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 |   A Journal to impart knowledge and facts |
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July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
Madagascar  ApondiaThe lyrics of Bali Ha'i from Rogers and Hammerstein's South Pacific remind me of the natural beauty and biological diversity of Madagascar. Bali Ha'i environments can only be explored by brave people with pure hearts who dare to explore the secrets of the land. Constance Tsarabanjia is a beautiful place to visit. I particularly liked the swings in the cabins. I also enjoyed the open-air idea of the South Sea Islands type of housing. I doubt the idea that humans are physically related to lemurs. There are a lot of different species of lemurs living in the many National Parks of this country. One is the Golden Lemur. The national parks here are beautiful and have some very wild parts. The truth is even though Humans have similar DNA to Chimpanzee's it is not the same as chimps. Humans and Apes may have a similar remote ancestor. That is not presently a proven fact. It is one of the most erroneous of facts that homosapiens are descended directly from any species of ape. Madagascar is sometimes related to as the 8th continent because of its' biological diversity. I visited the Baobab Avenue. The trees are awesomely large. They used to be part of a large forest. The forest has been removed over the years by humans. It leaves the Baobab trees standing. They only drink when liquid is needed. They are called Hydro Homies because they need the Dihydrogen Monoxide of the liquid, they intake. A great place to travel. New things to learn about the earth. |
For the end of the day: or just after the camel ride:  Camels and Cairo Cairo is considered the cultural capital of the middle east. It is particularly known for the pyramids and the Egyptian museum. Within the culture it is considered impolite to point any part of your foot at someone or to show someone the soul of your shoe. Not visiting an acquaintance for a long period of time shows how insignificant you feel about you relationship, and it is a compliment for the food if you take a second helping. The people I met were all very helpful and polite. I saw the Khan El Khalili Bazaar early in the morning. It was actually quite calm with fewer people than I expected. Because it was early in the day. I was told that the way to pronounce the name was Ham Hem Halee. With a short a,e,In first two syllables and long ee in the last syllable. So, many things to see. Jewelry, backpacks, statuettes of all kinds, beautiful long gowns, shoes, sandals, slippers. Linen pants with camels on them and rugs of all kinds. I would like a dozen for my home. A Uber driver said to be sure to get a good price by haggling. He said if they say 100 come back with 50 but don't let them talk you up higher than 70. Inside the bazaar helpful people were only a step away. I saw too many items to describe them all. The camel ride was just amazing. Mounting was done while the beast rested on the ground. Good thing because once it stood up its long legs (6 feet plus at the shoulder, 7 feet plus at the hump), put us quite a ways up in the air. The first camel kept its head low at the guides shoulder, the others held their heads high and were strung out in a line. Attached to each other by long leads. We waved and called out hellos to other riders as different tours walked past each other. The ride was an hour long. The camels were decked out in beautiful bridles and colorful rugs under their saddles. I enjoyed the long languid walking gate that covered a lot of ground quite quickly as we strolled along. We mainly rode near the area where the pyramids could be seen and there was a lot of sand. A sign at the entrance said, "Built for Eternity" as we entered the pyramids. You must buy a ticket. There are security guards everywhere who check tickets. Once we were walking on the grounds near the pyramids there were stray dogs wandering among the crowds. I noticed there were also Arabian horses decked out for tours. Once I saw a two-wheel cart being pulled by a team of ponies. The pyramids were awesome and not anything like I have seen in pictures. The bricks were larger than I expected. One of the pyramids was bent having been not formed properly. I was reminded of a place in the Exodus where the Hebrew's were punished because of an argument Moses had with Pharoh. Their punishment was to make their own bricks for building as well as to maintain their schedule for building. I think the pyramids we were visiting are not the older ones that are not on the tourist guides list for visiting. It was a very long day. I enjoyed everything and learned things I did not ever think about as they applied to Egypt and the pyramids. Riding camels is fun. Bye for now. |
| Bhutan: Apondia When I think of Bhutan, I think of a peaceful place with lots of mountainous spots with deep valleys and rivers. The environment seems to be a key to the remoteness of the country and the devotedness of the residents to a peaceful life. One time in my various readings I read that the original Budda (Siddhartha Gautama}, commanded that he should never be worshipped. I came into some of my knowledge by studies in Mindfulness and Yoga. Although it is true that Mindfulness is associated with Buddhism it is also true that meditation is used in Judaism and Christianity. If you really study or just read books about different religious endeavors you will find similar and dissimilar ideas recorded in these three subjects. There is a book in our local library written by an associate of Siddhartha Gautama. When I read it I felt every child would benefit from the ideas expounded by the Bhudda. I also wondered why this particular type of writing was not set forth in writings about Jesus. I could see the hand of One God influencing the teachings of the Bhudda. I'm sure when people were sitting in places listening to the Christ, that he was telling them many of the teachings in the book I read. Also, one time probably 35 or 40 years ago I heard a speaker explaining the pitfalls of yoga in a Christian's life. Yet a book on Yoga I have in my library says Yoga is used in worship of one God. There is a place in Ezekiel where the prophet tells people not to use Yoga to worship the sun. I know there is a sun salutation, but it is only a morning greeting to the sun as it is considered a living entity. It is not a worship to the sun. The beliefs of naturalist credit every part of life as a living entity. Planets are greeted as mothers to civilizations. Plants make their own sounds. Animals within their own realm can think and communicate. A serious storm seems to wreak havoc with a life of its own. So, I was not surprised today to learn that Tiger's nest was created because a monk rode a Tigress to her lair on a mountain. It seemed a sad thing that the original temple burned in 1998 and was rebuilt. I visited the sanctuary. It was impressive. Even though it was extremely expensive; it would be a peaceful type of vacation from daily life. I thought of having tea at the tea bar. The tea bar offers 20 different types of herbal tea. There is a Bhutanese Medicine doctor in residence at the sanctuary who will consult with travelers about health remedies. The restaurant terrace overlooks the beautiful Neyphu valley. And the rooms offer a choice of a terrace or a balcony room that also show fabulous scenic views of the valley. To top it off I found singing bowls for sale in Amazon today. So, my swift exploration into Bhutan at Youtube.com and books I have read reaped some memories of readings and some new knowledge about a remote, beautiful and spiritual country. Hope your day is blessed. |
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