Go Overseas With Ease

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attack woman in Israeli town | The Raw Story

2012-01-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

Here is yet another example of home-grown terrorism...........

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attack woman in Israeli town | The Raw Story

Iran: Morality Police Cracking Down On Barbie Dolls

2012-01-21T05:42:00.000-08:00

Here is an article By Mitra Amiri (Reuters) that highlights Iran’s latest efforts to protect Iran’s culture from "decadent Barbie dolls".

Iran's morality police are cracking down on the sale of Barbie dolls to protect the public from what they see as pernicious western culture eroding Islamic values, shopkeepers said on Monday.

As the West imposes the toughest ever sanctions on Iran and tensions rise over its nuclear programme, inside the country the Barbie ban is part of what the government calls a "soft war" against decadent cultural influences.

"About three weeks ago they (the morality police) came to our shop, asking us to remove all the Barbies," said a shopkeeper in a toy shop in northern Tehran.

Iran's religious rulers first declared Barbie, made by U.S. company Mattel Inc, un-Islamic in 1996, citing its "destructive cultural and social consequences". Despite the ban, the doll has until recently been openly on sale in Tehran shops.

The new order, issued around three weeks ago, forced shopkeepers to hide the leggy, busty blonde behind other toys as a way of meeting popular demand for the dolls while avoiding being closed down by the police.

A range of officially approved dolls launched in 2002 to counter demand for Barbie have not proven successful, merchants told Reuters.

The dolls named Sara, a female, and Dara, a male arrived in shops wearing a variety of traditional dress, with Sara fully respecting the rule that all women in Iran must obey in public, of covering their hair and wearing loose-fitting clothes.

"My daughter prefers Barbies. She says Sara and Dara are ugly and fat," said Farnaz , a 38-year-old mother, adding that she could not find Barbie cartoon DVDs as she was told they were also banned from public sale.

Pointing to a doll covered in black long veil, a 40-year-old Tehran toy shop manager said: "We still sell Barbies but secretly and put these in the window to make the police think we are just selling these kinds of dolls."

Iran has fought a running battle to purge pervasive western culture from the country since its Islamic revolution overthrew a western-backed king in 1979, enforcing Islamic dress codes, banning Western music and foreign satellite television.

As another swipe at the West, Iranians will soon be able to buy toy versions of the U.S. spy drone that it captured in December, Iranian media reported.

Models of the bat-wing RQ-170 Sentinel - which Iran's military displayed on TV after it was downed near the Afghan border - will be mass produced in a variety of colours, reports said. (Editing by Paul Casciato)

Happy MLK Jr Day!

2012-01-17T12:01:00.001-08:00

Were #27!!

2012-01-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

Here is an article posted by a journalist who reveals the social justice rankings of all 31 nations members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), ranking each nation in such categories as health care, income inequality, pre-school education, and child poverty. Surprisingly, or not surprisingly, the USA ranks 5th from the bottom on these measures of egalitarianism and democracy. What do you think? Read on.

We’re No. 27! By Jim Hightower

"USA: We're No. 1!"

Oh, wait — Iceland is No. 1. But we did beat out Poland and Slovakia, right? Uh...no. But go on down the rankings and there we are! No. 27, fifth from the bottom. So our new national chant is, "USA: At Least We're Not Last!"

A foundation in Germany has analyzed the social justice records of all 31 members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), ranking each nation in such categories as health care, income inequality, pre-school education, and child poverty. The overall performance by the United States — which boasts of being an egalitarian society — outranks only Greece, Chile, Mexico, and Turkey. Actually, three of those countries performed better than ours in the education of pre-schoolers, and Greece did better than the United States on the prevention of poverty.

Our bottom-of-the-heap ranking in social justice confirms the economic and political inequality that the Occupy movement is protesting. It also helps explain why this grassroots uprising in America has spread so rapidly to more than 600 communities and has generated such broad public support. After all, our nation is fabulously rich, ranking well ahead of nearly every other OECD member in national wealth, so there's no excuse for us sitting at the bottom of the list in education, health care, poverty, and other measures of a democratic and egalitarian society.

Bluntly put, We the People have let today's elites abandon America's founding principles of fairness, justice, and equal opportunity for all.

These privileged few have purchased our government, stolen the wealth and economic future of working families, and reduced America to a plastic imitation of the country we thought we had. The Occupy rebellion is long overdue and on target.

Join it.

This article was published at NationofChange at: http://www.nationofchange.org/we-re-no-27-1326811089. All rights are reserved.

Saudi Women Use Facebook To Ban Men From Working in Lingerie Stores

2012-01-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

I am all for egalitarianism and equal opportunity in all aspects of life. There are exceptions to equal access to jobs, however, especially in societies where woman are dehumanized, such as Saudi Arabia. Women should not have to endure the presence of males in clothing store dressing rooms, nor in lingerie or swimwear shops. I find few things creepier than having a male carry hangers of undies while taking me into a dressing room. ICK!

Here is an article about how in Saudi Arabia, where woman possess no civil rights, banned together on Facebook to effect a ban of men from working in lingerie shops. Bravo to these brave women.

Women only to work in Saudi Arabia lingerie shops
By Emily Buchanan BBC world affairs correspondent

A law allowing only women to work in lingerie shops in Saudi Arabia is coming into force.

Campaigners hope this will end decades of awkwardness in the Islamic kingdom where women have always been served by male shop assistants.

The heated issue of the total lack of female shop workers in Saudi Arabia has simmered for years.

Many Saudi women say they have felt particularly uncomfortable buying their lingerie from men.

Female campaigners recently increased the pressure for change through a Facebook campaign and a boycott of lingerie stores.

Now King Abdullah's royal decree finally comes into effect, banning male staff from selling female underwear.

"It's about time, it's been a long struggle and the authorities have finally come to their senses," says Radio Jeddah journalist Samar Fatany.

She says she, and any woman who could afford to, would often shop abroad rather than face the embarrassment of giving her underwear size over the counter to a man.

The campaign has gained extra momentum from the increasing number of young women who want to enter the workplace.

The Saudi women who can work are usually the educated elite who do professional jobs in medicine or government.

The new law could potentially create up to 40,000 jobs for ordinary Saudi women who have hitherto had little or no access to employment.

But it also means that male clerks, most of whom are foreign workers, will be out of a job.

It is not far short of a social revolution being pushed through in the teeth of fierce opposition from the kingdom's top clerics.

They do not want to see an increase in the number of women working outside the home.

The kingdom's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdel Aziz al-Sheikh, has warned shop owners that employing women is a "crime and prohibited by Islamic sharia law".

"There is already a growing tension between liberals and the religious conservatives in the country and this issue could provoke opposition from the religious police," says Abeer Mishkhas is a columnist for the Saudi paper Asharq al-Awsat.

The Ministry of Labour will be posting observers in shopping centres to make sure the new shop assistants do not get harassed in their first weeks of work.

The ban on male staff in lingerie departments is due to be extended to cosmetics shops from July.

English Dialects in the US.

2011-12-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-29T12:07:00.000-08:00

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!!

2011-11-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-10-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-10-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Tour From Haifa, Israel to Nazareth and Galilee and More.

2011-10-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

On day 6 of our cruise, we explored the beautiful North of Israel from the Port of Haifa.

Our journey consisted of a full day tour to the historic locations and stunning scenery of the places where Jesus lived, preached and performed his miracles. Included on our full-day shore excursion were: Nazareth, Cana, Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Yardenit Baptismal Site on The Jorgan River, the Haifa Bay and Baha'i Gardens, and lunch overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We travelled through lush green hills and we could see the Golan Heights and Lebanon from different points along the journey.

First, we traveled along the plains of Armageddon to Nazareth - the place where Jesus spent his early years. In Nazareth, we toured the Basilica of the Annunciation, established at the site where, according to Roman Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary received the news from Angel Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus. Rebuilt in 1969, on the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches, it is the largest Christian sanctuary in the Middle East. The vast upper church and courtyard are decorated with large gift mosaics of the Virgin Mary donated by 43 nations from around the world. Each mosaic reflects characteristic of its mother land. My favorite mosaics were from Cameroon, Japan, Thailand, and the USA. Here is a site that shows all 43 mosaics, gifts and more….
http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/AnnunciationMosaics.html

The site has been a pilgrimage destination since earliest times and remains an important stop for Christian Holy Land pilgrims today.

Then onwards to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of loaves and fish. There were fish mosaics in the tile throughout. We saw the great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great greatgrandparent of the fishes from THE loaves and fishes :).

Next, was my favorite stop because it was beautiful and peaceful--a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed Jesus preached the famous Sermon on the Mount. Located on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes is the traditional site of Jesus' delivery of the Sermon on the Mount, probably the most famous sermon of all time (Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. …) I found it a bit odd that our tour guide asked a fellow traveler to read The Beatitudes from the bible. Perhaps he simply refuses to read from the New Testament—he did this several times. Pilgrims have been drawn to this scenic place since at least the 4th century.

Next was a visit to Capernaum, an ancient fishing village located on the beautiful shores of the Sea of Galilee, considered the center of Jesus' ministry. The town is cited in the Gospel of Luke where it was reported to have been the home of the apostles Simon Peter, Andrew, James, Matthew, and John. Key points of interest here are the archeological site where excavations have revealed ruins of two ancient synagogues, built one over the other; (where an impressive mosaic floor was recently discovered), an olive mill and an olive press dating from Roman times: and the octagonal church-- ALL with a stunning backdrop of the sea of Galilee.

Lunch was traditional bountiful, middle-eastern fare at the restaurant St Peter, overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Continuing along the panoramic seashore, we drove to the Yardenit baptismal site where the River Jordan separates from the Sea of Galilee. This site is believed by some traditions to be the actual site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. In this naturally scenic and symbolic setting, with diverse flora, and some exotic animal species, pilgrims from around the world come to perform baptismal ceremonies. Entire church groups even travel here for Baptism ceremonies. The gift shop, naturally, was immense. See this site for some photos: http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/yardenit.html

We ended the day a with picturesque drive to the top of Mount Carmel for a panoramic view over the Haifa bay and the famous golden-domed Baha'i Temple with its exquisitely sculptured and manicured gardens. What a magnificent choice of locations for the world headquarters of the Baha'i Faith. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an oasis of sheer beauty. Of note, here are 7 Baha'I temples in the world, one on every continent. I have also visited the Asian site in Delhi India.

From atop Mt Carmel, we had a perfect view of our ship docked at the port.

Another enriching, moving day touring Northern Israel. Taking a small, private, group tour is always the best way to visit a port city and nearby sites.

Jerusalem: Truly multicultural and truly rich in history

2011-09-28T04:42:00.000-07:00

Today, I took a moving and memorable ten-hour, private tour of both Jerusalem, and (Palestine Controlled) Bethlehem. What struck me most was how lush and green the countryside was; that we could see the 436-mile “security wall” from different locations; and as we entered Jerusalem, I was amazed by how densely populated the city is with neighborhoods tightly built up into the hillside. Of course, the imposing Temple Mount with its distinctive, glistening golden Dome of the Rock, one of the most sacred Muslim sites in the world, can be seen from every corner of the city. Because it is situated on a most holy Jewish site (Abraham almost sacrificed his son, Solomon built 1st Temple, and 2nd temple was built), its location is a source of never-ending conflict between Muslims and Jews.

Downtown Jerusalem is very congested and the streets are too narrow for the volume of traffic and not much better for pedestrians. Parking is a nightmare and many park right on the pavement. Fortunately, our small van was able to navigate the narrow streets that connect and surround parts of the old city. Our first stop was lookout point with spectacular panoramic views of the city, dominated by the breathtaking Dome of The Rock. Then, we drove along the Mount of Olives, of great importance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, with shrines dedicated to all 3 religions. It houses the Jewish cemetery which is considered a most sacred burial ground for Jews worldwide, today. At the foot of the mountain, we visited the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested and the Church of All Nations.

We could see panoramic views of Mount Zion from different points throughout the day.

Next, we headed for the Old City, walled in by ancient stone, containing the greatest concentration of all weaves of society, in a maze of winding streets. Included are the Jewish, Muslim, Armenian, and Christian Quarters, all filled with colorful markets, aromatic cafes, pungent restaurants, and pedestrian streets with nearby sounds of Jewish prayer at the Western wall, Catholic church bells ringing, and the call to Muslim prayer from muezzin--all within minutes of each other.

Here, we had tours of inside of the famous (and very crowded) Church of the Holy Sepulchre; Via Dolorosa (the path along which Jesus was forced to walk with the cross on his back—we visited stations 5, 6, & 7); the Western (“Wailing”) Wall; and through Arab Markets. I found the Western Wall, one of the Holiest Jewish sites in the world, most moving of all. I wrote a prayer and pressed it into a crevice of the wall. I must confess: I peeked at the men on the other side of the gender partition and photographed some of them. Of course, there side looked more interesting.

On Jerusalem: I love the co-existence of east and west, ancient and modern, secular and religious, and there are still even those who ride on donkeys, camels, and horses. Jerusalem’s residents come from more than a hundred ethnic and religious backgrounds. The ride ranging mix of people can be seen while walking down a street: a cassocked priest from an Eastern Orthodox Church, a black-veiled, abaya-clad Muslim woman, and an Ethiopian immigrant in flowing white robes, a black-garbed Orthodox Jew with beard and corkscrew curls, and an Indian immigrant in a colorful sari. All in one mosaic inside a 42-square mile radius.

Next, our Israeli tour guide, Ron, left our bus because he refused to stay on the bus as it moved into Palestine-controlled Bethlehem and because he did not wish to share space with our Palestinian tour guide. Despite his warnings, we felt very safe in Bethlehem and our Tour Guide, Samir, a Christian Palestinian, was a gentle and respectful soul. Of note, our Israeli tour guide made it clear he was NOT going to be politically correct and at one point even referred to some Arab children as maggots.

We were required to go through an official check point to enter Bethlehem. We strolled through the streets of Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birth place of King David and Jesus. For lunch, we dined in a small restaurant that gave us a choice between two delicious sandwiches: shawarma or falafel. Vendors followed us to the next stop (LOL) which was a large Christian gift shop. The official checkpoint leading back into Jerusalem (from the West Bank) was much more stringent with armed guards coming on board our van to check us out.

It was obvious we were spending time in a military states whose primary purpose is survival. Israel’s ports must be the most heavily guarded in the world. The port of Ashdod was flooded with military ships. Although I felt a bit uneasy before going there, I admit I felt quite safe.

I enjoyed the day and will visit New Jerusalem and several museums next time.

Rhodes, The Perfect Port City

2011-09-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

Today, I visited Rhodes, a walled city that is the largest permanently inhabited medieval city in Europe. Rhodes is the name of the city as well as the Aegean island and consists of three different cities: ancient, medieval, and modern and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of course, it is best known for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World, that stood in the old harbor until it collapsed in an earthquake in 227 BC, after dominating the harbor for 56 years. It is also known for its splendid beaches and 300 days of sunshine a year.

As I left the ship, I noticed Hop On Hop Off Buses just outside the port entrance (stop #8). Although I had studied all the maps and planned to take a self-guided tour of the Old Town, I decided to begin my journey with an hour long scenic circuit of the entire city (including up to Monte Smith) atop the tour bus, listening to a guided lecture. As always, I learned a lot and succeeded in getting an overview of both old and new, I would not have been able to conquer on foot.

Once I was satisfied I had a nice overview, I descended the bus (at stop #6) close to the stop where I boarded and near the Old Town central market, adjacent to the knights quarter. This was the perfect starting point for my walking tour of the (mostly pedestrian-only) Old Town. The well-preserved old town is divided into 3 quarters: knights, Turkish, and Jewish. I explored all 3.

The Avenue of the Knights, Ipoton, is the main thoroughfare of the knights’ quarter. This street is lined with the imposing Inns, residences of Knights of the Order of St John, that are divided by linguistic affinity, from each of the 7 groups that occupied Rhodes. I saw the French, Spanish, and Italian Inns, all that house archeological and decorative arts museums. I will explore Rhodes’ many museums on my next visit.

From here, I walked straight uphill to the Palace of Grand Masters, an imposing fort; built to be the last line of defense should the outer walls of the city be breached. Built on the site where the ancient Greek temple of Apollo stood, it was the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights, and where the Order assembled. After Rhodes fell to the Turks in 1522, it was converted to a prison and the palace was completely destroyed by an accidental explosion of stored black powder in 1856.

What is visible today as the Palace of the Grand Masters was rebuilt in the 1930’s based upon old drawings and it’s the complete reconstruction was undertaken to create the summer residence of Mussolini and King Victor Emmanuel III. Of note, it was never used for this purpose.

Next, I climbed the hill of the Mosque of Suleiman that was built soon after the Turks occupied the city of Rhodes in 1522 on the site of the destroyed Christian Church of the Apostles.

Just in front of the Suleiman Mosque is the old Turkish Bazaar that lines Sokratous Street, which is packed with tourists and a melee of shops that spill their wares into the street. I enjoyed exploring and bargaining. The shop owners are not annoyingly aggressive as in certain other cities.

Sokratous Street is a pleasant cobblestone street that is bound to be walked by every tourist who visits Rhodes. I took a slow walk through this street from the Mosque of Suleiman to the very lively Ippokratous Square which surrounds the Castellania fountain (birds are actually drinking from each of the faucets!!), and is framed by the old Chadrevan mosque on the west and the Palace of the Castellan on the east. All around, coffee shops and terraced-restaurants burst at the seams as they spill onto the street having completely covered the old buildings.

