text:
S: Poland, Czech Republic & Hungary
FC: Traipsing Through Europe: Central Europe | by Manny Tacugue
1: Prague | The Paris of the East | My "Dr Zhivago" dreamscape | The first class train from Krakow, Poland is the only way to go! | Until 1918, the country was officially called the "Lands of the Bohemian Crown"
2: Prague has always been the capital of Central Europe, politically, economically, culturally. It was the seat of 2 Holy Roman emperors and played a role in most of the major events in Europe, from the Reformation to the Communist Era. The city has been a major trading center going back to the 10th century and with the creation of the Austro-Hungarian empire in the early 20th century, Prague became its capital and the castle the seat of government. The city was largely spared from destruction during WW2 thus preserving the numerous historical structures,many dating back to the 10th to 12th centuries. The historic city center has been in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1992 ensuring its eternal preservation. This also makes the city a prime tourist destination; it is No. 1 among all Eastern European cities and among the Top 20 tourist destinations in the world. The city ranked among the largest economies in Europe as well, placing 5th in per capita GDP in all of Europe in 2007. As the country's capital, Prague is also the country's center for education, cultural events and music. The city consists of 2 main areas with the mighty Vtlava River separating the two. The right Bank is the heart of Prague with both the Old & New Town and Josefov, the Jewish Quarter. The Left Bank is called the Lesser Quarter and dominated by the castle. | within the Prague castle complex
3: Catholic religion plays a major part in the lives of the Czechs. And since the country was largely spared by WW2, many of the magnificent churches date back to the 13th-14th century | I was watching a travel video on Prague recently and there it said that most Prague churches stand empty. It cited the city is presumably the largest atheist city on Europe
4: The 1st bridge in Prague, the Judith Bridge named after the queen, was built in 1170 but was destroyed by a flood. It was replaced by the sturdy stone Charles Bridge, in 1357. Considered one of the most significant ancient Gothic structure in all of Europe, the Charles Bridge truly stood the test of time, providing the only means of crossing the Vtlava River for 500 years until a 2nd bridge was finished in 1841. Both ends of the bridge are "guarded" by towers; the taller one named after the builder, the Parler Tower opens to the Old Town and is still accessible. On the Lesser Quarter end, there are 2 smaller towers: the shorter one was a remnant of the destroyed Judith Bridge and the other was a Romanesque structure completed in 1464. According to legend, St Jan Nepomuck was martyred and tossed over this bridge for concealing the queen's extra-marital affairs! | Karluv Most
5: The Charles Bridge is decorated with 30 statues & statuaries of the Holy Family, saints and other religious & Biblical events. These sculptures were added to the bridge between the 17th and 20th centuries. | The bridge remains an active crossing between the 2 main halves of Prague, although nowadays, traffic is limited to pedestrians.
6: Historical archives indicate that the Prague Castle was initiated around 880 by the royal Bohemian family. The castle eventually evolved through the centuries, adding new structures making it the largest castle complex in the world. Consisting of several buildings in Roman & Neo-Gothic styles, the castle complex not only housed the royal families but also the Archbishop of Prague and the Holy Roman Emperors, as well as the Communist government after WW2. | Prazsky Hrad | Just like the Buckingham Palace & the Budapest Castle, the Prague Castle is an operating complex, now housing the Offices of the Czech president. As a result, the castle is not open to public viewing like the Versailles, for example, with most of the royal stuff distributed among different museums | The Prague castle complex is the largest in the world
7: the Kings' private chapel, large enough for a whole congregation! | the Castle complex has 2 active museums, the Old Royal Palace and the Rosenberg Palace. Both palaces housed remnants of royal life and political activities | the Vladislav Hall once hosted jousting competitions! | emblems & shields of the ruling families
8: Officially called the St Vitus, St Wenceslas and St Adalbert Cathedral, the St Vitus took over 600 years to build. Started in the 14th century, the catheral was completed in 1929. It is the largest church in all of Prague and the 129-feet tower is the highest in the country. | Panorama of the St Wenceslas Chapel
9: Designed by Petr Parler, St Vitus is the largest and highest church in all of Prague. It housed the remains of St Jan Nepomuck (in a silver tomb) and the St Wenceslas' Chapel told the life story of the patron saint of the country in precious stones and paintings. Underground is the Royal Crypt, housing the remains of Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor in the 14th century credited in transforming the city to an imperial capital | Chram sv Vita, sv Vaclava a sv Vojtecha | door-to-altar ceiling with organ pipes high up on the side
10: TheLesser Quarter and the Malostranska, the areas surrounding the castle, used to house the unsavory citizens of the city but now its cobblestone streets are among the most-prized in Prague. St Nicholas Church is now among the most prominent landmark of the city and its streets have the foreign consulates and embassies. The charming Wallenstein Garden is among the best-kept secrets of the city. And beyond are the hills with the beautiful Petrin Garden topped with the Petrin Lookout Tower, built in 1891 as part of the city's Jubilee exposition. | Mala Strana, literally "Little Side", was established in 1257 when the royal family put together all settlements around the castle into one town, for easy control. Malostranka was the center acting as a marketplace and trading center. | Mala Strana
11: This baroque church is considered the most beautiful of all baroque churches in the country contributing to the development of high Baroque architecture. Mozart often playted here and now is one of more popular venues for evening concerts. | St Nicholas Church situated in the natural center of the Lesser Quarter, was built between 1673 & 1752 on the site of the 13th century church of the same name. Ran by the Jesuits, masses were celebrated as early as 1711. | Chram sv Mikulase na Male Strane
12: The Prague Castle at night, across the Vltava River, with the spire & tower of St Vitus Cathedral piercing the darkness of the evening sky | A panorama of the north end of the Old Town Square with the majestic St Nicholas Church, a baroque church built in 1732-35. At the center of the square is a bronze statue of Jan Hus, the country's most famous martyr. | An expanded view of Prague, from the southern landing of the Castle
13: National Theater, 1st completed in 1881 | Panorama of the inside of St Ignatius Church in the New Town, a baroque Jesuit Church built in 1665-1687 | Panoramic view of Wenceslas Square, taken from the steps of the National Museum. More of a boulevard than a square, it is named after the country's patron saint whose statue took 25 years to complete. | This square was the epicenter of demonstrations, which later became a national uprising known as the "Velvet Revolution", releasing the country from Soviet rule in 1989
14: Unlike most of the big cities of Europe, the lack of tall buildings in Prague was immediately apparent. The 65-meter Jindrisska Tower is already the city's highest bell tower although the 360-degree view was still spectacular. The southern landing of the castle also provided a wondrous view of the city, including the Lesser Quarter. For the best view, most people go to the top of the 60-meter Lookout Tower situated on the top of the hills of Petrin, just outside of Mala Strana.
15: Completed in the Renaissance Revival style in 1891, the National Museum houses every aspect of the country's life, history and culture. With less emphasis on art and more on the country's national heritage, the museum presents Czech Republic at its best & its location made Wenceslas Square the symbolic center of the country. Exhibits ranged from the Iron & Bronze Ages, to pre-historic fauna to the time of the Holy Emperors.The building itself is a work of art. with so many national artists contributing to its design and decoration. | The museum is pockmarked with bullet holes & tank shots, remnants of the 1968 "Prague Spring" when the country revolted & Russian tanks invaded Warsaw Pact countries. | The complete skeleton of a giant whale from the 18th century!
16: The Old Town (Stare Mesto) is Prague's original settlement, dating back from the 9th century. By 1100, the town was fairly established with an active marketplace and walled fortifications to protect it from invaders. | The church was completed around 1415. Next to the St Vitus Cathedral in the castle district, it is the most significant church in Prague. It houses the oldest organ in the city (1673) and the remains of a Danish astronomer who died of overeating! | Our Lady Before Tyn Cathedral | Old Town Hall
17: Staromestske Namesti | St Nicholas Church | Astronomical Clock & Tower | Jan Hus Memorial | Inside St Nicholas Church | this baroque church was erected in 1732-35 | the clock called "Orloj" dates back to 1410. The calendar with Gothic statues was added in 1490 | Erected in 1915 to honor the martyr burned in 1415 for his religious beliefs | The heart of the Old Town is the Old Town Square, one of the largest marketplace in Eastern Europe. The square is defined by 3 significant structures: the St Nicholas Church, the Our Lady Before Tyn Cathedral and the Old Town Hall with the adjacent Astronomical Clock, built in 1338
18: Of course, the only way to see the city of Prague, or any city of note anywhere in the world is to literally beat the pavement, day and night! Experience the amazing history, talk to people, enjoy all the sights, sounds, taste & smell of the city. And just about every corner of this small, wonderful city is a delight to behold and keep in memory in our hearts & mind forever. This is one trip I will always cherish. | Rudolfinum | Municipal House Tower | Palladium | Wenceslas Square | St Ludmila Church | its subway is small but efficient and its tram service is the largest in the world
19: Every part of the city brims with history and excitement from the glorious hill of the castle to the somber Jewish Quarter | On the steps of the National Museum in Wenceslas Square | Interesting pastry making | PRAHA | Jindrisska Street | State Opera House | Pariszka Street | Old-New Synagogue | Moving Image Theater | Old Jewish Cemetery
20: Prague glows at night! | Wenceslas Square | Municipal House | National Theater | OLD TOWN | Republiky Plaza | Tram operating day & night!
21: Powder Gate | Patr Tower | Palladium | Walking along the Vltava River | 1st night in Prague | the Prague castle in the distant | last dinner in this fancy restaurant called Hotel U Prince n Old Town
22: Located next to St Vitus Cathedral, the Basilica of St George is the oldest surviving church within the castle complex, and in all of Prague. Founded in 920, it was expanded in 973 with a convent of Benedictine nuns and rebuilt in 1142 after a fire. in a Romanesque style. The facade was refashioned to a Baroque style in the 17th century. | The church holds the remains of St Ludmila in a Gothic chapel inside the church. Near the main altar are a series of steps leading down below to a crypt housing the remains of the princes of the medieval royal families | Bazilika sv Jiri | The basement crypt housing remains of royal families
23: The Jewish Quarter, is the oldest Jewish settlement in Central Europe, dating back to the 10th century. In 1180, the city's citizens built a wall surrounding the district thus creating the 1st Jewish ghetto. From over 18,000 at the turn of the 20th century, population was almost completely decimated during WW2 | Except for a few synagogues like the 700-year old Old-New, Malselova and Pinkas, most of the ghetto was razed at the turn of 20th century to remodel after Paris. The Nazis interestingly preserved a small area to represent an "extinct race". Now it is well-known for its affluent residents, high-end boutiques and intricate edifices. | Behind this long wall is the Old Jewish Cemetery established in early 15th century. It is refuted to have over 12,000 graves | seat of the Czech Philharmonic & Dvorak Concert Hall | Josefov | Rudolfinum | the neo-Renaissance music hall opened in 1885 | Brahms, Schubert & Grieg in the Dvorak Hall | Staronova Synagogue
