Poca World

Breathing Numbers - Diary Entry 7: Awakening

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Date: 26^th May 2013

The road felt sad, I had a feeling of excitement and a weird feeling in my stomach ignited by the reality I was up to witness. Al Zaateri town looked like a desert with scattered houses and small buildings. Dust everywhere. I noticed that some of the houses had a UN tent in its yard, I discovered later that many of those tents are sold from the inside of the camp, somehow, to people outside. I know one family had some refugees living in it but I’m not sure about the rest and why would they need those tents.

The closer we got to Al Zaatari camp, the stronger that weird feeling became. Now, we’re there!

Big army tanks, soldiers holding gun machines scattered everywhere, big crowds of people walking outside the well secured camp and trying to get in. We drove through the human wave till we reached the caravans designated for the UN and other NGOs. Mr. Rafe’ parked the car on the side of the dirt road and we walked inside to reach an office where he finished some paper work.

I was standing outside waiting with Mahmoud Sadaqa, my guide. It just took a few seconds for a smaller wave to be created around us. “Please, please, I’ve been standing here since early morning, my son is sick, I’m trying to get him out for treatment, please, help me!” I felt something pulling my clothes on the other side, I looked to my right and there he was, a small beautiful child, “Khalto (Aunt), I want to go to Jordan”. I was speechless! The child lived the last two years in this camp without realizing that he was in Jordan! What was it to him? A nightmare and Jordan is the awakening? I apologized to all, at that point, I had no idea what’s going on, and I directed them to Mr. Fare’ and Mahmoud.

Where am I? Who are those people? And what am I if my Humanity can’t help them?

I was shattered, five minutes into this experience and I’m already a wreck. We went back to the car and headed toward the first checkpoint, Mr. Rafe’ handed his authorization letter and we continued to the second checkpoint. All good, we’re now inside the actual camp!

180,000 refugees living inside Al Zaatari camp. A simulation of a city inside a city, the dirt I’ve seen on the road was only a hint of the desert the camp was built on. The camp was sectioned into streets; I was heading to street 19, where the first family was expecting me.

A side of the camp.. more images to be posted soon

To be continued...

Love, Peace and Light ..

Muna

www.facebook.com/breathingnumbers

Twitter hashtag: #BreathingNumbers

Instagram @MunaHarib

Twitter account: @MunaHarib

Breathing Numbers - Diary Entry 6: Getting there

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 17:43:00 +0000

Date: 26^th May 2013

I have no name, I have no title, and I’m not of any organization that says Humanity and do Monetary for the chairs involve.

I bear no gifts, I say no hints, and if I take a look; its only for the truth to reveal it self in its true colors.

The day has come when my real mission of entering the camps began. On the 26th May 2013, I woke up at 6 am preparing for the trip. I put my things together and I was nervous, not for the risk involved, but for the possibility that I wont make it. But then I remembered, he told me “impossible”, a guy I barely knew, and then remembered the past three years of my life and before, the impossible was always possible and its that same word that made me create the space between the “im” and “possible” and defy the imagination of the “no way” to the reality of the “yes, it is possible.”

Picked up my stuff and walked down the narrow stairs of the old building where I stay. The bright daylight was opening wide windows of hope inside my heart, telling me everything will be fine. Mahmoud was waiting for me on the black metal door downstairs, he had a big smile as he told me a few days earlier that he believed in me and that this would make a change.

“Al Salamu Alaikum Mahmoud", here he was, the guy who volunteered his life to the stories of refugees, Palestine and Iraq before, and now Syria. Mahmoud did not represent any organization, he volunteered in the different camps for a long time and people within know him. When I first met Mahmoud, he told me nothing is impossible, I will help you get into the camps and see the reality by your own eyes, and maybe if I’m lucky, by the eyes of my lenses.

The walk was a silent one; we went down endless ray of steps, in the alleys of the old city center and on to the first bus stop. The ride took 1.5 hour, but the conversations with Mahmoud made me wish it took longer. Mahmoud told me about his experience in the Turkish Flotilla ship, the one that attempted the peace trip to Gaza, Palestine. Stories from the inside!! I was lucky and blessed to meet someone who experienced a journey that I always dreamt of doing; heart-breaking stories yet they fill one’s heart with hope. He told me that they were captured and were taken to land, cuffed & strained. He said, I was happy! I wasn’t scared! For the first time in my life, I see my homeland, I saw Palestine and I walked on its precious ground.

We had to change buses. The second bus stop was a smaller one but with a richer feel of humanity. Many took these buses to reach Al Zaatari camp. I sat drinking tea from a small tea stand as I waited for the bus. Women and men, young and old, how many of those going to visit someone they know in the camps? How many of those were on a medical release and going back to live in Al Zaatari camp again? The stories of people were floating in the air like the ghosts of wondering souls. What did those people see back home? Back in Syria?

Finally our bus arrived, we got on the small bus and headed to our first destination where we met Mr. Fare’ from a Jordanian organization that cares for those in need in the area of Zaatari.

I had a quick tour in the organization premises and schools, and when we were done, I asked Mr. Fare’ if I can join him as he was going to the camps. He was kind enough to let me tag along, and so I had my first entry!

And the story continues...

The house where i chill and write in the evenings

The house where i stayed (upper left corner) and the stairs that i take everyday

The door that i went through everyday to search for a Number and a story

Second stop, waiting for the bus that goes to Al Zaatari area

Love, Peace and Light ..

Muna

www.facebook.com/breathingnumbers

Twitter hashtag: #BreathingNumbers

Instagram @MunaHarib

Twitter account: @MunaHarib

Breathing Numbers - Diary Entry 5: Whispers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 May 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Shivering of the thought of what’s coming tomorrow, will the heart stay strong? Will my tears freeze in place, and melt only when the dark descends? Will I stand tall? Will I stand still? Will my thoughts have a say or will my feelings take the way?

Scared of what’s coming tomorrow, as my heart failed me in many ways before, strong its not, as it suffocates from its own spurting blood.

Awaiting...

Breathing Numbers - Diary Entry 4: Rap for freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Date: 23rd May 2013

Part One:

The plane was descending, I can see a peaceful image of the Jordanian desert appearing among the few spreading clouds, an image shattered by the voices of freedom in a neighboring country, Syria. A vision of a woman appeared among the thin clouds, one I saw a few days ago on a YouTube channel screaming to the world to stop watching and start moving. I remember her saying: “Till when,” she points to a huge pile of ruins “behind me in that ruin, ten children were killed because of the damn regime bombs, till when will the world keep watching? Where are the Arabs? Where are the Muslims? Where are the Men? Humanity has disappeared!”

Six fighter jets just passed by while I’m siting here sipping my juice remembering my journey on the plane and thinking how blessed I am to live in a country of peace. Though Jordan seems like a happy place where people driving up and down the Rainbow Street, the stories of Syria keep emerging.

In my search for contacts, I met Mahmoud, a human first, as he introduces him self, and a Jordanian from Palestinian origins second. He explains that he hates labels but he has the responsibility to speak his cause to the world, and so Palestine is what he answers when the question appears.

We will know Mahmoud’s story as the events progress, but for now, I will take notes of some of the heartbreaking stories this phenomenal human carries and share it in the next blog entries.

Part Two:

Kaz, a political rapper, an intriguing young man who I met through Abz (The ex-soldier who I interviewed earlier). Kaz in Arabic, with a Jordanian accent, means Gas and as he puts it, gas is everywhere and its flammable, and I am just that!

Raised witnessing the tensed political climate of the region, Kaz love of poetry took him on the road of political rap. He says its real, rough, aggressive and to the point “Rap is not scared to tell it as it is, and so am I !” , he smiles.