I returned to the ship to recharge my camera battery, find my ATM card, and grab lunch. I went back into Old Town for another 2 hours to explore more of the maze of nooks and crannies of this remarkably charming town.

When I return, I will take a trip to Lindos.

Tweet: Rhodes is the perfect port city: rich in history, U walk there from ship, it’s beautiful, it’s unique: a medieval walled-city & people smile

Chania, one of the most photographed cities in Greece

2011-09-28T04:38:00.000-07:00

Today, I visited the city of Chania one of the most photographed cities in Greece. It is located on the island of Crete. I visited the charming old town with narrow, cobblestone streets; monuments and buildings dating to the 1500s, and a breathtaking harbor. The rain tried to ruin our day but did not succeed. You can see this in my photos.

Cruise to Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Italy

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

I will take this wonderful 13-night cruise that visits Israel (my first time), Greece, Italy (including Sicily), and Turkey. I look forward to a relaxing and intellectually stimulating time and to chilling out in my balcony room on a great ship!

Here is the route:

Sept 20 depart from Rome, Italy
Sept 21 Sea day
Sept 22 Chania, Crete, Greece
Sept 23 Rhodes, Greece
Sept 24 Sea day
Sept 25 Jerusalem (Ashdod) Israel
Sept 26 Nazareth (Haifa) Israel
Sept 27 Sea day
Sept 28 Ephesus, Turkey
Sept 29 Athens, Greece
Sept 30 Sea day
Oct 1 Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Oct 2 Naples,/Capri, Italy
Oct 3 Back to Rome and Flight back to Miami

Israelis And Palestinians Smile For The Camera

2011-09-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

Here is an AP article about a worldwide project, created by a prize-winning French street artist, which encourages conflicted peoples to view each other eye-to-eye---- as brothers and sisters.

Here is the Israel execution of the project collaborated between Israelis and Palestinians.

JERUSALEM -- Large black-and-white portraits have been appearing on bridges, billboards and broken-down buses all over Israel and the West Bank as part of an international project that allows people to turn pictures of themselves into works of art or political statements.

The portraits of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians are part of a project created by a prize-winning French street artist known only as JR. The project, Inside Out, gets people worldwide to make a statement by having their photo taken and then printed on posters that they can then hang in a place they find significant.

Inside Out started in Tunisia in March and has also been to North Dakota in the U.S., Scotland and South Africa.

For two weeks, the project had two photo booths in the West Bank Palestinian cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah and a roaming photo truck that drove around Israel, taking a total of more than 7,000 portraits. It wraps up in Israel and the West Bank this weekend.

Israelis and Palestinians made different uses of their photos.
In the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem last week, Palestinian youth activist Munther Amira came up with an idea for a political statement. He organized a group of children from the camp to have their photos taken and then painted flags on the posters of countries that support the Palestinian leadership's bid to win statehood recognition at the U.N. next week.

They took the portraits to Israel's nearby separation barrier and pasted them along the concrete wall.

In Tel Aviv early Thursday, a group of Israeli artists dressed in black pasted posters on the side of a bridge in what they called an apolitical art installation.
One of the participants, Maayan Iungman, said she felt the project was a way to reach people without talking about politics or opinions.

"Usually when we cross the street and see a big billboard with a photoshopped model and a lot of text, it doesn't move us. But to see a huge, simple bright face without words, you feel everything. I really believe this is a way of reaching people," she said.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, JR, the artist behind the endeavor, said he envisioned the project as one in which his own ego was not a factor. Instead, the photo booths provide the materials and inspiration for people to take the idea and make it their own.

"It's about them. We transferred the power of the project to the people, and it's really their statements," he said.

Interfaith Peace

2011-09-12T05:24:00.001-07:00

For 9/11, I attended an uplifting prayer and music service at Temple Judea. Prayers were read by rabbis, priests, imams, and ministers. Songs were performed by cantors and choirs. The Unity choir sang the Lord’s Prayer in Swahili. I could do this every day!

Introducing Faceglat: The 'Kosher' Facebook

2011-09-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Here is an article about the new Kosher version of Facebook. I bet you are wondering what that means. Well, read on……

By Véronique Falez of LE MONDE/Worldcrunch

Faceglat is a new social network that allows its users to chat online, share information and pictures, and add new friends – all the while strickly separating men from women, just like in synagogue. Launched in Israel last month by a young Hasidic geek, this website boasts a social structure designed especially for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The name "Faceglat" comes from the fusion of two words: Facebook, and glatt, meaning highly kosher, according to the Jewish dietary laws of kashrut.

When men go on Faceglat.com, they sign up by clicking on the arrow on the right of the screen. Women click on that on the left. From this moment on their respective paths will never cross. "One day, a couple of friends paid me a visit, and while we were chatting, the young woman said it was a pity that there was no website where she could share pictures with her female friends without other people being able to see them,” says the site’s creator, Yaakov Swisa. “We started thinking about a religious social network, where there would be no indecent pictures, and which would garantee that men could not see photos posted by women, and vice versa.”

And so, six busy months later, the first kosher Facebook was born. But the 25-year-old Faceglat founder does not wear the traditional wide-brimmed black hat, nor does he dress in the ultra-Orthodox dark suit. Wearing a checkered shirt, a black kippah on his head, carrying his laptop bag on his shoulder, he bridges the gap between his Lubavitch community from the village of Kfar Chabad, located 8 km south-east of Tel Aviv, and the thrilling world of new technology.

No one could have predicted that the young boy who went to school in a yeshiva to study the Torah and the Talmud would one day become part of the Internet big league. "I taught myself on the family computer, during holidays," he recalls. His goal is not to push traditional communities towards change. Instead, he wants to protect them. "Orthodox Jews need the Internet, at home and at work alike,” says Swisa. “My website allows them to browse freely, while offering them maximum security. It also reassures parents who worry about their children going on pages that everybody can consult.”

Keeping the content kosher
Trust demands extremely strict rules. For example, a program tracks and deletes inappropriate words. And users who mischievously put photos of men in the women-only space, or who posted pictures that were deemed indecent, are simply banned from the website. For the time being, administrating Faceglat still involves a lot of improvisation. But in order to "move quicker," this Mark Zuckerberg of hasidic neighborhoods wants to buy a software that can identify and automatically delete pictures showing "more skin than is necessary."

Though the website is only a newcomer on the Internet, Faceglat has already attracted more than 2,000 users, mainly by word of mouth, and about 100 new accounts are being created every week. "It’s only the beginning. There are lots of curious people, most of them men from Israel, but actually about 15% of our users live in Russia," says the active young man with a smile.

The website is only available in Hebrew and English at the moment, but it will be translated in French and Russian in the next few weeks. It will then lead to an online advertising campaign, on orthodox forums and on religous singers’ fanpages. A brand new feature of the Facebook revolution.

English Is Challenging

2011-09-08T05:13:00.000-07:00

English Is Challenging

Here is a thought provoking, fun, interactive exercise that demonstrates how challenging English can be. It is written by Mary Beth Marino, The Writing Editor.It’s time for a good laugh! A belly shaking, rolling on the floor laugh…AND an English lesson to boot! My love affair with words was nourished by an email that was sent to me by a friend. It challenges the English language while giving a good laugh and marvels the astonishment about how things get to be what they are and why. Curious? Read on. Can you read these right the first time? 1) The bandage was wound around the wound. 2) The farm was used to produce produce. 3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. 4) We must polish the Polish furniture. 5) He could lead if he would get the lead out. 6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. 7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present. 8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum 9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.10) I did not object to the object. 11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid. 12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row. 13) They were too close to the door to close it 14) The buck does funny things when the does are present. 15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line. 16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. 17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail. 18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear. 19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests. 20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

5 Tips On How to Feel Comfortable, Confident and Carefree Your First Time Overseas

2011-09-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

5 Tips On How to Feel Comfortable, Confident and Carefree Your First Time Overseas By Karla Scott, MBA

 Are you intimidated by the notion of traveling overseas on business?
 Do you dream of taking a crash course on how to be effective in your new destination?
 Are you worried you may make mistakes in this unfamiliar culture?

Relax! You are not alone! Here are steps you can take that can help make you feel competent and confident in your first overseas venture.

1. Do your homework
If you choose to do business in another culture, you must accept its protocol, norms, and ways of doing business. Be insatiably curious. Go to your local bookstore and use the internet to research the other culture’s history, geography, key symbols, tourist attractions, national dishes, popular sports, non verbal communication rules, leaders and celebrity culture. Study the local map including the mass transit or metro map and the area surrounding your hotel. You will feel more comfortable exploring and communicating when you have gone the extra mile to learn something about your new culture. The best part is that by taking an interest in the other culture, your actions will convey genuine respect. Your efforts will be appreciated by most (if not all) whom you meet. It will set you apart from many Americans who don’t bother to learn something about the other culture. Remember, people all over the world know U.S. popular culture, government, history and many even speak English. Isn’t it reasonable for us to make the effort to meet them at least half way?

For a crash course in local customs and etiquette, I recommend the easy-to-read Culture Shock series. They are compact guides (250 pages) that provide a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of culture in more than 35 countries, with practical tips on how to be effective there. They are well-researched, authentic, and entertaining. You can order Culture Shock online from all leading book sellers.

2. Learn a few commonly used words and phrases
Rest assured you do not need to enroll in a 3-month immersion class. Most of the world accommodates English speaking guests. In fact, it is the second most spoken language, behind Mandarin, in the world. Your experience can be greatly enhanced by showing basic respect. You can accomplish this by learning some common courtesy expressions such as hello; goodbye; thank you; and please and one of my favorites: “Where are the toilets?” “How much is that ________?” also comes in very handy when bargaining.

You will be amazed by how instantly connected you feel when upon arrival, someone says hello in their language and you can respond in the same language or when they say thank you, you can reply appropriately.

I strongly urge you to refrain from bursting into a conversation leading with English words. Instead (or what is more respectful is to) always first ask “Do you speak English?”

You can listen to a basic language tape daily before you go that provides language basics including numbers, useful questions, shopping terms, hotel/taxi/ and airport expressions, and dining phrases.

3. Prepare for time zone change realities and make travel as easy as possible
Go a day early, if possible, to help your body and mind adjust to time zone differences. Going a day early can also help you to get your bearing on the new destination. Your first day there, don’t go to sleep until 10PM no matter what. That way, you can wake up with the locals and it will help you function effectively, more quickly. While you sleep, always turn the clock around so you won’t see the time that could distract your sleep pattern. It’s best not to know the time while you are attempting to sleep.

Here are a few helpful hints:
□ Sleep on the flight if at all possible.
□ Wear eye shades to notify flight attendants you prefer not to be bothered.
□ Wear a noise reduction headset to tune out noises and engine roars.
□ During the flight, eat light, drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and minimize alcohol consumption.
□ Bring a bean-filled travel pillow (they really do help!).
□ For longer flights (8 hours+), prepare to walk around periodically in order to allow your blood to circulate properly. It is not uncommon for people over 50 to suffer from fatal blood clots during long overseas trips, because the victims failed around during the flight.
□ Pack a couple of bagels or oatmeal bars in your carry on in order to fill in “food gaps”.
□ Pack a toiletry kit so you may freshen up on board prior to landing.
□ Pack one wash cloth for each hotel (wash cloths are not common everywhere).

If possible, strive to negotiate to sit in the business class section where it is quieter. The seats are roomier and they recline substantially. However, if you must fly coach, book early enough to select a comfortable window or aisle seat. You do not want to be trapped in a middle seat in coach for 8-15 hours! Be sure your carry-on bags are wheeled because you will walk long distances inside international airports. Also, they are often long flight delays in some parts of the world. Don't carry on anything you are now willing to cart around for unlimited periods of time.

Finally, wear a round-the-neck pouch that contains your passport, travel itinerary, ID, business credit card, small bills (US and other currency) and a pen. This way you won’t need to go digging thru bags at numerous security checkpoints. Once, I observed a woman miss her connecting flight because she could not produce her travel documents in a timely manner. You will be forever grateful if you wear one of these pouches on a lanyard available at most luggage stores for $20 or less.

4. Upon arrival, sink into the rhythm and flavor of the culture
After you check in, you can choose to either explore the area around your hotel, or to take a taxi to a busy section of town. Here are suggestions on what to do there:
 Sit at a café at a busy intersection and people watch to see the written and unwritten rules (you have already read about), in action.
 Go to a market or grocery store—you can learn a lot about people by watching how they connect with their food.
 Visit a park; sit and watch the show.
 Dine where locals dine; match their behavior.
 If you are daring, take public transportation. Be sure you’ve studied the maps in advance and have exact change or a ticket before you board. Find out from your hotel’s concierge the best mode of returning to your hotel. [Beware of trying this in countries where signage is in a script different from Roman such as Chinese/Japanese characters, Arabic, Persian, Ethiopian, Russian (Cyrillic), India (Brahmi), or Greek.] I have taken public transportation alone in many parts of the world because I learn to recognize the destination words. In Tokyo, I was thankful to be accompanied by a Japanese person during my subway ride: I don’t read Japanese characters! I would probably still be trapped in the Tokyo subway system had I ventured to do this on my own.
 Watch popular television shows in your hotel room while you are getting dressed. This gives you a feel for local values, humor, aesthetics, nonverbal communication rules, and popular marketing campaigns.
 Memorize exchange rate(s). Know basic currency conversions in denominations of 1, 5, 20, 50 etc. For example, prepare to recognize what 20 Euros or 2500 Yen means on the menu.
 Avoid renting a car when traveling abroad alone. The rules of the road are significantly different, and you probably will not be able to read road signs. By American standards, traffic overseas is at best, chaotic.

Always carry a few essential tools while traveling around:
□ something with the name of your hotel written in local script (take hotel pen, matches, or pad) to show taxi driver how to return you to your hotel.
□ a roll of toilet paper—just in case! Often, you will not find toilet paper (especially the soft version we know and love)
□ camera
□ guidebook containing useful words and phrases
□ notepad for journaling

5. Let your host play host--don’t rush into business.
If you are being hosted, let your hosts set the tone and pace. Allow them to welcome you and guide you around. If possible, accept all invitations. Show appreciation and respect for their culture by allowing them to take pride in showing you their world. Keep an open mind. Leave judgmental thinking at home and practice the platinum rule: Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.

Make the unfamiliar familiar by learning about the culture in advance of your trip.
The best part is that by taking an interest in the other culture, your actions will convey genuine respect. Your efforts will be appreciated by most (if not all) whom you meet. It will set you apart from many Americans who don’t bother to learn something about the other culture. Remember, people all over the world know U.S. popular culture, government, history and many even speak English. Isn’t it reasonable for us to make the effort to meet them at least half way?

Helpful Resources

For a crash course in local customs and etiquette, I recommend the easy-to-read Culture Shock series. They are compact guides (250 pages) that provide a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of culture in more than 35 countries, with practical tips on how to be effective there. They are well-researched, authentic, and entertaining. You can order Culture Shock online from all leading book sellers.

Other helpful sources are:
CIA World Factbook Sheets. The US government provides profiles of countries and territories around the world. Information on geography, people, government, transportation, economy, communications, and more. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Culture Grams Cultural reports for more than 200 countries each include 25 categories such as land and climate, history, personal appearance, greetings, gestures, family, diet, arts, holidays, economy, education, religion, health, a country map, and events and trends.

Each individual Culture Gram four-page report (there are 201) is available individually for download for $4 per report.
http://www.culturegrams.com/products/individual.htm

Consular Information Sheet The US State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html#F
Executive Planet™ provides valuable tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business in more than 50 countries. http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Lonely Planet Destination Guides. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

Guess which nation has the lowest birth rate in the world?

2011-08-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

Guess which nation has the lowest birth rate in the world?

Did you guess the USA, no
Italy, no
France, no
Japan, no

It is Taiwan

Here is an article by Cindy Sui, of BBC News, in Taipei, about government measures to attempt to reverse this trend.

Taiwan's government has acknowledged its birth rate declined last year, even as it introduced a series of measures to encourage people to have babies.
These included stipends for giving birth and childcare subsidies.

Taiwan's total fertility rate - the average number of children women have during their childbearing years - dropped to 0.9 last year, down from 1.03 the previous year.

That gives Taiwan the lowest fertility rate in the world, the statistics show.
Some Taiwanese women are reluctant to have children.

"We think it's not suitable to raise children, especially in Taiwan. In Taiwan, when a girl gets married she has to sacrifice a lot," one says.

"Once she reaches a certain academic level she can't just stay at home and take care of kids and her parents-in-law, but that's still what the older generation expects from them."

Another says: "Taiwan's work hours are really long. That makes it difficult to get married and have kids. You might not have much free time and it's hard to relax."
These women's views reflect those of many Taiwanese people. Wages here are considered low compared to the cost of childcare and property prices.

Many couples still live with their parents or in-laws. Many Taiwanese women also delay getting married to pursue academic degrees or careers.

Some complain it is hard for them to find a husband once they reach 30 because of old-fashioned views about women.

In addition, many employers frown upon female workers taking extended maternity leave, and expect mothers to work the same amount of overtime as they did before they gave birth.

The government, however, blames the lower birth rate on superstition.

The year 2009 was considered an unlucky year to get married, and 2010 - the year of the tiger - a bad year to have children.

However, officials say this year is considered a lucky one as it is the country's 100th anniversary.

Between January and July, the number of marriages rose more than 12% compared to the same period last year, and the number of births also shot up.
Next year, the year of the dragon, is especially auspicious for having children.

