Unusual (Former) Olympic Sport #3

Rope Climbing

One of the more unusual events in the history of the modern Olympic movement, Rope Climbing was part of the gymnastics programs in 1896, 1904, 1906, 1924 and 1932. Starting in a seated position, competitors raced to the top of a roughly 8-meter rope and were judged on both their time and style.

The sport is enjoying a resurgence in France and the Czech Republic, giving hope for those who wish to see this event return to the Olympic Games.

Israelis And Palestinians Smile For The Camera

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.

Tip # 17-Communicating Effectively With Global Partners--from GlobalWaysUSA.com

Avoid Using American Slang, American Idioms, Acronyms, American Sports Trivia, and American Humor

Practice universal English language. Avoid the use of any terms or idioms, jargon, buzzwords, military or sports analogies, colloquialisms, acronyms, or euphemisms that might be confusing to someone who is not from your region of the world. Also, shy away from sarcasm or innuendo. You will probably be the only one who understands your meaning. Using these confusing terms only create barriers to effective communication

Sports metaphors and analogies are very commonly used in the US. You will completely lose your audience if you pepper your language with these idioms in other countries.

Think locally. Try to find a few topics that are important in the local popular culture. Remember, most people in the world have little or no interest in the World Series or the Super Bowl. (Think about what it means for us to call it the World Series-- when only we are involved) remember, what we call “soccer” is football everywhere else. And it's the most popular sport on the planet. Next year, watch the World Cup!

Humor is the last aspect of culture to translate across cultures. In fact, humor is so culture specific that some humor is only understood by certain individuals in a subcultures, even inside the US. For example, unless you are a biker, you probably would not understand biker humor. Often when Americans attempt to use humor, especially when they tell jokes from the podium, foreigners in the audience will laugh along yet have no clue of the meeting of the message. Typically, they are instructed to laugh when everyone else laughs-- in order to save face.

Avoid using humor that is uniquely American. Steer clear from making fun of other groups-especially as it relates to characteristics they have no control over such as ethnicity, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Take the lead from your host when engaging in humor.


Finally, learn the metric system.

Global Entry--New Expedited US Customs Entry Process

The Global Entry program (tinyurl.com/cwolxh) is a new program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States, utilizing automated kiosks located at JFK, Dulles, Houston, LAX, Atlanta, O’Hare, and Miami airports. Applications must be completed online (goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov). A non-refundable $100 per-person fee is payable at the time of application. The pass is good for five years.

Overseas Travel Tip # 5-Pack Small, Pack Wisely

from my blog-One of the more tangible ways you can minimize stress of overseas travel is by eliminating the need to check luggage. Because of all the uncertainties surrounding travel logistics including weather, flight delays, missed connections, and changing airport security regulations, the odds are, you will eventually encounter headaches over checked luggage.

By adhering to the carry-on only rule, you will save time during departure and arrival, and importantly, you will rest assured you have all the items you need in your rollerboard bag.

For the travel savvy, here is the rule of thumb: if you are staying for one week or less time, you can pack everything into one carry on wheeled bag.

Here are some guidelines that will help you with the discipline of bringing only carry-on luggage:

1. Plan Ahead. Create a master checklist (see next chapter). Envision how you will spend each day during your trip and plan accordingly. If possible, a layout all of your items two days before travel. For clothing packing, many experts suggest that once you have all your items laid out, then, take away half of them. For long trips, I write down what item I will wear each day/event.

2. Choose a Single, Neutral Color Scheme. Build your wardrobe, using items in black, navy, tan, or khaki. Add color and variety to your look with accessories (scarves, belts, costume jewelry, ties, brooches etc.)

3. Pack Compactly. Fold and roll each clothing item. Seal each one into a clear plastic bag. This will help you to glance easily without unpacking. Packing cubes and envelopes and vacuum bags are especially helpful for long trips. Browse your nearest luggage retailer for practical packing solutions.