فبعد اللي صار .. وبعد اللي هيصير… بطل يفرق شو المصير..

مقتول إو أسير… ما زيي زي كل واحد رمته الدنيا بالقاع …

و حرمته من الاستمتاع … و حكمته انه ضاع …

بس الفرق الواحد اني ..

راكع ايقاع ..

With a few political raps dedicated to the Syrian struggle, Kaz was generous and gave me a sneak peek to his new album, a song that I included in my documented interview with this special young man.

And the story continues...

"Torabyah" , Kaz's band, in a form of political rap

Love, peace & Light ..

Muna

www.facebook.com/breathingnumbers

Twitter hashtag: #BreathingNumbers

Instagram @MunaHarib

Twitter account: @MunaHarib

Breathing Numbers - Diary Entry 3: Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:07:00 +0000

Date: 22^nd May 2013

PART ONE:

At 3 pm my phone rang in my modest room in Amman, I haven’t slept for 24 hours and was just stealing an hour of sleep to gather some strength for the coming days. “Al Salamu Alaikum Miss Muna, this is Abz, Heather’s friend, when do you want to meet?”. Abz is my first interviewee, he’s a Syrian refugee who used to work for the Syrian regime and managed to fledge to Jordan. As for now, I am keeping Abz real name hidden for security issues.

I woke up after another hour of sleep, while still in bed; I started recalling the thread of visuals I have seen so far since my arrival. 5 minutes into the ride, small ragged tents appeared on one side of the road, clothes hanged on a rope between the tents and the light poles. An old woman caught my attention, wrinkled face and hands, dots on her forehead between the eyes and up, a head scarf with beautiful silver piece hanging from it, she looked tired. I asked the driver, who are those people? and why are they living in this rough way? Poverty appeared on them and I didn’t understand why it existed after I just left King Abdullah state of the art airport. The taxi driver explained that those were Bedouins who chose to live this nomadic way of life regardless how tough it was!

The scenery was beautiful, the mountains started appearing and the skyline of Amman’s old buildings followed that of the mountains and blended it with it. The Syrian embassy was on the same road, I’ve noticed a big crowed of people, women, men, children all gathered on the road outside. There was also a large number of security men with machine guns, something that exists on the doors of all embassies yet in a more extensive form here.

My destination was Al Dawar Al Awal (The first roundabout) on Omar Bin Al Khattab street. On the way to that roundabout, I passed by many embassies including the Iraqi one where another crowed existed, but this time, it was only the Jordanian army with no civilians. Again I asked my driver, who turned out to be a very helpful source of information, what’s happening here? He explained that Jordan is demanding the current Iraqi ambassador to leave after a savage incident that took place on his part.

Jordan is breathing heavy.

PART TWO:

I started getting ready to meet Abz. The continues roar of planes from a near by army airport is disturbing. I gathered my equipment and left. It was a tough walk at the beginning as Amman streets hugs the curves of nature and its hills, something I’m not used to experience back home.

Abz is a young man in his early 20s, tall, good build and with a large sweet smile hiding a deep sad look that tells it all. As a Syrian ex-soldier, Abz was nervous to tell his story. We went to a nearby cafe and started talking. His story breaks hearts, his shivering hand speaks volume of his mental state. “Children were everywhere” Abz remembers, “I was holding my gun when I heard my commanding officer shouts: Shoot them!” he stopped, pulled a breath from his cigarette and continued: “I never killed anyone in my life !”

What happened to Abz after that is a tragedy many young Syrian men go through in this war. The fear of death is a constant heavy companion. Whatever choice they make, fight with, fight against, death is the gambling ticket.

And the story continues...

Story in Pictures:

Jabal Amman, the view from my windows.

Home for the period of the mission

The Arab Spring finds its way to the fashion display on Rainbow Street in Amman

Abz loves Bob Marley, i got him a Jamaican necklace that i bought from my trip to Cuba. He smiles.

Love, Peace & Light …

Muna

www.facebook.com/breathingnumbers

Twitter hashtag: #BreathingNumbers

Instagram @MunaHarib

Twitter account: @MunaHarib

Breathing Numbers, Diary Entry 2: Flashback

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:15:00 +0000

Its very daunting to embark on a new adventure that requires a certain set of skills that I don’t have. With basic experience in cameras, my concern lies in the technical aspect, whereas the creative part will come naturally, my marketing side speaks.

This trip reminds me of one that I did to Costa Rica a few years back. In San Ramon, I volunteered to build a house for a single mother of two who was living under the poverty line. There was one foreman on site, who was a volunteer from San Ramon community, and his helper. On site, I met another group of volunteers who came from different parts of the world in a mission to support the local community in that area.

My first day in project “San Ramon” was tough. I remember waking up at 5 am feeling tired from my flight the previous night, I remained in bed for a few minutes staring at the ceiling which was made of one big piece of aluminum with cracks, inviting wind, rain and some unwelcome guests of insects. The family i stayed with couldn’t afford better.

After 30 mins walk to town and another 45 mins ride on the local bus, i reached the assigned construction site and work started immediately. One of the tasks i was assigned to do was to mix the right ratios of water, cement and gravel to create the concert required for attaching the cement blocks. I was also responsible for building the plumping system for the small house. Other tasks included creating the assembly lines and nail down the wood plates in the structure.

All of that was new to me, I was afraid that i wouldn’t do it right, but by the end of the day, i was an expert.

What i learnt from that trip is that nothing is impossible, once i set my mind on something, i will do it, and that translates to my journey to Jordan and my decision to launch project “Breathing Numbers”.

Project "San Ramon" construction site

Preparing equipments for the journey, i am an amateur in this field, do you think i will be able to do it?

To continue...

Love, Peace & Light ...

Muna

https://www.facebook.com/breathingNumbers

Twitter hashtag: #BreathingNumbers

Instagram @MunaHarib

Twitter account: @MunaHarib

Breathing Numbers, Diary Entry 1: the beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:44:00 +0000

Bullets and guns… screams

Planes and bombs... screams

Children running... screams

Chemical weapons... a smile in heaven ...

I find my passion lies in the endless stories of humans around. My concentration is diluted with my desire of world peace, a sentence used by beauty queens but pursued by disguised hippie hearts.

After watching endless coverage of the war in Syria, seeing people die daily and homes destroyed, I decided to “do something” about it. Not sure what a person like me can do, I started observing and reading more into the news and then i realized that people are always referred to as numbers. 80,000 killed, 1.5 million fledged the conflict, 5 millions Syrian living under the poverty line, 4.5 million displaced within the country and the numbers are increasing.

Yet one thing i learnt from my 13 years of experience in Communication, numbers are just numbers, and we human can’t relate to them. The story of Syria has to be told, and not through the high chairs of cards players, but a story of its individuals that creates a similar reality to the one you and me are living. A reminder that life can be taken away from any of us, and then we’ll move?

I decided to write the stories, yet I’m not a writer.

I decided to take pictures, yet I’m not a photographer.

I decided to film a movie, yet I’m not a filmmaker.

But do I have to be all those to tell a story?

I decided that my story would be just that,

a none-writer, none-photographer, none-moviemaker,

set on her way to the Refugee Camps in Jordan,

to write, photograph and capture in motion,

The story of Syria…

and the journey begins,

Love, peace & light
Muna Harib

Check the facebook page for more live updates:
https://www.facebook.com/breathingNumbers

The Abaya, Today and Yesterday

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:42:00 +0000

Her plain black Abaya falls off her covered hair, her wrinkled hand moves hastily to place it back on her head again while mumbling a few words asking God for forgiveness for an unintended sin. “We were simple people” Umm Abdullah says, “we did not care for the way we dress-up, our Abayas are meant to cover us and protect us. Long dark black material, placed over the head with two small finger-hooks on the cuffs” with a determined look she points at her Abaya cuffs and continues: “see, like this sleeve here covered to my wrist, that’s how it should be”.

