tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49618055926294909872024-03-13T15:06:24.292+00:00Nabi travels...Dear travel-lovers, welcome to my online travel diary! The aim of this site is to keep a track of my travel adventures while offering you wider exploration options, increasing the passion for traveling with a responsible bias.Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-5098326604916982622015-04-26T21:05:00.001+01:002015-04-28T19:53:27.244+01:00Wissifluh; a perfect Sunday getaway<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been living in Lucerne, the main city in the heart of Switzerland, for over a year now and I cannot stop being amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds it! Your eyes will be constantly spoilt by an incredibly idyllic nature of mountains in their varied shapes and sizes, historical villages around the lake marked by the heroic legend of Wilhelm Tell , lavish hilly fields dotted with imposing wooden farm houses and the snow-capped Alps visible in the distance. The irregularly shaped Lake Lucerne (or its real name Lake of The Four Cantons, in German <i>Vierwaldstättersee</i>) unifies this idyll in a unique and compacted geographical area belonging to the Cantons of Lucerne, Schwyz, Uri and Unterwald (today split into the Canton of Nidwalden and Obwalden).</div>
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Apart of the world's most known mountains such as Rigi Kulm, Pilatus, Stanserhorn and Engelberg, the area offers an infinite number of unique hidden spots to be discovered. One of my favourite ones is Wissifluh which offers a thrilling cable-car journey to the top of the mountain and a mind-blowing view over Lake Lucerne. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over Lake Lucerne from Wissifluh</td></tr>
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From Lucerne travel to Vitznau by car along the Lakeshore, a 45 minute drive, or enjoy a leisurely cruise by an old steamer (for boat rides: <a href="http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en.html" target="_blank">http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en.html</a>). Then make your way to the cable car bottom station of Wissifluh (5 minute walk up-hill) which runs upon request via a phone call installed in the station. Just follow the instructions written on the wall and the owners of the top located hotel will activate the cable car once you have entered the tiny 4-seater red cable car and properly locked the door. The 10 minute cable car ride is a thrilling and towards the end pretty frightening experience; however UNIQUE!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The thrilling 4-seater cable car ride</td></tr>
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Walk 50 metres through the forest and you will reach the Berghotel Wissifluh where the very friendly Trionfini family will be happy to welcome you with a drink and a local meal. I very much recommend you tasting their rich brunch of organic local products with home-made bread, milk and Wissifluh cheese as well as their delicious, strong, dark-brown honey. It is recommended to reserve especially during the low season. For more information check-out: <a href="http://www.wissifluh.ch/" target="_blank">http://www.wissifluh.ch/</a></div>
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Brunch cost around CHF 30.00 per person and the Cable Car ride is CHF 12.00 per person (return). You can also return back to Vitznau by an easy and pleasant 1 1/4 hour walk.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunch at Berghotel Wissifluh</td></tr>
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Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-82009159021348571252013-05-04T19:04:00.000+01:002014-04-19T23:47:03.852+01:00The Basque Countries: Euskal Herria<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being Swiss, I felt almost at home while traveling through the Basque Countries. In fact, I found they were like a mini Switzerland on the ocean: a land of small towns and tiny villages spread all over the hills and valleys, clean and well organized. There aren't lakes but a breathtaking ocean coast instead!</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><u><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About</span></u></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Basque Countries or Euskal Herria (in Basque language, so called Euskara - the oldest living language in Europe) is divided into three regions of which two, Autonomous Community of Euskadi and of Navarra (the Southern Basque), belong to Spain and the third one, Iparralde, is part of France. Nowadays the Euskal Herria is the definition of a cultural and historical entity with a language and an identity in common rather than a unified political country. </span></div>
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<u>ToDo&Visit</u></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Xc99kBaAm54MjL1H-qgwP_eS4mfVwAv4NEBwMRNAT1NUINjGkiuRKx8LJMuYFKgvQ4uReEcgivDyBxjdE8-G62rgcA_2BSCGq14PD70k7d0ZAgWyii4aRsCY2ZVW_nH0y3zbFAnR9FM/s1600/San+Sebastian+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Xc99kBaAm54MjL1H-qgwP_eS4mfVwAv4NEBwMRNAT1NUINjGkiuRKx8LJMuYFKgvQ4uReEcgivDyBxjdE8-G62rgcA_2BSCGq14PD70k7d0ZAgWyii4aRsCY2ZVW_nH0y3zbFAnR9FM/s320/San+Sebastian+104.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Three are the main towns I have visited. <b>Bilbao</b> (350 Thou inhab.), home-place of one of the world known Guggenheim Museum, is worth a visit even only for the museum (smart tip: turn up early in the morning to avoid a real endless queue). From an historically point of view, the small town of <b>Guernica </b>(or Gernika) offers an interesting insight about its 1937 bombing which happened during the Spanish Civil War. Its fame spread thank to the "Guernica" painting of Pablo Picasso who wanted to commemorate the horrors of the event caused by the Nazzi and ordered by the dictator Francisco Franco to over throw the Basque government. Two very interesting museums are the Peace museum and the Euskal Herria museum. At last but not least is the town of buzzing tasty<i> pintxo</i> bars: <b>San Sebastian</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Basque Countries offer the amazing chance to overnight in the so called "casas rurales" (rural houses) which are basically private old houses. I found my accommodation on <a href="http://www.nekatur.net/">www.nekatur.net</a> and I spent 2 nights by señora Maria Victoria in the village of Munitibar, about 22 km South-East from Guernica. In the nekatur website look for Garro, the name of the guesthouse. The place where I stayed was a gorgeous 200-years old house made of stone and wood which in the old days belonged to a powerful king of France. The married old lady señora Maria Victoria runs the business with about 5-6 double rooms and serves fresh home-made bread and pies in the morning for breakfast. Breakfast was an epic experience. It starts at 9h00 and all the guests of the house, if have requested breakfast, ate at the same big imperial table. It was actually funny to seat down next to the person you may think was the one snoring or coughing the night before in the room next to your one ;o) During breakfast I met some interesting people from Madrid, South of France, Catalonia and a nice funny couple: Claude from Senegal and Wojtek from Poland who are actually living around the corner from my current house in Barcelona... what an amazing coincidence!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rural House in Munitibar by señora Maria Victoria</span></td></tr>
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<u><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ToEat&Drink</span></u><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Pintxos</i> are the typical Basque tapas (see pictures) which include a wide range of various type of finger foods. Usually <i>pintxos</i> are made of different ingredients placed on a slice of bread and some times kept together with a tooth-pick. Some of the combinations can be just divine! A typical local drink are the white<i> txakoli</i> wines or the apple cider. I haven't fancied much the local cider as the taste is rather sourish compared to the ones produced in Northern Europe, like for instance my favorite Magners! :oP</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Renting a car is a must, otherwise you would miss out of the most beautiful scenery that only with the independency of having your own vehicle offers </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit the unusual Guggenheim museum in Bilbao</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wonder around the backstreets of the old city center of San Sebastian and let your self bounce from one Taberna to the next one to taste the endless variety of pintxos. One of the main street with restaurants is 31 de Agosto Kalea</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kultura.ejgv.euskadi.net/r46-714/es/contenidos/informacion/ezagutu_eh/es_eza_eh/adjuntos/eza_en.pdf" target="_blank">More insights about the Basque Countries</a>.</span></div>
Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0Biscaglia, Spagna43.2204286 -2.6983867999999842.4798651 -3.9892802999999804 43.9609921 -1.4074932999999803tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-56008346902382070222013-02-25T22:22:00.000+00:002014-04-19T23:33:19.137+01:00Discovering Ethiopia "from inside"<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since 2010 I have been working on a voluntary base for a non-profit organization called INSIDE TRAVEL which offers interactive and social trips to Ethiopia. Under the motto "Discover, Learn, Participate", the 11-day program offers you<span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> the opportunity to meet local people of different backgrounds, discuss with them, learn about the culture and participate in various activities to be part of the everyday life in Ethiopia. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">From February 3 -13 (2013), I had the great honor</span><span style="color: #444444;"> to coordinate together with my two Ethiopian colleagues, Abye and Wondi, one of the interactive trips which took place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and in the Gurage region. The group of travelers was composed of 11 participants coming mainly from Switzerland and formed by a varied mix of ages including a family with two kids. The majority of the participants were young, aged between 23 and 31 years old. The youngest child was 9 and the eldest lady was 59... a great mix!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The program included a series of alternative
activities which offered travellers the possibility to get deeper knowledge of
the country and interact closely with the people. The trip started by exploring
Addis Ababa through a challenging game encouraging teamwork and interaction
with locals. The confidence building tasks were designed to introduce European
to Ethiopia, and help them overcome the initial culture shock. After a full
immersion in the frenetic capital city, a 5-hour journey South-West brought the
group in the deep Ethiopian country side where they intensively took part in
the every-day life of a local community. Being in Gurage was like going back in
time: the living is uniquely based on the cultivation of the so called False
Banana Tree, the houses are hand-made in a traditional manner, the cooking is
made over an open fire, money has little value and there is no sign of Western
civilization. Travellers really enjoyed this part of the program. They were
confronted with a hard agrarian life-style embedded in a genuine environment
and felt part of something very special. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once back in the capital, the group
participated in a workshop organized by a local NGO where it was thought, by
homeless girls, how to create handcrafts from leather and bamboo. After having
closely experienced the agrarian life-style, travelers had the chance in
groups to be part in the daily routine of a locale “city” family and be
involved in rituals and traditions; going to church, doing grocery at the
market, cooking food at home, have a beer at the local bar with friends or go
for a promenade in down-town.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The program is very rich, yet also offers sufficient free time for travelers to do their own things. All the
activities, being very unusual and unique in comparison to those of classical
touristic tours, are always highly appreciated by our participants and most importantly they feel fulfilled with their need of acclimatizing in a new country. In this trip, thank to the age gap of the
participants, the program proofed to be suitable to anyone and it is with great joy that I want to invite anyone to participate in one of our interactive trips to Ethiopia. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our programs run regularly all through the year with a maximum of 12-15 participants. We do also offer individual customized programs and all type of budget options. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">For more information regarding the program, costs, organization and who we are, go to </span><b style="line-height: 18px;"><u><a href="http://www.insidetravel.ch/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">www.insidetravel.ch</span></a></u><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></b><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">or write us at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">info@insidetravel.ch</span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">.</span></span></div>
Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-41193386531036931992011-12-03T17:01:00.028+00:002014-04-19T23:43:59.389+01:00Chaotic but Entertaining Marrakesh!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Marrakesh</b>, former imperial city of Morocco's history, is located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and is a must! First of all, I would recommend it even only for feeling the frenetic confusion of its remarkable human jungle. There, is where you get a unique sensation of constant total chaos but with a hint of enchantment. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The real experience starts in the endless labyrinthine back streets of the old fortified city, the so called <i>medina,</i> through which are literally flying cars, bicycles (sometimes carrying more than three kids), dogs, minivan, pick-ups, donkey carriers and loads of people. But the scariest vehicle are the mopeds seating up to four people (always without helmets) driving at full speed with no precaution at all... unbelievable!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The old center, built around 1070, doesn't have an architectonic planning so it is very easy to get completely lost and to have no clue of where you eventually can end up. But this is actually most of the fun as you can find tight paths and interesting hidden corners unexpectedly. Apart of this very lively spirit, Marrakesh is unique for its endless Souks (markets) and its large variety of flavors, fragrances and colors.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apart of cruising through the wall labyrinth of <i>medina</i>, there are some few sightseeing which I strongly recommend to visit:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Main square Jaamal El Fna gets very crowded in the late afternoon with locals and tourists and it converts into a lively center of food stalls, snake charmers, story tellers and dancers. Don't miss out the freshly squeezed orange juice for 2 Dirham (the Moroccan currency; 10 € = 1 MAD)... it's divine!</span></li>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj14HVkY7ZR0JT_MtzwwRIr06aT1wbpH8InPbTgLfF6SDjj0nPMB_p6GRvzB54fb2dxHezJds2HEiH7pVeS1uspIDmiSf-PZSjZYAnHeCj8Geg3Vf_pnLmFNq0bsaLTC-gKNvjAYazlg/s320/Tea+Souk.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699883602263465810" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Koranic school Madrasa Ben Youssef: a 14th century religion school settled deep in the heart of the old center which main building is an astonishing piece of rich decoration made out of carved wood and stone engravings.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The El Badi Palace: remnants of an ancient palace. Climbing up the wall you can have a great view over the city.</span></li>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNlHHGbraAWrFK9ECsjWMxWJxA7u15ELXrBvxaFHzJDsxHQ3dZXeAWUuBBTcc_NTp5BECAffO7-8lVHk6EPv7g8x01RKNPx_a4eDIVGTANz18tw0bb0d6HKS8eVfOcroj8om9lplHxhI/s640/Blog+picture+SOUK.jpg" height="316" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699883908994040178" style="display: block; height: 158px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" width="640" /></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Saadian Tombs which I did not see but I have been told are worth a visit.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The stinky tanneries in the Tanners Quarter: where tanners treads and rinses the skin in large pool of dye and pigeon excrement and other artisans scrap and stretch it to let it dry.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-5S22MEBfOBeI3GWD_v6OpEd3jewgbxRkQq5MdyYrW3lN1ePUTMXEgKFtmZ9-ZpTLUAxC22ECHuLTpqWRXnIaA9U1izmQv3lRbQCK-uRCnfJAmLyBec2q32TS0Einc8kbQfcENacWBE/s320/Assaouira+%252871%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-5S22MEBfOBeI3GWD_v6OpEd3jewgbxRkQq5MdyYrW3lN1ePUTMXEgKFtmZ9-ZpTLUAxC22ECHuLTpqWRXnIaA9U1izmQv3lRbQCK-uRCnfJAmLyBec2q32TS0Einc8kbQfcENacWBE/s320/Assaouira+%252871%2529.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699884274028870450" style="height: 320px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From Marrakesh is a 3-hrs drive by coach to </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Essaouira, </b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a walled small town settled on the Atlantic coast and also been known as Modagor during the Portuguese colonialism. Essaouira is also quite a touristic destination but the locals are much more relaxed and have an interest to get to know you as a foreigner with a different culture and background and not only as a money font. The town it self is quite dirty (especially after has rained) but the intriguing part of it are again the souks which in here I felt were much more frequented by the locals. I got to know a very cool and nice local guy called Anoire and his aunty Hamila. Thank to them, my boyfriend and I ended up having an amazing dinner! We first bought the ingredients we wanted to eat in a souk: 1 kg of fresh shrimps, various vegetables, eggs and olives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we brought all our goodies to a restaurant which cook prepared us in 30 minutes a huge succulent Tajin! And all this was for a total of 100 Dirham within 4 of us... WOW!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you aren't a hygiene freak and you are keen to experience an amazing local ritual, let <span style="text-align: left;">yourself be </span><span style="text-align: left;">rigor</span><span style="text-align: left;">ously scrubbed in a local public</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><i style="text-align: left;">hammam</i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">(the Arabic steam bath)!</span></span></div>
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzewAI0yhQQoXXDBh3Ya4iA1qz_EY6JTPbiIC9y1AlTjDnUQtZ243Lcid3cPSVVFOyfLmB6v9p-rTSwc5acmOA4msVLuIkwIRzoi6dGicv7jkxEsVlCnNSlWJ9HpF68vdbS9RE_dfG68/s200/Marrakesh+349.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699875948826749330" style="float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline; width: 150px;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">They are usually placed near to mosques and are often separate for</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">women and men. Forget about background music, incenses and rose petals (typical from the Western). For instance, the public bath in Marrakesh is a huge room with high ceiling, quite dark and tales and walls are almost falling a part. I was shocked to get scrubbed by the doorman!.. but once I laid down on the warm pavement (with a slight extra uneven layer on the tales - which could have been but old dead skin!) I let my self relax away from the downpour of warm water thrown all over my body with a big bucket through a whole process of black soap rubbing, scrubbing and washing. I came out minimum 1 kg lighter and never felt so clean in my whole life! For some of you this could have partly sounded growth, but I can admit you that it was FANTASTIC!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chichicastenango (a town in the El Quiche' department of Guatemala) means "Tenango"= the place of "Chichi" = nettles, a very flowery tree. In fact the town is known just as Chichi. El Quiché is mainly populated by a large community of indigenous Maya who leave all over on the mountains surrounding Chichi. The visit of this town is definitely worth it only on its market days: Thursday and Sunday. It starts very early in the morning between 7 and 8 am and lasts until 4 pm when the stalls slowly start to get dismantled. The market stalls, mainly hand-made with wooden sticks and ropes only, are found along both sides of the back-streets and the biggest section is found in the main plaza between the two white churches facing one another (see picture of one church below).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The best time to shop is in the afternoon after 1pm when the majority of the tourists, who arrive with an organized tour, have just left and therefore it is easier to get better deals :o) . Bargaining is part of the game and the latest you'll do it better prices you'll get! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The market gets very crowded. There aren't only market stalls but also individuals (usually the poorest indigenous, mainly kids and old women) who desperately try to sell you stuff on the road by following and hassling you all the time... sometimes can be very irritating! While walking around, a little 10-year old kid named Juan, didn't leave me and my sister alone for more than two hours. Initially he badly wanted to sell us a book mark. Then after 30 mins he gave up and decided to stick around with us until the end of the day. He was a very calm and peaceful boy and terribly sweet that we became friends and adopted him as a private consultant for shopping :o). He told us that in the future he would like to work with tourists. He honestly could fit perfectly in this job but I have suggested him to smile more often. In fact the kids I saw at the market tend to adopt a victim attitude talking with a very annoying singing voice. Most of them keep demanding for 1Quetzal to get a tortilla or to go to school. I can suggest to any tourists who travel anywhere in the third world, to not offer money for nothing, at least buy from them a small little stupid object for a few Quetzales if you want to make them happy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 4-5 hours experience at the market is unforgettable! Hundreds of indigenous ladies and little girls wearing their typical self weaved <em>huipiles</em> (large T-shirt) are all over the places: some selling small accessories on the streets, others buying all kind of threads and other material to weave. The fascinating part of it are the endless combinations of colors in the textile... the whole market is an explosion of beautiful bright colors Your eyes will hardly stop to get amazed and everywhere you look, you'll see a new variation of colors Absolutely amazing! To give you an idea of the prices; I bought a bedspread for 150Q. (15 Euros), a tiny purse for 5Q., a cotton scarf for 60Q. and a medium size bag for 120Q.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since I've arrived in the afternoon, I spent a night in Chichi in a OK looking place called El Salvador where I have paid together with my sister 55Q (about 5.5 Euros) for a twin-bed room with shared stinky toilets... I've no idea if there were any showers!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WOXMOGEaL_Jr31a2AH-rBK_gvxC2hcjXuYJ-OZ8ui5ejxg-EaxHKI1jVRO0UM4kcLAEPS6BENJlgluIs3E9aikraeBb-f4z6PhehyphenhyphengTKHfcigOjMcoBFG3uQgI1HXabaWjPs5oK5iuM/s1600/Guatemala+(103).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WOXMOGEaL_Jr31a2AH-rBK_gvxC2hcjXuYJ-OZ8ui5ejxg-EaxHKI1jVRO0UM4kcLAEPS6BENJlgluIs3E9aikraeBb-f4z6PhehyphenhyphengTKHfcigOjMcoBFG3uQgI1HXabaWjPs5oK5iuM/s320/Guatemala+%28103%29.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514861660102848722" style="float: right; height: 207px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 298px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WOXMOGEaL_Jr31a2AH-rBK_gvxC2hcjXuYJ-OZ8ui5ejxg-EaxHKI1jVRO0UM4kcLAEPS6BENJlgluIs3E9aikraeBb-f4z6PhehyphenhyphengTKHfcigOjMcoBFG3uQgI1HXabaWjPs5oK5iuM/s1600/Guatemala+(103).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the evening the streets get replaced by hundreds of food stalls mainly selling <em>papas fritas y pollo dorado</em> (french fries and fried chicken) and the usual <em>tortilla</em> snacks such as <em>flautas</em>, <em>gorditas</em>, <em>tostadas</em>, <em>chile relleno</em> etc. In the morning be prepared to inhale burning mountains of trash collected on the streets from the day before. This happen often especially in Guatemala and in the poorest regions of Mexico as well! There aren’t any recycling or rubbish collectors so people burn any kind of trash: plastic, paper, pet-bottle, light bulb, aluminium foil and more... gulp!</span></div>
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Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-39053135063313242542010-08-19T01:08:00.020+01:002014-04-20T07:55:51.036+01:00Quetzaltenango, so called Xela<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapzuW-OGP4Hfx893C0m2IQAc842VzXKN4KKTSZIdWHRUqf0_k-q4Uf0aiUZshsq2065ok2qPLNi_N16PUTLJZq-74JKsJql3nbDoKCCayrg66GZVI0hU_-xte0rQiT7vSTYkK4OOYMVw/s1600/Quetzaltrekkers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapzuW-OGP4Hfx893C0m2IQAc842VzXKN4KKTSZIdWHRUqf0_k-q4Uf0aiUZshsq2065ok2qPLNi_N16PUTLJZq-74JKsJql3nbDoKCCayrg66GZVI0hU_-xte0rQiT7vSTYkK4OOYMVw/s200/Quetzaltrekkers.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514849927188375458" style="float: right; height: 168px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 162px;" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Xela was my first stop in Guatemala. The idea was to go directly to Chichicastenango, very famous for its Sunday-market, just after crossing the Mexican border but it was already quite late in the afternoon. After 5pm is difficult to find direct buses and travelling in the dark can be dangerous. Anyway I definitely recommend Xela as a first stop after crossing the border and it can also become a stationery point for exploring the surrounding area where various outdoor activities can be practiced: rock-climbing, volcano hiking, mountain-bike and more. Xela is surrounded by few volcanoes and if you are interested to explore them I suggest you contacting the following organization: <a href="http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/">Quetzaltrekker</a><a href="http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/">s</a>. They offer very interesting and adventurous activities for a very reasonable price while at the same time they financially support the instruction of local kids.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIodYEoEfD3uUf5leln5VwQ1fY1AHQxx5TJbvofVPNaV2wKxGCGgA_5ooAXkWedigS_1c9T498F-Tfs98vdEBNO0O3VY304QgDCRC9G2x3ONfquDNEvR4_xn0iGubIBdCtkgdWhYjS43o/s1600/Guatemala+%2840%29.JPG" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIodYEoEfD3uUf5leln5VwQ1fY1AHQxx5TJbvofVPNaV2wKxGCGgA_5ooAXkWedigS_1c9T498F-Tfs98vdEBNO0O3VY304QgDCRC9G2x3ONfquDNEvR4_xn0iGubIBdCtkgdWhYjS43o/s200/Guatemala+%2840%29.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514852380024851714" style="float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For an unbelievably cheap and clean overnight I recommend you staying at the family run Casa Argentina where is also based Quetzaltrekkers. They charge you 20Q. for a big comfy bed in a dormitory (see pic) and 30Q. for private single room. Clean bathrooms are shared, there is hot water and the family is very friendly and helpful.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Square of Xela</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Xela isn't particularly attractive for its architectural beauty which is only found in the main plaza (see pic). The main square here as well is dominated by the facade of an old cathedral which got destroyed many years before by the eruption of a volcano. In the evening streets are very quiet and dark. There are several cute and cheap cafe' and restaurant.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-77776956702694622732010-08-19T01:04:00.018+01:002014-04-20T07:45:52.103+01:00Border crossing Mexico-Guatemala<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdby8_0LgqfMHjOkdV4A8cMwNgyUwGwbVxOFL3XQeJiovG5atBA8n1xFRxGFCoiaJreCwI7Ds6107VQi2kBERKOHcQIjiQ6WBIu6v0WeW8Riyk4aoMsQxA7_fKOVBb6_JMDdLFSuIGWo/s1600/Guatemala+%2829%29.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdby8_0LgqfMHjOkdV4A8cMwNgyUwGwbVxOFL3XQeJiovG5atBA8n1xFRxGFCoiaJreCwI7Ds6107VQi2kBERKOHcQIjiQ6WBIu6v0WeW8Riyk4aoMsQxA7_fKOVBb6_JMDdLFSuIGWo/s200/Guatemala+%2829%29.