dominated disciplines. The roller derby circa 2009 is just the opposite–a living, breathing matriarchal success story. No one is in it for the money, as these local groups are typically run as non-profit organization. The women involved have recreated this sport, and run it, promote it and compete in it on their own terms.

The new generation rollergirls also pay homage to their sports’ pioneers much in the same way that skateboarders give props to Duane Peters and Tony Alva. Many of the individual group websites have sections devoted to the history of roller derby, and the late Ann Calvello–regarded as the Queen of the original Roller Derby–is revered as something of a patron saint. The Texas Rollergirl group featured in the A&E series has renamed their championship the Calvello Cup.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and highly respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Northern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

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That’s at least a small bit of solace amid the tragedy of Misawa’s death–he died in the ring doing what he loved, and what he did better than just about anyone on the planet. Not like Owen Hart died in the ring, doing a stupid stunt in a silly character that he was reportedly assigned as punishment for refusing to go along with a storyline he felt demeaning, but working the kind of brutally stiff, athletically realistic match that got a generation hooked on Japanese wrestling.

A top level amateur wrestler in high school, his skill gained the attention of All Japan Pro Wrestling president Shohei Giant Baba. Three years after his pro debut, he got his first big break in’84 when he was chosen as the second Tiger Mask replacing Satoru Sayama. In’90, he had his longtime friend and rival Toshiaki Kawada unmask him.

Misawa would wrestle as himself from then on, and become an even bigger star in the process. In June,’90 he became one of the top stars in All Japan Pro Wrestling when he defeated Jumbo Tsuruta. That match was his first main event appearance at the famous Nippon Budokan. He soon faced Triple Crown Champion Stan Hansen in an unsuccessful challenge for the title, and would become the biggest star in Japanese pro wrestling for the next decade.

Hed have legendary battles against Kawada, Hansen, Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama and Steve Dr. Death Williams in singles competition. Hed also become a force on the tag team scene along with Kawada facing Williams and Terry Gordy along with Tsuruta and Akira Taue. Misawa would continue as a mainstay in AJPW until the early part of this decade. After the death of Giant Baba, he left to establish Pro Wrestling NOAH. He would serve as the companys president while wrestling a full time schedule until his death.

Japanese pro wrestling served as an introduction for many American fans into shoot fight sports and MMA. Before the Internet, fans would trade videotapes to stay up on the latest matches from Japan and along with Jushin Thunder Liger and The Great Muta Keiji Mutoh it safe to say that Misawa is one of the wrestlers most responsible for getting a generation of American fans hooked on the product.

Ross Everett is a freelance writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

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Johannson earned worldwide fame and superstar status in his native Sweden when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in’59. At the time, he was only the 5th heavyweight champion in history to be born outside of the United States. Johannson was a decided underdog heading into the fight, and made his victory even more improbable due to his lax approach to training. He was a fixture at Catskills nightclubs and bars during his training camp, frequently in the company of his comely blond ’secretary’ or other attractive women. Patterson, meanwhile, was disciplined and regimented in his preparation for the fight.

While his training methods may not have been particularly disciplined, his performance in the Yankee Stadium fight made up for it. After a tentative first two rounds, Johannson floored Patterson with a quick right hand early in the third. As there was no ‘three knockdown’ rule in effect, Johannson would eventually knock Patterson down a total of seven times before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight and awarded him the victory.

Johannson would hold the title for just under a year before he lost it back to Patterson in a rematch at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Patterson was the aggressor from the opening bell, and would eventually regain his title as he knocked Johannson out cold in the fifth round with a looping left hook. Johannson went down like he got shot, and took a ten count staring up at the lights with his leg twitching and blood dribbling out of his mouth. In the immediate aftermath of his victory, Patterson displayed the class of a champion as he was more concerned about Johanssons well being than celebrating his win. Patterson sat on the canvas with his fallen opponent cradling his head as medical personnel tended to Johannson. Floyd Patterson had just become the first man to regain the undisputed heavyweight championship, but his thoughts were with the man hed taken the title from.

Johannson would again face Patterson less than a year later, with the champ retaining his title via 6th round knockout after an exciting slugfest that saw both competitors taste the canvas. Eventually, however, Patterson’s superior conditioning prevailed and he earned the victory. Johannson would fight only four more times after that, all in his home country of Sweden, before retiring for good in’63.

