theworldsends

[theworldsends]

Antikythera

Lonely Planet: Greece (10th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 148 miles

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The Antikythera Mechanism (c.87 B.C.) proves how sophisticated Greek technology was. Possibly constructed by the school of Posidonius (135?-51? B.C.), on the island of Rhodes, it was found by Greek sponge divers in 1900 near the island it is named for. Corroded and encrusted by twenty-one centuries of undersea exposure, X-ray examination revealed a complex mechanical computer in the Archimedean tradition of planetary construction. The differential gear arrangement is composed of thirt-one gears with teeth formed by equilateral triangles. When past or future dates were input through cranks, the mechanism calculated the position of the sun, moon or other astronomical information such as the location of other planets.

Derek De Solla Price, its main chronicler, argues for its place above mere orrery. “Nevertheless, it does use fixed gear ratios to make these calculations of the soli-lunar calendar and it does this more by using pointer reading on a digital dial then by causing a direct geometrical modelling of the planets in space.”

The Antikythera Mechanism is the earliest example of a calculating device that processes information through gearing to achieve an answer. Price speculates that it may have been mounted on a statue and located with other automata in a high technology chamber. Pindar (c.520 B.C.) in his seventh Olympic Ode, speaks of the animated images of Rhodes and Crete,

            The animated figures stand

            Adorning every public street

            And seem to breathe in stone, or

            Move their marble fee.

  One wonders if the technology of the Antikythera Mechanism was ever directly coupled to the automata of its day in a manner similar to that of the Scribe discussed later in this chapter. Perhaps some day the discovery of other ancient technical wonders will force us to once again reconsider our robotic heritage.

  As Price points out, this epoch marked a big change in man’s view of himself. Man rivalled the gods as a builder of miniature universes and this conceit is complemented by man’s desire to play god by building automata in the human image. The Antikythera Mechanism may have exhibited with automata as a method of displaying both halves of creation. While no one then or now believes that the stars move by clockwork or that ropes move limbs, the Antikythera Mechanism and similar machines fostered the mechanistic philosophy and were important agents for transferring mechanical technology to the present.

Via Robot Evolution by Mark E. Rosheim

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Via wondergreece.gr

[theworldsends]

Al-Khuraybah

Lonely Planet: Oman, UAE and the Arabian Peninsula (4th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: c.900 miles

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Last Friday 10/4/2009  Al-khuribah  National  Secondary school  concluded its scientific, cultural and sporting events  in Honor of the Prophet Mohammad   birth as well as the victory of Him, which was launched on 16 Rabi I 1430 AH March 13, 2009. On the sports events that was organized periodically for a number of teams involved under , the banner  of Al-qadissiya football club  From Rubat Baa'shan in  Duan Ba'ashan,  Al-khuraibah youth club, the high school team , the National  team  from Al-gurain and  the United club from Rehab  on points  system  between the teams. : In the final game that was played  between the  Youth of   Al-khureibah  and United club from Rehab, the game ended in favor of the United  of Rehab and thus have been crowned champions of  the birth of the Prophet  as well as support for him League Cup .  Sayyid ,. Habib Abdullah bin Hamid Al-jailaan in his capacity as as the headmaster of secondary handed over the trophy to the champion and gave cash many as awards to the participating teams. The winner of the league given fifty thousand rials runners up was given thirty thousand and the rest of teams each was given n ship each twenty thousand riyals, to encourage  and support the youth of  Wadi  Duan. Those who attended the final game will  tell everyone that the sport is linked to education

Via Hadhramaut.info

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Via Postris.com visitheworld

Via Sergej Marsnjak

[theworldsends]

Shimoda Ropeway

Lonely Planet: Tokyo (9th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 85 miles

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Shimoda, Saturday, April 22. General permission was given today by the Commander-in-Chief for officers to land, and they are not to go beyond a prescribed limit of ten miles.

