Latest news with #Californias
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
The shared history of California & Mexico, why anti-ICE protestors were waving Mexican flags
Amid the Trump administration's sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, which critics say specifically targets Hispanics, cities across the United States have witnessed massive anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests this month. These protests began on June 6 in Los Angeles after military-style ICE raids resulted in the detention of 44 people, mostly of Mexican heritage. California, especially the city of Los Angeles, has been the epicentre of these protests. This is in no small part due to almost 40% of Californians being Hispanic, and more than 30% tracing their ancestry to Mexico, with whom the state shares a border as well as deep historic, cultural, and economic ties. Here's a brief history. The Spanish colonisation of the New World began in the late 15th century and continued till the end of the 19th century. At its peak, Spanish territory in the Americas touched Alaska in the north and extended to Tierra del Fuego in the southern tip of South America. The southern tip of the Baja peninsula (today the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur) was spotted by Conquistadors in the 16th century. They erroneously likened their 'discovery' to the mythical island of Californias mentioned in the Spanish novel Las Sergas de Esplandián (The Adventures of Esplandián) written in 1510 by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. Upon venturing inward, the conquistadors realised that the region was not an island as previously imagined. The peninsular region came to be called Baja California, while the territories to its north, which today make up the American state of California, were called Alta California. Another two centuries would pass before the Spanish colonial project, driven by the edict 'gold, God and glory', would claim the Californias for the empire. There are a few different reasons for this. * One, Spaniards were kept busy elsewhere. The Viceroyalty of New Spain was formally established in 1535 with its capital in Mexico City, and would swell to include territories ranging from the Philippines to the Caribbean and northern parts of South America. * Two, the discovery of gold and silver deposits in Mexico, central America and South America, as well as the lack of (known) deposits in California, discouraged conquistadors from making the difficult, often deadly journey. Spanish interest in the region picked up when Russia looked to settle in the Californias in the mid-18th century. While Jesuit missionaries had been proselytising in the region for decades at that point, King Charles of Spain formally ordered the colonisation of California in 1761. Junípero Serra, regarded today as the patron saint of California, would go on to establish 21 missions which 'developed' the region. The Californian economy would be defined by agriculture and livestock-rearing. But colonisation was also devastating for Native Americans, who had been inhabiting the region for many millennia. 'Mission Indians' were forcefully converted to Catholicism and forced to work as farm labour. Demographer Sherburne F Cook estimates that the population of indigenous Californians fell from 310,000 in 1769 to only 25,000 in 1910. (The Population of the California Indians 1769-1970, Sherburne F. Cook, 1976) The Spanish empire saw a steep decline in the 19th century. As Napoleon Bonaparte pummelled Spain in Europe, the Bourbon monarchy struggled to suppress revolutionary tendencies across its colonies. Growing resentment over Spanish rule, stemming from rampant economic exploitation and social inequalities, set the stage for the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. Mexico would formally secede from Spain in 1821. But the new republic was far from politically stable, and witnessed 40 different governments before 1848. The undivided Californias province had been split into two — Alta California and Baja California — in 1804. While the new Mexican republic retained this division, the territories immediately witnessed a host of changes. For one, all restrictions on trade with foreigners were eased, allowing the Californian settlers or 'Californios', to trade in commodities, finished goods and luxuries. Trade with Anglo-Americans helped initiate the economic detachment of Alta California from central Mexico, as ships transported Californian hides and tallow in exchange for English and American manufactured goods. The Mexican government struggled to assert control over these territories, which grew closer to the US economically. Foreigners in the Californian territories were also given land-holding rights after converting to Catholicism, spurring immigration by hordes of US citizens between the 1820s and the 1840s. As American interest in the Californias surged, the US and Mexico signed the Treaty of Limits in 1828, recognising the borders between the two nations according to the 1819 Adams-Onis Treaty between Spain and the US (in which the Spanish Crown ceded Florida to the US). This treaty was further amended in 1836 when the Republic of Texas became independent from Mexico. The concept of 'Manifest Destiny', a belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable, drove