Here is a question for you: can you think of something that has accompanied humankind back from it's cradle, through all of the ages and up until present day? Well, the answer is obviously quite simple - it is the music! Music has been with us humans since the time immemorial and it has changed, evolved just as we did over the course of years.
Ancient times There are almost as many theories regarding when and where music originated as there are people researching this subject. You could think of any ancient culture or civilization and you will find out that there is music engraved in their history. Let us look at the two that immediately pop up into mind when thinking about ancient times: the Greeks and the Egyptians. In the land of pyramids and pharaohs music was a part of both the religious and daily life. People sang while harvesting crops, entertaining themselves at royal parties and even while marching at an enemy in a battle. The Egyptians were known to use many kinds of instruments: flutes, trumpets, percussion, cymbals or harps. For the Greeks music was especially important as they believed that it was something that helped them deepen their relationship with the Gods. Archaeologists found many different instrument types in the ruins of Greek cities: a lyre (which later migrated to Europe), panpipes and the aulos.
Medieval Despite the general fall of the culture during the Medieval era (and we can thank the Catholic Church for that) music remained and was still extremely important to the people. The common folk sang hymns and secular songs in the churches with the aid of instruments like the organ. In towns and noble courts one could listen to the enchanting voices of the Minstrels and Troubadours, who wrote songs and ballads about chivalry, love but also important things like history or stories about the distant lands. Many different instruments were known in that era: trumpets, bagpipes, drums, bells etc. It is also worth noting that the oldest example of the polish language that exists is "Bogurodzica", a religious song that was sang by polish armies while marching to meet the enemy (the most importance example being the battle of Grunwald).
Questions:
Why is music so important to people and culture?
If you could invent a new instrument what would it sound like?
10th Karl Hans Albrecht was born 20 Feb 1920 in Essen. Karl is a German businessman who with his brother Theo to open a supermarket known throughout the world, Aldi. Aldi first opened in 1941 in Essen. In 2002, entrusted the management company to another person, he only collects the profits. Karl is a fan of golf, built his own golf course. He has two children but I do not know about them. We know little about Karl because he hates the media. His fortune in 2010 by Forbs is rated at 23.5 billion.
9th Amancio Ortega, was born March 28, 1938 in Busdongo de Arbas Spain. Amancio Inditex Group, founded in 1975. Index Group to include such brands Zara, Zara Home, Bershka, Stradivarius, Pull Bear Massimo Dutti, Oysho and Uterque. It is now the largest clothing company. Ortega in 1989, he had a hundred stores in Spain. As the first brand was created and then the next Zara clothing brands. In 2001 his company entered the stock market which has sold 41% shares. Ortega now lives in La Coune with his second wife. About his private life little is known Ordega appreciates privacy. His fortune in 2010 by Forbs is rated at 25 billion.
8th Eike Batista was born 3 Nov 1956 in Governador Valadares, Brazil. He is a businessman. Industries in which it operates mining and petroleum. It is the richest in Brazil, is the son of Eliezer Batista. Batista, was minister of energy. Interested in politics and election campaigns sponsored by their parties Goes. His private life is stormy. In 2009, belonged to the 100 most influential people in the world. His fortune in 2010 by Forbs is rated at 27 billion.
7th. Bernard Arnault was born 5 III 1949 in France. Is the richest Frenchman Bernard is president of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). He comes from a very wealthy family. In 1981, Florida had a construction company, with the money he earned he bought a company Christian Dior SA. In 2004 he bought a company Tag Heuer, the company produces luxury watches. In 2007 he bought a 9% stake in Carrefour. Bernard Arnault Delphine has a daughter who helps him earn money. According to Time Magazine, Bernard is one of the most influential people in the world. His fortune in 2010 by Forbs is rated at 27.5 billion.
6th Larry Ellison was born August 17, 1944. Larry is well-known founder of Oracle Corporation in 1977. When he was young he worked on a database for the CIA who was called Oracle. His biggest competition is the database is a database of IBM, Larry tried to talk with IBM so that the files were in the same format but IBM refused. Larry Ellison is currently the fourth wife, who is known as a writer Melanie Craft. Larry loves the largest yacht yachts have a length of 140 meters worth 200usd. Unfortunately, he finished with his hobby because when Larry cruised killed six of his friends. His fortune in 2010 to Forbs is rated at 28 billion.
