#reside in multiple locations throughout their religious journey

[ficandkaboodle]

What if the Ministry’s headquarters is constantly moving and that’s why stuff doesn’t add up? Kind of like how Olympus in the Percy Jackson series goes where civilization powerhouses develop, but for convenience and goals’ sake. Like, they do have abbeys and ministries located all over but one of the first and oldest ones is in Italy. Sort of like a taunt to the Vatican. Like when a Burger King opens up across the street from a McDonald’s or whatever.

But as focuses expanded, so did where they had ministries established.

In the beginning, for the most part, ministries remained in the more west and southwestern regions of Europe (Italy, France, and few in the UK, etc). But we know they expanded because Terzo carried out at least some of his studies in a Polish location.

Eventually they broke ground in parts of the US with the leading location being in LA. However, the Italian Ministry closest to the Vatican will always be Ground Zero essentially. But maybe they relocated the main base of operations to Sweden when it was decided that the Church would focus on a more heavy metal style and they (read: Sister) were aware of Scandinavia’s enthusiasm for metal.

From then, a few years later, they shuffled off to America as they began to gain a bit of a following in addition to pushback, which would do wonders for

Then relocated the main hub to Sweden because of its rich metal history before shuffling to America because they were gaining a following while also experiencing pushback that would do wonders for the attention they could gain. After all, how many people even knew about Ghost until religious nut jobs raised a big stink?

Because the Italian base is of such importance and one of the larger locations, it’s customary for a predominant amount of personnel intending to rise in ranks or commit to diabology to spend a good chunk of their time there. It may not always be consecutive, and it’s not unheard of for a priest, bishop, etc to go back and forth between the Italian Ministry and another one located in another city or country.

(I’ve been thinking about this for a while but actually putting my thoughts to words was inspired by @writingjourney’s deep post regarding the use of language and influences on accents. Though they do it way better and prettier.)

[princetonuniversitypress]

This month’s Office Hours is worth the read. Forrest Stuart, MacArthur Grant recipient and author of Ballad of the Bullet: Gangs, Drill Music, and the Power of Online Infamy, shares some significant moments thus far in his career, offers valuable insight on some of his favorite books—and may surprise you with his bedtime reading habits.

ML: What are you reading now?

FS: For the last decade or so, I’ve developed the habit of keeping two books on my bedside table at any given time, reading a bit of both each night as I wind down. The first is typically a newly published ethnography, which helps me stay current in my field. Right now, it’s Policing the Racial Divide: Urban Growth Politics and the Remaking of Segregation, by Daanika Gordon. The book takes us throughout daily life in Rust Belt city via police ride-alongs, community meetings, and other public events. Gordon weaves a fresh analysis of how police departments do more than merely respond to the racialized issues emanating from histories of segregation; rather, they are key, active authors in creating and reproducing the urban color line. As urban sociologists, geographers, and political economists continue to take policing more seriously, this book feels like the first of a new era of much-needed scholarship.

The second book in my bedside rotation is always a fantasy novel. My obsession with the genre is something I’ve kept very quiet around colleagues, until now, I suppose. I’m currently wrapping up the fifth and final book of Brent Weeks’s Lightbringer series. It follows a young orphan challenging an empire ruled by religious authoritarianism, palace intrigue, and, yes, a healthy dose of magic. Weeks’ series is deeply ethnographic, with complex worldbuilding that stretches between the multiple thousand-page books. I’m especially fond of the detailed maps on the first few pages, which let me follow the protagonist’s journey across mountain ranges and oceans. In my first book, Down, Out, and Under Arrest, which documents policing’s ripple effects across everyday life in LA’s Skid Row, I designed and included a map of the neighborhood as a kind of homage to my favorite fantasy writers. I also find myself dog-earing pages of fantasy novels when I spot literary tricks and grammatical moves I hope to try out in my own prose.            

ML: What book has had the most impact on your career?

FS: Without a doubt, the book that has had the biggest impact on my career is Mitchell Duneier’s masterful 1999 book, Sidewalk. It’s an ethnography of Black, precariously housed magazine vendors who set up shop on Sixth Avenue in New York’s Greenwich Village. Through Duneier’s fieldwork, we see how the vendors become “eyes on the street” to enhance safety for vulnerable populations, provide mentorship to young Black men in the local service economy, and act as key “nodes” that link residents across racial, class, and generational lines. Throughout his analysis, Duneier “zooms out,” tracing how structural forces, like deindustrialization and zero-tolerance policing, have aligned to bring the vendors to this location and hound their continued existence. He also “zooms in” to the interactional level using conversation analysis (CA), measuring split second pauses and turn-taking to show how vendors’ seemingly innocuous chatter with passersby constitutes a form of “interactional vandalism” that intimidates women and reinforcing stereotypes about Black men. Stylistically, Sidewalk often reads more like a novel, with flowing dialogue punctuated with beautiful black and white photos from the Chicago Tribune’s Ovie Carter.  

A few years after its release, Sidewalk was also the subject of arguably the most famous book review symposium in sociology, generating a heated back-and-forth between Duneier and Berkeley’s Loïc Wacquant on the issues of transparency, representation, and the role of urban ethnography in the fetishization of poverty. I return to the debate every time I start a new project.  

ML: What is your favorite book to teach?

FS: In just about every class I teach, I look for new ways to put Mary Pattillo’s now-classic Black Picket Fences: Privilege and Peril among the Black Middle Class on the syllabus. I start by showing students how Pattillo uses the opening “setting” section—often a perfunctory, forgettable part of a book—to set up a wonderful empirical puzzle. Walking the reader through a tour of the “Groveland” neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, Pattillo paints a scene where, because of intergenerational segregation, middle class Black residents, banks, and churches share walls and sidewalks with low-income Black residents, subsidized housing, and check cashing outlets. How, Pattillo leads us to ask, does this unique cross-class proximity structure everyday life and social organization for the Black middle class? In answering, Pattillo deploys several analytical strategies that I pass on to my students. She shows the underestimated power of creating typologies, finding variation among Groveland residents (for example, whether they internalize or merely perform “street culture”), and then showing how variation along these lines leads to differing outcomes. She also leverages the power of “deviant” cases to show how certain people blur the boundaries of ideal types, forcing us to rethink and refine many of our taken-for-granted theoretical categories. The book is simultaneously a lesson on how to write about participants and their communities, especially those who occupy marginalized social positions. Pattillo’s empathy and respect shine through on every page, from the pseudonyms she chooses to the biographical details she shares (and doesn’t share) with the reader.

ML: Do you have a favorite moment as a researcher, maybe an encounter that unexpectedly changed your way of thinking or the direction of a project?

FS: I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had quite a few occasions where an experience radically reshaped my prior assumptions and the direction of the entire project, usually for the better. One that I won’t ever forget came in the early stages of my research for my second book, Ballad of the Bullet. The book follows a group of young Black men on Chicago’s South Side as they strive for popularity—and an income—in the digital economy. They spent their days recording and uploading a homemade genre of gangsta rap, sometimes referred to as “drill music” to YouTube. Then, they turn to their multiple social media platforms to try to authenticate the hardened criminal personas they crafted in their songs. A music video about committing a drive-by shooting might be accompanied on Twitter with talk of potential victims and Instagram photos holding a gun out of a car window. When done well, it’s easy to start believing that young men in the drill scene might actually do the deeds they rap about. That’s their intention, after all—to lure in voyeuristic, middle-class audiences looking for a glimpse into ghetto life.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I had bought into quite a few of their performances of “badness.” Of course, I knew that they weren’t nearly as violent as they wanted their typical audiences to believe. But when I really got to know them, I learned that the vast majority of their posts weren’t just exaggerations, they were utter fabrications. Some of the men known as the most violent had never actually fired a gun, and even avoided conflict. Focusing instead on these young men’s inauthenticity, and their strategies of performance, let me highlight their savvy creativity amid some incredible structural obstacles.

ML: What is the best career advice you ever received?

FS: When I was in grad school at UCLA, Elijah Anderson gave a talk in our department. At one point in the question-and-answer portion he made an off-the-cuff comment that the best sociology is sometimes just documenting how “regular” people—as in, non-sociologists—do sociology in their day to day lives. Whether at work, at home, at church, or on a date, people run into recurring dilemmas and vexing situations. Just like us “licensed” sociologists, they try to figure these things out, collecting data, forming hypotheses, testing hunches, assessing their findings, and implementing the lessons learned. It’s our job, then, to figure out how different people walk though these common phases. This idea really stuck with me and colors how I approach research, writing, and teaching. Maybe the thing I love most is that it encourages us to move from deficit-based approaches to asset-based ones that rethink even the most marginalized groups as creative problem solvers.

https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/office-hours-with-forrest-stuart

[mariacallous]

oh, hello professor stuart...

What are you reading now?

FS: For the last decade or so, I’ve developed the habit of keeping two books on my bedside table at any given time, reading a bit of both each night as I wind down. The first is typically a newly published ethnography, which helps me stay current in my field. Right now, it’s Policing the Racial Divide: Urban Growth Politics and the Remaking of Segregation, by Daanika Gordon. The book takes us throughout daily life in Rust Belt city via police ride-alongs, community meetings, and other public events. Gordon weaves a fresh analysis of how police departments do more than merely respond to the racialized issues emanating from histories of segregation; rather, they are key, active authors in creating and reproducing the urban color line. As urban sociologists, geographers, and political economists continue to take policing more seriously, this book feels like the first of a new era of much-needed scholarship.

The second book in my bedside rotation is always a fantasy novel. My obsession with the genre is something I’ve kept very quiet around colleagues, until now, I suppose. I’m currently wrapping up the fifth and final book of Brent Weeks’s Lightbringer series. It follows a young orphan challenging an empire ruled by religious authoritarianism, palace intrigue, and, yes, a healthy dose of magic. Weeks’ series is deeply ethnographic, with complex worldbuilding that stretches between the multiple thousand-page books. I’m especially fond of the detailed maps on the first few pages, which let me follow the protagonist’s journey across mountain ranges and oceans. In my first book, Down, Out, and Under Arrest, which documents policing’s ripple effects across everyday life in LA’s Skid Row, I designed and included a map of the neighborhood as a kind of homage to my favorite fantasy writers. I also find myself dog-earing pages of fantasy novels when I spot literary tricks and grammatical moves I hope to try out in my own prose.          

What book has had the most impact on your career?