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513955073891089330" style="float: left; height: 134px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; text-align: justify; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An easy way to access into Guatemala from Mexico is to take a public bus from San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas) to Cuahtemoc for about 90 pesos. Once the bus leaves you at the border, get </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">your passport stamped and then the only way to cross the border is to catch a taxi (ask to wait until it gets full so you will share the cost of 50 pesos between others). The taxi will take you to the city of La Mesilla in Guatemala about 10-15 minutes drive. Here you will get a bit shocked! La Mesilla is an extremely chaotic town (as many other Guatemalan towns): there is loads of traffic on the main street with taxies, buses, tuc-tuc, carretas (mobile bistros) and bicycle. All along both sides of the road is packed with market stalls selling all sort of things. Walking up the street to get to the bank first and then to the bus station, you will notice that they ALL sell the SAME thing in gigantic amount! Remember that once you have left Mexico you won't be able to use pesos because no one (not even the buses) will accept them . So make sure to withdraw some money at a bank and if you can DO NOT accept change from the people on the street: 1US$ is about 12.9 MX$ and in Quetzal (the Guatemalan value) is about 8. They were offering 5.5 Quetzal!!</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN GUATEMALA</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Public Buses - Old American School Buses</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be aware of the very backward public transportation system in Guatemala. All the buses are the old "school buses" from the United States (see pic). They are very uncomfortable and absolutely not suitable for long distance journeys in a mountainous country like Guatemala. On the other hand is very simple to catch a bus. Just show up at the dirty and dusty bus station and the driver's assistant will ask for your destination and they'll get you to the right bus. Some can be real gentlemen and they will carry your mochilla (bag-pack) all the way to the bus to place it on the roof of it. Make sure they'll cover them with some plastic material in case it rained.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guatemalan bus stations are chaotic and very loud! 30 mins before the bus leaves the bus driver and his assistant keep screaming like hell the name of the destination city to inform and attract the people. For example for Guatemala city they would yell "Guate, Guate, Guateeeee!!!" or for Huehuetango "Huehue, Huehe, Huehueeee!!!". The job of the bus assistant is to collect money from the passengers once the bus has left, is responsible to know when and where the passengers need to get out and he also opens and closes the door. When the driver turns on the engine, it doesn't mean that the bus is leaving physically for sure. The bus is only slowly moving at a speed of 10 km/h all the way through the town while the driver's assistant is yelling out on the street through the open door about a thousand times "Guate, Guate, Guateeee!!!" to fill up the bus as much as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RBx90BVyTgTP45CyYFPHwMAFYidhQiOxJaoL_J31HcgmXNq21Jg-13Uw5sYCo36Jh3-1q0PK5XbjIxl4dRTpz8LDu3Fz7V446su0_L2DyaCJib-2UWnqy0AUqYFf7Q4b99DPwNSDgnU/s1600/Guatemala+%2856%29.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RBx90BVyTgTP45CyYFPHwMAFYidhQiOxJaoL_J31HcgmXNq21Jg-13Uw5sYCo36Jh3-1q0PK5XbjIxl4dRTpz8LDu3Fz7V446su0_L2DyaCJib-2UWnqy0AUqYFf7Q4b99DPwNSDgnU/s320/Guatemala+%2856%29.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514183015830705938" style="float: left; height: 227px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 311px;" /></a>Remember there isn't any seat number limit on the bus... so with a seating capacity of 50 in Guatemala can be easily doubled! Kids sit on their parents' lap and on seat benches for two people there will be sat at least three adults and two kids without counting the numerous bags and briefcases. The others will have to stand. All the way to the end of the journey, even on the main way, the bus keeps stopping to let people down or to pick them up. Official bus stops don't exist, only start and destination point. Moreover the roads (any of them; locals, main roads and highways) are in most places in very bed conditions, especially in the mountainous areas and in the country sides. Often you'll see one side of the road blocked because either on the cliff side the concrete cracked caused by a running soil or on the hill side part of the mountain have collapsed such as stones, earth or tree. Also the roads are full of holes, they go up and down and are plenty of curves. Buses don't hesitate to overtake big tracks on a double line main road, check out the movie and ... GOOD LUCK FOR THOSE WHO GET CARSICK!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Food Market next to the Bus Station</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PS. Bus tickets are relatively cheap (at least!) and a 4-hour journey from La Mesilla until Quetzaltenango cost me about 40 pesos. The guy initially asked me for 50 until I have bargained to get the right price. So don't forget to ask for less money. They easily give up!</span></div>
Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-38350700149461026952010-08-12T17:20:00.024+01:002013-09-07T11:01:57.539+01:00CHACAHUAAA... The Paradise on Earth!<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617285479106796546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbE7syCMAqy1eUovjDjCC9mwepOsUNtblYsyEY2PgjsHSO2jbSwI_-QdjjsRwv0U6NS2AZK3MVfC7tu_b-iU4CmFnFhPpWshxYTSyPD2Kw_Aybg6sCQu-KRaEidLYfStDnnNUZlul7M08/s400/Oaxaca+Panoramic.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 169px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Chacahua has been the HIT of my journey to Mexico an</span><span class="Apple-style-span">d the most chilled-out, relaxing a</span><span class="Apple-style-span">nd f</span><span class="Apple-style-span">ree place I have experienced so far! It is located on the West coast in the Oaxaca State (Northern from Puerto Escondido). It is a small </span>"island"-village placed between the Pacific ocean and a lagoon of mangroves and crocodiles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">From Puerto Escondido it is a bit of a treck: 1h30 by bus, then 15mins by minivan, then 15 mins by boat, then 20 mins by truck/pick up to arrive at the paradisiacal destination of wooden and straw cabanas, sandy floors </span>everywhere, no hotels or high-end services... here dominates the silence of the<span class="Apple-style-span"> nature and the relaxation </span><span class="Apple-style-span">of mankind! Again, it is an amazing place if you are not looking for comfort but ease, not expecting high s</span><span class="Apple-style-span">tandards but basic services... all you have is freedom from what modern society has created: stress, progress and success! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Chacahua is the place to escape the system in which we are stuck </span>daily. T<span class="Apple-style-span">o experience a real life-style of a surfer, to chill-out in hammocks hanging under straw roofs over-looking the ocean. To enjoy freshly cooked tasty fish in an authentic Mexican style</span>. It is suggested a minimum of a 4 day-stay... if you have more time of course longer! Once you arrive just ask around for a cabana and almost every family offers a few places to sleep. The prices in general are fixed and are almost the same everywhere.</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617295796983840626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAk2ovtw91_JS60IqyezPXZZackBkeaCem0FKMmXzjPaTqB-O1gqO8Bk33ojMoUDlRzEntM-cXofapwNrqV4MBz9FI7pMIO9pP_75rMu3LpMHy1tLxuClJJdxZHFvzIYdUz0Tg_jpy44/s320/Oaxaca+%2528286%2529.JPG" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are willing to learn surfing ask for Tim & Dalila. They are very nice people and have great capabilities to teach you. Their son is Sebastian who is 9 years old and is one of the best youngest surfer on earth... looking at him surfing is an amazing show you can offer your self early in the morning when weather permits it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Curiosity:</b> the majority of the local people are black whose ancestors settled down about 200 years ago when their slave ship coming from Africa sunk off the coast.</span></div>
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Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-17213714232371019132010-08-04T13:57:00.014+01:002014-04-19T23:55:32.229+01:00Gorgeous colonial towns: Morelia & Patzquaro<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Morelia</b> is the capital of Michoacán and it was the first city that the <span style="font-style: italic;">conqu</span><span style="font-style: italic;">istadores</span> had built after they conquered <span style="font-style: italic;">Nueva España</span>. It is a very well preserved small colonial town of about 110 Thousand inhabitants and it is dominated by a marvelous twin-towered cathedral of a very pleasant </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">light antique pink colour. Next to it, it is placed a spacious </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">plaza</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> filled with big tall trees which offer shadow to the numerous long stone benches where loud Mexican families and kissing couples like to chill out during their free time. I was amazed about these wide </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">plazas</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> which are present in every colonial city and represent the heart of the city as well as a meeting point for the locals.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Catedral de Morelía</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>ToDo&Visit:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">El</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">mercado de dulce</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (market of any kind of sweets) as well as </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">casa</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and museo of José Morelos (from which the town was named). Morelos was a prest who strongly supported and helped the revolutionaries for the independence of Mexico. If you feel having a drink go to the bikini bar and try a </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">michelada</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (tipical Mexican drink: beer, tomato juice, Maggie sauce, salt and chily... quite particular!), but if you prefer something sweeter get a tasty </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Orgasmo</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> cocktail (Kalhua, Baileys, white cocoa powder, milk and brandy).</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWyxEZb-SkTDHkBIhuJxjq6u5mlIgAPz7thkrVsAtOSvFeFBjsVndc6bPtxIbbNqHormMA9yoBqBVbv5MyyXpSVLyjBb4KOLXBYdE-Qd83IwPKAzPpG6vX58No-DdSwwSbxlkoRuRk6I/s200/Nabila+023.jpg" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501711599138879394" style="height: 163px; margin: 0pt auto 10px; text-align: justify; width: 217px;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Colonial Houses</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second colonial town which I completely fall in love with was the fascinating town of <b>Patzquaro</b> (about 30 mins by car from Morelia). It is very well preserved as well but in </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWyxEZb-SkTDHkBIhuJxjq6u5mlIgAPz7thkrVsAtOSvFeFBjsVndc6bPtxIbbNqHormMA9yoBqBVbv5MyyXpSVLyjBb4KOLXBYdE-Qd83IwPKAzPpG6vX58No-DdSwwSbxlkoRuRk6I/s1600/Nabila+023.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">comparison to Morelia, its dusty streets emphasize even more its characteristic Latin flair. If I will ever get married, Patzquaro have to be the place where I will spend my honey moon :o) !</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The centre of the town is again a spacious squared plaza with trees and benches surrounded by charming arched edifices. The rest of the town is formed by cute tight streets and very low buildings of the same antique look with old wooden doors, small balconies and courtyards.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few kilometers from the centre of Patzquaro there is a brown-colour lake (not very attractive) where I caught a boat to reach the cute, tiny <span style="font-weight: bold;">island of Janitzio</span>. On the top of the hill stands the tall monument of Morelos with one of his feast in the air (it looks a bit like the Statue of Liberty in NY but the Mexican version :o). It can be climbed from inside and from the top you can have a wonderful view of the lake and the mountains. It is a lovely trip that takes you out of the town to see the surrounding green landscape.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QeRg6Nuz4lH8t3iaBVta7IG4E7BsmlhsVO7h5PGj1b3ewfYkxulyWQ8pr29R1jeuo-pvaYdfYKi0hFDK2xtFaAxnRjcZSb0MJkOd7wF8UWv9Y7rKv2k4rdxgHn63T5znzziFWLiTxyI/s1600/Nabila+021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QeRg6Nuz4lH8t3iaBVta7IG4E7BsmlhsVO7h5PGj1b3ewfYkxulyWQ8pr29R1jeuo-pvaYdfYKi0hFDK2xtFaAxnRjcZSb0MJkOd7wF8UWv9Y7rKv2k4rdxgHn63T5znzziFWLiTxyI/s200/Nabila+021.jpg" height="269" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501710502615142850" style="display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; width: 248px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Isla de Janitzio</span></td></tr>
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About Food</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The best <span style="font-style: italic;">torta</span> (basically a Mexican sandwich) that I have ever tasted so far in Mexico is in the famous bistro "Torta Patzquaro" located on the side of the road before entering into the town of Patzquaro. The <span style="font-style: italic;">torta</span> I had was a tasty crunchy loaf of bread with bean paste, <span style="font-style: italic;">adobera</span> cheese, tomatoes and big chunks of avocado... a real delicacy!</span></div>
Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-11863997882656869912010-07-24T00:22:00.017+01:002011-06-12T14:11:22.708+01:00The Fauna of Pilateno<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjJ-GPyENV58CrX4goBNWjmKK_Kt7U3k5c4VLT5cwYLx4b_OWu2aVLZK4gsg1AYPZYSJK7Wb3SCuD0kOm7U3DeYCAcDoVO1ejf5Tu9TZeX09MOyH_dAarDpSvwyYgooJ7rCaqR2SVSkg/s1600/Picture+032.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497999293131565314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjJ-GPyENV58CrX4goBNWjmKK_Kt7U3k5c4VLT5cwYLx4b_OWu2aVLZK4gsg1AYPZYSJK7Wb3SCuD0kOm7U3DeYCAcDoVO1ejf5Tu9TZeX09MOyH_dAarDpSvwyYgooJ7rCaqR2SVSkg/s200/Picture+032.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE0GFHAvwPfmJ9FPdq0cEIwSuNH-bGM7z3uiEymXoDzC3sy50lgYNDvTW9hyphenhyphenws1AAsh_alLSQI99NxtlIOBsbWq4YfygKqBgIEsONICwxGAGqjGLLLDmaxqnAulEPAsriyx2G6tplh3E/s1600/Picture+044.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497998563035811122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE0GFHAvwPfmJ9FPdq0cEIwSuNH-bGM7z3uiEymXoDzC3sy50lgYNDvTW9hyphenhyphenws1AAsh_alLSQI99NxtlIOBsbWq4YfygKqBgIEsONICwxGAGqjGLLLDmaxqnAulEPAsriyx2G6tplh3E/s200/Picture+044.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLH-LrIF949nff3qXrg1fVxGsy4Cxp0Uxwm5EQHMpGXyOtKyIpdV9DqOz4utWXl9SH8-wGI5f8Tf7JUpTKC9fDMZkycLKvoqyb9uFzvDcph9_ftB8SAmzJgnj863eJq6bBKbNMfNTcJI/s1600/Picture+024.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497998352632045570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLH-LrIF949nff3qXrg1fVxGsy4Cxp0Uxwm5EQHMpGXyOtKyIpdV9DqOz4utWXl9SH8-wGI5f8Tf7JUpTKC9fDMZkycLKvoqyb9uFzvDcph9_ftB8SAmzJgnj863eJq6bBKbNMfNTcJI/s200/Picture+024.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Pilateno is habitat of various giant insects some with a beautiful aspect like the orange butterfly below or the green and noisy cicada above, others with a monstrous look like the spiders or the </span>horrible creature called "vinagrillo" (or vinegaroons in English). For a European used to tiny innocent insects it is a futile battle acclimatizing to their omnipresence in the forest (especially when braving the midnight torture toilet run ... wondering which insect species will be dining on ones delectable white bottom flesh</div><div style="text-align: left;"> tonight!).</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ayeZVsJmhyphenhyphenRHnruOH7HKWV6hhajklTnSF3S8LgG7GQfJJQ1WK2gge6jie0LxFBkROZq5oJimEz7wTP9SU_WeTKB2rlUqkAkoI6sjVBoNNUKhUbJZy2dwCEzStFX8p4n7AAqldTHH9O4/s200/Picture+021.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497997523384997634" border="0" alt="" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjKM3fL0p_Q3T6aAsW4lEOjuvSj7NOhFGa47NO2POimgWMaeQHV93K9wDoEM0cuZCdRyDpWMXJBRMUKVJKedxHBv_3is2bcjnzIPBo9dQByss8nkBznZ9AB7vagmY7rQxviGcnvxtwc4/s200/Xilitla+-+Pilateno+%2528373%2529.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617305797765030898" /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9j4Z3JGjEFc04tI-UPkQ4DKRSOTz2AZkhaMo7Yjub-9COPo7yrM5d7xS095xkqX2jJgOW7aYYARolkL2E-XGsv74m1rib4X-_5LmWpDUMTLP7c6v_im245IDWWAtqbtzNbkNDIh58UI/s1600/Picture+026.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497997224757518146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9j4Z3JGjEFc04tI-UPkQ4DKRSOTz2AZkhaMo7Yjub-9COPo7yrM5d7xS095xkqX2jJgOW7aYYARolkL2E-XGsv74m1rib4X-_5LmWpDUMTLP7c6v_im245IDWWAtqbtzNbkNDIh58UI/s200/Picture+026.jpg" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-58406757267863506832010-07-18T00:38:00.010+01:002010-08-05T18:08:27.896+01:00The remote community of PilatenoPilateno is a small indigeneous community <em>Nahuatl </em>of about 800 inhabitants of which the half are kids and is situated in the middle of a beautiful valley of humid <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8uRXu2tx73Zmln4TvnIMo_k9iAVBAyTVXIRwrjinbc5nuaeH73MOWbWsT_49-3bTb-F3EycPM20lE3ZZzIFO20NoqUIWKPFLfGD2WM-3BKeZOqdIZFHdPmvuKD1iWczOjZeq8_jMtuY/s1600/Picture+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 233px; float: left; height: 276px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497259312567752914" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8uRXu2tx73Zmln4TvnIMo_k9iAVBAyTVXIRwrjinbc5nuaeH73MOWbWsT_49-3bTb-F3EycPM20lE3ZZzIFO20NoqUIWKPFLfGD2WM-3BKeZOqdIZFHdPmvuKD1iWczOjZeq8_jMtuY/s320/Picture+047.jpg" border="0" /></a>forest about 40mins by car from the town of Xilitla. Pilateno will be the place where I will spend the next 3 weeks working as a volunteer for an ecotourism project. The group of volunteer is formed by 5 girls: me, my sister Clary and her friend Virginia and 2 other girls from Barcelona (Claudia - 35 & Monica - 44). So far we went on quite well and we can organize each other without problems.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>You have to imagine that the community of Pilateno is a village of mostly wooden houses spread all over the valley. Some family could afford more luxus and did build their house with cement and brakes. There is only one main road for the camioneta (private pick-ups which are the only public transportations for the locals to get out of the village) and the only way to reach the single houses is by footpath up and down the forest. In this village don`t exit sinks, showers and bathrooms. Toilets are situated a few metres away from the houses and they consist of a hole, a bucket with water to flush and a small bin for the used toilet paper. To wash clothes and to have a shower there are springs placed all over the village. Each family do also collect rain water from the house roof in big tall containers to wash dishes and for other general uses. Electricity was introduced in 2000 and some houses possess electric coffee and mais mill as well as stereo and TV. </div><br /><div><strong>The Indigeneous Host Family</strong><br />Each volunteer will spend the first week of the workcamp experience by a local indigeneous family in order to get closer to the culture and slowly adapt to the new life-style as well as be part of the daily activities of each family member. My host family lives about 15 mins by foot from the centre of the village which is the "cooperativa" of Pilateno where the only mini shop and the meeting point of the community are situated. The area next to the mini shop (which is formed of 3 walls and a roof all made by hands by the locals) will become our dormitory or house for our 2nd and 3rd week.</div><br /><div>The only way to reach the house of my host family is a very tight footpath through the deep green forest. The family is formed by the fairly young grand-parents Camerina (a lovely woman <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CCAUa5wBDnvEqttA5jT7vjo5fkXY6tEoIPE6zdRRlEJmLHPA0RCy7hfo3Sfe-kDNDwD91-reMBL11Ui0ooJd4JExOnFnX3AlAnYhIV2e22y5vvtj7CJD_LIXHEzfNlQrboHtC3QaNv0/s1600/Picture+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 289px; float: right; height: 206px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497265946613441538" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CCAUa5wBDnvEqttA5jT7vjo5fkXY6tEoIPE6zdRRlEJmLHPA0RCy7hfo3Sfe-kDNDwD91-reMBL11Ui0ooJd4JExOnFnX3AlAnYhIV2e22y5vvtj7CJD_LIXHEzfNlQrboHtC3QaNv0/s320/Picture+017.jpg" border="0" /></a>of 54 years) and his husband Thomas. They are both pentioned but still have a lot of work to do. Both very healthy and full of spirit with not a wrinckle in their face. In the house live their son Luis with his wife Lorenza (27) and the two little girls Ceiline (9) and the noty but adorable Anelise (4). The house has 2 bedrooms which are placed on the two opposite sides of the living room that includes kitchen and sitting room. The house is a ery simple house made of wood with a few fornitures; two double beds (the girls sleep each in one bed), one table, another table for various kitchen tools, four chairs (of which three are half broken) and a very simple fire-kitchen (see picture).</div><br /><div>I slept in the bedroom of Camerina and Thomas (the grand-parents). My bed was placed next to their one and a provisory courtain was deviding the room into two. Thank God this time I didn´t have to sleep on the floor! Each volunteer received a foldable bed which will be used for the whole duration of the workcamp in Pilateno and it was far better than sleeping on hard soil.<br /></div><br /><div><strong>Anxiousness of Insects in the Night</strong></div><div>The good point was to sleep on a decent bed but the critical one was to be sleeping in a wooden house with an open section inbetween the walls and the roof and doesn´t have any proper doors. This means that any kinds of insects and bugs are welcome in the house unexpectively. I don`t have a mosquito-net and so my first night in the wooden house in the middle of the forest was a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6NPnbKDlwHOauXsRqXvQ0OvUyAy-BeBZC6gLZMkv-PT7sg3SPzfoP6Cb6KT7444P7gRX-OcncWy1ExYzdYaP2vTxE7qEJtfbrLXlTGlV1TpFllA_9F9heV3ZTNAt2PeL_2S2UsT3PMU/s1600/Picture+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; float: left; height: 200px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497277718448691682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6NPnbKDlwHOauXsRqXvQ0OvUyAy-BeBZC6gLZMkv-PT7sg3SPzfoP6Cb6KT7444P7gRX-OcncWy1ExYzdYaP2vTxE7qEJtfbrLXlTGlV1TpFllA_9F9heV3ZTNAt2PeL_2S2UsT3PMU/s200/Picture+015.jpg" border="0" /></a>NIGHTMARE!! While I was preparing my bed with the 2 girsl I couldn`t stop looking around my self to check if any horrible animal was wondering around the house... and why have I ever done it?? I kept seeing little ugly creatures of any sizes and shapes appearing and disappearing from every corner and hole such as enormous spiders, cockroach, weird beetles and God knows what else! Hundreds of mosquitos and moths were flying around the house. While I was lieing in my bed I was horrified by being even touched by any of those animals and with my super tiny blanket (that I have stolen from the airplane of Iberia on the way here) I was trying to cover my self from head to feet. When Camerina switched off the light and everybody was in bed sleeping, I could hear millions of noises without knowing where they were coming from and especially how close to my bed they were. I tell you guys I was paralised! I couldn`t move a muscle and my body was like an extremely rigid wooden stick. Finally around maybe 3 or 4am I fall asleep and slept until 9:30am without getting up from the numerous singing <em>gallos</em> (cocks) in the night and in the morning. After this dreadful night I decided not to be too scared because at the end of the day these insects won`t be able to eat me anyway. The following 3 nights weren`t so stressful but still I didn`t feel 100% safe.</div><br /><div><strong>Shower and Clothes-Washing at the Spring or at the River</strong></div><div>Initially it was kind of hard to get used to live without a sink to wash my teeth, my hands and my face. To live <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F7fTNUBK6_tlCxqNHYeMeX7WrTSzuMnT2aC8CAgBcAaYFAL2E3cNDjq47Jpnr_ayiyO8opa5FLuZLOwg_pMzOiR2ZJzOfEzlmK9fZsmh0ElD7ICOEl3KMYwL9ItfAWPtajiaf7vtkEk/s1600/Picture+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; float: left; height: 200px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497281197382441474" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F7fTNUBK6_tlCxqNHYeMeX7WrTSzuMnT2aC8CAgBcAaYFAL2E3cNDjq47Jpnr_ayiyO8opa5FLuZLOwg_pMzOiR2ZJzOfEzlmK9fZsmh0ElD7ICOEl3KMYwL9ItfAWPtajiaf7vtkEk/s200/Picture+022.jpg" border="0" /></a>without a shower means never give a good clean to the body being sweaty half of the times and especially not having a proper toilet. Clothes-washing became here a new<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRohzJ6376dNJPUaMxuptxuKBKOSWOlY0qlO-FIxbtIBvY9yyTD-DvsiWi4fuMy_pDuOeu-FEv8LUu3jkXKl1GJojo4k0PO1P-ROIclQhCdRrgABG-9y4ypxWKMq5DQKLO5bEEFJ29c/s1600/Picture+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 179px; float: right; height: 139px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497993814528474498" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRohzJ6376dNJPUaMxuptxuKBKOSWOlY0qlO-FIxbtIBvY9yyTD-DvsiWi4fuMy_pDuOeu-FEv8LUu3jkXKl1GJojo4k0PO1P-ROIclQhCdRrgABG-9y4ypxWKMq5DQKLO5bEEFJ29c/s200/Picture+030.jpg" border="0" /></a> activity of my life with my local family. In one of the pic you can see the toilet in the middle of the trees. When I needed to go to the toilet in the middle of the night I would rather wait until the morning. There is NO WAY I would go out of the house with a light when it´s pitch black... you never know what could happen! In the other pic you can see <em>el pozzo</em> (the spring) where I would have my shower using a container to throw fresh water on my body and where I would wash my clothes by hands. Near <span style="font-style: italic;">el pozzo </span>there are Lorenza (the mother) and her little girls Selina and lovely Aneliz.</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-27983145469065578872010-07-17T02:31:00.012+01:002010-07-24T01:06:18.540+01:00The town of Xilitla - San Luis PotosiMy stay in Mexico city came to an end and it was time to head towards the state of San Luis Potosi, in Xilitla, North of Mexico city where my 3-<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqPCsi0BV83n-dxhQDPofK8EXZWzfdkQ7jFjf-EiVyASo-hZkZUjaPR8Pu1LGXO2lVEqfDvnKOqJ19SvPWOfbsUnGfC9rlRnkytzgjCfFDHo60P0QP7wLM4tHEFg6UiaedwrOf7UjD5M/s1600/Picture+038.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 280px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497255999404439346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqPCsi0BV83n-dxhQDPofK8EXZWzfdkQ7jFjf-EiVyASo-hZkZUjaPR8Pu1LGXO2lVEqfDvnKOqJ19SvPWOfbsUnGfC9rlRnkytzgjCfFDHo60P0QP7wLM4tHEFg6UiaedwrOf7UjD5M/s320/Picture+038.jpg" /></a>weeks volunteer workcamp of an ecotourism project will take place. I took a night bus at 9:30pm which drove in 8h directly to Xilitla (a small town in the South -East of the state). Sleeping on a seat wasn´t easy so I had a broken sleep of maybe about 3h. Around 2am the bus stopped for 30 mins. The driver didn´t inform us of anything and apparently the road was blocked by a car accident. Fortunately it didn´t take too long and the journey continued safely.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>The bus arrived around 6am at Xilitla where Norma, the coordinator of the workcamp, welcomed us and brought us to the "El Cafe´de las Flores", a restaurant run by a community of women. The main coltivation in this region are coffe and mais and thus are part of the local culture. So I ordered a good cup of coffee with leche... it was DELICIOUS! My perfect type of coffee: not bitter at all, very light and with a bit of sugar, WOW! While enjoying the coffee of my life Norma told us a bit about the project and the programme appeared to be very flexible and changeable if wished. The activities are varied from creating and promoting tourist attracions to sensibilize the environmental conservetion within the locals and playing with the kids. The 3 main activities regarding the ecotourism theme are 1. the creation of a book with local recepies and traditions, 2. paint a map of the village with the main natural attractions and 3. help women in the creation of jewleries made of local seeds and other manual activities. It sounded super interesting and hopefully us volunteers will be able to succed the project!<br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 333px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497252486470757138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSpNtKOw5Y4e7ysJ4i82s84y3Adyzr7FSI_SV1GAr90ArFHmrThTi2FTj5e88QIRmUwFpj2KfV0bR0zuI0rFopPAhlaenvF_JrELFE7GM_Xv2hmAb9-cATRllkEPS1z_LaLk4Epgi38E/s320/Picture+011.jpg" /> An hour later we went for a walk into the centre of this tiny town which is basically dominated by the main plaza with the church (see picture) and one main street packed with fruit stalls and shops of any types. Sunday is the day of the market in Xilitla. It gets super crowded with people of the communities selling and buying any sort of things. In the plaza there are <em>guapangos </em>(Mexican folcloristic band) playing and loads of people dancing away with the rythm soave (see picture). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBzSz8XEoua-KqXnRs-R7CNzqutnDJV4Kwncs5eehJEGHJjWjDHuej3AWU2pK6rvFIwWJ7hiwkpwf_OKiIB7dVjNbY3dEVZQoe-Opt1e6cz6c-alrM4SgfSL9o4i4zPazdB2eW8SqZ50/s1600/Picture+037.