5th Lakshmi Mittal was born June 15, 1950 in Sadulpur, India. He lives permanently in London. Laskshmi is president of the biggest steel producer ArcelorMittal. By the crisis in the world was in fourth place he lost half his assets. But they still have something to him:) He is known also in Poland, the government purchased from our steel mills. It is the richest resident of the UK. He bought himself a private jet and one of the most expensive jechtów. His house in London has been priced at 128 million. His daughter had a wedding at Versailles. His fortune in 2010 to Forbs is rated at 28.7 billion.
4th Mukesh Ambani was born April 17, 1947 in Aden and India. Mukesh currently has 48% stake in Reliance Industries Limited. He graduated from three directions at the University of Bombay, Bachelor of Arts, Science Stanford University, Master of Business Administration. Mukesh has a wife and three children. In 2008 he built one of the largest buildings in the world for his family. The construction cost was more than a billion dollars. Mukesh wants to invest in Poland 1.8 billion in fuel industries. His fortune is Forbs in 2010 is rated at 29 billion.
3rd Warren Buffett was born August 30, 1930 and Omaha. Warren is the greatest stock market investor. Has a share: 12.1% American Express 8.3% Coca-Cola, 18.1% The Washington Post Company, Gillette 9.5% group (part of the group Procter & Gamble) and other packages of shares in a number of corporations listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Buffett is the majority shareholder worth 74.4 billion dollars. insurance and investment company Berkshire Hathaway. Warren plans to spend 37 million to charity. As an interesting thing is, Warren, who lives in a house he bought 50 years ago for 31,500 USD. One of his best friends is Bill Gates. About his private life little is known is very modest. His fortune is Forbs in 2010 is rated at 47 billion.
2nd Bill Gates was born October 28, 1955 in Seattle. Bill I think everyone knows you and knows what he's doing:) Bill has more than 9% of the shares of Microsoft. Bill Gates in recent years engaged in charitable actions. He opened the foundations of Bill and Melinda Gates. When Bill was told that there is little mathematical genius. When I went to school was caught breaking the Computer Center Corporation, a computer making use of it thang. Thanks got the CCC first work where he was looking for bugs. At age 14 he wrote his pierwszt program for which he earned $ 20,000. In 1973 he studied at Harvard. November 23, 1976 opened the company Mirosoft. Microsoft is currently the largest IT company. His fortune is Forbs in 2010 is rated at 53 billion.
1st Carlos Slim Hel was born January 28, 1940 in Mexico City. Carlos is a Mexican businessman. Slim studied engineering at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Slim was a vice president of the Mexican stock exchange. Currently serves on the Board of Directors of Philip Morris International. Is the owner of France Telecom, Southwestern Bell Corporation, Telmex and Telnor. In 2008 he bought a 6.4% stake in The New York Times Company. Slim wants to buy a Honda F1 Team:) As to private life he has known sons Carlos, Marco Antonio and Patrick Slim Domit, three daughters. His wife, Soumaya Domit Gemaye died of kidney disease in 1999. His fortune is Forbs in 2010 is rated at 53.5 billion.
What do you think about these people? Which person do you like most? Which one of the greatest interest in the future?
In the last part I'd like to take you to Cairo, the cultural capital of Egypt.
Egypt's modern cities are mostly nothing to write home about, but it's definitely worth staying a few days in Cairo, which is by far the largest city in the country.
The Triumphant City offers many sites to see. It is the administrative capital of Egypt, located near almost every Egyptian Pyramids, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza on the very edge of the city. Moreover there are also ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments, and of course, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum all either within or nearby the city.
Cairo is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours every day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wears and services. And here, the Egyptians are most at home in this powerful, modern and ancient city.