the United States' westward expansion in the 19th century. And it was this belief, along with ever-growing Anglo-Saxon connections to erstwhile Spanish territories in the American West, that set the stage for the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. In 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the US, prompting Mexico to sever all ties with Washington. But US President James K Polk wanted more territory, including Alta California and present-day New Mexico. When his offer to purchase these territories was rebuffed, he moved US troops into Texas and Mexican territory, and claimed all land between Nueces and the Rio Grande rivers in January 1846. Mexico retaliated in April, causing 16 casualties among the American troops, triggering a wave of nationalism in the US, and a declaration of war by the Congress. The 16-month-long war saw the US military leverage strategy, brutality and luck, eventually capturing Mexico City. When the war ended in 1848, the US acquired present-day California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming from Mexico for only $15 million. That said, even before the war had completely ended, the discovery of gold in 1848 at Sutter's Mill in Sierra Nevada, California, had set off what was known as the California Gold Rush. More than 300,000 people moved to California over the next four years, hoping to, quite literally, strike gold. California was officially given statehood by the US in 1850. Seeing the Mexican flag waved during anti-ICE protests was an affront for many, a rejection of the United States and American identity. But ask the protestors and they will tell you a different story. 'It's about refusing to be erased,' Mexican journalist Enrique Acevedo wrote for The Washington Post. '…Mexican identity isn't foreign [in Los Angeles]. It's foundational. This was Mexico once and remains part of the memory, culture, street names, food and families who never crossed a border because the border crossed them. In that context, the Mexican flag isn't necessarily a symbol of separation or rejection. Sometimes, it's a claim: We are both. We are Mexican and American, not divided but layered…,' he wrote.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why South Africa Is the Best Country to Visit If You Have Digestive Issues
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Getty Images After visiting all seven continents, I've concluded there are two types of anxious travelers: those who need to know where to find the closest emergency exit and those who need the location of the nearest restroom. I'm the latter. For me and my fellow passengers living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a group of digestive conditions including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—going to the bathroom is the emergency. At age 17, when I should have been on a senior class trip, I was in the hospital getting a colonoscopy. I opened my college acceptance letter while camped out on the toilet in my parents' bathroom at our farm in Montana. It's hard to celebrate receiving a full-ride scholarship to your dream school in New York City when you're not sure you'll be well enough to go. But, fortunately, with the help of modern medicine, I made it to the Big Apple. In fact, living in Queens—where more than 800 languages are spoken—inspired me to become a travel writer. Crohn's disease may be a life sentence, but I haven't let my diagnosis rule my life. If anything, getting diagnosed with a chronic condition was the catalyst I needed to realize I couldn't count on tomorrow. When it comes to travel, as long as I'm in remission, today is the day. In the last four months, I've zip-lined in Costa Rica, logged 20,000-step days in Paris, skied in the Italian Alps, swam with manta rays in the Maldives, and spent a week on a wine farm in South Africa—which I consider the best country to visit if you have a digestive disorder. In fact, I've traveled to South Africa so often in the past 10 years that immigration is starting to give me some serious side-eye. I even convinced my mom, who also has Crohn's disease but hates to travel, to spend two weeks with me in Cape Town and Kruger National Park. She loved it. That's because out of all 70-something countries I've visited, no country welcomes Crohnies—or anyone with IBD—quite like the Rainbow Nation. South Africa can swallow nearly three Californias. When I talk about the country, I'm referring to Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as safari camps, wine country, and other traveler-friendly destinations. The first thing I love about South Africa is I've never had to pay to use a public toilet. Meanwhile, in Norway, I averaged at least $20 a day on bathroom breaks at public toilets that only opened with a credit card swipe. I did just read that a Durban shopping center is implementing a new restroom fee but it's just 2 ZAR (about 10 cents). I don't know of any Cape Town shopping centers or malls that charge. Plus, the city maintains more than 75 public restrooms, mostly found along the promenade and in tourist areas. That said, I usually just duck into a shopping center, a petrol station if I'm road-tripping, or a restaurant where I know there will be toilet paper and soap. Currently, the US dollar remains strong in South Africa, and I can afford to patronize eateries multiple