24: The New Town, was founded in 1348 by Charles IV just on the edge of Old Town, thus expanding the perimeter of the city, intending to make it an economic and commercial center. The first university in Central Europe, the Charles University, was founded in 1348 and unlike the Old Town, no walled fortification was built to create instant access to trading and commerce from the river. The active horse market in the center of the area became the Wenceslas Square now anchored by the National Museum. True to its plans, New Town today is the commercial center of Prague. | Novo Mesto | It was commissioned in 1377 and the 70-meter hall tower was erected in 1452-56. | The Franciscan Garden is well-known for its serene rose garden | Nove Mesto | National Museum | State Opera House | St Ignatius Church | New Town Hall
25: arugula salad & pate for late breakfast is OK with me! in my hotel in Budapest | Russian-style roulade stuffed with ham & cucumber, on a roadside restaurant on the way to Janas Gora | Beef goulash & parsleyed potatoes in Budapest | Whenever I travel, I make it a point to eat what and where the locals eat without of course ignoring pastries & ice cream! I am generally adventurous and ready to eat native food and delicacies and prepared to beat the pavement to go to where they may be. One time, I walked 30 minutes away from city center to partake of local foie gras in Bordeaux. This trip was no different. | Buckwheat pancake in Poland | street food in Prague - sauerkraut, potatoes & chicken | my last dinner in Prague could easily be a real last meal! Pork sausage, smoked pork belly, pork neck & grilled pork steak with dry white bread pudding called "Peasant Grill"aka"Heart Attack Express" | remnant of the Communist regime, heavily-discounted food istill served n few cities in Poland called Milk Bar | dinner of chicken stew, tomato-rice soup & selection of sauerkraut in a Milk Bar in Warsaw | surprising selection in a self-service, ready-to-eat diner in Krakow's castle district | very tasty dumpling soup with chicken consomme in a Krakow diner | Mixed Grill with sauerkraut in a Warsaw restaurant | fancy cafe with fancy pastries & cakes line the upscale Nowy Swiat in Warsaw | fried rice & sausages for breakfast in my Prague hotel | Pork medallions in mushroom sauce & dumplings in Krakow | yummy pastries in Budapest; 4 for about $5.25 | Humongous, plate-sized donuts in Krakow | Polish pizza; with ketchup!
26: The Black Madonna of Czestochowa is a holy icon of the Virgin Mary and the holiest relic of Poland. Legend has it that the painting was made by St Luke from the cypress table of the Holy Family. The oldest documents showed it traveled from Jerusalem to Constantinople & Belz finally arriving in Czestochowa in August 1382, where it stayed ever since. Legend also has it that the icon was darkened by the soot of a fire but its presence prevented the destruction of the church. The Madonna is also credited with saving the monastery from a 17th century Swedish invasion which actually changed the course of the war prodding then king to declare the Madonna as the Queen and Protector of Poland in April 1656. Since then, the Madonna has performed numerous miracles as evidenced by the numerous crutches, canes and personal mementos that completely covered the walls of its chapel. | The icon has 2 scars on her cheek. Legend is that the Hussites plundered the sanctuary in 1430 & took the icon. But the horses refused to go so one of them threw it on the ground & stabbed it with a sword twice . When he was about to make a 3rd strike, he fell to ground and died! | Jasnogórski Cudowny obraz Najwitszej Maryi Panny Niepokalanie Pocztej | JASNA
27: The Black Madonna is shrined in the Paulist monastery of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa. The sanctuary was founded by Ladislav in 1382 who received the icon right after. Ever since, the sanctuary entertained countless pilgrims particularly after the Hussites invasion. | The magnificent basilica of Jasna Gora housed the chapel of the Black Madonna. The sanctuary became even more well-known when then Pope John Paul II, a native of Poland, visited the shrine right after being elected as pope. He went twice more, ensuring the shrine's place in holy pilgrimages. | Gora
28: Czestochowa is a thriving city in south Poland dating back to 1220, mostly well-known because of the Black Madonna The city went through numerous upheavals mostly because the shrine was a known magnet for invasion & plunderers. At one time, the city became a steel town, particularly after its linkage with the Warsaw-Vienna railway in mid-1800s but its inefficient operation eventually ended its industrial age. | The size of the basilica is magnified by the "Stations of the Cross". While most churches have images around the inside of the church, in Janas Gora, the stations are 3-story structures circling the basilica! | Czestochowa
29: W A R S A W | Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Warsaw, the capital of Poland, saw massive rebuilding after WW2 and during the Soviet occupation after. With 2/3 of its population killed and 83% of the city destroyed by the Nazis, Warsaw resurrected itself as the center of business, politics & culture. Dating back to the 9th century, the city became Poland's capital in 1413 becoming the center of business & politics since. As a result, it also became the target of numerous invasions, wars & political upheavals. yet each time, the Warsovians survived. Even at the height of WW2, the city rose against the Nazis in what is now called the "Warsaw Uprising", for which the city paid dearly: the Nazis essentially flattened the city.
30: Nowy Swiat | Palac Radzlwillow, one of the few survivor of WW2, dates back to 1643. The Warsaw Pact was signed here | Copernicus Science Hall | University of Warsaw | One of the numerous high-end cafe/pastry shops in Warsaw. This is Warsaw's version of Starbucks, a fancy coffee /pastry shop in every corner! | The "New World" Street dates back to the royal history of the city itself. The street forms part of the "Royal Route" and connects the Royal Castle & Old Town with the main thoroughfare of the city. Until it was razed in WW2, it was lined with mansions and palaces and housed the main businesses of the city.It is now the most fashionable street in Warsaw with high-end shops and boutiques. It is also where the Presidential Palace, the University of Warsaw and the main churches are situated.
31: Frederic Chopin Museum | Great Theater | Royal Castle Museum | Warsaw's favorite son, the city celebrated the 2nd centennial of Frederic Chopin in 2010. Although raised and educated in Warsaw, Chopin made his musical mark outside of Poland, mainly in Vienna and Paris. But when he died, on his insistence, his body was cut open, his heart was placed on an urn and now rest in a special place in Warsaw's Holy Cross Church. | Bronze cast of Chopin's left hand | Chopin's face was cast upon his death
32: The Great Assembly Hall | The King's private chapel, now housing the heart of a Polish hero in an urn | The King's private chamber (the bed looks too small for a man!) | The Throne | Stare Miasto | Literally the heart of Warsaw, the Old Town was completely destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising; even Gen Eisenhower commented that he has never seen such level of destruction. Nonetheless, working on ancient plans & pictures, the city rebuilt the Old Town brick by brick often at the expense of other cities. | The Column of Zygmunt, erected in 1644; it is the oldest monument in Warsaw, surviving even WW2 & the Nazis
33: Room | Dating back to the 14th century, the Royal Castle housed kings, emperors, presidents and then the Parliament until it was completely destroyed by the Nazis. Rebuilt at tremendous expense between 1971 & 1984, it stands as the pride of the rebuilt city and country. Against the Nazi war tanks, it is said that many Varsovians risked their lives protecting and hiding many of its contents and artifacts. Now the castle gleams as it was seven centuries ago | Zamek Krolewski | Before & After picture of the Royal Castle: after WW2 and today | The Reception Hall | THRONE | The Throne Room
34: Tomb of Unknown Soldier | The Presidential Palace | Hotel Bristol, Warsaw's premier hotel | Centralna, main train station | Copernicus Science Center | University of Warsaw | Warsaw shines at night!
35: Poland is 95% Catholic and as such, the Catholic churches dominate the city's landscape. This was further bolstered by the ascension of a Polish native to become Pope John Paul II, who was the Archbishop of Krakow before his assignment to the Vatican | Church of the Visitation Nuns | Holy Cross Church | St Anne's Church | St John's Cathedral | Dominican Church of St Jacob | Jesuit Chapel
36: Exploring the city of Warsaw on foot | Polish Presidential Complex | View of Old Town from Barbakan/New Town | Saxon Gardens | View of Wisla River from behind the castle | Warsaw Mermaid | Varsava
37: View of New Town across from the Dominican Church | Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Square) | Nowe Miasto | Looking towards Old Town from Nowy Swiat
38: Palac Cultury i Nauki | The tallest building in Poland at 231 meters, it is the best place to see all of Warsaw. Built in the early 1950s per Stalin's directive, it was meant to be Soviet's gift to Poland, yet it was designed with the Empire State Bldg in New York in mind. | With 3,288 rooms, the Palace of Culture & Science was meant to be both the Communist party headquarters & a place for the Polish people to gather. Instead, it became a object of Polish hatred as a symbol of Russian hegemony. | No matter the history, the view from the 30th floor was awesome, even on a hazy winter day!
39: sedlec | Die Klosterkirche Maria Himmelfahrt | A suburb of Kutna Hora, Sedlec is a UNESCO World Heritage site with their magnificent churches and buildings, many dating back to the 13th & 14th century. The majestic tower of the Conventual Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, built between 1280 & 1320, dominates the scene of this little town
40: Hrbitovni Kostel Vsech svatych sv kostnici
41: Das Beinhaus in Sedlec | What put Sedlec in the map is the Ossuary in the All Saints Cemetery Church. The Gothic Church was built in 1400 with the lower chapel to serve as an ossuary for mass graves dug up during construction. Most of the graves dated back to the 13th century Black Plague when over 30,000 people were buried. In early 16th century, the bones were exhumed and a half-blind monk was put in charge of stacking the bones and eventually started this endeavor. He barely finished it; most of the "creative work" was done by a woodcarver in 1870.With bones from over 40,000 people, it is the largest of its kind in the world.
42: Fischerbastei | Named after the fishermen that defended the city in the Middle Ages, the bastion was erected in 1895-1902. Its 7 towers represent the 7 Magyar tribes that settled in the basin. | buDA | Statue of St Stephen I, the 1st king of Hungary. His feast day is a state holiday commemorating the foundation of Hungary | Buda, on the east bank of the Danube River | The Castle Hill Funicular is the 2nd oldest funicular in the world | Dreifaltigkeits - the Trinity Plaza | Steps to Gellert Hill | The capital of Hungary, Budapest dates back to the 9th century. It is cited as one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and has numerous World Heritage sites. Forbes ranked it as the 7th most idyllic place to live in the continent
43: Occupying about a third of the city of Budapest, Buda is dominated by the castle district and Gellert Hill. The residential area beyond housed the affluent citizen of the city. Pest in turn, which covers the rest of the city, runs the city (and country) housing the commercial, financial and government centers. | Pest, on the west bank of the Danube River | PEST | Statue of Imre Nagy, prime minister during the 1956 Revolution, leads the park | Just south of the Parliament and almost at the heart of the city center, the Szabadsag Square is lined with beautiful old buildings many dating back to the 18th & 19th centuries, housing government offices and secondary museums. Popular with city residents, offices of many foreign companies are also headquartered here | Szabadsag Ter
44: Inaugurated during the 1000th anniversary of Hungary in 1896, the Parliament was patterned after the British down to the riverbank location. The neo-Gothic building is one of the 2 tallest building in the city and now also houses the crown jewels. After the fall of the USSR, the Hungarian Republic was declared here in October 1989. | Orszaghaz | Kossuth Lajos Ter | The Hungarian Parliament, as viewed from the Castle Hill | The Lajos Square, named after who is considered the purest patriot of Hungary, | Ethnographic Museum | The facade of the Parliament, facing the Danube River (under renovation)
45: Budapest's skyline is defined by 4 structures: the castle,Parliament & 2 magnificent churches: St Stephen's Basilica in Pest and Matthias Church in Buda.reflecting the strong influence of religion in the country | Szent Istvan Bazilika | Matyas Templom | Completed in 1905, the neo-Renaissance St Stephen's Basilica is one of the 2 tallest building in Budapest | Built in the 2nd half of the 14th century, the Gothic Matthias Church is officially called the Church of Our Lady. The Moorish roof reflects its turbulent history: it was the main mosque during the Turkish occupation in 1541-1686 | The Bela Chapel, with the remains of the 12th century King Bela