4. Look Your Best During Travel. Because people do judge a book by its cover, always look your best and most professional while traveling. You will receive better treatment and even avail yourself to upgrades if you look the part. It also helps with networking when you dress to project the image you'd like to convey.

5. Pack to Dress in Layers. Where sleeveless or short sleeves under your jacket on travel day. You will want to remove your jacket so you can sleep lighter on the flight. Pack light weight, shirts, T-shirts, and turtlenecks. They pack easily, and they dry overnight when you do hand laundry in your hotel room.

6. Pack an Empty Duffel Bag, Just in Case

World's Happiest Places

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World.-- That is the latest book written by Eric Weidner, whom I saw at this year’s book festival in Miami. His work is a culmination of the study of happiness around the globe and actual visits to worldwide destinations long considered to produce the happiest citizens.

Here is a Forbes article about the notion of happiness around the world and a mention of Weidner’s book.

Chasing Happiness
Hana R. Alberts, 04.23.08, 7:30 PM ET Forbes.com
"Taking all things together on a scale of one to 10, how happy would you say you are?" With that question and global surveys, the folks at the World Database of Happiness* have ranked 95 nations on a happiness scale.

Switzerland's citizens closely trail the Danish, each reporting an average happiness level of 8.1 (out of 10), followed by Iceland (7.8), Finland (7.7), Australia (7.7) and Sweden (7.7), all the way down to grim Moldova (3.5).

While the Netherlands ranks only 15th on the list of the world's happiest countries, its industrial capital, Rotterdam, is home to the database, housed at Erasmus University. Its director, Ruut Veenhoven, has made his life's work researching which nations are home to the happiest citizens.

Veenhoven's research shows that Scandinavian nations come out on top, making up five of the 13 happiest nations. Denmark tops the list as a whole--its citizens rank their average happiness as 8.2 on a 10-point scale.

Inspired by Veenhoven's rankings, former foreign correspondent for National Public Radio (and self-proclaimed grouch) Eric Weiner embarked on a quest to visit the happiest places on earth. In his book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World, Weiner immerses himself in the cultural fabric of the world's happiest countries to pinpoint exactly why residents of some countries, like Iceland and Switzerland, are so downright satisfied with their lives.

The Swiss, Weiner discovered, are efficient and punctual, comparatively wealthy and face hardly any unemployment. Their streets, air and tap water are squeaky clean and chocolate is a national obsession. But Weiner saw no joy in their faces, and reasoned that perhaps it's better to live in this middle range than to vacillate between gleeful moments of elation and gut-wrenching spates of despair. Swiss happiness, he writes, is "more than mere contentment, but less than full-on joy."
Because the country is dark and cold, Weiner was initially skeptical about Iceland's ranking as the fourth-happiest nation in the world. He learned the small nation is quite literally a family; curiously, geneticists have found that all Icelandic citizens are related.

Certain phrases in the Icelandic language, Weiner writes, are even more telling. When people greet each other, the phrase they use roughly translates to "come happy," and when people part, they utter the equivalent of "go happy." The country is a favorite stamping ground of artists and cultivates a creative spirit; the government supports writers with generous subsidies.

To provide a stark contrast to Iceland and Switzerland, Weiner visited Moldova. The citizens of this former Soviet republic, according to database figures, rate their happiness at 3.5. The nation, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, had been relatively prosperous, but since the fall of the Berlin wall, per-capita income has fallen to only $880 per year.

But it's not just about money. Nigeria and Bangladesh are poorer and happier, Weiner points out, but Moldova compares itself to Italy and Germany. The country also lacks a distinct culture and any semblance of national pride. Government officials even speak Russian--the language of their oppressors for much of the last century.