times per day just to use their facilities. Food is also inexpensive, and it's easy to find gut-friendly options. I'd trade a kidney for the recipe for the homemade gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate brownies sold in the Picnickery at Spier Wine Farm. Yes, South Africa is so idyllic they have picnickeries where you can purchase freshly baked bread (some made with 'celiac-certified flour'), vegan cheese you'd never guess was made from nuts, and organic Sauvignon Blanc. Although she doesn't condone drinking, my gastroenterologist says dry wines, which are low in residual sugars, are best for people with irritable bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. For fast food, I hit up Kauai, a wellness-themed franchise featuring burgers, wraps, bowls, and salads. Look for the flagship locations, because they have make-your-own menus where you can customize your meal. That said, I've never had a waiter give me side-eye in South Africa when I asked for a substitution. And unlike in some cultures, where it's considered rude to decline food offered to you by a local, here they don't get too offended. For example, I like to support the country's ethical township tours, which bring visitors to settlements formed under the apartheid government to enforce segregation. But I usually don't eat the food offered to me. As tempting as it may be, I just can't afford to take any chances while on the road. I won't sugarcoat it: I've gotten sick in South Africa. I was there in 2021 when Omicron was discovered. But every time I've had to see a doctor there, I've been pleasantly surprised. Private hospitals and clinics offer good health care at great prices. While I pay $200 for a consultation with a gastroenterologist and $8,000 for a colonoscopy stateside, I can get the same service and procedure for just $100 and $800, respectively, in Cape Town. I've also found a family-owned pharmacy in Sea Point willing to refill my prescriptions when I run out, and the plastic surgeon who gives me Botox in Green Point is happy to write a prescription for metronidazole, an antibiotic that treats both bacteria and parasitic infections when I can't outrun the runs. If you're going on safari in South Africa, there's no need to worry about the bathroom situation. 'Watering a tree' is a rite of passage on any game drive. If nature's call requires going number two, simply use a 'wag bag,' a portable toilet in a pocket-size pouch you can buy on Amazon and at most outdoor retailers. Usually, your guide will check behind the tree (and up in it) first to make sure there are no dangerous animals enjoying its shade. Safari camps also pride themselves on offering guests a loo with a view. At Royal Malewane, in the Limpopo Province, I watched giraffes and baboons from my porcelain throne. And at its sister property, The Silo Hotel, floor-to-ceiling pillowed-glass windows in the bathroom boast panoramic vistas of Table Mountain's iconic peaks and the dramatic Atlantic coastline. Cape Town International Airport's best-kept secret, meanwhile, is this unisex corner stall in the business lounge, where you can watch planes land and take off while taking your time on the toilet. Can the pilots or passengers on the planes see you? I'm not sure. But even if they can, why feel embarrassed? No one gets through life without going number two. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide
Condé Nast Traveler
30-05-2025
- Health
- Condé Nast Traveler
Why South Africa Is the Best Country to Visit If You Have Digestive Issues
After visiting all seven continents, I've concluded there are two types of anxious travelers: those who need to know where to find the closest emergency exit and those who need the location of the nearest restroom. I'm the latter. For me and my fellow passengers living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a group of digestive conditions including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—going to the bathroom is the emergency. At age 17, when I should have been on a senior class trip, I was in the hospital getting a colonoscopy. I opened my college acceptance letter while camped out on the toilet in my parents' bathroom at our farm in Montana. It's hard to celebrate receiving a full-ride scholarship to your dream school in New York City when you're not sure you'll be well enough to go. But, fortunately, with the help of modern medicine, I made it to the Big Apple. In fact, living in Queens—where more than 800 languages are spoken—inspired me to become a travel writer. Katie Jackson poses in front of Lion's Head mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Katie Jackson Crohn's disease may be a life sentence, but I haven't let my diagnosis rule my life. If anything, getting diagnosed with a chronic condition was the catalyst I needed to realize I couldn't count on tomorrow. When it comes to travel, as long as I'm in remission, today is the day. In the last four months, I've zip-lined in Costa Rica, logged 20,000-step days in Paris, skied in the Italian Alps, swam with manta rays in the Maldives, and spent a week on a wine farm in South Africa—which I consider the best country to visit if you have a digestive disorder. In fact, I've traveled to South Africa so often in the past 10 years that immigration is starting to give me some serious side-eye. I even