Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of watching the latest Robin Hood movie, with Russell Crowe.
So naturally, I thought I would share some of the true geography of the legend, which many believe is based on a real man. The first on our "tour" is the Major Oak, where Robin was said to have hidden from the sherriff of nottingham countless times. The tree is large enough inside to fit twelve adults and is located in the Sherwood Forest. A huge musical festival is held there, "Rothbury", each year.
Robin Hood's well, located in Newstead Abbey, within the boundaries of the forest is picture below:
The church where Robin Hood and Maid Marion were said to have wed still stands today in Edwinstowe. Below is a picture of the church from the outside and the inside as well as a link for specifics on Edwinstowe, which has plenty to offer for the true Robin Hood lover.
After seeing the change in size of the Aral Sea and listening to how it happened, I was quite sad to see this environmental tragedy. The plan to restore the sea has stabalized the northern part of the sea, and even expanded it, although the expansion has damaged the level of salinity and therefore the types of fish that can call it home. Introduced carp and flounder are now being caught by fishermen who are willing to drive the 25 extra miles to reach what is now the seashore from the where the old seaport was located. The sea is not without hope, but those hopes are for the long term development. People have lost their livelihood and it seems to be the government who made poor, cheap choices who are to blame for this environmental disaster.
(If this is too hard to read, try looking at this picture at the following:
Perhaps the most interesting part to me, is what the land that was once underwater looks like. I've always been one to be fascinated by things that used to be and how they look now that some circumstance has changed them. Ghost towns, shipwrecks, and any abandoned place is likely to be on my list of places I'd like to see before I die.
Here are some of the images of the former Aral Sea that I enjoyed:
These are both photographs of abandoned ships.
This was the airport terminal, now overgrown and abandoned. Fishing merchants used to fly in and out frequently to the seaport of Muynak. Clearly, there is no need for these visits now and the airport closed.
Salt crystals formed here. As the sea evaporates, the salinity level increases and the saltier the Aral Sea becomes. When it evaporated further, these crystals were left behind.
This was a dock installed by an oil company exploring for oil. As you can see, much of the dock is now above water.
And finally, what was once the fourth largest inland sea is now in large part a desert inhabited by fellows like in the photo above: Although quite cute in my opinion, a fish he most certainly is not.
The Panama Canal was built between the years of 1904 and 1914 to connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. 48 miles in length, this was the second attempt to build such a canal- costing over 5,000 deaths from disease and injury. The first attempt, by the French, in the 1880's cost nearly 22,000 people their lives mostly due to deaths from malaria and yellow fever. The video below is really neat, it is a time-lapse journey through the canal, and shows how the locks operate. Pay attention to the end of the video for the amazing Bridge of the Americas that is sort of a finish line that symbolizes you have reached the Pacific Ocean.
Some of the more interesting things I have read about the Panama Canal are the tolls.
Length of vessel Toll
Up to 15.240 meters (50 ft) US$1,300
More than 15.240 meters (50 ft) up to 24.384 meters (80 ft) US$1,400
More than 24.384 meters (80 ft) up to 30.480 meters (100 ft) US$1,500
More than 30.480 meters (100 ft) US$2,400
Passenger vessels, like cruise ships, pay based on how many "berths" the ship has, or how many beds (and therefore people) could fit on the ship. The highest toll recorded was paid by the Disney Magic Cruise Ship in 2008. The cruise vessel paid $331,200!!
On the opposite end of the spectrum we have Richard Haliburton, an American adventurer, who paid just 36 cents to swim the passageway in 1928.
Currently with two sets of locks, the Panama Canal is expected to finish the construction of the third set of locks, costing over 5 billion dollars in 2015. This set of locks is being added due to increased volume of ships using the canal. It is not unusual for a ship that is not paying a priority price to have to wait in a seven day long line (or about 90 vessels) to get their turn to enter the canal.
A few different facebook friends of mine have started little mini debates on the topic of halloween and whether or not true Christians should celebrate the holiday. While everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion on any matter, I took the liberty of researching the origins of Halloween and how it is celebrated around the globe and wanted to share what I think are some pretty valid points.
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, with many places celebrating the entire month with related events. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints' Day, but is today largely a secular celebration. Basically, like most holidays, it has been so overcommericalized that many people don't even know where the holiday came from or why-just that it is a lot of fun.
The festival of Samhain celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes[2] regarded as the "Celtic New Year".[3]
The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home while harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm. In Scotland the spirits were impersonated by young men dressed in white with masked, veiled or blackened faces. Samhain was also a time to take stock of food supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. Bonfires played a large part in the festivities. All other fires were doused and each home lit their hearth from the bonfire. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames. Sometimes two bonfires would be built side-by-side, and people and their livestock would walk between them as a cleansing ritual.