FS: Without a doubt, the book that has had the biggest impact on my career is Mitchell Duneier’s masterful 1999 book, Sidewalk. It’s an ethnography of Black, precariously housed magazine vendors who set up shop on Sixth Avenue in New York’s Greenwich Village. Through Duneier’s fieldwork, we see how the vendors become “eyes on the street” to enhance safety for vulnerable populations, provide mentorship to young Black men in the local service economy, and act as key “nodes” that link residents across racial, class, and generational lines. Throughout his analysis, Duneier “zooms out,” tracing how structural forces, like deindustrialization and zero-tolerance policing, have aligned to bring the vendors to this location and hound their continued existence. He also “zooms in” to the interactional level using conversation analysis (CA), measuring split second pauses and turn-taking to show how vendors’ seemingly innocuous chatter with passersby constitutes a form of “interactional vandalism” that intimidates women and reinforcing stereotypes about Black men. Stylistically, Sidewalk often reads more like a novel, with flowing dialogue punctuated with beautiful black and white photos from the Chicago Tribune’s Ovie Carter.

A few years after its release, Sidewalk was also the subject of arguably the most famous book review symposium in sociology, generating a heated back-and-forth between Duneier and Berkeley’s Loïc Wacquant on the issues of transparency, representation, and the role of urban ethnography in the fetishization of poverty. I return to the debate every time I start a new project.  

What is your favorite book to teach?

FS: In just about every class I teach, I look for new ways to put Mary Pattillo’s now-classic Black Picket Fences: Privilege and Peril among the Black Middle Class on the syllabus. I start by showing students how Pattillo uses the opening “setting” section—often a perfunctory, forgettable part of a book—to set up a wonderful empirical puzzle. Walking the reader through a tour of the “Groveland” neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, Pattillo paints a scene where, because of intergenerational segregation, middle class Black residents, banks, and churches share walls and sidewalks with low-income Black residents, subsidized housing, and check cashing outlets. How, Pattillo leads us to ask, does this unique cross-class proximity structure everyday life and social organization for the Black middle class? In answering, Pattillo deploys several analytical strategies that I pass on to my students. She shows the underestimated power of creating typologies, finding variation among Groveland residents (for example, whether they internalize or merely perform “street culture”), and then showing how variation along these lines leads to differing outcomes. She also leverages the power of “deviant” cases to show how certain people blur the boundaries of ideal types, forcing us to rethink and refine many of our taken-for-granted theoretical categories. The book is simultaneously a lesson on how to write about participants and their communities, especially those who occupy marginalized social positions. Pattillo’s empathy and respect shine through on every page, from the pseudonyms she chooses to the biographical details she shares (and doesn’t share) with the reader.

Do you have a favorite moment as a researcher, maybe an encounter that unexpectedly changed your way of thinking or the direction of a project?

FS: I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had quite a few occasions where an experience radically reshaped my prior assumptions and the direction of the entire project, usually for the better. One that I won’t ever forget came in the early stages of my research for my second book, Ballad of the Bullet. The book follows a group of young Black men on Chicago’s South Side as they strive for popularity—and an income—in the digital economy. They spent their days recording and uploading a homemade genre of gangsta rap, sometimes referred to as “drill music” to YouTube. Then, they turn to their multiple social media platforms to try to authenticate the hardened criminal personas they crafted in their songs. A music video about committing a drive-by shooting might be accompanied on Twitter with talk of potential victims and Instagram photos holding a gun out of a car window. When done well, it’s easy to start believing that young men in the drill scene might actually do the deeds they rap about. That’s their intention, after all—to lure in voyeuristic, middle-class audiences looking for a glimpse into ghetto life.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I had bought into quite a few of their performances of “badness.” Of course, I knew that they weren’t nearly as violent as they wanted their typical audiences to believe. But when I really got to know them, I learned that the vast majority of their posts weren’t just exaggerations, they were utter fabrications. Some of the men known as the most violent had never actually fired a gun, and even avoided conflict. Focusing instead on these young men’s inauthenticity, and their strategies of performance, let me highlight their savvy creativity amid some incredible structural obstacles.

What is the best career advice you ever received?

FS: When I was in grad school at UCLA, Elijah Anderson gave a talk in our department. At one point in the question-and-answer portion he made an off-the-cuff comment that the best sociology is sometimes just documenting how “regular” people—as in, non-sociologists—do sociology in their day to day lives. Whether at work, at home, at church, or on a date, people run into recurring dilemmas and vexing situations. Just like us “licensed” sociologists, they try to figure these things out, collecting data, forming hypotheses, testing hunches, assessing their findings, and implementing the lessons learned. It’s our job, then, to figure out how different people walk though these common phases. This idea really stuck with me and colors how I approach research, writing, and teaching. Maybe the thing I love most is that it encourages us to move from deficit-based approaches to asset-based ones that rethink even the most marginalized groups as creative problem solvers.

If you could have dinner with two sociologists, living or passed, who would they be and why?

FS: Karl Marx and Erving Goffman. These are the two sociologists that have influenced me the most intellectually and personally. These are, in my opinion, the two most brilliant thinkers in history. But I’ve always felt a tension between the core premises of their work, especially around what explains social life and outcomes. For Marx, the key explanations rest at the macro level of political economy, in the structural relationships between classes. Marx seems hardly concerned with what goes on during micro-level interactions between people. For Goffman, it’s mostly the opposite, privileging interactions and bounded situations while paying much less attention to macro level forces. And yet, when we look out at the world, there’s plenty of evidence that both are “right.” I’d love to pour the two of them a few stiff cocktails and see if we can find the common threads running through their thinking.

[yesbalitourpackages-blog]

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  Nature in Bali

Balinese landscape is packed with some of the most beautiful creations. Its natural wonders range from the central highlands with active volcanoes to hidden waterfalls, peaceful lakes, forested mountains, coral gardens and abundant marine diversity. Explore Nusa Penida Island: A largely untouched island getaway in the south-east Bali, at Nusa Penida you can explore the island, go swimming in waterfalls and trek to the rugged coastal cliffs. This place is also an island-wide tropical bird sanctuary. A wide range of marine life takes shelter around the coast of this tiny island. The island has beaches with soft white sands and world-class diving opportunities. Nusa Penida offers the ultimate escape into nature on a Bali Tour Packages

 Discover Tegallang Rice Terrace: One cannot afford to miss the scenic Tegalang Rice Terrace in Ubud that has extensive terraced rice paddies. You are in for the most spectacular sight when you visit these paddies between October to March, right during the monsoon when it turns into an intense sea of greenery.

 Tour West Bali National Park: Find Bali’s national park in the north-western part of the island. Located approximately 100 km from Bali’s capital city Denpasar, this park is habitat to a large variety of flora and fauna including coral reefs. Menjangan island – a popular diving destination in Bali – is part of this national park and you can take a boat ride to cross over to this tiny island.

 Walk through the sacred Monkey Forest: Often part of most Bali holiday packages, Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest, is a place of natural forest sanctuary. Its residents, a horde of long-tailed grey macaques, are major crowd pullers. Besides watching the playful and cheeky monkeys, visitors can see the beautiful ancient temples with statues and relics covered in mossy foliage throughout the forest, giving a mysterious and antique feel to this place.

 Temples in Bali

A visit to Bali is incomplete without a trip to at least one of Bali’s thousands of temples. Each Pura (Balinese for temple), displaying centuries-old architecture, is unique and dot the highlands and coasts of the island, and are usually set against jaw-dropping backdrops.

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 Besakih Temple: Often referred to as Bali’s ‘mother temple’, Besakih Temple is a grand complex of different temples and shrines on the slopes of Mount Agung. It is also considered the holiest and the largest temple on the island, and exploring the whole site can take a day. The sacred mountainside site can be accessed by many stairs that lead up. Its vantage location gives way to breathtaking countryside views of rice paddies, hills, mountains, streams and more.

 Pura Tirta Empul Temple: A legendary and a national cultural heritage site dating back to 960 AD of the ancient Balinese kingdom, Tirta Empul Temple is located in Manukaya village in central Bali. Tirta Empul means ‘holy water spring’, and its sacred springs are said to have been created by the divine and possesses healing properties. Tourists from across the world come here to take a bath in the blessed water.

 Art and Culture in Bali

When you are travelling, finding out the cultural and historical heritage of a place is always fun and inspiring. And Balinese art and culture are arguably one of the most artistic cultures in the world. Skillful painters, woodcarvers, dancers, music and Balinese cuisine, are some of the greatest Balinese highlights.

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 Watch A Traditional Dance: Bali’s cultural centre Ubud has multiple venues where men and women perform Balinese dance forms such as Legong, Topeng, Kecak and Barong. For a mesmerising sight, take a trip to Ubud Palace where Balinese girls in ornate ceremonial attire dance with graceful eye and hand gestures to tell age-old chronicles often from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata but with Balinese influence.

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[architectnews]

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash Dubai, UAE Religious Building Photos, Architecture

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash, Dubai

21 September 2021

Design: Dabbagh Architects

Location: Um Suqeim Road, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash in Dubai

• A contemporary place of worship quietly masterful in its use of form, materiality and controlled natural lighting to create a sense of calm and spiritual connection

• A pared down form that eschews traditional Islamic typology, with a design narrative to transition the worshipper from the outer everyday world to an inner spiritual experience

• One of the first mosques in the UAE to be designed by a female architect

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash News

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Dabbagh Architects lead by Principal Architect and Founder, Sumaya Dabbagh, completes the Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash (Dubai, UAE), a contemporary place of worship that is quietly masterful in its use of form, materiality and controlled natural light to evoke a sense of calm and spiritual connection and transition the worshipper from outer material world to inner sense of being. The mosque is one of the first in the UAE to be designed by a female architect.

Sumaya is one of only a few Saudi female architects of her generation and amongst a handful of women architects leading their own practice in the Gulf region. With a reputation for crafting culturally relevant buildings in dialogue with their surroundings, she places emphasis on the intangible in architecture; seeking to create meaning and a sense of the poetic to form a connection with each building’s user.

Previous projects include Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2016), a curved sandstone structure that rises from the desert in the small town of Mleiha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project was awarded an Architecture MasterPrize (2020), amongst other award wins, as well as being nominated for the Aga Khan Awards (2018). Creating a transition from outer material world to inner sense of being

As a gift to the community and in honour of the late patriarch of the family, Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash, the Gargash family’s brief was to create a minimal contemporary mosque, a calm and spiritual space for prayer, for the community of the Al Quoz, the industrial heart of Dubai. Committed to supporting local industries and in keeping with the practice’s sustainable approach to design, Dabbagh Architects sourced materials from the mosque’s locality: stone from Oman; concrete, aluminium, cladding, joinery and ceramics from the UAE.

At the heart of the design approach is the enhancement of the act of worship and a transitional journey throughout the building so that the worshipper is ready for prayer and feels a sense of intimacy with the sacred.

“Creating a space of worship was a very particular design challenge. Prayer is a devotional act. It requires the worshipper to be totally present. With all the distractions in our modern busy lives it can be challenging to quieten the mind and find an inner calm to allow for full immersion into prayer,” says Sumaya. “Through the design, a series of spaces are created that allow the worshipper to transition from the busy outer world and prepare for an inner experience.”

