Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween special...Witches' Brouhaha








Fending off religious tourists and struggling to organize a coven on
Halloween.



By
Lee Ann Kinkade lives and writes in Charlottesville, Va.
Lee Ann Kinkade
Posted Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at 6:56 AM ET


In a grove near you, pagans are gathering to celebrate Samhain, the night when the veil between the living and the dead, between this world and others, is thin. We will wear cloaks and have ritual daggers, called athemes, at our waists. The prerequisite silver jewelry will gleam in the firelight. Natural fabrics flow as freely as the mead. There will be an unfortunate excess of tie-dyed material. In other words, we will look most like your picture of witches.
This picture leaves out an important detail, and I don't mean the whole human-sacrifice-and-stealing-Christian-babies thing. Planning a ritual, whether it's for Halloween or any other holiday, is a conflict-filled battle. It's like trying to herd jack rabbits on horseback. Those who practice witchcraft tend to be strident nonconformists, and the very nature of paganism, which has no unifying body or text, means that we have no obligation to believe the same thing or listen to anything beyond the dictates of our own consciences to unite in perfect accord. Often we flow together, achieving unity in which we are transported beyond ourselves, connected with the earth we love and the energy we feel from it.
And just as often, we don't. .....



Read the rest of the article in the link below:


Article URL: http://www.slate.com/id/2203117/


"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

India flying to the Moon... στον δρόμο για το Φεγγάρι



"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler




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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

sari or sharee ...σάρι, το πολύχρωμο αισθησιακό Ινδικό ρούχο








1125231904, originally uploaded by ehuq.


A sari or saree or shari is a female garment in the Indian subcontinent. A sari is a strip of unstitched cloth, ranging from four to nine metres in length that is draped over the body in various styles.

The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with one end then draped over the shoulder baring the midriff. The sari is usually worn over a petticoat (pavada/pavadai in the south, and shaya in eastern India), with a blouse known as a choli or ravika forming the upper garment.

The choli has short sleeves and a low neck and is usually cropped, and as such is particularly well-suited for wear in the sultry South Asian summers. Cholis may be "backless" or of a halter neck style. These are usually more dressy with a lot of embellishments such as mirrors or embroidery and may be worn on special occasions. Women in the armed forces, when wearing a sari uniform, don a half-sleeve shirt tucked in at the waist.

Barns ...στάβλοι, κάτι που οι ταξιδίωτες πρέπει να φωτογραφίζουν


barns_83, originally uploaded by donssite.

A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house animals or to store farming vehicles and equipment. Barns are most commonly found on a farm or former farm.

Αlicante-panorama ...Αλικάντε, Μεσογειακή Ισπανία

alicante-panorama, originally uploaded by mirkoshanghai.

Alicante or Alacant (Spanish language: Alicante, Valencian: Alacant) is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of the Alacantí, in the southern part of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 322,673, estimated as of 2007, of the entire urban area, 434,505, ranking as the second-largest Valencian city. Population of the metropolitan area, including Elche and satellite towns) was 734,362 as of 2007 estimates, ranking as the eighth-largest metropolitan area of Spain.

χχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχχ

Το Αλικάντε είναι ισπανική πόλη, πρωτεύουσα της ομώνυμης επαρχίας, στο νότιο τμήμα της Βαλένθια. Είναι ένα από τα ιστορικότερα λιμάνια της Ισπανίας στη Μεσόγειο και υπήρξε κατά το Μεσαίωνα και την Αναγέννηση σημαντικό οικονομικό και εμπορικό κέντρο. Σήμερα ο πληθυσμός της ανέρχεται στις 322.431 κατοίκους.

Κύρια πηγή εισοδήματος είναι ο τουρισμός, ενώ παράλληλα υπάρχει σημαντική παραγωγή κρασιού και ελαφρά βιομηχανία επεξεργασίας τροφίμων και διαμετακομιστικό εμπόριο. Στο Αλικάντε εδρεύει και το Γραφείο Εναρμόνισης για την Εσωτερική Αγορά (OHIM), θεσμός της Ευρωπαϊκής Κοινότητας στον οποίο καταχωρούνται τα κοινοτικά σήματα και τα κοινοτικά βιομηχανικά σχέδια ή υποδείγματα.
Η πόλη από του 718 μέχρι το 1304 ήταν στη κατοχή των Αράβων. Κατά την διάρκεια του εμφυλίου πολέμου (1936-1939) η Αλικάντε στις 25 Μαΐου 1938 ήταν η πρώτη πόλη που δέχθηκε συστηματικη αεροπορική επιδρομή των δυνάμεων του Φρανθίσκο Φράνκο με πρωτοφανή βομβαρδισμό αφήνοντας 250 νεκρούς και υπέρ τους 1000 τραυματίες.

Living Thoughts

quizz photo


photo43, originally uploaded by willinggabor.

where is that beauty?