Trick or treating came later, with children dressing up in costumes and going around neighborhoods to receive gifts of candy or money, with the "threat" of mischief if a treat wasn't provided. In some places, such as Ireland and Scotland, children still practice "guising", which is performing a little song, or skit to earn the treats. Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after monsters such as ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic archetypes such as ninjas and princesses. In my own experience, I rarely see ghosts, witches and other ghouls-instead, I see character after character. My own boys are being Leonardo, the TMNT, and SpeedRacer this year. Last year they were Shaggy and Scooby Doo, before that a boxer and a bear....you get the idea.
Halloween is not celebrated in all countries and regions of the world, and among those that do the traditions and importance of the celebration vary significantly. Celebration in the United States and Canada has had a significant impact on how the holiday is observed in other nations. This larger North American influence, particularly in iconic and commercial elements, has extended to places such as South America, Europe, to Japan under the auspices of the Japanese Biscuit Association, and other parts of East Asia.
Christians seem split down the middle on their views of Halloween. Roman Catholics view Halloween as having a connection to christianity and is even celebrated in many parochial schools, with parades where the kids can dress up in their costumes and have a party. Some other groups of Christians reject the holiday since they believe it endorses paganism and therefore shouldn't be recognized.
Kids dressing up in cute costumes, getting free candy, and having fun- purely evil, right? I think Halloween is like any other holiday- evolved so far from the roots it came from, that people understand it is just a good time and not to be taken seriously. After all, just because you are Christian and keep the Christ in Christmas doesn't mean you don't visit Santa at the mall and set out milk and cookies for him. It's ok to let kids use their imagination and be filled with wonder. As they grow up and began facing the realities of life, the simple pleasures of childhood will remain with them.
Our third little miracle, due in February, is another wonderful boy (which makes three boys!) and we have given him the name Archer Gregory (Gregory is for my FIL, who passed away in July of 2009.) Naturally, this got me thinking of famous arches around the world. What is remarkable is that no matter where you go in the world, in ancient civilizations as well as modern architectural masterpieces, the arch is a powerful symbol for truimph.
The Arc de Triomphe, in Paris France honors those who fought for France, especially during the Napoleonic wars. The names of generals are etched on the inside and tops of the arch and the tomb of the unknown soldier rests below the monument.
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, located in Paris as well, is positioned near the Louvre. It commemorates the Restoration of the Bourbons, after the fall of Napoleon.
Another famous European gate is the Siegestor or Victory Gate in Munich. It is located between the
university and the Ohmstrabe. It has three arches.
The Ottawa War Memorial, in Canada, is another example of an arch being used in a monument to express victory and truimph. In 2000, the Canadians added a tomb of the unknown soldier below it.
The Marble Arch, located in a corner of Hyde Park and the nearby Wellington Arch are excellent London examples of arches. Historically, only the royal family was allowed to pass through the Marble Arch. Both of these arches were built to honor Britain's victory over Napoleon.
Below is the arch built for the soldiers and sailors, and marks the entrance to Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
The National Memorial Arch is located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It honors the Continental Army.
Early Wednesday morning, 4 tornadoes created a path of destruction near Flagstaff, Arizona. This sparsely populated part of Arizona may see 4 tornadoes a year, but rarely sees clusters of tornadoes traveling together. This storm system, moving over the west caused other problems as well, particularly in Utah. Two teenagers were stuck by lightning outside of school Tuesday afternoon and airlifted to a hospital in Vegas.
The weather is coming from a low pressure system that had stationed itself over parts of California. Arizona was the hardest hit though. (although don't ask the teenagers stuck by lightning who they think was the hardest hit!) . On Tuesday, storms ripped out trees and broke windows in metropolitan Phoenix, flooded roadways, shut airports and dented cars and shattered windows with hail bigger than golf balls in some places. On Wednesday, semitrailers were sitting along the side of Interstate 40. High winds cast dozens of cars of a freight train off the tracks in Bellemont around 6:30 a.m. No one was injured and the cars did not contain any hazardous materials.
About thirty homes had to be evacuated due to damages sustained from the tornadoes.
I had never been to Centralia, but my Dad had told me about it years ago but wouldn't take me there since gases seeping out of the ground would not qualify him for the Father of the Year award that he wins each year. Since I've been an adult for ten years now, I finally decided I was going to go on Saturday. Armed with my copy of "Fire Underground- The Ongoing Tragedy of the Centralia Mine Fire" by David DeKok ( a birthday gift from my hubby- isn't he romantic??), my hubby, my best friend and his best friend we made the trip.
