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newstfionline · 6 years ago

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Headlines

Over 100 Central American Migrants Detained in Northern Mexico (Reuters) Mexican police and federal officials on Saturday detained 107 Central American migrants seeking to enter the United States in the border city of Reynosa, the government of the northeastern state of Tamaulipas said.

Magnitude 6.1 Quake Rattles Nerves in Southwestern Colombia (AP) A magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck in Colombia shook buildings and frightened residents, but does not appear to have caused any damage.

Anti-Brexit marchers flood into London, demand new vote (AP) Anti-Brexit protesters flooded into central London by the hundreds of thousands on Saturday, demanding that Britain’s Conservative-led government hold a new referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union.

British PM May Facing Plot From Minister to Oust Her: Sunday Times Reporter (Reuters) British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a full-blown cabinet plot to remove her and 11 cabinet ministers have said they want her to resign, The Sunday Times’s political editor said.

Cruise ship off Norway issues mayday; begins evacuations (AP) A cruise ship with engine problems sent a mayday call off Norway’s western coast and is evacuating its 1,300 passengers and crew. Around 400 people have been airlifted off the vessel, while rescue services prepared to tow the ship to a nearby port, rescue workers said.

Thousands in Germany Protest Planned EU Internet Reforms (AP) Tens of thousands of people have marched in cities across Germany to protest planned European Union copyright reforms that they fear will lead to online censorship.

Thousands Rally Against Leaders in Serbia, Montenegro (AP) Thousands of people have rallied in Serbia against populist President Aleksandar Vucic after political tensions soared last weekend when protesters burst into the state TV building angry over the station’s reporting that they view as biased.

Thailand’s Coup Leader and ‘Democratic Front’ Face-Off in Long-Awaited Election (Reuters) Thai voters went to the polls on Sunday in a long-delayed election following a 2014 coup, a race that pits a military junta chief seeking to retain power against a “democratic front” led by the populist party he ousted.

Indonesia’s First Subway Opens in Its Gridlocked Capital (AP) Indonesia’s long-awaited first subway opened Sunday in the country’s capital with the aim of relieving crippling traffic gridlock in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Earthquake of 5.4 Magnitude Strikes Sulawesi, Indonesia--USGS (Reuters) A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi of Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Another Cyclone Bears Down on Northwest Australian Coast (AP) Residents of Australia’s northwest coast were bracing for a torrid night of fierce winds and heavy rain on Sunday as the country’s second major cyclone of the weekend slowly wound toward land.

Thousands Attend New Zealand Vigil, Rally to Fight Racism, Remember Christchurch Victims (Reuters) Thousands gathered in New Zealand’s cities on Sunday to protest racism and remember the 50 Muslims killed by a gunman in Christchurch and as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a national remembrance service to be held later this week.

Druze Protest Trump’s Backing of Israeli Sovereignty on Golan (Reuters) Dozens of Druze Arabs, some carrying Syrian flags and pictures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, gathered on the Golan Heights on Saturday to protest U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for Israeli sovereignty over the territory.

Syrian State Media Says Rebels Shell Village With Gas, Injuring 21 (Reuters) Syrian state media on Saturday cited a hospital in government-held Hama as saying 21 people suffered choking symptoms from poison gas after rebels shelled a village.

Driver Working With NBC News Killed in Syria (AP) A driver working with NBC News reporters in Syria was killed Saturday by an explosive device in eastern Syria, where several media outlets are covering the liberation of the last sliver of territory held by the Islamic State group.

Moroccan Police Use Water Cannons to Disperse Teachers’ Protest (Reuters) Moroccan police used water cannons early on Sunday to disperse thousands of young teachers protesting in the capital Rabat for better work conditions, a witness said.

115 Reported Dead After Attack on Central Malian Village (AP) Militia fighters descended on a village in central Mali before dawn Saturday, killing at least 115 people in the latest deadly attack blamed on an ethnic militia, local authorities said.

Extremists attack Somalia govt office, minister among 5 dead (AP) Gunmen set off a suicide car bombing and then stormed a government building in Somalia’s capital Saturday, killing at least five people including the country’s deputy labor minister, police said.

#headlines

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myweddingsandevents · 4 years ago

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Open SmartNews and read "When local voters make their voices heard, Florida lawmakers seek to muzzle them | Editorial" here: https://share.smartnews.com/iFPM

To read it on the web, tap here: https://share.smartnews.com/hk8m

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rondjeomdeaarde · 7 years ago

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De waterbungalow

10 mei 2018

Even over de wijn in Vanuatu en Nieuw-Caledonië; die is schreeuwend duur! In de grote wijnproducerende landen Australië en Nieuw-Zeeland waren meer wijnhuizen dan zelfs de grootste verslaafde lief is. Daarentegen was het in Nouméa zoeken naar een betaalbaar flesje. Alles wordt geïmporteerd en dan is er ook nog een sterke voorkeur voor Franse wijnen. Waar Timo chagrijnig wordt van regen, ben ik niet te genieten als ik exorbitante bedragen moet betalen voor een lekker glas wijn of bier. De twee flessen die we bij de tax-free winkel hadden gekocht, waren inmiddels op. En om nou iedere keer 15 euro te betalen voor een glaasje witte wijn in het hotel, ging mij echt te ver.

Het veel te dure glas Pouilly-Fumé van het hotel had mij getriggerd om op zaterdagavond bij supermarkt Carrefour op jacht te gaan naar een betere wijndeal. In euforische stemming zette ik twee flessen Spaanse wijn (12 euro per stuk) in mijn mandje. Daarnaast ook een paar blikjes van de lokale bierbrouwerijen Manta en Number 1. Dat kwam vast wel op deze week. Maar ‘hélas’, dat feest ging mooi niet door. De caissière liet weten dat ze op zaterdagen en feestdagen slechts tot 12 uur alcohol verkopen. En op zondag helemaal niet. Lokale wetgeving. Het leek mij erg on-Frans, want: hoezo mag je geen wijn kopen als een winkel open is? Pas op maandag kon ik nu voor enigszins normale bedragen een fles wijn kopen. Alleen was dat ook de dag dat we ’s ochtends al naar Ilot Maitre gingen. Geen optie dus. Alsof het nog niet erg genoeg was, bleken dinsdag en donderdag nationale feestdagen, waarop de slijterij dus na 12 uur dicht moet. Woensdag was een normale werkdag, maar dan hadden we de boot om 7:00 uur naar Ile des Pins gepland. Kortom: de wijn werd duur geschonken in deze laatste week van de reis. Ik denk dat de kosmos mij wilde straffen voor de twee wijntoertjes die we eerder maakten.

Zon, zee en strand maken veel goed. Daaraan was op zondag geen gebrek. De stemming was 180 graden omgeslagen bij de enige twee Nederlandse toeristen op het eiland. Althans, die indruk hadden we. Bijna de gehele reis eigenlijk. Hoewel.. Op Victoria Market in Melbourne zagen we een jong stel uit Nederland. In Vanuatu verwachtten we geen Nederlanders tegen te komen, totdat ik bij de supermarkt een koppel van middelbare leeftijd bij de schappen hoorde discussiëren over het broodbeleg. En ook na het eten bij de Vietnamees liep er op Anse Vata een gezin voor ons dat Nederlands sprak. Die Hollanders zitten ook overal hè? Maar op die enkele gevallen na, hebben we geen landgenoten gezien of gesproken tijdens de trip. Best een verademing als je anderhalve maand niet te verstaan bent voor de meeste mensen om je heen en je ongegeneerd kunt roddelen.

Maandagochtend speelde er maar één vraag: wat doet het weer? De eerste blik naar buiten was positief en er was zelfs wat blauwe lucht te zien tussen de wolken. Het was in ieder geval niet zo grijs als op zaterdag. We hadden de kleine trolleys ingepakt met het hoognodige en stapten bij de halte naast het hotel op buslijn 10. Zonnestralen en wolken wisselden elkaar af en gaven moed dat het goed kon komen met het nachtje in de waterbungalow. Naast het regeringskantoor van Nieuw-Caledonië stapten we uit de bus. Het was van daar alleen even oversteken naar de haven van Port Moselle. De pendelboot naar Ilot Maitre lag aan de kade, maar we waren aan de vroege kant. Een aardige dame bij het bureau van L’Escapade bood aan op onze koffertjes te letten totdat we terug waren. Verderop kon ik bij de markt van Nouméa een kop koffie van vers gemalen bonen krijgen. Zalig, na enkele dagen oploskoffie van Nespresso te hebben gedronken. Buiten op een bankje zagen we dat het zonnetje de strijd van de wolken leek te winnen.

Bij de boot werd een groep van tien Japanners, bestaande uit met name honeymoonkoppels gebriefd door een reisleider. Op het bovendek was de temperatuur gestegen naar zomerse waarden. Zou de slechte weersvoorspelling niet uitkomen en hielden we het droog? De oversteek naar Ilot Maitre duurde ongeveer een half uurtje. Halverwege zagen we grijze wolken boven de bergen achter Nouméa. Aan de andere kant lag Ilot Maitre onder een blauwe lucht. Een Franstalig stel vroeg of wij op vakantie waren en vertelde dat zij in Nouméa wonen en ieder jaar een nachtje proberen te verblijven op het eilandje. Onder meer om te surfen. Zij was Caldoche, maar hij woonde als Fransman nog te kort in het land om te mogen stemmen bij het referendum. De prognose neigde volgens hem naar ‘non’, dus een meerderheid tegen onafhankelijkheid. Best een spannende verkiezing, omdat het de situatie in Nieuw-Caledonië volledig op zijn kop kan zetten. Als het land zichzelf loskoppelt van Frankrijk is het maar de vraag wat er met de Fransen gebeurt die er wonen of een vakantiehuis bezitten. Naarmate we Ilot Maitre naderden, werden de waterbungalows beter zichtbaar. Een ketting van huisjes met puntdaken lag voor het eiland. Welke werd ons onderkomen voor een nacht?