A number of officers from each ship visited the town. Accompanied by my friend A.L.C.P., I started off to see some of the novelties which are to be noticed in Japan. The people were glad to see us and crowds followed us, as we passed through some of the principal streets, went into several of the Temples, some of which were highly decorated. One of them was a Temple of Offerings, in which were hung in appropriate places, scenes of shipwreck, locks of hair, which had been placed there by persons who had been saved from shipwreck, they having vowed that if they returned in safety, they would cut off the tuft of their hair and offer it to their God. This is considered by them as doing great penance. There were also representations of numerous diseases of which persons had been afflicted and recovered.

We passed through the town and took a long walk into the country, four or five Japanese officers following us, who were continually stopping, rubbing their legs and making sundry signs for us to turn back or stop. We completely tired them out, not being used to walk as fast as our accustomed rate.

The scenery along the river of Samodi on the banks of which we walked for some distance, is very picturesque. 

With Commodore Perry to Japan: The Journal of William Speiden, Jr. (1852-1855)

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Pension Sakura-ya

[theworldsends]

Pevas

Lonely Planet: Peru (8th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 698 miles

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In 1987, it was legalized in Brazil, a beverage that had been forbidden for many years because it was supposed to be hallucinogen and so, considered as a drug.

Nevertheless, this beverage, known and used for centuries for health uses, was never taken seriously.

The original word to name this beverage, is "Ayahuasca" a quechua -native Peruvian language- word that means "rope that links the world of the dead with the world of the living". This language is very extended in South America: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, part of the Brazilian Amazon, Bolivia, north of Argentina, and north of Chile. That is, the ancient territory of the Inca Empire.

In more recent years, it has been known as "Santo Daime" which means "to give sanctity" and has more relation with Portuguese spoken in Brazil, but both names are correct to named it.

This beverage is produced by a mixture of various plants and where a liana or vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) plays a principal role.

Many think that the beverage is obtained just boiling this vine and the resultant juice is Ayahuasca, but this is not true. The vine by itself doesn’t produces any effect. Nevertheless, it contains a very powerful inhibitor of the monoxidase that combined with other vegetables which probably contains DMT (dimetiltriptamina) produces the known entiogenous effects.

There are 90 different plant species that contains DMT and some have this effects. Others could be used in combination to produce Ayahuasca.

Those who use this beverage in rituals to heel their spiritual and medical illness have different sensations; such as cold, heat, sweat etc. This has a lot to do with the vegetables used in the preparation. Active synthetic components are forbidden everywhere, but no South America country forbids the use of Ayahuasca in its natural state or prepared according to ancient and traditional recipes.

Is very common to find "curanderos" (healers or witch doctors) that treat sickness only with Ayahuasca and are known as "ayahuasqueros" due to their skills in the preparation and use of this beverage that contributes to physical and spiritual health.

This means that Ayahuasca is considered a sacred and therapeutically beverage; an important goal, considering human beings in its context and not as a organism that only responds to external stimulus.

The different countries that consume Ayahuasca give different names according to their own languages. It is prepared for different uses and is administer according to different ages, objectives, purposes etc. This means that a "chaman or shaman" takes it for far-sighted, dream interpretations, etc. An older person to make its life more full and productive. To youngster, it is use to make them stronger and to prepared their personalities so that they do not undermined their future development.

It is also remarkable the different cultural trends that there exists and which are strongly against the use of Santo Daime or Ayahuasca because they considered that they are related with religious or syncretism sects that try to separate from reality those persons who get in their discipline. Besides, they argue facts that must alert authorities; but actually the problem is not the product itself but the misuse of it, just as alcohol introduce by Europeans in America during conquest.

via Wasai Tambopata Lodge

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via Our Disappearing world

Via Adventures aboard SV/Thaleia

[theworldsends]

Steel Pier

Lonely Planet: New York City (8th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 94 miles

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Lucky Luciano: You wanted to see me?

Arnold Rothstein: Yeah, it turns out my sister-in-law's nephew, for a time at least, survived the shooting in the woods.

