Saturday, June 14, 2014

They've Got the Blues!


 

Travelers journeying through the unforgiving Thar desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan would know when they had reached their destination.  The sky would fall to the ground and everything would turn a beautiful blue. Jodhpur would welcome them to a blue treasure in the desert. 
The Mehrangarh Fort towers above the Blue City of Jodhpur.  Around the fort's feet, a jumble of blue cubes stretches out for miles to the 16th century walls. Traditionally the blue signified Brahmin (traditional Hinduism) but today,  it doesn't matter, all of the houses are blue.  Blue is also thought to repel insects.  The modern part of Jodhpur, India isn't quite as blue, but I'm sure just as amazing as there are currently over one million inhabitants.
 
 

Isn't BLUE known for having a calming effect :)!


 

Suburbs vs City?


 

 
 
Oh China,  what will you think of next?   They have solved the age old city vs. suburb dilemma  :)!    Just do both!   In Hengyang, china you will find 25 luxury villas  looking a bit like doll houses on the top of a massive shopping mall :).  The yellow homes with wrap around veranda and white picket fences were unfortunately built without permits.  The government is allowing them to stay for the time being as long as they are not sold for profit.  They are currently used as dormitories for their employees and migrant workers. There are actually two suburbs on top of shopping malls in China!  The second is located in ZhuZhou, China.   Here they have built what appears to be four lovely houses and gardens.  They too have managed to dodged demolition due to the fact that they are used for the employees.  I like the trend :).  Why not?
 
 
 

Village préféré des Français


 
 
France has 32,000 villages that dot it's countryside but this one might be the cutest :).  Eguisheim, France now dubbed Village préféré des Français or Favorite French Village is located in north-eastern France.   It earned this titled in 2013 via an annual distinction that passes from town to town throughout France.   It also passes along the "Wine Route", needless to say,  it has plenty of tourists.
The area has been inhabited since the Paleolithic ages  but it was in the Middles ages that the Duke of Alsace built a castle round which the settlement is built.  It is the birthplace of Pope Leo IX in 1002.
The populations of about 156 citizens take pride in their village keeping it clean, charming and flower filled.   The streets are, of course, cobblestone and storks can be found flying overhead.  It's difficult to get lost as the streets are formed in concentric circles around it's center.  Wine is grown around the village since the Roman times and the town hosts several tasting rooms.  Charming!






The Ponytail King!



Did you know Germany does have a modern day king? They do, and his name is Peter Fitzek. He is the self-proclaimed king of the his state known as the the Kingdome of Germany. He promises to serve his people and not capitalism. King Peter :) was able to proclaim himself king as Germany allows for non-profit organizations to establish their own legislation, executive and judiciary banches (their own government). King Peter started his career as a professional chef and then owned various small businesses. He finally set his sites on martial arts, as well as becoming a husband and father. King Peter reports meeting a mysterious person during martial arts period that provided him with "ancient magical writings". These writings led him to reject all modern medicine. He became very interested in mysticism, magic and the surreal world. He then began teaching his belief system to others by holding seminars in his apartment.
King Peter believes he is a natural born leader and that he can serve the people of Germany better than their current government. Kick starting his political journey, he ran as an independent in 2009s parliamentary elections. Don't be shocked.. but he didn't do well! The man who wore many hats decided at this point to create his on micro-nation. He purchased a 22 acre property, named it the Kingdome of German and proclaimed himself.. what else but KING! His kingdom consists of several properties around the city of Wittenberg, south of Berlin. He is developing his property and has set up a few buildings in which he holds seminars. His Monarch imports products that he sells in his new "Angel Store". He's a king with a plan :), hoping to someday open a university and a holistic hospital on his property.  He currently has 3100 members of his kingdom and gas created his own currency, a bank, and funds for health insurance and pensions. It might be hard to argue that he's not a natural born leader. 
WOW! What do you think? Strange enough?



 

Anti-socailization!



I love all things Japanese :).  And I love anti-socializing tables.   Japanese universities in Kyoto and Kobe have installed "lonely seats" in their cafeteria for students wishing to avoid social situations. The seats have a large divider in the center of the table for privacy. Apparently the university has it's fair share of students who do not want to socialize during lunch making seating at open tables uncomfortable.   The seats became very popular after their installation.  Students can now eat lunch in peace.  The "boochi seki" seats don't offer protection from a person sitting beside you,  so of course there is still a risk of unwanted chatter.  Apparently in Japan,  social outcasts or those who keep to themselves are quite common, known as "the hikikomori".   I love this idea!  Why does every meal have to be a social hour? I also found another solution to dining alone in Japan.  It's safe to say, many people feel a bit uncomfortable dining alone in an actual restaurant (not cafeteria).   The Moomin Café in Tokyo has found a solution.  The wait staff kindly seats unaccompanied patrons across from a giant stuffed animal in hopes to easing their discomfort.  I am unsure if it's acceptable to enjoy a nice conversation with the fluffy stranger or not :).   For a person similar to me.. these are WONDERFULLY strange spots.






Global Warming Perks!



This is the Blue River (or Rivers) of North West Greenland.  It connects the Greenland's ice sheet to the Arctic Ocean.  The Blue River is part of the melting Peterman Glacier.  The lower areas of the glacier fill up with melted water ultimately creating crystal blue winding rivers.
The river is never the same from year to year, but it is always beautiful and bright blue.  If you search online, you will find an adventure company that provides exclusive vacation packages that can cost more  $6000 for week.  This doesn't mean accommodations are luxurious though :).  Probably money well spent if kayaking is your thing!  The river attracts explorers, scientists and adventurers.  It might the most extreme kayaking experience I've seen online.  You can visit the area anytime :).  Summers are apparently intense and filled with lots of mosquitos.  Oddly enough, the cold dry season seems to be the most popular amount tourist.
 
I suppose kayaking in Greenland is only going to get more popular in the future.   And who says global warming is a bad thing :)?
 

 


 

 
 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Simple!



These are glacial waterfalls of Svalbard, Norway (archipelago in the Arctic Ocean) half way between mainland Norway and the North Pole.   Despite being so close to the north pole,  it's temperatures are warmer in comparison to other areas with the same latitude as a result of the Gulf Stream.  About 60% of the island is covered by glaciers and waterfalls with many glacial outlets ending at the sea.  The waterfalls are a result of annual snow melt.  The island is home to an average estimated population over 2,500, 23 nature reserves, and 7 national parks.   It's an amazing place to see with plenty of wildlife and beauty.  I thought these waterfalls were stunning and wanted to share.