Not surprising given the mutual respect shown during their heavyweight championship trilogy, Patterson and Johannson remained close lifelong friends and would travel to visit each other every year until the American champion died in 2006. While it is commonplace today for former in-ring adversaries to become close personal friends, it was something of an anomaly in the’60s. Johannson made a number of film appearances in Sweden, and spent time in South Florida every year. He remained in good health well into his sixties, running in marathons yearly until his physical ailments took their toll.

Johannson was married and divorced twice, and is survived by five children. Ingemar Johannson enjoyed rock star like status in Sweden during his title reign and remained a widely respected and admired sportsman throughout his life. He’ll be remembered by the international boxing community for the vital role he played in popularizing the sport in Europe and Scandinavia.

Ross Everett is a well known freelance writer experienced in travel, casino gambling and sports handicapping. He is a staff handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily free sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, flower arranging and scuba diving. He lives in Southern Nevada with four dogs and a pet coyote.

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Robinson enjoyed a twenty year career as a player, split between the English Premier League clubs of Fulham and West Brom. He also earned twenty ‘caps’ in International play for England, scoring four goals.

After his retirement in’68 as an active player, he found more fame as a team manager both in England and on the international level. In the EPL, his guidance transformed Ipswich Town from a laughing stock to a league powerhouse and he would lead the club for well over a decade. He would also serve as the England National Team manager for 8 years, before ending his career in British football with a stint as manager of Newcastle United that ended in 2004.

Robson earned even more love and admiration from his countrymen due to his public battle with cancer. Although a brain tumor left him partially paralyzed in 2006, he never wavered in his commitment to English football or to raising money and awareness for cancer treatment. After being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2007, he dedicated the rest of his life to helping others with the same diagnosis. He started the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, and raised well over one million pounds for the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre in Newcastle.

Even two men who seldom see eye to eye on anything–Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson–were in agreement on Robson’s greatness:

“I wanted to and I will keep with me always the Bobby Robson of every day, a person who had extraordinary passion for life and for football, with an extraordinary enthusiasm. Bobby Robson is one of those people who never die, not so much for what he did in his career, for one victory more or less, but for what he knew to give to those who had, like me, the good fortune to know him and walk by his side. My thoughts and embraces go to all his loved ones.”

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson shared these touching comments:

“In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above him. I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice, which he gave freely and unconditionally. And I’m sure I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that. I mourn the passing of a great friend, a wonderful individual, a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed.”

“His character was hewn out of the coalface; developed by the County Durham mining background that he came from. His parents instilled in him the discipline and standards which forged the character of a colossal human being. He added his own qualities to that which he passed on to his sons. The strength and courage he showed over the past couple of years when battling against his fifth bout of cancer was indescribable. Always a smile, always a friendly word with never a mention of his own problems.”

“The world, not just the football world, will miss him. Let’s hope it won’t be long before another like him turns up because we could never get enough of them.”

Many EPL clubs will honor Robson in some form or another during the upcoming season with a number of more lasting tributes planned. Several statues and other permanent forms of remembrance are reportedly under consideration.

Ross Everett is a staff handicapper for Oddsbay sportsbook directory. He has written extensively on World Cup soccer betting, travel, fencing, horse racing and falconry. He lives in Southern Nevada with three dogs and a retired racing wombat.

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The planning process for any NYC vacation begins with searching for a great airfare. Online travel companies often offer unbeatable holiday and weekend package deals for visitors to select from. Packages often offer hotel rooms and airfare deals, as well as performance tickets and dinner options. A call or visit to airline websites can provide flight information, along with great package deals offered directly from the airlines.

The range of accommodation options available in NYC is extensive, and offers many options for travelers to select from. Budget hotels, along with small inn and luxury hotels offer accommodations near all the favorite attractions. Selecting the best hotel can be as easy as reviewing a travel budget, or deciding what attractions are most important. Visitors can find hotel accommodations throughout the area, from small neighborhoods to the heart of Manhattan.

The restaurants of NYC are world class, and should not be missed. While visiting the Big Apple, you can find foods from Argentina, India, Mexico, Korea, Germany, Thailand and Italy. For an added treat, you might want to plan a trip to one of the local neighborhoods in the area. The local atmosphere and lively residents will give you an experience you will never forget.