Lucky Luciano: Well, I'm sorry about your loss. Obviously, if there's anything I can do...

Arnold Rothstein: There is actually. You can kill someone for me to settle a debt. I have it on good authority that a James Darmody of Atlantic City was one of the two shooters.

Lucky Luciano: Who was the other one?

Arnold Rothstein: I don't know. But I'd bet you're persuasive enough to get Darmody to tell you.

Lucky Luciano: That's a good bet.

Arnold Rothstein: The only kind I make.

Boardwalk Empire

"Judging from her ass I bet she was Puerto Rican or something. [Laughs] I’ll never know, because shorty wanted a hurricane and said her busted roommate wanted one too. I only got a $20 so I said, “Come back to my house. We’ll hit up the jacuzzi and I’ll splash you, girl. A real hurricane, yo. Water everywhere, bubbles, heat, jets—a hurricane.” And she said, “I’m on my period. I can’t go in no hot tub. Are you fuckin’ retarded?” And I said, “Damn, you gross-ass bitch.” And you know what I did? I turned to her busted friend and I said, “You DTF?” And she said, “Yeah.” And then she pulled her gum out of her mouth and stuck it on the bar. And then she leans into tongue my face, and I’m like, “Whoa, honey. Not in front of my boys. Meet me in the parking lot, but don’t stand anywhere near my car.”

Vinny, Jersey Shore Hurricane Sandy fundraising special.

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via the Baby Boomer eMuseum

via Atlantic City Beach Patrol

via Bleachbox

via NBC

[theworldsends]

Chiu village

Lonely Planet: China (13th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 2,055 miles

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3:00pm.

We are camping at Lake Manasarovar, just south of Kailash. I have my own tent and my crew has theirs. I have just napped for two hours. I ate breakfast; this was the first time with no hesitation and with enjoyment. As Dorjee and I left to walk up Chiu Gompa (monastery), I had just used the latrine tent and wondered if I should again. I was right, I should have but I didn't. Diarrhea starting.

Chiu Gompa has five monks living there. Guru Rinpoche's meditation cave in the gompa is gorgeous. There are images of Guru Rinpoche, Yeshe Tsogyal, and one other consort, I believe. The rangjung or self-manifested footprints of Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal are impressive. But my guide is especially excited about the smooth oval rangjung rock that Guru Rinpoche retrieved from the middle of Lake Manasarovar.

I could see Kang Rinpoche when I awoke. Earlier I had wondered if I should take a picture, but did not. When I awoke just now, there it was again, not covered in clouds.

Dying & Living in the Arms of Love, by Tracey Alysson

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via Mountains of Travel Photos

via Tibet pictures

via Tibet tours guide

[theworldsends]

Dapaong

Lonely Planet: West Africa (7th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 345 miles

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La Région des Savanes est une contrée de haute tradition musicale eu égard à la multiplicité des ethnies des groupes para-gourma et mandé qui la peuplent. Les réjouissances populaires, les funérailles, les couvents, les initiations, les rites religieux, le mariage et les intronisations rythment la vie quotidienne. Quatre types d'instruments sont couramment utilisés : 

Les membranophones composés de gros et de petits tambours d'aisselle. 

Les Idiophones comportant des sonnailles, des gongs et des castagnettes. 

Les cordophones composés des luths et des vièles utilisés un peu partout. 

Les aérophones comprenant des flûtes en bois et les cors.