convinced my mom, who also has Crohn's disease but hates to travel, to spend two weeks with me in Cape Town and Kruger National Park. She loved it. That's because out of all 70-something countries I've visited, no country welcomes Crohnies—or anyone with IBD—quite like the Rainbow Nation. Where to find toilets South Africa can swallow nearly three Californias. When I talk about the country, I'm referring to Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as safari camps, wine country, and other traveler-friendly destinations. The first thing I love about South Africa is I've never had to pay to use a public toilet. Meanwhile, in Norway, I averaged at least $20 a day on bathroom breaks at public toilets that only opened with a credit card swipe. I did just read that a Durban shopping center is implementing a new restroom fee but it's just 2 ZAR (about 10 cents). I don't know of any Cape Town shopping centers or malls that charge. Plus, the city maintains more than 75 public restrooms, mostly found along the promenade and in tourist areas. That said, I usually just duck into a shopping center, a petrol station if I'm road-tripping, or a restaurant where I know there will be toilet paper and soap. Currently, the US dollar remains strong in South Africa, and I can afford to patronize eateries multiple times per day just to use their facilities. The Picnickery at Spier Wine Farm provides picnic blankets and baskets brimming with curated treats that accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences. Spier What to eat (and drink) Food is also inexpensive, and it's easy to find gut-friendly options. I'd trade a kidney for the recipe for the homemade gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate brownies sold in the Picnickery at Spier Wine Farm. Yes, South Africa is so idyllic they have picnickeries where you can purchase freshly baked bread (some made with 'celiac-certified flour'), vegan cheese you'd never guess was made from nuts, and organic Sauvignon Blanc. Although she doesn't condone drinking, my gastroenterologist says dry wines, which are low in residual sugars, are best for people with irritable bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. For fast food, I hit up Kauai, a wellness-themed franchise featuring burgers, wraps, bowls, and salads. Look for the flagship locations, because they have make-your-own menus where you can customize your meal. That said, I've never had a waiter give me side-eye in South Africa when I asked for a substitution. And unlike in some cultures, where it's considered rude to decline food offered to you by a local, here they don't get too offended. For example, I like to support the country's ethical township tours, which bring visitors to settlements formed under the apartheid government to enforce segregation. But I usually don't eat the food offered to me. As tempting as it may be, I just can't afford to take any chances while on the road. In case of an emergency I won't sugarcoat it: I've gotten sick in South Africa. I was there in 2021 when Omicron was discovered. But every time I've had to see a doctor there, I've been pleasantly surprised. Private hospitals and clinics offer good health care at great prices. While I pay $200 for a consultation with a gastroenterologist and $8,000 for a colonoscopy stateside, I can get the same service and procedure for just $100 and $800, respectively, in Cape Town. I've also found a family-owned pharmacy in Sea Point willing to refill my prescriptions when I run out, and the plastic surgeon who gives me Botox in Green Point is happy to write a prescription for metronidazole, an antibiotic that treats both bacteria and parasitic infections when I can't outrun the runs. Built atop a former grain silo, the Silo Hotel is a unique property with stunning views of Cape Town. The Silo Loos with views If you're going on safari in South Africa, there's no need to worry about the bathroom situation. 'Watering a tree' is a rite of passage on any game drive. If nature's call requires going number two, simply use a 'wag bag,' a portable toilet in a pocket-size pouch you can buy on Amazon and at most outdoor retailers. Usually, your guide will check behind the tree (and up in it) first to make sure there are no dangerous animals enjoying its shade. Safari camps also pride themselves on offering guests a loo with a view. At Royal Malewane, in the Limpopo Province, I watched giraffes and baboons from my porcelain throne. And at its sister property, The Silo Hotel, floor-to-ceiling pillowed-glass windows in the bathroom boast panoramic vistas of Table Mountain's iconic peaks and the dramatic Atlantic coastline. Cape Town International Airport's best-kept secret, meanwhile, is this unisex corner stall in the business lounge, where you can watch planes land and take off while taking your time on the toilet. Can the pilots or passengers on the planes see you? I'm not sure. But even if they can, why feel embarrassed? No one gets through life without going number two. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
News18
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
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News18
18-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Army Defuses Unexploded Mortar Shells In J&Ks Akhnoor Sector
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