De wandeling over de steiger van de boot naar de receptie van L’Escapade was al een belevenis. Aan de bungalows zijn trappen bevestigd. We zagen dat sommige gasten direct vanaf het terras via de trappen het water in gingen. Ze gaven allemaal direct toegang tot het marinepark met het koraalrif. Na een mierzoet welkomstdrankje checkten we in, waarvoor wat formulieren ingevuld moesten worden. Daarna kregen we de teleurstellende mededeling dat de bungalow nog niet klaar was. De officiële check-in tijd was pas om 14:00 uur. Tot deze keer hadden we vaak geluk gehad met kamers die wel al klaar waren voor de check-in tijd. We hoopten dat het in ieder geval niet nog twee uur ging duren. Om wat tijd te overbruggen, maakten we een wandeling over de loopbruggen naar en tussen de bungalows. Het zonnetje scheen volop en op een paar druppels in de morgen na was het droog gebleven. In mijn ooghoek zag ik onder de loopbrug een bewegende zwarte vlek. “Timo, kijk: een zeeschildpad!” riep ik uit. Terwijl we over de reling hingen, zagen we hoe het dier zijn koppie boven het water uitstak. Deze dieren hebben een speciale uitstraling. Ze lijken anatomisch net een restant uit de prehistorie met die schubben en grote zwemvliezen. Deze groene zeeschildpad is een bedreigde diersoort. En dat komt niet op de laatste plaats door de lage overlevingskans van de jongen. Van de 1000 eitjes die de moeders op het strand leggen, bereikt slechts één schildpadje volwassenheid.

Extra bijzonder dat ze hier bij Ilot Maitre in het wild leven. En hij was niet alleen! Verderop zagen we er twee vanaf de loopbrug. Daarna nog een grotere met bruinrode vlekken op zijn rug van ruim een halve meter lang. Allemaal staken ze hun kop een paar keer boven water om vervolgens naar de diepte te duiken. Timo had bij de derde poging een filmpje weten te maken en ik had wat duidelijke foto’s met close-ups. Vanzelfsprekend stonden wij te popelen om tussen deze prachtige dieren te snorkelen. Via de andere loopbrug liepen we via de tuinen op het eiland terug naar de receptie om nog eens te checken of we echt nog niet in de bungalow konden. “Nee, nog niet. Kom maar terug over een half uurtje”, was het antwoord. Dan maar naar het activiteitencentrum om snorkelspullen te huren. Ik had van thuis een set meegenomen, maar die kon niet tippen aan het nieuwere materiaal wat ze hier uitleenden. Vanuit de startblokken kwam het groene sein om 13:50 uur met de overhandiging van de sleutel. We snelden naar de bungalow. Eerst slaakten we nog even ‘oe en aaah’ uit vanwege de ruime vertrekken en de luxe slaapkamer. Maar daarna gooiden we onze kleren uit, smeerden ruggen in met zonnebrandcrème, trokken een zwembroek aan en installeerden handdoeken op het terras buiten. Met kleine zwemvliezen aan dartelde ik de trap af en ik sprong de lagune in. Onder water zag ik dat het koraal ook onder de bungalow doorliep. Gekleurde vissen kwamen nieuwsgierig kijken. Blij dat ik naar links was gesprongen. Recht vooruit zaten drie gigantische zee-egels. Dat was een minder prettige landing geweest.

Vanuit het water gaf ik Timo instructies waar hij het beste te water kon gaan. Daarna zwommen we in hoog tempo naar de plek waar we de laatste schildpad zagen. Het dier zat nog onder de rots waar hij naar beneden was gedoken! We bleven vol verbazing kijken, maar hij leek in een diepe slaap want toonde weinig activiteit. Bij de achterste bungalows zagen we er nog één, sloom hangend bij een hersenkoraal. Timo had de smaak van het ‘turtle spotten’ goed te pakken en ontdekte de ene na de andere. De verwondering over de hoeveelheid wilde zeeschildpadden die hier resideerden was compleet. Diep onder de indruk waren we, dat we tussen deze aandoenlijke dieren zwommen. We waren zonder verwachtingen gekomen, vooral om een nachtje in een waterbungalow door te brengen. Terug op het droge constateerde ik dat dit een ongelooflijke plek op aarde was en we iedere minuut die we hier doorbrachten moesten koesteren. Terwijl Timo nog in het water lag bij een schildpad, zag ik vanaf het terras bij de bungalow iets naderen in de verte. Een grote school vissen sprong in sneltreinvaart over het wateroppervlak mijn kant op en tussen de bungalows door naar de lagune. Ik stond met open mond te kijken. Voordat het donker werd, doken we nog gauw een keer de zee in om de schildpadden weer in actie te zien. Bij het bestijgen van de trap was de hemel inmiddels lila gekleurd en de zon al weer verdwenen aan de horizon.

Zoals we online al lazen, hadden we geen keuze uit restaurants. Er was een buffet voor het diner waarmee we het moesten doen. Maar dat was alles behalve een beperking. Voor fans van zeevruchten zoals ik, was het een walhalla. Op het ijs lagen schalen met oesters, mosselen, kokkels, sashimi van diverse vissoorten en de Tahitiaanse poisson cru. Die kende ik nog van de cruise in Frans-Polynesië. De verleiding was zo groot dat ik besloot om twee keer van het zeebanket op te scheppen. Een soortgelijk buffet hadden we ook genuttigd op Efate bij het Warwick Resort. Net als daar had ik ook nu de prijs er al bijna uit gegeten door een dozijn oesters als voorgerecht te nemen. Gezond, lekker en niet alledaags om dit zo rijkelijk te consumeren. Vis moet zwemmen, dus het interesseerde mij niet meer dat de fles colombard veel te duur was. Dit goddelijke maal verdiende een goed glas wit. Na het eten slenterden we onder een sprankelende sterrenhemel terug naar de bungalow over de loopbruggen. Brutale zeemeeuwen rommelden nog wat op het dak en we hoorden het water onder de kamer kabbelen tegen de palen. Maar de vele indrukken hadden ons slaperig gemaakt. De luiken vielen al snel dicht.

Het daglicht spiekte door de gordijnen toen we al rond 7 uur wakker werden. Het eerste wat ik wilde toen ik mijn ogen opende, was om nog even een plons te wagen bij de schildpadden. Nu kon het nog! Timo bleef liever nog even luieren in bed. Dat koude water vond hij niet bepaald uitnodigend. Maar voor mij bestond er op dat moment geen betere manier om wakker te worden. Door snelheid te maken met zwemmen was ik al gauw opgewarmd. Onder water zag ik niet zo snel één van onze grote vrienden. Ik haastte mij naar de rots waar de grote met vlekken de dag ervoor lag te slapen. Weg! Dan maar naar de achterste bungalows, daar waren gisteren de meeste. Ook daar niets te zien. Waren ze ’s ochtends misschien liever op een andere plek? Het eten van gras op de bodem was wellicht alleen een middagactiviteit. Met een licht melancholisch gevoel keerde ik terug. Maar toch kwam er op links plotseling een grote vlek mijn kant op. “Ja, ze zijn er nog!”, bubbelde ik hardop door mijn snorkel. Ik volgde het dier totdat hij geïrriteerd raakte van mijn aanwezigheid en versneld wegzwom. Dat was het dan, toch nog een afscheid van deze bijzondere diersoort.

Na het ontbijt, vertrok de boot al weer terug naar Nouméa. Bij de markt keken we nog even rond bij de kramen met souvenirs. Een abrupte hoosbui joeg ons naar binnen bij het marktgebouw. We realiseerden ons daar ineens dat deze unieke reis naar dit schitterende deel van de wereld er bijna op zat. Nog maar drie dagen te gaan. Langzaamaan moesten we plannen gaan maken voor de lange reis naar huis. De enige bezienswaardigheid die we nog in de planning hadden, was Ile des Pins. Hoewel we daar effectief maar weinig tijd hadden, moesten we proberen om er alles uit te halen. Dat was ’s avonds bij het eten tijdens de evaluatie van onze ontmoeting met de zeeschildpadden, de enige mogelijke conclusie.

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crimethinc · 8 years ago

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Anarchists on the Catalan Referendum: Three Perspectives from the Streets

On Sunday, October 1, the Catalan government held a referendum about Catalan independence from Spain in flagrant defiance of the Spanish government. Massive open clashes between Catalan voters and Spanish police took place throughout the region. A general strike is called for October 3 as a showdown looms between rival politicians and, perhaps, rival states. This situation poses complex challenges: how do anarchists show solidarity to partisans of Catalan independence against police repression without legitimizing nationalism, democracy, or a new Catalan state and its police? We spoke with several anarchists throughout the region and translated these three reports to offer insight into how Catalan anarchists are approaching these questions.

The Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police) announced that the polling locations would be closed or evicted by 6 am Sunday morning. This can be understood as a way to to encourage people to turn out to protect the voting centers. The Guardia Civil and riot police of the Policia Nacional (Spanish police) had been ferried into Catalunya on cruise ships and accommodated at hotels. They began evicting voting centers early in the morning, inflicting at least 844 documented injuries across Catalunya. Over a hundred people were hospitalized, some in serious condition. The actual number of injuries may be considerably higher. In one instance, an old man had a heart attack after a police charge; police attacked again as people were trying to revive him. Another was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet.

Farmers blocked the streets from the Port of Barcelona to prevent more Spanish Guardia Civil from exiting their cruise ships.

First Perspective: An Overview

Yesterday, October 1, the referendum for Catalan independence took place in the middle of an enormous police operation. The government in Madrid threatened to close the places where voting was going to take place; in order to prevent that, people occupied those spaces two days ahead of time, including half of the high schools in all of Catalunya. In some towns, people even took off the doors so that they could not be closed to lock out potential voters.

People came together starting at 6 am to protect the ballot boxes, while police showed up outside at many polling stations to remove them. The watchword of the day was to defend the ballot boxes nonviolently and within this framework were seen many diverse shows of spontaneity: tractors blocking roads, people running and organizing themselves to make sure that all of the points where police could go were covered. In some towns, the police were stopped with barricades. One highlight for me is that in the town of Sant Carles de la Rapita, the Guardia Civil were forced back with a hail of stones.

In thousands of towns, people opposed the police. It’s difficult to know how far self-organization reached, although in the big cities, most people drank the Kool-Aid of nonviolence and let themselves be beaten. This created some surreal situations: police beating people who wanted to vote and confiscating ballot boxes in order to “defend democracy,” firefighters forming security cordons to protect voters from police, confrontations between Spanish and Catalan police. All this generated sympathy from the people towards the Catalan police (who are known for being real motherfuckers), to such an extent that people applauded when they saw the Catalan police vans pass by. It was Kafkaesque.

At the end of the day, President Rajoy was pleased with the actions of the police and affirmed that in Catalonia “there had been no referendum.” On the other side, Puigdemont, the Catalan President, said that Catalonia would apply the referendum law according to which they must proclaim the new Catalan Republic in the days following the referendum, and appealed to European and international heads of state to mediate the process.