Umm Abdulla is a woman in her 70s, and like many other women who lived in the same era and place; her Abaya is her dignity. This dress she wears, symbolizes her strong attachment to her religion and traditions as a Muslim Emirati woman.

Yet deserts turned green and what once used to be the source of pearls, now became the source of black oil wealth. The last 20 years of UAE life has witnessed a remarkable change in the human tissue of this country. The mix of cultures has weaved a new fabric of traditions, new values system and an eager body to observe, accept and learn from the rest of the world.

With that transformation, the fashion fever erupted and hit the conventional world of the Abaya. Though still representing the essence of traditions, the restrictions are less and the imagination behind the contemporary designs, is nothing but wild and daring.

“A fusion of international and regional trends, draped in luxurious fabrics reminiscent of past fashion timepieces” that’s how Huda Al Nuaimi, the owner and designer of Malaak brand, describes her recent Abaya collection.

Malaak is one of many new-generation designers of Abaya to emerge in the new millennium. Other designers include Naberman, Hessa Al Falasi and DAS. Their liberal designs created a new wave of Abaya clients who are youthful, modern with high adventurous sense of fashion in their kept traditional attire.

With the famous ESMOD French fashion institute in Dubai and the constant scholarships to fashion schools like London College of Fashion, the Abaya business progressed rapidly in the last 5 years only to reach a surprising new height in early 2011 when DAS Abaya launched their brand in the famous Harrods, London.

Shortly after, Malaak Abayaa line was launched in Saks Fifth Avenue in Dubai and became an instant hit with both their Arab and European customers.

And little did Umm Abdulla know …

I said my goodbyes, picked up my notebook and left Umm Abdulla sitting on the corner table in a small Arabic café with her son. While I was striding away thinking of how different yet similar our two worlds are, I turned my head back to take one last look at my history resembled by one woman only to see a black humble dot in an ocean of colorful noise and state-of-the-art Abayas.

Today's Abaya - From Malaak Collection

A Biography of a Legend: Qasim Sultan Al-Banna

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Having a distinguished career spanning a period of over thirty years, His Excellency Qassim Sultan rose through the ranks in Dubai Municipality, United Arab Emirates, starting from the position of an Assistant Engineer to be the Director General of Dubai Municipality. He was first promoted as Assistant Director of the Technical Sector, and then held senior posts including those of the Deputy Director and the Acting Director of the Municipality before being appointed as the Director General.

As a result of his effective leadership that has transformed Dubai into an efficient metropolis, the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) awarded its Scroll of Honor to Mr. Qassim Sultan in 1994 and he was appointed in 1998 as the first Goodwill Ambassador for the UNCHS in the Arab region, also in 2005 Mr. Sultan was warded the University of Alexandria Honorary Award for Regional Leadership.

In addition, the Municipalities high standards of performance have also been recognized through other international awards including those of the Arab Towns Organization in the fields of environmental protection, and conservation of historic buildings, an Australian award in waste management, the "Pioneer Award 1999" awarded to Dubai Municipality in New York by "International Council for Caring Communities", and the Great International Cannes Prize granted by the Mediterranean Network for Water and UNESCO in 2001. In addition to his duties as Director General of Dubai Municipality, Mr. Sultan performs numerous other tasks involving government policies and operations. He serves in Boards of Directors of several organizations and associations and effectively contributes to non-governmental activities including his chairmanship of a national sports and cultural club in Dubai.  Among the numerous local, regional and international roles performed by HE Qassim Sultan, mention can be made of these:

• Chairmanship of the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) (1994 - 1997).   

• Host and co-chairman of the Dubai International Conference on Best Practices organized jointly by Dubai Municipality and UNCHS in November (1995)   

• Member of the Islamic Capitals and Cities Organization committee, Saudi Arabia(1992-2006).   

• Member of the U.N. Secretary Generals Advisory committee of Eminent Personalities for the Habitat II Conference (June 1996)   

• Member of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Local Authorities (UNACLA) (2000-2006).   

• Chairman of the concluding Plenary Session of the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) World Congress held in Mauritius (April 1997)   

• Head of the delegation of the World Assembly of Cities and Local Authorities Commission (WACLAC) for the Dialogue Session with the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in New York (April 1997)    

• Appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNCHS (1998)   

• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment    

• Member of the Dubai Development Board in Dubai (1994-2000).   

• Chairman of the Dubai Development Board in Dubai (2001-2004). 

• Chairman of the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (2001-2005).   

• Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the annual meetings of the Boards of Governors of International Monetary Fund and World Bank, held in Dubai (2003)   

• Member of the General Secretariat of the UAE Municipalities (1992-2006)   

• Member of the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology(1982-2006).   

• Member of the Board of Directors of the UAE Federal Environment Authority.   

• Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahli Sports and Cultural Club.(1974-2006) and Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahli Sports and Cultural Club since(2006)   

• Chairman of the UAE Basketball Federation(1996-2000) and Honorary Chairman of the UAE Basketball Federation since (2006).   

• First deputy to the President of the UAE Olympic Committee. 

For more information, please visit the official website Qasim Sultan

Evaluating Dubai’s Commitment to Accessibility and Universal Design in Tourism

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:25:00 +0000

The following is a conclusion of my thesis - Master in Urban & Regional Planning from Le Sorbonne University.

Given the background, context and status of international disability and tourism standards, in most facets Dubai has instituted necessary legislation and programs to facilitate comprehensive accessibility and universal design. The fact that much of Dubai’s expansion has been recent has helped allow implementation of current urban planning concepts as it pertains to accessibility and sustainability. However, because it is a developing municipality in the scheme of global history, some shortcomings exist. The recent passage of disability legislation has a great deal to do with this.

In the current state of affairs, Dubai’s transportation has expected problems in a city that has grown so rapidly. Road congestion has resulted in barriers of travel for all. However, the current integration of multiple modes of transit routes that are sustainable, integrated and accessible is a tremendous step in the correct direction. Combining this with renovations to existing road structures can make Dubai’s transportation world class and ideal for disabled tourists.

Likewise, new construction and renovations of existing structures within the urban environment fall under strict guidelines that promote accessibility and universal design. As the new building codes are developed, this will continue to help Dubai’s disabilities tourism sector. The challenge will be in bringing existing structures, and specifically historical structures up the current standards. A collaborative and step-wise approach will likely allow this goal to be achieved to a great extent. If this could be combined with incentives and encouragement of private sector retailers and service providers in the tourism sector, evolutionary changes towards a more accessible landscape will gradually occur.

Lastly, the biggest and possibly the easiest aspect toward a more accessible and barrier free urban environment is in the realm of information. The DTCM and other media outlets should develop a more comprehensive approach in detailing accessibility features of various destinations throughout Dubai and in various services. Currently there are significant limitations in this area. Combining the development of a multi-modality informational program with a marketing campaign can help Dubai achieve significant penetration into this market segment of disabled individuals. Likewise, this will help educate the entire tourism system about the needs and abilities enabling cultural changes to evolve in favor of an equitable urban environment for all.

While these areas are needed for improvement in universal design, Dubai has incorporated incredible urban planning concepts to further accessibility throughout its region to everyone. In many ways, Dubai indeed leads the world in urban planning. The focus of these additional areas will enable Dubai to also be seen as a leader in disability tourism. Not only will it be an aesthetic destination of choice for the non-disabled, but by being barrier-free, Dubai will embrace all tourists in welcoming to their region.