Vineyard Hotel & Spa introduces ‘green’ coffee ... η μόδα του οργανικού καφέ





e hotel@vineyard.co.za
t +27 (0)21 657 4500
f +27 (0)21 657 4501
vineyard hotel & spa
P.O. Box 151,
Newlands, 7725
Colinton Road (off Protea Road)
Newlands, 7700,
Cape Town, South Africa


διαβάστε στους παρακάτω συνδέσμους

Vineyard Hotel & Spa introduces ‘green’ coffee on menu Travelwires.com

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler




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take in consideration ....συμβουλές για Ταξιδίωτες



"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler




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Why Buy Organic Coffee?







ο καφές είναι γιατρικό,τον βρίσκεις σε όλο τον κόσμο....
σε ξεκουράζει
σε ταξιδεύει
σε απελευθερώνει
σε συντροφεύει

βιολογικός, οργανικός, ή ο καθημερινός
ο καφές είναι ένας καλός και πιστός σύντροφος
διαβάστε πιο κάτω

Why Buy Organic Coffee? Kitchen Table Medicine

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler



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USA, Mount Jefferson


Mount Jefferson, originally uploaded by Media Lizzy.

Mount Jefferson
is a stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, the Cascade Range and is the second-highest mountain in Oregon. Situated in the far northeastern corner of Linn County about 60 miles (97 km) east of Corvallis, Jefferson is in a rugged wilderness and is thus one of the hardest volcanoes to reach in the Cascades though USFS road 1044 does come within 4 miles (6.4 km) of the summit. Many people consider Jefferson's craggy, deeply glacially scarred appearance to be especially beautiful and photogenic.
The peak has therefore frequently served as a backdrop for automobile and alcohol advertisements in the United States.
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Το Όρεγκον (αγγλικά: Oregon) είναι μία από τις 50 πολιτείες των ΗΠΑ. Βρίσκεται στην δυτική ακτή των ΗΠΑ και βρέχεται από τον Ειρηνικό Ωκεανό.
Πρωτεύουσα του Όρεγκον είναι το Σάλεμ αλλά η μεγαλύτερη πόλη είναι το Πόρτλαντ. Πληθυσμιακά βρίσκεται στην 27η θέση σε σχέση με τις άλλες πολιτείες ,καθώς έχει πάνω από 3,7 εκατομμύρια κατοίκους, ενώ όσον αφορά την έκταση το Όρεγκον βρίσκεται στην 9η θέση.
Το επίσημο σύνθημα της πολιτείας είναι το λατινικό Alis volat propriis που σημαίνει Πετά με τα δικά της φτερά.

Rome, Colosseo ....Ρώμη Κολοσσαίο


Rome, Colosseo, originally uploaded by Antonio Lupetti.

The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum,

originally the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign (81–96). The name "Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name (Flavius, from the gens Flavia).

Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although in the 21st century it is in a ruined condition due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is now an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.

The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.

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Το Amphitheatrum Flavium ή καλύτερα γνωστό με την ονομασία Colosseum (Κολοσσαίο, το Γιγαντιαίο) ήταν ένα αμφιθέατρο στην Ρώμη. Βρίσκεται στη ΝΑ. πλευρά της Ρωμαϊκής Αγοράς (Forum Romanum).

Ιστορία
Το Κολοσσαιο άρχισε να κατασκευάζεται στην εποχή του Βεσπασιανού το 72 μ.Χ., συνεχίστηκε την εποχή του Τίτου και τέλειωσε όταν ήταν αυτοκράτορας ο Δομιτιανός. Ονομαζόταν αμφιθέατρο των Φλαβίων, απ' το όνομα της δυναστείας των αυτοκρατόρων που το έκτισαν. Για να κατασκευαστεί, εργάστηκαν χιλιάδες Ιουδαίοι αιχμάλωτοι που είχαν συλληφθεί από τον Τίτο μετά την καταστροφή των Ιεροσολύμων.

Μπορούσε να χωρέσει 45.000 θεατές και είχε σχήμα έλλειψης με περιφέρεια 524 μέτρων. Το ύφος του έφτανε τα 48 μέτρα και είχε 4 ορόφους. Από αυτούς, οι τρεις πρώτοι είχαν αψίδες και ο 4ος 40 παράθυρα. Πάνω από τον 4ο όροφο υπήρχε στοά. Το εσωτερικό του Κολοσσαίου ήταν χωρισμένο σε κερκίδες, ενώ στο κέντρο του είχε κονίστρα που χωριζόταν από τις κερκίδες με ένα ψηλό βάθρο. Κάτω από την κονίστρα βρίσκονταν τα υπόγεια. Το Κολοσσαίο έμεινε θρυλικό ως το κέντρο των αιμοχαρών θεαμάτων που απολάμβανε η ρωμαϊκή αυλή στην εποχή της παρακμής της. Η ορχηστρα είχε διαμορφωθει κατάλληλα για να πραγματοποιούνται ναυμαχίες, μονομαχίες καιθηριομαχίεςτοις οποιες χρηματοδωτουσαν οι Ρωμαιοι αυτοκράτορες. Έκεί γινονταν επισης μαρτύρια χριστιανών.

