Quintland?

Travel seems like one of those things that people always have done and always will. Places like Paris, the Grand Canyon, and Hawaii seem like they perpetually capture the human imagination. But in some (very healthy) ways, the nature of travel has changed dramatically over the years. Take, for example, the spectacle of human tourism that was... Quintland.

Born in 1934, Yvonne, Annette, Cecile, Emilie and Marie - the Dionne sisters - were the first known surviving quintuplets. Born to a poor farming family in Ontario, the quintuplets quickly became celebrities. Their first public appearance was at the Chicago World's Fair but their exploitation didn't end there. Soon after, the quintuplets were made wards of the state and installed in a guarded compound where thousands of tourists came daily to view the quintuplets through specialized one-way windows. 

here

Separated from their parents, who used their new-found fame to sell souvenirs and autographs, the quints grew up in an isolated world of photographers, nursemaids and government officials. By the time they turned nine, the sisters had lost the public interest and were released back to their families. Their lives after were characterized by ignorance, poverty and illness. In the 1990s, Canada issued an apology to the quints and granted them a share of the over $300 million profits earned by Quintland. In it's heyday, the attraction beat out Niagara Falls as the country's top tourist destination.

here

For more info on the Dionne sisters, see here. For other crazy tourist attractions, check out this article.

Have you been to any crazy tourist attractions? In Peru, our guide took us to an "Indian Village" where men in grass skirts taught us to shoot a blowgun and bare-breasted women sold us jewelry. We saw the villagers later in the day dressed in t-shirts and shorts. 

Winter Wonderland

This time of year, about half of people start dreaming of places like this:



Beach vacay, from here via Pinterest.



The other half dream of this:




"Winter Lake Valley" by Mark Adamus



Me, I vascillate between the two. So lucky, for you, dear readers, I'll be covering some of both this winter. It all hangs upon my whims (cue the evil laughter).

 But today is all about the cold.

Can I get an "Oh, Canada"?



My family and I travelled to Lake Louise, Canada, one Christmas when I was small. The place is truly a winter wonderland, and for an adventurous tyke, it was paradise. I tried skiing for the first time --a harrowing experience. Let's just say that Canadians have their own view of what a beginner's run should be.

And there was mountain rescue involved.

Lake Louise, from here.

For all you snow bunnies, the Canadian Rockies in this area has an average of 30ft of snowfall during their extraordinarily long ski season, which lasts from November to June. And if you're really hardcore, you can sign up for helicopter skiing. Yes, that's being dropped out of a helicopter onto a mountain top. And yes, you pay them to do that to you. Seven HUNDRED dollars. I think I'll pass.

There's plenty of other wintery fun to be had in this little mountain paradise. Snow-shoeing, ice carving festivals, sleigh rides. It all comes right out of a holiday song, doesn't it?

Of course, the indoor scene isn't too bad either.

Coziness, from here via Pinterest.

There's really no better feeling than this. After a day romping in the snow, you run inside, rednosed and frozen, strip down to your long-johns and socks and curl up by the fire. Every lodge worth it's salt has a massive fireplace, surrounded by comfy chairs and elves serving hot cider and cocoa. If it's truly a phenomenal lodge, they'll appreciate that apres-ski style is not that fur-lined, Michael Kors ensemble, but all your warm and comfies, and absolutely no shoes.

So what camp are you in? Beach bunny or snow bunny? Do tell!

 (I'm hankering for some comments, y'all)