Things to Do With Smithsonian Associates in November

Discovery Theater Presents Spirit of South Africa: Experience the energy, customs and cultures of South Africa as reflected in three distinctive regional(地方的) dances with instructor and performer Lesole Maine. 10: 30 am and 12 pm $3——$9

America’s Long-Distance Passenger Trains: As America marks the 150th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike that completed the transcontinental railroad and linked the nation, professional Scott Hercik and a group of experts explore train travel's romantic past,its present state and uncertain future. 10 am $90—$140

Mysterious Guardians of the Ocean: From Jaws to “Shark Week”, people have been used to seeing sharks as terrifying cold-blooded predators(食肉动物).   Conservationist William McKeever presents another view of them: evolutionary miracles are in the greatest danger of their 450-million-year history. 6: 45 pm $25——$35

Smithsonian Inspired Floral (花卉): Learn the fundamentals of floral design while creating designs based on famous art in the Smithsonian's collection during a three-session course. Each session focuses on a different work, providing inspiration for the flowers, greens and vases participants use to create beautiful arrangements.No experience is necessary. 6: 30 pm $115—$165

South America has a long and interesting coastline. When it comes to beaches, there are some excellent options to be found across the continent.

This beach is an amazing stretch of sand with peaceful waters. The clear waters are perfect for swimming but it is difficult to access. It can only be reached by boat or by climbing down the rocky hillsides on each end, so it isn’t particularly good for younger children or people who are physically challenged.

Just a short distance from the waterfront town of Mancora, this lovely beach is often quiet and peaceful, offering some nice shallow water to swim in for little ones. A little further out, the waves pick up, making for fine surfing and windsurfing surroundings, while the charming village offers nice accommodation.

The cold water here means it isn’t an ideal swimming location, but there are good spots for surfing and windsurfing. Various water activities make it a great beach. Visit early, especially in the busy tourist seasons, not only to avoid crowds, but also to gain admittance — visitors will be turned away once the park reaches peak capacity.

Located near the city center, this beach is very popular among surfers thanks to its great waves. It isn’t too rough to swim for experienced swimmers, although a slightly rocky seafloor means you should be careful. With large crowds of people, the best time to visit is sunset-arrive early to get a good viewing spot.

Gap Year Sailing Programs

A gap year spent sailing will show you more of the world than most people see in their whole lives. So hoist the anchor, throw off the bowlines, catch the following wind, and set sail on a voyage of discovery to create memories that will last a lifetime.

The beauty of a sailing gap year is that you don’t just visit a single place. These unique adventures can take you across oceans and whole regions to experience dozens of countries in a single gap year. Some programs combine several regions including the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, etc. while others stick to just one.

How much a sailing gap year costs varies greatly depending on the type of program and the length of the voyage. A program lasting a few weeks may cost S$ 5,000 or more. Months long adventures may be as much as $20.000, especially if they involve college credit or other coursework.

Visa requirements will vary depending on where your voyage takes you. Your program will inform you of which visas you’ll need. Make sure you obtain your visas well in advance.

Housing will consist of a berth (铺位) aboard your boat. Don’t expect anything fancy. You’ll likely have little more than a bed and a small storage locker in a two-or three-person cabin. Given the limited size of your living space, expect to stay close to your crewmates at all times with little real privacy.

Living aboard a ship means that you can’t always count on having medical facilities (设施) nearby. You may be asked to provide a note from your doctor confirming that you are in good health before being accepted into your program. Most programs include medical emergency insurance as part of their fees. See what it covers and what it doesn’t when making your decisions.