UAE ... Black & White

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:54:00 +0000

sources: United Blogging Emirates and Bins Corner

Attraction Review: The Global Village

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:48:00 +0000

The world map has changed, Afghanistan is now neighboring Morocco, Lebanon next to Qatar and India is all the way down to Yemen, that’s your new world when you visit the biggest cultural festival in the UAE - The Global Village.

It’s big, colorful and alive, as every year delegates from over 30 countries come together in this desert carnival of beautiful pavilions. Each pavilion is a journey into that country’s story. A visit to Yemen pavilion will tell you about the worrier souls of its people while gazing through hundreds of their colorful and beautifully crafted Khanjars (authentic daggers).

In India, a world of colorful fabrics & intriguing smells. From the stunning hand-embroidered Jalabya (a dress worn by women), to the expensive Dihn Oud (oil derived from wood called Oud), the shops-owners keep chanting their product names loudly to draw your attention to their beautiful offerings.

Walking between the pavilions is another interesting journey. With some luck, you might enjoy the colorful moving structures, the acrobatic displays and the beautiful dances on the daily street parade, a mimic of the Rio de Janeiro carnival yet on a smaller scale and a much-less flesh to show.

Along with the local handicrafts, the local food offerings and the local music sketches in each pavilion, the village offers a wide range of local & international restaurants, folkloric & fireworks displays, a big exhilarating amusement park and a huge parking area that caters to thousands of visitors.

The Global Village is located in Dubailand on the Emirates Road highway. It runs from 1st November 2011 to the 3rd March 2012. Tickets are sold for 10 Dirhams and children below two are free.

The Global Village amusement park

a snapshot from the Indian Pavilion

Folklore dances

Stretch of pavilions on the village river

Location: Dubailand

Tel: +971 4 362 4114

Travel: Located on Emirates Road highway, 20 minutes drive from Dubai International airport.

Experiences: Family fun, kids, dining, shopping, music & dance

Times: Saturday to Wednesday from 4:00 pm – 12:00 am

Thursday to Friday from 4:00 pm – 01:00 am

Prices: 10 Dh and free for 2 years old and less

Credit Cards: No but ATM machines available

Small Acts, Big Smiles

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:43:00 +0000

by : whytecoffee's posterous

Behind the mirrored buildings and the exquisite architecture structures in our beautiful Gulf countries is the sweat of unsung heroes. Their day starts at 6am from their meager accommodations to their work place, which is a construction site. They work for not less than 40 hours per week under the smoldering desert sun, usually with a mid day break and are prone to heat strokes. When dusk falls, they line up to get transported back to their accommodation to get ready for the next working day. All of our lives are touched by their hands somehow and we often see them gazing outside the bus windows while they are being transported.

No, I am not about to take you through a guilt trip but will ask you to think up of ways to reach them by performing “Random Acts of Kindness” towards them and many others who leave their families behind to help build our countries for as little as USD 150 per month.

Random Acts of Kindness can be described as a guiding principle by which an agreement is drawn between you and humanity. It’s effortless to follow, easily instilled within your sub conscious, infectious, sustainable and nourishing to your soul.

This is one of the main guidelines adopted by a UAE based volunteering group called The Seeds of Change. As best put by one of the pioneering volunteers, Nujoud Al Bastaki, who was addressing a crowd of volunteers at The Abu Dhabi Water Movement, “Muna Harib, the Founder of The Seeds of Change, planted the seeds and we are emerging from it.” It was on a Saturday June afternoon in a construction site with the usual predictable soaring temperatures and 60 volunteers of different ages were crammed up in a small make shift wooden cabin. These volunteers drove from different Emirates to the construction site in Abu Dhabi by just trusting this principle, Random Acts of Kindness, which spread through word of mouth. It was surreal as most of the volunteers didn’t know each other, some didn’t even hear about The Seeds of Change but they all arrived with one common goal: to attempt to soothe off the heat of the construction workers with smiles, cold water and refreshments which they bought with them. These volunteers arrived in more than 25 cars filled with food and water to suffice 3000 people. By the end of the afternoon, they made a connection with 2200 construction workers and the smiles which mirrored were priceless.

The objective behind The Water Movement is not to do a one off charity drive but to allow an individual to think and learn firsthand how easy it is to carry forth acts of kindness to anyone – be it a stranger or someone you know. It can be as simple as making a decision to always leave the house with a bottle of water from home and if you happen to see someone working outdoors in the heat, hand him a bottle of water with a smile. It can also mean to genuinely smile, saying “Thank You” and “Please” to the toilet cleaner in the shopping mall or sharing your lunch food with the security guard in the office building or helping someone who is carrying a lot of things. You may not do it every day but randomly act to do things for others for no apparent reason, just to make someone happy or motivate a smile. Then watch the rippling effect.

As best quoted in PS I Love You Compiled by H Jackson Brown, “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.”

To receive future updates about making a small change in your society, like the FaceBook page “The Seeds of Change” or follow them on Twitter @The_SoC

For more: http://www.whytecoffee.posterous.com

A Walk Through Time - UAE National Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:31:00 +0000

Instructions of use:

1- Click on the PLAY sign
2- Allow the file to download.
3- Click on "MORE" on the lower right corner and click on"Full Screen"
4- Brows by clicking on the forward sign on the screen or by pressing the right arrow on your keyboard
5- Enjoy

BOOK REVIEW: "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:25:00 +0000

After a life threatening experience, Don Miguel Ruiz devoted him self to the study of the ancient wisdom of his ancestors, studying with his mother and learning from a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. In his book, Ruiz takes us on a spiritual journey through our own version of the world we exist within. In a simple conversational language, he reveals the traditional Toltec wisdom beliefs in four simple agreements that will pave the way to personal freedom – he promises.

“To be completely free, you must accept and embrace death. It is only then that you can be truly alive”. The book paints a simple picture of what freedom is and explains that freedom, the essence of what we all desire, is only possible by letting go of the one thing that hold us back – Fear.

Be implacable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions and always do your best. These four agreements are based on a previous pledge of stopping, taking a step back and reevaluating habits and priorities.

Ruiz’s voice and ideas on the Toltec wisdom is a delight to read. Yet our worlds differ, our version of human-packed skyscrapers and the demanding way of life replaces the world Ruiz lives within. This makes me wonder how extreme is this simple “practical guide to personal freedom” and whether its applicable in our own everyday life. It is or not, I’m yet to find out.

Most Unusual Hotels around the World

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:55:00 +0000

Some of my My Top Picks of the Most Unusual Hotels around the World:

Europe:

TreeHotel – Sweden

Question: Why not create a comfortable, well designed, hotel amongst the trees, which allows visitors to live in harmony with nature ?

Sweden was first with the ICEHOTEL, and now offers this stunning treetop accommodation in Harads in Northern Sweden.

Designed with the help of 6 well known designers and architects, the Treehotel team have turned their idea of unique treehouses, created in harmony with nature and their ecological values, into reality.

Treehotel offers a very special experience living close to nature in a place of great natural beauty.

TreeHotel Website

Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel - SPAIN

A property for music lovers

The Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel is the ideal choice for those who come to Ibiza for the best beach & pool parties, with live performances of the top DJs in the world, the most exclusive day and night ambiance in a modern setting, design with all kinds of comforts, luxuries, and VIP service. All this on one of the Islands most exciting beaches.

Swimming pools, Balinese beds, a fashion boutique, a Spa and a fully equipped gym. A place where live sessions take place weekly with the best international DJs spinning, fashion shows, live performances and more.

