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fyexo · 5 years ago

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EXO's Kai Talks Independence, Motivation And His Incredible Career

There’s the saying that you’ve made it into the upper echelons of fame when you achieve single-name status. Monikers like Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish ring a bell for they’ve relentlessly dominated not just the music charts, but pop culture, fashion and news in general. Then there’s also Kai. The 26-year-old main dancer of popular K-pop boy group EXO and a member of global K-pop boyband SuperM, beloved for his powerful moves, and experimental style — read: crop tops — that challenges the traditional markers of masculinity.

Today, it’s clear that the space Kai inhabits has only gotten bigger since his debut eight years ago, most recently wearing the hat of Gucci’s first-ever Korean male global ambassador — dismantling cultural boundaries and parlaying the mononym, Kai, beyond the K-Pop realm. In this cover interview, the superstar chats candidly about going global, being independent, and why he felt like he needed an Instagram account.

Some time ago you revealed the results of your personality test on Instagram live. With regard to the question “Have you wondered about your existence?”, you answered that you have.

I think I have always thought about the question, “Why was I born?”. Also, I often wonder about questions like, “Why am I not born as someone else but as me; is the world I see through my eyes different from another person’s point of view?”

You revealed that you have an INFJ personality type based on the MBTI — it seems quite accurate.

I don’t really remember my result, so I plan to take it again. My family has taken it too, and after seeing my mum’s result I thought it seemed like a very credible test [laughs]. My mum is a dreamer. Even before I debuted, she said, “You like to dress up, and because I brought you up in that way you are definitely going to have something to do with fashion brands in the future.” Naturally, when I became a Gucci ambassador, she was ecstatic.

Your Instagram feed’s theme is filled with “EXO”, “family” and “Gucci”.

I created my account in 2018 when I was having a shoot with ELLE for Gucci’s Cruise show. I’ve always known that social media was important, but I really felt that even more when a lot of celebrities asked for my account during the show.

You participated in the filming of a global eyewear campaign that was revealed not too long ago in the Amoeba Music store in Los Angeles. Was it a special experience for you as a musician?

Of course, it was supposed to be closed down and so the fact that I managed to take pictures and create memories of that historical place made me feel happy and blessed. The production crew were all non-Koreans, and the atmosphere at the location was different as well so it was all very nerve-racking. I felt like I had gone back in time to when I first debuted.

Even Kai gets nervous. Have you had any other similar experiences when a location you liked disappeared or closed down?

The old SM building I grew up in when I was a trainee and formed so many memories [at] just recently underwent some remodeling works. The rooftop and a few other spaces where I spent so much of my time have all disappeared. Those were places that meant so much to me, so with the new changes made, I was able to actually realise how much time has passed.

There are many people with a good [sense of] style. [Your] outstanding point is that when you try out different styles, it doesn’t seem foreign [to you].

I think that cool and pretty things can be captured easily but capturing a specific concept — in terms of fashion — can be a difficult feat. I use that mentality as an excuse to try out different styles of fashion that I would not have dared to in my daily life, such as the reggae hairstyle that I did in Growl, or the short crop jacket that I wore during my promotions for Obsession. I think two weeks is more than enough to prepare and try out new things [laughs].

You have made appearances in variety programmes such as Knowing Brothers and Radio Star last year. Were these experiences enjoyable?

Thanks to the humorous moments that came about, I actually received many offers from other shows. However, I was worried that the Kai that I portray on stage could be hindered by my different sides shown on TV, and that it might be difficult for anyone to focus on my performances due to the drastic differences.

I can’t not mention SuperM’s group promotions. Three different groups under SM came together to form this sub-unit, as part of a project!

When EXO went on our American tours, we experienced that culturally, races and traditions had been blurred. I could feel that there was less of a “line” separating us. I was able to approach fans more easily; I don’t think there’s a limit to K-Pop. I don’t need to deliberately mention the [global] success of Parasite. The fact that I became the global ambassador of Gucci eyewear proves that race does not matter at all, but it’s more about one’s talents and charisma.

Personally, I felt the progress of K-Pop after watching the safety briefing videos that SuperM and BoA shot together for Korean Airlines.

I am too shy to watch it, but I did receive a lot of video stills of myself from my friends and they didn’t look good at all. They keep sending me parts where I look bad [laughs].

Due to your performances and dancing, I think the pressure on the stage is incredible.

Usually I don’t have much worries, stress, or even anger, but it’s different right before going up on stage. I get so stressed to the point it can be tiring. Honestly, waking up at six in the morning with hardly any sleep just to pre-record our performances for music shows — it sounds impossible. I’m only able to show 20 per cent of my all and that is really sad. Last year was such a busy year, I hardly had any time to recharge myself nor did I feel I was ready to stand on stage, but the show still had to go on. I was not fully satisfied with the performances as a dancer, but it just has to be endured.

What are the reasons that you are able to carry on despite all the difficulties?

The contentment after I get things done, and the comfort that I was able to pull through. On the other hand, I think the sincerity I feel towards everything I do and the constant ambition to do things better is a huge motivation and a relief when I accomplish it. If I don’t feel this way, it will mean that this work no longer means as much as it did to me in the past. Showing my fans the best version of myself, and the comfort and happiness I feel when I’m contented with my performance or work, is really important to me. In the past I couldn’t even sleep after making one mistake, but I sleep really well now [laughs].

And dancing is still something you enjoy?

I’ve been dancing for almost 20 years now. I can’t not dance. Even when I was young, I’d dance everywhere and anywhere, to the extent my mum said, “Stop dancing, it’s embarrassing.”

It’s well known that you have some really special and tight relationships with a few people around you. Do you get any inspiration from their advice, or from their influence?

I’m not the type to ask for advice from anyone first. Even when I ask what’s the better of two choices, I already have an answer [that I’ve] decided on in my mind. I’ve always felt that I needed to be independent; to [think for myself] when I decide, in order to be able to say that it is “mine”.

So, you’re a man of few words around people.

If they want me to be. If necessary, I will say good things, but more [so] the realistic point of view. I always think of the worst possible situation before saying anything [when giving advice], so those who know me well will not ask me trivial questions. When things go south or important decisions to be made, they will look for me. As for myself, I humbly listen to criticism or harsh words.

“Sexy” and “beautiful” are words that you probably hear a lot, but your fans call you “cute”. Which sides of yourself do you think are cute?

None! Even if I have thought of myself as cute, I won’t say it or admit it [laughs].

There are many people who idolise you as they see you as an iconic person. Does [the phrase] “a symbolic beauty of youth” or any other nicknames that you carry, feel a little too exaggerated?

Everyone views me differently, so I can’t say that it’s burdensome or exaggerated. Instead, I’m thankful. I don’t want to think of these nicknames or titles consciously as I live my life. Like, “Oh since they call me this, I should try to behave a little more as such”. I only want to show my true self without having other considerations — always.

What do you consider to be beautiful?

Definitely cool clothes, sculptures, drawings and paintings. When I look at some really good-looking people, I feel that that is beauty too. But personally, I think that true beauty lies in moments. Past memories and ordinary moments that when you look back, [you] realise that what you felt back then was more beautiful and precious than any other happiness that you’ve experienced.

A line from the drama The Miracle We Met pops into my mind — “Memory isnot [just] a record of time, but [is always]accompanied by emotions. That’s something surprising we never expect.”

Good memories always bring back rushing emotions, regardless of when you look back at it. That is really beautiful, and that is why I really love watching movies with film static noise, as it seems like I’m looking into someone’s memories.

Your name Jong (鍾) comes from“iron drum bell” and In (仁) comes from “benevolent”. Your grandfather named you that, which means to be as benevolent as the person who rings the morning bell. Throughout your life, have you ever thought about the meaning behind your name?

Hmmm, firstly, I’m not a morning person [laughs], but hitting the bell at dawn means to be of use to someone and to [have] more initiative, so I do want to live up to that and inspire others. Perhaps I could already be doing just that, I’m not sure.

I’m sure you’ve garnered plenty of praise for your dance techniques, but the shoot today focused quite a bit on your looks too. Which feature of yours do you like?

I do like to think that I have my own attractive features, like my small ears or a round bear like nose which most would say is so-so — but I still like them. If I really had to choose, it would be my chin and eyebrows for now. I think these two features make up 80 per cent of my defining look.

What does family mean to you?

Family is family. There may be no one in the world who will be completely on my side, but my family will still accept me as I am. I grew up happily with two siblings, and so if I were to have a family of my own, I always thought three kids would be just nice. But now when I look at my sister struggling with childcare, I realised it’s definitely not something to think lightly of. My family members are also my seniors (sunbae) in life.

Your eight-year anniversary is coming up soon, and you’ve probably been through many hardships. Do you think it is necessary for a person to go through pain to mature?

Looking back now, not all hardships have changed my nature; I personally don’t see the need for a person to go through change and pain in order to mature. But you know there is going to be a tough time for everyone at least once in their lifetime, and it’s not so bad a thing to be positive and think of precious things to get through it. Most importantly, just because you’re going through something difficult doesn’t mean you should hate yourself or be hard on yourself, because the most precious thing in the world is yourself.

Some may look at you and think that you’ve got it all. In spite of this, is there still anything that you wish to have, and is there a further goal you have in mind?

Before my debut, I had a lot of ambitions but the Kai I am today doesn’t have anything else I could wish for. I don’t think the place I am today is my final station but even if it is, I would be okay with that. Even if my debut was the end, I am proud of the life I’ve led, and I would be super proud of whatever I do. I am able to say this confidently because I learnt that the more fixated I am on something, the less happy I am. I learnt that it is better to focus on and enjoy the present; to enjoy doing what you do.

What type of person do you hope to be to your loved ones?

There is only one thing I wish for and that is for them to always be by my side no matter what decisions I make. Likewise, I will do the same.

SOURCE: Elle Singapore June 2020

#exo #kai #t: interview #elle singapore june 2020

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whatsonmedia · 2 years ago

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15 Must See Historical Places of India

India name comes from the Indus River, is a country of South Asia. The country is rich in culture, tradition and many historical places. Here are some must see historical places of India you can add up to in your travel list. Red Fort, Delhi The Red Fort was actually white limestone. The British who painted it red when the limestone started cracking off. From 1638 to 1648 construction took over a period of ten years. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Timings. 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed on Mondays) Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh In ancient times, the city was also known as Khajjurpura. The Temple was dotted with date palms and Khajura, which means date and Khajuraho Temple derived its name from the fact. Located in the town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Timings. 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Taj Mahal, Agra Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site represents the pinnacle of grand Mughal architecture and is built entirely of white marble. Shah Jahan built this magnificent monument for one of his favorite wives, Mumtaz and It took around 22 years to complete. Timings. 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (closed on Friday). Hampi, Karnataka A UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing from the 14th century which is the first instance of human settlement dates back to 1 CE. It is a reminder of the glory that prevailed during the Vijaynagara Empire and other attractions are the Queen’s Bath, Elephant Stables, Vijay Vittala Temple and Hampi Bazaar. Timings. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Fridays). Qutub Minar, Delhi Built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is testimony to the first Muslim kingdom in India at a height of almost 240ft. It is one of the tallest ancient towers all over the world which has not rusted even after 2000 years. Timings. 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Without a proper foundation it consists of 5 stories and is the tallest building in the world. Unless you visit the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur your tour is incomplete. Hawa Mahal was designed by Lal Chand Ustad as ladies had to observe the purdah. Timings. 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Konark Sun Temple, Odisha Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is an ode to the artistic brilliance achieved under the reign of King Narasimhadeva I, who was the glorious ruler of Ganga dynasty. Located on the coast of Bay of Bengal, it showcases exquisite ancient architecture with 12 wheels that are located at the base of the temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is actually builed with accurate time telling ability. Timings. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Fridays). Gateway of India, Mumbai Gateway of India is the famous historical place in Mumbai. It commemorates the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city in 1911. The monument dating back to 1924, was as an access point for entry and exit during the British period. The last British ships was set sail for England in the 20th century from the Gateway of India. Timings. 24 Hours Open Victoria Memorial, Kolkata The Victoria Memorial is one of the best examples of British architecture in West Bengal. Its actual designing and implantation were by Sir William Emerson while the idea for the monument goes to Lord Curzon. The black bronze statue ‘Angel of Victory’ which lies at the apex of the memorial’s dome acts as a weathercock during clear weather. Timings. 5:30 AM – 6:15 PM Agra Fort, Agra Agra Fort was given the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Originally, Chauhan Rajputs built Agra Fort in bricks, later Akbar rebuilt the fort with red sandstone on its exteriors. Akbar demolished many buildings inside the fort and built palaces and mosques using white marble. This opulent structure features the Mughal style of architecture. Timings: 6.00 AM – 6.00 PM Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh If you love to explore ancient monuments then the ancient monuments in India, Gwalior Fort is a must-visit place. Gwalior Fort is reputed to be one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country and is a thriving architectural marvel of the 8th century. The place where the second oldest record of number “zero” was found in one of the temples inside the fort. Timings: 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM Old Fort, Delhi The 16th-century historic building Old Fort is one of the top tourist attractions in Delhi and also known as Purana Qila. Mughal Emperor Babur started an astronomical library for his son Humayun for his interest in astronomical star gazing called Sher Mandal inside the Old Fort. The sound and light show presents at Purana Qila or Old Fort called Ishq-e-Dilli, which showcases Indraprashtha mythology from the Indian epic, Mahabharata. Timings: 10.00 AM – 5.00 PM Mysore Palace, Mysore Mysore Palace is one of the best historical places built in exquisite Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and is a magnificent edifice in Karanataka also the second most visited destination of India after the Taj Mahal. Mysore Palace is known as the Amba Vilas Palace, which is the residence of the royal family of Mysore. Timings: 10.00 AM – 5.30 PM (Closed on Fridays) City Palace, Udaipur City Palace have gained much popularity by being featured in movies like James Bond’s Octopussy and Bollywood film, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. City Palace Udaipur is no wonder one of the best historical places in India with an exquisite blend of Medieval European and Chinese architecture, you can visit. 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs build this palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Timings: 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur At a height of 410 feet above the ground, it offers awe-inspiring views of Jodhpur. With a history of more than 550 years, this magnificent fort is one of the largest forts in India and among the most formidable ones in Rajasthan. Mehrangarh Fort awes the visitors with mesmerizing folk dance and cultural performance that lights up the evenings every day and the fort has been featured in many popular movies like The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Jungle Book (1994), and Awarapan (2007). Timings: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Read the full article

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thebestintoronto · 3 years ago

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18 Must-Visit Attractions in Toronto, Canada

What do a set of Elton John's high heels, a Gothic castle and the globe's largest hydraulophone have in common? They all attribute on this list of the leading attractions in Toronto, Canada.

Some destinations in Toronto-- such as the skyline-busting CN Tower, the turrets of the Casa Loma and the thunderous Niagara Falls down the road-- stand out like Drake in the front row of the Scotiabank Arena. Nonetheless, others-- like the vendors of St Lawrence Market, the stores of the Distillery Area as well as the murals of Kensington Market-- take a bit more exploration. Society Trip has actually done the effort for you by assembling the top 18 attractions in Toronto you need to include in your plan.

CN Tower

Leaving Toronto without scaling the city's most iconic spots would certainly resemble going to Paris and also not bothering to see the Eiffel Tower. This tour gives an unique viewpoint from the sharp end of the CN Tower, thanks to the stomach-churning glass floor that gazes overs the Toronto streets 1,122 feet (342 meters) listed below, along with the LookOut level and also al fresco SkyTerrace looking out over Canada's biggest city. It leaves at 9am day-to-day from Nicholby's memento store on Front Street West for 150 Canadian dollars ($ 116.93).

Museum of Impressions

If you're anticipating your stock-standard hall of mirrors as well as a couple of reducing corridors, prepare for a shock. Toronto's Gallery of Illusions is a really contemporary take on the old fairground funhouse-- a minimal space that opened up in 2018 with an Instagram front of mind. Located on Front Street East with tickets beginning at 23.50 Canadian dollars ($ 17.93), the gallery really feels more like an art gallery than some cheesy carnival tourist attraction, with each item describing the aesthetic trickery at play along with a marker mentioning the ideal selfie area.

Ripley's Fish tank of Canada

With ferocious tiger sharks, slippery eels, enchanting jellyfish as well as 450 other varieties of unique marine life inhabiting the country's largest indoor fish tank, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada attracts substantial groups. While long queues serpent around the block in the shadow of the CN Tower, you can avoid the line with this ticket for 49.80 Canadian bucks ($ 33.76). It's provided directly to your smartphone, as well as the rate includes pet feedings and also talks. Under the sea, problem-free.