The city offers also great culture, including art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House. Opera house at the Gezira Exhibition Grounds was inaugurated on October, 3, 1988. Designed by a team of Japanese and Egyptian architects, it is an architectural masterpiece of Islamic design. You can dine in a floating restaurant on the Nile, sample a shisha at a coffee-shop or see oriental dancers at a luxury hotel. The splendid Opera House complex houses several galleries and Museum of Modern Art, restaurants and concert halls. Listening to Arabic music under the stars, in the open air theater, is a magical experience. At El-Ghuriya, in the heart of Islamic Cairo, you can watch folk musicians and whirling dervish dancers. And don't forget the most essential after-dark experience, the sound and light show at the Pyramids, a dramatic fusion of light and music recounting the story of antiquity.
It also provides some of the grandest accommodations and restaurants in the world, such as the Four Seasons and the Cairo Marriott.
Cairo offers an incredible selection of shopping, leisure and nightlife activities. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or bazaar) largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East can be here. Particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics. Khan el-Khalili, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, is now usually just called the 'Khan', and the names of it and the Muski market are often used interchangeably to mean either. Named for the great Caravansary, the market was built in 1382 by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in the heart of the Fatimid City. Together with the al-Muski market to the west, they comprise one of Cairo's most important shopping areas. But more than that, they represent the market tradition which established Cairo as a major center of trade, and at the Khan, one will still find foreign merchants. Perhaps, this vary market was involved in the spice monopoly controlled by the Mamluks, which encouraged the Europeans to search for new routes to the East.
One day at least should be reserved for a look around the Egyptian museum, which is home to many fabulous treasures from the days of the pharoahs. The Egyptian Museum was first built in Boulak. In 1891, it was moved to Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha" which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the present building. The Egyptian Museum is situated at Tahrir square in Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened on November 15, 1902. It has 107 halls. At the ground floor there are the huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies.
The Museum also comprises a photography section and a large library. The Egyptian museum comprises many sections arranged in chronological order.
Q:
Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Watch things they have never saw before? Discover another world through the stuff in museums? Increase their knowledge?
Have you visit any museums before? What benefits you got?
Do you think tat museums, galleries and performing arts are important for us in modern world?
In part one I talked about activities in Egypt. Usually I enjoy sitting down and not doing an awful lot, but I'm not a fan of lying on the beach and soaking up the beautiful Mediterranean sunshine. Rather that I prefer visiting interesting places and learning something about their history.
Egypt offers you a rich history with many interesting places to explore. Places like temples for example. In this part I will focus just on them.
First of all, the term "temple" means a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice.
Temples sometimes had many other functions, acting sometimes as fortresses, administrative centers and even concrete expression of propaganda or royal retreats. However, it is difficult to define some other religious structures that are called temples as houses of worship or God's mansions. They may have other political or different purposes.
The Temple of Karnak today remains the world’s largest religious structure, but what is perhaps even more interesting is that it might not have been, or indeed was probably not Egypt's largest temple.
The Temple of Karnak at Luxor Certainly the Temple of Ptah in Memphis, though for the most part completely gone today, may have been larger. It was older, and located in what were often the capital of Egypt, and more often the administrative center of the ancient country. Other temples in the Nile Delta might have been just as large as Karnak, if not larger.
However Sites such as Karnak, Dendera and Kom Ombo were more than religious "temples". While the God have been worshiped in these temples, it was also his symbolic home, if not considered his physical residence, and the functions of the temple were as much to serve his or her symbolic physical needs as they were for the god's worship. There was probably no preaching as such, or carrying the message of the god to the people by priests associated with these temples. Rather the efforts were directed inward, towards the care of the Gods.
Also, though we often make a very specific distention between mortuary temples of kings, for example, and temples such as Karnak, they were actually very similar. Kings were considered as Gods, and after their death, they required a mansion and the same attention as other gods. Both regular and mortuary temples served to keep the name of the king or god alive.
Temple of Dendera Nefertari's temple at Abu Simbel was certainly dedicated to the goddess Hathor. But this also seems to be a situation where a God's mansion was built as much for political as for religious purposes. These great monuments at Abu Simbel, consisting of her temple, and the larger temple of her husband, Ramesses II, were not just temples. They were also reminders of Egypt's greatness to her southern neighbors. Other structures hardly fit within the God's mansion category at all.