A brief background on the fire itself is necessary for someone who may not know about it. The fire started in May of 1962 when the town officials decided to burn the trash in a dump to clean it up for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Because the whole area is built over mine veins filled with anthracite, this particular dump was over a strip mine.... and the trash that burned went down an open "shaft" and into the mines below. Many controversial topics related to the town, the people in it and the PA government factor in to why the problem wasn't stopped before it became so big that a whole town was simply written off- but the main points are the town was covering up their mistake (thinking nobody would help them when they set the fire) and nobody was notified until the fire had already been burning for two months. Over the next fifteen years, several plans were voted on and set in motion but they always ran out of money before anything was completed. Finally, by the 1980's, people were given the choice to relocate- the United States spent $42 million dollars for the families who moved to neighboring towns to get away from the carbon monoxide seeping into their homes. Another interesting point about these homes is that many of them were involved in bootleg mining from their basements in previous decades-making it all too easy for the carbon monoxide to enter their homes.
After visiting Centralia for a few hours and feeling the effects of stinging eyes, headache and not being able to breathe as clearly, it's hard for me to understand why some families fought so long to stay. 7 families are still in residence...which I found so creepy to pass some of these homes because something is clearly not functioning in their brains! I could barely walk at one point from lack of air (apparently being 20 weeks pregnant makes me more susceptible to the gases...oops.) and people live their day in and day out for over 40 years since the fire has been burning? Amazing.
I got really excited when I saw this tree, the same picture is in my book! This is a sign that says Fire with an arrow towards an area filled with steam that a neighbor hung because he was tired of people knocking on his door and asking him :)
Gases seeping from the ground- smelled awful!
Took our flipflops off and stood barefoot here...the ground was so hot it was like being at the beach standing in the sand!
The old highway, this was my favorite. Loved seeing all the messages from people, some were vulgar but most were neat little quotes and pictures.
Why the highway had to be closed down and traffic rerouted around this portion. People like to throw sticks and trash in the crack because they smolder up nicely.
This used to be the main street through town- everything is gone. I would have liked to see more debris but things have been gone almost my whole life so there wasn't much evidence, besides overgrown sidewalks and an occasional stone wall here or there.
It was definitely worth seeing!
For more info on Centralia:
1) Read the book I mentioned earlier...it's fabulous!
2) Go there! (Yes, I'm encouraging people to go to an area with less than perfect oxygen parts in the air)
It's up in Columbia County, and you take the same exit (901-Minersville) that would take you to Knoebels
Today is my birthday, the big 2-8. For a little fun, I looked up different ways birthdays are celebrated around the world and wanted to include some of the things I found.
Children are not given homework or chores on their birthdays in Germany. On a child's birthday the house is decorated, the dining table or kitchen has a special wooden birthday wreath placed in it. The wreath contains small holes for candles and a holder in the center for the lifecandle. This a taller candle and is beautifully decorated. This candle is lit each year of a child's birthday until they reach the age of twelve. Germany is the first country to offically celebrate birthdays with a party.
In Holland, it is customary to decorate the chair at the dining table of the birthday boy/girl. Special birthdays (milestones as well as 5, 10, 15, 20 etc.) are called Crown Birthdays and bigger/better presents are given to honor the crown birthday. A birthday "party" is normally celebrated between 8 and 9 pm and coffee and drinks are served.
Hong Kong serves special noodles for lunch on a child's birthday. The noodles are extra long to symbolize a long life. This is also true in the Philippines, who also include balloons and pinatas. Blinking, colored lights are strung up outside the home of the person celebrating his/her birthday.
Picking someone up and flipping them upside down and bumping his head on the floor (the number of years = number of bumps) is done on a birthday in Ireland. On the 21st birthday, the celebrant is given his own set of keys to the house. This means the person is considered of age and may come and go as they please at any time.
Egyptian birthday parties have two cakes, sesame sticks and lots of fruit to symbolize life. Birthday parties are even held for one week old newborns with plenty of dancing and flowers.
In Ecuador a child may only receive a phone call or a card on their actual birthday as they celebrate their birthday on the day of the saint they are named after. Saints day parties are usually an afternoon tea party. The children are served raisin cake, fancy tea cookies, and hot chocolate. Like many spanish-influenced countries, the fifteenth birthday is especially important for a girl.
In honor of my wedding anniversary today, I did a little research into a different type of marriage.
The "arranged marriage", a western term meaning a marriage that is chosen by the two sets of parents. Contrary to some people's beliefs, arranged marriages aren't always a blind date at the altar. This does still happen in some cases, although it is the exception rather than the rule. Instead, as early as from birth, the parental pairs decide that their children will one day be joined in marriage and the intended couple meets each other several times before their wedding. Some cultures use a third party, usually an elderly women much respected for her wisdom, to make these love matches. In these cases, the couple usually doesn't officially meet until their wedding day-although they may be able to sneak glimpses.
Today, this type of marriage is practiced in Southeast Asia and parts of the Middle East. Globalization has played a part in helping Pakistani immigrants arrange marriages by using matchmaking websites to meet prospective spouses.