Hockey Hall of Popularity

If hockey is a faith in Canada, then this is the basilica where the faithful involved prayer. Occupying Brookfield Area's historic Bank of Montreal structure in the heart of midtown, the Hall of Popularity flaunts the globe's biggest collection of hockey artefacts, including the initial Stanley Mug locked away in the bank vault. However, you do not require to be a hockey geek to appreciate the reproduction NHL clothing area or the interactive games-- and at 20 Canadian bucks ($ 15.59), admission is a deal.

Distillery Area

Once house to the biggest bourbon manufacturer in the British Empire, the patched alleyways of Toronto's Distillery District supply a perfectly preserved time pill of Victorian-era commercial style. This paradise of red-brick stockrooms can be challenging to browse for a first-timer, so leave it to an expert overview. On this one-hour excursion for 23.73 Canadian dollars ($ 18.42), you'll stroll via the indie dining establishments, boutiques, bars, galleries and also theaters that make the Distillery Area one of The Six's coolest cultural districts. You'll also get to example some neighborhood craft beer and delicious chocolate at the end. Yum.

Casa Loma

Hardly ever has a name stopped working to record the majesty of an area fairly like Casa Loma, which means "Hill House" in Spanish. A more accurate title would certainly've been "The ostentatious Gothic castle plonked in the middle of Toronto," which just begins to explain the magnificence of this 18th-century work of art simply north of the bohemian Annex neighborhood. The royal residence of Sir Henry Pellatt ultimately bankrupted the electrical energy tsar in the 1920s, although Casa Loma is a whole lot kinder on the budgets of visitors than the man who constructed it-- you can step inside each day for simply 30 Canadian dollars ($ 22.89).

Royal Ontario Gallery (ROM).

More than 13 million art work, cultural objects and also nature samplings live under the ROM's jagged, ultra-modern roof covering overlooking Queen's Park in the city's north; on an active day, it feels like there's virtually the very same number of site visitors who have actually crowded in to see them. The good news is, you can get a skip-the-line ticket for just 20 Canadian dollars ($ 15.32) and access an exclusive reveal entrance point, providing you even more time to have a look at the globe's largest fossil collection, a gigantic array of dinosaur skeletal systems and also the most significant event of Chinese building artefacts outside China.

Bata Shoe Gallery.

While a museum committed to shoes might appear around as interesting as a trip to a cardboard box factory, the Bata Shoe Gallery is one of the quirkiest, coolest and most engaging collections in all of Canada. Resting just down the block from the ROM in a building formed like a shoebox, this gallery steps (get it?) through the 4,500-year history of shoes, from indigenous boots used in the Arctic to snappy sliver systems put on by Elton John. At 14 Canadian bucks ($ 10.89), it's also one of the most budget friendly destinations in Toronto.

Toronto Islands and also Centreville.

Not all of Toronto's expensive products rest on terra firma, as you'll find out on this one-hour cruise ship of the harbor. For 26.55 Canadian dollars ($ 20.61) and also departing from Queen's Quay Terminal-- south of the city center-- this scenic tour takes in the lagoons of the Toronto Islands, the nude coastline at Hanlan's Factor, the extravagant Island Yacht Club as well as the serene wild animals shelter, and also the breathtaking vista throughout the water back towards The Six's skyrocketing horizon. The Centreville Theme Park on Centre Island is an excellent stop for the kids, too.

Toronto Islands Morning Bike Excursion.

Appreciate a 3.5-hour morning bicycle trip throughout the stunning Toronto Islands. Discover the biggest car-free area in North America, and delight in incredible sights of Toronto's marvelous skyline. Along the road, be familiar with this one-of-a-kind Toronto area with sights and stories.

St Lawrence Market.

An icon of the Old Town area since the very early 1800s, St Lawrence Market gained the title of the globe's top grocery store from National Geographic in 2012. And to taste the most effective of the 120 vendors that converge on this grand old market, you need a little professional recommendations. For 89 Canadian dollars ($ 69.38), join your guide on a stroll via an assortment of St Lawrence's most mouthwatering specials, sinking your teeth right into everything from Indian sweet as well as Ukrainian pierogi to Toronto's legendary peameal bacon. Mmmmm, bacon.

Kensington Market.

Kensington is an extremely various sort of market to St Lawrence-- it's not truly a market at all. Named after the so-called Jewish market that emerged around the neighborhood's two synagogues in the early 20th century, Kensington Market is a radiating instance of Toronto's well-known multiculturalism. Follow your nose, as well as you'll sniff aromas floating out of dining establishments belonging to every corner of the globe, along with the vintage stores, specialty coffeehouse, avant-garde galleries and also the blanket of graffiti that have all relocated with the hipsters in recent years. For 53 Canadian dollars ($ 40.62), this excursion of Kensington and also close-by Chinatown will introduce you to the very best of it.

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).

A couple of blocks eastern of the graffiti that plasters Kensington Market exists Toronto's most adored collection of art, real estate almost 100,000 pieces covering everything from the Renaissance and also Inuit items to modern developments and Canadian standards like Tom Thomson and the legendary Team of 7. Nonetheless, the AGO's most significant artwork is the building itself, a dance glass work of art by acclaimed local designer Frank Gehry. Tickets begin at 25 Canadian bucks ($ 19.41).

Art Gallery of Ontario Admission.

Since May 25th site visitors 25 as well as under are free-- all year, anytime.

With a collection of greater than 95,000 artworks, the Art Gallery of Ontario is amongst the most notable art museums in The United States and Canada. From the substantial body of Team of Seven and also trademark.

Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls might be a 90-minute drive around Lake Ontario from Toronto, however you would certainly be crazy to leave this amazing surge of water off your plan. If you're tackling Niagara on a day trip, this five-hour trip for 158 Canadian dollars ($ 122.67) squeezes in the three best vantage points-- from above, listed below and smack bang in the middle of it. Get in the sprinkle zone on a Hornblower cruise ship, and also zoom up the Skylon Tower on a yellow insect escalator for an aerial panorama. After that dive 150ft (46m) via the passages of the Trip Behind the Falls tourist attraction to really feel the rumbling up close. For much more stunning views, jump right into an Airplane H130 for a 12-minute trip you'll bear in mind for the remainder of your life. This light engine helicopter flight strokes down the Niagara River from the whirlpool location to Rainbow Bridge and then complies with the curve of the Horseshoe Falls as greater than 3,000 lots of water waterfall over the edge every second. This trip with the hypnotic haze could be the best 149 Canadian dollars ($ 115.68) you'll ever invest.

Toronto Eaton Centre.

A shopping mall would not typically show up on a Society Journey checklist of must-visit attractions, however the Eaton Centre isn't your typical mall. Drawing in around 50 million visitors annually, this Toronto institution is the busiest mall in the whole of The United States and Canada-- even more busy than Minnesota's colossal Mall of America. Situated in the middle of downtown, the Eaton Centre boasts more than 250 merchants-- ample to provide any type of shopaholic their retail repair in The 6.

High Park.

High Park stands for greater than just the lungs of Toronto-- it's likewise house to pool, kids' play areas, an off-leash pet park, excellent woodland, strolling trails, picnic locations, tennis courts, immaculately curated gardens, the relaxing Grenadier Fish pond and even a zoo. Filling 400 acres (162 hectares) east of the town hall, High Park glows each springtime when the cherry trees blossom, in addition to every summertime when the much liked Shakespeare in the Park performances load out the amphitheater.

Ontario Scientific Research Centre.

Why is the sky blue? How does dry ice work? And also what in the world is a hydraulophone? The answers to these pushing clinical concerns can be discovered at the Ontario Science Centre, about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) northeast of midtown. Opening its doors a couple of weeks after the Moon Touchdown in 1969, this interactive museum is a need to for youngsters (and the young at heart) thanks to live science demos, climbing up wall surfaces, a world-class planetarium, gallery games, a simulated rain forest and also Toronto's only IMAX Dome theater. Admission is 22 Canadian dollars ($ 16.78) for grownups and also 13 dollars ($ 9.92) for youngsters.

Black Creek Leader Village.

If the Distillery Area is a time pill to 19th-century industrial Toronto, this open-air heritage gallery is a picture of rural life because same era. Concerning 19mi (30km) north of the city center and also an even much longer journey back in time, Black Creek Leader Town recreates life in 1867 with brought back houses, shops, farms, churches as well as schools, plus a specialized crew of costumed villagers. At 15 Canadian bucks ($ 11.44) for adults and also 11 bucks ($ 8.39) for youngsters, it's the most inexpensive ticket to a time equipment.

Ft York National Historic Website.

Fort York is an even more jump back to the 18th century, where British and Canadian troops set up camp to shield Toronto-- after that called York-- from the United States. US troops did plenty of damages throughout the Battle of 1812, but luckily for background buffs, Ft York is currently shielded as a signed up historical site. Today, you can enter this battle site at the western end of Toronto's harborfront for 14 Canadian bucks ($ 10.68), with excursions, exhibits and armed forces re-enactments on offer year-round.

The article “ 18 Must-Visit Attractions in Toronto, Canada “ was first published on Culture Trip

Naturopathic Toronto Doctor - Dr. Amauri Caversan, ND

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shannrussell-blog1 · 6 years ago

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New York City is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Love it or hate it, it can’t be denied that this city has everything anyone could ever ask for— a glorious harbour, spacious parks and greenery, 24-hour food and activities, towering skyscrapers offering stunning views, plentiful entertainment—and the list doesn’t end there.

However, because there is so much to do, it can be hard to figure out how to make the most of your time and finances. There are several things I’ve discovered over a few trips to New York, which would have been helpful to know before I set foot in such a large and diverse city.

To help you plan your trip, I’ve put together some tips on what I wish I had known about New York’s unique hidden and not-so-hidden gems before I visited.

New York is one of the world’s biggest cities, so a visit requires planning.

1. Coffee

Many people know that New York is crawling with coffee shops. But if you consider yourself something of a coffee connoisseur, you might be looking for somewhere offering more than just the average cup of joe. Funnily enough, Joe is one of the finest coffee spots scattered around New York that offers unique blends and flavours. Stumptown Coffee also comes highly recommended by coffee lovers but has just two locations. Joe is more accessible, offering 15 stores in Manhattan and 2 in Brooklyn. They’re scattered fairly regularly throughout the city, ensuring there is usually one nearby.

There is even a store in Grand Central Terminal, making it an easy stop on the way to wherever you are headed. While Stumptown Coffee is less accessible, it is definitely worth the trip. One café is located in the Ace Hotel New York right near the famous Flat Iron District, and the other is near Greenwich Village situated at 30 W 8th Street.

Check out Joe New York’s website and Stumptown’s website for a map of their respective locations and more information on opening hours.

A good coffee spot is a must when in NYC.

2. The High Line

Starting on Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District, the High Line is a linear park built on New York’s historic, elevated railroad. At first, I thought it was merely one of the ways to easily get from A to B in the city, all while taking in some great views. Therefore, I didn’t allow much time in my schedule for just enjoying the experience.

While it does serve the purpose of a convenient walkway, it is also one of the city’s public parks. Apart from getting stunning views of the city, you will also encounter beautiful flowers and plants growing through the old railway lines, as well as market and food stalls situated in various spots along the way. Be prepared to take your time, just wander and explore some of the other activities it has to offer. In total, the High Line stretches for 1.45 miles or 2.33 km, ending at West 34th Street between 10th and 12th avenues. There are many different entrances and exits along the way, so you don’t have to worry about entering at one spot and having to continue the entire length of the park.

Like most public parks, it doesn’t cost anything but it does close at night. It is best to check out the closing times online here because even though it always opens at 7 am, the closing times differ depending on the season.

The High Line is a lesser-known public park to consider. Image by: Exploration Hawaii

3. The Statue of Liberty

Planning a visit to the Statue of Liberty usually conjures up images of crowds of people, long lines, intense security checks and of course spending quite a bit of money. In my experience, these images are completely accurate. If you are interested in getting up close and personal with Lady Liberty you can visit Liberty Island, with the option of also visiting Ellis Island along the way.

You can then choose whether you want to visit the base of the statue, known as the pedestal, or walk up 162 narrow steps to the crown. There are certain items such as backpacks, laptops and tripods which you can’t take through, so lockers are available for hire at an extra cost. However, if you don’t have a lot of time or aren’t dying to get that close to the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry is an easy alternative. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is completely free. You get to head out onto New York Harbor, taking in sweeping views of the city, while sailing past the Statue of Liberty.

The trip only takes about 25 minutes each way and runs regularly throughout the day. If you are solely heading out on the ferry to go past the statue and not wanting to stay in Staten Island, it is good to know that you can’t stay on for the round trip. You can travel back immediately, you just have to disembark and get right back on again. Make sure you check out their website for up-to-date schedules.

The ferry takes you onto the New York Harbor, so you can see the Statue of Liberty.

4. Broadway show

If you don’t spend at least one night on Broadway, you haven’t really experienced New York. Some tickets are very expensive, but if you don’t have a specific show in mind there are cheap tickets available for various productions.

The Theatre Development Fund is a not-for-profit organisation that runs TKTS Discount Booths. These booths offer same-day heavily discounted tickets to various Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. They are usually fairly busy, so it is a good idea to get there as early as you can to avoid long lines.

Even if you do have to wait a while, it is worth getting 20-50% off regular ticket prices. The most popular TKTS booth is in Times Square, but there are also three other outlets throughout the city. Visit here for more information and to check out specific times and locations.

You can get affordable tickets for shows at the TKTS booths.

5. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

If you’re heading to Central Park and the Upper East Side from Manhattan’s Theatre District, strolling along Fifth Avenue is the way to go. While it boasts high-end brands such as Henri Bendel, Louis Vuitton, Armani and the famous Plaza Hotel, favourites such as Zara, H&M, Forever 21 and MAC can also be found along this famous shopping strip.

None of these stores, however, can compare with Tiffany & Co., New York’s finest jeweller. Founded in 1837, Fifth Avenue’s Tiffany & Co. is the company’s flagship store and was featured in Audrey Hepburn’s classic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Up until recently, if you wanted to actually have breakfast at Tiffany’s, it would have looked like chewing on a cream cheese bagel from the street while staring at the window displays.

Now, however, Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue has just opened up their very own café called The Blue Box Café. Because it is still fairly new and very popular, you must have a reservation to visit. Reservations can be made online through the events section here.

Don’t get in too early though—you can only book 30 days in advance. Also, it is good to be aware that the menu is constantly changing, depending on the season. The café is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 pm – 4:30 pm on Sundays.

A stroll down Fifth Avenue isn’t to be missed.

6. Central Park

Lose yourself in the beauty of this 843-acre park, right in the heart of Manhattan. One minute you’ll be looking up at skyscrapers towering above the trees. The next, as you venture deeper into the serenity of the park you’ll be wondering if the surrounding city has ceased to exist. There are so many beautiful places to visit in Central Park. These include Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, The Loeb Boathouse, Belvedere Castle and the Central Park Zoo.

Even if you haven’t been to New York before, these locations might start to seem a little familiar. Central Park is one of the most popular filming locations in the world for movies and TV shows. You might remember the beautiful Loeb Boathouse restaurant from romantic comedies like 27 Dresses or When Harry Met Sally or the Belvedere Castle in The Smurfs movie as Gargamel’s secret headquarters. The Bethesda Fountain is the location of a large musical number in Disney’s Enchanted, which boasts filming locations throughout much of the city.

Other movies which offer glimpses of Central Park include Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Spiderman 3, Elf and The Avengers. There are a few tour companies that provide an official movie tour through the park if you want to know more. Otherwise, entering from either the West 59th Street end or the West 110th Street and wandering through to the end will help you cover most of these iconic locations.

You might spot some familiar locations when visiting Central Park.

7. One World Trade Centre

The Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre both offer amazing views of the city buildings. However, the new One World Trade Centre at Ground Zero offers beautiful views from a different angle of the city. Gaze down at the touching September 11 memorial fountains, or across the city skyline to the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings.

Below the tower, you can also admire the new World Trade Centre subway station. However, as with most of the towers offering viewing platforms in NYC, the line for tickets is usually quite long and almost put me off. Thankfully a worker came past, encouraging people to buy tickets online so we could go straight through instead of waiting. As a tourist, I was thankful there was free wifi available so I could immediately make my purchase. I was then able to go straight through and up to the viewing platform, all in under 30 minutes.

When you are there, just head here on your smartphone or device, and choose the next available time to purchase your ticket and avoid any long queues.

The One World Trade Centre at Ground Zero is not to be missed.