Catalan firefighters showed up to act as a barrier between the Guardia Civil and those trying to access polling places.

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Spanish police beating Catalan firefighters.

There is no single anarchist position on all of this. All anarchists reject institutional politics, bourgeois nationalism, and class collaboration, and we will never applaud the Catalan police. At times, the situation is not inviting to anarchist participation. Even so, there are many who affirm that where they live, they find themselves on the side of those who decided to take the streets. What anarchist can stay indoors while police threaten and beat people who desire to have more of a say in their lives? It is tempting to want to break up the Spanish state or, if not to destroy it, at least to debilitate it through a popular struggle. And when people are in the streets, this presents the possibility that things might overflow, exceeding their limits… although at the moment, this is difficult, since it is politicians who hold the initiative.

Anarchist and antiauthoritarian organizations and unions and independent unions have called for a general strike on October 3. Yesterday, at the eleventh hour, the CCOO and the UGT (the “fire-extinguishing” unions that re-absorb and domesticate popular struggles) and the ANC along with the Omnium Cultural (the organizations that articulate bourgeois nationalism in its purest form) joined the call for the general strike.

Visca la terra lliure de patriotismes! Here’s to an earth free of patriotism!

Guardia Civil raided over 300 of the 2300 polling places around Catalonia.

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Guardia Civil raiding a polling station.

Second Perspective: Mixed Feelings

I’m writing this to you just after getting out of an assembly because tomorrow there will be a general strike in Catalunya. Actually, they don’t consider it a strike, more like a work stoppage. From the neighborhoods, people are organizing piquetes [blockades] and some demonstrations. These have been tireless days, filled to the top. I’m guessing you have seen the images of the day’s events on October 1, which were really, really crazy.

Anarchists have showed up late and ill-prepared for the independence process. For five years, the proposal for independence has been gestating, from both the Generalitat (the Catalan government) and leftist, independentist Catalan political parties like the CUP. Anarchist and anti-authoritarian movements haven’t really kept up with the movement for an independence referendum. So this whole thing has caught us almost by surprise, which doesn’t put us in a good light, considering that it’s been going on for five years. Often, we live in our own bubble while the world changes and forces build without us realizing it.

Starting some months ago, various neighbors, including some who belong to the (independentista) National Assembly, others to the CUP party, and other people who are closer to the independentista movement all started to organize themselves into committees in defense of the referendum. Spanish censorship was ramping up ahead of the vote, and the state was taking measures to control what appeared on the internet, especially in the moments right before the referendum.

Through these neighborhood defense committees, people organized assemblies that are not controlled by the (indepedentista) National Assembly, nor by the Catalan government, which is the driving force behind the referendum. There have been tensions between representatives from the National Assembly, the government, and the neighborhood assemblies because the assemblies questioned instructions from the Catalan government about how to defend their towns. In the days leading up to the referendum on October 1, there was a lot of nervousness on the part of the government because there were many parts of the independentista movement that they couldn’t really control. In the end, the neighborhood assemblies were responsible for much of the logistics of what happened on voting day, determining how people organized themselves and how they defended the polling stations.

The violence of the Spanish police.

Anarchists hadn’t thought about what to do in relation to this movement until the referendum was approaching and the Spanish state began to crack down on civil liberties. Faced with the censorship imposed by the state, a large number of anarchist groups from different parts of Barcelona, who have already been organized in their own neighborhood assemblies and social centers, decided to give support to the local independentista movements.

Within the anarchist movement, there are people who support the referendum itself, and also people who don’t. Independentist people are demanding basic democratic rights and civil liberties, such as the right to vote, and some anarchists believe that anarchists should be out there with them. There are also people involved in the independence movement who we lost track of years ago when the political parties like CUP and Podemos that gained momentum after the 15M movement in 2011 institutionalized the energy from the streets. Now, with the referendum, people are returning to the streets, so we decided it was an important moment for us to be out there too. But this has created a good deal of debate within and between anarchist collectives, because we are definitely not coming from the same place politically as many of the independentistas.

For us, it has been really complicated. For me personally, sure, I hold contradictory positions all the time, like supporting certain reformist campaigns or engaging with single issue movements… but to defend a democratic process towards national independence… it’s very hard to figure out where I stand. Many of the comrades in our neighborhood are trying to figure it out too.

We have been organizing ourselves and coordinating with independentista groups that have been active in the neighborhood. We attended some assemblies and announced that on the day of the referendum, we would open up our social center as an info-point with food and outlets for charging cellphones, a place where you could rest up and get hydrated. This was also a way of suggesting to people who believed in self-determination, albeit through statist means, that there are other ways to take direct control over our lives, in these spaces at the margins of society.

So yes, we decided to lend our support. Yesterday was the day of the vote, and there was no other topic either on the news or in discussions on the street. It was the only subject of conversation.

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Anarchist graffiti in Barcelona, September 2017.

On the street where I live, there were two polling stations. Starting at 5 am, we went out onto the street and erected barricades. Catalan police came to tell us we weren’t allowed to do that. Then they marched, and from 8 am the whole voting thing commenced. There were so many people out. Honestly, it was difficult not to get swept up in what was happening—lots of elderly people, lots of excited people. On one hand, it was really exciting; on the other hand, it was a bit ridiculous, in that the independentista voters were acting like they were doing the most clandestine, badass thing in the world.

I’m sure everyone has already seen the scenes of violence showing the Policia Nacional and the Guardia Civil in high schools in Barcelona and other towns around Catalunya. We heard that the Policia Nacional were deployed close to where we were. Things intensified from there and that lasted the whole day.

Many Catalan anarchists have voted. I voted too. The truth is it was difficult not let yourself get carried away by the moment.

More police violence.

As for an anarchist analysis of what’s going on…

Many of us went home yesterday very annoyed because we had a lot of differences with what was happening. About two weeks ago, the anarchist collective here in my neighborhood had a discussion about whether or not to defend the process of national “self-determination.” There were many people close to us, with whom we share a lot of political affinity, who said it was better to struggle against the institutions of a Catalan state because it would be a smaller state. Many people also supported the process in hopes of destabilizing the Spanish state because at the moment the Spanish state is very weakened. It’s a moment that could tip either way.

Personally, I don’t like either of the options. We can’t lose track of where we stand as anarchists. I think we should be supporting people in the streets, but I truly believe the worst thing that could happen to us would be if a Catalan state gained independence. In the end, it’s just a way to legitimize the social and political exclusions that exist today to believe that we’d have more control over them in a smaller state. But it’s hard for people to see a Catalan state as something other than their own, especially after struggling for years to achieve it.

While people went out to vote impassioned to the point of tears, several police murders have taken place in Barcelona in the last several months without any response. Meanwhile, thanks to the referendum process, the Mossos d’Esquadra have gotten a PR makeover as the good guys; until this, they always received negative press coverage. The Policia Nacional (Spanish police) have practically tortured people, leaving many with visible injuries. On the good side, they’ve turned public opinion against them. So the militarized Policia Nacional now look very dirty, and the Mossos de Escuadra seem more “clean”—although their current “clean” image just means they will be able to utilize this legitimacy to employ violence with fewer obstacles.

I believe we have to acknowledge the disobedience of the Catalan people, their confrontation with the police, and the resistance that they’ve demonstrated. It has been incredible. Like I’ve mentioned, the anarchist movement has arrived late and ill-prepared to a process that has been gestating for five years already. We can’t expect to do the work of years in just a couple weeks. Carving out our own space is difficult and we have to take a humble approach to it.

The people of Catalunya against the police of Spain.

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Spanish nationalists sending off the Guardia Civil on their trip to Catalunya.

Third Perspective: Some Analysis

The point isn’t to help build a new state, but rather to demonstrate through practice that self-organization, networks of mutual aid, and assemblies are the real alternative to the Spanish state, and through this we find each other, some of us being anarchists, but many others too. What is clear is that the struggle against statist hierarchies is not on its way out: it simply continues in a different context. If a Catalan state comes to exist, we will maintain our opposition to the state from the very same networks with our own practices, our own communities, our own economies of mutual aid.

My enemy continues to be capitalism, the military, the clergy, the farcical politicians and bankers. Anarchists don’t stop being anarchists just because they express solidarity with people facing retaliation from the state. I know perfectly well what happened in 19371 and that we must not abandon our memory of the previous times we were betrayed by statists, but we also must oppose current state repression—or else will we simply stay put, watching? Our struggle is to be present in the streets to offer our vision and denounce the violence of the state, whether it be Spanish, Catalan, or Chinese!

We must learn about what happened in the past, when anarchists were betrayed. We should try to make sure it doesn’t happen again, which is to say, we should foment a consensus among anarchists and anti-authoritarians for when this situation is over, when we will continue building self-organization. I, at least, for many years now, have been working for this 24/7, and whatever happens I will continue doing it as I’ve done every day.

Anarchism is not a dogma, neither is it a religion. It is a form of life, a way of feeling and acting as a human in harmony with the earth. Every era has its context, and it’s true that those who believe in the state have betrayed us before, but we forget that without us, they won’t change either! We will continue influencing society despite ourselves.

The Anarcho-Independentista current is criticized by comrades who are more “orthodox” or dogmatic, depending on how you see them. There are some who support the idea of independence without a state. It’s not a majoritarian position, but I consider it a valid one. For a long time, anarchists have not focused attention on the subject of independence. Now this issue has served to inspire debate and discussion; we disagree with each other, but we try to come to some consensus.

I don’t know if we ought to vote or not, but I do know that the Spanish government is getting more fascist by the day. It’s not that it surprises me, in any case I am against a government that approves the slogan “better bloody than broken,” referring to the Iberian peninsula and so-called Spain, which already indicates how old this subject is—something that has been going on for centuries.

#Jo també soc anarquista.

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People applauding the Catalan police.

As for which anarchist organizations have taken positions on this issue…

The CGT has called for a general strike in Catalonia which will be supported by the CNT-AIT, the historic organization that nowadays is much smaller than the CGT, an anarcho-syndicalist union that is more “open” and participates in union elections, with over 25,000 members in Catalunya. The CNT-AIT, sadly, does not represent even a 25th of this amount. The other CNT has a very hard split with the Independentistas and is against anarco-independentistas.

The Cooperativa Integral Catalana, despite not being a specifically libertarian (i.e. anti-authoritarian) organization, has many members who are activists. Their structure is horizontal, based in non-hierarchical assemblies, and they make decisions by consensus. It’s dedicated to building self-organized economic networks and protecting small non-hierarchical projects in Catalunya. They are supporting the strike.