So how do parents, matchmakers and sometimes the children themselves (although parents have full veto power) choose a prospective spouse? Some of these factors in some order of priority may be taken into account for the purpose of matchmaking:
*Reputation of the family
*Vocation: For a groom, the profession of doctor, accountant, lawyer or engineer are traditionally valued as excellent spouse material. More recently, any profession commanding relatively high income is also given preference. Vocation is less important for a bride[citation needed] but it is not uncommon for two people of the same vocation to be matched. Some preferred vocations for a bride include the profession of teacher, doctor, or lawyer.
*Wealth: Families holding substantial assets may prefer to marry to another wealthy family.
*Religion: The religious and spiritual beliefs can play a large role in finding a suitable spouse.
*Pre-existing medical conditions
*Horoscope: Numerology and the positions of stars at birth is often used in Indian culture to predict the success of a particular match. This is sometimes expressed as a percentage, for example, a 70% match. Horoscope becomes a determining factor if one of the partners is Mângalik (lit., negatively influenced by Mars).
*Psychological compatibility (this factor became especially popular in the post-Soviet Russia and Ukraine, see e.g. Socionics)
*Diet: Vegetarianism or omnivore
*Height: Typically the groom should be taller than the bride.
*Age: Typically the groom should be older than the bride.
*Other factors: City of residence, education level, etc.
*Language: Language also is deemed to be an important criteria. The groom and the bride should have the same First language.
What's interesting to me is that these are the same factors that "normal" people use when they are seriously dating in hopes to find a spouse. Dating websites especially break it down in similar clinical categories because these factors are important in finding a compatible spouse.
So signing up for match.com is like hiring an elderly matchmaker to sort through the unacceptable and select you a suitable mate? It's actually pretty close, much closer than I had previously imagined.
This is a commercial that makes light of arranged marriages.
"The heavens may turn about the world as they will. They will find no city like Istanbul." - Nabi, seventeenth century Turkish poet.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, and in the top 25 largest urban areas in the world. It is the only city in the world that extends onto two different continents, both Europe and Asia. Some people call it "The Bridge between Europe and Asia."
Because of it's unique location, the city has amazing influences from both continents. The European Union even named it "The European Capital of Culture" for 2010. Today Istanbul counts more than 20 theatres, an opera, museums, numerous cinemas in which you can watch original movies with subtitles, and various bars and clubs. The traditional “Istanbul Summer” offers a lot of international film, theatre, music and jazz performances.
Part command centre for a massive military empire, part archetypal Eastern pleasure dome, the lavishly decorated Topkapı Palace was the seat of Ottoman power for over three centuries. At least half a day is needed to explore it; and given the high entrance fee you might want to take a full day to get your money’s worth. If you’re pushed for time, the must-see features are the Harem, Imperial Treasury and the views from the innermost courtyard.
2. Explore Byzantine wonders
Though off the beaten track, it would be a big mistake to overlook the Church of St Saviour in Chora. Known for its Byzantine splendour, it houses celebrated mosaics and frescoes that are arguably the most important surviving examples of art from that era. Ironically, this Christian art owes its excellent condition to the church’s conversion to Islam in the early 16th century.
3. Haggle for carpets at the Grand Bazaar
Serious shoppers should go armed with a notepad, a calculator and plenty of time when visiting the Grand Bazaar – three hours is about the minimum needed for a purchasing expedition. Choose your vendor from over 5,500 and prepare for an onslaught of courting and cajolements. Yörük is a highly recommended little carpet store while Pako (at No.87) stocks the city’s best handbags and purses. For coats and jackets, Kürkçüler Çarşisi is the area of choice. While beating down the price remember that the vendors pay their rent in gold – a hefty seven kilos a year for shops on the main avenue.
4. Ferry around the Bosphorus
A truly relaxing way of getting across one of the world’s busiest waterways is to take one of the half-hourly commuter ferry services up the Bosphorus from Eminönü. Alight ashore at Beşiktaş, Ortaköy and Bebek along the way to take in the lush parks, palaces and yalıs (waterside mansions).
5. Hang out under the bridge
It may not sound like an ideal way to spend an hour of your precious sightseeing time, but hanging out under the Galata Bridge is highly recommended. The bridge itself forms the vital link between the two sides of European Istanbul, while its lower deck – directly under the walkway – is home to restaurants, bars and tea-houses with ringside waterfront seating for boat watching and cheap beers.
6. Wonder at past glories
The third sacred building on the site to bear the name, the truly breathtaking Haghia Sophia was first a Byzantine church, then Ottoman mosque and now a Turkish museum. Today the mosaic walls and vaulted chambers merely hint at its former glory; the building is pretty shabby when compared with neighbouring mosques, but its historical relevance shines through.
7. Go loco for lokum
Don’t avoid Egyptian Bazaar because of its pushy traders hustling their oily perfumes, cheap gold and sachets of ‘Turkish Viagra’ or you'll miss out on its finer treats. Instead, make a beeline for Erzincanlılar (shop No.2), one of the finest delis in the world, known for its delicious honeycomb and hard Turkish cheese. Move on to Pinar (No.14) for excellent lokum (Turkish delight) and Antep Pazarı (No.50) for pistachios, nuts, honey-covered mulberries and dried figs stuffed with walnuts.