Baguette vending machine? Ca n'est pas vrai!

2011-08-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

French baker Jean-Louis Hecht opens the back of his baguette dispenser, which loads 120 baguettes in Paris, Monday, Aug. 8, 2011. The baker from northeast France has rolled out a 24 hour automated baguette dispenser, holding out the promise of warm, fresh bread available for hungry night owls, graveyard shift workers, and anyone else who forgot or didn't have time to pick one up during the corner bakery's opening hours.

I would have been very skeptical of this had I been still living in France where le pain is sacred!!

China Vows Crackdown On Sex-Selective Abortions

2011-08-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

It’s about time!!

From the AP

China is vowing to strengthen enforcement to prevent sex-selective abortions and narrow the infamous gender gap in a country that already has tens of millions more boys than girls.

The pledge is in the outline of a plan for childhood development through 2020 but has no specifics. The plan said authorities would increase efforts against the non-medical use of ultrasound tests and abortion of fetuses based on gender.

Spurred by the one-child policy and a traditional preference for boys, sex-selective abortion has created a male-female ratio at birth in China of about 119 males to 100 females, with the gap as high as 130 males for every 100 females in some provinces. In industrialized countries, the ratio is 107 to 100.

Do you know which ten cities have the largest foreign-born populations?

2011-07-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Before I reveal the winners, here is a Wikipedia definition of foreign born:

Foreign born (also non-native) is a term used to describe a person born outside of their country of residence. Foreign born are often non-citizens, but are also frequently naturalized citizens of a country.

The term foreign born encompasses both immigrants and expatriates but is not synonymous with either. Foreign born may, like immigrants, have committed to living in a country permanently or, like expatriates, live abroad for a significant period with the plan to return to their birth-country eventually.

The status of foreign born — particularly their access to citizenship — differs globally. The large groups of foreign born guest workers in the Gulf States, for example, have no right to citizenship no matter the length of their residence. In Canada and the United States, by contrast, foreign born are often citizens or in the process of becoming citizens. Certain countries have intermediary rules: in Germany and Japan it is often difficult but not impossible for the foreign born to become citizens.

Now, here is the list from highest to lowest:

Dubai
Hong Kong
Toronto
Miami
Los Angeles
Riyadh
Sydney
San Francisco
Melbourne
London

How do you think this effects economics, poltics, and culture in these cities? The answer is, of course, every situation is influenced by different variables.

France bids adieu to the words Facebook and Twitter from broadcast journalism

2011-06-08T04:29:00.000-07:00

It was 2003. The Culture Ministry in France announced a ban on the use of "e-mail" in all government ministries, documents, publications or websites. Some say it was considered yet another step to stem an incursion of English words into the French lexicon.

Now, in 2011, French officials have banned the use of Twitter and Facebook on public airwaves.

Are the French further protecting the integrity of their language from the influence of Anglo-Saxon culture or simply just trying to remove product placement from public broadcasting. Or is it, as one blogger states, It isn't so much that the words are in English that upsets French sensibilities. It is the fact that the whole thing, the idea of open to everyone, free circulation of information, spreading gossip, mayhem, self-regulating, social cacophony is UN-FRENCH.

You decide—

Here is an article about Frances latest move to ban words that happen to be non-French, from public use:

Twitter and Facebook reminders banned from French airwaves by Kim Willsher in Paris for the guardian.co.uk

How do you say Facebook and Twitter in French? You don't – at least, not if you are on radio or television, where French officials have banned any mention of them unless they are specifically part of the story.

The internet sites have fallen foul of a 1992 decree that outlaws the advertising or promotion of private business on programmes. Journalists will no longer be able to end their reports by saying "Follow us on Twitter" or "Have a look at our Facebook page", because the French government deems this as either blatant or subliminal promotion, and has decided it is unfair to other similar networks.

Christine Kelly, spokeswoman for the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA), the government broadcasting authority, said: "Why give preference to Facebook, which is worth billions of dollars, when there are other social networks that are struggling for recognition. This would be a distortion of competition. If we allow Facebook and Twitter to be cited on air, it's opening a Pandora's box. Other social networks will complain to us, saying 'Why not us?'"

Kelly said the CSA was not seeking to block the networks, only to foster fairer practices. "We encourage the use of social networks ... CSA members spend hours on them. Perhaps one day Facebook will become a generic term, but for the moment it is a commercial enterprise – a leading one, certainly, but not the only one."

No details have been given on how the rule will be enforced or what punishment might await those who continue to say Facebook and Twitter on air.

The ban comes less than two weeks after President Nicolas Sarkozy's internet and digital technology summit, the e-G8, where he was given a Facebook T-shirt by the site's founder, Mark Zuckerberg.

Some commentators have suggested the ban is another effort by France to control the influence of Anglo-Saxon cultural influences, particularly those seen as encouraging the use of English.

The two sites have been particularly cited in relation to the scandal surrounding the arrest of Socialist presidential candidate Dominique Strauss-Kahn on sexual assault charges in New York.

"The CSA hasn't understood that above being trademarks, Twitter and Facebook are public spaces where more than 25% of the French public discuss and exchange information," said journalist Benoît Raphael.
Kelly said broadcasters must not use the website names unless it was "pivotal to the story". Instead, they should say: "Find us on social networks."

Malta Votes on Whether to Legalize Divorce

2011-05-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Young women walk past a billboard reading
"Christ Yes, Divorce No" in Sliema, outside Valletta, May 6.

Malta votes on whether to legalize divorce
'The divorce referendum is a vote for modernity and an opportunity for those whose marriage has broken down to be able to start afresh' By Christopher Scicluna

The people of Malta started voting Saturday, May 28, in a referendum on whether or not to introduce divorce.

The Mediterranean island of 400,000 people is the only country in Europe that does not allow the practice.

Only divorce granted abroad is recognized in Malta.

Opinion polls suggest the result could go either way, with 40 percent of the electorate still undecided.

The vote is seen as a test of the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in a country where 72 percent of people still say they go to Mass on Sundays.

I am surprised to learn that a European country is so Catholic that it bans divorce.

10 Countries With The Highest Growth in Income Inequality

2011-05-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here is an article, written by Harry Bradford, that reveals the results of an OECD study about the growth in income inequality among nations. 5-24-11

Of all the effects of the economic crisis, perhaps one of the least visible, but most consequential has been the rising rate of income inequality around the world.

A recent report, released by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and entitled "Society at a Glance 2011 - OECD Social Indicators," shows exactly where the gap between rich and poor has grown widest.

Based on a measurement known as the Gini coefficient, which rates countries from 0 to 1, where zero indicates perfect equality and one indicates all wealth goes to a single individual, the report finds growing rates of income inequality everywhere from Oceania to Scandinavia. Between the mid-1980s and late 2000s, the average Gini coefficient for OECD countries rose annually by an average of 0.3 percent, and now sits at 0.31.

High rates of income inequality might be unsurprising in developing countries such as Portugal and Mexico. But countries with historically low levels of income inequality have experienced significant increases over the past decade, too, including Denmark, Sweden and Germany, the OECD recently reported.

Here are the nations with the worst income inequality growth(beginning with highest inequality)according to the OECD. The USA ranks 4th.

1. Chile
2. Mexico
3. Turkey
4. USA
5. Israel
6. Portugal
7. UK
8. Italy
9. Australia
10.New Zealand

Do any of these candidates surprise you? I was surprised that Israel makes the list.

Hasidic press protects men from getting aroused by 63-year old Hillary Clinton.

2011-05-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

Actual and photoshopped photos of scene in the situation room.

The AP reports that a Hasidic newspaper removed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and another woman from the now-iconic photo of the Obama national security team watching the raid that killed Osama bin Laden from the White House Situation Room.

The original photo, taken as the raid was occurring, famously shows Clinton in the center of the room, with her hand over her mouth. But the newspaper Der Tzitung, described by the Jewish Week as "ultra-Orthodox," has a policy of never printing photos of women in its pages because it thinks they could be sexually suggestive. Thus, Clinton and counterterrorism director Audrey Tomason, who was seen standing at the back of the room, were removed from the picture.

Here is the question: What would the Hasidic press have done with print and broadcast media if Hillary were POTUS????????????????????

Are they not obligated to report the news?

What is the largest ethnic group in the world without their own nation?

2011-05-04T04:13:00.000-07:00

What is the largest ethnic group in the world without their own nation?

Answer: The Kurds, who number 20–25 million.

The Kurds have lived in a mountainous, roughly 74,000-square-mile region known as Kurdistan for the past two millennia. Throughout their history they have remained under the thumb of various conquerors and nations, even though they were promised their own country after WWI. Since the early 20th century, the Kurdish region has been divided between Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Iraq, all of which have repressed, often brutally, their Kurdish minority—even banning their Kurdish language in schools, political settings, and broadcasts.

Do you know how many countries have monarchies in 2011?

2011-04-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

There are 45 countries besides Britain that still have a monarchy. Sixteen of them, all members of the Commonwealth, have Britain’s queen Windsor as head of state. They are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Christopher & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

Other countries which still have monarchies include the Netherlands, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, Japan, Denmark and Belgium. Liechtenstein has an absolute monarch by the name of Hans-Adam. In 1999 he was found by the European Court of Human Rights to have suppressed freedom of expression in his principality.

Why do Brazilians speak Portuguese instead of Spanish?

2011-04-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Do you know why Brazil, unlike the rest of South America (that speaks Spanish), has Portuguese has its mother language?

If you are watching the series The Borgias on Showtime, you are watching this history in the making.

When I recently visited Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, I toured the Columbus house museum where we were reminded of how Brazil became Portuguese instead of Spanish speaking.

At the time of Columbus’ (accidental) discovery of the “New World”, Rodrigo Borgia was Pope Alexander the VI (originally from Spain). In 1493, in order to enhance his influence with Spain and increase his net worth, the Pope took a pen, drew a line on a map, and divided the world. Spain was given everything west of line-370- leagues-west of Azores; and Portugal was awarded everything to the east. Hence, Spain got the “New World” (Americas) with the exception of Brazil (too far east) and Portugal got India, Africa, and the (east) Indies. Didn’t someone tell them there were already people living there?

And, that is why Brazilians speak Portuguese-- Brazil was given to Portugal by the (notoriously corrupt) Pope.

China smoking ban

2011-04-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

I am shocked to see an era when the Chinese will soon ban smoking indoors. I am surprised because 1) cigarette taxes produce significant (1/10th) revenue for the Chinese government, 2) cigarette plants are major employers in many Chinese towns, and 3) smoking is widespread as 53 % of Chinese (men) smoke.

Other facts:

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco. The Chinese tobacco market is dominated by the government monopoly China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC). CNTC holds 98 percent of the Chinese market. CNTC sold more than 2.1 trillion cigarettes in 2008.

Over 400 brands of cigarettes are sold at China’s ubiquitous tobacco shops.

Although nearly 1.2 million Chinese people die from smoking-related diseases each year, the habit is deeply entrenched in public life. If current trends continue, China’s death toll from tobacco will reach 2 million per year by 2020.

Today, about one out of every three cigarettes smoked worldwide is smoked in China, close to 5 billion a day.

Among the Chinese population, most smokers are men. Few women have taken up the habit at least not yet.

Around three million Chinese begin smoking each year, most when they are in their teens. Among 14 year olds, 11 percent of boys and 3 percent of girls smoke.
More than half of all male Chinese doctors smoke.

Chinese cigarettes, among the cheapest in the world, are considered an important part of socializing. Cheap brands such as Bandling sell for about 10 to 20 cents a pack. Big Harvest, Little Panda and Yellow Pagoda cost less than 50 cents a pack. More expensive brands such as Red Pagoda cost around one dollar. Gold-filtered Chunghua cigarettes sell for $10 a pack.

Here’s is an AP article with highlights:

BEIJING | Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:09pm EDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will ban smoking at all indoor public venues from May in an effort to shield the world's most populous nation, and its largest cigarette producer, from the harmful effects of the habit, the health ministry said.

China, which has more than 300 million smokers, will require businesses to display prominent no-smoking signs, forbid vending machines from selling cigarettes and ensure that designated outdoor smoking zones not affect pedestrian traffic, according to a ministry statement reported in Chinese media on Thursday.

Businesses should educate customers about the health hazards of smoking and workers should attempt to stop smokers from lighting up, the ministry said.

The ministry did not state specific penalties -- a sign that the new ban might not be rigorously enforced.

China, the world's largest cigarette producer, has embarked on years of half-hearted campaigns to stub out the habit in some cities. The government previously it would ban smoking in all hospitals and medical facilities from 2011.

In 2008, Beijing formally pledged to restrict smoking in most public venues in the city, including government offices and public transport, but most of these venues remain choked with smoke and non-smoking signs are routinely ignored.

In the southern city of Guangzhou, smokers who light up in certain public places only have to pay a 50 Yuan ($7.625) fine, a limited deterrent in one of China's richest cities, even as state news agency Xinhua dubbed it "the nation's toughest smoking ban."

Less smoking could reduce smoking-related health costs, but would also hurt government revenue, as the tobacco industry provides nearly one-tenth of tax revenues. ($1 = 6.558 Chinese Yuan)

(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Chris Lewis)

Granada and The Alhambra-Spain

2011-03-30T18:21:00.001-07:00

Granada and the Great Alhambra “The Pearl Set in Emeralds”

Today, we took a tour with SpainDaytours to visit The Magnificent Alhambra, a 1.5 hour drive from the port of Malaga, Spain.

The Alhambra palace, the greatest Moorish palace in Europe, was built for the last Muslim Emir during the mid-14th century.

The complex demonstrates the grandeur of the Moorish civilization of Andalusia with its signature features including busy stucco, plaster "stalactites," colors galore, scalloped windows framing hillside Granada views, exuberant gardens, and water, water everywhere. Water — so rare and precious in most of the Islamic world — was the purest symbol of life to the Moors-so, the Alhambra is abundantly decorated with water: standing still, cascading, masking secret conversations and drip-dropping playfully.

At one time, 2000 Muslims lived inside the Alhambra walls

The Alhambra in Four Parts
The Alhambra consists of four sights clustered together atop a hill: 1. The (Non-Moorish) Charles V's Palace (Christian Renaissance palace plopped on top of the Alhambra after the reconquest), 2. Alcazaba (fort with tower and views), 3. Palacios Nazaries (exquisite Moorish palace, (the jewel of the tour), and 4. Generalife (beautiful, lush gardens and summer palace).

1. Charles V's Palace
Conquering kings often built their own palaces over their foe's palace, and that's exactly what the Christian king Charles V did. The Palacios Nazaries wasn't suitable for Charles, so he built this new home, considered Spain's most impressive Renaissance building, on top of it. Charles' palace was designed to have a dome, but it was never finished. His son, Philip II, abandoned it to build his own palace, El Escorial. Yes, it’s another case of pure European royal greed and waste.
We visited the adjacent Museo de la Alhambra, showing off some of the Alhambra's best surviving Moorish art, along with one of the lions from Palacios Nazaries' fountain (under construction till 2012).

2. Alcazaba
The fort — the original "red castle" or "Alhambra" — is the oldest and most ruined part of the complex, offering spectacular city views. At one time, this tower defended a town (or medina) of 2,000 Muslims living within the Alhambra walls.
Of note, in the 19th century, Napoleon stationed his troops at the Alhambra, contributing substantially to its ruin when he left.

3. Palacios Nazaries, the Moorish royal palace
At 1:30, the entry time slot stamped on our tickets, we entered the jewel of the Alhambra: the Moorish royal palace, Palacios Nazaries, built primarily in the 14th century. We toured three basic sections: royal offices, ceremonial rooms, and private quarters.

We visited rooms decorated from top to bottom with carved wood ceilings, stucco "stalactites," ceramic tiles, molded-plaster walls, and filigree windows. Open-air courtyards in the palace feature fountains with bubbling water like a desert oasis, the Quran's symbol of heaven. The palace is well-preserved, but the trick is to imagine it furnished and filled with Moorish life...sultans with hookah pipes lounging on pillows on Persian carpets, tapestries on the walls, heavy curtains on the windows, and ivory-studded wooden furniture. The whole place was painted with bright colors, many suggested by the Quran — red (blood), blue (heaven), green (oasis), and gold (wealth). And throughout the palace, walls, ceilings, vases, carpets, and tiles were covered with decorative patterns, mostly calligraphy writing out verses of praise from the Quran.

As I wandered, I kept the palace themes in mind: water, no images, "stalactite" ceilings, and jagged pathways that zigzag (to prevent enemies from storming the place).

We toured Court of Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes); Boat Room (Sala de la Barca); Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones); The Hall of the Ambassadors (Gran Salón de Embajadores); Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de Dos Hermanas); the Hall of the Abencerrajes (Sala de los Abencerrajes); Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones); and The Hall of the Kings (Sala de los Reyes)

Here are highlights of three of them:

The Hall of the Ambassadors (Gran Salón de Embajadores):
During the 15th century, a visitor here would have stepped from the glaring Court of Myrtles into this dim, cool, incense-filled world, to meet the silhouetted sultan.

There is finely carved Arabic script throughout. Muslims are forbidden from making images of living creatures — that is God's work. Instead, they are allowed to display decorative religious messages. One phrase — "only Allah is victorious" — is repeated 9,000 times throughout the palace.

In 1492, two historic events likely took place in this room.

1.Culminating a 700-year-long battle, the Reconquista was completed here as the last Moorish king, Boabdil, signed the terms of his surrender before eventually leaving for Africa.

