English Dialects in the US.

Did you know that communication breakdowns can occur as the result of language barriers within the same language?

I learned this first hand while hitchhiking through Europe (in college) and found my greatest communication problems took place while in England and Scotland. The farther north I went, the less I understood and eventually I resorted to simply nodding my head in agreement hoping it was the appropriate response. It always struck me that although France has many regional dialects, I never had difficulty understanding the message there while varying dialects in my mother tongue had me tongue tied.

When I returned to the states, my awareness of dialect differences within the US grew and I learned to fine-tune my listening skills as I worked throughout the United States. My goal was to be effective and I knew I had to adjust my perception of what constitutes the norm.

Here is a website created by an American linguist that proposes there are 8 dialects in the US and offers samples of each, dialect maps, dialect description charts and more. Yes, I find these things interesting.

Can you effectively communicate with those who speak these varying dialects?

http://aschmann.net/AmEng/

Gibraltar-A bit of the UK at the tip of Spain

As we pulled into this unique Mediterranean port with its imposing rock, we could see it faces Spain instead of the straight of Gibraltar. Although Gibraltar is a British Crown colony, geographically, it’s an isthmus of Spain—connected by strict customs houses. The history between the two nations’ claims includes Queen Isabella Spain willing it to Spain for life in 1540 and her descendent, Phillip V, handing it over to Britain in 1713. Over the years, Spain has attempted to retake Gibraltar—the strongest in a series of bloody sieges that began in 1779. During Franco’s regime, in 1969, he punished (Britain) Gibraltar by closing the border and cutting off telephone communication for 13 years. It seems The UK will never return Gibraltar to Spain because as recently as 2002, Gibraltar citizens voted to remain British—they FEEL British-not Spanish.

Here are some reflections and tidbits I learned:

Cable Car Ride Up The Rock
From atop the Gibraltar rock, we saw breathtaking views of Gibraltar, the straights, and you can see Morocco and Spain. There is such a thin line between Britain and Spain and the borderline is visible from atop the rock. Many Gibraltans cross the border to purchase lower priced groceries and household supplies.

Barbary Apes
A tail-less species of monkeys called the Barbary Macaques are the only free living wild monkeys in Europe. They are taken care of by the Gibraltar government and live throughout the nature preserve. There are numerous severe warnings posted guarding against feeding the apes; a 500 pound fine is imposed for such violations. They appear happy, fun-loving, and playful. We were also warned to guard our possessions as they like to grab objects.

Great Siege Tunnels
We toured the amazing man-made tunnels hewn out of rock with sledgehammers, gunpowder, and sheer muscle-power. The final additions were made during WWII serving as barracks, kitchens, and hospitals.

Gibraltar is very British.
The streets are lined with English-speaking pubs, fish and chips restaurants, helmeted bobbies, pillar boxes, and British department stores.

Gibraltar is multi-cultural
One of the main features of Gibraltar’s population is the diversity of their ethnic origins. The demographics of Gibraltar reflects Gibraltarians' racial and cultural fusion of the many European and other economic migrants who came to the Rock over three hundred years, after almost all of the Spanish population left in 1704.

The main ethnic groups, according to the origin of names in the electoral roll, are Britons (27%), Spanish (26%, mostly Andalusians but also some 2% of Minorcans), Genoese and other Italians (19%), Portuguese (11%), Maltese (8%), and Jews (3%). There is a large diversity of other groups such as Moroccans, Indians, French, Austrians, Chinese, Japanese, Polish and Danish.

The Gibraltar Census 2001 recorded the breakdown of nationalities in Gibraltar as being 83.22% Gibraltarian, 9.56% "Other British", 3.50% Moroccan, 1.19% Spanish and 1.00% "Other EU".

Residents hail from Gibraltar, The U.K., Spain, Morocco, Italy, India and many other nations. A tapestry of culturally diverse restaurants, bazaars, and neighbors are scattered throughout.

Olympia, Greece-site of the ancient Olympic Games

Today, our ship stopped in Katakolon, a small port located in southern Greece known for its proximity to the ancient site of Olympia—yes, THE Olympia where the ancient Olympics began in 776BC and lasted more than 1200 years. The games began as a tribute to Zeus and to celebrate character and balance of body and soul, as well as beauty and nobility.

At a time when incessant wars between city states were causing massive destruction and death, the King of Greece decided to call a truce and allow its best soldier athletes to fight on an athletic battlefield. Initially, the contests were divided into those in the nude and horseracing. The first nude races were footraces and gradually grew to include a pentathlon of sports of military skill in 706BC: javelin, discus thrower, jumping, wrestling, and foot racing. Later, boxing and chariot races were added.