8. Times Square

Although it’s crowded with tourists, cabs, and buskers – this feast for the eyes has to be visited at least once. Stand on the red steps under the Coca-Cola billboard and marvel at the abundance of bright, flashing advertisements.

You can expect to fight your way through the crowds, get your portrait sketched on the street, have a photo with Elmo, a cowboy or a Disney character, and just bask in the chaos that is Times Square. However, also be prepared to possibly run into a celebrity. Times Square is another popular filming location in New York, making it a hive for both fans and celebs. Times Square also plays host to countless musical performances by musicians such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.

The popular restaurants Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Café are also in Times Square and are regularly visited by celebrities. Not to mention the Broadway stars who usually delight their fans by taking selfies and signing autographs outside the theatre after a show. Check out the website here for any upcoming events and see if any of your favourite stars might be in town when you are there.

You might be lucky enough to spot a celebrity in Times Square.

9. Dumbo, Brooklyn

One of New York’s most ‘Instagrammable’ spots is in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I had seen these beautiful pictures of the Empire State building peeking through the Manhattan Bridge all over social media, but I never quite knew exactly how to get to the picturesque location. A big clue is actually in the name itself, as DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

With a bit of research, I was finally able to make my way to Dumbo to find this hidden gem. The location you want to get to is the intersection of Water Street and Washington Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The nearest subway station is York Street on the F, Orange line. You can easily get there from the Rockefeller Centre Station if you are coming from Manhattan.

From there it is just a short walk down to the famous photo spot. You can also continue walking through the charming cobbled streets of Dumbo to the water’s edge. There you can gaze up, not only at the Manhattan skyline but at both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.

You may have spotted this picturesque location on social media.

10. Comedy show

Comedy shows are a New York staple. There are so many comedy clubs scattered around the Times Square area, and countless people selling tickets on the street. It can be hard to decide who to see, especially when being pressured on the street to purchase discount tickets.

If seeing a good comedy show is something you’re interested in, I recommend doing research beforehand. I ended up in an underground comedy club on the spur of the moment, spending money on a show I didn’t really enjoy.

Gotham Comedy Club is one of the best clubs in the city. It’s got a good mix of both well-known and up-and-coming comedians. Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle are just a couple of the regular A-list celebrities you can spot there.

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (known as UCB Theatre) is another great comedy club. It offers a range of stand-up, improv and sketches. Kate McKinnon (SNL), Ben Schwartz (Parks & Recreation), Ellie Kemper (The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Ed Helms (The Office), Aziz Ansari (Parks & Recreation) and Amy Poehler (Parks & Recreation) are some of the most famous comedians who began at UCB Theatre.

Amy Poehler was actually one of the co-founders of the theatre. Aside from offering great quality comedy, it also serves as a training ground for performers and comedians. You can visit this website for the latest schedules and locations.

There are quite a few comedy clubs near Times Square. Image by: Curbed NY

Enjoy your trip to the Big Apple!

Hopefully, some of these tips will make your trip to New York City a pleasant and stress-free experience. No matter where you are travelling, there are always new things to discover and experiences to learn from.

It never hurts to connect with other travellers, share knowledge and do your research in order to get the most out of your experience. Happy travelling!

What hidden spot did you discover in NYC? Let us know in the comments.

The post New York City – What I Wish I’d Known! appeared first on Snowys Blog.

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vamonumentlandscape · 4 years ago

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Appomattox Court House National Historic Park

By the end of the Civil War, close to 750,000 soldiers died with an unknown amount of civilians perishing as well. It has the highest amount of American casualties of any U.S. combat conflict in our history. In the small Virginia town of Appomattox, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant of the Union and Gen. Robert E. Lee of the Army of Northern Virginia gathered in a small parlor room of the McClean House after the conclusion of a nearby battle. It was within this room that Gen. Lee signed the terms for surrender on April 9, 1865. Since that date, the nation has struggled to come to terms with its past. It is vital for the staff of the Appomattox Court House National Historic Park to share the story of the Civil War while making it applicable to contemporary audiences to strive for inclusive historical narratives.

Our trip to Appomattox Court House National Historic Park was, as our German historian advisor said, spontan. Spontaneous, quite so. Tomi made a quick call to the Chief of Education and Visitors Services at the park on Monday, left a hopeful voicemail, and left it at that. We wanted to speak with Beth Parnicza to discuss the monument landscape at Appomattox Court House. Right before the research team was going to meet on Tuesday, we received a call back from Ms. Parnicza and got an offer of a lifetime. A behind the scenes training tour was happening that day for new park volunteers and she offered for us to tag along! It was a no brainer. Tomi quickly told the team and we got on the road.

Once we got there, we were immediately thrown into some incredible programming. Beth and her colleague, David Wooldridge, explained to us, as well as the trainees, the ins and outs of Appomattox in such a way that had your attention continuously. The whole tour was about four hours, but none of us got tired of the incredible information being shared. David and Beth had many important conversations with us, but the first one we’d like to highlight is how they broke down the term “revisionist history.” Of course, as time goes on, we find out new information and new stories to tell of our ancestors. Beth was using the term revisionist history when discussing the slave quarters turned restrooms, and David kindly asked her if they could approach it a little differently. She politely granted him permission to continue. “Hidden history” was the term he favored. The history has not been “revised” per se, rather it has only recently been shared. All of these histories have been known, but we are finally in a place where it can be shared on a grand scale. As Beth and David mentioned, if you put Stonewall Jackson on a pamphlet ten years ago, it was sure to bring in visitors. Now, visitors of all kinds are asking different questions and craving more relatable stories. People want to know who built the structures at the park too, not just the people who ended up residing and doing business in them. This is a prime example of how history isn’t being revised, but how it is just being uncovered by public curiosity and their responsibility of memory.

Beside the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road and across from the Appomattox Court House sits the Clover Hill Tavern. This restored building was originally constructed in 1819 by enslaved hands. Thousands of parole passes were printed for Confederate soldiers inside the tavern. There is also an interesting structure behind this building. In 1954, the National Park Service constructed a bathroom facility that was modeled to look like slave quarters. Though this was thought to be an appropriate action in the 1950s, it is problematic amongst contemporary scholars. There is no signage to indicate that the National Park Service did this and each of us learned about the building in the first phase of our tour with Beth and David. There have been several solutions discussed, including the construction of a new bathroom facility or displaying the current building in context with signage. Either way, increased funding is essential. As we would learn later in the tour, the slave quarters behind the McClean House were referred to as servant quarters for many years after the centennial celebration of the end of the Civil War. In 2021, we must look back on our past to share an accurate narrative for future generations.

A short water break was followed by a walk towards the former site of the Diuguid Family. There is a small sign on a fence next to the path to mark where a structure once stood. We listened attentively to Beth and David to ensure that we could gather the fascinating details of this location. Charles Diuguid was a free African American blacksmith that based himself across from the McClean. The enslaved in his household included his wife and his five children - he may have kept them in bondage to keep his family together. Under Virginia law at the time, there were more due process protections for property (slaves) than free African Americans. Under the Confederate system, Diuguid had few protections and rights. He was repeatedly not sufficiently compensated for the work that he performed for Confederate forces. In 1879, the Diugud’s left Appomattox for Ohio in search of improved opportunities. Beth and David mentioned that the Freedmen’s Bureau attempted to educate recently freed slaves in the Appomattox area, but was met with the threat of hostile actions. There was also low economic support and low rates of enrollment at Freedmen schools. As soon as the Diuguid family got to Ohio, they enrolled the children in school as the education system was a bit more stable in the North.

Beth and David followed the description of the Diuguid site with the story of Hannah Reynolds. She was a slave owned by Dr. Samuel H. Coleman, whose family vacated the home as a battle seemed imminent. But, as the Confederate and Union armies converged on the town of Appomattox, Hannah did not vacate the Coleman home. She attempted to protect the one place she knew as home. While laying in her bed on April 9, Hannah was struck in one of her arms by a Confederate artillery shell. The Union army cared for her in the Coleman home as her wound was quite serious and would turn out to be fatal. On April 12, just a few days after Lee’s surrender, Hannah Reynolds died from her injuries. Though she was not a free woman when struck by the artillery shell, she had her freedom for the three remaining days of her life. These stories are important components to be shared with all visitors of Appomattox as they go beyond the traditional description of the events that took place in the McClean House. History is indeed a multifaceted discipline that requires people to be open to analyzing the complicated American past.

Comprehending America’s monument landscape better is something that we both have been trying to do at every site, but sometimes - most of the time actually - it is much harder than it seems. Just as we had finished up learning the empowering, yet tear-jerking story of Hannah Reynolds, we learned about a very problematic United Daughters of the Confederacy plaque that was put on the grounds of Appomattox Courthouse National Historic Park in 1926. The quote on the plaque is as follows:

“Here on Sunday April 9, 1865, after four years of heroic struggle in defense of principles believed fundamental to the existence of our government Lee surrendered 9000 men, the remnant of an army still unconquered in spirit.”

First, it needs to be known that in the 1960’s, Appomattox Courthouse officials edited what the sign used to say to remove fundamentally false information. The sign originally said (and you can make this out in the photo):

“...Lee surrendered 9000 men, the remnant of an army still unconquered in spirit to 118000 men under Grant.”

The numbers for the Union troops are absolutely falsified and untrue. That would make the defeat seem that it was as they were outnumbered 13:1. In all actuality, there were only about 18,000 troops in the Union Army at that time. The defeat was not one that was because of overwhelming defeat, it was that their fight had no solid ground to stand on anymore - it was over. Economically, the Confederacy had nothing. Resources were drained and men were dwindling. The army “unconquered in spirit” had ultimately lost. Their “heroic struggle in defense of principles believed fundamental” was slavery. Sure states rights too, but only if you mean the state right to own slaves. This plaque is entrenched in the belief of the Lost Cause. Beth and David told us they wished to see the plaque recontextualized or removed, but sadly they are unable to do that as it, quite literally, takes an act of Congress. We all hope that one day signs like these across the country will be removed and the Lost Cause won’t have any ground to stand on.

When mentioning the Lost Cause in the tour, Beth had an interesting way of explaining it that we had never heard before. Of course the Lost Cause of preserving “states rights” and “the right to secede” is not what the Confederate troops were fighting for. Their main goal was to preserve the institution of slavery and the wealthy to continue monopolization of the cash crop market as they had for so long. The only thing they were fighting for was the preservation of of slavery and the wealth they accumulated along with it. But, Beth explained where the Lost Cause came from. Imagine losing your father, son, or husband dying in a war you didn’t truly understand or you did, and were ashamed. You didn’t want to claim they died out of dishonor for an unworthy and inhumane cause. The Lost Cause narrative came out of grief of the families. Now though, that grief has dissipated and those who were lost are long gone. The Lost Cause has no moral grounds, it has nothing but lies and false narratives. Those who continue to fight for this cause pay no attention to fact and only wish to preserve their “power” as a white person. The narrative that once was used as a healing mechanism for grieving families, has just turned into a monstrous and horrendous way for white supremacists to defend themselves and their actions.

After the second phase of our guided tour, we came across a family wearing garb that stated “Trump 2024” and “Make America Great Again.” We all have our political convictions and opinions, but it seemed inappropriate to be campaigning for a candidate 3 years ahead of the next Presidential election, especially at a National Park. We whispered amongst ourselves - “What are they trying to prove by doing this?” None of us deemed it necessary to interview this family, but we glanced over to them a few times. We wondered if the teenage girl with the others, who was not wearing the Trump regalia, was embarrassed. We were also curious how they would react to the stories of the Diuguid Family and Hannah Reynolds.

It was interesting to note that after we went through the tour we made note of the demographics of the visitors in the park we saw. In an estimated thirty visitors we saw roaming throughout the day, most were white, middle to older age families or couples. Only one African American family was seen touring during the four hours we were there. It is not shocking, as Josh had mentioned earlier about the Trump supporting entourage we saw, that there are not more diverse groups who feel comfortable attending these places. Moreover, as Beth and David explained to us, the National Park Service (NPS) has mostly white employees and visitors. This is something that the NPS is working to change and Appomattox is as well. Sadly, the new volunteers we were touring alongside were not a very diverse group. Out of the around twelve people in the group, they were mostly white women. There were only two males - one African American and one Latin-x. Diversity is a tough thing to achieve in an institution that has long-served only one group.

At the conclusion of our tour, we learned about the banjo and it's complicated, yet important, ties to Appomattox County. A local resident, Joel Sweeney, created the banjo in the 1830s-40s. He not only created it, but made the instrument popular to music of the time by touring the country with the five-string instrument. His brother, Sam, even continued the tradition of spreading the banjo after Joel’s death in 1860. The story that is oftentimes not told is that the banjo actually hails from Africa. The banjo that Joel Sweeney “invented” was actually an instrument native to Africa called the banjar. Enslaved people would create these instruments from whatever materials they could and play them together. It is almost certain that Sweeney got the idea for the instrument from the enslaved people of Appomattox County. What was an instrument unique and native to the culture of the enslaved people, is now an instrument linked with white southerners in music like bluegrass. It is a very troubling history, but not the first time white Americans have taken from a culture that isn’t theirs and made it their own.

Our behind-the-scenes tour never could have been possible without the help of Beth Parnicza. She allowed us to tag along on a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are so grateful. We would also like to give a special thank you to David Woolridge, as he added so much information to the tour. To learn more about this progressive, hidden history telling, and beautiful National Historic Park go to https://www.nps.gov/apco/index.htm. We anticipate heading back to Appomattox for our trip to the American Civil War Museum.

#appomattox #civil war #history #Lee #Grant #Union #Confederacy #us politics #banjo #slavery #NHP #National Park Service

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khalilhumam · 5 years ago

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How identity-driven conflicts fuel Ethiopia's incendiary social media rhetoric

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/how-identity-driven-conflicts-fuel-ethiopias-incendiary-social-media-rhetoric/

How identity-driven conflicts fuel Ethiopia's incendiary social media rhetoric

An army of social media personalities stoke inflammatory content

Unity Park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 2019. Photo by Ras Addisu via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0.

Heads of states from several eastern African countries gathered in October 2019 in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, to celebrate the grand opening of Unity Park, an urban park located within the imperial palace.

The park — the personal initiative of Ethiopia’s reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed — contains Ethiopia’s historical, ethnic and culture galleries. It also maintains a display of a colossal wax statue of Ethiopia’s past rulers including Emperor Menelik II and Emperor Haile Selassie — two monarchs whose combined reigns lasted about 70 years.

The park aims to tell the story of all Ethiopians and celebrate the country’s diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, historical figures, and endemic plants and animals.

But a quick scroll through the news about the park’s opening on social media revealed politicized, nationalistic reactions with two mutually exclusive narratives that fell largely along ethnic lines of the two major ethnolinguistic groups: Amhara and Oromo.

At the core of this divide is two mirror-opposite reactions to the unveiling of the monuments that depict two emperors sitting on their thrones — adorned with imperial regalia: They represent entrenched fault lines in Ethiopian politics.

Wax Statue of Haile Selassie. Photo courtesy of Edom Kassaye.

Amhara nationalists were largely pleased even though some slammed it, describing it as Abiy’s vanity project — Abiy himself identifies as Oromo.

Meanwhile, several Oromo politicians and campaigners were furious — particularly, prominent opposition politician Jawar Mohammed, who was irked. Jawar said that building wax statues for Emperor Menelik II and Emperor Haile Selassie is an affront to Oromos and to all other ethnic groups crushed by the emperors.

Emperor Menelik II is widely regarded as the first modern Ethiopian monarch who transformed the Ethiopian State. He is venerated as a symbol of freedom and forgiveness; he is also blamed for kicking people in southern Ethiopia off their land and privileging Amharic language and Christianity.

The next day, Jawar along with Lencho Leta, a veteran politician and a founding member of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) led a pilgrimage to the east-central district of Hetosa of Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region, to visit the Anole Martyrs memorial monument, the historical site that signifies an enduring grievance of Oromo nationalists over what they call Emperor Menelik’s II brutal killings, cultural marginalization and loss of their ancestral land in the late 19th century.

Weeks later in a television interview, Jawar said:

As long as they elevate Menelik, we will dig out his crimes and make generations know about his crimes, as long as they elevate Haile Selassie. … we are going to do that.

This was not a one-off case.

After Abiy lifted the oppressive lid off the nation in April 2018 — ending 27 years of dictatorship — controversies about cultural events, flags, political rallies, monuments and the significance of past rulers began to take up the bulk of Ethiopia’s social media conversations — which were often laced with inflammatory language.

It is a recurring pattern.