2.Columbus made his pitch to Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand to finance a sea voyage to the Orient, making his case that he could sail west to reach the East. Although most in the audience of the greatest minds from the University of Salamanca scoffed and called him mad, Queen Isabel said "Sí, señor."

Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones):
This patio, the Patio de los Leones, features a fountain that's usually surrounded by 12 lions. One of the lions is on display in the Museo de la Alhambra inside the Charles V palace, while the others were under construction.

Why did the fountain have 12 lions? Since the fountain was a gift from a Jewish leader celebrating good relations with the sultan (Granada had a big Jewish community), the lions represent the 12 tribes of Israel. During Moorish times, the fountain functioned as a clock, with a different lion spouting water each hour. (Conquering Christians disassembled the fountain to see how it worked, and it's never worked since.)

Washington Irving Room:
We visited the room marked with a large plaque “where Washington Irving wrote Tales of the Alhambra”. While living in Spain in 1829, Irving stayed in the Alhambra. His "tales" re-kindled interest in the place, causing it to become recognized as a national treasure. A plaque on the wall thanks Irving, who later served as the US ambassador to Spain (1842–1846). Here's a quote from Irving's "The Alhambra by Moonlight": "On such heavenly nights I would sit for hours at my window inhaling the sweetness of the garden, and musing on the checkered fortunes of those whose history was dimly shadowed out in the elegant memorials around."

Washington Irving is virtually celebrated as the contemporary patron saint of Granada because his writings sparked renewed worldwide interest in The Alhambra.

4. Generalife Gardens and Summer Palace
It is considered the most perfect Arabian garden in Andalucía. Generalife, (the sultan's vegetable and fruit garden and summer palace), is a short hike uphill near the palace. The 2,000 residents of the Alhambra enjoyed the fresh fruit and veggies grown here. Most importantly, the sultan enjoyed a quiet escape from a busy life governing in the summer. Of note, the Sultan never stayed overnight (security concerns).

This summer home of the Moorish kings, the closest thing on earth to the Quran's description of Heaven, was planted over 600 years ago — remarkable longevity for a European garden.

Many tourists never get to see the Alhambra because entry is limited and tickets sell out quickly. The Alhambra admits 7,800 visitors a day. Six thousand tickets are sold in advance and the rest are sold each day early at the Alhambra ticket window. The Alhambra complex's top sight is the Moorish palace — Palacios Nazaries. Only 300 visitors per half hour are allowed to enter there. Tickets cost 12Euros in March 2011.
Next time, I will visit after May when all the flowers are in full bloom!

Madeira-A Feast for the Eyes

2011-03-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.

Funchal, Madeira’s beauty simply took my breath away. It is the perfect port city to visit because it combines beauty, history, hospitality, and ease of access, all into one spectacular package.

It is eternally spring in this small, peaceful, volcanic island that features soaring cliffs, clear blue water, stunning mountains, deep canyons, and prolific city gardens with breathtaking displays of flowers rarely seen outside Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. There are beautiful gardens EVERYWHERE and Funchal was awarded the 2000 competition for Greening and Flowering of Towns. Also, it was recently voted cleanest city in Portugal.

We took the full circuit of the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour. The bus transported us through the beautiful harbor, through the winding streets of the old quarter, then, high into the mountains atop all the lush green flora and past beautiful residences that overlook the harbor. We climbed as high as the cable car ride.

On the tour, we learned about how Funchal was an important supply point on transatlantic trade routes leading to the Americas, Africa, and India because the predominant trade winds naturally led ships here (and to the Canaries).

I am simply stunned by the beauty of this city that is a continuous feast for the eyes. I would visit Funchal, Madeira again in a heartbeat.

Canary Islands-- Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

2011-03-24T04:27:00.000-07:00

The Canary Islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean, close to North Africa were at the crossroads of 14th century explorations of Africa, transatlantic trade, the sugar trade, and was even a stop by Christopher Columbus en route to the “Asia”. The Archipelago occupies a position that facilitates navigation toward the west due to its Trade Winds and sea streams. That is why expeditions would land here to stock up on supplies before crossing the Atlantic. Fought over and colonized by Italy, Portugal, France, England, and Spain, and ravaged by bands of pirates and buccaneers, it was eventually proclaimed a Spanish province in 1821.

Today, we visited the largest and most popular of the 7 Canary Islands, Gran Canaria. With its balmy, sunny climate, lots of coastline, laid back feel, and outdoor lifestyle makes it ideal for tourism, which produces 80% of the islands revenue.

Via Hop-On-Hop-Off tour bus, we toured Las Palmas, capital of the Eastern Provinces of the Canaries, (Santa Cruz de Tenerife is capital of the western provinces). First we took the entire hour long 9-stop (15 Euro) circuit tour. The scenery of the layers of multicolored houses across the mountain side was spectacular. This is a popular beach vacation destination among Europeans. The 2nd time around, we got off at stop 4—The Old City—where we visited the 16th century Cathedral de Santa Ana and the Casa de Colon. Casa de Colon is a museum that houses scale models, panels, nautical maps, navigational instruments, 15th century globes, caravel models, and geographic documentation of collections on 1) Christopher Columbus and his Voyages, and 2) Gran Canaria and the city of Las Palmas.

I especially enjoyed hearing (again) about how Columbus made 4 expeditions to seek a new route to Asia (NEVER KNOWING he arrived at lands unknown to Europeans), the role that trade winds played in guiding Columbus’ routes, the secret treaty (by the Pope) that gave most of the Americas to Spain and only Brazil (and a few small islands east of European mainland) to Portugal, and how entire families from the Canary Islands were forced to emigrate to various parts of the Americas to help Spain maintain its control of the region. The most popular emigrant destinations were Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Caracas. Venezuela is often called the 8th island of the Canaries and a high proportion of Cubans can claim Canarian ancestry.

By the way, it is believed that the Canary Islands’ name is derived from a kind of dog, popular on the island.

Tree-climbing goats en route from Agadir to Taroudant, Morocco

2011-03-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

From our ship, we took a private excursion from the resort town of Agadir to Taroudant, a former imperial city called "Little Marrakesh". An hour-long bus ride complete with majestic scenery through a landscape of wild beauty with lush plains and past the snow-topped Atlas Mountains (as much as 1800 meters high) took us to Taroudant, a city surrounded by pink/tan mud walls, founded in the 16th century. Unlike most Moroccan cities, such as Fez, Meknes, and Marrakesh, Taroudant does not have a real ville nouvelle; rather, almost the entire city is contained within the wall-- so you really get the feeling of stepping back in time and you gain a sense of what rural Moroccan life is all about.

The focal point of our journey was a stroll thru the walled-city filled with colorful images of streets lined with djellaba-clad woman and men, fish vendors, produce carts, cafes filled with men in gandouras relaxing with a cigarettes, and vendors selling wares from bike baskets—all with the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains and city ramparts. The streets were so chaotic and narrow, that at times, we had to constantly avoid cars, horse-drawn carriages, bikes, and other vehicles. Of note, the ramparts span 4 miles.

We felt rather conspicuous as a group of pale westerners led by our djellaba-clad tour guide. The women, colorfully covered from head to toe, seemed particularly curious about me.

Our trip inside the central market was a treat for all the senses. As with all Moroccan towns, life here revolves around the market or souk, which buzzes with life amidst a mosaic of sights, sounds, smells, and textures. The daily Berber market sells spices, vegetables, clothing, household goods, pottery and other items. In the Arab souk, the emphasis is on handicrafts, terracotta, wrought iron, brass and copper, pottery, leather goods, carpets, and jewelry. Hassan directed us to certain stalls where spices and argan oil where specialties.

One of the highlights of the tour was seeing goats climbing Argan trees en route to Taroudant. We stopped to see the goats and were amazed that they actually climb up into the Argan trees. These special trees (unique to this area) produce a fruit with seeds that are rich in Vitamin E and important in the cosmetic industry, although the locals use the oil to replace olive oil. Goats are particularly fond of the trees and actually climb up into them to feed, which is quite a sight! In town, we visited a shop that sold a variety of healing products and cosmetics made from the prized Argan oil. On sight, were women grounding seeds from the argan fruit
Of note, Agadir was completely ruined in an earthquake in 1960. Our tour guide, 2 years old at the time, was deeply affected by its impact his entire life, as the city took decades to recover.

On the way back, we drove up to the old Kabash that overlooks Agadir. The view of the coastline is spectacularly breathtaking. Camel owners offered rides and photo shoots with their colorful animals. I should have taken a shot while sitting on a camel with the blue sea and coastline below. Next time!!......

Our tour guide Hassan made it clear that Moroccans are Berber people, not Arabs, and therefore don’t harbor anti-American sentiments. Moroccans love their King and are generally satisfied with their traditional ways.

Just to think…..we almost did not visit Morocco. The last cruise did not stop because of country-wide protests held on February 20, a week before their sailing.

Abdou’s website with photos:
http://www.freewebs.com/khettabi/taroudant.htm

Casablanca

2011-03-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today’s visit from our cruise ship: Casablanca, Morocco

With 3.5 million residents, Casablanca is the 2nd largest city in Africa after Cairo. It serves as the commercial and financial capital despite its relative young age as a major city. It was only during the French protectorate of 1912-1956 that the city assumed its pivotal role in the Moroccan economy and grew from a village of just a few thousand to over 3 million inhabitants. The dream of a French governor in the early 20th century, the city is a modern, bustling, cosmopolitan center with skyscrapers, modern government buildings, and planned urban enclaves. Although very westernized, men and women are still segregated in most facilities.

The highlights of my day here were as follows:

Mosque Hassan II

First we took a taxi to the world’s 2nd largest mosque after the one in Mecca. Casablanca’s skyline is dominated by this massive edifice. It holds 25,000 worshippers inside and 80,000 outside. It also holds the world’s largest minaret. It was partly constructed on the water; we saw it emerge as the ship entered Casablanca waters. At one point, you can see the water through the glass floor.

Old Medina

Next, we took a taxi to the old Medina, a colorful market where merchants sell a conglomeration of fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, beans, grains, olives, clothing, pottery, crafted wood, fragrances, fabrics, shoes, berber crafts, jewelry, and many other items. “Mustafa” insisted on guiding us through the web of tiny streets that were a confusing maze of passageways. I enjoyed taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells of this lively medina.

I found the Moroccans to be warm and gracious.

In addition to their currency, the dirham, Moroccan vendors accept Euros, British pounds, and $ dollars.

In case you were wondering: Humphrey Bogart NEVER came here and the film Casablanca was shot entirely in Hollywood.

Freedom of Expression and Speech

2011-03-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

A 30-year old Canadian tourist was arrested recently for posing for a photograph while giving the infamous Nazi salute...outside the Reichstag in Berlin.

Berlin police arrived on the scene within seconds, handcuffed him and took his camera's memory card. The pose is a chargeable offense of up to six months in prison, yet the man was freed after being held in custody for several hours.
Three years ago, a British businessman was arrested at the Cologne airport after he gave the salute to a rental car official.

In France, it is against the law to make anti-Semitic remarks and offenders can be punished with up to six months of jail time.

French fashion house Dior announced it has started proceedings to officially fire its creative director, John Galliano. after a couple accused the designer of racist slurs. Shortly after, another woman came forward. Days later, British tabloid The Sun posted a video on its website of the designer making disparaging comments. “I love Hitler,” the video shows Galliano saying to restaurant guests in the video. “People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be f****** gassed.”

I love our 1st amendment but I feel there should be limits and bans on hate speech and violent rhetoric (that encourages people to use guns to resolve issues). If yelling fire in a crowded room is not protected, that means there is room to include other destructive language.

What do YOU think?

Morocco Tour--March 21, 2011

2011-02-26T08:06:00.001-08:00

I will take a private group tour with Abdou who lives in Taroudant, Morocco, next month.

In response to a question about possible instability and protests affecting our tour from the port of Agadir, he gave this reply:

"All is safe here, and as much as Moroccans want to bring a good change to Morocco, they stand united against any attempts to change the regime. We love the king and every one agrees about this.

There has been some talking about another peaceful demonstration late April, but nothing confirmed. Morocco however is different from other Arab countries and the people enjoy more freedoms so peaceful demonstrations are nothing new. The monarchy is also 12 centuries old and Moroccans care for this institution. Only concern we have is that there are always trouble-makers that would get in the middle of a peaceful march and make things look awful.'' Abdou

Bahrain-Some Interesting Facts

2011-02-19T08:12:00.001-08:00

Excerpted from an article posted by the AP on 02-18-11
Witnesses say Bahrain security forces have opened fire on anti-government protesters as the violence in Manama continues as part of a bold attempt to copy Egypt's uprising and to force high-level changes in its government.

Protesters are calling for the removal of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah and for Prime Minister Khalifah bin Sulman al-Khalifah to step down, and the majority Shiites are demanding more power from Sunni-led government.

The violence has now thrust the small island country - known for its oil and pearls - into the international spotlight for reasons other than its tourism and relatively liberal climate. Though Bahrain is tiny, it is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and, like Saudi Arabia, is one of the key U.S. allies in the Gulf region.

Here are a few facts about Bahrain:

Government
The nation has a constitutional hereditary monarchy, which means the king, as chief of state, is guided by a constitution -- but his rights, duties and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Bahrain has had only one Prime Minister since the country's 1971 independence, Khalifah bin Sulman al-Khalifah, the uncle of the reigning King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah (see photo). Protesters are calling for the removal of King Hamad and for the prime minister to step down, and the majority Shiites are demanding more power from Sunni-led government.

The country has been headed since 1783 by the Khalifah family, members of the Bani Utbah tribe, who expelled the Persians. From 1861, when a treaty was signed with Britain, until independence in 1971, Bahrain was virtually a British protectorate.

Media
The BBC reports that most Bahraini radio and TV stations are state-run. A press law guarantees the right of journalists to operate independently, but they are liable to jail terms for offenses which include insulting the king, and self-censorship is practiced. Earlier this month, Bahrain's leaders promised to expand media freedom in another apparent attempt to quell plans for the first major anti-government protests in the Gulf since the uprising in Egypt.

Women
According to Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), women in Bahrain are still widely discriminated against and enjoyed few freedoms in general society. The BCHR has called Bahrain's society and workplace "male-dominated," and noted that "very few genuine steps are being taken -- by either the government or civil society -- to rectify the one-sided system." The group has also highlighted the plight of female migrant workers in the Gulf state, saying that "special attention must be given to the plight of female migrant domestic workers, as they have been by and large ignored and excluded from the discourse on women's rights."

People
According to the CIA World Factbook, the population of Bahrain is a mere 738,004, 62.4 percent of which are native Bahraini.

Economy
According to the CIA World Factbook, Bahrain has one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. in August 2006, the first such agreement between the U.S. and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy continues to depend heavily on oil, though considerably less so than other Gulf states.

Religion
81.2 percent of Bahrain identifies as Shia and Sunni Muslim, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Education
Bahrain has the oldest public education system in the Arabian Peninsula. The system was established in 1932 when the government assumed responsibility for operating two preexisting primary schools for boys. Subsequently, separate facilities for girls and various secondary programs were established. Since the 1970s, education has been one of the largest current government expenditures.

US Naval Fleet
A close ally of the United States, Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, as well as the coast off East Africa, as far south as Kenya.

Egyptian Muslims and Christians Rising Up Together

2011-02-12T06:19:00.000-08:00

The Crescent Cross is neither a cross adorned with a crescent, nor a crescent adorned with a cross. It is an interfaith symbol where both the crescent and the cross bear equal significance

Here is a great article by Sumbul Ali-Karamali, that highlights solidarity among Egyptian Christians and Muslims. Sumbul Ali-Karamali is an attorney with an additional degree in Islamic law and is the author of 'The Muslim Next Door: the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing.' I read this book last year and learned a lot.

Those who insist on characterizing Egypt's electrifying protests of the last week as "an Islamic uprising" fail to notice the Egyptian Christians who are protesting alongside Muslims and other Egyptians in Tahrir Square. It's an amazing mosaic of Egyptians from all walks of life: women in black robes alongside young men drinking beer alongside Muslim Brotherhood members alongside secularists alongside professionals, and so on. As an American Muslim not of Egyptian descent, I find myself hoping that one of the results of this uprising will be solidarity between Egyptian Muslims and Egyptian Christians.

There's already evidence and hope to that effect. Solidarity between Muslims and Christians is running high in Egypt, though of course there are always the fringe lunatics who find excuses for violence.

On Jan. 1, a terrorist bombing at a church in Alexandria tragically left 21 people dead. The media also covered the consequential street protests of Coptic youth. Yet, a story that received little coverage was the emphatic surge of solidarity between huge numbers of Egyptian Muslims and Christians.

After the bombing, one of Egypt's highest-ranking Muslim shaikhs and Grand Mufti of Egypt, Ali Goma'a, said, "This is not just an attack on Copts, this is an attack on me and you and all Egyptians, on Egypt and its history and its symbols, by terrorists who know no God, no patriotism, and no humanity."

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, stated, "An act like this is wholly condemnable in Islam. Muslims are not only obligated not to harm Christians, but to protect and defend them and their places of worship."

After the bombing, thousands of Muslim Egyptians attended church services in Egyptian churches, in order to serve as human shields in case of another attack. They held candlelight vigils outside, as well. The group included everyone from preachers to students to movie stars and politicians.

Moreover, millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross beside a crescent, signifying "Egypt for All."

This solidarity has held. During the past week's demonstrations, many protesters held aloft signs with the crescent-cross symbol. When some Egyptian demonstrators began to shout "Allahu Akbar," they were immediately drowned out by voluminous chants of "Muslim, Christian, we're all Egyptians."