Temple of Hathor The Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel Dynastic era temples were built for many different forms of worship, as well as other purposes. Some were major temples dedicated to major deities, while others were dedicated to a number of different deities. Some were mortuary temples, where the temple was dedicated to the deified dead king, and where he was worshiped and cared for by his cult. There was also valley temples, which were often no more than monumental gateways connected to the king's mortuary chapel by a causeway. There were all manner of specialized temples, such as Sed-festival temples, ka temples, sun temples, coronation temples and others.
The Temples at Deir el-Bahri Many of Egypt's temples became complex systems of buildings, added to by generations of pharaohs over sometimes thousands of years. Such temples include those of Luxor and Karnak, but others long destroyed, such as the Temple of Ptah. In fact, there are any numbers of northern temples, though long gone, that would have rivaled the southern temples that we most often visit today.
Most Temples had some sort of organized structure that evolved into a traditional, if somewhat varied floor plan. For example, the mortuary temple of 5th Dynasty kings invariably had an outer section and an inner sanctuary. The outer section would consist of an entrance corridor, followed by an open columned courtyard. Often, the pillars were inscribed with the king's name and title, and the northern columns would have scenes oriented to northern Egypt's symbolic gods, with a similar arrangement on the southern columns. Various additional minor chambers might also exist within the outer section, including, for example, an entrance vestibule or a guard station. Between the outer temple and the inner section there was usually a transverse corridor, and in the center of the long, west wall a doorway lead to the inner sanctuary of which the front section consists of a chapel with five niches for statues. Behind the chapel would be an offering hall, notable for a false door on the west wall that faces the pyramid, and before the door, an offering altar. Within the inner sanctuary there might also be additional rooms, such as vestibules and antechambers. Associated with both the outer and inner sections of the temple would be storage and other annexes to one side or both of the main temple components.
The avenue of sphinx at Karnak Non-mortuary temples often also had courtyards, chapels, offering halls, vestibules, antechambers, just like the mortuary temples. They tend to vary considerably in their style and elements, though temples built for specific gods tended to be more uniform. One of the major differences between mortuary temples and others was that the non-mortuary temples were very often added to, built upon and even usurped by various kings. Though in rare cases a mortuary temples, such as that of Josser at Saqqara, became places of high holiness, and were built upon by later kings, most mortuary temples were never added to or usurped. They therefore most often were much simpler than major non-mortuary temples. Latter temples took the form of fortresses, with massive entrance pylons and enclosure walls, huge courtyards, columned or pillared halls and inner sanctuaries.
Q:
Active holidays or take it easy holidays, what do you prefer?
Would you rather visit museums or lie on the beach?
How do you want to feel when the trip is over?
Where did you go for your last vacation? Was it active or passive vacation?
If you don’t know where you could go on Holiday, I’ll give you some advice.
In the world there are a lot of wonderful places where we can spend an interesting time. But there are not a lot of places where we can have a rest, to get know some history and have a good time. That’s why I have chosen Egypt.
If you think that Egypt can offer you only antiquities, you are wrong. Because it gives you much more. Of course you can see a famous Pyramids, a wonderful temples, but you can see also a beautiful nature with a desert and the sea. Yet Egypt also offers desert treks,
great scuba diving,
and even golf, fishing and bird watching expeditions. One may choose to relax on the wondrous Egyptian Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo, or even leisurely float down the Egyptian Nile on a luxurious river boat.
When you go to Egypt you may choose a classical Egyptian tours which are basically antiquities tours that visit various site in Egypt and it has been popular with tourists since classical times. Typical, classical tours almost all hit the same major spots.
The tours is beginning in Cairo due to the international airport there and because Cairo's heritage. From Cairo they take you south, usually to Luxor or Aswan, but also to both of these cities. Sometimes they include a Nile Cruise.
They frequently visit a few temples above Luxor, between Luxor and Aswan. They also offer the tour further south to Abu Simbel, or east for a short beach vacation at Hurghada, or across the Gulf of Suez to Sharm el-Sheikh, and perhaps some sightseeing at Mount Sinai. Recently, many classical tours are also purchased with an Alexandria. More exotic add-ons may carry tourists into the Western Desert, or the Eastern Desert, but all in all, the basic classical tour is not all that complicated.