Briefly, it runs like this: A government official, opposition leader, journalist or prominent celebrity opines about a historical figure’s significance, let’s say, Emperor Menelik II, on one of the popular social media platforms. Within minutes, social media platforms are swarmed by hundreds of supportive or scathing responses.

Wax statue of Menelik II. Photo courtesy of Edom Kassaye.

These culturally-charged exchanges reinforce an atmosphere of resentment across numerous online spaces among different Ethiopian ethnic groups — or more accurately, their elites. These jabs entrench the feeling that one’s ethnic group is threatened with extinction as the object of another’s aggression.

Multiple TV stations that sprouted after April 2018 as a major part of Ethiopia’s fast-changing media landscape have tended to echo and amplify this division — with fatal consequences.

For example, communal violence rocked Oromia after Jawar wrote on his Facebook page alleging that government authorities had plotted to assassinate him in October 2019. The regional coup plot in the Amhara region in June 2019 can also nominally be connected to ultra-nationalist social media narratives.

In many cases, an army of Facebook and YouTube personalities, government supporters, opposition figures, political parties and diaspora journalists often participate in or seed inflammatory information into an already complex, confusing and heightened social media ecosystem — often as a way of gaining support for their causes.

How two opposition figures stoke support

Two opposition figures, Jawar Mohammed, member of Oromo Federalist Congress and Eskinder Nega, a former political prisoner and a chair of a recently formed political party, Balderas for Genuine Democracy, are spokesmen who stand out for the way they use social media to garner support.

Jawar, with nearly 1.9 million Facebook followers — often enthusiastic supporters — positions himself as a defender of Oromo interests. With a massive following, he commands symbolic importance to the Oromo youth movement known as Qeerroo and is generally portrayed as their leader.

This widely shared meme was used to mobilize residents of Addis Ababa to support Eskinder's call for a protest demonstration in the capital in October 2019. It presented Eskinder as a benign but courageous defender of the residents of Addis Ababa from a virulent-looking person dressed in a flag of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).

Eskinder, on the other hand, has become increasingly reliant on Twitter as a means of bolstering support. Although Eskinder was late to join Twitter, he developed a sizable following and his comments often provoke furious reactions from detractors. His embrace of the platform is seen as a political imperative as mobile devices and mobile connectivity have become more widespread.

Eskinder routinely uses his Twitter handle to accuse Qeerroo members of committing genocide against religious and ethnic minorities in Oromia. His framing of Qeerroo resonates with thousands of Twitter accounts that represent Amhara nationalists and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church followers. Although Jawar and Eskinder dominate two different platforms — Facebook and Twitter — their negative chemistry is equally apparent. Both manage to articulate sharply opposing views on issues like Ethiopian federal structure, the legal status of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, an enclaved multi-ethnic city within the border of Oromia, the history of Emperor Menelik II and the Ethiopian constitution.

A widely circulated meme presents Eskinder as a nonviolent person while framing Jawar as a violent person.

They aim to strengthen their already solid connections with their followers on social media. The reactions, comments, retweets and shares on Facebook and Twitter are higher than any other opposition figures. And for all the differences between Eskinder and Jawar, they both do their fair share of injecting misleading information into Ethiopia's information ecosystem. Often, Eskinder spins and overblows Ethiopian exceptionalism, destruction of historical sites and emphasizes atrocities committed in the Oromia region. For instance, in the following tweet, Eskinder wrote approvingly that Amharic was selected to be included among the working languages of the African Union. But Amharic was never selected:

YES to AMHARIC, Ethiopia's. working (offiical) language for over 700 years,as one of the working languages of the AFRICAN UNION…..AMHARIC is the embodiment of AFRICA'S long history of NATION BUILDING……this is not about a language,its about AFRICA'S place in world HISTORY pic.twitter.com/0hvK19tFRw

— Eskinder Nega (@eskinder_nega) February 10, 2019

Since September 2018, the two have been locked in a long-running battle that played out most recently in November 2019 in the United States, when both toured to raise funds from members of Ethiopian diaspora groups for their political projects in Ethiopia.

If Qeerroo is a rebel without cause, you would still be rotting in Weyane's gulags! Ungrateful! https://t.co/ekMS9rKxtu — Jawar Mohammed (@Jawar_Mohammed) September 15, 2018

No moment better captured the rivalry and the ideological contestation between the two men than their tour in the United States as their supporters played a game of cat-and-mouse throughout their tours. Jawar’s tour had come on the heels of several tumultuous days in which communal violence spread across Oromia, which led to the death of 86 people after his allegation on Facebook sparked off a chain of reactions that started with his supporters gathering in front of his residence in Addis Ababa. His detractors say his Facebook post caused the death of 86 people — and Eskinder, in particular, pinned the responsibility on him. Jawar denied that his posts had anything to do with the violence, claiming instead that his actions actually prevented worse violence. As he traveled across the United States, his supporters showed solidarity, coordinating town hall meetings and raising funds in various US cities with sizable Oromo populations. People opposing Jawar, — most of whom are members of Eskinder’s support base — held a series of rallies opposing Jawar’s town hall meetings. Like Eskinder, Jawar also has a habit of using questionable persuasion techniques. He often accuses authorities of the Amhara regional state of being nostalgic for Ethiopia’s imperial era and highlights violence that targets minorities in the Amhara region. After he completed his US tour, Jawar accused authorities of Amhara regional state of organizing and funding what he described as a “hateful, shameful and violent campaign.” As proof of his accusation, he accompanied his note with a photograph that showed a top-level Amhara regional state official, Yohannes Buayalew, posing with Yoni Magna, a diaspora-based social media personality who is notorious for his rants, insults and conspiracy theories. The attempt is to insinuate that Amhara regional state officials have worked with Yoni Magna, — who was also seen at one of the demonstrations. Some people did openly hurl bigoted slurs used to refer to an individual of Oromo ancestry during the protests, but there is no evidence to suggest that these rallies were in fact organized and funded by Ethiopian authorities.

A screenshot of Jawar Mohammed's Facebook post, posted on November 25, 2019. A top-level Amahara regional state authority Yohannes Buayalew (right) poses with Yoni Magna (left).

Ultra-nationalist sentiment through songs

Until now, inflammatory language has been confined to writing, memes, short clips, graphics and pictures. But as the role of social media gains ground, the terrain of ethnic tension has expanded to YouTube music videos.

A new law on hate speech and disinformation

Earlier this year, Ethiopian lawmakers approved the Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation, to curb the spread of hate speech and disinformation to promote “social harmony” and “national unity.” Rights groups, however, say the law is dangerous for freedom of expression because it contains broad and vague definitions, and provisions that do not align with international human rights standards.

In a flood of Afan Oromo and Amharic language music videos, singers promote nationalistic narratives that assert the superiority of their group — sometimes even promoting conflict with the other group. Some of the most nationalistic expressions in songs focus on the homeland, flag and historical figures. Praising Emperor Menelik II as a liberator or denouncing him as a monster has long been a recurring theme. In fact, there is a Facebook page that went up in 2013 to highlight the atrocities committed by a soldier of Emperor Menelik II. But the launch of Unity Park elicited several Oromo music videos that focus on ethnic origins of government authorities. Because the park is Abiy’s project, some songs portray him as a person who committed ethnic treason by honoring Emperor Menelik II. One song depicted him as a sellout; another one questions if he is an Oromo at all. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8zDUmtVc-w?feature=oembed&w=650&h=366] Caalaa Daggafaa, an Afan Oromo singer, accused Abiy of being a sellout for praising past monarchs. He rails against the statue of Menelik II, whom he described as a monster. In the same video, he pays respect for the armed forces of the Oromo Liberation Front, describing them as heroes doing a tough job by continuing the struggle for the emancipation of the Oromo people. Meanwhile, Amharic singers deliver odes to Menelik II, describing him as a unifier and liberator. In one music video, Dagne Walle, a rising Amharic singer, swings toward the camera, wielding his rifle while humming that he has inherited valor from Menelik II — alluding to the emperor as his father. Footage of crowds with traditional cloth armed with rifles, stomping their feet while waving Ethiopian flags, and a roaring lion punctuates the music video, titled “Wey Finkich” (“Hell No”). [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylUuQ1N2dmc?feature=oembed&w=650&h=366] These songs rack up a huge number of views on YouTube — reaping advertising dollars while hardening ethnic polarization.

This article is part of a series called “The identity matrix: platform regulation of online threats to expression in Africa.” These posts interrogate identity-driven online hate speech or discrimination based on language or geographic origin, misinformation and harassment (particularly against female activists and journalists) prevalent in digital spaces of seven African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia and Uganda. The project is funded by the Africa Digital Rights Fund of The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA).

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wikitopx · 5 years ago

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Home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester is Minnesota's third largest city behind Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Offering many of the same urban amenities as the Twin Cities, Rochester also provides a small town feel in the form of city-wide celebrations and a welcoming community. Mixing natural spaces with a bustling downtown district, the city has a rich history that can still be seen today. Popular things to do here include touring the historic Mayowood Mansion, admiring multicultural art at the Rochester Art Center, and exploring the environment at the Quarry Hill Nature Center. Whether you are looking for a Minnesota city experience or a respite in nature not far from the urban landscape, Rochester has a wide range of attractions worth visiting and a sprawling network of bike trails that leads you right to them.

1. Rochester Art Center

Situated along the banks of the Zumbro River, the Rochester Art Center contains a vast collection of multicultural, multimedia artworks that connects visitors to the world around them. Operating since 1946, the Rochester Art Center has occupied its eye-catching riverside location since 2004, and while it is impressive enough to view from the outside, the true cultural insights are found within.

Featuring an ever-rotating display of various media and artworks from emerging and nationally recognized artists, the center makes it easy to engage with something new on each visit. It also offers many community programs, such as kid's dance parties, adult Creative Development Series, and summer youth camps, giving everyone in Rochester a chance to discover themselves through art.

2. Editor's ChoiceSoldiers Field Veterans Memorial

Constructed to honor all southeast Minnesotans who gave their life in battle, the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial also stands as a tribute to all citizens who have stepped up to support their country. The memorial features visual illustrations of every military combat from the Revolutionary to the Gulf War. Its centerpiece is the Wall of Remembrance, a large granite monolith inscribed with the names of more than 3,000 patriots who lost their life in battle. You can visit the memorial any time, including at night, when the names and figures depicted glow under the lights.

3. Downtown Peace Plaza

If you are looking for a shopping and dining experience in Rochester, the Peace Plaza is a great place to start. Neighboring the Mayo Clinic, the Peace Plaza is a pedestrian friendly public space that lends quick access to everything the downtown area has to offer. With fashionable boutiques, first-class restaurants, and a great civic assembly space, the plaza emanates the welcoming atmosphere found throughout Rochester.

A sprawling network of skywalks and underground walkways stems from the Peace Plaza and spreads throughout the downtown area, providing a climate-controlled way to travel as you peruse the various shops and restaurants.

4. Plummer House

Originally home to Dr. Stanley Plummer and his wife Daisy, the Plummer House is another cultural attraction of Rochester that can be directly tied to the nearby Mayo Clinic. Serving as a founder and innovator for the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Plummer worked closely with the architects who began construction of his home in 1917. A full century later, this historic home and estate has been meticulously preserved and is open for the public to get a glimpse of the past. Visitors to the Plummer House are free to explore the manicured grounds and gardens during sunlight hours, and guided tours of the Tudor mansion take place on Wednesdays throughout June, July, and August.

5. Bike Trails

A fuel-efficient and friendly way to see the city, the many different bike trails found throughout Rochester provide endless avenues of enjoyment. Connecting users to natural spaces like Silver Lake and the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial, and including a scenic downtown waterfront route that puts pedestrians in proximity to the Rochester Art Center and various shopping outlets, the bike trails in Rochester allow a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day. While most of the trails are separate from the roadways, a few use bike lanes and sidewalks to arrive at different destinations. Along the way, you can expect to pass by commuters heading to work, wildlife that shares the urban landscape, and many other members of the community who enjoy the pace of muscle-powered transportation.

6. Thursdays on First & 3rd

While any day of the week is a good time to check out Rochester's thriving shopping and dining scene, Thursdays during the summer are even more lively than usual. That's because throughout the months of June, July, and August, the city of Rochester hosts the Thursdays on First & 3rd Summer Market and Music Festival. Featuring more than 100 craft and food vendors plus a soundtrack of live music, Thursdays on First & 3rd can accurately be described as a weekly celebration of fine weather and a welcoming community. Every week is different thanks to the ever-changing lineup of live performances and special events.

7. Quarry Hill Nature Center

Within the 329 acres of the Quarry Hill Nature Center, you can expect to find eight miles of hiking trails, a children's pond, a limestone fossil quarry, and historic sandstone caves to explore. The Quarry Hill Nature Center doesn't just provide a backdrop to connect with these natural features, it also provides education about the environment. Within the actual brick and mortar nature center itself are informational exhibits and live animals, and the center also offers naturalist programs. It is open throughout the year, and during the winter months, the hiking trails easily convert to snowshoe and cross-country ski routes, making year-round exploration fun and easy.

8. Mayo Civic Center

Offering more than 200,000 square feet of space to enjoy, the Mayo Civic Center is one of the largest event centers in southern Minnesota. Hosting local and international musical acts, semi-pro and exhibition sporting events, as well as numerous conferences, business meetings, and conventions, the Mayo Civic Center has established itself as a vital part of the Rochester community. A 2017 expansion added a second-floor grand ballroom and an architecturally pleasing facade on Civic Street. While there is a long list of shows and performances to choose from, a simple way to enjoy this venue is just sitting on the riverfront terrace that overlooks the scenic Zumbro River.

9. Douglas State Trail

Operated by the Minnesota DNR, the Douglas State Trail is a 12.5-mile pathway that connects Rochester with the northern city of Pine Island and takes users through the small town of Douglas, for which the trail is named. It features both a paved trail and adjacent natural surface trail. With the exception of snowmobiles in winter, the Douglas State Trail prohibits motorized vehicles, allowing plenty of room for hikers, bikers, inline skaters, and horseback riders to explore the scenic environment. Serving once as the passageway for the Chicago Great Western Railway, the Douglas State Trail not only provides an accessible, even grade that everyone can explore, but it is a great example of how Rail to Trail conversions greatly benefit the community.

10. History Center of Olmsted County, Mayowood Mansion

Serving as a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the people, places, and stories that have made Olmsted County what it is today, the History Center of Olmsted County provides opportunities for locals and tourists to learn about the community's progress over the years. Featuring rotating exhibits and a handful of preserved historic buildings, the center also hosts youth camps, lecture series, and family-friendly movies under the stars throughout the summer. No history lesson on Rochester and the surrounding Olmsted County would be complete, however, without mentioning the Mayo Clinic, which was founded in Rochester and has developed a reputation.

In conjunction with the Mayo Clinic, the History Center of Olmsted County helps provide access to the historic Mayowood Mansion, the former residence of the Mayo Clinic co-founder, Charles H. Mayo. During the holiday season, special Christmas Tours are available and generally sell out quickly. Whenever you choose to reserve your guided tour of this historic estate, be prepared to take a step back into history as you explore the home of a man whose influence still shapes Olmsted County today.

Here are a few more ideas for what to do in the area: Top 10 things to do in Jacksonville NC

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-rochester-mn-702230.html

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topmixtrends · 7 years ago

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PART I: Diana Arterian Interviews Andrew Wessels

Andrew Wessels’s book traces a day’s walk through Istanbul, placing itself in dialogue with the flâneur figure in W. G. Sebald’s The Rings of Saturn. Yet A Turkish Dictionary also regards the profound impact a nation’s leader can have on language, historical record, and artifacts. It can be chilling to read, considering the tack many current world leaders are taking, the echoes of the past into the present. The collection is a thoughtful investigation of these concerns in conjunction with the self, curiosity, documentation, religiosity. So few poets can hold all these subjects in a single volume with such poise. Andrew and I only began to know one another after meeting randomly and agreeing to exchange our first manuscripts, and, even while reading an early draft, I was thrilled by the engines of the book, its lineage — and where it might lead. It reminded me of Barthes: “Is not the most erotic portion of a body where the garment gapes? […] it is this flash itself which seduces, or rather: the staging of an appearance-as-disappearance.” What the body of A Turkish Dictionary reveals is a complex act of guiding that Wessels accomplishes with apparent ease.

DIANA ARTERIAN: Andrew, I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with you about A Turkish Dictionary. I saw an earlier iteration of it years ago, and it matured to an even richer text than the one I had originally encountered.

