French Dirt

Bestselling author Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence, about a man's quest to grow a garden in a small French village, spawned a movement of urbanites who fled to the countryside in search of a simpler rural lifestyle. Now the French Tourism Office makes it easy for visitors to connect with their inner Mayle.

Read more

Why tourism matters in LA more than ever

These days there’s no getting around talking about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Mention Louisiana and you’re most likely to envision oil and gooey black tar balls making their way up the Mississippi River to Baton Rouge.

Well I can tell you it ain’t so. I just returned a few days ago from Shreveport, LA and St. Tammany Parish and the folks down there want your clients to visit.

Tourism is a big industry here, and right now this state is desperate to keep its local economies afloat.

Read more

Robben Island, South Africa

Patrick Matanjana talks of Nelson Mandela and the inspiration he gave to fellow prisoners. At the age of 18 Matanjana was imprisoned on Robben Island. He spent 20 years in the cell next to Mandela. Interview by Ilona Kauremszky.

video: Stephen Smith
www.mycompass.ca

Basket weavers unite

A demonstration of 18th century traditional Acadian basket making done by historical interpreter craftswomen at Fortress Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. The weaving technique was adapted from Brittany France.

Ciarán MacGillvray at Fortress Louisbourg

May 27, 2010 — Musician and actor Ciaran MacGillvray performs at Fortress Louisbourg in Cape Breton Nova Scotia.

mycompass.ca
video: Stephen Smith

The French came to Louisbourg in 1713, after ceding Acadia and Newfoundland to the British by the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht, which ended the War of the Spanish Succession. France's only remaining possessions in what is now Atlantic Canada were the islands of Cape Breton and Prince Edward, which were then called Isle Royale and Isle Saint-Jean. The French used these islands as a base to continue the lucrative cod fishery off the Grand Banks. In 1719 they began to construct at Louisbourg a fortified town which was only completed on the eve of the first siege in 1745. The town and settlement along the harbour shore soon became a thriving community.

The cod fishery accounted for most of Isle Royale's prosperity. Dried before export, the fish was salted and laid on stages which lined the beaches of Louisbourg and its outports. Louisbourg became a hub of commerce, trading in manufactured goods and various materials imported from France, Quebec, the West Indies and New England.

One might think that the fortress would be prepared for any onslaught. Yet, while the harbour was well defended, the main landward defences were commanded by a series of low hills, some dangerously close to the fortifications. All provided excellent locations for siege batteries.

The first attack came in 1745 following a declaration of war between Britain and France. Charged with the fervour of a religious crusade, and informed that the fortress was in disrepair with its poorly supplied troops on the verge of mutiny, the New Englanders mounted an assault on Louisbourg. Within 46 days of the invasion the fortress was captured. To the chagrin of the New Englanders, only three years later the town was restored to the French by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle . In 1758 Louisbourg was besieged a second time. Without a strong navy to patrol the sea beyond its walls, Louisbourg was impossible to defend. Attacking with 13,100 troops supported by a 14,000 crew on board 150 ships, a British army captured the fortress in seven weeks. Determined that Louisbourg would never again become a fortified French base, the British demolished the fortress walls.

Memories of The Beach

Lorraine O'Donnell Williams reads from her best selling book, MEMORIES OF THE BEACH: Reflections on a Toronto Childhood. Recorded at her book launch on April 28, 2010 at the Beaches Library in Toronto.

mycompasstv
video: Stephen Smith

Groove to Havana's Coco Taxi

Coco Taxis are purpose built three wheel motorcycles with fiberglass covering that are a must do while visiting old Havana.

mycompass.ca
video: Stephen Smith