Light as a tool to create a connection with the divine

Natural light is used as a tool to enhance a feeling of spirituality, the connection between the earthly and the divine, and to mark the worshipper’s journey through the building. Scale also plays a role in creating this sense of sacredness.

Starting at the mosque’s outdoor entrance, perforated shading creates a threshold of perforated light leading the worshipper to the ablution area where physical cleansing invites the clearing of the mind and preparation for prayer. The route continues through to a lobby space where further shedding of the material world takes place through the act of removing one’s shoes.

Once inside the prayer hall, the visitor further transitions to a contained space where reading from the Quran may take place before prayer. All the while, the quality of light from one space to another changes to enhance the preparation process, so that when the worshipper finally enters the main hall, they are ready for prayer.

“Muslim prayer is performed throughout the day at prescribed timings: at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and at night. This discipline creates a human connection with the natural day and night rhythm. The experience created through the design of the mosque seeks to enhance this connection through a controlled introduction of natural lighting,” explains Sumaya.

This is done in three ways: vertically, via the perforated dome to enhance the spiritual connection to the heavens, the shafts of light from the narrow openings on the sides further create a sense of illumination from the divine; indirectly, behind the Mihrab to highlight the point of focus in the prayer hall facing the direction of prayer; and, through a play of light from a series of small openings in the façade that follows the same decorative patterns of the interior.

Pared down form eschews traditional architectural typology

Dabbagh Architects sought to avoid multiple blocks, simplifying the traditional typology of the Islamic form and stripping it away to its essence. In the process of design development, the main building volume was separated into two: firstly, the prayer block containing the male and female prayer areas, and secondly the service block where the ablution facilities and residence for the Imam (the leader of prayer) and Moazen (caller of prayer) are found.

As a result of this division, a courtyard is formed which has a sculptural canopy reaching out to reconnect the two volumes together. With its two arms almost touching, the canopy gives a sense of separation of the functional and the more scared: the practicality of the ablution ritual and the spirituality of prayer. In further contrast to traditional mosque architecture, the minaret is designed as a separate volume.

A reinterpretation of Islamic geometry and metaphorically protective calligraphy The use of pattern and materiality in this project enhances the user’s experience as they journey from the outside into to the courtyard and enter the building. Throughout the building is a triangular pattern, a reference to traditional Islamic geometry but reinterpreted in a deconstructed contemporary language.

The exterior paneling uses this triangulated pattern in recessed and perforated elements, which gives the building’s skin a dynamic appearance. Internally, these perforations scatter natural light into the areas of worship with great control and care to illuminate the key spaces and create a calm atmosphere and sense of connection to the divine, as well as helping to cool the mosque’s interior.

The double skin dome also allows natural light to enter, filtering it through the internal decorative skin, which incorporates the same triangulated pattern as the rest of the building. This filtered light creates a soft naturally-lit prayer space tailoring to the introspective mind during prayer. The reinterpreted Islamic patterns and triangulated geometry harmonize throughout the interior as lines intersecting across walls, carpets and light fittings.

Calligraphy plays an important part in the overall design. A Surah (verse from the Quran) wraps around the prayer hall externally to create a metaphoric protective band signaling the spiritual nature of the space upon arrival and instilling a sacred energy throughout the building. The verse, “The Most Merciful”, is composed entirely in saj’, the rhyming, accent-based prose characteristic of early Arabic poetry and references the sun, the moon, the stars and heavens and many other creations.

“At the end of each project my hope is that the building will evoke the feelings and emotions that were envisioned at the outset. There is a defining, magical moment when the building is born and claims a life of its own. For this, my first mosque, that moment was particularly moving. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to create a sacred space that brings people together for worship,” says Sumaya.

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash in Dubai, UAE – Building Information

Location: Um Suqeim Road, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE Completion date: 30.06.2021 Site Area: 3731.27 m2 Total BUA: 1680 m2 Classification: Juma’a (Friday) Mosque* Lead architects: Dabbagh Architects – Sumaya Dabbagh, Sandrine Quoilin, Aleks Zigalovs, Hana Younes, William Java Structure engineers: Orient Crown Architectural MEP Engineers: Clemson Engineering Landscape Architects: WAHO Landscape Architecture Client: Family of the late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash

Height Ground + 1 Structure: RC Concrete Cladding: GRC Cladding Canopy: Aluminium Canopy on Steel Support Structure Joinery: Wood Veneer/HPL/Solid Wood/Solid Surface

*Mosque design in the Emirate of Dubai is governed by the Islamic and Charitable Affairs Department. Mosques are classified by size into categories, Juma (Friday) Mosque is a medium size mosque with a capacity of approximately 1000 worshippers. It is used for daily as well as Friday prayers. The mosque is required to house on site an Imam (the leader of prayer) and Moazen (the caller of prayer).

Sumaya Dabbagh

About Sumaya Dabbagh RIBA, Principal, Dabbagh Architects

Saudi architect Sumaya Dabbagh founded Dabbagh Architects in Dubai, UAE in 2008. The practice sets out to create contemporary architecture that is culturally and environmentally sensitive: a timeless architecture that creates a positive impact on the world.

Following an education in Architecture at Bath University, UK (BSc and BArch, 1990), Sumaya began her career in London and Paris in the early 90s. Her return to the Gulf region in 1993 was part of a quest to gain a deeper understanding of her own identity, a unique mix of influences and sensitivity towards both western and middle eastern cultures.

Through her work in architecture and design in the Gulf region, Sumaya aims to bridge cultural and gender gaps and has broken stereotypes and limiting beliefs about Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and Arab Women. As one of the few Saudi women of her generation to train as an architect and one of the first women in architecture to found their own practices in the UAE, Sumaya is an example of what women can achieve and how much they can influence change. In 2019 she won the Principal of the Year Award at the Middle East Architects Awards and became a finalist at The Tamayouz Award for Women of Outstanding Achievements.

Sumaya is passionate about bringing more awareness to the region on the value of a sensitive and sustainable approach to design. As one of the first RIBA Chartered Practice in the Gulf region, Dabbagh Architects is known for its quality-driven design and the practice undertakes diverse sectors, such as commercial, residential, educational, as well as cultural projects.

The Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2016) is globally recognized as a significant example of a new emerging approach to architecture in the UAE and won multiple awards including a prestigious Architecture Master Prize (2020) and Agha Khan Awards (2018) nomination. Gargash Mosque (2021) is a recent addition to Dabbagh Architects’ portfolio of sensitive, contextual designs.

Currently the practice is working on new prestigious cultural projects such as Al Ain Museum (2023) and other projects in Saudi Arabia. The practice’s projects were showcased in RIBA/d3 Dubai Festival of Architecture’s “Emerging Architecture in the Gulf” exhibition during Dubai Design Week 2020.

All content by Dabbagh Architects Photography by Gerry O’Leary Photography Video by Intelier https://ift.tt/3AvCEIu LinkedIn: Dabbagh Architects | Instagram: @dabbagharchitects_

Mosque building designs

Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash images / information received 200921 from Dabbagh Architects

Location: Um Suqeim Road, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE

UAE Mosque Buildings

United Arab Emirates Mosque buildings

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan Mosque, Abu Dhabi Spatium photograph : Speirs and Major Associates Abu Dhabi Mosque Building

WTC Mosque, World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE Design: AL_A architects image from architect WTC Mosque Abu Dhabi

Middle East Mosque building design

AlJabri Mosque in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia Design: Schiattarella Associati architects image from architects AlJabri Mosque Building in Ha’il

Dubai Architecture

Dubai Architecture Designs – chronological list

Dubai Building News

Al Seef Dubai Creek Master Plan Architects: GAJ (Godwin Austen Johnson) photograph : Chris Goldstraw Al Seef Dubai Creek

Dubai Architecture Tours by e-architect

Aljada’s Central Hub, Sharjah, UAE Design: Zaha Hadid Architects image courtesy of architects Aljada Sharjah

Sharjah Architecture Triennial photo : Ieva Saudargaitė Sharjah Architecture Triennial News

Al Seef Dubai Project Architects: 10 DESIGN photograph : Gerry O’Leary Al Seef Dubai Project

1/JBR Tower Design: EDGE Architects image courtesy of architects 1/JBR Tower Dubai

Comments / photos for the Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash page welcome

The post Mosque of the Late Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash appeared first on e-architect.

[krgeog2260]

70 Years of Quiet

Breaking Down The Lykov’s Story

Agaifa Lykov was born in 1944, only 8 years after her parents fled from Stalin’s dictatorship to protect themselves and keep their religious traditions of being Old Believers. They ended up in the deep woods of the Siberian Taiga forest where they stayed for more than 40 years with no outside contact. After so long of living off the land and in total seclusion, the Lykov family was visited by Russian geologists in 1978 after being seen from a helicopter. Throughout the documentary, viewers get told about an illness similar to pneumonia (that eventually killed Agaifa’s siblings) the Russian visitors must have brought, but Agaifa’s neighbour theorizes otherwise. The 35 minute video highlights the journey it takes to get out to the forest where Agaifa lives, and then uses its resources to show her day to day life, and gather her opinions on her unique home.

Research Techniques

The case study of “Surviving in the Siberian Wilderness for 70 Years” is a great example to start with when examining the importance of qualitative research. This case study looks at a unique human experience and uses specific conceptual frameworks for the delivery of the research (Hay, 2016, p.5). The project that these researchers tried to tackle includes the analyzing of an individual's life by empirical research and using oral methods and go along interviews, and then creating a video (Hay, 2016, p.9).

The Invisible Backpack

There seems to be multiple researchers or people who are a part of the project, so going in depth for each of the travellers with their personal invisible backpacks is nearly impossible. The difference in “social status” between the visitors and the residents in the forest can be seen from their clothes and available resources of both social and physical realms. The invisible backpacks  are most likely those of the white male researchers who come from much more economically advanced societies, compared to Agaifa who comes from a very different upbringing and life experiences.

Ethics

I would worry about people finding her location, which seems like something Agaifa does not want, so the concern for individual welfare must be considered. The impact of this visit and published or widely available research may be directly negative for Agaifa if it caused unwanted visitors.

I would approach the research in a similar way as the VICE researchers did, with the use of critical reflexivity and taking the necessary measures for minimal risk. Although it was not spoken about in the video, I would stress the importance of the consent process because of such a large language barrier (Hooykaas, 2021). Additional support and translators are a key factor in an ethical research project being conducted on Agafia Lykov.

Hay, I. (2016). Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography.Toronto. Oxford University Press.