A totally avant-garde concept. A hotel with personality. Elegant and contemporary, minimalist decor and with details inspired by nature

The Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel Website

Abali Gran Sultanato – Italy

The Grand Sultanate of Abalì is a place where you can find five star luxury together with eclectic elegance and the friendliness of a B&B. Every room has a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV and wi-fi, polished cotton sheets and soft towels, which ensure a high level of comfort. The distinctive colours and decorations make each room unique and unforgettable. Everyone can choose their own favourite...pop with round bed, in green and purple, in turquoise, in red, tango design with king size bed, or the Sultan's suite with a four poster bed and a jacuzzi in the room.

Your Magic Carpet journey starts here...

More to come in future posts...

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Why Urban & Regional Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 11:51:00 +0000

To laugh often and love much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

And the affection of children;

To earn the approbation of honest critics

And endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To give one’s self;

To leave the world a little better,

Whether by a healthy child,

A garden patch,

Or a redeemed social condition;

To have played and laughed with enthusiasm

And sung with exultation;

To know even one life has breathed easier

Because you have lived…

This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This great poem concludes my personal statement. Yet, that’s the easy way-out, being a woman in this part of the world with the word ‘different’ stamped on her forehead has taught me that nothing comes easy in this life.

I’ve always been told that I’m born either in the wrong place or the wrong time in this place. My choices in life had always been “out of my people’s norm”. I’ve chosen to be a free agent in my work where I do what I love, what I’m best at and where I’m best at. I’ve chosen to have a passion for my profession and follow its growth through change rather than repetition and daunting routines. I’ve chosen to look at work as a project rather than a job so when I excel at one; finish it and then move on. I’ve chosen to look at myself neither as a person nor an employee but as a true TALENT.

When I first came to know that the prestigious Sorbonne education is coming to town; I was thrilled. I started looking at reallocating from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and applied for a job there. Since the beginning, I planned to pursue and accomplish a master degree in a subject that would help me expand my choices in the future. Marketing and Communication has been my life, yet the options that came with it had not been many.

I am ambitious, creative, imaginative, passionate, a risk-taker, I make mistakes-laugh-pick up and go and my goal in life it to exhibit True Distinction and True Mastery.

This program - Masters Urban & Regional Planning - was an important mile stone to achieve my goals in the next stage of my life. I plan to contribute in creating a better life for people in my country and yet the world, seeking more and deeper understanding of communities’ dynamics in all aspects of urban, social and economic development. I want to develop and enhance my skills and abilities to innovate and draw the closest picture to the “Perfect World” that I’ve always dreamt of.

As a country, we have all the means to create prosperity and healthy communities, yet we still need more and more Intellectual Capital to achieve that and my plan is to be part of it .I want to leave a significant stamp on the development map of my country. That would only happen through the constant improvement and constant change of one’s self. It is our duty as men and women of this country to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist.

I am scared -I’m actually terrified- yet excited; because Growth means change and change involves risks, stepping from the known to the unknown but that is what I thrive at and that is what makes me going. A one famous novelist once said: “You are the storyteller of your own life, and you can create your own legend or not” .

before you move on, please leave a comment and tell me what you think

A Life to remember

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:15:00 +0000

A Contribution by: Khalid Al Jasmi

As I walked out of a funeral a few days ago, this came to my mind. I was around six years old, I can’t remember clearly, and our neighbor’s daughter had just passed away in a terrible car accident on their way to Omra along with her older sister and brother, I had said good bye to her the day before for, as I would find out later, the last time. We were really close me and her, used to play in the garden of the house almost all day chasing cats and stealing “looz (fruit)” from the neighbors houses. As soon as I found out I remember going to my mom and telling her; “mom, is it okay if I cry?”. She was the first close person that I knew that passed away, I wanted to let out my sorrow but didn’t really know how. Its been more than a decade now, I am actually surprised I remember the details, but I am not really surprised I still remember the person. For many reasons people looks at life as an end of a person’s life, the morn his death, and like all people I do too. But I like to do something else, celebrate the life of that person. It is true that when someone passes away, we mourn for a while and then life goes on, but we must never forget the people who are no longer with us. For they where and still are a part of our lives, a part of who we were and a part of who we are today. since that day, ,more than 15 years ago, a lot of people I know have passed away, under different circumstances, but I still remember every one of them, what they taught me, what I learned from their lives and why I am proud that I’ve met them.

I don’t mean to depress you all in any way, if anything I would like to cheer you my dear readers, for all those who left us are at a better place now. And it is up to us to continue their legacy, follow their footsteps and achieve their dreams, they may have left life, but they will never leave our hearts. Weather fathers, grandfathers, mothers, grandmothers, brothers, sisters, husbands or wives, or even sons and daughters rest in peace , for you will be remembered, and your lives will be celebrated and may allah give us patience on your departure. And to all of us that are still alive, live well to have more reasons for your life to be celebrated, treat everyone well, have no grudges and live life to the max.

Life is too short to be wasted on negative emotions and behavior, smile to the world and the world shall smile back.

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2010 Special: In pictures, Key UAE moments in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:33:00 +0000

ABU DHABI, UAE: November 25: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, accompany Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, to a ceremony of commencement of construction of the Zayed National Museum at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

Image Credit: AP

DUBAI: January 19: Hamas militant, Mahmoud Al Mabhouh is shown arriving at his hotel in this CCTV handout from Dubai police February 15, 2010. The assassination — by Israeli spies — of Hamas Commander Mahmoud Al Mabhouh in a Dubai hotel put the spotlight on the emirate’s police in 2010.

Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: May 11 A fire blazes from the National paints building in Sharjah.

Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

May 16: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the new water taxi service on Dubai Creek and a new control system at Al Rashidiya Metro station.

Image Credit: Pankaj Sharma/Gulf News

May: Truckers will be charged Dh100 per trip at the new Sharjah toll gate on the Al Dhaid Road from May 1, the Department of Public Works announced

Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

November 1: Metro goers enter a train at Union Square Station. More than half a million commuters made use of the free transport day as the RTA celebrated its fifth anniversary by offering commuters a day of free transport on all RTA metros, buses and water taxis.

Image Credit: Megan Hirons Mahon/Gulf News

UPS Cargo plane crashed at the Nad Al Sheba military camp in Dubai after fire in the cockpit killing the two pilots.

Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

The iconic Shaikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

SHARJAH: July 24: Customers shop at a super market on Jamal Abdul Nasser street after power failure in many areas of Sharjah. The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority formally apologised to the residents affected by the power failures, according to SEWA, power cuts were attributed to the problem with a natural gas pipe line.

Image Credit: DEVADASAN/Gulf News

Source: Gulf News

before you move on, please leave a comment and tell me what you think

2010 Special: The top 5 bizarre news events of 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:08:00 +0000

Each year sees its share of bizarre stories, but it seemed like 2010 was overflowing with "you've got to be kidding me!" moments. Perhaps the proliferation of social media has made the quirky behavior of a few more accessible to the masses in warp speed -- but whatever the reason for the uptick in news of the weird, we're grateful for the fodder. Here are The Lookout's five oddest news events of 2010.

1. Paul the Octopus: The World Cup commands far and away the largest global following of any major sporting event. But no one could have predicted that an undersea creature would be among the most canny prognosticators of World Cup outcomes. Then again, perhaps it stands to reason that a sport so focused on leg agility should earn the close attention of an eight-legged animal.

It was clear, in any event, that Paul was no ordinary octopus. He correctly predicted the outcome of every match played by Germany, in addition to the final between Spain and the Netherlands. Paul became such a juggernaut, in fact, that German fans actually revolted and threatened to eat him when he correctly picked Germany to fall to Spain in the semifinals. Unfortunately, like many celebrities, Paul died young in October at the age of 2 1/2. Some stars shine so brightly that they burn out way too soon.