Last year you were living in Turkey at a time when the pendulum, which once swung hard in the direction of Westernization (via Atatürk), was pushed toward extreme nationalism (via Erdoğan), forcing you out of the country. Though books are often written far ahead of publication (and I know ATD was, too), there is a puncture of the present moment in a footnote regarding a suicide bomber attacking a place you wrote about in the book. Erdoğan’s increasingly despotic acts in conjunction with the publication of ATD made you decide to leave in order preserve your safety, which seemed beyond unlikely years before. When you were writing the book did it feel like you were documenting this transition?

ANDREW WESSELS: The book was written before the current upheaval in Turkey (failed coup attempt, terrorist attacks, government’s hard move toward authoritarianism). That moment of the suicide bomber came after the book was finished but during the final editing and production process, so the present was continuously pushing into the book. Istanbul is, if anything, proof of constant change and the impossibility of true stasis. So the current changes are a continuation of that reality. I’ve noticed how some lines in the book mean new things now: “Oh Atatürk, where did they put your words” initially was written to interact with the Turkish language reforms. But now, with Erdoğan’s rise toward dictatorial powers, the curtailing of secular institutions, and the general move away from Atatürk’s Kemalist policy, that line has taken on a different significance. Everything changes, including the meaning of the words in this book.

This feels ironically apt considering the book is, in fact, a sort of dictionary, shining a light on Atatürk’s decision regarding the Turkish language’s speedy metamorphosis.

The Turkish language reform was two primary things. First, Atatürk transitioned the Turkish language from Arabic script to Latin script. Second, as part of creating a Turkish nationalistic identity, the Ottoman Turkish language was purged of any words that had been borrowed over the course of previous centuries. The idea was to create a “pure” Turkish language written in Latin script. So, virtually overnight, a huge chunk of the language suddenly ceased to exist, at least officially. New words had to be created on the spot to replace words that had ceased to exist.

What I was interested in with the opening section “&language” is seeing what happens when words are used in different ways. What happens when this word is placed next to this word? What happens when this word is removed or erased? I wanted to explore that process in real time, and, as I mentioned before, what I’ve learned is that these words have continued to change meaning as the world changes rapidly.

ATD circles predominantly around a kind of awe and terror in the face of such absolute power, and how that power influences historical legacy and knowledge. There is the power of extreme linguistic modification that Atatürk enacted, or Erdoğan demanding the destruction of a recently erected statue meant to signify peace between Turkey and Armenia. In the face of this, you state, “I must accept the rate at which information degrades as time carries it forward, away from its source.” This can be read as flippant considering the circumstances, no?

I thought a lot about power as I wrote this, and specifically about the power to tell the stories of the past. Standing in Sultanahmet Square, one can see the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the remnants of the Hippodrome. It’s a space that has been fought over for thousands of years. To stand there is to stand where countless wars and deaths have occurred and, as the recent suicide bombing shows, continue to occur. I began to be interested in what names remained and what names were erased. Constantine and Justinian and Enrico Dandolo and Fatih and Atatürk and Erdoğan: These are the leaders whose names remain inscribed over and over and over again, and thus the names that are the hardest to erase. But to stand there is to recognize that there were countless people who were beneath these leaders, sent to their deaths. If we look for them, we won’t see their names, but the tracings of their ghosts might still remain.

In ATD you see how those who had power made quick work of altering that space in order to hew a particular narrative that served the vision of what they wanted for Turkey. Thus in your book you document the physical palimpsest of a city that Istanbul is, once being Byzantium and then Constantinople, while also a prodding at what is visible, dormant, or invisible. The images are so evocative, as with the Christian mosaics covered in plaster by the Ottomans, which archeologists are now carefully uncovering. I found your investigation destabilizes trust in the visible and the powerful in the face of curated cultural or historical spaces.

Again, there is really no stasis. The Hagia Sophia (which is actually the third Hagia Sophia built on that site) was a great cathedral. Then, upon first conquering the city, Fatih rode in on his horse and consecrated the space as a mosque, eventually adding minarets to the building, covering the interior designs in plaster, and adjusting the prayer space to face Mecca. After the formation of the Turkish Republic, it became a museum space designed to show this split history. Most recently, Erdoğan’s government has allowed for the call to prayer to emanate from the minarets for the first time (other than very special occasions) in nearly a century. Buildings and cities are nexus points or sites for change, and thus are places for power to exert themselves and to display their exertion.

In the United States, we see that on a grand and totalizing scale with the nearly total destruction of Native American histories and archaeologies at least outside of museum exhibits. A function of power is to control what we see. By not seeing these Native American histories, we are freed from realizing our history of genocide and destruction. We can be absolved of (or at least forget that we need to impose upon ourselves) guilt. We can rationalize our actions.

While I hadn’t considered this topic as one so clearly connected to your book until now, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up the violence in our own country in response to the removal of statues and markers of our past violence and bloody history, particularly in the South. The poet Robin Coste Lewis recently stated that the Confederate statues need to be put in a museum so we don’t forget. I was so grateful for that insight as the removal of the statues terrified me nearly as much as the white supremacists’ responses to their removal. Pulling these statues down blots out not only the physical markers of the Civil War and slavery here in the United States, but, more important, the desire to commemorate those brutal practices — and the vocal portion of the white American population’s enduring interest in saluting what they represent.

I think this is a great and important connection to make. In The Patria, one of the oldest histories of Constantinople written in approximately the ninth century, there is a famous section on statues that outlines a walking tour of the city. It was designed to guide a tourist through the Greek and Roman sculptures that had been brought to Constantinople by the various rulers, statues that were quite strange and unknowable to the now-Christian populace. Within a few centuries of the initial writing of this text, virtually all of these monuments had been lost or destroyed, and as the city has continued to change, it is impossible to accurately describe on a map what the walking tour itself was.

Keeping problematic monuments up is obviously wrong to hold up violent, oftentimes evil values or histories. Destroying them creates an erasure that can paper over the past and absolve without restitution. But institutionalizing them creates its own problems. A museum can contextualize, but a museum can also contextualize in equally problematic ways depending on who is doing the curating. By taking monuments in and presenting them as critique, these institutions also coalesce greater power themselves. There is also the ethics of acquirement as moving cultural capital from one location to another, such as the Pergamon Altar in Berlin or the Elgin Marbles in London. It is hard to find a good, firm answer because we’re talking about the most inhumane things that humans can possibly do to each other.

The thing I find most strange is the belief that a monument is static in some way. That a statue that we know was erected 85 years ago didn’t exist before then. That we believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that it will remain. That the monument is anything more than an expression of power and belief at a single point in time, and thus a site for us to reevaluate power and belief now. These representations, whether in Istanbul or in the United States, are sites of power struggles and determinations of who gets to say how we see and represent ourselves right now.

Absolutely — and I believe we discussed Thessaloniki, Greece, (Atatürk’s birthplace) months ago when I traveled there and saw physical palimpsests and traces of struggle between Greece, the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. There was an ancient cathedral in particular with the last standing minaret from the Ottoman period in its courtyard. Above the cathedral’s entryway is Arabic script from when it functioned as a mosque, as well as a more modern painting of Saint George just above that text. In the spirit of ATD, I’ll include the photo I snapped of that doorway.

Having these physical remnants feels so urgent to learning what took place throughout the world (if the remnants survive conflict, governments, and/or erosion). As a traveling outsider, it is an entry point to a more comprehensive understanding of a place. How did you decide to engage with the city of Istanbul this way through your writing? Though you have substantive connections to Turkey, did it ever give you pause to write about the country and its capital, especially concerning the long and checkered history of an Anglo male body moving through an “exotic” space and attempting to document it?

This has been a deep concern of mine and a line of interrogation as I wrote the book, and as I traveled in and lived in Istanbul and Turkey over the years. The short and personal answer is that this book is, in large part, about my faith and conversion. I’m a straight, white man, and I am also a Muslim man, and at least for me writing this book was part of my coming into my faith. Istanbul is where and how that happened. Additionally, writing this book was about me building a dual-cultural life with my partner Zeliha, who is Turkish. It is a space that is not my home but that has become my home.

The history of Istanbul at least in the Western imaginary is primarily seen through the lens of Western travelers. For a variety of reasons, very few Ottoman-era writers are translated, and while there have been more modern Turkish writers translated, they still are largely ignored outside of a certain subset of readers. So I sought to engage these histories and these elisions and the ongoing transformation of the city alongside my own personal transformations. I wrote a little bit more about this larger question for LARB in response to Suzy Hansen’s recent book on Turkey and American imperialism.

One concept you’ve brought up a couple of times that I haven’t engaged with yet directly is the idea of the palimpsest. The city is always recognizable as itself and yet is always changing. As I converted, my body felt similarly. Some physical aspect (discounting the fact that our cells themselves are constantly regenerating us anew) stayed the same, while something else — my perspective, my belief system — was revealed to me as similarly fluid and negotiable. I was simultaneously the same and different. And as I explored this in my walk and in compiling the final book, this palimpsest arose again and again, in the word, in the image, in history, in faith itself.

Part II. Andrew Wessels Interviews Diana Arterian

The most direct thing I can say about Diana Arterian’s writing is that the more time I spend with her work, the more engaged, challenged, and enlightened I am by it. Playing Monster :: Seiche is a blistering and important work of poetry, a book whose impact far exceeds the boundaries of a typical debut collection. As I write this introduction and return again to this book, I find myself unable to stop myself from reading it again in full. So often, we talk of how much we like and enjoy a book. Arterian’s work demands that weightier conversation as each page investigates the fallout of our personal histories and traumas, the possibilities and boundaries of confession, and the ways that we can create, heal, and recreate ourselves through writing and reading.

ANDREW WESSELS: I read Playing Monster :: Seiche first in manuscript form, and when you see a book designed and published, something happens to it. I think this overall design changes the book in really wonderful ways.

DIANA ARTERIAN: Indeed the work, once designed and printed, is a totally different animal. I have to give credit where it is due, and you’ve given me the opportunity: Joseph Kaplan designed the book, making it totally gorgeous and modern while simultaneously giving it the necessary markers to relay a complicated form. It moves between two (or, really, three) different threads, and I had a lot of anxiety leading up to Joseph’s work on how exactly this would manifest itself.

It really is gorgeous, and the design helps a reader navigate the various threads and complexities naturally. I want to start our conversation talking about the subtitle of your collection: Seiche. Would you explain what a “seiche” is and how that concept relates to your collection?

Your question points to the complicated nature of the form of this book, actually — “Seiche” is a second title, rather than a subtitle (initially these were two books with those two titles). “Seiche” is a standing wave that moves across a body of water without ever breaking. This doesn’t necessarily happen on its surface, but also can occur in its depths. Oftentimes a seiche is precipitated by a traumatic event, such as an earthquake.

As I read, I couldn’t help but apply the concept of the seiche to everything, from the overarching narrative threads weaving through the book to the interplay between words. I’d like to investigate some of these a bit deeper, if you don’t mind. First, can you talk about how the seiche relates to some of the main narratives: the binary of the father and mother, the relationship between the speaker and her family/history, the saga of the mother?

I gravitated toward the seiche image predominantly because it so perfectly encapsulates a feeling of dread. Or an image of simultaneous stasis and movement. In the “Playing Monster” pieces, you’re seeing the impact of an abusive sociopath on a family from the perspective of his child (myself). This damage is rarely enacted through instances of rupture, but rather through the cultivation of extreme psychological terror between those moments.

In the narrative ascribed to the “Seiche” thread, my mother is years beyond extracting her children and herself from that life, yet finding herself terrorized by several people, predominantly a stalker. I also included the abuse sustained by the woman who helped care for us as children — the prevalence of danger to us, her, and so many other (often) women and children, felt important.

This book is acting simultaneously as a witnessing of these events and as a confessional. Your collection intersects with various approaches to the confessional that make me think of how Alice Notley incorporates the real, the remembered, the abstracted, the surrealed, the felt, the sensed, the predicted, and the propheted, all within the confessional. Can you talk more about how you’ve approached the confessional?

When I started writing “Playing Monster,” which came before the “Seiche” poems, I wasn’t really thinking all that much about what I was doing. It was during the final year of my MFA and I needed to write a collection for my thesis — I wasn’t thinking about how these poems were possible in large part to many poets who laid the groundwork for exposure of the personal on the page and the feeling that nothing is sacred. This was a thoroughly naïve act in many ways, not simply for its lack of regard for literary history. I became aware of this naïveté through the emotional responses to the completed thesis from those close to me, which gave me serious pause. I had many friends write me and provide a list of page numbers that caused them to break down into tears. In addition, my mother, with my permission, began sending the manuscript to friends. These friends would often write back with similar reactions (which she then forwarded back to me). I didn’t much know what to make of this strange circuit of sadness, and it provoked a deep anxiety regarding the production of such material in the world that often seems defined by suffering. It felt, for the most part, like a spreading of pain or an attempt at emptying my own pain into the reader, which was not my intention. After some years of hand-wringing I decided it felt important to publish predominantly because the stability of the home is often a false facade — the home of the educated, white, middle-class family, in particular.

I’m really interested in how you see the manuscript. It seems like you still see the dividing lines between “Playing Monster” and “Seiche.” As a reader, the collection feels like such a complete whole. I couldn’t begin to parse out what would be in one versus in the other. I want to look at the untitled poem on pages 64–65, which presents an “I” speaking that isn’t you, and then there’s the story of a woman and her mental illness, life, and death in two different versions. How do these doublings, these binaries, these two separate manuscripts, both break apart and fuse?

Well, you’ve caught me in my being slow to accept these books as one. My continued discussion of them as two has mostly to do with the fact that they were two books for longer than they have been a single volume, so I’m excited for its lifetime as a unified entity as it always should have been! They are indeed one story, as so much of life is — particularly the lives of those who survive abuse, which, more often than not, include the resurfacing of that reality again and again despite one’s best efforts (a kind of terrible subconscious self-sabotage frequently experienced by survivors). In addition, so much of adult life can feel like a recognition of echoes of your past.

What I hope is formally compelling in Playing Monster :: Seiche is that it illustrates moments of clear intersection between past and present while simultaneously honoring the depth and difference of each reality. Including my mother’s voice in a poem (and other voices in other pieces) felt important for this reason. I’m not the only player in this series of events. So maybe the book feels less like a binary than a diptych, to me.

Forgive me, but I’m in the middle of watching the new season of Twin Peaks, so I’m thinking a lot about Americana and how America is both filled with highly unique locations due to its geography as well as this uniform Americanness that blankets the country. How did you see location and place while writing this, and how did you let it embody and inform your poetry?

In terms of location, the events in the book take place in central Arizona (“Playing Monster”) and upstate New York (“Seiche”). These two regions felt and feel to be, in many ways, polar opposites from one another. Playing Monster :: Seiche has a “uniform Americanness” not so much due to the physical landscapes within the book but rather because abuse has happened and is happening everywhere in this country. The events in the “Playing Monster” poems took place at a time when that fact was receiving more and more attention — divorce proceedings began to include information regarding abusive spouses and parents in the 1990s. Prior to that point it was considered a private affair of the family or — particularly in the height of heteronormative 20th-century America — a father’s appropriate means of running his household. This is not to say that abuse is an American phenomenon (in the least), but rather the “Playing Monster” poems are an attempt to give insight into the abusive American household that is domestic, middle class, very educated, and white when it is otherwise often an experience ascribed to the foreign, poor or working class, less educated, and/or families of color.

Beyond this, to include the “Seiche” thread in this response, the overarching aim of the book is an attempt to document the ubiquitousness yet simultaneous invisibility of the patriarchal oppressions in the United States, and the many forms in which those oppressions manifest themselves.

One thing I’ve noticed as my book comes out is that there is a divergence or at least a distance between my own purpose for writing the book and a reader’s purpose for reading the book. I think the personal nature of poetry especially highlights this difference. How do you see this distance between your purpose and a reader’s purpose, and how do you think that might add to the ultimate impact of your collection?

Considering a “reader’s purpose” is a tough charge — especially a reader of poetry. It is often a moving target (to be moved? to learn something? to complete a reading assignment?). I suppose my hope is that my readers do learn something — and that something is beyond merely the fact that patriarchy is a drag (to put it lightly). I’m not entirely sure what I hope that takeaway is, or that it is easy to label. Overall, my deepest hope is that my work does not simply upset people.

My mother read a galley of the book and her takeaway was that everyone can and often does function as a monster to one person or another. That slippery shifting of victim to perpetrator and vice versa is one most of us have witnessed or experienced. While that was not my impulse, I think she’s right.