Oca Negra and Proces Embat are anarco-independentista organizations that organize with the CGT in some aspects of the struggle.

The Federació Anarquista de Catalunya is another relatively new organization with a position in favor of celebration of the referendum.

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Further Reading

1O: El Poble i les Seves Gàbies: an anarchist analysis in Catalan, speculatively exploring possible scenarios in the independence referendum, that appeared on September 20.

Fire Extinguishers and Fire Starters: An Anarchist Analysis of the 15M Movement of 2011

The Rose of Fire Has Returned: The General Strike of March 29, 2012

After the Crest: Barcelona Anarchists at Low Tide, an analysis from 2013

From 15M to Podemos: The Regeneration of Spanish Democracy

Here we refer to the situation created by the ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia), the Catalan State, and the PSU (Communist Party) in 1937 in the middle of open revolution and civil war. They were determined to annihilate anarchists and wipe out their important contributions to the collectivization of farms and workplaces and to the struggle against the fascist reaction led by Franco. They forcibly integrated anarchist militias into the state military. There were fierce confrontations between the Stalinists and the anarchist CNT-FAI, who had the support of non-authoritarian communists of the POUM. This produced numerous armed confrontations between both sides. Let’s just say that many comrades remember this and don’t want to have anything to do with the contemporary ERC, even less with the Catalan Democratic Party (PD Cat), nor with the CUP, although this last party seems to harbor certain libertarian tendencies in its ranks. ↩

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sloveniadata-blog · 5 years ago

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HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW SLOVENIA?📚 🏞This city is the sixth largest city in Slovenia. Located in the Istrian region in southwestern part of the country, approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) south of the border with Italy and 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Trieste, this city is the largest coastal city in the country. It is bordered by the satellite towns of Izola and Ankaran. With a unique ecology and biodiversity, it is considered an important natural resource. The city's Port of this city oper is the major contributor to the economy of the eponymous city municipality. With only one percent of Slovenia having a coastline, the influence that the Port of this city also has on tourism was a factor in Ankaran deciding to leave the municipality in a referendum in 2011 to establish its own. The city is a destination for a number of Mediterranean cruising lines. This city is the main urban centre of the Slovenian Istria, with a population of about 25,000.[1] Ales Brzan is the current mayor, serving since 2018.✔ ❗#slovenia #nature #travel #ljubljana #ifeelslovenia #igslovenia #mountains #bled #photography #slovenija #naturephotography #hiking #lake #love #lakebled #photooftheday #europe #landscape #instagood #koper #visitslovenia #beautiful #travelgram #travelphotography #summer #naturelovers #trip #picoftheday #instatravel #kampadanes (at Slovenia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8o06nBnyLB/?igshid=8y6zu3qmbbxo

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caymannewsservice · 3 months ago

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Activists make final bid for 'no' to cruise pier

Swimmers and divers push for ‘no’ vote on cruise berthing question (CNS): After six years campaigning against a cruise dock in George Town, CPR Cayman and other activists are making an all-out final push to persuade voters that cruise berthing facilities will be a disaster for the country and there are many more ways of improving the cruise sector. At the weekend, activists held a solidarity…

#Cruise Port Referendum #Hope Spots #Mission Blue #referendum

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visiontech456 · 6 years ago

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Venice cruise ship collides with river boat and dock in busy canal leaving several injured

A big cruise ship that was preparing to dock in Venice lost control on Sunday morning, crashing into the wharf and hitting a smaller tourist boat, local authorities said. Four people were wounded in the accident, which happened in Venice’s central Giudecca Canal, rescuers and port authorities said. Video footage posted on YouTube and local media showed tourists running away in shock, as the Opera MSC cruise ship scraped along the dockside, before smashing into the River Countess tourist boat. The crash may have happened after a cable used to link the cruise ship to the tugboats that were pulling it into the city's canals broke, a fire fighters’ spokesman said. The Opera ship was unable to stop due to its huge weight and the strong currents pulling it towards the dock. “The situation is now under control,” the spokesman said. The accident immediately reignited debate over the damages caused by gigantic ship cruises to Venice’s historic infrastructure and their huge impact on the fragile lagoon’s environment. A cruise ship lost control and crashed against a smaller tourist boat at the San Basilio dock in Venice Credit: REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri Venetians have long dubbed these massive ships “monsters” because they often ruin the lagoon’s view, but also because they are held responsible for hurting the foundations of the city's historical buildings with the waves they create. The citizens’ biggest complaint is about the traffic of the cruise ships that are currently allowed to pass within a few hundred yards of St Mark’s Square and Venice’s historic centre on their way to the city’s international passenger terminal. A 2017 plan that would force the cruise ships weighing more than 96,000 tons to take a less central route via the industrial area of Marghera is still waiting for the national government’s final approval. However, works on the new route -- which would require the dredging of canals and the construction of a new port – could take up to four years. “This is an epochal issue,” said Silvio Testa, a member of Venice’s activist group Comitato No Grandi Navi (No Big Ships Committee), which has fought against the big ships’ traffic for years. “Instead, we are treating the Venetian lagoon like a big potato field, where everything can be done.” In an informal referendum organised by the committee in June 2017, nearly 99 per cent of the 18,000 Venetians who took part voted in favour of banning giant cruise ships from the city’s lagoon altogether. The high-profile issue has been recently brought into spotlight again by popular street artist Banksy in his "Venice in Oil" installation, showing a large ship floating in the city's Grand Canal, surrounded by the Bridge of Sighs and outraged men steering gondolas.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2JRwLPt

from Blogger http://bit.ly/2XnzCmg via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Blogger

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newstfionline · 8 years ago

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Spain Hires Cruise Liner to House Police in Rebel Catalonia

By Charles Penty and Maria Tadeo, Bloomberg, September 21, 2017

Spain has discreetly hired ferries to be moored in the Port of Barcelona as temporary housing for possibly thousands of police specially deployed to keep order in rebel Catalonia and help suppress an illegal independence referendum.

The country’s interior ministry asked Catalan port authorities to provide a berth for one ship until Oct. 3--two days after the planned vote--saying it was a matter of state, a spokeswoman for the port said by phone Wednesday. The vessel, known as “Rhapsody,” docked in the city about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, she said.

The aim is to amass more than 16,000 riot police and other security officers by the Oct. 1 referendum, El Correo newspaper reported on its website. That would exceed the number of Catalan police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, who serve both the Catalan and central governments.

Spain is putting more boots on the ground in the northeastern region as it arrests local officials, raids regional-government offices and takes control of payroll administration in the run-up to the referendum. The ballot initiative, passed by the Catalan Parliament and declared illegal by the country’s highest court, has escalated a years-long stand-off between pro-independence campaigners and Spain’s central administration in Madrid.

As well as the “Rhapsody,” with capacity for 2,448 people, the ministry also hired another vessel to dock in Barcelona with a third headed for the port of Tarragona, 100 kilometers (60 miles) west along the coast, El Confidencial website reported.

#Spain #Catalan independence referendum #Spanish riot police

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travelworldnetwork · 6 years ago

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The Polygon – an elegant crescent of Georgian houses in Cliftonwood Bristol. Photo: Alamy

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Dubbed a "mad riddle" by one of Britain's eminent modern-day philosophers – OK, the plain-speaking Cockney actor Danny Dyer (who plays pub landlord Mick Carter in TV soap EastEnders) – Brexit is almost upon us. Britain will, barring any last-minute U-turns, bid adieu to the European Union on March 29 and no-one – ardent Leaver or die-hard Remainer – knows how it's all going to pan out.

What is for sure is that despite all the uncertainly – and the damage many believe Brexit has done to Britain's reputation – tourists are still flocking there. In part boosted by favourable exchange rates sparked by the weakened pound, there was a record 39.2 million global inbound visits in the year after the 2016 referendum, including more than 1 million from Australia, according to tourism body Visit Britain.

Chris Fundell, director of marketing, Globus Family of Brands (globusfamily.com.au) says they have not seen any negative effects on Australians booking tours to Britain. "In fact our tours to the UK are performing very well, up almost 50 per cent. Our series of Undiscovered Britain tours has helped raise the profile of touring in Britain whilst travelling off-the-beaten-track," he says.

Holy Trinity Church (Shakespeare's burial place) on the River Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Photo: Alamy

The global visitor trend is set to continue, with large numbers from overseas expected for the first major post-Brexit international event – the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Held in 10 cities across England and Wales from May 30 to July 14, it will be followed in the northern summer – August 1 to September 16 – by the Ashes. While England is favourite to win both competitions, the Baggy Greens are the defending World Cup champions and Ashes holders. If you're keen to catch some of the action, tickets and resales are still available for some matches – though the biggies, such as the Lord's Ashes Test and India v Pakistan have long been sold out. Australia women's national cricket team are also on tour in Britain, playing a series of internationals – one Test, three One-Dayers and three T20s – throughout July for the Women's Ashes. They'll play in Leicester, Canterbury, Taunton, Chelmsford, Hove and Bristol. Away from the cricket, and the carnival atmosphere the games are likely to generate, you can soak up the myriad charms in and around the host cities, which extend well beyond the usual suspects – yes, you London. The guide we've compiled below can be used any time – and not just if you're coming for the cricket. One more thing: don't forget Scotland. Although it's not staging any matches, it's always a pleasure to head north of the border, and the Scots won't be shy of telling you that they beat England for the first time ever in a cricket international last year. Oh, and they also voted to Remain.

THE CITY

MANCHESTER

THE VENUE Old Trafford Cricket Ground, not to be confused with the famous football stadium nearby. Six World Cup games and the fourth Ashes Test: September 4-8.

THE LOWDOWN The self-styled "Capital of the North" has shrugged off its post-industrial blues and reinvented itself as a buzzing metropolis that excels in live music, arts and culture, craft beers and sport.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Both footballing giants, Manchester United and Manchester City, offer superb behind-the-scenes stadium tours and the National Football Museum, located in Manchester's medieval core, is another treat for lovers of the "beautiful game". Stroll though the Northern Quarter, a district of hip cafes, bars, pubs, jazz clubs, vinyl shops, vintage stores and enticing culinary draws such as Mackie Mayor, a trendy new food court set in a beautiful converted Victorian meat market.

THE SIDETRIP Manchester's historic rival, Liverpool, is a must-visit – especially if you like the Beatles. The Fab Four's hometown is 35 minutes away by train.