46: Budavan Palota | Changing of the Guards ceremony in the Presidential Palace | Main entrance to the castle grounds | Large mural of the cavalry, occupying about half-width of the castle hill | part of the National gallery
47: Built in 1899, the Matthias Fountain is one of the very few survivors of the WW2 destruction. It is often referred to as the Trevi Fountain of Budapest | Dating back to the 14th century, the Buda Castle had a very turbulent history, destroyed then rebuilt many times due to wars, invasions, etc. It was razed last during WW2 & rebuilt right after but the Communist regime found the castle contrary to its principle so it was gutted and most contents destroyed. With its former glory gone, the standing buildings became national museums anchored by the National Gallery which occupies 4 of the 6 buildings | History Museum | Matthias Fountain
48: Deak Ferenc Ter - where the subway lines meet | Budapest glitters at night! | Vorosmarty Ter | Vacl Street is Budapest's 5th Avenue | Erzsabet Ter - a popular youth weekend hangout | almost like the heart of the city center near the river, Vorosmarty Square is a popular landmark and meeting place
49: awesome pipes! | Founded in 1802 & housed in this neo-classical edifice built in 1837-1847. the Hungarian National Museum presents the entire history of Hungary from the Middle Ages to the present. While it maybe 2nd only to the more popular National Gallery and the History Museum in the castle, it plays a major role in the 1848 Revolution and now hosts the annual National Commemoration Day of 1848 | Magyar Nemzeti Muzeum | the long Communist regime plays a major role in its history
50: Budapest is a vibrant city with 2 very distinct parts. Walking around the city and moving back & forth between Buda & Pest were a revelation! | Shopping in the Big Market Hall was a delight! It has everything! at amazing low prices | Muzeum Road | Subway station/ system | Kiraly Street | Oktober 6 Street | Vigado Concert Hall | Budepest
51: Don't forget to take a thermal bath; it's an amazing experience! | Vigado Ter | Rudas | Vorosmarty Ter | Erzsebet Ter | Szent Istvan Ter | Pesti Also Rakpart | Budapest has 80 geothermal springs and the world's largest thermal water cave system | Exploring the beautiful city of Budapest on foot
52: Cruising the Danube River at night
53: the pictures may not be perfect but the experience was exhilarating! Cruising the river in the evening while sipping champagne was marvelous!
54: A law in Budapest forbids man-made structure to go beyond 96 meters (315 feet) which is the height of the Parliament and St Stephen's Church so to see the city from above, one has to scale either of these structures. The church has a better view given its central location. The other high point is the top of the Castle Hill in Buda which provides a more panoramic view | the spiral staircase to the dome of St Stephen's | the dome of St Stephen's from inside the dome! | 198 steps to the Fishermen's Bastion in Castle Hill
55: Established in 1957, the National Gallery is dedicated to art that is all Hungarian & all works of Hungarian artists, including those outside the country. It covers the entire range, type & scope of art from the Medieval & Renaissance period to Gothic altars to contemporary art. The museum is the largest public collection for the rise & development of Hungarian art and therefore reflects national pride. | Magyar Nemzeti Galeria
58: After the fall of Poland in 1939, the Nazis started laying plans to build camps to initially house the Poles. Eventually, other prisoners from all over Europe were brought here and additional camps were built. | Oswiecim | "Work Brings Freedom" | Beautiful Polish wintry countryside on the way to a horrible place. I am sure many of those who died in the gas chambers peered through the cracks in the trains and saw this scenery too | Poles mostly were hang & displayed here | Auschwitz 1 | A compound called "Cyclon B" was used to exterminate the prisoners
59: Death Wall | A graphic presentation of what occurred in the yard of the Death Wall | the Death Block | A prison within the prison, this block consisted of 2 buildings with a yard in between. One building was devoted to medical experiments, the other to torture & to punish the weak & those with minor infractions. The yard in-between is the Death wall where prisoners were either hang on poles for torture or shot before the wall | A "drawing" of what occurred in the yard of the Death Wall
60: Various European countries have special exhibits in Auschwitz I to commemorate the thousands of their people killed in the camps | The long, numerous tentacles of hate: between 1940-1945, the Nazis deported 1.3 million people from all over Europe to Auschwitz, 1.1 million of which were murdered | Walls after walls filled with names & pictures of people murdered in Auschwitz | These "dark walls' are actually filled with names of Dutch people
61: Up to 2,000 people at a time were led to this room where Cyclon B was dropped and within 15-20 minutes, all will be dead. After the gold fillings & jewelries were removed, the bodies were then brought to the adjoining room for cremation | Gas Chamber & Crematorium | After the war, the 1st commandant, Rudolf Hoss ,was hanged here | This is the hardest part of the camp for me and perhaps for most other people.. Every time, I see this room, I only feel dread and a heavy heart, even while working on this page
62: Auschwitz 2-Birkenau | SS Himmler called Birkenau the "final solution to the Jewish question in Europe" | the Death Gate | Birkenau was the largest concentration camp covering about 425 acres with over 300 buildings. Prisoners arrived in trains through the Death Gate & then separated between fit & unfit in the unloading platform. At the end of the rail tracks were 4 gas chambers-crematoria. | Interior of a wooden barrack | brzezinka | the only source of heat during the bitter Polish winter - a stone fireplace in the middle of the huge wooden barrack
63: International Monument to the Victims of Fascism | I walked the Walk - about 1-1/2 miles from the Death Gate to the Gas Chamber | the end of the Line, literally | the unloading platform | the Death Block | ruins of the underground changing room & gas chamber
64: k r a k o w
65: Krakow is the 2nd largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. It was the capital of Poland until 1596 when it was moved to Warsaw. However, even then, most royal coronations continued to be held in Krakow and most royalties were buried in the Wawel Cathedral. History showed settlements dating back to the Stone Age and recorded history started in 965. Its prominence in Central Europe was strengthened when the University of Krakow, the 2nd oldest in Central Europe was founded. During WW2, Krakow became the seat of the General Government of the Nazi regime, its administrative authority. The city has one of the largest Jewish community in Europe before the war but was almost completely decimated by the Nazis. Krakow was largely undamaged by the war, thus preserving many of its centuries-old structures. After the war, the Stalinist regime took over and built Lenin Steelworks, Poland's largest, contributing to its rapid population growth & economic development | Krakow is called the "City of Churches" with 120 churches in such a small city, half of which are over 100 years old. In 1978, the Archbishop of Krakow, later named John Paul II, became the 1st non-Italian Pope in 455 years
66: The 1st known settlements of Krakow was in Wawel Hill and, naturally, the development and growth blossomed here. The Royal Wawel Castle was 1st built at the end of 10th century. It was repeatedly destroyed & rebuilt due to various wars & invasions but finally held its own by the 14th century. The castle is the seat of government whoever was in power from the Swedish, Prussians, Austrians and finally the Nazis. After WW2, it became a national museum. | Wawel Castle | courtyard of the Royal Wawel Castle | Dragon's Den | Sigismund III Tower
67: Officially called the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaw & St Vaclav, the Wawel Cathedral was built in the 14th century. | Wawel Cathedral | Tomb of Polish president killed in a plane crash | Archeological diggings on castle grounds | The Lost Wawel - relics from the early castle history from the 10th century | Although Warsaw is the capital, coronations were still held in Wawel Cathedral. It also became the final resting place of most kings, national heroes & 2 saints-Hedwig & Stanislaus.
68: Exploring the beautiful city of Krakow on foot | the Barbican | Krakow train station & plaza | Slowacki Theater & Opera House | Florianska Gate, the start of the Royal Route | to Old Town, from Wawel castle | Karmelicka Street | Florinaska Street | Krakuf | Ducha Square
69: Krakow city hall & plaza | Wisla River | Matejko Square | St Florian's Gate | 14th century medieval walls | Polish bagel on street carts
70: Krakow shimmers in the evening
71: Unlike other European cities, Krakow is surprisingly mellow at night but it still is a wonderful, glittering place to be
72: Pauline Church | St Catherine Church | Wawel Cathedral | Skalka Monastery | Wawel Cathedral | Dating back to the 10th century, this church is traditionally believed to be where St Stanislaus was murdered | founded in 1425 by King Casimir, this Augustinian church is considered the best Gothic church in Krakow. | Begun in the 14th century, this basilica held most coronation and the remains of most Polish kings as well as those of St Stanislaus and St Hedwig | Although the gilded altars were often the focal points of most churches, the frescoed ceilings were often as magnificent, like that of St Mary's
73: Saints Peter & Paul Church | Benedictine Church | Remains of Rev Piotr Skarga, founder of the church | Corpus Christi Church | Founded in 1405 by King Casimir, this Gothic church holds the remains of St Stanislaw | Built in late 16th century, it was patterned after the Roman church Il Gusi,
74: Piarist Church | St Andrew's Church | Franciscan Church | Dominican Church | this neo-Gothic church dates back to the 17th century | this baroque church dates back to the 18th century. The heart of the Piarist sits in the altar | this 13th century Gothic church is well-known for its stained glass windows | this 12th century Romanesque church is one of the oldest church in Poland. It houses some of the oldest religious relics
75: the VEIT STOSS Altar, made in 1477-1489, is the largest altar of its kind in the world | St Mary's Basilica | St Barbara's Church | St Adalbert's Church | Built in the 14th century, it was once a funeral chapel | Founded in early 13th century, it is considered the finest Gothic church in Poland | Dating back to the 10th century, it is one of the oldest building in Poland
76: St Florian's Church | Church of the Holy Cross | St Anne's Church | this 15th century Gothic church is known for its palm vaulting supported by just one pillar. The church is covered with 15th & 16th century paintings | Dating back to the late 17th century, it is the largest baroque church in Krakow. The side altar houses the relics of St John Cantius | Dating back from late 12th century, it houses the relics of St Florian. the coronation route starts here
77: Named after King Casimir who founded it in the 15th century, an autonomous Jewish settlement was created here. From as much as 30% of total city population, the district now has about 600, the population almost totally wiped by the Nazis during WW2. The district is now seeing a renaissance of sort, as a bohemian destination with great food and music | the Kazimierz
78: The Main Market Square is the center of Krakow's Old Town. Dating back to the 13th century, it is the largest medieval town square in Europe. Originally created as the central place for business and commerce, its central location between the Florian Gate & Wawel Castle also made it as a prime political site like the Solidarity demonstrations and historical events like the Pan-European convention in the 14th century. In 1978, UNESCO included Krakow's Historic Center (Old Town, Kazimierz & Wawel Castle) for its very first listing of 13 World Heritage sites, a list that also included the pyramids & China's Great Wall. | Rynek Glowny
79: Originally built in 1257 as a Gothic structure, the Cloth Hall was renovated in 1555 to its current Renaissance features. From its golden age in the 15th century, the hall served as a central place for trading like exotic imports from the East (silk, spices) and exports of lead, textile & salt from its salt mines. It also served as place for the city's royal balls in the past and entertained foreign dignitaries. Today, the hall is a marketplace for more mundane stuff, mainly souvenirs for tourists. Although there are other similar buildings in Europe, Krakow's is considered the best-preserved | Sukiennice


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All you need to know about a direct cremation
A funeral can be an expensive unexpected cost for your family. We explain how you can plan an affordable, no fuss farewell at a fraction of a traditional cremation cost.
Last updated 21st May 2019
Plan an affordable funeral so your family don't have to cover the costs
The demand for low-cost funerals is ever-growing. With the cost of a funeral at an all-time high*, it's easy to see why people are looking into other options, and funeral plans that will reduce the final bill.
Some people consider a direct cremation as they can't afford to cover a traditional cremation cost, and want to make savings wherever possible. But for others, choosing a direct cremation is a conscious choice, as they want a simple affair and a "no fuss" goodbye.
It doesn't have to cost the earth
Whilst the cost of a traditional funeral has become an ever more expensive affair, there are ways to save money on cremation costs. If you're making arrangements for your own funeral, why not take the time to do your research and shop around?
Whilst you may want to get it sorted quickly, it pays to explore the options and understand how much a cremation costs and in particular, where savings can be made. There are many cheap funeral plans available, and the most affordable plans usually offer a direct cremation – which will give you a simple and dignified send-off.
How does a direct cremation differ from a traditional cremation?
Put simply, a direct cremation is a cremation without a funeral service or a family viewing of their loved one. The cremation is also held at time suitable for the funeral director, without the opportunity for the family to view the deceased or attend a funeral service. When choosing a direct cremation, it's worth checking that the funeral provider will be able to offer support and guidance at this hard time.
As with any cremation, the deceased is always treated with the utmost respect by the funeral director. The ashes are returned to the family or with some funeral providers they will offer to scatter the ashes in their garden of remembrance. This is a pleasant garden that families can visit to remember their loved ones.
|Traditional cremation
|Direct cremation
|Average cremation cost of £3,858*
|Average cremation cost of £1,626*
|Usually a wood effect coffin.
|Coffin is usually simple and practical.
|Family viewing at a chapel of rest (sometimes may be restricted to office hours).
|There is no viewing before the cremation.
|A funeral service at a time agreed between the family and the funeral director will take place at acost crematorium. A hearse is normally included and limousines for family and friends can also be arranged.
|The cremation will take place at a time suitable for the funeral provider. As it will not be possible for family and friends to attend, many choose to hold a separate ceremony at a later date when the ashes are returned, to celebrate the life of the deceased.
What's the appeal of a direct cremation?
A direct cremation may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for many it's exactly what they want. Here's some of the reasons people choose a direct cremation:
- They would prefer their family to put the money that would have gone on the traditional cremation cost towards a celebration of life
- Some people don't like the thought of the distress that typically comes with a traditional funeral. They would prefer that their loved ones grieve in their own time, and arrange a get together or celebration of life how, where and when is right for them
- They simply want a "no fuss" and straightforward send-off
- They have a select few people they want to be at the send-off, so feel it would be better to have a direct cremation followed by a small gathering for those that matter the most
- If you are not religious then you may not want a traditional cremation and service
Celebate your life, your way
Deciding how you want your loved ones to give you the send-off you deserve isn't an easy one, but it's a decision worth making if you want to make things a little easier for your family. Knowing they're giving you the send-off you wanted will give those closest to you peace of mind and comfort that they've done right by you.
If you do feel a direct cremation is right for you, it's a good idea to discuss this with your family, especially if you're thinking about taking out a funeral plan. Whilst it is ultimately your decision, it's worth considering that your family may not know what a direct cremation is and could otherwise opt for a traditional funeral, unaware of your wishes.
Having funeral plans in place could also help your family by saving them from the stress of making funeral arrangements when the time comes. Find out more about the importance of funeral planning or use our helpful funeral planning guide to find out all you need to know about funeral plans.
How SunLife could help
At SunLife, our Guaranteed Funeral Plan has been designed with our customers in mind. Starting from under £10 a month for a direct cremation funeral, it's one of the most afforable ways to pay for a funeral†.
If you want to discuss your options, our friendly UK based team can talk you through all our funeral plans to see if there's one suitable for you. Then if you want to go ahead, the telephone application process is simple and straightforward.
*SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2020
†For a 50 year old buying our lowest cost plan

subset: commoncrawl


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Guatemala is approaching six months of Otto Pérez Molina's Patriot Party government, and while it is too early–and Guatemalan politics too volatile–to definitively signal the administration's long-term impacts on issues related to security and justice, a review of this eventful week suggests some disturbing trends.
Ambivalent tendencies in citizen security
The Interior Ministry closed last week on a tentatively triumphant note, with Minister Mauricio López Bonilla announcing a reduction of homicides in the first months of 2012, falling from a rate of 16 violent deaths per day to 13. The Ministry highlighted recent cases of the dismantling of criminal groups including car thieves and a ring of police and state attorneys involved in the trafficking of drug lab chemicals. However, news reports revealed an alarming increase in disappearances, with La Hora citing a figure of 811 cases more than last year. "In some occasions people reported as disappeared may have returned, or may have travelled to the U.S. without the security forces having been notified in order for statistics to be updated," explains La Hora. Without access to more detailed data on these cases, it is impossible to speculate whether these disappearances are related to migration, human trafficking, drug violence, "social cleansing" killings, or other causes. In any case, the claim that the disappeared may simply have travelled to the North is a chilling repetition of the government's past justification of forced disappearances. When mothers of the disappeared in México are shouting the slogans that echoed in the streets of Guatemala during the 1980s– "They were taken alive, we want them back alive" –it is hard to argue that the abuses of the past are not being repeated, even if the actors and dynamics have mutated.
The news was also pointedly ambivalent regarding the safety of transportation in Guatemala City, with La Hora releasing a long report documenting the evolution of violent extorsions from targetting bus drivers to taxis, while on the same day also reporting that robberies of buses have increased. The report on bus extorsions illuminates the apparently politically-motivated rise of attacks on buses during the 2007 electoral campaign and the first months of President Álvaro Colom's administration: "[President Colom] assumed office on January 14, 2008, and as if it were war without quarter, an unstoppable wave of violence was unleashed on the public transportation system, reaching record levels." Since 2007, at least 1188 drivers, fare-takers, and commuters have been killed in incidents including grenade attacks and a firebombing in January 2011 which killed 9 people. Rumors of political coordination of the violence abounded, but have never been proven. A jailed former military officer was implicated in the 2011 firebombing. Now the Urban and Suburban Transport Users' Association and the Mutual Support Group (GAM), an influential human rights organization, report that at least 15 taxi drivers have been killed this year in apparent extorsions.
Epic fail: #ElGobiernoRecomienda
Shortly after the Interior Ministry's optimistic progress report, the Ministry was embroiled in a rather epic fail. In response to an apparent pattern of organized carjackings and sexual assaults on one of Guate City's main highways, the Ministry released a patronizing set of "self-protection" guidelines for women, advising that women not drive or leave home alone after 8pm, not use cash machines or gas stations, and not post personal information on social networks. The Twitter-enabled proles lashed back with the sarcastic hashtag #ElGobiernoRecomienda, producing some stinging examples of Chapín black humor, as well as earnest commentary urging anti-sexist approaches to public safety:
Vice-president Roxanna Baldetti herself got into the fray, announcing her disagreement with the Ministry's pronouncement and agreeing to a social network user's proposal that she accompany her, without police escort, on her evening commute. The Interior Ministry quickly rolled back and deleted the "self-protection" guidelines from its webpage. Baldetti likely won some points with the public and maybe even against Maurico López Bonilla as one of Pérez Molina's closest advisors, though the country's largest newspaper, Prensa Libre, pushed back against Baldetti in an editorial, basically accusing her of being uppity and divisive for her statements. It will be revealing to see if this kind of sexist discourse continues as Baldetti's power increases, since such patriarchal attitudes were seen as playing a large part in the venomous treatment of her spiritual successor, former First Lady Sandra Torres.
Captain Byron Lima: "Model prisoner"?
La Hora also ran a long interview with Prison System director Luis González, which was by turns evasive (González recognizes "a certain degree of corruption" in the prisons) and bizarrely revealing, naming Captain Byron Lima as a example of "positive leadership" and "rehabilitation" within the prisons. Byron Lima, a military intelligence official, was convicted to 20 years in prison in 2001 for his role in the 1998 assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi, and has since apparently assumed control over day to day activities at the "Pavoncito" prison. González describes a picture of self-policing inmates dedicated to sports and award-winning handicraft production: "You tell me if [the inmates] need to carry out extorsions" under such rosy conditions, he asks. Byron Lima, like other prison capos, has been denounced repeatedly for connections to organized crime; in addition, his network of supporters outside of prison certainly includes military intelligence comrades, who have continuously campaigned for his innocence and freedom. Rumors of his imminent release on good behavior circulate from time to time. One can't help recalling Francisco Goldman's publication, in The Art of Political Murder, of a witness account linking former military intelligence director Pérez Molina to the plot against Gerardi. Pérez Molina was counted among the enemies of Lima's father, the notorious Colonel Byron Disrael Lima Estrada, also convicted for Gerardi's murder, but perhaps these statements indicate an attempt to shore up alliances between the current administration and Lima's supporters.
Institutional assault on historical memory and human rights
The news which caused the greatest concern amongst the national and international human rights community was the announcement of the dismantling of the Peace Archives, an investigative and publishing unit within the Secretariat for Peace (Sepaz), founded during the Colom administration, which analyzed millions of government documents dating to the internal armed conflict and released important reports confirming the authenticity of the "Military Diary" and detailing topics such as child trafficking by the military. Its pending work included the further investigation of the Presidential General Staff (Estado Mayor Presidencial, EMP), the militarized intelligence apparatus which operated death squads and served as a "parallel government" within the Executive branch, and in which Pérez Molina served during 1987 and 1989, and which he directed from 1993 through 1995.
The National Security Archive's Unredacted blog offers a full summary in English of the controversy so far, characterizing it as "a blow against ongoing efforts in the country to recover historical memory and support judicial proceedings against human rights violators." CPR Urbana quotes anonymous Archive employees concerned that the Sepaz under director Antonio Arenales Forno, a former congressman with Efraín Ríos Montt's ultra-rightwing FRG party, is responding to high-level directives from Pérez Molina's government, with the objective of "making Guatemala's recent history invisible, using conceptual euphemisms such as 'armed confrontation' instead of 'internal armed conflict'; 'burial sites' instead of 'clandestine cemeteries'; as well as the negation of the genocide experienced by the Guatemalan people; basing itself on forgetting and impunity, instead of the search for truth and justice, which is the only force which will heal the wounds in Guatemalan society."
In this context, yesterday's election of a new Human Rights Ombudsman, Jorge de León Duque, is more worrying than promising. It is positive that former Ombudsman Sergio Morales, whose 10 year period at the head of the Ombudsman's office was heavily criticised for having converted the insititution into a personal fiefdom that did little to effectively support human rights, was not re-elected. However, the process of the election of Jorge de León Duque was strongly criticized by Guatemalan human rights groups. De León Duque is a congressman with the rightwing CREO party, and son of former Human Rights Ombudsman and ex-President Ramiro de León Carpio, under whom Otto Pérez Molina served as head of the EMP. Pérez Molina openly named de León Duque as his preferred candidate, and the Patriot Party signalled early on its intention to vote unanimously in his favor. These factors mean that de León Duque will begin his five-year term as Ombudsman with little confidence in his role as an independent human rights watchdog.


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"Caldochie" : a state of mind?
Permanent Linkhttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/8660
Degree GrantorUniversity of Canterbury
Degree LevelMasters
Degree NameMaster of Arts
The loyalist political majority in New Caledonia is a group which has been largely neglected by academics and the media. Collectively, this majority has been attributed the status of a distinct community under the title "Caldochie". "Caldochie"- a state of mind? examines the diverse ethnic and social groups who support New Caledonia's continued status as an Overseas Territory within the French Republic. Chapter One discusses the various ethnic and social groups who support continued ties with France. Central to these groups are the Caldoches, inhabitants of European descent considered to be assimilated into the Territory. The presence of metropolitan French citizens in New Caledonia is also examined. As well as Europeans, other ethnic groups within New Caledonia also support French loyalism. Brief overviews are given of Melanesian, Polynesian and Asian loyalists along with their differing levels of involvement in loyalist party politics. Chapter Two concentrates on loyalist party politics in New Caledonia, which have some distinctive features and form a political backdrop of great complexity. The politics of the largest loyalist party, the RPCR, are discussed. Attention is also given to the FN(NC) and the FC, the two principal parties of the extreme right, and extra-legal right-wing extremist groups collectively described as the tentation ultra. The essay concludes by examining the validity of using the term "Caldochie" to describe New Caledonia's loyalists and concludes that this term is neither geographically, ethnically nor politically valid. Following the RPCR's signature of the 1988 Matignon Accords, mainstream loyalist support has been lent to the concept of a future New Caledonia in which both loyalists and indépendantistes might co-operate. Accordingly, the concept of an isolated loyalist community is no longer valid if indeed it ever was.


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15 January (Part 2) - Mob rule
The system of local government in Bexley is similar to that used
nationally; a small cabal of senior politicians are appointed to a cabinet by
someone who has wormed themselves to the top of the greasy pole and the
riffraff are supposed to do what they are told and ask the occasional question.
Bexley's cabinet is more a Mafia than a cabinet but mercifully has no Nick Clegg.
Bexley's cabinet members, by and large, are each shadowed by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee to make sure the cabinet member doesn't go completely off the rails and by that measure some are almost by definition a failure, especially when the cabinet member and the chairman of the Scrutiny Committee are married or civil partners. Potential for corruption in Bexley? No, never!
Not all Bexley councillors regard looking after number one as their priority, I can even think of one cabinet member who shows no sign of being a wrong 'un. There used to be more but they got kicked out, I wonder why.
Overall there are quite a lot of Scrutiny Committee members who take their jobs seriously and yesterday evening there was a meeting that may have shown that they are not all in awe of the Mafia boss.
There has been a Review of Overview and Scrutiny Committees and councillors had the opportunity to have their say. 64% of ordinary councillors don't think the Committees are "effective" at "holding the cabinet to account".
74% said that there was no effective follow up on completed work. 67% said that the Scrutiny Committees didn't allow an effective challenge, 64% said their work programmes were ineffective and 84% said the Agendas left a lot to be desired.
Unfortunately my schedule yesterday did not allow an evening trip to the Civic Centre to hear the Review being discussed so I asked Nicholas Dowling if he could spare the time.
Remember Nicholas? He is the man who tore councillor Peter Craske's justification for tripling Residents' Parking Permits to shreds and was rewarded with this…
If Nick's report on what he has already admitted was a boring meeting reaches me before the day is out it will appear below, and if it doesn't you will have to curb your impatience.


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The doTERRA InTune oil blend is a great combination of essential oils that promote more mental clarity, focus, and attention to the tasks at hand.
Did You Know?
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Top 3 Uses Of The doTERRA InTune Oil Blend
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2.) Inhale from bottle directly or diffuse 3-5 drops in a 4 hour diffuser by using a special eye dropper to get the oil out more efficiently. Running a diffuser all day (as long as others don't mind the smell) works great.
3.) Swipe a couple times on the tips of your finger tips and rub the walls of your shower so that you can have a very productive aroma in the shower that can set you up for success when you step out.
The doTERRA InTune Oil Blends Best With
1.) Cutting out processed foods: Foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, fresh fries, and soda destroy your endocrine system which controls your metabolism, hormones, and appetite. Eating these will be counterproductive to your efforts.
2.) Cutting out artificial junk: That includes food colorings, dyes, preservatives, artificial ingredients and sugars, and energy drinks. These are toxic to the brain and will negate the effects of your efforts as well.
3.) Eating more whole plant foods: Eating more organic and non-GMO green, veggies, and fruits will be most helpful for your attention and focus. I like to focus on green smoothies, soups, salads, and healthy stir fries with millet or quinoa instead of rice.
In Summary
The doTERRA InTune oil blend is grounding, earthy, and clarifying to your mind and mood. The InTune blend contains amyris, patchouli, frankincense, lime, ylang ylang, Hawaiian sandalwood, and roman chamomile.
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Your Essential Oils Guide,


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Magnus Carlsen produced another dominating performance last month at the Tata Steel tournament in the Netherlands.
Carlsen, the world's top-ranked player, did not lose a single game. He finished 1 ½ points ahead of Levon Aronian, who is ranked No. 3 in the world, and 2 points ahead of Viswanathan Anand, the world champion, and Sergey Karjakin, who is No. 5.
Perhaps just as impressive, Carlsen raised his rating, which is the system used to rank players, by 11 points — to 2,872 — eclipsing his own record.
Carlsen tournament victories have become almost routine. In his last 11 tournaments, going back two years, he has won or tied for first eight times. During that period, he has won 42 games, drawn 64 and lost only 4. That is not the best stretch in history — Mikhail Tal, a former world champion, once played 95 games without a loss.
Carlsen had to work for some of his victories at Tata Steel, which ended last Sunday. But an exception was in Round 12 against Hikaru Nakamura, the United States champion. Nakamura loves complicated games, but he miscalculated early and was soon in trouble.
In the top diagram, Nakamura should have played either 21 ... Bh6 or 21 ... Bf6. Instead, he chose 21 ... Ng2, and Carlsen replied 22 f6. If Nakamura had played 22 ... Bf6, the game might have gone 23 Qf3 Nf4 24 Bf4 ef4 25 Qf4 Rh4 26 Qf5, when Black's position would have been difficult.
Instead, Nakamura played 22 ... Bf8. The game continued 23 Qf3 Qc7 24 Nb4 Nb7 25 Nc6 Nc5 26 Bf5 Nd7 27 Bg5 Rg8 28 Qh5 Nb6 29 Be6 Rg5 30 Qg5 fe6 31 de6. Nakamura resigned because he had no good way to stop f7, snaring his king in a mating net.
The Carlsen-Nakamura match was hardly the only one that was hard fought. Very few games at Tata Steel ended in short draws, and there were a high number of decisive results.
One of the tournament's best games was the Round 5 match between Pentala Harikrishna of India and Loek van Wely of the Netherlands. In the bottom diagram, Van Wely should have played 28 ... fe4, when the game might have continued 29 Nh5 gh5 30 Qh5 Kf8. Black would have been fine, though admittedly the position would have looked scary.
Instead, Van Wely chose 28 ... Kg7. The game continued 29 Ncd5 Bd5 30 Nd5 Qc2 31 ef5 Rac8 32 Nf4 Rh8 (again, Kf8 was better) 33 fg6 fg6 34 Ne6 Kg8 35 Bd5 Qd2 36 Qe4 Rc1 37 Rf3, when Van Wely made a final fatal error and played 37 ... Kh7.
Harikrishna finished him off with a rook and queen sacrifice of 38 Rf7 Nf7 39 Qg6, and Van Wely resigned; he would have been checkmated after 39 ... Kg6 40 Be4.


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People come into your life to give you a lesson
though some lessons learned hits you the hardest
be thankful to that person who broke your heart
the trust and the love you give.
the trust and the love you give.
There is a saying "to trust one is to trust everyone"
without them you wont be cautious of giving away your heart and trust that easy
just call it your one happy little accident.


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Promoting Chamorro Culture on Guam
As a non-profit organization on Guam, our mission is to promote Guam's native Chamorro cultural groups in dance, crafts, food, storytelling, and art in an online forum. We are currently in production of a modern Chamorro culture documentary film.
Chamorro Culture Documentary
American Soil, Chamorro Soul is a modern documentary film about the people of Guam. Through interviews, the film reveals what Chamorro culture means in 2015 as three generations of Chamorro people describe the cultural Renaissance in arts, agriculture, and sailing.


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Rollators / Walker & Accessories
The Universal Mobility Bag in Boho Blossoms print by Nova Medical Products attaches easily with a unique Dual Attachment option. This Universal Mobility Bag attaches to walkers, rolling walkers, power chairs, wheelchairs, transport chairs and scooters.
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Life of Joy
This is our rule of life. This is not an exhaustive list of disciplines or a legal vow of moral gravity. It is intended to be a framework for staying "connected to the vine" in order that we may "bear great fruit." These disciplines will serve as benchmarks for self-evaluation and starting points for corporate accountability. None of us are perfect, but we seek to be. We are being discipled and are making disciples ourselves. We believe that the ultimate fruit of abiding in God is joy and joyful witness to the Gospel will be the vehicle of Grace that transforms culture.
Inward Disciplines
- Give God your first thought.
- Study.
- Say the Rosary well.
- Make good visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
- Examine yourself daily.
- Confess your sins and remain reconciled.
- Fast.
Outward Disciplines
- Do not lie in your bed after rising.
- Eat and drink to God's glory, and in moderation.
- Love and serve family.
- Do not bring scandal to the Gospel.
- Detach from non-essentials.
- Rest and leisure well.
- Consider the person within your ten-foot radius more important than yourself.
- Go to bed in good time.
Communal Disciplines
- Greet fellow missionaries with a hug or a kiss.
- Confess your sins. Say "I'm sorry".
- Show mercy to those who have hurt you. Say "I forgive you."
- Celebrate and mourn with one another.
- Show empathy for one another, start with a genuine curiosity.
- Do not speak negatively behind the back of a fellow missionary.
- Do not be passive or assume anything, but be active in sharing your questions and your feelings.
- Be submissive to authority.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7


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Toshiba & Oki photocopiers and multifunction printers
We have the latest in copying technology.
We have exciting news!! We will be updating our Facebook page every week with special offers, giveaways and many more. Be the first one to know our next step. Make sure to check it, like it or share it. Facebook page


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At Lavish Events we plan stylish, elegant, exciting, fun and above all, highly memorable celebrations. We are Luxury Wedding Planners for savvy, sophisticated couples who are looking for something extraordinary. Our discerning, international client base includes sporting personalities, high-spend public figures and professional couples seeking unique and surprising celebrations.
We offer a full service package for our clients who would like us to take care of all your wedding planning arrangements, so that you can continue with your busy lives.
Every client is unique and every wedding is different from the last; each wedding that we plan is created to our clients' specific needs.
Why do couples hire a wedding planner?
Some of our clients prefer a professional wedding planner to handle the details of their wedding from start to finish for them. They want everything to be perfect and understand that a professional planner will achieve this for them. Some clients are working professionals and simply don't have the time to undertake all the planning themselves. Others may start the planning process on their own and then find it all a bit too much – that's when they call us in to take over.
Wedding Styling Service
One of the additional services we offer, which comes as part and parcel of our package, is our décor and styling service. We are often tasked with pulling together all the styling elements of the wedding, from the colour palette to the theme. We then draw on our vast resources of wedding professionals (florists, hiring companies, printers, etc) to create sheer magic.
Our Team
Our internationally experienced events team will ensure your wedding is perfectly planned and executed, allowing you to relax and enjoy every part of the planning process, as well as the wedding itself. We work with some of the best suppliers in New Zealand to ensure your wedding will reach the the highest of standards. Please visit our About Us page to read more about who we are, what we have done and how we do it. More importantly, please visit our Testimonial page and read what our past clients have had to say – their words are far more important than anything we write!
How it all works…
As each client is different and has different wedding needs, we tailor our wedding packages to suit each individual client.
We will consult with you about the type of wedding you would like, the style, your guest numbers, location, budget and more. A quote will be drawn up specifically for your wedding planning needs. If you are overseas or out of town, we can arrange a Skype meeting or liaise via email.
Price guide
The initial consultation is free of charge and normally takes about an hour. We prefer to do this face to face, but can arrange a Skype meeting or phone call (international calls are fine, too).
Then we work some of the costs for you based on your wish list and go from there. Most of our clients pay between $5,000 and $7,000 for the planning and event management, with wedding contract costs negotiated for you through our expert suppliers.
We also offer On the Day Wedding Director services – perfect if you have done the planning yourself and just need a coordinator to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day. This is normally around $2,500 for the day.
If you would like to have a no-obligation consultation with Jess, please email her or give her a call, to set up a convenient time to chat.
Living overseas and returning to New Zealand to get married?
Many of our clients are expat Kiwis living overseas but who have decided to get married here in New Zealand as most of their friends and family are here.
Planning a wedding from half way around the world can be quite a daunting task, and that is where we come in. With our local knowledge and contacts, we make it easy and stress free;, not only for the couple, but also for their families here at home and their guests.
While we are based in Auckland, we do organise weddings all over New Zealand for couples living all over the world.
If you would like to have a no-obligation consultation with Jess, or ask any questions, please email her or give her a call on +64 22 277 6275, to set up a convenient time to chat. Viber and What's App messages are accepted also.


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Bible Commentaries
Scofield's Reference Notes
John Overview
Book Introduction - John
WRITER: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John John 21:24. This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained.
DATE: The date of John's Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter.
THEME: This is indicated both in the Prologue (John 1:1-14), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper (John 20:31), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as "the Christ, the Son of God" (John 20:31) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, "believed" and "life."
The book is in seven natural divisions:
1. Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ, John 1:1-14.
2. The witness of John the Baptist, John 1:15-34.
3. The public ministry of Christ, John 1:35 to John 12:50.
4. The private ministry of Christ to His own, John 13:1 to John 17:26.
5. The sacrifice of Christ, John 18:1 to John 19:42.
6. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection, John 20:1-31.
7. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service, John 21:1-25.
The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography Information
Commentary Navigator
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After many years enjoying the sweetness and peaceful rowing of our very tender dinghy, I've plunged and purchased a 9'6" RIB with a 6 hp motor. Total weight will be about 180lbs. Allowing for the additional weight of a Weaver lever transom motor fitting. My question relates to the towing apparatus. I plan to use floating line throughout and was thinking of poly steel which is very strong, and easy to splice. The idea is to have a 3 line bridle at the the bow using snap hooks. Very approximately because I know there will be fine tuning, what do people thing the length of the rode would be. If you don't like poly steel what are the preferences?
My main question has to do with the bridle at the towing vessel transom. Many years ago on this forum I remember a member describing an arrangement which made made sense and I'm wondering


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This safari works out perfectly if you have exactly one week to spare. Visitors tend to depart on the same flight in which they arrived a week earlier. This remains one of our most popular safaris as it does justice to all the four main National Parks of the Northern Circuit of Tanzania.
Day 1
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to Arusha for Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 2:
Depart for Lake Manyara. Lunch at the Hotel.Afternoon game drive of Lake Manyara National Park, with the possibility of sighting the famous tree-climbing lions. Here you can see a variety of habitats and diverse animals and birds. Witness the large flock of flamingoes descending on Lake Manyara. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 3:
After breakfast, depart for Serengeti.Lunch at your lodge.Afternoon game drive of Serengeti National Park.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 4:
After breakfast, full day game drive in Serengeti (with picnic lunch). Here can be found the largest concentration of plain animals – 4 million and 500 species of birds. You can hope to see predators chasing their prey and enjoying their kill, and the scenery is spectacular. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 5:
After breakfast, morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. After lunch, depart for Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge, site of archeological findings, where traces of pre-historic man dating back to 3.5 million years ago have been discovered. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 6:
After breakfast, full-day tour of Ngorongoro. Here you can see a spectacular concentration of wildlife, including the big five. Drive across the dense forest and near the soda lake and enjoy viewing a variety of birdlife. Ascend to the lodge from the 2000ft. deep crater. Picnic lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 7:
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire.Lunch at a Tarangire Lodge.Afternoon game drive of Tarangire National Park. During the dry season, Tarangire is spectacular in its concentration of wildlife. Many of the migratory species come back to the permanent waters of the Tarangire river, from which the park derives its name. Large herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, eland, and oryx gather until the beginning of the rains when they migrate to other areas for grazing. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 8:
After breakfast, a short game drive of Tarangire National Park.
Depart for Arusha.
Lunch in Arusha.
Depart for Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Check-in for your International Flight.
We can quote for accommodation at TAHI Lodges or for 5 stars Serena or Sopa hotels, please inquire for supplements.
Cost of the above itinerary includes
Airport transfers
1 night in Arusha,
accommodation as per itinerary
all meals, game drive, park fees, all government taxes,
all service charges, services of an experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
This is a private safari, which means there will not be any other persons to join you on your safari.
Email us for a quote or give us a call to discuss your perfect safari booking today.
For your Perfect Holidays in Africa:


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Too many building projects are held back by poor quality materials, but a leading expert in composite materials is making his expertise available for free to remedy that
Stuart Burns of Dura Composites, a renowned authority on composite building products, believes that far too many building projects are unnecessarily held back by poor quality materials. He has decided to remedy the problem by making his experience and expertise accessible in a new information guide, which he has decided to make available for free.
As Stuart explains…
The success, or otherwise, of a building project often hinges on the quality of the materials used. Unfortunately, the wide variety of different materials available means that selecting the right ones can be a confusing, arduous task. As a result, many architects or site managers end up making do with inferior materials, when their needs would be perfectly met by high-quality composite products.
That's why I wrote my new guide, "How to Choose Composite Building Products", and have decided to make it available online for free. This guide covers everything architects and site managers need to know about implementing composite materials in their future projects, whether it's to create highly durable industrial flooring or an attractive new deck.
Anyone who'd like a copy just has to visit www.duracomposites.com and spend a few seconds filling in their details.
For more information and to arrange interviews, contact email@example.com.


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"I think she was on the car for about 400 metres before she fell off the car.
"She stated that during this time she was screaming at the male who was driving away and trying to get him to stop but he refused to stop and kept going."
The man reportedly dumped the car about 45 minutes later with the girl still in the back, telling a passerby she was in there.
"When the male left, he told this witness that he had a baby in the car and he didn't know what to do with it," added Senior Constable Creece.
The baby was unharmed and police are still searching for the man.
A neighbour, who lives across from the school, told News.com.au she initially thought it was a "joke" or a domestic incident.
"I was standing right in front of my house because I was getting ready to pick my kids up from school," the woman said. "As first I thought it was a joke, or a custody battle over a baby, or something. Then I saw the man just casually get in the car.
"Her friend jumped on the bonnet, and even tradies working at the bottle shop at the corner tried to stop him with his car," she added. "I never thought I would ever see something like that happen. Never, ever. It's so scary."


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Indian Sandstone Panels
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We are creating a brand name in every part of the national market by offering our clients Indian Sandstone Panels. These panels are suitable for cladding and mounting on walls and poolside. In resorts, hotels and commercial establishments, these panels are highly demanded. We design these panels using best quality sandstone, sourced from reputed vendors. We make these Indian Sandstone Panels available for clients in different sizes and designs for clients.
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- Main Domestic Market
- All India
Other Products in 'Stone Veneer' category


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Ruben Amaro is clearly not a fan of playing the waiting game.
The team has signed Jim Thome, they've been making a push for Michael Cuddyer and now comes word that they are making a big run at bringing Ryan Madson back before he even gets a real taste of life as a free agent. Both Jayson Stark of ESPN and Ken Rosenthal of FOX are reporting that the Phillies are moving closer to getting a deal done with Madson.
Another report makes it clear that Amaro isn't putting all of his eggs in the Madson basket. Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the team is also in discussions with Jonathan Papelbon, the longtime Red Sox closer who also hit free agency last week.
Amaro won't comment on any specifics about the team's pursuit of either player, but he doesn't deny that he's making serious inroads toward filling the closer spot for next season.
He told Rosenthal that he's talking to "everyone" and explained his philosophy about the closer hunt in a little more detail to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
"We don't want to let all of our options slip by, so we're going to be aggressively patient, I guess."
While you can (and maybe should) argue with Amaro's insistence on signing a gold-plated closer this offseason, you can't argue with making the market for one by yourself. Scott Boras represents Madson and he would like nothing better than letting the chase for his clients heat up as long as possible so that he can either find other bidders or invent mystery suitors who force a few more dollars to the surface.
Engaging Madson, Papelbon and possibly others at the same time ensures Amaro won't be left without a partner come the night of the big dance. That's the best strategy to employ because it means you aren't going to get held up by anybody who knows that you're desperate to make a deal.
None of these reports say anything about numbers. The length and total value of any deal is going to be a big part of assessing Amaro's work, but you can't accuse the guy of operating without a plan.


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Friday evening is 'Drop In' night!
By Robert Somerville
Immigrants to new pastures experience a range of adjustments, some more challenging than others. Immigration often brings great positive change in individuals' lives, but this is rarely without navigating periods of difficulty directly associated with the experience of being an immigrant. One of the most difficult adjustments for migrants to make is in terms of the availability of a social network. In emigrating, people leave established networks at home and experience great isolation in arriving in new cities and countries on their own.
In the 1990s in Boston, the Irish Pastoral Centre sought to combat some of this social isolation by helping the immigrant community to establish a supportive network. Sr. Veronica, Fr. Finn and the IPC Chaplains, Fathers Burns and O'Donnell, began to organize a series of social 'drop in' evenings – an environment in which young immigrants could come together to socialize, play music and games, dance, and tell stories and news of home. The social evenings were designed to meet the need for a safe space for immigrants to meet that wasn't a local pub or social club. Every Friday evening in Brighton in the early 90s, and later in Quincy, hordes of young immigrants would gather at the Irish Pastoral Centre between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM in an environment which promoted conversation and healthy social exchange.
Through these social evenings many friendships were fostered, and partnerships formed. Liam Canniffe, Consul General to Ireland in the early 90s, spoke of the importance of the IPC social evenings in 1992, saying "even Americans who move from one city to another need time and support to adjust" and that for many young Irish immigrants from rural areas in Ireland "being left totally alone can be quite devastating". The IPC 'drop in' evenings assisted the Consulate in helping meet the demands of the Irish immigrant community by reducing the presence of culture shock through socialization. The evenings supported the development of community, and as a result the young Immigrants came together to take collective action around common problems they were experiencing. The IPC, as a grassroots organization, was delighted to see young immigrants helping one another, as many new arrivals needed the support of their peers more than the formality found in structured social services like the Pastoral Centre.
Recognizing the importance of this collective action, ownership of the IPC 'drop in' evening was given to a 'steering committee' made up of participants and IPC volunteers including Cait and Tess Cotter, Helen Coyne, Kathleen O' Donoghue, Margaret-Ann and Hillary Grant, Kathy Gilligan, Maureen Griffin, Adrian Hanley, Eileen Moran, Paraig McGailey, Eamonn Nash, and Veronica Quinn. This steering committee ensured that the 'drop in' evening was maintained as an informal meeting, where the spirit of openness and a warm welcome to all was consistently maintained.
Events like the Irish Pastoral Centre's 'drop in' nights fostered friendships, partnerships and marriages that have lasted to this day. In the current age of technology, where social networking has been largely reduced to online encounters, many individuals are more isolated than ever. The IPC strives to maintain this warm, open welcome to all to help reduce some of the isolation experienced by so many, and we hope that the immigrant community in Boston strives for the same. We encourage all readers to reach out to their friends and acquaintances, to call or 'drop in' to see how they are doing. As ever, the IPC is available to all who feel they are in need of a chat or a visit – please call 617-265-5300 if you, or somebody you know is in need of a listening and supportive ear.
Leave a Reply.
30 Years at the IPC
October 2017


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Nokia 5110
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