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 252px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497253208661021778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBzSz8XEoua-KqXnRs-R7CNzqutnDJV4Kwncs5eehJEGHJjWjDHuej3AWU2pK6rvFIwWJ7hiwkpwf_OKiIB7dVjNbY3dEVZQoe-Opt1e6cz6c-alrM4SgfSL9o4i4zPazdB2eW8SqZ50/s320/Picture+037.jpg" /></a><br />Since I didn´t have any cash left I had to find a bank to be able to change my Traveller Checks and had to go all the way to Ciudad Valles, the closest big city about 2h away from Xilitla. After queueing up for about 20 mins and waiting for the long process (from Traveler Checks into cash) to get going, I finally have been told that in my case wasn´t possible because the signature on my Cheques didn´t exactly look the same as the one on my passport... ?!? Gulp! Great, so I went all the way there for nothing!<br />Once I was back in Xilitla, we moved our staff into the dormitory... and what a freaken dormitory! It was a 10 square metres room with beach mats placed all over the floor tile on which 7 people had to sleep for that night... I couldn´t believe it! This dormitory called the "Cooperativa" of Xilitla has to be shared between our project group of 5 people and the other one of about 5 people as well plus the coordinator for the next 2 week-ends. Also the only toilet in the cooperativa doesn´t flush properly which meant that if I need to have a number 2 (the solid version) I have to run out on the street to look for a toilet in a restaurant or an internet point!<br />My first night on the floor (see picture), after a night sleeping on the bus-seat, was absolutely AWFUL! I kept turning around trying to find a comfortable <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRhQ_w3x_eWqPokY74QViJKyuvkVWUk0Sn7WMyFM5mYazZcu61U50vYxbc7778m7fMAkNN-fzNjLP_oXa7XFMw7bhUYP4g3-jbqsbZ8YBPhZOWshwSkVhTsWDivuYqTSfwyk7zcxmkPE/s1600/Picture+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497254010420581186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRhQ_w3x_eWqPokY74QViJKyuvkVWUk0Sn7WMyFM5mYazZcu61U50vYxbc7778m7fMAkNN-fzNjLP_oXa7XFMw7bhUYP4g3-jbqsbZ8YBPhZOWshwSkVhTsWDivuYqTSfwyk7zcxmkPE/s200/Picture+012.jpg" /></a>position that wouldn´t completely distroy my bones. I was extremely exhausted that I fall asleep anyway but woke up thousand times and got up at 8am with broken neck and back, puffed eyes and scared of thinking to sleep for the rest of my 3 weeks in similar conditions! NO WAY! The only moment of relief was a bowl of fresh tropical fruits (mango, papaya, pineapple and melon) with natural yoghurt and the so called <em>granola</em> (cereals) for breakfast... yumme!<br /><br /><div>Xilitla will be our place of resources for food, water, any sort of material for activities and any other essential needs which have to be purchased over the week-end (our time off). The project it self will take place in Pilateno, about 40mins by car (or so called "camioneta") from Xilitla.<br />By 12.30am the camioneta was waiting for us. Shortly a camioneta is one of the few private pick-up vans of the indigeneous of Pilateno that runs about 2/3 times a day and leaves whenever is<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmuauh_smyYXW23fIgmaT-2MVA9bHDFysp61U6F7Fz2Q69l635c5ocxN6KMe3_1qZuRLLGeqvgoct9VsuSe8KdOXgjNcMNe7WBvLNPFGFnNw8gP1gWkS8EPv0TGL3MQfE3JXvZkdbXMU/s1600/Picture+039.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497255096901183682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmuauh_smyYXW23fIgmaT-2MVA9bHDFysp61U6F7Fz2Q69l635c5ocxN6KMe3_1qZuRLLGeqvgoct9VsuSe8KdOXgjNcMNe7WBvLNPFGFnNw8gP1gWkS8EPv0TGL3MQfE3JXvZkdbXMU/s200/Picture+039.jpg" /></a> full with people or with material. So there isn´t any fixed timetable... it leaves when it leaves. The camioneta doesnt have any seats for the passengers so we had to stay stand up holding eachother to the sides (see picture).</div><div>The way to Pilateno is for a small part of concrete road but most of it is pure soil with stones and when it rains of big maddy water ponds. The landscape in this area is a paradise of heavy green mountains and valleys. After climbing a bit we kept going down and down until we reached the community of Pilateno hidden in the middle of a humid tropical forest.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-63988836401217868402010-07-13T15:38:00.011+01:002013-09-08T00:21:00.943+01:00Mexico city; once the Aztec empire of TenochitlanI have just spent 5 days in the huge city of the Mexican capital and you will be surprised but I have never felt unsafe; in fact I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd53HD187Y6zaqiUDcC7oTvetNV547hPqift91U-hLuencc3_AliU_6yVuqVr5bX-F44u-NQ_OlAyTVKODtqhuUcmkaRKldPgV60Q6bOc-lZQaxxwU9ejdc47WTFadpQRlGObjRhzBbt4/s1600/Picture+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497244549176785346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd53HD187Y6zaqiUDcC7oTvetNV547hPqift91U-hLuencc3_AliU_6yVuqVr5bX-F44u-NQ_OlAyTVKODtqhuUcmkaRKldPgV60Q6bOc-lZQaxxwU9ejdc47WTFadpQRlGObjRhzBbt4/s320/Picture+002.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 267px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 217px;" /></a>have been told to travel in day light and stay in the touristy area. Once I arrived in the city and started cruising around by metro (which is the best, cheap and easy way to get around) I did not realize how big was the city until I have climbed the Mirador Torre Latina which offers a spectacular view of the metropolis and gave me the big picture of Mexico city. Regarding the people, they are amazingly friendly and so lovable!! <br />
<a name='more'></a>Initially I was quite skeptic when someone from the street would start talking to me as we were friends for years... but then I realized that this is the way of a Latino spirit! For instance I was visiting the museum of Diego Rivera which contains one of his amazing murales (<a href="http://www.museomuraldiegorivera.bellasartes.gob.mx/mural.html"><em><span style="color: #ff6600;">Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central</span></em></a><em>)</em> and Arturo, a very knowledgeable Mexican fellow, offered us his interpretations on the mural. It was amazing how much in details he knew about the painting in which every single character has a specific role illustrating a historical fact or a cultural representation. As he spoke expressively by acting every role, I started to look at the painting with other eyes and it suddenly transmitted a stronger and more meaningful message, unbelievable! At the end of his act he insisted to bring us to the other museum "El Palacio de Bellas Artes" where 6/7 other very important murals of Diego Rivera are exposed. One hour before the museum closed, he quickly explained us the message of all the murals concentrating in a dedicated way on one of the most famous and important one: <em><a href="http://diegorivera.com/murals/indexesp.php"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Man at the Crossroads - 1934</span></a></em>. At the end of his speech he asked for a little contribution in money. This is the way how aged Mexicans get to earn some pocket money. They will approach you with a big, friendly, honest smile asking if you are interested to know a bit more about anything is surrounding you. What is interesting is that they would talk to you about history or any anecdotes for a whole day with passion and love for their nation and with a lot of respect for you and only at the end they would ask for any money you want to offer. Another similar fellow that I met was Fernando who gave us some insights about the UNAM University of Mexico city.<br />
<br />
<b><u>To Do & Visit:</u></b><br />
After my personal experiences I will list some places I suggest you visiting in Mexico DF:<br />
<strong>1.</strong> The first attraction you should visit is the <a href="http://www.gobiernodigital.inah.gob.mx/mener/index.php?contentPagina=33"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Museo of Anthropology</span> </a>(the most interesting sections are: Mexica/Aztec, Toltec, Maya) in Chapultepec Park (chapulin = grasshopper). This museum offers a clear general picture of the pre-Hispanic civilizations with its traditions, characteristics and settlements in the various area of Mexico facilitating your understandings later of the archaeological sites such as Templo Mayor (in the Centro Historico where the center of the Aztec Empire took place before the Spanish conquest in 1521). Once you have visited the museum, you should have a look around the park to enjoy the vibrant spirit of the street stalls of local sna<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPSTViOE1Ya2Ukr67bFKU7cQoRyIypnJzXMmUU5S1dtTLVou6ok5oYv_H-DmnyTskw-zh7tUEN9y5fLINrTH6UFKsc_HBGbbigsGu4DPxORLiiOj_hBM5EWMGNCONvWut9i1R1m5qud8/s1600/Picture+005.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497241374059536578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPSTViOE1Ya2Ukr67bFKU7cQoRyIypnJzXMmUU5S1dtTLVou6ok5oYv_H-DmnyTskw-zh7tUEN9y5fLINrTH6UFKsc_HBGbbigsGu4DPxORLiiOj_hBM5EWMGNCONvWut9i1R1m5qud8/s320/Picture+005.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 175px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 271px;" /></a>cks where you can also visit the Museum of Modern Art as well as the Castillo, the castle.<br />
<strong>2.</strong> Visit the famous "Centro Historico": the main plaza Zocalo (see picture), the cathedral, Templo Mayor, Palacio National (free entry and where some other fascinating murals of Diego Rivera are exposed), Tenochitlan (the spot where the Aztec found the eagle standing on a cactus killing a snake which meant the settlement of the Mexicas by a prophet). Then walk towards Parco Alameda where the locals likes to chill out and visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes. On the other side of the park is located the Museo of Diego Rivera.<br />
<strong>3.</strong> Coyoacan, a peaceful little village within Mexico city where you can look at the: Casa Azul (house of Frida Kahlo), the house where Karl Trotsky was killed, the main plaza with the<i> iglesia</i> and the Artesania market and finally enjoy a good coffee and a delicious pastry at the well frequented Cafe´Jarocho. A few metro stops away from Coyoacan there is the UNAM university of Mexico (the largest one in the Latin America with almost 300 Thousand matriculated students).<br />
<strong>4.</strong> Teotihuacan (1h 30mins away from Mexico DF), the two pyramids (of the Moon and the Sun) that were built by a still unknown civilization before the the Aztec settlements on the Texcoco lake. Around the site there are many restaurants and it is recommended to try the following specialties: barbacoa and mixote (based of lamb meat) and the super refreshing drink of Pulque (an alcoholic drink based of fermented catcus nectar). <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497245285324672754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYX4rdZ72Vn6NAvx9o83D_cr7hw1O0sgV4PvGWdamMTmo8GARUwIKC6gZpCXIEtH8L91JUTb_8NDGbHWUgl4pB1E07eHDGA61UGBvuYqDsuI8ofK6QoxFvxKwKQ5d2dHDlq8PZanqZsU/s200/Picture+006.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 140px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 221px;" />Another place a bit out of town in the south is the village of Xochimilco situated on a river where you can spend a few hours on a <i>trajera</i> (paddle boat) enjoying beers and <i>machete</i> (typical Mexican music).<br />
<strong>5.</strong> In the city center there are millions of other places to visit but the following ones are mostly recommended: Mercado Merced (the largest market in Latin America where you will find everything but the most interesting section is the food with a huge variety of fruits, <i>mole</i> - sauces-, vegetables, nuts etc.), the Zona Rosa (the lesbian and gay quarter, personally not very interesting), Contesa and Polanco for a good night out ("Mojito Room" is a cool place to dance salsa on a Saturday evening in the Contesa quarter).<br />
<br />
<b><u>To Eat & Drink:</u></b><br />
Since I have slept by an amazing Couchsurfing member (Fernando the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWK3SQQosm-xTaqvWGfdPWz4TR0jXGu85JZ_kB4MVPukEglfINppNaIn1w6HNOMqlLYYi75MotW6viDZkZMGr9WhyOYSR7U6stvJHB9Ak1GXJwWSClaPwIsR_NQWODDBoBhQTOGw1DNw/s1600/Picture+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497242655162643682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWK3SQQosm-xTaqvWGfdPWz4TR0jXGu85JZ_kB4MVPukEglfINppNaIn1w6HNOMqlLYYi75MotW6viDZkZMGr9WhyOYSR7U6stvJHB9Ak1GXJwWSClaPwIsR_NQWODDBoBhQTOGw1DNw/s200/Picture+008.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 156px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 114px;" /></a>Mango ;o) I cannot give you a tip for a hotel or hostel. Regarding food, a great place for <em>tacos</em> (see picture) is the <i>Taqueria Los Cocuyos</i> in the Centro Historico! If you want to try a typical Mexican breakfast based of mais get a <em>tamal de dulce</em> and to drink an <em>atole de arroz</em> (rice) or <em>chocolate</em> which you will often find on the street. Try as well a tipical Maya specialty called <em>esquites, </em>fried mais with chile and lime juice. If you are students remember to bring with you the student card so that you will get discount of 50% or even free entry to any touristy attractions.Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-25701531602895745892010-06-09T10:39:00.038+01:002012-01-20T00:04:06.937+00:00The remote Islands of Scotland: Islay & Lewis-Harry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__sbYMqoEAqK4HS66OsFfPZ8I8G0sbTg1quAQWH-SPmjbs8USfGHOym8D4nfEjN9TpsBnHnqBs9RU0RG3rCAIELQ1Eot0Xwrdyq_3Mju9uoraCEGY2nNb2AMYPkXHqJZGXKGmLmQDCKA/s1600/Scotland+and+islands+2.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__sbYMqoEAqK4HS66OsFfPZ8I8G0sbTg1quAQWH-SPmjbs8USfGHOym8D4nfEjN9TpsBnHnqBs9RU0RG3rCAIELQ1Eot0Xwrdyq_3Mju9uoraCEGY2nNb2AMYPkXHqJZGXKGmLmQDCKA/s320/Scotland+and+islands+2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531540041937652962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">Scotland</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">, part of the United Kingdom, has nearly 800 islands</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;"> including the Hebrides (Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides) and the Northern isles (Shetland and Orkney) – see map. The Inner Hebrides which are a group of small islands located off the west </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">coast of Scotland are subgrouped into the Northern Hebrides</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;"> (isle of Mull, Ion</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">a, Cool, Tiree and </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">the Slate Islan</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">d</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">) taking part of the Argyll and Bute council. Whereas the Outer Hebrides arc</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">hipelago (or the Long Island) in the northwest of the Highlands encompasses the main islands Lewis, Harris, North Uist, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia;font-family:';font-size:100%;">South Uist and Barra.