And days ago, I saw one of the most moving sights I have seen in a long time. The peaceful protests had turned violent, when armed pro-Mubarak mobs (likely instigated by the regime) began attacking unarmed protesters. But when the pro-Mubarak mobs started attacking Muslims Egyptians who were at their prayers in the square, Christian Egyptians made a ring around them to protect them as they prayed.

Egypt still has a ways to go. Laws that discriminate against Christians in Egypt must be totally eliminated. Christians and Muslims share a history in Egypt that goes back a thousand years. The extremist ideologies originating in the 1970s have increased tensions in recent decades, and persecution of Egyptian Christians has increased. It must be completely rejected, as the majority of Egyptians -- both Muslim and Christian -- are already rejecting it on all grounds, from religious to humanitarian.

The Mubarak regime and its security apparatus has been complicit in persecution of Christians. Last year, a government moratorium on construction of a Christian community center resulted in clashes between police and protesters. More than a hundred were jailed.

In hoping that the peaceful protests prevail and the Mubarak dictatorship gives way to a real democracy, I also hope that, along with it, a truly pluralistic and nondiscriminatory society will result in Egypt. The uprisings are Egyptian uprisings, not Muslim uprisings, not Christian uprisings. May they prevail together and build a new, equal society together.

Sumbul Ali-Karamali is an attorney with an additional degree in Islamic law and is the author of 'The Muslim Next Door: the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing.'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sumbul-alikaramali/egyptian-muslims-egyptian_b_818829.html

WHY INSTABILITY IN EGYPT COULD HAVE SUCH A STRONG AND POWERFUL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE WORLD

2011-02-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

Although Egypt is one of the most important countries on the world stage, they have not been in the forefront of our thinking because they have remained relatively stable for more than 30 years.

The explosive uprisings that began last week in Cairo (and extended to other cities such as Alexandria) have placed Egypt center stage in the world’s psyche. I feel a special connection to Egypt because I visited Cairo and Alexandria in both December of 2009 in November of 2010. I found the Egyptians to be warm, friendly and gracious hosts who take great pride in their nation’s achievements.I just read an article that summarizes some of the key of reasons that Egypt plays such an important role on the world stage. I will paraphrase here:

There are a number of factors that make Egypt's unrest important, in that country, the Middle East, and the world.

Egypt is a strong U.S. ally

Egypt has been a key ally for the US in the region since the 1970s, and is currently the second highest recipient of U.S. foreign aid (after Israel). Our relationship with Egypt is complex and co-dependent. That explains why the Obama Administration has been reluctant to distance itself from Mubarak --initially.

Arbitrator in the Israel-Palestine peace process

Egypt has served as a key arbitrator in the Israel-Palestine peace process. As one of the few Arab interlocutors in the region, the Mubarak regime has been a powerful go-between. Israel is extremely concerned about the situation in Egypt because President Mubarak has preserved a peace treaty between the two countries for 30 years. Israel considers the treaty a strategic asset, and it fears that a regime change in Egypt could put the peace agreement in danger.

Egypt is a secular (vs. Islamist) nation

Ever since the Egyptian revolution of 1952, when Egypt finally was under rule by Egyptians, Presidents Nasser, Sadat, and Mubarak have steadfastly maintained a secular nation. As a result, the door has been open to partner with the west and to broker peace in the Middle East. Given the power vacuum created by the removal of Mubarak, extreme religious opposition groups could emerge and seize power. There has always been a powerful faction inside Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood who was fought tirelessly, from underground, to transform Egypt to an Islamist nation governed by Sharia Law. Although the views of the Muslim Brotherhood represent less than half the population, they are the most powerful Islamist opposition group, (in existence since 1928).

Potential domino effect in other Arab and Muslim countries

Egypt’s revolution could give momentum to popular uprisings throughout the region where other archaic forms of government could be dismantled. There are many young, angry Muslim populations who are poised to take to the streets to protest oppressive regimes. Egyptian protesters have claimed they were inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia earlier this month, which ousted the authoritarian president. Other Muslim nations, where discontent has been simmering beneath the surface, are at risk for comparable uprisings. Jordan has already responded by disassembling is parliament. Protests in Yemen have strengthened over the past few days. Other nations such as Libya and Algeria are vulnerable to similar revolts.

Economic stability in the Middle East

Since the protests began, Egypt's stock market has plummeted, and nearby Saudi Arabia's stock index dropped. Additionally, oil prices have already jumped due to fears over access to the Suez Canal.

Implications for the entire future of the Middle East

With the strong financial and political backing of the U.S., as well as its own powerful influence, Egypt is a major power broker in the Middle East. As the Economist puts it, "With its strategic situation, its cultural influence and a population double that of any other Arab country, Egypt has for three decades now been the linchpin of a precarious but enduring regional Pax Americana." If Egypt were to fall into chaos, not only the nation, but also the region, would be deeply affected.

Tunisia and Egypt’s uprisings are the results of decades of often brutal repression against civil liberties; ironclad control of the media; corrupt economic policies; single-party rule and the establishment of police states; high unemployment; and high poverty rates.

The people are sick and tired and are not going to take it anymore.

Are Americans Workaholics?

2011-01-20T05:50:00.000-08:00

Vacation, play time, and down town to distress are all too important in the lives of the employed. In some cultures, workaholism, inherent in society, discourages the healthy balance between work and play. Is the US too preoccupied with serious activities and work to truly relax and smell the roses? Here is an article that shares the perspective of a woman from Eastern Europe about how busy Americans could benefit from stopping to smell the roses.

Workaholism in America: A European's Perspective by Tijana Milosevic

Coming from Serbia -- a country of six million in Eastern Europe that once belonged to a larger, war-torn entity called socialist Yugoslavia -- I wasn't fully aware of the notion of "career anxiety" when I came to Washington D.C. for my MA degree. Until one evening, that is, at the very onset of the school year. A colleague of mine who was just turning 27 raised his glass and voiced his fear: "Twenty-seven: no serious job and no stable career track."

I was 23 at the time and could not comprehend why anyone would be obliged to have a "career track," let alone a stable one, especially at (what I saw as) the tender age of 27. In fact, I had never entertained the concept the way my American friends were referring to it.

While many Americans move out of their homes when they're 19 to hit college, the East- European model is quite different. Countries are smaller, and if there's any migration it is directed typically towards the capital, so young people continue to live with their families through college. Because of high unemployment rates and poor standard of living, they aren't expected to become financially independent, and many depend on their parents well into their late twenties or even early thirties -- without a sense of shame that such state of affairs entails in the US. These factors reduce the relevance of what Americans often describe as "the treadmill feel" -- an almost compulsive desire for continuous promotions, financial gains, followed by a rise in social status, and an increasing social anxiety.

In societies that are similar to mine, the American model is looked down upon as "harsh capitalistic," "individualistic" and above all "alienated," as American parents are not perceived to provide enough financial and emotional support for their children. In fact my family and friends had observed that I shouldn't have chosen America, since I would probably feel better in Western Europe -- where life is not as fast paced as in the US and capitalism still has a "human face."

For example, Americans still work nine full weeks (350 hours) longer than West Europeans do and paid vacation days across Western Europe are well above the US threshold. The French still have the 35 hour working week, while the hourly productivity is one of the highest in the world. On the other hand, in the US an increasing popularity of employment therapy suggests that a high-paying job still comes first, as job issues "have a huge mental health component," and therapists emphasize the importance of "toxic co-workers and the ramifications of massive layoffs."

Numerous writers have outlined the dangers of isolation and careerism in the American society. In her famous work "Eichmann in Jerusalem," Hannah Arendt equates careerism with a lack of thinking that led to Holocaust: "what for Eichmann was a job, with its daily routine, its ups and downs, was for the Jews quite literally the end of the world. Genocide [...] is work. If it is to be done, people must be hired and paid; if it is to be done well, they must be supervised and promoted."

In Serbia even young and busy corporate-minded career professionals do not have to mark their calendars to meet with close friends. One can always find the time for a spontaneous chat over coffee. Still, this laid back culture is now beginning to change with an increasing development of free market capitalism. I still remember how strange it felt when I first came to DC and had to schedule coffees and lunches with people weeks or even months in advance. I found it odd that people rarely picked up the cell phone (which, granted, could be merely my personal experience, although many Americans confirmed it!) and would often leave the time and date of the call in their voicemails, which implied the other person might not get back to them in a while. I also came to discover that what Americans often referred to as "friends," people from my region would prefer to call "acquaintances." The term "friend" cannot be reserved for someone you meet once in a couple of months and do not know well enough to open up to.

Those experiences bring to mind a memorable line from from "Eat, Pray, Love," a biographical story recently turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Julia Roberts: "You Americans know entertainment but you do not know how to enjoy yourselves." Roberts plays a successful thirty-something American who decides to embark on a soul-searching trip to Italy, India and Bali after realizing her job, husband and newly bought house are not what she really wanted from life. Perhaps that's a superficial take on what many would describe as an equally superficial Californian trend to "do something spiritual," but the above quote shows there's something to the American career frenzy that remains unique to the United States. The opportunity cost for "dolce far niente" or "the joy of doing nothing," runs high.

Reflecting on this, I ran into an interesting take on "Eat Pray Love" by a 23-year old blogger: "We are not sympathetic to spiritual personal crises anymore. If you want to have an emotional breakdown about something, you better have a logical, elaborate and secular reason; otherwise you will be dismissed as whiny, annoying and laughable." I wonder if her comment has to do with the lack of experience or the possibility that the generation entering the work force will not have an adequate justification for its desire to escape the treadmill feel -- amidst all the superficial takes on this complex topic.

New Year's Eve 2010: Celebrations Around The World

2010-12-31T15:43:00.000-08:00

Here is an article about New Year’s Eve 2010 in different corners of the world.
by TANALEE SMITH

ADELAIDE, Australia — Multicolored starbusts and gigantic sparklers lit the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour in a dazzling fireworks show witnessed by 1.5 million enthusiastic spectators who camped out all day to ring in the new year.

Sydney touted its claim to be the New Year's Eve capital of the world with a spectacular display over the iconic Harbour Bridge using 7 tons of fireworks, its largest since 2000.

"Stunning, beautiful," said Cinthya Romo, 32, a Sydney-based interpreter from Chile who watched the 12-minute fireworks show from the Opera House.

As the clock ticked closer to 2011, cities across Asia readied for midnight events ranging from traditional prayers in Japan to a massive pyrotechnic display in the shape of a dragon in Taiwan. Europeans were looking forward to celebrations that could help them forget their economic worries.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered along Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor to watch fireworks explode from the roofs of 10 of the city's most famous buildings. Shoppers bustled among the glittering malls and hotels on both sides of the harbor as they waited for the midnight countdown in a night of cool, clear weather.

At Japan's Zojoji temple in central Tokyo, founded in 1393, monks chanted as thousands packed in to count down until midnight. Revelers released a mass of silver balloons carrying notes with their hopes for the future, as the temple's giant 15-ton bell rang in the background.

A few hours earlier, New Zealand and many South Pacific island nations were first to see in new year.

New Zealanders sang and danced their way into 2011, with firework displays and sold-out concerts entertaining revelers. In the biggest city, Auckland, explosions of red, gold and white burst over the Sky Tower while tens of thousands shouted, danced and sang in the streets below.

In New York City, nearly a million revelers were expected to cram into the streets around Times Square to watch the traditional midnight ball drop. The 20-inch snowstorm that blanketed the city will be just a memory thanks to work crews and warmer temperatures.

This year marks the first time Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, officially celebrates the new year with a countdown blowout, complete with a light show and foreign DJs in front of the city's elegant French colonial-style opera house.
Vietnamese typically save their biggest celebrations for Tet, the lunar new year that begins on Feb. 3. But in recent years, the Western influence has started seeping into Vietnamese culture among teens, who have no memory of war or poverty and are eager to find a new reason to party in the communist country.

At midnight in Taipei, Taiwan, fireworks formed a spiraling dragon climbing up the city's tallest skyscraper.

In the Philippines, powerful firecrackers have injured at least 245 people in recent days and Health Secretary Enrique Ona urged safety during Friday's celebrations, saying he feared up to 1,000 injuries.

Many Filipinos, influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that noisy New Year's celebrations drive away evil and misfortune. But they have carried that superstition to extremes, exploding huge firecrackers sometimes bigger than dynamite sticks to welcome the new year.

In Europe, many people will be partying simply to forget their economic woes after a year that saw Greece and Ireland needing financial bailouts and others, such as Spain and Portugal, battling speculation that they will need similar aid.

In London, thousands will witness a musical and firework display at the 135-meter high London Eye, located on the southern banks of the Thames River. The Eye, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, lies almost opposite the Big Ben clock tower at Parliament that will chime in 2011.

If not at home or at private parties, Spaniards traditionally gather in their main town squares to eat 12 grapes one by one as the bell in the square marks the countdown to 2011.

In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her New Year message that Europe is dealing with a major test and must strengthen the euro, even as she celebrated Germany's emergence from the economic crisis, powered by strong exports.

Merkel said in her televised message being broadcast Friday that "it was a good year for Germany."

AP/The Huffington Post | TANALEE SMITH First Posted: 12-31-10 09:16 AM | Updated: 12-31-10 05:50 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/31/new-years-eve-2010-around-the-world_n_802996.html#217904

Some Christmas Traditions Around The World

2010-12-21T17:38:00.000-08:00

photos top to bottom: Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Austria

For children of all ages, Christmas conjures up enchanting visions of snowflakes, sleigh rides and sugar plums. But while the holidays may be universally thought of as the most wonderful time of the year, not all international yuletide customs are merry and bright.

In Austria as well as elsewhere in central Europe, St. Nicholas is accompanied by Krampus, a truly sinister, demon-like creature who bears a whip and a sack for misbehaved children. In the Czech Republic, the traditional Christmas Eve meal is carp, but buying one means bearing witness to a gruesome ritual of Wes Craven-like proportions, while in the Catalonia region of Spain, you might opt to steer clear of a legendary figure known as El Caganer, who's up to some foul-smelling business -- literally -- in the nativity scene.

Take a look at some of the most spirited Christmas traditions around the world here:
Austria
No doubt one of the most terrifying holiday traditions hails from the Austrian Alps, where a figure known as Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas on his travels. The sinister, demon-like figure carries a whipping rod and a sack for misbehaved children.
Spain
In Spain's Catalonia region, you'll find a character called 'El Caganer' among the figures in the traditional Nativity scene. He’s literally defecating -- according to Catalan legend, his “fertilizer” will yield a good harvest for the following year
Eukraine
An artificial spider and web, said to bring good luck, are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees, in honor of a folk tale in which a poor woman awoke on Christmas morning to find her tree trimmed with webs of silver and gold.
Sweden
Dec. 13 is Saint Lucia's Day, one of the few saint days observed in Sweden as well as throughout Scandinavia. Depicted as a young girl wearing a crown of candles to symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned, Saint Lucia delivers sweets and small gifts to good children.
Germany
The traditional Christmas Eve gift bearer throughout Germany is the Christkind, or "Christ Child," who also appears in other central European nations as well. Young German girls often don white robes and angel wings to deliver the gifts, and indicate their departure by ringing a small bell.
Czech RepublicThe traditional Czech holiday meal is carp, which are kept in enormous streetside pools the week before Christmas. When a live carp is purchased, the fish is then bludgeoned and its head hacked off in full view of passers-by.
Italy
Throughout Italy, a kindly old witch named La Befana -- who, according to legend, declined an invitation from the Magi to visit the infant Jesus in Bethlehem -- delivers presents to children as she searches for the Christ Child.
Japan
The Japanese have absorbed many Western Christmas traditions, including decorated trees, roast turkey and mistletoe. For non-Christians, the Japanese equivalent of Santa Claus is Hoeiosho, a Buddhist monk who bears gifts for children.
England
The traditional English Christmas pudding is familiar to anyone who's ever seen or read A Christmas Carol, and it is said that wish made while preparing the dessert will come true, but only if the ingredients are stirred in a clockwise direction.
Netherlands
St. Nicholas' Dutch companion is known as Black Peter, or "Zwarte Piet," who is depicted as a Moor and is usually dressed in a Renaissance page style costume with short pants, stockings, and a cap with a large feather. His face is covered with soot and he rides a mule,It and he travels down chimneys to leave gifts for the children, though in some legends he is also said to punish disobedient children.
Brazil
The Brazilian Santa Claus is 'Papai Noel,' who travels to Brazil every Christmas in breathable silks as opposed to heavy wool, and lives in Greenland (rather than the North Pole) for the remainder of the year.
Russia
Russia's Grandfather Frost is similar to his Western counterparts but is associated with the New Year, the most universally observed Russian holiday, rather than Christmas Day.
by Curtis M. Wong First Posted: 12-18-10 11:23 AM
To see photos of each, click on this link.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/18/christmas-traditions-arou_n_797890.html#s209868

Bhutan-the only country with a dress code for men

2010-12-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

The Gho is the traditional and national dress for men in Bhutan. Introduced in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to give the Bhutanese a more distinctive identity, it is a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera. On festive occasions it is worn with a kabney.

The government of Bhutan requires all men to wear the gho if they work in a government office or school. Men are also required to wear the gho on formal occasions. In its modern form, the law dates from 1989, but the driglam namzha dress code is much older.

