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Reflex Scripting
- Published:
- October 30, 2014
- Author:
- Alan Moore
Many tasks run in or against a Rapture environment can involve some relatively simple data manipulation – but manipulation that could require some reasonably sophisticated logic. You can execute these tasks by writing code in a more traditional language and compile and deploy that code to the Rapture platform as a fully fledged server application or as a step in a workflow. (Both of these techniques will be discussed in a future blog post). Rapture also has a scripting language – called Reflex – which can be used as another tool to achieve the same ends. This post gives a brief overview to Reflex and how it is used.
Reflex was intended to be a simple language that was very specific to the task in hand – manipulating data in Rapture. As such it tends to be more procedural than "object oriented" and has a very loose type system, using coercion wherever possible to "do the right thing". Some more modern constructs have been created when they help with the specific task – for example there are some functional implementations such as map/filter/fold as they are good techniques for manipulating data.
A simple example
In this example we imagine we have a document repository "test" with a document in it called "//test/input/one". The contents of this document are reproduced below:
{ "value" : 21, "name" : "Test", "inScope" : true, "description" : "A piece of test data" }
In our example we want to write a script that will take this document, multiply the value field by 2 and then write out the changed document to another location. We will only do this for documents that have a true value in the field "inScope".
In our first use of Reflex we will use native Rapture API calls:
def workWith(inputUri) content = #doc.getContent(inputUri); contentAsMap = fromjson(content); if contentAsMap['inScope'] do newUri = replace(inputUri, 'input','output'); contentAsMap['value'] = contentAsMap['value'] * 2; println("Would write ${contentAsMap} to ${newUri}"); #doc.putContent(newUri, json(contentAsMap)); end end workWith('//test/input/one');
Going through this example line by line we see that we first define a function "workWith" that we call in line 12 with our input URI. This gives us the ability to call workWith with many different URIs if we see fit. Within the function we first (line 2) retrieve the content from Rapture given the document's URI. The content returned by the getContent call is a simple text string, which we convert to a Reflex "map" with the built-in "fromjson" call. Once we have a map we can use simple Reflex indexing to retrieve values. In line 4 we test for whether "inScope" is set. If it is we compute a new place to save our new document (by simply replacing the text "input" with "output" and multiply the value field by 2.
In line 7 we print out what we are about to do – using Reflex's substitution ability for strings (so that the value of contentAsMap and newUri are printed out) and then finally in line 8 we put the content back.
The output from running this Reflex script would be:
Would write {value=42, inScope=true, name=hello} to //test/output/one
In fact Reflex has a simpler technique to retrieving and saving content when it is formatted as json. The operators <-- and --> can be used as replacements to the getContent/json and fromjson/putContent calls. So the more idiomatic Reflex script for performing this task would be:
def workWith(inputUri) content <-- inputUri; if content['inScope'] do newUri = replace(inputUri, 'input','output'); content['value'] = content['value'] * 2; println("Would write ${content} to ${newUri}"); content --> newUri; end end workWith('//test/input/one');
Reflex Containers
The above Reflex script was actually run using a command line tool "ReflexRunner" which can be invoked from a desktop. We could have also run the script on a Rapture web server or via an API call (either with the script stored in Rapture or passed as a parameter). Reflex runs inside the concept of a container and this section will describe what we mean by that.
When a Reflex environment is used for the execution of a script it runs in the concept of a container that has a series of hooks to underlying implementation of that Reflex functionality. For example, in the script above we were loading and saving data from Rapture – one of the hooks we have to wire up in a container is the mapping between making an API call in Reflex and how that API call is implemented. In a desktop based container the "wiring" uses the Rapture client side API to connect to a remote Rapture environment. When running on a Rapture instance directly the API is wired direct.
The diagram below shows the hooks that form part of this container architecture for Reflex:
In this diagram we have a script running in a container with the links to the wired interfaces. The interfaces in sky blue are usually always implemented in a container.
Each of the hooks is described briefly below with some examples of how they are wired up depending on the container location:
API Handler
The API handler is the link to the connected Rapture API (the use of #doc.putContent in the above example). In a desktop this will use the client Rapture API, within Rapture itself this will be bound to the Rapture kernel.
Data Handler
This handler is used to implement the push and pull operators (–> and <--). The implementation is usually simply using the API handler, though this hook allows a more efficient implementation to be used if available.
Debug Handler
This handler (when implemented) gives the hook the ability to pause and inspect the state of a Reflex script. The handler is only usually implemented when user interaction is available but because the debug hook is called for each statement (and partial statement) executed a "debug handler" is also available that records performance statistics for the execution of a Reflex script.
IO Handler
Certain Reflex built-in functions involve manipulating "files" and "folders". The binding of these concepts to an environment is the responsibility of this handler. On the server this is usually a null implementation (you cannot access files on a Rapture server). For desktop execution this is bound to the underlying operation system file structure.
Script Handler
Reflex scripts can "include" or "import" other Reflex scripts. This handler is used to work out how to retrieve those referenced scripts and often delegates to the API handler.
Output Handler
Built-in Reflex functions such as "print" have the default behavior of printing out the arguments onto the stdout stream. On a server this may not be the best approach – particularly if you want a calling application to see the output. The output handler implementation can determine the best way of handling printed information.
Input Handler
The input handler is the opposite of the output handler – it determines how the built in functions of Reflex that are responsible for getting data from a "user" are implemented.
Cache Handler
The cache functions of Reflex can help performance in that data can be stored in a cache for later retrieval – with the assumption that the cache entry may not necessarily exist if a follow on script is run on a completely different (and disconnected) Rapture server or desktop. Usually the cache handler is implemented as a simple time and space limited mapping store.
Specific Reflex Containers
Within the Rapture platform there are a number of pre-built Reflex containers – which can be extended by a developer by implementing or extending the handlers described above.
Desktop execution
There are two desktop Reflex containers – the "ReflexRunner" application which takes as a parameter a file containing a Reflex script and the connection parameters to a Rapture environment, and a widget in the Rapture "Vienna" environment (a thick client graphical UI environment which will be the subject of a future post).
Server execution
On a server there are a number of different containers, depending on need.
The first is the container used when the API call #script.runScript is executed. The API is bound to the kernel, there is no debugging or input or file io and any output is captured and stored in the system log of the server.
Next is a variant of that container when #script.runScriptExtended is executed. RunScriptExtended returns the output from the script after execution and so the output handler is bound to a different implementation.
Finally there is the container that is used when executing a script as part of a workflow (workflows are the subject of a future post). A workflow has the concept of a workflow "context" and the script has access natively to this context as variables pre-injected into the Reflex container. Also the return value of the script is captured and use to drive the future execution or direction of the workflow.
Language Overview
We've seen how a simple script is created and we've also seen the types of container a Reflex script can run in. We'll now have a quick look at some of the features of the Reflex language. The post cannot describe every feature but there is a Reflex manual that can be requested from Incapture that contains that information.
General structure
Reflex has variables – capable of storing a number of different types. The type of a variable is inferred by its content. Reflex understands booleans, strings, numbers, lists, maps, sparse matrices, "files" (or streams) and native Java objects. So all of the following is valid syntax in Reflex:
x = true; // boolean y = 1; // number z = 'a string'; // string a = "another string"; //string m = {}; // map m['value'] = 4; l = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ]; // a list l2 = [ x, y, z, a, m, l]; // a list containing different types
Reflex has simple operators on these values. The "index" operator is shown above for maps, the same structure with a number can be used to access members of a list. Other operators are the usual standard set with the usual precedence rules:
notx = !x; twoY = y * 2; letterA = z[0]; theFirstElement = l[0]; y /= 2; y *= 2; y = y + 10; newY = (y * y) + (twoY * twoY);
Reflex has simple logic and loop constructs for controlling flow. The usual "if" "while" "for". Reflex can enclose blocks with either "do" / "end" pairs or "{" "}".
for x = 0 to 10 do if x % 2 == 0 do println("{x} is even"); end end
Procedures can be defined using the syntax shown in the example at the start of this post. The name of a procedure can be used as a first class object to some of the more functional methods.
def twoTimes(x) return x * 2; end println(twoTimes(2));
Pull and Push
Reflex can retrieve and place data into a Rapture environment using a simple set of operators:
data = {}; data['one'] = 1; data --> '//myrepo/data/1'; dataBack <-- '//myrepo/data/1'; assert(data['one'] == 1);
Files and IO
When supported by the container Reflex can access the underlying IO/File system of the environment:
x = file('myfile.csv'); for y in x do println("Line ${y}"); end
The Rapture API
The Rapture API is exposed to Reflex by using the # symbol followed by the API area and then the function within that API. Parameters to the API are cooerced to the types needed by the implementation of the API. If the return value is a complex object it can either be inspected directly (using a dotted method notation) or converted to a map using the "json" built-in.
x = #doc.getContent("//myrepo/data/1");
Built in functions
Reflex has many built-in functions that are fully defined in the reference manual. In this post I'll highlight a couple to give a sense for the type and range of functions:
The date built-in returns a Reflex "date" object. If passed zero parameters the date will be "now", otherwise the date will be the result of parsing the argument passed. Dates can be manipulated using simple arithmetic and can also respect calendars such as a business week.
