Around the World

Yes, the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden has a tea house with tea and fortune cookies. However, it is not a tea garden in the literal sense of the term, which is generally a more private space to host a tea ceremony. This spacious garden is a place of leisure ensconced within four gates inside the larger Golden Gate Park, where you can quietly stroll around and absorb the breathtakingly beautiful landscape . Each section of the 5-acre San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden harmoniously blends in with the others. Credit goes to  Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara for expanding this botanical marvel from a n  exhibit depicting a Japanese village at the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition to the stunning masterpiece that it is today. Starting from the entrance gate and culminating with enjoyable refreshments at the tea house, there is much to take in as you stroll around the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden.

Planning to visit Winchester House San Jose? It is indeed an intriguing place to visit, not to mention an architectural marvel . Know the location, how to reach this popular mystery house, and some useful tips for visitors to know before taking an exciting audio-visual tour into the wonders within.

Nestled in Santa Row is a strange house, the Winchester Mansion. It has its own idiosyncrasy. From the cabinets that are anything but that to secret passages going through a wardrobe into another room, the house has a mystery at every turn.  As you stroll into the gardens awaiting the guided tour to start, you will notice some of the beauty and the wonders in store ahead. From the stained windows with daisy patterns to the 'Door to nowhere', you are going to be further intrigued by the expanse of the house you are about to enter. Do take an interest in the architectural features as well.

Heading to San Jose, California, USA? One of the popular attractions of this city is the Winchester Mansion, better known as the Winchester Mystery House, thanks to its many intriguing aspects that have lent it an aura of thrill and intrigue. However, you should not visit merely for the mysterious layout within, but also for the unique Victorian architecture that gives it a really charming touch. So this particular post will focus on giving you an insight into the elements of architecture that are part of this lovely house so as not to miss out on any during your audio-visual tour . The photos and some of the input for the write-up are based on a personal visit by my niece.

Here's a wonderful opportunity for Opera fans! The world-renowned Metropolitan Opera, New York is providing free streams of presentations from its earlier 'Live HD Series'. Each stream will be of a complete performance which featuring the best of the best of Opera singers, available totally free to watch through its official website. You can even access the performances through the Met Opera on Demand app.

Changes have made in the immigration system so that skilled foreign workers, graduates and entrepreneurs will contribute to the economy. This will benefit Indians who are legally in USA.

The US Embassy has launched a new visa processing system to enable quicker processing. Both the visa fees payment & the appointment schedules have been simplified. 

The US Consular Districts in India have been reorganized for easier access to make visa applications. Irrespective of the city where they live, Indians applying for a US visa can apply for it at any of the consular offices, the list of which is provided below.