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

At site of Nazi power, a Chanukah menorah at Brandenburg Gate

2010-12-07T05:43:00.001-08:00

A costumed Maccabee stands at a Chanukah menorah-lighting ceremony at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, Dec. 1, 2010.

By Toby Axelrod • December 2, 2010
BERLIN (JTA) -- Icicles formed on Rabbi Yehudah Teichtal’s beard as he helped set up the towering menorah in the center of Berlin.

It wasn’t just any menorah among the thousands that the Chabad-Lubavitch movement erects every Chanukah in public locations around the world. Teichtal, the Chabad rabbi in the German capital, was erecting this one at the Brandenburg Gate, once a symbol of Nazi power.

By nightfall on the first night of Chanukah, the gate through which the Nazis marched and which for 28 years marked the dividing line between East and West Berlin had been transformed into a Jewish symbol.

In what was “the cold, dark center” of Nazi Germany, “we are here to say Am Yisrael Chai!’” -- the Jewish people live, said Teichtal, his voice booming across Unter den Linden Boulevard. A few hundred revelers answered in kind.

The menorah lit Wednesday will stay up for the full eight days, with a public candle-lighting ceremony held each night of the holiday.

It marks the sixth year that Chabad of Berlin, with the support of numerous Jewish organizations, has hosted a Chanukah first-night celebration at the Brandenburg Gate. In 2004, Teichtal won permission from the German government, arguing that this would be an event of national importance worthy of such a location.

Sure enough, the image of rabbis dancing in front of the menorah at the Brandenburg Gate appears in newspapers and on websites around the world.
The message is clear: In Germany, the Jews live again.
More than 200,000 Jews are living now in Germany, the majority of them immigrants from the former Soviet Union who came after 1990.

“Twenty or 30 years ago, nobody would believe that this would happen here,” said Arkady Schwarz, deputy chair of Konigs Wusterhausen, a Jewish congregation in Brandenburg.

“I like what this light represents,” U.S. Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy told the crowd gathered Wednesday, Chanukah’s first night. “And I also like the length of the holiday: My kids want to know why certain other holidays can’t be as long.”
Murphy also hosted a small Chanukah reception at the embassy.

The ceremony on Chanukah’s first night was the culmination of a day filled with holiday activities ranging from a parade through Berlin of cars with menorahs strapped on top to visits to Jews in hospitals, prisons and senior centers.
“We give out Chanukah gifts to all children in the hospitals, including non-Jewish children,” Teichtal told JTA.

“In Berlin, which was the essence of darkness, we go to the source and bring light,” he said. “To all our enemies who have tried to destroy us, we answer not with sticks and stones but with light and good deeds and acts of kindness.”
After the first candle was lit at the gate, organizers passed around jelly doughnuts -- a traditional Chanukah treat known in German as a “Berliner.” Music blasted from speakers, hot drinks and sparklers were passed around, celebrants danced or huddled together to stay warm on a freezing Berlin night.

“Why are we here? Because we are Jews, why else?” laughed Schwarz, who emigrated with his family from Ukraine in 1999. “In Ukraine it was not only forbidden to practice religion, it was forbidden to think about religion, he said, recalling the communist days. “So we feel free here.”

Elijahu Borodin, 20, who came to Berlin from Odessa 13 years ago, set aside his math studies to don a Maccabee costume and stand on the ceremonial platform, torch in hand.“This is my job for now,” he said, “to show that the Jews have survived.”

Alexandria-Ancient and Modern

2010-11-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

Today, we explored Alexandria, Egypt’s 2nd largest city founded by Alexander the Great in 332BC.

This city, brought to life in history and film classes, is a modern city that continues to excavate layers of its former (ancient) civilizations buried beneath it.

Alexandria formerly houses one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, The Pharos lighthouse. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the 12th and 14th centuries. Standing in its place is the imposing Fort Qaitbey, built in the 1480s by Sultan Qaitbey. From its elevated position, set back from the grand cornice (long waterfront walkway) the fort has fantastic views of Alexandria and out to sea. This was our first stop.

Next, we headed along the corniche, passing lots of seafront resort hotels, to the Montazah Palace and gardens, the summer home of the royal family.

Pompey’s Pillar and the Temple of Serapris ruins were next. Destroyed by Christians as they commonly destroyed pagan temples, the only part of the temple still standing is one of the pillars, known (incorrectly) as the Pillar of Pompey. We explored the impressive, fully preserved, intricate network of subterranean galleries (long dark passageways) with side chambers that housed statues of Gods, tools and equipment, food, and even the tombs of the revered Apis bulls. These ancient underground galleries survived destruction by the Christians and multiple earthquakes over the years.

Lunch was delectable seafood at a waterfront restaurant.

The highlight of the tour was the Alexandria Library and Cultural Center. More than a library that seats 2000, the modern new complex houses museums of antiquities and photography, a planetarium, a science museum, a children’s wing, and even a museum of the life of Anwar Sadat. His museum contains personal artifacts from his home, his office, medals, documents, photos, uniforms, his pipe, and even the suit he was wearing when he was assassinated in 1981.

Striking in its architecture, the main library is encased in a giant cylindrical building at the northern end of the waterfront. The circular outer wall is made of Aswan granite engraved with letters from world alphabets. The roof which tilts toward the sea is designed to angle sunlight onto the desks of the 7-tier 2000-seat reading rooms. The library contains 8000 volumes, none of which, however, can be checked out. You can download 25% of a volume in 4 sittings in order to read an entire book.

There is also a vast online collection. I will get to know this library better when I return home.

Of course, this library was constructed to commemorate the 3rd century BC library that had been the finest in the ancient world, before it was destroyed by fire.
The last stop on our tour was the Roman Ampitheatre. It was discovered (uncovered) beneath the rubble of a construction project in 1965. Can you imagine living in a city where they stumble upon centuries-old ruins with intact mosaic floors from the 2nd century AD?

We had a great 2 days in Cairo and Alexandria!

Cairo and Giza

2010-11-30T07:36:00.001-08:00

post coming later..................................

Perfect day touring Rome from cruise ship

2010-11-30T07:33:00.000-08:00

I had the perfect day touring Rome with 6 great folks. Highlights were visiting the inside of the Colosseum; having a guided tour of Vatican City including St Peters and the Sistine Chapel;Seeing Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, and The Spanish Steps.

7AM awoke (with no wake up call)
7AM room service breakfast
Dressed, ate, and packed knapsack
Rained hard from 730-755ish
740AM met group in lobby

3 couples + Karla went into a 7-passenger mini-van with Fabio our driver and guide for our full day in Rome.
--Tom and Rosemary-Ottawa
--Susie and Joel -Portland, OR
--Jason and Mike-San Francisco

It was the perfect day with the perfect group. We all met online on cruisecritic.com where Tom set up the trip and invited others to join. We split the cost of 650 Euros for the van and guides for the day (8AM til 4:45PM). The ship left at 7PM.

We got along sooo well: No conflict, everyone was friendly, everyone was cooperative and punctual----we stuck closely together. They are all frequent cruisers who really like NCL. They all book balconies, suites, penthouses, and villas. Everyone loves the 5 days at sea in between port visits!! They all like the Jade and feel it is the perfect size ship. (there are virtually NO KIDS on this cruise) We paid 1/3 of what NCL tours charged to be in a small van that is easy to navigate and squeeze into tight places. Fabio was awesome; Katerina, our Vatican City guide was awesome and passionate. I will join them on an Athens tour (in 2 days) since we got along so well. (I was going to take the train into Athens and tour it solo). We walked lots, climbed lots of stairs, made only one restroom stop at 1:00, did no shopping, and we chose not to stop for a meal (we munched on snacks we had brought). Since we skipped lunch, we had more time for touring and did not have to rush back to the ship.

Firsts for me:
--Going inside the Colloseum
--Guided tour of Vatican museum, St Peters, and Sistine Chapel.

Everyone had a positive attitude and intellectual curiosity.
No one complained.
Everyone was easy-going and flexible.
We all agreed we were perfect travel companions.
We all agreed it could not have been a better day.

I sat out on the aft deck as we sailed out of the port at 7PM. I watched the twinkling lights fade to darkness. I was one of 3 people out there.
I felt like a master of the sea.

WILL POST PHOTOS LATER

Ephesian Splendor

2010-11-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

Here is what I tweeted about my day in Ephesus: Spent the day with the Ephesians touring the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey. Now I know why some feel it’s their favorite port of call on this cruise.

Our ship docked at 9AM in Izmir, Turkey’s 2nd largest port and 3rd largest city. (I missed the Ephesus tour last year because I caught the evil 1-day stomach virus rampant on the ship.) Cem, our tour guide, was a gracious host to our group of 9 (4 couples and me) who met online. Our driver headed towards Selcuk.

Today we toured Ephesus, founded in the 6000 BC. It is here they say Paul preached to the Ephsesians and where the “virgin” Mary spent her last days. We even visited the famous “House of Mary”, at Bulbul Hill, a shrine where Christians visit on pilgrimages from all other the world. The shrine is simple and rather sweet. Naturally, the shops outside sell more Mary and Catholic souvenirs than one can imagine.

Next, was our tour of Ephesus that showcases some of the best preserved ancient ruins in the Mediterranean-- some say even better than those at Pompeii. As impressive as the site is, only 1/8 has been excavated.

Our comprehensive tour of the ruins lasted roughly 2 hours. We saw the 24,000 seat amphitheatre, the Marble Street, the Agora, the famous library, baths, the brothel and much more. We even arranged for an exclusive visit of the fantastic Terrace Houses, famous for their frescoes and mosaics, reflecting the housing texture and architecture of their time. (we had to pre-reserve this visit and pay an additional fee).

We learned the big amphitheatre holds concerts for greats such as Elton John and Joan Baez.

Lunch was served in a typical Turkish setting and included multiple cold and hot dishes: salads, hummus, tziki, eggplant, pita, lamb, chicken kebabs, chickpeas, rice, fresh fruits, and more. Service was 5* and the meal was the best I have had thus far on the cruise. 2 in our group wanted to explore purchasing a carpet. After a factory tour and demonstration, they felt overwhelmed with the myriad choices and declined to purchase a rug.

Next on our tour was a visit of St John’s Basilica and Castle, The (remains of) Temple of Artemis/Diana (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world), and the Selcuk Museum that houses an impressive collection of original items from Ephesus and Selcuk.

The weather was perfect, sunny and upper 60s, and there were NO crowds. It must be like an oven here during the summer months.

I was a thoroughly satisfied customer at the end of our tour. We did not even need to rush back to the ship, instead, we took a leisurely ride and arrived 1 hour and 15 minutes before departure. (just enough to shop inside the pier!!)

Again: now I understand why some feel it’s their favorite port of call on this cruise.

WILL UPLOAD PHOTOS LATER

Crete instead of Athens on cruise today

2010-11-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Full Article coming soon…………..

Riots in Athens so ship went to Crete instead. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Crete. I took the local bus (2Euros) to visit The Palace of Knossos constructed 6000BC (6Euros). Then, I walked around the charming streets of Iraklion.

I feel bad for people who had Athens on their bucket list. Some had invested lots of time planning Athens tours. Glad I have been many times. I was here several years ago and stayed at the Creta Maris resort on the beach.

We saw young people rioting peacefully here (protesting I guess). Perhaps the are protesting University prices as they are in England.

Barcelona-The 4th most visited city in Europe.

2010-11-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

Article coming soon.........

Burqa Rage

2010-11-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Attacks against Muslims in everyday life continue:

French shopper allegedly rips veil off Muslim woman in 'burqa rage' brawl By Fred Ernst, AP

Three people have been arrested in France in the first case of "burqa rage" in which a woman allegedly ripped the veil off a Muslim woman while shopping, The Telegraph reports.

The French parliament has banned burqas and other forms of face-covering Islamic dress in public places as "an affront to the nation''s values," but the law does not take effect until fall. Belgium has passed a similar law.

The British newspaper says the mêlée erupted after a 26-year-old Muslim convert was walking through a store in the western Loire-Atlantique region and overhead another shopper, who is a lawyer, making "snide remarks about her black burqa."

"The lawyer said she was not happy seeing a fellow shopper wearing a veil and wanted the ban introduced as soon as possible," the Telegraph police as saying.
After the pair exchanged heated words, the newspaper says, the 60-year-old lawyer allegedly "ripped the other woman's veil off."

As the two came to blows, the lawyer's daughter allegedly joined the brawl.
A spokesman for Trignac police said the Muslim woman accused the lawyer of racial and religious assault and the lawyer accused her of common assault, the newspaper reports.

Meanwhile, in Vienna, Muslims attending a weekend conference criticized European countries for considering the possibility of banning face-covering veils, saying it is counterproductive and regressive, the Associated Press reports.
(Posted by Doug Stanglin)

David Cameron rejects Chinese request to remove 'offensive' poppies during visit

2010-11-11T15:56:00.000-08:00

Poppy wearers: David Cameron drinks a toast with Education Secretary Michael Gove (left), Business Secretary Vince Cable (2nd left) and Chancellor George Osborne at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

David Cameron and four Cabinet ministers wore poppies in defiance of Chinese demands to remove them yesterday.The Prime Minister was told that allowing his delegation to sport the symbol would cause grave offense because it would remind Chinese ministers and officials of the Opium Wars.

Also known as the Anglo-Chinese Wars, they were the climax of trade disputes between China and the British Empire over Chinese attempts to restrict British opium trafficking.

China was defeated in both the First Opium War, from 1839 to 1842 and the Second Opium War from 1856 to 1860.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the second war, which ended when British and French armies arrived in Peking and razed the Emperor's Palace to the ground.

The British victories in both conflicts apparently still weigh heavy on Chinese minds, since the prospect of British ministers and officials wearing poppies while attending this week's talks in Beijing prompted horror.

The poppy is the source of opium and Chinese officials were apparently unfamiliar with its importance in Britain in commemorating our war dead.

Mr Cameron, who is attending a ceremony in South Korea tomorrow to mark November 11, refused to remove his poppy, as did Chancellor George Osborne, Business Secretary Vince Cable, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne and Education Secretary Michael Gove, who are all accompanying the Prime Minister in China.

'When asked if it was a joke, the Chinese were stern-faced and said "No, we'd like you to remove them",' said one startled British aide.
'Clearly that was not an option so we tried to explain the importance of the poppy in Britain and informed them we would be wearing them all the same.'

Meanwhile, Mr Cameron took time out from official business during his visit to Beijing today to take a trip to the Great Wall of China.

The Prime Minister climbed a section of the wall at Juyong Pass, north of Beijing.
Signing his name in the visitors' book, the PM said the visit was a 'memorable' experience he would never forget.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328311/David-Cameron-rejects-China-request-remove-offensive-poppies.html#ixzz151JyR9BS
By James Chapman
Last updated at 11:45 AM on 10th November 2010

Egypt plans to gradually end visa requirements for Turks

2010-10-27T06:58:00.001-07:00

poste by memphistours
Turkey and Egypt may begin a gradual process of mutually ending visa requirements. For this, Egypt will first implement a “white visa” policy for Turkish businessmen and academics, facilitating their entrance to the country and allowing them to stay in the country for up to three months. The agreement will soon expand to cover others as well in the long run.

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said he spoke with Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid over the possibility of abolishing visa requirements between the two countries.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also spoke about Nazif’s plans to ease the strict procedures for granting visas for businessmen and intellectuals. The strategic partnership between Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to improve their economies through increased levels of cooperation is far more important, explained Hisarcıklıoğlu.

The TOBB president also voiced the problems of Turkish businessmen who want to invest in Egypt. “We are here not only to earn money but also to share our experiences. It is straightforward that problems can arise in any country. For instance, Şişe Cam, a leading glass manufacturer in Turkey, wants to invest approximately $500 million in Egypt. They only want to have a natural gas access in their plant,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu.

Separately, Ahmed El Wakeel, chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, announced on Monday that Ro-Ro voyages between Turkey and Egypt would be launched on March 1, 2011. The announcement came during a business visit by a delegation of Turkish businessmen under the chairmanship of Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), to Egypt. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a Ro-Ro line between Mersin and Alexandria at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo.

The idea, first put forward by the company COMMIT Co., was realized after the necessary permission was obtained from the relevant authorities Zühal Mansfield, head of the Turkish-Egyptian Business Council, also stated. “Any transportation and logistics firm will be able to apply for a license to run trips between Egypt and Turkey in the near future,” she said.

Speaking to Today’s Zaman, COMMIT Co. CEO Alper Celen sounded more optimistic and explained that the prospect of launching trips even before March seemed very likely. El Wakeel underlined that two companies from Egypt and Turkey had already reached an agreement on beginning the trips 10 days earlier. He also pointed out that Ro-Ro transport is much more advantageous when compared to road transportation and that such a Ro-Ro line will boost trade ties between the two countries.

In other news, in a meeting organized by a Turkish delegation with their Egyptian counterparts on Saturday in the historic city of Alexandria both sides agreed to establish the Turkish-Egyptian Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was also attended by Rachid Mohamed Rachid, the Egyptian minister of industry and foreign trade.

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that trade volume between the two countries has so far reached $3.4 billion and is expected to reach $10 billion in 10 years, adding that all available resources should be used to increase trade activities. He also suggested the expansion of an already established free trade zone between Turkish, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon to include Egypt as well. El Wakeel responded by saying that there is a free trade agreement between Turkey and Egypt and a duty exemption deal between Egypt-Syria-Lebanon is still in effect and expressed his hope that Egypt would be included in the list of countries Turkey has a common free trade zone with.