ESSENTIALS visitmanchester.com

THE CITY

BRISTOL

THE VENUE Bristol County Ground. Three World Cup games – including Afghanistan v Australia on June 1.

THE LOWDOWN Emerging from the shadow of Bath, its swanky, spa-studded neighbour, Bristol reigns as one of Britain's coolest cities. It's the birthplace of Banksy and bands such as Massive Attack.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE On Banksy-inspired street art tours, peruse murals from the man himself plus colourful new stuff from up-and-coming graffiti merchants. Survey Bristol's photogenic harbour setting on SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) trips, then roam SS Great Britain, a ground-breaking 19th century ship that transported thousands of Australian immigrants and the first England cricket team to tour Down Under. Its designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was also the mastermind behind Bristol's most-snapped sight – the gigantic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Sherwood Forest Natural Nature Reserve in Nottinghamshire. Photo: Alamy

THE SIDETRIP As well as Bath – 15 minutes away by rail (you can also pedal there via a flat 20-kilometre bike path) – there's Cheddar Gorge, a spectacular beauty spot where you can sample pungent cheeses matured in caves.

ESSENTIALS visitbristol.co.uk

THE CITY

CARDIFF

THE VENUE Sophia Gardens. Four World Cup games.

Millennium Bridge and Lowry Centre at dawn, Salford Quays, Manchester. Photo: Alamy

THE LOWDOWN Beyond its raucous nightlife and Brains-guzzling rugby crowds – Brains beer has been brewed in the city since 1882 – the Welsh capital charms visitors with its friendly vibes, green spaces and cultural draws.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Amble around Bute Park, a lovely, leafy retreat between Sophia Gardens and Cardiff Castle, a medieval fortress and mansion with a fantastical neo-Gothic interior. Take a water taxi along the River Taff to Cardiff Bay, a revitalised docklands area home to cutting-edge landmarks such as the Senedd – the National Assembly for Wales – and Wales Millennium Centre, a hub of drama and ballet. For big-name concerts and rugby games, check the listings at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

THE SIDETRIP Hiking, canyoning and potholing are among the activities in the Brecon Beacons, a mountainous national park just over an hour's drive from Cardiff.

Lords Cricket Ground, London. Photo: Alamy

ESSENTIALS visitcardiff.com

THE CITY

BIRMINGHAM

THE VENUE Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Five World Cup games and the first Ashes Test: August 1-5.

THE LOWDOWN England's "Second City", Birmingham is another former industrial powerhouse enjoying a new lease of life. Nestled at the heart of the national canal network, "Brum" – as it's nicknamed – claims to have more canals than Venice.

Brexit may soon be changing Britain but it is unlikely to deter Australian tourists from visiting its many sights, including London. Photo: Shutterstock

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Savour these Victorian waterways on leisurely canal-boat cruises and pit stop in quaint waterfront pubs. Potter around eclectic inner-city districts such as the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth, where you can also do a Peaky Blinders tour – and hear tales about the gangsters that inspired this TV drama set in 1920s Brum. Delicious, cosmopolitan cuisine abounds in Birmingham, from fiery curries in the Balti Triangle area to fine-dining at Michelin-starred eateries such as Purnell's and Adams.

THE SIDETRIP Take the Shakespeare Express steam train to Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of The Bard. See vintagetrains.co.uk

ESSENTIALS visitbirmingham.com

Stonehenge. Photo: Shutterstock

THE CITY

NOTTINGHAM

THE VENUE Trent Bridge. Five World Cup games – including Australia's matches against West Indies and Bangladesh.

THE LOWDOWN Nottingham is synonymous with Robin Hood – and the folk legend's influence permeates this university city, from outlaw-inspired sculptures to street names such as Maid Marian Way. You'll also find intriguing museums and independent shops – including the flagship of Nottingham-born fashion designer Paul Smith.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE The Sheriff's old lair, Nottingham Castle, is shut for renovations until 2020, but dug into the cliff below it is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a characterful boozer touted as "the oldest inn in England". Sup a pint in one of the pub's caverns – part of a network of 800-plus caves that run beneath the city. Hear quirky stories of crime and punishment in the cells of the National Justice Museum, set inside an old courthouse and jail in Lace Market, a pleasant district peppered with cafes and restaurants.

THE SIDETRIP Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood's old stomping ground, is an hour's drive away, and offers oak woodland hikes, bike rides and luxury lodges.

ESSENTIALS visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk

THE CITY

SOUTHAMPTON

THE VENUE Hampshire Bowl. Five World Cup games.

THE LOWDOWN Southampton is Britain's busiest cruise port. Don't expect many picture-postcard streets – the city was smashed by Luftwaffe bombing – but there's some enthralling war and maritime history, including tales of Titanic, which set sail from here in 1912.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Titanic's demise, and its effect on Southampton, is explored at SeaCity Museum, an interactive attraction unveiled on the centenary of the ship's maiden voyage. Hear more Titanic facts, myths and legends on guided walking tours and also learn about the ANZAC troops that sailed from Southampton for the D-Day Normandy landings. Visit the Solent Sky, a museum that pays homage to aviation icons such as the Spitfire, a World War II plane designed and built in Southampton.

THE SIDETRIP Fancy a jaunt to the Mediterranean or Norwegian fiords? Southampton is the ideal place to embark on a cruise. Alternatively, take a ferry to the Isle of Wight or visit Stonehenge, Britain's most famous prehistoric monument, an hour's drive away.

ESSENTIALS discoversouthampton.co.uk

THE CITY

CHESTER-LE-STREET

THE VENUE Riverside Ground. Three World Cup games.

THE LOWDOWN With a population under 25,000, this County Durham market town – once the ancient Roman fort of Concangis – is by far the smallest World Cup host. You can also base yourself in Newcastle or the cathedral city of Durham – both of which are 10 minutes from Chester-le-Street by rail.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Helping to make Chester-le-Street one of the world's most picturesque cricket venues is Lumley Castle, which crowns a hill above the ground. This 14th century castle has been revived as a boutique hotel and is a popular spot for dinner, murder mystery nights and (apparently) ghostly goings-on. Legend has it that when the Australian cricket team stayed here in 2005, Shane Watson was so spooked by the castle's lurid ghost stories he slept on the floor in Brett Lee's room.

THE SIDETRIP The open-air Beamish museum – seven kilometres outside Chester-le-Street – brings the past of England's North-East to life with period streets, shops and vintage tramways. See beamish.org.uk

ESSENTIALS thisisdurham.com

THE CITY

LEEDS

THE VENUE Headingley Stadium. Four World Cup games and the third Ashes Test: August 22-26.

THE LOWDOWN Leeds is the largest city in the cricketing hotbed that is Yorkshire – or "God's Own Country" as locals call the county. Once a thriving wool centre, Leeds is possibly the best place to shop outside London, its compact, walkable city centre crammed with retail temptations.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Away from its glossy 21st century malls and high-end chain stores, Leeds has ornate Victorian arcades that wouldn't look out of place in Paris. There's also Kirkgate Market – a huge indoor bazaar that was home to the world's first Marks & Spencer outlet in 1884. Post-shopping, enjoy a pie and pint of Yorkshire beer at Whitelock's Ale House – founded in 1715 – or inventive Michelin-feted dining at The Man Behind The Curtain by top chef Michael O'Hare.

THE SIDETRIP The bucolic delights of the Yorkshire Dales National Park are on the city's doorstep, while the medieval beauty of York is 25 minutes away by rail.

ESSENTIALS visitleeds.co.uk

THE CITY

TAUNTON

THE VENUE County Ground. Three World Cup games including Pakistan v Australia on June 12.

THE LOWDOWN Cricket legends Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Baggy Greens coach Justin Langer all whiled away summers playing cricket in Somerset's chilled-out county town, which is edged by quintessential West Country apple orchards and a patchwork of rolling green hills and cattle-strewn meadows.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE Quaffing cider is a popular past-time in the pubs that sprinkle Taunton and you can also try "Cider flights" at Sheppy's House of Cider, where the same family has been producing the fruity stuff for 200 years on the town's outskirts. Discover Taunton's absorbing history at the Museum of Somerset, housed inside the town's 12th century castle, which endured sieges during the English Civil War. Nearby, the wisteria-clad Castle Hotel is home to Castle Bow, a renowned restaurant serving modern British cuisine.

THE SIDETRIP Take the West Somerset Railway, a heritage steam train that threads past 35 kilometres of countryside and coast. See west-somerset-railway.co.uk

ESSENTIALS visitsomerset.co.uk

THE CITY

LONDON

THE VENUES Lord's. Five World Cup games, including the final on July 14 and the second Ashes Test: August 14-18. The Kia Oval. Five World Cup matches and the fifth Ashes Test: September 12-16.

THE LOWDOWN It doesn't matter if you're visiting for the first – or umpteenth – time, this melting pot of 8 million people never ceases to amaze, whether you're nosing around lavish royal palaces or discovering the city's hippest new 'hood.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE London's awe-inspiring parks really spring to life in the summer months, brimming with picnics, festivals and concerts, wild swimming and rowing boat rides. Drama fans should get to the Open Air Theatre at Regent's Park, where A Midsummer Night's Dream, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita will be performed in 2019. Opposite Green Park, Buckingham Palace opens to the public from July to September, when the Queen is away on holiday.

THE SIDETRIP If it's sunny, head to the south coast. An alternative to busy Brighton, Hastings has a funky new pier, charming old town and cliff-climbing funicular.

ESSENTIALS visitlondon.com

FIVE TOP CATCHES – THE BEST UK JOURNEYS

NIGHT RIVIERA

Catch this sleeper train from London Paddington and wake up in Cornwall – a picturesque slice of south-western England also known as "Poldark Country" because of the popular TV show. See gwr.com

LAKE DISTRICT CRUISE

Catch a restored Victorian vessel and savour the timeless beauty of the newly-World Heritage listed Lake District National Park. See windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

SCOTTISH ISLAND HOPPING

Catch the Calmac ferries that link the spellbinding islands off Scotland's north-west coast, including Mull, Lewis and Harris. See calmac.co.uk

SNOWDONIA MOUNTAIN RAILWAY

Catch this narrow-gauge heritage railway to the top of Mount Snowdon, Wales' highest peak, and admire the pristine array of lakes and craggy mountains of Snowdonia. See snowdonrailway.co.uk

NORTH COAST 500

Fancy a drive? Do this awe-inspiring circuit of Scotland's northern Highlands, gazing at dramatic coastline, mysterious lochs and heritage sites on a 830-kilometre loop from Inverness. See northcoast500.com

FIVE CLASSIC SHOTS: THE MOST PHOTOGENIC VIEWS IN THE UK

SEVEN SISTERS

These dazzling chalk cliffs lord over the English Channel near Eastbourne – Britain's Sunniest Town. For the best view of the Sisters, glance back at them from above the Coastguard Cottages at Cuckmere Haven.