A time of these tours usually last from four to fifteen days. Of course, you can find longer one. Shorter tours are common, but are generally very limited in scope. For example they may only visit the environs of Cairo. Tours longer than fifteen days are less common, as people simply do not have much time for it.
Beach Vacations
Despite Egypt's ancient allure, the country probably attracts more beach vacationers than any other type of tourists. This is because, for many Europeans, the warm Egyptian beaches are both inexpensive and well appointed. Egypt have seven beach zones. These consist of the Mediterranean beaches along the mainline coast from the Suez Canal over to Libya, the Mediterranean beaches along the northern Sinai, the Sinai coast along the gulf of Aqaba, the Sinai coast along the Gulf of Suez, the southern Sinai region which opens onto the Red Sea, the Mainland coast along the Gulf of Suez and the Mainland coast south of that along the Red Sea. Obviously the biggest differences are between the Mediterranean coast and all of the other regions that connect with the Red Sea. Some of these regions attract extensive tourism, while others are almost void of tourist.
In Egypt, one of the nice things about its beach resorts is that just about every area seems to be interestingly different. In general, in the region south of Hurghada, not including Marsa Alam, beach camps and more rudimentary accommodations are very popular. On the east, Aqaba side of the Sinai, while Taba and especially Sharm el-Sheikh are built up areas with fine facilities to choose from and it have a few fine hotels here and there. These areas, south of Hurghada tend to be very laid back areas of beach with less formal entertainment facilities than the main tourist areas of Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Taba and more and more.
For example, Hurghada is almost two cities in one. There is the downtown area with its less expensive hotels, some with beach front property, and then there are the individual resorts that are really somewhat segregated from the downtown area. They are essentially self contained complexes that offer little availability to the main city of Hurghada.
Sharm el-Sheikh is probably the most open resort area, with a boardwalk that connects most of the beach front resorts and the town center, though there are a few more isolated resorts.
Many of the individual compounds such as this have more than one hotel, and work hard to include various forms of entertainment and activities for the whole family.This is an example of one of the Sharm el-Sheikh’s holtel.
Water Activities
One of the main differences between the coastal regions that border the Red Sea and those in the Gulfs and Mediterranean Zones is the availability of Scuba Diving. There is some sparse scuba diving facilities in just about every zone, but by far, most Scuba Diving facilities are located from El-Gouna south along the Red Sea, and around Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai. Other activity such as windsurfing and skiing seems to be very popular along the mainland Gulf of Suez Zone. At various locations on just about all of the beaches there are other water sports available, such as sail boat rentals and parasailing.
Golf on the Red Sea
In Egypt, the weather is almost certain to accommodate ones desire to play golf. Egypt has a very wonderful golf course including course at Soma Bay on the Red Sea. Most courses are a part of fabulous hotels, such as the one at the Mena House in Cairo. If you want you can check these pages:
Flood 2010 has occurred in May 2010 in Central European countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine, as well as in Austria and Serbia.
Situation in the Czech Republic Flood in Czech Republic started on 16 May. In several places in the basin of Olza, Odra, Beczwa and Ostravica alarm flood was announced and was dismissed on 19 May. The third warn alarm was announced in additional 12 rivers the Moravian-Silesian Region. In Bogumin on 17 May the water level was highest since half a century. Several districts have been flooded. The hospital has been evacuated. In Karvina all exit routes has became impassable. In Zubrze under the influence of water several houses has collapsed. In the village of Troubky over 80% of farms has been under the water. Most reservoirs in the basin of the Odra and Moravia are overfilled.
Slovakia In the east of Slovakia water has flooded several places. Flood banks are broken, roads are under the water and bridges are destroyed. Several hundred people were evacuated. The worst situation is in counties Rimavská Saturday, Veľký Krtíš, Kosice and Spišská Nová Ves. Slovakia announced the state of natural disaster.
Hungary In the north of Hungary due to the flood over 2 thousands people had to leave their homes. The worst situation is in the Sajo river valley.Over 10,000 people works, repairing flood banks. 75,000 hectares of land are over the water, hundreds of farms are flooded, thousands of homes don't have electricity.