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:';font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JsEG2pbfASi83GC2IXDvLbksLUALkQ3wGUe_llvAgPRHLGSp7ENVbnTgmRsWxiWHSRRQFh87RbkX-l5WK-FeZMLZfYcMT3qoBG76fLVMindBzISbr4hrtO7vImthoLkimkqAKR290yw/s1600/Long+shaped+islay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527209056724897954" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 478px; cursor: pointer; height: 212px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JsEG2pbfASi83GC2IXDvLbksLUALkQ3wGUe_llvAgPRHLGSp7ENVbnTgmRsWxiWHSRRQFh87RbkX-l5WK-FeZMLZfYcMT3qoBG76fLVMindBzISbr4hrtO7vImthoLkimkqAKR290yw/s400/Long+shaped+islay.jpg" border="0" /></a></span> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">First of all I would like to talk about the “Queen of the Hebrides”: the <b>ISLE OF ISLAY</b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">. It is the most southern island of the Inner Southern Hebrides and it is famous for its rich smoky-peaty Malt Whiskies worldwide. It is said that the production of Whisky in Scotland started on this island in the 14th century by some Irish monks. Although it is a small island of about 600 m², it has 8 </span><span style="font-size:100%;">distilleries which some of them are very well-known. The reason why the Whisky on Islay possesses a smoky flavour is because peat is used to dry the g</span><span style="font-size:100%;">erminated </span><span style="font-size:100%;">malt. Peat is a local<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqkGVSqdbhfX9xNxaW3vhvpawcn7UdXTNrEfiEjfCVx7tw07izw8E03BjUR9RPQcNoiz4N7YJx34UJ0hsw2cIMIHqfu1axZ0nsljqim1x7Azykj42bDgshyKCOvhJQpoRWXR-z0jOB1g/s1600/laphroaig-10yrold.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527209724714457266" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 115px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqkGVSqdbhfX9xNxaW3vhvpawcn7UdXTNrEfiEjfCVx7tw07izw8E03BjUR9RPQcNoiz4N7YJx34UJ0hsw2cIMIHqfu1axZ0nsljqim1x7Azykj42bDgshyKCOvhJQpoRWXR-z0jOB1g/s200/laphroaig-10yrold.jpg" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> natural resource and it is a mixture of decomposed plant material that has accumulated in a wetla</span><span style="font-size:100%;">nd. Most part of the Highlands is covered with peat which is commonly used for combustion like firewood (in fact peat is t</span><span style="font-size:100%;">he </span><span style="font-size:100%;">earliest stage in the formation of coal). So by drying and roasting </span><span style="font-size:100%;">the malt in the fumes of the burning peat for days, the Whisky wil</span><span style="font-size:100%;">l develop a smoky</span><span style="font-size:100%;">-peaty character. The smokiest single malt Whisky are Ardbeg (50 ppm), Laphroaig (30-40 ppm) and then Lagavulin (25-30 ppm) ppm = Part Per Million of Peat. The other 5 less peaty </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Single Malt Whiskies of Islay are: Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Kilchoman.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> My favour</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ite Whisky is definitely <a href="http://www.laphroaig.com/">Laphroaig</a>. I have visited the distillery and the very friendly local staff gave a true experience through the world of Whisky productio</span><span style="font-size:100%;">n... brilliant and very interesting!</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The inhabitants on the island are approximately by 3400 where 50% still speak Gaelic. Besides </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Whisky the Islay isle offers birdwatching, fishing and romantic natural scenery: low smooth hills, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">few trees, iso</span><span style="font-size:100%;">lated villages and a varie</span><span style="font-size:100%;">d fauna and flora. A cultural attract</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ion is</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Kildalton Cross which is the ring</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ed Celtic cross dating back to 800 AD. The natives are absolutely easy-going and warm-welcoming a</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s in the whole of the </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Highlands and islands. Absolutely you can’t miss out of a delicious </span><span style="font-size:100%;">home-cooked fresh roasted venison or roasted lamb with a creamy mint sauce. Recommended restaurant is at the <a href="http://www.bowmorehotel.co.uk/">Bowmore Hotel</a>; a kind of old ugly looking house but offers a relaxed, family atmosphere with friendly staff and outstanding food for a good quality-price relationship.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:';font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2uq1wYCJjG8PDFlSJdvADCJ-tJk5d6u8JfXWH4oqBU3bTjYkuUlXdJSYrxxl-zfQvhSP4V1_nzymlE6Tml9FgZWgRSRcV0nQJ6n5Baa-8qra0faWX8FAjdhXF5HM8L8x62rojgqQDlM/s1600/Sheep+alone+panoramic+size.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 424px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2uq1wYCJjG8PDFlSJdvADCJ-tJk5d6u8JfXWH4oqBU3bTjYkuUlXdJSYrxxl-zfQvhSP4V1_nzymlE6Tml9FgZWgRSRcV0nQJ6n5Baa-8qra0faWX8FAjdhXF5HM8L8x62rojgqQDlM/s400/Sheep+alone+panoramic+size.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531543228312776290" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">After describing a bit about one of the Inner Hebrides Island I will give you a fe</span><span style="font-size:100%;">w information about another amazing place: the <b>OUTER HEBRIDES ARCHIPELAGO</b></span><span style="font-size:100%;">. The largest island is composed of Lewis, the Northern part, and Harris, the Southern one. The other major isl</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ands are North Uist, South Uist and Barra. </span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Lewis is a flat treeless desolated area mainly covered with peat but it offers outstanding cultural attractions, all located on the West coast, encompassing the museum and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">a real reconstruction of the Black House in Arnol (typical thatched-roof stone house used by the locals until 1930), the impressive Carloway Broch (a 4-story drystone fort built in the 1st Century BC), the mysterious arrangement of the 50 Callanish Standing Stones dating back</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> 5000 years and the Iron Age house next to the gorgeous Bostadh beach in Great Bernera. In terms of landscape the Southern part of Lewis is definitely worth it with endless small nooky places hiding stunning corners at the edge of this world!! The most amazing paradisiacal bay is Uig (see pic) where the famous 78 ivory-carved Lewis Chessmen were discovered in 1831 (in exposition at the British Museum).</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKf7N9v5eMRSwLISn6uvLjkqUpUdASv4yc51_0miXNTqxGbyTkdCb3UIxhabSmoXbJWMkH2vpFzbmE5KGN2r58ORewCphAB96F-XrNzkQpcHgJK3XnsD7X84AquI0WvWWfAj995e-LuA/s1600/Uig+for+Blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527212301120358082" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 446px; cursor: pointer; height: 224px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKf7N9v5eMRSwLISn6uvLjkqUpUdASv4yc51_0miXNTqxGbyTkdCb3UIxhabSmoXbJWMkH2vpFzbmE5KGN2r58ORewCphAB96F-XrNzkQpcHgJK3XnsD7X84AquI0WvWWfAj995e-LuA/s400/Uig+for+Blog.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Harris, in comparison to Lewis, is very rocky and mountainous a</span><span style="font-size:100%;">nd the beaches are wide and open with white sand and turquoise water. Luskentyre beach (see below pic) is one of the most famous white-sand beach in the world on which is nice to go for a walk (don’t forget to wear gloves, a scarf and a heavy jacket... it can be very windy and cold!). Harris also offers challenging </span><span style="font-size:100%;">mountain-bike tracks like the 20km-Reinigeadal tour. A highly recommended restaurant is at the <a href="http://www.hotel-hebrides.com/restaurant/index.html">Hotel Hebrides</a> in Tarbert where you can enjoy a tasty local beef burger and lamb shank </span><span style="font-size:100%;">(and so cheap as well!!).</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:';font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-0gA29y1H4mRx7Ctd62nr9JCOy8ojfAkxyO0cIctL8u6i9Hg-DPvDL4YtCF80Yuuy9MhiGi085hgzyTPgCnNNhyphenhyphenx9ofmNdbe52MlSX-irkM8CFCMi7WTfnR0UOIg1Rwp_Mq42v4jmzs/s1600/Harris,+Luskentyre+beach+%28103%29.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p face="georgia" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="MsoNormal">In general all the islands of Scotland have something unique to offer that you will hardly find anywhere in the world. If you have time I would highly recommend visiting the remotest British island of <a href="http://www.kilda.org.uk/">St. Kilda</a>. It lies 66 Km west of the Outer Hebrides and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. I did not have the time to visit it but I would have loved to. The history about the natives who were evacuated in 1930 and the seebird breeding is incredibly fascinating! Before visiting the islands, especially during the low season, have a look at when organized tours take place. I am sure you will love it!</p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:';font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:';font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwUBYXBeJshCpMhVpWyzJ529qJ-eFGjV-GmHr44SOX5qEQQmEKIFwQW0AI25RviFJSTF0ClOIbzjzIROuDWTeiX-JefVwDcoDMU7VPEjvcVZrACGukgw5ewynPKJ5xqKzlPXte2Y7at8/s1600/Islay+Island+%2861%29.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwUBYXBeJshCpMhVpWyzJ529qJ-eFGjV-GmHr44SOX5qEQQmEKIFwQW0AI25RviFJSTF0ClOIbzjzIROuDWTeiX-JefVwDcoDMU7VPEjvcVZrACGukgw5ewynPKJ5xqKzlPXte2Y7at8/s320/Islay+Island+%2861%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531541266495952498" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></p>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-41227482703506774272009-12-03T09:19:00.004+00:002012-01-20T00:03:46.059+00:00Where to spend NEW YEAR?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk8XPHt1gxuIYsARQLXCem3PR1WqtJwgAQvWwwJf13z4624eSeUzPKB_Cga_gG_BgdBa1J5ukSom7o5q4akgFYffE_P063IO11rYhFAhnXiDw3kLyfaSvNxmRUFC1bdxFMz4rOFN9mgM/s1600-h/Edinburgh+New+Year.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk8XPHt1gxuIYsARQLXCem3PR1WqtJwgAQvWwwJf13z4624eSeUzPKB_Cga_gG_BgdBa1J5ukSom7o5q4akgFYffE_P063IO11rYhFAhnXiDw3kLyfaSvNxmRUFC1bdxFMz4rOFN9mgM/s320/Edinburgh+New+Year.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410942914807450594" border="0" /></a>New Year is a big event of the year and for who likes to have the real mad experience or just spend a special night somewhere in the world, here you go some tips of cities or places where you could experience your up-coming S. Silvester:<br /><br />- PRAGUE - Czech Republic: Amazing fireworks battles between the Vietnamese and the Chinese using home made bombs.<br /><br />- VAL D'ISERE - France: Mad snowball fight at midnight. People come out of their houses and bars and have a huge snowball battle for about one hour where the whole village get involved. Then everybody go into the clubs to dance the rest of the night away.<br /><br />- SHANGHAI - China: Heaps and heaps of people on the main shopping road, the Nanjing East and West Road. A few fireworks on the Huangpu River but nothing more. For a good New Year party you should go to China during the Chinese New Year around the end of January.<br /><br />- EDINBURGH - Scotland: I will spend my S. Silvester in Edinburgh and there will be concerts and performances on the street from the 29th until the 2nd of January... it's going to be GOOD FUN, I can feel that :o) !!<br /><br />Ok, guys! If you have any suggestions for where to spend New Year anywhere in the world... we are all waiting for your ideas. Thanks and good luck in planing your New Year trip / party!Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-78992154575506577682009-11-26T10:15:00.006+00:002012-01-20T00:24:48.556+00:00Funny little Chinese girlThis funny little girl couldn't stop laughing. She just liked laughing very laud :o) ! In this movie she is covering the mouth with her hands because in fact she barely had any teeth. In the country side of China you often see very young kids with missing teeth from eating too many sweets and of course from poor dental care. However, even with missing teeth this cute little 5-year old girl was amazingly hilarious!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwo4Ey7L4cIPHN17YrbP8oLfchJMHfbC7nHPa1zt2fHRmV45NlbGV09Xsim9P0mFazjT9pWHwPRr3ESQAqIzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-64545723278630402392009-11-24T21:29:00.012+00:002009-11-26T11:53:32.403+00:00HUANGSHAN, the mysterious Chinese "yellow mountain"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG8yW47UL5pJ4ZOBSOIscEw26H0miaSvLFkwrRxLQ2WQTUT10buxjYFlmPSAI9jSkvMD8pieUn-G9e-fKNOygFR2PQlpMDxQ_znjhRjQWne79YUOeY6Pob67L4E3IEseA0tWkErbr9PA/s1600/Mami+%26+Anna+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG8yW47UL5pJ4ZOBSOIscEw26H0miaSvLFkwrRxLQ2WQTUT10buxjYFlmPSAI9jSkvMD8pieUn-G9e-fKNOygFR2PQlpMDxQ_znjhRjQWne79YUOeY6Pob67L4E3IEseA0tWkErbr9PA/s320/Mami+%26+Anna+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407805894749098802" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.geoparkhuangshan.gov.cn/index.asp">Huangshan</a>, with an elevation of 1,864 metres, means in Chinese <span style="font-style: italic;">Huang</span>=yellow and <span style="font-style: italic;">Shan</span>=mountain. The yellow mountain is situated in the southern part of Anhui province in eatern China (about 6 hours bus-drive from Shanghai or 1 hour by plane). The mountain range is very famous for its mysterious scenery: the particular shaped granite peaks, the thick clouds standing constantly next to the mountainside, the so called Huangshan pine tree and the amazing view of the sunset and sunrise. The scenery of the yellow mountain is one of the main subject in the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuY0bKZzUrMbCwLN-vuylkuAZ8YkYSzuxBEngWSthrrYKEGJyp_RWtyR11or4tzerksxqXEh7LkvbvHN5fZNGEa4haPQKMklErFOoYDJ-TggU5o9laNZTFe0LOqqBkFTK3r12yKd1ECQ/s1600/chinese-painting-of-Mt.huangshan-d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuY0bKZzUrMbCwLN-vuylkuAZ8YkYSzuxBEngWSthrrYKEGJyp_RWtyR11or4tzerksxqXEh7LkvbvHN5fZNGEa4haPQKMklErFOoYDJ-TggU5o9laNZTFe0LOqqBkFTK3r12yKd1ECQ/s200/chinese-painting-of-Mt.huangshan-d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407808086842347026" border="0" /></a>Chinese art, in fact it is frequently found on traditional Chinese paintings and literature. In 1990 Huangshan was entitled as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site becoming one of the most popular Chinese tourist's destination. To fully enjoy the mysterious Huangshan experience, you have to climb or descend the mountain from either entrances. If you are really into an extreme <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRPIVEjfSTWUoJBx6ZMOg9869DysdtTxjV32eiQHqdyz5EwcV1eD8I9Enu7-kXdV_bNxsEem8-4dIaOEki3m5wMeXU6QMg2Wt1F0KkZv1rGeVXsmWs3lrfsiPnMzATXEoyNXt5AGLX_E/s1600/Mami+%26+Anna+372.