Winners, who wore a wreath from the sacred olive tree, were transformed into virtual gods when they returned home, heralded as heroes for a lifetime. Strict rules governed participants requiring them to be Greek citizens, devoid of accusation of murder, and violation of game rules. In addition, judges, athletes’ trainers, and spectators followed a rigid set of requirements.
Women, who had their own competition before or after the games, were not allowed to be spectators.

We visited both the archeological site and the museum that houses artifacts excavated from the site.

The Archeological Site

Here we saw the gymnasiums, temples were prayers and sacrifices were offered, Olympic village, the race track, and more. We even took photos from the original footrace starting blocks.

Today, Olympic flame of the modern-day Olympic Games is lit by a reflection of the sunlight in a parabolic mirror at the restored stadium and then transported by torch to the place where the games are held. The first such torch was carried to Berlin in 1936. In 2012, the flame will be carried from this very spot to London.

The ancient Olympics ended 393AD when the Christian Emperor banned all form of pagan worship including these international games. Later, earthquakes, northern invaders, and flood damaged and eventually covered the site under 12 ft of silt. It is a wonder the site was excavated and rediscovered by a monomaniacal German archeological team beginning in 1875.

The modern Olympics were revived and were held for the 1st time in centuries in Athens in 1896 with 44 contests and 13 countries. Subsequent Olympics were held in Paris, St Louis, London, Stockholm, Antwerp, Amsterdam, LA, Helsinki, Melbourne, Rome, Tokyo, Mexico City, and so on.

The games were only stopped during WWI and WWII.

After we toured the site, we toured the impressive (nearby) archeological museum that houses hundreds of spectacular artifacts including statues, helmets, coins, terra cotta objects, and gold items.

Our visit ended with a stroll among the harbor front cafes and shops. Efharisto, parakalo, kalimera. I still remember a bit of Greek!

We had perfect sunny, cool weather for our tour with a knowledgeable, passionate, humorous guide.

I will certainly have special thoughts about the Olympics from now on………….

Photos are coming later!

Queen Victoria--Here I Come!!

In one week, I will fly to Venice to take a 16-day transatlantic crossing that will bring me back home to South Florida. After spending the night in Venice, onboard the ship, we will make ports of call in Gibraltar, Olympia (Greece), Funchal (Madeira), Bermuda, and Charleston, SC.

The ship is the elegant Queen Mary!

I look forward to spending time with fellow travelers from more than 50 countries.

Here is the itinerary:

Date Port Arrive Depart
Nov 20 Venice---overnight stay
Nov 21 Venice 9PM
Nov 22 At Sea
Nov 23 Olympia 8AM 5PM
Nov 24 At Sea
Nov 25 At Sea
Nov 26 Gibraltar 8AM 1:30PM
Nov 27 Funchal, Madeira 6PM arrive-overnight stay
Nov 28 Funchal, Madeira 6PM depart
Nov 29 At Sea
Nov 30 At Sea
Dec 1 At Sea
Dec 2 At Sea
Dec 3 Hamilton, Bermuda 8AM 4PM
Dec 4 At Sea
Dec 5 Charleston, SC 8AM 3PM
Dec 6 Ft Lauderdale, Fl. 11AM

I really look forward to exploring new ports of call, enjoying the elegant ship, relaxing on my balcony at sea, and meeting new friends over meals and excursions.

Baby born on 11-11-11 at 11:11!

Jacob Anthony Saydeh won't have any trouble remembering precisely when he was born.

Virtua Memorial hospital in Mount Holly, N.J., says Jacob entered the world at 11:11 a.m. on Friday – 11-11-11.

And to make the Veterans Day birth even more remarkable, the boy's mother is an Air Force veteran and his father currently services in the Air Force.

It's the second child for Staff Sgt. Christopher Saydeh and his wife, Danielle. They live at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where he is a member of Air Force security forces. They are a third-generation military family.

Jacob weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

Day of the Dead is celebrated around the world

Each year in the beginning of November, millions around the world honor and remember their deceased loved ones. From Latin America to the Philippines, people visit family members' and friends' graves, eat customary food or follow particular traditions. Also known in some countries as All Souls' Day, the Day of the Dead originated as a Roman Catholic holiday.