2. The Chilean miners: It's unfortunately a common occurrence for miners to get trapped underground--but it's unheard of for their captivity to result in so many happy endings. All of the 33 miners trapped in a mine in Chile for 2 months not only survived, but became regular fixtures on news programs and even morphed into international celebrities.

Miner Edison Peña was the breakout star. In an appearance on CBS' "Late Show," Peña regaled David Letterman and his audience with his hilarious Elvis impression, endearing him to millions of American viewers.

3. Volcanic ash: Who would have thought that an ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano could cause the biggest slowdown in the airline industry since the terror attacks on 9/11? But hey, it actually happened.

Yes, the enormous ash cloud produced by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano hovered for days above the earth, capable of destroying the engines of any jet that dared to pass through it. As a result of the mass cancellations of flights throughout Europe, thousands of air travelers around the world were stranded for days.

4. The midterm elections: Perhaps it had something to do with the sluggish economy and the generally dour national mood, but this year's elections seem to have inspired more wacky, gaffe-prone candidates to come out of the woodwork than any time in recent memory.

From candidates for high office quite literally running from reporters to avoid questions, and producing a new subgenre of political ads showcasing a candidate's marksmanship skills, 2010 was a year in American politics few observers will soon forget.

5. Steven Slater: When word began to spread on a Monday afternoon last April that a JetBlue flight attendant had -- in a fit of rage after an altercation with a passenger -- exited the plane via an emergency chute, the nation seemed instantly captivated.

But this surpassingly weird story has an even weirder epilogue. In the post-Jet Blue phase of his career, Steven Slater has become a rapper. Here's a sampling of lyrics from one of his songs.

Climb into the cockpit...
And throw all the switches...
Now you're using Line 2...
I'm Steven Slater b*tches.

We doubt there's any better way of summing up 2010, the ineffably weird year that was.

source: Yahoo News

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The Conspiracy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:38:00 +0000

As much as I love my mother, as much as it kills me to admit this to the world…my mom is plotting against me!

Since I left my job on May this year, I’ve been more available around the house spending more time with my mom and the family. And though I’ve been missing this beautiful experience for so many years; it turned out to be not as beautiful as I expected it to be. See, my mother shows her love through FOOD and the more food she puts in her children mouths; the more passionate she is about them in that moment of time.

It all started when I woke up the morning after I resigned and saw a huge feast for my breakfast. Boiled eggs, scramble egg, chabab bread, honey, mini cheese sandwiches and so on. That day I thought: ok, mom is happy that I left my job in Abu Dhabi and that I’ll be spending more time with her. Yet the feast developed to reach lunch, dinner and many many breakfasts to follow!

And the result was given! I gained weight and the more food my mom fed me; the less I exercised. Yet I couldn’t allow for that to happen, I thought I can outsmart my mom and start disappearing on meal times. So I did, but what I didn’t pay attention to is that I’m the daughter of the master! She was NO FOOL…my mom started planting food everywhere at home. I come back in the evening, I see a PIZZA in my living room... I pick it up and try to hide it in the fridge only to see a bag of MacDonald inside! I ask the maid to make some tea and she brings it with plates of cookies and chocolate cake – as instructed!

I tried, I tried to exercise, I tried to hide, I tried to resist, to have more self control…but I announce today that I failed and keep failing everyday in-front of my mom’s silky harees, her round juicy “lqaimat” with its honey dip, that spicy taste of “Ta7teh” golden rice and the everlasting taste of her grilled fish “bya7” . I would survive Alcatraz Prison in good old San Francisco but I can’t survive Umm Poca timeless food.

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The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoevsky

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 11:57:00 +0000

The following entry presents criticism of Dostoevsky's novel The Idiot (1868).

In The Idiot Dostoevsky attempted to portray what he termed a “positively good man” in the character of Prince Myshkin. Endowed with Christ-like spiritual attributes and professing a childlike, innocent belief in the possibility of achieving heaven on earth, Myshkin obliviously enters a Russian society corroded by avariciousness, moral corruption, and spiritual desolation. The ensuing action presents a starkly apocalyptic and pessimistic vision of how inconsequential goodness and humility are in the midst of a society on the verge of moral and spiritual disintegration. Despite Dostoevsky's best literary intentions, The Idiot has been faulted by many critics for its undeveloped characters, its artificial plot structure, and its bitter polemicism.

Biographical Information

Dostoevsky wrote The Idiot between 1867 and 1868, at a time when he endured dire financial and emotional difficulties. In an effort to avoid his numerous creditors, Dostoevsky and his wife fled Russia and traveled from city to city in Europe, trying to eke out a humble living. During this gloomy period of poverty, the author suffered a number of serious bouts of epilepsy, which left him in a fragile emotional and physical condition. Some critics and biographers have speculated that Dostoevsky endowed Myshkin with epilepsy in an almost cathartic attempt to come to terms with the circumstances of his own condition. Dostoevsky also continued to succumb to his obsession with gambling, which left him desperate and penniless. Asa result, Dostoevsky realized that he needed to produce a work that would lift him out of debt and change his family's fortunes. To that end, he began work on a novel which he had promised the journal Russian Messenger. When The Idiot appeared in serial form beginning in 1868, readers responded with bewilderment to what they considered to be incomplete characters, an incoherent narrative structure, and a fantastical, unrealistic setting. Given the initial reticence of the periodical subscribers, publishers were reluctant to purchase the book rights to the novel. Indeed, readers and commentators alike considered The Idiot a step backward for Dostoevsky after the resounding popular success of his previous novel, Crime and Punishment (1867).

Plot and Major Characters

The Idiot begins with the meeting of Prince Myshkin and Parfen Rogozhin on a train traveling from Switzerland to St. Petersburg. Myshkin had been receiving treatment for epilepsy in a Swiss sanatorium, and now was on his way to visit his distant relatives, the Epanchins, in Russia. At first, Myshkin is welcomed into the upper-class society as something of a curiosity, a penniless and childlike character upon whom the cynical group focuses with amusement. Almost immediately upon arriving, Myshkin makes clear his dream to influence all of his acquaintances on the merits of living a life of honesty and humility. Little does he know that the group he intends to influence includes Rogozhin, a sinister and jealous predator, who is Myshkin's alter-ego; Ganya Ivolgin, General Epanchin's greedy and ruthless secretary, who will consider any means to amass personal wealth; Ippolit Terentev, a terminally ill intellectual who arrogantly flouts Myshkin's naïve spirituality; and Nastasya Filippovna, a haughty and beautiful woman who, as a young girl, was seduced by her guardian, Afanasii Totsky, and who now schemes to exact revenge on him. Despite his good intentions, Myshkin succeeds in embarrassing and offending nearly everyone with whom he comes in contact, but his presence, however awkward, becomes tolerated when he receives a sizable inheritance from a distant relative. Myshkin's naïve, oblivious actions set into motion a number of events which culminate in the novel's tragic conclusion. Through his platonic admiration of Nastasya Filoppovna, Myshkin unwittingly makes himself a rival for her hand in marriage, sending her other suitor, Rogozhin, into a jealous rage. Rogozhin's fury leads to the attempted murder of Myshkin and, later, the murder of Filippovna herself in the climax of the novel. Myshkin's actions also affect the lives of other characters, such as Aglaya Epanchin, the general's daughter, with whom Myshkin has a budding romantic relationship, and Ivolgin, who has designs on Aglaya for himself. In the tragic conclusion, the chaos and social disintegration of the Russian society finally overwhelms Myshkin's innocent idealism. Ippolit has died, Filippovna has been murdered, Rogozhin has been incarcerated, Aglaya runs away from Russia, and Myshkin regresses into a state of childlike idiocy.