THE COTSWOLDS

Snap the honey-stone cottages in Bibury – one of the postcard-perfect medieval villages of the Cotswolds, an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) west of Oxford.

WATERLOO BRIDGE

Look east from this bridge over the River Thames and you'll see St Paul's Cathedral and the 21st century skyscrapers of the City of London. Turn round and there's the London Eye and Houses of Parliament. Sunset is hard to beat.

CAMBRIDGE BACKS

Punt along the River Cam past The Backs, where idyllic grassy lawns hedge the majestic colleges of Cambridge University, whose alumni include Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough and Sacha Baron Cohen.

BEN NEVIS

Wrap up warm, pack a flask of Scotch and scale this 1345-metre Scottish peak – Britain's highest summit – for a stunning view of lochs and peaks shrouded in other-worldly clouds.

WHAT AUSTRALIANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VISITING THE UK POST-BREXIT

SCOTT MCCULLOUGH, GENERAL MANAGER, TRAVEL MONEY OZ (travelmoneyoz.com)

1. ARE AUSTRALIANS MORE OR LESS INCLINED TO VISIT THE UK BECAUSE OF BREXIT?

Australians are resilient travellers, and there's no denying that Britain has always been a popular travel destination for us, particularly as a base to explore Europe. While Brexit has introduced some uncertainty, we don't expect it to deter Australians from visiting one of their favourite destinations, especially at times when the value of GBP is working in our favour.

2. HOW IS BREXIT LIKELY TO IMPACT AUSTRALIANS?

Brits head to Australian shores in droves and spend about $3.7 billion a year while here. They're extremely important to the economy, however the uncertainty around Brexit and the fluctuating value of the GBP is making it more expensive for Brits to visit Australia. Positively for Australian travellers, when the value of GBP drops, the buying power is stronger for the AUD. For example, when the Brexit result was announced, we saw GBP drop. Keen Aussie travellers snapped up GBP, taking advantage of cheaper holidays to Britain, and Travel Money Oz completely sold out of currency at the time.

3. IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL AUSTRALIANS PLANNING A UK TRIP SHOULD DO BEFORE BREXIT?

Keep an eye on the currency market and buy when you're ready. Travel Money Oz has some great services like our Rate Guard, which protects you from exchange rate movements, or our online rate alert which allows us to do the foreign exchange watching for you.

PATRICIA YATES, DIRECTOR OF VISITBRITAIN (VISITBRITAIN.COM)

1. WHAT IMPACT DO YOU EXPECT BREXIT TO HAVE ON TOURISM IN THE UK?

VisitBritain is forecasting 40 million inbound visits to the UK by 2020, the first time it will break through the 40 million-visit-mark. Australia in particular is an extremely important market for VisitBritain, a billion-pound market, our fourth most valuable, delivering more than 1 million visits annually. It is one of our priority GREAT markets, meaning we invest more here and we want to provide a world-class visitor experience for the Australians who visit Britain.

2. HOW DO YOU SEE BREXIT AFFECTING TRAVEL FOR AUSTRALIANS?

The introduction of ePassport gate access for Australians from summer 2019 will make it easier and faster to travel, boosting our competitive tourism offer to Australia and our welcome message. Australian perceptions of the UK as a visitor destination are positive with Australians continuing to rate the UK highly for tourism, second out of 50 nations in the 2018 Anholt Nation Brands Index.

3. WHAT NEW TRENDS CAN AUSTRALIANS EXPECT TO FIND IN POST-BREXIT BRITAIN?

VisitBritain is driving growth from Australia by showcasing that Britain is bursting with fun activities and new adventures to come and enjoy. One focus is promoting immersive and "off the beaten track" experiences for Australians in Britain's vibrant cities and stunning countryside. An example is the recently launched English National Parks Experience, promoting living landscapes, rural life and boasting 70 new visitor experiences and 80 accommodation providers across nine national parks.

SIMON CALDER, BRITISH TRAVEL JOURNALIST AND BROADCASTER (SIMONCALDER.CO.UK)

1. WHAT CAN AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS EXPECT TO FIND IN POST-BREXIT BRITAIN?

I am sorry to say they will discover a dismal, diminished nation which has been ravaged by a nasty flare-up of xenophobia. Australians will be welcomed by Brexiteers because (and I regret saying this as well) they are mostly white and some are really quite good at English, considering. An open, welcoming, tolerant and forward-looking country has been hijacked by people who have a yearning to return to about 1953. When, you will recall, England won the Test series 1-0. Most of the matches were wash-outs, which sums up the immediate future. But at least some people will be happy with the illusion that they have "taken back control".

2. HOW DO YOU SEE BREXIT AFFECTING TRAVEL FOR AUSTRALIANS?

Oh, it will be dirt cheap, as the pound sinks ever deeper into ignominy.

3. WHAT UK DESTINATION DO YOU THINK WOULD BE A HIT WITH AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS THIS SUMMER?

Northern Ireland (discovernorthernireland.com) – hugely underrated, cheap and easy to reach, Belfast and Derry are compelling and contrasting cities. Dreadful cricket, mind.

GRAHAM TURNER, FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP CEO, (FLIGHTCENTRE.COM.AU)

1. WHAT EFFECT HAS BREXIT HAD ON AUSTRALIANS BOOKING TRIPS AND FLIGHTS TO THE UK?

To date, Brexit appears to have had a minimal impact on travel to the UK. Demand has been solid – from the time of the referendum through to now. It's actually been a great time to travel thanks to the combination of cheap airfares and the pound's depreciation. To put those cheap fares in perspective, today we're advertising return fares from Sydney to London from $1099, which is still about $300 cheaper than the "lead-in" fare that we historically had access to. As we speak, we're entering another interesting period politically in the UK so will keep an eye on developments over the next week or so

2. HOW IS BREXIT LIKELY TO IMPACT AUSTRALIANS?

It really depends on what sort of Brexit takes place. If the transition is relatively smooth, which is the obvious goal, there's probably going to be minimal impact on travellers. The government will obviously be very keen to ensure things go as smoothly as possible for travellers and for business in general. There may be an impact – either positive or negative – on spending power in-destination if the pound rises or falls steeply in value. We have seen this in the past, with travellers opportunistically stocking up on a currency when it falls.

3. IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL AUSTRALIANS PLANNING A TRIP TO THE UK SHOULD DO?

I think at this stage, it's a case of wait and see. Tourism is important to the economy and considerable effort will be going in to ensuring there is minimal disruption. I wouldn't be putting off a holiday just yet because of Brexit concerns.

traveller.com.au/britain

visitbritain.com

tickets.cricketworldcup.com

ecb.co.uk/tickets/england

FLY

Qantas, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways all fly to London from Sydney and Melbourne. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar also fly into Manchester. You can fly to Birmingham with Qatar and Emirates, Cardiff with Qatar and Newcastle with Emirates.

from traveller.com.au

#Travel Guide

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thepinkperipatetic · 8 years ago

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Barcelona in two days

Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalunya--the second most populous municipality of Spain. It is known for its marvelous wonders by architect Antonio Gaudi. Gaudí spent most of his life in Barcelona and the city boasts the largest concentration of his works in the world. Gaudi's presence is felt throughout the city and was like nothing I've ever seen before.

We had 7 days in Europe for our past trip--2 full days of which were spent in "the city of Gaudi". We were initially a little nervous about going to Barcelona due to the recent Catalonia independence referendum - the last thing we wanted was to be caught in the middle of a riot or unrest. Luckily, we didn’t encounter any unpleasantness. If it wasn’t for all the “democracia” & Catlunya flags hanging everywhere, we wouldn’t have guessed that only a few weeks earlier the city was in turmoil with protests & riots.

Overall Barcelona was lovely - the locals were nice but not the most hospitable (more on that later). The city was a mix of modern, gothic, and grunge. I wanted to make sure we hit the main touristy attractions but also have time to explore and see what the city has to offer. We made sure to get lost along the way - in my opinion, that is the best way to really get to know a new place. So here it is: my complete guide to Barcelona!

To start, I want to mention our hotel: We stayed at the Room Mate chain hotel (I had heard about it from a Facebook friend who stayed there) - picked Anna due to its location and price. For $120 CAD a night we got a superb room, artsy and comfortable with all the amenities, including a porch. The hotel got rave reviews on Trip advisor and booking.com. I booked it directly through the hotel website to avoid any surprise fees and didn't have to pay until our stay was complete. The staff was very helpful - answered all of questions and provided a map when asked. My only critique (and this applies to most of the locals we encountered) is that they weren't warm. There's a difference between people that are nice and helpful when required and those that are inviting and go out of their way to accommodate even when not needed. We found that overall the locals seem to avoid tourists and didn't care to engage in friendly banter. This was fine with me--I usually prefer to be left alone , but it was very different from our experience in Italy so had to take note. Our hotel was in the shopping and trendy district of Barcelona, their Soho equivalent, neighboring Burberry & Casa Batlo, which was great because we crossed off two things from our list immediately upon arrival.

We divided our days in morning and afternoon. The mornings we spent on visiting planned attractions while the afternoons were spent wandering the city and getting lost. I've been posting pictures from the city on Instagram so be sure to check them out!

1. The Sagrada Familia - a 20 min walk from our hotel was amazing. I've seen a lot of churches and basilicas in Italy, Quebec, Paris, Germany & London - but nothing compared to the Sagrada. From the moment I laid my eyes on the exterior I was engrossed. Every small detail, crater and face stands out and is mesmerizing. We purchased tickets online to see the inside a few days before our planned visit - 15 euros a person for the basic entrance. You pick a time slot to enter and therefore get to skip the queue at the attraction to purchase tickets. We went in Novemeber which is a low season for tourist- no cruise ships - so the lines weren't extremely long anyways. With the pre-purchsed tickets we were inside within a few minutes. The inside of the Sagrada initially felt like a spaceship to me. The long pillars and hollowness caught me a little off guard (it's not what I am accustomed to for a basilica) but eventually , as you walk further in and see the beautiful stained glass windows and the statue of Jesus hanging from thin air - it's hard not to be amazed. We spent about an hour exploring the corners inside and out of the church and then walked through the Museum before exiting. It's a definitely must visit for anyone visiting Barcelona for the first time.