In Mexico and large parts of Latin America, the Day of the Dead is a national holiday and widely celebrated. People build small altars and bring the deceased's favorite food to the cemetery. In the Philippines, entire families spend the night at the graveyard, while in many countries in Europe people visit relatives' graves and gather with family and friends.

Iranian actress sentenced to 90 lashes, 1 year in jail

By Joshua L. Weinstein of The Wrap

An Iranian actress has been sentenced to 90 lashes and a year in jail for starring in an Australian movie with a shaved head -- and no head-covering.



Marzieh Vafamehr, who appeared in "My Tehran for Sale," has appealed the sentence.

According to Amnesty International, Vafamehr also appears to drink alcohol in the movie. Consuming alcohol is banned under Iranian law. The penalty is 80 lashes -- for the first offense.



The Australian movie, oddly enough, is about an actress in Iran who is forced to live a secret life in order to express herself.

In a written statement to TheWrap, producers Julie Ryan and Kate Croser said Tuesday that the actress's involvement in the film "was limited to her role as an actress and she was not in any other way involved in the behind-the-scenes filmmaking."

"As producers of the film 'My Tehran for Sale' we would like to express our deep shock and sadness at the sentence imposed by the Iranian government," they wrote.

Richard Harris, CEO of the South Australian Film Corp., wrote, "We are deeply disturbed by Marzieh Vafamehr's sentence for appearing in Granaz Moussavi's groundbreaking film, which is itself about the risks that artists are prepared to take for creative expression.

Amnesty International on Tuesday criticized the sentence -- and flogging in general.

"If Vafamehr is held solely on account of the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression, she should be released immediately and unconditionally," the human rights organization said in a written statement.

Vafamehr's sentence is only the most recent example of the Iranian regime's ongoing crackdown on the entertainment industry.

On Sept. 17, Iran arrested five documentary directors and a producer and distributor. Among them was Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, who was detained at the Tehran airport as he prepared to go to the Toronto Film Festival.

And in December 2010, director Jafar Panahi was arrested. He has been sentenced to six years in prison and was banned from filmmaking and from speaking with the foreign press for 20 years.

Pompeii and Amalfi Coast from Cruise Ship-A Postcard Comes to Life!

On the last day of our 13-day cruise, we took an all day private excursion with 1) a 5-hour drive with stunning coastal scenary along both the majestic Sorrento Peninsula and the famous rugged Amalfi Coast AND 2) a 2-hour tour of the ruins of Pompeii with a local university scholar.

Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi-A Picture Postcard Comes to Life

From the port in the gulf of Naples, we began our journey with a southward drive along the coast nestled between sea, sky, cliffs, and lush green groves of lemons, oranges, and olives. With stunning views at every corner, our eyes feasted on the world-famous Sorrento peninsula with its dramatic mountains, picturesque fishing villages and ancient Roman cities. We made a stop in Sorrento, a popular resort town since the 1700s. Legend tells us it was from Sorrento that the sirens attempted to lure Ulysses onto the rocks. Our group (of 8) headed directly to a friendly café, in Tasso Square, known for its ginormous cappuccinos (only 1.5 Euros), mouth-watering pastries, and clean bathrooms. With free time to explore, we strolled along the shop-lined medieval streets, ever welcoming year-round tourists, many of whom return again and again. I understand why.

We continued our drive along a The Amalfi Coast, via a rugged road that twists and turns amidst high rugged cliffs and low hills and valleys, overlooking the turquoise and emerald bay. Dotted with ancient villas dedicated to leisure and lush orange and lemon trees, olive groves and vineyards, the views simply take your breath away.

Sidebar: it actually almost did take some of our breathe away. This drive is not for the faint of stomach.

Our next stop was the steep-stepped and picturesque town of Positano, a town with narrow pedestrian streets that cling to tall cliffs. Until we reached the pedestrian-only areas, we strolled on foot while sharing the roads with automobiles navigating the winding roads. (I felt a bit anxious!) We encountered narrow-stepped alleys, pastel-colored houses with vaulted roofs, terraces and tiny gardens, and shops carrying a variety of colorful resort and beach where, pottery, and a wide variety of products made from the regions fragrant lemons. Here, I feasted on a mozzarella and tomato sandwich on herbed focaccia, from a friendly café.

We continued our drive down to Amalfi, a former 11th-century maritime republic, nestled between mountains and sea. Once again, we enjoyed its scenic beauty and original architecture while visiting shops that cater to its year-round tourists. Local lemon products abound.