So just how does the United States fit into this picture? "Happiness is there for the taking in America," Weiner writes. "You just need the willpower to find it, and enough cash." The surprising fact, though, is that America is not as happy--scoring 7.3 and ranking 17th in the database--as it is wealthy. U.S. residents are three times richer than they were in 1950, but the happiness ratings haven't shifted in the past decade. After Sept. 11, researchers found no significant decrease in measured levels of happiness.
"Americans work longer hours and commute greater distances than virtually any other people in the world," Weiner writes, but "they remain profoundly optimistic." Two-thirds of Americans say they are hopeful about the future.

Can we predict happiness based on a country's collective "personality"? Not quite. So far, the data reveal national happiness doesn't predictably track average income, type of government--democracy versus dictatorship--or even warm climate.
So with Moldova at the bottom of the happiness ratings are former Soviet republics Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, alongside such troubled African nations as Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Thus, while wealth doesn't seem to generate happiness, extreme poverty is more likely to produce the opposite.
It's comforting, though, that most people in the world report being satisfied with their lives. "Virtually every country in the world scores somewhere between five and eight on a 10-point scale," Weiner writes. "There are a few exceptions." So while, admittedly, those Scandinavians have it pretty good, the rest of us aren't too far behind. And that's something to be happy about.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/23/happiness-world-index-oped-cx_hra_0423happy_print.html


*PS Here is the study’s (World Database of Happiness) rankings of the 13 happiest:
1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. Finland
6. Australia
7. Sweden
8. Canada
9. Guatemala
10. Luxembourg
11. Ireland
12. Mexico
13. Norway

Kimchi For the Soul in Seoul

Here is a great shot of 2200 volunteers making Kimchi for the poor in Seoul, Korea.

Here is the accompanying text:

Volunteers make kimchi, traditional pungent vegetable, to donate to needy neighbors for winter preparation in front of the Seoul City Hall Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008. About 2,200 housewives made 130 tons (117 metric tons) of kimchi. Made with cabbage, other vegetables and chili sauce, kimchi is the most popular traditional food in Korea.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Beauty Around The World

Oprah did an eye-opening show focusing of concepts of women’s beauty around the world.
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081024_tows_beauty/1

Cultures that were featured included France, Oman, Brazil, Iran, Burma (Kayan), Japan, New Zealand (Maori), Indonesia, Ethiopia, India, and Mauritania. Topics included diets, tatoos, stomach flatteners, lingerie, skin whiteners, hair extenstions, plastic surgery, skin softeners, nose jobs, and over-eating to get fat.

The underlying messages were that:

1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholding culture. In Mauritania, bigger is better and fat is beautiful. Even stretch marks are beautiful. Diets are non-existent and no diet products are available. The downside is that girls are routinely force-fed starchy foods (till they vomit) in order to fatten them up to attract a husband. The high obesity rate there causes lots of medical problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Some women consume black market pills created to increase the appetite of camels and cows. But, the women don’t have the same poor body image issues as women in Europe and the Americas who kill themselves to be thin. Being divorced also heightens a woman’s appeal because it proves she is desired by other men.

Regarding Mauritania’s love of plump women, Oprah sang, there’s a place for us….

2. Women, all over the world are willing to go to great lengths (even risking death) to live up to their culture’s beauty standards. Plastic surgery is becoming increasingly more common all over the world. Who knew that Brazil had the second largest plastic surgery volume; and that even in Muslim Iran, where women are covered from head-to-toe, nose jobs are very common. Nose jobs are so common in Iran (60,000 per year) that wearing a nose job band-aid is a status symbol worn by women years after the actual surgery and by women who have never had the surgery.

A survey conducted by Dove reveals that 90% of women around the world wish to change some aspect of their bodies. Too bad women can't be more like men who are generally comfortable in their bodies.

How do different religions define death?

Religions have updated their definitions of death since life support technology was invented. The verdict is still out in some cases. Here is an article discussing this matter:

A Washington, D.C., court will hear arguments on Wednesday in the case of Motl Brody, a 12-year-old Orthodox Jewish boy who was declared dead last week by hospital officials. Though the boy's brain has stopped functioning completely, drugs and a respirator are keeping his heart beating and his lungs inflating. According to his parents' strict religious beliefs, this means that Motl is still alive, and the family is therefore arguing to keep the boy on life support. How is death defined in other religions?