In addition to this book, you’ve previously published two chapbooks, and have a second manuscript in a final draft state. How do you see Playing Monster :: Seiche interacting with these other works, and how does it undergird, add to, and expand upon the work you do and want to do as a writer?

M. NourbeSe Philip writes, “As with most writers, an issue chooses you.” The issue that chooses me again and again is the role of the witness in oppressive environments. Often I find myself pulled in a direction only to recognize later that what provoked me to write Playing Monster :: Seiche also drew me to translate the late Afghan poet Nadia Anjuman, write poems on an ancient Roman Empress, and pen hybrid nonfiction about my romantic relationship with a Pakistani-American man while we watch Islamophobia reach the point of fever pitch. So who the witness is and what they are witnessing may change, but it is always present in my work.

Often witnessing can feel like the final means of exacting agency when a person, group, or system has thoroughly stripped it from you. You become a recorder, anxiously waiting for the opportunity to recall what you have endured before someone who can enact justice (at best) or recognition (at least). I felt like so much of my childhood was defined by what I was seeing and watching for (which are ultimately different endeavors). This is why I include a poem early on in the book in which my father told me to look at a deer and “remember for the rest of [my] life.” I followed his instructions, but with a more damning and personal focus than he intended, and an extended interest in “remembering” other horrors, both personal and public.

Diana Arterian is the author of the poetry collection Playing Monster :: Seiche (1913 Press), the chapbooks With Lightness & Darkness and Other Brief Pieces (Essay Press) and Death Centos (Ugly Duckling Presse), and co-editor of Among Margins: Critical & Lyrical Writing on Aesthetics (Ricochet).

Andrew Wessels is a poet and translator who currently lives in Los Angeles. He has lived in Istanbul, Turkey, where he taught writing at Koç University. His first book of poems, A Turkish Dictionary, was published by 1913 Press in 2017, and Semi Circle, a chapbook of translations of Nurduran Duman’s poems, is available from Goodmorning Menagerie.

The post A Dialogue on First Books, in Two Parts appeared first on Los Angeles Review of Books.

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whatsonmedia · 2 years ago

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15 Must See Historical Places of India

India name comes from the Indus River, is a country of South Asia. The country is rich in culture, tradition and many historical places. Here are some must see historical places of India you can add up to in your travel list. Red Fort, Delhi The Red Fort was actually white limestone. The British who painted it red when the limestone started cracking off. From 1638 to 1648 construction took over a period of ten years. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Timings. 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed on Mondays) Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh In ancient times, the city was also known as Khajjurpura. The Temple was dotted with date palms and Khajura, which means date and Khajuraho Temple derived its name from the fact. Located in the town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Timings. 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Taj Mahal, Agra Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site represents the pinnacle of grand Mughal architecture and is built entirely of white marble. Shah Jahan built this magnificent monument for one of his favorite wives, Mumtaz and It took around 22 years to complete. Timings. 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (closed on Friday). Hampi, Karnataka A UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing from the 14th century which is the first instance of human settlement dates back to 1 CE. It is a reminder of the glory that prevailed during the Vijaynagara Empire and other attractions are the Queen’s Bath, Elephant Stables, Vijay Vittala Temple and Hampi Bazaar. Timings. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Fridays). Qutub Minar, Delhi Built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is testimony to the first Muslim kingdom in India at a height of almost 240ft. It is one of the tallest ancient towers all over the world which has not rusted even after 2000 years. Timings. 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Without a proper foundation it consists of 5 stories and is the tallest building in the world. Unless you visit the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur your tour is incomplete. Hawa Mahal was designed by Lal Chand Ustad as ladies had to observe the purdah. Timings. 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Konark Sun Temple, Odisha Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is an ode to the artistic brilliance achieved under the reign of King Narasimhadeva I, who was the glorious ruler of Ganga dynasty. Located on the coast of Bay of Bengal, it showcases exquisite ancient architecture with 12 wheels that are located at the base of the temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is actually builed with accurate time telling ability. Timings. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Fridays). Gateway of India, Mumbai Gateway of India is the famous historical place in Mumbai. It commemorates the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city in 1911. The monument dating back to 1924, was as an access point for entry and exit during the British period. The last British ships was set sail for England in the 20th century from the Gateway of India. Timings. 24 Hours Open Victoria Memorial, Kolkata The Victoria Memorial is one of the best examples of British architecture in West Bengal. Its actual designing and implantation were by Sir William Emerson while the idea for the monument goes to Lord Curzon. The black bronze statue ‘Angel of Victory’ which lies at the apex of the memorial’s dome acts as a weathercock during clear weather. Timings. 5:30 AM – 6:15 PM Agra Fort, Agra Agra Fort was given the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Originally, Chauhan Rajputs built Agra Fort in bricks, later Akbar rebuilt the fort with red sandstone on its exteriors. Akbar demolished many buildings inside the fort and built palaces and mosques using white marble. This opulent structure features the Mughal style of architecture. Timings: 6.00 AM – 6.00 PM c If you love to explore ancient monuments then the ancient monuments in India, Gwalior Fort is a must-visit place. Gwalior Fort is reputed to be one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country and is a thriving architectural marvel of the 8th century. The place where the second oldest record of number “zero” was found in one of the temples inside the fort. Timings: 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM Old Fort, Delhi The 16th-century historic building Old Fort is one of the top tourist attractions in Delhi and also known as Purana Qila. Mughal Emperor Babur started an astronomical library for his son Humayun for his interest in astronomical star gazing called Sher Mandal inside the Old Fort. The sound and light show presents at Purana Qila or Old Fort called Ishq-e-Dilli, which showcases Indraprashtha mythology from the Indian epic, Mahabharata. Timings: 10.00 AM – 5.00 PM Mysore Palace, Mysore Mysore Palace is one of the best historical places built in exquisite Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and is a magnificent edifice in Karanataka also the second most visited destination of India after the Taj Mahal. Mysore Palace is known as the Amba Vilas Palace, which is the residence of the royal family of Mysore. Timings: 10.00 AM – 5.30 PM (Closed on Fridays) City Palace, Udaipur City Palace have gained much popularity by being featured in movies like James Bond’s Octopussy and Bollywood film, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. City Palace Udaipur is no wonder one of the best historical places in India with an exquisite blend of Medieval European and Chinese architecture, you can visit. 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs build this palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Timings: 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur At a height of 410 feet above the ground, it offers awe-inspiring views of Jodhpur. With a history of more than 550 years, this magnificent fort is one of the largest forts in India and among the most formidable ones in Rajasthan. Mehrangarh Fort awes the visitors with mesmerizing folk dance and cultural performance that lights up the evenings every day and the fort has been featured in many popular movies like The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Jungle Book (1994), and Awarapan (2007). Timings: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Read the full article

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thecloudlight-blog · 8 years ago

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New Post has been published on Cloudlight

New Post has been published on https://cloudlight.biz/sunshine-music-tours-and-travels-movie-review/

Sunshine Music Tours And Travels Movie Review

STORY: Two boys from Kashmir – Sunburn (Sunny Kaushal) and Rajma Romeo (Ashrut Jain), hatch out a plan to fulfill their lasting dream of experiencing India’s biggest EDM competition, Sunburn in Goa, stay. Do they prevail?

REVIEW: The besties plan a street ride from Kashmir to Goa thru Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. They choose fellow revelers at the way and they all turn out to be one big family very quickly, consequently inviting their share of conflicts and sacrifices. Sadly, none of it touches your heart.

Hailendra Singh pays tribute to his very own baby

The yearly ‘Sunburn’ competition here by means of stressing on it is reputation and aspirational cost. It’s the simplest interest on the bucket list of the important person right here. Sadly, the festival is manner cooler than this shoddy promotional automobile for it and deserved a better film.

To begin with, the movie claims to be primarily based on actual events however that appears some distance-fetched. It’s not going for someone in Kashmir or Himachal Pradesh to be mad about Bollywood songs, let alone Electronic Dance Music. Even if it’s true, the novice and unimaginative execution fail to persuade you to accept as true with so.

Surprisingly, none of the scenes bother to give an explanation for why Sunny’s individual is crazy approximately EDM on the grounds that he become nine or who introduced him to it. The heart of the tale lies in his ardor for EDM, which itself is not explored enough. The supporting characters are outright weird. Everyone slaps every other as a mark of friendship and women in hot pants wearing ‘BABY’ neckpieces seem as inconsequential to the story as the shirtless ‘Chandi’ boys.

Barring Sunny Kaushal and the antique guy playing Peter, everybody acts juvenile. A few scenes do evoke emotions however they too are nullified because the director opts for cheap laughs quickly after. Even the song of the movie fails to seize sunburn’s exuberance and spirit.

Sitting through this hour long commercial feels more onerous than touring from Kashmir to Goa through road.

The Power of Music to Raise Your Vibration

Keeping your frame’s electricity system flowing easily is prime to a glad, healthful life and there’s nothing that moves your strength faster than track.

Listening to my preferred songs never fails to make me sense suitable. And after I’m feeling accurate, my vibration will increase and I emit high-quality energy.

Music can have an effective impact to your heart fee, respiratory, emotions or even mind power. It is listed as the fourth stimuli which the thoughts responds maximum freely to in Napolean Hill’s e-book, Think and Grow Rich.

Because of tune’s profound effect on your frame and psyche, it is a super way to raise your vibration.

Listening to track that resonates with you in a fantastic manner can shift your temper, supporting you to release poor thought patterns and lift your vibration.

Whether you are being attentive to music, playing a device or singing, it all works to uplift you to a superb, high vibrational place in case you are enjoying it.

Don’t tolerate song that doesn’t make you experience top as it will lower your vibration. Positive lyrics are absolutely a plus but now not always essential. When I pay attention B.B. King to sing The Thrill is Gone, I am extra targeted at the sounds of the guitar and the magic of his voice than I am on the lyrics. It never fails to make me smile, and movements my spirit inside a superb manner.

If the song resonates with you and it makes you sense properly, you’ll be in a higher vibrational vicinity.

Research has shown that tune could have the following bodily outcomes:

Brain Waves: Brainwave hobby changes – a sturdy beat stimulates brainwaves to resonate in sync with the rhythm, which brings sharper attention and more alert questioning, and a slower tempo promotes a peaceful, meditative nation. Breathing and Heart Rate: Both may be altered through the track – which can mean slower respiratory, and slower coronary heart fee, and an activation of the rest reaction. This is why tune may be an incredible prevention towards the damaging consequences of persistent pressure, substantially selling rest and make a contribution to appropriate fitness. State of Mind: Music can assist preserve melancholy and tension at bay by means of bringing a more positive state of mind. It also can promote better ranges of optimism and creativity, which brings many other benefits such as boosting immunity, easing muscle tension, and lowering blood stress.

Save Big On Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours From Tusayan Or Las Vegas This Black Friday

Are you usually looking for ways to store money? Well, Black Friday is the bargain hunter’s excursion because reductions are marked so low, it’s occasionally implausible.

One thing you won’t recognize is you could find Black Friday deals at locations other than buying websites and retail department shops, in reality, if you’d be interested in taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon on Black Friday, you may be capable of snag a notable deal.

This Is How It Works

You’ll have to shop for your tour online which will get the quality Black Friday bargain. Pay on your excursion along with your credit card and you may instantly reserve your seats for the tour and take benefit of the bottom charge.

Discounts are to be had for helicopter excursions of the West Rim and South Rim that leave from Vegas and from Tusayan. Also, you’ll get your desire of an air-simplest excursion or a touchdown tour so long as you get your tour booked before it’s far offered out.

You have to virtually recall taking a landing tour because they may be a number of amusing, but in case you want to take one, you may leave from Vegas. And because the Black Friday reductions make the tour extra less expensive, it’s miles the appropriate time to book a landing excursion that comes with fun enhancements.

Add-On Adventures

Thanks to decrease prices, you can encompass some a laugh accessories for your landing tour. The lower pricing permits you to upgrade your tour so that you could have an amusing-filled day without busting your budget, something you may not be capable of doing in case you had to pay full charge for the excursion.

Some accessories for the Vegas helicopter touchdown tours consist of VIP passes for the Skywalk and a Champagne picnic at the Canyon.

There aren’t any landing tours at the South Rim, but there is a fun floor excursion you can take that is lots of a laugh. This improves lets you tour the Canyon on a 4×4 Jeep trip. On this excursion, you get the entire package deal that consists of scenic perspectives of the Canyon from the air in addition to floor perspectives at the Jeep excursion. You’ll see a lot on the Jeep excursion that lasts over two hours, and then you will pinnacle it off with an IMAX enjoy of the Canyon.

Choosing A Deluxe Tour

You’ll find correct offers on each basic and deluxe tours, so right here’s what you need to recognize approximately how they evaluate. Basic helicopter tours fly at the older, greater conventional Bell Rangers. While the plane is completely secure and suitable for touring, it isn’t the exceptional alternative to be had nowadays. If you need to fly on a superior helicopter, just book a deluxe tour.

Gulliver’s Travel As a Symbolical Work

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) changed into a creator, journalist, and political activist. He is high-quality regarded for his satirical novel Gulliver’s Travel and satirical essay on the Irish famine, “A Modest Proposal.” ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ is a book of fable, satire and political allegory, and it is a lot preferred in all ages. He wrote Gulliver’s Travels in 1725, and it changed into published in 1726. The book got a fantastic achievement all through the British Empire and earned the titles of creator and commentator of extraordinary fine and reputation for the writer. In this book, the journey of Gulliver, a health care provider on a merchant ship, is made to 4 imaginary countries. So, the e-book is split into four components. His first journey is to Lilliput whose inhabitants are approximately six inches tall. His 2d visit is to Brobdingnag, the use of the giants. His 0.33 visit is to the Islands of Laputa and Lego, inhabited via philosophers and scientists, keeping love fortune and mathematics. His last go to is to the land of the Houyhnhnms and Yahoos. They are rational and civilized horses, and the yahoos are unreasonable and bestial people, absolutely grimy.

Before discussing the symbols of his work, ‘The Gulliver’s Travel

We ought to understand something approximately the literary term ‘image’. The phrase’ Symbol’ is derived from Late Latin word ‘Symbolum’ approach token, signal or brand. It is, certainly, the decoration of literature. The writer uses it to expose all of the hidden things or the philosophy of labor surely to the readers, as they’ll no longer face to any difficulties to be understood. If such aspect passed off, the work would now not be interesting and helpful for representing the age. It is evident that Jonathan Swift has used symbols to convey his thoughts to the readers by way of making it simpler with the assist of it. Keeping in view all things, we are able to say that an image is something that stands for something else. In Gulliver’s Travels, the whole lot stands for something else due to the fact it is written for the cause of criticizing contemporary philosophies and customs. Nearly everybody of this book stands either for a historic discern or for a concept.

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usamotorscycle-blog · 8 years ago

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The American Iron Road Tour

There are a lot of reasons that we moto journos get into this gig. It goes without saying that we all share a passion for the sport of motorcycling, but it’s about more than just the opportunity to ride and test motorcycles and gear for a living, see things that we might not otherwise see, enjoy memorable experiences and then tell stories about them. It’s also about meeting great people from all walks of life who share our passion for this amazing sport. https://youtu.be/wZxVVM5qbp8 That’s probably the best way to describe our recent whirlwind Motorcycle.com American Iron Tour, where Motorcycle.com Group’s Editorial Director Sean Alexander, MO’s Senior Editor John Burns and I got to embark on an epic three-leg, 1000-mile trek through Middle America on three classic American cruisers. We enjoyed some great roads, sampled a variety of grub from Chicago-style Pizza to terrible BBQ, to German Hofbrau and Mickey Dee’s, and we met some really, really interesting people who share our passion for motorcycling.

Our 1000-mile journey got underway in earnest after we visited Victory/Indian dealer American Heritage Motorcycles and then Harley-Davidson of Chicago to collect our mounts for the trip. A big thanks goes to the crews at both dealerships for their assistance. The whole thing got started with a rather unusual invitation from some folks who are in quite a different industry than ours, firearms manufacturer Springfield Armory of Geneseo, Illinois. Apparently the guys at Springfield are big motorcycle fans, and they like what we do here at MO. One thing led to another, and we were soon on our way out to Geneseo to meet with them. We certainly appreciate Springfield’s attention, but at the same time we’re well aware that MO is first and foremost, a motorcycle website. Still, the lure of getting in some great riding in the Midwest proved to be too strong to resist, so we contacted the two leading American motorcycle manufacturers, Polaris and Harley-Davidson, who provided us with three prime examples of their classic American cruisers, the Victory Gunner, the Harley Road King and the Indian Springfield. Too efficient for our own good, we decided to make these steeds the subject of an upcoming three-bike comparison test while we were at it. Instant road trip, baby!