8. Walk the city walls
Constructed during the reign of Theodosius II (408-450), the walls of Constantinople are the largest Byzantine structure that survives in modern Istanbul. The walls encompass the old city in a great arc, stretching some 6.5 kilometers (four miles) from the Golden Horn to the Sea of Marmara. A triumph of engineering, the walls comprise inner and outer ramparts with a terrace in between. Although criticised by scholars for having been rebuilt with modern materials in recent years, the restored sections are undeniably impressive.
9. Get a bird's eye view
Originally named the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower was built in 1348 at the apex of fortified walls. After the Ottoman conquest, it was used to house prisoners of war and later became an observatory. In the 1960s, the tower was restored and a horrible cheesy restaurant and nightclub were added. Ignore both and ascend to the 360-degree viewing gallery, with commanding views of the entire sprawling metropolis
10. Tuck into Ottoman cuisine
Authentic Turkish food is a far cry from the greasy kebabs that are peddled abroad; prepare your palate for a heady mix of culinary influences. Asitane is a one-of-a-kind restaurant serving truly authentic Ottoman food. Expect lots of sweet and sour fruit and meat combos: try Kavun dolmasi, a melon stuffed with minced meat, rice, almonds and pistachios. Over at Rumeli, traditional dishes have been given a distinctly Mediterranean twist. Also try these: Hacı Abdullah, Sarniç, and Zarifi.
11. Go modern Turkish style
Housed in a former customs warehouse on the waterfront in Karaköy, the two-storey Istanbul Modern has a whopping 8,000 square metres of exhibition space. A shattered glass staircase hung from steel chains and an installation of books suspended over the library are two of the most popular exhibits amongst the cutting-edge, primarliy Turkish, art on display. The museum’s restaurant has proved a big hit in its own right with its stunning views across the Bosphorus to the minarets of Sultanahmet and out to the Marmara Sea
12. Be sultan for an hour or two
The Dolmabahçe Palace's white marble façade is striking when viewed from the water – but it’s trumped by the interior, the work of French decorator Sechan, who worked on the Paris Opera. Highlights include the 36-metre-high throne room with its four-tonne crystal chandelier (a gift from Queen Victoria), the alabaster baths and a 'crystal staircase' that wouldn't look out of place in Las Vegas. This historical building gives opulence a whole new meaning.
13. Make music in the meyhane
The British down pints in pubs, the French guzzle wine in brasseries, and the Greeks smash plates in tavernas. The Turks? They make merry in the meyhane, the age-old Istanbul version of a tapas bar, a place to indulge in meze, drink raki and sway to some fasıl folk music. Many joints work on waiter’s recommendations instead of menus and the city’s most famous meyhane district is the Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage), an elegant 19th century arcade located just off Istiklal Caddesi. We recommend Boncuk, which specialises in Armenian dishes and features live fasil music.
14. Take partying to new heights
The best way to see Istanbul is from above, as Istanbul’s nightlife impresarios have discovered – a revelation that has revolutionised dining and drinking in recent years. Rooftop bars and restaurants are springing up everywhere, desperately trying to outdo each other with the most sweeping skyline and exotic cocktail list. Beşinci Kat is a heady mix of art deco and kitsch while Leb-i-Derya Richmond is bright and airy with excellent food.
15. Get bubbly with the hubbly
Call it hookah or ‘hubbly-bubbly’, Turks have been smoking the narghile since the early 17th century. While all the rage in 19th and early 20th century high society, narghile smoking was relegated to a pastime of the peasantry in republican Istanbul. It’s made a 21st century comeback and the pedestrian strip by the American Pazari is lined with narghile cafes. The Enjoyer Café is the most touristy while Erenler Çay Bahçesi is more student-friendly. Try one even if you’re not a smoker, and if feeling truly intrepid go the whole hog and opt for a traditional Turkish coffee. Boiled in a miniature copper beaker and served in porcelain cups, it packs the kick of a double espresso.
16. Blow off some steam in a hamam
Paying a near-naked stranger to scrape, knead and pummel your flesh as you lie on a steamy slab of marble is one of Istanbul’s hedonistic highlights. Hamams were always intended to purify and are strongly linked to the Islamic tradition of ablutions – the strict set of rules for washing the hands, arms, face and feet with running water before praying. Stick to the tourist-savvy Çemberlitaş Hamamı, Cağaloğlu Hamamı and Galatasaray Hamamı, where although the menus are offered in Turkish it's always possible to explain yourself through frantic gesticulation.
17. Take a spin with the Whirling Dervishes
Sufi music is one of Turkey's best-known cultural exports but the Whirling Dervishes sect is technically outlawed and therefore rarely seen in the city. At the Galata Mevlevihanesi, the dervishes perform twice a month exclusively for tourists and thrice a week they can be caught in a bustling waiting room at Sirkeci train station.