Hooykaas, A. (2021). "Ethics". University of Guelph. Courselink. Retrieved from: https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/le/content/668082/viewContent/2682505/View

[studioarabiyainegypt]

Arabic as we know it first began to form somewhere between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. Over time, it spread across the Middle East and beyond. Its expansion was, of course, aided by the Quran, Muhammad (PBUH), and the rise of Islam. Today, Arabic is the national language of 26 states. Admittedly, not all of these states are prime vacation destinations. Many are, unfortunately, plagued by poverty and violence and are unsafe for even their own residents, let alone tourists. However, there are several Arabic-speaking countries which you should definitely try to visit over the coming years.

Journeying to an Arabic-speaking country has a number of advantages. If you are a Muslim or of Arab descent, visiting an Arabic-speaking country will allow you to experience the culture of your ancestors. For non-Arabs, visiting an Arab country is a great way to broaden your mind and enjoy a culture entirely different to what you have experienced in the Western world. For Arabic students or Muslims whose Arabic has grown a little rusty, visiting an Arabic-speaking country is a great way to master the language.

In this article, we’re going to be looking at the most breathtaking Arab nations in the world and discussing why each should be near the top of your travel wish list. Here are five Arabic-speaking countries you need to visit.

Egypt

Of all the Arabic-speaking countries in the world, it’s difficult to think of one that has done a better job of converting its history and culture into a commodity than Egypt. The country is a master of the tourism industry and has been attracting Western tourists in droves for decades. While it also has some allure as a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, Egypt is the place to go for any non-Muslim looking to visit an Arabic-speaking country.

Most synonymous with Egypt are its pyramids. One of countless traces of the nation’s past glories, the Egyptian pyramids pay homage to the pharaohs which once ruled the land. Most famous of all of Egypt’s pyramids is the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Giza boasts the distinction of being the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. However, its achievements don’t end there. It is the largest pyramid in Giza’s pyramid complex and stands at a staggering 481 feet. Although initially built as a tomb for Khufu, a pharaoh from Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, it today serves as the most popular tourist attraction in the country, if not the whole world. Daily tours of the pyramid are offered, allowing tourists to experience this wonder of the ancient world up close and personal. Aspiring Egyptologists will also want to check out the Sphinx, the Abu Simbel temples, and the Step Pyramid of Djosser. Although the Step Pyramid of Djosser isn’t quite as magnificent as Ancient Egypt’s more famous monuments, it boasts the impressive achievement of being the very first pyramid built by the Ancient Egyptians.

Saudi Arabia

Egypt is an Arabic-speaking country which non-Muslims can visit and be certain of a great time, while their more religious counterparts can expect to leave spiritually unfulfilled. Saudi Arabia is almost the exact opposite. While the country doesn’t offer a whole lot when it comes to secular tourist attractions, it is a must-see destination if you are a Muslim. We use the term “must-see” quite literally.

As you likely already know, Saudi Arabia is the location of Mecca. It was here that the Muslim prophet Muhammad was born and raised. It was during his time in Mecca that Muhammad received his first revelation of the Quran and Islam was born. Later, after a period of exile in Medina, Muhammad would return to Mecca and reclaim the Kaaba. He would then restore the Kaaba to its monotheistic routes and establish it as the most holy shrine in all of Islam. Today, every Muslim who is capable of doing so is expected to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the Kaaba at least once in their life. One of the five pillars of Islam, this journey is formally known as “Hajj” and is traditionally performed by Muslims the world over during in late June or early August. There are numerous agencies operating in Saudi Arabia dedicated to helping Muslims plan and perform Hajj. We suggest enlisting the help of one such agency while preparing for your Hajj.

While Saudi Arabia will certainly be more alluring to Muslims than non-Muslims, we’re not saying secularists should entirely write the nation off as a potential vacation spot. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been making a conscious effort to attract Western businesses and tourists. This it has done by incorporating many elements of Western culture into its own. In June of 2018, the country finally lifted its ban on women driving. A little over a year later, the nation introduced a law allowing unmarried couples to share hotel rooms. From an entertainment standpoint, Saudi Arabia has been courting the major players in Western media. Perhaps most notably, it is currently in the early stages of a much-publicized deal with WWE, the American professional wrestling juggernaut. This deal has already seen a number of WWE shows take place in the country, while being broadcast all over the world via the WWE Network. You can experience one of these shows in person thanks to Saudi Arabia’s recently introduced tourist visa program. This visa initiative is the country’s first step to becoming a true force in the mass tourism industry.

Morocco

Morocco is one of the most popular Arabic-speaking countries in the world. This is no surprise, given the fact it had a strong Western presence for much of the 20th century. The Moroccan town of Casablanca was immortalized by the 1942 American movie of the same name. This only increased Western visitors to the country, adding a whole new dimension to the economy of Casablanca and Morocco as a whole. Multiple guide agencies operate in Casablanca, offering comprehensive tours of its historical and cultural landmarks. For our shopaholic readers, Casablanca boasts the world-renowned Morocco Mall. The second-largest shopping mall in all of Africa, Morocco Mall is home to some of the finest boutiques in the world. It also features a breathtaking 1,000,000-liter aquarium, which holds more than 40 different fish species. Visitors are offered the opportunity to scuba diva inside this aquarium, making the Morocco Mall a great place to spend an afternoon even if you’re not in the mood for shopping.

Casablanca isn’t the only tourist hotspot in Morocco. Marrakech, the fourth largest city in the country, has experienced a surge in tourism in recent years. Much of this is the result of Groupon’s partnership with the city and its businesses. The virtual discount giant regularly offers generous deals which encompass flights, accommodation, and even experiences to keep you busy throughout your time in the city. If you’d rather organize your own excursions during your time in Marrakech, there is no shortage of activities for you to choose from. Guided tours operate throughout the city, introducing tourists, and even residents, to the historical, cultural, and spiritual hotspots of the city. For the adrenaline junkie, tours of the desert are offered via camel or quad bike. The former option is ideal for Muslims who wish to connect with their ancestors and experience a journey similar to those made by Muhammad and his followers in the early days of Islam.

The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is often confused with Saudi Arabia. This is understandable, given the close proximity of the two countries. Additionally, there are certain customs and traditions shared by both. However, the United Arab Emirates is markedly more secular and tourist-friendly than Saudi Arabia. In fact, the UAE owes its very existence to outsiders. 7.8 million of the nation’s 9 million citizens are immigrants. While Arabic remains the country’s national language, its large immigrant population means English is more widely spoken there than it is in many Middle Eastern countries. For this reason, we commonly recommend the UAE to tourists who wish to experience an Arabic-speaking country without the inconvenience that typically comes with trying to navigate a non-English speaking land.

Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of things for tourists to do in the UAE. If you wish to experience the decadence for which the country is famous, be sure to head to Dubai. There, you can indulge in the many bars and nightclubs, while being serenaded by the finest singers flown in from Western countries. Multiple car rental agencies operate in the area, offering low rental rates on luxury brands such as Mercedes, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce. Similarly, affordable yacht rental companies make it possible for tourists to live like Arabian royalty for the duration of their trip. Much like in Morocco, desert tours are offered throughout the UAE, with camel and quad bike options available. As for shopping, there is perhaps no greater destination in the Middle East for a shopaholic than the United Arab Emirates. In the Dubai Mall alone, you will find more than 1000 boutiques. These boutiques are complemented by entertainment and fine dining, turning the Dubai Mall into a city of its own.

Despite being a decidedly secular nation when compared to other countries in the Middle East, the UAE is not without its fair share of religious sites. Muslims who visit the country should be sure to check out Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi. Despite being only a couple of decades old, Sheik Zayd Grand Mosque is one of the most recognizable sites in the entire Middle East. Its visitor programs aim to familiarize tourists with the basics of Islam, while also helping Muslims develop a deeper connection to their faith. It has even been voted the world’s second favorite landmark by leading travel website Trip Advisor.

Algeria

For the traveler who really wants to go somewhere different, there is Algeria. Algeria is rarely mentioned when people speak about visiting Arabic-speaking countries. When its name does come up, it is often quickly written often due to perceived threats towards tourists. While Algeria has certainly experienced a great deal of social and political turbulence, these hardships are very much in its past. Today, the country is in the process of rebuilding and has already established itself as one of the top places to visit among travelers who like to veer off the beaten track.

Algeria is the largest Arabic-speaking country in the world. It is also the largest country in all of Africa. It is home to a total of seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are Tipasa, Timgad, M’Zab Valley, Kasbah of Algiers, Djémila, and Al Qal’a of Beni Hammand. All offer a fascinating insight into the nation’s development and the lives of its earliest inhabitants. For a long time, Algeria was known as “French Algeria” and had a large French presence. As a result, much of the country’s architecture is French-inspired. This is especially true in Algiers, the nation’s capital. Walk through Algiers on any given evening and you’ll feel as though you’re strolling through Paris, albeit with a noticeably Arab flare.

Islam and Christianity co-exist in Algeria, another sign of the nation’s past French presence. For those interested in visiting the sacred sites of Algeria, we often suggest Notre Dame d’Afrique. A Roman Catholic church, Notre Dame d’Afrique sits atop a cliff, offering a breathtaking view of Algiers. As a sign of solidarity with the Muslims of Algeria, the church’s alter bears the words “Notre Dame d’Afrique priez pour nous et pour les Musulmans”. When translated to English, this inscription reads, “Our Lady of Africa, pray for the Muslims and for us”.

Conclusion

Arabic-speaking countries are often overlooked as holiday destinations. As you can see from the locations discussed above, however, they have just as much to offer tourists as more popular vacation sites. In the UAE, one can experience the glitz and glamour commonly associated with Hollywood. In Egypt, you can travel back in time with the Ancient Egyptians.  In Algeria, you can enjoy the sites and sounds of Paris while practicing your Arabic with local merchants. From a religious standpoint, spirituality is constantly flowing in Arabic-speaking countries. Their national language itself is irreversibly tied to the Islamic faith, while their many places for worship make them a welcoming destination for travelers of all creeds.

[tamboradventure]

The 18 Best Things to See and Do in Oslo

Posted: 6/26/2020 | June 26th, 2020

Balancing natural beauty, historic architecture, and a modern flair, Oslo, Norway’s beautiful capital, is a city that punches well above its weight. It’s small but bursting with things to do: there are countless museums, spacious parks, and delicious restaurants to keep you busy. It’s close to numerous forests with hiking and biking trails, and there are lots of places to swim in the summer too.

However, since it’s expensive, a lot of travelers pass Oslo by.

While a visit will certainly eat into your budget, Oslo is definitely worth a couple of days. To help show precisely why you should add it to your itinerary, here are my favorite things to see and do in Oslo:  

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

I always start my trips off with a free walking tour. They’re a budget-friendly way to see the main sights, learn a little history, meet other travelers, and get access to an expert local guide who can answer all my questions.

Free Tour Oslo organizes daily tours that last 90 minutes and is a solid introduction to the city. Make sure to tip them when the tour ends!  