The fact that half the State of Illinois was undergoing road construction put us well behind schedule as we headed toward our first meeting with folks at Springfield Armory in Geneseo, Illinois, so we were more than happy to hop off the Interstate and cruise some good old American gravel back-country roads. On top of that, someone whipped out a map and realized how (semi) close both the Polaris/Victory/Indian and the Harley-Davidson engine assembly plants were, and if we were going to get a glimpse at Springfield Armory’s manufacturing operation, why not have a look at what goes into building the engines that power our trio of heavyweight haulers? Would they even have anything in common? They did have a lot in common, but exactly how they did wasn’t at all what we expected. So, after Burns, Alexander and I stepped off the plane in Chicago, collected our rides from the local Polaris dealer at American Heritage Motorcycles and from Chicago Harley-Davidson, we hit the road. It only made sense – both historically as well as geographically – that the first stop on our ride would be a couple hundred miles west at the Springfield Armory plant.

Let the meeting of cool people begin! One of our favorite stops came early in the tour when we met the folks at Springfield Armory to blast some cardboard and steel with the majority of Springfield’s current product line. Springfield Armory was the first of these three iconic American companies to exist, long before the internal-combustion engine. Commissioned in 1777 by none other than George Washington and located in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts, it quickly became the epicenter of firearms manufacturing in America and recognized as a world leader in the industry. After the U.S. government closed the original Springfield Armory down in 1968, the Springfield Armory name returned to prominence kind of by accident. In 1974, an Illinois-based military surplus dealer named Robert Reese and his son, Denny, drove to Texas to collect on a debt owed by a creditor who also happened to own the Springfield Armory name and its remaining parts and machinery. “I was 19 at the time,” Denny Reese said. “We went down to collect an unpaid bill and wound up coming back with two semi-truck loads of office equipment and machinery, and the Springfield Armory name. When we came across two shoeboxes full of inquiries about where to purchase the M1-A rifle, we said, ‘Wow, let’s give this a try.’ That’s how it started. We didn’t have any firearms production experience at that time, however that was all about to change.”

We appreciate CEOs who are willing to go out of their way to network with common folk. Motorcycle nut and Springfield Armory CEO, Denny Reese, an ISDT gold medalist, spent half a day at the range with us and the next one guiding us on a tour of the Springfield Armory facility. The new company, Springfield Armory, Inc., would begin operations in the tiny hamlet of Geneseo, Illinois, where it has been in continuous operation since 1974. “Geneseo is like Mayberry,” Denny Reese joked. “You wonder if you’re going to see Barney Fife walking around. We have the ice cream socials on Tuesday nights. Bands play. It’s beautiful stuff. It’s a great place to raise a family.” Robert Reese financed the Springfield Armory business in the hope that his sons, Denny and Tom, would take it over at some point, but first there was the matter of curing them of an addiction of theirs: motorcycles. Denny’s first real dirtbike was a 1967 Sachs 125, and Tom’s was a Hodaka Super Rat. The Reese boys fell in love with riding, and as their skills progressed they began competing in the American qualifier series for the International Six Days Trial, or ISDT, which is known as the ISDE today. In fact, Denny was good enough that he made the cut. A factory Penton man at the beginning of his competitive riding career, he later received factory support from Yamaha. He competed in three consecutive ISDTs from 1977-79, winning a gold medal in Värnamo, Sweden, in 1978, and earned a silver medal in Neunkirchen, West Germany, in 1979. All the while, the Reese boys were involved in running the family’s new venture. “It was an interesting time,” Reese, now 61, recalled. “I’ll never forget when Dad sat us down and told us, ‘You guys need to decide whether you are going to run a gun company or whether you are going to go pro.’ So we toned down the motorcycle thing a little bit, but our priority had two wheels back then.”

Team Springfield’s Rob Leatham is a multi-time national and world championship-winning shooter who also happens to be a former club- and professional-level road racer. The fun-loving Arizonan was serious as a heart attack when it came time to display his talent with a handgun. Later, when Springfield ventured into the business of supporting competitive shooters in the 1980s, it formed its Team Springfield support program in similar fashion to a motorcycle racing team. Wouldn’t you know it, the first guy they signed just happened to be a former club- and national-level road racer named Rob Leatham. Now 55, Leatham is a decorated professional shooter with more than 50 national and world championship shooting titles on his resume. But he’s also a hell of a jokester who is proud to spin tales about how his greatest roadracing memory was being knocked off the track by former AMA Superbike Champion Thomas Stevens at Willow Springs, and Leatham may also have the dubious distinction of being the only professional shooter ever to be stung on the head of his penis by a scorpion while competing at a shooting match – nobody, it seems, keeps accurate records. Leatham had us in stitches as he shared how he ran to one of the medics and told them what happened – and where it happened. “The guy just looked at me and said, ‘Well, I guess you’re going to die.’” (laughs) Leatham recalled that he didn’t even know he and the Reese family shared a love of motorcycles until he joined Springfield Armory’s shooting team.

Leatham watches as MO Editorial Director Sean Alexander draws a bead with one of Springfield’s SOCOM-16 CQB rifles. The two are kindred spirits, and though they had never met before this day, the rest of us began to wonder if they had been separated at birth – they’re both just that goofy. “It was like, ‘Oh, you’re into bikes? I’m into bikes,’ and we really hit it off,” he said. “I’ve been with them ever since, and they’re more like family to me. They’re like my brothers. I’ve probably put more laps around their family farm on a dirtbike than anyone not named Reese.” And that’s what our round table in the Springfield Armory boardroom felt like: a motorcycling family chat. The most boisterous moment in the conversation wasn’t about firearms or what models Springfield produces. It was whether Valentino Rossi should have been penalized after tangling with Marc Marquez at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix.

The author squeezes off a few rounds with his own Springfield FBI Custom model 1911. We thought it would be neat to bring the .45 back to its birthplace, but that was before we actually had to go through the hassle of properly checking it in at the airport! Perhaps Leatham summed up the common ground between the motorcycle and shooting disciplines best when he said, “It’s about freedom. You’re controlling a certain level of power that a lot of people don’t have the desire or the skill to . It takes the same hand-to-eye coordination and dexterity.” “And you have to have respect for both,” Reese added.

MO’s beloved savant, John Burns fondles one of Springfield’s walnut-stocked M1-A rifles, prior to drawing a bead on a 100-yard target. It was no problem for the eagle-eyed graybeard. When the Springfield Armory guys offered to take us to the local range to sample some of its products, of course we jumped at the chance. Alexander and I are avid shooters. Burns? Not so much, but even he appreciates the legend of the Springfield M1 Garand, a rifle once proclaimed by none other than General George S. Patton as “the greatest weapon ever made.” Pardon the pun, but we had an absolute blast hanging out with the Springfield crew, trying out everything from their various M1 rifle variants, to their extremely popular modern XD line of pistols and Springfield’s complete line of 1911-based pistols. Since it maintains such a high profile within its own industry, it’s surprising to learn that Springfield Armory accomplishes so much with just 260 employees working in its Geneseo facility. The company headquarters includes a 160,000 square-foot main plant with an additional 40,000 square feet off site, and another 10,000 square-foot building is currently in the works.

The factory tour portion of our week began at Springfield Armory in Geneseo, Illinois. The pistol parts shown here await meticulous hand-fit construction by the expert craftsmen in the Springfield Custom shop. To make a moto analogy, these are the true “works machines” of the company line. A firearms enthusiast himself, Ol’ George Washington would probably be proud to see the brand that he effectively started still doing well today, and we’re betting he would have really dug the motorcycle boom in America, which began not only in the very same town where the original Springfield Armory was located but literally just one mile away from it. That’s where the Indian Motocycle Company was officially born in January of 1901, two years before Harley-Davidson got its start. Of course, Indian’s history, including its demise in 1953, is well known, while Harley has rolled along without interruption for 113 years. It’s kind of funny that, with Polaris’ takeover of the Indian brand, Indian and Springfield Armory are once again in close proximity, and that’s where we headed next.

Many of Springfield Armory’s employees are avid motorcyclists, and Reese even allowed some of them to play hookie from work and accompany him as he escorted us for over an hour, before stopping and buying us all lunch on our ride away from Geneseo. Pointing our machines north along the Mississippi River route toward Osceola, Wisconsin, to tour the Polaris, Victory and Indian engine assembly plant, we enjoyed an epic ride through the lush green cornfields and timberlands that dot the river. The meandering two-lane roads make for perfect cruiser country, and there are a number of small towns that dot the route. Our plan was to make a quick stop in one of them, a place called Savanna, but things don’t always go to plan. So we were parked on Savanna’s bucolic main drag to gather a couple photos and some video footage when this pony-tailed graybeard walked up to us from out of nowhere and asked, “Hey, do you guys have a minute to take a look at something?” Since he didn’t do anything weird like unzip his pants, we figured it was probably okay to follow him, and we’re sure glad we did! He led us into his local drinking establishment, the Iron Horse Social Club wherein we feasted our eyes on an amazing collection of pre- and post-war motorcycles – must’ve been 40 of ’em. Ancient Indians, Harleys, Crockers, board-trackers, speedway bikes, hill-climbers.

One of the surprise highlights of the trip came when we visited the Iron Horse Social Club in Savanna, Illinois. In addition to being a local watering hole, the Main Street location boasts a treasure trove of antique motorcycles. This is just a small portion of the dozens of machines on display. It was truly a sight to behold, and the upstairs area was even more of a trip. It contains a complete chapel that is rented out for weddings and other events. And it’s the only chapel we’ve ever seen where the good Lord himself co-headlines with antique motorcycles. If you’re ever in Savanna, the Iron Horse Social Club is definitely worth a visit. A little farther up the road is the town of Galena, Illinois, where history buff Burns made sure to guide us past the home of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States. We would’ve loved to look around some more, but we had already fallen way behind schedule by then. We rode on past sunset and into the early morning hours, by the time we made it to our hotel in Osceola we were pretty well spent. It was worth the extra time in the saddle, because we awoke the next morning just a few minutes away from the Polaris engine assembly plant.

We also passed by a historic monument in Galena, Illinois. This flag-toting brick home is the crib of none other than Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States. Polaris deserves a lot of credit for being the right company to rescue Indian, a brand which had been pretty well dragged through the mud during several failed revival attempts since the original Springfield-based Indian took a dirt nap almost six decades ago. In its most recent incarnation, under the control of British equity firm Stellican Limited, Indian was barely idling along when Polaris came calling. Polaris was already enjoying success with its Victory line of contemporary American cruisers, but it saw the potential in a real Indian revival, one that would respect the brand’s rich legacy while moving it into the 21st century via modernized engineering and manufacturing. Polaris kept the Indian name rolling at first by building the last of the Stellican-era Chiefs so as not to interrupt production again, but an all-new Chief, featuring the Polaris-designed Thunderstroke 111, debuted in 2014. It was followed by the sporty, liquid-cooled, DOHC Scout in 2015.

Polaris Industries’ Plant Manager Jesse Barthel (middle) took us on an extensive tour of Polaris’ Osceola Engine Assembly Plant, introducing us to a lot of neat folks inside the place, like Phil Wallander (plaid shirt), who built the very first Indian engine after Polaris bought the brand in 2009. Thus, like Springfield Armory, Indian is reborn, and has been experiencing sales growth ever since. With the splash that the new Indians have already made and Polaris’ clear commitment to keep developing the brand, it’s no stretch to imagine that Indian’s best days lie ahead. Set on 36 acres, Polaris’ Osceola facility is a lot larger than Springfield Armory’s, boasting two assembly plants that cover 327,000 square feet. The plants maintain five full-time assembly lines for snowmobile, ATV, UTV, and motorcycle engine production. Two of those lines are dedicated to Victory’s Freedom 106/6 and Indian’s Thunderstroke 111 V-Twin powertrains, according to Jesse Barthel, Polaris’ Plant Director at Osceola. Barthel, who served as our escort through the plant, estimates that those two lines deliver about 200 engines per day. “We do a little bit of everything here,” Barthel said. “We do ATV engines, snow engines and side by sides, as well as the engines for Victory and Indian. We can install a line in the plant pretty quickly. Most of the work comes in the design and planning phases. We recently brought a new line to life in here, from bare floor to the first engine coming down the line, in a week.”

Rosie the Riveter lives! And she has a robotic assistant, the yellow “Smart Cart” system that follows a track on the floor, delivering the engines to the stations along the assembly line. The Indian Thunderstroke 111 has the newest line in the facility. No longer assembled along a standard conveyor belt system, Indian engines are now assembled using an automated “Smart Cart” system that follows a track on the floor. All of each engine’s components are contained in a small trailer that rolls along behind the automated cart, leaving the floor clear of shelving, parts boxes and other debris. The system improves efficiency by eliminating the downtime that would normally be required to restock parts at the various stations on a more traditional assembly line. Besides showing us the assembly-line operations, Barthel was happy to introduce us to several really interesting Polaris employees. One of them was Phil Wallander, Polaris’ Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, who has been with the company for years and was among the very first Polaris employees to become involved with the Indian brand; Wallander even built the very first Indian engine under Polaris ownership. “The Indian takes a little longer to build because it has a little more stuff going into it,” Wallander said when asked to compare Polaris’ two big V-Twins. “I’m not sure what the exact labor standards are between the two, but part of that is because we have been building the Victory Freedom engine for years, and as a product matures, so does the supply base, it assembles with less issues. The Indian 111 is still pretty new to us yet.” Another was Steve Marty, who oversees both V-Twin assembly lines. Marty also served as a test rider for Victory during the early years of that project. “My job was to put on 500 miles a day in all sorts of weather,” Marty said. “Sometimes it would be so cold that I would have to stick my hands down in-between the V just to keep them warm. When we first began testing the Cross Roads, they didn’t have cruise control. We were somewhere in South Dakota, and we went to Menards so that we could buy zip-ties to hold the throttle because it was so cold, but when we got back into Wyoming and Minnesota, it was 96 degrees.” After spending an enjoyable day with the Polaris folks, we then headed southeast toward Milwaukee for our final stop, Harley-Davidson’s Menomonee Falls Powertrain Operations Center. Harley-Davidson has continued to define the American cruiser for 113 years. With its roots still firmly planted in Milwaukee, the company has remained true to its traditions, producing a comprehensive line of cruisers rooted in two basic models, the FL and the Sportster. The marriage of these two models in 1971 formed the Superglide, which then formed the FX family.

Due to ongoing renovations, we weren’t allowed to get inside Harley-Davidson’s Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, powertrain operations plant, but we did get to spend a short time chatting with the facility’s main man, Randy Christianson. A lifelong fan of the brand, Christianson says he bought his first Harley-Davidson when he was around 7 years old, and it is still in his motorcycle collection today. Today, Harley-Davidson continues to respect its century-long tradition through its FL, Sportster, Softail, and Dyna families while also moving in a more contemporary direction with its V-Rod and Street models. And with its recent announcement of plans to produce electric models such as its new LiveWire by 2021, the company is also turning an eye toward the future. Harley is still the big kid on the cruiser block. The sprawling Menomonee Falls plant boasts 912,000 square-feet, employs over 1000 people, and produces 264,000 engines per year, making up 90% of Harley’s total engine output. It’s also one of several Harley facilities located in Wisconsin and throughout the country. These include the company headquarters and Product Development Center in Milwaukee, the paint facility in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, and final assembly plants in York, Pennsylvania, and Kansas City.

After our brief visit at the Menomonee Falls engine plant, we had just enough time to ride into downtown Milwaukee to see the Harley-Davidson Museum, a must-visit site if you appreciate meticulously restored motorcycles and want a mega-dose of Harley history. Unfortunately, an actual plant tour was not possible at Menomonee Falls, as Harley was in the midst of renovating the facility, but we did get to speak with the site’s Manager of Powertrain Operations, Randy Christianson, who gave us the lowdown on Harley’s engine manufacturing. “This plant was built by Briggs & Stratton in 1979,” Christianson said. “Harley-Davidson purchased the plant in 1996, and by 2010 all of our powertrain manufacturing was consolidated under one roof. By 2012, we had doubled our production with even less staff than we had when we opened it.” Christianson doesn’t just work for Harley-Davidson, he’s also a diehard fan of the brand. His very first motorcycle, purchased when he was just 7 years old, was a Harley-Davidson 125. He counts the 1979 Low Rider in his current collection as one of his prized possessions. “For me, motorcycling is not just a sport, it’s part of primary transportation,” says Christianson. “We pick the kids up from soccer on a motorcycle. They ride on the front, or if they are old enough, they ride on the back. My father worked for Harley, and my brother works at the Tomahawk facility. This is part of what we do as Christiansons.”