18. Bling it up Bosphorus style
Turks have a highly evolved sense of nightlife and if you like your clubbing scene flashy, you’ll love the venues along the Bosphorus between Ortaköy and Kuruçeşme. Reina and Sortie are the superclubs of choice for the summer months, filled with, gaudy bling, swaggering playboys, C-list celebrities and anorexic gold-diggers. Anjelique is perhaps the most tasteful of the lot, while Blackk is the upmarket newcomer.
19. Bop to Turkish pop
Those fond of pouting Turkish pop idol Tarkan, will be pleased to know that he has inspired a new generation of musicians who fuse Western pop with traditional folk. Music venues are multiplying to accommodate them, and if their record labels have anything to do with it, global recognition is just around the corner. To find out about gigs, wander into the cafés and bookstores around Istiklal Caddesi and peruse the flyers.
20. Escape to the Princes’ Islands
Set in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul's Asian Shore, the Princes' Islands are where Istanbul’s mainly non-Muslim elite built their summerhouses and pleasure palaces. Today, they are one of the last places to offer a glimpse of the old ethnic mix of Istanbul in all its splendour: Greeks, Armenians and Jews still rub shoulders with Turks in the local squares, and churches are more numerous than mosques.
A lazy weekend watching numerous episodes of House Hunters International on HGTV highlighted an important issue that I hadn't really thought about until now. The lucky hunters were searching for a home in Melbourne, Australia- which at one time was the second largest city in the British Empire and the richest city in the world following a gold rush in the 1880's. A view of modern day Melbourne, which has been in a drought since 1997 is shown below:
With freshwater very limited, Australians have had to turn to rainwater collection systems. While obviously they do have systems in place to filter and purify water it is very expensive and not ideal for many families already feeling the pinch from a high cost of living. In June 2007, the Bracks Government announced that a $3.1 billion Wonthaggi desalination plant would be built on Victoria's south-east coast, capable of treating 150 billion litres of water per year as well as a 70 km (43 mi) pipeline from the Goulburn area in Victoria's north to Melbourne and a new water pipeline linking Melbourne and Geelong. Both projects are being conducted under controversial Public-Private Partnerships and a multitude of independent reports have found that neither project is required to supply water to the city.
Rainwater tanks hold potable water that can be used for cooking, cleaning, plumbing and drinking. The installation and initial costs to implement such a system are steep, but a far wiser investment as opposed to the other option of paying the high price for water from the private companies filtering the salt water on the coast.
So how much rain are these tanks able to collect? For every 1,000 square feet of roofing, 1 inch of rain is equal to 623 gallons of water. I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure these Aussies turn the water off while they are brushing their teeth!
Here is a video showcasing one brand of water tank available (try to ignore the dramatic song playing throughout the video):
If there was any way to experience dog sledding in the Yukon without actually being out in below freezing temperatures, I promise I would be first in line. Ever since reading "The Call of the Wild" in middle school, I have always had an interest in all things related to dog sledding. All things except snow of course. My grandparents also had a few siberian huskies, so that is the particular breed of dog I would have on my sledding team.
A popular place for dog sledding is the smallest territory of Canada, the Yukon. The Klondike Gold Rush brought many people to the area in 1897-1898, although the population today is still a mere 33,000 people in entire territory. In the northern part of the Yukon, above the Artic circle, there is three continuous months of daylight as well as three solid months of darkness. The Yukon Quest is a famous sledding race that runs over a thousand miles between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, the capital city of the Yukon territories.
Dog sledding isn't just for professionals. There are many packages and tours available where average people can embark on a sledding excursion. Whether you want a “Yukon Quest” style of expedition with winter camping, or return to cozy log cabins every evening after your dogsledding fun, our experienced Yukon adventure experts can help you find it. All you need is an abiding love for dogs, a willingness to learn a few new tricks, and an irresistible attraction to the Yukon's mythical winter.
So I thought I would follow up a blog about The Bermuda Triangle with a blog about the lost city of Atlantis, since there are many people who believe that Atlantis lies within that mysterious section of ocean. Atlantis was an island introduced in Plato's Timaeus and Critias. A powerful naval station, it allegedly sank into the ocean in about 9600 B.C. after failing to invade Athens. Atlantis was not taken seriously, until recently. Some modern people believe that Atlantis did exist and search relentlessly for clues as to just where the island disappeared into the ocean. Below is a video, showing a mysterious grid on the ocean floor near the Canary Island, proposed to be city streets of Atlantis. This was found using Google Earth.
I'm open to the idea of discovering lots of amazing civilizations that were mysteriously erased from history- but the year 9600 B.C. occurred so far in the past that what would make anyone believe there would be any traces left on the ocean floor?