2. Explore the Vigeland Sculpture Park

This unique collection of sculptures is located in Frogner Park. It’s the world’s largest display of sculptures created by a single artist. Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) created over 200 bronze, iron, and granite statues that now stand in the open-air “gallery” (which covers a whopping 80 acres). The crying baby statue is the most famous! In the summer, there are often events held here as well.  

3. Enjoy the View at the Opera House

This massive contemporary theatre sits on the water and is home to the national opera and ballet. Opened in 2007, the building itself is composed of multiple flat levels that essentially act as small plazas, allowing visitors to walk on the roof and enjoy the view of the harbor and city. It’s a popular spot to watch the sunset when the weather is nice. Check the website to see what performances are happening during your visit.

Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1, +47 21 42 21 21, operaen.no. Open weekdays 10am–7pm, Saturdays 11am–6pm, and Sundays 12pm–6pm. Admission to performances varies.

4. See the Viking Museum

Located on Bygdøy Island, this museum is home to some of the best-preserved Viking longships in the world. The ships, some of which date back to the 9th century, were found around Norway. There are Viking burial ships here, as well as carts and tools from the Middle Ages. The museum is relatively sparse (the highlight really is the ships), but there is also a short film and some interesting tidbits of information. Download the free audio guide to make the most of your visit.

Huk Aveny 35, +47 22 13 52 80, khm.uio.no/besok-oss/vikingskipshuset. Open daily 9am–6pm in the summer and 10am–4pm in the winter. Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD) for adults and free for kids under 18.  

5. Visit the Historical Museum

This museum has lots of artifacts and information about Norway’s past, including lots of Viking content. There are also exhibitions on Ancient Egypt (including mummies), Africa, and the country’s arctic expeditions. You can also use your ticket to get free entry to the Viking Museum (and vice versa) if done within 48 hours. It’s free on the last Saturday of each month as well.

Frederiks gate 2, +47 22 85 19 00, khm.uio.no/besok-oss/historisk-museum. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am–4pm. Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD) for adults and free for kids under 18.  

6. Wander Holmenkollen

The Holmenkollen Ski Jump can be seen from every corner of the city. If you want to see it up close, hop on the subway and get off at the Holmenkollen stop. You can walk up to the jump and visit the Ski Jump Museum (the oldest ski museum in the world) if you want to learn more about this seemingly insane sport. The jump at Holmenkollen is 60 meters high, and there’s room for some 70,000 spectators (Norwegians love their winter sports!).

From here you can also wander into Nordmarka for a hike. It’s a forested area north of the city with hiking, walking, and cycling trails.  

7. Relax at Aker Brygge

Located near the pier, you’ll also find the largest concentration of restaurants in Oslo here, ranging from French cuisine to traditional Nordic dishes. There’s lots of window-shopping and architecture to admire as well. The wharf has something for everyone and is a great place to spend a couple of hours soaking up life in the city.  

8. See the Royal Palace

Completed in the 1840s, today it’s the official residence of the monarch. It’s surrounded by a huge park, and locals can usually be seen enjoying what little sun they get throughout the year. During the summer, parts of the palace are open to visitors. Tours last one hour and you’ll be able to see some of the lavish historical rooms and learn about the monarchs who ruled Norway over the centuries.

Slottsplassen 1, +47 22 04 87 00, kongehuset.no/seksjon.html. Summer hours vary. See the website for details. Admission is 140 NOK ($14.50 USD) and includes a tour.  

9. Visit the Norwegian Folk Museum

The Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) is an open-air museum home to relocated traditional Norwegian buildings. It’s near the Viking Ship Museum (and several other museums) and showcases over 150 buildings from various periods throughout Norwegian history. The most stunning of its exhibitions is Gol Stave Church, an intricately carved wooden church that dates back to the 13th century. In the summer, you can also feed animals and take carriage rides around the area.

Museumsveien 10, +47 22 12 37 00, norskfolkemuseum.no. Open daily 11am–4pm. Admission is 160 NOK ($16.50 USD).  

10. Go Swimming

Oslo is a city surrounded by water and nature. It’s a green capital, with many outdoor areas that are ideal for swimming in the summer. The water here is clean and safe too. Tjuvholmen City Beach, Sørenga Seawater Pool, and Huk are three places worth checking out if you’re looking to take a dip when the weather is nice.  

11. Visit the Fram Museum

This unique museum focuses on polar exploration, a prevalent topic in Norwegian history and culture. The centerpiece is the Fram, the world’s first ice-breaking ship (and the last one made out of wood). In use between 1893 and 1912, the Fram made many trips to the North and South Poles and is said to have sailed farther north and farther south than any other wooden ship in history. The museum is very detailed and offers a lot of history, as well as photographs, tools, and artifacts.

Bygdøynesveien 39, +47 23 28 29 50, frammuseum.no. Open daily 10am–6pm. Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD).  

12. Learn about the Kon-Tiki Expedition

The Kon-Tiki Museum focuses on the works and expeditions of historian and explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Using a traditional balsa raft, Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia, proving that the islands were populated from the Americas and not Asia, as had been previously thought. The journey took 101 days and was filmed, winning an Academy Award in 1951.

The original raft can be found in the museum, along with information on Heyerdahl’s other expeditions and archeological discoveries. The journey inspired the 2012 historical drama film Kon-Tiki (which is an excellent travel film).

Bygdøynesveien 36, +47 23 08 67 67, kon-tiki.no. Open daily 9:30am–6pm (shorter hours in the autumn and winter). Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD).  

13. Visit the Holocaust Center

The Holocaust Center focuses on the Norwegian experience of the Holocaust, highlighting the tragic fate of Norwegian Jews as well as the persecution of religious minorities around the world. Established in 2001, it moved from the university to the former residence of Vidkun Quisling, a fascist who headed the Norwegian government under Nazi occupation from 1942 to 1945 (he was executed for war crimes after the war ended). The center has all sorts of exhibitions, photos, films, artifacts, and interviews. It’s somber and sobering but worth a visit.

Huk Aveny 56, +47 23 10 62 00, hlsenteret.no. Open weekdays 9am–4pm. Admission is 70 NOK ($7.25 USD).  

14. See City Hall

Oslo’s City Hall is open to the public and free to enter. While it might not sound like an interesting sight, tours of the hall are actually quite informative. There are about 20 murals and works of art inside the building, covering everything from traditional Norwegian life to the Nazi occupation. You’ll also learn about the history of the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded here annually (the other Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm).

15. Explore Akershus Castle

Originally built in 1290, Akershus Castle is a medieval fortress that later evolved into a Renaissance palace under Danish King Christian IV. It was built both for protection and as a royal residence (currently, it’s used as an office for the prime minister). The fortress has never successfully been besieged, though it did surrender to the Nazis during World War II.

Inside, you’ll find a military museum as well as a museum dedicated to the resistance during WWII. Guided tours are available in the summer and there are often concerts and events held here so check the website to see if anything is occurring during your visit.

+47 23 09 39 17, forsvarsbygg.no/no/festningene/finn-din-festning/akershus-festning. Open daily in the summers 10am–4pm (winter hours vary). Admission is free.  

16. Go Tobogganing at Korketrekkeren

Tobogganing is a traditional Norwegian winter activity and one you shouldn’t miss if you’re here during the winter. Stretching over 2,000 meters long, the Korketrekkeren track is fun for adults and kids alike. Sleds and helmets are available for rent for 150 NOK ($15.50 USD) and you rent them by the day so you can enjoy as many rides as you like.  

17. Explore the National Gallery

The National Gallery contains Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream” (which was painted in 1893 and has been stolen twice). The gallery is small, but there are a lot of artists on display. You’ll find some Impressionist and Dutch works, as well as those by Picasso and El Greco. It’s not the most expansive collection, but it is still worth a visit, especially if you’re a fan of more classical art styles, like me.

The National Gallery is temporarily closed and will reopen in 2021. You can find some of its collection in the National Museum.  

18. Get Off the Beaten Path

If you’re looking for something more quirky, here are some of the more off-the-beaten path sights and museums the city has to offer:

Norwegian Museum of Magic – A small museum open only on Sundays, with lots of magic memorabilia and props. There’s also a small magic performance as well.

The Devil of Oslo – This statue is over 900 years old and depicts a man being attacked by a lion and a dragon. It’s a part of the Oslo Cathedral (though it’s much older than the cathedral itself).

The Mini Bottle Gallery – Home to over 50,000 bottles, this quirky museum is the only mini bottle museum in the world. The bottles are filled with everything from food to bones to worms (and much, much more!).

Edvard Munch’s grave – Munch painted the famous “The Scream.”

She Lies – This glass and stainless steel sculpture sits out in the harbor and evokes the power and beauty of an iceberg.

  ***

No matter what you’re interested in, Oslo will be able to keep you entertained. With its diverse collection of museums, an abundance of parks and hiking trails, and beautiful vistas and scenery, you’ll have a hard time getting bored here. And, while it is an expensive destination, I promise a trip to Oslo is worth every krone!

Book Your Trip to Oslo: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory. If you want to stay somewhere else, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. My favorite places to stay in Oslo are:

Saga Poshtel Oslo Central

Oslo Youth Hostel

Club 27

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those 70 and up)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use to save money — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for Norway? Check out my in-depth Norway travel guide for more ways to save money, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, informational reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

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[taxisinhimachal-blog]

Manali

Manali, situated approx. 2000 M above the sea level, is a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh.Often when you tell people about Himachal Pradesh, people often recognize it by Manali and Shimla. Such is the significance of this hill station in Himachal Pradesh. The high significance is due to its ethnic presence, Natural beauty and economic booster. Nestled among the high mountains and surrounded by pine forest, Manali, is undoubtedly one of the best hill station to visit. It is believed that Manu started the mankind from this very town which leads to its ethnic presence. One of the most popular places in India to visit, Manali attracts probable the most number of visitors in India because of its natural beauty and in this way the town plays a significant role in economic growth of the state. Whatever you are looking for in a vacation in Himachal, Manali does not disappoints. It offers almost everything to visitors and that is the reason why this place is considered one of the best places to go for a vacation in India.

 Manali is a combination of lofty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush Green valleys, fast flowing Rivers, enchanting mountain lakes, flower bedecked Meadows, beautiful temples and monasteries. Manali is a traveler’s paradise, may it be for relaxing, sightseeing or for some hill side adventures like trekking, mountaineering para- gliding. Himachal has something for everyone. Apart from the above activities and the options, Manali also provide travelers with an opportunity to experience the seasonal snow fall and one can enjoy playing around with snow throughout the year at selected spots in Manali. December to March months are optimum for snow fall viewers whereas April to June is the best time to visit. Manali is often considered to be one of the best place to start marital life owing to its cool and calm surroundings.