Ukraine Heavy rains have caused the flood in western Ukraine. The worst situation is in the Transcarpathian region, where almost half thousands homes were flooded. In the city of Chop Tisza river has broken the flood banks.
Sunday 23 May 2010
My dreamt journey
Life goes its own path, every path has its own turnings and stops. My life is not going through paths made by destiny, conditions or other people, it simply goes its own way. Lifeisnot just a bowl of cherries, but it is also full of disappointments and unpleasantness. I often have to chase my dreams, do everything that I can to make them come true. One of them is to see some places all around the world. I love driving so I decided to choose a hard route, through different countries. Demanding roadstighten the screw and it means that I will have to work really hard. But what is my real destination? Now I know that I want to be in places where is hot and cold, safe and dangerous, I want to go through modern cities and small villages, forests, meadows, and in the place where the civilization have not come yet. That's right, my journey will such like that.
I will start the journey in my hometown – Kalisz. The whole trip will be as simple as that:
As it is showed the main point of the trip is the highest mountain chain in Europe. A few hundreds of kilometers from my house, there is a place where I always find peace and the nature calm me down and there comes the perfection, no cars, no people, no houses. There is only the driver with his vehicle.
STELVIO PASS
That grey ribbon against pretence is not a mountain-side but asphalt road. Approaching the highest point from the northern side is quite long because it is 24,3kilometres with approximate slope of 7,4%.There are 48 hairpin turns on the northern side of the pass. There are some climbs that many of us dream about – and it didn’t disappoint. With roughly 1800 meters of climb, it is a true giant. Moreover, the south-east way is about 21,5kilometres in approximate slope of 7,1%(the difference in height is 1533metres) The top quarter of the Stelvio Pass, best driving road in the world according to Top Gear. This is about 2760m up in the Italian Alps.But it’s the unbelievable surroundings and the never-ending hairpins that make this climb so memorable.
The question is how to get there?
Driving in this particular way it will be really hard to overlook such cities as Zwickau or Inglstadt, in which Trabant and Audi were produced. Each of them has common origins in creating Auto Union. After them there are such cities as Lin or Wels. The first one was established by Romans, who during Marcomannic Wars set up a camp on the bank of Danube – Castra Romana. They named it Lenthia. The most interesting tourists centers are among other things: castle fromXVI-XVII century, baroque palaces, churches and numerous museums. Can we drive there? No way so I will take some photos and I go further!
Wels is the second city in the country of Upper Austria, in terms of population. The density of population is about 1266 people on square kilometer, so it seems that is it too densely like for me I have to find some wilderness.
Schladming – it is a mountain town, where instead of summer tires we need to put winter ones and they have to be a really good ones, because the weather will do everything to make me work hard on the road. This is my dream so why not having fun and a bit dangerous adventure? That's why I am here.
I guess this is the best place for a longer stay. Mittersill in Austria is a wonderful place, simply magnificent.
The town invites us to fishing holidays, on the biggest in Austria private fishery grounds (working since 1866). It consists of 130kilometres running water, four mountain torrents, two barrier lakes and two smaller ones, placed in the National Park of the Hohe Tauern in the Alps. I am almost in heaven. The car is resting, fishing rods are waiting for big fish, but no fish for me, well I don't worry because actually I don't eat fish so I admire the nature and peace. From time to time I hear that my car is calming down after the great work. It's not a heaven but almost because it is just a kilometer above sea level.
Full, well-rested, bathed by portable shower I get to the car. Another part of my journey is Innsbruck, about 30kilometres on the south of the Innsbruck there is a Brenner pass (1371m above sea level). Well it sounds great :)
I am bit hungry so it seems that it is time for a snack, and again the place where I am is just great because this is where all best chocolates and beers are produced. Namely, it is Bludenz. It is famous for Suchard chocolate and Fohrenburger beer. Apart from that it is worth going by its railway because it goes through the most beautiful mountain areas. Unfortunately, I cannot go there by car so it seems that I will eat something and go further.
Lichtenstein and its Vaduz. It is famous for the fact that there are more companies and businesses than people, it is a kind of paradise for taxes. But not only! It is a very important center of culture, tourism and finances. The most important monument is a gothic castle form XII century -residence of royal family. And guess what we can go there by car but I will not do it.I'll take a lot of pictures because the castle is impressive. Well it's tome to go on.