From 1:30- till 2:30, we drove inland to Pompeii. Instead of seeing blue waters, our surroundings here were lush emerald green lemon trees, olive groves, and vineyards. Although beautiful, the drive was so upsetting to my stomach that I had to keep my head lowered to stabilize my insides.

Pompeii-one of the most important archeological sites in Europe

Our tour guide, who lives at the university, was passionate, thorough, witty, and allowed us to gain access to sections of the archeological site that are off-limits to the general public. I had heard that Pompeii is not as impressive a site as Ephesus. Boy, were the wrong! Words cannot describe how impressive these remains are of a city buried by an erupting Mt Vesuvius in 79AD-remains of which were first discovered around 1750. The site revealed remnants of a diverse and cosmopolitan city with richly decorated villas, paved streets, public forums, furnishings, brothels, gardens, wine cellars, temples, a 5000-seat amphitheatre, gymnasiums, merchant shops, craftsmen stalls, indoor plumbing, aqueducts, and even an intact toilet. Paintings, friezes, mosaics, sculptures, and commercial signs are seen throughout. Most impressive are the plaster casts that recreate the bodies of victims killed by the volcano’s toxic fumes while engaged in everyday tasks.

Of note, Mt Vesuvius dominates the backdrop of Naples and its entire environs. I even took photos of Mt Vesuvius from my balcony room on the ship.

What a splendid day of discovery, beauty, and gastronomical delight!

PS Our driver played famous Italian songs like "That's Amore", as we drove along the Amalfi Coast. It reinforced our great mood.

PPS we paid less than $120 for our full day private tour (8 tourists) (lunch was on our own) while RCL charged $345 for the same itinerary (minus stop in Amalfi) for a larger busload of people. We hired a university scholar on Pompeii (100 euros for 2 hour tour). They used headsets and had guides whose English was challenging to understand and they were “dragged” to a “cameo factory”.

Kusadasi, Turkey-Bazaar Delight!

Known as the gateway to visits to Turkey’s most prized, well-preserved ancient city of Ephesus, and a shopper’s delight, Kusadasi is one of Turkey’s most popular seaside resort cities. Since I had visited Ephesus. House of the Virgin Mary, and ruins of St John’s Basilica/Temple of Artemis, all just 10 months ago (see my blog post here http://tinyurl.com/5v7fky8), I chose to remain near the port visiting the town and Pigeon Island.

After disembarking, I headed for the ancient Kaleici neighborhood via the shop-lined “pedestrianized” main street. I found the vendors in the two large markets close to the ship to be so aggressive that it disturbed me. I felt like red meat for a pack of hungry wolves. The were the most aggressive vendors I have experienced in a while.

After spending some time in Kaleici, I decided to seek a peaceful contrast to the chaos of the markets. I took a leisurely stroll across a causeway to Pigeon Island, for which Kusadasi is named. As I strolled along the waterfront toward Pigeon Island, the sun began to melt away the tension and I enjoyed scenes of fishing boats, cafes, sailboats, and cats.

Located on the island is defensive castle, a monument that can easily be seen from our ship. The scenery on this peaceful, tiny island was stunning with views of the sea with its iridescent turquoise waters. I explored and took photos.

Palermo, Sicily-First visit to Itay's toe

My first time in the “toe” of Italy’s boot, I spent 7 hours touring Palermo, taking in sites on and off the beaten path. What struck me most was the interesting and varied Norman Arabic, and Baroque architecture; unbelievably chaotic traffic; and that only Italian is spoken here (it is not infested w. tourists). Heavily bombed during WWII, there remain bombed out sections of the city that were never restored. I must confess: I couldn’t help but think of La Cosa Nostra—especially when there are a plethora of t-shirts, post cards, and other souvenirs that feature mafiusu and even Don Corleone! I bonded with the local merchants when I told them I am from Chicago—infamous for serving as Al Capone’s home base. Every since I began travelling 30 years ago, I find that foreigners connect Chicago to Al Capone. In France, they used to say, “Bang, Bang, do you carry a gun!” (in a really broken accent!)

I began my day by searching for stop #1 on the red line of the Hop on Hop Off bus. Because the process for acquiring tickets and boarding was so chaotic, I decided to sit back and enjoy two complete circuits that included stops at The 4 Corners Square, The Famous Markets, and The Palace Reale

I disembarked and got acquainted up close and personal by strolling through the narrow streets, visiting colorful and abundant markets, and savoring a gelato, a cappuccino, and a delectable slice of pizza.

I will save a visit to the Catacombs for my next stop here.