Usually, the same way it has traditionally been defined in all cultures: by a lack of vital signs. Most world religions lack a clear doctrinal statement that certifies when, exactly, the moment of death can be said to have occurred. For most of human history, there was no need for one since prior to the invention of life-support equipment, the absence of circulation or respiration was the only way to diagnose death. This remains the standard of death in most religions. By the early 1980s, however, the medical and legal community also began to adopt a second definition of death—the irreversible cessation of all brain functions—and some religious groups have updated their beliefs.

Jewish arguments both for and against accepting brain death can be found in the Talmud, the sprawling record of rabbinical discussions on law and ethics. Some strands of Talmudic law hold that those who have been decapitated or had their necks broken are considered dead, even if their bodies continue to move—an argument that many take as proof that total loss of brain function counts as death. Other scholars point to a section from the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Yoma, which states that if you come across a collapsed building on the Sabbath, you must uncover victims at least up to their noses to determine whether they are dead or alive, as "life manifests itself primarily through the nose as it is written: In whose nose was the breath of the spirit of life"—a reference to the Genesis story of the great flood. (For a longer discussion of the Jewish definition of death, see Chapter 12 in this book.)

Christians who ardently support the traditional circulatory-respiratory definition of death tend to be fundamentalists or evangelicals. They may point to Leviticus 17:11, which states that "the life of the flesh is in the blood," or Genesis 2:7, which describes how God "formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Most mainstream Protestant groups in the United States accept brain death as a valid criterion for death, as does the Roman Catholic Church, though that ruling is not without controversy.

In 1986, the Academy of Islamic Jurisprudence—a group of legal experts convened by the Organization of the Islamic Conference—issued an opinion stating that a person should be considered legally dead when either "complete cessation of the heart or respiration occurs" or "complete cessation of all functions of the brain occurs." In both cases, "expert physicians" must ascertain that the condition is irreversible. However, the academy's statement was merely a recommendation to member nations, not a binding resolution, and the question remains an open one for many Muslims.

In 2006, the family of a Buddhist man in Boston who had been declared legally brain-dead argued that, because his heart was still beating, his spirit and consciousness still lingered and that removing him from life support would be akin to killing him. In a Boston Globe article about the case, a professor of Buddhism explained that, within Tibetan Buddhism, a person has multiple levels of consciousness, which may or may not correspond with brain activity.
Got a question about today's news? Ask the Explainer.

Explainer thanks Courtney Campbell of Oregon State University, Fred Rosner of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Stuart Youngner of Case Western Reserve University.
Nina Shen Rastogi is a writer and editor in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Article URL: http://www.slate.com/id/2204242/
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Imported My Blog to Facebook

I just imported this blog to Facebook.

See my page at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1428860290&ref=profile

Karla

Fearless First Time Overseas

5 Tips On How to Feel Comfortable, Confident and Carefree 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, 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 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.
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/

A Guide to Culture in the Classroom Questionnaireby Muriel Saville-Troike National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, 1978.
You might find this set of questions created by Saville-Troike, helpful in exploring your new culture’s personality. It can be found at: http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/classics/culture/questions.htm

Know thy host culture is the first step to increases your chances for experiencing a successful and harmonious encounter in your new business venture.

US Economy Collapse Causes Global Market Turmoil

Here is an article published by the BBC:

Traders and analysts describe the effect of the collapse of Lehman Brothers on global markets
Losses on stock markets have continued after the collapse of fourth largest US investment bank, Lehman Brothers, which has filed for bankruptcy protection.

European stocks fell again; the UK's FTSE 100 was down 2.44%, France's Cac down 1% and Germany's Dax down 1.58%.

Shares in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong fell more than 5%, having been shut on Monday for public holidays.

Lehman, which may be about to sell its core assets to Barclays, is the latest victim of the global credit crunch.