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRPIVEjfSTWUoJBx6ZMOg9869DysdtTxjV32eiQHqdyz5EwcV1eD8I9Enu7-kXdV_bNxsEem8-4dIaOEki3m5wMeXU6QMg2Wt1F0KkZv1rGeVXsmWs3lrfsiPnMzATXEoyNXt5AGLX_E/s320/Mami+%26+Anna+372.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407806499833800882" border="0" /></a>challenging adventure, then you should choose the North or West entrance where the path is amazingly scary but an unbelievably gorgeous scenery will be surprising you!<br />The closest city to the mountain is Tunxi or also known as Huangshan city. From Tunxi you can take a bus that would bring you directly to the starting point station of the mountain. Remember that the bus station in Tunxi is not located in the city centre and so it is recommended to reach it by taxi (it will not cost more than 10 yuan).<br />If you wish to obtain a full experience of the Huangshan scenery then I would suggest you to overnight on the mountain; there are many hotels and hostels which are often overbooked if you do not reserve at least a few days ahead. Also you could overnight in the closest biggest village called Xiuning, from where you can explore Huangshan (max 45 mins by bus), the Qiyunshan mountain (25 mins by bus) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_l5WIITUljQ6fo2r9ONj_aAbKAT-qmJw_lFvugL_-r3kd3DgeVQICQP8jz9WXm6UN8I45WvynlwU9PS8IHf_xqcvhEGVIQsXGozen6mG0_E6zxCl8AxCF_uvF8WLXJ40HEFDLVBheKI/s1600/Mami+%26+Anna+408.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_l5WIITUljQ6fo2r9ONj_aAbKAT-qmJw_lFvugL_-r3kd3DgeVQICQP8jz9WXm6UN8I45WvynlwU9PS8IHf_xqcvhEGVIQsXGozen6mG0_E6zxCl8AxCF_uvF8WLXJ40HEFDLVBheKI/s320/Mami+%26+Anna+408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407800536577247474" border="0" /></a>and the two UNESCO villages <a href="http://www.hongcun.com.cn/hcindex_en.asp">Hongcun</a> and <a href="http://www.xidi.cn/">Xidi</a>. The <a href="http://www.scholarshotels.com/en/index.html">Scholars C</a><a href="http://www.scholarshotels.com/en/index.html">onference Hotel </a>in Xiuning is a new brand hotel that opened during summer 2007 and offers a fabulous combination of oriental and western interior design. The hotel's concept is based on the philosophie of Confucius Analects. The staff are mostly local and they are very friendly people.Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-51074042822715069632009-11-17T14:45:00.017+00:002009-11-23T16:01:13.039+00:00Visit the Malcantone region and overnight by B&B Atelier Beatrice<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXORsRwmEtIqUh0-RJRP6IfGC027rj9AnjzmPwAk4MuxTEZG9TtVQxolIUF83nAoCQyvJLWP_CMklf6fwbecbfUao-npn3mhwNl2OFnYljHc8bZsfGcX1IqEdbYABcpofF5mmuBDEtqo8/s1600/18-MALCANTONE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXORsRwmEtIqUh0-RJRP6IfGC027rj9AnjzmPwAk4MuxTEZG9TtVQxolIUF83nAoCQyvJLWP_CMklf6fwbecbfUao-npn3mhwNl2OFnYljHc8bZsfGcX1IqEdbYABcpofF5mmuBDEtqo8/s320/18-MALCANTONE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407321237489529906" border="0" /></a>Malcantone is part of the Lugano-region in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland on the border with Italy. It is a stunning place to visit during the period from spring until autumn offering a variety of characteristics from middle size mountains to rivers and the lake Lugano, old stone villages as well as various outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rock-climbing, paragliding, sailing and more. You can have a look at the <a href="http://www.malcantone.ch/">Malcantone</a> site which offers all kind of information and descriptions about the region. Italy is reachable within few minutes by train, car or the <a href="http://www.flpsa.ch/">FLP orange regional train</a>. If you want to stay for a couple of nights or for a longer sojourn I would suggest you the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">B&B Atelier Beatrice</span> laying on the top of a hill overlooking the Vedeggio valley and the Lugano lake in the little village of Bioggio. The ecological hous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7QAC0zAFV1dQ6X_viq9bjXD_SrhNEUiK4Td0KEY_Rj_4BgCTh20OO-6O3vJHuzUUMqACRC9_iIxQpY4ER_LTmwLltKhfQCCLkUJj7xD6e73NLEGUhrMyob4dT7vb5i3_CrntzoQQSsc/s1600/B&B+1.htm"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7QAC0zAFV1dQ6X_viq9bjXD_SrhNEUiK4Td0KEY_Rj_4BgCTh20OO-6O3vJHuzUUMqACRC9_iIxQpY4ER_LTmwLltKhfQCCLkUJj7xD6e73NLEGUhrMyob4dT7vb5i3_CrntzoQQSsc/s200/B&B+1.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407326529428515330" border="0" /></a>e made mostly of wood has a very particular looking design attracting the eyes of every passersby. Look at the pictures below and you will receive a better idea of it. The owner is a local family composed of three young girls, the mother and the grand-dad. They <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFKozce_AufQBRGakfd8GYpqAZvbwyAaNbTyuv4jwS_OVkFsBmpP-SxeM7qPNemTW3Cz3rLoSN_r4DN1BEu8SEVq8YXenEs-CrTJRNlkF4bqPmnwi4HZJL4I5ZbiuNL47O0PKsOH6_9Y/s1600/Bea+B%26B+2+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFKozce_AufQBRGakfd8GYpqAZvbwyAaNbTyuv4jwS_OVkFsBmpP-SxeM7qPNemTW3Cz3rLoSN_r4DN1BEu8SEVq8YXenEs-CrTJRNlkF4bqPmnwi4HZJL4I5ZbiuNL47O0PKsOH6_9Y/s200/Bea+B%26B+2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407327201801964514" border="0" /></a>are all very friendly and warm-welcomed people who will deliver coziness to your Swiss Italian journey in the South part of Switzerland. With the precious knowledge of the grand-dad you receive any kind of information you want about the history and the legends of Ticino. For more information click <a href="http://www.malcantone.ch/home.php?m=2&s=4">www</a><a href="http://www.malcantone.ch/home.php?m=2&s=4">.malcantone.ch</a> and click on Atelier Beatrice. ENJOY YOUR STAY!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8btEsWYvQzpdDvj22N8GZttHKi6h4zgwIPZpVkUELFFTB80G1RXNt7TwNYylyO-uJZcWtGJMUlcQqQ3k42rzm8lH2w7NaUJqeKaUT77JkcpC6rZq6fDS5AnF1qQXwnfrM22dMXOacJs/s1600/B&B2.htm"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8btEsWYvQzpdDvj22N8GZttHKi6h4zgwIPZpVkUELFFTB80G1RXNt7TwNYylyO-uJZcWtGJMUlcQqQ3k42rzm8lH2w7NaUJqeKaUT77JkcpC6rZq6fDS5AnF1qQXwnfrM22dMXOacJs/s320/B&B2.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407329634607745410" border="0" /></a></div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-22326078559549304452009-11-12T22:08:00.013+00:002009-11-26T11:54:20.494+00:00The Space Elevator... the future is closer than it appears!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYzH4Ur807AQHpSZKjeep1kv9t_TW8jf6uXwXCL3BlrviIdFo14pLq63gGi48jN0SROgDfIcmh1WH-86xdzDVt0K2EIgzjt3V-c78fC9pKttGb-ascv5Sf_RE475MP8E0PRZ1D97n8js/s1600-h/SpaceElevator2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYzH4Ur807AQHpSZKjeep1kv9t_TW8jf6uXwXCL3BlrviIdFo14pLq63gGi48jN0SROgDfIcmh1WH-86xdzDVt0K2EIgzjt3V-c78fC9pKttGb-ascv5Sf_RE475MP8E0PRZ1D97n8js/s400/SpaceElevator2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403356301722676434" border="0" /></a>The Space Elevator will connect the Earth and the space in an amazing way that was never possible before!<br />Making it the ultimate environmental green technology. In the close future the space elevator will enable people to travel around the planet by taking up a local space elevator, then in a spaceship fly to the other side of the Earth, at a very low cost and no emissions, and then take another space elevator down.<br />A space elevator for Earth would consist of a cable anchored to the Earth's surface, reaching into space. By attaching a counterweight at the end (or by further extending the cable for the same purpose), inertia ensures that the cable remains stretched taut, countering the gravitational pull on the lower sections, thus allowing the elevator to remain in geostationary orbit. Once beyond the gravitational midpoint, carriages would be accelerated further by the planet's rotation (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator">Wikipedia </a>2009).<br /><br />So, could you imagine to travel into the space from one side to the other of the world in a very short time... are you ready for it? Watch the video without believing your eyes and your ears! Shockingly AMAZING!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YdhM9MYcZeE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YdhM9MYcZeE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-87065700022139573982009-10-30T12:27:00.022+00:002009-11-29T13:56:18.030+00:00The challenge to climb a GLACIER!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqkVv4le0zmisEal_xdcXshnyKjp02cAs5QMpWMUa4coTzaJZB5j5UIXEOuR7o8Ak6QSBatrPvTSgbIThIF6c4GGK6hQ7DST6ekAjmOQfMn7TeUD2KztylhhkANFMvpNy7VR1u3fzejg/s1600-h/P9020174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqkVv4le0zmisEal_xdcXshnyKjp02cAs5QMpWMUa4coTzaJZB5j5UIXEOuR7o8Ak6QSBatrPvTSgbIThIF6c4GGK6hQ7DST6ekAjmOQfMn7TeUD2KztylhhkANFMvpNy7VR1u3fzejg/s400/P9020174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402602433272036498" border="0" /></a>Last August I climbed the highest mountain (3'402.2 meter above sea level) in Ticino, the only speaking-italian region in southern Switzerland. The mountain posses two names: Adula in Italian and Rheinwaldhorn in German. The mountain Adula stands on the border with the Grison canton (the eastern German-speaking region of the country) and it is surrounded from three different glaciers one of which is called Adula like the mountain. The Adula glacier has shrank the most in the last 50 years compared to other glaciers in the region, retrieving about 900 meters in the last 60 years which correspond to 1/3 of its initial length. It is an amazing excursion that you should try to plan during the months of Summer (June, July, August) where the temperature on the top of the mountain is still comfortable. The walking track starts from either Olivone or Dangio (in Bellinzona region) and it takes maximum 3 hours to reach the first hut, CAS (<a href="http://www.sac-cas.ch/index.php?id=416&L=2"><em>Cl</em></a><a href="http://www.sac-cas.ch/index.php?id=416&L=2"><em>ub Al</em></a><a href="http://www.sac-cas.ch/index.php?id=416&L=2"><em>pino Svizzero</em> </a>- The Swiss Alpine Club, which website offers a list of all the huts in Switzerland).The first part of the walk it is easy and very relaxing. It starts to be arduous and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk7p5fCNpG9xzwO1sheHXzDLrK86d-SK1bQFZ23x6HffvtURfynafREMvA5LB8NJb9bdWUSo_wzSrmcVtDhfSXO-t90etdeVeLxfrrV5w_-F4iKavPXHORXUsIXAa_04ERrzN8tyQ9bc/s1600-h/IMG_3983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk7p5fCNpG9xzwO1sheHXzDLrK86d-SK1bQFZ23x6HffvtURfynafREMvA5LB8NJb9bdWUSo_wzSrmcVtDhfSXO-t90etdeVeLxfrrV5w_-F4iKavPXHORXUsIXAa_04ERrzN8tyQ9bc/s200/IMG_3983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402603974926866722" border="0" /></a>tiring from the CAS hut to the UTOE one climbing for about 2 hours on a steep rocky mountain with an altitude difference of 381 m. From the <a href="http://www.utoe.ch/index.php?id=473">UTOE</a> hut you can enjoy an amazing view over the Swiss alps and relish the comforting sounds of the nature. The hut offers the essential facilities such as a large dormitory, showers and kitchen to spend one or more nights (about 25.-- Swiss francs per night with breakfast included). From spring until autumn there is always a guardian who looks after the accommodation and usually a menu of basic dishes is provided as well. Once you have reached the spot and decided to overnight, you can't miss <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RWEu5ljVwR5_-2r2P2HOWwASRfWDZfoeHQmGFMz-9aZ3KOrWrPNLa6vij2V-EuQdW6PnVct5HFnu_6a_eYN3XRkeqFRNHfGjUOJraLnfZeMeqoLJKb-8M3Jk3zmD8VPzrY9Ezrr2rVQ/s1600-h/Nabi+%26+Sean+on+Adula+Glacier.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RWEu5ljVwR5_-2r2P2HOWwASRfWDZfoeHQmGFMz-9aZ3KOrWrPNLa6vij2V-EuQdW6PnVct5HFnu_6a_eYN3XRkeqFRNHfGjUOJraLnfZeMeqoLJKb-8M3Jk3zmD8VPzrY9Ezrr2rVQ/s320/Nabi+%26+Sean+on+Adula+Glacier.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402599641338592818" border="0" /></a>to climb the Adula glacier the next day! You need to get up quite early, about 6 am, to be able to walk on the glacier before noon when the glacier start melting. Bring with you the necessary equipments, which you could also rent in the hut, such as cramps, pickax and rope (we were fine also without rope)... and even if it is August remember to take gloves, a scarf and a warm hat since it is quite windy and chilly on the summit. The whole way up is a gorgeous varied landscape from minimal greenery, to rocky until you will be surrounded from a flat, white surface. It was quite scary to walk up the glacier; a steep, slippery expanse which could hide a few cracks and therefore you have to watch out not! W<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl3m1_Z8RzILMuq2j6H0pMBB90mTDksgzxmDnPj5FtrAXiZkvrykKgtvoRWmjsqvkswJH_Fij1-OsLGBGohF33JBA3ADVwsmUwPwLN86FCqZxJ9E4VuMVV9kvG3uLvaFOT12xwKEClUg/s1600-h/P9020155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl3m1_Z8RzILMuq2j6H0pMBB90mTDksgzxmDnPj5FtrAXiZkvrykKgtvoRWmjsqvkswJH_Fij1-OsLGBGohF33JBA3ADVwsmUwPwLN86FCqZxJ9E4VuMVV9kvG3uLvaFOT12xwKEClUg/s320/P9020155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402603630004381810" border="0" /></a>alking on the ice with the cramps is an amazing adventure... all around you is flat and white with the majestic alps dominating far away the wide, enormous area. It is a feast for the eyes! To climb up to the peak took about four hours and only two to walk back... it was absolutely exhausting but incredibly satisfying!Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-65253995938430759352009-10-30T12:18:00.018+00:002009-11-03T23:51:51.039+00:00My 5 Easy Eco Travel Tips!<div>It doesn't take much to become a simple and<span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >conscious Ecotraveller</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span> You will find here below 5 easy tips to follow for your next trip and if you have any questions or any other suggestions please express your self by adding a comment.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2Rm-LtOPDLB_XkYwh5H8YbLnsoO3F4GIHsV7ZdWAdigx4uqLnchofkGuF2-1lsHX2H9gk4uZ91GmSDDWg7PNurswV3ebTW53MhJrMfkKjgvaO3iVDo-e3ue-oDE1fJBn-iAiqRTXr_4/s1600-h/Eco+symbol+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2Rm-LtOPDLB_XkYwh5H8YbLnsoO3F4GIHsV7ZdWAdigx4uqLnchofkGuF2-1lsHX2H9gk4uZ91GmSDDWg7PNurswV3ebTW53MhJrMfkKjgvaO3iVDo-e3ue-oDE1fJBn-iAiqRTXr_4/s400/Eco+symbol+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400025127290932546" border="0" /></a><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.<span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >Where and with w</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" >hom am I going traveling and where will my money "land"?</span> Before planning a trip to a foreign country inform your self about the place, the culture, if there are any problems caused by tourism and how is its impact at the destination. When booking through an intermediary ask if services are offered from <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">sustainable tourism corporation</span> which practice ethical and ecological principles.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >Once you are in the trav</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >el destination; where and from whom do I purchase?