Turkish ambassador to Egypt Hüseyin Avni Botsalı also revealed that a visa waiver agreement is about to be concluded between the two countries for businessmen, artists and professionals. Visitors will be able to stay for up to three months without a visa.

Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference : todayszaman.com
Posted by : Shaimaa Ahmed

http://egyptcairoholidays.com/2010/10/27/egypt-plans-to-gradually-end-visa-requirements-for-turks/

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

2010-10-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever sought movie reviews from friends about a newly released film, and been amazed by the dramatically opposing views they express? I marvel at how two close friends can see the same film and yet one exclaims, it’s the best movie I have ever seen, while another asserts, it was a colossal waste of time. Were they actually viewing the same film? Am I schizophrenic for having friends who hold such drastically differing views?

They say, One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Reviews I read recently about a museum in Switzerland remind me of this old saying. La Musee de l’Art Brut, located in the scenic Lausanne, is one of my favorite museums in the world. I discovered it while touring Europe the summer after graduate school. It showcases a collection of art work created primarily by the institutionalized: schizophrenics, manic-depressives, and other psychiatric patients.

I was mesmerized by the collection and recall spending hours there and even buying the souvenir book.

Take a look at these current reviews on a popular travel critic forum:

“Absorbing, thought-provoking, stimulating, emotional...”I discovered Art Brut (Outsider Art in English) because of this museum. My first visit lasted over 3 hours - even though it's a relatively small museum - and I only left because it was closing time. I have since been several times, each time discovering something new and spending more time to contemplate specific works of art.

The lives of outsider artists are as important as the works themselves, and these are described briefly in short texts on the walls of the museum giving you insight into how the works were made and the circumstances. In my subjective opinion, the most impressive work is that of the life-size horse made of various pieces of wood (I don't remember the artist). It's stunningly (and surprisingly) beautiful- there is much movement and life in it that you can almost hear the galloping. Incredible.

An extraordinary place and one which will stay with you long after your visit.

“the worst place ever”It sucked. I've never been so bored in my life. Just a lot of naked people. I see enough of those at home.

“A clinicians day out!”Although difficult to initially find via the bus, (you need to get off at Beaulieu) this gallery is one of the most interesting that I have had the pleasure to visit. A simple facade hides both the depth and size of the collection, and once inside, the collection is one of abject fascination for both public and clinical interest.

Beginning with a collection of artworks by learning disabled artists, and continuing on two further floors with artworks from a number of other artists with mental health issues, as well as psychics and prisoners, the collection is extensive. Clear and concise histories of each artist are placed alongside each set of works (in both French and English) which allow some insight into their lives.
Altogether, a truly fascinating collection that I feel honored to have seen. However, be aware that this is a very large collection over three floors, and any visit will be a long one!

Finally, for those reading this who have mobility issues, there are three sets of stairs (and no lift that I could find), but the staff are friendly, helpful and approachable.

“Fascinating!”A fascinating but also quite disturbing collection of 'outsider art'.

I wasn't aware of what I was going to see when I visited this museum but was blown away by the kind of artworks that were on display.

As the previous reviewer said, some of the work was quite accomplished but other pieces, very child-like. My conclusion was that there is a very fine line between genius and madness in art.

A memorable visit and would recommend as a must-see if visiting Lausanne.

“Mind-blowing!”Le Collection de L'Art Brut is possibly the most interesting art gallery I've ever seen, and a definite highlight of my visit to Lausanne. It's a collection of 'outsider art' - visual artwork created mostly by schizophrenics, manic-depressives, and other psychiatric patients. Some of the art is brilliant, while some of it is less technically proficient (even childish in its execution) but genuinely disturbing. The staff are helpful (though it helps if you speak French), and the experience unforgettable. After my first visit to the Collection, I found myself drawn back to it two days later, and would love a chance to see it again.

Where do you think YOU would fall on the spectrum of--admirers versus detesters--of these works?

If you are interested, here is the Museum address: Collection de l'Art Brut-- 11 av des Bergieres, Lausanne 1004, Switzerland Tel: 41 21 315 25 70 Fax: 41 21 315 25 71

The French R on Strike AGAIN!!

2010-09-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Some claim that for the French, going on strike is a national sport.
This time it’s really massive, with millions of strikers disrupting air and rail services, while schools and post offices are closed.

The reason: protesters are angry at government plans to overhaul pensions and raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. BTW, France has one of Europe’s lowest retirement ages and they will go down fighting to keep it that way. It’s all about the joie de vivre.

This brings back memories from the days I lived in France as a student. Fully immersed in the University system, (in Normandie) my American compatriots and I marvelled when even the students went on strike, disrupting the start of classes in the fall. What could they possibly have to complain about? It was difficult for us to empathize with their grievances especially since their tuition cost was virtually nil—(their fees for textbooks exceeded what we paid for tuition for the entire year at our U.S. university).

At the same time, we admired their passion and drive to fight for what they believed in. We were busy looking for the best buys on le pain et le vin. (bread and wine).

The topic aroused my curiosity about strikers in other nations. Of course, in the U.S., strikes are far less common. In fact, Airline industry employees are the only national groups that make striking headlines regularly.

Here are examples of recent strikes around the globe:
Civil servants in Greece, doctors in Germany, taxi-drivers in China, coffee shop owners in the Netherlands, teachers and nurses in Niger, general practitioners in Bulgaria, truckers in Spain, and postal workers in the UK.

At the end of one long list of global strikes, it says 2010: the Cast of Jersey Shore. Well, at least we are passionate about something, right!

Do you know the world’s most popular travel destinations?

2010-08-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

Do You Know? From: karlascottspeaker.blogspot.com

Where do the world’s travelers go most often? The country topping the list hosted 74.2 million tourists in 2009.

And the winners are:

#5 Italy

#4 China

#3 Spain

#2 USA (Spain and the USA vie for 2nd and third place a lot)

Drumroll………

#1 France

Guess who spends the most on travel??

82 million Germans spent $80 Billion last year. Americans ranked 2nd spending $73 billion.

Source: Bloomberg Business Week

Why Do the Roma Wander?

2010-08-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Because in the old days, they had to.

Here is interesting article written by By Juliet Lapidos (published in Slate) that answers the question: Why Do the Roma Wander?

Persecution, initially.

The Roma, also known as Gypsies (though this is a pejorative term), are associated with a peripatetic lifestyle.

The Roma originated in India but left the subcontinent in the 11th century, perhaps following Muslim invasions. From there, they crossed into the Byzantine Empire, and then up to southeastern Europe by about 1300. Generally speaking, xenophobia made it difficult for them to stop in any one place for very long, let alone establish permanent settlements. (Since it's thought that the Roma adhered to strict purity codes, they may also have been reluctant to mix with outsiders, making assimilation unwanted on both sides.) When the Roma arrived in Western Europe in the 15th century, local populations worried they were part of an Ottoman invasion (because of their dark skin color) and the German Reichstag of Freiberg declared them outlaws. Barred from purchasing land or joining guilds, the Roma had no choice but to move about.

Wandering became a way of life, and the Roma fit into the European economy by selling merchandise in rural areas distant from shops. Angus Fraser writes in The Gypsies that "they appeared as purveyors of gossip and news, sellers of cheap wares (often made by themselves) repairers of household goods, seasonal laborers (e.g. for haymaking, pea and fruit picking, hopping); or they could function as itinerant entertainers." With improved communication networks, the Roma continued to do seasonal work that required movement, replacing traditional caravans with trailers and campers. Some Roma now value the freedom of an itinerant lifestyle and consider it part of their culture.

Contrary to stereotype, however, wandering is no longer the default for the Roma. The communist regimes in Bulgaria and other eastern European countries forced the Roma to settle down, pushing them into segregated ghettos. Most Roma today are actually sedentary rather than peripatetic. There are no hard numbers Europe-wide, but it's thought that the vast majority live in apartments and houses. Many of the Roma who do move from country to country are merely participating in the economically motivated and widespread migration out of Eastern Europe.

English Is Challenging

2010-08-08T07:04:00.001-07:00

Here is a thought provoking, fun, interactive exercise that demonstrates how challenging English can be. It is written by Mary Beth Marino, The Writing Editor.

It’s time for a good laugh! A belly shaking, rolling on the floor laugh…AND an English lesson to boot! My love affair with words was nourished by an email that was sent to me by a friend. It challenges the English language while giving a good laugh and marvels the astonishment about how things get to be what they are and why. Curious? Read on.

Can you read these right the first time?
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Stockholm, Sweden from Baltic Capitals Cruise

2010-07-08T07:46:00.001-07:00

This was our last port of call on our 7-country itinerary. I decided to take the NCL Stockholm by Land & Sea Tour (my 1st ship tour) because the logistics of going to Stockholm (using buses and trains) are complicated and time-consuming.

I met the group at 7:30AM for our 25 minute tender to the port of Nynashamn. From there, we took an hour drive to the city of Stockholm.

Stockholm is a beautiful city on 14 islands linked by 40 bridges. We began our day at The Royal Palace where we saw the changing of the guards. Then, we took a walking tour of Gamla Stan, the historic old town with cobblestone streets and buildings dating back 500 years. The narrow streets brim with bookstores and antiques and souvenir shops, and medieval cellars are now restaurants and cafés. The streets are so narrow that bicycles could barely pass through. The Noble Museum (of Noble Prize fame is located here).

I munched on a muffin and banana I brought from the ship (for lunch).

Next, the coach took us to another island to see Stockholm’s most popular museum, The Vasa Museum. The warship Vasa was the pride of the Swedish Navy. Commissioned by the King to hold two floors of guns, its maiden voyage was to be a celebration for the entire city. Instead, minutes into the voyage, it sank to the bottom of the harbor. It was 333 years before it was salvaged by a determined archeologist. The whole lifting of the Vasa in 1961, was televised live for the world to witness. More than 1200 objects including weapons, shoes, pottery, and tools. It is considered to be one of the most important events in marine archeology. I watched a 25 minute film on the lifting of the Vasa. I wish we had more time to explore this engaging interactive (new:1990) museum.

We completed our tour with a boat cruise along Stockholm’s picturesque waterways. The weather and sites were perfect!

I was impressed to read that Sweden is one of the most generous countries in the world, donating billions in monetary aid and training to nations in need as well as rewarding achievements in science, literature, medicine, and world peace. Her economy is considered Europe’s 2nd most competitive behind Denmark’s. Sweden is so aggressively developing renewable energy that it hopes to be petroleum-free by 2020.

Stockholm is clean, modern, and the people are very pleasant. Yes, they are very blonde.

Helsinki from Baltic Capitals Cruise

2010-07-08T07:45:00.001-07:00

Article coming soon

St Petersbug, Russia Day #2

2010-07-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

I asked our tour guide, Maria, if tourism was a leading industry in St Petersburg. She responded NO because of the stringent Visa requirements. Not only does a foreigner require a Visa, but they are required to have the Visa registered. Because I took a tour from a cruise ship AND with a local company, the tour company provided the registered Visa, in advance. Otherwise, it would have cost minimally $175+ recommendations from a Russian authority for entry. We had to show our tour ticket and go through passport control upon entering and exiting, both days of our tour.

Our tour group met outside of customs earlier today at 7:45. We headed to the center of town where we boarded boats for our guided canal tour of St Petersburg’s waterways. We covered all the major sites from palaces, to churches, to museums, to monuments, to parks, to famous boulevards. It was a perfect morning for a canal tour. St Petes 4th sunny day—in a row. (This is unheard of!)

Next we went directly to Peterhoff, Peter the Great’s dream “garden of paradise”, complete with gilded palace, a variety of fountains (they have lost count), lushly landscaped parks, and monuments to great leaders, (and even statues of Adam&Eve). When Peter designed it, he ensured he could travel by boat from St Pete directly to the Palace. He lived and traveled on the water as much as possible. The most loved section is the vast lower garden. The Great Cascade Fountain comprises 3 waterfalls, 64 fountains, and 37 gilded statues. Many other fountains are contained in the lower gardens including “trick fountains” that are turned on by “magic” stones.

It is hard to believe that when the Nazis were finally driven out of this area, toward the end of WWII, that almost everything was in ruins. Much was restored years later.

We took the hydrofoil back to the city.

Lunch was a traditional pickled soup with meat&vegetables and blinis with ham and cheese. Dessert was pistachio ice cream.

Our final stop was The Church on Spilled Blood, constructed to commemorate Tsar Alexander II on the very spot where he was assassinated. This church is my favorite because of the beautiful, multicolored, mosaic onion domes. Inside more than 20 types of minerals, including jasper, rhodonite, and Italian marvel are lavished on the mosaics of the icons, canopy, and floor. Religious scenes created in mosaics blanket the interior and even inside the domes. It is an impressive structure and reminds me of St Basils in Moscow. The (atheist) Soviets had scheduled the bombing of this church but plans got delayed. In the meantime, it was used as a storage facility for vegetables, for years, while it fell into disrepair. Fortunately, the government undertook its restoration so the world can now enjoy this magnificent structure.

Our tour ended at 5:00. We were back on the ship in time for our 7PM departure.

It was sad saying goodbye to Russia who surpassed my expectations on all accounts.

St Petersburg, Russia Day#1

2010-07-05T08:11:00.001-07:00

St Petersburg from cruise—Day#1. The Venice of the North (July 4, 2010)

Here is a primer on St Petersburg.

Tsar Peter the Great hated Moscow (traumatized as a child by attempted coup). He loved the sea. He embarked on a lengthy tour of Western Europe where he learned their “modern ways and culture”. He sharpened his knowledge of ship building in the Netherlands, and learned about naval and military affairs from England. 300 years ago, he decided to build a new, modern capital city—a paradise on earth---on the water. He built it on the swampy Neva River. His goal was to build a city with European grandeur: imperial gold palaces, canals, attractive bridges, broad boulevards, candlelit cathedrals, lush gardens and parks, and impressive monuments that rivaled the best of the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria and others. The city covers more than 40 islands, many connected by bridges adorned with sculptures and wrought iron. Peter also transformed society so that it conformed to more modern western standards. For example, he banned the boyars from wearing beards. The result: A stunning planned city of opulence, beauty, and order.

Day #1 St Petersburg
Instead of taking the ships tours, I explored private tour options with reputable local tour companies.

I selected SPB Tours, the company with whom I toured Berlin. I would hire them again! I prefer touring in small groups and the price is typically 1/3 to ½ less than the cruise ship’s tours.

The itinerary was packed with important city highlights. The tour guide, Maria Malakhova, m.malakhova@gmail.net, was excellent. (her English was impeccable although she had never studied outside of Russia and she was certified to give tours on many topics, including 8-hour tours of the Hermitage). She kept us on track, shared valuable information, and was very professional.

We crammed into 1 day what many others would include in a 3-day visit. The same was in store for us Day#2.

--Ist we took a Subway ride. (Tech Institute stop) Because it was Sunday, it was not very crowded. I would never survive here alone because the Russian Alphabet is not recognizable to me. She took us into modern, beautifully-adorned stations.

--Next, we toured the opulent Catherine’s Palace with the famed Amber Room—a room completely covered in amber, even the ceiling. Unfortunately, the Nazis raided most of Russia’s treasured palaces and had even bombed Catherine’s Palace. After WWII, futile attempts were made to locate the amber panels; eventually, Russia restored them in a decade’s long project.

--Lunch-buffet lunch with lots of potatoes and pickled items. Nothing to write home about.

--Hermitage Museum--Known for its Rembrandts, Leonardos, Goyas, Raphaels and others, it is a vast museum that holds 3 million exhibits from paintings and sculpture to archeological finds. Our tour guide whisked us past the 3-hour long line right into The Hermitage. It is a collection of buildings on the Neva that include the original Winter Palace (it out-does Versailles). Every room was meticulously designed to complement the works it holds.

--Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral of Peter and Paul—the date on which construction began (1703) is celebrated as the birth date of St Petersburg. The fortress served primarily as a political prison. Even Peter’s son (Alexi, who was later executed for treason) was imprisoned here.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral is adorned by single, gilded spire whose height made the church the city’s tallest building for more than 2 centuries. Apparently, the pulpit was used only once-- to excommunicate Leo Tolstoy for his denouncement of the Russian Orthodox Church. The cathedral houses the tombs of all the Russian Tsars. They are tastefully laid out inside marble and gilded tombs
Next to the church is a boat house that holds a model of Peter’s childhood boat.

What a busy, enlightening day, in a city that is a feast for the eyes. We had record-breaking sunshine and warm temperatures (in the 80s). Russians were lying out sunbathing all along the P&P Fortress. The sunshine had everyone smiling. It was the 3rd continuous day of sunshine in St Petersburg. Maria told us this NEVER happens.

I must say: I did not feel I was in an oppressive environment. I also realize I was receiving VIP treatment as a welcomed (and Visa-registered) tourist.

I couldn’t wait for day#2 of our St Petersburg journey.

Tallin, Estonia from Cruise

2010-07-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

If you are not familiar with Estonia, one of the Baltic States, you are not alone.

Estonia, along with Latvia and Lithuania, has been largely ignored by the West. Only Germany and Russia took notice as they played violent tug-of-war with these nations. Ravaged by WWII, they were first invaded by the Russia, then Germany, then were forced into the Soviet Union. They waited patiently to be rescued by NATO-- who pledged to fight back against encroaching communism—but NATO never came. The Baltic States eventually had to rescue themselves.

As soon as these nations threw off the Soviets, they all declared independence in 1991. Soon after, they quickly joined both the EU and NATO to help with economic stability and defense.