The museums of New York offer something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can get a glimpse of crime history at the New York City Police Museum, delve into the early history of the United States at the American Indian Museum or explore the natural world at the American Museum of Natural History. The city also offers world class art museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Sports lovers have more than they might expect when heading to NYC. Giants fans can enjoy some great NFL play, Knicks fans can watch a few hoops, Rangers fans can take in a night of hockey and Yankees fans can take a trip to the stadium for an afternoon game.

City attractions in New York offer a wide variety for vacationers. Travelers visiting the city during the Christmas holiday season can take a spin around the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the green spaces of Central Park. History buffs can explore the exhibitions of Ellis Island. Animal lovers can get a glimpse of species from around the world at the Central Park Zoo and all visitors can take in the view from the top of the Empire State Building.

A NYC vacation can be a trip of a lifetime. Visitors can enjoy Broadway performances, national sporting events and world class museums. Getting started on a New York City vacation can begin at home, and can offer a great deal of enjoyment.

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Winning QB Ricky Ray said that he enjoyed playing in the shootout:

“That was a ton of fun. In the CFL you get to play in a lot of games like this, especially against a guy like (Calgary quarterback Henry) Burris, who has done this to us. It’s great to come out on the winning end of a shoot-out like that. It’s a great uplift for the team. It’s a huge win for us.”

With a bye week on deck, Eskimos head coach Richie Hall said that the outcome couldnt have been timed any better:

“Regardless of what happens, we are coming back in first place. Now we have one up on Calgary. It’s going to be a dogfight for all the teams in the West and any chance you get to win, especially a win like this, it’s a real bonus. It’s great for our confidence.”

Calgarys Burris remembered a very similar game last year:

“They got us last year in this situation and of course you didn’t think it was going to happen again or even could happen again. It felt so great to get that late touchdown and with 38 seconds on the clock nobody was even thinking about last year. We had to stop Jackson and we didn’t. And we had to stop Ray and we didn’t. Kudos to Edmonton.”

Both teams have a bye next week. Calgary returns to action on Aug. 28 in Toronto while the Eskimos will next play on Aug. 29 when they host Hamilton. The two CFL provincial rivals from Alberta will face each other twice more this season.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

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The selection of London as host city for the 2012 games goes back to 2003. Nine cities were vying for the honor of being chosen. These cities were London, Madrid, New York, Havana, Moscow, Istanbul, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Leipzig. By 2004, the number of contenders had been narrowed to five: London, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow. In 2005, on July 6, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced that London would be the city to host the games in 2012.

Competition to be named host was heavy. Each of the cities did all they could to impress the judges. During the selection time, many people believed that Paris had an upper hand. The attempt for the 2012 games was Paris’ third attempt in a few decades and it was also thought that they were “due” to win. But, London had an ace up its sleeve.

In the 1980 summer games in Moscow, and again in Los Angeles in 1984, a young British athlete won gold in the 1500 meter race. Both times, his wins were dramatic and unexpected, as he beat out another British competitor who was regarded by many as the dominating force in the race. The winning athlete was Sebastian Coe and the man whom he defeated was Steve Ovett, the favorite in the race. Twenty years after his amazing upset, Coe would play a big role in winning the nomination for the 2012 Summer Olympics for London.

Barbara Cassani, chairperson for London’s Olympic bid committee, resigned in 2004, after the first phase of the bidding process was complete. She strongly believed that a person with close experience in the Olympics should head up phase 2.

Cassani recommended Sebastian Coe as leader of the second phase. In July 2005, Coe made a presentation to the IOC at one of its important meetings. This presentation was viewed as very successful and possibly a key deciding factor for the award going to London.

The games of 2012 will include 26 sports. Baseball and softball will not be played in London; however they do remain Olympic sports. Women’s boxing has been added for 2012. The Paralympics will also take place and will feature 20 different areas of competition.

The Summer Olympic Games have a rich and fascinating history. Through the years, spectators have been awed as they watch men and women reach higher highs and faster speeds. People have marveled at seeing one nation go all out and do the impossible to upset the favored nation’s team and become the victor. Let’s hope the same kind of excitement is in store for 2012.

As a recognized leader in sports travel and tours, we provide 2012 Summer Olympics packages and Summer Olympics hotels and accommodations, with preferred seating and guaranteed tickets. Also available are the Rugby World Cup packages, accommodation, and tickets for the perfect experience in New Zealand in 2011!

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