</span> If you want to buy a little souvenir, have a good look around and remember to <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">buy from local businesses</span> which can gain a greater benefit rather than retailer company chain.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">Where and what shoul</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">d I eat?</span> </span>When looking for a place to eat search for the most traditional but still authentically looking restaurants which are run from local people who offer <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">real local specialties in their own custom</span> for a reasonable price and in this way you will enjoy and experience a unique travel momentum.<br /><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >Observe the culture and pay attention not to break any cultural rules</span>. Have <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">respect of local believes and customs</span> by informing your self through a travel guide or by watching attentively the natives. Be flexible and try to adapt to the local habits and behavior.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >Last but not least: respect the environment!</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> </span>To combat the problem of the pollution caused from the increased air travel improve the efficiency of modern air transport but, if possible, find other transport alternatives. Through specialist company you can <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">offset your carbon consumption</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">on</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.co2balance.com">www.co2balance.com</a></span>.<br /><br />In a few words while traveling show ATTENTIVENESS, CURIOSITY, FLEXIBILITY, APPRECIATION and RESPECT!<br /></div><br />Click <a href="http://www.casitaverde.com/eco-info-tips.php">HERE</a> for a general Ecological Living Guide!<br /><div> </div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-44905909589731379542009-10-26T00:16:00.011+00:002013-05-04T22:22:49.478+01:00Have you ever tried the Pumperbike?The <b>Pumperbike</b> is a environmental friendly water tool that came out in the market a few years ago but not quite divulged yet. It is also called "Human-Powered-Hydrofoil". By jumping up and down on the device, as you can see in the movie, it generates the energy on the hydrofoil to push you forward.<br />
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To start the Pumpabike working, you need to launch from a stable place giving it a good kick off in order to provide the initial speed. Then, you have to start jumping like a freaky kangaroo by using a coordinated rhythm which is quite a big challenge to do. Generally the kangaroos collapse after a few minutes because it is just too exhausting :o)!! You need to be quite fit and with good efficient techniques to keep it going longer than five minutes. But it can also be efficient if you can take the wave of a passing boat because it would make you go for longer time. Remember that if you stop jumping you will glide for a short while before sinking and so you will have to swim back to land to start again. The main body of the device floats so it is easy to paddle around. It is more suited to use it on calm water and with little wind. The Pumpabike is a great water tool for having fun with friends and of course for keeping you fit!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwiwmBD_wxh1eWawWAwDpKaV-IK6jJ8q1rtX0AsFwxjmi4VXIsqLxVdgGT-rbPiZhuPDn-2arIvZmFJaLf7LQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-80490480679530294732009-10-20T15:25:00.012+01:002012-01-20T00:10:15.831+00:00Along the SILK ROAD, the homeland of the UIGHURS<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MRiqUVRiRGjsr1PLqH82XZXQjROG-wAp-xLx_d5Y9wXaou_JSPQG5MrQcbjTM19AYcm-kOhfyWIf8yhZ2Gr5GAPAw8RuA_Kpq-e6PgsgEhjSEx2fGWLZR8l99iu7e0cmsJdo4G51Wo8/s1600-h/bezeklik0004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395957454884389714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MRiqUVRiRGjsr1PLqH82XZXQjROG-wAp-xLx_d5Y9wXaou_JSPQG5MrQcbjTM19AYcm-kOhfyWIf8yhZ2Gr5GAPAw8RuA_Kpq-e6PgsgEhjSEx2fGWLZR8l99iu7e0cmsJdo4G51Wo8/s200/bezeklik0004.jpg" /></a>The Uighurs are a Turkic minority group with Muslim origins resident in East Turkestan (Central Asia). The majority of the population lives in northwestern China in the Xinjiang province which is surrounded by the main regions Mongolia, Tibet, Kazakstan, India and Pakistan. Urumqi which means "Beautiful Pasture", is the capital of Xinjiang and an ancient stopover on the Silk Route.<br />Uighurs have been fighting their independence and for their rights to speak their language, practice their religion and get paid for decent jobs. The country possesses large resources of oil and gas which are profitable for the Chinese government that also uses this area for testing nuclear weapons.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MtDRXLZJ31I/SuJDL0be30I/AAAAAAAAAKA/HWs2aKckFvM/s1600-h/Rabiya+Kadeer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN3EaWJMHF0GAlKPecs7V84HuXkeHX2wwb8bQc3hJ8LJgjZsjg1AlZ9EnT1Qh_kdSNuEcODA0UqDrWeenkeLxpg9eQDWSwcu6tyu2ae5t5CZdRN_ylPZLxmpZoKTkLiO9b5RiLl1zeyI/s1600/Rebiya+Kadeer.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 103px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460348401260150962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN3EaWJMHF0GAlKPecs7V84HuXkeHX2wwb8bQc3hJ8LJgjZsjg1AlZ9EnT1Qh_kdSNuEcODA0UqDrWeenkeLxpg9eQDWSwcu6tyu2ae5t5CZdRN_ylPZLxmpZoKTkLiO9b5RiLl1zeyI/s200/Rebiya+Kadeer.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.uyghuramerican.org//articles/625/1/Woman-Champions-Rights-For-Ethnic-Minority-In-China/Woman-Champions-Rights-For-Ethnic-Minority-In-China.html">Rebiya Kad</a><a href="http://www.uyghuramerican.org//articles/625/1/Woman-Champions-Rights-For-Ethnic-Minority-In-China/Woman-Champions-Rights-For-Ethnic-Minority-In-China.html">eer</a> is the most prominent Uighur businesswoman, political activist and mother of 11 children. After six years of imprisonment for criticizing the Chinese authority and then being exiled to the US she is now president of the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur American Association defending the rights of her compatriots.<br /><br />If you are interested to know more about the topic a book about Kadeer and the Uighurs' history has been published: "<a href="http://www.uyghuramerican.org/forum/showthread.php?p=52645#post52645">One Woman's Epic </a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MtDRXLZJ31I/SuJKckFouyI/AAAAAAAAAKg/-bU-HQiI-NY/s1600-h/Turpan2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://www.uyghuramerican.org/forum/showthread.php?p=52645#post52645">Struggle for Peace with China</a>". Or you can view the following websites:<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">- <a href="http://www.uhrp.org/">Uighur Human Rights Project</a><br />- <a href="http://www.uyghuramerican.org/">Uighur American Association</a><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MtDRXLZJ31I/SuJKLyTssKI/AAAAAAAAAKY/W4HIN6pSIDs/s1600-h/Turpan2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div></div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-14536660085789830252009-10-19T23:53:00.026+01:002010-04-15T13:53:37.346+01:00CAPRI: an enchanting island!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZscwXxXPgXZZG6KJLBoDVyAl0c9OXqTuR0cB8vqIiz9S6tc2v9J-rl2YxWRX6n8g9DDFLfsKPEpyajvqrWZ8Qkw_zJn0_Z40V79_-5EiYjFiSrHnB9af6o_NLNMWVZEhl44lRT_dZKc/s1600/Capri+(110).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 247px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460345656837713250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZscwXxXPgXZZG6KJLBoDVyAl0c9OXqTuR0cB8vqIiz9S6tc2v9J-rl2YxWRX6n8g9DDFLfsKPEpyajvqrWZ8Qkw_zJn0_Z40V79_-5EiYjFiSrHnB9af6o_NLNMWVZEhl44lRT_dZKc/s320/Capri+(110).jpg" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"><a href="http://www.capri.com/">Capri</a> is one of the most beautiful island in Italy located off the shores of </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Campania</span>, in the southern part of the country with its main city Naples. It is a very famed summer holiday <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">destination</span> but it is recommendable to visit the island during the middle seasons (Spring and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Autumn</span>) to avoid the tourist crowd. The island can be visited in one day cruising around with the local buses or by hiring a scooter but it would not be enough if you would like to discover and explore the hidden marvels of the rocky island. Do remember that Capri city deserves a couple of hours of a walking tour through its alleyways. From Capri harbor, called Marina Grande, </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">you can take the cable car or a local bus which bot</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">h run frequently to reach Capri city. </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">The beauty of the extraordinary nature together with the elegant compacted architecture, Capri city offers an enchanting and heaven-like atmosphere. Everything around you is just beautiful and perfectly presented... When I was there I felt like being in a small Paradise in the middle of the ocean! One day wasn't enough </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">for me</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">, so I decided to stay for the night. By walking through the village in <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">via Castello</span> I found </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">Hotel <a href="http://www.albergolaprora.it/pagine/page_eng.htm"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"La Prora"</span></a>, </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">run from three sisters offering cozy and classy rooms for an affordable pr</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepVkQNY4UaQF-1uhwucNpOshQ3jUeIqa2HO2mhTyXZruiMcEXbO4hwaG2QvpjyyeuZAOYQDYC1P_Q7auugYVDeDK7Q7qFvrp_dRzQhsx6eHPScWaXpXdMpZgA29JU5GKt8G-ZQbmpIhQ/s1600-h/Capri+%2895%29.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 252px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397387012400395074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepVkQNY4UaQF-1uhwucNpOshQ3jUeIqa2HO2mhTyXZruiMcEXbO4hwaG2QvpjyyeuZAOYQDYC1P_Q7auugYVDeDK7Q7qFvrp_dRzQhsx6eHPScWaXpXdMpZgA29JU5GKt8G-ZQbmpIhQ/s320/Capri+%2895%29.jpg" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">ice (with breakfast included) located in a quite central old area of the village overlooking the harbor... </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">the right place to stay for a full experience in Capri! If you walk until the end of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">via Ca</span></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">stello</span> you will have one of the ma</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">ny gorgeous views over the island (see the top picture in the right hand side). To get more of the island by sitting at a table and enjoying some local fresh fish, walk to the Natural Arch, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Arco Naturale </span>and on the way you will find a secret restaurant isolated in th</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">e middle of nowhere where you can finally realize how nice it is to be in another world! Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the restaurant but just give a look at the picture and you </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)">will understand what I mean...</span><br /><div align="justify"></div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961805592629490987.post-8237287519435056952009-10-18T13:56:00.004+01:002010-04-15T13:46:27.536+01:00The secret spots next to Côte d’Azur<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtzl2Klvj3u5li7shKB6WoY24mC8Y7F2KMC8zW9fvGy-6lxwtvZ_SKyeUDSrTZgO9RaFwLUTr1v8jv6ubd1cA-XwUp3X2yr0aLvi3fXNnmtxMPPYFdgJzM8cLyPW9-3SSw8RQrkgN8-0/s1600/Foto+110.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460034163918322642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtzl2Klvj3u5li7shKB6WoY24mC8Y7F2KMC8zW9fvGy-6lxwtvZ_SKyeUDSrTZgO9RaFwLUTr1v8jv6ubd1cA-XwUp3X2yr0aLvi3fXNnmtxMPPYFdgJzM8cLyPW9-3SSw8RQrkgN8-0/s320/Foto+110.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MtDRXLZJ31I/Stzqe9XcdSI/AAAAAAAAAJM/oFIjKerl_uM/s1600-h/Foto+110.jpg"></a><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.frenchriviera-tourism.com/">Côte d’Azur</a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span>in south of France is a well-known summer destination for sunbathing and good party. But if you want to spend some peaceful time in the inland, in the north there are recommendable spots to view on the mountains or by freshwater sources. By hiring a car you can reach the following locations within 1 hour of drive and easily explore them.<br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Gorge de Loup</span> (the wolf's throught) is a deep, wild canyon where the river <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Loup </span>flows through. All along the river a rich, savage planting greenery dominates the edges of the gorge allowing the restive rustling to echo its rashing to the ocean. It is a challenging adventure to follow the route of the river by jumping from one rock to the other and accidentally splash into the freezing, but brain-refreshing water.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Chateau de Gurdon</span> (the Gourdon's castle) is located on the summit of a mountain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAriMZm2gHnNFMPnqHQZDKoi8-eRPSv-oWwS7Mf3_75MGg3vHvVN8m0XSlhf0jX6erj8JolDJzlX2gU95yBPJaocpy6vuul-LrA7mdRgi9ptoLDeQghXW3DEKqUFPAfIc5Ei2BtlkhR0/s1600-h/Chateau+du+Gourdon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394439010014519762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAriMZm2gHnNFMPnqHQZDKoi8-eRPSv-oWwS7Mf3_75MGg3vHvVN8m0XSlhf0jX6erj8JolDJzlX2gU95yBPJaocpy6vuul-LrA7mdRgi9ptoLDeQghXW3DEKqUFPAfIc5Ei2BtlkhR0/s200/Chateau+du+Gourdon.jpg" /></a> from where it offers an amazing overview over the whole coast and the inland hills with their villages. It is a quite, relaxing place for a romantic dinner or a meditation section. For who practices paragliding this is a prefect area for flying with easy take-off zones.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Lac St.</span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Cassan</span> is a lake placed within a natural protected area surrounded by various type of green trees grounded in a soft earthy sand. The calm of the still freshwater, the softly breeze and the fascinating buzzing sound of cicadas create the most soothing ambiance that you could ever wish for your best relaxing holiday feeling.</div>Nabihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04273050167242572517noreply@blogger.com2