Quant aux danses, on y distingue les danses mixtes masculines, féminines et celles des initiés

Groupe de danseurs Pok'nt avec en tête le chef Bangabanga de Bologou

Via Musee Regional des Savanes, Dapaong 

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via ds-lands

via cathocambrai

via maremagna

via tabisite

[theworldsends]

The Wolf's Lair, Gieroz

Lonely Planet, Poland (7th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 128 miles

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"... German companions, I don't know how many times already someone planned and made an attempt to kill me. If today I speak to you, I do it for two reasons: First, I want you to hear my voice to let you know that I'm alive and healthy. Secondly, I want you to learn more about the crime, which has nothing equal in the history of Germany. A small group of selfish, devoid of conscience and at same time murderous, foolish officers planned a plot to remove me together with my military command. The bomb planted by Colonel Count von Stauffenberg exploded 2 meters from my right hand... I survived entirely without damage except for minor scratches, bruises and burns. I accept this as a confirmation of my tasks commissioned by Providence to continue to pursue my goal in life as I did until now. The group of people represented by those traitors has nothing in common with Wermacht or the German Army. This time we are going to make even in the National Socialists’ style! "

via wolfsschanze.pl

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via Malgorzata Grzywacz

via martin★80

via Una Notte A Napoli

[theworldsends]

Sark

Lonely Planet: Great Britain (5th edition)

Distance from first location in guidebook: 173 miles

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MINUTES of the MICHAELMAS MEETING of CHIEF PLEAS Held in The Assembly Room, Sark on 2nd October, 2013 at 10.00am Present: Sieur J.M. Beaumont OBE, Seigneur; Lt. Col. R.J. Guille MBE, President; K.N. Adams, Prévôt; T.J. Hamon, Greffier; W. Kiernan FCA, Treasurer; A.L. Guille, Constable and L. Belfield, Vingtenier. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Air Marshal Peter Walker, CB, CBE, also attended. 24 Conseillers were present

The French Ambassador - with his wife and four members of his Embassy paid a very short visit to Sark during the afternoon of 21st September which included a tour of La Seigneurie Gardens in company with the Seigneur. During the visit, Conseiller Bache accompanied the Ambassador and, during lunch, had an opportunity to discuss Sark’s position in the Bailiwick and to tell him of our interest and involvement in the Channel Island Marine Renewable Energy Group as it seeks co-operation with the Basse-Normandie Region and the Department of La Manche. The Ambassador and his group then made a short tour of the Island before returning to Guernsey.

The Lord Chancellor - the Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling, MP, visited Guernsey on 22nd–23rd September as part of his visit to the Channel Islands. The responsibilities of this position include having oversight of all Ministry of Justice (MoJ) business which includes relationships between the UK and the Crown Dependencies. 

Conseillers Cook and Bache, as political representatives of Sark, were invited to meet the Secretary of State in Guernsey on 23rd September and, during the meeting, were able to discuss Sark’s relationship with the MoJ; more generally the Conseillers sought to inform him about the Government’s policies and the importance of maintaining the Island as the special place it still is.

World War l - Conseiller Cottle identified forthcoming significant events, reminding the Assembly that In 2014 the Centenary of the start of World War 1 will be commemorated in the UK and across the Commonwealth countries. August 4th is the date when Britain entered the War after Germany invaded Belgium. To coincide with events to take place elsewhere, it is proposed that Sark marks this significant occasion with a day of commemoration, the focal point of which will be a Church Service of Remembrance.

This service would be particularly to remember the involvement of the people of Sark and the names of all the Men of Sark who served in the Armed Services and Merchant Navy will be read out. Those who gave their lives in the conflict will be named and honoured. 

A small committee will be formed which may also propose a project to coincide with this day to provide a lasting memory of the Centenary.

One idea has been suggested, but we would welcome others and if funding is required, this would come from the contingency of £3,000 requested in the 2014 Budget. Any proposal requiring funding will be brought back to Chief Pleas for approval.

70th Anniversary of the Liberation - in 2015 there are two more Anniversaries of major significance for Sark, which it is planned to celebrate and this is advance notice of planning for these. The first is the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Island from Occupation at the end of World War 2 which falls on Sunday May 10th.

Royal Charter - on 6th August the 450th Anniversary of the signing of the Royal Charter and the settlement of Sark by Seigneur Helier de Carteret will take place.

It is hoped to coordinate a number of events and projects to mark this historic date. Again a Committee or Working Party will start gathering ideas and report back as appropriate.

via gov.sark.gg

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via simplysark.co.uk