I am quite excited knowing that I am really near the biggest and the most important point of my journey. Davos is associated in the world with the World Economic Forum which usually takes place here. Skiers in turn know this place very well because of the best winter resorts. Regular visitors call it 'davos-famos' which simply means wonderful Davos. Unfortunately, such holidays are very expensive ones. Local people are absolutely right it is a great place, especially because of the fact that Stelvio starts over there. My dreams, my world...
STELVIO:
The highest paved mountains pass in the Eastern Alps 2757 meters above sea level
The original road was built in 1820-25 by the Austrian Empire to connect Stelvio from northern-east with Bormio.
The road is known because ofGiro d'Italia race. But I do not want to cycle, now way! I want to drive!!!
I am even more excited because I am going up and up, the engine works properly, quietly and it does not exceed 900 revolution per minute, suddenly they rise, 3,5 thousand and the car goes up with such power that I will be immediately. The first turning is quite fast but still very calm, the second and the third oh it seems that I have 45 more, but I do not count I just go up a little bit faster. Why not? Is it adventure or not?
Some smoke will not 'hurt' the engine, the temperature of the engine is proper, oil is normal, tires hot, air conditioning works so I do not have to worry everything goes as it should have. But when I look down a see the slope about one or two kilometers oh yes it seems that my journey is becoming more and more dangerous. I take second gear and another turning, what a fun and excitement that's the way I like
24kilometres later finally on the peak, the car is calming down not only the car me too. I feel like a child after the first serious trip, so tired and excited. I look at he mountains and I ask myself whether it is myfinal destination? I take second gear and another turning, what a fun and excitement that's the way I like 24kilometres later finally on the peak, the car is calming down
But it is time to go back home. Last look on the mountains, shout of joy. I need to thank them for great accpetance, full of calmness and peaoce, the roads were so good, and I was there all alone with my adrenaline and the best car ever.
Bormio, Tirano, Alessandria, these are just names names, they do not mean anything without my memories. There is a luxurious hotel, which was built on the foundations of an old mill. It is somewhere among hills of Piedmont in region of Monferrato, in town of San Michele nearbyMediterranean Sea.
Genova and Ravenna are just town I go through. Italy, in case of driving culture is a country that we may have some provisions. In fact the highway starts there, it is long and quite nice to go because it is through the coast, which leads us to Venice. In order to visit it I should get off the car but no way I love my too much :)
In my previous entry I told you a little bit about themes related to paintball. Now I want to give you a piece of advice how and where you should start your first game without doing any harm.
At the beginning it's useful to check where in our area there is a paintball field or any other organized game group/club and if anyone of our friends already play. When we find a place to play it comes time to prepare ourselves, we need to think about basic equipment. We can borrow it, at the beginning it's the best idea! We can get equipment directly from the organizers of the game or we can take it from special rental (there are a few in Warsaw). Buying equipment at the beginning is a bad idea for several reasons: we can buy poor equipment for a large cash or simply we may not like it.
The best choice for the first game is to take it on Saturday. You may ask why Saturday?!? Saturday because on Friday we can relax and rest before the game and on Sunday we can cure our nice bruises ;))). A week before the game it's worth doing some sports to stretch. Thanks to that during the game we won’t be breathless and the day after the game we minimize sores. We also should warm up to reduce injuries. The first game we play in the forest, because at hall there is lot of old paintballs and paint which are easy to slip on. In the forest we have more space, it is easier to hide thus you play more strategically.
Before our first game we need to get familiar with the basic safety rules which apply during the tournament:
- the first and basic principle is not to remove the mask during the game and in a place where the loaded markers are.
- before and after every game always turn off the marker and assume the "cap" on the barrel it can be a barrel bag
- don't wave a marker near the people who don't participate in the game (read up)
- don't use already fired balls (they can explode in the barrel)
- before the game begins every player must check balls velocity in his marker (max speed is about 300 feet per second, faster ball can hurt an opponent;/ )
- after the game has begun a distance between shooter and his victim must be greater than one meter!