Few eras in racing fascinate us more than the harrowing boardtrack era of the early 1900s. Think of it as the MotoGP of its time, only on high-banked wooden ovals instead of road courses. The competing factories pulled out all the stops in an effort to beat each other, and Harley’s 8-valve racers were created to dominate the scene. They did. The Harley-Davidson museum has several examples of the fast and spindly machines on display. After our brief visit at the Menomonee Falls facility, the last stop was at the Harley-Davidson Museum in downtown Milwaukee. Open 363 days a year, the beautiful building is a time capsule for the brand, housing Harley-Davidson’s archived history in the form of landmark models and memorabilia collected during its 113-year history. It’s all in there, from the earliest known Harley-Davidson still in existence, a 1905 Single, to the earliest V-Twins, Harley war models, racers, and street machines that celebrate every milestone Harley-Davidson has achieved along the way. It’s a true must-see for anyone interested in the brand.

Harley Davidson’s legendary WLA is the iconic mount ridden all over Europe by American G.I.s during WWII and in countless movies to follow. Funny, we can’t seem to find the Thompson submachine gun or its scabbard in any of today’s Harley-Davidson accessory catalogs. Our whirlwind American Iron Tour was a big hit in more ways than one. We got to meet new people who come from different backgrounds but who all share our passion for motorcycles. We saw that in some parts of the country American manufacturing is still alive and well. We also logged a lot of miles on some great bikes, and some of our crew got to see and experience things they had never seen before. It was a true bonding experience that was positive on all fronts. Hell, when a diehard racer like Alexander can grumble about the possibility of actually owning a cruiser, you know that something cool had to be happening! But then again, maybe that’s not too much of a surprise. Affording the opportunity to see new places in a different way and meet new people is one of the things that motorcycles do best.

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jamesmcken21e-blog · 8 years ago

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Another little SoulByte to chew over...

Day Two.

Having caught up with our sleep meant being late for breakfast and so we had to just make do with what was left. What was waiting for us in the nicely decorated dinning room down stairs was actually not bad at all. An ok spread of bread (this being a flat bread) jams, hummus, honey, fresh fruit and coffee or tea to drink. Whilst indulging breakfast we decided on a plan for the day.... what did Amman have to offer?

Let the games commence :)

Amman is located in north central Jordan and is the countries economic, political and cultural hub. It is spread over many hills and to the east has many historic sights whilst the west is more modern and so serves as the economic center of the city. The Cities name is derived from the word “Ammon“ which was the name of the region or area from between the 10th century BC to around 332 BC and served as the homeland of the “Children Of Ammon” or Ammonite people...... Gettin ancient, innit:)

We were soon ready to hit the streets and so asked for a cab to take us to the ancient Citadel and temple of Hercules located a little way from the hotel. This area of ruined statues, temples and palaces is one of the oldest recorded areas of human settlement on the face of the planet and has not officially been fully excavated and although British, French, Italian and Arab archaeologists have been through here I wonder what treasures they may have missed....

Our driver is polite yet speaks little English. He talks about the traffic and why the cars tend to speed towards us on the wrong side of the road, driving in Amman is an experience to say the least and the areas that we drive through to get to the citadel are full of life and vibrant. The smells and decibels are quite intriguing if not perhaps a little full on. He insists on waiting for us whilst we wander around our first stop. We reluctantly agree...

The Temple of Hercules or whats left of it!

Anyone need a hand?.... A giant stone hand!

Although the huge stone lintel behind her was about to topple down, Johanna knew this was a photo opportunity not to be missed...

With its cisterns and wells this ancient area was relatively advanced and with a small church and palace also located here it must have been an area of huge importance. The temple of Hercules dates back to the second century AD and is of Roman origin and yes only his hand remains...

After about an hour we wandered back to our driver who then swiftly brought us down a couple of steep inclines to our next stop. A quite grand Roman amphitheater. The amphitheater itself is well preserved and intact. There are rooms off to either side that may have been added at a later date. We decide to take a guided tour and are in for a treat. The guide speaks very good English and is extremely knowledgeable of the area and of Roman culture.

The theater was built by Antonius Pius who was related to a Roman named Hadrian. Hadrian was responsible for a particular long wall in the British isles. Antonius was succeeded by his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus and at this point you may be wondering just how accurate a certain Ridley Scott was at telling a quite magnificent gladiatorial tale..... im sure Wikipedia was not his source material.

James desperately hoped to exchange the set of small TV screens on his face for a nice set of sunglasses when the opportunity presented itself....

It seated 6000 people.......

Two travelers on an Arabian adventure. One of them requires sun cream.......

Our guide then proceeded to demonstrate some very ingenious roman engineering that had us spellbound. The design has great acoustics and had the ability to amplify the sound of a voice when a person was stood at a particular point in the center. Also when Johanna and I placed our ears at either end of the semi circle around the floor and beneath the seats we were astonished to here ourselves when speaking quietly at the wall. Very strange activity to be talking at walls but it proved the very precise engineering that went into the building of this magnificent place of show and sacrifice worked...

After some info on the plaza outside and viewing some interesting costumes in the halls either side of the theater (local Bedouin tribe traditional dress) we decided to move on. We found our driver and asked him to take us to rainbow street. Rainbow street claims to be a Bohemian hub of sorts with young hip Arabs hanging out in small cafes smoking Hookah pipes and others busking with western instruments. There are good restaurants and places to do shopping for interesting souvenirs. We headed for a restaurant that Johanna had researched though not before realizing our driver had the meter running all day and required payment!

The restaurant name was “Sufra” and it had traditional food with a good atmosphere to boot. We both ordered the “Mansef” which is a trad meal and a favorite amongst Jordanians. It consists of slow cooked lamb (this particular cut was a shoulder i believe) served on a bed of rice with roasted almonds and a milk based sauce. It was very good although there was a lot of it which I guess is a good sign. We had pistachio ice cream with cotton candy to finish.... Yum.

We wandered rainbow street after and as the shadows grew long and the day slowly turned to dusk we both decided to head back to the hotel. After a couple of drinks in the bar next to the Hisham we retired for an early night...... We had a long road trip the next day. We were headed for Feynan!

Quote for the day.

“The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.”

Rudyard Kipling.

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shannrussell-blog1 · 6 years ago

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To help you plan your trip, I’ve put together some tips on what I wish I had known about New York’s unique hidden and not-so-hidden gems before I visited.

New York is one of the world’s biggest cities, so a visit requires planning.

1. Coffee

Check out Joe New York’s website and Stumptown’s website for a map of their respective locations and more information on opening hours.

A good coffee spot is a must when in NYC.

2. The High Line

The High Line is a lesser-known public park to consider. Image by: Exploration Hawaii

3. The Statue of Liberty

The ferry takes you onto the New York Harbor, so you can see the Statue of Liberty.

4. Broadway show

You can get affordable tickets for shows at the TKTS booths.

5. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

A stroll down Fifth Avenue isn’t to be missed.

6. Central Park

You might spot some familiar locations when visiting Central Park.

7. One World Trade Centre

When you are there, just head here on your smartphone or device, and choose the next available time to purchase your ticket and avoid any long queues.

The One World Trade Centre at Ground Zero is not to be missed.

8. Times Square

You might be lucky enough to spot a celebrity in Times Square.

9. Dumbo, Brooklyn

You may have spotted this picturesque location on social media.

10. Comedy show

There are quite a few comedy clubs near Times Square. Image by: Curbed NY

Enjoy your trip to the Big Apple!

It never hurts to connect with other travellers, share knowledge and do your research in order to get the most out of your experience. Happy travelling!

What hidden spot did you discover in NYC? Let us know in the comments.

The post New York City – What I Wish I’d Known! appeared first on Snowys Blog.

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sportsandfitnessinfo · 8 years ago

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New Post has been published on http://fitnessandhealthpros.com/beauty/how-to-take-a-wildly-enchanting-sustainable-trip-to-new-orleans/

How To Take A Wildly Enchanting (& Sustainable) Trip To New Orleans

A version of this article previously appeared on EcoCult.

New Orleans is unlike any other city I’ve ever visited. The word “fecund” comes to mind. New Orleans was built on a swamp – its tropical, hot, humid air and French influence give it an air of a jubilant island colony wedged into the conservative foreign country that is the South.

The porches of the colorful, off-kilter houses sprout ornamentation like orchids. There’s a thick, undergrowth of subcultures: goth kids, Vietnamese food, voodoo and witchcraft, Black Indians, vast cemeteries with ornate mausoleums, a devotion to alcohol in all forms all the time, bluegrass and bounce music. It’s a place of contradictions: there are huge mansions, yet 50% of the population lives in poverty. It’s tolerant and over the top, inclusive and impressive. You can go to New Orleans and be yourself, whether you’re a southern girl in a sundress, or a queer artist of color looking to experiment. And then there is its dark past to reckon with: slaves flowing through its port from Africa–and the fresh wounds of Hurricane Katrina.

For a thoughtful tourist to New Orleans, it’s less about expressly “eco-friendly” activities, and more about learning about social justice issues, experiencing the music culture, and digging into the burgeoning farm-to-table food scene.

At a time when everywhere – Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, all of Europe, Japan – is starting to look like Brooklyn, New Orleans still feels like its manic, beautiful, cosmopolitan, pockmarked, colorful, irreverent self.

“New Orleans has a distinctive sense of place that has drawn people to it for generations, for 300 years,” New Orleans native and award-winning developer Sean Cummings told me, as we had a drink in his boutique hotel, International House. (His father also founded the Whitney Plantation.)

I also would like to say thank you to others who so generously provided recommendations for my stay in New Orleans: reader Margaret Lovejoy, Madi Holtzman, Stephanie Hepburn of the sustainable online store Good Cloth, Sara Weinreb of IMBY, and a dozen more friends, all ensuring I certainly would not be bored during my trip.

Stay

There’s not really an “eco-friendly” hotel in New Orleans. Search for one, and you’ll find demi-green initiatives from corporate hotels. I instead recommend you stay at a locally owned hotel with a strong sense of place. A friend recommended Ace Hotel, which is a cool franchise, but… well, you can find an Ace Hotel in any city, including New York. “A Brooklyn/Portland-ization like the Ace… I get it, but it’s alien to New Orleans,” Cummings told me. “If I had a fixed number of nights, I wouldn’t go to those places. There are few places in America that still have this authentic sense of place. So go to the places that speak of that.”

International House – Central Business District

This cute and modern hotel is where I stayed, and is a great way to make sure your tourist dollars stick around New Orleans and do a little good. It’s run by women – all the managers and seven of the ownership team are women – and is also the first hotel to be partly owned by black women. Plus, it has a profit sharing program that all the employees participate in. The lobby bar sources ingredients locally, including sorrento lemons from its own citrus grove nearby, and makes its own limoncello. Most of the furniture is made locally by artists and furniture makers, and seven times a year they celebrate local traditions by switching out the lobby artwork. On the sustainable side, the International House has a recycling program for soaps, used nontoxic paint, and just switched in March to an environmentally friendly cleaning system called PathoSans.

Hotel Monteleone – French Quarter

This historic, 130-year-old hotel in the French Quarter has a variety of green initiatives, including donating leftover food to a local non-profit organization and linens to charities and shelters, eschewing disposable drinking cups for glass cups and pitchers, bike storage for employees and guests, in-room digital thermostats, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and more, earning it 3 Green Keys.

Soniat House – French Quarter

Created out of adjoining French quarter residences, this luxury hotel incorporates modern amenities like in-suite jacuzzis and a spa into the historic structure. Each of the 31 accommodations is individually decorated and furnished with period antiques. It is one of Fodor’s Choice Top 20 hotels in the world.

Claiborne Mansion – Faubourg-Marigny

Enjoy a healthy gluten-free and vegan breakfast surrounded by 18th-century decor in this historic mansion in the Faubourg-Marigny neighborhood, right next to the French Quarter. The three-quarter acre grounds include a 40-foot saltwater pool and landscaped courtyard with a gazebo and citrus grove.

Lower 9th Ward Rebirth Bike Tour – Lower 9th Ward

I wanted to see the Make It Right houses, eco-friendly, storm resilient homes built after Hurricane Katrina almost wiped the Lower 9th Ward off the map. But I wasn’t sure how to do that. I certainly didn’t want to take a bus tour. This bike tour offered a great alternative. Led by a native New Orleanian, we headed out from the Faubourg-Marigny on cruiser bicycles down to see the spot where a barge punched through the levee, pouring water into the neighborhood. From there, we biked up a small hill overlooking the river to survey the city and learn a short history, then down into the neighborhood to visit with the locals who are revitalizing the area like a small urban farm, learn about how canals contribute to the slow dying of the swampland, and see the Make It Right houses. In the winter sun, the quiet and half-empty neighborhood felt like a dreamy, dying seaside town. It was an odd feeling. I would put this unique experience at the top of your list of things to do.

Voodoo Walking Tour – French Quarter

This religion, an amalgamation of tribal African religion and Catholicism, is a crucial part of New Orleans history, and very much required reading if you want to understand the city. At first, I was confused by the fact that our tour was led by a white lady, until she explained that she’s close friends with many voodoo practitioners, has attended many voodoo events, and is also a practicing witch. Crucially, she was easily able to answer all of our questions. We learned about voodoo’s history, the most famous high priestess of voodoo, Marie Laveau, about how it’s currently practiced, and visited a voodoo shop at the end, where I picked up some potent and fragrant voodoo oils.

Backstreet Cultural Museum – Tremé

Located in an unassuming shotgun house, this tiny museum features the stunningly ornate Black Indian Mardi Gras costumes. This tradition is unique to New Orleans, so I wouldn’t miss it!

Pharmacy Museum – French Quarter

A quaint, historical pharmacy that recreates the medical experience around the turn of the century. You might be shocked by the history of pharmacy drugs – we were all but poisoned by arsenic, lead, and opioid mixtures back in the day. And then you realize, oh yeah, the opioid epidemic.

Take a ride on a streetcar – Grab a cocktail and hop on the St. Charles trolley line, which rumbles past a long line of beautiful old mansions. I recommend you bring a reusable opaque to-go coffee mug down with you to New Orleans for just this purpose. The bars in New Orleans will give you a plastic to-go cup, but with downtown New Orlean’s recycling being almost non-existent, you might feel guilty about that. So order a drink regular, and then dump it in your closed cup to go. Another benefit is that you can take it on the trolleys – they won’t let you on with an open plastic cup of alcohol.

A Cemetery – New Orleans cemeteries are famous for their elaborate mausoleums, built above ground because of the wet, swampy ground. You can visit any cemetery, sign up for a tour, or just wander around by yourself.

The Plantations – Outside of New Orleans

Reserve a whole day, and take a Lyft out to the plantation area to visit three different plantations for three very different experiences. First, visit the Whitney Plantation and Museum of Slavery, which has been called “America’s Auschwitz.” Instead of painting a flowery picture of plantation life in a grand mansion, it focuses on the horrors of slavery with moving memorials to the slaves that passed through New Orleans on their way to being sold. Nearby, visit the Laura Plantation, which can give you an accurate picture of both owner and slavery life, through the eyes of Laura Locoul Gore, who recorded 100 years of plantation life in her journal. And if you want to see a grand mansion, you can visit the Oak Alley plantation.

Read more about what to do & where to eat in New Orleans at EcoCult.

Have you been to New Orleans? What are your favorite spots?

Also by Alden: Glam Girls’ Trips to Nashville Is a Thing Now. Here’s How To Make It Ecofriendly

Here’s How to *Actually* Do Tulum, Mexico Like A Green Traveler

Related: Smurf Lattes & Other Eats That Prove Melbourne Vegan Scene Is Bananas

Get more like this–sign up for our newsletter for exclusive inspirational content!

Photo: Alden Wicker

Alden is the founder of EcoCult–a showcase for all local, sustainable, eco-friendly, handmade, beautiful and interesting things. When not writing for EcoCult, she is dancing until dawn to electronic music, cooking, practicing yoga, wandering the streets of NYC, traveling, refining my photography, and freelance writing for various sites from Refinery29, LearnVest, xoJane, and more.

the c2c certified tshirts from C&A are priced at $ 7 and $ 9. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, everyone silently screams. #fashionforgood – 9 hours ago

Originally at :Peaceful Dumpling Written By : Alden Wicker

#Enchanting, #Orleans, #Sustainable, #Take, #Trip, #Wildly #Beauty

#Enchanting #Orleans #Sustainable #Take #Trip #Wildly #Beauty

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