Major Themes

The central theme of The Idiot revolves around the main character, Prince Myshkin. Dostoevsky represents him as a young man whose emotional and intellectual development has been arrested by the circumstances surrounding his illness. Although physically he is a man, he has the innocent personality of a child. In this regard, Myshkin represents a Christ-like figure, a character of innate goodness, who believes that humility and brotherly love can transform the earth into a kind of heaven where all humankind can live in harmony. However, Myshkin's innate goodness contends with an overpowering antithesis in the form of the morally and spiritually corrosive Russian aristocracy with whom he associates. Here, Dostoevsky carefully contrives an elaborate allegorical structure to accentuate the conflict between Myshkin and his acquaintances. The author employs a vast array of images, proper names, geographic places, physical descriptions, and biblical references to evoke moral decay, social chaos, and a pessimistic vision of the current spiritual state of Russia. Further, this spiritual decline signals an apocalyptic omen for Dostoevsky, and he integrates this idea into the fabric of his story as well. The characters' hysterical preoccupations with amassing wealth, sexual conquest, intellectual egotism, and power all reflect the author's fatalistic belief that the Russian civilization was on the verge of a moral and spiritual collapse which could very likely herald the Apocalypse prophesied in the Book of Revelations. The fact that Myshkin ultimately succumbs to the vortex of deceit and spiritual destruction that surrounds him reflects Dostoevsky's bleak conclusion that there is no hope of reversing the encroaching moral decay in contemporary Russia.

Critical Reception

From the time of the publication of The Idiot, readers and commentators alike have been highly dissatisfied with what they perceive as loosely drawn characters, an incoherent narrative, and an artificial structural unity in the work. It has been suggested that these issues perhaps reflect the difficult circumstances under which Dostoevsky wrote his novel. Literary scholars have combed Dostoevsky's letters and notebooks in an effort to determine why a novel of such promising scope and intention ended up as such an artistic failure. Indeed, in recent decades many critics have attempted to salvage the literary merits of The Idiot, arguing that while the novel might be structurally deficient, it is also rich in esoteric spiritual and philosophical insights. In fact, one critic, Robert Hollander (1974) has perceptively argued that Dostoevsky ingeniously integrated the apocalyptic vision of the Book of Revelations into the structural framework of The Idiot to unify the characters and narrative action of the novel. Other critics have analyzed the etymological significance of the characters' names as well as geographic places and iconographic images to demonstrate how Dostoevsky employed biblical allusions to underscore the major themes and symbols in the novel. Commentators have also focused on the character of Prince Myshkin, debating the success or failure of Dostoevsky's attempt at creating a “positively good man.” While some commentators have asserted that the author set himself up for a nearly impossible task and, as a result, created an implausible and unrealistic character, others have maintained that the author endowed Myshkin with a sophisticated combination of ethereal spiritual attributes and inescapable human flaws which make him a compelling and ultimately tragic figure. Indeed, critics such as Janet G. Tucker (1997) have argued that the time has come to move beyond the simplistic view that Myshkin is merely a one-dimensional, Christ-like character. According to Tucker, “considering Myshkin solely or even primarily in these terms strips both the hero and novel of significant gradations of complexity crucial to understanding both.”

Source: http://www.enotes.com/nineteenth-century-criticism/idiot-fyodor-dostoevsky

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13000 feet and flying

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:33:00 +0000

Have you ever felt that the world no longer exists? You are all alone and you have no more baggage or worries to tear you down? Did you ever dream of flying while nothing is holding you except your will and desire of freedom? Have you ever felt that the time has frozen and those two minutes of exhilarating sensation are equal to a lifetime of living? Have you ever experienced the purest form of happiness for a moment of the out-of-worldiness and its long lasting effect that stretches to days…weeks….and maybe months? Did you ever believe in your heart that you can do anything in this world since you were brave enough to take this one step toward a fearless life? Have you ever felt that you OWN this world? That you were suddenly on the top of it? And that everything else seems so trivial once you let go?

Well...I have!

In 2009, I was in a trip to Spain where I took my first flying lesson on the back of a 172 Cessna airplane. While flying the plane, looking at the water below me and mountains around; I was thinking…Wouldn’t be great if I can see all of that without the interruption of the plane wings and body? I imagined my body floating peacefully in the air while I’m observing the God given nature. Though I loved my plane-flying-experience; I couldn’t forget my ignited desire that day for a total body freedom.

I came back from that trip and I started looking for the only obvious option I had, a SKY DIVING center. Not long after, I found one in Umm Al Quwain but with my descending luck back then; first the plane broke down and a while after the school closed. I kept looking for other options till I came across “Dubai Sky Diving center and school” in Al Ain air show… I finally found what I’m looking for!

The Big Day – My first jump

I woke up in the morning feeling butterflies in my tummy. I wasn’t scared but I was excited. I made sure that I have a healthy heavy breakfast because I wasn’t planning to eat anything else till I finish my jump (first jumper instinct: no food so I don’t feel sick up there). Everything was as usual till I had another first experience early that day, my first car accident! Yup, I had an accident and that was enough to make me in a grumpy mood and change my mind about my plans that day. But did it? Hell no! I was too excited to delay that jump any longer.

It was around 2:00 pm when my friend –who I dragged into this- picked me up from home and we drove toward palm jumiera till we reached the location of the skydive center. We couldn’t be excited less as during that drive, we were laughing in a nervous way, singing, chatting out lowed without listening to each other talk. Were we scared!? No! We were excited for the unknown!

Tandem jumps

Because it was our first time, we had to jump tandem (with a dive master). We sat down waiting for the plane to come back from a previous jump and started to talk to people around. Everyone was simply AWSOME, everyone spoke the same mind language we spoke, people were adrenaline junkies like us and they kept encouraging us and cheering us up. I sat observing the sweet receptionist writing my name on the white board behind her with my instructor name in-front of it. It was only moments after that she called my name in the speaker, that’s when everything became a reality…I’m going to jump off a plane!

My instructor name was Christina, an American girl whose first greeting sentence was: hi, I’m Christina and this is my first jump! I knew she was kidding, but really? Do you really want to scare a first time jumper?? I freaked out for a fraction of a second. Christina was nice and I soon felt I’m in good hands and there is nothing to worry about – not that I was.

After I was ready and all geared up, we headed toward the bright yellow plane that would takes us in a few minutes to a 13000 ft height and come back without us. We were 8 people on the plane, my friend and I, the two instructors, two photographers and two professional jumpers. As the plane went higher; the air – coming from the open door- kept getting cooler till it was actually COLD...imagine!

When we reached the aimed height, everyone jumped leaving a few seconds in between and because I was at the back of the plane; I was the last one to jump.

I did fly… I did touch the sky...

And the moment came, after I was securely hooked to my instructor; we started moving toward the door and as I put my feet on the outside step… I fell into a total peace of mind looking down at the world below me and then pushing my head to the back – as instructed – and we jumped!

Everything in my life became so small in that point of time, I was flying… I can feel the wind on my face… I look around in a 360 degrees view – the sky, the horizon, the incredible beauty of the world, right there with no obstructions. I was part of that sky.

Freefall is such a stupendous sense of freedom, it took 60 seconds before we open the parachute and during that time; I was focused on nothing but the sky. All the life distractions were away, no room of stray thoughts or worries. It was almost like a holy experience…I felt mentally and physically cleansed.

When the parachute opened, it felt like a glider slicing through the sky. We flew slowly and smoothly and then fast and wild. And in a matter of seconds we safely and softly landed on earth.