2. Las Ramblas - about a 7-10 min walk from our hotel is a stretch consumed with stores and restaurants on either side, and a large pedestrian walkway running in the middle of the street. A great place to get a gelato and people watch. It starts (on the North side) from across the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (Placa de Catalunya) passing by museums, a marketplace (La Boqueria) and ends at the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vel. During the 1.2 km walk expect to pass through artists, musicians and buskers. Oh, and a lot of people asking if you wanted "ganja" . This area is often very congested and boasts a lot of places to eat, however don't be fooled by the menus and hosts trying to lure you in--you can get better food for half the price if you walk off to a smaller street - away from the main path. During our stay , we must have walked across Las Ramblas a handful of times - it's a great starting point to wander off and explore the smaller connecting streets, which lead to neighbourhoods off the beaten path. It's how we unknowingly ended up at the Gothic quarter of Barcelona.

3. The Gotchic quarter (Barri Gotic) - an area with Italian influence makes you feel like you are in an entirely different city compared to the reingst of Barcelona. It is at the centre of the old city of Barcelona. There are several museums, churches, souvenirs shops and of course restaurants that make up the area - but the surrounding castle wall makes it a very unique area of Barcelona that must be explored!

4. Park Guell - a public park system composed of gardens and architectural elements is one of the major works of Gaudi. It sits on top of a hill - about an hour and half walk uphill from Las Ramblas and our hotel. In order to save time and energy , we took a cab instead of walking- a 9 euros cab ride each way. Entrance to the park area of the Guell is free - but you must purchase tickets to Gaudi House and/or to see Monumental hill (which is an area comprised of several Gaudi masterpieces and the classic wavy mosaic wall background for picture). We didn't do the Gaudi house museum but did pre-purchase tickets for Monumental hill - a must do in our opinion, to really take in Gaudis work. The tickets were $7 euros each (and additional $5.50 euros for the Museum if interested). Similar to the Sagrada you can purchase tickets online for a specific time ( we selected 11 am). This gave us some time beforehand to walk through the free parts of the park where I got great pictures of parrots! You can't miss the sound of their squawks--they are very loud! If you look closely there are a few in every palm tree along the main dirt path. I used my Nikon to zoom in really close and get very cool shots. At the Monumumental hill, we took in Gaudi's artistic mosaic work and of course got a picture in front of the wavy, vibrant wall foregrounding the architectural masterpieces .

5 -Arc de Triompf & Cuitadella Park – a 17 min walk south east from our hotel. The path leading from the arc to and through the park was very relaxing. Walking through we saw kids and couples just enjoying a great sunny day in Barcelona - picnicking , strolling or simply sitting and singing along the many musicians playing their instruments. We found it to be very pleasant. Because of the time that we were there , it wasn't very busy with tourists which was refreshing. Durring the stroll we passed by the Picasso museum and the Barcelona Zoo.

6 & 7 - Casa Batlo & Casa Millia - a few steps from our hotel (Batlo was right beside and Millia was a block north). Both are open to the public for ticket purchasers. Tickets are available only for specific time slots like the other attractions. We chose not to purchase tickets to see the inside, although if we had more time I would have liked to see the inside of Batlo based on other pictures I have seen. But with Guell and Sagrada, we got a good dose of Gaudi so didn't feel it necessary to spend more money on the interior of the buildings. Casa Batlo was the more impressive of the two buildings from the outside in our opinion. I would recommend seeing it both durring the day and at night- the purple and blue lights hitting the building after the sun went down made it look like a totally different structure. I'll say it again, Gaudi's style is nothing like I've ever seen before (or will probably see again). It feels like from another world and you stop and stare helplessly. There you have it - we were able to squeeze everything in 2 days without feeling rushed. I would say that you need up to 3 days top--if you wanted to really go slow. We felt the 2 days were perfect for us. Spain is a country I haven't explored much and would want to come back to--perhaps not Barcelona itself but central and southern Spain next time. Also, because we were there in November, it was too cold to do anything beach related. I have read that Barcelona is home to some really great beaches, which would have possibly required an additional day or two.

If you're planning on going to Barcelona any time soon, feel free to contact me for additional information or tips-- I would be glad to help - xoxo Erum :)

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keywestlou · 4 years ago

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A DOCTOR'S EARLY ON IMPRESSIONS OF THE CORNAVIRUS ATTACK

I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of several new persons this season. I say “fortunate” because due to the COVID-19 problem there were fewer people in Key West.

Two of those persons were David and EB Berger. David is a retired anesthesiologist. EB is short for Ennid. EB a nickname that has followed her for years. She is a retired attorney.

A charming and interesting couple.

David’s professional career was in the New York metropolitan area.

David and EB own a home in Key West.

During one of our conversations, David mentioned he had dome some writing a few yeas ago. For his pleasure alone. Never published any. I asked if he would send some to me. He did.

David was retired by the time coronavirus hit. He wrote concerning his impressions. What follows is a piece he wrote in the third month of the virus in April 2020.

I thought it worthy of sharing. He titled it Battle Lines.

BATTLE LINES

The Coronavirus pandemic has been an unprecedented stress on health care delivery. There are more patients, sicker patients, requiring more resources than seems possible. The specter of health care workers becoming infected has introduced an element of fear that most practitioners have never even imagined. As a recently retired anesthesiologist, I have stayed in touch with my colleagues in the New York metropolitan area to get a gauge on their day to day existence.

I have heard accounts of many health care workers who are conflicted on whether they should enter the fray or whether to sit this one out for their own safety and for the safety of their families. I myself wonder what I would do if I were not retired, with multiple risk factors and luckily isolated in a relatively safe zone. I know of several people who are sitting this one out, but just as many who have had to step up their hours as well as the intensity of work to meet the challenge.

We see accounts of health care workers in urban hospitals who are overwhelmed physically and emotionally, who are realistically fearful of getting sick because there is inadequate personal protective equipment for all practitioners. I’m sure these accounts are true, and am hard-pressed to understand how these situations developed. My heart goes out to those people who are sent to war without weapons.

Fortunately, the health system which I was associated with has exceptional resources, and I have not heard horror stories from my colleagues. The gist of what I have heard is that my colleagues are treating this just like any other challenge they have encountered in their careers. This challenge is unquestionably unique as the sheer unrelenting volume and intensity of disease has never been experienced except during wartime. The challenge is met through established channels of cooperation and decision making. That is because health care is a team effort. It requires resourceful administration and emergency planning. It requires the cooperation of multiple hospital departments in order to deploy services where they are required as well as to develop novel solutions to problems on the fly. It requires the dedication of health care workers to work harder and longer than they ever have before. In the trenches, teamwork is the only thing that gets people through the day and the only thing that gives people strength to get up and do it again the next day.

Today I saw a Facebook video from my hospital of a patient who was being discharged from the hospital after 17 days in the ICU. The entire hospital staff was lining the walls wearing masks and applauding the patient. There was a shedding of tears, but no hugs, just an occasional gloved fist-bump.

Everyone has seen a video like this. The difference for me was that I know this guy. He has worked at my hospital for 30 years and every person in the hospital knows him. In a week where many patients were dying despite the heroic efforts of the entire staff, he survived. It was a moment of victory in a season of death. The loss of countless patients was put in perspective by one friend who was saved. Health care workers must find a sense of detachment in order to stay sane. For a moment, that detachment was overwhelmed by the fact that health care is very, very personal. That experience provided the motivation to keep on going.

David Berger MD

Key West

April 2020

David has a talent. He should write more.

Staying with doctors for a moment, I visited Dr. Norris yesterday. He wanted to check how the gout problem was coming along. I had telephoned him to complain the pain had left me days ago. However, the swelling of the foot and ankle was getting larger. Extremely so.

Saw the good doctor. Gout is gone. My problem now is water retention. I have been on water pills for years. He took me off them 2 weeks ago. Something to do with getting rid of the uric acid.

The swelling extends up through my calf.

I am back on water pills. Can’t wait for the “swelling” to go down. The swelling is so significant I am unable to wear my normal every day shoes. The foot would not fit. I was back to crocs.

I also gained 5-6 pounds during this time.

It is amazing how many people have had gout. It has monopolized many of my written and face to face conversations recently.

Found a new place for lunch. Actually, to get a sandwich at any time.

It is called The Moose Pit. Located at the back of the Moose Lodge building on Eisenhower.

It is absolutely nothing appearance wise. Typical old fashioned Key West. A hole in the Moose building for cooking. Seating outside at several picnic tables. Each covered with a huge umbrella.

I make a point. Expect nothing fancy. It is the food that will return you to the place.

The specialty of the house is Pit Beef sandwiches. Seven variations. The meat, cheese and a dressing.

The sandwich on a huge soft roll. I had the Pit Beef with cheddar and house made island sauce. At least 2 inches high. $10! The best deal in town.

I have to believe 98 percent of the people in Key West are upset with the cruise ship bill passed by the Florida House and Senate. It is on its way to the Governor for signing. He will sign it. I would be shocked if he did not.

Following are 3 comments in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice critical of what has occurred.

“Yes, Republican Senator Jim Boyd stated that his bill to over turn the cruise ship referendums would ‘protect’ Florida citizens, but from whom? Key Westers voted for the referendums and the cruise ship crowd got the State legislature to vote for them!”

“Big money wins today (most are not local) as they get to have the daily mega ships come into our port.”

“Where do I sign up to greet cruise ships with “Unwelcome signs?'”

The stone crab season ends tomorrow. As a practical matter today as there can be no harvesting after May 1.

Stone crabs…..One of the world’s greatest foods. The season is from 10/1 to 5/2.

An interesting election today in Texas.

A Republican Congressman from Texas died and this election is to fill his seat. Twenty three candidates running. Includes the dead Congressman’s wife. No party distinction. All 23 run on the same line.

The victor must receive 50 percent of the vote. If not, there will be a run off between the highest two.

Texas has not elected a Democrat to the seat since 1983. However, the numbers have been getting closer and closer. In the most recent election, the Congressman won by only 3 percentage points.

Texas has been moving Democratic. This may be the time for a politically significant result.

Joe Manchin. I am not saying I am tending to dislike him. I have reached that point already.

Excuse the vernacular, the man is a pompous self-serving ass.

Biden needs every Democratic vote to achieve his goals for America. One Democratic Senator voting with the Republicans and Biden’s proposed legislation is defeated.