Some people are more sure of the existence of Atlantis than scientists who have written it off as a silly legend, a man named Arysio Santos claims the reason people can't find it is they aren't looking in the correct place. He has also located the garden of Eden, the true location of Troy and even the Holy Land according to his book. If you have the tolerance to read subtitles, the following video showcases some interesting points.
I'm thinking of reading his book, because I definitely need to know more about where I can find these places. Santos died shortly after the release of his book, possibly silenced by aliens who feared he was revealing too much.
The Bermuda Triangle has been debated over and hypothesized about since the time of Christopher Columbus. Even in the 1400's, strange lights were reported in the area that we now call the Bermuda Triangle. Skeptics scoff at the existence of this phenomenal area citing reasons such as the fact that it is in an area known for hurricanes and other weather patterns for the disappearences dating back centuries. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are many people who would like to believe it is an alien influence; a "collection" area for extra-terrestrial life to catch their "guinea pigs" and take them off for further experimentation.
A more logical approach is taken by scientists, using the natural features of the triangle to find possible solutions to put the mystery to rest.
Exploring one of many theories about the Bermuda Triangle area, this video shows an experiment involving gas bubbles used to sink a boat. Methane gas bubbles are released from the ocean bed, rising to the surface and collecting in pockets where the water is calm. As the video shows, an unlucky vessel sailing into one of these bubble areas could soon find itself at the bottom of the ocean.
Could this be an explanation for missing ships in the Bermuda Triangle? Absolutely. Could these methane bubbles pull a plane from the sky? Or did someone forget to push the button down in the hatch?
Over the summer, I had the pleasure of reading another great novel by Lisa See called "Peony in Love." The book featured a protagonist obsessed with the famous Chinese opera, "Peony Pavillion." Without going into too much detail about the book or the opera itself, I will give a brief overview of the storyline. Often called the "Romeo and Juliet" of Chinese literature, the story features two star-crossed lovers who are not able to be together due to interference by parents and other problems. The lovesick girl starves herself to death because she cannot be with her true love.
From culture to culture, "Romeo and Juliet" tales have remained some of the most popular stories, told time and time again. The romanticism of preferring death over a life without your true love is a notion that many people hold close to their heart- most people long to feel THAT strongly about another person. From Pyramus and Thisbe to Salim and Anarkali to Tristan and Isolde, tragic love has been a central theme in literature and music for hundreds of years.
The opera is arguably the best known of its genre, most often performed over the course of three evenings for three hours each day. The elaborate costumes come from the Ming dynasty, with long flowing sleeves and feathered headdresses. The most interesting part about Chinese opera is the use of almost all females to play both male and female roles. Taking their opera very seriously, females were entrusted by society to portray these important characters. At the same time, other Chinese women were not even allowed out of their homes and compounds until they day they were married- only then to be confined in the home of their new husband.
Although it is not often that someone would be able to watch a Chinese Opera outside of China, there have been a few productions in New York and London in the last few years. The government of China must approve all components of the Chinese troupe performing so as not to embarrass China with inappropriate adaptations of the story.
Although, China is of course not the only country known for having wonderful operas; I find the costumes, music and dancing the most intriguing from this culture. Although a video is clearly not the same as the live production, I have had to make due with a recording until I someday get a chance to attend a performance. I recommend the opera or book to anyone, regardless of your own culture who believes in the existence of true love.
Since today is Labor Day, I thought it fitting to pay tribute to some laborers of the past. Twelve hundred years ago, a group of polynesian people who called themselves the Rapa Nui came in canoes to the island now known as Easter Island. Thus called because it was "discovered" on Easter Sunday, the island is located between Tahiti and Chile in the South Pacific. For reasons that are still being speculated about, the Rapa Nui began constucting giant statues constucted out of the volcanic rock on the island. Because this substance was soft and easily carved the statues multiplied and huge sections of the island were cleared as they labored to create more and more statues. The statues, called Moais, became something of an obsession and as the population on the island grew to an estimated 9,000, the natural resources on the island were dwindling. This was due to the clearing of land to make room for the Moais and to make paths for their transportation to other places on the island. It was also just a simple matter of too many people on a small island.
The movement of the Moais to their final resting places was sometimes as much as a fourteen mile trip. Speculation about just how this was done continues to this day, with some people even suggesting an extra terrestrial influence. Regardless of how it was completed, the fact that it was accomplished at all is amazing. The Rapa Nui reached their peak with an approximate 1,000 Moais dotting the coastline until their obsession turned on them and the collapse of their people began. With no trees left on the island, they ran out of resources and didn't even have any lumber to make boats to move on from the island they had destroyed by fixating on their creations. The Rapa Nui turned on each other, battling and destroying the homes they had created and smashing out the eyes of many Moais. Pictographs found in a cave in the south corner of the island called Ana Kai Tangata (translated to mean "cave where men are eaten") show ghost-like bird flying up into the sky, believed to be these souls escaping from the island only by death. Three hundred years after they had arrived, the 750 Rapa Nui remaining were left to pick up the pieces.