I can do anything

Going back, stepping out the door of a flying airplane takes a lot of mind control to go against what you have been taught about danger since a child, you realize that it is okay to step out that door and take chances in life to experience the true meaning of living. You develop confidence in yourself and an incredible sense of accomplishment. Knowing you met your fear, took control, and pushed yourself to take that step flows over into other parts of your life.

To understand the beauty, the freedom, and the rush of this experience; you have to be there and you have to try it. The sky is yours, so what’s stopping you?

Love and Peace,

Poca

Over the Palm Island

bye bye

Back to earth

If you want to join the mad house, check out the center website for more information: http://www.skydivedubai.ae

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Kenya and Amazing Masai Mara

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:12:00 +0000

The Masai Mara National Reserve (also spelled Maasai Mara, and known by the locals as 'the Mara') is a large game reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. Named after the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and their description of the area when looked at from a viewpoint - "Mara", which is Maa (Maasai language) for spotted: an apt description for the circles of trees, scrub, savannah and cloud shadows that mark the area. It is famous for its exceptional population of Big Cats, game, and the annual migration of zebra, Thomson's gazelle and wildebeest from the Serengeti every year from July to October, a migration so immense it is called the Great Migration.

The Maasai (also Masai) are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Due to their distinctive customs and dress and residence near the many game parks of East Africa, they are among the most well known of African ethnic groups.They speak Maa, a member of the Nilo-Saharan language family that is related to Dinka and Nuer, and are also educated in the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania: Swahili and English. The Maasai population has been variously estimated as 377,089 from the 1989 Census or as 453,000 language speakers in Kenya in 1994 and 430,000 in Tanzania in 1993 with a total estimated as "approaching 900,000" Estimates of the respective Maasai populations in both countries are complicated by the remote locations of many villages, and their semi-nomadic nature.

Shúkà is the Maa word for sheets traditionally worn wrapped around the body, one over each shoulder, then a third over the top of them. These are typically red, though with some other colors (e.g. blue) and patterns (e.g. plaid). Pink, even with flowers, is not shunned by warriors. One piece garments known as kanga, a Swahili term, are common. Maasai near the coast may wear kikoi, a type of sarong that comes in many different colors and textiles. However, the preferred style is stripes.

Beautiful People

The central unit of Maasai society is the age-set. Although young boys are sent out with the calves and lambs as soon as they can toddle, childhood for boys is mostly playtime, with the exception of ritual beatings to test courage and endurance. Girls are responsible for chores such as cooking and milking, skills which they learn from their mothers at an early age. Every 15 years or so, a new and individually named generation of Morans or Il-murran (warriors) will be initiated. This involves most boys between 12 and 25, who have reached puberty and are not part of the previous age-set. One rite of passage from boyhood to the status of junior warrior is a painful circumcision ceremony, which is performed without anaesthetic. This ritual is typically performed by the elders, who use a sharpened knife and makeshift cattle hide bandages for the procedure. The Maa word for circumcision is emorata. The boy must endure the operation in silence. Expressions of pain bring dishonor, albeit temporarily. Any exclamations can cause a mistake in the delicate and tedious process, which can result in life-long scarring, dysfunction, and pain. The healing process will take 3–4 months, during which urination is painful and nearly impossible at times, and boys must remain in black cloths for a period of 4–8 months.

During this period, the newly circumcised young men will live in a "manyatta", a "village" built by their mothers. The manyatta has no encircling barricade for protection, emphasizing the warrior role of protecting the community. No inner kraal is built, since warriors neither own cattle or undertake stock duties. Further rites of passage are required before achieving the status of senior warrior, culminating in the eunoto ceremony, the "coming of age".

When a new generation of warriors is initiated, the existing ilmoran will graduate to become junior elders, who are responsible for political decisions until they in turn become senior elders.

The warriors are in charge of society's security, and spend most of their time now on walkabouts throughout Maasai lands, beyond the confines of their sectional boundaries. They are also much more involved in cattle trading than they used to be, developing and improving basic stock through trades and bartering rather than stealing as in the past. Boys are responsible for herding small livestock. During the drought season, both warriors and boys assume responsibility for herding livestock. Elders are directors and advisors for day-to-day activities. Women are responsible for making the houses as well as supplying water, collecting firewood, milking cattle and cooking for the family.

One myth about the Maasai is that each young man is supposed to kill a lion before they are circumcised. Although lion hunting was an activity of the past, and lion hunting has been banned in East Africa, lions are still hunted when they maul Maasai livestock, and young warriors who engage in traditional lion killing do not face significant consequences. Increasing concern regarding lion populations has given rise to at least one program which promotes accepting compensation when a lion kills livestock, rather than hunting and killing the predator. Nevertheless, killing a lion gives one great value and celebrity status in the community.

Young women also undergo excision ("female circumcision" or emorata) as part of an elaborate rite of passage ritual in which they are given instructions and advice pertaining to their new role, as they are then said to have come of age and become women, ready for marriage. In Kenya female circumcision is practiced by 38% of the population. The most common form is clitorectomy.[36] These circumcisions are usually performed by an invited 'practitioner' who is often not Maasai, usually from a Dorobo group. The knives and blades which make the cut are fashioned by blacksmiths, il-kunono, who are avoided by the Maasai because they make weapons of death (knives, short swords (ol alem), spears, etc). Similar to the young men, women who will be circumcised wear dark clothing, paint their faces with markings, and then cover their faces on completion of the ceremony.

To others the practice of female circumcision is known as female genital cutting, and draws a great deal of criticism from both abroad and many women who have undergone it, such as Maasai activist Agnes Pareiyo. It has recently been replaced in some instances by a "cutting with words" ceremony involving singing and dancing in place of the mutilation. However, the practice remains deeply ingrained and valued by the culture. Some might consider it necessary since some Maasai men may reject any woman who has not undergone it as either not marriageable or worthy of a much-reduced bride price. The practice can result in thick scar tissue, which makes urination difficult, and this has also generated controversy.[38] FGC is illegal in both Kenya and Tanzania.

Married women who become pregnant are excused from all heavy work such as milking and gathering firewood. Sexual relations are also banned.

The Maasai are traditionally polygamous; this is thought to be a long standing and practical adaptation to high infant and warrior mortality rates. Polyandry is also practiced. A woman marries not just her husband, but the entire age group. Men are expected to give up their bed to a visiting age-mate guest. The woman decides strictly on her own if she will join the visiting male. Any child which may result is the husband's child and his descendant in the patrilineal order of Maasai society. "Kitala", a kind of divorce or refuge, is possible in the house of a wife's father, usually for gross mistreatment of the wife. Repayment of the bride price, custody of children, etc, are mutually agreed upon

warriors of the Il-Oodokilani perform a kind of march-past as well as the adumu, or aigus, sometimes referred as “the jumping dance” by non-Maasai

Random pictures from the trip :

This is actually the view from my room

According to the guide, those two are gay!

Not suitable for under 18 !

Source: Wikipedia

before you move on, please leave a comment and tell me what you think

I Found My Love in Portofino

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:48:00 +0000

Before you start scrolling down, Click on the first video below and watch it in a full screen mode. Just listen.

If that doesn’t do it for you, click on the second video and watch carefully why i chose this place

My Trip to Portofino

On the way to Portofino

Almost there

Just arrived and the view is amazing

Hotel Domina Home Piccolo - where i stayed (Cant really see it , behind the trees lol )

The Hotel - a closer look

The hotel sun deck

The Path to the Center

The mountain route from the hotel to the town center

The Town Center

The Harbor - Town Center

Isn't breath taking?

on my way to the Castle

The harbor view from the Castle

And a DUCK ... !

before you move on, please leave a comment and tell me what you think