Banks hit
The FTSE 100 of leading UK shares fell 127 points to 5,077 shortly before midday. The Dax index of leading German shares was down 96 points at 5968 points and France's Cac 40 was down 45 points at 4,124 points.

Big banks can no longer be under any illusion that they can make big, stupid financial bets and expect taxpayers to pick up the bill Robert Peston, BBC business editor Japan's benchmark.

Nikkei 225 index dropped 5% to a three-year low, shares in South Korea and Hong Kong shed almost 6% in value and Shanghai's index fell by about 3%.

Markets in Taipei and Singapore were also sharply down, and the pattern was repeated in Australia and New Zealand, although the falls were smaller.

The US stock market on Monday had its worst day's trading since 9/11, with the Dow Jones index ending the day down 504.48 points, or 4.42%, at 10,917.51.

Central banks around the world have been carrying out emergency measures on Tuesday to keep markets liquid. The moves came as the interest rates at which banks lend to each other rocketed - as they did at the start of the credit crunch.
Overnight sterling Libor increased from 5.5% to 6.8%, and the dollar Libor rate increased from 3.1% to 6.4%. The Bank of England put an extra £20bn (25bn euros; £36bn) into short-term money markets "in response to conditions in the short-term money markets" - four times the sum seen on Monday after Lehman's collapse

The Frankfurt-based European Central Bank said it had provided 70bn euros ($100bn; £56bn) in an emergency operation to keep money markets supplied with liquidity
The Bank of Japan carried out two injections of a combined 2.5 trillion yen ($24.1bn; £13bn)
Australia and India also pumped cash into their money markets
And Japanese-registered Lehman Brothers Japan and Lehman Brothers Holdings have applied to the Tokyo District Court for bankruptcy protection
Bank stocks were hard hit again across Europe; in London HBOS was down about 12%, and Royal Bank of Scotland was down more than 7%
Barclays Bank - which today said it was in talks to take on some of Lehman's US operations - was one of the big fallers, down more than 5%
In Paris, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, and BNP Paribas were all down by nearly 4%, while in Germany Commerzbank dropped 8.6% and Deutsche Bank fell 3.7%
'Crisis'

On the currency markets, the dollar slid to a four-month low against the yen before recovering slightly. At 0820 GMT, it was down 0.7% at 103.70 yen having earlier dropped to 103.62 yen.
The euro was down to $1.4234, having hit $1.4482 on Monday.

The collapse of Lehman, which had incurred billions of dollars of losses from the failing US mortgage market, has raised fears that other financial institutions could be hit.
"We're in the middle of a crisis," said YK Chan at Phillip Asset Management in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, there were fears that AIG, one of the world's largest insurers, could also face collapse.
The State of New York announced a "multi-billion dollar financing plan" on Monday to stabilise the insurer's finances.
'Rough spots' ahead
On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the US was "working through a difficult period in our financial markets right now as we work off some of the past excesses".
Henry Paulson was upbeat despite the turmoil He said Americans could remain confident in the "soundness and resilience" of the US financial system. But he warned that uncertainty remained and it was likely that there would be further "rough spots" ahead until the correction of the US housing market was completed.
Mr Paulson said he was committed to working with regulators in the US and abroad, as well as policymakers in Congress to take the necessary steps "to maintain the stability and orderliness of our financial markets". But he gave no details of what such steps might mean.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/7617976.stmPublished: 2008/09/16 11:26:48 GMT

Peace Sign-50 Year Birthday Celebration

My non-denominational church, Unity On The Bay, where EVERYONE is welcome, is conducting a ten-day marathon of activities, films, lectures, discussions, book studies, music, prayer, meditation, and other activities to help us embody peace. Our minister informed us today that the Peace Sign turned 50 this year. He shared the story of its origin meaning "surrender".

The following is an excerpt from "A history of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) (CND) logo" by the CND in UK.