- we try not to shoot at the back of our opponents head
- during the forest game we don't shoot the animals and we don't go mushroom picking;)
- don't shoot people that are already marked
- the game must be stopped when we spot people without masks who shouldn't be on the field, such as mushroom pickers;)
Sticking to these principles will make the game safer.
Below I attach a few instructional videos, we can learn from them and the exercise are easy to performe without equipment ;).
Good luck!!
Questions 1. Do you agree with all the safety rules I mentioned? 2. Suggest your safety rule 3. Do you think these exercises are useful for beginners?
Hi all!!:) This time I would like to acquaint you with themes related to paintball. Introduction Paintball is a team sport where players eliminate opponents by shooting them with capsules containing paint from a paintball gun, called the marker. This game is for everyone, but the best player's characterized by the: experience, ability to keep cold blood, flair, strategic thinking, team play and also necessary is good condition. Many organized tournaments allow to choose the best teams and players. Paintball is very often used and purposes as integrative or recreational sports. According to the research paintball is one of the safest sports on the world, it's more secure than golf, tennis, football or even jogging.
History Paintball was invented quite recently because in the early 80's of XX century in USA by three Americans Bob Gurnsey, Hayes Noel, Charles Gaines. They came up with the idea of bloodless game using markers used by farmers for marking cattle from a distance. The first paintball game was held at 27 of June 1981 in New Hampshire and there was 12 players. Their goal was to get four flags without been hit by other team members. Very interesting fact is that the winner was a person who has not fired any single shot.
Necessary equipment Every player is required to have five basic pieces of equipment: - Paintball marker, special gun used to tag an opposing player - Loader, container for the paint balls for keeping the marker fed with ammunition - Air cylinder with compressed air or CO2
- Mask, is an essential security element for protects the face, eyes and ears of the player
- Paint balls
Types of games There are many types of games, however there is only one rule, the winner is the team which will reach their goal losing the least players. The game may take in closed place (halls, bunkers), in open terrain (eg forest)or on special fields with obstacles. The are two official variants of the game: Speedball - it's sports version of paintball, the game takes on a specially prepared field with obstacles. This version is distinguished by two European leagues (the Millennium Series and Centurion Circuit) and 3 Polish league (PLP - Polish Paintball League PLP5 - Polish Paintball League 5-players and PLP3 - Polish Paintball League 3-players)
Woodsball - also known as woods paintball, hillball or bushball. Is a format of paintball gaming, in which players compete in a natural outdoors area (woods, wasteland, industrial areas etc.) In this version of the game players use a camouflage and the game takes place in accordance with the agreed scenario, such as reconstruction of a clash of war.
Questions 1. Do you ever played paintball? 2. Did you find any bugs in my history of paintball? If so what? 3. Which type of game is more interesting? 4. Is something missing in the equipment? If yes, what?
Finally there are many social aspects which should be considered when it comes to driverless cars
People
Trust
"Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window" - Steve Wozniak
Many people does not trust computers for crucial tasks and driving car is one of them, but here on the other hand I would raise another question – can we trust humans to drive cars J?
Unemployment
Nowadays transportation provides many jobs which would disappear in case of automation. Because of this many people may oppose the idea of driverless cars despite the fact that it would be great improvement of life quality for everyone and history proved that people who opposed technical progress were wrong.
Customs
Many people are used to drive their cars which they can consider some sort of entertainment and element of personal freedom and independence. They might be unwilling to give up that for comfort and safety.
Laws
There are many legal issues concerning driverless cars but I would like to mention two of them which I consider the most important.
Licenses
As we all know today in order to drive the car driver license is required, but what if there is no driver?
Legal responsibility
"I wasn't speeding, Officer. My car was."
Imagine a situation where driverless car causes an accident, who should be held responsible in such case?
Questions
What is the hardest problem to solve in your opinion? Is it social or technical?
Do you think people employed in transport will protest this just like the Luddites who were destroying machines which "stole" their jobs in XIX century?
If you are a driver would you give up control over your car for comfort and safety?
Temple of Hathor
The Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel
The Temples at Deir el-Bahri
The avenue of sphinx at Karnak