 Things to do in Manali:There are several activities you can do in Manali, be it relaxing, Sight Seeing, temple visits or adventure sports. From visiting soothing temples Like Hadimba Devi Temple and Bashisht Bath to Paragliding in Manali to shopping on the famous Mall Road Market and the list goes on and on. The best part of it is that you will never feel exhausted and you will keep on craving for more and more. Some of the places to visit in Manali and some of the many things to do in Manali are listed below. You may plan Manali tour package accordingly based on your choice and availability of time.

 Even before you reach Manali, your holiday starts with many Sight Seeing places on the way to it. Travelling on hilly roads can be tricky sometimes however the availability of these short and sweet sight-seeing places on the way to Manali offers you a hop on – hop off experience thus making this journey a pleasant one. So, let us start with these places before we move on to the places to visit in Manali.

 Sunder Nagar Lake –As you approach Mandi, you come across a small yet beautiful town called Sundernagar formerly capital of princely state Suket. On your way, you can experience a manmade lake called Sunder Nagar Lake. The lake is made of waters from the Beas-Sutlej project. The lake provides you with glimpses of scenic beauty you are going to experience on your trip to Manali. Apart from the beautiful lake, the city is also home to carious temples like Mahamaya temple and Hateshwari Devi Temple to name a few. The city also is known as one of the education hubs of Himachal owing to several Governmental colleges being present in the city. You can also taste the roadside yet yummy foods at minimal prices though should be taken after cautious selection.

 Indira Market - Moving forward once you enter Mandi, Indira Market is not the place you should miss. Surrounding a small garden the market is the best and busiest shopping destination in Mandi. You can get almost everything here and will find this place full of activity throughout the day. The Clock tower made in the British Era only adds to its beauty.

 Pandoh Dam –Another place of attraction in Mandi, Pandoh Dam was built in 1977. The Dam was built mainly to generate Hydro Electric Power on Beas River however by virtue of its scenic beauty and soothing environment it is famous picnic spot among local residents. With no entry fee, it gives you an opportunity to capture moments of you with your friends and family along with beautiful backgrounds of untouched forest, hills and Dam.

 The Tunnel – On your way to Kullu, you will come across another place called Aut. The place is home to a 3 KM Tunnel made through the Hill which gives you a glimpse of modernize architecture however the maintenance of the same will also provide you with an example of poor management.

 Hanogi Mata Temple - Like people says Kullu is valley of Gods, there are multiple religious places and Hanogi Mata temple being one of them.  The temple attracts lot of visitors not only because its religious significance but also due to its picturesque views and backdrops. Nestled among the forest the temple is based on a small hill and provide an ample location to admire the nature.

Mini Vaishno Devi Temple – Probably the most sought religious place in Kullu,Like the name suggests, this place will give you a feeling of constituting a Mini Vasihno Devi Trip. Situated on the bank of Beas River, the place offers you a climate that is peaceful and calm. Accompanied by the backgrounds that leave you in awe, the place is just 2 KM from Kullu and almost every visitor to Manali pay their respects here apart from witnessing the beautiful crafts and well managed premises.

 Post thee sight-seeing options you reach Manali, Exhausted yet eager to admire the natural beauty that this place has in enormous quantity. A traveler’s paradise, where businesses close as early as 08:00 PM has a night life too and this gives you another awe-struck experience. Moving further on our way to things to do In Manali and places to visit on your trip to Manali, it has several options to explore, experience and elope. Below are some of the places you should go and the things you can do in Manali.

 Hadimba Devi Temple –This place would be an ideal start for any visitor to start their trip in Manali with history, piety & architectural prowess all coming together. A 24 meters high structure was built in 1553 in the dedication of Devi Hadmiba, The wife of Bhima, a Prominent figure in popular Hindu Epic Mahabharta.It is a cone shaped structure with 4 wooden storeys in it on a rock in Dhungiri Van Vihar.Apartfrom its relation to Mahabharta, the temple offers you a sense of calmness as it is huddled by the cedar forests around it. The place offers you a sense of enormous natural beauty and gives you unlimited backdrops forever refreshing memories. Apart from the beautiful forests, you can also take photographs in Local attires and by accompanying rabbits.

 Club House – Club house is an amusement park situated in Manali. Although a small one yet it has a little for travelers of every age. Managed by Himachal Pradesh Tourism department place has indoor activities such as carom, Biiliards, Go-karting, Bar and Restaurant etc. and outdoor activity center where you can cross the river through a ropeway. This place is perfect fit for a mild activity and worth a cup of tea along with the snacks in the restaurant which gives you a feel of British Architecture. The place can be accessed with a minimal entry fee of INR 10/- per person.

Tibetan Monastery - Manali is famous in so many ways and its Tibetan Monasteries are one of them. The place, which provide you the glimpses 0f rich culture of Tibetan Culture attracts lot of visitors from around the world. Two famous monasteries are GadhanThekchhoklingGompa and Himalayan NyingamapaGompa. The place lures with its attractive fragrance of incense sticks. The place is home to various paintings and Tibetan Handicrafts and Carpets. The place can be used for meditating where awesome fragrance of incense sticks, sounds of prayers creates a heavenly atmosphere. The shopkeepers offer you a variety of sovereign of Tibetan culture and its Arti crafts.

 Van Vihar Park –Among many other places, Van Vihar park, maintained by local municipal corporation holds its place separately in the hearts of residents as well as the visitors from outside Manali.Surrounded by lanky Deodar trees, the park offers you a picture-perfect place to enjoy with your family. Be it the rides for young children, boating for adults or just simply seating under the shadows of elder family members, it has everything. You can admire the Deodar trees while enjoying boating in the park. The excitement inside will tempt to run around the Deodar trees and there is nothing which can beat when your inner child. The place is open to public with a fee of INR 5/-. One should be cautious of timings though as it may vary from season to season.

 Manu Temple –Another, don’t miss place in Manali, the temple is situated approx. 3 KMs away from main market. The temple is dedicated to Hindu Sage Manu who is believed to be the creator of Mankind. Once believed to have lived and meditated in Manali this temple holds a high significance for the visitors as the temple is said to be only temple dedicated to Sage Manu. Situated among the lush green forest and banks of Beas River, the place offers you a trekking experience on the way to reach it. Blessed with magnificent views of water fall, hills and forest the place create a great ambience for the visitors.

 Bashisht Bath –Another temple situated on the banks of Beas River, holds a different significance than of Manu temple. Temple is famous for its hot springs and it therapeutic effects. Believed to be a healing care for your joint pains and various skin diseases, a dip into the hot springs can refresh your body even if you are not worried about curing your ailments. With well managed bathing spaces for Men and women, one can also opt for a dip into fresh flowing waters under the temple.A refreshing experience will be a textbook finish to a day full of touring in Manali.

 Mall Road –The heartthrob of the hill station, the place is nothing but a market across the roads where almost everyone can walk on a shopping spree. You can get almost everything from small key chains to famous Pashmina Shawls. Often crowded the mall road brings the city to life by being full of activities. In your evening, you can take a sneak peek into Tibetan Market, Various pickles, Handicrafts and many more along with easily available snack of Momos. One must check out the Kesar here which is believed of better quality.

 And with that long list we are done with the places to visit in Manali. These all places can be generally visited in a day depending on the time you wish to spend on any place. Owing to the point of interests, the tenure may be amended.

 Places to go around Manali:

Moving on from the attractions in Manali, let us get the feel of the places around Manali. A trip to Manali constitutes of many places around it which makes this place the best hill station tours in India. The first and foremost to be named on the list is Rohtang Pass.

 Rohtang Pass – One of the most celebrated places among tourists coming to Himachal Pradesh, is situated approx.   KMs from Manali. Situated at a height of 4000 Kms, the place is a significant in so many ways apart from a famous tourist destination. The pass, a connection between the two valleys, Kullu and Spiti is also very significant to Indian Army, which uses it for commuting. Let us keep the strategic significances aside and focus on things it will offer you as a tourist destination on your trip to Manali.

Chilling temperatures, Awesome Glacier views, enticing waterfalls and the yummy snacks, these are the thoughts that will come to your minds when you leave this place. You along with family and friends are in for a treat of several activities like skiing and snow scootering etc. The uphill drive itself will leave you awestruck with its beautiful landscapes and magnificent view.

 Reaching Rohtang – Reaching Rohtang can be exciting as well as challenging at the same time. Thanks to the limited availability of road permits. A total of 1200 permits are issued on daily basis which includes 800 petrol vehicles and 400 Diesel vehicles. That’s not the end of it by the way as permits can only be issued maximum 2 days in advance and everybody is in waiting till the permit issuance window opens.

Solang Valley- Another valley point which is a famous tourist destination in Manali. Situated approx. 14 KM from the town of Manali, the place offers a variety of activities to visitors. Apart from the splendid views of mountains, the place offers you adventure sports opportunities like Paragliding. Flying high in the air amongst backdrop of snowcapped mountains will leave you gratified. For lesser adventurous people the place offers a chance to experience the ropeway which takes you to the beautiful and peaceful forests where you can sit for hours and admire nature along with some breathtaking photo backdrops. The place has activities almost for every season as in winter you can opt for skiing and once the snow melts in summer you can go with zorbing. Rolling down the slopes in a ball will get you thrilled to the core.

 Naggar Castle-Another place with historical significance, is situated around 20 KM from Manali. Formerly the capital of Kullu, the place is blessed with natural scenic views and glimpses of European and Himalayan Architecture. The castle, currently run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation as Heritage hotel was built in 1460 A.D. A stone and wood mansion can be explored at a cost of INR 15/- per person which apart from its beautiful architecture offers a collection of old paintings etc. In addition to castle, you can also visit places such as Jagattipat temple, Tripura Sundari temple, Art gallery by Nicholas Roerich and Gauri Shankar temple.

 Kullu-Popularly famous for its Dussehra festival celebration, the place is also known as valley of Gods. The city is surrounded by beautiful valley al around with panoramic views of snow clad mountains and beautiful forests. Kullu is more famous for its adventure sports activities like river rafting etc. The place is also famous for several temples and local Shawls which find its place at almost every shopping centre in India. One can find the best variety of Kullu shawls from here as this is the originating town. One can peep into the Shawl factory and see the threads getting converted into the usable materials. The place is often used as centre place by visitors for a trip to Manikaran, Kasol, Malana, Kheerganga and Bijli Mahadev Temple cum trek.

 Manikaran-With Cluster of pilgrimage centre for Hindu and Sikh Community, this place is situated approx. 50 KM from Kullu. It is famous for being one of the sacred place for Sikh community who term this place as Manikaran Sahib. Along with the famous Gurudwara the place includes temple of lord Rama, Krishna and Vishnu, Making this place equally important to both the communities. In addition to the pilgrimage significance the place is equally beautiful owing to beautiful surroundings and the hot water springs. The crispy-curvy road leading to the place with panoramic views is another thing you will enjoy. You can often witness the residents of Himachal, Punjab and Haryana coming to this pilgrimage centre on their bikes, Lorries etc to mark their presence at the auspicious place.

 Kasol-  Amongst the many attractions of Himachal Pradesh, Kasol is one that you should not miss or let’s put it in another way that the place is one of the hotspots for travelers who come to see the beauty of Himalayas. Famously known as Mini Israel, the place has almost everything which make you believe that you are outside India and not in a tiny village. Like any other station in Himachal Pradesh, the place offers you scenic beauty however you will be amazed by the presence of foreigners specially Israelis. The place will often present you the Israelis flags across the village and the Hebrew language conversation will definitely force you to ask yourself if you are still in India. Though it is a tiny village, it attracts a lot of visitors to its lap, who apart from being part of natural beauty take away the experience of cultures of Israel.

 Malana-A place famous for Hashish, is one of the oldest democracies in the world. With a cut-out from the rest of the world, the place uses Kanashi as their language which is not used by any neighboring villages as it is not meant to be. The visitors are not allowed to touch anything around the village as it is considered to be against the rituals of the village. Though the place is beautiful and attractive, at the same time one should be careful while being at this place as village has their own rules and regulations to operate.

 There are some other places like Kamrunag Lake, Bijli Mahadev Temple and Prashar Lake which can be added to itinerary.

[yesbalitourpackages-blog]

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Before planning for your Bali Tour Packages, you must know that nowhere on earth will you find a place as diverse and contrast as Bali. The Island of Gods rife with natural beauty has a list of unending idyllic beaches, vivid green terraced rice fields, lush rainforest, and stunning sunsets. The list doesn’t end here as there are so much more to see and experience in this magnificent island paradise! Visitors can expect water-based adventure, stunning temples, creative arts, trekking, yoga, meditation, exotic cuisine and fantastic nightlife here. Going to Bali feels like a never-ending adventure as there is an activity to suit every soul.

 The island of Bali might be small in size, but it has plenty of points of interest and incredible things to do, which cannot be covered in a single visit. By knowing the unique offerings of Bali, you can plan a more efficient with Bali Tour Packages, To help you figure out what to do and where to go, here is a list of some activity and scenery

 Adventure in Bali  has a great variety of challenging and fun activities waiting to be discovered that will fuel your adrenaline rush. There are options from White Water Rafting, Water Sports, ATV Ride, Volcano Hiking, Surfing, Snorkelling And Much More.

 Sunrise Trek to Mount Batur: An early morning hike up Mount Batur is one of the most popular adventure activities in Bali. The reward is spectacular views of the sunrise! Mount Batur is among the active volcanoes in Bali, but it is worth a visit accompanied by a certified local guide. The last eruption of the mount happened in 2000 when ash emissions reached00 m (1312 ft) in the sky. Standing tall at 1706 m (5,600 ft), this volcanic marvel is also home to the largest crater lake in the island - Lake Batur.

 White Water Rafting in Ayung River: Enjoy a challenging white water rafting on the Ayung River near Ubud, which is Bali’s longest and largest rapids. Set to a backdrop of wild unspoiled jungle, towering gorges and scenic rice terraces, this thrilling roller-coaster rafting journey encounters swirling foamy water, natural ramps, refreshing waterfalls and sudden drops.

  Nature in Bali

Balinese landscape is packed with some of the most beautiful creations. Its natural wonders range from the central highlands with active volcanoes to hidden waterfalls, peaceful lakes, forested mountains, coral gardens and abundant marine diversity. Explore Nusa Penida Island: A largely untouched island getaway in the south-east Bali, at Nusa Penida you can explore the island, go swimming in waterfalls and trek to the rugged coastal cliffs. This place is also an island-wide tropical bird sanctuary. A wide range of marine life takes shelter around the coast of this tiny island. The island has beaches with soft white sands and world-class diving opportunities. Nusa Penida offers the ultimate escape into nature on a Bali Tour Packages

 Discover Tegallang Rice Terrace: One cannot afford to miss the scenic Tegalang Rice Terrace in Ubud that has extensive terraced rice paddies. You are in for the most spectacular sight when you visit these paddies between October to March, right during the monsoon when it turns into an intense sea of greenery.

 Tour West Bali National Park: Find Bali’s national park in the north-western part of the island. Located approximately 100 km from Bali’s capital city Denpasar, this park is habitat to a large variety of flora and fauna including coral reefs. Menjangan island – a popular diving destination in Bali – is part of this national park and you can take a boat ride to cross over to this tiny island.

 Walk through the sacred Monkey Forest: Often part of most Bali holiday packages, Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest, is a place of natural forest sanctuary. Its residents, a horde of long-tailed grey macaques, are major crowd pullers. Besides watching the playful and cheeky monkeys, visitors can see the beautiful ancient temples with statues and relics covered in mossy foliage throughout the forest, giving a mysterious and antique feel to this place.

 Temples in Bali

A visit to Bali is incomplete without a trip to at least one of Bali’s thousands of temples. Each Pura (Balinese for temple), displaying centuries-old architecture, is unique and dot the highlands and coasts of the island, and are usually set against jaw-dropping backdrops.

 Tanah Lot Temple: Visit the Tanah Lot Temple, which sits on a dramatic location atop a rocky outcrop in the sea. Connected by a causeway, you can access the site only when the tide is low. Local myth has it that holy serpents stand guard to this 15th-century temple. Thanks to its stunning location, it sees some of the most breathtaking sunsets on the island. No wonder, this fascinating cultural icon is one of the most visited religious sites in Bali and is included in almost all Bali tour packages to the island’s western region.

 Uluwatu Temple: Another temple in Bali with a beautiful setting is Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. Perched high on a cliff’s edge with the powerful sea waves constantly crashing at its base, Uluwatu Temple dates back to 900 AD. Everything about it, from the Balinese architecture, traditionally-designed gateways, ancient sculpture and its mesmeric cliffside location are postcard-perfect. Moreover, sensational sunsets in Bali can be viewed from this temple too. As an add-on, the daily Kecak dance - the Balinese Fire Dance of trance nature performed by the local men at this temple make the setting even more enchanting.

 Besakih Temple: Often referred to as Bali’s ‘mother temple’, Besakih Temple is a grand complex of different temples and shrines on the slopes of Mount Agung. It is also considered the holiest and the largest temple on the island, and exploring the whole site can take a day. The sacred mountainside site can be accessed by many stairs that lead up. Its vantage location gives way to breathtaking countryside views of rice paddies, hills, mountains, streams and more.

 Pura Tirta Empul Temple: A legendary and a national cultural heritage site dating back to 960 AD of the ancient Balinese kingdom, Tirta Empul Temple is located in Manukaya village in central Bali. Tirta Empul means ‘holy water spring’, and its sacred springs are said to have been created by the divine and possesses healing properties. Tourists from across the world come here to take a bath in the blessed water.

 Art and Culture in Bali

When you are travelling, finding out the cultural and historical heritage of a place is always fun and inspiring. And Balinese art and culture are arguably one of the most artistic cultures in the world. Skillful painters, woodcarvers, dancers, music and Balinese cuisine, are some of the greatest Balinese highlights.

 Take A Trip To Artisans Village: Get more in-depth insights into the local art and culture of Bali by visiting some of the artist communities. The island's Celuk village is the residence of the silversmiths where you can shop for high-quality jewellery and even learn how to craft them yourselves. Batuan village in Ubud is another village famous for its traditional paintings. Here you can see Balinese art in its purest form without any foreign influence. This village is also a centre for wood carving and dancing. Another touristic village is Mas Village famous for its high-quality wood carving.

 Watch A Traditional Dance: Bali’s cultural centre Ubud has multiple venues where men and women perform Balinese dance forms such as Legong, Topeng, Kecak and Barong. For a mesmerising sight, take a trip to Ubud Palace where Balinese girls in ornate ceremonial attire dance with graceful eye and hand gestures to tell age-old chronicles often from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata but with Balinese influence.

Desi Bali Tour Jl Panorama Jimbaran No 81 Kuta - Bali

[intsojourn-blog]

Host Country Report: The United Arab Emirates

Host Country Report: The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, who were once seven independent states under British overview quickly emerged into a global fiscal capital due to its heavy advancements in natural resources, monetary reserves, and extensive aim towards luxury and tourism serving as one of the largest oil and gas reserves. Throughout time the UAE’s progression have allowed diversification and reform within its multiple cultures. Amid research upon this unique country, there’s been a plethora of information found to prepare one for an international sojourning. Ranging from its political background to social class structure. Upon completion of this report, all pertinent information will be acquired in preparation to start this life changing journey.

The United Arab Emirates can be located between Middle east and southwest Asia, adjoining the Persian Gulf and Oman just short of Saudi Arabia. This country is composed of 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fijairaj, Ras al-Khalmah, Sharjah, and Umm- Al-Quwain. Abu Dhabi reigns as the capital of the UAE. It’s current president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was elected in 2004, resides in the capital of Abu Dhabi. The Prime minister currently however, Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, elected in 2006 resides in the city of Dubai. The country’s political system has some similarities close to the United State of America, although it considers itself an absolute monarchy. The federal constitution follows the Civil Law system and Sharia Law. Like the US, it separates powers into the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Typically, most civilians who live in the United Arab Emirates can speak a multitude of languages. Some of those languages include Hindu, Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, Farsi, and Tagalog dialect. Civilians who tend to live throughout the United Arab Emirates can also convert to various religions. Most people tend to promote an Islamic religion, however other religions including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Sikhism all have diversely related ties throughout this country.

Throughout one’s research, there was ample evidence that proved some historical moments that shaped and molded the United Arab Emirates into the elite country it is today. As stated already the UAE has an absolute monarchy, it’s very first president (Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan) gained its election in 1971.  Like the United States’ Independence Day or Fourth of July, the first annual National day, which was sung by Egyptian diva Naja Al Saghira, received prominence in the country. During this time, technology was being worked on to ensure national broadcast for audience members. Two years after the first National Day, it’s coverage aired on television to Broadcast within the United Arab Emirates. As one may know, the UAE has been known for its luxurious structures and sheik looks. It can be inferred that there are many wealthy individuals since the world Bank confirmed the income in the UAE as the highest in the world in December of 1974. Some of the UAE’s features remain heavily prevalent even in today’s time including the World Trade Centre, which was open by Queen Elizabeth in the early 1980s and the Burj Khalifa, which reigns as the Nation’s tallest manmade skyscraper.

Social class can be denotatively defined as a division of society solely based one’s economic status. In the United Arab Emirates, there are numerous cultural and nationalities amongst these classes. There are two types: Nationals and Expats (foreign immigrants). Nationals can be further described as the citizens with high roles and positions within society. In many instances, they assist with government processing and jobs within them. They’re usually living in more than one home on a host of land including family as far as grandparents. They issue jobs to servants and maids to ensure that all duties are fulfilled. As a subcategory to Nationals however, Shiekh families, Merchant Class, the Middle class, and the lower class all have pertinence to Nationals. Skeikh families reign as the strongest and wealthiest class of individuals. They host the highest positions of power and have immense wealth and prestige. The Merchant class typically majors in selling international consumer goods to other class members to make a living for themselves. The middle class has an increasing number of professionals who’ve benefited heavy from free state education. Finally, the lower class consist of newly settled nomads who migrated from being former pearl divers and oasis farmers. In comparison to Nationals Expats however more or less enjoy a standard living as a working class. Some professions that major in this class range from teachers to company salesmen to technicians. Expats typically reside in apartments since they’re not allowed to own any land. They’re unfortunately unable to enjoy the finer things resulting in driving simple cars, and basic amenities upon family need.

When discussing Gender roles amongst men and women in the United Arab Emirates, throughout time the supreme council has done much to improve the equality of men and women. Like the US it’s been normalized that men are the “breadwinners,” or the ones that go out and work while the wives stay at home and cook. In addition, husbands also typically took for 2-4 months to pearl dive while women stayed home and tended to the family. As time went on, the UAE ensured that women and men were equal in all aspects. In the early 1900s women were only able to attend schools because men studied abroad. the literacy rate amongst men was 54% to a women’s 30%, whereas now the rate is 90% for both genders.

Now that you know a little bit about your country, there’s a bit of other information to be aware of before your international sojourn. As the United Arab Emirates has a plethora of monuments and tourist attractions for visitors to see, it can more purposeful to become a distraction in your studies. It’s important that one must remember to not be distracted from social gatherings events, parties, etc. to ensure success within your studies. After reading various articles and tips for studying abroad, one also must be safe always. It can uncomfortable to be around civilians not of your kind that you don’t know. It’s important that one must be careful, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Please ensure that all medical records are up to date, and that you’re prepared to be in a different ambiance one than you’re most comfortable with.

The United Arab Emirates has a diverse, cosmopolitan multicultural society. The religious and social influence on cultural and societal background on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and lifestyle is very prominent. These classes have all worked together to pave the way for building and progressing to make the United Arab Emirates continue to be one of the most beneficial and greatest countries in the world. It’s important to keep these tips in minds in addition to the brief background of the United Arab Emirates to experience a successful sojourning.

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[architectnews]

THE FIELD Xiamen City, Fujian, China

THE FIELD Xiamen City, Fujian Building, Chinese Exhibition, Office & Retail Architecture Photos

THE FIELD in Fujian Building

9 Apr 2021

THE FIELD, Huli District, Xiamen City

Design: TEAM BLDG, Architects, Shanghai, China

Location: Huli District, Xiamen, Fujian, South East China

JIANGJIABAN Buddha statues Exhibition Space

Design Description of THE FIELD

Photos by Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Background

The project is located at the former site of an aluminum factory in Huli District, Xiamen City. The building was originally a public bath of the factory. In 2019, the building was also partially renovated after the aluminum factory was transformed into a creative office park with multiple business forms, such as bars, basketball arena, and live-streaming space. This time we were commissioned by the Buddha artist Jiang Sheng to renovate the building into a new studio and exhibition space called “The Field”.

The word “Elysium” originates from Buddhism, meaning the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss or Sukhavati, but “THE FIELD” is not intended to be an isolated pure land. The owner hopes to abandon the concept of “isolated and unreachable” and create an attractive spiritual place.

Buddha residence

Unlike the previous architecture design, this is a purpose-specific space that will be used to exhibit the JIANGJIABAN Buddha statues after the renovation. Therefore, the design not only needed to reflect humanity, but also to have the divine and religious atmosphere portrayed.

At the beginning of Buddhism, there were no physical subjects for people to rely on. However, with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism and advancement in craftsmanship, Buddhism began to enter the “Age of the Image.” Therefore, how to interact with the tangible Buddha statues and architecture to convey the intangible perception has become a great challenge for the design. After the initial communication with the client, we gradually reached an agreement on the design concept: a hidden and even invisible architecture. The building is merely an intermedium to carry the Buddha statues and contain the essence of Buddhism, and is a “residence” for Buddha in the mundane world.

However, the form of the old building is still visible, it consists of three blocks, arranged south to north, shaping a rhythmic stepped form, which we define as Building 1, 2 and 3 according to the number of storeys. Building 1 has many windows on the facade, while the interior is divided into five independent spaces. On the east side of the Building 2, there is a big magnolia tree, and the interior of the building is a double-height space. Building 3 on the north side was previously transformed into an office space with square window arrayed on the facade.

Based on the architectural concept of “the residence of Buddha”, we renovated the building from the inside out. First, we blocked up the windows on the façade of Building 1 and 2, and remove the internal walls of Building 1, thus creating a relatively integrated “darkroom”, emphasizing an introvert, enclosed atmosphere. In the interior of the exhibition hall, we used a lot of white space and integrated background to conceal the details of architectural components, so that the shape of the Buddha Statues becomes more prominent.

Afterwards, we rearrange and simplified the exterior of the building, making part of the volume solid. The exterior of the building is painted with the same sandalwood yellow color as the interior, and the special texture of the wall was hand-painted by the workers, thus making the three buildings, whose façades were originally different, regain the remarkable integrity and recognition. From a distance, a tall and dense magnolia tree occupies the center of the sight, and the building appears more obscured under the cover of the canopy, becoming more subtle and restrained, seemingly absent.

Vessel of light

Light is functioned as the fundamental component of “the Field”, with architectural form blended into it.

Xiamen is located in Southeast coast of China, with plenty of sunshine and rain. The local traditional buildings all used large slope roofs and small window openings according to local conditions. Inspired by this, we added 31 skylights on top of the building, either round or square, in arrays or isolated, to let the omnipresent light fill in and create two kinds of spaces: a “bright” main hall and a “closed” dark room, where the Buddha statues are also placed according to the light and dark environment.

The 28 circular skylights at the top of the main hall are recessed upwards, appearing as flat spots of light when the sunlight is oblique, and as dense “rain of light” when the sunlight is direct. The Buddha statues in the main hall are mainly carved from dense materials such as wood and stone, and when the light hits them, the light and shadow of the statues constantly change according to the angle of sunlight.

The one-story space connected to the south of the main hall is the “dark room”. We opened two square skylights of different sizes at the top of the dark room and a horizontal strip window at the bottom of one wall. Compared to the main hall, the light in the dark room is more diffuse and hazy, so the Buddha statues in the dark room are made of transparent materials such as glaze and jade. Under the reflection of light and shadow, the edges of the Buddha’s image are blurred, sometimes resulting in a Zen state of “rainbowing”.

At different times of the day throughout the year, by “capturing” the light, the invisible time is also revealed. Time flows silently, elaborating the artistic conception of “eternal” and “constant” together with the Buddha statues settled here.

Journey to the Pure Land under the Magnolia Tree When we first surveyed the site, we were amazed by the huge magnolia tree on the east side of the building. At that time, we did not identify the tree species, but just protect the tree as much as possible during the design process to make it a landmark for the entire project. However, when the design is completed and half of the construction is finished, the magnolia tree which is the same age as the site blossomed inadvertently. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the fragrant aroma of magnolia could still be felt even indoors.

After the renovation, the magnolia tree is like a dharma-vessel of the ” The Field “. The simple building forms became more obscured under the cover of the dense canopy. The renovation of the windows and doors alongside the street facade enclosed the internal spaces, adding a bit of intriguing interest to the architecture.

Guided by the magnolia tree, visitors bypass the wall and enter the exhibition hall through the revolving door under the canopy. After arriving at a low foyer, the space automatically guided the circulation into the double-height exhibition hall by the “rain of light” formed by the arrays of round skylights. There is a floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the main hall connecting to the courtyard, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors as much as possible. On the south side of the main hall, four doorways lead to the one-story “dark room” that separates the light from the dark in an orderly fashion.

In one corner of the main exhibition hall, a spiral staircase leads vertically upward to the roof terrace, where the magnolia tree is just close at hand reach, and the fragrance of leaves and flowers welcomes you.

An outdoor staircase was added to a corner of the terrace to connect the Buildings 2 and 3. To improve the sense of space and transparency in the office area, we removed the thick elevator shaft walls and added a skylight at the top of the stairwell. A vertical stairwell with changing light and shadow leads down to the fashion showrooms and workshops on the first and second floors of the office building.

The entire building is connected as the “magnolia tree – Buddha statues and light – roof terrace – office space – fashion showroom – magnolia tree” route, forming a cyclical circulation in and out the building. The magnolia tree guides and speaks within the circulation, which is both the start and the end of it.

Difficulties and shortcomings

This project has been limited by construction cost and craftsmanship since the very beginning. Both we and the client agreed that we should design according to the existing site condition. Therefore, it has created a vitality of “rough” in the building and space, which is in contrast to the exquisiteness of the Buddha statue.

The exterior of the building and the interior of the Buddha statue exhibition hall (most of the spaces such as ceilings, walls, etc.) use a texture paint. However, there is no suitable supplier for this texture paint in the local area. In order to achieve the final effect, the client, the constructors and us conducted repeated trials and proofing on the site. Finally, all the special textures of the outdoor and indoor walls were hand-painted by the workers.

The finished texture effect makes the three buildings, which were relatively independent and with different facade languages, regain the remarkable integrity and recognition. Unfortunately, the exhibition hall was original with the same ceiling, floor and wall, which can make the light and Buddha statues in the space more prominent, but due to construction time issue, the floor was changed into dark gray emery floor that is the same as the office area.

In addition, due to the complex urban contexts, after the completion of the building, we found many interesting “accidents”: the original austere meeting room turned pink under the reflection of the red building outside the window; the simple gray window frames looked like purple under the influence of the outside environment. The client eventually decided to keep all these “accidents”, he believes this is also an interpretation of the meaning of “Elysium”.

Speaking of the purpose of creating the ” The Field “, the client hopes to create something fundamentally, such as the visual innovation of Buddha statues. Therefore,” The Field ” is aiming to innovate the space, and in this way, it would be able to present some new experiences and insights in the fields of faith.

THE FIELD in Fujian, China – Building Information

Function: Exhibition, Office & Retail Design Period: 2019.11-2020.02 Construction Period: 2020.02-2020.06 Location: Xiamen, Fujian, China Building Area: 842SQM Architects: Xiao Lei, Yang Yuqiong, Lin Wenjun, Wang Han Type: Architecture and Interior Status: Completed

Photographs: Jonathan Leijonhufvud

THE FIELD Xiamen, Fujian images / information received 090421 from TEAM BLDG, Architects

Location: Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China

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