One of the most widely known symbols in the world, in Britain it is recognised as standing for nuclear disarmament - and in particular as the logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). In the United States and much of the rest of the world it is known more broadly as the peace symbol.

It was designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist and a graduate of the Royal College of Arts. He showed his preliminary sketches to a small group of people in the Peace News office in North London and to the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War, one of several smaller organisations that came together to set up CND. The Direct Action Committee had already planned what was to be the first major anti-nuclear march, from London to Aldermaston, where British nuclear weapons were and still are manufactured. It was on that march, over the 1958 Easter weekend that the symbol first appeared in public.
What does it mean? Gerald Holtom, a conscientious objector who had worked on a farm in Norfolk during the Second World War, explained that the symbol incorporated the semaphore letters N(uclear) and D(isarmament).
He later wrote to Hugh Brock, editor of Peace News, explaining the genesis of his idea in greater, more personal depth:I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya's peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it.
The symbol almost at once crossed the Atlantic. Bayard Rustin, a close associate of Martin Luther King had come over from the US in order to take part in that first Aldermaston March. He took the symbol back to the United States where it was used on civil rights marches. Later it appeared on anti-Vietnam War demonstrations and was even seen daubed in protest on their helmets by American GIs.

Simpler to draw than the Picasso peace dove, it became known, first in the US and then round the world as the peace symbol. It appeared on the walls of Prague when the Soviet tanks invaded in 1968, on the Berlin Wall, in Sarajevo and Belgrade, on the graves of the victims of military dictators from the Greek Colonels to the Argentinian junta, and most recently in East Timor Although specifically designed for the anti-nuclear movement it has quite deliberately never been copyrighted. No one has to pay or to seek permission before they use it. A symbol of freedom, it is free for all.

addition:

Here is an article posted in The New Times

Peace Out

Just give it a chance at Unity on the Bay’s Peace-a-thon.
BY PATRICE ELIZABETH GRELL YURSIK

Christian or Muslim, Jew or Hindu, agnostic or atheist — we can all agree on one thing: This world is in need of a whole lot less war and a whole lot more peace. Although world peace might seem like a tall order to anyone with an IQ higher than your average pageant queen’s, there are folks actively working toward that lofty goal. But for every aid worker toiling in a refugee camp, or public official trying to bridge communication between rival factions, there’s a government waiting to invade another country for bull____ reasons, or a fundamentalist ready to blow harmony to smithereens. Why can’t the world just do what John Lennon asked, and give peace a chance? If you want to try, head to Unity on the Bay (411 NE 21st St., Miami).

Its Peace-a-Thon aims to use the power of collective hope to target a specific problem. The church is of Christian denomination, but its message carries beyond religious boundaries. Because September 11 is the Unity World Day of Prayer, and September 21 is the United Nations International Day of Peace, Unity on the Bay plans to embrace global unity and spiritual diversity for the 11 days in between.

Celebrations will include a concert with Deva Premal & Miten this Sunday — tickets for which cost $25 general admission in advance, $35 at the door. There’ll be a consciousness day-spa this Saturday that includes meditation, workshops, labyrinth walks, massages, Reiki, and Johrei. And this Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., like-minded individuals are simply welcome to come to the Return to Self Silent Retreat. There’s a “suggested love offering” of $30, and pre-registration is required. Visit www.unityonthebay.org or www.peace-a-thon.com.

