Blog archive for May 2017
A Diplomatic Guide to Five of Southern California’s Missions
22nd May, 2017
Spain claimed California in the early 1500s but for more than 200 years did nothing to advance that claim. Then, in 1769 as Russian interest in the area rejuvenated following the ascension of Catherine the Great and as British ships intruded on the Alta California coastline, Spain began to mark its territory by establishing a series of missions.
The missions were not only religious institutions. They were intended as anchors for further colonization.
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A Diplomatic Guide to the Gardens of Los Angeles
2nd May, 2017
The other day I was looking at a reproduction of Claude Monet’s beautiful masterpiece, Banks of the Seine. His painting reminded me of something I often forget. Los Angeles has an outstanding selection of botanic gardens. Here are four worth a special trip.
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