When working with maps it's often useful to enumerate over the keys of the map, or at least check to see if a given value is in the keys. This built-in returns the keys of a map.
The size of a variable depends on its type. For a list it's the number of elements in the list. For a string it's the length. For a map it's the size of its keys.
Unique returns the elements of a list that are unique – removing duplicates.
The cast built-in can be used to coerce the type of a variable manually. E.g.
x = 1; y = cast(x, 'string'); z = cast(y, 'number'); // y will be '1', z will be 1
The split command takes a string and splits on a certain character (e.g. a comma). An additional parameter helps with splitting content that could contain quoted strings.
A working example
We've seen a simple Reflex script, some ideas about the logic and some examples of built-in functions. Finally we'll look at a real world Reflex script that is used in a working system to parse a file passed by a remote system into more structured documents in Rapture. Some of the code has been modified to protect confidentiality.
// Create positions and asset information and pricing from a blob // require '//common/util' as common; const DATE = common.getToday(); //const BLOB = "blob://idp.external.report/client/${DATE}/eod"; const BLOB = '/Users/amkimian/Mock_SPOS_INCAPTURE_D_20141028.csv'; posDate = DATE; fund = 'ALPHACAPTURE'; def normalizeSymbol(val) if val == null do return val; end return urlencode(val); end def maybeNumber(val) try do return cast(val, 'number'); end catch e do end return val; end f = file(BLOB); first = true; for line in f do vals = split(line, ',', true); if first do ks = vals; first = false; else do pos = 0; doc = {}; for x in vals do if size(x) > 0 do doc[ks[pos]] = maybeNumber(x); end pos = pos+1; end strategy = doc['Standard Strategy']; substrat = doc['Strategy']; asset = normalizeSymbol(doc['Symbol']); path = "//idp.eod.client.pos/${posDate}/${fund}/${strategy}/${substrat}/${asset}"; added = {}; added['fund'] = fund; added['date'] = posDate; added['strategy'] = strategy; added['substrat'] = substrat; added['asset'] = asset; doc['enrich'] = added; println(path); doc --> path; end end
In this real world example we're taking a file (actually stored as a blob in Rapture) which is structured as a CSV file. Each row of the file is converted into a document that is stored in Rapture – with the first line used to define the keys of each document.
Most of this example should be pretty readable with a number of notable additions we haven't covered in this post:
The "require" directive is loading another script from Rapture and putting it in the namespace "common". This is then used to call the "getToday" function in that common code (it returns the current business date).
The "normalizeSymbol" procedure calls the built-in "urlencode". This helper function ensures that the string used for the symbol contains only characters that are valid for a URI in Rapture.
The "maybeNumber" procedure uses exceptions as a lazy method of seeing whether a field in the CSV file is a number or not. It tries to "cast" the value to a number. If it works that is returned. Reflex has an exception construct (try/catch/finally).
The Reflex scripting language in Rapture is simple but has reasonable depth for advanced users. This blog post has scratched the surface with some examples of use and some context around how Reflex is used and deployed. Within Rapture, Reflex scripts can be stored and executed using the Rapture API (running on a container in the server) or executed locally with a long-wired connection to a Rapture environment. Reflex scripts tend to be used for small tasks in workflows, for housekeeping tasks or as the back-end of a web server based application. For more detailed information about Reflex feel free to contact us.


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Anti-fascist researcher Dave Emory (spelled E-M-O-R-Y) goes into all the hidden truths and details about evil men and their trade practices.
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2002 Cadillac Seville Windshield Wiper Problems?
A 2002 Cadillac Deville's wiper system is made up of the wipers, wiper arms, the motor and a transmission. If any of these cease to function, the wiper system as a whole will fail to work.
How do I Fix the Windshield Wiper in a 2002 Cadillac Seville?
Check the wiper blades on your Seville regularly for any signs of damage. If you begin to notice streaking or scratches in the windshield, replace the blades right away. The 2002 Seville uses 22-in...
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How to Install a Serpentine Belt on a 2002 Cadillac Seville?
The Cadillac Seville comes standard with a 4.6l V8 engine, which works like a traditional GM V8 engine, with front-mounted accessories. These accessories are powered by a serpentine belt, which tur...
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How Do I Replace the Coolant Reservoir on a 2002 Cadillac Seville?
The coolant tank on the 2002 Cadillac Seville is located on the passenger side of the engine cavity. It sits in front of the wheel well by the washer fluid reservoir. Removing and replacing the coo...
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Introduced in the 1950s, the Cadillac Seville is a luxury automobile manufactured by General Motors. Cadillac Sevilles equipped with theft security systems can develop problems with these systems t...
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Home > Nanotechnology Columns > Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies > What's so important about Canada?
|David Rejeski
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
Environment Canada, the nation's environmental protection department, is reportedly planning to soon become the first nation in the world to require companies to detail their use of engineered nanomaterials - a major policy move that may prompt other nations to take similar action.
February 5th, 2009
What's so important about Canada?
Environment Canada, the nation's environmental protection department, is reportedly planning to soon become the first nation in the world to require companies to detail their use of engineered nanomaterials - a major policy move that may prompt other nations to take similar action.
The agency is reportedly planning to make a one-time request to gather information that will be used towards the development of a regulatory framework and will target companies and institutions that manufactured or imported a total quantity greater than 1kg of a nanomaterial during the 2008 calendar year, according to a spokesperson for Environment Canada. The upcoming requirement is not a regulation or rule that will require users to submit information on a continual basis, but is still an important step in the right direction.
Talks of an upcoming notice announcing the requirement come at the same time that policymakers in other industrialized nations, most notably the United States and France, are discussing their authorities to collect risk data on nanomaterials.
Earlier this year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an interim report on its Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP), a voluntary information submission program that has received limited industry participation. The EPA report notes the lack of data the program garnered and says the agency will consider how best to use the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to gather more risk data.
But maybe the expected effort of their neighbors to the north may now inspire U.S. EPA to consider how quickly to use its authority under TSCA to obtain the needed information.
Studies released by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) have concluded that TSCA is "extremely deficient," but note that updating and improving the law is no small endeavor and will take a great deal of time and resources to address. However, these same studies argue that EPA has not in recent years effectively used the tools it has under that law to address nanotechnology, which has kept the agency from identifying which substances are nanomaterials and whether they pose a hazard.
One study, Nanotechnology Oversight: An Agenda for the Next Administration, authored by former top-level EPA official J. Clarence (Terry) Davies, argues that the agency and Obama administration could submit a legislative amendment that defines nanomaterials as "new" chemical substances under TSCA - a move that would help increase oversight of the substances. The paper also argues that if, for political or other reasons, legislation seems undesirable, an alternative would be for the Obama EPA to promulgate a "significant new use rule" (SNUR) under TSCA. The act gives broad authority to cover categories of chemicals under such a rule and, once covered, the chemicals are essentially considered to be new chemicals.
At the same time, France is reportedly considering legislative language that would require risk data on nanomaterials to be submitted to an oversight agency - a significant step for policy in Europe. Since 2006, Great Britain's Defra agency has operated a Voluntary Reporting Scheme for engineered nanoscale materials, but like EPA's NSMP this program has attracted only limited industry participation. If France becomes the first country in Europe to institute a mandatory nanoscale materials reporting program, it will spark debate over whether this step should be taken by all European Community member countries.
The public and the environment are being exposed to new nanomaterials on a frequent basis - it hard to argue this is not true. However, governments lack information on the type, quantity and possible risks of nanoscale materials being manufactured and used in products today.
So what's so important about Canada? Well, the information gathered under the expected Canadian requirement will be used to evaluate the risks of engineered nanomaterials and will help to develop appropriate safety measures to protect human health and the environment - a step that may inspire other governments to take similar action. That's what is so important.
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Pitcher plant and beetle
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Full VideoNessie is back and this time she decided it was going to be video that she wanted to do and not what Mark wanted. Mark started to explain what they were going to do and Nessie just grabs him and locks those powerful thighs around his neck. She then proceeds to explain to him that he needs to survive 10 minutes of her brutal scissor and if he does then the next 10 minutes will get even worse. Nessie makes sure he survives the first 10 minutes but made sure he didn't survive the second 10 minutes. She pours on the pressure is the second half, especially after he calls her a Bitch. Nessie gets Mark to do what not many have done before…QUIT. Then she comes back for one more scissor and tells him it's time for a nap. This is one video Mark had to watch to remember.
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Natural Gas Power Infrastructure: Is it Sufficient for the Dash to Gas?
Jason Davis, a director at ScottMadden, Inc., recently spoke with GenerationHub about infrastructure issues that could undermine the growing use of natural gas for electric power.
Please note that the following transcript has been edited for length. To access the full article, click here. Membership is required to access the full article. To register, click here.