China Letter #6

> China Letter # 6 Nov 1, 2006 8:30PM
>
> Hello Gang
>
>It's been a while since I have written because we spent three great nights cruising the Yangtze River (no internet access), an entire day transferring and flying to Shanghai/Suzhou, and all day
today touring Suzhou, the Venice of The East.
>
After I wrote last, we took a 1.5 hour bus ride to Chongqing and visited the museum of the Flying Tigers, the Americans who assisted the Chinese fight the Japanese during WWII.
>
Of note, Chongqing is a great place to invest because it is the departure port city of Yangtze which leads to the massive (and controversial) 3-gorges Dam Project. The dam is scheduled for
completion in 2008. Because 1/3 of China's population lives along the river, the dam's flooding of lower lying areas has forced relocation of 2 million people. That is the size of Miami! They have actually built new cities on the opposite side of the river for the relocation initiative--brand new modern cities, where farmers and peasants; lived for many generations.
>
Next we boarded our ship, The Yangtze1. There was a big mishap because a family of three who had booked two suites (staterooms) had only one waiting. They were
livid and it was never resolved. The rooms are not built for three.
>
I was comfortable solo. Our staterooms all had balconies so we could watch the majestic scenery as we cruised through the 3 gorges.
>
I bargained for more goodies before bed.
>
It was nice to have full access to western toilets for 3 whole days.
A hole in the ground variety is simply not my cup of tea. We still had to use bottled water to brush our teeth. This is standard for us.
>
In the AM, we awoke to a soft music wake up call. By then I was sleeping through the night. It took me five days to be able to sleep till 5 or 6AM.
>
During the day, we went on an excursion to Fengdu,The Ghost City. A bit overdone and too commercial was our vote-- but the history of worshipping the dead was interesting and we took cable car up and back.

Today, on the ship, we watched a foot reflexology lecture, I bargained for a great black and red jacket, and I line danced with a group of Indonesians.
>
During meals, they grouped large groups according to country. There was Israel, India, Singapore, Indonesia, America, Germany etc.
>
I read some of my novel; The Other Boleyn Girl. It's about Anne Boleyn’s younger sister who was seduced my Henri VIII before her sister was. I am remembering all I had learned about life
in the English Royal family (Tudors) back then. It is very engaging!
>
The scenery along the Yangtze takes your breath away. I wont use the word majestic again. (smile). It reminds me of Halong Bay (in north Viet Nam) with limestone rock formations, bright green mountains, and it is spotted with commercial fisherman and cruisers. I had a manicure,
We watched a fashion show tonight, and we attended the captain’s welcome party.
>
It was hazy most of the fist day but the second day unfolded as bright and sunny.
>
The 3 Gorges Dam will provide hydro-electric power to much of China (reducing the need for coal); ease shipping; and prevent flooding. The whole world is watching this gargantuan project.
>
Day 2: We took a one- hour ferry surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery, even high-wire artists, to a tributary: The ShenNong Stream. We were ushered into wooden boats-- 15 at a time and rowed and PULLED by FOUR of the strongest men in the world. They pulled us from the shore and while walking in the stream with their bare hands and underwear-clad bodies. It was fantastic! In the past, the men worked naked; they were so poor they would not wear the only pair of pants They ranged in age from 18-79. I am still marveling at their fortitude and persistence.
>
We spent the entire next day touring the Dam and flying to Shanghai, then driving to Suzhou. We are tired of the logistics of buses, airports, airport security, repacking, changing hotels etc.

I had a horrible cold two days in a row.
>
I bargained well for a beautiful jade bracelet! You bargain everywhere here; even in retail stores.
>
Suzhou
>
Suzhou, The Garden City, is known as the Venice of the East.

It is considered to be one the most beautiful in all of China attracting wealthy families who built magnificent private gardens. I M Pei (Louvre Pyramid architect) is from here. The city is built along canals with hundreds of bridges. It is also know for its silk and embroidery and beautiful women. We saw silkworms producing silk in the silk museum, and people spending 3 years on massive embroidery works of art.
>
We toured the Master of the Nets Garden; it’s the garden after which the Chinese garden in the Met (New York) is patterned. I visit that garden every time I go to the Met.
>
Our lovely hotel has several beautiful courtyards that are replicas of the famous gardens. It is nestled in the heart of the lively old town.
>
We had the afternoon free for shopping.
>
>
I am so tired from all the walking and learning (and cold) I hope this letter makes sense. Tomorrow we travel to Shanghai for our last day and night in China.
>
Signing off.
>
Fondly,
>
Karla
Suzhou