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Africa at the Commonwealth Games 2014 Dawn Denton, BellaOnline's African Culture Editor The Commonwealth Games bring nations from across the planet together in a celebration of equality, unity and sporting excellence. Africa is represented by eighteen nations that are historically connected showcasing their talent, sometimes against the most difficult of odds.

Healthy Snacks for Frequent Flyers Barbara Radcliffe Rogers, BellaOnline's Luxury Travel Editor Our recent travels have given me a chance to try out and sample several new products that make travel easier, healthier and tastier. Here are some of the travel snacks I like.

Franklin Chang Díaz
Costa Rican Franklin Chang Díaz, one of the most prominent astronauts and scientists in the world, was enthralled by Sputnik and the birth of space exploration at the young age of six. Franklin thought people would someday travel to other planets and he wanted to be one of those explorers.

Taking A Hurricane Season Cruise
Hurricane season officially stretches from June 1 to November 30. Vacationers can find some great cruise bargains during these months, but it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls and consider your options wisely. Here's what you should know before planning a hurricane season cruise.

Oil Palm Plantations in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica I explored the two hundred miles of Pacific coastline. In the central Pacific, particularly around Quepos, I was impressed by boundless forests of palm trees extending for miles along the highway. Curiously, the trees appeared to be aligned diagonally.

The Divine Home An absolutely gorgeous home decorating book on how to decorate with spiritual objects such as santos, retablo, milagros, statues of saints, and crucifixes. Many examples of Santa Fe style and Mexican hacienda style, but also examples of homes in NYC and other places. Beautiful full color photographs everywhere. Serene, spiritual.

Living Language Spanish You don´t need to know Spanish to travel to the Southwest USA, but it will enhance your experience. This is the best-selling Spanish language instruction product at Amazon.com.

Hopi Kachinas - The Complete Guide to Collecting If you are heading to the Southwest USA, especially Arizona and New Mexico, you might find this a valuable guide that offers fascinating glimpses in Pueblo culture.