Manchin has already said loud and clear he will not vote to eliminate filibuster. In addition, he now advises he does not support statehood for Washington D.C. nor a bill to overhaul federal elections.

Big day today! The Kentucky Derby! The race is scheduled to start at 6:57 pm.

Today represents the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby. A 2 minute race. It is considered the greatest 2 minutes in sports.

Don and Chris are back. Been a while since we have been together. I am meeting them tonight at 6 at the Pier House Beach Bar.

I wish the Pier House would reopen the Chart Room!

Enjoy your day!

A DOCTOR’S EARLY ON IMPRESSIONS OF THE CORNAVIRUS ATTACK was originally published on Key West Lou

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businessliveme · 6 years ago

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Venice’s future is challenged by climate change and mass tourism

(Bloomberg) –Two weeks after high tides and fierce winds produced the worst flooding in Venice in more than half a century, sirens sound about 6:30 a.m. to warn the fragile lagoon city’s weary residents that “acqua alta” is arriving again.

Less than two hours later, temporary wooden platforms are in place to allow pedestrians to move through ancient cobble-stone streets. Vendors hawking cheap water-proof boots appear out of nowhere to cater to ill-prepared tourists.

Sergio Boldrin, one of Venice’s most renowned mask makers, is used to the ritual. But the floods aren’t the only sign of decay. The feeling in the city is that climate change is hastening a downfall that started with mass tourism.

“The city has become ugly. It’s lost its soul,” said Boldrin, as thrifty day trippers stream by to gawk at but not buy his masks, which can cost as much as 1,000 euros ($1,100). “These people just don’t recognize its real beauty.”

Read: Rising sea levels could submerge key Italian ports, highways

The son of a gondolier, Boldrin is a living embodiment of Venetian tradition. From the stool of his tiny atelier Bottega dei Mascareri near the famous Rialto Bridge, the 62-year-old sees a string of small canvas-covered stands selling cheap trinkets, including low-grade plastic and ceramic knockoffs of his masks for as little as 10 euros.

The city—improbably spread across more than 100 small islands in the Venetian lagoon—attracted an estimated 30 million visitors this year. The crowds strain resources but provide little value for the local economy. Three-quarters of the tourists stay for just a few hours and spend an average 13 euros on souvenirs, according to research by Confartigianato Venezia, an association of local trade businesses.

Artisans are struggling to compete with the influx of cheaper products made abroad, and many can’t afford rents that have been driven up by real-estate speculation. Skilled craftspeople in the city’s historical area have dropped by half since the 1970s to about 1,100 in 2018.

Image courtesy: Pixabay

“A lot of it is generational change,” said Enrico Vettore of Confartigianato Venezia. “Often there’s no one in a family who can take over the business,” but there’s also the lack of demand as day trippers “don’t buy real artisan products.”

On the nearby island of Murano, Luciano Gambaro is waging a battle to preserve centuries of local glass-making traditions. The number of people working to produce the colorful, hand-blown vases and figurines has also halved, partly due to the impact of counterfeit products from eastern Europe, China and India, says the 54-year-old, who runs the family’s company and heads a consortium of business that promotes Murano glass.

The floods, which have become more frequent, disrupt the city’s rhythm, suspending Vaporetto boat lines that connect stops on the Grand Canal to outlying sites like Murano, Burano and the barrier island of Lido.

Just before midnight on Nov. 12, Venice’s “acqua alta” reached 184 centimeters (6 feet) above sea level. It was generated by a combination of rising tides and powerful winds of more than 75 miles per hour. City officials estimated the damage at about 1 billion euros. Like many others, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro blamed climate change.

Read: Tourism Is Overwhelming the World’s Top Destinations

“I love my town, we’ve raised four children here, but the city has changed for the worse in the last five years,” said Giovanni Giol, president of the Benedetto Marcello music conservatory.

Housed in a palace built in the early 1600s, manuscripts and books in the library were soaked in this month’s historic flood. The worst affected items were sent to a restoration facility in Bologna, while others were carried to higher levels of the building and are drying out on floors of the museum alongside 17th century musical instruments.

“The storm brought home the reality of the situation,” said Jane Da Mosto, executive director of a non-profit organization trying to reverse the community’s decline by controlling tourism, including a ban on cruise ships. “Venice is close to falling off the precipice. There’s no control room.”

About 1,000 residents leave every year, and about 50,000 people now call the lagoon home. The former city-state has been governed together with its larger mainland neighbor Mestre since they were linked in 1926 by Fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

Activists like Da Mosto say the city’s issues are so unique that it needs to be separate. On Sunday, Venetians will vote on a referendum to give the community its own administrative structure, but it’s non-binding and opposed by the mayor, who has called the effort “folly” because it risks creating bureaucratic bottlenecks and discouraging investment.

That puts more focus on the fraught MOSE anti-flooding project. Embroiled in several corruption probes, the system of water gates is way over budget at 5.5 billion euros and counting, and won’t be ready until 2022—more than two decades after construction began.

And it will likely be useless in stopping rising tides, according to Nelli-Elena Vanzan Marchini, an Italian historian who has written several books on Venice.

Read: Many MENA coastal cities could be flooded if sea levels rise

Global warming has raised sea levels about 8 inches since 1880, according to Climate Central, an independent organization of scientists and journalists. The rate is accelerating and a recent report by the group predicted that high-tide lines could permanently rise above land occupied by around 150 million people by 2050, including 30 million Chinese.

That’s a bleak outlook for residents like Boldrin. Along with creating masks, the artist paints images that evoke the “Death of Venice” theme—dark, solitary figures crushed by the weight of the city’s decline.

“Many of us Venetians are tired,” he said in the studio he founded with his brother in 1984 and hopes to pass on to his daughter. “Venice is suffocating.”

–With assistance from Jerrold Colten.

The post Venice’s future is challenged by climate change and mass tourism appeared first on Businessliveme.com.

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caymannewsservice · 3 months ago

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National Trust urges voters to reject call for cruise pier

Cruise ships in the George Town Harbour (file photo) (CNS): A costly permanent cruise berthing facility has the potential to cause enormous environmental damage when there are other options to help Caymanians who are still dependent on the cruise sector to transition and adapt, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) has said. The local non-profit organisation has formally declared its…

#Cruise Port Referendum #Featured #National Trust for the Cayman Islands #referendum

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biofunmy · 6 years ago

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Flood-hit Venice’s dwindling population faces mounting woes

One of only four oar makers for Venice’s famed gondoliers, Paolo Brandolisio wades through his ground-floor workshop for the third time in a week of record-breaking floods, despairing of any help from national or local institutions.

“If these phenomena continue to repeat themselves, you have to think about how to defend yourself,” he says. “Because the defenses that the politicians have made don’t seem to be nearly enough.”

“You have to think of yourself,” he repeats.

Venetians are fed up with what they see as inadequate responses to the city’s mounting problems: record-breaking flooding, environmental and safety threats from cruise ship traffic and the burden on services from over-tourism.

They feel largely left to their own devices, with ever-fewer Venetians living in the historic part of the city to defend its interests and keep it from becoming mainly a tourist domain.

The historic flooding this week — marked by three floods over 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet) and the highest in 53 years at 1.87 meters (6 feet, 1 inch) — has sharpened calls to create an administration that recognizes the uniqueness of Venice, for both its concentration of treasures and its increasing vulnerability.

Flood damage has been estimated at hundreds of millions of euros (dollars), but the true scope will only become clear with time. Architectural masterpieces like St. Mark’s Cathedral still need to be fully inspected and damaged manuscripts from the Music Conservatory library treated by experts — not to mention the personal losses suffered by thousands of residents and businesses.

“I feel ashamed,” said Fabio Moretti, the president of Venice’s historic Academy of Fine Arts that was once presided over by Tiepolo and Canova. “These places are left in our custody. They don’t belong to us. They belong to humanity. It is a heritage that needs to be preserved.”

The frustration goes far beyond the failure to complete and activate 78 underwater barriers that were designed to prevent just the kind of damage that Venice has endured this week. With the system not yet completed or even partially tested after 16 years of work and 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) invested, many are skeptical it will even work.

“This is a climate emergency. This is sick governance of the city,” said Jane Da Mosto, an environmental scientist and executive director of the NGO “We Are Here Venice,” whose aim it is to keep Venice a living city as opposed to a museum or theme park.

Brandolisio, the oar builder, sees systemic lapses in the official response, including the failure of local authorities to organize services immediately for those in need, an absence filled by volunteers. That included both a network of students who helped clear out waterlogged property for those in need and professionals like water-taxi drivers who offered transport during the emergency.

For now, he is taking matters into his own hands.

To protect his bottega where he not only makes oars but carves ornamental oar posts for gondolas or as sculpture, Brandolisio said he will have to consider raising the floor by at least 20 centimeters and buying a pump — precautions he never previously deemed necessary.

“I think I will lose at least two or three weeks of work,” he said. “I will have to dry everything. Lots of things fell into the water, so I need to clean all the tools that can get rusty. I need to take care of wood that got wet, which I can’t use because it cannot be glued.”

At the public level, proposals for better administering the city including granting some level of autonomy to Venice, already enjoyed by some Italian regions like Trentino-Alto-Adige with its German-speaking minority, or offering tax breaks to encourage Venice’s repopulation.

Just 53,000 people live in the historic part of the city that tourists know as Venice, down by a third from a generation ago and dropping by about 1,000 people a year. The population of the lagoon islands — including glass-making Murano and the Lido beach destination — is just under 30,000, and dwindling too.

That means fewer people watching the neighborhood, monitoring for public maintenance issues or neighbors in need. Many leave because of the increased expense or the daily difficulties in living in a city of canals, which can make even a simple errand a minor odyssey.

Activists also say local politicians are more beholden to the city’s mainland population, which has jumped to 180,000 people not directly affected, for the most part, by the same issues as the lagoon dwellers.

They are pushing for passage of a referendum on Dec. 1 that would give the historic center and islands their own administration, separate from that serving more populous Mestre and the industrial port of Marghera. Those areas were annexed to Venice by the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, and not necessarily a natural fit.

“It is precisely because we also have a climate emergency that this kind of thing is more important,” Da Mosto said.

“The only thing we can do for the climate is to prepare. That requires appropriate policies and investments and responsible engineering. And because the political context of Venice is so wrong, Venice doesn’t have a chance at the moment.”

———

Follow AP’s full coverage of climate change issues at http://bit.ly/2ZIRusZ

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