Author: Wayne Barber, GenerationHubView More
Contributing Authors
Jason Davis Director


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What are the top universities for student satisfaction?
For those planning on heading to university having picked up their A-level results this morning, a new list of the UK's top 20 universities according to student satisfaction has ben released this week.
Yesterday saw the release of the National Student Survey results for 2015, which quizzed more than 300,000 students to get their views on undergraduate courses.
While the likes of Oxford, Cambridge and UCL may battle it out for the top spot of the THE's world university rankings, the names that top this year's student satisfaction list might not be what you'd expect.
And it's also worth bearing in mind that the institutions which recorded the best ratings of all were actually further education colleges.
Here are the universities which obtained the best scores for student satisfaction this year:
1. Brighton and Sussex Medical School
2. St Mary's University College
=3. Keele University
=3 Hull and York Medical School
=3. University of Buckingham
6. Courtauld Institute of Art
7. Harper Adams University
=8. University of East Anglia
=8. University of Essex
=8. Royal Veterinary College
=8. University of Surrey
=8. University of Winchester
=13. Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
=13. Coventry University
=13. University of Lancaster
=13. Loughborough University
=13. Newcastle University
=13. University of Oxford
=13. Bangor University
=13. Swansea University
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- Equine_Breeder
- 4 years ago
- Wedding: October 2013
I'm not talking about a styling appointment, just A haircut. It's 3 hrs before my appointment. Should I wash it? I've done it sometimes only to have them wash it again which I try and avoid, but if I don't do it then I'll get that one hairstylist that does it dry and I'll be worried about my dirty hair the whole time!
What do you do?


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text: I wanted a mouse for my desk so my dad gave me this (bad?) apple trackpad. I actually never noticed it was called a Magic Trackpad until this assignment. But of course Apple needs to distinguish it's trackpad from others. I think the name makes sense, this is a very simple device that appears as if it doesn't do much of anything. However, although it seems mundane, it does posses hidden qualities unknown until you use it.


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ce n est plus Celine Dion? les congolais complexer et menteur,sala nanu ou bimiso nanu ebongo oya ko loba.
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Earl Grey & Two SugarsbyHitchhiker©
No vehicles had gone by in either direction for over 45 minutes. The sun was starting to go behind the hills and I was thirsty.
I got out my stove collected water from the creek near by and started a brew of
Earl Grey with two sugars.
The water was just starting to bubble when a car pulled up, a rather fine lady in her late forties got out and came round to stand in front of me and said "Well you look like you've given up trying for a lift. Tell you what, you make me a cup of tea, I might make you an offer you can't refuse"
"Well if you don't mind waiting a while longer I'll put some more water in my pot and we can have tea together" I replied "And what might your offer be? Come sit down and we shall talk while I get the water."
I went to the creek and fetched more water, when I returned I introduced myself and we shook hands, and as we did I noticed a sparkle in her eye as she said her name "I'm Roseanne, but you can call me Rose"
We sat together on the grass in the shading light exchanging brief histories. Finally the water came to the boil I put in fresh tea bag, I gave Rose my tin mug and I drank from my cooking pot.
Rose's proposition was that she needed a hand on her small holding, she couldn't afford to pay wages but would give me bed and board and somewhere to call home for a week or two. I accepted her offer, when we had finished our tea, we got into her old clapped out estate car and headed off up a dirt track for 15 klm, that lead to her house and organic farm.
Over the course of the next few days we got to know one another, working hard from dawn to dusk we talked about everything.
Rose had a daughter at boarding school, she was just 18 and in her last term. The school fees were paid for by Roses ex-husband, but Rose got no other money from him.
Our conversation always seemed to get around to the battle of the sexes; Rose was very bitter about men and at times took her anger out on me. Until one day whilst we were struggling with a fence post that didn't want stay upright, I threw my tamper on the ground and angrily shouted.
"LOOK! WOMAN, I don't hate women or do I treat them with disrespect. IN FACT I can make love to a woman and not need to have an orgasm myself or need one."
"Prove it" she retorted passionately " I don't believe you, no man can give a woman pleasure without having a hidden agenda for his own gratification."
"Right" I said taking her by the hand. "I've had enough of this fucking post, come with me. I'm going to give you more pleasure than you've ever had in your life and prove to you that not all men are shits" With that I pulled her toward me and kissed her full on the mouth, hard and firm without invading her mouth with my tongue but still firm and open mouthed. Rose responded by thrusting her tongue into my mouth.
I resisted making our tongues entwine, although passionate I broke the kiss, looked her straight in the eye and said, "First we will wash, prepare and pamper your body. Then I shall reveal parts of body to you, that you have never felt pleasure from."
When we got back to the house Rose was flushed and obviously aroused, with the anticipation. Inside the house, I first made sure the stove was full of wood to make more hot water, when this was done and the damper opened, I went to fill the bath and took Rose with me.
As the bath was filling, I slowly began to remove Rose's cloths kissing and caressing each piece of skin as it became bare. The room filled with steam and condensation and by the time I had her naked before me the bathtub was half full. Taking her by the hand I helped her into the bath and sat her down then using a flannel wetted her naked form, rubbing soap onto the flannel I washed and scrubbed her back and shoulders.
I then asked to lay back in the hot water and relax whilst I removed my own clothes. Quickly naked I asked her to stand so that I could wash the rest of her body.
Rose looked down at my erection and said "See you have a hidden agenda, you are only doing this for your own gratification "
"Don't get me wrong Rose" I responded "I will enjoy what I'm about to do to you and your wonderful naked body, but the difference is I will find the enjoyment in your pleasure, as much as mine. Now if you'd stand a little to the left I can get in and finish washing you, and you must not touch me, until I say so, OK?"
Rose looked at me, surprised, by my firm statement of intent, and so as not to make her feel to bullied I lent forward and gently kissed her, and drew back looking straight into her eyes I gave her a cheeky grin of reassurance.
Bending forward I retrieved the soap and flannel, squatting down in the bath I washed Roses legs and then worked my way up her thighs caressing every in of flesh as I went.
Missing her sex I washed her tummy and then her breasts, making them slick with soap, not missing any part of her luscious globes taking particular care to wash the underside of her breasts which brought small involuntary gasps of pleasure form her lips. Guiding her gently to sit on the top end of the bath, I knelt again in the water to wash her quim,
Being blond she had thankfully very little hair covering her mound, applying soap to her quim I very gently teased her moist flesh until it was clean and opening like a flower before me. As I was washing her quim she placed the heel, of her right foot on my left thigh and then stroked my erection with her toes. I immediately pushed her foot away telling firmly "NO, not yet, not until I say so."
The last of the soap was rinsed, from Roses body. I reached for a towel and dried her, when she was dry I asked her to go to the bedroom and wait for me. I quickly washed myself clean, dried myself and with a towel wrapped around my middle went to find Rose.
To my momentary disappointment she was not in the bedroom as instructed.
Making me jump she said from behind me "I thought a glass of wine might go down a treat and went to open a bottle. White OK?"
"Fine" I said my composure lost for a second. Taking control again I took the proffered glass from her hand putting it down after taking a quick sip. I then gently took the bottle and her glass that was not yet filled.
I poured the wine and gave the full glass to her, picking mine up again I chinked my glass to hers and toasted "To pleasure! Now if you would be so kind as to lay face down on the bed I shall begin" As instructed Rose laid herself face down on the bed.
Taking many long sensuous minutes I massaged her back from toe to head, easing away all the knots and stress in her taught muscles. When I felt she was relaxed I gently turned her over and started to massage her front, her was glowing with a red flush and being so alabaster white the effect of her aroused flush, was all to clear to see.
So when I bent to kiss her nipples her body shuddered and she exclaimed
"Oh I feel so different, no one has ever taken so long in love making with me before, please don't stop"
"I have a long way to go with your continued pleasuring don't you worry, my beauty" I said reassuringly. " Now if you would like to sit on the edge of the bed, I shall continue"
Rose complied with my request and we both took the break to have some more wine, taking the glass gently from her hand and putting it back on the bedside table, I bent forward to kiss and fondle her breasts and as I did I pushed her back onto the bed so she was again lying down, but now with her feet on the floor and her legs spread wide.
Standing between her thighs I was able to kiss my way over her breast and down her tummy to her Mon's Venus. I knelt down, and kissing and nuzzling the soft swollen flesh of her mound. My gentle attention and teasing bought moans, of pleasure from Roses sweet lips.
Flicking, licking and caressing the petals of her quim were producing more and more shudders of pleasure through her body.
"Ooooh, this is so different I've never felt like this before, never, never, never…. Please don't stop," She crooned, holding her hands just millimetres above my head, still obeying my order, not to touch me.
The shocks and spasms of pleasure were getting stronger and more intense and I had to give to lightest of touches to her clit with my tongue. By pushing two fingers deep inside her and curling them up I was able to rub on her G-spot. The effect was instant her body started to go rigid, and she bent herself like a bow pushing her middle up and her head and shoulders down to force me to put more pressure onto her G-spot. I sucked her clit into my mouth and flicked my tongue across the silken tip,
As if an electric currant was suddenly slammed through her, Rose started to come; I had to fight to keep contact with her quim and pulled my fingers out of her body.
"Nooooo, this can't be…. Oooh fuck yes, yes, yes Noooo, no I can't take much more, this is fantastic. Don't stop, don't stop Please don't stop" she screamed as her body thrashed around in the first full orgasm, of her life.
I sat back on my heels with a grin of the Cheshire cat on my face I had achieved my promise. I got up, gently helped Rose get under the covers, and tucked her up in bed. I kissed her lightly on the head and left her in the warm after glow of orgasm.
Quietly I left the room and went to my own bed. We hadn't eaten but what the heck; I needed rest from my labours.
I don't know how long I had been asleep, a few hours at least, as the eastern sky was starting to glow with the pre-dawn. I was awoken by the naked body of Rose, climbing in to bed next to me. I pretended to remain asleep and just moved over a little to allow her enough room. She started to kiss me oh, so gentle all over my head and face. She whispered, "Are you awake, my love?"
I moaned gently and opened my eyes to look up into her smiling face, as she bent forward to kiss me full and deep on the mouth.
Rose broke the kiss and said, "No man has ever made me feel like that before, you are a wonderful lover. Will you make love to me again and this time I want you to come deep in my body. I still tingle from what you did to me earlier."
With that she moved her hand down my chest and stomach and took hold of my erection, pushing the covers back she moved down the bed, took my cock into her mouth, and sucked on it. I lay there and enjoyed her ministrations until she moved herself to straddle my supine body and lower her moist quim onto my throbbing member.
As my cock slid into her willing flesh for the first time, it was wonderfully warm and soft, and because I hadn't come before my senses were heightened to the sensations of being in a new woman's body.
Rose lifted herself up down and rocking backward and forward in a sort of circular motion. She may not have had a man satisfy her but she certainly knew how to give pleasure to a man. I lay there for several minutes revelling in the pleasures of being embedded in her.
Wanting more I started to lift her up and down on my engorged cock making more friction, Rose soon got the message and rode my cock horse with gusto and it wasn't to long that my body arched and thrust deeper into her womb to release my long pent up seed. My orgasm was all the more intense for having been waited for, and flopped back down onto the bed totally spent and quivering in bliss.
Rose bent forward, kissed me long and hard, and asked me "Are you happy? Because you've made me feel like a real woman for the first time in my life."
I answered still on cloud nine "I did it for you so you can one day have a man and not hate any more."
"But how do I know a man will make love to me the way you've done?" She queried rolling of my placid member to lay next to me in the narrow single bed, with her head propped on her arm.
"Its up to you to train him and tell him what YOU want." I said. "Now, can we get some sleep I want to get that post in, so we can finish the fence and move the sheep onto the better grass."? Bending forward kissing her lips, smiling. She nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, come lets go and be comfortable in my big double bed."
She took me by the hand and led me to her own large bed, where we slept until the sun rose, on a bright new day. By lunchtime we had the fence finished and the sheep were eating fresh young grass.
We took the afternoon off and went to the hot pools nearby to soak away the strains of our labours. As we sat in the hot sulphurous smelling water. Rose turned to me and said "I've thought about this very hard and I want you to do something very special for me."
"Yes?" I said, turning to take hold of her arm and wash it with the hot volcanic water. We were totally alone, in the middle of the forest with no other person for miles.
"I want you to deflower my daughter Rosie, when she comes home from college in a few days. She is now of an age when she will be leaving the protected confines of the convent and shortly going to university; and I don't want her to have the horrible experience that I did when I lost my virginity"
I must have looked like a fish dragged out of water, as my jaw flapped without saying anything. I was totally lost for words, what an honour? What a compliment? I was stunned.
I answered her very slowly and carefully "Are you sure she'd want to have her Mothers lover?" I questioned. "After all its like she has no choice in the matter."
Rose responded and said "Don't worry I know my daughter she will agree when I've explained my plan for her. She knows how I hate men because they abuse woman, so when I tell her that you will be her first and make it perfect for her. She will agree and when you see her you'll not argue at the task"
I still couldn't believe my ears, here was the mother of an 18 year old, virgin asking me, a virtual stranger to make love to her daughter for the first time.
How was she going to get her daughter to agree, I just couldn't see a girl raised in a Catholic boarding school going for the idea. Then Rose hit me with the coupe de grace, by saying.
"Her favourite book of all time is the Mammoth Hunters and the character Jondula, when he deflowers the virgin at the spring ceremony, presided over by the tribe Mother.
Rosie has said she'd like to have that happen to her the first time. That's what gave me the idea in the first place."
Well that was it; it would be easy to get Rosie to agree to her mother's idea. All her mother had done was find a man that could deflower a virgin and do it beautifully.
A week later young Rosie came back from school. When she got out of the car I nearly came in my pants. She was a vision of pure beauty and I was to have her. She walked straight up to me, flung her arms around me kissing me, and said "Thank you, for making my Mum so happy she's told me how wonderful a lover you are." Will you really take my virginity?
"What?" I thought "She's told her already and the girls gagging for it, what have I got myself into?"
I took control of my thoughts and the situation, and said "Yes Rosie, and we will make it really special for you just like Jondula did in The Mammoth Hunters."
"Oh yes please" she responded and excitedly, almost dancing with joy. (And there was me being all worried that the whole thing would become a complete flop)
Rose and I collected greenery from the forest and decked out her bedroom to make it look all-magical. We also killed a Hogget to make a special feast for the occasion.
Rosie was all a flutter and couldn't wait she bathed herself and took a lifetime over her toilet.
Rose and I found this most amusing, that she wanted to be so clean for the occasion.
We'd decided the ceremony should start with a meal and the proceedings take place after sunset, so Rosie would wake up the next morning a woman.
Finally all was ready, we ate our meal and made toasts to childhood and enjoying life as adults, all was very light and a little apricot wine with the addition of some wacky backey made things all the more easy.
Rosie was very relaxed and also extremely excited she wore only a thin summer dress with buttons all down the front and her nipples were quite clearly very erect. Rose flirted with me and rubbed my crotch telling her daughter that she was going to be very a happy girl later. Rosie said, "If what you've told me is true I'm really looking forward to it"
Rosie came round to where Rose and I were standing and they both had an arm around my shoulders. Rose said, "You feel that?," she took her daughters hand, and placed it over my erection.
"Do you want to learn how to become really popular with the men?" Rose enquired of her daughter.
"What do you mean Mum?" replied Rosie puzzled, by her mothers statement.
At that Rose dropped to her knee's in front me, unfastened my belt and flies, and let my trousers drop to the floor. I stepped out of then and kicked them across the room. Funnily I felt rather self-conscious. Even though I had seduced and made love to Rose. Rosie had not seen me naked or any other man for that matter.
I turned my head to Rosie and gently started to kiss her on the face and then the lips, she responded and kissed me back.
At the same time Rose pulled down my under pants and took my cock in her mouth and started to slowly suck, pumping her head back and forth. As it grew back to its full glory Rose pulled my straining member from her mouth and said to her daughter "Come on kneel down here and let your mum show how to suck cock."
Rosie did as she was bid and knelt down next to her mother; I took the opportunity to pull my shirt off so I was completely naked. (I always feel funny being naked from the waist down but being fully undressed I'm OK, I know its weird but then that's me folks!)
Rose holding my cock in her hand, described to Rosie all the different parts of the male phallus from the scrotum to the glands, she also explained that I was different from most men in that I'm circumcised.
Rose then showed her daughter all the different ways of giving my member pleasure. Then it was Rosie's turn, Rose got her to open her mouth and let the head just slide in, her tongue came up and meet the underside of the glands, wow she was a natural, her soft virgin mouth took to cock sucking like a duck to water. Rosie started to pump her head back and forth and I had to put a hand one each head to steady myself.
"Don't worry Rosie," said Rose "He wont come I never met a man with such control as Adam, he can last for hours"
"Don't be so sure woman " I said groaning and swaying back and forth on my fast softening legs. "Rosie is sending electric shocks through me, she's a natural."
At that moment I had to pull my engorged knob out of Rosie's willing mouth, or I would have cum. Dropping to my knee's I pulled Rosie to me and hugged her tight, kissing her face and neck all over.
"Come" I said as I stood and took her hand pulling her to her feet. "We shall go to the anointed place, this is your special night."
"Rose" I said to the girls mother "She will be safe with me, I shall come to you on the morrow."
"Go with him my child, he will be your first lover" With that Rose kissed Rosie on the cheek and guided us both with a gentle push toward the anointed place.
When we reached the bedroom the candles and incense were still burning giving the room a magic aromatic atmosphere. The scene was perfect for the ritual planned; even a fairy princess could not of hoped for more.
Taking Rosie in my arms I gently kissed and pushed the shoulder straps of her dress from her shoulders, kissing the bared flesh as I went. Rosie held my head in her hands and stroked my hair as I kissed my way down her neck and shoulders. As I undid each button. I kissed the skin as it became uncovered.
By the time I was on my knees and kissing her tight tummy the dress had fallen to the floor. I was stroking and caressing her back and silk covered bottom, her head was lolling from side to side. I stood and led her to sit on the bed. Pushing her back I took the waistband of her knickers and pulled them off baring her virgin quim for my gaze.


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As part of the Britain's push for exports in new markets I went out to meet UKTI officials in India to see how our local companies can take advantage of British export staff in India. It was very useful and the next step is to support businesses seeking export growth.
However there is a dark side to India. In Hydrabad the delegation of MP's were taken to child prostitution refuge. It was the depths of inhumanity.
For those that have seen the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' the poverty in India is sickening. In the refuge there where children as young as three who had been rescued from prostitution. Their lives as sex slaves would have meant meeting between 30-60 papaedophiles per day for as little as 15p per a visit. These children are seized from poor rural areas and trafficked across India. Their parents will never know where and the children to young to know where their home is. There are 1.2m child prostitutes. Nearly all have terribly diseases and those infected with AIDS at a young age frequently die in their teens as their bodies are too damaged.
However there is a dark side to India. In Hydrabad the delegation of MP's were taken to child prostitution refuge. It was the depths of inhumanity.
For those that have seen the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' the poverty in India is sickening. In the refuge there where children as young as three who had been rescued from prostitution. Their lives as sex slaves would have meant meeting between 30-60 papaedophiles per day for as little as 15p per a visit. These children are seized from poor rural areas and trafficked across India. Their parents will never know where and the children to young to know where their home is. There are 1.2m child prostitutes. Nearly all have terribly diseases and those infected with AIDS at a young age frequently die in their teens as their bodies are too damaged.
The delegation met Dr Sunitha Krishnan (sunithakrishnan.blogspot.com), the diminutive campaigner who had been attacked 14 times including pierced ear drum, smashed joints and who had a member of staff murdered on duty. She is a real hero.
I know this has left all those who witnessed the refuge deeply disturbed and asking the questions 'How can humanity let this happen to these young helpless children snatched by child traffickers?' and 'Why does no-one care enough about children so young, their bodies and their minds be so vilely abused?'. It was simply disgusting and it was no comfort (though it made you proud to be British) that British aid was being used to keep illiterate girls in poor regions of India in School with a small bursary. It made you think long and hard about those who criticise UKAID to India.
Sunitha Krishnan Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunitha_Krishnan
Sunitha Krishnan Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunitha_Krishnan
The Child prostitution refuge - http://www.prajwalaindia.com/
Below is
- short video is about our visit,
- an updated article on the successful refuge's activities and an
- article by Lord Harries of Pentregarth who was part of the delegation.
SUCCESSFUL TARGETING OF INTER-STATE TRAFFICKERS - by Sunitha Krishnan
In a carefully planned series of operation in East Godavari and Mumbai based on missing complaints, Anti Human Trafficking Unit of Hyderabad in collaboration with Prajwala was able to apprehend 4 kingpin traffickers who were supplying girls from coastal Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka, TamilNadu and Maharashtra. 11 victims from both Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal were rescued.
Unlike most operation were small-time brokers and pimps are targeted and a large number of victims are rescued (the kingpins are rarely apprehended) , the uniqueness in this operation was that powerful and key traffickers who have strong inter-state linkages were arrested.
With effective inter-state collaboration between Maharashtra, TamilNadu and Karnataka and the support of pro-active judiciary if these cases reach their logical conclusion, truly it will act as a deterrent and trafficking routes will be plugged.
The leadership and extraordinary support given by Addl DG CID Shri Ramnamurthy,IPS has been key to the success of all these operations.
The entire AHTU team under the guidance of Shri Ajay,IPS,DIG,CID and Smt Kalpana Nayak, IPS, SP,WPC are still in the midst of steering the team to complete efforts in Mumbai and come back safely to Hyderabad.
We at Prajwala are hoping to create a data-base of sex-offenders and traffickers and expose them to the general public so that families can protect their daughters from these human predators.
Sunitha Krishnan
Making a difference by Lord Harries of Pentregarth
25,000 girls a year are victims of sexual trafficking in the state of Orissa in India. The difference between this form of trafficking and others, such as into bonded labour, is that when the girls are working as prostitutes they do not at that point see themselves as victims. So a remarkable lady, Sunitha Krishnan, trains ex-prostitutes to get alongside girls still working in the trade in order to gradually wean them away. On a recent visit to her organisation, Prajwala, as part of a group of MP's and Peers meeting Indian Parliamentarians and looking at British Aid projects, we saw some of these girls engaged in welding, carpentry and printing on the way to making a new life for themselves. Some of them had been trafficked from as early as three years old. Many had AIDS. Sadly one third died before they left school.
Sunitha Krisnan has been beaten up fourteen times, her injuries including a broken arm and permanent deafness in one year. The organised gangs opposing her were also in a position to block her applications for planning permission for a permanent site for her work. When I asked her what kept her going she said "Anger and my spirituality."
To that anger, I would want to add, near despair; and sheer admiration for her and people like her trying to do something. Despair first, for the sheer scale of India's problems. 400 million people are still living on less than 80p a day. This is one third of the world's poor and more than in the whole of Africa. The average income is one third of China's. Only one in four people in the state of Bihar have access to a toilet. Since 1996 a quarter of a million farmers have committed suicide. This is in a country that graduates two million students a year and provides two thirds of the world's software engineers.
My second reason for despair is the politics. Good people on the ground can do little without political support. With 1.2 billion people India is the largest democracy in the world, and the fact that it works at all is a major achievement. But is the political will there to translate good work done locally over the whole country? One of the major issues in India is that although it has exemplary laws against discrimination and in favour of positive action on behalf of the disadvantaged groups, such as the Dalits (the former "untouchables") their enforcement is very lacking. When I asked a member of Lok Sabha (the lower chamber) about this, he immediately launched into a defence of India's human rights record. If even a member of the Communist party, which he was, would not acknowledge the issue, what hope is there? One problem is that although members of the State legislatures seem well aware of the problems, those at national level are cut off from the realities of life as lived by the vast majority. Apart from a rapid visit once every few years at election time they probably don't go into the villages or urban slums. An interesting contrast was provided by the Northern MP's in our group. When they returned to the hotel in the evening after a busy day visiting projects, they had literally hundreds of e-mail from constituents about welfare and immigration issues.
Against the despair I would put some wonderful work being done by a variety of aid agencies, including our own DFID, which continues to support India. On one visit some young Dalit girls travelled 12 hours to meet us. A small grant enables them to stay on at school, and the result was hugely encouraging. We were all struck by their dignity and confidence. Coming from a background of abject poverty and discrimination, with most of their fathers being day labourers, they now thought in terms of being teachers or doctors. Another meeting that lifted our spirits was the one with women from the self-help groups in the urban slums. Organised into groups of ten, each group elected a woman to represent them, who in turn elected women to represent larger groupings. These groups saved and invested money together, starting small businesses. The mutual support and strength that came from these groups was getting real results. Encouraging too were some of the business ventures started by Indians returning to their own country. One young couple who had been working in London decided that they wanted to put something back into their home state of Orissa, so they started a milk processing plant. As the average farmer only has one cow, it involves a widespread network of collecting points in each village, complete with testing apparatus and a quick system of getting the milk into cold storage. Working now with some 15,000 farmers, his aim was to involve more than 100, 000. We saw the milk being packed by the latest machinery, and excellent cheese being made. Another high powered couple who had worked in America, had returned to Hyderabad, where they now researched new vaccines and produced millions of doses for the Indian Government.
One man I spoke to highlighted three great social ills of India which he regarded as far worse than anywhere in the world, discrimination, foeticide and the treatment of women. The words of Gramsci came to the minds of both of us "Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will." For me the optimism comes even more from the sheer resilience and endurance of the Indian people, together with an extraordinary capacity, despite everything, to find some joy in life. But the balance between despair and hope is a very fine one. Indeed that is the theme of the great novel by Rohinton Mistry, called A Fine Balance, which depicts the heartbreaking political and social evils of India from the years 1975-85. Some improvements have been made since then, but sadly the India described there is still all too recognisable.
Richard Harries
Lord Harries of Pentregarth in an Honorary Professor of Theology at King's College, London. He is the author of Faith in Politics? (DLT)


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Dave Phillips delights in sharing his maze and labyrinth creations, engaging as many people as possible both artistically and intellectually. Over his career, Dave has rendered thousands of mazes for books, periodicals, computer games, advertising, and as works of art.
Dave also creates mazes as land art in the form of corn mazes throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. His designs are used to build walk-through mazes made of hedge, live bamboo, used tires, fencing, rope, and other materials. His colorful and challenging puzzle mazes are installed as pavers and painted concrete.
For the first twenty years of his career Dave rendered his maze art with ink and paint using technical pens and airbrushes, and then virtual tools took over the next twenty years which provided speed and a greater range of techniques better suited for publication. Recently, however, Dave has returned to creating mazes and labyrinths in the real world with paint and mixed media intended to be enjoyed as contemporary art.
Featured Books by Dave Phillips
Mind Boggling Mazes, first published by Dover in 1979, currently in its 20th printing.
Set Puzzles, scheduled for release by Dover in 2012, will feature 126 set puzzles divided into 18 types.
Amazing Puzzle Mazes, published by Dover in 2011, features 126 puzzle mazes divided into 18 types.
Americana Mazes, published by Dover in 2011, features 36 mazes based on American icons.
Incredible Mazes, published by Arcturus in 2011, features 120 puzzle mazes and other conundrums.
Maze Puzzles, published by Arcturus in 2010, features 120 puzzle mazes and other conundrums.
The Zen of the Labyrinth, published by Sterling in 2009, features 160 puzzle mazes divided into 8 types.


text:
KOROstyle: FR//US
Sadyr Diouf is the individual in which the creative spirit of KORO resides...
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text:
There is bound to be disappointment over the outcome of the just-concluded United Nations conference on halting the spread of nuclear weapons. No agreement was reached by the 75 attending nations on a final declaration that would have strengthened implementation of the 1968 nonproliferation treaty.
But it would be a mistake to write off the conference as a failure. Nonproliferation is an immensely complex goal requiring a steadfast commitment that persists beyond the rhetoric of the moment. Despite all the vituperative speeches, the issue is definitely alive. No country pulled out of the treaty, although some had threatened to. Indeed many delegates endorsed the signal importance of the pact and of getting nations not already a party to it to join. There was also a general recognition of the value of international safeguards on the use of nuclear technology.
On the latter score one significant step of progress was made. That was a nonbinding agreement not to export nuclear material to countries which are not parties to the nonproliferation treaty unless they place all their nuclear installations under the full-scope safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. If carried out, this means such countries as Israel, India, Pakistan, and South Africa, which are thought to have developed or are developing nuclear weapons, would be denied nuclear aid if they did not comply. West Germany, a primary exporter of technology, had previously resisted such a move. So did the developing countries, which feel that the industrial countries use safeguards to preserve their lucrative technological monopoly.
While the consensus reached in Geneva carries no legal weight, it at least showed that the valuable objective of tightening guidelines on nuclear transfers is gathering support. The need will be to follow through both to put the agreement into practice and to bring about its formal adoption.
Underlying the discontent of the developing states, however, is the even weightier issue of nuclear disarmament. The United States and the Soviet Union are rightly chastised for failing to curb the nuclear arms race or agree on a test-ban treaty. If the superpowers cannot restrain their arsenals -- and they now even talk as if nuclear weapons could be rationally used in war situations -- how will it be possible to persuade the nonweapon states they should continue to forgo the development of such arms? The way to help the cause of nonproliferation is clear, and the message was again loudly sounded in Geneva.


text:
Putucusi (center-left) behind the ruins of Machu Picchu
|Highest point
|2,560 m (8,400 ft)
|13°09′20″S 72°32′10″W / 13.15556°S 72.53611°WCoordinates: 13°09′20″S 72°32′10″W / 13.15556°S 72.53611°W
|Peru, Cusco Region
|Parent range
Putucusi (possibly from Quechua phutu bud, -q a suffix, k'usi a cucurbit species, a small zucchini or Cucurbita pepo,[1] "budding zucchini (or Cucurbita pepo)") is a round-shaped mountain located on the opposite side (northeast) of the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu in the Cusco Region of Peru. Reaching approximately 2,560 metres (8,400 ft) above sea level at its peak, the mountain offers epic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding Urubamba River valley.
Putucusi, Machu Picchu ("old peak" in Quechua) and Huayna Picchu ("young peak") are considered apus or holy mountains by the local Quechua people.
The view of Machu Picchu from the summit requires a 1.5-hour trek up the mountain, with approximately 1,700 wood and rock steps. A recently discovered Inca Trail, the path lies just 10 minutes west of Aguas Calientes following the train tracks along the Urubamba River. The entrance is free.
The first half of the journey is jungle trail, and involves several vertical wooden ladders, the largest of which scales over 100 feet (30 m). The second half presents views of Aguas Calientes and the Urubamba River valley, as the trail ascends the eastern face of Putucusi in switchback fashion. The trail passes through native flora including pisonayes, q'eofias, alisos, puya palm trees, ferns and more than 90 species of orchids.
In spring 2011, floods wiped out the vertical ladder section of the climb, making an ascent impossible without professional climbing gear, but by August 2012, all the ladders had been replaced.
Updated to June 2016, the access to the trail has been restricted and forbidden, due to the lack of maintenance of the path. All the ladders are indeed destroyed and it's impossible and extremely dangerous to climb up without professional climbing equipment. Local rangers are monitoring the area and the entrance to avoid unauthorized accesses and prevent accidents.
See also[edit]
- ^ Diccionario Quechua - Español - Quechua, Academía Mayor de la Lengua Quechua, Gobierno Regional Cusco, Cusco 2005: phutu - s. Ramillete de flores. k'usi - s. Bot. (Cucúrbita sp.) Calabacín pequeño. Planta de la familia de las cucurbitáceas, utilizada en la alimentación, andina.


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IMIESA - Volume 40, Issue 10, October 2015
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Volume 40, Issue 10, October 2015
Building integration : editor's commentAuthor Nicholas McDiarmidSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
THE DEVELOPMENT OF public infrastructure and service delivery is highly politicised in South Africa, and, despite the historic and social reasons behind this, it is often to the neglect of the engineers and skilled technicians who plan, build, and operate such infrastructure. The fact is that, if politicians looked to engineers for more guidance on how best to deliver on their election promises, they would make their own lives much easier. This is not to say that this engagement doesn't happen; subjectively, it seems to have increased quite a bit over the last 24 months. But, it still occurs in political silos at national level, with local developmental needs not fully understood.
Construction regulations : president's commentAuthor Duncan DariesSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
The Construction Regulations of 2014 have a fundamental effect on how infrastructure projects are to be delivered in future.
National asphalt - a bold and innovative approachSource: IMIESA 40, pp 8 –9 (2015)More Less
National Asphalt's continuing focus on quality, innovation, and practical solutions has enabled it to become an integral part of the bus route projects currently underway in the eThekwini and Tshwane metropolitan areas.
All of the projects call for an innovative and bold approach to asphalt design. National Asphalt has proved over the years that it has the capacity to take on demanding projects and to produce the desired results. It is prepared to 'take the lead' and meet the challenges of these projects. In all instances, its technical expertise is proving to be at the highest level. Once again, this experience and expertise is coming to the fore with its involvement in a number of the key projects currently being undertaken for the rapid transport network.
Infrastructure news from around the continentSource: IMIESA 40, pp 10 –11 (2015)More Less
Bridging the technology gap - the city of Cape Town's broadband infrastructure : IMESA host city - ITCSource: IMIESA 40, pp 12 –13 (2015)More Less
COST-EFFECTIVE AND high-speed access to telecommunication services, computer services, Internet-working, and cloud computing have become fundamental to economic development. So much so that broadband connectivity - and access to it - is essential to creating an inclusive society. The technology that many middle-class individuals take for granted on a daily basis is alien and inaccessible to impoverished communities; this hampers their economic opportunity and deepens the divide between the haves and have-nots.
Prioritising Cape wastewater treatment : IMESA host city - water & wastewaterSource: IMIESA 40, pp 16 –20 (2015)More Less
Several years ago, increased funding led to extensive upgrades at a number of Cape Town's key wastewater treatment plants. FRANCES RINGWOOD catches up with Kevin Samson, City of Cape Town wastewater treatment manager, to find out about more recent improvements.
Pump control value reinvented : IMESA host city - profileSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
Ultra Control Valves (UCV) has, for many years, represented Maric from Australia. What was originally just a simple and tamper-proof flow control device has evolved to meet many different applications.
An enterprising attitude : IMESA host city - profileSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
The NMC Construction Group is a privately owned, multidisciplinary construction group, offering clients integrated building and civils solutions. The company undertakes contracts ranging from individual projects through to longer-term infrastructure projects for both public and private clients.
Facing down the final stretch : IMESA host city - roadsSource: IMIESA 40, pp 25 –31 (2015)More Less
The third and final phase of the prestigious Main Road rehabilitation project is well under way, with contractors and engineers implementing ground breaking techniques to make this another award-worthy project in Cape Town.
Western Cape listing : IMESA host city - SAFCEC Western Cape listingSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
Western Cape Listing.
Ammann - valuable development : hot seatAuthor Rocco LehmanSource: IMIESA 40, pp 34 –35 (2015)More Less
In this edition's Hot Seat, managing director Rocco Lehman provides insight into how Ammann SA ensures that its products and services are of optimal benefit to its customers, and how its unique ability to disseminate the best road building knowledge, skills, and technical support in the world can benefit not only its larger customers but even the remotest of communities.
Meeting the challenge together : partners in infrastructure - introductionSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
The South African government has acknowledged the essential role of its private sector partners in accelerating infrastructure development; significant reforms to the regulations, policies, and systems that define this critical relationship are receiving top priority.
Catalyst to an integrated public transport : partners in infrastructure - cover storySource: IMIESA 40, pp 40 –41 (2015)More Less
Gautrain is a long-term economic growth project that focuses on growing Gauteng's economy through infrastructure development. The project is committed to sustainable development and social upliftment, through integration of transport, the environment, the economy, and society as a whole.
IMESA Northern Provinces branch seminar and AGM : partners in infrastructure - municipal engineeringAuthor Beatrix KnopjesSource: IMIESA 40, pp 42 –43 (2015)More Less
The IMESA Northern Provinces Branch seminar and AGM took place on 28 August 2014 in the Council Chambers of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
Taking social responsibility seriously : partners in infrastructure - industry insightAuthor Dinesh ChaithooSource: IMIESA 40, pp 44 –45 (2015)More Less
Dinesh Chaithoo, Director of BMK Engineering Consultants, explains how a keen understanding of the impact of civil engineering infrastructure assists local authorities and the private sector in driving socio-economic growth.
South African forum of civil engineering contractors : partners in infrastructure - hot seatAuthor Webster MfebeSource: IMIESA 40, pp 48 –49 (2015)More Less
Webster Mfebe, CEO of the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC), discusses some of the challenges and possible solutions for the construction industry in this Partners in Infrastructure Hot Seat.
Building sustainability into a complex project : partners in infrastructure - consulting engineeringSource: IMIESA 40, pp 50 –52 (2015)More Less
Sasol Mining's Impumelelo Shaft Project is a highly complex and multifaceted engineering accomplishment that brilliantly highlights the RSV Enco- Hatch Goba coal joint venture's commitment to excellence in sustainable engineering solutions.
A commitment to excellence : partners in infrastructure - profileSource: IMIESA 40, pp 54 –55 (2015)More Less
Founded in 1989, GLS Consulting's business to date has focused on water and sewer system modelling and master planning.
A tender time for civil contractors : partners in infrastructure - contractorsSource: IMIESA 40, pp 56 –57 (2015)More Less
One of the few sectors not yet contracting, the construction industry is showing extremely marginal growth. What do the power constraints, weakening rand, and recent drama on the international bourses have in store?
Back to basics : leading local governmentSource: IMIESA 40 (2015)More Less
National government has adopted a 'back-to-basics' policy to redress service delivery. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, under the political leadership of executive mayor Mike Masina, has taken this to heart.


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The Cable
Turkey Blames D.C. Cops for Erdogan's Thugs Pummeling Protesters
The statement comes after police charged 12 members of Erdogan's security team.
Turkey's foreign ministry is blaming U.S. law enforcement personnel for the brawl outside of the Turkish Embassy that led Washington police to charge a dozen members of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's security detail with crimes.
After District of Columbia police announced the charges Thursday, Turkey summoned the U.S. ambassador in Ankara.
"It has been conveyed to the Ambassador that this decision taken by U.S. authorities is wrong, biased and lacks legal basis; that the brawl in front of the Turkish Ambassador's Residence was caused by the failure of local security authorities to take necessary measures; that this incident would not have occurred if the U.S. authorities had taken the usual measures they take in similar high level visits and therefore that Turkish citizens cannot be held responsible for the incident that took place," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It later continued: "The decision, which clearly was not taken as a result of an impartial and independent investigation, is unacceptable."
Metropolitan police see it differently, as do most independent observers of what occurred when Erdogan's security detail charged protesters last month after the Turkish leader met with President Donald Trump. Turkish security personnel were videotaped rushing, then stomping, kicking, and punching protestors. Erdogan even got out of his car to briefly watch.
At a news conference Thursday, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, a Democrat, and Police Chief Peter Newsham outlined the charges against the men, who are believed to be in Turkey. Most legal experts don't expect any of them to be sent back to the United States.
"I condemn this attack," Bowser said, adding the city will "defend the First Amendment."
In an affidavit, D.C. police wrote, "during the course of the official Turkish visit, Turkish security personnel and others assaulted protesters and U.S. law enforcement officers in at least three separate incidents."
Yesterday, police arrested two other suspects: Sinan Narin of Virginia, charged with aggravated assault; and Eyup Yildirim of New Jersey, charged with assault with significant bodily injury and aggravated assault.
Photo credit: OLIVIER DOULIERY/Getty Images


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I have tried my best to engage staunch feminists in rational discourse, only to have been out talked with a wall of misconstrued "facts" derived from feminist blogs, written with the exact same pretenses of professional victimhood and misinformation. Feminists will argue that it is for equality, and while it is agreeable, they adamantly refuse to even acknowledge that men are suffering from issues as well, and that feminism alone cannot solve everyone's problems.
Yet, for reasons yet known, feminists do not listen to reason. I am starting to believe this once noble movement has devolved into a viral plague of sexism against men, a pseudo-religious ideology, and a cross-gendered cult of feminine supremacists.
Women are going to far with feminism. Throughout the years, when women fought for rights to vote and to not be property, was alright. Now, to think they are better than men and such is idiotic. Feminism, today, is really not needed, for women have gotten their rights and such, now the are just "milking it for more".
The lack of personal accountability than many feminist women possess is astounding. They also do not point out where women have faced benefits historically- men primarily providing and protecting them. They also say, "well women couldn't vote!" Well, only rich white men could in the past and voting was part of a family unit anyway. When women protested for the vote, however, they got it, let's move on.
I also think it's horrible that feminists rewrite history in ways that demonize men. They subtly give men the bad characteristics, and women the good characteristics. The wage gap is a myth as is the "1 in 4" rape statistic. Another thing that feminists point out is that there is an underrepresentation of women in politics. Women are not choosing to go into politics, that is the reason. There is no law banning women from attempting to enter politics!
I am all for equal rights, so someone might think, "why is this person not a feminist?" Well, that's really simple: feminists' actions and rhetoric do not promote the idea of equality even if the dictionary definition does.
What rights are men given that women are not given under the law of the U.S.A.? Barely any. If women wanted to become "more equal" under the law, they should be given the same military fitness exam, only a 50% chance of winning child custody, and having to be drafted during wartime.
Now for all the feminists out there arguing that it is their social rights being corrupted, that makes no sense. You can pull up a bunch of incorrect statistics such as women earning less wages (for which the people who made such statistics admitted to not accounting for number of hours worked) and the rape statistic (for which it did not show how many still dated the "rapists" after the rape"), however society condemns pretty much all (I can't think of any otherwise) of those acts. You say we live in a patriarchal society where women get raped, does society cheer on rapists and pat them on the back? You say women don't get to fight on the front lines during war (do you really want to?), now the law has changed and you can fight in the front lines. Economically, there are more female CEOs than male CEOs.
In America, there is no such thing as feminism because equal rights (legally because those are the only ones that can be enforced) already exist. You want feminism? Take it to the Middle East, Africa, or maybe even Asia and you can go complain there. But if you're living in the U.S.A., stop whining about guys looking at you in public because that's perfectly legal and maybe they might even be your friend, future spouse, etc. instead of scaring them away with your screams of "rapists" every time a guy turns his head.
1. There are plenty of women's only scholarships, but hardly any men's only scholarships.
2. Women get shorter prison sentences than men.
3. Women have all the same rights but have less responsibility (ex. Women aren't drafted but they can vote).
4. When a woman rapes a man (yes it happens) it is never taken seriously.
5. When men try to voice their opinions regarding this issue, they are labeled "women haters".
6. Girls get more attention in school than guys (I'm a high school student, and teachers always seem to support girls, especially when I was in elementary school).
7. Fangirls can be open about themselves, while fanboys are forced to be quiet lest they be labeled as a pervert or social outcast.
8. Feminists automatically assume all men are sexual deviants who only hurt women (which is obviously false).
9. Women can express their emotions openly and get support, but men are expected to bottle up their feelings. For example, women report more depression, but men have higher suicide rates.
I thought feminism was equality between men and women, not women superiority. And I hate it when feminists use history to justify their beliefs. Just because women were treated worse than men in the past doesn't mean they can be treated better in the present!
Modern feminists are now practicing what would be considered MISANDRY; prejudice and or hate against boys/men.
Now, instead of equal rights, the want to OVERPOWER men. That is NOT what feminism is. Modern feminism is a double standard at its finest. They want what they're fighting against. It's a huge contradiction.
Long ago, women believed the grass was greener and wanted to have a taste of the "real world." Yeah? Well, studies show that ever since this "feminism movement" happened, women have become SIGNIFICANTLY less happy. Men are happier as a whole, and women have progressively become worse. Is the grass REALLY greener?
They also have a victim mentality. If a man even LOOKS at a woman, he should be jailed for life or sentenced to death. I'm being hyperbolic here, but you get my point.
So, on one hand, feminists are so fragile and weak that they cannot handle a man looking at them. But, on the other hand, they want to be treated as the highest power in this society. Such hypocrisy!
Men nowadays don't trust women as much, simply due to the fact that feminism has this effect on society that "women are always better and you should never go against that".
I have many feminist friends and they are not the type that are the 'man-haters', and yes, feminism is important because there are girls out there who need education, proper treatment, etc. But personally I think you should call yourself a humanitarian or something because since when was the word 'feminist' hint of equality in any way?
However many women turn this into an opportunity, because lets face it, we all want the good to come to us. "Lets turn all men into rapists, and lets ignore every issue the men have, and there we go, a PERFECTLY equal society!"
I'm not against equality. In my country, I always went out in marches to ask for equality. But modern feminism, switched from standing against men's supremacy, to asking for women's supremacy. Attitudes like "don't hit me, you abusing me by doing so, but when i do it's standing for myself." became extremly popular. In my country, some extremists asked for considering looking at a girl as rape. Also needless to talk about how they think, somehow like Valerie Solanas, who supported a gendercide, considered as a hero in Feministing
So basically, as in every domain, feminism became radical and extreme, the thing that makes me fell disgusted.
Unfortunately feminism today has been polluted with extremists, and like everyone knows extremism in anything is a bad thing. They have changed the worlds opinion on what feminism really wanted. This isnt the case for all feminists but, some have strayed from the ideas of egalitarianism, the ultimate goal for feminism.
Seems to me this "3rd" wave...Is all about hate. If you do not share the exact same views, you are shouted down and branded a "sexist".
Take a look at pretty much any campus in America, something is very, very wrong.
What frightens me the most is in about 20 years these "feminists" will be in positions of power in many sectors...Including government
I'd like to say now that all of you, on the "no" side, are probably uneducated on feminism.
the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.
The things you are listing are all things that neglect men and gives a woman an advantage. The whole point of feminism, as listed above, is to make everyone equal. Feminism spreads so far beyond the US, women are being sold like property in other countries as we speak. The fact that women make 78 cents to every mans dollar in the US is wrong. And if you think that is right, please get a brain. Some of the things being listed, such as
female prison sentences are shorter
men getting raped not noticed
women being able to express emotions openly
are all the reasons we all need feminism. Because men can't express their feelings, and because women are getting paid less, is why we need to be equal. It's why we do need feminism.
The people who take feminism so far as to say that they hate men, or think that all people are rapists, or other countless idiotic things, ARE NOT FEMINISTS. The feminists in the crowd are the ones fighting for equal rights, because however you argue it, men and women are NOT equal. But aside from that, the people who fight to rid men from every position of power, or vote for a woman just because she's a woman, are not feminists. True feminists take every fact into account, and try to form a logical opinion that supports equality as a whole. So the people ruining feminism are not actually feminists, but merely fake feminists or people who have the wrong idea of what feminism truly is.
Feminists aren't ruining feminism, they are the soul of feminism. Feminism isn't about being better, it's about being equal, and feminists promote that idea. If someone promotes the "women are better" or "one gender is superior" idea, they aren't considered feminists. Feminism isn't just for women, though, feminism includes men's rights as well. If a girl were to say that girls are the best to a boy, it's sexist. Same as if a boy said that to a boy. So, no, feminists aren't ruining feminism, it's the self-proclaimed "feminists" who consider women superior.
Feminism is not really bad. Truly, it is defined as a movement to gain women better rights and social equality and status. For millennia, women have been denounced, treated like inanimate trophies, scorned, hated just to say a few. Now men, put yourself in that position. Wouldn't you want more rights, equality and freedom? It makes sense, doesn't it? You need to be emphatic (putting yourself in other's shoes), and then think about the result that your brain produces.
Hmm, let me just reword this statement. Feminists who are uneducated hurt feminism, the one's who don't research, over assume and insult the other side are to blame for reasons why 81% vote yes and 19% say no. The point of feminism is to increase awareness about women's rights to stand for equality, politically, socially and economically.
For example,
Women make 75cents less than the average man. THAT IS UNEQUAL. One reason for that is because women are not taking masculine jobs, when they should but some women (not all) are afraid to go against the average because of what families tell them and what people stereotype. Men and women in the same job, who hold the same position, who are hired at the same time, show a difference in pay where men are paid more. Feminists should be increasing the awareness of that inequalities economically that exist which is why we still need it.
By stating we do not need feminism means women are okay with being paid less than men. Anti-feminists or egalitarians (who stand for equality but chose not to say feminist when they hold similar beliefs) who say" we don't need feminism" are okay with having a broken court system where rape is the woman's fault because she is sexually active, drink alcohol, dresses sexy or has a sexual preference in partners.
Go on tumblr and look at "why we don't need feminism" assess some of the logical of this generation. Then compare it to why we need feminism. Both sides are flawed, however uneducated feminists need clarity, logical facts and truth and ethics to debate.
Feminism is great, this society needs it. Women and men SHOULD be equals, both legally and socially. The problem is there is a branch of feminism that likes to shame anyone that does not have the same ideals. This branch is called "Radical Feminism". Pointing fingers and shaming men does not fix women being treated equal. You could argue that in fact this branch is ruining the fundamentals and character of feminism as a whole, to receive just with as much respect as men do. Why should we have to tear down someone else to boost ourselves up? It completely ruins the motivation of feminism. Everyone is entitled to their own bodies and opinions. But seeing women make bread from the yeast of her vagina to prove she can "feed the world" seems to reaching too far. Don't tear down someones ideas to feed your own.
Mainstream feminism has gotten a little out of hand, and I can see where many arguments against feminism are stemming from. This said, I strongly wish for people to educate themselves about feminism, because I am finding many people are ready to denounce the entire movement as a result of some regrettable mainstream ideas that have become associated with it (perhaps Googling intersectional feminism is a good place to start!) There is still room for improvement in terms of equality of the genders, especially when it comes to social equality. This isn't about victimizing women or villainizing men, it is about some entrenched ideas that manifest themselves in our views, behaviour, and speech. Just as one example (because I could probably write a small novel on the subject), I often hear people point out cases where men lost custody of their children to women, when there was no "just" reason for this. No, that's not ok, but you know what? This is a feminist issue! Because this is a direct result of the societal notion that women are the nurturers, the emotional ones, and the ones who are better equipped to raise children. THIS is why we need feminism. Because gender inequality is harmful not only to women, but also to men. A true feminist is NOT a female supremacist, but thank you, mainstream media, for making it seem like it is.
I believe in equality for all people. Feminism overall is the movement to make people aware that women are people too, and should have equal opportunity, fair treatment, and awareness of female needs and problems, like a lack of maternity leave in the workplace. Modern feminists can still have differing beliefs and opinions, but overall it is about equality and not supremacy. There is a very small amount of people who are extreme and sexist in their views who call themselves feminists, but they just give feminism a bad name. I am a male and I consider myself a feminist. Some may not agree that men can be feminists, and some do, because opinions can differ, but the overall goal is the same. We still live in a very sexist and racist society. Most of the US government is made up of white straight christian men. Feminists do not believe that being a white straight christian guy is evil, they believe that women should have equal opportunity to take part in the world and make their own choices. Men and women both face sexism and gender stereotyping, but thousands of years of history and an easy look around show that women have got it worse. No matter if you believe that women and men are born the way they are, that differences are natural, or that all of it is just the gender roles we spoon feed kids, that does not matter to basic feminism. All genders must have equal opportunity to do what they wish without stereotypes preventing them. People have free will and should be able to do what they want to.
There are feminists out there who speak out and try to make a difference by using calm and, in a way, "normal" tactics that any activist would use. These feminists don't let feminism take over their lives like some let it do. These feminists who spend every waking moment talking about feminism and trying to shove the idea of feminism down peoples throats are creating a bad name for it. Its one thing to try to make a difference in the world but to obsess over these things wont do any good. Also, most of these feminists who talk about it so much only do that much. Sure, you talk about it on social media but do they actually get out there and try to physically make a difference? Now, im not in any way trying to bad mouth feminism because I somewhat consider myself a feminist as well. But getting back to it, feminists just need to keep trying to make a difference for womens rights EVERYWHERE but in the correct way.
You have claims that the rape statistic is false and that history is rewritten to favor women and demonize men. Every school history books that I have read state the truth in that men did not think women were smart or independent enough to vote. When Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John Adams regarding the Declaration of Independence, she asked him to include the women in their thoughts for equality. He responded that such a demand would be too much and the way things worked would not support it. Call it what you will, but that is sexist, and though things have gotten better, it is still ingrained in society. (im too lazy to look up the source but you can google letters to john adams from abigail it's one of the later ones.)
You also claim hypocrisy from feminists but have you tried to understand where women come from? And you do realize that the male world is full of hypocrisy too? People are people, and I'm sure everybody wants equality between the sexes. The only thing feminists do differently is bring problems to light that might not be thought of otherwise.
Feminism is also not a club. People can have feminist ideas and not consider themselves feminist. It is just an umbrella term used for the movement to identify and change the problems in society that are affecting women. Not all feminists are good people, but if someone works towards the goals of equality for the sexes, and in the case of intersectional feminism, everybody else, then they are considered to have feminist ideals.