They are best known for:
Estonia---The well preserved medieval town of Tallinn—one of the best preserved in Europe. It’s tradition of Song.
Latvia—Beachfront vacation getaways; Riga, (it’s lively capital full of artists, chic restaurants, and a wild nightlife); and Mikhail Baryshnikov
Lithuania—Once co-ruled much of Europe with Poland. Black Markets and Mafia presence. Spirited resisters of the Soviet occupation.

Ethnicities, languages, and culture vary greatly among The Baltic States. The languages are so dissimilar that if an Estonian speaks with a Latvian or a Latvian speaks with a Lithuanian, they must rely on their English or Russian language skills.

Famous Estonian Saying There really is no summer here; just 3 bad months for skiing. (not for us today. It felt like at least 80° by midday).

Estonia is the smallest and most northern of the Baltic States with a population of 1.4 million.

It is internet savvy, has a high HIV positive rate, and like the Finns, they have wife-carrying contests.LOL!

Of note, Estonia is the first country to establish a flat tax of 26%.

My Tallinn visit—July 3, 2010

What struck me as our ship approached Tallinn was how picturesque this town of churches, towers, and a hill is. It took my breath away. I photographed it obsessively.

Today, after a nice breakfast, I headed into the beautiful town of Tallinn, Estonia. A bazaar of local vendors selling a variety of wares (sweater, metal works, woolens, symbols of Estonia, leather goods, ceramics, amber (very popular in Northern Europe), furry hats/gloves,etc) was there to greet us. I purchased a beautiful guide book ($12US) with excellent photos (to accompany all my maps and book chapters) I was surprised they were ready to accept ALL currencies. I paid in $US.

Just as I was heading to town on foot, in search of the famous old town, I saw the HopOnHopOff HOHO buses. For 12Euros, I hopped on and connected the headset. I toured stops 1-6 that included the modern downtown area, some suburbs, and the park with the Song Festival band shell, etc. (I would never have scene modern Tallinn had I not taken this tour.)

By the time I descended in the Upper Town near the Toompea Castle, at 1020AM, it was 75° and sunny. Perfect. (We have had perfect warm and sunny weather so far on our cruise).

Old town is divided into upper and lower town. The lower town was inhabited by craftsmen and free citizens. The upper town housed the knights, gentry, and clergy. Each city had its own laws and the two rarely mixed except in conflict. Both are designed with an intricate labyrinth of red-roofed buildings and cobblestoned streets, some of which lead up to Toompea Hill or down to the Town Hall Square. First I visited the upper town sites of the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Castle, Holy Ghost Church, and Kiek in de Kok Tower.

I took the Pikk yalg (long leg path) down to the Town Hall Square passing numerous crafts shops, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops along the way. The town takes “re-living medieval times” seriously. Vendors everywhere are dressed in ye olde garments. It is quite funny. I bought a little Viking for my collection of miniatures from around the world. I felt perfectly comfortable in town.

I took a delightful visit of the City Museum (Venne street) that houses artifacts from the 14th century till present, including tools, clothing, coats of arms, pottery, and replicas of scenes from everyday life complete with sound effects. There were life-size models of crafts folk, families, clergy, and nautical men. There are also interactive maps and videos contemporary videos demonstrating Estonian solidarity against Soviet Rule. I read it was the best museum, so I went. It was the first place I encountered that only takes Estonian currency. So I paid the $5 (or so) with a credit card.

After 4 hours (total) I headed for my HOHO bus to take me back to the ship.

What a delightful visit to a picture perfect town.

Baltic Capitals Berlin Day 3 of cruise

2010-07-02T02:13:00.000-07:00

What a thought provoking visit to East and West Berlin today. I am blown away by the complexity of this city’s history. It is probably the most schizophrenic major city because for 42 years, it held two distinctly different cultures and served at least two masters. One with a thriving, modern economy, and citizens who were free to move around; the other, oppressed, repressed, and a wing of the Soviet Union. Yet, neither had full civil rights as part of Germany.

Everywhere there are markers of its dark Nazi past, its occupation by Russia, the devastation of war, and the massive abuses of power. At the same time, hope shines today, in this city of renovation, creation, and construction cranes. Guilt-ridden by the shame of Nazi Germany’s horrors, Berlin has attempted to shed its past by demolishing most sites associated with that era, and rebuilding using the latest advances in technology and the most contemporary architectural styles.

What struck me is how pivotal a role Berlin played as a pawn between the US and Russia during the cold War. One perceived misstep by one side and one overreaction by the other could have easily led to WWIII. The Checkpoint Charlie incident in 1961, is one such example of American and Russian tanks coming head to head in a stand-off that had the world’s attention. There was posturing on both sides, but the Potsdam agreement intervened to prevent an irrevocable and fatal move.

Our Agenda

After breakfast at 7, I met my small, private tour group for our 3 hour coach ride into the city. The ship docked at (Warnemunde).

Our first stops were visits to Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten, and Ku Damn. Then we went to the Brandenburg Gate and WALKED THRU IT, the Reichstag, Sections of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie (more people visited this than Rome in 2009), The Book Burning Memorial, The site of Hitler’s Bunker (and where he committed suicide as Russian tanks pulled into Berlin), and the moving Memorial to The Murdered Jews.

1/3 of the city is covered by natural attractions---gardens, lakes, woodlands, and parks.

Our tour guide, Dereck from Toronto was knowledgeable and passion about his subject.

We heard lots of stories of the building of the wall, gripping tales of ingenious escape attempts, and scenes of ecstatic Berliners poring thru the gates and tearing down the wall in 1989.

We even saw the buildings were the Valkerie Plot was conceived and where Hitler drafted his first plans for world domination, (long before the start of WWII).

We were thoroughly satisfied with our tour. The weather was pleasant—warm, and sunny.

We had traditional Bavarian fare for lunch. (my pretzel was good, my veal sausage was edible).

Some things I learned

Angela Merkel grew up in East Germany under Soviet rule. (first German ruler to grow up in under communism)

Hitler likely used the fire at the Reichstag as an excuse to launch his assault on Jews and communists and to broaden the Aryan empire. Shortly after that incident, he transformed Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship where all civil rights were expunged.

The US airlifted supplies into Germany for more than a year when Stalin attempted a blockade of West Berlin. West Berlin was such a potent symbol—the Allies fought to hold onto it. Stalin eventually reopened the roadways giving access.

There were two walls: an inner wall that separated East and West Berlin and an outer wall that surrounded the entire city to control the flow in and out of Soviet East Berlin.

We made it back to the ship before 9, for a 10PM departure.

I love standing out on deck watching this ship pull away. The townspeople of Warnemunde waved us goodbye.

It is still light outside!

Tomorrow: a day at sea

Have not watched the news since ship left London

Will upload photos when I get faser connection

Copenhagen-Baltic Capital Cruise Port #1

2010-06-30T07:15:00.000-07:00

Copenhagen Baltic Capital Cruise Port #1

City of spires, canals, smiles, and bicycles

Today, was our first port visit on our Baltic Capitals cruise. I opted to tour the city via the convenient hop-on-hop-off (HOH)) tour buses. Fortunately, they made a special pick up for us at Friborg (port).

I visited The Rosenborg Palace, Tivoli, Town Hall, Nyhvn, Christiania (hippie compound since the early 70s), Amalienborg Palace (residence of royal family). Bicycles are the top mode of transport. Everyone rides them here and the city has free rental bikes stationed throughout the city.

I walked the entire Stroget, the pedestrian shopping street considered to be the longest pedestrian street in the world

It is TRUE: I WITNESSED it!-----Moms leave their babies in their strollers outside shops while they run errands. The Danes feel completely safe and secure with everyone.

Things I probably used to know about Denmark that I mostly forgot-(I was here in 1986!)

It is one of Northern Europe’s busiest harbors.

Greenland is owned by Denmark.

It is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe and its population of 5 million enjoy a high standard of living.

Denmark has the oldest monarchy in the world.

The Danes smuggled 7000 of its 7500 Jews out of Denmark into Sweden during WWII.

Sweden and Denmark were bitter enemies, at war, and stealing land back and forth for centuries.

Denmark was one of the founding EU member nations

The Little Mermaid, (for the first time in 97 years), is on loan to Shanghai for the 2010 World’s Fair. At the site where her statue normally rests, there is a webcam live-streaming her on location in China. (glad I saw her when I was here last) LOL!

Tivoli Gardens is what inspired Walt Disney in his designing of Disney World

Hans Christian had little formal education yet grew up to be one of the world’s greatest storytellers. He is beloved by children all over the world because their parents read his stories to them at bedtime. He wrote 150 fairy tales including The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, Little Mermaid, The Princess&Pea, and The Emperor Who Wore No Clothes. His works have been translated into more than 150 languages. In fact, HIS WORKS ARE THE MOST TRANSLATED AFTER THE BIBLE

Other observations/Comments

Their English language skill is impeccable

Denmark consistently ranks #1 as happiest nation in the world! This I knew and have blogged about several times.

I mailed a post card to me for my collection.

I am sending this via free WIFI at the port reception area. This way, I don’t have to use my ship minutes.

Swedish Crown Princess Victoria Weds Commoner

2010-06-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

The BBC.com reports: Crown Princess Victoria married Daniel Westling in a lavish ceremony on June 19, 2010.

Sweden has celebrated a royal wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and her former fitness trainer.

Victoria, 32, tied the knot with 36-year-old commoner Daniel Westling.

More than 1,200 guests, including royals from around the world, attended the lavish ceremony in Stockholm Cathedral.

The couple, who met in 2002, later rode through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage as tens of thousands of people lined the streets.

Victoria was escorted down the aisle by her father. She is first in line to succeed him.

After exchanging vows, the couple took to the same royal barge that Victoria's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, used on their wedding day exactly 34 years ago.

The newlyweds were transported to the Royal Palace, for an evening banquet with guests from around the world.

It is Sweden's first royal wedding since 1976.

Guests attending the festivities include the Norwegian and Danish royal families, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Prince Albert of Monaco, and the UK's Earl and Countess of Wessex.

As Crown Princess Victoria's husband, gym owner Mr Westling has assumed the title of Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland.

Sweden's monarchy has no political power, but the king or queen represents the nation and greets foreign dignitaries.

Russia visit dominates cruise thoughts

2010-06-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Egypt. She dominated my thoughts as I prepared for my six-country eastern Mediterranean cruise last December.

Russia. She now dominates my thoughts as I prepare for my seven-country Baltic capitals cruise, coming up in a week.

In preparation for my trip, I have immersed myself in the study of Russian culture, history, way of life, traditions, customs, tourist attractions, current events, government, and currency. I even watched Dr. Zhivago and we'll watch three more Russian films next week. During my reading, I came across this interesting summary of cross-cultural perspectives on Russia:

Writing a book that includes everything about contact with Russians would be extremely difficult. Russia, like any other country, has many different facets.

Americans like the scale of things in Russia and the Russian soul, but are irritated by the lack of service.

The English are drawn to Russian culture, but the inability to stand in a queue makes them indignant.

The Germans like Russian hospitality, but do not welcome the dirty streets and public places.

Italians like Russian friendship, but are not comfortable with the familiarity.

The Chinese like the Russian countryside, but cannot understand why things are done so slowly.

I look forward to my journey.

World Happiness Rankings--What Are The 10 Happiest Nations?

2010-06-16T05:47:00.001-07:00

Where in the world do people feel most contented with their lives? Last year, I posted a Forbes article about world happiness. Here is a summary of the 2009 study.

A report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based group of 30 countries with democratic governments that provides economic and social statistics and data, used a Gallup World Poll conducted in 140 countries around the world. The poll asked respondents whether they had experienced six different forms of positive or negative feelings within the last day. The poll was scored numerically on a scale of 1-100. The average score was 62.4. Denmark ranked # one with a score of 90.1. The US, with a score of 74, did not crack the top ten list.

The study reveals that factors contributing most to contentment are: economic health, work-life balance, and low unemployment.

Here is the top ten list of happiest countries:

Country Score
1.Denmark 90.1
2.Norway 85.9
3.Netherlands 85.1
4.Sweden 82.7
5.Iceland 81.1
6.Canada 78.0
7.Switzerland 77.4
8.New Zealand 76.7
9.Norway 76.5
10.Belgium 76.3

BTW, several research projects around the world that attempt to measure happiness by country all place northern European countries in the top. What’s more, Denmark usually tops the list in all the studies.

Another European City Bans Burqas

2010-06-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

The BBC.com reports: The Catalan town of Lleida announced a ban on Islamic veils last month Barcelona has become the first large Spanish city to announce a ban on the wearing of full Islamic face-veils in some public spaces.

The ban was designed to include any head-wear that hindered identification, officials said.

At least two towns in Catalonia, the region that includes Barcelona, have already announced bans.

Belgium and France have both recently taken steps towards restricting the use of full veils in public.

Barcelona's city council said the ban would be largely symbolic, since it was uncommon to see women in the city wearing the full veil.

"Barcelona will forbid the use of the burqa, niqab and any other item which hinders personal identification in any of the city's public installations," a council statement said.

The ban would cover public spaces such as municipal offices, public markets and libraries - but not the streets.

The mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu, said the measure was aimed purely at ensuring people could be identified, and would therefore include balaclavas, motorbike helmets and ski masks.

"In no way does it target religious belief," he said.

The ban is scheduled to take effect in Barcelona after the summer.

The Conservative Popular Party (PP) called for the ban to be extended to all public places, including on the street.

Full veils have already been banned in public spaces in the Catalan towns of Lleida and El Vendrell.

Others are reported to be considering similar measures.

12 Etiquette Tips for Visitors to Russia

2010-06-10T05:21:00.001-07:00

Here is a helpful list of etiquette tips about how to be respectful of Russian culture, while there.:

1.Shoes are always removed upon entering a private home (and are sometimes removed upon entering Russian museums). Slippers may be given to guests to wear.
2.People should never show the soles of their shoes to Russians; this is considered grave disrespect. Tourists should always sit so the soles of their shoes face the floor.
3.A small edible gift (wine, pastries, fruit) should always be given to hosts when people are invited over for dinner.
4.When Russian people give flowers, they never give them in even numbers (even-numbered bunches of flowers are reserved for funerals).
5.Visitors to Russia should try to refrain from smiling too much to avoid attracting attention.
6.Americans in particular should speak a little lower than they would in their home country; Russians often remark that their American friends seem to be shouting when they speak.
7.Russians follow European table manners--fork in left hand, knife in right hand.
8.Single women should avoid sitting at the corner of a table; this is considered bad luck.
9.During train travel, it is considered polite for travelers to share all they have with the people in the carriage: food, drink and cigarettes.
10.At outdoor markets, there is quite a bit of jostling; this is normal.
11.When standing in line, tourists should get up quite close to the person in front of them. Failure to do so will lead locals to believe that the tourist is not in line at all.
12.A little bit of knowledge of the Russian language will go a long way. At the very least, tourists should learn to say "Please" (Pazhalsta) and "Thank You" (Spasiba).

Things to Keep in Mind When Touring Russia
It's a little hard to get around in Russia without knowing some of the language, but in major metropolitan centers like Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are many people (generally of the younger generation) who have learned to speak English in school and more than happy to help wayward tourists.

It's not necessary for tourists to be on pins and needles for fear of annoying or insulting Russians. Russian locals are very forgiving and are accustomed to Western visitors. Most Russians will go out of their way to help tourists visiting their cities. It's not uncommon for a pair of visitors to be surrounded by dozens of Russians, each of them eager to assist.

Read more at Suite101: Russian Etiquette: 12 Etiquette Tips for People Visiting Russia http://russia-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/russian_etiquette#ixzz0qS5xCYLy

Cross Cultural Humor

2010-06-10T04:42:00.001-07:00

Last month a world-wide survey was conducted by the UN.
The only question asked was:-

"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions
to the food shortage in the rest of the world?"

The survey was a huge failure because of the following:

1. In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant.
2. In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.
3. In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.
4. In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.
5. In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.
6. In South America they didn't know what "please" meant.
7. In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.
8. In Australia they hung up as soon as they heard the Indian accent.

Baltic Capitals Cruise on the NCL Sun---- June 28-July 10

2010-06-04T15:19:00.001-07:00

I decided to take another 12-night European Cruise in less than one month.

Specifically, I will visit 7 COUNTRIES: Denmark, (East) Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, England, and Russia (overnight stay). 3 countries are new to me: Russia, Finland, and Estonia. Visiting East Germany will also be a first for me.

I am happy I will only have ONE flight—a direct Miami-London flight. The ship leaves from Dover, a port 2 hours from London.

I will take guided tours in St Petersburg and Berlin with a tour company recommended on Cruise Critic boards. In Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tallinn, and Helsinki, I will tour on my own. I am also signed up for the Meet&Greet onboard the NCL Sun, along with 64 others who are posted online. I have read many opinions and suggestions from 16 pages of posts.

I am especially excited to visit Russia for two days.

Interestingly, although 6 of the 7 countries are part of the European Union, only 2(Denmark and Finland) utilize the Euro.

Baltic Capitals Here I Come!!

White Nights in Russia

2010-06-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

The White Nights describes the few weeks around the summer solstice in June in areas of high latitude during which sunsets are late, sunrises are early and darkness is never complete. The White Nights are a time of celebration in areas such as Saint Petersburg, Russia, where the Sun does not set until after 10 p.m., and the twilight lasts almost all night.

The White Nights Festival in Saint Petersburg is famous for spectacular fireworks and Scarlet Sails, a massive show celebrating the end of school year.

I look forward to seeing this July 4 and 5 in Russia!