Western Australia ...εικόνες της Δυτικής Αυστραλίας



Images of Western Australia from Michael Fletcher on Vimeo.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler




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Monday, October 27, 2008

Yemen, Socotra island ...το νησί Σοκότρα της Υεμένης, ένας μοναδικός παράξενος τόπος

Η Σοκότρα είναι ένα μικρό νησί στον Ινδικό Ωκεανό από την πλευρά της Σομαλικής ακτής που θεωρείται μέρος της Αφρικής. Το μέγεθός του είναι 3.600 χλμ και αποτελεί περιοχή της Υεμένης, της νοτιότερης χώρας της αραβικής χερσονήσου.
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Socotra is one of the most isolated landforms on Earth of continental origin (i.e., not of volcanic origin). The archipelago was once part of the supercontinent of Gondwana and detached during the Middle Pliocene (ca 6 million years ago), in the same set of rifting events that opened the Gulf of Aden to its northwest.

The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra (3,625 km² or 1,400 sq mi), three smaller islands — Abd al Kuri, Samhah, Darsa — and small rock outcrops like Ka’l Fir’awn and Sābūnīyah that are uninhabitable by humans but important for birds.
The main island has three geographical terrains: the narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau permeated with karstic caves, and the Haghier Mountains. The mountains rise to 5,000 feet (1,525 m). The island is a little over 80 miles (130 km) long east to west and typically 18-22 miles (30-35 km) north to south.
The climate is generally tropical desert, with rainfall being light, seasonal (winter) and more abundant at the higher ground in the interior than along the coastal lowlands. The monsoon season brings strong winds and high seas.

Flora and fauna

Socotra is considered the "jewel" of biodiversity in the Arabian sea. The long geological isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique and spectacular endemic flora (which may, therefore, be vulnerable to introduced species such as goats and to climate change). Surveys have revealed that more than a third of the 800 or so plant species of Socotra are found nowhere else. Botanists rank the flora of Socotra among the ten most endangered island flora in the world. The archipelago is a site of global importance for biodiversity conservation and a possible center for ecotourism.
One of the most striking of Socotra's plants is the dragon's blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), which is a strange-looking, umbrella-shaped tree. Its red sap was the dragon's blood of the ancients, sought after as a medicine and a dye. Another unusual plant is Dorstenia gigas.

The island group also has a fairly rich bird fauna, including a few types of endemic birds, such as the Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater, the Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri, Socotra Sparrow Passer insularis and Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus.

As with many isolated island systems, bats are the only mammals native to Socotra. In contrast, the marine biodiversity around Socotra is rich, characterized by a unique mixture of species that have originated in farflung biogeographic regions: the western Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Arabia, East Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific.





"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler

Caterersearch.com Web Awards 2008

The shortlist

Restaurant website - independent, sponsored by Livebookings
www.samsbrasserie.co.uk
www.andrewfairlie.com
www.restaurantalimentum.co.uk

Restaurant website - group, sponsored by Livebookings
www.caferouge.co.uk
www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk
www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Hotel website - independent, sponsored by Filmbank
www.theritzlondon.com
www.gleneagles.com
www.theatlantichotel.com

Hotel website - group, sponsored by Filmbank
www.milsomhotels.com
www.redcarnationhotels.com
www.thetownhousecollection.com

Foodservice website, sponsored Jellybean Creative Solutions
www.goldandbrown.co.uk
www.myschoollunch.co.uk
www.olive-catering.com

Pub or Bar website, sponsored by The Hub
www.stephan-langton.co.uk
www.youngs.co.uk

Equipment Supplier website, sponsored by Reed Business Insight
www.allianceonline.co.uk
www.hobartuk.com/hobart/
www.lincat.co.uk

Food or Drink Supplier website, sponsored by Caterer and Hotelkeeper
www.blacksheepbrewery.co.uk
www.mccain.co.uk/foodservice
www.brake.co.uk

Recruitment website, sponsored by Caterersearchjobs
www.h-g-r.com
www.selecthospitality.co.uk
www.renardresources.co.uk

Digital marketing campaign, sponsored by Jellybean Creative Services
www.crerarhotels.com
www.thetownhousecollection.com

Innovation/Interactive Feature, sponsored by Nestle Professional
www.restaurantdiary.com
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/video-portal
www.myschoollunch.co.uk

Website of the Year sponsored by The Hub





"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler




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Czech Republic Skeleton Church ...Τσεχία, η εκκλησία των οστών







"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
Copyright © Demetrios the Traveler

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