There is more to the story of Easter Island, but this marks the end of the statue laborers and therefore the end of this particular blog. For more information on what happened to the remaining people on the island, check out the links below.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and consequential vanishing of the nearby town of Pompeii is something that has always fascinated me, since seeing a documentary for it somewhere around the age of twelve. It's a little unsettling to think how suddenly an act of nature can just change your entire world, in this case ending it completely. Did they realize what was happening to them as they were buried alive by debris from the volcano? Maybe they did, or maybe there was no time- many of them were probably killed rather instantly. The ones trapped in their homes that died of inhalation and suffocation are the ones that bother me- much like natural disasters still befalling the Earth today. To just be unable to escape a private hell and know that these are your last moments is very much a fear of mine.
The technology we possess today can comfort people that an eruption of this type would not escape the watching eyes of volcanologists. At least, I hope that is true.
Pompeii is definitely a place I wish to see before I myself am covered in molten ash. The discovery in the late 1600's gave archaelogists revealing information about how everyday life was conducted in ancient Roman times. As tragic as the destruction of the inhabitants of Pompeii truly was, seeing time stand still in the preserved ruins is truly a gift from Vesuvius.
Obviously, this is not an accurate depiction of the amazing festival that is Diwali. I posted the video clip because it is what inspired me to learn more about Diwali- so we can all thank TBS and the many re-runs of The Office that it airs for broadening my horizons a wee bit.
Diwali is celebrated in both India and Nepal and is popularly known as the "festival of lights". A more spirtual translation would interpret as "the awareness of the inner light." People who celebrate Diwali believe that with this awareness will come love, compassion and higher knowledge of the universe which will bring inner joy and peace. Although different regions in India choose to alter the celebration a little, each region includes either neon lights, clay pots or candles to represent the inner light. The festival takes place over five days and is based on the lunar calendar.
Historically, there were many signifigant events which took place that are honored during the festival, including the return of Lord Rama after fourteen years of banishment. Rows of lamps were lit to welcome him home, as lanterns are still lit during each Diwali. It also celebebrates the slaying of an evil king Narakasura by Lord Krishna. Both of these victories represent the truimph of good over evil.
Besides a lot of lamps and traditional festive Indian garb, it marks the end of their business year and the beginning of a new fiscal year. This is to give businesses good luck in the coming year and also is the time to clear outstanding debts from the previous year.
Traditionally, people exchange sweets and gifts and spend time with their loved ones. Diwali is a time to bury the hatchet and start over fresh. A fresh start that hopefully, for them, lasts a whole lot longer than some other "new year" traditions celebrated a little closer to my home. Maybe that is what I've been missing about resolutions and new beginnings. It shouldn't be about losing those last ten pounds, quitting smoking, or vowing to go to church every week- it should literally wipe away the last year's trangressions and grudges.
In 2010, Diwali falls on November 5th. I don't think you have to be a certain religion to exercise the beliefs associated with this holiday- you just have to want to be a better person to achieve the higher knowledge associated with the awareness of your inner light. I think maybe I will try it. :)
My mind easily focuses on the place I've chosen for my first blog, since it was one of the stops we made on our honeymoon. It's always nice to be able to shamelessly squeeze in a reminiscent photo.
If you've never been to Natural Bridge, Virginia you should really make the trip. It's not very far and it is one of the most beautiful natural structures you can drive to for a day or weekend trip. The Natural bridge stands twenty stories tall and was created when a cavern below it collapsed a very long time ago. Native American lore claim that this collapse happened just in time for the Monacan tribe to escape across it from an enemy.
The bridge is wide enough that a state road actually travels across it. That is one strong rock to hold all of the weight associated with tractor trailers driving over it every single day for decades!
You should definitely bring your hiking boots if you visit-the trail, it can be quite tiresome. It winds down from a visitor center/ gift shop building to the Natural Bridge itself, then continues on to visit a replicate village of the Monacan tribe. There you can see all aspects of the everyday life of this culture, many of the people shown in this village are actual members of the Monacan Indian Nation of Virginia. Beyond that, the trail visits an abandoned mine (although you can't actually go in it, of course) and the beautiful Lace Waterfalls before looping back to the Natural Bridge.
It's really amazing to see something so old, where George Washington etched his name in the rock and many others have followed his lead. The natural beauty of this place will take your breath away, which is one of the reasons I chose to drag my husband there. I felt everyone should see it.
Unchanged for centuries (besides some wiring added for a dazzling light show and sound system), this place will really put you in your place- the immensity is humbling.
The area also has caverns, a wax museum, toy museum and other tourist attractions. The next time I get down that way, I will not miss Foam Henge. It's right down the road from Natural Bridge and yes, it's what it sounds like. (link below)
For more information on Natural Bridge and the attractions there:
