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| Sometimes the 'hard-wiring' isn't so great: but we do the best we can with what we've got ...... |
Monday, February 28, 2011
neuro dis-integration ...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
3 intriguing images of Rue de Buenos Aires, Paris
.
Image 1: the corner of the street and its respective "café", enlarge.
Image 2: the avenue where the street flows, and an enigmatic, fat man traveling on a scooter, enlarge.
Image 3: Rue de Buenos Aires itself, at metres of the river Seine, enlarge.
Chanson in flames
.
Walk...blue street? More
walk more...station to station, the world seemed to be small like a handkerchief, did you know?
Witch of the blue roads, Lucifera of the wine's soul
How are your flat lands, how is their short-green grass?
The heraldic trumpet has been blown in the morning's sun, the streets are a friend again, from the bottom of our alcoholism we're going to set France on fire, completely: the ice of the Poles won't be there.
Europe, you were stupid since all the eternity, who is who in this scrabble of beheaded camels? Fire and compromise for the new rampant juvenilia of 1968: the terror is French.
Moving along my thoughts in whirls like the powder of the Hindoo path, we saw the repugned national roads of the Eurocommunity all rained, the wolves had erections behind the laurel forests and brusquely everything was a bit mediterraneanized in this room: I see brown highways for the queen of Paris and Lyon, who struts her suspender belts, tight like nosegays d'amour.
Specially the winters were gelid in my bedchamber of Rue Le Bua, we had insane excursions at night by the neighborhood, searching for wood for the chimney, and then, to the centre, to obtain some doses of heroin...we needed to inject it 4 times a day, the hell and the heaven were in a needle: you started seeing colored salamanders, I passed away.
Resurrected.
Passed,
resurrected.
Nobody died: all died.
There was a man in the corner during those orange days, he was a changeling, he played violin and ate children: all the ogres went out in the streets to take a sweet stroll: the aïr was full of insults and words of love...1977, secret nights at the balcony of the blue symphonies, the white sabbats.
Excuse me, we're traveled 14.000 kilometres to find, just, this crap?
So I travel 15.000 KM. and I only find churros and yerba mate?
In Europe?
Are you for real?
Europe, as the wise man said, she is scared of every thing that is flashy or different (thanks CH)
The winters of our life were a summary of wood and fire, we knew that we didn't know what we wanted, we were young.
Also there was a Korean man who opened a groceries store. His name was Young, he was young too.
1968
1977
never
years in our life, and the goddess Fortune opening her arms
wide, now, erotic like an apple, shiny like she.
The roads, small Europe, you are small roads, you are beautiful after all, I don't understand you, there we are, in the middle of a cloud of dreams...an what is more necessary than all these false dreams and promises?
What?
Walk...blue street? More
walk more...station to station, the world seemed to be small like a handkerchief, did you know?
Witch of the blue roads, Lucifera of the wine's soul
How are your flat lands, how is their short-green grass?
The heraldic trumpet has been blown in the morning's sun, the streets are a friend again, from the bottom of our alcoholism we're going to set France on fire, completely: the ice of the Poles won't be there.
Europe, you were stupid since all the eternity, who is who in this scrabble of beheaded camels? Fire and compromise for the new rampant juvenilia of 1968: the terror is French.
Moving along my thoughts in whirls like the powder of the Hindoo path, we saw the repugned national roads of the Eurocommunity all rained, the wolves had erections behind the laurel forests and brusquely everything was a bit mediterraneanized in this room: I see brown highways for the queen of Paris and Lyon, who struts her suspender belts, tight like nosegays d'amour.
Specially the winters were gelid in my bedchamber of Rue Le Bua, we had insane excursions at night by the neighborhood, searching for wood for the chimney, and then, to the centre, to obtain some doses of heroin...we needed to inject it 4 times a day, the hell and the heaven were in a needle: you started seeing colored salamanders, I passed away.
Resurrected.
Passed,
resurrected.
Nobody died: all died.
There was a man in the corner during those orange days, he was a changeling, he played violin and ate children: all the ogres went out in the streets to take a sweet stroll: the aïr was full of insults and words of love...1977, secret nights at the balcony of the blue symphonies, the white sabbats.
Excuse me, we're traveled 14.000 kilometres to find, just, this crap?
So I travel 15.000 KM. and I only find churros and yerba mate?
In Europe?
Are you for real?
Europe, as the wise man said, she is scared of every thing that is flashy or different (thanks CH)
The winters of our life were a summary of wood and fire, we knew that we didn't know what we wanted, we were young.
Also there was a Korean man who opened a groceries store. His name was Young, he was young too.
1968
1977
never
years in our life, and the goddess Fortune opening her arms
wide, now, erotic like an apple, shiny like she.
The roads, small Europe, you are small roads, you are beautiful after all, I don't understand you, there we are, in the middle of a cloud of dreams...an what is more necessary than all these false dreams and promises?
What?
Summer Palace - China
About Summer Palace :
The Summer Palace, in the Haidian District, northwest of central Beijing, is said to be the best preserved imperial garden in the world, and the largest of its kind still in existence in modern China. It’s hardly surprising that, during the hot Beijing summers, the Imperial Family preferred the beautiful gardens and airy pavilions of the Summer Palace to the walled-in Forbidden City. Dowager Empress Cixi took up permanent residence here for a time, giving rise to some wonderful tales of extravagance and excess. Summer is the best time to visit Summer Palace. The lake is frozen and the cruise is not available during winter.Although only a short drive (15 km) from central Beijing it seems like another world. The Chinese call it Yihe Yuan (Garden of Restful Peace), and the landscaped gardens, temples and pavilions were designed to achieve harmony with nature, to soothe and please the eye. The park spreads across the low hills, including Longevity Hill, around Kunming Lake, and was is divided into three main zones (administration, living, and relaxation). The wonderful buildings and courtyards wander beside the lake, along the waterways and climb the low slopes of the hillside. The arched bridges, pretty promenades, decorated ‘corridors’ and breezeways all lead visitors through ever-changing views and scenery. Here the marvelous marble boat, there an old theatre, over there an island reached by small wooden boat, and in the distance the hills, with a temple on the hillside, framed by dark trees. Small wonder that UNESCO added this 300 hectare site to the World Heritage List in 1998. Many of the buildings have been meticulously restored, and maintenance and restoration activities are ongoing. The current projects are due for completion in 2010, which means that from time to time one building or another may be temporarily closed to the public. Most people find they spend at least half a day here, there’s so much to see and enjoy in the gardens, buildings and waterways.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.chinahighlights.com/
Monday, February 21, 2011
1976
.
How many times, alone, I was whistling myself
walking by a sidewalk?
How many bicycles I have stolen, myself...
walking by
a sidewalk
...but I never had seen a stare like that again
walking by a sidewalk, may be you're 15, maybe 16
open your arms to me, don't ask who
I want to get
into your world
your world of lit fruit, of slight, misunderstood stares
your fears, your palpitations
have slight sensations
your shames and your smells
and anxiety
and to know-not to know the modesty
your world of barely flying doves
with your eyes of amazed love
your tired and clear days
in your world of vivid lights
of fantasies
and promises...
but I never saw a stare like that anymore
walking by a sidewalk
open your arms
don't ask who.
Who.
.
How many times, alone, I was whistling myself
walking by a sidewalk?
How many bicycles I have stolen, myself...
walking by
a sidewalk
...but I never had seen a stare like that again
walking by a sidewalk, may be you're 15, maybe 16
open your arms to me, don't ask who
I want to get
into your world
your world of lit fruit, of slight, misunderstood stares
your fears, your palpitations
have slight sensations
your shames and your smells
and anxiety
and to know-not to know the modesty
your world of barely flying doves
with your eyes of amazed love
your tired and clear days
in your world of vivid lights
of fantasies
and promises...
but I never saw a stare like that anymore
walking by a sidewalk
open your arms
don't ask who.
Who.
.
Lucid voyage by obskure zones 2
.
Crossing through the forest of the crucified tapirs, caught in celluloid, in my lucid dream, there was a clock.
The clock was built in the meat of the saint innocents, and their blood, dripping down day by day, drop by drop, was filling an ocean below, which was slowly warmed up over a golden furnace.
The furnace was fueled with eyes of harpy, and genitals of sparrow.
The God of eyes like wool of July smiled amorous receiving them all in a kingdom beyond the skies.
But suddenly, a tall wizard (wizzard), wearing a red beard on his chin, and only his chin, like a long salami; an evïl wizzard with 3 penises and pale-green skin, he came running onto the soft, milky grass of that meadow...
In his furor, he tried to shatter, to smash that clockwork of love; but one of the venous penises got entangled in the sarmentous branch of a tree [botanically unknown]...
While the vile magic-man was in repugnant agony, bleeding profusely from his triple sexxx; the minced saints, and Heaven above, did burst in laughters, echoing all along that lacteal and risible valley.
The jocoseness was so enormous, so enormous it was, that even the champignons started cumming, cumming and cumming over the poor wizard, who died, died and died, totally buried in cum.
The wizzard was buried standing up, in the depths of the sands of a beach, close to Saint Tropez.
"At night, the clock is covered by the humane mercy of the whales..."
.
Crossing through the forest of the crucified tapirs, caught in celluloid, in my lucid dream, there was a clock.
The clock was built in the meat of the saint innocents, and their blood, dripping down day by day, drop by drop, was filling an ocean below, which was slowly warmed up over a golden furnace.
The furnace was fueled with eyes of harpy, and genitals of sparrow.
The God of eyes like wool of July smiled amorous receiving them all in a kingdom beyond the skies.
But suddenly, a tall wizard (wizzard), wearing a red beard on his chin, and only his chin, like a long salami; an evïl wizzard with 3 penises and pale-green skin, he came running onto the soft, milky grass of that meadow...
In his furor, he tried to shatter, to smash that clockwork of love; but one of the venous penises got entangled in the sarmentous branch of a tree [botanically unknown]...
While the vile magic-man was in repugnant agony, bleeding profusely from his triple sexxx; the minced saints, and Heaven above, did burst in laughters, echoing all along that lacteal and risible valley.
The jocoseness was so enormous, so enormous it was, that even the champignons started cumming, cumming and cumming over the poor wizard, who died, died and died, totally buried in cum.
The wizzard was buried standing up, in the depths of the sands of a beach, close to Saint Tropez.
"At night, the clock is covered by the humane mercy of the whales..."
.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sydney Opera House - Australia
About Sydney Opera House :
Sydney Opera House (1957 - 1973) is a masterpiece of late modern architecture. It is admired internationally and proudly treasured by the people of Australia. It was created by a young architect who understood and recognised the potential provided by the site against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Denmark’s Jørn Utzon gave Australia a challenging, graceful piece of urban sculpture in patterned tiles, glistening in the sunlight and invitingly aglow at night. Jorn Utzon died in Copenhagen in November 2008 aged 90. In its short lifetime, Sydney Opera House has earned a reputation as a world-class performing arts centre and become a symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation. Sydney Opera House was inscribed in the World Heritage List in June 2007: “Sydney Opera House is a great architectural work of the 20th century. It represents multiple strands of creativity, both in architectural form and structural design, a great urban sculpture carefully set in a remarkable waterscape and a world famous iconic building.” UNESCO The expert evaluation report to the World Heritage Committee stated: “…it stands by itself as one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind.” The distinctive roof comprises sets of interlocking vaulted ‘shells’ set upon a vast terraced platform and surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. The two main halls are arranged side by side, with their long axes, slightly inclined from each other, generally running north-south. The auditoria face south, away from the harbour with the stages located between the audience and the city. The Forecourt is a vast open space from which people ascend the stairs to the podium. The Monumental Steps, which lead up from the Forecourt to the two main performance venues, are a great ceremonial stairway nearly 100 metres wide. The vaulted roof shells were designed by Utzon in collaboration with internationally renowned engineers Ove Arup & Partners with the final shape of the shells derived from the surface of a single imagined sphere. Each shell is composed of pre-cast rib segments radiating from a concrete pedestal and rising to a ridge beam. The shells are faced in glazed off-white tiles while the podium is clad in earth-toned, reconstituted granite panels. The glass walls are a special feature of the building, constructed according to the modified design by Utzon’s successor architect, Peter Hall. Cost overruns contributed to populist criticism and a change of government resulted in 1966 to Utzon’s resignation, street demonstrations and professional controversy. Peter Hall supported by Lionel Todd and David Littlemore in conjunction with the then NSW Government Architect, Ted Farmer completed the glass walls and interiors including adding three previously unplanned venues underneath the Concert Hall on the western side. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, new works were undertaken between 1986 and 1988 to the land approach and Forecourt under the supervision of the then NSW Government Architect, Andrew Andersons, with contributions by Peter Hall.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
Friday, February 18, 2011
NUEVA GALERIA EN MI WEB
He abierto una nueva galería en mi WEB donde se pueden ver mis últimas fotos realizadas con mi sofisticada!!!! y maravillosa cámara ipod lomo. El título de esta galería es "ON THE ROAD" ya que todas las fotos estan realizadas desde algun medio de transporte urbano, principalmente bus y coche. El nombre de la galeria obviamente hace referencia al título del estupendo libro de Jack Kerouac y al "viaje" de éste con el fotógrafo Robert Frank.
Espero que os guste.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Cristo Redentor - Brasil
About Cristo Redentor :
This is one of the most beautiful symbols of Rio de Janeiro; is a statue located on Corcovado hill in Rio de Janeiro. It is considered the best one in “art deco” in the world. It is 38 metres high (including its pedestal, eight metres high), weights 1.145 tons. It is situated over 709 metres above sea level. It was inaugurated on October 13, 1931, in the Santa Patrona de Brazil day. It took over five years to complete the construction of the statue and was recently remodelled. The idea to construct a religious monument was suggested in 1959 to Isabel Princess. That time, Brazil was a Monarchy. In 1921 the project was carried out; a road and a railway were constructed, for a better access. The statue is Historic Heritage of Brazil. In 2003 some remodellings were inaugurated, including escalators, elevators for a better access, it was useful for handicapped and old people. Nowadays, Cristo Redentor is a devotion icon for hundred of catholic people in Brazil. The chapel ( Nossa Senhora de Aparecida) allows people to celebrate weddings, baptisms, and other catholic celebrations. In 2007 July 7, Cristo Redentor was named one of the New Seven Wonders in the World. There was a big celebration in Portugal. There were more than 100 million votes ( by telephone and via internet). Cristo Redentor is one of the best attractions in Brazil; mainly because was named a new wonder in the world. It is believed that visitors will increase 20 % approximately. When tourists visit Corcovado, they can buy many souvenirs like t-shirts with Cristo Redentor photos, small plaster or wood statues, pins, dishes and more. People not only can take photos, but also can have views of the city and its beautiful beaches.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.brasilcontact.com/
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Malaga - Spain
About Malaga :
The beautiful mediterranean city of Malaga is located in southern Spain, on the famous sunny coast Costa el Sol. Malaga is both city and capital of the homonymous province, along with seven other provinces that together comprise the Autonomous Region of Andalucía. Malaga is the largest city along the southern coastline and has approximately 600.000 inhabitants. The Town is relatively close to Granada and Seville and they are very well connected via national Motorways. Malaga city counts with the second largest industrial port in Spain and the area’s most important sectors are Tourism, followed by agricultural and textile products. The geographic situation between mountains and mediterranean sea treats Málaga with a very benign climate throughout the year, with an average annual temperature around 23ºC (73Fº) and more than 300 sunny days; in this semi tropical climate we find especially lot´s of Olive trees, Orange and Lemon trees and Flowers all year long and orchards in the interior. This ideal weather in Malaga, combined with numerous gorgeous beaches in the area, has converted the province in one of the most visited Tourist destinations in Spain. Malaga city itself is a culturally and historically rich town with a great diversity of appealing thing s to do and see, as for instance the cathedral, Museums, the fortress Giralfaro or theaters; or enjoy a cool drink and tapas in one of the squares of the old city or dive into Malaga’s animated nightlife… Insofar it is quite understandable, that the city together with its cultural attractions, the easy-going lifestyle and the perfect climate during the last decade has attracted many foreigners, both Tourists and residents that have established themselves here. The people of Málaga (Malagueños) have the reputation for enjoying nightlife and to be out and about in the streets. For that reason, the town has a great offer of all kinds of bars, bodegas and restaurants that you find normally full of activity throughout the week. The Malagueños love everything about their town and they are very proud of two of their world famous citizens, the painter Pablo Picasso and the actor Antonio Banderas. One of the mayor fairs of Málaga takes place every year in august when the streets and the Fairgrounds get bustling with thousands of people enjoying all kind of activities, acts and amusement such as the bullfighting competitions, horses, parades and fireworks. Many activities are celebrated in the streets and squares or the Málaga Park, as for instance the opening speech of the fair.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.malaga.us/
Cabo San Lucas - Mexico
About Cabo San Lucas :
At the tip of Mexico’s 1,000-mile long Baja California peninsula Cabo San Lucas & San Jose del Cabo is one of the destinations with a perfect combination of great weather, exotic and spectacular scenery. A diverse area with two main towns and lots to do for anyone looking for a relaxing vacation experience in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty. Easy to get to from most North American gateways, there’s something for everyone. Cabo San Lucas, with its large marina and beautiful bay where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, is famous for its casual atmosphere and exciting nightlife. Long a favorite for anglers out to land the big one, Cabo San Lucas also has great beaches, lots of shopping and restaurants, and a variety of hotels and resorts for any budget. CS Lucas is also known for its famous stone arch, called El Arco, a magnificent natural rock formation at Land’s End. Cabo San Lucas' long sandy main beach, El Medano, is the place for swimming and watersports, with lots of fun restaurants in the sand, golf and postcard perfect views. A popular port of call for cruise ships along the Mexican Riviera, CS Lucas is also a popular destination for Spring Break and a hideaway for the rich and famous. Twenty miles northeast, San Jose del Cabo is Cabo San Lucas' sister city, a charming and romantic colonial town with the flavor of Old Mexico. Founded as a mission in 1730, San Jose is a mile inland from the hotel zone along San Jose Bay. In the small historic downtown, courtyard restaurants, boutiques and art galleries surround the main square and twin spire church. Gourmet dining, sophisticated wine bars, and live Latin entertainment heat up the night. A family-oriented traditional town, San Jose is the quiet side of Cabos. With the area’s best surf beaches, a palm filled estuary ideal for bird watching, a sea turtle nursery and the La Laguna mountains to explore, San Jose is an ideal destination for nature and adventure lovers.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.cabosanlucas.net/
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Pyramid of Chephren - Egypt
About Pyramid of Chephren :
The Pyramid of Chephren, often called the "Second Pyramid", is built next to the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Chephren is the son and successor of Khufu and Hensuten. Khufu's other son and also successor, Ra'djedef, started constructing his own pyramid at Abu Rawash, which is north of Giza. Chephren's pyramid is designed more modestly than Khufu's. The Chephren pyramid originally was 10 feet (3m) shorter and 48 feet (14.6m) more narrow at the base. The estimated weight of all the stones in the pyramid is 4,880,000 tons. Because it is built higher on the plateau, it looks taller from most angles than Khufu's pyramid. The slope of the angles is higher, 53 degrees compared to Khufu's 51 degrees. There is no evidence that anyone was ever buried in the main chamber. No inscriptions have been found in the pyramid, however there is a sarcophagus in the main chamber. There are two entrances that lead into the pyramid which are placed one directly above the other. The upper entrance is 50 feet (15m) above the ground. This is the one that is used for entrance now. A narrow passage leads into a large limestone chamber. This passageway descends at a 25 degree angle to the chamber. The walls are lined with red granite. This inner chamber is quite large, 46.5' x 16.5' x 22.5' (14.2m x 5m x 6.9m). The roof of the chamber is set at the same angles as the pyramid face. This is designed to take the weight of the pyramid, as is the relieving chambers in Khufu's pyramid. Apparently the roof designed this way has worked, the pyramid has not collapsed. The lower corridor is directly under the upper corridor. This lower corridor once contained a portcullis, which could be let down to prevent entry. This corridor declines on the same angle as the upper and eventually joins into the upper. Once joined, the passageway leads into the inner chamber. Located in the lower passage is a burial chamber that is apparently unfinished and unused. It is in the bedrock under the pyramid. The passageway leads through this chamber and joins the upper corridor. The top of the pyramid still has some of the limestone casing that once covered the entire pyramid. There may have been a change in the method of positioning the blocks that has kept these pieces still intact. It gives the appearance of a white cap on top of the pyramid. As was Khufu's pyramid, the pyramid of Chephren had been looted before it was entered in 1818 by Belzoni. The Mortuary Temple of Chephren is to the east of the pyramid and is better preserved than Khufu's temple. Chephren's temple is more elaborate, although the statues and other contents have been stolen than his father's. Some of the limestone walls had granite casing, which is still present in some places. Parts of a small sanctuary, outhouses, a courtyard and a large hall with pillars still remain. A causeway that connected the Mortuary Temple to the Valley Temple is better preserved than any other causeway. It was hidden in the sands until Mariette found it in 1852. The causeway is 500m long and was lined with red granite which protects the limestone. There are two entrances to the temple that face east and lead into a T-shaped hall which has huge pillars. Twenty-three statues of Chephren were found in this hall. The only one which remains intact is in the Egyptian Museum. This statue, which is possibly the most famous Egyptian statue, shows Chephren sitting in his throne with a hawk perched on the back of the throne. Chambers can be found on the south side of the hall, but a passage that joined the causeway is now closed off to visitors.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.touregypt.net/chephren.htm
Antalya - Turkey
About Antalya :
Situated on a steep cliff over the Mediterranean, Antalya is a picturesque city surrounded by mountains. Developments in tourism, starting in the 1970s, have transformed the city into an international resort. With its airport and central location, Antalya is "the capital of Turkish tourism", a gateway for the Turkish riviera and many historical sites. Furthermore with its palm-lined boulevards, its prize-winning marina, preserved historical neighborhood of Kaleiçi, and the modern developments along the coast, the city of Antalya is a major attraction in its own right. Antalya and its surroundings are a very important part of Turkish tourism. In 150 BC Attalos II, king of Pergamom, founded the city of Attalia (present day Antalya) to base his powerful naval fleet. The city grew and prospered in the Ancient Roman and Byzantine periods. Christianity started to spread in the region after the 2nd century. Antalya was visited by Paul of Tarsus, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:25-26), where Antalya is referred to as Attalia. St. Paul and St. Barnabas went to Antalya and sailed from there to Antioch after preaching in Pisidia and Pamphylia. The city later became a naval base for the Christian Crusades against the Muslims in the Levant and in Cyprus. By the second half of the 17th century Evliya Çelebi gathered the records of narrow streets. (Containing 3,000 houses in twenty Turkish and four Greek neighborhoods.) The town had grown beyond the city walls and the port could hold up to 200 boats. In the 18th century, its lord was the family of Tekke Oglu, resided near Perge, though reduced to obedience in 1812 by Mahmud II. He continued to be a rival power to the Ottoman governor until the present generation, surviving by many years the fall of the other great Beys of Anatolia. The records of the Levant (Turkey) Company, which maintained an agency here till 1825, contain information as to the local Dere Beys. In the 19th century the population of Antalya increased as Turks from the Caucasus and the Balkans moved into Anatolia. By 1911 it was a city of about 25,000 people, including many Christians and Jews, still living in separate quarters. The port was served by coasting steamers of the local companies only. Antalya (then Adalia) was an extremely picturesque, but poorly constructed and reserved place. The main attraction in the city is the city wall, outside of which runs a lovely, clean boulvarde which survives to this day. The government offices and the houses of the upper class were outside the city wall. The population of the city today is 2,4 million (2007). Antalya is an attractive city, at an altitude of only about 50 meters. The picturesque old quarter called Kaleiçi which has narrow, winding streets and charming wooden houses next to the city walls is one of the main attractions.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.antalya.com/
Friday, February 11, 2011
Axis of the "it's up to you"
...And as we like to say, the time is coming; always "the time is coming", bold as love, magical like a Spanish castle magic, coming anyways, to show in futurition the things that "shall be", to show me the wars I survived, and how we learn to forget, and to re-remember.
We are basically the same, always, we turn and turn in circles, we avoid ourselves, our selves, but deep inside we are the same, in the end, and essentially.
Sometimes I feel really sad, I'd like to re-capture that emotion, exactly that feel, that vein.
Maybe we just have to go on, hard like iron statues, forgetting about everything, about every thing.
Especially pitiful is when what we forget, it's something that essentially we love, something genuine.
Maybe our road has to be paved with all these oblivions, like a deaf, dumb street: not really the one we want to walk, the life, our mind vs. our feel...ain't hard to realize that our feel always loses.
That our life always loses.
We are basically the same, always, we turn and turn in circles, we avoid ourselves, our selves, but deep inside we are the same, in the end, and essentially.
Sometimes I feel really sad, I'd like to re-capture that emotion, exactly that feel, that vein.
Maybe we just have to go on, hard like iron statues, forgetting about everything, about every thing.
Especially pitiful is when what we forget, it's something that essentially we love, something genuine.
Maybe our road has to be paved with all these oblivions, like a deaf, dumb street: not really the one we want to walk, the life, our mind vs. our feel...ain't hard to realize that our feel always loses.
That our life always loses.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Saint Lucia - Commonwealth
About Saint Lucia :
Since 1979 Saint Lucia (Island - Country in Caribbean Sea) has been a stable independent democracy within the British Commonwealth. But after a few days on the island you'll discover influences and nuances hinting at its colourful past. Saint Lucia was first inhabited by the peaceful Arawak Indians, but they were conquered by their old enemies, the fierce Caribs. Columbus navigator was the first European to discover Saint Lucia in 1499. Then the British came and in 1667 the French arrived. Saint Lucia was alternately British and French for the next 150 years, before it was finally ceded to the British in 1814. The war has left fortresses and relics behind. For example, Pigeon Island National Park and Fort Rodney. From the former British officers' mess, it is easy to imagine the cannons firing at French warships as they tried to slip past the fortified hilltop… You can also visit Morne Fortune, a site of a key battle, and Marigot Bay, once a vital wartime base and now a beautiful yacht haven. Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths, built by the French king, Louis XVI, to refresh and heal his troops stationed on Saint Lucia, are fascinating. As is historic Soufriere, the old French capital. The first European to settle was Francois Le Clerc, known as Jambe de Bois or Wooden Leg. He was a pirate who settled himself up on Pigeon Island. From there he attached passing Spanish ships. The Dutch established a base at Vieux Fort around 1600. The English first landed in 1605, having been blown off course on their way to Guyana aboard their vessel, the Olive Branch. Sixty-seven settlers landed and purchased huts from the Caribs. Once month later only 19 were left and these were forced to flee from the Caribs in a canoe. A second futile attempt at colonization by the British was by Sir Thomas Warner in 1639. The French arrived in 1651 when two representatives of the French West India Company bought the island. Eight years later, ownership disputes between the French and the English ignited hostilities that should endure for 150 years. During this time, the island changed hands fourteen times and was finally ceded to the British in 1814. Wars between the English and the French prevented the growth of large plantations and the sugar industry suffered heavily with the abolition of slavery in 1838. The industry finally died in the 1960’s. In 1838, Saint Lucia joined the Windward islands with its seat of government in Barbados. In 1842, English became the island’s official language. In 1863, the first steamship laden with coal called at Castries and the port soon became a major coaling station. The first shipment of indentured Indian labourers arrived in 1882 to help bail out the Agricultural industry. They continued to arrive over the next 30 years and many decided to settle here. In 1960, the island enacted a new constitution with the appointment of the first Ministers of Government. This constitution expired in 1967 when England granted the island full self-government. Saint Lucia became completely independent from England on February 22 1979. About 150,000 people with 60,000 living in its capital, Castries, inhabit Saint Lucia. Although it is a full independent nation, it remains a member of the British Common wealth. Saint Lucia is also the birthplace of two Nobel Laureates (who by remarkable coincidence were both born on January 23). The late Sir W. Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1979, and poet Derek Walcott won the 1992 Nobel Prize for literature.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.stlucia.org/
Chichen Itza - Mexico
About Chichen Itza :
Chichen Itza, meaning “at the mouth of the Itza well”, is a Mayan City on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, between Valladolid and Merida. It was established before the period of Christopher Colombus and probably served as the religion center of Yucatan for a while. Apart from one of the new seven wonders of the world; The Kukulkan Pyramid. The Maya originated around 3,000 years ago in present-day Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Mexico. The Mayan empire flourished in the southern regions from around 250 AD to 900 AD. The empire in the south collapsed around 900 AD. No one knows the reason. Scholars have suggested, among other reasons, disease, political upheaval, overpopulation or drought. But while the empire in the south waned, that in the north, especially in the Yucatan, flourished until the Spanish conquests of the 16th century AD. The Maya were very skilled farmers and also created a very sophisticated written language; some think it might have been the first written language native to the Americans. The Kukulkan Pyramid, is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, in the Yucatan State; Mexico, between Merida and Valladolid and is only 120 km from Merida. Chichen Itza was one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Peninsula of Yucatan. Throughout its nearly 1,000 years history, different peoples have left their mark on this city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their artistic works and stone monuments. Several buildings have survived. In the northern region of the Yucatan peninsula, on a limestone plateau lie the relics of Chichen Itza, once one of the most powerful cities of the Maya. Ruins of the temples of this ancient civilization spread from the Guatemala jungles to the Yucatan. Today, Chichen Itza attracts millions of visitors who come to marvel at the spectacular remains and its it is the second most visited site of Mexico.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.chichenitza.com/
Belvedere - Austria
About Belvedere :
The extensive Belvedere complex consists of two magnificent Baroque palaces the Upper and Lower Belvedere, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The buildings are set in a stunning Baroque park landscape in the 3rd district of Vienna, south-east of the city centre. Complex were built in the 18th century as the summer residence for the important general Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736). He chose one of the most outstanding Baroque architects Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt (1668-1745). The palaces with their extensive gardens are considered to be one of the world’s finest Baroque landmarks. Momentous events have taken place in the Upper Belvedere’s Marble Hall and from here there is a spectacular view of Vienna. The Upper Belvedere houses the impressive collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. At the heart of the displays of "art around 1900" is the world’s largest Gustav Klimt collection. The glittering highlights are Klimt’s golden pictures The Kiss and Judith I, and masterpieces by Schiele and Kokoschka. Prominent works by the French Impressionists and the outstanding collection of Viennese Biedermeier paintings are further attractions at the Upper Belvedere. In 1714 the Austrian general Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736) commissioned the architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt (1668-1745) to build the Lower Belvedere. The palace was completed just two years later in 1716. Today, the former living quarters and staterooms of this Baroque summer residence are still an impressive sight. Attractions include the Marble Hall, adorned with frescos by Martino Altomonte (1659-1745), the state bedroom, Hall of Grotesques and the Marble Gallery. The Lower Belvedere also incorporates the orangery and palace stables, formerly used for the prince's horses.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.belvedere.at/
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Golden Gate Bridge - USA
About The Golden Gate Bridge :
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County. The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1937, and has become one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and of the United States. The Golden Gate Bridge has always been painted orange vermilion, deemed "International Orange." Rejecting carbon black and steel gray, Consulting Architect Irving Morrow selected the distinctive orange color because it blends well with the span's natural setting as it is a warm color consistent with the warm colors of the land masses in the setting as distinct from the cool colors of the sky and sea. It also provides enhanced visibility for passing ships. If the U.S. Navy had its way, the Bridge might have been painted black and yellow stripes to assure even greater visibility for passing ships. Many people ask how to obtain International Orange Paint - it's easy-your paint store can mix it with the following information: The PMS code is 173 or the CMYK colors are: C= Cyan: 0%, M =Magenta: 69%, Y =Yellow: 100%, K = Black: 6% . Construction began on January 5, 1933. The project cost more than $35 million. The Golden Gate Bridge construction project was carried out by the McClintic-Marshall Construction Co., founded by Howard H. McClintic and Charles D. Marshall, both of Lehigh University.[citation needed] Strauss remained head of the project, overseeing day-to-day construction and making some groundbreaking contributions. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, he placed a brick from his alma mater's demolished McMicken Hall in the south anchorage before the concrete was poured. He innovated the use of movable safety netting beneath the construction site, which saved the lives of many otherwise-unprotected steelworkers. Of eleven men killed from falls during construction, ten were killed (when the bridge was near completion) when the net failed under the stress of a scaffold that had fallen. Nineteen others who were saved by the net over the course of construction became proud members of the (informal) Halfway to Hell Club. The project was finished by April 1937, $1.3 million under budget.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.goldengatebridge.org/
Loch Ness - United Kingdom
About Loch Ness :
Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland is one of the most popular UK holiday destinations. We provide a wide selection of quality accommodation in Inverness and on the shores of Loch Ness - cottages, hotels, bed and breakfast and lots of things to see and do for a great family holiday - castles, golf, fishing, hiking and activity holidays all within easy reach of Scotland's fastest growing city Inverness. The central location of Loch Ness makes it the perfect destination for holidays in the Scottish Highlands. At the loch itself, of course, there? Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, also known as "Nessie". No holiday in Scotland is complete without a visit to Loch Ness. Over 20 miles long, a mile wide and 700 feet at its deepest, Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland by volume. The surrounding area is filled with historic attractions, natural wonders, cosy places to stay, and superb eateries. The Loch Ness Monster is just one of the many myths and legends to be discovered in this particularly beautiful part of Scotland. See our interactive map, click and print walks around Loch Ness, heritage sites, visitor attractions and much more... Loch Ness is full of surprises! You can sit back and enjoy the landscape, explore the history of the area, visit the charming towns and villages like Fort Augustus, Foyers, Cannich, and Drumnadrochit, or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Take a leisurely walk along the shore at South Loch Ness or a bigger challenge like the 70 mile long Great Glen Way which traverses some of Scotland?s finest scenery, it is all here just waiting to be discovered by you. If you're planning a holiday in Scotland, or a visit to the UK from abroad you really should put Loch Ness at the top of your list of UK holiday destinations because it is really beautiful place.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.visitlochness.com/
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Leaning Tower of Pisa - Italy
About Leaning Tower of Pisa :
The City of Pisa played an important role in Italy's history. As a vital seaport and a major center of trade, many people visited the city. In the early days, Pisa was a popular resting place for pilgrims from Europe on their way to Jerusalem. The military fleet of Pisa was most successful. In 871 the fleet helped defend the Salerno from attackers, and it was Pisans that forced the Arab troops from the islands of Corsica and Sardinia in 1015. As their riches and influence increased, the city of Pisa, Italy, became more and more powerful. The island of Corsica came under Pisan control in 1077, and in 1113 so did the Balearic Islands near Spain. The Pisans enjoyed a time of great prosperit. In 1174, engineer Bonnano Pisano laid a marble foundation large enough to park about 16 Ferrari 328s in and started building the campanile for the cathedral and baptistry of Pisa.The Romanesque Tower of Pisa, comprising 14,000 tonnes of white marble, was completed 176 years later - but it was also embarrassingly crooked. Because there was a lot of water under the ground in this area, Bonnano was able to place the foundation only about 10 feet down into the ground. As the first story of the tower was completed, the south side began to sink. The builders tried to make it look better by building the columns and arches on the south side about an inch taller than those on the north side. However by the time they got to the fourth story, they had to make the southern columns 2 inches taller than the northern ones. The tower just continued to lean, and because of the difficulties the construction was stopped. In 1234, the architect Benenato discovered that the tower was leaning even more. Now the south side of the fourth story was a full 6 inches shorter than the north side. He added a fifth story, again making the south columns taller than the north ones. After adding that one story, Benenato gave up, and again construction on the tower stopped. Almost thirty years later, in 1260, William of Innsbruck added the sixth and seventh stories to the Tower of Pisa. In 1350 Tommaso Pisano started work on the eighth story of the tower, the bell chamber. He found that the tower was still sinking, and so he made the spiral stairs inside the tower and the wall of the bell chamber higher on the south side than on the north. The tower was finally completed in 1372, almost 200 years after it was begun, and it was still leaning. Today you can visit Tower of Pisa in which is located in the city of Pisa, Italy. Pisa a seaport in the Tuscany, a region situated in the western part of Italy.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.towerofpisa.info/
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.towerofpisa.info/
Avala Tower - Serbia
About Avala Tower :
Avala Tower is located in Avala , near Belgrade . When they built it, Avala Tower was the tallest building in Belgrade and Serbia . It was one of the finest television repeaters in Europe and the world. Avala Tower was designed by architects Uglješa Bogunovic and Slobodan Janjic. The constructor was academic engineer Milan Krstić. Avala Tower was being designed from 1959 to 1961. The construction of the tower lasted from 1961 to 1965. Avala Tower was 202.87 meters high. It weighed 4,000 tons. At the height between 102 to 135 meters there was glazed space, where visitors could go up by one of two express elevators. At the height of 118 meters was a restaurant, which closed in 1970. The technical solution for the Avala Tower, was very interesting. The base of the tower was placed on "three legs" that form equilateral triangles. It also called "The Serbian tripod". At that time, it was the only one, while today in the world there are a few towers that are based on this principle. Avala Tower was one of the main objectives of the NATO aggression. Avala was bombed several times and it was destroyed on April 29, 1999. It was one of the most powerful explosions, which had ever been heard before in Belgrade . From 29 April 1999 to 11 of September 2001, Avala Tower was the highest destroyed building in the world. On the second place was the Singer Building (187 feet high, collapsed in 1968) . In 2004, Radio Television Serbia commenced a series of fund-raising events in order to collect money to construct the building once again at the same place it was destroyed. In 2005, clearing of the site where the tower was destroyed began and on 21 December 2006 the construction of a new Avala Tower commenced. New Avala Tower was finish and opened again in 2010 and since then a lot of tourists come to see this place.
MORE INFORMATIONS : www.belgradevisit.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
Stonehenge - United Kingdom
About Stonehenge :
Stonehenge is probably the most important prehistoric monument in the whole of Britain and has attracted visitors from earliest times. It stands as a timeless monument to the people who built it. Stonehenge was produced by a culture that left no written records. Many aspects of Stonehenge remain subject to debate. This multiplicity of theories, some of them very colourful, are often called the "mystery of Stonehenge". There is little or no direct evidence for the construction techniques used by the Stonehenge builders. Over the years, various authors have suggested that supernatural or anachronistic methods were used, usually asserting that the stones were impossible to move otherwise. Professor Mike Parker Pearson, head of the Stonehenge Riverside Project, has suggested that Stonehenge was part of a ritual landscape and was joined to Durrington Walls by their corresponding avenues and the River Avon. He suggests that the area around Durrington Walls Henge was a place of the living, whilst Stonehenge was a domain of the dead. The stonehenge that we see today is the final stage that was completed about 3500 years ago, but first let us look back 5000 years. The first Stonehenge was a large earthwork or Henge, comprising a ditch, bank, and the Aubrey holes, all probably built around 3100 BC. The Aubrey holes are round pits in the chalk, about one metre wide and deep, with steep sides and flat bottoms. They form a circle about 284 feet in diameter. Excavations have revealed cremated human bones in some of the chalk filling, but the holes themselves were probably made, not for the purpose of graves, but as part of the religious ceremony. Shortly after this stage Stonehenge was abandoned, left untouched for over 1000 years. The second and most dramatic stage of Stonehenge started around 2150 BC. Some 82 bluestones from the Preseli mountains, in south-west Wales were transported to the site. It is thought these stones, some weighing 4 tonnes each were dragged on rollers and sledges to the headwaters on Milford Haven and then loaded onto rafts. They were carried by water along the south coast of Wales and up the rivers Avon and Frome, before being dragged overland again to near Warminster in Wiltshire. The final stage of the journey was mainly by water, down the river Wylye to Salisbury, then the Salisbury Avon to west Amesbury. The third stage of Stonehenge, about 2000 BC, saw the arrival of the Sarsen stones, which were almost certainly brought from the Marlborough Downs near Avebury, in north Wiltshire, about 25 miles north of Stonehenge. The largest of the Sarsen stones transported to Stonehenge weigh 50 tonnes and transportation by water would have been impossible, the stones could only have been moved using sledges and ropes. The final stage took place soon after 1500 BC when the bluestones were rearranged in the horseshoe and circle that we see today. The original number of stones in the bluestone circle was probably around 60, these have long since been removed or broken up. Some remain only as stumps below ground level.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/
Arabba - Italy
About Arabba :
Arabba is a tiny village in the Ladin-speaking part of the Dolomites. Just over the border from its partners in the Sella Ronda, Arabba is actually part of the Veneto region of Italy (the other ski villages are part of the province of the South Tyrol). Arabba has had a small following of die-hard enthusiasts for many years, but too many skiers pass through the village rushing around the Sella Ronda circuit or on their way to the Marmolada and fail to appreciate the charms of this small settlement at 1600m. Unlike many ski resorts in the high mountains, Arabba doesn't have a long history of farming or mining. In fact, according to the local tourist office, it is hard to find any details of the settlement before the late 1600s (when the local church was built). It may well be that this area was only a summer pasture and the danger of avalanches and the amount of snow which settled in the area stopped people moving there for the whole year around.The main settlement was the village further down the valley, the tongue-twisting Livinallongo del Col di Lana, where achaeological finds reveal traces of inhabitants back over 10,000 years. In the Middle Ages, the area was ruled from the spectacular Andraz castle, situated on a rock promontory in the valley. Nowadays, with good protection on the high mountains, the altitude and the quantity of snow collected in a mainly shaded location are plus points for attracting skiers to the village. Arabba is surrounded by mountain passes or ridges, which in winter provide access to other ski areas (as well as spectacular drives in two cases). The Passo Pordoi is linked by lift to the area above the resort of Canazei; the Passo Campolongo is the high area between Arabba and the Alta Badia and Corvara; and the Passo Pordon links the skiing to the Marmolada area and the settlement of Malga Ciepela. The Portavescovo ridge is an outlying part of the Marmolada massif and provides shade as well as some of the best skiing in the Sella Ronda resorts. The village itself is a charming one, with much use of wood as in the Tyrol (the Dolomites were actually under Austrian control until the end of the First World War) and easy access to the lifts and runs from most accommodation. Some controlled development is taking place on the road up to the Passo Pordoi. Visitors should not expect a rocking nightlife or an après-ski hangout, but a traditional Italian mountain village with some excellent skiing.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.skiarabba.com/
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.skiarabba.com/
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
About Dubai :
Dubai is located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the south west corner of the Arabian Gulf. It is extremely well known for its warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage, and the Emirati people are welcoming and generous in their approach to visitors. With year-round sunshine, intriguing deserts, beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels and shopping malls, fascinating heritage attractions and a thriving business community, Dubai receives millions of leisure and business visitors each year from around the world. The local currency is the dirham, which is pegged at AED 3.67 to 1 US dollar. Dubai is tolerant and cosmopolitan and all visitors are welcome. However, Islam is a way of life in the city, and therefore tourists should adopt a certain level of cultural and religious sensitivity for the duration of their stay. By the turn of the 20th century Dubai was a successful port. The souk (Arabic for market) on the Deira side of the creek was the largest on the coast with 350 shops and a steady throng of visitors and businessmen. By the 1930s Dubai's population was nearly 20,000, a quarter of whom were expatriates. In the 1950s the creek began to silt, a result perhaps of the increasing number of ships that used it. The late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, decided to have the waterway dredged. It was an ambitious, costly, and visionary project. The move resulted in increased volumes of cargo handling in Dubai. Ultimately it strengthened Dubai's position as a major trading and re-export hub. When oil was discovered in 1966, Sheikh Rashid utilized the oil revenues to spur infrastructure development in Dubai. Schools, hospitals, roads, a modern telecommunications network … In the 1980s and early 1990s, Dubai took a strategic decision to emerge as a major international-quality tourism destination. Investments in tourism infrastructure have paid off handsomely over the years. Dubai is now a city that boasts unmatchable hotels, remarkable architecture and world-class entertainment and sporting events. The beautiful Burj Al Arab hotel presiding over the coastline of Jumeira beach is the world's only hotel with a seven star rating. The Emirates Towers are one of the many structures that remind us of the commercial confidence in a city that expands at a remarkable rate. Standing 350 meters high, the office tower is the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe. Dubai also hosts major international sporting events.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Eiffel Tower - France
About The Eiffel Tower :
The Eiffel Tower, an immense stucture of exposed latticework supports made of puddle iron, was erected for the Paris Exposition of 1889. The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of England) officiated at the ceremonial opening. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, one was unanimously chosen, a radical creation from the French structural engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (b. Dec. 15, 1832, d. Dec. 28, 1923), who was assisted in the design by engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, and architect Stephen Sauvestre. Built to celebrate the science and engineering achievements of its age, soaring 300m / 984 ft. (320.75m / 1,052 ft. including antenna) and weighing 7000 tons, the structure consists of two visibly distinct parts: a base composed of a platform resting on four separate supports (called pylons or bents) and, above this, a slender tower created as the bents taper upward, rising above a second platform to merge in a unified column. This unprecedented work, the tallest structure in the world until the Empire State Building was built about 40 years later, had several antecedents. Eiffel Tower have a three levels and third level are on 276.13 meters (905 feet, 11 inches) which is great for panoramic image of the Paris. During its lifetime, the Eiffel Tower has witnessed a few strange scenes, including being scaled by a mountaineer in 1954, and two Englishmen parachuting off it in 1984. In 1923, the journalist Pierre Labric (who was later to become mayor of Montmartre) rode a bicycle down from the first level; some accounts say he rode down the stairs, others suggest the exterior of one of the tower's four legs which slope outward. The Eiffel Tower is owned by the City of Paris, which has subcontracted its maintenance and daily operations since 2005 to SETE (Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), a public utility. More than 500 people bring the Eiffel Tower to life each day. About one half are employed by SETE, the others are concessionaires (souvenir boutiques, restaurants, telescope operations, ATMs, behind-the-scene tours) and civil service employees (police, fire personnel, post office, weather). Today, the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of the French and and you can see how many tourists have their pictures taken next to him...
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.discoverfrance.net/
La Isla de la Munecas - Mexico
About La Isla de la Munecas :
Known as “La Isla de la Munecas”, The Island of the Dolls is perhaps one of the most visited tourist attraction in Mexico and one of the scariest places in the world. Located within an extensive network of canals, south of Mexico City, the island is a place of mystery and superstition. Almost every tree growing on the island is decorated with old, mutilated dolls that give anyone the feeling that they’re constantly being watched. The story behind the Island of the Dolls began when a hermit by the name of Don Julian Santana moved here. Although he was married he chose to live the last 50 years of his life alone. Don Julian used to say he was haunted by the ghost of the little girl who had drowned in one of the canals around the island. Some say he used to fish the dolls from the water because he though they were real children, but the truth is he was collecting and placing them around his home as a shrine for the spirit that tormented him. At one point he even traded home grown fruit and vegetables for old dolls. Ironically, in 2001 Don Julian Santana was found dead by his nephew, in the same canal that he said the little girl drowned in. Now his Island of the Dolls is one of the world’s weirdest tourist attractions. Some tourists who visited this place claim the dolls whisper and you must offer them a gift upon setting foot on the island, to appease their spirits.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.odditycentral.com/
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Coliseum - Italy
About Coliseum :
The celebrated prophecy of this English monk reflects how the medieval world admired, that which, even today, is considered to be the symbol of the Roman empire. Originally named 'Anfiteatro Flavio' (the name'Coliseum' was a Barbarian addition), it was commissioned by Vespasian in 72 A.D. and inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. Additions were made a few years later by Domitian. Elliptical in shape, it measures 188 meters by 156 meters, with a height of 56 meters. Its 76 entrances made it possible for 5000 people per minute, to enter or exit. With a capacity of 50,000, in the case of an emergency, the entire amphitheatre could be evacuated in a matter of 10 minutes. Built from brick and concrete, the exteriors were faced in travertine and the interiors, in marble. Set on three levels of arcades, each one in a distinct style, from bottom to top: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. The arcade is topped by a wall, imbedded with half Corinthian columns and window openings, followed by another arcade topped with cornices that at one time held the pillars which supported the huge 'Velario' or series of awnings, which protected the spectators from the sun. The 'cavea' (spectators)bleachers were set on three different levels: the 'podium' with the imperial box, which was reserved for the nobles; the 'ordine del mezzo', for Roman citizens and people of a certain standing; and the 'summa', which was for the rest of the populous. Gladiatorial combat was outlawed in 404 A.D., however, ferocious animal fights continued until the 6th century. The structure, having undergone damage numerous times by earthquakes (1231, 1255, 1349), became little more than a rubble heap, with its materials repeatedly being used for the building of fortresses, churches and palaces. Finally, it was saved by Pope Benedict XIV, when, in 1750, he declaired: "This is a holy place, where Christian martyrs' blood was shed.." Today Coliseum was one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Lots of tourists come in Rome just to see this amazing structure.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.rome-guide.it/
Sharm el-Sheikh - Egypt
About Sharm el-Sheikh :
The simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom. Four miles south the southern section of the town stands on a cliff overlooking the port. and is a great view. Na'ama Beach is one of the center of the tourist activities. Located just north of Sharm, this area is developing into a resort town of its own. Most hotels at Na'ama Bay have their own, private beaches with comfortable amenities such as chairs, shades and even bars. Shark's Bay is also nearby, and again is a growing resort community with more and more to offer, along with several diving centers. The small harbor known as Sharm el-Moiya is located next to the civil harbor, has accommodations for boats, and includes a Yacht Club with rooms. For those who live to shop, the Sharm El-Sheikh mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books. It has been said that this is a must visit for all diving enthusiasts. There are many diving sites along the 10 mile beach between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Nusrani.
MORE INFORMATIONS : http://www.touregypt.net/sharm/
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
co-mingled elements ...
Earth and Air, solid and gaseous, interwoven particles everpresent
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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